Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering (IJCE) is a scientific journal in Civil Engineering Sciences. The journal aims to publish original and valuable research articles on the latest innovations in civil engineering. IJCE is published by the University of Anbar- College of engineering under the regulations of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research since 2005 and it is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) 4.0.The journal is open access and a double-blind peer-review journal and it is issued quarterly.
Influence of Nano Enhanced Cementitious Matrix on Fiber Pullout Behavior and Tensile Response of Fiber-Reinforced Composites
This study investigates the influence of nano silica on the mechanical performance and interfacial behavior of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs) incorporating steel, glass, polypropylene, and raffia fibers. The objective is to evaluate the impact of nano-silica content (0%, 1.5%, 2.5%, and 3.5%) on workability, compressive strength, fiber–matrix bond strength, and tensile response under uniaxial loading. The addition of nano-silica reduced flowability due to its high surface area and water demand but enhanced compressive strength, reaching a maximum value of 77.14 MPa at 3.5 percent nano-silica. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) confirmed matrix densification and refinement of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in nano silica modified mixtures, supporting the observed strength gains. Single-fiber pull-out tests revealed that nano silica significantly improved average and equivalent interfacial bond strengths. Steel fibers exhibited the most consistent bond improvement, while raffia fibers demonstrated the weakest performance. Longer fiber embedment enhanced bond strength and energy absorption for high-modulus fibers. Equivalent bond strength trends indicated a strong dependency on fiber type and embedment length. Direct tensile tests demonstrated that nano-silica significantly enhanced the tensile strength and ductility of composites. The most substantial improvement was observed in steel fiber-reinforced composites, with cracking strength increasing by 166.7% and ductility by 143.3% at 2.5% NS. Correction factors were proposed to align theoretical tensile predictions with experimental results. Overall, nano silica proved highly effective in improving FRCCs by densifying the matrix, strengthening the fiber matrix interface, and enhancing mechanical performance under tensile loading.
Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy
Copyright (c) 2025 Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering
Flexural Behavior of Concrete Beams Reinforced with High-Strength Steel​
Most concrete structures are reinforced with steel bars to enhance their performance. However, engineers face two major challenges: the high cost of steel compared to concrete and congestion of reinforcement, especially in beams and beam-column joints. These issues can largely be mitigated by using high-strength (HS) steel instead of normal-strength (NS) steel. This study investigates twelve concrete beams (150 × 250 mm), divided into three groups of four specimens. The first group was reinforced with NS steel bars, the second with HS steel, and the third with a combination of both. All beams were tested under four-point bending over a clear span of 2000 mm. Grade 1860 steel (G-270) was used for the HS steel reinforcement. Results showed that achieving the same flexural strength required nearly three times more NS steel than HS steel, leading to reduced reinforcement congestion, lower material usage, and decreased labor costs. Beam specimens were reinforced with steel contents of 1.80 kg/m (NS steel), 1.76 kg/m (HS steel), and 1.66 kg/m (combined reinforcement). Beams with HS steel showed significantly higher ultimate load capacity and improved stiffness (load-deflection behavior) compared to beams with NS steel or combined reinforcement. The analysis confirmed that the applied design method offers conservative and reliable predictions.
Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of EPS Mortar Using Waste Plastic Fibers
The aim of this research is to experimentally evaluate the mechanical characteristics of mortar mixtures containing expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads and reinforced with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers. Fine aggregates were partially replaced with 10% and 20% replacement ratios of expanded polystyrene beads, as well as four PET fiber volume fractions set at 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%. Standard specimens for compressive strength, density, split strength, and flexural strength were used to assess the mechanical properties of hardened samples, while the slump test was used to gauge the fresh-state workability. The findings showed that the weight of the mortar reduced when EPS beads were used in place of fine aggregates. However, incorporating EPS beads into the mortar led to notable decrease in its mechanical properties. The workability was negatively impacted by the addition of PET fibers. However, when 0.75% PET fibers were added, PET reinforcement significantly increased compressive strength by 32% and 27% in mixes with 10% and 20% EPS, respectively. Splitting tensile and flexural strength exhibited minor fluctuations, with overall improvements remaining within approximately ±10%. The density and ultrasonic pulse velocity reduce when adding PET fibers. At 20% EPS and 1% PET, the concrete's density dropped to approximately 2030 kg/m³.
Properties and Mechanics of Concrete and Composite Materials
Copyright (c) 2026 Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering
Rainfall-Runoff Modeling By HEC-HMS Model For The Kunhar River Basin
One main natural hazard resulting from interactions between rainfall-runoff is flooding. Extreme precipitation causes surface water flow to rise, hence breaking river systems and causing flooding. This work models and forecasts flood dynamics in the Kunhar River basin with the Hydrologic Engineering Centre's Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC-HMS). It shows how well the technology can combine several hydrological data points to precisely project flood paths. These studies have repeatedly shown the dependability of HEC-HMS over many geographical and climatic environments, therefore confirming its fit for thorough hydrological research. HEC-HMS included obtaining thorough datasets comprising historical hydrological data from NASA, spatial information from ARCGIS, and meteorological data from WAPDA in addition to flow rates and water levels. We started the basin model in HEC-HMS by including Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to define watershed boundaries and record topography. Terrain preprocessing came next to solve discontinuities and guarantee correct water flow modelling. Combining several datasets, the model was designed to reflect the coordinate system and underwent hydrological study to replicate surface water flow, accumulation, and stream networks inside the basin. With subbasin-10 showing the largest peak flow of 132 cubic meters per second during severe rainfall events, especially on August 7, 2013, results revealed that HEC-HMS effectively forecasted peak discharges in the subbasins of the Kunhar River. With an estimate 90% accuracy rate, this proved the great dependability of HEC-HMS in flood prediction. The results show that the model can help with flood management planning and foresee flood circumstances. HEC-HMS's value in designing flood barriers and enhancing watershed management particular to each subbasin. It emphasizes the need of revised hydrological models to consider land use and increasing temperature.
A Comparative Analysis of Bearing Pad Resilience in 44-Year-Old and Modern Bridge Structures
A study of Al-Rayhanna Bridge (Iraq, Anbar Province) concerned with examining elastomeric bearing pad dynamic behaviour against changes in traffic speed and girder deflection. The areas of maximum deflection were being located at midspans of the girders, especially under truck or underneath truck lanes. One of the key contributions of the work was the application of the deflection measurements of the Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) for the estimation of car speeds, and a very welcoming mean value of 40.95 km/h (the visual timing correlations being >95 per cent), showed that structural measurement can be employed in reliable traffic analysis. The new bridge was defined by reduced damping ratio (3-4 % compared to 5-6 % of the old bridge) accounting for varying abilities to absorb and release energy. Thus, the new bridge appeared to require less balance restoration energy (1.5-2 seconds / 0.5-0.67 Hz) than the old bridge exhibiting faster stabilization (1-1.5 seconds / 0.67-1 Hz). The rate of amplitude decay also varied quite radically: 20-25 per cent per cycle for the new bridge compared to 30-35 per cent for the old bridge. Structural design and climatic dependent factors , indicates the significant role played by adopting dynamic factors - such as damping, energy dissipation and deflection patterns in bridge structure design and maintenance to guarantee long-lasting structural integrity and safety. These observations give conclusive feedback on upcoming resilient bridge construction, also the field of material science and traffic engineering
Behaviour of Structures Under Static and Dynamic Loads
The Impact of Expanded Polystyrene Beads and Waste Plastic Fibers on Fresh and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete
Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is a pioneering concrete that can gush beneath its own load, filling the formwork, and achieving full consolidation while maintaining sufficient cohesion to handle the concrete without segregation or bleeding issues. To develop EPS- fiber reinforced SCC, waste materials such as Expanded Polystyrene Beads (EPS) and waste plastic fibers (Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) were incorporated. This study investigated the response of SCC to the incorporation of different ratios of PET fibers (0.35%, 0.5%, and 0.75%) and 10% of EPS particles and its impact on fresh and mechanical properties of SCC mixtures. Five SCC mixtures were designed, including the reference mixture, 10% EPS mixture, and three volume fractions (Vf) of PET mixtures. Test results indicated that EPS particles had an optimistic effect on fresh properties and a slight negative effect on mechanical properties. While PET fibers revealed a slight negative impact on fresh properties, they also improved mechanical properties. The highest and lowest values in fresh properties tests, including slump flow, T50, V-funnel, L-box, and sieve segregation were (780mm for (E %10) mix, 5.4 seconds for (0.75% f) mix, 19 second for (0.75% f) mix, 0.85 for (E %10) mix, and 10.77% for (R) mix), respectively and (670mm for (0.75% f) mix, 1.8 second for (E %10) mix, 6 seconds for (E %10) mix, 0 for (0.75% f) mix, and 3.28% for (0.5% f) mix), respectively. While, the highest and lowest values in mechanical properties tests, including density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), compressive strength, and splitting tensile strength were (2305 kg/m3 for (R) mix, 4.2 km/s for (R) mix, 48 MPa for (0.5% f) mix, and 3.66 MPa for (0.5% f) mix), respectively and (2170 kg/m3 for (0.5% f) mix, 4.03 km/s for (0.75% f) mix, 31 MPa for (E %10) mix, and 2.33 MPa for (E %10) mix), respectively
Strength, Absorption, and Thermal Properties of Cement and Geopolymer Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
A study was undertaken to produce lightweight aggregate concrete using artificial lightweight aggregate (Lytag) made from sintered fly ash. Cement or fly ash-based geopolymer was utilized as binder material, and its effect on the properties (compressive strength, water absorption, and thermal conductivity) of lightweight aggregate concrete was investigated. Two mixes were designed (using the absolute volumes method) and produced at a density of around 1350 kg/m3 as cement lightweight aggregate concrete and geopolymer lightweight aggregate concrete. Fly ash and an alkaline solution (sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate) were used to produce the geopolymer paste. The results indicated that the compressive strength, water absorption, and thermal conductivity of lightweight aggregate concrete made with geopolymer paste were better than those made with cement paste. An increase in compressive strength by about 49% and a decrease in water absorption and thermal conductivity by about 36% and 25%, respectively, were noticed in fly ash-based geopolymer lightweight mix compared to cement lightweight concrete mix.
Effect of Alkaline Activator Type on the Performance of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer for Reducing the Hydraulic Conductivity of Clayey Soil
This study examined the efficacy of Fly Ash Type F-based geopolymer binders in enhancing the impermeability of clayey soils. A clayey soil of the CL type was stabilized using geopolymer mixtures composed of fly ash activated by two different alkaline systems: (1) sodium silicate combined with lime and (2) sodium bicarbonate combined with lime. The FA binders were added at dosages of 10%, 20%, and 30% by weight of dry soil, and FA/AA was 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6. Standard falling head permeability tests were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the therapies. The experimen results indicated a marked improvement in reducing soil permeability with both alkaline activator systems. The greatest reduction was observed at a 30% replacement ratio when the sodium silicate–lime mixture was used. Beyond this level, a slight increase in permeability was recorded, which can be attributed to the excessive alkalinity of the mixture and the potential formation of microcracks. On the other hand, the sodium bicarbonate–lime system showed a consistent trend, where higher replacement levels continued to lower permeability. Overall, the study highlights that fly ash–based geopolymers, when properly optimized in terms of activator type and dosage, provide an effective and sustainable approach for improving the impermeability of clayey soils, particularly in hydraulic and geotechnical engineering applications
Geotechnical, Soil-Structure, and Foundation Engineering
Structural Behavior of SCC Hollow Beam Reinforced with GFRP Containing EPS and Plastic Fiber
The purpose of this research is to produce a modified SCC that involves the incorporation of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and waste of plastic type (PET). The goal is to minimize the weight of the material while simultaneously improving its brittleness and reducing the environmental impact. The study focuses on two methods for reducing the weight of structural elements by using EPS beads, which create voids through concrete, and the second method is making a hollow through the element. This study included designing and investigating four concrete beams under concentrated static load. The parameters were hollow position and material types. The results showed that the offsetting hollow from the center of the beam enhanced the ductility index by 10% and increased the load capacity by 10%. Adding EPS beads reduce the concrete density by 11.5% and load capacity by 22%. Toughness was improved by using plastic fiber due to the mechanism of crack bridging. The crack pattern had been changed due to the utilization of waste material, and enhancement was observed through experimental tests by making smooth cracks and changing the probability of sudden failure when using GFRP rebars. It was found that the optimal quantity of EPS was 2 kg to produce SCC in accordance with code requirements. No debonding or slip was observed during monitoring, as evidenced by the absence of spalling or cracking around the reinforcement.
Strength and Permeation Characteristics of Zeolite-based Geopolymer Lightweight Concrete
Geopolymer concrete is a material manufactured by polymerizing sources of aluminates and silicates like fly ash, metakaolin, slag, zeolite, etc. with an alkaline solution. A study has been undertaken to produce lightweight geopolymer concrete by using waste zeolite particles (zeolite molecular sieve) as aluminates and silicates source and at the same time as lightweight medium. In addition, others three geopolymer lightweight concrete mixes were produced by partially replacing the waste zeolite particles (25% of volume) with sources materials (fly ash type F, fly ash type C and waste zeolite powder. Moreover, the impact of this partially replacement on dry density, compressive strength and permeation characteristics of produced geopolymer lightweight mixes was studied. An alkaline solution of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide was used in all the investigated mixes as an activator. From the findings, a geopolymer lightweight mix suitable for insulation purposes (density of 1610 kg/m3 and 28 days compressive strength of 5.1 MPa) was successfully produced using waste zeolite molecular sieve. It was found also that the lightweight zeolite particles were uniformly distributed through the produced mixes. Finally, it was found that replacement of 25% of volume of zeolite particles by fly ash (type C) helped in not only enhancing the compressive strength by about 13% but also reducing the water absorption by about 33%.
Designing and Implementing a System to Monitor the Air Quality of Abbottabad City
This research investigates air quality and environmental conditions at COMSATS University Islamabad Abbottabad Campus and Missile Chock using IoT-based sensors. Sensors were deployed at both sites to monitor PM 2.5 levels, AQI, temperature, humidity, and gas concentrations. Data was collected over specific intervals and analyzed to identify trends and differences. The methodology involved using IoT-based sensors to capture real-time data on environmental parameters and air quality indicators at both locations, i.e., COMSATS University and Missile Chowk. At COMSATS University, PM 2.5 levels consistently fell within the "Good" category, with readings ranging from 11 to 35 µg/m³. AQI values improved over time, dropping from 91 to 2, indicating effective air quality management. Temperature and humidity remained stable, ranging from 19°C to 21.4°C and 57% to 63%, respectively. The MQ-2 sensor said that the gas levels were between 2550 and 3776 parts per million. On the other hand, Missile Chock had higher PM 2.5 levels, which varied from "Moderate" to "Poor," with values between 11 and 139 µg/m³. Initially, the AQI measurements revealed "Moderate" pollution, but with time, they became better and reached "Good." The humidity was between 18% and 20%, while the temperature was between 30°C and 31.5°C. The MQ-2 sensor results showed that the gas levels were generally high, between 3887 and 4159 ppm. The survey shows that major cities like Missile Chock have greater pollution because of people and automobiles. On the other hand, green locations like COMSATS University have cleaner air. We need to always be aware of air pollution and do something about it so that the air quality in cities improves and the health hazards that come with it decrease.
Hydraulic, Civil, and Environmental Engineering
Evaluation of Traffic Congestion Solutions in Peshawar Chowk Using AIMSUN Software
The negative impacts of road traffic congestion in the Smart City environment are the subject of this study. Although the postponements are not entirely new, they are a well-known issue that affects a large portion of the worldwide population through pollution and postponements. In order to maintain flow and prevent traffic bottlenecks, there is a higher need for traffic management due to the growing urbanization and number of motorized motor vehicles. We use Peshawar Chowk, being one of Pakistan's most important urban and economic centers, it was chosen as a pilot research location. It is experiencing an uncontrolled phase of fast urbanization and motorization. The study first examines sustainable transportation systems to comprehend the idea of environmentally friendly transportation. The research then assesses to determine the most sustainable kind of transportation, considering Pakistan's current urban transportation and transportation infrastructure. Using AIMSUN software, the best option for a more environmentally friendly transportation system may be found. We do this by comparing the criteria and alternatives in pairs. A survey questionnaire is used to conduct this pair-wise comparison.
Highway design, Survey, Transportation, and Traffic Engineering
A Study of Viscous Dampers for Enhanced Seismic Performance in Reinforced Concrete Multi-Storey Building
This study investigates the seismic performance of a nine-storey reinforced concrete building located in Seismic Zone 3, focusing on the effectiveness of viscous dampers in enhancing structural resilience. With increasing seismic risks, the integration of damping systems has become critical for mitigating vibrations and improving building safety. The research evaluates four configurations: a fixed-base building with no dampers, buildings with corner dampers featuring uniform and varying force capacities, and a building with middle dampers. The Equivalent Static Load (ESL) and Response Spectrum study (RSA) methods are used in the ETABS 2021 research to look at important factors such the natural period, storey stiffness, storey drift, storey displacement, and overturning moments. These steps are based on the UBC 97 criteria. The results show that viscous dampers do assist structures stay standing during earthquakes. Buildings with corner dampers that could handle different amounts of stress had a natural period that was 37.5% shorter. This means that they were stiffer and could respond to seismic shocks faster. The storey's stiffness went down by 16.7%, and the periods of overturning went down by 5.7%. This shows that the dampers did a great job of getting rid of energy. Also, the maximum storey displacement and drift were 41.6% and 48.14% lower than in the fixed-base model, respectively. These figures show how important it is to put dampers in the right places, especially at corners where the force capacity changes, to make buildings more resistant to earthquakes. The study's conclusion is that viscous dampers make multi-story structures in moderate seismic zones much safer by making them less likely to break and improving how effectively they perform. This study gives engineers and designers important information that makes them desire to use current dampening technologies in tall buildings to make them safer during earthquakes.
Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Carbon Fibers Reinforced Modified Foamed Concrete
Foamed concrete (FC) is a type of lightweight concrete characterized by a high void space ratio and cementitious binders. In this research, the fresh and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced modified foamed concrete (made with fly ash, silica fume, and superplasticizer) with a density of 1300 kg/m³ were studied. Carbon fibers of different lengths (12 mm, 20 mm, and 28 mm) were introduced in two ways: as single fibers (12 mm) and as hybrid fibers combining lengths of 20 mm and 28 mm. The results showed that the compressive and split tensile strengths increased by approximately 43% compared to the control mix (modified with additives) when using a single fiber of 12 mm at a volume proportion of 0.4%. In contrast, using hybrid fibers resulted in increases of about 65% and 66% in compressive and split tensile strengths, respectively. When compared to the single fiber method, the hybrid approach improved compressive and split tensile strengths by about 15% and 16%, respectively.
The detection of Agricultural Land Changes Using Deep learning and open source images
Land cover assessment is a significant research area in GIS and remote sensing, aiding decision-makers in understanding land use changes' underlying forces and enabling effective actions. In general, Iraqi cities are experiencing severe degradation of agricultural lands due to population growth and residential development, impacting socio-economic and environmental quality. In addition, the deriving forces of transforming the lands from agricultural to other land cover types are not well understood. Research is needed to map and assess agricultural lands for better economic and environmental solutions. The study uses ANN-CA integration to predict agricultural land changes in Babil province, central Iraq. The CNN model achieved the highest accuracy, with a total land cover transformation of 2143.1 square kilometres between 2000 and 2020. the overall accuracy was 0.95, 0.93, and 0.90 based on images captured in 2020, 2000, 2010) respectively. This methodology is considered an efficient tool for monitoring agricultural lands and developing development plans in Iraq.
Structural Performance of Ferrocement Beams containing Plastic Waste Fibers and Longitudinal Holes Filled with Lightweight Concrete
Ferrocement is a type of concrete made of mortar with different wire meshes. It has wide and varied applications in addition to its strength and durability. This research aims to combine ferrocement and sustainability, as over time, the consumption of plastics, especially plastic bottles, has increased and has serious negative effects if buried, burned, or chemically analyzed. Therefore, this research aims to benefit from this plastic waste and introduce it into the construction field by using plastic waste fibers in the concrete mixture instead of cement at a rate of 0.5% and 1% by volume. This research studied the mechanical properties of nine samples of ferrocement beams with dimensions of 1200 × 200 × 150 mm3. A longitudinal hole with a diameter of 50 mm was drilled in different places of the beams and filled with lightweight concrete to facilitate the use of the hole in service passes when drilled, with a study of the initial cracking loads and the resulting deflection in addition to the failure modes and the deflection resulting from the maximum load. The results showed an improvement in load resistance with an improvement in deflection at the maximum load, In addition to an increase in the improvement of Toughness and Stiffness of ferrocement beams.
A Review of the Flexural Behavior of Steel-Concrete Composite Beams Experimentally and Numerically
Composite beams, made up of a concrete slab and steel in the IPE steel section, are commonly used in bridges and buildings. Their main function is to enhance structural efficiency by merging the compressive strength of concrete with the tensile resistance of steel, thereby improving overall stiffness, ductility, and load-bearing capacity. This study offers an extensive review of the flexural behavior of steel-concrete composite beams, focusing on the interplay of concrete strength, shear connector types, and interaction levels in determining structural performance. It integrates experimental and numerical research to analyze critical parameters, including load-deflection behavior, shear transfer efficiency, and crack propagation at the steel-concrete interface. The study emphasizes the effect of concrete compressive strength, particularly in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and lightweight concrete, on stiffness, ductility, and load-bearing capacity while reducing self-weight and enhancing sustainability. The study revealed that fully bonded shear connectors, using CFRP sheets and welded plates, enhance flexural capacity and stiffness. In contrast, partial bonding or pre-debonding reduces performance due to crack propagation. Indented and hot-rolled U-section connectors enhance interaction and minimize slip, while uniform distribution of shear connectors optimizes load capacity and stiffness. Lightweight concrete decreases slab weight without compromising performance, and high-performance materials such as ECC, SFRC, and UHPFRC improve strength and ductility. Numerical modeling, particularly finite element methods, and higher-order beam theories validate experimental results, providing accurate tools for predicting structural behavior under various loading and environmental conditions.
The effect of high-temperature on concrete properties and the role of waste pozzalanic material to increase concrete resistance, A review
The performance of the structural materials (concrete and steel reinforcement) and the behavior of the structural members after they were exposed to high temperatures have been considered the main topics of the current literature review. All varieties of concrete mixtures lost their compressive strength after 300˚C, even though there was no discernible strength loss between 150 and 300˚C. It was also discovered that the heating time had no appreciable impact on the strength loss when the exposed to heat less than 300 ˚C. Above 300 ˚C. Concrete begins to lose strength after being exposed for longer than one hour; the greatest loss of strength occurs during the first and second hours of exposure. Both the cured cement paste and the aggregates undergo chemical and physical changes at temperatures ranging from 600 °C to 900 °C. The 5% weighted rice husk ash (RHA) blended concrete still had an advantage in compressive strength, over the concrete when subjected to temperatures up to 700 C for two hours. Adding more recycled glass and ceramic particles to regular concrete increases its overall compressive and tensile strengths. Concrete becomes more durable and has fewer cracks when there is a higher replacement rate for ceramic and glass particles. The splitting tensile strength decreased with increasing temperature, changing from 60% to 70% of its initial strength after 600 °C. In this review, the better performance of concrete than the other concrete in terms of mechanical, physical, and durability properties at both room temperature and high temperature were concrete with 10% waste glass powder (WGP) substitution as a partial of cement and 10%–20% crushed glass (CG) substitution as a partial of aggregate .
Copyright (c) 2024 Iraqi Journal of Civil Engineering
State-Of-Art of One- And Two-Way Voided Reinforced Concrete Slab
A voided slab is an innovative type of reinforced concrete slab system developed recently, that has proven its excellence in terms of its structural, environmental, and economic benefits. The self-weight of a slab can be considerably reduced using different shapes of void formers like spherical, cubical, and donut. All researchers confirm that the self-weight of the slab decreases by up to 40%. Various researchers have carried out experimental and numerical studies for studying one-way flexural strength and punching shear strength of voided reinforced concrete slabs. However, the one-way or two-way flexural strength of the voided slab still needs to be acutely investigated. This paper deals with the survey on many titles of selected high impacted journals to illustrated almost criteria of investigations of these types of slabs. The main outcomes of this paper are the term environmental protection, sustainable and plastic waste reduction had a role not a little in this research, as 16% of the research on this topic were studied. Also, the plastic material governs the subject of the raw materials used to make the voids;43% of researches used this material.
Buckling Analysis of Euler-Bernoulli Beams Resting on Two-Parameter Elastic Foundations: Closed Form Solutions
The buckling analysis of Euler-Bernoulli beam resting on two-parameter elastic foundation (EBBo2PEF) has important applications in the analysis and design of foundation structures, buried gas pipeline systems and other soil-structure interaction systems under compressive loads. This study investigates the buckling analysis of EBBo2PEFs. The governing differential equation of elastic stability (GDiES) is derived in this work using first principles equilibrium method. In general, the GDiES is an inhomogeneous equation with variable parameters for non-prismatic beams under distributed transverse loadings. However, when transverse loads are absent and the beam is prismatic the GDiES becomes a fourth order ordinary differential constant parameter homogeneous equation. General solution to GDiES is obtained in this work using the classical trial exponential function method of solving equations. Two cases of end supports were considered: simply supported ends and clamped ends. Boundary conditions (BCs) were used to obtain the characteristic buckling equations whose eigenvalues were used to determine the critical buckling loads for two cases of BCs considered. It was found that the method gave exact solutions for each of the BCs. The critical elastic buckling load coefficients for dimensionless beam-foundation parameter and ranging from for simply supported EBBo2PEFs were identical with previous results that used Stodola-Vianello iteration methods and finite element method. Similarly, the critical buckling load coefficients for and are identical with previous results that used Ritz variational method.
Governing differential equation of elastic stability
Performance of low-cost Concrete using Bentonite clay as a partial replacement with Cement
Concrete is produced from millions of tons of Cement, which emits a significant amount of carbon dioxide from cement mills and contributes to global warming. Therefore, it is important to seek out less expensive and more environmentally friendly substitutes for OPC. While various substitutes are available, such as recycled glass, marble, silica fume fly ash, or agricultural waste like rice husks or wheat straw, the performance of concrete is significantly affected when bentonite is used as a replacement for Cement. This study aims to evaluate Jhelum bentonite, which is located at 32°56′ north and 73°44′ east longitude, as a replacement for Cement in different ratios (0:100, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, and 40:60) to improve the durability of the system as more bentonite is used to replace conventional Portland cement, the workability, density, and water absorption of the new concrete all decrease. Compressive Strength, Tensile Strength, and flexural Strength of blocks and cylinders were tested after being cured for 7 and 28 days. Analysis of these strength tests revealed that the mixes containing bentonite were weaker after 7 days compared to 28 days, and the Strength of blocks was reasonable compared to cylinders.Keywords: Bentonite, Concrete, Compressive Strength, Tensile Strength.
Ductility, Toughness, and Flexural Performance of Hybrid Foamed- Normal Concrete Beams
A study examined the ductility and toughness properties of beams made of reinforced concrete, including foamed, normal, and hybrid beams. Nine reinforced concrete beams were produced: three foamed concrete beams, three normal concrete beams, and three hybrid concrete beams. Each beam possessed identical rectangular cross-sectional dimensions of 1500 mm × 250 mm × 150 mm. The flexural parameters (ultimate load, ductility, deflection, and durability) were assessed for each type of concrete utilized. The study's results showed that the load-bearing capacity of hybrid concrete beams was comparable to that of normal concrete beams, whereas foamed concrete beams exhibited slight improvement in their ability to carry loads. The ductility of reinforced foamed concrete beams was lesser than that of normal concrete. For over-reinforced beams, the ductility of hybrid concrete beams showed a significant improvement of 61% compared to foamed beams and an even more significant increase of 91.7% compared to normal beams. Furthermore, the hybrid concrete beam with over-reinforcement had a flexural toughness of 18.7% greater than the normal concrete beam. Suggested that a hybrid section comprising conventional and foamed concrete be utilized to decrease ductility and improve stiffness.
Stodola-Vianelo Iteration Method for Solving Transverse Harmonic Natural Vibration Problems of Euler-Bernoulli Beams on Winkler Foundations
Free transverse vibration frequency analysis of Euler-Bernoulli beams on Winkler foundation (EBBoWF) is a significant part of their analysis for averting failures by resonance. Resonant failure of EBBoWF occurs when the loading frequency exciting the vibration coincides with the least natural frequency. This study aims at using the Stodola-Vianello iteration method (SVIM) for the natural transverse vibration analysis of EBBoWF. Generally, the problem is governed by a non-homogenous partial differential equation (PDE) for forced vibrations, but simplifies to a homogeneous PDE for free vibrations where excitation forces are absent. For harmonic vibrations, and harmonic displacement response u(x, t), the equations are decoupled in terms of the independent spatial and time variables, resulting in a fourth order ordinary differential equation (ODE) in the displacement modal function for u(x, t). The study’s focus is on homogenous, prismatic, isotropic thin beams leading to ODEs with constant parameters. SVIM was used to express the ODE as Stodola-Vianello iteration equations with four constants of integration, determinable via the boundary conditions. Specific application of SVIM to the EBBoWF with simple end supports used exact sinusoidal shape functions and boundary conditions to determine the integration constants. Convergence criterion at the nth iteration was used to find the eigenequation which was solved for the eigenvalues. The natural transverse vibration frequencies at the nth modes were found in terms of frequency parameters . Values of calculated for the first five modes n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and for values of showed that the present SVIM gave exact results compared to other previous results. The exact solutions were obtained because exact shape functions were used in the SVIM equations resulting in satisfaction of the governing equations at the domain and the boundaries.
Euler-Bernoulli beam on Winkler foundation
Lane-based modeling of traffic characteristics on urban multi-lane highway in Mosul city.
ABSTRACT This research models the relationship between traffic characteristics and lane position on a six-lane divided highway. Both macroscopic and microscopic models were developed to analyze speed-density, speed-flow, and flow-density relationships for each lane, using linear and nonlinear approaches. Additionally, microscopic models were created to investigate speed-spacing, speed-headway, and headway-spacing relationships. Data was gathered using video recordings and radar speed guns, and traditional methods were applied to calculate density and spacing distance, which are typically challenging to measure in the field. Microsoft Excel and SPSS ver.26 software were utilized for analysis. The coefficient of determination (R-square) and the chi-square test were employed to assess the goodness of fit for the models. The results indicated no significant differences between the predicted and observed data, demonstrating critical traffic characteristics and providing insights into vehicular and driver behavior. These models can be utilized to identify various parameters of traffic characteristics in future studies on the examined highway.
Single Finite Sine Transform Method for Exact Bending Analysis of Simply Supported Kirchhoff Plate under Parabolic Load
Despite the importance of plates in structural analysis the flexural analysis of plates under parabolic load has not been extensively studied. This paper presents single finite sine transform method for exact bending solutions of simply supported Kirchhoff plate under parabolic load. The governing equation of equilibrium is a fourth order non-homogeneous differential equation in terms of the deflection The considered thin plate problem has Dirichlet boundary conditions at all the edges. This recommends the use of the finite sine integral transform method whose sinusoidal kernel function satisfies the boundary conditions. The sinusoidal function of x used for the sine transform kernel in this paper satisfies the Dirichlet boundary conditions along edges. The transformation simplifies the problem from a partial differential equation (PDE) to an ordinary differential equation (ODE) in the transformed space. The general solution, obtained using methods for solving ODEs is found in terms of unknown constants of integration which are found by using the finite sine transform of Dirichlet boundary conditions along the and edges. The solution in the physical domain space variables is then found by inversion as a rapidly convergent single series with infinite terms. A one term truncation of the single infinite series yields center deflection solution that is only 2% greater than the exact solution. A three term truncation of the infinite series for gave exact center deflections. Bending moments are found using the bending moment deflection relations as convergent single series with infinite terms.
A Review of Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Geomaterial Treatment Using the MICP Technique
Microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a fast-evolving technology for cementing sandy soils, improving ground, repairing concrete cracks, and remediating contaminated land. The current work thoroughly reviews various factors that can impact the effect of the MICP technology on geomaterials. These factors include the type and strain of the microbes, concentration of bacterial solution, cementation solution composition and concentration, environmental factors (temperature, pH level, and oxygen dissolved), and soil properties. It was found that the type and strain of bacteria, concentration of bacterial suspension, pH value, temperature, and the reaction solution properties are the most affecting factors in controlling the characteristics of the produced calcium carbonate, which in turn affects the degree of bonding between geomaterials particles. For an optimal implementation of the MICP in soils treatment, it appeared that for the most commonly used bacterial strains a temperature between 20 and 40 °C, a pH between 6.5 and 9.5, and a cementation solution concentration of 0.5 mol/L, are typically recommended.
Solving Clamped Kirchhoff Plate Bending Problems Using Superposition of Sinusoidal and Polynomial Basis Functions in the Ritz Variational Method
Thin plate bending analysis is an important research subject due to the extensive use of plates in the different fields of engineering and the need for accurate solutions. This article uses the Ritz variational method and a superposition of trigonometric and polynomial basis functions to solve the Kirchhoff-Love plate bending problems (KLPBPs). The unknown displacement function in the Ritz variational functional (RVF) to be minimized is sought as linear combinations of basis functions Fm(x) and Gn(y) that are found by superposing sine series and third degree polynomial functions with the polynomial parameters determined such that all boundary conditions of deformation and force are satisfied. The displacement is thus expressed in terms of unknown displacement parameters Amn which are found upon minimization of RVF with respect to Amn. The minimization process gave a matrix stiffness equation in Amn with the stiffness matrix and force matrix found from Fm(x) and Gn(y) and their derivatives. The algebraic equation is solved, and the deflection and bending moments obtained. The problems considered were clamped (CCCC) plates under uniform and hydrostatic distribution of loads and plates with opposite edges clamped, the rest simply supported (CSCS) under uniformly distributed loading. Comparison of the solutions by Generalized Integral transform method, Levy-Nadai series method, and symplectic eigenfunction superposition confirms that the present results are accurate.
Construction of The Load-Transfer Curves for Piles in Sand as a Function of The Standard Penetration Test
In this paper, a practical method of analysis of the pile displacements is proposed on the basis of the theory of load-transfer curves widely used in pile design and analysis. The parameters of the load-transfer curves for piles under axial load (called t-z, q-z curves) or lateral load (called P-Y curves) were correlated with the number of blows Nspt measured during the standard penetration test (SPT). Well documented case histories of full-scale axial or lateral loading tests on single piles in sand were collected, and the analysis of the experimental results led to define the parameters of the load-transfer curves. Two practical methods of computation of a single pile under an axial load or a lateral load were proposed to be used within the scope of a pile foundation project. At last, a validation process of the load-transfer curves was undertaken by direct comparison of the predicted pile displacements to those measured during other pile loading tests, which showed a good predictive capability of the two proposed methods
Transportation Indicators for Roads Network in Ramadi City
One of the most important aspects of the developing any area is creating a viable road network and defining the relationship between landscape use and road networks. Proper communication and direction are essential to the proper construction of any network. In addition to providing chances for production and consumption, resource extraction, and social cohabitation, the road network also functions as a hub for these activities. As a consequence, this contributes to the development of cities and the improvement of the level of living. However, Ramadi's road network has not received much attention and evaluation. To identify Ramadi road network transportation indicators, the researchers used geospatial information systems. Connectivity was assessed using the alpha, beta, gamma, and eta indices to describe and analyse the network. The data was collected in the first quarter of 2024. The Alpha, the beta, the gamma, and the eta indexes show weak Al-Ramadi road network connections. Indexes are 0.197, 1.26, 0.43, and 0.82. The research indicates a loss in network connectivity in the study region, necessitating the prioritization of new the roads and a city plan to mitigate network shortages.
Link and node Al-Ramadi road network Connectivity Alpha
Comparison between the measured and extracted values according to the equations in the NOVO SPT program
The evaluation of undrained shear strength (Su) in fine-grained soils is crucial for geotechnical engineering applications. This study aims to assess Su in fine-grained soils through laboratory testing and data analysis by different equations Su Undrained shear strength from field and Based on SPT-N Values. The introduction provides an overview of the importance of Su in geotechnical engineering and highlights the complexity of estimating Su in fine-grained soils. The material and methods section describes the collection of soil samples from Fallujah, which predominantly consist of silty clay and clayey silt. Field investigations were conducted to obtain Su measurements using field vane shear tests. The section also provides details on the field-testing data, including borehole depth, SPT results, consistency, Su, Su from SPT NOVO, and soil description. The laboratory testing and data analysis section presents the results of laboratory shear testing conducted on the collected soil samples. The testing involved determining the undrained shear strength of the soils using appropriate testing apparatus and procedures. The data obtained from the laboratory testing are analyzed to identify trends in Su and soil consistency. Based on the analysis of the data and the results obtained from the laboratory testing, it can be concluded that there is a relatively weak correlation between the undrained shear strength (Su) and the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) N-value. The correlations proposed by Sowers (1979), Kulhawy and Mayne (1990), Reese, Touma, and O'Neill (1976), and Terzaghi and Peck (1967) all show modest R2 values, indicating limited correlation between Su and N-value