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Go to Editorial ManagerIn recent decades, many factors have emerged in the building design field, as the technology development after the industrial revolution has left many environmental problems affecting building environments and turning them into unhealthy ones. Also, the issues of consuming natural resources required innovative and modern solutions to address, which needed the guidance and focus of researchers, engineers, and many other relevant disciplines to find the best treatments to solve them. One of the essential treatments was using advanced smart technology to solve the environmental problems of buildings, such as providing thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption. The concept of adaptive smart envelopes is one of this manifestation of advanced technology in the field of building design characterized by interaction and adaptation to the surrounding environment through the application of many technologies which it works to improve its environmental efficiency. The research aim was to simulate the changes in the building environment, which is treated by covering the building with an adaptive smart envelope by using the Rhinoceros Grasshopper programme.
Industrial activities significantly affect the environment by releasing many organic pollutants, including industrial dyes, phenols and antibiotics, which produce wastewater. Effective removal of these substances from wastewater has appeared as a noticeable research field owing to its environmental significance. Exorbitant operational expenses and the potential generation of supplementary pollutants load conventional techniques like adsorption, membrane separation, and coagulation. Semiconductor-based photocatalysis has effectively degraded organic contaminants into less toxic or biodegradable compounds. The construction of robust visible-light-sensitive photocatalytic hybrids for environmental decontamination is an inspiring task for researchers. The exceptional photocatalytic performance of silver halides (AgX, where X is I, Cl, and Br) has recently attracted significant consideration as photocatalysts. Moreover, the combination of silver halides with other photo-active semiconductors to create efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst heterojunctions has significantly promoted the broader application of the photocatalysis process with enhanced efficiency. Ag-silver halides/semiconductors heterojunctions have developed as crucial components in efficient composites for photocatalysis through surface plasmonic actions, helping with visible light absorption. The current study overviews the most recent Ag and silver halide-based composite photocatalysts. Additionally, it provides an essential understanding of their promoted photocatalytic performances and their main applications in organic pollutant degradation. Moreover, the photocatalytic mechanisms and environmental applications of AgI and composites were discussed.
Contemporary urban discourse is paying increasing attention to the issue of urban resilience, due to the stresses, disasters and disturbances (natural and human) that the cities of the world are experiencing and facing, which confirms the need to be familiar with the concept of urban resilience, its dimensions, practices, and characteristics at different levels; In order to reach the aspects of developing the urban energy sector in them, and in a way that supports the preparedness of cities to face potential expected and unexpected disturbances in the future, as cities are usually formed from many main and sub-systems that are dynamically intertwined with each other, such as: the social and economic system, infrastructure systems, land use, and media Various transports, which have a high level of direct interactions with the natural environment; ; It is therefore necessary to understand how the city deals with the odds of threats and challenges in an integrated manner; To overcome its weaknesses and enhance its resilience of use, which aims to make cities more secure, resilient and sustainable in the future, as well as that requires rethinking the field of expanding the use of renewable energies and the general urban landscape. To become a search problem “Failure to exploit the potential of natural energies on the possibility of exploiting renewable natural energies with their components (active and passive) in the production of resilience urban formations in cities.” The aim of the research is to try to "extract an integrated theoretical framework on the characteristics of urban energy resilience from international and Arab experiences, and to diagnose its most important planning and design pillars and indicators, which can be adopted to evaluate the reality of urban energy resilience in local cities." The research hypothesized that “the exploitation of energy systems produced from renewable natural resources, for the purposes of environmental treatments for resilient cities, especially in the buildings of housing projects and their urban surroundings, reduces the consumption of fossil energies for the city, frees its sites from linking to depleted energy transmission networks, and reduces potential environmental pollution problems, which contributes to in the production of flexible energy systems and helps in the generation of flexible cities." The descriptive analysis method was adopted.
Concrete is considered the most important and widely used building material in the world of construction and building due to its durability, high efficiency in shaping, and relatively reasonable cost. The main component of concrete is cement, and one of the most important problems related to cement is the environmental problems associated with cement manufacturing, as the cement manufacturing process releases a large amount of carbon dioxide. Despite the essential role of concrete in construction, we cannot ignore its environmental impact. Some claim that exploring alternative materials or innovative building techniques would reduce the carbon footprint and enhance sustainability in the industry. Partial cement replacement with pozzolanic materials like zeolite is a key technique to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Zeolite, which reduces permeability, is a typical concrete ingredient that strengthens and lasts. Recently, natural zeolite has become a prominent concrete pozzolanic component. For environmental preservation and sustainable development, various experiments were done on concrete with pozzolanic components partially substituting cement and compared to ordinary concrete. A partial replacement of cement with zeolite improves the properties of concrete up to a certain age and mixing ratio. More than 44 relevant articles from 2004–2024 were selected from 762 papers evaluated for this paper. This paper reviews natural zeolite research in real applications. Additionally, it provided a cutting-edge review of natural zeolite literature through a critical analysis of various previous investigations. It also helped to understand how zeolite influences concrete mixture workability, strength, and durability. Since zeolite is a major concrete ingredient, it should be promoted as a sustainable resource.
Hybrid metal composite materials, combining diverse metal components, have emerged as promising alternatives in engineering applications, offering a unique synergy of mechanical properties. This review comprehensively examines the fatigue life of hybrid metal composites, delving into the intricate interplay of materials, manufacturing processes, and environmental factors. Drawing from a rich array of literature, the review explores the evolution of hybridization strategies, emphasizing their impact on fatigue resistance. Key factors influencing fatigue behavior, including material selection, manufacturing techniques, and environmental conditions, are systematically analyzed. The article highlights the significance of strategic hybridization in enhancing fatigue characteristics, reducing costs, and optimizing the overall performance of metal composites. The insights presented contribute to advancing the understanding of fatigue mechanisms in hybrid metal composite materials, offering valuable guidance for future research and engineering applications. Hybrid metal composite materials, characterized by the combination of diverse metal components, have garnered significant attention in engineering applications due to their potential to provide a unique synergy of mechanical properties. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate aspects of the fatigue life of hybrid metal composites, offering a thorough analysis of the interplay between materials, manufacturing processes, and environmental factors.
Real-life strategies are applied to assess pavement functionality, high-quality performance, and durability throughout its service life. Estimating pavement maintenance and sustainability is difficult. High-performance continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) structural design and Jordanian natural zeolite (JNZ) as a sustainable supplementary cementitious material (SCM) and unique mixed cement for green manufacturing are researched in this paper. The results obtained from this study showed that replacing cement with JNZ powder at 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% improved concrete performance. Natural zeolite-mixed cement preserved concrete quality and reduced the need for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and sulfate-resistant cement (SRC) clinker. After that, slab universal testing equipment and Jordanian zeolite-blended cement-reinforced concrete slabs were developed for CRCP performance. Therefore, fresh concrete was tested for partial cement substitution and standard mixture workability. Compressive, tensile, and flexural strength tests on 7 and 28 days and durability test (water absorption) were utilized to assess concrete strength and natural zeolite's potential to reduce resource consumption and carbon footprint while maintaining structural integrity using Open LCA. Sustainable CRCP structure development improved performance, resource conservation, and carbon footprint over the prior mix, according to EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) software and chemical tests. This research improves materials and supports global sustainability goals.
Chemical additives and polymeric materials, selected for their compatibility and ability to improve asphalt's performance in demanding environments. Key additives, including Polyphosphoric Acid (PPA), Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAC) beads, Maleic Anhydride (MA), and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) resin, were mixed in precise ratios with the asphalt binder. These additives were chosen to evaluate their effects on crucial performance indicators, such as the Penetration Index (PI) and activation energy, which measure the material’s thermal stability, flexibility, and resistance to deformation. Results demonstrated that the addition of these materials significantly increased the asphalt’s activation energy by up to 45.44%, enhancing its resistance to temperature fluctuations and providing better stability under various environmental stresses. The Penetration Index (PI) also improved notably, indicating that modified asphalt exhibits greater durability and reduced susceptibility to cracking or deformation under thermal changes. These enhancements contribute to lower road maintenance requirements and support greater energy efficiency in asphalt production and application processes. Compared to neat asphalt, the modified asphalt exhibited superior thermal stability, mechanical resilience, and overall performance, making it suitable for use in diverse climatic conditions. This study provides valuable insights into sustainable asphalt modification techniques, emphasizing the role of polymer and chemical additives in extending pavement lifespan and reducing environmental impact through improved material properties.
Most of the soils suffered from significant geotechnical problems dependent on factors like the type of soil, soil composition and mineralogy. Specifically, the problems related to mechanical and physical properties of soils. Several studies have been used to mitigate the adverse effects of soils through using either additive conventional materials such as cement, lime or these soils blending with produced material and chemical materials. This paper focuses on stabilizing or improving different soils using sustainable materials. These materials provided environmental and economic benefits while mitigating a health hazard, storage problems, and a potential pollution source. They can be classified according to these sources into four groups: industrial waste (by-products), agriculture waste, domestic waste and mineral waste. According to the results of this review, compaction characteristics, California bearing ratio and unconfined compressive strength have been studied and discussed in this paper.
Flexible and rigid pavements are commonly built for airport pavements to support the moving loads of aircraft during the pavement design life. Airport pavements represent a cornerstone of the aviation world. Their condition profoundly impacts safety, operational efficiency, airport capacity, and financial well-being. These meticulously engineered surfaces must withstand the immense stresses generated by aircraft during takeoff, landing, and taxiing. At the planning stage, the pavement structure, materials, aircraft loads, environmental conditions, and pavement damage models should be evaluated. Comparing with road pavement design, airport pavement structural design is unique in terms of the traffic loads supported by pavements with high load magnitude, significant tire pressure, and dynamic traffic conditions. Over time, deterioration stemming from environmental exposure, aircraft loading, and other factors becomes inevitable. This study aims to explore the various factors influencing airport pavement performance, review the existing methodologies for pavement design and maintenance, and propose enhancements to current practices to ensure long-term durability and safety of airport pavements. This study aims to explore the various factors influencing airport pavement performance, review the existing methodologies for pavement design and maintenance, and propose enhancements to current practices to ensure long-term durability and safety of airport pavements.
The adsorption characteristics of Nickel (II) onto Iraqi Bentonite clay from aqueous solution have been investigated with respect to changes in pH of solution, adsorbent dosage, contact time and temperature of the solution. The maximum removal efficiency of Nickel (II) ions is 96% at pH=6.5 and exposure to 100 g/L adsorbent. For the adsorption of Nickel (II) ions, the Freundlich isotherm model fitted the equilibrium data better than the Langmuir isotherm model. Experimental data are also evaluated in terms of kinetic characteristics of adsorption and it was found that the adsorption process for Ni+2 ions follows well pseudo-second-order kinetics. Thermodynamic functions, the change of free energy (?G°), enthalpy (?H°) and entropy (?S°) of adsorption are also calculated for Nickel (II) ions. The results show that the adsorption of the Nickel (II) ions on Iraqi Bentonite is feasible and exothermic at (20-50) °C.
The separation of water from crude oil emulsions is a critical and complex challenge in petroleum production and processing. Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions increase viscosity, pose corrosion risks, reduce refining efficiency, and raise significant environmental concerns. Traditional separation methods often struggle with stable emulsions containing small droplets due to limitations in cost, environmental impact, and effectiveness. Electro-coalescence demulsification has emerged as a promising technique that applies electric fields to enhance droplet coalescence, facilitating efficient water removal. This comprehensive review examines the influence of electrode geometry on electro-coalescence systems in depth, synthesizes key findings from numerous studies, and provides a detailed analysis of electrode spacing calculations, critical conditions for effective demulsification, and optimal operational parameters. By exploring these aspects comprehensively, the review offers insights into how electrode design affects demulsification efficiency, guiding future advancements in crude oil processing and contributing to more sustainable practices in the petroleum industry.
Hydraulic structures can be accepted as the key components in improving aeration efficiency because of the strong turbulent mixing associated with substantial air bubble entrainment at these structures. Different hydraulic structures have been designed to enhance aeration such as stepped cascades. A laboratory model of stepped cascade weir with five different shapes of end sill (normal, triangle, rectangle1, rectangle2 and rectangle3) have been installed at Al- Mustansiriya University, College of Engineering to evaluate treatment system and reduced pollutants in marginal water for different flow rates (35,60 and 80 L/min). Results indicate that high removal efficiency of all pollutants parameter (Cu, Cr, Mo, Br, Fe, Mn, Zn, PO4, Cl-, ClO2, Hardness as CaCO3, NH3, NO2, Toxic matter) is for rectangle1 shape at Q=60L/min. High aeration efficiency is 45.7% for rectangle1 shape at Q=80L/min. High removal efficiency for BOD5 and COD are 48% and 47% respectively for rectangle 1 at Q=80 L/min.
In this study, low cost biosorbent ? inactive biomass (IB) granules (dp=0.433mm) taken from drying beds of Al-Rustomia Wastewater Treatment Plant, Baghdad-Iraq were used for investigating the optimum conditions of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) biosorption from aqueous solutions. Various physico-chemical parameters such as initial metal ion concentration (50 to 200 mg/l), equilibrium time (0-180 min), pH (2-9), agitation speed (50-200 rpm), particles size (0.433 mm), and adsorbent dosage (0.05-1 g/100 ml) were studied. Six mathematical models describing the biosorption equilibrium and isotherm constants were tested to find the maximum uptake capacities: Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Sips, Khan, and Toth models. The best fit to the Pb(II) and Ni(II) biosorption results was obtained by Langmuir model with maximum uptake capacities of 52.76 and 36.97 mg/g for these two ions respectively. While for Cu(II) the corresponding value was 38.07 mg/g obtained with Khan model. The kinetic study demonstrated that the optimum agitation speed was 400 rpm, at which the best removal efficiency and/or minimum surface mass transfer resistance (MSMTR) was achieved. A pseudo-second-order rate kinetic model gave the best fit to the experimental data (R2=0.99), resulting in mass transfer coefficient values of 42.84× , 1.57× , and 2.85× m/s for Pb(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) respectively. The thermodynamic study showed that the biosorption process was spontaneous and exothermic in nature.
Most researches have predicted soil erosion of cohesive riverbanks using linear (excess shear stress model) and non-linear (Wilson model) models based on two soil parameters (detachment coefficient, kd, and critical shear stress, ?c) of the linear model and two soil mechanistic parameters (mechanistic detachment parameter, b0, and threshold parameter, b1) of the non-linear model. The goal of this research was to quantify the soil erodibility parameters of Tigris Riverbanks on Nu’maniyah-Kut Barrage reach using linear and non-linear models through the model parameters at three different water contents: dry side, optimum side, and wet side of water contents. Soil samples were collected from three locations south of Baghdad city on Nu’maniyah-Kut Barrage reach of Tigris Riverbanks. Six soil samples acquired from these sites were laboratory tests achieved using a miniature version of Jet Erosion Test device (“mini” JET) to determine the erodibility parameters of both linear and non-linear models. Blaisdell solution (BL) and scour depth solution (SD) were applied to determine (kd and ?c) of linear model from JETs data. Physical soil characteristics; including bulk density, particle size distribution (sand%, silt%, and clay%), average particle size (D50), and angle of repose were reported for six samples acquired from the three sites. The results showed lower value of kd of toe in compared with bank side for some specific sites as observed for both BL and SD solutions of excess shear stress model especially at wet side of water content. No general pattern of ?c related to different water content were observed. The parameters (b0 and b1) of non-linear model have the same behavior of linear model parameters (kd and ?c), but with different magnitude related to different water contents, respectively.
Reflective cracking is a serious issue that Adversely influences the performance and longevity of asphalt overlays over deteriorated pavements. This review Looks for the Technologies which used to reduce the reflection cracks propagation by insert a new Strategies and different design materials. This research dealt with many treatments such as: increasing the layer thickness of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), creating modified asphalt by adding polymers to asphalt, rubberizing asphalt, carbon black, sulfur and other different materials. Geosynthetic materials were studied and analyzed to evaluate their ability to increase the layer tensile strength and minimize the effect of reflection cracks such as geotextiles, geogrids, and Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayers (SAMI). The research shows that the increasing of overlay asphalt layer thickness leads to durability development. On the other hand, using developed materials like Polymer-Modified Asphalt and Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayers (SAMI) Strategies leads to increasing the service life of the repaired pavement. The conclusion indicated that the development of overlay asphalt layer thickness and layer reinforcement and applying advanced environmental systems can be improving the pavement performance. These Strategies can produce a perfect solution to prevent or reduce the reflection cracks in rigid and flexible pavement.
Gypseous soils are usually stiff when they are dry especially because of the cementation of soil particles by gypsum, but great loss in strength and sudden increase in compressibility occur when these soils are fully or partially saturated. The dissolution of the cementing gypsum causes high softening of soil. The problem becomes more complicated when water flows through the gypseous soil causing leaching and movement of gypsum. This study examines the improvement of gypseous soil properties using the Silicone oil to minimize the effect of moisture on these soils. This study was conducted on artificial gypseous soil (mixture of 30% Silber sand & 70 % Pure Gypsum) treated with silicone oil in different percentages. The reason for use the silicone oil as an additive to study the gypseous soil properties is due to the leakages of oil products from oil refinery in north of Iraq build on gypseous soil, this oil products infiltrate to the foundation soil of the refinery building facilities. _x000D_ The results showed that the Silicone oil is a good material to modify the basic properties of the gypseous soil of collapsibility and shear strength, which are the main problems of this soil and retained the soil by an appropriate amount of the cohesion suitable for carrying the loads from the structure.
In this paper, models were applied to investigate the parameters that affect membrane fouling. Osmotic pressure across the membrane, salt concentration at the surface of the membrane, solute mass transfer coefficient, effective coefficient diffusion of water, and concentration polarization factor were the main parameters that calculated in this simulation. Sodium chloride was assumed the only salt existed in the feed flux. In addition, changing the applied pressure versus increasing the salt concentration in the feed flux and their effect on the water permeation coefficient was investigated. The results confirmed that concentration polarization gives a good indication about the formation of the fouling layer at the membrane surface and consequently permeate decline.
This paper present glass waste material reusing in concrete as partial replacement of cement. Some hardened properties like compressive and flexural strengths, modulus of elasticity and % absorption was made. The effect of glass powder on these properties was examined compared to reference specimens without glass powder. Five percentage was tested: 0%(reference), 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. From tests results one can conclude that replacing cement partially by glass powder enhanced strengths of concrete (compression and flexural) up to 20% replacing level Using glass powder as partial replacement of cement improved strengths and modulus of elasticity of concrete. The %absorption decrease with increasing of glass powder content. The results show that utilization of waste glass as powder in concrete can reduce amount of cement which save cost besides its environmental benefits.
This research is devoted to design and implement a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA) for monitoring and controlling the corrosion of a carbon steel pipe buried in soil. A smart technique equipped with a microcontroller, a collection of sensors and a communication system was applied to monitor and control the operation of an ICCP process for a carbon steel pipe. The integration of the built hardware, LabVIEW graphical programming and PC interface produces an effective SCADA system for two types of control namely: a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) that supports a closed loop, and a traditional open loop control. Through this work, under environmental temperature of 30°C, an evaluation and comparison were done for two types of controls tested at low soil moisture (48%) and high soil moisture (80 %) to study the value of current, anode voltage, pipe to soil potential (PSP) and consumed power. The results show an decrease of 59.1% in consumed power when the moisture changes from the low to high level. It was reached that the closed loop controller PID is the best solution in terms of efficiency, reliability, fast response and power consumption.
Recently, considering polymer composite in manufacturing of mechanical parts can be caused a fatigue failure due to the very long time of exposure to cyclic loading and may at environmental temperatures higher than their glass transition temperature; therefore, in this paper, a comprehensive investigation for bending fatigue behavior at room and elevated temperatures equal to 60 °C, 70°C, and 80 °C will be done. Rotating bending test machine was manufactured for this purpose supplied with a connected furnace to perform fatigue tests at elevated temperatures. The obtained results appeared that the increase in applied stress and temperature caused a clear reduction in fatigue life; also the addition of carbon nanotubes enhanced the fatigue life at different temperatures by 183%, 205%, 218%, and 240%, respectively while the addition of short carbon fibers improved fatigue life by 324%, 351%, 387%, and 415%, respectively. As well as, Polyamide 6,6/carbon fiber composite appeared fatigue limit at temperatures equal to 20°C and 60°C and stresses approximately equal to 55 MPa and 38 MPa respectively.
Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques are essential for maximizing energy extraction from photovoltaic (PV) systems under diverse environmental conditions. This paper reviews three widely used MPPT methods Perturb and Observe (P&O), Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) highlighting their effectiveness in addressing challenges such as temperature fluctuations, varying irradiance, and shading. The P&O method is noted for its simplicity and low computational requirements, but it suffers from oscillations around the maximum power point under rapidly changing conditions. FLC offers enhanced adaptability and robustness by mimicking human decision-making, performing well in dynamic environments with moderate complexity. ANN-based methods demonstrate superior tracking efficiency and fast convergence, particularly under complex and highly variable conditions, due to their ability to learn and generalize from data. These findings underscore the importance of continued development of MPPT techniques, especially intelligent and hybrid approaches, to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy. Thus, solar energy remains a highly viable solution for modern energy needs.
The ability of fungal waste biomass type White Agaricus Bisporus to biosorb Pb(II) ,Cr(III), Cd(II) and Co(II) from wastewater was investigated in batch process. Single and binary mixtures were used at low metal concentration wastewater treatment. The size of the biosorbent ranged 0.3-1 mm. The biosorption capacity of the biosorbent was evaluated under equilibrium conditions at 25 °C. Results indicated that the biosorption capacity of waste of fungi for the binary mixture was always lower than that for a single component system. Eight isotherm models were used to fit the experimental data of single system and Langmuir model was found a suitable to describe the biosorption data. The maximum uptake capacity (qe) of Pb(II), Cr(III), Cd(II) and Co(II) in single system was 158.73, 46.94, 40.16 and15.94 mg/g respectively with correlation coefficients 0.999,0.998,0.988 and 0.991 respectively. For binary system, four biosorption models were used to fit the experimental data. Extended Langmuir model gave the best fitting. The removal percentage of heavy metals onto fungal waste biomass was in order of Pb(II) > Cr(III) > Cd(II) > Co(II) in both single and binary system. The results show that the using waste of fungi as a biosorbent of heavy metals gave a higher uptake capacity of four heavy metals.
Providing a clean and high quality drinking water to both rural as well as urban areas is a great challenge by itself, adding to it the large volume requirements of such water at high population areas means a very high cost for such industry because mainly of the cost of expensive commercially available adsorbent used in this process. This led inhabitants of the remote and/or rural areas to use less quality water with all its risks and health challenges. In this study, a locally collected rice husk is tested to be used as an alternative adsorbent to the expensive common commercial ones. Parameters like adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of turbidity, and pH level were tested to investigate their effects on the process. Treatment of synthetic turbid water was done after changing these parameters to measure the effect of each parameter alone and the results showed a set of parameters that can be used to achieve high efficiency of turbidity removal. The study concluded that rice husk can be used as a well cheap alternative adsorbent to reduce the river water turbidity due to its availability and low cost with a decent removal efficiency approaching 95%.
The usage of non-toxic, eco-friendly natural dyes on textiles has achieved notable attention due to increased environmental attention about avoiding hazardous synthetic dyes. This has prompted a return to natural dyes and the search for new sources, especially locally available ones like licorice. In this study, Glycyrrhiza glabra extract (70 g/l), prepared using ultrasound assistance, was used to dye cotton samples. The natural dyeing process employed a simultaneous mordanting method with zinc chloride and alum as mordants, in many concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 g/l). The color fastness of the dyed samples was evaluated using a scanner and ImageJ. The fastness of the dyed fabrics was tested against washing and rubbing, and samples with licorice extract showed excellent stability. A tear strength test was also conducted to assess the impact of licorice extract dyeing on the mechanical properties of the samples. It was observed that dyeing with licorice reduced the tear strength, but increasing the concentration of mordants improved the resistance to tearing, making the mordanted samples stronger than the mordanted ones.
Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) are generally divided into two categories: solid-core photonic crystal fibers and hollow-core photonic crystal fibers. In this paper, a long-period fiber Bragg grating (LPFBG) was experimentally fabricated in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF) using a CO₂ laser and based on the point-by-point technique. Proper LPFBGs were inscribed using laser powers of 0.9 W and 1.4 W, with grating parameters (grating period, length of each pitch, and depth of each pitch) equal to (136 µm, 48.042 µm, 16 µm) and (142 µm, 74.027 µm, 22.09 µm), respectively, for two samples. The Bragg wavelengths and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) were (1529.274 nm, 1.34 nm) and (1529.629 nm, 5.11 nm), respectively, for the two samples fabricated using CO₂ laser powers of 0.9 W and 1.4 W. From these results, it was recognized that the optimal LPFBG-HC-PCF was the one fabricated using 0.9 W laser power. The unique structure of hollow-core photonic crystal fibers, which enables light propagation within the air core and provides a large internal surface area, has attracted significant research interest for various sensing و communication applications, Environmental and Biological Monitoring, and medical applications.
Box-Wilson experimental design method was employed to optimize bioethanol production from low grade, unclassified, waste Iraqi dates. The optimization process was based on four independent relevant parameters-initial sugar concentration (50-100 g/l), pH (4.5-6.5), fermentation time (48-96 hrs), and temperature (25-35?). A maximum bioethanol yield of 33.9 g/l was practically achieved following thirty different experimental runs, as specified by 24-Central Composite Design (CCD). The optimum values for the aforementioned four parameters, corresponding to the maximum yield, were: 75g/l, pH 5.5, 72 hrs, 30?, respectively. The obtained experimental data were utilized to develop a semi-empirical model, based on a second-degree polynomial, to predict bioethanol yield. The model was tested using ANOVA software (Design expert® 9) and found acceptable (R2=0.9025). Yield response surface and contour plots were created using the developed model, which revealed the presence of high-yield plateaus whose specifications will be useful in controlling pilot-or industrial scale future units to ensure economical feasibility.
Soil reinforcement techniques have been successfully used to improve the shear properties of weak soils in recent years. To improve the utilization of waste resources and promote sustainable development of infrastructure amid rapid urbanization, one potential option for reinforcement materials is human hair fibers (HHF). Because it is a natural fiber, there are risks to human and environmental health associated with the improper disposal of human hair fiber, an occurring waste product that does not decompose completely. This fabric is abundant, has a high reusability rate, and is ideal for use as a reinforcement to address waste management issues and make the most of inefficient or unnecessary manufacturing websites for long-term sustainability. The CBR test was executed on several samples with diverse fiber possibilities to evaluate the engineering properties of the randomly placed HHF in clayey soil samples using fibers whose average length was 50 mm and whose diameter ranged from 60 to 80 microns and compared the outcomes to those of unreinforced soil. The soil sample was treated with different percentages of Human Hair fiber (0%, 0.75%, 1.5%, 1.75% and 2.25%). The results showed that the value of CBR of the soil sample decrease at 0.75% of HHF and then increased up to 2.25% of HHF.
Noise effects on the students include both auditory and non-auditory effects and cause ?the lack of concentration and disability of learning? ?and communication. The Faculty of ?Engineering was chosen to conduct the questionnaire ?because the students have both ?theoretical and practical courses and they ?spend one-third of their day in the ?laboratories, so it is expected they exposure to noise more than other faculties’ students ?A questionnaire was conducted to understand the effect of noise on student behavior ?and whether they could classify the sounds that they heard as noise and determine the ?noise sources (indoor, outdoor) and the noisiest places (classroom, laboratory, and ?campus). 438 students participated in this questionnaire from all stages, and they ?covered eight engineering departments in the Faculty of Engineering, Mustansiriyah ?University. A statistical analysis of the questionnaire found that 39.5%, 46%, 32% and ??49% of students suffered from noise in classrooms, laboratories, open spaces and closed ?spaces (campus), respectively. In the actual situation, the effects that students ?experience can be arranged in the following descending order: feeling discomfort, ?hearing difficulty, raising the voice when speaking, lack of concentration, headache, ?tinnitus and nausea. Using a sound and vibration meter with the analyzer, the noise ?levels in dBA were measured in the noisiest places that the students mentioned. The ?noise levels exceed the standard limitation that organizations and agencies such as the ?WHO determined. ??
Over the last several years, additive manufacturing (AM), sometimes known as "3D printing", has seen remarkable expansion due to mechatronics and materials science advancements. Fused filament deposition (FDM) production is the predominant technology in additive manufacturing (AM) because of its cost-effectiveness in operational and material expenses. Nevertheless, the materials often used for this technique are pristine thermoplastics. Unsuccessful printing and throwaway prototypes generate a significant quantity of trash. Utilizing green and sustainable products is crucial to minimize the environmental effects. Recycled, bio-based, and mixed recycled materials provide a promising solution for 3D printing. The absence of comprehension about the interlayer adhesion process and material degradation in FDM printing has presented a significant obstacle for these environmentally friendly materials. This study comprehensively examines many materials used for FDM three-dimensional printing filaments, including recycled, bio-based, and mixed materials. The merits and drawbacks of thermoplastics and their composites were deliberated over. This evaluation is a comprehensive guide for engineers and researchers in selecting appropriate materials for three-dimensional printing. Three-dimensional printed objects have worse mechanical characteristics in comparison to injection molded materials.
The Old City of Najaf stands out for its unique urban fabric and rich historical heritage, serving as a key destination for religious tourism while hosting worship facilities and housing for seminary students. As both a vibrant religious center and a cultural landmark, it presents a complex urban context that demands a careful balance between residents’ and visitors’ needs. This raises the question of how to adapt sustainability standards to align with the city’s environmental, historical, and cultural dimensions. Using descriptive and analytical methods, including field observations, literature reviews, and expert consultations in urban planning and heritage preservation, the study examines challenges like uncontrolled urban growth, strained infrastructure, and land-use conflicts. Initial findings suggest these issues significantly hinder sustainable development, particularly with growing demand for heritage tourism and Najaf’s role as a hub for religious studies. The study proposes practical strategies to preserve Najaf’s cultural identity, improve residents’ quality of life, and enhance its status as a sustainable heritage tourism destination, boosting its long-term appeal and sustainability.
Whispering Gallery Mode Micro-Resonators (WGMRs) have received significant interest due to their great sensitivity to environmental changes, compact size, and ability to operate over a wide spectral range because their low optical losses produce high-quality factors so that they can be used in various sensing applications. This work investigates the design and implementation of cylindrical WGMRs for Refractive Index (RI) sensing for different delivery fiber diameters. Single Mode Fiber with different waist diameters (80,67.1,18) µm were used as delivery fibers. At the same time, the sensor (resonator) fiber is SMF with a diameter (125 µm). Quality factors and Free Spectral Range (FSR) were calculated and analyzed for each diameter. The quality factor for all diameters was in power of 104, which is considered good. The FSR is inversely proportional to fiber diameter. FSR values were (0.678,1.75,2.03) nm for (80,67.1,18) µm delivery fiber diameters respectively. An analyte prepared by NaCl with different refractive indices is used to investigate the RI sensor performance. Higher sensitivity is obtained from the WGMR with a smaller waist diameter, which is (-)74 nm/RIU. While for the delivery fiber diameters (80,67.1) µm were (-0.28, -9.27) nm/RIU respectively. The submitted sensor will have a good contribution in the field of chemical, biological and medical applications.
Three decades of empirical research have proven that well-being in humans is stimulated by designs that link people to natural elements and landscapes. Environmental psychology research also revealed that these characteristics can lower stress and anxiety while having a positive impact on human productivity. therefore, there were more recent interest from theorists and architects to discover approaches to re-connect the constructed environment with the natural components. One of the most current theories of re-communication and its use in architecture is called "biophilia.". Therefore, the research problem is the lack of knowledge of biophilic architecture and what are the most prominent features affecting the user. the research aims to shed light on the basics of this design theory as well as testing its design patters in the educational environment to find out which attributes are most effective for users in improving productivity and well-being By adopting the quantitative descriptive approach and based on a questionnaire for the purpose of adopting it in design and to aid in the practical application of the Biophilia idea by designers and architects. The research concluded that there are design features that are more important than others for educational buildings, such as (day light, water, air, plants, landscapes, mobility, integrating the parts to create the whole).
The aim of this laboratory study is to estimate the best initial pH of purging solution for cadmium clean-up from an artificially contaminated soil using electro-kinetic cell. An efficiency enhancement scheme was employed involving pH control and injection wells as a part of the investigative program. Seven tests were performed at different pH controlled in the anode, cathode and injection wells start from 2 to 8. Sandy loam soil was contaminated with cadmium concentration equal to 2000 mg/kg and an initial moisture content equal to 30%. The duration of remediation was seven days with a potential gradient of 1.2 V/cm. The experimental results showed that the best removal efficiency was 62.8% at pH=3._x000D_ Keywords: , , , ,
This study simulates a free-space optical communication system that uses optical beams with varying responses to atmospheric disturbances to secure transmitted data. Atmospheric turbulence was modeled with high accuracy to replicate real-world conditions closely. Non-diffracting beams were generated and used to represent optical beams and compared in two scenarios, conventional data transmission, and optifusion data protection. This approach facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the transmission environment and the effectiveness of optifusion, identifying the most suitable non-diffracting beam types for secure data propagation. By analyzing the values of key performance metrics of the selected non-diffracting beams across different weather conditions and long propagation distances, the study demonstrated the simulation system's reliability and the optifusion method's effectiveness in enhancing data security. The results showed that non-diffracting beams resist atmospheric turbulences strongly, emphasizing their potential for secure, long-range free-space optical communications.
Action of applied external loads, early thermal by hydration of cement in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, creep and shrinkage and seasonal effects due to environmental conditions are the main causes of inducing cracks in RC members. Most Design Codes of RC structures have underestimated the distribution steel requirements based on stating nominal or minimum requirements for early thermal and moisture movement especially in watertight continuous constructions. Three dimensional finite element analysis for a verification problem was carried out on a continuous reinforced concrete members with different bar diameter subjected to different applied temperatures values which represent the early-age and seasonal effects. The results of this analysis were compared with the available BS Code equations for crack control for early thermal movements. The comparison between the Code equation and finite element analysis was met in a good agreement. The resulted data was used to study parametrically the crack characteristics in terms of crack width and spacing of RC members in term of the effects of three different construction exposures (Class A, B and C), three values of temperatures with three different bar size diameter (10mm, 12, 16) for each one. The present work was indicated as the bar diameter increases, the required steel ratio increases proportionality to match the assumed crack width. So, to get the minimum steel ratio this is the target. It must use smallest bar diameter. But unfortunately this is limited by minimum practical bar spacing. The overall of present study was indicated that the continuous construction required high steel area especially for class A exposure.
Reclaimed (recycled) asphalt pavement (RAP), the most recycled material worldwide, is the mostly reclaimed material utilized in hot mix asphalt. Polymer (Crumb rubber) incorporation frequently leads to enhanced durability and resistance to heat cracking and rutting, two forms of permanent deformation. It also relieves stiffness and minimizes fatigue damage. This study aims to gather all previous RAP-related research and crumb rubber CR, so that the impact of using these materials on mechanical, physical properties of asphalt pavement, environmental effect and cost effective are clarify and explained. The finding of this research proved that the use of RAP and CR provide considerable structural and financial enhancements to the construction.