Abdurra’uF Mukhtar Gora

The increasing demand for sustainable building materials has motivated the search for alternative supplementary cementitious materials to reduce the use of Portland cement while maintaining concrete performance. The present study aims to investigate the synergistic effects of bagasse ash (BA) and rice husk ash (RHA) as partial cement replacements in ternary blended concrete. Previous studies used agricultural ashes individually or in binary form only, whereas in the present work, the synergistic effect of BA and RHA is systematically studied, and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used to develop predictive models and optimize the performance of concrete. The slump, compressive strength and splitting tensile strength were evaluated using a Central Composite Design (CCD) to determine the effect of the levels of replacement of BA and RHA. Quadratic regression models were built and evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). All models were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and had high predictive accuracy (R² > 0.92). The results revealed that increases in BA and RHA contents reduced the workability because of their high specific surface areas and porous structures, while moderate combinations improved the compressive and splitting tensile strengths due to the synergistic filler effects, secondary pozzolanic reactions, and matrix densification. The multi-objective optimization based on the desirability function provided an optimal mixture of 5% BA and 15% RHA with an overall desirability of 92.8%, which provided the best compromise between workability and mechanical performance. Experimental validation of the optimized mixture showed good agreement of the model predictions with prediction errors of less than 5%, confirming the reliability and robustness of the developed RSM models. The results show that synergistic use of BA and RHA is a feasible and sustainable solution for producing high-performance ternary blended concrete and provides a reliable framework for the optimization of the mixture.

Growing concerns about global climate change and its negative consequences for communities have put immense pressure on the building industry, which is one of the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Due to the environmental issues associated with the manufacture of sustainable construction materials, alkali-activated concrete (AAC) has emerged as a competitive alternative to cement. To predict the compressive strength (CS) of AAC, four machine learning (ML) models, namely, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Random Forest (RF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), were employed in this study using 193 data points. The input variables include Precursor “P” (kg/m³), Blast Furnace Slag “BFS ratio”, Sodium hydroxide “Na” (kg/m³), silicate modulus “Ms”, water content “W” (kg/m³), fine aggregate “FA” (kg/m³), coarse aggregate “A” (kg/m³), and curing time “CT” (day), with CS (MPa) as the output variable. The dataset was checked for stationarity and then normalized to decrease data redundancy and increase integrity. Furthermore, three model combinations were developed based on the relationship between the input and target variables. The XGB-M3 model outperformed all other models with a high degree of accuracy, according to the study’s findings. Specifically, the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) was 0.9577, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 14.95% during the calibration phase. SHAP, an explainable AI approach that provides interpretable insights into complex AI systems by assigning feature importance to model predictions, was employed. Results suggest the higher predictions from the XGB-M3 and RF-M3 models were largely driven by curing time (CT).

This study explores the development of sustainable pervious concrete by employing broken ceramic tiles (BCT) as a partial coarse aggregate replacement (7–20%) and calcium carbide waste (CCW) as a partial cement replacement (5–20%). The mechanical performance was assessed using tests for compressive and splitting tensile strength at 7 and 28 days. The correlation between these strengths was determined using statistical regression analysis. Additionally, a probabilistic reliability analysis was employed to assess the structural safety of the mixes in relation to a target strength of 15 MPa. The results show that while higher replacement levels considerably decrease strength because of increased porosity and reduced bonding, moderate replacement levels (5% CCW and 7% BCT) produce optimal mechanical performance. According to the results of the regression analysis, splitting tensile strength makes up around 5–6% of compressive strength at 28 days, and the relationship was statistically significant. Furthermore, the reliability analysis revealed that mixes with more than 15% combined replacement were unreliable, whereas the mix with 5% CCW and 7% BCT exhibits high structural reliability (β > 4.5). By confirming the complementary usage of CCW and BCT in pervious concrete, this study provides a risk-informed framework for producing sustainable mixtures that ensure both structural safety and environmental benefits.

This study optimizes the durability performance of concrete by utilizing lateritic soil (LS) and calcium carbide waste (CCW) as partial replacements for fine aggregate and cement, respectively. A statistical method was employed to design the experiments and develop prediction models for key characteristics, including density, water absorption, and resistance to sulphuric acid attack (as measured by weight loss and compressive strength), using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) was employed to investigate the effects of CCW (0–20%) and lateritic soil (0–40%) on the properties of concrete. According to the results, higher CCW and laterite replacement levels reduce the durability of concrete by increasing its porosity and water absorption. Significant correlations were found in the responses that were successfully predicted by RSM-generated quadratic models. The ideal combination of 13.13% CCW and 18.7% LS was identified through multi-objective optimization, which maximized acid resistance while minimizing weight loss (8.84%) and water absorption (4.17%), resulting in an overall desirability of 75.4%. The experimental validation of this result revealed that the discrepancy between the predicted and experimental results was less than 5%. This indicates the potential of CCW-LS concrete for affordable, environmentally friendly construction in areas with limited resources.

This study uses used engine oil (UAO) as a chemical additive to examine the effects of rice husk ash (RHA) and sawdust ash (SDA) as cement substitutes on the durability characteristics of self-compacting concrete (SCC). Eight (8) distinct mixes were prepared and proportioned, with RHA replacing cement by weight at percentages of 0%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. In addition, SDA replaces cement ingredients concurrently by weight at 0% and 5% and with a constant UAO of 0.5%. The properties of fresh SCC concrete that contained RHA, SDA, and UEO were assessed, along with the concrete's water absorption capacity and compressive strength at 400 oC, 500 oC, and 600 oC. The results demonstrated that the workability and passing ability of the self-compacted concrete is greatly decreased when RHA and SDA are added to the concrete mixture. Potential modifications to the concrete's porosity and permeability were indicated by the effects of the addition of RHA, SDA, and UEO on its water absorption properties. Mix 3 exhibits the highest percentage of water absorption value (3.37%), while Mix 7 achieved the lowest value (1.27%). The results for compressive strength showed that the SCC mixes behaved differently at higher temperatures. Under normal temperature, the compressive strength varied between 28.83 N/mm2 and 36.6 N/mm2, with Mix 3 exhibiting the highest compressive strength relative to the control mix and Mix 8 exhibiting the lowest compressive strength. All mixtures showed a constant decrease in compressive strength as the temperature rose to 400°C, 500°C, and 600°C.

This systematic review examines caught-in/between accidents in construction, revealing complex safety challenges involving machinery errors, vehicle incidents, loading mistakes, and structural collapses. The analysis highlights significant risks, including heavy equipment rollovers, trench cave-ins, and material shifts, with injuries ranging from minor to fatal. Despite the critical nature of these accidents, existing research demonstrates notable gaps, particularly in understanding long-term worker health impacts, economic consequences, and nuanced risk factors. Most studies insufficiently explore correlations between worker experience, age, and accident susceptibility, while gender-specific risks remain poorly documented. Training inadequacies and safety protocol non-adherence emerge as primary contributors to these incidents. This review identifies a pressing need for standardized, comprehensive safety interventions that address technological, human, and organizational factors. Recommendations include stricter safety regulations, enhanced training programs, advanced safety technologies, and robust support systems for workers. By fostering a holistic safety culture and addressing research gaps, the construction industry can potentially mitigate caught-in/between accidents, ultimately protecting worker well-being and improving overall productivity.

This study investigated the combined effects of calcium carbide waste (CCW) and lateritic soil (LS) on sustainable concrete’s fresh and mechanical properties as a construction material for infrastructure development. The study will explore the possibility of using easily accessible materials, such as lateritic soils and calcium carbide waste. Therefore, laterite soil was used to replace some portions of fine aggregate at 0% to 40% (interval of 10%) by weight, while CCW substituted the cement content at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. A response surface methodology/central composite design (RSM/CCD) tool was applied to design and develop statistical models for predicting and optimizing the properties of the sustainable concrete. The LS and CCW were input variables, and compressive strength and splitting tensile properties are response variables. The results indicated that the combined effects of CCW and LS improve workability by 18.2% compared to the control mixture. Regarding the mechanical properties, the synergic effects of CCW as a cementitious material and LS as a fine aggregate have improved the concrete’s compressive and splitting tensile strengths. The contribution of LS is more pronounced than that of CCW. The established models have successfully predicted the mechanical behavior and fresh properties of sustainable concrete utilizing LS and CCW as the independent variables with high accuracy. The optimized responses can be achieved with 15% CCW and 10% lateritic soil as a substitute for fine aggregate weight. These optimization outcomes produced the most robust possible results, with a desirability of 81.3%.

This research aims to study the effect of the dosage of anhydrous sodium metasilicate activator on the long-term properties of fly ash-based one-part alkali-activated binders (OPAAB) cured at ambient conditions. Powdered sodium metasilicate activator was utilized in the range of 8–16% by weight of the fly ash in producing the OPAAB. The properties examined are hardened density, compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption, efflorescence formation, and microstructural analysis. The experimental result revealed that the binders exhibited excellent long-term strength properties. The compressive strength of the OPAAP is well correlated with its hardened density. The pastes were found to exhibit good soundness characteristics over the long-term. The absorption of water decreases with an increase in the activator dosage from 8–12%, and beyond that, the water absorption relatively remains the same. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) micrograph revealed uniformly formed solid matrices with the micro-crack present were observed in the samples. The larger pore size promotes the crystallization of the resulting hydrate substances (N, C)-A-S-H gel. The initial dissolution of the OPAAP occurred within the first 30 min. At longer age of curing, mixtures with a higher dosage of powdered activator tend to absorb less water. Strength properties beyond 28 days are considered as the long-term strength.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the results of experimental and theoretical studies on the flexural capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened using externally bonded bi-directional glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites and different end anchorage systems. Design/methodology/approach: A series of nine RC beams with a length of 1,600 mm and a cross-section of 200 mm depth and 100 mm width were prepared and externally strengthened in flexure with bi-directional GFRP composites. These strengthened beams were anchored with three different end anchorage systems namely closed GFRP wraps, GFRP U-wraps and mechanical anchors. All these beams were tested with four-point bending system up to failure. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical results obtained using the relevant design guidelines. Findings: The experimental results demonstrate a significant increase in the flexural performance of the GFRP strengthened beams with regard to the ultimate load carrying capacity and stiffness. The results also show that GFRP strengthened beams without end anchorages experienced intermediate concrete debonding failure at the GFRP plate end, whereas all the GFRP strengthened beams with different end anchorage systems failed in rupture of GFRP with concrete crushing. The theoretical results revealed no significant difference among the relevant design guidelines with regard to the predicted ultimate moment capacities of the bi-directional GFRP strengthened RC beams. However, the results show that ACI Committee 440 Report (2008) design recommendation provides reasonably acceptable predictions for the ultimate moment capacities of the tested beams strengthened externally with bi-directional GFRP reinforcement followed by FIB Bulletin 14 (2001) and eventually by JSCE (1997). Originality/value: The research work presented in this manuscript is authentic and could contribute to the understanding of the overall behaviour of RC beams strengthened with FRP and different end anchorage systems under flexural loading.