Mohd Fakri Muda

The recent trend of diminishing interest in higher education among the youth presents a critical challenge, affecting the future workforce and the nation's ability to innovate and remain competitive. This study examines the factors influencing student engagement and satisfaction in an engineering program at a public university. The study focuses on the relationship between students’ academic backgrounds and their perception of the difficulty of university subjects. A comprehensive survey of 39 new engineering students was undertaken in period of six weeks into lectures. The findings indicate that subjects with complex of conceptual understanding, problem-solving requirements, and mathematical applications, like Physics, were considered the most challenging, regardless of students’ prior academic achievements. The survey additionally reveals a sense of obligation, especially among female students, rather than a genuine interest in the program. Analysis suggests that prior performance in subjects like Additional Mathematics significantly impacts’ students’ experiences in their current engineering courses. The study concludes with several recommendations to improve student retention and sustain interest in higher education pursuits. These include refining the curriculum, enhancing English language assistance, and implementing specialised initiatives for female students. These recommendations provide actionable insights for educational institutions to enhance student experiences and counter the downward trend in higher education enrolment.

In the field of modern construction engineering, the steel fiber reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC) represents a significant advancement over conventional reinforcement methodologies, presenting a promising avenue for achieving economic and temporal efficiencies without sacrificing structural robustness. This study focuses on the use of SFRSCC in the context of one-way ribbed slabs, which are strategically chosen for optimal performance in scenarios requiring an appropriate compromise of architectural aesthetics and mechanical strength, particularly in structures with medium spans, strict height, and overall mass constraints. The study investigates the advantages of the inherent stiffness of ribbed slabs and the outstanding compaction capabilities of self-compacting concrete (SCC) using an in-depth method that involves material selection, mix design, sample preparation, and comprehensive testing. The empirical results of this work show a considerable increase in the load-bearing capacity and ductility of SFSCC slabs, which is an immediate consequence of the steel fibers' characteristic high tensile strength and crack mitigation capabilities. This investigation highlights the improved structural performance and durability of SFRSCC in one-way ribbed slab applications and provides substantial evidence for its broader utilization in a variety of structural engineering projects, signalling a paradigm change in the direction of more sustainable and effective construction techniques.

This study addresses the reinforcement of corroded API 5L X42 pipelines using Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite wraps, focusing on optimizing fiber orientation to enhance burst pressure performance. Pipeline corrosion poses significant risks to structural integrity and safety in the oil and gas industry. Experimental burst pressure testing, and Finite Element Method (FEM) were conducted to evaluate unidirectional (0/0/0), bidirectional (0/90/0) and multi-axial (0/45/-45) GFRP wraps. The FEM model, validated against experimental data, showed minimal error with 1.16%. Major findings show that the bidirectional had a maximum stress (501.29 MPa) and burst pressure (44.72 MPa) higher than the unidirectional and multi-axial. Better stress distribution given by the bidirectional structure helped to lower stress concentrations. These results show that pipeline repair techniques can be much improved by orienting fibers correctly. This study found that it helpful in field application of composite repair techniques for corroded subsea pipes.

Advancements in concrete technology have significantly enhanced the quality and properties of concrete specifically in self-compacting concrete (SCC). The incorporation of rice husk ash (RHA), a bio-organic waste, which have a pozzolanic characteristic should improves the concrete properties, such as durability, workability and strength of the concrete. But the extend of its potential to the hardened structural element could be further investigated. The objective of this research is to examine the flexural behavior of an optimal SCC mix using RHA as a partial cement replacement alongside admixtures. Three reinforced concrete beams (100 mm x 200 mm x 1500 mm) were prepared for flexural testing: two with the optimal SCC mix and one with normal concrete (NC) as a control. The results indicated that the mix with 5% RHA and 1% Sika Viscocrete, enhancing the performance of hardened concrete in compressive strength but decreasing in flexural properties. However, the reduction in weakness still surpasses the sample that does not contain any RHA. These findings provide valuable insights for the industry, promoting the reuse of this bio-waste as a raw material and potentially reducing the cost of conventional cement usage.

Corrosion of steel pipes significantly challenges industries such as oil and gas, water transport, and chemicals, where pipeline integrity is paramount. Degradation due to corrosion leads to reduced efficiency, heightened risk of catastrophic failure, and substantial economic and safety concerns. This study investigates the effectiveness of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) wrap in restoring and enhancing the performance of corroded API 5L X42 steel pipes. Through controlled corrosion induction, application of GFRP wrapping, and cyclic loading tests, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the initial response and performance under dynamic condition. For unrepaired pipes, maximum force applied ranged from 67.84 kN to 404.8 kN as stroke increased from 1mm to 12mm, with corresponding maximum deformation from 0.8mm to 9.01mm. In contrast, GFRP-rehabilitated pipes demonstrated applied force ranging from 28.98 kN to 452.87 kN, with maximum deformation from 0.65mm to 14.41mm. These findings underscore the efficacy of GFRP patches in mitigating corrosion effects, extending pipeline service life, and reducing failure risk. This study validates theoretical models and offers practical guidance for adopting resilient materials in engineering, enhancing pipeline integrity in critical industrial applications.