Journal of Civil and Construction Engineering

Studying the Effect of Surface Treatment for Steel Fibers Using Natural Inhibitors on the Mechanical Properties of Cement Mortar

Nada Hamad Khalaf — 2024-03-13

Cementitious composites with fiber reinforcement are preferable forms for sustaining flexural and
tensile load in building construction and are one type of composite in which interfacial adhesion
between a matrix and a fiber plays a crucial role. The interaction of a cementitious matrix and a
steel fiber at the interfacial still cannot be improved efficiently and cost-effectively, despite the
significance of the issue. In this study, the influence of steel fiber surface modification on the
strength of the bonding and mechanical characteristics of the mortar was investigated by soaking
the steel fibers in a pomegranate peel and methanol solution for a week before adding them to the
mortar at three varied volume percentages (0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75 %) of the total weight of the
mortar and comparing the results with the reference mixture. Compressive strength was
determined using compression molds with dimensions of 50 mm3, split tensile strength using test
molds with dimensions (50 100) mm, as well as flexural strength using test molds with dimensions
(40 40 160) mm at the ages of 3, 14, and 28 days. According to experimental findings, when steel
fibers are added in volume percentages 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 percent, increases the compressive,
split tensile, and also flexural strengths compared to regular mortar.

Ferro-Cement: Cost Effective & Sustainable High-Performance Construction Material for Low-Cost Urban Housing in India

Shivanshu Bhadoriya — 2024-02-02

It is necessary to comprehend material behaviour to choose the right building materials for
affordable and sustainable construction. Thus, the behaviour of the environmentally friendly highperformance
mortar (HPM) used to make ferro-cement was examined in this study. A technique of
reinforced mortar or plaster put over layers of metal is known as ferro-cement or ferro-concrete. It
is made up of tiny rods or mesh that is deeply immersed in cement mortar and arranged in many
layers at close intervals. It may be used for many different things, like sculpture and prefabricated
building parts. Ferroconcrete is a relatively new material that is impact-resistant and strong.
Compared to conventional building materials like wood, adobe, and stone masonry, it offered
superior resilience to fire, earthquake, and corrosion when utilized in the construction of homes in
developing nations. Houses can pay for themselves with nearly no upkeep and fewer insurance
obligations, depending on the building quality and local environment. This study's primary goal is
to determine whether ferro-cement concrete can be used in various forms of advanced building.
The performance of reinforced concrete and ferro-cement under static stress is compared in the
current work.

Investigation of Reinforced Concrete Structure with Shear Walls Positioned at Various Locations in a Multi-Storied Residential Building

Md. Sohel Rana — 2024-04-06

To address the limitations of horizontal land expansion, the world is experiencing a growing
demand for tall buildings. Nevertheless, when erecting towering structures, it becomes essential to
manage drift and deflection arising from lateral stresses such as wind and seismic activity.
Typically, shear wall systems efficiently mitigate these lateral strains. The robustness and planar
stiffness of shear walls enable them to withstand substantial horizontal stresses and gravity loads
concurrently. A structure's ability to withstand lateral loads during seismic activity is significantly
impacted by the direction and placement of its shear walls. Shear walls that are poorly constructed
are the most frequent source of torsion, which is brought on by architectural eccentricities.
Consequently, this study becomes significant in deciding the ideal area and direction of shear
walls inside supported substantial designs to limit float and diversion. The findings of this study,
derived from analyzing various shear wall configurations in a simulated ten-storey reinforced
concrete building using ETABS software, hold significant importance. They demonstrate how
effectively different shear wall layouts handle lateral pressures and provide recommendations for
placing shear walls in reinforced concrete structures to improve their ability to withstand lateral
loads during seismic activity. This study concludes that, compared to all models, Model 5 is safer
and stiffer. Therefore, installing shear walls where model 5 of the building is located may provide
maximum stiffness, rigidity, and the slightest deflection, thereby enhancing the structure's resilience
to seismic activity.

Assessment of Traffic Characteristics at Major Urban Road Intersection of Kathmandu Valley: A Case Study of Khanivivag, Kesarmahal, and Narayanhiti Intersections

Siddhartha Nepali — 2024-02-14

This study addresses the prevalent issue of traffic congestion at critical intersections in urban
areas, leading to slowed traffic and increased queue lengths. The centralization of the
Kathmandu Valley has contributed to a gradual rise in population thus impacting the efficiency of
the traffic management system. This study focuses on three of the busiest intersections of the
valley i.e. Kesharmahal, Narayanhiti, and Khanibhivag intersections and aims to provide
insights into current traffic conditions and propose measures for enhancing traffic flow. Data
collected is analyzed to determine current traffic flow, saturation flow, existing capacity, Level of
Service (LOS), and intersection delay using the HCM Manual. The analysis involves assessing
present conditions and making comparisons with standardized data. Three days of traffic volume
data during peak hours and geometric features of the intersection were gathered. Results indicate
that the intersections are experiencing over-saturation, exceeding their capacity based on
existing geometry and signalization. Additionally, the vehicle replacement strategy showed
limited effectiveness in reducing saturation flow, with the flow persisting at an over-saturated
level. These findings highlight the need for targeted measures to address the challenges posed by
congestion and enhance the efficiency of traffic management at these intersections for smooth
traffic flow.

Assessment of BIS, USBR and ACI Methods of Concrete Mix Design Using SDA as Partial Replacement for Fine Aggregate

Egop, S. E. — 2024-01-19

This study was aimed at comparing the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), United States Bureau of Reclamations (USBR), and American Concrete Institute (ACI) methods of concrete designs using saw dust ash (SDA) as a partial replacement for fine aggregate. Tests were carried out on the determination of the physical properties of concrete ingredients such as the sieve analysis test to determine the grading of the aggregates (fine and granite) which was deduced from the particle size distribution (PSD) curve; specific gravity tests on the materials; density, bulk density and unit weight tests and on the freshly prepared concrete which involves the slump and compaction factor tests to test for the ease or workability of concrete. Tests on the hardened concrete were carried out. The compressive test was done on 150mmx150mmx150mm cubes cured for 7 and 28days and crushed at these ages. The split-tensile test was done on ø150x300mm cylinders cured for 7 and 28 days and experimented to get the tensile strength of the concrete. The flexural test was done as well on 150mmx150mmx450mm beams and cured for 7 and 28 days mmx 150 mmx 150mm cube and cured for 7 and 28 days and experimented. These results were documented and tabulated and graphs were plotted and analyzed based on the obtained data. The sand was partially replaced with Sawdust Ash (SDA) at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% with Sawdust Ash (SDA) and tests were carried out on the freshly prepared and hardened concrete. Three mix ratios were donning on the BIS which gave 1:2.27:2.88/0.43, 1:1.36:3.02/0.45 and 1:1.49:3.09/0.46; for the USBR: 1:2.41:3.36/0.59, 1:2.37:3.29/0.58;1:2.28:3.17/0.56; for ACI: 1:1.93:3.09/0.55, 1:1.68:2.81/0.5, 1:1.58:2.69/0.48. BIS gave the highest strength (compressive, tensile and flexural) and hence should be adopted at an SDA percentage replacement of 5% for effectiveness.