×
The submission system is temporarily under maintenance. Please send your manuscripts to
Go to Editorial ManagerThis study focused on the urban transformations resulting from the removal processes taking place in the urban fabric of sacred city centers, under the pretext of increasing urban capacity due to the density of use, which leads to the removal of important parts of the traditional urban fabric and adding them to the public urban space. To determine the amount of usage densities that the area can accommodate represented by the case study, which is the center of the holy city of Najaf: the study was based on using a quantitative measurement approach to test the hypothesis using a multivariable density measurement tool. A space matrix capable of measuring densities, accessibility, and diversity in the fabric during three time periods, a historical period 1900, 1990, and the current time 2024, to know the amount of changes that have occurred in the fabric. A qualitative measurement tool, which is a random sample questionnaire, was used to measure perceived density to find out which fabrics within the city center are more accommodating of congestion. The research has found that high and advanced accessibility through an integrated fabric with high connectivity that makes the city spaces work as one space leads to an increase in flows. It works to reduce the momentum in the city center and thus preserve the traditional urban fabric that must be emptied for pedestrians, as it represents the only fabric with The human scale at the level of the city as a whole (i.e. a fabric that is comfortable for pedestrians) also represents the identity of the area, and to accommodate the densities, the percentage of building density must be increased outside the traditional fabric.
This study explores the impact of adding high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and Novolac polymers to gypseous soil from Tikrit City, Iraq, to enhance its geotechnical properties. The soil contained 38% gypsum, and the polymers were added in varying proportions (1%, 3%, 6%). Both polymers improved maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, and reduced collapse potential (Ic). The collapse potential was reduced by 64%, 77.7%, and 83.2% at 1%, 3%, and 6% HDPE content, respectively. The collapse potential was reduced by 82.3%, 74.8%, and 51.9% at 1%, 3%, and 6% Novolac polymer content, respectively. In the dry conditions, the internal friction angle increased by about 22.9% and 5.7% as the HDPE content was increased by 3% and 6% respectively. Adding Novolac polymer also increased the internal friction angle by about 5.7% by the addition of 3% Novolac polymer. In soaked conditions, the best increase in internal friction angle (?) was 30% with the addition of 3% HDPE polymer. the internal friction angle increased by about 26.7% by adding 1% and 3% of Novolac polymer. The study concludes that adding HDPE and Novolac polymers can improve geotechnical properties, but their effect on CBR is complex and depends on the polymer percentage added and soil moisture state.
Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrollable cell growth and division. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonotherapy are all cancer treatment options. In addition to noninvasive cancer ablative therapy. As an example, ultrasonic therapy, even with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) or high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and Laser therapy (photo-biomodulation therapy) in low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with different wavelength ranges from ultraviolet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) that all have demonstrated different results depending on the target of treatment so previous trials therapies are being studied. This paper reviews recent studies on the in vitro treatment effect of ultrasound therapy and laser therapy on normal and cancerous cell lines with specific parameters. The effect of ultrasound results showed a decrease in cell proliferation and an increase in apoptosis in different types of cells, depending especially on sound intensity, known as Special Peak Temporal Average Intensity (ISPTA). While the laser effect is noticed on cell viability, either enhance or inhibit their viability depending upon the dose of exposure and other specific parameters like wavelength, energy density, and power density used in each treatment protocol. The previous studies conclude that each response would have a treatment method with specific parameters, even an increase or decrease in cell viability. Further studies need to be applying these methods in vivo.
Bio-cement built on microbial induced carbonate precipitation MICP, be able to consolidate the loose grains and can applied for soil reinforcement. In this study, the performing of an ureolytic Sporosarcina Pasteurii for sand stabilization was estimated. The S. Pasteurii Could effectively consolidates sand particles through urea hydrolysis and the successive production of calcite. The bio improved sands had relative great compressive strength after 60 days exposure to bacterial cells injections cycles. The compressive strength of bio stabilized sands was reliant on the utilized cell concentrations and density of urea and CaCl2. High bacteria cell masses decreased the compressive strength. The optimal density of cell, was OD600 0.5, when cost and performance were taken into account. The study shows that bio cementation of sand built on microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has ability for the reduction of sand permeability through pore clogging with precipitated carbonate.
Surface reconstruction of silicon using lasers could be utilized to produce silicon nanostructures of various features. Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical etching processes of silicon were employed to synthesize nanostructured surface. Effects of current densities 5, 10 and 20 mA/cm2 on the surface features were examined. It is found that the surface porosity and layer thickness increase with the current density. Moreover, large surface area of 410 m2/cm3 can be achieved when laser power density 0f 0.6 W/cm2 was used during the etching process. Optimum operating conditions were found to achieve better silicon nanostructured surface features. The surface roughness can be reduced to 8.3 nm using laser beam of 650 nm irradiated the silicon surface during the photoelectrochemical etching process. The surface morphology of the nanostructured silicon surface using SEM and AFM could give rich details about the surface. Silver nanoparticles of 10 – 20 nm was embedded at the nanostructured silicon surface by LIFT process to reduce the surface resistance and maintain the large surface area. This technique enables silicon nanostructures to be efficiently used in many optoelectronic applications.
This research studies the physical and mechanical properties of mortar composed of PVC plastic waste particles used as fine aggregate replacement material. PVC particles in quantities of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% by volume were used for sand fraction substitution. This quantity of PVC was used to formulate seven mixes with a cement content of 525 kg/m3 and a water-to-cement ratio (w/c) of 0.45. At 7 and 28 days, the compressive and splitting tensile strengths of the mortar's mechanical characteristics were evaluated. Additionally, the physical characteristics of density and absorption were investigated. The findings demonstrated that the mechanical properties and density of mortar containing PVC powder were minimized.
In an original article, an addition was made to the well-known Taguchi’s methodical design literature by proposing how Poisson distribution may be incorporated into the Taguchi method for enhanced performance analysis in optimization. While the article is recent, it was found compelling enough to apply this novel concept of Poisson distribution to a growing area of maintenance research known as maintenance downtime analysis. Consequently, this paper contributes to the expanding research neighborhood through a Taguchi optimization method based on Poisson distribution related to the maintenance process optimization. A valuable method to optimize maintenance downtime was developed wherein the Poisson distribution was used to achieve the probability of maintenance downtime. An important foundation of the method is the Taguchi scheme. These elements were transformed into the factor-level design of the Poisson enhanced Taguchi scheme while the framework was tested using data from a process industry for validation. Interesting, the Taguchi's signal-to-noise quotient led to an enhanced set of limiting factors for better reliability of the system as G1H1I1J1K3. By interpretation, the following was found: downtime (204.61 mins), probability density function (0.00187), and cumulative density function (0.00776). The combination of these factors and levels will enhance maintenance downtime in the process industry as a result of their contributions. The outcome revealed the competence of the model to optimization schemes.
Magnesium oxide nanoparticles were deposited by laser pyrolysis process. Three types of lasers were employed CW CO2, Q-switched Nd-YAG (short pulses) and long pulses Nd-YAG lasers. The size and density of nanoparticles vary with laser energy, power, pulse duration and the scanning speed of the laser. In this method, MgO nanoparticles were deposited by a laser beam on a quartz substrate from aqueous solution of magnesium nitrate. AFM images reveal formation of small nanoparticle size of 24.5 nm with surface roughness 6.97nm by Q-switched Nd-YAG laser (10 ns) when the energy was 1J. While for CO2 laser, the smallest size was 18.8 nm at 0.4mm/s scanning speed with surface roughness 5.21nm at the same scanning speed. Moreover, long Nd-YAG pulses laser produces relatively larger average size of 37.5nm at 0.8ms pulse duration. The absorption spectra from UV-Visible spectroscopy were also conducted. The best absorption intensity was obtained at a wavelength ranging between 420-430 nm for both lasers. Finally, Thermal analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics software for the deposition process reveals that maximum temperature about 440Kfor Q-Switched Nd-YAG laser at 1J laser energy. While for RF CO2 laser, the maximum temperature obtained at 0.4mm/s scanning speed is 850K.This work provides a good knowledge for the deposition of nanoparticles using laser beams.
Planning standards in most countries especially in Iraq have become old and inadequate and do not fulfill the growing needs of people in the meanwhile. Also, it does not provide solutions for the society problems since it does not came from deep and modern study of the society needs and problems. In Iraq, there is a clear neglect of the urban spaces in residential buildings. As the challenges of 21st century, climate change, pollution and health crises requires infrastructure which is capable of keeping up with people needs and capable of providing healthy life, wellbeing and economic recovery. The study explores the efficiency of urban spaces in one of the Iraqi new residential complexes which is Alamal residential complex to determine the factors that affect urban spaces in vertical residential buildings in Iraq. The evaluation of the spaces was done by using direct observation method and questionnaire method. Results revealed that the spaces in such residential complex were active and efficient but it needs more spaces to be available since vertical residential buildings have high density of people. Also, there was a good care of urban spaces that fulfill the needs of children to play and also spaces which are friendly to old people. Most participants in the questionnaire have declared that the public urban space (space 3) was the most used, most favored space since it has many activities and facilities which support social activities between people living in the residential complex.
In Urban cities, services are supported by intelligent applications and are connected to each other through ad hoc networks. Any service can be operated using a compatible of an Internet of Things (IoT) technology. This study focuses on the transportation service and finding a non-cost solution to solve the crossroads congestion that affected people time and money. The Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) that are planted on the roads can help in monitoring the roads situation by collecting their data and send them through wireless communication to a traffic management center. In this work two phases of time are considered for a crowded area. Low-cost components are suggested to solve the congestion at the cross roads without the need for reconstruct the roads. IoT device such as smart phone can be wirelessly connected to the Traffic Management Center (TMC), which can analyze the incoming data from WSN and send back the calculated time to the police officer to control the green light long and overcome the standard time installed for all directions. The main idea is to solve the congestion problem in real time by extending the time long of the green traffic light for the road direction with the highest vehicle density. The suggested algorithm was operated on a dataset of 6 days and for the time phase from 7:00-10:00am.
Additionally, it has been demonstrated that osseointegrated implantation offers superior proprioception and control over the prosthesis, enabling more natural movement and improved functional results. Additionally, it lowers the chance of falling and increases energy transfer efficiency, making it simpler for amputees to engage in physical activity. Furthermore, as compared to conventional socket prosthesis attachment, osseointegrated implantation has been linked to higher patient satisfaction and quality of life._x000D_ It is crucial to remember that osseointegration is a surgical operation with risks including infection and implant failure. Additionally, for effective implantation, it needs a specific amount and quality of bone, which may restrict its usage in some individuals. Furthermore, osseointegrated implantation could be more expensive than conventional socket prosthetics._x000D_ Understanding the efficacy and safety of this method requires research on complication rates and outcome metrics in patients having osseointegrated prosthesis implantation. You may acquire information on things like infection rates, implant failure, patient satisfaction, and functional results by studying original research papers. Clinical decision-making can then be improved with the use of this information._x000D_ In transfemoral amputees, osseointegration has showed promise as a powerful substitute for socket prostheses. A growing corpus of research has shown that osseointegrated implantation provides advantages in terms of increasing mobility, decreasing discomfort, and improving general quality of life. The efficiency of osseointegration for transtibial and upper extremity implants has received little attention._x000D_ Minor soft tissue infections are the most frequent consequences, although they are manageable with the right treatment and monitoring. To further reduce the risk of problems and improve the overall success of osseointegrated implantation, research and development are ongoingly focused on enhancing surgical methods and implant design._x000D_ Although osseointegration has a lot of potential, not all amputees may be good candidates for it. Considerations for osseointegrated implantation must take into consideration elements including the degree and nature of the amputation, the quality and density of the bone, and the desires of the patient.
The paper focuses on the role of participatory design and its various methods—such as awareness methods, social interaction methods, as well as indirect and open methods— that involve all citizens in the process of design, implementation, and future development process. The architect's role in this process is to transform the desires and visions of the participants into a practical reality, ensuring that their needs are met to create vibrant spaces. This involves achieving specific indicators that generate vitality in these spaces, including diversity, communication opportunities, strong identity, concentrated density, accessibility, and safety, all of which enhance social interaction. The paper referred to a number of international examples in Norway and Denmark, and Arab examples in Jordan that proved the effectiveness of the participatory approach in achieving vital environments. Hence, the research problem is represented by the following questions: How does participatory design contribute to enhancing the vitality of the space? To what extent is the participatory design methodology applied to enhance vitality and help achieve a sense of belonging within the space? The paper findings emphasized the importance of participatory design in meeting the needs of the local community and in creating a vital, safe, and inclusive environment characterized by social cohesion, cooperation, ownership, belonging, and equality. This highlights the importance of encouraging the entire community to engage in the design process, which can lead to creative ideas and empower citizens. The paper recommends adopting the participatory design approach to improve the quality of life and enhance the vitality of urban spaces.
Utilization of additives can be an effective way to improve the durability and performance of HMA, making them more resistant to Moisture and deformation. Plus, they can reduce the need for maintenance and repairs, saving you time and money in the long run. In this study, CKD was used in place of limestone as a filler in the asphalt mixture in proportions of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, and polymer SBS 4%by weight of asphalt. According to the findings, replacement-content CKD had the highest asphalt content. When the CKD is between 25% and 50%, Stability, Flow, and Indirect Tensile Strength are improved, while the density of the asphalt mixture decreases and the amount of air voids increases at higher ratios. While SBS leads to an increase in the hardness of the adhesives. As a consequence, the stability of the SBS-containing mixes resulted in higher values than the control and additive-containing mixtures (CKD), as well as a decrease in the number of air voids. According to the results, CKD should not constitute more than half of the filler weight in the asphalt mixture.
Specimens with the structure of a face-centered cubic were produced using several sets of printing conditions. An experimental testing is conducted to carefully evaluate the microstructural analysis and compressive strength of this structure. The results include the measurement of mechanical properties, such as the peak stress. Fused deposition modeling is employed for the additive manufacturing of experimental specimens made from shape memory polymer thermoplastic polyurethane (MM-3520). We take into account the impact of printing factors on lattice structures, such as layer thickness, printing temperature, and printing speed. Analyzing the microstructure of the printed specimens exhibits that the specimens with highest printing temperature, lowest printing speed and thinner printing layer have better layers adhesion and lower porosities. All the mechanical tests are performed on specimens with the same structure and at a relatively constant density. Among the tested printing parameters, using a layer height of 0.1 mm, a printing temperature of 230 °C, and a printing speed of 20 mm/s yields the highest strength in the specimens. However, specimens printed with a layer height of 0.2 mm, a printing temperature of 220 °C, and a printing speed of 30 mm/s also exhibit good strength, albeit slightly lower than the maximum values. Additionally, when using these specific settings (0.3 mm – 210 °C – 40 mm/s), the mechanical qualities are minimized, yet the stress-strain curves exhibit characteristics similar to elastomers.
Soil’s characteristics are essential for the successful design of projects such as airports runway and flexible pavement. CBR (California Bering Ratio) is one of the significant soil characteristics for highways and airports projects. Thus, the CBR property can be used to determine the subgrade reaction of soil through correlations. Many of the soil geotechnical parameters such as compaction characteristics (Maximum Dry Density, MDD; Optimum Moisture Content, OMC), and consistency parameters (Liquid Limit, LL; Plastic Limit, PL; Plasticity Index, PI) can be in charge of changes that happen in soil CBR value. Soaked and/or non-soaked conditions of soils also affect CBR value. Hence, testing soils in a laboratory for CBR calculation is time-consuming that needs notable effort. Therefore, this study aims to generate some useful correlations for soil’s CBR with compaction and consistency parameters for 85 samples of fine-grained soils. The study trials were applied on natural soil samples of various places in Sulaimani Governorate, Northern Iraq. Statistical analysis has been carried out by using SPSS software (Version 28). Soaked CBR is counted, which is important for conditions such as rural roads that remain prone to water for few days. Based on the statistical analysis, there is a significant correlation between LL, PL, PI, MDD, and OMC with CBR as the dependent variable as a single variable equation with R2 of 0.7673, 0.5423, 0.5192, 0.6489, and 0.51, respectively. In addition, the highest value of R2 correlation was obtained between CBR value with consistency and compaction properties as a multiple regression equation with R2 of 0.82. The obtained equations for correlation purposes are successfully achieved and can be used, notably, to estimate CBR value.
A numerical study was performed of natural laminar convective heat transfer to its concentrated triangular enclosure around a horizontal circular cylinder. The air-filled enclosure kept the inner and outer cylinders at uniform temperatures. The Boussinesq density approximation to the momentum problem and the control volume approach iteratively resolved the governing equations to explain buoyancy. CFD results show that the velocity behavior increases by increasing Ra, so the stream lines becomes more sluggish and less uniform behavior and vortices gets less circulated pattern. The rotation angle ? has significant effect on vortices, at 90o gives the higher range of velocity zones of free convection with higher range. The thermal boundary layer seems to be larger in rr=0.455 as compared with rr=0.345 and decreases by increasing ?. The larger variation of isotherms and thermal boundary layer appears at lower ? because the higher heat transfer rate occurs at higher ? and becomes maximum at 90o. Eight correlations of average Nusselt number have been deduced as a function of Rayleigh number for the taken values of aspect ratio and enclosure angles of rotation and inclination.
The purpose of this research is to investigate how the fiber orientation and loading axis of a composite material affect its behavior. Consideration was given to two different fiber-to-matrix ratios in order to improve the mechanical properties. Hand lay-up samples were produced in accordance with ASTM D790 for flexural testing. On UTM, tensile and flexural tests were performed on the sample. The effect of fiber orientation modifies the composites' mechanical properties. As the fiber orientation increased, the tensile strength of the composite would reduce. This carbon/epoxy composite test demonstrates better strength than those conducted at (30, 5, 60, and 90 degrees). For flexural tests, a three-point bend at 30 degrees demonstrates excellent strength. Utilizing the three-point bend method, the flexural strength and flexural modulus have been determined. The tensile strength, young's modulus, elongation percentage, maximum load to break the composite, peak load, and flexural strength of single- and double-layered carbon fibers were compared and examined. As the number of layers increased, the adhesion between layers of epoxy and fiber carbon, and glass fiber weakened, causing a decrease in almost all mechanical properties. The fabricated 2024-T3 and epoxy glass fiber had higher fatigue strength than aramid reinforced and lower density than steel alloy utilized in aircraft manufacture.
Quality control of riverbank roads is a vital part of the road construction and maintenance process and aims to ensure infrastructure quality, safety, and sustainability. This requires adherence to technical standards, constant auditing, and regular maintenance to maintain the condition of the roads and avoid potential problems. The first step in the quality control of roads is to test the efficiency of the subgrade soil. A geotechnical investigation of subgrade soil under river bank roads is carried out to evaluate the engineering properties of the soil and determine the soil’s ability to bear the loads resulting from vehicle movement and road traffic. This investigation includes analyzing soil samples and laboratory tests to determine soil properties and determine any improvements the soil needs to bear the loads. Soil samples were collected from Al-Kadhimiya Corniche Street. It was dried and subjected to laboratory tests, the soil in this study is classified as poorly graded sand (SP), GS 2.589, the shear strength parameters an internal friction angle of 33 degrees and cohesion of 0.5 kN/m2, and the results of the compaction test indicated that the optimal moisture content was 8.1%, with a maximum dry density was 18.24 kN/m3, CBR 26.04%, and chemical tests (SO3 0.222, pH 8.55, T.SS 0.891, CL 0.085). Software FAARFIELD was used to check pavement design, the thickness design was executed utilising a subgrade CBR value of 26.04%. The subgrade pavement thickness was determined to be 304mm in total. The results agree with the actual design of Al-Kadhimiya Corniche Street, which was recently maintained during the field investigation in 2023.
Expansive soil poses significant challenges for civil engineers worldwide since it seriously affects the structures built upon it. This soil has a very active group of minerals called montmorillonite, which is responsible for the significant volume change it exhibits. For a number of years, chemical additives have been utilized to stabilize soil, with various levels of success. Soil stabilization has involved the use of a variety of additives, including cement, lime, polymers, salts, and combinations of these. However, lime is very often used for expansive soil stabilization as it improves the soil's mechanical properties. The effects of adding three percentages of lime (3%, 6%, and 9%) to expansive soil to improve its engineering properties are investigated through several tests. The laboratory tests consist of standard compaction, sieve analysis, atterberg limits, hydrometer, California bearing ratio, consolidation test, swelling potential, and specific gravity. The test results displayed that the plasticity index, liquid limit, swelling potential, and maximum dry density, specific gravity decreased using (3%, 6%, and 9%) lime. In contrast, the plastic limit, and optimum moisture content increased using (3%, 6%, and 9%) lime. The California bearing ratio is increased from (12.13% to 14.65%) by adding (9% L). The swelling index and compression index are decreased from (0.070 to 0.030) and from (0.581 to 0.193) respectively by adding (9% L). The swelling percentage is reduced from (18.77% to 6.03%) by adding (9% L).