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Go to Editorial ManagerThis 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.
The traditional electric poles in Iraq are usually made from steel materials. Such materials induced high weight, corrosion, permanent deformation caused by high wind speed, etc. The study aimed to numerically examine the strength of few poles made from different materials. The pole subjected to pressure developed by actual measured wind speed of 140 km/h. The numerical model of different materials and cross sections, an octagonal section electric pole made from composite material FRP–HDPE–FRP is suggested to replace the traditional one. The results showed high safety factor, approximately 5.51 besides the low ratio of high strength to weight as compared to steel materials. Using HDPE as reinforced material resulted in pole elastically deformed with only 0.222 mm. Therefore, it can be assumed that the suggested pole acts partially as a damper. Straight octagonal cross - section of pole promoted high reduction (74.22%) in maximum Von–Misses stress of that obtained in cylindrical three-stage pole. High reduction (5.87 times) in maximum deformation value was obtained when composite octagonal pole was used as compare to tapered pole made from steel.