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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.
Biodegradable polymers are very useful polymers in biomedical applications. In this research, several hydrogels were fabricated by using two polymers, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Chitosan (Chs) by the solvent casting method in order to use them for skin applications. Several tests were carried out on these membranes such as Agar diffusion method to examine their antimicrobial activities, Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR) test to study the differences in their chemical structures. Uniaxial tensile test was performed to examine the mechanical characteristics of these membranes. In addition, the wettability test was used to investigate the hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of the surfaces. The results showed that all membranes are hydrophilic, of which the contact angles are less than 90°. The membrane manufactured from 75:25 Chs-PVA is more hydrophobic (contact angle is 74°) than other membranes made of 50:50 Chs-PVA and 25:75 Chs-PVA as the contact angles were 59° and 61°, respectively. The tensile test results indicate that the membrane fabricated of the PVA and the membrane that was fabricated by 75% Chs and 25% PVA has the highest tensile strength of 17.9 MPa, 16.2 MPa and Young^’ s Modulus of 181.2 MPa and 7.18 MPa, respectively. The highest strain at break was observed by the membrane of 25:75 Chs-PVA which equals to 24.67%. Chitosan membranes showed inhibition zones of about 2.99 cm and 2.75 cm in length, and 75:25 Chs-PVA membranes showed 5.1 and 5.91 cm in length for E.coli. To sum up, this copolymer is considered as promising hydrogel for skin applications such as wound dressing.
In this vast world after an earthquake lessons are learned; many strategies have been considered in order to achieve a proper seismic strength capacity.The aim of this paper is studying the seismic behavior of a typical reinforced concrete bridge pier in Iraq and implementing a proper technique of strengthening in order to fix any damage that had happened.Structure of a full scale three-dimensional finite element model was used in order to simulate a reinforced concrete pier via the computer software ABAQUS/CAE 2017 using concrete plasticity damage model (CDP).Under the action of Halabja earthquake, which was recorded at city of Halabja in Iraq on 12 November 2017, the behavior of model was traced, analyzed and the resulted damages were managed.The finite element analysis results indicated that the proposed configuration of carbon fiber reinforced polymers laminates substantially increases the lateral load strength and deformation capacity of the bridge pier
Plastic pollution represents a significant global environmental challenge, with millions of tons of plastic waste accumulated annually in landfills and natural ecosystems. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this issue due to the widespread use of single-use personal protective equipment. As a response to this problem, this study examines the use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate and single-use face masks as additives in porous asphalt mixtures to improve the mixtures’ properties and promote sustainability in pavement engineering. The research aimed to evaluate the combined effect of incorporating recycled polymers into a hybrid system, rather than separately modified mixtures of polyethylene terephthalate and single-use face mask fibers. Laboratory tests indicated that the hybrid mixture exhibited optimal performance, achieving a 34% increase in Marshall stability, a 19% decrease in flow, and a 20% reduction in air-void content. Additionally, permeability decreased by 36%, while remaining within the accepted limit, improving moisture susceptibility, and cantabro abrasion losses decreased by up to 11%, suggesting improvements in cohesion, structure, and durability. The findings demonstrate that hybrid polymer modification offers an environmentally sustainable and high-performance approach for future porous asphalt pavements.
Over the last several years, additive manufacturing (AM), sometimes known as "3D printing", has seen remarkable expansion due to mechatronics and materials science advancements. Fused filament deposition (FDM) production is the predominant technology in additive manufacturing (AM) because of its cost-effectiveness in operational and material expenses. Nevertheless, the materials often used for this technique are pristine thermoplastics. Unsuccessful printing and throwaway prototypes generate a significant quantity of trash. Utilizing green and sustainable products is crucial to minimize the environmental effects. Recycled, bio-based, and mixed recycled materials provide a promising solution for 3D printing. The absence of comprehension about the interlayer adhesion process and material degradation in FDM printing has presented a significant obstacle for these environmentally friendly materials. This study comprehensively examines many materials used for FDM three-dimensional printing filaments, including recycled, bio-based, and mixed materials. The merits and drawbacks of thermoplastics and their composites were deliberated over. This evaluation is a comprehensive guide for engineers and researchers in selecting appropriate materials for three-dimensional printing. Three-dimensional printed objects have worse mechanical characteristics in comparison to injection molded materials.
This research reviews existing literature on RC beams strengthened techniques for shear. Research indicates that fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) are best utilized and effective materials to enhance RC beams. These materials have corrosion resistance and exceptional strength. The strengthening of reinforced beams by FRP depends on the nature of fiber, arrangement, materials, and manner of strengthening. The current article analyzes the properties, advantages, and applications the FRP composites. In addition to the mechanisms of failure, properties, and behaviors of FRP-strengthened reinforced beams undergoing shear with various strengthening techniques such as EB, NSM, and ETS.
In today's world, Urinary Tract disorders such as obstructions whatever the causes (stricture, stones), are prevalent and can be extremely dangerous and painful for individuals. One of the most important instruments in the Urological sector for a variety of clinical diseases is the Ureteral stent, a minimally invasive surgical tool for relieving blockages and facilitating kidney-to-Bladder drainage. This review addressed the problems of biofilm formation and polymers currently available for use as new biomaterials in new Ureteral stent designs, providing a comprehensive update on recent developments in stent development. It also evaluated the various biomaterials that found application as Ureteral stents in relation to various issues such as encrustation, bacterial colonization, urinary tract infections, and related clinical issues. This study concluded with a discussion of biomaterials' potential applications and the design in the Urinary Tract.
Zinc oxide nano particles is one of the best choices for ultraviolet protection due to its special properties. In this research, the UV-protection ability of sol gel-derived thin ZnO films on cotton fabrics was investigated. Various polymers have been used as adhesives to bind the nano-oxide with the surface of the treated fabric. Scanning electron microscopy and UV spectroscopy were carried out to study the properties of the treated fabrics. The results showed that the diameters of the synthesis zinc oxide particles - (68.81, 41.76 and 44.6 nm) with (PVA, PVP and CMC) respectively- were of the nanostructure, and the smallest diameter of the particles was produced with polyvinylpyrrolidone as adhesive. Using a spectrophotometer showed a decrease in the transmittance of the studied samples compared with the raw untreated sample of about 23%.
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).
Electrospinning is a simple and highly versatile method for generating ultrathin fibers (mainly polymers) with diameters ranging from a few micrometres to tens of nanometres. This technique has attracted tremendous recent interest in both academia and industry, owing to its unique ability to produce ultrafine fibers of different materials in various fibrous assemblies. Electrospinning is a process that uses an electric potential to overcome the surface tension of a solution to produce an ultra-fine jet, which elongates, thins and solidifies as it travels through the electric field to a collector.. In this research, we studied the effect of conditions of the cabin “specifically humidity” on the diameter of nanofibers manufactured by electrospinning. We used Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymeric solution with weight concentration of 10%, voltage 20 kv, under different values of relative humidity. Fiber morphology and fiber diameter were determined using scanning electron microscope, and measuring the fiber diameter by using image j program. It was found that the diameter of the fibers increased with increasing the relative humidity within our studying area .
Consider polymers and polymer matrix composite are the basis of the most prevalent material in all industrial and medical fields because of its properties qualify to occupy an advanced position among other engineering materials because of its good properties._x000D_ Therefore, This work focuses on the preparation of base polymer matrix composite materials and study non-saturated polyester as matrix has been strengthened by zeolite particles different grain sizes (25 - 65 - 75) µm and different volume fractions (1,5 - 3 - 4,5 - 6 - 7,5 - 10) % was strengthened by Carbon short fibers and constant volume fraction (8%),the tests tensile and bending according to ASTM specifications, respectively. Through the results it was observed that the maximum tensile strength improved through hybrid reinforcement when reached the maximum value when the grain size (25 µm ) and at volume fraction (7.5%), reaching ( 94 N/mm2 )compared with the rest of sizes and at the same volume fraction reaching (78 N/mm2 for 65 µm , 69 N/mm2 for 75 µm), As for the bending test has been getting maximum Flexural resistance at grain size (25 µm) at volume fraction ( 6%) reached to(111 N/mm2) ,if compared with the rest of sizes at the same volume fraction reaching (100 N/mm2 for 65 µm,79 N/mm2 for 75 µm) while was obtained on the maximum bending modulus at grain size (25 µm) and at volume fraction (10%) reach to (8099 N/mm2) if compared with the rest of sizes at the same volume fraction reaching (7466 N/mm2 for 65 µm, 6666 N/mm2 for 75 µm ). Through the results we note that for the particle size and fiber effect in improving the mechanical behavior of the composite material prepared.
Rutting is the most common distress that most Iraqi asphalt pavements suffer from it. Asphalt binders are modified by using additives and polymers to enhance their physical qualities and fulfill the performance demands. Polyphosphoric acid (PPA) has been used in many countries to enhance the physical and mechanical characteristics of asphalt binders and mixtures that can improve the performance of asphalt pavements. In this paper, evaluation of the Iraqi asphalt binder and mixtures performance by using three percentages of Polyphosphoric acid (PPA) (0.4, 0.8, and 1.2) percent by asphalt binder weight and added to (60-70) penetration grade asphalt binder to show the applicability and suitability of using PPA in asphalt pavement in Iraq. Original asphalt binder and modified are subjected to traditional tests which are penetration, ductility, softening point, and viscosity. Results show better performance and enhancement of the physical properties of the modified binder. Other tests are Marshall Stability and wheel track tests. The results of the addition of PPA to the asphalt mixture show increases in the Marshall Stability and enhance the performance of the asphalt pavement mixtures. The wheel track test is applied to the original and modified mixture at two test temperatures 40 ?C and 50 ?C and the results show a decrease in the rut depth when the percentages of PPA increase. It is concluded that %PPA addition will enhance the performance of the Iraqi asphalt pavement and the mixture will be more rutting resistant, especially in high-temperature weather.
Reflective cracking is a serious issue that Adversely influences the performance and longevity of asphalt overlays over deteriorated pavements. This review Looks for the Technologies which used to reduce the reflection cracks propagation by insert a new Strategies and different design materials. This research dealt with many treatments such as: increasing the layer thickness of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), creating modified asphalt by adding polymers to asphalt, rubberizing asphalt, carbon black, sulfur and other different materials. Geosynthetic materials were studied and analyzed to evaluate their ability to increase the layer tensile strength and minimize the effect of reflection cracks such as geotextiles, geogrids, and Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayers (SAMI). The research shows that the increasing of overlay asphalt layer thickness leads to durability development. On the other hand, using developed materials like Polymer-Modified Asphalt and Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayers (SAMI) Strategies leads to increasing the service life of the repaired pavement. The conclusion indicated that the development of overlay asphalt layer thickness and layer reinforcement and applying advanced environmental systems can be improving the pavement performance. These Strategies can produce a perfect solution to prevent or reduce the reflection cracks in rigid and flexible pavement.