Journals of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
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Function of Construction Waste as A Replacement Material for Stones in Stone Column
Get PDFSustainability is an important aspect of the Civil engineering domain and mainly focuses on the reduction of carbon footprints. One of the major contributors to carbon footprint is construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which increases with urbanisation. With an increase in awareness of recycling, the usage of C&D waste is used as a replacement material for stones in a stone column. The stone column is a conventional ground improvement technique used to stabilise the soil by improving its strength and settlement behaviour. The C&D waste of M30-graded crushed concrete and the brick is considered and used as a replacement material to make columns of two consistencies (0.4 and 0.6). The other waste material of C&D waste is removed and crushed to a size of 5 mm and used as a column material. A load-penetration study is conducted in California Bearing ratio (CBR) mould by developing a column in the center of the mould with 100% of conventional aggregate, crushed concrete and bricks which is compared with the virgin clay. Due to the interlocking behaviour of the column materials, the initial behaviour of the load-penetration behaviour follows the same pattern. With an increase in load intensity, the load bearing of crushed concrete is similar under higher consistency. As the water retention of brick is more for lower consistency, the load bored by 100% crushed brick is the same as that of stone aggregate. There is almost 4 times increase in the strength of composite ground compared with virgin clay. Making the zero-value material more useful by creating a circular economy
Exploring Passenger Loyalty: A Perspective Through Expectancy Theory in Public Transport Usage
Get PDFThe paper discusses the application of Expectancy Theory in understanding and improving passenger loyalty in public transportation systems. Expectancy Theory, originally developed by Victor Vroom in 1964, is a psychological framework that explains how individuals\u27 expectations influence their decision-making processes and behavior. The paper emphasizes the importance of three key components of the theory: expectancy (the belief that effort will lead to performance), instrumentality (the belief that performance will result in desired outcomes) and valence (the value placed on those outcomes). By applying Expectancy Theory to public transportation, it explores how aligning service quality with passenger expectations can enhance passenger satisfaction and loyalty. Factors such as comfort, responsiveness, facilities, safety, ticketing systems and information provision are identified as critical components of service quality that influence passenger experiences. The paper argues that public transportation providers can improve passenger loyalty by ensuring that passengers perceive a clear connection between their efforts (e.g., choosing a service) and the rewards (e.g., reliable and comfortable transportation). It concludes that a strategic approach that incorporates Expectancy Theory can lead to systematic improvements in public transportation, resulting in higher passenger satisfaction, increased loyalty, and more efficient use of resources. This approach not only benefits transportation providers but also enhances the overall passenger experience and contributes to the development of more reliable and user-friendly public transportation systems
Technical and Vocational Education and Training College Lecturers and 21st-Century Skills: Awareness and Implications for Teaching Practices
Get PDFThe increasing demand for 21st-century skills in the workforce places new expectations on educators, including TVET lecturers, who play a critical role in preparing students for evolving industry needs. This study explored the awareness and understanding of 21st-century skills among TVET lecturers and examined how this awareness influences their teaching practices. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating surveys, interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Results indicate that while lecturers are aware of critical skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, their practical application in teaching practices varies due to challenges such as curriculum rigidity, lack of resources, and insufficient professional development opportunities. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for professional development and curriculum adjustments necessary to foster 21st-century skills among lecturers.
Exploring The Relationship Between Personality Types and Learning Styles among Special Education Students in TVET: A Case Study
No full textThis study investigated how student personality types (introvert, extrovert, and ambivert) and learning styles, based on the five stimuli in the Dunn & Dunn Model, impacted special education students\u27 interest in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) skills related to refrigeration and air conditioning. A quantitative research method was employed, focusing on students enrolled in refrigeration and air conditioning programmes at Vocational Special Education Secondary Schools in Malaysia. A total of 37 special education students participated in this study, which utilized a questionnaire as a research tool. The study examined how introverted, extroverted, and ambivert personalities influenced students\u27 interest in the field. Additionally, it explored how various components of learning styles, including environment, emotions, sociology, physical aspects, and psychology, affected student interest. The findings indicated that most respondents had a moderately high level of individual personality classifications (introvert, extrovert, and ambivert) and a high-level learning style. The results revealed no significant link between different personality types and students\u27 interest in TVET skills related to refrigeration and air conditioning, with a correlation coefficient of 0.296. Various personality types did not notably affect special education students\u27 interest in the profession. This study enhanced comprehension of the interests of special education students, which could contribute to developing a more suitable and comprehensive learning approach to support student achievement in TVET skill
The Kansei Engineering Method for Determining the Emotional Design Concept of the Metaverse Library Interface: Technical University Students Perspectives
No full textThe rise of metaverse technology has impacted the way education is experienced through immersive interfaces, making user interface (UI) design a critical factor in shaping its emotional impact on users; the key to fostering engagement and satisfaction. However, providing emotion-centric UI that effectively satisfy user demands and technological competencies is an ongoing challenge. For that reason, this study examines the emotional responses from students of a technical university regarding metaverse library interfaces, aiming to identify the mapping correlation between UI design factors and the user-demanded experience. This experiment employed Kansei Engineering (KE) method, incorporating 28 specimens and 60 Kansei Words (KWs). Through the application of multivariate statistical analysis, the emotionally demanding UI concepts for the metaverse library were determined, with “radiance”, “orderliness”, and “conciseness” identified as the most significant (72.68%). Drawing from these findings, this study provides valuable guidance for improving user experience (UX) and shaping future design strategies of the metaverse libraries in technical universities. This research not only enhances emotional experience through UI design but also contributes to the growing importance of digital literacy in modern technical-based education and educational technology development, aligned with the goal of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
Addressing Competency Gaps in Aviation Maintenance Education: Lessons from the Philippine Experience
No full textThis study investigates competency gaps in the Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) program of the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA), assessing how well the curriculum aligns with international aviation standards, including the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 1 on personnel licensing, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) Part 66 on aircraft maintenance licensing, and the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR) Part 3 governing approved training organizations. Employing a convergent mixed-methods design, the study collected data from 85 purposively selected participants, including graduates, industry professionals, and educators, between January and March 2024. Data collection involved surveys, semi-structured interviews, and curriculum document analysis to evaluate training effectiveness and graduate readiness. Results show strong curriculum alignment in foundational topics such as propulsion systems and safety documentation. However, significant gaps were identified in advanced diagnostics, avionics systems, composite materials, and essential soft skills such as communication and teamwork. Graduates who completed On-the-Job Training (OJT) in airline environments demonstrated higher job readiness than those trained in more minor Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. The study underscores the need to adopt competency-based education (CBE), standardize OJT placements, and deepen industry-academic partnerships. Recommendations include integrating certification pathways, expanding practical training, and establishing continuous curriculum review processes. By analyzing the Philippine experience, this study offers actionable insights for developing countries. These findings inform scalable reforms toward a globally aligned aviation workforce
Modelling and Forecasting of Crude Oil Price Return Volatility from 2006-2023: An Application of the Garch Models
No full textThe volatility dynamics of Nigerian crude oil prices from 2006 to 2023 were investigated in this work using the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) modeling technique. Strong evidence of time-varying conditional heteroskedasticity in the dataset was found using diagnostic tests. The model information criteria showed that the dependencies were well represented by the parsimonious GARCH (1,1) formulation. Based on maximum log-likelihood and information criterion values, exponential GARCH (EGARCH) showed the best in-sample fit. The projection predicts prices beginning at a very high level in 2024 and then rapidly falling, with a steep downward slope in the expected price trajectory. The model predicts that by the end of 2025, crude oil prices will be significantly lower than they were at the start of the projection period. Overall, our empirical findings give good support for using EGARCH techniques to forecast volatility in Nigerian crude oil returns. As a result, practitioners now have access to efficient prediction tools that have been verified using rigorous statistical approaches to help them estimate future price risk
Sustainable Paper Production Using Treated Pineapple Leaf Fiber and Wastepaper Composites
No full textFibers extracted from plants offer alternatives to commercial materials to produce paper which are increasingly valuable in sustainable product development. This study investigates the potential of pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) as an alternative to synthetic fibers in composite with wastepaper for recycle paper fabrication to reduce the agricultural waste. The study focuses on the extraction and characterization by emphasizing the effects of alkaline treatment using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on the physical and mechanical properties of the PALF. Wastepaper was then combined with treated PALF in varying ratios i.e. 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 to create the composite paper. The properties of the synthesized PALF were evaluated in term of moisture content and tensile strength. While the morphological characteristics was evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and functional group determination by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Results indicate that NaOH treatment significantly enhances the mechanical properties of PALF by improving fiber strength and reducing moisture content with the 1:2 ratio demonstrating the highest tensile strength (9234.596 Pa). Compared to the 1:1 ratio which exhibited a tensile strength of 6946.375 Pa, the 1:2 ratio resulted in a 32.9% increase in tensile strength. Similarly, when compared to the 2:1 ratio (5311.917 Pa), the 1:2 ratio showed an impressive 73.9% enhancement in tensile strength. These findings suggest that increasing the proportion of wastepaper relative to pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) enhances fiber bonding and mechanical strength, likely due to better fiber interlocking and reinforcement. With its high tensile strength and improved durability, this composite paper can be utilized in packaging materials, stationery and biodegradable wrapping papers. This study highlights the viability of PALF in the development of eco-friendly composite materials, contributing to waste reduction and promoting the use of renewable resources in material science
Characterization of The Properties of South Lampung Clay as Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate
No full textBloating properties are essential to determine clay\u27s ability to expand and form pore structures for lightweight expanded clay (LECA) applications. South Lampung clay was taken from four different places: TN, TB1, TB2, and TJ. The clay was dried at 110oC until the water content was 7%, then ground using a ball mill to 200 mesh. The clay was formed into balls with a diameter of 10 mm and then heated at 1,050oC for 15 minutes. The chemical composition was analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. X-ray diffraction was used to analyze the crystal structure formed. Topography was analyzed using FESEM. The bloating coefficient (Cb) was calculated by comparing the volume before and after heating. Based on SiO2, TN and TB1 meet the self-bloating standard with 52.28 and 56.82% content, respectively. However, based on Al2O3, only TB1 meets the minimum standard with a value of 17.46%. Based on the total flux being below 10%, all clay has the potential for self-bloating. The type of clay is kaolinite with feldspar and kaolin phases. The bloated clay was found in TB1 and TJ with values of 1.08 and 1.46. Additives are needed to increase an expansion. This study can be developed to obtain the composition of local clay, which can be applied to various fields
An Innovative Water Reaction Turbine of the Ultra Z-Blade Designed for Water Conditions of Low-Head and Ultra-Low Flow
No full textIn comparison to conventional fossil fuels like coal and gas, hydropower offers many advantages. This is because it does not discharge harmful gases into the atmosphere, which contributes to air pollution. Nevertheless, there will be negative ecological effects in the area around a hydropower energy-producing plant if it is built. Hydropower is significantly less dangerous than pico-hydro systems, which only require a trickle of water to generate electricity through the rotation of a turbine. The reaction-type turbine is the topic of this study because it can be rotated by a relatively small amount of water. Cross pipe turbines (CPTs), split reaction turbines (SRTs), and Z-blade turbines (ZBTs) are all examples of older turbine designs that prioritized pressure above flow. There has been little progress made so far to compensate for the low head and ultra-low flow water segment. In order to tap into low head and ultra-flow water resources, this work attempts to address this by developing an ultra z-blade turbine for pico-hydro producing systems with two types of pipes measuring 0.75 inches and 2.0 inches in diameter. The concepts of mass, momentum, and energy conservation are used to generate the equations. The performance of the newly developed U-ZBT is compared to that of the well-established CPT, SRT, and ZBT via an experimental method. As a result, a 0.75-inch pipe size performed better than a 2.0-inch pipe size at a maximum speed of 130 rpm and a water flow rate of 1.77 L/sec