International Journal of Integrated Engineering
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Contractors’ Perception in Integrating Circular Economy in Industrialised Building System (IBS)
Full text linkIndustrialised Building System (IBS) is well-recognised in improving sustainable deliverables for construction projects. However, the lack of integration of a circular economy (CE) in IBS construction hinders the continual use of resources and limiting waste elimination. This study investigated the IBS contractors’ perceptions of integrating CE in managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The STEEP (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental and Political) matrix adopted in this study determined the drivers, enablers, challenges, and barriers to integrating CE into the IBS application. Twenty respondents from IBS construction companies participated in semi-structured interviews to provide insights into integrating CE in C&D waste management. The results highlighted that IBS contractors in Malaysia strongly associated CE with waste separation activities, reduction of waste generation, recycling and re-use materials of building components to extend its value. Although CE harbours greater potential in terms of the level of circularity (refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, re-purpose, recycle and recover), the limited knowledge of CE among IBS contractors has hindered the optimisation of IBS from contributing to sustainability. Building on the STEEP matrix, the outcomes of the study initiate further study to determine strategies to improve efficient integration of CE in managing C&D waste for IBS projects
Assessment of Road Traffic Noise and Associated Health Complaints- Analysis Through Structural Equation Model
Full text linkNoise pollution due to the increasing number of vehicles is one of the foremost concerns in the modern era, which hampers the humans physical and mental well-being of people specially residing in developing countries. Various studies have reported associations between noise exposure and heart diseases, insomnia, stress, annoyance, and high blood pressure. These findings motivate us to assess the situation within our area. This paper aims to analyze the effects of traffic noise on dwellers living adjacent to the national highway (NH-44) stretch of 45 kilometers from Chatta to Township in Mathura. The Present study is based on the subjective analysis of the questionnaire on traffic-related noise pollution. The survey was conducted both online and offline mode. The data gathered from 740 respondents were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM). Absolute fit, incremental fit, and parsimonious fit indices were used to evaluate the hypothesis and validate the developed model. The study revealed that the factor analysis has given the three components of with overall variance of 49.306. Furthermore, analysis with a fit indices like chi square (100.04), DF (1.640), RMR (0.043), RMSEA (0.029), NFI (0.946), RFI (0.931), IFI (0.978), TLI (0.972), CFI (0.978), PNFI (0.740), and PCFI (0.765), respectively. The established model identified associations among user characteristics, noise effect and diseases. This study aims to provide assistance to policymakers in addressing the aforementioned difficulties. Further research should be conducted to explore potential strategies or interventions for mitigating the impact of traffic noise. The implementation of noise barriers, enforcement of traffic regulations, and provision of informative instructional signage are measures aimed at raising public awareness regarding the effects of traffic noise.
Integrated Cuckoo-Evolutionary Programming-Based Technique Incorporating Distribution Generation for Economic Dispatch in Power System
Full text linkIn electricity generation, optimizing operational costs remains a primary concern for power systems. Economic Dispatch (ED) has been extensively explored in the power system domain; however, the impact of compensating devices, such as Distributed Generation (DG), has not been thoroughly investigated and requires further study to enhance system efficiency. This paper introduces an integrated cuckoo-evolutionary programming-based technique, referred to as CSA-EP, which incorporates DG into the ED problem. The CSA-EP technique combines the Cuckoo Search Algorithm (CSA) with Evolutionary Programming (EP) to optimize generation costs. The proposed method aims to identify the optimal power output for all generators in the system, minimizing overall generation costs. The proposed system was tested on the IEEE 30-Bus Reliability Test System (RTS) in solving the ED problem. In comparison to CSA and EP, the CSA-EP optimization technique demonstrated superior performance. Specifically, CSA-EP achieved a minimized cost of 5167.0848 per hour, and EP resulted in 2649.4932 per hour, in contrast to 4209.5214 per hour for EP. These results underscore the superior efficacy of the CSA-EP approach in minimizing generation costs
Development of Ranking Criteria to Determine The Emergency Auxiliary Spillway for Dam Overtopping Failure
Full text linkDams are critical infrastructure for sustaining human life by serving various purposes, including irrigation and water supply, power generation, flood mitigation, and other essential needs. In the event of a dam failure, the sudden release of stored reservoir water can have catastrophic consequences to downstream communities and the environment. Dam failure is often caused by overtopping, which happens when the water level in the reservoir exceeds the dam\u27s capacity. In preventing overtopping, considering an auxiliary spillway as an additional passage for releasing surplus water from the dam or reservoir during periods of high water flow or flooding emerges as a viable option. This study focuses on developing comprehensive ranking criteria for systematically determining emergency auxiliary spillways, explicitly addressing the potential threat of dam overtopping failures. It employs a structured methodology to establish robust criteria for evaluating and prioritizing potential sites. The study applied a multidisciplinary approach in assessing topography, geology, geotechnical aspects, river capacity, feasibility, technical intricacies, accessibility, construction limitations, site seismic activity, environmental ramifications, and the population at risk. The study employed multi-criterion analysis (MCA) to establish ranking criteria, enabling the prioritization of the most suitable saddle dams for selection as emergency auxiliary spillways. The study chose a Hydropower scheme situated in the Eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia for a case study. This scheme comprises a main dam and eight saddle dams within its infrastructure. The outcomes of this study contribute significantly to the advancement of methodologies for selecting emergency auxiliary spillways, thereby enhancing dam safety measures and minimizing the potential risks associated with overtopping incidents
Annealing Environment Dependence of Solution-Immersion Grown Nickel Oxide Nanoflowers
Full text linkHerein, nickel oxide (NiO) nanoflowers with improved crystallinity were grown on the NiO seed-coated glass substrates using different annealing environments. An atmosphere of argon (Ar) gas was used during the heat treatment process of the sample and compared with another sample annealed in an ambient atmosphere. The effects on the structural and optical properties of NiO nanoflowers were then investigated. The properties of NiO nanoflowers annealed at 500 °Ϲ in an Ar and ambient atmosphere surrounding were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The XRD patterns of the highly porous NiO nanoflowers showed they were in a cubic NiO-type polycrystalline structure. The average crystallite sizes estimated from the three most prominent peaks of XRD were quite similar, with 19.0 nm and 19.4 nm for the samples annealed in the ambient and Ar environments, respectively. The dislocation density is slightly higher for the sample annealed in Ar. The optical properties demonstrated that the average transmittance in the visible region was approximately 32% and 37% for the NiO samples annealed in the ambient and Ar environments, respectively. Further, the absorbance spectra showed a higher absorption edge when the sample was annealed in the Ar atmosphere, which is 410 nm compared to 360 nm when annealed in the ambient environment
Study on the Performance and Hydration Mechanism of Hybrid Activation of Vanadium-Titanium Iron Ore Tailings
Full text linkThis paper investigates the activation of vanadium titanium iron ore tailings (VTIOT) to enhance their cementitious potential. Building upon previous studies, it explores two hybrid activation methods, thermal and chemical activation, to analyze how calcination temperature affects the physical and chemical properties of VTIOT and the performance of resulting cementitious materials, and how different activators affect the performance of VTIOT cementitious materials, and to analyze the mechanism of hydration. Through various analyses including TG-XRD, SEM, alkali leaching, mechanical testing, hydration heat analysis, and TGA, the hydration mechanism of VTIOT cementitious materials is examined. Results indicate minimal changes in micro-morphology and mineral phase of VTIOT calcined within a range of 550℃ to 950℃ for 2 hours. Moreover, mortars doped with 30% of VTIOT from different calcination temperatures exhibit comparable compressive strength and activity index to uncalcined VTIOT. Notably, a 0.2‰ dosage of Diethanolisopropanolamine (DEIPA) yields an 85% activity index, outperforming other dosages and activators. Additionally, DEIPA prolongs the induction period of hydration heat and increases the exothermic peak and hydration exotherm amount within 7 days compared to other activators. These findings shed light on the efficacy of hybrid activation methods and the influence of activators on the hydration kinetics of VTIOT cementitious materials
Experimental Study of Performance and Emission Characteristics of Honge Oil with Waste Edible Biodiesel Blends
Full text linkDue to the continuous increase in demand for fossil fuels and emissions of harmful gases, researchers are moving to form biodiesel from biomass with the same thermo-physical properties as pure diesel, lowering combustion exhaust emissions. In the present research work, the transesterification process uses an alkaline catalyst to form second-generation biodiesel from honge seeds and waste edible oil (WEO). The experimental tests are conducted by considering different concentration ratios of honge and Waste edible oil blended biodiesel such as 5H+10W+85D (H stands for 5% honge oil, W stands for 10% WEO oil, and D stands for 85% Diesel), 5H+20W+75D, 10H+5W+85D and 20H+5W+75D, and compared with pure diesel (D100) and bio-oil fuel (H100 & W100). The performance and emissions combustion parameters were measured at five loading conditions: 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%. The novelty of the present research is that the blended fuel 5H+10W+85D exhibited a minimum BSFC of 0.23kg/kW-hr with a maximum brake thermal efficiency of 35.99% at a compression ratio of 16.5:1. The CO and HC emissions were also reduced for the biodiesel, but NOx emission is found to be increased
Monte Carlo Simulation of a Beam Resting on an Elastic Foundation Considering the Two-Dimensional Stochastic Properties of the Elastic Modulus
Full text linkThe analysis of the random behavior of beams on an elastic foundation, considering a two-dimensional random elastic modulus, contributes to bringing the analytical model closer to the physical model of the problem and enhancing the reliability of structural calculations. This paper aims to develop a Monte Carlo simulation (MCs) to represent the two-dimensional random field of elastic modulus combined with the finite element method to analyze the random response of beams resting on an elastic foundation according to the Winkler model. The spectral representation method generates the two-dimensional elastic modulus\u27s Gaussian. This sample function is used to construct the formulation of finite elements. The influence of the random field\u27s standard deviation, the correlation distance along the in-plane axes, and the stiffness of the elastic foundation on the coefficient of variation of displacement are also investigated and analyzed in detail in this article. The two-dimensional randomness of the elastic modulus and the stiffness coefficient of the foundation significantly affect the random response of the beam. The coefficient of variation (COV) of displacement tends to increase when the standard deviation of the stochastic field or the correlation distance along the axes increases. Still, conversely, when the stiffness of the elastic foundation rises, the coefficient of variation decreases. The COV of displacement approaches the standard deviation value of the stochastic field of material properties when the correlation distance along the axes approaches infinity
An Educational CT Scanner Prototype of a 3rd Generation CT Scanner
Full text linkThis project aims to develop an affordable educational prototype of a3rd generation CT scanner. The proposed prototype uses non-radiativelight sources and combines 3D printing, electronics components, andfiltered backprojection (FBP) algorithm to generate the cross-sectionimage of a transparent phantom. Key components include an LED light,an Arduino Nano controller, and a camera. The prototype can captureup to 200 images per scan cycle and successfully reconstruct theinternal structures of the phantom. However, there were somelimitations, including issues with the dataset, light source power, andtime efficiency. Results showed that the prototype could create a 3Dmodel of the lemon phantom, though it faced challenges due to the lightsource and data limitations. Educational workshops were conductedwith 38 students and the prototype was well received by the studentsas shown by the questionnaire results. Future improvements will focuson increasing dataset resolution, using more powerful light sources likelaser diodes, and upgrading the camera system for better image qualityand faster processing
Smart Flow Computer: Leveraging IoT for Accurate and Efficient Gas Flow Measurement in The Oil and Gas Industry
Full text linkAccurate measurement of gas flow is crucial in the oil and gas sector, typically accomplished using orifice sensors and based on AGA report 3 standards. This research obtains a flow computer configuration to meet the increasing need for accurate and efficient remote meter reading, integrating IoT technology for real-time monitoring, and utilizes complicated calculations based on AGA report 3 namely Smart Flow Computer. The study implements and assesses the Smart Flow Computer, which uses an ESP32 microcontroller and a current-to-voltage converter, against the Kelton Flocalc software. The verification of pressure, differential pressure, and temperature outputs revealed relative deviation ranging from 0% to 0.23%. These inaccuracies are attributed to signal impurity, measurement uncertainty, and equipment resolution. The ESP32\u27s 12-bit ADC, which has 4096 levels, has a deviation less than 1%. This contrasts with the 14-bit ADC, with 16,384 levels, found in conventional flow computers. This research shows that the ESP32-based Smart Flow Computer has high accuracy with minimal deviation, meeting the standards set by the metrology directorate, indicating its potential to revolutionize remote gas flow monitoring in the oil and gas industry. By integrating IoT technology and advanced microcontrollers, this innovative solution offers real-time data acquisition and reliable calculations, significantly improving operational efficiency and precision