International Journal of Integrated Engineering
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A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Approach for Managing End-of-Life Options of 3D Printing Thermoplastic
Full text linkThe increasing use of 3D printing technology, particularly with thermoplastic materials, emphasizes the imperative for a meticulously devised strategy to address sustainability concerns at the end of the product\u27s life cycle. This study presents a customized Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach designed to navigate the intricate factors that affect the sustainable management of thermoplastic waste generated by 3D printing techniques. This framework provides decision-makers with a methodical paradigm to evaluate and prioritize end-of-life (EOL) modalities. It incorporates a wide range of variables, including resource consumption, environmental impact, economic implications, and statutory requirements. Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the results of the algorithm clearly indicate that recycling is the best EOL option for the thermoplastic category studied in this analysis compared to other techniques. The utilization of MCDA enables stakeholders to make decisions that not only improve sustainability results but also drive innovation and efficiency within the 3D printing ecosystem
Utilising Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) to Enhance the Flexural Capacity of Concrete Structures After Earthquakes
Full text linkIncreasing the bending capacity of post-earthquake concrete structures is crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of buildings. This study evaluates the effectiveness of using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) materials as a reinforcement solution to enhance the bending capacity of concrete structures damaged by earthquakes. CFRP was selected due to its advantageous characteristics, including high strength, corrosion resistance, and ease of application in the field. The study employs an experimental approach, utilising concrete beams with varying reductions in strength to simulate damage levels of 65%, 50%, and 30%. The tests conducted include density, compressive strength, and flexural strength assessments. The results indicate that the application of CFRP significantly increases the flexural capacity of concrete beams, reduces crack formation, and extends the service life of the structures. Specifically, the flexural strength improves 3 to 4 times for unreinforced and reinforced concrete beams. These findings confirm that CFRP is an effective and efficient solution for the rehabilitation of post-earthquake concrete structures, contributing positively to infrastructure recovery in earthquake-prone areas
Information System Design Orifice Type Concentric Based On Fuzzy Logic
Full text linkThis study addresses the challenges in orifice bore design by developing automated software for precise calculations meeting field specifications. The research introduces Oricalc, a Delphi 7-based software that automates orifice bore sizing calculations previously performed manually using the AGA Report No.3 standard. The software implements fuzzy logic for parameter interpolation, replacing traditional table-based methods. Comparative testing between Oricalc, manual calculations, and MATLAB simulations demonstrated average error rates of -0.03646, 0.44, and 0.48. The software additionally provides functionalities for calculating Gross Heating Value (GHV), compressibility, standard flow rates, and real-time flow monitoring. Uncertainty analysis revealed that instrumentation/sensors contributed 99.43% of measurement uncertainty, with flow rate and mechanical factors contributing 0.56% and 0.0000002% respectively. The negligible mechanical uncertainty validates the high accuracy of Oricalc\u27s orifice bore calculations, confirming its effectiveness for industrial applications
Energy Consumption Performance for Difference Battery Model Capacity Deployed on Design Network Topologies
Full text linkThis research investigates energy consumption in Internet of Things (IoT) networks, focusing on how different battery capacities impact energy performance. The study is motivated by the need to optimize power usage in IoT devices, which often rely on limited battery power and can experience significant energy consumption. The study evaluates the performance of four battery types: 3.7V and 7.4V batteries with capacities of 1500mAh and 3000mAh, respectively using NetSim tools. The simulations were conducted over time periods of 1, 12, and 24 hours, and the number of active nodes varied from 1 to 5. The findings reveal that for a network with 1 active node and a 3.7V 1500mAh battery, the total energy consumption was 1.1117%, 13.3438%, and 26.6879% for the durations of 1, 12, and 24 hours, respectively. In contrast, using a 3.7V 3000mAh battery reduced consumption to 0.5553%, 6.6652%, and 13.3306%. These results provide valuable insights into battery deployment strategies for energy-efficient IoT networks, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate battery models based on network topology and node activity
A Novel Walkway System for Measuring the Spatial Gait Parameters of Rats with Spinal Cord Injury
Full text linkChanges in locomotion, especially related to spinal issues, can signal health conditions. Analysing spatial gait parameters is crucial for understanding these changes. Rats are frequently used in spine-related gait studies to enhance disease understanding, often with the assistance of complex gait analysis systems. Nevertheless, existing commercial systems for rat gait analysis are costly and lack customization options. This paper presents a new walkway system for measuring rat spatial gait parameters in spinal cord injury (SCI) cases. Thirteen adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups – uninjured (7) and injured (6). For the injured group, contusion SCI was inflicted on the T9/T10 thoracic area of the spinal cord using the NYU Impactor device. The system analyzed stride length (SL) and stance width (SW) and compared its output with manually obtained values. Reliability was assessed using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analysis, showing a high correlation (r > 0.94) and insignificant bias in measurements. Moreover, disagreement between the systems was less than 5% of the mean value in over 95% of measured outputs, showcasing the system\u27s reliability in measuring gait parameters in normal and SCI-injured rats. Furthermore, the system’s output indicates injury in the injured rats with shorter SL and larger SW compared to uninjured ones, demonstrating its capability. This system provides a low-cost setup that can be effectively used to enhance knowledge in studies related to SCI using rats as the model
Anaerobic Digestion of Food Waste Enhanced by Rubber Sludge Biochar
Full text linkFood waste (FW) is a huge global issue and predominantly occurs in highly urbanized and developed countries. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is recognized as one of the most sustainable, cost-effective and efficient means to cater to the problem. Despite that, AD process often suffers from system over-acidification, high lag time, high carbon dioxide content, low methane yield and prone to system failure. This study characterized the properties and evaluated the effects of rubber sludge-derived biochar addition on anaerobic digestion of food waste (ADFW) as well as explored the optimum conditions of ADFW to have an enhanced biogas production. Rubber sludge-derived biochar was fabricated under pyrolytic temperature of 500°C. ADFW pH range used for this research work were 4-8. Further, investigation focused on the biochar dosage of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g with the duration of 7 to 35 days. The findings of this study indicate maximum biogas generated at pH 6 with 15 g BC/L FW of biochar dosage for 35 days
Physical Properties of Unaged and Short-Term Aged (STA) Liquid Epoxidized Natural Rubber (LENR) Modified Binders
Full text linkPolymer-modified asphalt (PMA) binders have been utilized extensively to improve the performance and durability of asphalt pavement. Each type of polymer or modifier leads for specific alterations in the performance of the asphalt binder. This study examines how the physical properties of 60/70 penetration grade asphalt binder are influenced by the presence of liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR). Specifically, five different proportions of LENR were examined: 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% by weight of the asphalt binder. A rolling thin film oven procedure was conducted to replicate the short-term aging of the asphalt binder samples. The unaged and short-term aged samples of LENR-modified asphalt binders were evaluated for physical testing (penetration, softening point, and viscosity). The results show that with the increasing LENR, the penetration reduced, the softening point and viscosity increased. The findings in this study indicated that 3% LENR showed good potential as modifier in asphalt binder
Behavioral Analysis and Internal Stress Evaluation of Glue-Laminated Bamboo Space Truss Utilising Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composite Joints
Full text linkTruss is a structure composed of straight members forming triangular panels. Truss typically assumes a rigid configuration with connections treated as flexible joints. A commonly used material for truss construction is A36 steel, but due to its lack of sustainability, engineers and architects are increasingly exploring alternatives. Bamboo, traditionally employed in construction, has gained attention for its impressive mechanical properties, positioning it as a viable substitute for steel. This research emphasizes the utilization of "Glubam," a glue-laminated bamboo, as a component in space trusses. The modular tetrahedral space truss is constructed using six Glubam members connected by carbon fiber-reinforced composite joints. The primary objective of this study is to assess the truss prototype\u27s behavior under various loading magnitudes through practical experimentation. The researcher treated bamboo culms with a boric salt solution, stripped them, and glued them together to form the truss member. Space truss joints were created using a 3D printer. The prototype underwent axial loading ranging from 0 to 490 N at its apex. Stresses, strains, and deformations were measured using LiDARs and strain gauges in an instrumentation setup. The findings suggest that the connectors exhibit elasticity before the Glubam reaches its proportional limit stress of 59 MPa. Experimantation produced nodal displacement-load curves displaying significant linearity, indicating elastic behavior in connectors and members, where stress corresponds to strain. This underscores the promising potential of Glubam and fiber-reinforced composites as materials for truss components
Readiness and Influencing Factors for Disruptive Technologies Application in Malaysian Highway Maintenance: A Qualitative Study
Full text linkThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) is transforming the construction industry through digitalisation and automation, offering opportunities for cost reduction and improved efficiency in infrastructure projects. This study investigates the readiness of Malaysian highway operators to adopt disruptive technologies during the operation and maintenance phases, identifying key influencing factors. A qualitative approach was employed, with semi-structured interviews conducted between June 2023 and March 2024 involving five experienced professionals from various highway concessionaires. Data analysis using NVivo 14 revealed that although operators show readiness for certain technologies, adoption levels vary across maintenance processes. Thematic analysis identified four critical factors influencing implementation: Discomfort, Innovativeness, Insecurity, and Optimism. The findings suggest that Innovativeness and Optimism drive adoption by potentially reducing labour dependency while enhancing efficiency and safety. In contrast, addressing Discomfort and Insecurity could lead to long-term time and cost savings. The study concludes that overcoming these barriers may accelerate technology integration in highway maintenance. Future research should examine emerging technologies such as machine learning, blockchain, and big data analytics to further enhance highway infrastructure management. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the human factors influencing technology adoption in transportation infrastructure maintenance
From Wetlands to Worries: A Study of the Constructed Wetlands Model in Antibiotic Resistance Alteration
Full text linkAntibiotic resistance in wastewater is an emerging health concern, as resistant coliform bacteria complicate treatment processes and pose significant risks to public health. Constructed wetlands (CWs) offer a promising and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment, although their effectiveness in reducing coliforms and mitigating antibiotic resistance varies. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a single CW system employing Typha sp. as the phytoremediation agent planted in Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) on antibiotic resistance alteration. Samples were collected from both the inlet and outlet of the system after a 48-hour treatment. Total coliform enumeration and single colony isolation were performed to assess the abundance of coliform bacteria and antibiotic resistance. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of penicillin-G was tested using the diffusion disk method. Results showed a significant reduction in total coliform abundance (0.52 log reduction, 69.53%, p-val = 0.001). However, antibiotic resistance was increased, with both inlet and outlet samples exhibiting a MIC of 800µg/ml and diameter inhibition zones of 7.8±1.8 mm and 2.7±0.9 mm at 33 units of Penicillin-G, respectively. These findings suggest that CWs may promote antibiotic resistance in certain circumstances, potentially due to treatment efficiency, microbial dynamics, and horizontal gene transfer following selective pressures