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2007 research outputs found
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Integration of Low-Cost GNSS and Multispectral Camera to Increase Oil Palm Position Accuracy and Health Monitoring
No full textThe Global Navigation Satellite System facilitates efficient agricultural initiatives, resolving land ownership and precise plantation monitoring issues. The oil palm sector is deeply integrated into various economies due to the world's use in food supplies, cosmetics, and oil biodiesel production. However, local farmers have trouble managing the plantation's condition and land ownership due to the underdeveloped modern technology at their disposal. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was employed in order to assess the NDVI camera oil palm tree growth, utilizing a MAPIR Survey3 RGN Multispectral Camera integrated with red, green, and near IR sensors. Images were taken directly on the surface level to enable focused analysis on the palm trees. This included the use of an MPAR calibration ground target placed beside the leaves for data accuracy and an operator that held the camera to the trees. Utilizing this strategy allowed for a more intricate and detailed analysis of each oil palm tree, and due to the coordination of the trees, aerial images were produced to create a detailed image. Low-cost GNSS instruments alongside RTK technology were employed in determining the coordinate position of the oil palm trees. Considerable relationships were found between NDVI and content in chlorophyll: NDVI-G and Chl a (r = 0.679), NDVI-B and Chl a (r = 0.618), and NDVI-B and Chl b(r = 0.657). The positional errors obtained varied within –0.105 to 0.166 meters for low-cost GNSS and –0.159 to 0.083 meters for geodetic GNSS, the latter recording the least MAE of 0.053. This research work found a cheap and accurate oil palm growth monitoring system using multispectral sensors. This method overcomes the technological gap of local farmers and provides an alternative strategy for the management of plantations. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-03-010 Full Text: PD
Numerical Analysis of the Shear Behavior of Shallow-Wide Concrete Beams via the Concrete Damage Plasticity Model
No full textShallow reinforced concrete beams are broadly used in buildings for their aesthetic and economic benefits, but their shear performance remains insufficiently known, especially considering the impact of stirrups. While experimental investigations provide a good understanding, they are expensive and provide limited insight, creating a gap in the understanding of the complex shear behavior of shallow RC beams. This study bridges this limitation by conducting finite element analysis and calibrating the critical concrete damage plasticity parameters such as the dilation angle, Kc values, eccentricity, damage parameters, and loading time. Additionally, the numerical model validated the experimental results by accounting for the effects of the stirrup spacing, width, and longitudinal-to-stirrup ratio to achieve the ultimate load and corresponding deflection differences within 1.69% and 10.7%, respectively. The findings revealed that increasing the stirrup spacing enhanced ductility without increasing strength, whereas increasing the beam width and longitudinal-to-stirrup ratio increased strength and ductility. Finally, a comparison with design codes and machine learning revealed greater accuracy of FEA prediction, presenting new insight into upgrading the design code for shallow RC beams. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-02-022 Full Text: PD
Linking the Tourism Activity to the Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics
No full textTourism-driven activities have increasingly contributed to marine microplastic (MPs) pollution, particularly in island ecosystems. This study assesses the abundance, characteristics, and spatial distribution of MPs in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, by analyzing samples from coastal water, sediments, and fish across three zones: a seaport, recreational beach, and mangrove area. Standardized filtration, density separation, and FTIR spectroscopy were used to identify MPs types and polymers. Results show the highest MPs concentrations in coastal water at recreational beaches (19.25 particles/L), sediment at seaports (23.15 particles/kg), and fish near seaports (17.5 particles/individual), indicating elevated risks of bioaccumulation. Fragments and fibers were the dominant forms, with prevalent polymers including PS, PE, and LDPE, mostly in black, blue, and red colors. The mangrove area exhibited lower MPs levels due to its natural filtration capacity but still showed MPs presence in biota. This multi-compartment approach highlights a clear link between tourism intensity and MPs contamination. The findings provide new insights for designing localized interventions, including waste reduction strategies and regulatory measures. By integrating ecological and anthropogenic factors, this study supports the development of sustainable tourism policies to mitigate MPs pollution and protect coastal biodiversity
Advanced Digital Modeling of Stress–Strain Behavior in Rock Masses to Ensure Stability of Underground Mine Workings
No full textThis study focuses on optimizing underground support systems through advanced numerical modeling and geomechanical assessment. The research aims to refine reinforcement parameters for underground mine workings by analyzing the stress-strain behavior of rock masses using Rocscience RS2 software. The study integrates geological and geotechnical data, including field observations and numerical simulations, to enhance the accuracy of support system designs. The methodology is based on the finite element method (FEM) and the Hoek–Brown softening model, allowing the identification of plastic deformation zones and stress redistribution patterns. The results confirm that maximum stress increases by 35–40% for every 100 m of depth, necessitating enhanced reinforcement. The study evaluates hybrid support systems, specifically steel-polymer bolts with shotcrete, demonstrating a 15% reduction in plastic deformations compared to conventional methods. The findings highlight the importance of continuous geotechnical monitoring and adaptive reinforcement strategies to ensure stability in highly fractured rock masses. The proposed approach provides a more precise prediction of excavation stability, contributing to the development of safer and more efficient underground mining practices. Future research may include the integration of intelligent monitoring systems equipped with real-time sensors to further optimize support strategies and long-term stability assessments. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-03-014 Full Text: PD
eXplainable Machine Learning for Real Estate: XGBoost and Shapley Values in Price Prediction
No full textThis study examines the application of eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in property market research, utilizing housing transaction data from Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. The research employs the XGBoost algorithm to predict property prices and subsequently computes Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) values to quantify feature importance. A beeswarm plot is used to visualize the distribution of SHAP values, uncovering complex relationships between prices and property characteristics. The findings demonstrate how features such as square footage and property age contribute to average price predictions, offering valuable insights for urban planning and real estate decision-making. In contrast to the traditional black-box models, this study integrates XAI methodologies to enhance model interpretability, thereby fostering trust in AI-driven market analyses. The novelty of this research lies in its combination of machine learning and explainable techniques, bridging the gap between predictive accuracy and interpretability in property valuation. By advancing data-driven decision-making, this study underscores the potential of XAI in promoting transparency and facilitating informed policymaking in the property market. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-05-022 Full Text: PD
Evaluating the Microstructure and Strength of Geopolymer Mud Blocks for Sustainable Architecture
No full textThis study investigates the physio-mechanical, microstructural, and durability characteristics of Geopolymer Mud Blocks (GMB) as a sustainable alternative to traditional Soil Stabilized Blocks (SSB). Utilizing locally available Alumino-Silicate Sources (ASS) and Alkali-Activated Materials (AAM), GMB were produced with varying molarity levels (6M, 7M, and 8M) and mix proportions (M1 to M3). Experimental results reveal that compressive strength increased by 10–20% with molarity escalation from 6M to 8M. The highest compressive strength of over 50 MPa, achieved with the M4 mix at 8M, equaled M50-grade concrete, making it suitable for load-bearing walls in earthquake-resistant structures. Durability tests demonstrated less than 10% water absorption, indicating low permeability. Type B6 (6% AAS, 8M, 28 days) exhibited superior performance, attaining the highest compressive strength of 47.32 MPa and prism strength of 33.12 MPa. Additionally, it showed commendable durability metrics, including water absorption at 5.20%, chloride diffusion at 1.87%, acid diffusion at 3.33%, and sulphate diffusion at 1.05%. The dense matrix and minimal porosity of this mix, resulting from the use of distilled water and optimal binder content, significantly enhanced its strength and durability. Type C6 (6% AAS, 8M, 28 days) exhibited the weakest performance, characterized by high porosity, suboptimal matrix quality, and unfavorable durability indicators, such as water absorption (10.33%) and chloride diffusion (4.47%). Type B6 demonstrates the highest effectiveness, providing an optimal balance of strength and durability, whereas Type C6 exhibits the lowest efficiency. GMB exhibited enhanced resistance to acid, sulphate, and chloride attacks with increased molarity. XRD analysis confirmed the geopolymerization process, with significant diffraction peak changes. SEM images revealed denser microstructures with higher molarity, correlating with increased strength. The study concludes that GMBs offer superior strength, durability, and cost-strength efficiency compared to SSBs, promoting sustainable construction practices. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-04-09 Full Text: PD
Design a No-Fine Concrete Using Epoxy in Pavement
No full textNo-fines concrete is an advanced pavement material known for its strong drainage capabilities, making it a widely used rigid road surface. With growing demand for reduced cement content due to industrial advancements, researchers have explored epoxy resin as a partial or total cement replacement. This study examines the mechanical properties of no-fines concrete with varying epoxy replacement levels and applies KENSLAB analysis for pavement thickness design. Seven concrete mixes were prepared with epoxy replacing cement at 100%, 95%, 75%, 55%, 35%, and 15%. Mechanical tests, including compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, bulk density, water absorption, and durability (wet-dry), were conducted after 7 and 28 days of curing. Additionally, the PerviousPave system was used to optimize pavement integrity by adjusting slab thickness, subbase layer thickness, and stormwater management. Results showed that the 55% and 100% epoxy replacement mixes performed best. Compressive strength increased by 2.44% and 33.44%, respectively, at 28 days compared to the reference mix. Flexural strength reached 5.99 MPa for 100% epoxy and 4.69 MPa for 55% epoxy at 28 days. Structural analysis demonstrated that increased slab and subgrade stiffness reduced tensile stresses, improving pavement durability and extending service life. These findings highlight the potential of epoxy-modified no-fines concrete for enhanced pavement performance in traffic and environmental conditions. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-05-021 Full Text: PD
Concrete Strength Evaluation Using Manufactured Sustainable Binary-Cement (SI): New Approach Case Study
No full textThe production of sustainable binary cement represents an innovative approach in blended cement manufacturing, aligning with environmental objectives by reducing the reliance on ordinary Portland cement and supporting waste disposal efforts. This study explores the partial replacement of cement with high-fineness powders derived from crushed and ground clay brick (CB) and window glass (WG) waste materials, used at replacement levels of 5%, 10%, and 15%. These materials were processed using a storming machine to achieve the desired particle fineness and incorporated into the cement to create what is referred to as sustainable cement (SI). The resulting binary cement formulations were evaluated and found to comply with the setting time, compressive strength, and chemical specifications outlined in ASTM C595. To further assess their performance, the sustainable cements were tested in concrete mixtures designed for three compressive strength levels—2000 psi, 5000 psi, and 7000 psi—in accordance with ACI 211.1, representing low, medium, and high strength applications, respectively. Two groups of mix designs were developed: MSI-B5, MSI-B10, MSI-B15 (with CB powder replacing 5%, 10%, and 15% of cement), and MSI-G5, MSI-G10, MSI-G15 (with WG powder at the same replacement levels). The results demonstrated notable improvements in compressive strength at the low-strength level. Specifically, cumulative strength increases were recorded as 15.8%, 21.9%, and 13% for MSI-B5, MSI-B10, and MSI-B15, respectively, and 12.2%, 15.5%, and 8.1% for MSI-G5, MSI-G10, and MSI-G15, respectively, when compared to the reference mix. In addition to compressive strength, enhancements in flexural and splitting tensile strengths were also observed, exhibiting a strong correlation with compressive performance. These findings support the potential of sustainable binary cement—utilizing CB and WG powders—as a viable and environmentally friendly alternative in concrete production across varying strength classes
LiDAR-Based Pothole Patching Quantity Estimation and Cost Saving Analysis Using Segmented TIN Model
No full textPotholes represent a significant form of road distress, and the conventional method for estimating the required repair material typically assumes a cuboidal shape for each pothole. This approximation often leads to an overestimation of pothole volume, resulting in excessive patching material and increased costs. To address this limitation, the present study introduces a LiDAR-based segmentation and digitization method. This approach utilizes only the point cloud data of potholes obtained via terrestrial laser scanning to generate accurate 3D surfaces, contours, and a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN), thereby enabling precise volume and patching quantity calculations. The findings revealed that the volume and patching quantity estimated using the traditional cuboidal method are two to four times greater than those calculated through the proposed LiDAR-based approach. This clearly demonstrates that the conventional method leads to unnecessary procurement of patching materials. Cost analysis further indicated that the LiDAR-based approach could result in savings of approximately INR 3,500 per pothole in India, $262 in the USA, and £150 in the UK. Given that millions of potholes are repaired annually in each country, adopting the proposed LiDAR-based method has the potential to yield substantial cost savings on a national scale
Enhancing Durability in Recycled Concrete: Investigating Chloride Permeability with Recycled Aggregates and Plastic Waste
No full textThis study investigates the effects of substituting fine aggregates with recycled plastic in recycled concrete, focusing on chloride penetration, compressive strength, workability, and porosity. Recycled plastic was incorporated at 10% (A10) and 20% (A20) by volume, and properties were evaluated across six mix designs. The control mix without plastic (Mix A) achieved the highest 28-day compressive strength (400 KSC), while A10 and A20 showed reduced strengths of 320 and 255 KSC, respectively. The addition of plastic increased mix porosity, resulting in reduced strength and workability due to diminished cement bonding and lubrication. Chloride ingress was assessed under cyclic wetting–drying exposure using a 3.5% NaCl solution. Results revealed progressive surface chloride accumulation over time. Notably, Mix A showed a 137.96% increase in chloride content at a 0–2 cm depth after 280 days, with Mix A20 exhibiting even higher surface concentrations. Chloride content consistently decreased beyond a 4 cm depth, indicating limited long-term penetration into inner layers. These findings highlight the importance of porosity control in mitigating chloride transport in recycled concrete. A clear relationship between plastic content, increased porosity, and enhanced chloride diffusion was observed. While 10% plastic substitution demonstrated acceptable performance, higher levels significantly compromised durability. The study recommends limiting plastic waste incorporation to 10% by volume and maintaining a concrete cover of at least 8–10 cm over reinforcement to enhance resistance against chloride-induced corrosion. These findings support the controlled reuse of plastic waste in sustainable concrete development, particularly for non-structural or low-exposure applications. Optimizing mix design and incorporating supplementary cementitious materials are suggested to improve long-term durability