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Utilization of Bituminous Sand in the Production of Ecofriendly Sandcrete for Sustainable Construction
Get PDFSandcrete is a construction material composed of cement, fine aggregate, and water. The constituent materials are in
great demand due to their use in various buildings. The increasing demand in turn has led to astronomical increases in the cost
of procuring these materials thereby making it very difficult to meet the shelter provision requirement of the teeming population
of a country such as Nigeria. There have been various attempts to address this issue by substituting different materials for river
sand in the production of sandcrete, either entirely or in part, one such material which is used in this research is bituminous
sand. Bituminous sands are composed of sands, heavy oil and clay that are rich in mineral and water. Ordinary Portland cement
was mixed with both river sand (as control) and bituminous sand in 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 100% replacement levels. Seventytwo
sandcrete cubes were cast in all for this study and tested for compressive strength. From the investigation, the samples
compressive strengths increased with increase in curing age and decreased with increase in percentage replacement though at
a different rate with the sample containing 0% bituminous sand and 100% river sand denoted SC0,100 gaining the highest
strength of 8.59N/mm2 at the 28th day of curing. The SC10,90, SC20,80, SC30,70 and SC40,60 attained 98.5%, 50%, 42.3%
and 3.5% more strength compared to the design strength at 28th day of curing, respectively. While the SC100,0 attained 43.5%
lower strength compared to the design strength at 28th day of curing. This research has revealed the possibility of using
bituminous sand for developing eco-friendly sandcrete for construction purposes for up to 0-40% river sand replacement with
bituminous sand
Influence of Rice Straw Ash on Workability and Strength of Concrete
Get PDFCement manufacturing is a major contributor to the waste of energy as about 3.4GJ of thermal energy is needed to
produce 1 tonne of Portland cement, not to mention the emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon di oxide due to the calcination
of limestone during Portland cement production. These emissions have caused a dramatic rise in global warming. There is a
pressing need for innovative recycling technology that can reduce the negative effects of waste on ecosystems and people. Rice
straws are the waste produced after the threshing of rice. The goal of this study is to investigate the influence of rice straw ash
on workability and strength of concrete. The rice straw used was the straw of a specific rice variety locally called mass I gotten
from Akpugo, Enugu, Nigeria. The rice straw was calcined by open burning to produce the rice straw ash (RSA). The materials
used were preliminary tested to determine their physical properties and chemical composition. The rice straw ash was used to
replace Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30% respectively. The workability and compressive strength
test were done for all replacement levels. Using slump test, the concrete workability was evaluated. For this study, 72 cubes
were cast, cured in water for 7, 14, 21, and 28days before been tested under compression. From the investigation, percentage
increase in RSA replacement decreased the concrete workability. The sample containing 0%, 5%, and 10% RSA attained 9%,
6.1% and 2.2% more strength compared to the design strength at 28th day of curing. While the 15%, 20% and 30% attained
17.3%, 28.9% and 67.6% lower strength compared to the design strength at 28th day of curing. The experimental result was
analysed using statistical product and service solution (SPSS) and excel spreadsheet regression (ESR). This study suggests that
the optimum replacement level of rice straw ash from structural reinforced grade 25 concrete point of view is 10%. The
predictive models were tested and found to be adequate
Prospect of Recovering Bio-fertilizer by Anaerobic Co -digesting Cow Manure, Palm Oil Sludge, and Cassava Peels
No full textImproper crop and animal waste management and disposal are now widely recognized as environmentally harmful practices. When crop waste is placed in landfills, greenhouse gases (GHG) like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are created. In order to create the digestate for usage as bio-fertilizer from agricultural waste employing cow dung as an inoculum for 30 days of the hydraulic retention period, a 225L Polyethylene (PE) anaerobic digester was used in this study. Cassava peels, palm oil sludge, cow dung, and water were mixed in a 1:1:2:5.3 ratio. About 1.3 kilogram of crushed eggshells was added to keep the pH level within the range recommended for the anaerobic digestion process. In order to maintain mesophilic conditions during anaerobic co-digestion for enhanced organic fertilizer output, the greenhouse was used to regulate temperature. Since microbial populations flourish in friendly environments, the pH averaged 6.0 and the average slurry temperature was 34.76 oC during digestion. After 30 days of hydraulic retention time, a laboratory-scale elemental analysis of the digestate showed that the contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) increased by 95%, 75%, and 93.8%, respectively. The anaerobic co-digestion of animal and agricultural waste has created digestate rich in NPK nutrients, but more research should be conducted to see whether the biofertilizer’s efficacy on fast-growing crops can be determined by measuring the number of harvests and height of the plants
SYNTHESIS, MODIFICATION, AND CHARACTERISATION OF FUNCTIONAL POLYURETHANE COATING SYSTEMS FROM CASTOR OIL
Get PDFEnvironmental challenges have driven production science towards using biodegradable and
sustainable feedstocks for product development. Developing sustainable and high-performance
coating materials to address the environmental concerns and technical demands of modern
industries has become so critical that plant seed oils are considered viable renewable feedstocks
capable of substituting petrochemical-based materials in polymeric material preparation. This
study reports the synthesis and characterisation of functional organic polyurethane coatings
from castor bean seed oil (CSO) (Ricinus communis seed oil). Graphene nanoparticles were
modified into graphene oxide and incorporated within the polyurethane polymer matrix in a
one-pot synthesis. Also, aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) was used to alter silica
nanoparticles and was incorporated into the polyurethane system. Bisphenol A and
trimethylolpropane (TMP) were used as extenders, and their influences on the coating
properties were also examined in the urethane systems. Physicochemical analysis of the
feedstock and prepared coating formulations was conducted. Structural evaluation of
synthesised materials was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and
attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Synthesised
urethane coatings were cured on silicon resin mould and mild steel. Thermal stability and
crystallinity of pristine and composite films were studied using thermogravimetric analysis
(TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyse
surface morphology. Water contact angle analysis revealed the hydrophobicity of the
synthesised urethane films. Solubility, anticorrosive, and antimicrobial properties of prepared
materials were evaluated. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the structure of modified
nanomaterials, pristine, and composite films. Surface morphology and photographic images
showed successful incorporation of nanomaterials (graphene oxide and hybrid APTMSmodified
silica) within the polymer matrix. Thermal stability, anti-corrosive, and antimicrobial
properties of the coating films were enhanced with increasing percentages of nanomaterials in
the polyurethane systems. Coating films exhibited improved hydrophobicity with rising
percentages of modified nanoparticles. Film photographic retention tests showed no particle
agglomeration and high transparency at 0.5% graphene oxide composition (0.5% PU-GO). It
also shows that the polymer with 0.5% PU-GO is the most thermally stable. Similarly,
composite films of modified silica in CSO showed enhanced thermal stability, hydrophobicity,
antimicrobial activity, and corrosion resistance. The polymer with 5% PU-SNP was the most
thermally stable at high temperatures. It also has the highest water contact angle and lowest
corrosion rate, hence the most hydrophobic and corrosion resistant. In conclusion, the 0.5%
loading of modified graphene oxide (0.5% PU-GO) nanoparticles is the optimum loading in
applications requiring low and high temperatures. At the same time, 5% loading is the optimum
loading of APTMS-modified silica (5% PU-SNP) in applications that require high temperature.
These results present a viable, sustainable alternative for various industrial applications
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES' SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT IN THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA: THE CASE OF X (FORMERLY TWITTER)
Get PDFThis study examines the social media engagement techniques employed by presidential candidates during Nigeria's 2023 general elections, with a particular focus on the use of X (formerly Twitter) by Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Given the increasing influence of social media on political campaigns, this study examines how both candidates leveraged X to convey their messages, engage voters, and shape the political discourse. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining content analysis of 464 tweets and thematic analysis of interviews with media advisers and political experts. This study is anchored on the Public Sphere Theory and Uses and Gratifications Theory, providing a lens through which social media's role as a medium for voter engagement and interaction is understood. The findings indicate that, although Atiku Abubakar tweeted more frequently (335) tweets in comparison to Tinubu's (129) tweets, Tinubu's tweets generated a higher average level of engagement. Tinubu's tweets received an average of (6132) likes, (1403) retweets, and (1339) replies, whereas Atiku's tweets garnered (2810) likes, (709) retweets, and (292) replies on average, suggesting that Tinubu's content resonated more with users. Further, analysis reveals that (69%) of Tinubu's tweets were focused on political themes, compared to (36.4%) of Atiku's, with Atiku addressing a wide range of topics, including social issues (10.7%) and personality (3.9%). The study recommends that future political campaigns should develop engaging and well-managed digital content tailored to voter preferences. Additionally, it suggests the need for implementing regulatory measures to combat misinformation and create a more transparent and trustworthy digital space for political discourse
An integrative literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health in Africa
Get PDFAfrica has the highest rates of maternal deaths globally which have been linked to poorly
functioning health care systems. The pandemic revealed already known weaknesses in the health
systems in Africa, such as workforce shortages, lack of equipment and resources. The aim of this
paper is to review the published literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal
and child health in Africa. The integrative review process delineated by Whittemore and Knafl
(2005) was used to meet the study aims. The literature search of Ovid Medline, CINAHL,
PubMed, WHO, Google and Google scholar, Africa journals online, MIDIRS was limited to
publications between March 2020 and May 2022. All the studies went through the PRISMA
stages, and 179 full text papers screened for eligibility, 36 papers met inclusion criteria. Of the
studies, 6 were qualitative, 25 quantitative studies, and 5 mixed methods. Thematic analysis
according to the methods of Braun and Clark (2006) were used to synthesize the data. From the
search the six themes that emerged include: effects of lockdown measures, COVID concerns and
psychological stress, reduced attendance at antenatal care, childhood vaccination, reduced
facility-based births, and increase maternal and child mortality. A review of the literature
revealed the following policy issues: The need for government to develop robust response
mechanism to public health emergencies that negatively affect maternal and child health issues
and devise health policies to mitigate negative effects of lockdown. In times of pandemic there is
need to maintain special access for both antenatal care and child delivery services and limit a
shift to use of untrained birth attendants to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths. These could be
achieved by soliciting investments from various sectors to provide high-quality care that ensures
sustainability to all layers of the population
Impact of Leadership Styles on Organizational Productivity: a Case Study Of Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC
Get PDFThis study investigates the profound influence of leadership styles on organizational productivity, focusing on a case study of Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc within the banking industry. Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the culture and efficiency of an organization, and this research examines the specific leadership styles and their effects on employee performance, teamwork, and overall productivity. By analyzing the dynamic relationship between leadership and productivity, this study aims to provide valuable insights for both the banking industry and leadership development. It explores the challenges and opportunities within Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc and suggests strategies for optimizing leadership approaches to enhance organizational performance. The findings of this research have practical implications for leaders, managers, and stakeholders in the banking sector, offering a deeper understanding of how leadership styles can be harnessed to drive increased productivity and competitiveness. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on effective leadership within the banking industry, facilitating informed decision-making and promoting sustained growth and success
Development and Evaluation of Efficient Smart Solar Lawn Mower
Get PDFSolar powered lawn mower has offered a more convenient way of trimming the lawn due to the
advancement in its technology. As the world gradually moves towards green technology, research has
geared towards making solar powered mover readily available, efficient, and economical. However, few
reports were available on the effect of grass types on battery voltage drop. In this paper, solar powered lawn
mower was structured into phases which include, power supply phase, Arduino phase, motor phase and
integration of the components. The 550-motor was sufficient to produce the required torque needed to drive
the solar panel mower. The average efficiency of the solar panel was found to be 93 %. The battery voltage
drop was investigated upon cutting different types of grasses to determine the rate at which power is
dissipated in the solar powered lawn mower. The voltage drop of 0.34 V was recorded when cutting
stubborn grass while that of soft grass was found to be 0.17 V. Rain sensor was incorporated to provide the
user with a notification via Buzzer whenever raindrops are detected
A NON-PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON NIGERIANS’ WELL-BEING BASED ON GEOPOLITICAL ZONES
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has crippled the economic activities of so many nations across the globe
since its outbreak in 2019. This study is focused on the consequential effect of the COVID-19 pandemic
in terms of standard of living, and perception of economic and security situation of Nigerians. A nonparametric
approach was adopted on a primary data obtained through the administration of
questionnaires online by NoiPolls during the COVID-19 period. The result obtained from this study
depicts that there is a significant relationship between the security situation and perception of the
country’s economic situation. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to check if there is a significant difference
in economic perception, security situation and standard of living where it was observed that there
exists a significant difference based on the geopolitical zone. We, therefore, recommend that efforts
should be made by the government towards improving the economic state of affairs especially in the
southern part of the country as this will in the long run lead to sustainable cities and communities
across the geopolitical zones which is one of the goals of SDGs. Moreover, efforts should also be made
by the government towards improving the security situation in the north and southeast as
improvement in the country’s economic situation has a direct influence on the security position of the
country
Residents’ Satisfaction with Neighbourhood Socioeconomic Environment of the Public Sector Employee Housing Schemes in Lagos State, Nigeria
Get PDFOne of the major strategies implemented by both the private and public sectors in the provision
of mass housing for their workers in Nigeria is the employee housing scheme. However, not much is known
about the occupants’ satisfaction with neighborhood Socio-economic environment of housing provided
through this scheme in a large metropolitan area such as Lagos State, where several housing estates have
been developed under this scheme. Satisfaction with neighborhood socio-economic environment in nine
public-sector employee housing estates in Lagos State, Nigeria was explored. A cross-sectional survey
research design involving quantitative research approach was adopted. The survey was carried out between
September, 2020 and March, 2021. Using Stratified Sampling, the estates/locations were grouped into
Local government areas. Cluster sampling technique was used to select the local governments areas. Also,
purposive technique was used to select 688 housing units in the nine purposively selected housing estates.
Out of 688 questionnaires administered, about 500 copies of the administered questionnaire were correctly
filled and returned by the participants and the information were subjected to descriptive statistics. Statistical
package for Social Science(SPSS) was used to analyze the data. The results pointed out that the key
respondents were most pleased with the extent of safe keeping of lives and property in the estate, outdoor
air quality in the estate, extent of religious activities in the estate and least pleased with extent of collective
activities in the estate, extent of noise in the housing estates and price of services and goods within and
around the estate. Therefore, to improve neighborhood socio-economic environment satisfaction, residents
in public sector employee housing schemes should give priority attention to the key features that ensure
residents’ satisfaction in existing and future housing projects