Abstract In the design of structural elements, there is usually more than one feasible and equally safe solution, even though not all of them may be cost-effective. Obtaining the cost-effective design out of the numerous designs is tedious, cumbersome and time-consuming. This work present the result of optimization process of a structural element carried out by using the numerical features of the Excel software. In the optimizing process, cost effectiveness in terms of area reinforcement and ...
ABSTRACT The flexural performance of reinforced concrete beam specimens with polyvinyl waste powder (PWP) as partial replacement of cement is reported in this paper. Cement was replaced with PWP up to 50% by weight at intervals of 10%. The flexural parameters investigated were: the failure patterns, load-deflection characteristics, stiffness, and ultimate moments. The reinforced beam specimens used were 150 x 150 x 1000 mm, and tests were done at the curing age of 28 days. The results showed ...
ABSTRACT This work presents the results of investigation conducted to evaluate the effect of foam concentration on the structural properties of steel- reinforced foamed aerated concrete beams. The properties investigated were the density, compressive strength, shear strength, and flexural strength. Relationships between compressive strengths and densities were developed, as well as comparison between the compressive strengths and the shear strengths. The foam concentrate/water ratios adopted ...
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study conducted to investigate the flexural behaviour of foam concrete containing pulverised bone as partial replacement of cement. A total of sixty reinforced beams (150×150×750 mm) were used to investigate the flexural behaviour of the specimens. For reinforcement of the beams, hot-rolled, deformed 10-mm-diameter bars with yield and ultimate stresses of 478.10 N/mm2 and 710.81 N/mm2 respectively were used. The cement constituent of the mix wa...
Abstract The paper presents the results of investigation conducted on foamed aerated concrete – a lightweight concrete - with a view to determining its potential as a construction material in Nigeria. The properties investigated on foamed aerated concrete having a designed density of 1600kg/m3 were: workability, density, compressive strength, tensile strength, and the water absorption capacity. The results showed that at the designed density adopted for this work, the material was workable ...
Abstract: This paper presents the results of an investigation conducted to determine some structural properties of concrete made with recycled coarse aggregates but containing (PKSA) as partial replacement of cement by weight. Cement was replaced with palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) up to 50% by weight at interval of 5% to produce the concrete used in the investigation. The properties investigated were: setting times, workability, compressive strength, and tensile strength. The results showed th...
ABSTRACT Wet sieving is still a manual operation in tropical crop processing. It is a time consuming operation. Most of the existing wet sieving machines are available in large scale industries and they are too sophisticated to operate and maintain by local processors. Therefore, a motorized starch extracting machine, based on shaking mechanism was designed, fabricated and tested to solve the problem associated with sieving of starch and other agricultural crops in Nigeria. The machine consis...
ABSTRACT The effect of poultry waste application on physicochemical and biological properties of sandy clay loam soil was investigated on a 7m X 7m plot of land. Plot was divided into four portions and 7.5kg each of broiler, cockerel and layers waste was applied to plot A, B, and C in slurry form while plot D was used as control(no application) for eight weeks with two weeks interval. After the fourth application, samples were taken from the plot for laboratory analysis. The results showed th...
ABSTRACT In this study, the product temperature response of a single screw extruder developed locally was investigated for the extrusion process of the flour and starch of maize and cassava which are grown in Nigeria in large quantity but yet underutilized. These were compared with wheat flour which is commonly used for the production of alimentary pastes in a factorial experiment in completely randomized design A maximum temperature of 150oC per 30 minutes was attained through viscous dissip...
Abstract: In tropical countries like Nigeria where seasonal variation in climate is usually experienced, the earth routes which usually compose of lateritic soil are not usually stable. There is an increase of moisture content during the rainy season, which tends to weaken the strength of the soil while in the dry season; the dust in such roads is a great menace to the comfort and well-being of road users and adjacent inhabitant. This study looks at the effect of lime variation on moisture co...
Abstract This study re-examined the BMN model making use of the Sigma Plot software (based on the Levenberg – Marquardt algorithm) to generate modified versions of the BMN model that are specific for Ibadan, Kano and Onne and one version which applicable across the country, correcting some perceived shortcomings of the BMN. Records of climatic variables (Solar radiation, Maximum and Minimum Temperature, Maximum and Minimum Relative Humidity and Wind speed) were collected from three Internat...
ABSTRACT Instability of a damaged pile due to a statically or dynamically applied overload is studied in this work using the finite element method. A damage parameter from such a pile is calculated using fracture mechanics concepts. The parameter is used to modify the beam element at the cracked or damaged location. Soil samples were obtained from the site of the pile and were subjected to laboratory tri-axial tests to obtain shear strength parameters c and . Other soil parameters s...
Abstract In modern greenhouses, measurements of climate conditions are required to give the grower a better understanding on how each factor affect growth and how to achieve maximal crop productiveness. The measurements and resultant optimal conditional adjustments enable the grower to improve productivity and achieve maximum costs and energy savings. Data of climate parameters were collected and analyzed to determine night and diurnal change of solar radiation, air temperature and humidity i...
ABSTRACT Product temperature is a very important system parameter as well as an indicator of extrusion proc- ess. In this study, the product temperature response of a single screw extruder developed locally was investigated for the extrusion process of the flour and starch of maize and cassava which are grown in Nigeria in large quantity but with high post-harvest losses. These were compared with wheat flour which is commonly used for the production of alimentary pastes. A factorial experimen...
ABSTRACT The increase in papaya production requires new strategies to extend the storage life of the fruit. Edible coatings act as physical barriers when applied on the surface of fruits and effectively change their internal atmosphere and delay the ripening process. In the present study, two different coatings were developed from the mucilage of Opuntia cactus and their effects were investigated on the quality and storability of papaya fruits. The two experimental coatings were pure mucilage...