Effect of Incorporating Tire Rubber Waste on the Mechanical Behaviour of Railway Ballast Layer: Experimental and Modelling Studies

In order to delay the degradation of railway tracks, several techniques have been developed in recent years; the best known of which are: under sleeper pads, geogrid and the use of polymers as elastic elements between ballast particles. The objective of the research described in this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating tire rubber waste into the ballast layer in reducing its settlement. For that purpose, a small-scale testing laboratory setup has been developed, which consists of a bi-block concrete sleeper surrounded by a layer of ballast. The developed apparatus is subjected, through the actuator of a servo-hydraulic machine, to a vertical cyclic force reproducing the passage of a train bogie. This study has been performed in two stages: the first is to identify a suitable existing model that well-describes the ballast settlement with cycle applications and the second is to study the influence of the variation of the percentages of addition of rubber on the behaviour of the ballast layer. Finally, a finite element model was developed to simulate the experimental setup. The results show that using 10% of tire waste rubber could decrease the track settlement and reduce the breakage of ballast particles.

Implementation of Blockwork System in Malaysia

Industrialised Building System or IBS is a method to accelerate the process of construction through prefabricated concept where each component will be built first in the component manufacturing plant. There are six categories of IBS introduced by CIDB and one of them is a system block work. The block system has several types of components under this category include the interlocking block-concrete masonry unit (CMU) and lightweight concrete blocks. Block work system introduced to replace the use of conventional bricks to accelerate the construction process and reduce construction costs. However, acceptance of the system to be less favorable than the use of conventional bricks. Statistics show there are only 31 manufacturer across Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to identify the extent of implementation of the system of block work in Malaysia to contribute in the construction sector. This study used qualitative methods, namely through interviews and focus groups. The findings revealed that there are differences between the application methods IBS system block and conventional brick in terms of type of work performed, the number of working days and the cost of construction. Implementation of the system blocks are also influenced by three factors: the skills of workers, quality of components and component types in use. With a wide exposure is expected to expand the implementation of the system blocks in Malaysia.

THE IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY OF SOLID BLOCK CONCRETE ON COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY IN PALANGKA RAYA, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN PROVINCE

The intention of Program Kemitraan Masyarakat Stimulus (PKMS), The Cooperated Program of Stimulus Community, is providing the training and empowerment on the process of concrete brick making to the cooperated group maker of solid concrete brick product at around Palangka Raya to enhance the product quality for the solid block (non-hole concrete brick) to be high quality with low price per unit, as well to improve the market demand of relating its product. The objective of this program is in order to be able improving the income of cooperated group maker of solid concrete brick product without disregarding the quality of produced concrete brick. The target of cooperation for this program, PKMS, is the home industry of concrete brick making owned by Mr. Ino and Mr. Alpi where are located at subdistrict of Panarung. The method used in this is the training, guidance, and further cross checking with some solutions in the production and marketing part. The training and guidance are implemented to achieve the high quality of solid block of concrete brick, followed by the knowledge of basic raw material, design of mixed model, maintenance, and testing of concrete brick quality. The main output will be the enhancement of solid block of concrete brick with high quality product. This activity will be published on the scientific and engineering publication such as journal and final report.

Experimental Investigations on Concrete with Fly Ash and Marble Powder for Paver Blocks

The construction industry is capable of absorbing large amounts of wastes by utilizing them in other useful products. Thermal power plants and marble industries produce huge quantities of bi-products which causes environmental problems. Utilization of these in concrete will save natural resources to some extent and solve the disposal. Interlocking concrete block pavements are simple to construct and maintain. The main objective of this research is to develop an eco-friendly paver block while considering the economy as a defining parameter. In this research, experimental investigations were carried out on the paver blocks to know the feasibility of using fly ash and marble powder. For paving block concrete, it is partly replaced with cement and aggregates with fly ash and waste marble powder. Various tests for mechanical and durability properties were conducted. All the properties were improved when compared to the control mix. Utilization of fly ash and marble powder in concrete reduces the cost of paver blocks and making it economical and eco-friendly.