The Behaviour of High-Rise Building with or without Shear Wall under Different Earthquakes

On the 5th June 2015, an earthquake hit Ranau, Sabah with a magnitude of 6.0 that caused 18 casualties and several injuries are one of the examples that show Malaysia is not safe from any seismic event. Most of the structure in Malaysia was designed not to include seismic action. Furthermore, an area that has a high density of population such as in the central region (Klang valley) and several main cities in Malaysia has less available land to build landed housing and uses high-rise apartments as an alternative. High-rise buildings that are normally having problems with soft story mechanisms and plan irregularity which could lead to severe damage when earthquakes happen. This study aims to observe the response of high-rise buildings when under different earthquakes in the presence of shear walls. To achieve this objective two models were modelled and analyzed by using ETABS software, the one with a shear wall and the one with no shear wall. The methods used in this study were the response spectrum method and time-history analysis. In the end, the parameters observed were base shear, story stiffness, story drift, and story displacement. The observations highlighted that the effect of earthquake intensities shows a significant effect. The acquired results indicated that the building with the shear wall is more resistant and strong structures as compared to buildings without shear wall when undergoing seismic analysis.

The Research of Blast Resistant of Reinforcement Concrete Beams in Concrete Structures at Off-site Oil and Gas Plant

In the recent decades, blasts and gas explosions at the off-site of oil and gas plants have increased leading to destruction of important concrete structures, essential equipment and loss of human life. In response, structural engineers have come up with different ways of reinforcing beams of concrete structures using fiber reinforced polymers composite materials to produce blast resistant structures to minimize the impact of the blast loads, due to their unique and individual characteristics like high flexural and shear strength. This paper seeks to research the dynamic behavior, response and performance of reinforce concrete beams strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer composites when subjected to blast loading. The study aims at proposing a design model of strengthening reinforce concrete beams with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer in supporting concrete structures at off-site oil and gas plants against hydrocarbon explosions. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer composites exhibit higher modulus of elasticity, higher energy absorption capacity, resistant to all forms of alkali and higher tensile strength compared to all other fiber reinforced polymers reinforcements and therefore the need to assess its capacity in protecting concrete structures at oil and gas plants against dynamic loads. The research will be carried out through numerical analysis using the finite element analysis computer program, ANSYS.

A Review of Morphological and Chemical Properties of Porous Asphalt

Porous asphalt mixture is also known as gap graded mixture with less amount of fine aggregate has led the mixture contains high air voids, tends to make the mixture less durable and high porousity. Hence, past researchers has investigate on how to increase the strength of porous asphalt mixture by the addition of additive such as fiber and nanomaterials. The chemical and physical properties of porous asphalt mixture was highlighted in this paper to compare its structure, the bonding between the materials and its chemical composition that exist. This paper reviews on how additive affect the asphalt mixture in terms of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffractions (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). These tests are selected to improve the asphalt mixture according to the morphological and chemical properties of porous asphalt. This study is expected to identify the morphological and chemical composition of the materials in asphalt mixture.

Settlement Analysis of Treated Soft Clay using LECA Replacement through Numerical Modelling

Soil replacement technique is the simplest and oldest way in improving the soft soil under the shallow foundations. The process started by taking or removing the un-wanted problematic part of soils and replacing it with other efficient materials. Therefore, this study conducted to analyse on the soft soil replacement using Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) as a filling material instead of common aggregate. LECA has been widely used in geotechnical application as the materials were successfully recognized in minimising the dead loads by more than half. The settlement magnitude of treated soft soil with LECA replacement was analysed through finite element method by using PLAXIS 2D commercial software. The prediction graph for various internal friction angle has been developed for settlement estimation The graph was then validated using developed Settlement Prediction Model, analytical equations, and numerical analysis. Another finding from this study is a decrease in the magnitude of the settlement as the internal friction angle of LECA increases.

Application of Response Surface Methodology for Chloride Transport Properties in Nano Metaclayed-UHPC

The major concern on the deterioration of reinforced concrete structure is due to the corrosion of steel reinforcement from the aggressive environment such as chloride penetration. Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is an advanced concrete material having ultra-high strength with excellent durability properties. Inclusion of nano metaclay in UHPC is expected to overcome the chloride transport properties in UHPC by providing nano filler effect. Two (2) assessments were conducted which are chloride content and chloride depth were examined. All the concrete specimens were immersed in 3% NaCl solution up to 365 days and the tests conducted were performed at 3, 7, 28, 56, 91, 182 and 365 days. Response surface method (RSM) was performed to evaluate the interaction and relationship between operating variables (compressive strength and nano metaclay content). Based on RSM analysis, inclusion of nano metaclay in UHPC have good relationship towards the chloride resistance characteristics and adequate durability performance in terms of chloride penetration resistance. The results exhibited that inclusion of 1% nano metaclay significantly and positively affect in term of chloride penetration resistance.

Cockle Shell as Mixing Ingredient in Concrete: A Review

The demand for the population is boosting the production of edible and non-edible products that produce by-products that result in emissions being thrown as waste. The successful cockle trade also creates vestiges of cockle shell that are thrown away as waste. Despite the effects of climate change, industrial activity including calcareous and granite mining to satisfy the need for cement and concrete production, respectively, cannot be prevented as more structures are developed worldwide. The mechanical properties of concrete containing crushed cockle shell as partial fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and cement replacement were examined and reported in this paper. Cockle shell powder was used as cement replacement up to 75%. To sum up, the use of cockle shell is an appealing option for the construction industry and sustainable green climate.

Periwinkle Shell as Mixing Ingredient in Concrete: A Review

Growing population which also pushes for rising demand for seafood results in a generation of seashells which are thrown as environmental pollution waste after the edible meat is consumed. Meanwhile, the utilisation of natural resources as mixing ingredients for the production of concrete materials continues to increase over the year. The use of periwinkle shells as mixing ingredients in concrete materials can lower the dependency on natural aggregate supply. This paper discusses the properties of periwinkle shell and method of treatment prior to their usage as a cement and coarse aggregate as well as the mechanical properties of concrete produced using this seashell waste. Overall, the replacement of periwinkle shell as cement and coarse aggregate must be integrated in a specified percentage to enhance the performance of the concrete. For cement replacement, 5% of replacement gives the highest strength, meanwhile 10% of replacement as coarse aggregate can meet the desired strength. The increase in the use of periwinkle shell quantity as cement or coarse aggregate replacement reduces concrete workaibility. The integration of periwinkle shell influences the compresssive strength of concrete. Accomplishment in replacing periwinkle shell as cement and coarse aggregate would reduce pollutiion due to shell dumping and save natural resources. However, further investigation in terms of durability properties is recommended.

A Study on the Acceptance Level of Rack Housing in Malaysia

Rack housing is one type of modular construction system which is flexible and poses a higher degree of mobility. However, the idea of rack housing is relatively new and there is no clear indication of how far is the acceptance of Malaysian citizen to this idea. Therefore, this study aims to identify the acceptance level of Malaysian towards rack housing and also serve as the basic reference for both government and private sector for the adoption fo rack house in Malaysia. In this study, the acceptance level among Malaysian factors of consumer decision to purchase rack housing and also the perspective of Malaysian especially middle income group is determined. A set of questionnaire was made by Google form which contain question about the major factor of acceptance of Malaysian citizen on rack housing with total of 208 questionnaires. The data collected from different group of Malaysian was analyzed by using Average Index (AI). The degree of importance was determined by the rating scales. The result obtained is that the acceptance level to purchase rack housing based on location, comfortability and management factors. From the result, the respondances agree to accept rack housing to implement and construct in Malaysia.

Influence of Mineral Admixtures on the Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete: An Overview

Mineral admixtures are often utilized in Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) mixtures to provide stability and resistance to bleeding and segregation throughout transportation and placement. Additionally, these more refined materials help in lowering building costs and reducing the use of main resources. SCC is an innovative method of concrete, which is placed and compacted without the use of vibration. As a result, the concrete mixture has the ability to flow under its self-weight to fully fill formwork and achieve total compaction even when reinforced by crowded reinforcement. However, self-compacting concrete is not cost-effective, which results in the use of large amounts of ordinary cement and chemical admixtures. The utilization of mineral admixtures, including silica fume, ground granulated blast furnace slag, fly ash, and coal bottom ash, is an alternative method to decrease the high cost of self-compacting concrete - it is a term, which refers to the components that have been finely divided and added to concrete during the mixing process. Furthermore, the utilization of admixtures in the fabrication of self-compacting concrete has shown that it helps in lowering the heat of hydration. In addition, the inclusion of admixtures reduces the necessity for chemical admixtures that increase viscosity in concrete mixtures. This study aims to provide an overview of the previously conducted studies on mineral admixtures, which are utilized in SCC. Moreover, the study aims to discuss the durability and mechanical performance of SCC.

The Social and Economic Impacts of E-hailing Application in Malaysia: A Review

E-hailing is a service that allows users to book a journey online and provides a platform for users to interact with E-hailing companies. E-hailing service in Malaysia was launched in January 2018. Growing population and rising migration from rural to urban areas have put a strain on quality of life for Malaysia's population. The service is available in Malaysia. It has so far had success. E-hailing services have become more popular than traditional taxis for a variety of reasons. Customers are likely to seek out these providers' services as long as they pay close attention to their needs, solicit feedback often, and improve the quality of the services they give. Mobile applications developed by e-hailing businesses have had a significant influence on the taxi industry and public transportation in the last few years. Experts examined the impact of e-Hailing services on consumers, drivers and the public economy. Economics service created a lot of work prospects for drivers. Taxi industry struggling to keep up with E-Hailing system which put it under threat, as it cuts in taxi industry's profits. All e-hailing drivers must now obtain Public Service Vehicle (PSV) permits, but they complained that the regulations were too strict. Many of these driver-partners used E-hailing as a method to earn supplemental money in addition to driving. In the next several years, the way people move around in cities is anticipated to alter drastically. The conventional marketplace is being replaced by the online transaction as a method of conducting business. E-hailing in Malaysia today, as an alternative to private and public transportation, may be summed up by pointing out its increasing use.