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Recent advancements in material technology have led to an increased interest in using alternative materials in the asphalt mixtures. One such material is Nickel Slag (SN), a byproduct of nickel ore smelting. With the growing volume of slag produced during nickel smelting, research has focused on using SN as a component in pavement materials to reduce the steel waste accumulation. The primary objective of this study is to explore the optimal use of SN as a coarse aggregate in asphalt concrete mixtures, aiming to achieve the maximum asphalt content. The study also evaluates the impact of SN on the stability, volumetric characteristics of the asphalt mixtures, and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) wave patterns. The research involved Marshall testing using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) and UPV testing. The results indicated that SN mixtures reached maximum stability at 5.8% asphalt content and demonstrated higher stability values than conventional mixtures. As a coarse aggregate replacement, SN enhances the resistance to permanent deformation due to its hardness, interlocking properties, and the silica content that improves adhesion to the asphalt. Incorporating SN into asphalt mixtures improves mix stability, reduces industrial waste, conserves natural resources, and enhances road infrastructure quality. This method supports the principles of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plastic in modern society has resulted in a considerable amount of environmental contamination, largely due to the inherent chemical composition of the material. This poses a significant risk to the surrounding environment, particularly in terms of its impact on soil, air, and water quality. The use of recycled plastic in concrete is becoming increasingly prevalent within the construction industry due to its potential to mitigate environmental contamination from plastic waste. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of concrete incorporating recycled Polypropylene (PP) plastic as a fine aggregate. The two critical factors under examination were the quantity of PP plastic granules used as a proportion of fine aggregate (ranging from 0% to 30%) and the water-cement (w/c) ratio, which could be 0.45 or 0.55, in conjunction with a 1.5% plasticizer. The samples were subjected to a pull-out test to evaluate the parameters of bond stress behavior, failure mode, and bond-slip behavior. The findings indicated that an increase in the proportion of PP plastic granules used as a substitute for fine aggregate resulted in a notable reduction in bond strength, which was further amplified when the w/c ratio was diminished. The incorporation of 10% PP plastic granules led to a reduction in bond stress by 13.4% and 11.56%, respectively, in samples with w/c ratios of 0.45 and 0.55. Consequently, at a low w/c ratio, the predominant failure mode is considered to be splitting, while a higher w/c ratio increases the probability of pull-out splitting failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of lightweight shear wall has been developed using composite panels, with styrofoam as the core layer and calcium board as the skin layer. This innovation aims to facilitate the rapid construction of housing in response to earthquake disasters. Physical testing of the material showed an increase in the compressive strength of the styrofoam core, from 2.14 MPa to 3.74 MPa in 75 mm thick sandwich panels. This study examines the use of precast panels with specific installation techniques involving pick-up beams (sloofs), connectors, and panel to panel connections to enhance wall strength against horizontal earthquake loads. The conducted cyclic loading test followed the ASTM E2126-18 (2018) standard loading cycle pattern test method. Lateral force experiments were conducted on full-scale shear walls with two different panel-frame connection modes. The test results revealed the behavior of Panel Lightweight Concrete (PLC) walls under cyclic lateral forces. Combined wall panels acted independently, and the use of PVAc adhesive and steel connectors resulted in a unified wall behavior system. The displacement behavior of the wall within the pinch system in the notch on the sloof demonstrated positive results. Quipanel walls can reduce building weight, mitigate earthquake forces, and provide a robust structure capable of withstanding long-term lateral forces. This development leads to the construction of simple, earthquake-resistant houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]