Engineering Commons^™

The Squeezed Middle: Housing Affordability Challenges, Nazli Dongez, Almula Koksal

HBRC Journal

Neoliberalism has deepened economic inequality, which is now spreading globally. Even though this economic inequality affects mostly lower-income households, international reports show that inequality has spread to the middle-income group. The decline in the purchasing power of the middle-income group has led to the issue of housing affordability, referred to as the squeezed middle-income group. Despite the global scope of this problem, only a limited number of academic studies have conducted a comprehensive assessment. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the problem of housing affordability for the middle-income group. The study employed the systematic literature review method. The Web of …

Selective Nickel Leaching And Preparation Of Battery-Grade Nickel Carbonate From Copper-Rich Industrial Intermediate, Janaka Jayamini Wijenayake, Michael S. Moats, Lloyd Masuzyo Mseteka, Lana Alagha

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has driven a significant increase in nickel consumption, a critical element in EV battery production. An industrially viable hydrometallurgical process was developed for the selective recovery of nickel from a copper-rich industrial intermediate, containing approximately 70 wt.% Cu and 6 wt.% Ni, predominantly as sulfides alongside minor impurities. Approximately 90% of nickel was selectively extracted via single-stage atmospheric pressure leaching using HCl and H2O2 at 95 °C for 12 h, with the majority of copper retained in the leach residue, which can be utilized as a valuable feedstock for copper smelters. The selectivity …

Development Of Construction Materials With Natural Fibers And Flax Shives For Green Eco-Friendly Buildings. Mrs Advances (2025), Iman El-Mahallawi, Lamiaa Mohamed, Rania El‑Shorbagy, Mahmoud Tash, Aliaa Abdelfatah

Mechanical Engineering

Sustainability-oriented solutions are essential to address the depletion of natural resources, solid waste accumulation, and high CO2 emissions in the construction industry. This research focuses on the development of environmentally friendly green bricks by replacing high-carbon-footprint constituents with local, natural materials. Specifically, flax shives, a natural agricultural by-product, and marble powder, an industrial waste, were used as partial substitutes in the binder matrix. The natural fibers not only promote sustainability but also enhance insulation and reduce the environmental burden. The bricks were molded into rectangular specimens (60 × 100 × 200 mm) and tested for thermal conductivity, moisture absorption, and …

Dealuminated Metakaolin In Supplementary Cementitious Material And Alkali-Activated Systems: A Review, Amany G. Micheal Prof., Mostafa Adel Elsebaei Eng., Maria Mavroulidou Prof., Maria Centeno Assoc. Prof., Rabee Shamass Senior Lec., Ottavia Rispolio Mrs.

Architectural Engineering

This paper presents a comprehensive review of dealuminated metakaolin (DK), a hazardous industrial by-product generated by the aluminium sulphate (alum) industry and evaluates its potential as a component in cementitious systems for the partial or full replacement of Portland cement (PC). Positioned within the context of waste valorisation in concrete, the review aims to establish a critical understanding of DK formation, properties, and reactivity, particularly its pozzolanic potential, to assess its suitability for use as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), or as a precursor in alkali-activated cement (AAC) systems for concrete. A systematic methodology is used to extract and synthesise …

Polymer-Enhanced Nanopore Sensing, Eugene Gyasi Agyemang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The resistive pulse technique characterizes single analytes by detecting fluctuations in the ion current as they pass through a narrow orifice connecting two electrolyte-filled chambers, each containing a single electrode. The amplitude, shape, frequency, and duration of these fluctuations primarily provide information about the analyte’s size, shape, concentration, and net surface charge, respectively. One configuration for resistive pulse measurements is of an electrolyte-filled nanopipette immersed in a bath, where the nanopipette tip acts as the nanoscale orifice. It was previously shown that incorporating the large quantities polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG 8K, 50% w/v) into the external electrolyte bath dramatically enhanced …

Identification Of Barriers And Drivers In The Adoption Of Sustainable Construction Practices In The Turkish Construction Industry: Exploratory Factor Analysis, Tülay Çivici, Mustafa Serhan Ünlütürk

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Although the importance of sustainability in the construction industry has been emphasised by many researchers and endorsed by many authorities, it is clear that the practices in the industry still need to be improved. The primary issue for adopting sustainable practices in the construction industry is identifying the barriers and drivers. For this reason, the study analysed the literature to identify the critical barriers and incentives for adopting sustainable practices in the construction industry. In light of the information from the literature, the necessary barriers and motivators in adopting sustainable practices in the construction industry were determined, and a questionnaire …

The New Reality For The Material Handling Industry, Sunderesh S. Heragu

International Material Handling Research Colloquium

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Coal Properties Used In A Cement Plant, Geun-Seong Lee, Farrukh B. Erkinov, Mastura Kh. Aripova

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Coal is not only a heat source for clinker burning but also the coal ash after combustion plays a large role in the quality of clinker mixed with hot meals in the kiln. Since the properties of coal vary depending on the coalification and environment in which it was sedimented, the quality of coal supplying to cement plant can change greatly depending on the coal seam even if it is from the same coal mine. Therefore, the coal used in a cement plant should have its properties measured accurately through representative sampling whenever it is supplied to the plant, and …

Comparative Study On Differences In Asphalt Pavement Design Between China And Southern Africa, Wang Qing, Lin Yangyang, Yan Hongxiang, Zhao Bin, Xia Moxuan, Li Ning, Si Wei

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To facilitate the successful implementation of projects in the Southern Africa region and promote the application and internationalization of China ’s standards,this study compared the asphalt pavement design systems,construction materials,design parameters,and structural design methods of both regions based on the main asphalt pavement design specifications currently in use in China and Southern Africa.The results show that among Southern African countries,South Africa has a comprehensive and widely applied standard system,while other Southern African countries adopt more varied and less theoretical standards.In contrast,China ’s standard system is complete and highly practical.Due to differences in regional climates,the selection principles and mechanical requirements for …

Sustainable Clay Brick Manufacturing: A Review Of Mechanical Properties, Firing Technologies, Emissions, And Control Strategies, I. S. Eldeeb, Ayman Bakry, Ahmed M. Nasr, E. A. Showaib

Journal of Engineering Research

The clay brick industry, a cornerstone of global construction, faces increasing pressure to mitigate its substantial environmental footprint and improve the sustainability of its practices. The energy-intensive firing process, often reliant on coal combustion, generates significant atmospheric emissions, contributing to climate change and local air pollution. Furthermore, achieving desired mechanical properties in the final product is essential for ensuring the structural integrity and longevity of buildings. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical and thermodynamic processes governing clay brick firing, exploring their influence on both emissions and the final product's mechanical strength, durability, and water absorption. We examine …

Macro-Encapsulation Of Polyethylene Glycol And Magnetite (Fe3o4) In Concrete As Phase Change Materials For Building Thermal Management, Muhammad Fauzi, Budhy Kurniawan, Anggito Pringgo Tetuko, Timbangen Sembiring, Fanna Nilam, Amdy Fachredzy, Perdamean Sebayang

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Thermal management technology is a crucial strategy for reducing energy consumption in buildings by utilizing stored solar energy. This study developed a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based phase-change material (PCM), selected for its superior physicochemical stability, high latent enthalpy, and environmental compatibility. To enhance thermal conductivity, 20 vol% magnetite (Fe₃O₄) was incorporated into the PEG matrix. The composite was synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted method (37 kHz, 80°C, 1 h). X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the crystalline structure of PEG and the cubic phase of Fe3O4, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) validated the synthesis by identifying Fe–O, C–H, and O–H functional groups. Scanning electron …

Microwave Absorption Properties Of Porous Activated Carbon/Nickel Oxide Composites Derived From Coconut Husks, Mohamad Zul Aqiman Shukeri, Nor Zakiah Yahaya, Ezzan Afifah Zainuddin, Nazri Mahmud, Liyana Zahid, Hasliza A. Rahim

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Porous Activated Carbon (AC) is a promising material for microwave absorbing materials, showing potential in communication and modern warfare. The study explores the process of creating porous AC from coconut husks using hydrochloric acid and carbonization at varying temperatures, followed by doping AC with nickel oxide to create an AC/NiO polymer composite with varying thicknesses. These composites are compared to AC composites loaded in a paraffin matrix. The dielectric and microwave (MW) properties of the AC/NiO and AC polymer composites at various thicknesses were analyzed using a Performance (PNA)-X Network Analyzer. The study also examines the carbon content and porosity …

A Comparative Study Between Soft Structures And Hard Structures For The Protection Of Egypt’S Coastlines Against Climate Change, Donia Eldwib

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal communities worldwide face unprecedented threats from climate change, with rising sea levels, increased storm intensities, and accelerated coastal erosion posing significant risks. Egypt, with over 3,000 kilometers of coastlines along the Mediterranean and Red Seas, it is particularly vulnerable due to its densely populated and economically critical low-elevated coastal zones. With the Mediterranean Sea, and the Nile Delta specifically under huge threats, this study examines the different coastal protection strategies used to address these climate change impacts. Different coastal protection structures have been used throughout the years starting with the well-known hard structures moving on to greener alternatives such …

Unveiling The Hidden Threat: How Wireless Networks Fuel Serious Cyber Attacks, Ibtesam Jomaa Hawi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The spread of wireless networks has led to an increase in serious cyber attacks due to their weak architecture. This article focuses on reevaluating cybersecurity in wireless network technology by integrating statistical information detection methods and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. To construct a wireless networking scenario that accurately reflects real-life conditions, we created a data fabrication that included four pre-existing anomalies as well as four newly introduced anomalies. The synthetic dataset created from these generation processes contains 20 thousand distinguishable values, which are later divided into training and validation sets. Using the strategy described before, we began to analyze the …

Investigating Functionalized Cvd Graphene Heterostructures As Platforms For Hydrogen Gas Sensing, Evans Asiedu Addo-Mensah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The hydrogen economy is rapidly advancing and is poised to become one of the world's largest economies, driven by the abundance of hydrogen gas. Several organizations, particularly in the United States of America, are closely or have been monitoring this development, with rapidly increasing interest. Considering that hydrogen gas has no taste, smell (odor), or color, and very combustible, it’s imperative to develop detectors and sensors capable of rapidly detecting leaks to prevent application disasters. Owing to its extraordinary mechanical and electrical characteristics, graphene is the material that has been studied the most. When combined with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), …

Tactical Activities To Improve The Effectiveness Of Concrete Batching Plant Based On Overall Equipment Effectiveness Analysis, Yurida Ekawati, Iddo Christian Sutrisno, Teguh Oktiarso

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The growth of infrastructure projects has led to an increased demand for ready-mix concrete. A company that produces ready-mix concrete using a batching plant encountered difficulties in fulfilling customer orders due to the high rate of machine downtime. Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) was employed to examine these issues at the tactical activities, where the root causes of losses that occur in the OEE components of availability, performance, and quality were addressed. The OEE analysis was extended to encompass maintenance effectiveness measures, as the anticipated solution to the problem was not the replacement of the machine, but rather an enhancement of …

The Effect Of Mixing Time And Rotation Speed On The Consistency Of Dough Viscosity In A Horizontal Mixer, Muhammad Akhlis Rizza, Ekky Yovianto Dharsono, Anggit Murdani, Ratna Monasari, Radhi Nurvian Amrullah, Supa Kusuma Aji, Dian Noorvy Khaerudin

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Cassava must go through several manufacturing processes before it becomes chips on the market, including the process of stirring the dough. The stirring process is an important stage in various food industries. In the stirring process, the viscosity change in the dough is influenced by various factors, including the stirring process time and speed in stirring. Research on dough viscosity is important because it is directly related to the quality of the final product. The purpose of this study is to provide recommendations to users, both in the context of using horizontal mixers and the process of making similar products. …

Innovative Approaches For Improving Orc Performance: A Review Of Pure Fluids, Zeotropic Mixtures, And Nanoparticles, Ebenezer Kumi, Vasudevarao Veeredhi, Christopher Enweremad

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Although the organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is said to effectively capture low-grade heat, its commercialization has been limited because of working fluid constraints and inefficiencies resulting from operating at low temperatures. This study reviews the working fluids used in organic Rankine cycles and examines how nanoparticles could enhance the efficiency of the ORC, by enhancing the thermophysical properties of the working fluids. Results from this review showed that zeotropic mixtures of pure fluids, provide a viable approach to improving the thermophysical characteristics of organic working fluids and have the potential to achieve thermo-economic performance superior to that of individual pure …

Compaction Characteristics Of Granular Material And Its Structural Mechanical Behavior Considering Orthotropy, Huang You, Zhang Yunbao, Liu Zhaohui, Pan Yu, Liu Zebin, Fang Ronghai

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The orthotropy of granular materials is closely related to the compaction process and has a significant impact on the mechanical behavior of pavement structures.In this study，in order to study the effect of the compaction process on the orthotropy of granular materials，different compaction methods and compaction energies were employed to compact granular materials for pavement into specimens，and improved dynamic resilient mechanical tests were conducted.Orthotropic coefficients （α2） of typical granular materials were obtained，and the finite element method was used to conduct mechanical analysis of asphalt pavement structures considering the orthotropy of granular materials.The results show that the dry density of specimens by …

Experimental Examination Of Enhanced Nanoceramic-Based Self-Cleaning Sprays For High-Efficiency Hydrophobic Photovoltaic Panels, Iman El-Mahallawi, Merna Abdrabo, Ahmed Elkaseer Prof., Engy Elshazly, Mohamed S. El-Deab

Renewable Mechanical Energy

Dust deposition poses a significant challenge in the implementation of photovoltaic panels (PV) especially in hot and dusty environments, such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This issue leads to progressive degradation of PV efficiency and output power. In this context, this research work aims to improve PV performance by developing self-cleaning sprays as a preventative solution. Different concentrations of SnO2 and TiO2 nanoceramics were dispersed in isopropyl alcohol solvent to reduce the mixture’s viscosity and facilitate smooth spraying on solar panels, whose efficiency was continually assessed in outdoor conditions. Although less commonly used for this application, …

Thermomechanical Analysis Of Biomass Plastic Composite (Bpc), Solomon Chijioke Madu, Victor Sunday Aigbodion, Ikechukwu Ike-Eze

Makara Journal of Technology

High-performance electrical insulation material can be manufactured using biomass plastic composite (BPC), which is a new type of composite material that is either made up of one or a combination of natural plant fibers/particulates, such as bamboo, cellulose fiber, rice husks, or hemp, and thermoplastic granules. In this study, the BPC composite material that was developed comprised polyethylene (PE), rice husk, and oyster shell. The results of the study showed a significant optimal improvement in the morphological, thermodynamic, and mechanical properties during the addition of 20% to 30% biomass particulates (i.e., rice husk and oyster shell). The thermogravimetric analysis, storage …

Anti‑Freezing Performance Of Cement-Stabilized Mixture For Recycled Aggregate From Solid Construction Waste, Zheng Jiajia, Zhang Laijun, Wang Xihui, Xie Jianwei, Chen Zhiyong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

This paper investigated the effects of particle size and content of recycled aggregate on the anti-freezing performance of cement-stabilized recycled aggregate mixture,so as to provide a reference for the fine utilization of recycled aggregate with different particle sizes.The basic performance indexes of recycled aggregates with different particle sizes were tested,and the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density were determined by compaction test.The specimens were prepared with 4% cement content,and the anti-freezing performance of the mixture was evaluated by testing the unconfined compressive strength loss of the mixture after the freeze-thaw cycle.The results show that the optimum moisture content increases,and …

Characterization Of High Albedo Ground Surface Treatments For Energy Harvesting By Bifacial Photovoltaic Power Plants, Roma C. Chatripally, Matthew Honda, James Vance

Materials Engineering

Bifacial photovoltaic (bPV) cells have higher solar efficiency than monofacial photovoltaic (mPV) cells due to having two sides of active layers. bPV cells also require less space to produce equivalent electricity, which is useful for solar farms that want to maximize energy output per unit area. Placing a sheet of highly reflective material on the surface beneath bPV cells further increases their efficiency due to increasing the amount of solar radiation that reaches the underside of the bPV cells. This study explores the effects of natural outdoor weathering, solar altitude angle, and accelerated exposure to UV radiation on the albedos …

Improvement Of Gravelly Laterite And Cement Stable Disposal In West Africa, Jin Haibing, Yi Zicheng, Zhuo Rong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Owing to poor gradation and high liquid limit and plasticity index，the application of gravel laterite on road paving is limited in West Africa.To overcome this issue，laterite granule combined with sand at different content was explored.The performance including the particle composition，limit water content and CBR value was investigated.The results indicate that sand treatment can improve the gradation，enhance the compactness，and reduce the plasticity index.The improved gravel laterite can meet the requirements of subbase，cushion，and base courses.Cement treatment can improve the mechanical properties of laterite grains.Cement and sand content affect the unconfined compressive strength significantly，with an optimal sand content range identified.Specifically，laterite granules mixed with …

Effects Of Bending And Re-Bending On Mechanical Properties Of Locally-Manufactured Steel Rebars, Patrick W. Waruhiu, Simon I. Marandu, Mussa I. Mgwatu

Tanzania Journal of Science

Steel rebars experience deformation when subjected to bending and re-bending operations. Subsequently, their microstructures are impaired thus affecting the mechanical properties and leading to failure. This study establishes the effects of bending and re-bending the steel rebars on the mechanical properties. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of bending and re-bending of the steel rebars. Testing was conducted on Ten virgin and Thirty specimens which were bent and re-bent at 45º, 90º, and 180º, and followed by tensile tests. Yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and ultimate tensile strength to yield strength ratio (Rm/Re), were recorded. Results showed the …

Mechanical Characterization Of Hemp, Jute, And Flax Based Natural Fibre Composites For Non-Structural Applications In Aircraft And Automobiles, Ravi Kumar B

Theses and Dissertations

Demand for reducing energy consumption and detrimental environmental impacts after the effective lifetime of an engineering material are the major driving factors for the development of natural fibre reinforced composites (NFRCs) in various sectors. Compared to synthetic fibre like carbon-fibres or Kevlar, natural fibres provide several benefits including light weight, inexpensive, recyclability, superior specific strength, biodegradable, non-toxic during handling, and less energy intensive during manufacturing. This doctoral work presents observations from mechanical tests and interpretations on the suitability of natural fibre reinforced composites for less heavily loaded engineering applications areas.

In the first stage, jute, flax, and hemp fibres were …

Applicability Of Using Bio-Receptive Concrete For Building Facades In Egypt, Gina Roupheil

Theses and Dissertations

The significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the construction industry is detrimental to our planet. This is rapidly increasing with the urbanization of cities that is gradually taking its toll on the available green spaces, which help in balancing such emissions. Recently, researchers have been trying to make use of bio-receptivity to create biomaterial systems that could be spread on building envelopes and support the growth of small plant species and microorganisms to establish on. Out of those materials, comes the concrete as a promising material for bio-colonization.

Within this context, this study aims at investigating the applicability …

Assessing Adoption Barriers Of Sustainable Packaging In Egypt, Carol Ramses Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

Sustainable packaging has become an essential part of business decisions and corporate directions. With the rise of environmental damages due to improper waste management and unsustainable practices, businesses have a major responsibility to analyze their products’ life cycles and redesign them with sustainability in mind. Applying sustainable packaging could save companies large amounts of resources, therefore cutting costs, while also achieving the legal and social duty as a corporation towards society and the environment. Many developing countries, with specific focus on Egypt, have recently focused on legislative and corporate decisions in order to encourage more sustainable practices. Egypt’s new Waste …

Preparation Of 2d Tungsten Diselenide (Wse2) Thin Films By Selenization Of Dc-Sputtered W Precursors, Lwitiko P. Mwakyusa

Tanzania Journal of Science

Two-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenides based on WSe2 films demonstrated promising properties for nano-electronics and photovoltaic applications. In this work, WSe2 films were prepared by selenization of DC-sputtered W precursors. The influence of the selenization temperature on the structural, morphology, and optical properties of the WSe2 films was investigated. The selenization temperature was varied from 350 °C to 450 °C at the interval of 50 °C. Structural, morphology and optical properties of the WSe2 were investigated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), and UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, respectively. XRD analysis revealed that all WSe2 were polycrystalline and exhibited the co-existence …

Thermal Alteration Of The Mineralogy Of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cements: Implications For The Performance Of Rapid Repair Materials, Jillian Cavellier

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) was developed in part to lessen the environmental impact of cementitious materials compared to traditional Portland cements. CSA was first put into production in the 1970s and has been undergoing various performance testing to investigate its durability. Yet to be evaluated is CSA’s response to a rapid, high temperature event. In this study, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscope imaging were used to analyze alterations in the mineralogy due to such an event. As found in previous studies, after ~125°C, ettringite has been completely dehydrated. Ettringite decomposes into bassanite and calcium …