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Construction and demolition waste (CDW) management should focus on reducing CDW or properly recycling the materials since this waste is now a global problem. Sand brick waste, a component of a building’s structure, is one type of CDW. To be used as recycled aggregate, these wastes are invariably categorised as low grade. Due of the improved qualities provided, geopolymer research has recently become more popular. The objective of this study is to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of recycled sand brick aggregate (RSB) treated with silica fume based geopolymer coating. Additionally, the effectiveness of the treated RSB will be applied in concrete as coarse aggregate. The sample was made using a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8. At 2.5 and 10 M, alkaline activator is a constant variable. Testing of specific gravity, water absorption, and aggregate impact value were analysed. The treated RSB concrete will then be evaluated against normal concrete. In terms of density, water absorption, and compressive strength, natural concrete performs better than treated RSB concrete. In comparison to natural concrete, treated RSB concrete absorbs 5.8% more water. Treated RSB concrete has a density of 1815 kg/m3, compared to natural concrete’s 2080 kg/m3. The compressive strength of concrete made using treated RSB aggregate is 18.1 MPa after 7 days, and 27.1 MPa at 28 days. The testing revealed that the treated RSB aggregate concrete met the specifications. As a result, treated RSB aggregate concrete offers an advantage over natural OPC concrete while saving the environment.

Lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC), produced by partially or fully replacing conventional dense aggregates with lightweight alternatives, is increasingly used in structural and building applications. Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate, or LECA, is a common kind of lightweight aggregate. However, due to its inherent disadvantages that include high water absorption caused by its porous structure, low mechanical strength, and high brittleness, its use in structural concrete is limited. Surface treatment of LECA has emerged as a promising strategy to improve its mechanical performance and durability, in order to overcome these limitations. Coating LECA with geopolymer-based materials made from solid waste and industrial waste that is high in aluminosilicates. These geopolymer systems can penetrate and seal the surface pores of LECA when activated by alkaline solutions to create a durable protective barrier that improves the structural integrity of the aggregate. Thus, this paper reviews the key parameters influencing the geopolymerization process including the composition and nature of the raw material, alkaline activator molarity, solid-to-liquid ratio, and curing conditions. In order to formulate long-lasting, high-strength geopolymer coatings for LECA and, subsequently, expand the use of the material in load-bearing and green structures, a comprehensive understanding of these factors is essential.

This study investigates the nucleation mechanism of slag alkali activation at different solid-to-liquid ratios, focusing on kinetics, including growth rates. Heat evolution during activation was monitored, and calorimetric data were analyzed using the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov model. Compressive strength and phase evolution (via wide-angle X-ray scattering) were correlated with heat evolution to enhance understanding of reaction mechanisms in alkali-activated material formation. This is essential for producing alkali-activated slag that meets standard requirements for construction applications. Results showed that the highest heat evolved (–360.60 J/g) did not correlate with the best strength performance (22.69 MPa at 1 day and 25.83 MPa at 3 days), since the lowest cumulative heat (–226.15 J/g) at an S/L ratio of 1.4 yielded the best strength. This was supported by the highest growth rate (0.1172 min–1) at this ratio. JMAK analysis indicated instantaneous nucleation with one-dimensional rod-like growth, driven by increased nucleation site availability. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that an increment in S/L ratio significantly increased nucleation and polymerization of alkali-activated slag, thereby hindering heat flow, as evidenced by the lowest total cumulative heat evolved. In addition, the highest growth rate observed corresponded linearly with the compressive strength, further confirming densification by polymeric gels formed during alkali activation.

This study is conducted to compare between the two approaches of construction. It is carried out through case studies on construction sites, distribution of a total of 100 questionnaires as well as interviewing respondents who are related to this discourse. The case studies for this research were carried out at four construction sites within the Malaysian state of Penang. Two case studies used Industrialised Building System method while the remaining two deployed the traditional method of construction. Based on the analysis of obtained results, it can be surmised that the Industrialised Building System approach has more to offer compared to the traditional method. Among these advantages are; reduced construction durations, reduced overall cost, reduced labour requirements, better site conditions and the production of components of higher quality among others. This study also managed to determine the perceptions of key players in the industry and their rationales in preferring the traditional approach while at the same time, admitting to the edges offered by the Industrialised Building System.

Green curb was introduced to be an alternative material for a traditional road curb. This green curb is having a different concrete mix but the dimension and other requirement with respect to JKR requirement is still the same. The coarse aggregate will be replaced with crumb rubber (CR) that was extracted from vehicle tires after been shredded to the specified size from 15-20 mm as coarse aggregate. Testing such as slump test, compressive strength test and rebound hammer test was conducted to obtain the results. From the results, the slump test shows a high workability and decrease in compressive strength as the percentage of CR increase. The total weight of road curb is reduced by almost 8% compared to the control specimen. This 20% CR mixtures shows good result among other mixtures. The percentage of CR used are 20%, this particular percentage has good workability, satisfy the concrete grade 25 as required by JKR guideline (JKR/SPJ/1988).

Mini biogas power plant (MBPP) was first used and launched in Malaysia by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). USM with the collaboration with Enerbon Sdn Bhd had set up this mini biogas power plant as an education and research and development tools to professionals and researchers and at the same time giving opportunities to people who are interested with this system to witness and experience it themselves by looking at how this mini biogas power plant works. There are 2 main objectives of this study being carried out; firstly to determine whether food wastes (canteen and cafeterias wastes) can produce methane gas (biogas) that can generate heat and electricity and secondly to establish how much methane gas (biogas) can be produced with the certain amount of the feedstock. It should be pointed out that this MBPP can generate 600kW electricity per day as this system can generate electricity about 25kW/h. The methane produced per day is approximately 180 cubic metres. The higher the wastes, the higher the amount of methane gas produced. The cow dung is used to increase the bacteria in the tank; the methane gas production will be higher if the bacteria breed.

The study of biomimetic architecture on building envelope is the main structure of this research. The concept is believed more sustainable and efficient for energy saving, operating cost consumption, waste recycle and design renewal in the future. The inspiration from the nature developed the intention on this study to explore on what and how this concept to overcome the problems through design. Biomimicry does catch the attention of human to study more on the system and function of its nature course. The designers are not exception influenced by this concept when the form, shape, texture and colour inspired them in their design. The domination of building form will affect the building envelope as the skin of the structure. A clear impact on building failure is begun with building envelope appearance without a proper maintenance. The faults in building design place a heavy burden on the building for the rest of its operational life and there is no compensation for it. In such situations, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the designer.

This article is a study on biomimicry of palm tree towards a building form. It is to find a suitable form and pattern that can be applied to building shell to ease building maintenance operation beside to enhance the aesthetic value of a building architecture. The research has been carried out by observation and modeling on some various species of palm tree’s patterns and forms. The result expectation can be found at the end of this research by producing the best pattern of palm tree that can be adapted to building envelop as the whole form of a building.