Utilizing nanotechnology to boost the reliability and determine the vertical load capacity of pile assemblies.

Because of their high electrocatalytic activity, sensitivity, selectivity, and long-term stability in electrochemical sensors and biosensors, numerous nanomaterials are being used as suitable electrode materials thanks to developments in nanotechnology. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors are two areas where two-dimensional layered materials (2DLMs) are finding increasing utility due to their unusual structure and physicochemical features. Nanosensors, by their unprecedented sensitivity and minute scale, can probe deeper into the structural integrity of piles, capturing intricacies that traditional tools overlook. These advanced devices detect anomalies, voids, and minute defects in the pile structure with unparalleled granularity. Their effectiveness lies in detection and their capacity to provide real-time feedback on pile health, heralding a shift from reactive to proactive maintenance methodologies. Harvesting data from these nanosensors, data was incorporated into a probabilistic model, executing the reliability index calculations through Monte Carlo simulations. Preliminary outcomes show a commendable enhancement in the predictability of vertical bearing capacity, with the coefficient of variation dwindling by up to 12%. The introduction of nanosensors facilitates instantaneous monitoring and fortifies the long-term stability of pile foundations. This study accentuates the transformative potential of nanosensors in geotechnical engineering.

Electrochemical and DFT Studies of the Pistacia Integerrima Gall Extract: An Eco-friendly Approach towards the Corrosion of Steel in Acidic Medium.

A novel application of the Pistacia integerrima gall extract as an environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor is reported in this study. The major phytochemicals present in the gall extract, namely pistagremic acid, ß-sitosterol, pistiphloroglucinyl ether, pistaciaphenyl ester, naringenin, and 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one, play key roles in its anticorrosive behavior on steel in aggressive media. Several approaches were used to study the corrosion prevention activity of steel in 1 M H2SO4, including weight loss analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and density functional theory (DFT). At 2000 mg L-1, the highest efficiency of 92.19% was observed in 1 M H2SO4. An SEM study was conducted to validate the surface coverage of the metal surface. DFT studies revealed several nucleophilic regions present in the phytochemicals of the inhibitor, which supported the favorable nucleophilicity. Corrosion studies have not been performed on this sample. Phytochemicals make it an effective corrosion inhibitor, and its extraction process utilizes distilled water, making it better than other inhibitors. It has been proven that the obtained values of ΔEInhDFT for pistiphloroglucinyl, pistaciaphenyl ether, and naringenin organic compounds were very low, confirming the high reactivity of these corrosion inhibitors. The order of the values of ΔEInhDFT is as follows: pistaciaphenyl ether > pistiphloroglucinyl ether > naringenin organic compound; this suggests that pistaciaphenyl ether is more reactive than the other compounds. In this study, P. integerrima gall extract emerges as a novel and highly effective corrosion resistance agent in 1 M H2SO4, chosen for its relevance to acid pickling and cleaning processes.

Modeling of success factors of using PU coats in concrete construction projects.

Polyurea coatings are well recognized for their remarkable protective properties, making them highly appropriate for practical use in the field of concrete building. The use of polyurea coatings in the concrete building business is currently constrained, despite its prevalent application in industrialized nations. The limited use may be ascribed to ambiguities about the determinants of effective implementation in this particular setting, as well as the dearth of extensive study in the realm of new building materials. The primary objective of this research is to assess and conceptualize the key determinants linked to the use of polyurea coatings in concrete building endeavors. Utilizing a quantitative research approach, a comprehensive literature analysis was conducted to identify a total of 21 probable success variables. The reliability of the questionnaire was established by the administration of a pilot survey, and afterwards, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to enhance the clarity and precision of the underlying components. The researchers used structural modeling (SEM) approaches to develop a robust model using the primary data obtained from the questionnaire survey. The EFA revealed the presence of five unique constructs that have an impact on the effectiveness of polyurea coatings in concrete building projects. These constructions comprise several characteristics, including environmental considerations, functional requirements, protective properties, execution processes, and creative elements. The significance and relevance of this research are shown by the validation of the study's results using SEM. The study makes a valuable contribution towards the progression of polyurea coating use within the concrete building sector.

Effect of wheat straw ash as cementitious material on the mechanical characteristics and embodied carbon of concrete reinforced with coir fiber.

The use of supplementary cementitious materials has been widely accepted due to increasing global carbon emissions resulting from demand and the consequent production of Portland cement. Moreover, researchers are also working on complementing the strength deficiencies of concrete; fiber reinforcement is one of those techniques. This study aims to assess the influence of recycling wheat straw ash (WSA) as cement replacement material and coir/coconut fibers (CF) as reinforcement ingredients together on the mechanical properties, permeability and embodied carbon of concrete. A total of 255 concrete samples were prepared with 1:1.5:3 mix proportions at 0.52 water-cement ratio and these all-concrete specimens were cured for 28 days. It was revealed that the addition of 10 % WSA and 2 % CF in concrete were recorded the compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths by 33 MPa, 3.55 MPa and 5.16 MPa which is greater than control mix concrete at 28 days respectively. Moreover, it was also observed that the permeability of concrete incorporating 4 % of coir fiber and 20 % of WSA was reduced by 63.40 % than that of the control mix after 28 days which can prevent the propagation of major and minor cracks. In addition, the embodied carbon of concrete is getting reduced when the replacement level of cement with WSA along with CF increases in concrete. Furthermore, based on the results obtained, the optimum amount of WSA was suggested to be 10 % and that of coir fiber reinforcement was suggested to be 2 % for improved results.

Effect of banana tree leaves ash as cementitious material on the durability of concrete against sulphate and acid attacks.

The construction industry's rapid growth poses challenges tied to raw material depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, alternative materials like agricultural residues are gaining prominence due to their potential to reduce carbon emissions and waste generation. In this context this research optimizes the use of banana leaves ash as a partial cement substitution, focusing on durability, and identifying the ideal cement-to-ash ratio for sustainable concrete. For this purpose, concrete mixes were prepared with BLA replacing cement partially in different proportions i.e. (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, & 20 %) and were analyzed for their physical, mechanical and Durability (Acid and Sulphate resistance) properties. Compressive strength, acid resistance and sulphate resistance testing continued for 90 days with the intervals of 7, 28 and 90 days. The results revealed that up to 10 % incorporation of BLA improved compressive strength by 10 %, while higher BLA proportions (up to 20 %) displayed superior performance in durability tests as compared to the conventional mix. The results reveal the potentials of banana leave ash to refine the concrete matrix by formation of addition C-S-H gel which leads towards a better performance specially in terms of durability aspect. Hence, banana leaf ash (BLA) is an efficient concrete ingredient, particularly up to 10 % of the mix. Beyond this threshold, it's still suitable for applications where extreme strength isn't the primary concern, because there may be a slight reduction in compressive strength.