Search

This paper presents the experimental results of bond and anchorage behaviours under Steel Strap Tensioning Technique (SSTT) confined high-strength concrete (HSC). The experimental tests consisted of pull-out test with short bond length and pull-out test with long bond length were performed to determine the bonding and anchorage capacity of SSTT-confined HSC. A total 36 specimens with short bond length and 16 specimens with long bond length were tested in this study. Three batches of concrete with compressive strength of 30 MPa, 60 MPa and 90 MPa were tested. Other parameter in this study was rebar diameter of 12 mm and 16 mm and different SSTT confinement ratios ranging from 0 to 0.2. To determine the effects of confinement on development bond and anchorage, an analytical expression was developed based on the parameters tested in this study. The equation is then verified with the bond strength proposed by the existing bond equations. The results from conducted tests indicated that the application of SSTT as an external confinement can increase the bond strength of confined concrete by up to 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confining damaged concrete columns using fibre-reinforced concrete (FRP) has proven to be effective in restoring strength and ductility. However, extensive experimental tests are generally required to fully understand the behaviour of such columns. This paper proposes the artificial neural networks (ANNs) models to simulate the FRP-repaired concrete subjected to pre-damaged loading. The models were developed based on two databases which contained the experimental results of 102 and 68 specimens for restored strength and strain, respectively. The proposed models agreed well with testing data with a general correlation factor of more than 97%. Subsequently, simplified equations in designing the restored strength and strain of FRP-repaired columns were proposed based on the trained ANN models. The proposed equations are simple but reasonably accurate and could be used directly in the design of such columns. The accuracy of the proposed equations is due to the incorporation of most affecting factors such as pre-damaged level, concrete compressive strength, confining pressure and ultimate confined concrete strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weekly No Plastic Bag Campaign Day comprises of an added charge of MYR 0.20 (USD 0.06) per plastic bag in supermarkets and grocery stores. The objective is to reduce plastic bag consumption and save the environment. However, the campaign has provoked a range of reactions from the public including consumers, policy makers, environmentalists and the plastic industry. Considering consumers as the major consequence, this paper evaluates the impact of the campaign on consumer awareness, knowledge, attitude and behavior and discusses and explores the various implications of the policy. The study gathers a questionnaire survey from 262 households in the State of Johor and employs a semi-structured interview with the relevant stakeholders. A descriptive statistical analysis as well as T test and correlations analysis has been performed using the Statistical Software for Social Science. The T test analysis explains the complex relationship between attitude and behavior. Consumers are more supportive of the plastic bag ban in the supermarkets but not its extension to other types of public markets. The study records the consumers' behavior-changing process in the three types of anti-consumer behavior, listed as (1) fully anti-consumption (67 %), (2) partial anti-consumption (33 %) and (3) no anti-consumption this last group comprising of those who resent and dissatisfy of the No Plastic Bag Campaign. The first type of fully anti-consumption behavior reveals the potential of reusable shopping bag practice to be implemented coupled with the educational Bring Your Own Shopping Bag campaign. The plastic bag levy in Malaysia can be seen as part of the government effort to create a sustainable consumption society; however, it needs a support from the regulatory or legislative framework that will provide clear guidelines and mechanisms for consumers, the retailers, supermarkets and the plastic industry. The implications of plastic bag usage for garbage bin liners as part of the basic requirement of the solid waste management reveal the urgency to look at the plastic bag levy from the solid waste management perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]