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The construction industry commonly employs concrete as a construction material, which sometimes may be subjected to fire exposure. It is important to adopt fire safety measures while planning and constructing such structures to ensure the safety of the occupants and the structural integrity of the concrete. So, determining its performance at elevated temperatures is of utmost importance. The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of mineral incorporations, namely, nano bentonite clay (NBC) and nano fly ash (NFA), on the retained properties of concrete at normal (27°C) and at elevated temperatures. The feasibility of partly substituting ordinary Portland cement utilizing a mixture of NBC (0–5%) and NFA (0–50%) in concrete was assessed under the exposure to an elevated temperature ranging from 200 to 600°C. Several parameters were examined, including compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile capacity, water penetration, loss of mass, ultrasound pulse velocity, and microstructure properties. After the experimental analysis, it was observed that the fire endurance was shown to be improved with the inclusion of nanoparticles (BC and FA). A reduction in the loss of mass by samples subjected to elevated heat was observed with the addition of nano bentonite and NFA. The mechanical strength results were obtained as maximum for the concrete specimens with 2% NBC and 20% NFA and further, the specimens performed better when exposed to elevated temperature as compared with normal concrete specimens. The microstructure of the concrete also upgraded with better impermeability owing to the use of NBC and NFA.

The usage of biodegradable materials is gaining mounting applications owing to the environmental problems created by petroleum-based synthetic materials. Agro-waste materials are finding more scope as reinforcement materials in polymer composites, mainly because of their cost-effectiveness and availability. The main aim of this research work is to utilize agro-waste material in the form of mango seed waste (MSW) as a reinforcing material with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form biocomposite. The biocomposites were fabricated using the solution casting technique. The research work focuses on the influence of varying ultrasonication periods (0–20 min at 5-min intervals, i.e., 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min) on the properties of PVA/MSW biocomposites. The fabricated biocomposites were subjected to tensile test, fracture morphology, moisture absorption (MA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results revealed that the material with the highest tensile strength was 3.95 MPa obtained with the 20-min ultrasonication sample. This value is 49% higher than that obtained in the sample without ultrasonication. The scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that the 20-min ultrasonication sample indicated a good distribution of MSW fillers in the PVA contrasted with the rest of the samples. The thermal stability of the samples treated with ultrasonication was found to be significantly higher than that of the untreated samples, whereas the MA value decreased with increasing ultrasonication time. It can be observed from the results that biocomposites can be a potential alternative to the synthetic materials used in packaging applications.

Ferroresonance is a phenomenon in electric power systems that can result in severe consequences, including increased short-circuit currents, equipment overload, and potential damage to transformers and other devices. To address these challenges, this study aims to explore and implement effective methods for mitigating ferroresonance. The research investigates different techniques employed by engineers and operators to prevent and manage ferroresonance occurrences in electric power systems. The primary objective of this work is to identify and analyze various methods used to mitigate ferroresonance, considering both preventive measures and reactive strategies. The study employs a combination of literature review, simulation studies, and practical case analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of the available techniques.The research results indicate that a combination of passive and active mitigation methods, such as damping resistors, surge arresters, and proper system grounding, can significantly reduce the impact of ferroresonance. Simulation studies are conducted to validate the effectiveness of these methods in different power system scenarios. In conclusion, the findings underscore the importance of implementing a multi-faceted approach to ferroresonance mitigation. The study contributes valuable insights into the selection and application of suitable methods for engineers and operators in electric power systems.

Composite materials from oil palm fiber enhance sustainability by utilizing renewable resources, reducing dependence on non-renewable materials, and lessening environmental impact. Despite their mechanical and dimensional stability limitations, oil palm fiber-based polymer composites offer significant advantages, such as natural abundance, potential weight reduction, and cost-effectiveness due to local availability and renewability. The growing interest in oil palm hybrid composites, made from blending different fibers, is due to their customizable mechanical and physical properties. Hybridization is one of the most effective methods to reinforce and improve the performance of oil palm-derived composite materials. This review investigates the structural qualities of hybrid composites made from oil palm fibers, their suitability for diverse applications, and recent advancements in the field. By focusing on the availability, properties, applications, challenges, and future directions of oil palm fiber hybrid composites, this review highlights the potential of these materials to enhance mechanical and functional properties, thereby contributing to sustainable development and innovation in composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]