This study investigates the effect of rice husk content (0–60 wt.%) on the thermal, mechanical and rheological properties of polypropylene composites prepared by extrusion and injection molding. A temperature-invariant approach was applied to analyze the viscoelastic properties, allowing the combination of data obtained at different temperatures. The results show that as the husk content increases, the elastic modulus and hardness rise linearly, while the impact strength and elongation at break significantly decrease. Composites with 40–50% filler exhibit a balanced combination of strength and stiffness, as confirmed by the summary data in the table (provide references). The application of the temperature-invariant viscosity method confirmed its effectiveness in evaluating the flow properties of composite melts. The obtained results have practical significance for the development of eco-friendly polymer materials with natural fiber fillers.

The paper presents the results of the influence on shrinkage deformations of the adopted composition during the drying and firing of ceramic bricks made using rice husk and ash of the combined heat and power plant of the city of Kyzylorda of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The optimal values of the husk additives content and ash from thermal power plants in the studied compositions were determined. Ash dumps from thermal power plants (TPP) create environmental tension and pose a great threat to both the environment and human health. It was found that the hydro-removal ash from the thermal power plant mainly consists of oxides of silica (45.45…46.37 %) and alumina (16.62…17.70 %), there are oxides of calcium (1.66…2.20 %), magnesium (0.86…1.12 %), iron (2.98…3.41 %) and alkali metals (0.80…1.04 %). The composition of ceramic bricks based on loess-like loam, rice husks, and ash from thermal power plants was studied. The charge composition of the raw components of the “clay, TPP ash, and rice husk” brick: clay is 71…75 %, TPP ash is 18…22 %, and rice husk is 2…6 % of the total mass of the components of the raw mixture of ceramic bricks. The compressive strength of fired ceramic bricks was 11…12 MPa. According to the results of experimental studies, it was found that the increased concentration of rice husks in natural mixtures is characterized by a stable increase in ceramic mass drying cracks. The increase in time until the appearance of drying cracks is 100 up to 160 sec. The resulting ceramic brick in accordance with the developed composition has a low weight, good thermal properties and meets the standard requirements for ceramic bricks according to GOST 530-2012

This paper presents the results of a study on the relevance of seismic isolation systems for protecting architectural monuments from seismic and vibration impacts. This work aims to develop a method for protecting architectural monuments from seismic and vibration effects by installing geotechnical seismic isolation systems made of various geomaterials, such as a silicate soil mixture (SSM), a cement–soil mixture (CSM), a bitumen–soil mixture (BSM), and a rubber–soil mixture (RSM). The novelty of the work lies in the results of studying the wave processes in different models of geomaterials to assess their effectiveness in a seismic isolation system in the form of damping barrier screens to ensure the seismic resistance of architectural monuments. By comparing the amplitude–frequency characteristics of various geomaterials, it was found that the rubber–soil mixture (RSM), the cement–soil mixture (CSM), and the bitumen–soil mixture (BSM) have the most effective damping properties. A proposed method for protecting architectural monuments with geotechnical seismic isolation in the form of vertical screen barriers and technology for their installation ensures the integrity and safety of architectural monuments at all stages of construction and operation.

Providing the necessary parameters of the microclimate is one of the necessary conditions in the modern construction. For these purposes, there is a set of measures and microclimate support systems applicable in all types of the structural design of buildings. But the features of houses form the modular blocks allow us to move away from standard solutions and use energy-efficient construction technologies, namely, walls with a ventilated interlayer. This design allows us to provide the necessary air exchange in the premises while providing the necessary inlet air temperature. Walls with a ventilated interlayer complement the central ventilation systems or even make it possible to abandon their use. In this article the issue of using walls with ventilated interlayers in the modular blocks, with the use of additional heating of the incoming air in the cold season by using film infrared heaters was considered. The question of the integration of this design with the system of “smart home” was also considered, which will lead to the possibility of creating an energy-efficient building by ensuring cellular regulation of the microclimate parameters. The result of the research is the data required for an approximate calculation of walls with ventilated interlayers and infrared film heating systems, and the possibilities of creating active buildings were also considered. To ensure the energy efficiency of the building, it is proposed to control air exchange and temperature. The control will be carried out directly as follows: in the ventilated walls, at the holes, sensors are installed that will control the speed and temperature of the supply air; a radiant heating film and a recuperator plate that heats the supply air are mounted in the inner heating layer of the wall panel. If the plate temperature is insufficient, the heating film is switched on, which increases the temperature of the supply air masses to the desired temperature.

This study evaluates sustainable dune-sand concrete produced using local dune sand, rice husk ash (RHA), and dried oil sludge. The experimental program included a control mixture (C0) and three modified mixtures (M1–M3). RHA was used as a partial replacement for Portland cement at contents of 20, 40, and 60 kg/m³, while dried oil sludge was introduced as a waste-derived additive at 10, 15, and 20 kg/m³, respectively. The total binder content, defined as Portland cement plus RHA, was maintained at 350 kg/m³, while the mixing-water content and water-to-binder ratio were kept constant at 185 kg/m³ and 0.53, respectively. The RHA was heat-treated at 800 °C for 60 min, immediately quenched in water, and subsequently dried at 105 ± 5 °C until a constant mass was achieved. Among the investigated compositions, M2, containing 310 kg/m³ Portland cement, 690 kg/m³ dune sand, 1110 kg/m³ crushed stone, 40 kg/m³ RHA, and 15 kg/m³ dried oil sludge, exhibited the most balanced overall performance. Its compressive strength reached 27.8 MPa at 7 days, 42.5 MPa at 28 days, and 47.7 MPa at 90 days, while its static modulus of elasticity was 32.7 GPa. M2 also showed the lowest water absorption (3.63%), the highest watertightness grade within the investigated series (W10), and the greatest measured freeze–thaw resistance, completing 223 cycles. Optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction observations indicated a visually more continuous matrix and lower relative intensities of several portlandite peaks in the modified concrete. For the replicate-based properties, mixture composition had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.001). Because RHA and dried oil sludge were varied simultaneously, the results represent their combined effect. M2 is therefore identified as the most balanced composition within the present limited test series, rather than as a universal optimum.

This study investigates the development of sustainable ceramic materials using industrial and agricultural waste from the Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan. The research focuses on the combined use of local clay, ash from the Kyzylorda thermal power plant (TPP), and rice husk ash (RHA). Experimental investigations included the evaluation of chemical composition, linear and volumetric shrinkage, water absorption, bulk density, and compressive strength of ceramic samples fired at 950–1050 °C. Microstructural (SEM) and phase composition (XRD) analyses were performed to explain the observed behavior. The results showed that the optimal composition was 70% clay, 20% TPP ash, and 10% RHA, which demonstrated the highest compressive strength (15.45 MPa), reduced water absorption, and improved densification. The enhanced performance is attributed to partial vitrification and viscous-phase-assisted densification and the formation of crystalline phases such as mullite, cristobalite, and anorthite. The study confirms that the combined use of TPP ash and RHA enables effective recycling of local waste materials and improves the physical and mechanical properties of ceramic products.