This paper reviews the type of engineered timbers and connection systems used in timber concrete composite structures. The literature references were selected and reviewed carefully to get a detailed overview of the use of timber and connections syst...

Modern civilisation is increasingly prioritising sustainability to address environmental challenges like resource depletion and waste accumulation. Repurposing discarded materials such as vehicle tires and seashells into sustainable materials is vital for mitigating these issues. However, the mechanical properties of concrete may be weakened by including scraps of rubber. Similar problems related to the disposal of seashell waste include soil solidification and illegal dumping. This study looks at the possibility of using rubber powder (1%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) and clamshell powder (5%), respectively, as partial substitutes for sand and cement. Objectives include evaluating the physical and mechanical properties of mortar and determining the optimal percentage of rubber powder when combined with clamshell powder. After creating the mortar mixes, tests were conducted to determine flexural strength, density, and compression after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. According to the results, compression strength decreases with increasing rubber powder percentages. 15% showed the lowest compression strength (20.163 MPa) and 1% the greatest (28.197 MPa). Furthermore, flexural testing showed that a 1% rubber powder combined with clamshell powder was best. By recycling waste materials, using 1% rubber powder and 5% clamshell powder in mortar can help solve environment challenges. However, it’s crucial to properly balance these amounts to ensure the strength of the mortar. Although this strategy contributes significantly to sustainability, it is not a comprehensive solution to the larger environmental problems; it is only one aspect of the picture. It can be concluded that the optimum percentage of rubber that can be used with 5% clam shell powder is 1%.

This article discusses a novel instructional method for a civil engineering course focused on solving a spring-mass system's differential equation (DE). The Computer Algebra System (CAS), MAXIMA, is used by our approach to prioritize practical learning, especially in solving ordinary differential equations. By ensuring minimal programming effort, we designed MAXIMA applications to enhance the learning experience, enabling intuitive investigation of the spring-mass system by students. Student belief in solving DE is significantly enhanced by this method, as indicated by our study, in comparison to traditional approaches. Incorporating CAS, these findings offer crucial insights into creating innovative educational strategies for engineering students.

One of the significant by products of Malaysia's industrial sector is the generation of solid waste that does not biodegrade. Coir, along with other by products of industrialisation such as plastic bags, PET bottles, and pulverised waste LDPE, must be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Utilising discarded items contributes to pollution prevention and resource conservation. A few researchers have investigated the possibility of recycling waste materials to lessen pollution and preserve important resources. An experiment revealed that replacing fine particles (sand) with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) negatively affects the compressive strength of concrete cement. To solve this issue, steel fibre was included as an additional component after it was applied. This study investigated a variety of ratios of LDPE substitution for fine aggregates. These ratios ranged from 0% to 15%, with increments of 5%. Following 7, 14, and 28 days, the density, compressive strength, and flexural strength of the concrete were measured and analysed. The findings showed that adding 15% LDPE to concrete cement made it less dense (1840 kg/m3) and weaker in its compressive strength (32.87 MPa) and flexural strength (4.627 MPa) at 28 days. Based on this, it has been determined that a combination consisting of a 5% substitution of LDPE and an additional 2% of steel fibre is the most effective combination for further research endeavours.

Modern society's growing concern for sustainability is evident in efforts to combat environmental issues like waste accumulation and resource depletion. Recycling waste materials, such as tires and seashells, into sustainable concrete aggregates is crucial for addressing these challenges. However, integrating rubber scraps into concrete can weaken its mechanical properties, with the thickness of the interface between rubbers and cement matrix increasing with higher rubber content. Researchers are exploring ways to mitigate this strength loss by incorporating additional components into rubberized cementitious materials. Similarly, seashell waste presents challenges like soil solidification and illegal dumping, further highlighting the need for innovative solutions in waste management and construction practices. This study investigates the viability of using rubber powder (at 1%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) and clamshell powder (at 5%) as partial substitutes for sand and cement in concrete. Objectives include evaluating concrete’s mechanical properties and determining the optimal rubber powder percentage in combination with clamshell powder. Concrete proportions are meticulously calculated according to mixed design, and materials are mixed in a laboratory concrete mixer. Concrete’s fresh density was determined before pouring into cube moulds with size 100mm x 100mm x 100 mm and prism moulds with size 100mm x 100mm x 500 mm for curing. Samples are cured for 7, 14, and 28 days in water, and then subjected to compression and flexural tests. Results indicate a decrease in compression strength with higher rubber powder percentages, with 15% exhibiting the lowest compression strength (25.06 MPa) and 1% the highest (39.02 MPa). Flexural testing revealed that a combination of 1% rubber powder with clamshell powder yielded optimal results (4.97MPa). In conclusion, the study suggests that the ideal proportion of rubber with 5% clamshell powder is 1%, offering insights into sustainable construction practices.

Malaysia's industrial sector generates a lot of non-biodegradable solid waste. By products of industrialisation including plastic bags, PET bottles, and pulverised waste LDPE, coir must be disposed of. Reusing waste helps reduce pollution, and conserve non-renewable resources. However, the use of LDPE in mortar mixes as a partial replacement for sand adversely affects the compressive strength. In order to mitigate this issue, steel fibre was included as an addition. This study examined the use of LDPE recyclable plastic bags in cement mortar to determine the best proportion of LDPE to steel fibre. The study replaced 0% to 15% of fine aggregates in mortar mixes with LDPE, increasing by 5%. The mortar's density, compressive, and flexural strengths were measured at 7, 14, and 28 days. The experiment indicated that adding 15% of LDPE to cement mortar decreased density (1736 kg/m3), compressive strength (21.61 MPa), and flexural strength (3.562 MPa). From this, it can be concluding that 5% LDPE and 2% steel fiber are the optimum percentage that can be use in the future study.