In Lebanon and many other countries where structures are vulnerable to impact loads caused by accidental rock falls due to landslides, specifically bridges with hollow core slab, it is mandatory to develop safe and efficient design procedures to design such types of structures to withstand extreme cases of loading. The structural response of concrete members subjected to low velocity high falling weight raised the interest of researchers in the previous years. The effect of impact due to landslide falling rocks on reinforced concrete (RC) slabs has been investigated by many researchers, while very few studied the effect of impact loading on pre-stressed structures, noting that a recent study was conducted at Beirut Arab University which compared the dynamic behavior of reinforced concrete and post-tensioned slabs under impact loading from a 605 kg impactor freely dropped from a height of 20 m. Hollow core slabs are widely used in bridges and precast structures. Thus, studying their behavior due to such hazards becomes inevitable. This study focuses on these types of slabs. For a better understanding of the behavior, a full scale experimental program consists of testing a single span hollow core slab. The specimen has 6000 mm × 1200 mm × 200 mm dimensions with a 100 mm cast in a place topping slab. Successive free fall drops cases from 14 m height will be investigated on the prescribed slab having a span of 6000 m. This series of impacts will be held by hitting the single span hollow core slab at three different locations: center, edge, and near the support. The data from the testing program were used to assess the structural response in terms of experimental observations, maximum impact and inertia forces, structural damage/failure: type and pattern, acceleration response, and structural design recommendations. This research showed that the hollow core slab has a different dynamic behavior compared to the post tensioned and reinforced concrete slabs mentioned in the literature review section.

Several researchers have studied how impact loads from impact hazards affect reinforced concrete (RC) slabs. There is relatively little research on impact loading effects on pre-stressed structures. The usage of fibers in structural elements intrigued researchers. In this paper, impact-loaded post-tensioned (PT) slabs with and without Forta-Ferro fibers were compared to post-tensioned slabs with plain concrete and conventional shear reinforcement. Forta-Ferro is a lightweight, low-cost fiber, and hence its effects on slab structural response under impact load deserve to be explored. Post-tensioned slabs’ impact resistance and energy absorption were tested using real-world situations of rapid and severe loads. Four identical 3.3 by 1.5 m concrete slabs were utilized in the experiment. The experiment involved dropping a 600 kg iron ball from 8 m onto each slab’s center of gravity. The slabs’ responses were investigated. The four slab configurations were tested for displacement, energy absorption, and cracking. Forta-Ferro fiber reinforcement is understudied, making this study significant. The study’s findings may help us comprehend fiber-reinforced concrete PT slabs’ impact resistance and structural performance. Engineers and designers of impact-prone buildings like slabs and bridges will benefit from the findings. The study also suggests adding Forta-Ferro fibers to post-tensioned slabs to improve durability and resilience against unanticipated impact hazards.

In today’s world of fast developing technologies, semi-autonomous vehicles are becoming a common sight and increasing in numbers. Some feature autopilot systems that drive the vehicle without any intervention from the driver in certain situations or warn the driver of dangers ahead. A fully autonomous vehicle is yet to come due to old fashioned road infrastructures that would convey challenging scenarios for it. From speed bumps and traffic lights to road lanes and warning signs, current autopilot systems will have to cope with all. A system that ensures safe crossing of speed bumps when in autopilot mode is discussed in this paper. Crossing a speed bump at high speeds may result in loss of control, suspension failure, onboard cargo damage, and/or compromised passenger comfort. The proposed system can detect a speed bump from a distance, calculate the suitable crossing speed by studying vertical acceleration disturbances, and apply the brakes automatically using a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) to reduce the speed before the car reaches the speed bump.

Anemia is one of the most common diseases that are associated with pollutants exposure. A complete blood count test (CBC) can determine the presence of abnormal hematological parameters and diagnose many serious preventable disorders including anemia. To assess the associations between exposure to pollutants and hematologic parameters among Lebanese inhabitants and Syrian refugees, who were exposed to toxic fumes emanating from Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain dump, a population-based study involving 679 Lebanese and Syrian Refugees living in the three villages Deir Kanoun, Klayleh and Smaiyeh was carried out. Blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes. CBC tests were performed and differences were statistically analyzed between different villages, sexes, nationalities, and age groups. Many blood parameters showed abnormal levels indicating hematological disorders including anemia, infections, allergy, and inflammation. Similar trends of abnormal CBC parameters were observed among the three villages. The highest percentage of abnormal erythrocyte parameters was found in Klayleh, while for leukocyte parameters, the highest was in Smaiyeh. Significant differences were observed between sexes and nationalities that may be associated with low income, environmental pollution and poor hygiene. This paper investigates and highlights the associations of living in a polluted area and the abnormal trends of CBC parameters. They emphasize the damaging effect of Deir Kanoun Dump on all inhabitants of the surrounding region calling for immediate intervention from the Lebanese government to find solutions.