This study investigates the development of a composite material based on agricultural plant waste from Kazakhstan, utilizing a multicomponent binder incorporated with rice husk ash. The implementation of low-clinker binders enables the full utilization of ash dumps from the Kyzylorda thermal power plant (TPP) and rice husk residues from local rice-processing enterprises. Physical and chemical analysis of the ash–cement stone revealed a reduction in portlandite content compared to control samples. Phase composition analysis indicated the presence of hydroaluminate C₄AH₁₃ and a reduction in calcite, suggesting accelerated crystallization of calcium silicate hydrates. The formation of crystalline phases and intergrowth structures is assumed to contribute to the strengthening of the gel-like matrix. Experimental optimization of the ash–cement binder with rice husk ash yielded compressive strengths ranging from 3.03 to 4.10 MPa at densities of 790–900 kg/m³, depending on the type of organic filler. These results confirm the feasibility of using locally sourced agricultural waste for the production of heat-insulating and structurally stable composite materials.

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.

Using a single mean collapse strain can misrepresent settlement in spatially variable loess foundations, potentially leading to unsafe hydraulic-structure design and settlement-induced damage. This study examines an archival empirical correction classified by ground and structural conditions. Engineering-geological records from 12 sites informed the factor classification, and monitored settlements of seven irrigation structures were used for validation. The resulting composite factors range from 1.30 to 1.44 across the specified ground and structural classes. For the seven field cases, the corrected predictions achieved a mean absolute percentage error of 12.7%, compared with 35.2% and 32.4% for the two conventional calculation sets. Archival physical-model observations independently supported the proposed load-redistribution mechanism. The correction provides a transparent way to account for ground variability and structural response in preliminary and design-stage settlement assessments, provided that representative collapse-strain data and a defined wetting scenario are available.

The present study investigates the development of non-autoclaved aerated concrete (NAAC) incorporating rice husk ash (RHA)-derived amorphous silica, polypropylene microfibers, and a polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer to improve mechanical performance and durability while maintaining low density and thermal conductivity. Experimental investigations included density, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, water absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), microstructural observations, and TG–DTA analysis. The developed compositions containing 5–7% RHA and 0.10–0.20% polypropylene microfibers achieved compressive strength values of 4.5–4.8 MPa at densities of 520–560 kg/m³, which are comparable to or higher than values commonly reported for non-autoclaved aerated concrete of similar density. Thermal conductivity decreased to 0.12–0.13 W/(m·K), while water absorption was reduced to 15–18%. XRD, microstructural, and TG–DTA analyses suggested enhanced hydration reactions and improved development of the cementitious matrix due to pozzolanic interaction between amorphous silica and calcium hydroxide. The incorporation of polypropylene microfibers was associated with improved structural homogeneity of the developed NAAC compositions, whereas the superplasticizer enhanced mixture homogeneity and pore stability. The results suggest that the combined use of agricultural waste-derived silica and fiber reinforcement provides an effective approach for producing sustainable and energy-efficient NAAC without autoclave curing.

Wetting-induced collapse of loess can produce large differential movements beneath irrigation structures even under modest nominal foundation pressure. This study investigates the coupled response of a segmented reinforced-concrete chute and its loess-based model foundation in a single 1:50 physical model explicitly interpreted as a 1 g kinematic mechanism test, with simultaneous wetting from the upstream and downstream pools. At corresponding scaled depths, the model-to-prototype geostatic stress ratio is (γm/γp)/50, approximately 1/50 for comparable soil unit weights; applied contact loading does not restore the prototype self-weight stress profile. Vertical movement records from eight markers, including an incomplete early Zh record, were evaluated together with contact and embedded pressure-cell measurements. In this test, contact stress at a softened support decreased from 154 to 30 kPa (80.5% unloading), while stress at the adjacent initially dry support increased from 150 to 220 kPa (46.7% amplification). The flume-end stress decrease of approximately 39% is interpreted as being consistent with beam action on a shrinking temporary central support. This support configuration is a proposed explanation of the observations; its pressure and contact area were not measured. Final settlements at the eight markers had a spatial coefficient of variation of 40.2%, describing within-test settlement nonuniformity rather than repeat-test variability or measurement uncertainty. Model settlements of 1.8 and 2.0 cm have geometric equivalents of 0.90 and 1.00 m at a scale factor of 50. Compared with field settlements of 0.76 and 0.93 m, the absolute differences are 0.14 and 0.07 m, respectively, corresponding to point-wise absolute percentage differences of 18.42% and 7.53%. These two comparisons are descriptive and do not validate prototype predictions. The indicator-grid deformation suggests a localized punching pattern, but one with unquantified boundary-location uncertainty. All quantitative findings are specific to this single test. The observed stress redistribution motivates a qualitative staged assessment framework; replication at different initial densities and water contents and independent verification are required before quantitative design application.