Papers by Author: M.N. Norazian

Abstract: This research focuses on a study of the strength of concrete with ceramic waste as coarse aggregate and quarry dust as fine aggregate. The sources of ceramic waste and quarry dust are obtained from the industrial in Malaysia. Presently, in ceramics industries the production goes as waste, which is not under going the recycle process yet. In this study an attempt has been made to find the suitability of the ceramic industrial wastes and quarry dust as a possible replacement for conventional crushed stone coarse and fine aggregate. Experiment were carried out to determine the strength of concrete with ceramic waste coarse aggregate and quarry dust fine aggregate to compare them with the conventional concrete made (with crushed stone coarse aggregate). From the results show that compressive strength of concrete with quarry dust as aggregates is the highest with 30.82 MPa with density 2251.85 kg/m³_. This show, ceramic waste and quarry dust can be alternative aggregate for comparable properties.

Abstract: Natural fibers reinforced polymer composites have gained more interest because of their biodegradable, light weight, less expensive sources, easy processing, high specific modulus and also environmentally friendly appeal. This paper presents an overview of a study aimed at showing on how the bio-composites which is bagasse fibers combined with resins as an alternative of bagasse-fiber-based composites panel. Transforming bagasse fibers into panel products provides a prospective solution. Bagasse-fiber-based composites offer potential as the core material replacing high density and expensive wood-based fiberboard. Biodegradable composites reinforced with bagasse fibres after being modified or treated by alkali treatment were prepared and also the mechanical properties were investigated. The bio-composites panel samples were processed by hot press machine. All panels were made with aspect ratios between bagasse fibers and polystyrene thermoplastics resins and also the sieve size of bagasse fibers which has short fibers and combination of short fiber and granules fibers. The polystyrene was added as a modified from natural fibers to determine the effect it had on physical and mechanical properties of the panel. Resin content level and panel density were very important in controlling the strength properties of the panels. Surface hardness value, compressive strength, bending strength and bending modulus values all increases in resin content level and panel density. Bagasse-based-panel products can be commercialize successfully if have good development of a cost manufacturing process on an establishment of a market base for the products.

Abstract: The main focus of this research is to study the strength of concrete with ceramic waste as coarse aggregate. The sources of ceramic waste are obtained from the industrial in Malaysia. Presently, in ceramics industries the production goes as waste, which is not under going the recycle process yet. The potential of recycled ceramic waste as a substitute for coarse aggregates in concrete has been investigated. The recycle ceramic waste as aggregate was used. Concrete mixes with a 28 days characteristic strength of 20 MPa were prepared using water/cement ratio of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.7. The strength development of the concrete mixes containing recycled ceramic waste aggregates was compared to that of conventional concrete. The result show that the concrete mixes containing recycled ceramic waste aggregates achieve strength levels between 80 to 95 % compared to the conventional concrete. This indicates that the recycled ceramic waste has a potentially to be used as coarse aggregates for concrete.

Abstract: Foxtail grass, also known as rumput bulu by the local people, is one of the fast growing grasses abundantly available all over Malaysia. A full grown Foxtail grass attains a height of about 0.5 1.5 meters. The fibres were prepared by mechanical grinding procedure and the fibre size and length produced can be controlled through the grinding time of this grass material. The weight loss of the different grinding time was calculated. The polymer composites panel were then made from the mixing the polystyrene with various size of fibre produced. Flexural test exhibited good and comparable strength properties. The results show that this grass fibre may be considered as one of the potential sources of natural/ agro fibres for polymer composites panel.

Abstract: Fly ash and a mixture of alkaline activators namely sodium silicate (Waterglass) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution were used for preparing geopolymer. The aim of this research is to determine the optimum value of the alkaline activator/fly ash ratio. The effect of the oxide molar ratios of SiO2/Al2O3, water content of the alkaline activator and the Waterglass% content were studied for each Alkaline activator/fly ash ratio. The geopolymers were synthesized by the activation of fly ash with alkaline solution at three different alkaline activator/fly ash ratios which were 0.3, 0.35, and 0.4 at a specific constant ratio of waterglass/NaOH solution of 1.00. The geopolymers were cured at 70°C for 24 h and cured to room temperature. Results revealed that the alkaline activator/fly ash ratio of 0.4 has the optimum amount of alkaline liquid, which shows the highest rate of geopolymerization compared to other ratios. A high strength of 8.61 MPa was achieved with 0.4 of activator/fly ash ratio and 14% of waterglass content.