Faculty of Engineering

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Sustainability

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    PublicationEmbargo
    Uniaxial compressive response of cement mortar with waste aluminium fibre sourced from electrical distribution cables
    (Springer Science and Business Media, 2025-01) Perera K.D.Y.G.; Ahamed Y.L.F; Somarathna H.M.C.C; Jayasekara D.A.B.P.M; Mohotti D; Raman S.N
    Electrical distribution and communication cables cease to function for transmission when their length is insufficient, and it is considered as it approaches the end of their useful lives. Further, the disposal techniques are not eco-friendly. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of cement mortar systems with the inclusion of aluminium fibre extracted from electrical distribution cables. Two diameters of 1.35 mm and 1.70 mm and two lengths of 10 mm and 15 mm fibres were used while incorporating four volume ratios, particularly 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% to evaluate the effect of the length, diameter and volume ratios. The compression test and density test were performed to study the behaviour of Metal Fibre Reinforced Mortar (MFRM) systems under both dry and wet states. Compared to conventional mortar, the ultimate compressive strength of MFRM systems was increased up to 39.4% in 1.5% of fibre addition under the 28-day dry state, where the 1.5% volume ratio showed the best performance under compressive loads. Strain at ultimate strength, modulus of elasticity and strain energy also showed improvements with the fibre inclusion up to 74.4%, 87.3%, and 106.6% respectively. Fibres with higher aspect ratios showed significant effectiveness among the aforementioned fibre variations. The overall results highlighted that the MFRM with 1.5% of fibres performed expertly with 15 mm length and 1.35 mm diameter under compression loads
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Analysis of physical and chemical properties of alternative substrate material for sustainable green roofs
    (Research Square, 2022-07-14) Kader, S. A
    Green roof is the roof of a building that is partially or completely enfolded with vegetation and its associated components. It promotes the sustainability of buildings and provides comfort for urban ecosystem. We have investigated the viability of using organic waste as a growing medium. This study determines the most suitable growing substrate by investigating organic wastes of Sawdust, Wood bark, Bio char, Coir, Compost and Base medium under the parameters of density, moisture content, drought resistance and thermal resistance, contribution for vegetation growth, pH, electric conductivity and nutrient constituents. Investigation of chemical parameters is a unique aspect of this study. New methodologies using mathematical concepts were used to find thermal conductivity and EC of specimens in our research. Preliminary study results shows that the most substrate composition will comprise 60% growing medium and 40% base medium (fertilizer + potting mix). During the experimental studies, we have compared the test results of each organic waste specimens under the mentioned physical and chemical parameters. Base medium (90:10) has highest bearing capacity to withstand 2 external loads including vegetation and other imposed loads. Sawdust (60:40) exhibited optimum attributes for lightweight substrate by having least saturated unit weight, dry unit weight and the highest moisture content. In terms of drought resistance and vegetation growth, Bio char (60:40) was exceptional. Wood bark (60:40) exhibited the most convincing thermal resistance. The best characteristics in terms of pH, EC and nutrient content were exhibited by Sawdust (60:40), Coir (60:40) and Compost (60:40) correspondingly. Based on final ratings by considering all the experimental results, Coir (60:40) have emerged as the optimum growing medium in terms of physical and chemical properties. The authors emphasize to utilize this experimental study results into large-scale construction industries to promote the urban ecosystems through sustainable green roof constructions.