Susilo Indrawati^*, Lila Yuwana, Suyatno, Mochamad Zainuri, Darminto^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 909-921, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.048452

Abstract Recently, abaca fibers have become the focus of specialized research due to their intriguing characteristics, with their outstanding mechanical properties being a particularly notable. In the conducted study, the abaca fibers underwent a preliminary treatment process involving an alkaline solution, which was composed of 0.5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 50% acetic acid (CHCOOH). This process entailed immersing each fiber in the solution for a period of one hour. This treatment led to a 52.36% reduction in lignin content compared to the levels before treatment, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the full width at half… More > Graphic Abstract

Haoping Yao¹, Xinyu Zhong², Chunxia He^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 993-1006, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.047758

Abstract To make full use of plant shell fibers (rice husk, walnut shell, chestnut shell), three kinds of wood-plastic composites of plant shell fibers and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were prepared. X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out on three kinds of plant shell fibers to test their crystallinity. The aging process of the composites was conducted under 2 different conditions. One was artificial seawater immersion and xenon lamp irradiation, and the other one was deionized water spray and xenon lamp irradiation. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength), changes in color, water absorption, Fourier transform… More >

Aneel Manan¹, Pu Zhang^1,*, Shoaib Ahmad², Jawad Ahmad²

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.1, pp. 15-44, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.053859

Abstract Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars are gaining popularity as an alternative to steel reinforcement due to their advantages such as corrosion resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio. However, FRP has a lower modulus of elasticity compared to steel. Therefore, special attention is required in structural design to address deflection related issues and ensure ductile failure. This research explores the use of machine learning algorithms such as gene expression programming (GEP) to develop a simple and effective equation for predicting the elastic modulus of hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer (HFPR) bars. A comprehensive database of 125 experimental results of HFPR… More >

Youssef Maaloufa^1,2,3,*, Soumia Mounir^1,2,3, Sara Ibnelhaj², Fatima Zohra El Wardi⁶, Asma Souidi³, Yakubu Aminu Dodo^4,5, Malika Atigui³, Mina Amazal³, Abelhamid Khabbazi², Hassan Demrati³, Ahmed Aharoune³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 843-867, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.049942

Abstract The development of bio-sourced materials is essential to ensuring sustainable construction; it is considered a locomotive of the green economy. Furthermore, it is an abundant material in our country, to which very little attention is being given. This work aims to valorize the waste of the trunks of banana trees to be used in construction. Firstly, the physicochemical properties of the fiber, such as the percentage of crystallization and its morphology, have been determined by X-ray diffraction tests and scanning electron microscopy to confirm the potential and the impact of the mode of drying on… More >

Xiaoyu Chen^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 815-826, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.048470

Abstract A novel core-shell hydrogel bead was fabricated for effective removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions. The core, made of sodium alginate-g-polyacrylamide and attapulgite nanofibers, was cross-linked by Calcium ions (Ca). The shell, composed of a chitosan/activated carbon mixture, was then coated onto the core. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the grafting polymerization of acrylamide onto sodium alginate. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the core-shell structure. The core exhibited a high water uptake ratio, facilitating the diffusion of methylene blue into the core. During the diffusion process, the methylene blue was first adsorbed by More > Graphic Abstract

Yosr Laatiri, Habib Sammouda, Fadhel Aloulou^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 771-798, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.047022

Abstract This article aims to present the feasibility of storing thermal energy in buildings for solar water heating while maintaining the comfort environment for residential buildings. Our contribution is the creation of insulating composite panels made of bio-based phase change materials (bio-PCM is all from coconut oil), cement and renewable materials (treated wood fiber and organic clay). The inclusion of wood fibers improved the thermal properties; a simple 2% increase of wood fiber decreased the heat conductivity by approximately 23.42%. The issues of bio-PCM leakage in the cement mortar and a roughly 56.5% reduction in thermal… More > Graphic Abstract

Wadah Mohammed^1,2, Zeinab Osman², Salah Elarabi³, Bertrand Charrier^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 721-736, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.031050

Abstract The chemical composition and thermal properties of natural fibers are the most critical variables that determine the overall properties of the fibers and influence their processing and use in different sustainable applications, such as their conversion into bioenergy and biocomposites. Their thermal and mechanical properties can be estimated by evaluating the content of cellulose, lignin, and other extractives in the fibers. In this research work, the chemical composition and thermal properties of three fibers, namely bagasse, kenaf bast fibers, and cotton stalks, were evaluated to assess their potential utilization in producing biocomposites and bioenergy materials.… More >

Pshtiwan Shakor^1,2,*, Nadarajah Gowripalan³, Paul Rocker⁴

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.18, No.4, pp. 395-408, 2024, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2024.049366

Abstract Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is the most flowable concrete type that exerts high pressure on formwork. SCC is the most commonly used concrete globally for construction applications due to its cost-effectiveness. However, to make a formwork resist the exerted lateral pressure of SCC, it is required to have a suitable design for formwork. This paper presents a novel approach on how could create and prepare the Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optics using as a sensor to measure lateral pressure and temperature of SCC. To ensure the FBG sensor works properly a validated methodology is conducted. In More > Graphic Abstract

Xiangmiao Wan, Yan Tan^*, Xiong Long

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.18, No.4, pp. 505-524, 2024, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2024.049363

Abstract In this study, we assessed the impact of substituting natural fine aggregates with municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI-BA) in steel fiber (SF)-reinforced concrete on its compressive properties post high-temperature exposure. The concrete specimens incorporating MSWI-BA as the fine aggregate and SFs for reinforcement underwent uniaxial compression tests after exposure to high temperatures. Through the tests, we investigated the impact of high-temperature exposure on mechanical properties, such as mass loss rate, stress-strain full curve, compressive strength, peak strain, elastic modulus, and so on, over different thermostatic durations. The analysis revealed that with the increasing… More >

Chengpeng Zhang, Junfeng Shi^*, Caiping Huang

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.18, No.4, pp. 465-483, 2024, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2024.048705

Abstract In this paper, an intelligent damage detection approach is proposed for steel-concrete composite beams based on deep learning and wavelet analysis. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, first, following the guidelines provided by relevant standards, steel-concrete composite beams are designed, and six different damage incidents are established. Second, a steel ball is used for free-fall excitation on the surface of the steel-concrete composite beams and a low-temperature-sensitive quasi-distributed long-gauge fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensor is used to obtain the strain signals of the steel-concrete composite beams with different damage types. To reduce the… More >