Abstract Using hot asphalt mixtures (HMAs) is very common in flexible pavement construction due to its mechanical properties of durability, water resistance, and riding comfort. It proved to substantially reduce the applied stresses from vehicular traffic to subgrade. However, these types of pavements can undergo different types of distress such as cracks and rutting, which could be the result of weak mixing of the asphalt mixture and/or increasing traffic volumes. Therefore, the need to improve the mechanical properties of hot mix asphalt mixtures using different additives and modifiers was raised. Different materials have been recently used to reinforce asphalt concrete. For the construction of road pavements, using fibers in a HMA has emerged as a significantly more appealing option due to their strengthening properties. The alteration of asphalt binder is expected to benefit from carbon fibers (CFs) more than other types of fiber. In this study, an experimental study is carried out to investigate the effects of adding CFs to the asphalt mixtures with grades of (40–50) which comply with the Iraqi specifications. Twelve Marshall specimens were tested for stability and flow, 24 specimens for moisture failure testing, and two specimens for the rutting resistance of the asphalt mixture. The optimum bitumen content of 5.0% was used to prepare all the specimens. Different percentages of CFs by weight of asphalt (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6%) were implemented to study the performance of paving mixtures. The way to mix the disperse the CFs homogeneously is by dry state (after separating the fibers manually) for 10 min, and then the asphalt was added; the mixture was heated to 165°C and mixed for at least 20 min. The results showed that the optimum properties of the HMA were reached by adding 0.4% CF to the HMA. Marshall stability was increased by 48%, the flow was decreased by 23%, and in addition, rut depth was reduced by 50%. The unit weight and the percentage of air voids in the mix were maintained and, along with other mix properties, are preserved within acceptable limits. Moreover, the indirect tensile strength has increased by 88.6%. Furthermore, moisture susceptibility reached 88%. Therefore, the addition of 0.4% CFs improved the performance of HMA at a high temperature of 60°C, which is close to the paving temperature in Iraq, by reducing the rutting of the asphalt mixture, which is considered the most dangerous tiling problem in Iraq. By improving the performance characteristics of asphalt mixture, the durability of the pavement will increase, and the riding will be more comfortable.

Abstract A spatial model of a vibratory conveyor supported on steel-elastomer vibration isolators and vibrated by two inertial vibrators is presented in this article. The results of analyses of the effect of the layout of vibrators on the operation of the conveyor are presented. Displacement of the line of action of vibrators resultant force beyond the machine mass center causes the drift of the trough movement from the desirable rectilinear motion and problems associated with the unevenness of material movement. Three main cases were analyzed in the article: the displacement of the center of mass of the machine body from the straight line of action of the resultant for the vibrators, rotation of the main axes of inertia of the conveyor body in the working plane of the conveyor, and the oblique-angular resonance. The model presented in this article is used to consider coupling between vibrators and the body of the machine, which is responsible for the process of self-synchronization of the vibrators and the correctness of machine operation. The results of the theoretical analyses presented in this article were verified by laboratory tests and references to observations based on the authors’ industrial experience.

Abstract This research is devoted to the development of innovative technology for automation of the quality management system (QMS) of enterprises in Kazakhstan and its adaptation to the management system of enterprises. This article deals with quality, as an important strategic tool in business. System effectiveness evaluation of quality management enterprises is of great importance connected with the formation of rational decisions in the management of QMSs, including specificity of quality indicators, multi-level system, the necessity to choose the optimal number of performance indicators, and system status evaluation. The objective and relevance of this research are related to the need to (1) solve the problems of quality management in the digital economy, following from the relevant National programs of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which are important at this step of in-depth scientific research; (2) guarantee the competitiveness of domestic enterprises with high-quality requirements for products and services; (3) improve the efficiency of automated QMSs; (4) save resources (human and timing) in data processing. The method and model of automated enterprise quality management and intelligent automated system of quality management of enterprise integrated with ruling MICS (Management Information and Control System) subsystems are offered allowing to automate QMS implementation and support processes and increasing the validity, efficiency and effectiveness of management decisions by automating a number of functions of decision makers and personnel.

Abstract The evaluation of the spatial and temporal distribution of groundwater recharge is required to develop the regional groundwater model for more precise simulations of various management scenarios. WetSpass-M (Water and Energy Transfer between Soil, Plants, and Atmosphere under Steady-State Conditions), which is a GIS-based spatially distributed water balance model, is deployed to evaluate monthly groundwater recharge, surface runoff, and actual evapotranspiration in the Low Folded Zone from 2000 to 2019. ArcGIS software prepares the essential relevant input data for the Wetspass-M model as grid maps. They include monthly climatological measurements (precipitation, temperature, and wind speed), land cover distribution, soil map, groundwater depth, topography, and slope. The mean annual groundwater recharge, evapotranspiration, and runoff were found to be 128, 131, and 72 mm, respectively. Accordingly, recharge accounts for 39% of the precipitation, while the rest, 40 and 21%, become evapotranspiration and surface runoff, respectively. WetSpass-M model results are meant to enable integrated groundwater modeling. The study of simulation data demonstrates that the WetSpass-M model accurately simulates the hydrological water budget components of the Low Folded Zone. In addition, a better understanding of the simulated spatial and temporal distribution of water balance components is beneficial for managing and planning the available water resources of the Low Folded Zone in Iraq, which faces water scarcity threats.

Abstract Extended end-plate type connections are widely utilized in steel assemblies for easy production and assembly. The proper end-plate and bolt selection is paramount to confirming safety and economy in all connections and, consequently, steel buildings. This study presented an approach for refined parametric three-dimensional finite element analysis of bolted steel beam-to-beam extended end-plate connections. The model considers geometrical and material non-linearity to determine the impact of various factors on the connection’s performance. The proposed model was used to construct a parametric study. The study variables were bolt diameter and end-plate thickness, focusing on how thick and thin end plates affect connection conductivity. Numerical outcomes demonstrate that the connection's flexural strength and stiffness capability improved by increasing the end-plate thickness and bolt diameter. Finally, the analysis results were assessed, and the main conclusions were presented.

Abstract Recurring congestion on highways is the primary cause of traffic congestion in the urban traffic system while jams on merging sections are the worst section along the expressway. Due to the presence of heavy congestion in the site of University of Technology, this study aims to discover the traffic characteristics of this site to determine the appropriate solutions. Therefore, this study selects a merging section on Mohammed Al-Qassim expressway to investigate some characteristics of such a section in Iraq. Field data have been collected from this site for 4 h. The data were collected from video cameras installed along the expressway in Baghdad city which is called Mohammed Al-Qassim Expressway. These data present flow of upstream and ramp. The Advanced Interactive Microscopic Simulator for Urban and Non-Urban Networks (AIMSUN) program was also adopted to investigate other characteristics which are difficult to get such as speed and occupancy for the current case. The results showed that the simulated and real data significantly corresponded. In this study, the AIMSUN program received recognition by utilizing Geoffrey E. Havers a method for comparing two sets of traffic volumes that are used in traffic engineering, traffic forecasting, and traffic modeling as it was discovered to be comparable to reality, and the road management was then enhanced by the addition of ramp metering and cycle (green) time control.

Abstract Turbines are one of the most important means of producing clean energy, as they do not cause any negative emissions affecting the environment. Recently, the need to design turbines capable of facing strong winds has appeared because the currently designed turbines must be cut off in such circumstances. This study aims to find the best design parameters and investigate the efficiency of the jet turbine at high wind speed conditions. SolidWorks and MatLab are used to design and analyze small jet wind turbines. The design parameters were chosen to obtain the best efficiency. The turbine diameter is 0.5 m, and the short blade length helps withstand the generated stresses due to strong wind, especially fatigue stress, and resists bending. Blade pitch angle beta starts from 2° from the vertical axis at the hub and changes harmonically along the length to end at an angle of 88° at the blade’s tip to allow air to pass through and not form a wall. The blade number has chosen 15 blades, corresponding to the Betz limit, to obtain the maximum power coefficient. As a result, the assigned power was obtained at a wind speed of 28 m/s. At a lower wind speed, it will work with acceptable efficiency and more efficiently at higher speeds. Therefore, this turbine is suitable to use in such cases.

Abstract This study investigated the effect of reducing seepage under a hydraulic structure. This article aims to find positional equations for the control devices that reduce the seepage under the hydraulic structure. Using lengths and angles of sheet-piles under the hydraulic structure where the sheet-pile was placed up- and downstream, respectively, upon the hydraulic structure with anisotropy soil hypothetically affects both uplift pressure and seepage values. The experiments were conducted in two cases: in the first case, a couple of sheet-piles were oriented to the upstream passage; while in the second case, they were oriented to the downstream. Then, the second case was compared with three sheet-piles placed upstream, downstream, and intermediate to the passage. For each experiment (at the hydraulic toe position), the major affecting parameters such as the uplift pressure, gradient exit, and outlet flow rate were found. A correlation equation to correlate the exit gradient and discharge parameters was developed.

Abstract As an extension of recent developments in concrete understanding, an extensive study is currently being conducted on the structural performance of reactive powder concrete (RPC). This article guides how to investigate the shear behavior of RPC T-beams and calculate their ultimate and breaking shear capacities. The mechanical features of this construction material and approach to revising the reactive powder shear hybrid segment T-beams are cast-off in this motion and are investigated in this experimental study. To evaluate the effects of volumetric ratio of steel fibers, silica fume ratio, and tensile steel ratio, introductory section on the effectiveness of T-beam shearing reactive powder, the program of experimentation involved trying four beams. The research aimed to determine the deflection conduct of the load, downtime approach, strain amount over the beams’ depth, and failure form of cracks. In examining reaction powder’s mechanical characteristics mixtures, steel fiber volumetric ratio and silica fume volumetric ratio were also studied. Furthermore, a hybrid beam study revealed that by using reactive powder web and regular concrete in flange effectively, T-beam concert is enhanced when associated with normal concrete T-beams by 12%. Hybrid beams have also revealed that using reactive powder flange and usual concrete in a web effectively advances the show of T-beams when associated with standard concrete T-beams by 28%.

Abstract This research investigated the feasibility of using waste-expanded polystyrene (EPS) and mortar to produce lightweight aggregate (LWA). The EPS extracted from the leftover backing waste was crushed into beads using an electric grinder and mixed in three different proportions with two types of mortars (with and without a superplasticizer). Physical property tests such as loose bulk density and water absorption were carried out for the LWA. Also, the compressive strength of the manufactured lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) was determined, and failure modes were discussed. The results indicate that using the EPS is effective for LWA. The loose bulk density is obtained at a range from 588 to 790 kg/m 3 790\hspace{0.33em}{\text{kg/m}}^{3} , which meets the requirements of the American society for testing and materials C330 specification of LWA. For water absorption, the value obtained ranges from 6.45 to 14.05%, slightly higher than the normal aggregate due to the voids in the LWA. When using LWA containing a superplasticizer to produce LWAC, the compressive strength was higher than the concrete with LWA without a superplasticizer. The highest compressive strength for LWAC was 21 MPa.