Journal of Mechanical and Construction Engineering (JMCE)

Study of Silica Fume as a Mineral Admixture for High-Performance Concrete

mohd. shoeb khan — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Silica fume, a byproduct of silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production, has emerged as a key mineral admixture in the concrete industry due to its ability to enhance mechanical and durability properties . This study investigates the influence of silica fume on M20 grade concrete, replacing cement at 5%, 10%, and 15% levels. Compressive strength and workability tests were conducted on cube specimens, with results analyzed at curing periods of 7, 14, and 28 days. Given the ultrafine nature of silica fume, a superplasticizer was utilized to maintain workability. The experimental findings indicate a substantial improvement in compressive strength, with 10% replacement yielding the most favourable results as it is highlighting the suitability of silica fume in high-performance concrete applications .

Advanced Pile Foundation Design for Disaster Resilience Using Best Worst Method and Computational Modeling

Gitartha Kalita, Palash Jyoti Hazarika — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530

The load transfer behavior at the pile-soil interface is essential for ensuring the stability and resilience of pile foundations, particularly in disaster-prone regions. The allowable load a pile can bear depends on factors such as soil type, pile dimensions, and the in-teraction between the pile and surrounding soil, all of which are critical in maintaining structural integrity during seismic events, floods, and other natural disasters. This study investigates these complexities, proposing innovative approaches to accurately calculate load transfer and optimize disaster resilience strategies. An extensive review of three decades of literature identified six foundational studies on load transfer equations. Load-settlement curves were generated using Octave software, accommodating various soil types and pile dimensions commonly encountered in disaster scenarios. To refine calculations, codes were developed to compute allowable bearing loads using formulas from the Indian Standard code. A decision tree model implemented in Python further predicted the optimal calculation methods for specific conditions under disaster stress scenarios.
Additionally, the research explored six distinct methods for evaluating allowable loads: Point by Point Curve, Cubic Root, Hiramaya Curve, Hyperbolic Curve, Krasinski Curve, and Root Curve. Among these, the Hiramaya Curve emerged as the most con-servative and reliable, offering a higher factor of safety due to its lower allowable load estimates. To enhance accuracy, weightages for each method were evaluated using the Best Worst Method, offering a systematic framework for prioritizing the methods based on their reliability and effectiveness. The findings revealed significant variations in load-bearing capacities across soil types and pile dimensions, emphasizing the necessity of site-specific designs. A novel code was also developed to streamline optimal load calculation methods, improving the efficiency, reliability, and disaster resilience of pile foundation designs. This comprehensive framework equips geotechnical engineers with adaptable tools and robust methodologies to design safer, more resilient structures across diverse geotechnical conditions.

Design and Fabrication of Convertible Rods for Chair

Siddhant Tiwari — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Ergonomics is the study of how humans interrelate with their environment in which they do their physical work. Ergonomics is a very less discussed topic. Chairs is one of the major parts of the field of ergonomics. In this article, numerous papers were re- viewed and tried to explain the evolution of chairs. It has been found that new and innovative inventions in the field of chairs for providing maximum comfort to humans and detecting their wrong postures using various types of sensors and different types of fabrics were effective. It also proposed an idea of making chairs convertible, more efficient and taking less space.

Design and Development of 3KGF Thrust Stand

Paramjyot Tiwana — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530

This paper presents the design and development of a cost-effective, modular thrust stand capable of measuring up to 3 kgf of static thrust, tailored for testing electric propulsion systems in UAVs and drones. Utilizing accessible components like a 3 kg load cell, HX711 amplifier, 30A Hall effect sensor, and ESP8266 microcontroller, the system enables real-time wireless data acquisition for thrust, current, and power metrics. Ideal for academic and small-scale aerospace setups, the stand supports live monitoring, is easily modifiable, and lays the groundwork for advanced future testing such as torque, temperature, and multi-axis force analysis.

Thin-Walled Structures in Structural Engineering: A Comprehensive Review of Design Innovations, Stability Challenges, and Sustainable Frontiers

Girmay Mengesha Azanaw — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Due to their high strength-to-weight ratios and efficiency in material usage, thin-walled structures are a key part of modern structural engineering. Here we present a review of important developments in design innovations, stability issues, and sustainability. Finite element analysis, topology optimization, and AI techniques have revolutionized structural performance enhancement by optimizing load paths and re-distributing geometry for better structural stability. However, these advances do not render thin-walled structures immune to buckling, such as local, global and distortional failure. Complex failure mechanisms resulting from geometric imperfections and material properties require accurate predictive models and experimental validation. Diseased patients are excluded from multi-scale simulations, and their integration with aromatic heuristics to check robustness up to disease progresses are under current research. Sustainability is another crucial frontier, with emphasis on recycled materials, lightweight design, and energy-efficient manufacturing. Life-cycle assessment studies highlight the environmental benefits of these strategies, demonstrating reduced carbon footprints and resource consumption. These approaches not only improve sustainability but also enhance structural durability and cost efficiency. In future works, real-time design optimization using AI, hybrid fabrication processes through integration of additive manufacturing with traditional approaches, as well as smart materials with self-healing properties can be established further. This will be crucial to furthering the next generation of environmentally responsible, thin-walled structures that optimize structural performance. In summary, this review highlights the evolution of synergy between design, stability and sustainable development of thin-walled structures. The results offer some valuable guideposts to researchers and engineers, guiding the development of resilient, efficient, and eco-friendly structural systems.

Bridging 3D-Printed and Cast Concrete: A Review of Mechanical Bond Behavior, Composite Action, and Sustainable Protective Structures

Girmay Mengesha Azanaw — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0530

New possibilities in digital construction are made possible by the combination of 3D printed concrete with traditional cast concrete, which allows for the quick fabrication of hybrid structures that blend structural efficiency, customization, and geometric intricacy. The mechanical bond behavior and composite action at the interface between cast concrete and 3D printed concrete, however, continue to be significant obstacles influencing the overall performance, longevity, and structural integrity of such hybrid systems. In order to clarify the interfacial mechanisms driving load transmission, failure modes, and bond strength development, this thorough study examines current developments in experimental techniques and numerical modelling approaches. Additionally, the research examines how printing parameters, interface preparation methods, and reinforcing tactics can improve composite activity. At the same time, the assessment assesses the application and design of 3D printed concrete for protective constructions, such as—including blast-resistant barriers, disaster shelters, and impact-absorbing walls—highlighting their performance under extreme loading conditions. Through a comparative analysis of existing findings, we identify research gaps, standardization needs, and future directions for optimizing mechanical synergy in hybrid 3D printing systems. Visual summaries including comparative tables, bond stress–slip relationship charts, and schematic illustrations of interface mechanisms are provided to facilitate deeper understanding. This review contributes to the foundation for the next generation of high-performance, sustainable, and rapidly deployable concrete structures.