Influence of Steel Fibers on the Behavior of Light Weight Concrete Made from Crushed Clay Bricks
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
109-116
Received:
15 July 2014
Accepted:
26 July 2014
Published:
10 August 2014
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of steel fibers on some properties of light weight concrete. The coarse aggregate used in this study made from crushed clay bricks. Four proportions of steel fibers are used (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) by volume of concrete, in addition, to reference mix (without steel fibers). The density obtained from experimental work was 1812 Kg/m³. The results showed that, in general, the adding of steel fibers led to increase the compressive strength of light weight concrete. The enhancement in compressive strength was about (17%-43%) at 7 days and (21%-51%) at 28 days as compared with reference mix. Also, it is deduced that, the proportion (0.75%) of steel fibers is the optimum one. On the other hand, splitting tensile strength increased by about 62.62%, 33.76%, 17.27% and 5.93% for light weight concrete with 1%, 0.75%, 0.5% and 0.25% steel fibers by volume of concrete respectively. Furthermore, flexural strength improved by about 54.24%, 41.67%, 29.25% and 20.91% for light weight concrete with 1%, 0.75%, 0.5% and 0.25% steel fiber by volume of concrete respectively. Finally, the results indicated that, there are significant increases in static modulus of elasticity and absorption for mixes which have steel fibers as compared with others without steel fibers.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of steel fibers on some properties of light weight concrete. The coarse aggregate used in this study made from crushed clay bricks. Four proportions of steel fibers are used (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%) by volume of concrete, in addition, to reference mix (without steel fibers). The density ob...
Show More
Motorcycle Taxis in Public Transportation Services within the Accra Metropolis
Yaw Adubofour Tuffour,
Daniel Kofi Nti Appiagyei
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 4, July 2014
Pages:
117-122
Received:
31 August 2014
Accepted:
15 September 2014
Published:
20 September 2014
Abstract: The Road Traffic Act (Act 683) passed in 2004 by the Parliament of Ghana precludes the use of motorcycles to carry fare-paying passengers, yet motorcycle taxi services are gradually gaining root within the public transportation sector in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana. Even though the services are not yet operated city-wide, they have begun raising public concern. This study looked at the operation and management of motorcycle taxi services in Accra and surveyed the opinions of operators, users and non-users on the services. It was established that motorcycle taxi services in the Accra Metropolis are patronized mostly by short-distance urban commuters, particularly during peak periods of traffic flow when there is heavy congestion. Patronage is gender- and age-biased as majority of patrons are male and young. Due to lack of regulation, the services tend to be concentrated along only a few routes perceived by the operators as profitable. Public opinion and acceptance of this form of public transportation are mixed. Of the 201 non-users interviewed, a slight majority (56%) thought that the ban implicit in the Road Traffic Act on such forms of public transportation must be enforced. Most (68%) of the patrons interviewed considered the services convenient for beating traffic congestion and safe due to the short trip lengths. Commuters who shy away from the services cited safety (46%) and illegality of services (34%) as their major concerns; only 4% cited the fear of falling into the hands of criminals as a concern. For the service providers, most of whom are no more than high school graduates, the taxis offer subsistence in a country where employment is hard to come by.
Abstract: The Road Traffic Act (Act 683) passed in 2004 by the Parliament of Ghana precludes the use of motorcycles to carry fare-paying passengers, yet motorcycle taxi services are gradually gaining root within the public transportation sector in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana. Even though the services are not yet operated city-wide, they have begun raising pu...
Show More
