Munawar Hussain

Bio: Munawar Hussain is an academic researcher from University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore. The author has contributed to research in topics: Straw & Pozzolan. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 4 citations.

Experimental investigation of pozzolanic concrete containing wheat straw ash

Abstract: This study investigated the detailed optimization of wheat straw ash (WSA) as a pozzolanic material. Characterization of WSA as pozzolanic materials was carried out according to ASTM C618 and resul...

Studies on the Effect of Rice Husk Ash as Cement Admixture | Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Open Education Resources (OER)

Abstract: Compressive strength tests were carried out on six mortar cubes with cement replaced by rice husk ash (RHA) at five levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%). After the curing age of 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. The compressive strengths of the cubes at 10% replacement were 12.60, 14.20, 22.10, 28.50 and 36.30 N/mm2 respectively and increased with age of curing but decreased with increase in RHA content for all mixes. The chemical analysis of the rice husk ash revealed high amount of silica (68.12%), alumina (1.01%) and oxides such as calcium oxide (1.01%) and iron oxide (0.78%) responsible for strength, soundness and setting of the concrete. It also contained high amount of magnesia (1.31%) which is responsible for the unsoundness. This result, therefore, indicated that RHA can be used as cement substitute at 10% and 20% replacement and 14 and 28 day curing age.

Modeling the biodiesel production using the wheat straw ash as a catalyst: Original scientific paper

Abstract: Wheat straw ash (WSA) was investigated as a new catalyst in biodiesel production from sunflower oil. The catalyst was characterized by temperature-programmed decomposition, X-ray powder diffraction, Hg porosimetry, N2 physisorption, and scanning electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy methods. The methanolysis reaction was tested in the temperature range of 55–65 oC, the catalyst loading range 10–20 % of the oil weight, and the methanol-to-oil molar ratio range 18 : 1–24 : 1. The reaction conditions of the sunflower oil methanolysis over WSA were optimized by using the response surface methodology in combination with the historical experimental design. The optimum process conditions ensuring the highest fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content of 98.6 % were the reaction temperature of 60.3 oC, the catalyst loading of 11.6 % (based on the oil weight), the methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 18.3 :1, and the reaction time of 124 min. The values of the statistical criteria, such as coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.811, R2pred = 0.789, R2adj = 0.761) and the mean relative percent deviation (MRPD) value of 10.6 % (66 data) implied the acceptability and precision of the developed model. The FAME content after 4 h of reaction under the optimal conditions decreased to 37, 12, and 3 %, after the first, second, and third reuse, respectively.

An Investigation of the Void Structure of Lightweight Concrete Containing Waste Undersize Pumice Additive Using Nondestructive Methods

Abstract: Aggregate type and grain size are crucial factors that present significant characteristics on the strength. Within this context, the determination of the void ratio has an important place. This study aimed to examine the void structures of lightweight concrete specimens containing waste undersize pumice additive. The void ratio of the specimens was calculated by the porosity and void ratio determination (PVRD). The nondestructive ultrasonic pulse velocity test (NUPVT) was performed on the specimens, and the wave transmission characteristics were investigated. The void characteristics of the pores in the specimens were analyzed by digital image processing (DIP). After the identification of the texture, the void ratios were determined by the DIP with an accuracy of 93 to 97%. After the nondestructive and experimental studies, the compressive strength values of the specimens were determined by the uniaxial pressure tests and the void ratio-strength correlations were evaluated. As a result, it was determined that nondestructive methods yield similar results with PVRD to determine the void characteristics of specimens containing waste undersize pumice. In the study, the effects of wave characteristics passing through the specimen on the void structure and strength were revealed.

Optimization of Hybrid Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite Using Red Mud and Wheat Husk Ash

Abstract: In this work, low-cost hybrid aluminium metal matrix composites were developed using wheat husk ash and red mud as reinforcement. Compositions varies from 5 to 15 wt%, through the stir casting process, and its mechanical characterizations (such as density, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and Rockwell hardness) were calculated, and these results were optimized by ANOVA and regression analysis. It is evaluated that the density of composite material varies from 2.6 to 2.8 kg/m3, and yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength values improve with the amount of red mud. The hardness value ranges from 55 to 74 HRB. By ANOVA analysis, it is concluded that red mud and wheat husk ash reinforcement and their combination fall within the 90% probability level (p-value below 0.10). Here, red mud contribution is maximum than wheat husk ash and the combination of red mud with wheat husk ash.