Research highlights? The use of multiple regression (MR), artificial neural network (ANN) and artificial neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models, for the prediction of swell percent of soils, was described and compared. ? However the accuracies of ANN and ANFIS models may be evaluated relatively similar, it is shown that the constructed ANN models of RBF and MLP exhibit a high performance than ANFIS and multiple regression for predicting swell percent of clays. ? The performance comparison showed that the soft computing system is a good tool for minimizing the uncertainties in the soil engineering projects. ? The use of soft computing will also may provide new approaches and methodologies, and minimize the potential inconsistency of correlations. In the recent years, new techniques such as; artificial neural networks and fuzzy inference systems were employed for developing of the predictive models to estimate the needed parameters. Soft computing techniques are now being used as alternate statistical tool. Determination of swell potential of soil is difficult, expensive, time consuming and involves destructive tests. In this paper, use of MLP and RBF functions of ANN (artificial neural networks), ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system) for prediction of S% (swell percent) of soil was described, and compared with the traditional statistical model of MR (multiple regression). However the accuracies of ANN and ANFIS models may be evaluated relatively similar. It was found that the constructed RBF exhibited a high performance than MLP, ANFIS and MR for predicting S%. The performance comparison showed that the soft computing system is a good tool for minimizing the uncertainties in the soil engineering projects. The use of soft computing will also may provide new approaches and methodologies, and minimize the potential inconsistency of correlations.

Multiple regression, ANN (RBF, MLP) and ANFIS models for prediction of swell potential of clayey soils

Phytic acid: A bio-based flame retardant for cotton and wool fabrics

This investigation is carried out to understand the effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties of hybrid phenol formaldehyde (PF) composite fabricated with Areca Fine Fibres (AFFs) and Calotropis Gigantea Fibre (CGF). Hybrid CGF/AFF/PF composites were manufactured using the hand layup technique at varying weight percentages of fibre reinforcement (25, 35 and 45%). Hybrid composite having 35 wt.% showed better mechanical properties (tensile strength ca. 59 MPa, flexural strength ca. 73 MPa and impact strength 1.43 kJ/m2) under wet and dry conditions as compared to the other hybrid composites. In general, the inclusion of the fibres enhanced the mechanical properties of neat PF. Increase in the fibre content increased the water absorption, however, after 120 h of immersion, all the composites attained an equilibrium state.

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Effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties of hybrid natural fibre/phenol formaldehyde composites.

Synergistic effect of nano silicon dioxide and ammonium polyphosphate on flame retardancy of wood fiber–polyethylene composites Part A Applied science and manufacturing

Advancements in polymer science and engineering have helped the scientific community to shift its attention towards the use of environmentally benign materials for reducing the environmental impact of conventional synthetic plastics. Biopolymers are environmentally benign, chemically versatile, sustainable, biocompatible, biodegradable, inherently functional, and ecofriendly materials that exhibit tremendous potential for a wide range of applications including food, electronics, agriculture, textile, biomedical, and cosmetics. This review also inspires the researchers toward more consumption of biopolymer-based composite materials as an alternative to synthetic composite materials. Herein, an overview of the latest knowledge of different natural- and synthetic-based biodegradable polymers and their fiber-reinforced composites is presented. The review discusses different degradation mechanisms of biopolymer-based composites as well as their sustainability aspects. This review also elucidates current challenges, future opportunities, and emerging applications of biopolymeric sustainable composites in numerous engineering fields. Finally, this review proposes biopolymeric sustainable materials as a propitious solution to the contemporary environmental crisis. • Use of biopolymers has emerged as a new paradigm of the ecological conservation. • Biopolymeric composites are easily degraded under the possible source of degraded environment. • Biopolymers have found their applications in biomedical, food, electronics, cosmetics and other emerging fields. • Further understanding on their mode of action through this comprehensive review will imparts knowledge. 

Biopolymeric Sustainable Materials and their Emerging Applications

Freeze‐thaw cycles can lead to serious damage of early‐age concrete and influence its behaviour at later ages. In this study, the later‐age compressive strength, resistance to chloride penetration and resistance to freeze‐thaw of early frost‐damaged concrete were experimentally studied and the relationship between its early‐ (i.e., strength and resistivity) and later‐age (i.e., strength, chloride ion electric flux and freeze‐thaw durability factor) performance indices were analysed. Results show that the later‐age performance of the concrete subjected to freeze‐thaw cycles at early age was generally worse than that of the control samples, which had not undergone early frost damage. This was especially significant for the concrete subjected to freeze‐thaw cycles before the age of 24 h. The compressive strength after early frost action had a higher linear correlation with the later‐age indices of the concrete than the compressive strength before early frost action. Results also showed that the early‐age resistivity is a good indicator for the later‐age performance of early frost‐damaged concrete if the pre‐curing time before frosting is at least 24 h.

Rhoda Afriyie Mensah

Papers

Correlation between early- and later-age performance indices of early frost-damaged concrete

Surface coated ZnO powder as flame retardant for wood: A short communication.