This study investigates the characterization and mechanical performance of Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) mixtures modified with two types of polymers: styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) and high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE). Neat asphalt cement PG 64-16 was modified using a higher content of SBS and PE at concentrations of 6%, 7%, and 8% by weight of asphalt through the dry blending method to produce Highly Modified Asphalts (HiMA). The physical and rheological properties of the modified binders were evaluated using penetration, softening point, rotational viscosity, and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests. Also, their phase compatibility and morphological changes were evaluated using the storage stability testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The mechanical performance of the corresponding SMA mixtures was assessed through Marshall stability and flow, moisture susceptibility, crack tolerance index (CT-index), resilient modulus, and rutting resistance tests. Also, a mechanistic durability analysis was conducted using the KENLAYER software. Results indicated that both polymers enhanced the binder’s stiffness and high-temperature performance, with SBS exhibiting greater overall improvements. SBS-modified binders displayed a relatively low softening point difference (ΔT) of 5.1 °C to 5.8 °C, indicating good thermal stability and uniform polymer dispersion. In contrast, PE-modified binders exhibited significantly higher ΔT values, reaching 13.5 °C with 8% PE content, indicating a greater tendency toward phase separation. Moreover, Marshall stability improved substantially, increasing by 43% for 8% SBS-modified mixes and 28% for 8% PE-modified mixes compared to the neat SMA mix. Flow number (FN) results indicated enhanced rutting resistance, with FN values increasing by 2.45 times for SBS mixes and 2.1 times for PE mixes at 8% polymer content. Additionally, moisture susceptibility was significantly improved, as evidenced by the tensile strength ratio (TSR) values of 97% with 8% SBS and 92% with 8% PE, compared to 81% for the neat mix. Resilient modules increased notably, with a 38% rise for 8% SBS mixes and a 24% rise for 8% PE mixes, reflecting enhanced stiffness and load-bearing capacity. Also, the CT-index significantly improved, reaching values of 154 for the 8% SBS mix and 127 for the 8% PE-modified mix, compared to 86 for the neat mix, indicating enhanced resistance to cracking. Finally, both polymer-modified mixes demonstrated improved durability, where the 8% SBS mix exhibited the longest design life (21.66 years) and the highest number of allowable load repetitions (5.42 × 106), followed by 8% PE (13.98 years and 3.50 × 106 repetitions).
The manganese doped zinc sulfide nanoparticles were synthesized by simple aqueous chemical reaction of manganese chloride, zinc acetate and thioacitamide in aqueous solution. Thioglycolic acid is used as capping agent for controlling the nanoparticle size. The main advantage of the ZnS:Mn nanoparticles of diameter ~ 2.73 nm is that the sample is prepared by using non-toxic precursors in a cost effective and eco-friendly way. The structural, morphological and chemical composition of the nanoparticles have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The nanosize of the prepared nanoparticles was elucidated by Scan
... Show MoreThis study was conducted in 2018, at Technical College of Applied Sciences, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, and Kurdistan Region-Iraq. The aim of the study was to determinate nutritional compositions and some elemental contents in marketable white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) that is collected in local markets of Kurdistan Region-Iraq. Five different samples (A: Penjwen product fresh, B: Sulaimani product fresh, C: American caned, D: Valencia Netherlandcaned and E: Erbil product fresh) were collected to be observed. The elements were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry methods, and their chemical compassions were determined, too. The collected data were analyzed by One Way ANOVA. The highest fat, protein, fiber and dry matte
... Show MoreThe Present Work includes the study of the population dynamics of Armadillidium vulgare in AL- Jadiriya region in Baghdad. Monthly samples were collected using a quadrat 0.0625 m2 from November 2007 to November 2008.. The population density of A.vulgare, ranged from 880 ind/m2 in May to251 ind/m2 in January respectively. This species showed high aggregation dispersion in the study area. The sex ratio showed that the number of females were more than that of males and significantly differd (P < 0.05) during the reproductive months. Furthermore, it was found that the juveniles of species were present at most time of the year, But the large sized groups have been observed during summer and spring. And showed a positive linear correlations betwe
... Show MoreIn Iraq, the domestic goat
The research aims to identify the impact of the visual teaching strategy by using infographics mathematics achievement for intermediate grade students. The experimental research method was adopted, as the experimental design of two independent and equal groups with a post test was used, whereas the experiment was applied on a sample consisting of (52) male students from first- intermediate grade students in (Al-Haq Al-Mubin intermediate school for Boys) of the General Directorate in Anbar Governorate - Department Education in Fallujah for the academic year (2021-2022), and the research sample was distributed equally on the two research groups, and Division (B) was chosen randomly to be the experimental group, while Division (A) was the cont
... Show MoreThis study aimed to investigate the role of Big Data in forecasting corporate bankruptcy and that is through a field analysis in the Saudi business environment, to test that relationship. The study found: that Big Data is a recently used variable in the business context and has multiple accounting effects and benefits. Among the benefits is forecasting and disclosing corporate financial failures and bankruptcies, which is based on three main elements for reporting and disclosing that, these elements are the firms’ internal control system, the external auditing, and financial analysts' forecasts. The study recommends: Since the greatest risk of Big Data is the slow adaptation of accountants and auditors to these technologies, wh
... Show MoreThe concept of quality of auditing profession comes on top of the concerns of the international business community and international institutions particularly now following the impact of the several failures and financial hardships suffered by the major companies in the recent collapse of money markets in some countries of the world and fear of their recurrence in the future.An observer of the local and international rules and standards (or principles) finds that these include such implications have direct or indirect effects on the performance of the service of the accountant and auditor, which should upgrade their professional performance in these services to a high level of quality so as to be in line with the requirements, principles
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