This paper compares ferrite and amorphous sheets as shielding materials for NFC tag antennas on metal surfaces. The presence of metal surface poses challenges to NFC communication, impacting the reading of the tag. Effective shielding materials are necessary to mitigate these challenges. Experimental evaluations are conducted to assess the performance of the NFC tag antenna in terms of signal strength, inductance, and reading range in the presence of ferrite and amorphous materials. The results demonstrate significant enhancements in signal strength when utilizing ferrite material compared to amorphous material. However, amorphous materials offer the advantage of lower thickness, enabling broader application possibilities.

This study investigates the influence of moisture on the performance of Near Field Communication (NFC) tag antennas. NFC technology, operating at 13.56 MHz, was explored for its potential across industries such as food and soil moisture tracking. However, a substantial research gap existed concerning the performance of NFC tag antennas in moist environments, where their electromagnetic properties could be significantly altered. Therefore, the primary focus of this study is to analyze the effect of moisture on antenna parameters, including impedance, resonance frequency and tag reading range. Some comparison between wet and dry conditions has been made. The results revealed a notable shift in antenna resonant frequency and a reduction in inductance due to moisture, potentially resulting in short-circuiting risks. To address this issue, an insulating polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer was introduced to prevent electrical contact between the antenna and the water layer. Further parametric studies involved varying water layer sizes and thicknesses. While moisture had a substantial impact on antenna parameters, including inductance and resonant frequency, the NFC tag's reading range remained relatively stable. These findings show the importance of designing moisture-resistant NFC tag antennas to ensure reliability and precision in demanding environmental conditions.

Ground track response analysis is an alternative method utilized to investigate the influence of ground-borne vibrations induced by speed train on track. This study intended to get an understanding about the responsive of ground towards vibration induced from moving train. To facilitate this study, non-destructive seismic wave method was performed using new application, Sirius M instrument to identify the peak vertical acceleration generated at various running speed and track locations. The result shows the vertical acceleration data signalized from transition wave generate through passing Electric Train Service (ETS) with maximum 140km.hr −1 speed train is higher than commuter with 120km.hr −1 speed train which are 1.935m.s −2 and 1.051m.s −2 respectively. Analysis of vertical acceleration data based on different track locations corresponding to the ETS speed resulting higher peak acceleration at stable track, KM21 compared to settlement susceptible track, KM20.75 which are 6.565m.s −2 and 1.935m.s −2 respectively. The values obtained from this study indicated ground-borne vibration influenced by speed of train and different type of embankment foundation. This data can be used to assess the influences of train type and speed. Moreover, this on-site ground response measurement is potentially useful as an alternative method to determine the soil stiffness which provide an indication to the possible problematic ground susceptible to the settlement.

Generation of mud pumping is commonly triggered by a combination of three main factors such as excess fines, excess water, and cyclic loading.Excess fines particle is generated from depositing mechanisms (i.e., dust, waste material and ballast breakage) and fluidisation or internal erosion mechanism (i.e., subgrade degradation).Mud pumping phenomenon that is associated with ballast fouling has been widely discussed and is of interest among the railway engineers and researchers.However, subgrade degradation or fluidisation of subgrade layer induced mud pumping mechanism gained less attention from the researchers due to complexity of subgrade soil behavior.Various methods applicable in railway track's subgrade degradation assessment based on destructive and nondestructive test were comprehensively reviewed in this research paper.The assessment on subgrade mud pumping is based on migration of the subgrade fine mechanism including in-situ excavation test, particle size distribution test, ground penetrating radar (GPR) and physical modelling test.This paper summarizes the advantages and weaknesses of various assessment methods of subgrade degradation induced mud pumping and clarifies most effective method for repair and maintenance of railway track.

This paper is focused on the development of wideband microstrip patch antenna for Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Reader application. This RFID reader can read information from tags and allow the detection of objects. Usually, the RFID Reader has narrow bandwidth and can be used in certain country only. Therefore, this proposed antenna is designed with wideband frequency, low cost and simple structure which can be used worldwide. The operating frequency range for worldwide operation is between 860 MHz to 960 MHz. The structure of the antenna is composed of a Z-shaped feedline on the upper side of FR-4 substrate and a slotted patch on the lower side. The cutting slot method has been used in this antenna design in order to improve the antenna bandwidth as well as the size of the antenna. This RFID Reader was designed and simulated using CST Microwave Studio. The overall size of the proposed UHF RFID antenna is 100 × 100 × 1.6 mm3. The proposed RFID Reader antenna has the reflection coefficient (S11) below than -10 dB and has wideband frequency from 845 MHz to 1.09 GHz in simulation result. The measured and simulated result was compared in order to analyse the performance of the designed antenna. Other antenna parameters such as radiation pattern, bandwidth and gain has also been evaluated and analysed.

Smart meter is an enhanced energy meter that computes the energy consumption of a consumer, and delivers added information to the utility company compared to a conventional energy meter. The objective of this paper is to determine the interest level of owning smart meter amongst the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) customers in the area of Melaka, Malaysia. Questionnaire Survey method was adopted in this study and 440 numbers of questionnaires were successfully collected. The questionnaire survey was conducted using face-to-face method. The survey was conducted during pre-installation of smart meter phases in order to determine the customers’ level of interest to own smart meters. The findings shows that the majority of the customers were convinced that their personal data will be well protected, hence increasing their acceptance level to own smart meter. However, a minority of customers have expressed their concerns on privacy issues in the smart meter system. This study shows that TNB customers in Melaka, regardless of demographic profiles and background, overall have good awareness on smart living concept which was reflected in their positive feedbacks towards smart meters. The findings of this study can be inferred to similar residential and commercial areas. In general, it provides some insights on the attitude, perceptions and acceptance levels of Malaysian users towards smart metering.

Shear strength plays a significant role in in controlling the stability of geotechnical constructions. Any reduction in shear strength can cause costly damages and risk the human life. Tropical countries are covered by residual soils and clay is the content of many soils in these regions. The shear strength of clay diminishes when it starts to absorb water and soaked. In this study the effect of socking on the shear strength of a Malaysian granitic residual soil was examined by conducting a series of consolidation drained triaxial tests. The results show a reduction in shear strength while the soil was soaked.

Traditionally, standard composite steel beam section acts as a load bearing structural element to sustain an external load. However, in the event of fire, an additional fire load acts on the composite steel beam section. The combined action of the former and latter would accelerate the vertical deformation of the beam. In the case of cellular steel beam (CSB), the vertical deformation predicted to be higher. Due to these circumstances, the structural behaviour of the composite CSB were compromised leading to the critical failure mode of web-post buckling and Vierendeel bending failure. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the behaviour of the composite CSB at elevated temperature under both loading action. In this research work, validation process was initiated between the numerical simulation analysis of CSB exposed to the fire with the readily available experimental data work. The validated model was then used to simulate the composite CSB with newly added fire protection material of intumescent coating. From the finite element simulation, the predicted vertical deformation slightly decreased for thicker intumescent coating application onto the beam surface. In conclusion, by applying the intumescent coating, further improvements were predicted for the vertical deformation and subsequently maintains the strength of the composite CSB at elevated temperature.

This study aims to investigate an axial compression behaviour of prefabricated wall constructed using wood-wool cement composite panel (WWCP). A total of three full scale wall specimens were fabricated at the laboratory with dimension of 2400 mm width, 2400 mm height and 147 mm thickness. The new fabrication technique namely as cross laminated technique was considered where the walls is fabricated using two layers of 600 mm x 2400 mm x 50 mm thickness of WWCP strips, where each layer consists of four panel strips that were arranged at cross wise panel orientation. The front and rear panel strips were bonded together using 15 mm thickness of mortar paste and as a finishing 16 mm thickness of mortar base plaster were applied on both surfaces. The prefabricated wall specimens were tested under axial compression load up to failure after 28 days of curing period. The axial load carrying capacity, vertical and lateral displacement and failure mode behaviour of walls were observed during and after test conducted. The results of experimental testing recorded that; the maximum axial compression load of prefabricated wood-wool wall specimens achieved the capacity of 1038.54 kN. This shows that the new prefabricated wall constructed using cross laminated wood-wool panel can be used as a load bearing wall system for low rise building.

A natural rubber containing carbon nanotubes and carbonyl iron powder was prepared by a conventional technique using a two roll mill. The magnetic field version magnetization was conducted to study the magnetic characteristics of magnetorheological nanocomposites material (MNM) samples. This magnetic measurement is the induction method of scanning magnetic flux induced by the magnetic vibrating sample. The corresponding hysteresis graphs of MNE was plotted and the magnetization for was observed. The microstructure of the magnetic rubber was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Results revealed that the Iron particles were relatively well dispersed in an NR matrix. It was found that the sample without CNT and iron powder dispersed magnetic rubber showed lower magnetization and retentively than the other.

The dynamic properties of a natural vulcanized rubber containing different carbon nanotubes-loaded were studied for dynamic tensions of amplitude varying greatly. It was shown that both the elastic responses and viscosity change with amplitude of oscillation and with concentration of carbon nanotubes. The degree of crosslinking was enhanced by addition of filler and improved by increasing amount of filler. Decomposition mechanism of natural rubber is not altered by addition of filler, but the decomposition of temperature increased, which meant that the additional of filler enhanced thermal stability of the material.

This paper shows the analysis of high reinforced concrete buildings in Ranau that have experienced low intensity intensity earthquakes. This study refers to the performance of five (5) high rise reinforced concrete frame when subjected to a variation of low earthquake intensity analysis with 5% damping ground motion measurements. The IDARC software is used to study structures through nonlinear dynamic analysis. Beam-column points are examined to determine damage to the index and to build damage levels subject to varying seismic load. Result shows the first yielding occurred at 4.82 seconds for the beam element at when 0.05g load applied. Based on the result, all buildings cannot withstand seismic load when goes up to 0.2 ground acceleration. It may have arisen that the building is categorized to the extent of the major damage where there is structural affect and structural affect up to 0.15g intensity.

This study presents characterization of cracking in pavement distress using image processing techniques and k-nearest neighbour (kNN) classifier. The proposed semi-automated detection system for characterization on pavement distress anticipated to minimize the human supervision from traditional surveys and reduces cost of maintenance of pavement distress. The system consists of 4 stages which are image acquisition, image processing, feature extraction and classification. Firstly, a tool for image acquisition, consisting of digital camera, camera holder and tripod, is developed to capture images of pavement distress. Secondly, image processing techniques such as image thresholding, median filter, image erosion and image filling are applied. Thirdly, two features that represent the length of pavement cracking in x and y coordinate system namely delta_x and delta_y are computed. Finally, the computed features is fed to a kNN classifier to build its committee and further used to classify the pavement cracking into two types; transverse and longitudinal cracking. The performance of kNN classifier in classifying the type of pavement cracking is also compared with a modified version of kNN called fuzzy kNN classifier. Based on the results from images analysis, the semi-automated image processing system is able to consistently characterize the crack pattern with accuracy up to 90%. The comparison of analysed data with field data shows good agreement in the pavement distress characterization. Thus the encouraging results of semi-automated image analysis system will be useful for developing a more efficient road maintenance process.

This paper presents an analysis of irregular reinforced concrete buildings with respect to fundamental period of vibrations. During earthquake, reinforced concrete building with asymmetric building system experience extensive damage due to this torsional irregularity. Torsional irregularity of reinforced concrete buildings has been analysed with taking the strength and stiffness eccentricities as the main parameters of the rectangular in-plan building system. Displacement demand in reinforced concrete building has been determined in terms of fundamental period of vibrations and the behaviour of the building system was presented using the normalised displacement of buildings. The hypothetical model has been analysed has been set up using varies values of fundamental period of vibrations using Ruaumoko program and the lateral displacement of the building were extracted using Fortran program. The results indicated through the damage index showed that the fundamental period of vibration plays an important role in earthquake studies on reinforced concrete building since earthquake induced excessive displacement to the building system under the increment of the fundamental period of vibrations.

Concrete performance and workability can be improved by using an optimum amount of fly-ash. This leads to the purpose of analysing the percentage of fly-ash that can replace a certain amount of Portland cement in the concrete until it reaches the maximum strength. The experiment was conducted using G25 and G45 concrete supplied by a local ready-mix concrete plant in Kuching, Sarawak. The cement content of each concrete grade was replaced with various fly-ash percentages of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 collected from waste materials in Pending Sarawak. The specimens used in the studies were made of 150mm concrete cubes. Specimens were tested for compressive strength at the ages of 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 days. The curing age extended to 56th and 90th-day to participated slow pozzolonic reaction process contributed by fly-ash. Based on the test results for both concrete grades with enhancements, the compressive strength significantly increases from 7 days to 56 days, and then slightly increases on the 90th-day. The G25 concrete has an optimum strength with a fly-ash replacement of 30% cement content, followed by 40%, 20% and 50%. Similarly, the G45 concrete achieved an optimum strength with a fly-ash replacement about 30% cement content, followed by 20%, 40% and 50%. In addition, both grades of concrete tested have a cut-off cement replacement level of 60%, beyond which the compressive strength falls below that of the control mixtures.

Small strain triaxial test measurement is considered to be significantly accurate compared to the external strain measurement using conventional method due to systematic errors normally associated with the test. Three submersible miniature linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) mounted on yokes which clamped directly onto the soil sample at equally 120 degrees from the others. The device setup using 0.4 N resolution load cell and 16 bit AD converter was capable of consistently resolving displacement of less than 1 mu m and measuring axial strains ranging from less than 0.001% to 2.5%. Further analysis of small strain local measurement data was performed using new Normalized Multiple Yield Surface Framework (NRMYSF) method and compared with existing Rotational Multiple Yield Surface Framework (RMYSF) prediction method. The prediction of shear strength based on combined intrinsic curvilinear shear strength envelope using small strain triaxial test data confirmed the significant improvement and reliability of the measurement and analysis methods. Moreover, the NRMYSF method shows an excellent data prediction and significant improvement toward more reliable prediction of soil strength that can reduce the cost and time of experimental laboratory test.

Monitoring of structural health from initial stage of building construction to its serviceability is an ideal practise to assess for any structural defects or damages. Structural integrity could be intruded by natural destruction or structural deterioration, and worse if without remedy action on monitoring, building re-assessment or maintenance is taken. In this study the application of ambient vibration (AV) testing is utilized to evaluate the health of eighth stories medium rise reinforced concrete building in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), based comparison made between the predominant frequency, fo, determined in year 2012 and 2017. For determination of fo, popular method of Fourier Amplitude Spectra (FAS) was used to transform the ambient vibration time series by using 1 Hz tri-axial seismometer sensors and City SharkII data recorder. From the results, it shows the first mode frequencies from FAS curves indicate at 2.04 Hz in 2012 and 1.97 Hz in 2017 with only 3.14% of frequency reduction. However, steady state frequencies shown at the second and third modes frequencies of 2.42 Hz and 3.31 Hz by both years. Two translation mode shapes were found at the first and second mode frequencies in the North-South (NS-parallel to building transverse axis) and East-West (EsW-parallel to building longitudinal axis) components, and the torsional mode shape shows as the third mode frequency in both years. No excessive deformation amplitude was found at any selective floors based on comparison made between three mode shapes produced, that could bring to potential feature of structural deterioration. Low percentages of natural frequency disparity within five years of duration interval shown by the first mode frequencies under ambient vibration technique was considered in good health state, according to previous researchers recommendation at acceptable percentages below 5 to 10% over the years.

Ambient vibration (AV) technique is widely used nowadays for ground fundamental frequency prediction. This technique is easy, quick, non-destructive, less operator required and reliable result. The input motions of ambient vibration are originally collected from surrounding natural and artificial excitations. But, careful data acquisition controlled must be implemented to reduce the intrusion of short period noise that could imply the quality of frequency prediction of an investigated site. In this study, investigation on the primary noise intrusion under peak (morning, afternoon and evening) and off peak (early morning) traffic flows (only 8 meter from sensor to road shoulder) against the stability and quality of ground fundamental frequency prediction were carried out. None of specific standard is available for AV data acquisition and processing. Thus, some field and processing parameters recommended by previous studies and guideline were considered. Two units of 1 Hz tri-axial seismometer sensor were closely positioned in front of the main entrance Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. 15 minutes of recording length were taken during peak and off peak periods of traffic flows. All passing vehicles were counted and grouped into four classes. Three components of ambient vibration time series recorded in the North-South: NS, East-West: EW and vertical: UD directions were automatically computed into Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR), by using open source software of GEOPSY for fundamental ground frequency, F-o determination. Single sharp peak pattern of HVSR curves have been obtained at peak frequencies between 1.33 to 1.38 Hz which classified under soft to dense soil classification. Even identical HVSR curves pattern with close frequencies prediction were obtained under both periods of AV measurement, however the total numbers of stable and quality windows selected for HVSR computation were significantly different but both have satisfied the requirement given by SESAME (2004) guideline. Besides, the second peak frequencies from the early morning HVSR curve was clearly indicated between 8.23 to 8.55 Hz at very low amplitude (A(o) <= 2), but it should be neglected according to the similar guideline criteria. In conclusion, the ground fundamental frequency using HVSR method was successfully determined by 1 Hz seismometer instrument with recommended to specific parameters consideration on field as well as data processing, without disruption from the nearest traffic excitations.

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the potential application of Natural rubber (NR) containing Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) by measuring its shear modulus and damping ratio. Four different types of rubber specimens which fabricated with different MWCNT loadings: 0 wt% (pure natural rubber), 1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 5 wt%. It is observed that the shear modulus and damping ratio of CNTs filled rubber composites are remarkably higher than that of raw rubber indicating the inherent reinforcing potential of CNTs.

Severe damages observed on the school blocks, roads, retaining walls and drainage within the compound of SMK Kundasang Sabah possibly due to the ground movements triggered by the Ranau earthquake in 1991. Ambient vibration measurements were carried on the remaining demolished 3-storey building which partially damaged in order to measure the predominant building frequencies using tri-axial 1 Hz seismometer sensors. Popular methods of Horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) and Fourier amplitude spectra (FAS) were used to compute the ambient vibration wave fields of each building axes (Transverse or North-South (NS), Longitudinal or East-West (EW) and vertical) into Fourier spectra. Two main modes of translation and torsion were observed from the peaks frequencies obtained at 2.99 to 3.10 Hz (1st mode), 4.85 Hz (2nd mode) and 5.63 to 5.85 Hz (3rd mode). The building experiencing translation modes of bending and shear in the NS and EW directions. It could be seen when the amplitudes tends to increase when the floor are increased. Meanwhile, the torsional bending mode is expected to occur when the deformation amplitudes are found to be increasing horizontally, when moving into partially structural damaged section located on the East wing of building.