Research Articles

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This will include all research articles published by all scholars of Kabale University in diverse disciplines.

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Browsing Research Articles by Author "Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri"

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    Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties.
    (Scientific Reports, 2025) Mydin, Md Azree Othuman; Azman, Nurul Zahirah Noor; Awoyera, Paul O.; Özkılıç, Yasin Onuralp; Fadugba, Olaolu George; Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri; Omar, Roshartini; Datta, Shuvo Dip
    This study presents a novel approach to enhancing the properties of lightweight foam mortar (LFM) by utilizing bamboo stem ash (BSA) as a partial cement replacement. Unlike traditional supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or silica fume, BSA provides a special blend of lightweight properties and a high silica concentration. Thus, the effect of BSA (in proportions of 0–25% and steps of 5%) on the mortars’ fresh, hardened, microscale properties, such as workability, density, strength, durability, and microstructural characteristics, was explored. At 15% BSA replacement, the compressive strength reached 8.25 MPa at 28 days, 7% higher than the control mix (7.7 MPa). The study identifies 15% BSA as the optimal replacement level, striking a balance between mechanical strength, durability, and thermal insulation. Beyond 15%, increased porosity begins to reduce strength, while thermal resistance continues to improve. Thus, a 10–15% replacement range is recommended for applications requiring structural integrity and insulation. The density of the foam mortar decreased from 1000 kg/m3 for the control mix to 960 kg/m3 at 20% BSA replacement, improving the material’s lightweight characteristics. Also, the porosity increased from 24.8% (control) to 30.2% (25% BSA), positively influencing thermal insulation properties. Thermal conductivity measurements indicated a reduction from 0.25 W/mK (control) to 0.18 W/mK at 25% BSA replacement, demonstrating improved thermal resistance. BSA incorporation improves the pore structure and fosters stronger interfacial bonding within the matrix, especially at 15% replacement, according to microstructural investigation using SEM. The water absorption rate increased slightly from 18.2% (control) to 21.6% (25% BSA), still within reasonable bounds for lightweight construction applications. As demonstrated by the mortars’ notable performance, BSA may effectively replace OPC in LFM, improving its mechanical, thermal, and environmental qualities. With the results, BSA has shown potential for developing eco-friendly building materials and aiding in reducing carbon emissions in the built environment. These results show that BSA can be a green and practical substitute for OPC in lightweight building applications, especially for prefabricated panels, insulation layers, and non-load-bearing walls. Its ability to enhance mechanical strength while reducing thermal conductivity makes it a promising material for energy-efficient and sustainable building solutions.
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    Effect of varying nano-boron nitride content on foamed concrete containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles
    (Scientific Reports, 2025) Mydin, Othuman Md Azree; Sor, Nadhim Hamah; Ziad N. Taqieddin; Isleem, Haytham F.; Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri; Awoyera, Paul O.; Fadugba, Olaolu George; Tawfik, Taher A.
    This study focused on investigating mixing boron nitride (BN) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles in enhancing the foamed concrete (FC) characteristics. Despite the presence of independent studies on each material addition, there is little study on their combined effects, especially with enhancements in durability, mechanical properties, and thermal performance of FC for sustainable building usage. The current research aims to examine the effects of varying BN doses (0.025–0.1% by weight of cement) with the use of constant 1% TiO₂ on fresh characteristics, microstructure, pore structure, mechanical performance, shrinkage, and thermal behavior. The results showed a slight reduction in slump and setting time, accompanied by a rise in dry density. At 0.075% BN, the 28-day compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths increased by 44.27%, 52.1%, and 57.14%, respectively. Thermal conductivity increased by 7.2%, whereas shrinkage decreased by 52.30% at 28 days. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) proved the enhanced pore architecture characterized by a reduced average pore diameter and an increased volume proportion of fine capillary pores. The findings demonstrate the capability of the BN–TiO₂ hybrid system to greatly improve the durability and thermal performance of FC, causing an increase in service life and a decrease in environmental impact.
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    Experimental and analytical study of lightweight foamed concrete reinforced with sugarcane bagasse fiber
    (Scientific Reports, 2025) Sattar, Afiya Abdul; Mydin, Md Azree Othuman; Taqieddin, Ziad N.; Jagadesh, P.; Omar, Roshartini; Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri; Awoyera, Paul O.; Fadugba, Olaolu George; Vasić, Milica V.
    Growing environmental concerns have intensified research into sustainable construction materials, such as natural fiber-reinforced concrete. Among these, lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) stands out for its reduced material consumption, improved thermal insulation, and lower environmental footprint. The integration of natural fibers, such as sugarcane bagasse fiber (SBF), into LFC has the potential to further enhance its performance. This study investigates the influence of varying SBF weight fractions (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of LFC with a target density of 1000 kg/m3. The primary objective was to determine the optimal SBF content for achieving superior material characteristics. Experimental results revealed that the inclusion of 4% SBF provided the best overall performance, improving compressive strength by 53%, increasing ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) by 17%, and reducing drying shrinkage by 58% compared to the control mix. Additionally, slump flow decreased progressively with higher fiber content, indicating enhanced cohesion. Water absorption and porosity were significantly reduced with increasing SBF, with the 5% mix showing up to a 19% decrease in water absorption. Thermal conductivity also declined slightly, suggesting improved insulation properties. Microstructural analysis confirmed better fiber-matrix bonding at the optimal fiber content, contributing to the observed improvements in performance. This study offers valuable insights into the mechanical, thermal, and durability characteristics of LFC-SBF composites, highlighting their potential as sustainable construction materials.
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    Green construction with sustainable foam mortar utilizing recycled polyethylene terephthalate waste for enhanced thermal insulation and durability properties.
    (Scientific Reports, 2025) Mydin, Md Azree Othuman; Awoyera, Paul. O; Taqieddin, Ziad. N; Özkılıç, Yasin Onuralp; Fadugba, Olaolu George; Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri; Omar, Roshartini; Datta, Shuvo Dip; Olalusi, Oladimeji. B
    This study explores the development of a sustainable foam mortar incorporating recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste as a partial sand replacement to enhance thermal insulation and promote circular economy practices. Foamed mortars incorporating recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste were developed in this study, with the overall goal of addressing the dual challenge of waste management and resource depletion. PET waste, commonly discarded as environmental pollutants, was processed into fine aggregate sizes and used as a partial replacement for sand. There were six mix proportions with PET replacement ratios (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%). PET improved thermal insulation by lowering thermal conductivity from 0.31 W/mK to 0.26 W/mK and reducing density by up to 15%. At 28 days, the compressive strength varied between 12.5 MPa (0% PET) and 9.8 MPa (25% PET), suggesting that it is viable for non-structural applications. Similar declines of 25–30% and 20–25%, respectively, in flexural and tensile strengths were ascribed to weakened interfacial bonding between PET and the cement matrix. At higher PET levels, durability increased, with a 20% decrease in water absorption and a substantial decrease in chloride ion penetration. The use of PET significantly improved thermal properties, and microstructural analysis confirmed more refined pore structures and homogeneous dispersion of PET particles. These results show that PET can be a sustainable alternative to foam mortar, promoting environmentally friendly construction methods and the concepts of the circular economy
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    Mechanical and microscale characterization of foamed concrete with Tianqi aluminosilicate binder
    (Scientific Reports, 2025) Sattar, Afiya Abdul; Mydin, Md Azree Othuman; Nadimalla, Altamashuddinkhan; Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri; Awoyera, Paul O.; Fadugba, Olaolu George
    Persistent research work has aided the development of supplementary cementitious materials, contributing to both sustainable development and mitigating environmental impacts. This study utilized Tianqi aluminosilicate (TAS) as partial replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in foamed concrete (FC) mix. The mechanical, transport, and microstructural characteristics of the concrete were explored. The formed concrete mixes were developed by varying TAS from 0 to 40%, in steps of 10% for OPC to identify optimal performance. The mechanical characteristics (compressive, flexural, splitting tensile, and elastic modulus) improved by 18–25% over control and peaked at 20% TAS. At 20% TAS substitution, the transport properties (water absorption and permeability) improved significantly, which corresponds to 35% and 28%, reduction, respectively. SEM analysis revealed that TAS refined pore structure, yielding a denser matrix with homogeneous hydration product distribution. The result revealed foam stability and uniformity in mixes containing TAS, and an improvement in mechanical and durability of the concrete. Filler effect and pozzolanic activities of TAS were identified as two key factors responsible for the observed results. There was pore refinement improved secondary hydration in the concrete matrix. The results show that 20% TAS substitution improves strength and durability while lowering OPC use and striking the ideal performance balance. From the results, TAS proved to be a sustainable supplementary cementitious material aiding the durability of the mixes. This work advances eco-friendly construction practices by demonstrating TAS’s viability in high-performance FC applications.