Search Results (1,288)

In processes related to the treatment of mineral materials, the crushing stage determines the ability to obtain the required particle-size fraction. At the same time, it is an exceptionally energy-intensive step (accounting for about 5% of global electricity consumption) and one that generates significant environmental impacts, particularly in the form of high noise levels and considerable dust emissions. This study focuses on acoustic issues associated with the operation of crushers equipped with materials of varying hardness. Noise level measurements were carried out and then compared with the machines’ operational parameters, such as reduction ratio, throughput, energy consumption, and grain-size distribution. The results indicate that the properties of the processed material have a significant influence on noise emission during the crushing process. The study included various types of materials, such as pebble, basalt, and granite (feed size 16–22 mm), as well as lower-strength materials, including aerated concrete, recycled concrete, and ceramic materials (average particle size of approximately 50 mm), enabling a comparative analysis under controlled operating conditions. The measured noise levels ranged from front position 105.3 dB and side position 105.2 dB, depending on the material type, with the highest values observed for [hard material, e.g., recycled concrete and basalt] and the lowest for [weak material, e.g., aerated concrete]. The differences between extreme cases reached up to the top position 107.6 dB, indicating a strong relationship between material properties and acoustic emission. These findings highlight the importance of material selection in crushing processes and provide a useful reference for reducing noise impact and improving the environmental performance of industrial aggregate production. Full article

Flexible base layers can improve deformation compatibility and reduce reflective cracking in asphalt pavements, but conventional graded crushed stone is limited by weak interparticle bonding, poor water stability, and insufficient resistance to permanent deformation. Solution Road Soilfix (SRX) is a water-based polymer stabilizer used to improve the engineering performance of graded crushed stone by enhancing interparticle bonding. This study investigated the effects of SRX dosage, aggregate gradation, degree of compaction, and curing conditions on the load-bearing capacity and pavement performance of SRX-stabilized graded crushed stone. The results showed that SRX stabilization significantly improved the California bearing ratio (CBR), water stability, and permanent deformation resistance of the graded crushed stone mixture, although its permeability decreased due to polymer coating and void filling. At an SRX dosage of 0.50% by dry aggregate mass, the CBR values exceeded 300%, while further dosage increases provided only limited additional improvement. Among the three gradations, the 26.5 mm gradation exhibited the best overall performance due to its balanced coarse aggregate distribution and stable interlocking skeleton. CBR was highly sensitive to the degree of compaction, and a field compaction degree of at least 98% is recommended. Oven curing at 50 °C accelerated moisture evaporation and SRX film formation; the 6-day CBR exceeded 80% of the 30-day reference strength and correlated well with long-term strength. Overall, the recommended parameters are 0.50% SRX dosage, 26.5 mm maximum aggregate size, compaction degree ≥ 98%, and oven curing at 50 °C for 6 days before laboratory CBR evaluation. Full article

A hollow steel structure with a hat cross-section was axially compressed under impact or quasistatic conditions. The hat height and hat width were 40 mm. The thickness was 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mm. The effect of the reinforcing member attached to the main structure on the collapse behavior was experimentally investigated. The formation of buckling lobes was observed, and the energy absorption performance was evaluated. The addition of the internal reinforcing member achieved increased compressive force, exhibiting a stepped force variation. This step became more pronounced as the wall thickness increased, and it was larger under impact conditions. When the height of the reinforcing member was 20 mm, or the hollow shape is square, a higher crush strength was achieved, with a very regular collapse pattern. To explain the increase in compressive force by using the reinforcing member, the deformation energy was calculated by considering the deformed shapes and the mechanical properties of the material. The calculated increase ratio of 3.18 was comparable with the experimental result of 3.54. The strain measurement at the hat top of the structure during the initial compression revealed that the damage, where the strain level is greater than 0.003, was successfully delayed at the reinforced section in the partially reinforced structure. Full article

In this study, the crashworthiness performance of triangular Kirigami (TK) structures with various geometric configurations is systematically investigated. Quasi-static crushing experiments are first conducted to provide reference data for the calibration and validation of the numerical models. Subsequently, extensive finite element (FE) models are developed in LS-DYNA to examine the influence of geometric parameters on the crashworthiness behavior of the proposed structures. Three key geometric parameters, namely the inclined sidewall length, model height, and model length, are used to describe the structural configurations, and their effects are evaluated in terms of energy absorption and specific energy absorption. The results indicate that the sidewall inclination angle, jointly controlled by the inclined sidewall length a and the model height h, plays a critical role in governing crashworthiness performance, and an optimal range of 40° to 60° is recommended. In addition, the model length must be carefully selected, as inappropriate values may lead to inefficient energy absorption and an undesirably high initial peak crushing force. Full article

Schistosomiasis is an important snail-borne neglected tropical disease, and detecting infected snails is a priority for its control and elimination. However, conventional parasitological methods, such as crushed snails and cercarial shedding, have limited sensitivity. In this study, we developed a novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay (smND1-LAMP) targeting the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) gene of Schistosoma mansoni. The assay was optimized at 65 °C for 1 h and demonstrated a detection limit of one copy of the pUC57/smND1 recombinant plasmid. Its diagnostic performance was evaluated using laboratory-infected Biomphalaria snails and field-collected samples from Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, and compared with microscopy, conventional PCR and SYBR Green real-time PCR (SGPCR). In laboratory experiments, smND1-LAMP achieved 100% specificity and 75% sensitivity, outperforming microscopy and showing a similar performance to SGPCR. In field surveys, smND1-LAMP detected a higher positive rate (25.9%) than conventional PCR (22.2%) in Burkina Faso, while microscopy failed to identify any positive snails. Both molecular methods identified infections that were missed by parasitological techniques. These findings demonstrate that smND1-LAMP assay is a sensitive, specific, and field-applicable tool for detecting S. mansoni infection in snails. It provides an effective alternative for routine surveillance and early warning of changing schistosomiasis endemicity. Full article

To simultaneously address the deterioration of mechanical properties in lightweight aggregate concrete (LAC) and the insufficient deformation control capacity of hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars, an experimental study on the flexural behavior of hybrid fiber-reinforced BFRP-LAC beams was conducted. A total of eight beams with dimensions of 120 mm × 200 mm × 2000 mm were fabricated. The effects of hybrid fibers and BFRP reinforcement ratio on the flexural performance were investigated. Four-point bending tests were performed to analyze the failure modes, load–deformation responses, crack development patterns, and sectional strain distributions. The results indicate that two failure modes were experimentally observed in the BFRP-reinforced hybrid fiber LAC beams, namely concrete crushing and BFRP bar rupture, whereas balanced failure was considered a theoretical failure condition. The failure mode was strongly dependent on the reinforcement ratio. At a low reinforcement ratio ($\rho$ = 0.68%), tensile failure governed by BFRP bar rupture occurred. At a moderate reinforcement ratio ($\rho$ = 1.02%), a relatively ductile concrete-crushing failure was observed. When the reinforcement ratio increased to 1.56% and 1.81%, brittle concrete-crushing failure dominated. The incorporation of hybrid fibers improved the ductility and optimized the failure process. Both the hybrid fiber content and the BFRP reinforcement ratio significantly influenced the load-carrying capacity and deformation behavior of the beams. Increasing the fiber content enhanced the cracking load and ultimate load, delayed crack propagation, and reduced crack width, whereas increasing the reinforcement ratio was more effective in improving the ultimate capacity. The load–deflection curves exhibited a typical two-stage response without a yielding plateau. The bridging effect of hybrid fibers effectively mitigated stiffness degradation and improved crack control performance. Moreover, the plane section assumption was validated for hybrid fiber-reinforced BFRP-LAC beams. This study provides a technical basis for enhancing the performance of LAC and promoting the application of BFRP bars in structural engineering. Full article

This article proposes a sustainable approach to producing eco-friendly paper from fibers derived from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an invasive aquatic species with potential high lignocellulose content. The research evaluated the possibility of using its biomass as a non-wood raw material for papermaking through an industrial-oriented processing framework. About 10 groups of water hyacinth samples were analyzed by separating their components (roots, leaves, and stems) to determine moisture content, dry biomass yield, fiber distribution, and performance in papermaking. Mechanical pulping and mild alkaline treatment with sodium hydroxide were compared to evaluate their effects on fiber behavior and paper quality. The results showed a high moisture content in the biomass, averaging approximately 88%, while the remaining dry matter represented the usable fibrous material fraction. After fiber classification, it was revealed that the long fibers predominated over the short fibers and the fine fibers (waste), favoring the hydrogen bonding and structural anchoring during sheet formation. Mechanical quality analyses were conducted using the Corrugating Medium Test (CMT), Concora Crush Test (CCT), Ring Crush Test (RCT), and Short Compression Test (SCT). Untreated water hyacinth paper demonstrated mechanical properties comparable to those of an industrial reference paper, including consistent compression resistance and corrugating performance. In contrast, the alkaline-treated sample showed greater structural uniformity but lower mechanical strength due to fiber fragmentation and increased fine production. Overall, the findings showed that Eichhornia crassipes represents a viable and sustainable alternative to non-wood fibers for paper production, offering potential environmental benefits by serving as an invasive species and reducing dependence on wood-based raw materials. Full article

Background: High concentrations of coarse particulate matter PM₁₀ from road dust are a major air quality concern in Visby, Sweden. To mitigate these levels, local authorities replaced soft limestone with crushed granite as an anti-slip material starting in the winter of 2023/2024. This is a follow-up study evaluating the impact of this intervention on PM₁₀ concentrations and the associated short-term respiratory health effects. Methods: Daily counts of healthcare visits for respiratory diseases (ICD-10: J00–J99) and daily mean PM₁₀ concentrations were analyzed using a quasi-Poisson regression model. This study compared the limestone period (2015–2019) with the granite period (2023–2025), stratified by season (winter/spring and summer/autumn) and age group (children 0–17 years and adults >17 years). Results: The transition to crushed granite reduced peak PM₁₀ concentrations during the spring. For adults, the relative risks for respiratory visits during winter/spring decreased during the granite period when compared to the limestone period (Wald p < 0.05). However, when considering that there were a majority of non-statistically significant differences when comparing the granite and limestone periods, these results should be interpreted with caution. Among children, more pronounced associations were observed during summer, although no significant differences in risk were detected between the limestone and granite periods. Conclusions: Although the intervention effectively lowered particle mass concentrations, only minor changes were observed in the overall epidemiological pattern. This suggests that public health improvements may be limited by factors beyond total mass reduction, such as particle mineralogy or seasonal exposure dynamics. Full article

Lightweight thin-walled energy-absorbing structures play a critical role in passive safety systems for automotive and aerospace engineering applications, yet simultaneously achieving high specific energy absorption and stable crushing behavior remains a persistent challenge. Inspired by the topology of natural honeycombs, this study proposes a novel modular assembled multi-cell carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) structure (MAMCS), fabricated via a cost-effective modular assembly strategy based on a wrapping process. Quasi-static axial crushing experiments combined with validated finite element simulations were employed to systematically investigate the effects of inner layup configurations ([0°/90°], [30°/−60°], [45°/−45°]), cell number, and inner sub-cell size on crushing behavior. Among the investigated layup configurations, the [0°/90°] inner layup exhibited superior mean crushing force (MCF) and specific energy absorption (SEA). Multi-cell architectures significantly enhanced load-bearing capacity and crushing stability through mechanical interactions among internal sub-cells. Parametric analyses further revealed that enlarging the inner sub-cell size elevates both MCF and SEA, although at the expense of a higher peak crushing force (PCF). A TOPSIS-based multi-criteria decision-making framework was applied to identify a preferred configuration that achieves a favorable balance between peak load mitigation and energy absorption efficiency. The proposed MAMCS, characterized by its simple modular assembly, cost-effective fabrication, and superior crashworthiness performance, offers a promising bio-inspired design strategy for developing high-performance lightweight energy-absorbing structures in axial impact applications. Full article

Identifying beryl within muscovite host rocks is a challenging task for traditional X-ray transmission (XRT) separation due to the proximity of their effective atomic numbers (Z_eff) and densities. In this paper, an improved dual-energy X-ray transmission (DE-XRT) method using second-order polynomial calibration is proposed to compensate for the beam hardening effect in massive samples. To verify the accuracy of the method, natural beryl and muscovite intergrowths were investigated on an experimental DE-XRT setup (160 kV), and the results were compared with computed tomography (CT) data. The results confirm that the polynomial model reliably identifies both exposed and hidden (internal) beryl inclusions. It was established that at a sample thickness of approximately 20–30 mm, the system confidently detects inclusions constituting more than 15% of the total thickness; this threshold serves as a preliminary quantitative estimate given the finite sample set. With an increase in thickness beyond 40 mm, the detection threshold rises due to significant absorption of the low-energy spectrum component, which leads to a loss of dual-energy contrast and a critical reduction in the signal-to-noise ratio. The proposed approach creates a basis for effective beryl pre-concentration, ensuring the preservation of large crystals from mechanical damage during crushing. Full article

Producers of aggregates must prove that their products meet required standards. Effective decision-making in crushing processes requires analyzing how crusher operation affects component wear, particularly crushing plates. Their deterioration alters the crusher’s geometry, increasing the closed side setting (CSS) and influencing the final product’s granulation. Monitoring these changes is difficult but essential for ensuring product quality. This study presents a measurement system designed to assess wear in jaw crusher plates and its impact on the crushed material. Since aggregates and crushers vary widely, operational parameters such as wear rate, power consumption, and crushing force also differ, affecting product composition. Therefore, reliable measurement methods are crucial for accurate process evaluation and decision-making. In the analysis of the results, the Lorentzian distribution was used as a flexible tool to mathematically describe changes in the particle size distribution of the ground product. The proposed approach combines granulometric analysis of the crushed product with a Lorentzian model to predict crushing performance. Laboratory experiments confirmed the method’s effectiveness, demonstrating its ability to monitor plate wear and predict resulting product characteristics. In particular, it was observed that a relatively small increase in the CSS (approximately 9.23%) did not result in significant changes in the particle size distribution, indicating the presence of a “non-sensitive” operating range. The results show that systematic wear assessment can improve control over crushing operations and enhance product quality verification. Full article

Progressive collapse represents a catastrophic failure mode for reinforced concrete (RC) structures, yet the use of architected materials to mitigate this risk remains largely unexplored. This study presents a numerical feasibility investigation of RC beam–column sub-assemblages with auxetic metamaterial inserts embedded in critical joint regions. A hierarchical multiscale framework is developed to link the effective behavior of auxetic metamaterials with structure-scale collapse response. The framework couples macroscale structural analysis with mesoscale fracture simulations through a hybrid voxel–Voronoi discretization strategy. Baseline finite element models are validated against published experimental results for conventional RC specimens, while the auxetic-enhanced configurations are evaluated numerically. Under high tensile strain, the auxetic insert expands laterally because of its negative Poisson’s ratio and generates a localized confining stress field within the surrounding concrete. The simulations suggest that this mechanism may promote crack bifurcation, redistribute localized cracking into a more distributed damage pattern, and delay compressive crushing and crack coalescence. Compared with the corresponding conventional RC configurations, the auxetic-enhanced models predict a 25% increase in load redistribution capacity and a 20% enhancement in deformation ductility. These predicted improvements require future experimental validation using physical auxetic-enhanced RC specimens. The findings provide a computational basis for exploring material-by-design strategies aimed at improving the robustness of critical RC joint regions under progressive collapse demands. Full article

Hyperloop transport operates in a low-pressure environment in which convective heat transfer is strongly limited, making conventional air-based cooling ineffective. One promising thermal management approach is therefore to absorb the waste heat generated during travel in a thermal energy storage (TES) system and dissipate it during stops. In this context, latent heat storage based on water–ice systems is particularly attractive because of its high energy density and nearly constant-temperature heat absorption. However, experimental validation of such systems beyond laboratory scale is still lacking. This study therefore investigated a large-scale direct contact latent heat storage (DCLHS) system for Hyperloop thermal management, using water as heat transfer fluid and ice as phase change material. The system was evaluated for two ice morphologies, crushed ice and ice block, under both constant and time-variant cooling power profiles representative of Hyperloop operation. The objective was to assess thermal performance, exergy efficiency, and hydraulic stability at application-relevant scale, and to identify morphology-dependent trade-offs relevant for system integration. The results show that the large-scale system can operate reliably under dynamic loads and that upscaling leads to smoother thermal behavior and reduced boundary effects. Crushed ice demonstrated superior thermal responsiveness, maintaining outlet temperatures close to the phase change temperature and achieving exergy efficiencies up to 0.72 at cooling powers up to 3.8 kW while enabling stable operation at 15 °C. In contrast, the ice block configuration provided higher volumetric energy density but exhibited delayed thermal response and required substantially higher mass flow rates, which limited operation to approximately 25 °C and reduced exergy efficiency to 0.03–0.35. Overall, the results show that large-scale DCLHS is a feasible option for Hyperloop thermal management, while also revealing that system behavior at larger scale is strongly influenced by storage morphology. Full article

As a core crushing equipment in mining, building materials, and related industries, the cone crusher relies heavily on the optimal design and health state prediction of its mantle liner to enhance equipment reliability and reduce maintenance costs. This paper proposes a comprehensive approach integrating dynamic modeling, intelligent optimization, and health prognosis. First, a virtual prototype model is established based on laminated crushing theory and multibody dynamics simulation to analyze the motion and force characteristics of the mantle liner. Second, for the two key parameters—counterweight mass and motor speed—an improved butterfly optimization algorithm (IBOA) incorporating Cauchy mutation and an adaptive weight is proposed to achieve efficient global optimization. Furthermore, vibration signal features are extracted at different wear stages; a comprehensive health indicator curve is constructed by combining PCA dimensionality reduction with adaptive feature fusion (ASFF), and the Weibull degradation model is employed for life extrapolation prediction. Finally, fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering is applied to autonomously partition the health states. Parameter optimization reduces the standard deviation of the force acting on the mantle liner by approximately 15.4%, markedly improving system operational stability. Health prognosis reveals that the liner enters a faulty state after 785 h, and the health condition is effectively classified into four stages: healthy, good, degraded, and faulty. The results demonstrate that the proposed optimization and health prognosis methods can effectively improve the operational efficiency and reliability of cone crushers, exhibit favorable engineering applicability, and provide a quantitative basis for condition monitoring and maintenance decision-making. Full article

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is an infectious disease caused by the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV), a member of the genus Orthopestivirus. The disease remains endemic across Australian beef and dairy production systems, imposing a multi-million-dollar annual burden on animal health, welfare, and industry sustainability. BVDV can be transmitted both horizontally and vertically, with persistently infected (PI) animals serving as the primary source of infection. Rapid identification and subsequent culling of PI animals are fundamental requirements for any successful eradication program. Currently, Australia’s decentralised, non-compulsory approach places the responsibility of biosecurity on individual producers, resulting in a fragmented national landscape. This review proposes that the strategic deployment of rapid, field-deployable point-of-care (POC) diagnostics serves as the transformative catalyst needed for a coordinated national eradication pathway. POC approaches utilising technologies such as lateral flow assays, nucleic acid amplification tests, and biosensors enable real-time, crush-side diagnosis and high-throughput surveillance, proving effective for early detection and control of infectious diseases. When integrated with robust biosecurity measures and optimised vaccination strategies, these POC advancements offer a scientifically sound and commercially viable pathway toward the systematic eradication of BVDV in the Australian cattle industry. Full article