Journal of Engineering

Various speech enhancement Algorithms (SEA) have been developed in the last few
decades. Each algorithm has its advantages and disadvantages because the speech signal is
affected by environmental situations. Distortion of speech results in the loss of important
features that make this signal challenging to understand. SEA aims to improve the
intelligibility and quality of speech that different types of noise have degraded. In most
applications, quality improvement is highly desirable as it can reduce listener fatigue,
especially when the listener is exposed to high noise levels for extended periods (e.g.,
manufacturing). SEA reduces or suppresses the background noise to some degree,
sometimes called noise suppression algorithms. In this research, the design of SEA based on
different speech models (Laplacian model or Gaussian model) has been implemented using
two types of discrete transforms, which are Discrete Tchebichef Transform and Discrete
Tchebichef-Krawtchouk Transforms. The proposed estimator consists of dual stages of a
wiener filter that can effectively estimate the clean speech signal. The evaluation measures'
results show the proposed SEA's ability to enhance the noisy speech signal based on a
comparison with other types of speech models and a self-comparison based on different
types and levels of noise. The presented algorithm's improvements ratio regarding the
average SNRseq are 1.96, 2.12, and 2.03 for Buccaneer, White, and Pink noise, respectively.

Interface bonding between asphalt layers has been a topic of international investigation over the last three decades. In this condition, many researchers created their techniques and used them to examine the characteristics of pavement interfaces. Test findings won't always be comparable to the lack of a globally standard methodology for interface bonding. Also, several kinds of research have shown that factors like temperature, the condition of the applied load, constructing material, and others impact surface qualities. The study intends to solve this problem by thoroughly investigating interface bond testing that might serve as a basis for a uniform strategy. First, a general explanation of how the bonding strength function works and how it affects the pavement is given. The construction of various setups is then examined, and their functions are contrasted, followed by an explanation of different interface bond test procedures according to loading situations. Based on previous findings, a concept for a systematic approach to a standard assessment of asphalt interface is proposed.

Most below-knee prostheses are manufactured in Iraq without considering the fast progress in smart prostheses, which can offer movements in the desired directions according to the type of control system designed for this purpose. The proposed design appears to have the advantages of simplicity, affordability, better load distribution, suitability for subjects with transtibial amputation, and viability in countries with people having low socio-economic status. The designed prosthetics consisted of foot, ball, and socket joints, two stepper motors, a linkage system, and an EMG shield. All these materials were available in the local markets in Iraq. The experimental results showed that the maximum range of motion to move the designed prosthetic in the sagittal and frontal planes reached 70% of the healthy foot range of motion relative to the signals of the gastrocnemius muscle of a healthy leg person. The angles that represented the range of motion achieved in various directions at the ankle joint were Dorsiflexion Angle (35˚), Plantar Flexion Angle (25˚), Inversion Angle (20˚), and Eversion Angle (15˚).

The advancement of cement alternatives in the construction materials industry is fundamental to sustainable development. Geopolymer is the optimal substitute for ordinary Portland cement, which produces 80% less CO2 emissions than ordinary Portland cement. Metakaolin was used as one of the raw materials in the geopolymerization process. This research examines the influence of three different percentages of sulfate (0.00038, 1.532, and 16.24) % in sand per molarity of NaOH on the compressive strength of metakaolin-based geopolymer mortar (MK-GPM). Samples were prepared with two different molarities (8M and 12M) and cured at room temperature. The best compressive strength value (56.98MPa) was recorded with 12M with lower sulfate content (0.00038%) at 28 days. Also, an inverse relationship is recorded between the increasing sulfate percentages in the sand and the compressive strength values of (MK-GPM). A higher reduction in the compressive strength results at 28 days (60.88% per 8M/NaOH) and (62.23% per 12M/NaOH) was associated with a higher percentage of SO3 in the sand (16.24%).

The central marshes are one of the most important wetlands/ecosystems in the southern
area of Iraq. This study evaluates the bed soil's mechanical, physical, and chemical
properties at certain southern Iraqi central marshes sites. This was conducted to investigate
their types and suitability for enhancing the agricultural reality of most field crops and for
construction purposes. Soil samples were collected from 15 sites at 10-100 cm depth. Hence,
numerous parameters were determined: index properties, unconfined compressive
strength, direct shear strength, consolidation, texture, and sieve analysis, water content,
specific gravity, dry density, permeability, pH, total soluble salts (TSS), organic materials
(OM) and total sulfate content SO3. Results of this study showed that the bed soil of the
Central Marshes is classified as clay-silt soil and suitable for planting different crops.
Furthermore, Analysis of the results may have a role in the design and planning of upcoming
projects, such as the construction of buildings and agriculture, that would have to enlighten
the decision maker.

This research studies the effect of adding five different percentages of polymer (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% of cement weight) on cement mortar's fresh and hardened properties, which was cured at laboratory temperature for 7, 14, and 28 days. Workability increases with increasing polymer. The workability value was lowest (25.6 and 29.4) % in mixtures containing 2% and 4% of (SBR). Increasing polymer ratios significantly decreased mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength). Therefore, the best results were at 2% SBR and 4% SBR at 28 days of age. An inverse relationship was recorded between the increase in SBR ratios and polymer-modified cement mortar's compressive and flexural strength values. In general, the highest improvement in the water absorption and dry density resulted in better results with a decrease in the proportion of the polymer for all specimens of cement mortar containing 4% SBR polymer relative to the reference mixture.

Recently, a great rise in the population and fast manufacturing processes were noticed. These processes release significant magnitudes of waste. These wastes occupied a notable ground region, generating big issues for the earth and the environment. To enhance the geotechnical properties of fine-grained soil, a sequence of research projects in the lab were conducted to analyze the impacts of adding sludge waste (SW). The tests were done on both natural and mixed soil with SW at various proportions (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) based on the dry mass of the soil used. The experiments conducted focused on consistency, compaction, and shear strength. With the addition of 10% of SW, the values of LL and PI decreased by 29.7% and 38.5%, respectively. Also, with 10% of SW, the values of swelling percent (SP) and swelling pressure (SPR) decreased by 34% and 33%. On the other hand, SW content increase led to the rise in unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the soil tested from 511kPa to 726kPa with the addition of 10% SW. Based on the findings, it can be confirmed that 10% SW in its natural state is notable for improving fine-grained soil strength and reducing the environmental hazard related to this waste type.

This manuscript studied the effect of U-CFRP wrapped sheet anchorage on the flexural performance of unbonded post-tensioned PC members subjected to partial strand damage and strengthened using CFRP Near-Surface Mounting techniques. The program includes six girders as a control girder, a girder with strand damage of 14.2%, and four girders strengthened by CFRP laminates using the NSM technique with and without U-CFRP wrapped sheet anchorages. The testing results show that the strand damage of 14.2% has reduced the flexural strength of the girder by 5.71%. The NSM-CFRP laminate has a significant effect on flexural strength by 17.4%. On the other hand, the application of end U-CFRP wrapped sheet anchorages improves flexural strength by 27.97% and enhances ductility. The intermediate and successive U-CFRP sheet anchorages increase the flexural strength by 36.56% and 32.61%, enhancing the stiffness at all loading stages and improving the ductility. Semiempirical equations were developed to determine the actual stress of unbonded strands considering the effect of U-FRP-wrapped anchorages.

Adsorption and ion exchange are examples of fixed-bed sorption processes that show transient behavior. This means that differential equations are needed to design them. As a result, numerical methods are commonly utilized to solve these equations. The solution frequently used in analytical methods is called the Thomas solution. Thomas gave a complete solution that adds a nonlinear equilibrium relationship that depends on second-order reaction kinetics. A computational approach was devised to solve the Thomas model. The Thomas model's validity was established by conducting three distinct sets of experiments. The first entails the adsorption of acetic acid from the air through the utilization of activated carbon. Following this, zeolite-5A adsorbs trichloroethylene (TCE) from the air. Finally, activated carbon is employed for the purpose of adsorbing o-cresol from aqueous solutions. A study was done to estimate phase equilibria and interphase mass transfer rates. To find the kinetic mass-transfer coefficient (K) for gases, the phase coefficients for mass transfer in the fluid phase (????????) and the pore phase (????????) were added together. The estimation of (K) for liquid was performed using the mass transfer coefficient (????????) for the solid phase and (????????) togather. The results suggest that the adsorption of acetic acid from air on activated carbon gives a good agreement with the Thomas model. The other sets of data demonstrate a disparity due to the underlying assumptions inherent in the Thomas model.

Worldwide, enormous amounts of waste cause major environmental issues, including scrap tires and plastic, and large waste, a consequence of the demolition of buildings, including crushed concrete, crushed clay bricks, and crushed thermo-stone. From that point, it’s possible to consider that the recycling processes for these materials and using them in the manufacturing field will reduce the adverse effects on the environment of these wastes and the consumption of natural resources. Sustainable concrete blocks can be considered as one of the products produced by using these materials as partial volume replacement of the coarse, fine aggregate, or cement content, considering their dry density, workability, absorption, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity tests evaluate their performance- and conformity with specifications. The results of tests on samples of sustainable concrete blocks showed the feasibility of using demolished building waste as aggregates instead of natural materials for their production.

Analyzing sentiment and emotions in Arabic texts on social networking sites has gained wide interest from researchers. It has been an active research topic in recent years due to its importance in analyzing reviewers' opinions. The Iraqi dialect is one of the Arabic dialects used in social networking sites, characterized by its complexity and, therefore, the difficulty of analyzing sentiment. This work presents a hybrid deep learning model consisting of a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) and the Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) to analyze sentiment and emotions in Iraqi texts. Three Iraqi datasets (Iraqi Arab Emotions Data Set (IAEDS), Annotated Corpus of Mesopotamian-Iraqi Dialect (ACMID), and Iraqi Arabic Dataset (IAD)) collected from Facebook are used to evaluate the model. Experiments showed that the model obtained good results, as the accuracy of the model was 91.1, 92.4, and 92.5% for IADS, ACMID, and IAD, respectively. The results of the model outperformed previous works for all datasets.

Multi-belled piles are piles with enlarged ends; these piles have one or further bells at the lower third part of the pile. These piles are suitable for many soils with problems such as softening clay, the variation of groundwater table, expansive soils, black cotton soil, and loose sand. The current study reviewed the behavior of belled piles in multi-layer soils subjected to axial compression and pullout loading. The review covered the experimental and theoretical works on belled piles in multi-layered soils. These piles were subjected to static and dynamic loadings in compression and pullout cases. Most theoretical results focused on software such as PLAXIS 3D. The axial load applied on the piles comes from the upper structure built above these piles, and negative skin friction comes from groundwater. The results obtained from previous studies showed the validity of using such piles in different types of soil and multilayer soils. According to previous studies, this study aims to find all the things about the belled piles, including the best shape of the belled pile being the half cone and the worst state being when the bell is fully cone. The best number of belled piles is two bells because the bearing capacity increases when the number of bells increases but does not exceed two due to hard work and high cost. The best location of a bell is at the base of the pile. The current study showed that the bearing capacity increased from 40% to 73.75% compared with ordinary piles.