Muthanna Journal of Engineering and Technology(MJET)

Analysis of rainfall data is important in the design and planning of water projects in cities. Therefore, in this research, rainfall data recorded at the Nasiriyah station located in the center of Thi-Qar Governorate, southern Iraq, was used for 80 years for the period (1940-2020) to determine the best probability distribution fits this data. All tests and statistical analyzes were carried out using the (HYFRAN-PLUS version 1.2) software, and the method of maximum likelihood was applied to obtain the coefficients of theoretical distributions. Eight distributions were tested: GEV (Generalized Extreme Value), Gumbel, Weibull, Normal, Lognormal, Gamma, Pearson type 3, and Log-Pearson type 3, and adequacy test was conducted by (Chi-Square) test for these distributions, the results showed the GEV, Lognormal, Pearson type 3, and Log-Pearson type 3 distributions are suitable, for describing extreme monthly rainfall in this study area.

The technological progress witnessed by the world has contributed to the development of education at all levels by providing multiple means to support the educational process. These means have shortened the effort and time of the teacher and the student in achieving the goal due to their ease of use, clarity and flexibility in dealing with problems, as well as their ease of availability to the user. These means include Windows applications, various web applications, mobile applications and various social networking applications, which mainly depend on the use of smartphones owned by all students. This study focused on identifying the strengths necessary to benefit from smartphone applications to develop the outcomes of the Bologna process, which depend on both the student and the teacher, as well as clarifying the possible mechanisms to achieve the greatest benefit by conducting various questionnaires for students and teachers to know their opinions on the possibility of achieving the maximum benefit from mobile applications in different educational systems. The study also focused on trying to know the interests of students and their thinking in developing smartphone applications in line with the global openness towards technology, which serves the educational process in a fundamental way. The study suggested developing smartphone applications specific to each scientific department that suit its requirements. Interactive learning is considered one of the best teaching methods because of its impact on the student, and one of the most prominent methods used in interactive learning is the use of smartphone applications, which receive students’ attention because they save them effort and time and provide them with a suitable environment for education, as through them they can search for information and communicate with each other and exchange information.

Deep beams are one of the widest used members in construction due to their high rigidity and significant bending resistance. It used usually at high rise buildings, bridges, deck slabs and foundations. The beams may rest on soil in many cases like strap footing. Timoshenko beam theory and Fourier series were used for derivatizing the behavior of deep beams which rest on soil grade. Many parameters were investigated in the current study like modulus of subgrade reaction, beams dimensions and loading type. It was concluded that, the rigidity of deep beam is high in amounts that cancelling the effect of modulus of subgrade reaction. The beam width increases the bearing pressure of the soil and working on enhancing the stability of the beam and keeps it rest well on the soil so that increasing the width of beam led to minimizing sinking the beam into the soil so that reducing the deflection. Furthermore, increasing the height of the deep beam leads to minimizing the deflection of beam due to rising the shear resistance capacity of the beam which depends in the first degree on the beam thickness.

The flexural performance of FRP-strengthened beams has become a critical focus in concrete structural engineering, particularly for enhancing strength, ductility, and durability. This paper provides a critical review of recent advancements in the use of FRP materials for flexural strengthening of concrete beams, emphasizing experimental findings, theoretical models, and practical applications. Key parameters affecting flexural performance—such as FRP type (carbon, glass, aramid), bonding techniques, and failure mechanisms—are thoroughly examined. While FRP materials offer advantages like a high modulus-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, challenges such as delamination, environmental durability, and cost remain significant. Additionally, emerging trends in reinforced or hybrid FRP systems are discussed. This review aims to offer researchers, engineers, and professionals comprehensive insights to develop effective and innovative solutions for concrete beam strengthening.

One of the most important structures in modern civil engineering is composite beams, which refer to beams that consist of different materials whereby the most common are concrete slabs and steel beams. This paper aims at presenting the state of research on the behavior and performance of composite beams emphasis has been put on the Shear connections. Some of the commonly used shear connectors include headed steel studs, channel connectors, and angle connectors, which improve the load bearing of steel and concrete structures. Literature review shows that important parameters such as connection type, concrete strength, and connection layout have been found to affect considerably the ultimate moment, the fatigue behavior, and the failure mode of the connection. In particular, it is important to mention that new materials, such as ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), and connector designs offer the potential for increasing loads and durability of connections. It is within this context that this review underlines the need to identify and manage design parameters to guarantee the safe and efficient use of composites in beam structures.

Deep foundations are often constructed using pile-driving techniques, which are inefficient in shallow foundation areas. However, this method creates ground vibrations that may affect surrounding structures, notably weaker ones, as they can develop fractures, experience irregular settlement, deform, or suffer issues related to the longevity of the building. This study comprehensively analyses vibration energy, its possible structural effects, and many mitigation options. The study integrates real measurement data, simulations, and other illustrative examples to make recommendations to reduce construction vibrations effectively.

Abstract
This paper presents a thorough examination of the thermal deterioration of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) influenced
by fiber and CO2 lasers, investigating their unique metallurgical and thermal effects. The elevated energy density of fiber
lasers results in quick and highly targeted heating, enabling speedy material removal and ablation. Nonetheless, this quick
heating causes considerable surface roughness, microfractures, and extensive molecular degradation, undermining the
material's structural integrity. In contrast, CO2 lasers, distinguished by their longer wavelength, provide wider and more
uniform heat distribution throughout the PMMA surface. This yields a more refined surface finish with enhanced
degradation control, however at a reduced processing speed. The review examines the unique thermal distribution patterns
generated by each laser type, investigating the development of heat-affected zones (HAZs) and the particular degradation
mechanisms occurring inside these zones. The study examines the metallurgical alterations caused in the PMMA structure,
focusing on aspects such as chain scission, depolymerization, and the generation of volatile byproducts. Experimental
results demonstrate that fiber lasers are optimal for high-velocity material removal procedures where surface finish is not
paramount, but CO2 lasers are favored for applications requiring superior surface precision and less heat damage. These
discoveries include substantial industrial ramifications for several industries, including automotive, optical, and medical
device manufacture. The analysis closes by examining ways for optimizing laser parameters, including power, pulse length,
and scanning speed, to attain a balance among processing efficiency, material integrity, and desired product quality in
PMMA manufacturing.

A series of experimental tests were carried out to investigate the behavior of sustainable self-compacting concrete-filled
double skin steel tubular (HSCFDST) columns. Nine column specimens were tested in the present study, taking into
account the effects of the inner shape of the column cross section (circular or square), the hollowness ratio, and the recycled
aggregate replacement ratio. For comparison, three of the tested specimens were filled with normal recycled aggregate
concrete. It was observed that the maximum axial strength of CFDST columns increases with the increase in void fraction
for round inner tubes and decreases with the increase in void fraction for square inner tubes. Also, it was found that for
square column specimens, the ultimate axial strength of HSCFDST columns was inversely proportional to their hollowness
and slenderness ratios. CFDST column specimens filled with recycled aggregate concrete compared with those filled with
normal aggregate concrete decreased stiffness and ultimate axial strength but gave unexpected results for the ultimate axial
strength; therefore, the suitable choice for the section properties of the inner steel tube is required. The bearing capacity of
CFDST square columns with concrete aggregate (30% and 60%) decreases by 5% and 10%, respectively. Increasing the
volume of recycled concrete led to a decrease in maximum load capacity, with a 30% volume resulting in a 5%-10%
reduction and 60% volume further reducing capacity by 10%-14.6%. The experimental results and analytical approach that
were developed by other researchers showed good agreement.

The construction industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by concerns about sustainability, particularly the environmental impact of the materials used. Researchers are seeking to address such adverse impacts by introducing new sustainable construction materials; however, such emerging materials often lack clear criteria by which to verify claims about their sustainability. Traditional methods, including life cycle assessment (LCA), are comprehensive but present challenges, particularly in the early stages of development, in terms of information availability, complexity, and high resource requirements. In an attempt to mitigate these gaps, this paper proposes a simple framework for preliminary sustainability assessment of emerging construction materials, providing an accessible and easy-to-use tool for assessing sustainability claims. The three dimensions of this framework, environmental responsibility, economic viability, and social equity, provide a balanced view and identify key areas for assessment, including carbon footprint, embodied energy, resource efficiency, pollution management, life cycle cost, recyclability, market competitiveness, health and safety concerns, jobs, and societal benefits. By proposing a simplified and comprehensive framework that can be applied during the early stage of materials development where the limited data obstructs the assessment process, the proposed framework assists researchers in evaluating the sustainability of their newly developed materials and help in reducing uncertainties.

The research here investigates how Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can be integrated into responsive architecture in order to create sustainable and energy-efficient smart buildings. The main issue being solved is that there is no clearly defined framework for integrating IoT in responsive architectural design that makes it challenging to attain real-time adaptability, reduce energy consumption, and enhance the user experience. The research aims to evaluate existing IoT implementations in architecture by analyzing real-world case studies and developing a conceptual framework that articulates IoT’s impact on building sustainability and efficiency. In an attempt to realize this goal, the research explores the following hypotheses: IoT integration greatly lowers a building’s energy use. IoT-enabled buildings are more flexible and more satisfactory to users than conventional architectural buildings. An IoT-responsive architecture framework that is well designed can be employed as a scalable model for future smart city infrastructure. Through IoT-enabled building case studies, it has been found that IoT deployment results in a 30% reduction in energy consumption and substantial improvement in occupant comfort and operational efficiency. Keeping these findings in perspective, the research proposes a holistic framework with specific guidance to architects and urban planners to design more adaptive, efficient, and user-friendly buildings.