Flexural behaviour of lightweight foamed concrete partially encased steel beam Chris Ng, Norashidah Abd Rahman, Hilton Ahmad, Raudhah Ahmadi World Journal of Engineering, 2026 Purpose The universal beam is widely used as construction material due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio but high slenderness ratio in the web steel section prone to lateral-torsional buckling (LTB) failure. To improve LTB resistance, the incorporation of modified foamed concrete (FC) in partially encased steel beam (PESB) is proposed. The FC-encased web section of steel beam promotes overall weight reduction and increases its specific strength. However, FC has substantially low strength, but incorporation of siliceous material (such as rice husk ash [RHA]) offers pozzolanic activity to offset the low strength in FC. This study explores the use of a modified FC to encase steel beam, where 40% of fine aggregate is replaced with RHA (hereafter referred to as RHA-FC) to enhance the load-bearing capacity and torsional rigidity. Addition of RHA mitigates the extraction of natural resource due to the reduction of fine aggregate consumption. This study aims to investigate the material properties of RHA-FC and measure the flexural strength of RHA-FC PESB. Design/methodology/approach The experimental work was performed to assess the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, Poisson ratio and fracture energy of plain FC, RHA-FC and normal concrete (NC). In addition, the flexural strength of PESB was evaluated through the four-point bending test. Findings RHA-FC improved the mechanical properties compared with the FC counterparts. Nevertheless, less satisfactory performance was seen in RHA-FC compared with NC. RHA-FC PESB achieved average 17.87% enhancement in ultimate bending moment compared with bare steel beam counterparts and can reduce lateral torsional buckling with associated zero torsional angle. Originality/value RHA-FC PESB substantially enhances stability and performance and offers a promising alternative in construction applications.
Utilization of high volume of cockle shell as sand replacement in bricks: Effects on density, compressive strength, water absorption and initial rate absorption Nuradila Lile, S. Sugiman, Nelly Majain, Hilton Ahmad, Lee Sim Yee, et al. Research on Engineering Structures and Materials, 2026 The construction industry’s dependence on natural sand has raised environmental concerns, leading to research on alternative sand replacement. This study investigates the incorporation of high-volume replacement of cockle shells (ranging between 30% - 100% replacement by volume) as a partial fine aggregate replacement in cement-sand brick production. Brick testing conducted includes brick density, compressive strength, water adsorption and initial rate adsorption. The constituent material testing revealed that cockle shells have a higher density (1687.27 kg/m³) than sand (1642.67 kg/m³) and a specific gravity of 2.73, contributing to improved compactness in the brick matrix. The results indicated that the compressive strength increased from 7.93 to 13.83 MPa at 28 days for 60% cockle shell replacement, while water absorption and IRA were reduced by about 50% (from 14 to 7%) and 50% (from 10.55 to 5.09 kg/m²/min), respectively. However, beyond a 60% replacement, strength declined due to increased porosity, with 100% recording a strength of 7.17 MPa at 28 days. The results suggest enhanced compactness and reduced water uptake at 60% CS replacement. All brick specimens exceeded the JKR minimum compressive strength requirement of 5.2 MPa, with the optimum mechanical and durability performance found at 60% CS replacement. Including these performance metrics provides practical clarity for material selection and highlights the engineering viability of cockle shells in sustainable construction. This study confirms the potential of cockle shell waste as an eco-friendly, high-volume sand replacement, supporting both environmental preservation and circular economy practices.
The mechanical properties of concrete waste slurry containing steel fiber and rubber powder Nelly Majain, Jackson Meringgai Radin, Mohd Hilton Ahmad, S. M. Iqbal S. Zainal, Muhd Fauzy Sulaiman Cutting Edge Advances in Nanofibers and Fibers Shaping Future Applications, 2025 This study explores the use of concrete waste slurry (CWS), a by-product of precast manufacturing, as a sustainable material for concrete production. CWS was modified with 1% steel fiber and rubber powder derived from recycled tires at 10% and 20% replacement levels. The hooked-end steel fibers (35 mm length, aspect ratio 64) and rubber powder aimed to improve the compressive and tensile strength of the concrete. Fresh properties testing revealed high flowability in the mixtures, with no segregation or bleeding, ensuring uniform distribution of fibers. Mechanical properties testing included compressive and splitting tensile strength evaluations on 42 specimens in cubic and cylindrical forms. The mixture with 1% steel fiber and 10% rubber powder achieved the highest compressive strength (15.87 MPa), improved density, and fewer visible cracks; demonstrating superior performance. However, increasing rubber powder to 20% reduced strength due to higher porosity. The optimized mixture provides sustainable construction materials with potential for broader applications in construction.
3-D modelling of GFRP woven fabric double-lap bolted joint 8th Asian Australasian Conference on Composite Materials 2012 Accm 2012 Composites Enabling Tomorrow S Industry Today, 2012
Failure modelling of woven GFRP bolted joints under quasi-static loading Iccm International Conferences on Composite Materials, 2011
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Numerical Modelling of concrete beams strengthened with co-cured CFRP plates with a mussel shell modified epoxy (MME): An XFEM-CZM traction–separation framework with … S Azhar, S Sugiman, Z Omar, H Ahmad Multiscale and Multidisciplinary Modeling, Experiments and Design 9 (1), 103 , 2026 2026
EFFECT OF OVERLAP LENGTH AND ADHESIVE THICKNESS ON THE SHEAR STRENGTH OF JUTE FIBRE COMPOSITE AND FIBREGLASS COMPOSITE JOINTS AN Setyawan, AD Catur, H Ahmad Energy, Materials and Product Design 5 (1), 316-322 , 2026 2026
Hybrid bio-filler effects on the performance of pearl shell and mahogany fruit shell-modified structural epoxy adhesives S Sugiman, Z Ananda Putra, I Januardi, P Dwi Setyawan, A Dwi Catur, ... The Journal of Adhesion, 1-25 , 2026 2026
Effect of the addition of backing support plates on the shear strength of aluminium and steel adhesively bonded joints AI Putra, S Sugiman, AD Catur, H Ahmad Dinamika Teknik Mesin 15 (2), 85-92 , 2025 2025
Experimental investigations of strengthened beam with co-cured carbon FRP and mussel shell-modified epoxy S Azhar, S Sugiman, Z Omar, H Ahmad Ain Shams Engineering Journal 16 (10), 103563 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
A Sustainable Practices of Utilizing Ceramic Tile Waste to Replace Coarse Aggregate in Normal Concrete XY Lim, NY Zainun, MH Ahmad, H Mansor International Journal of Integrated Engineering 17 (5), 274-289 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Structural Interaction Between Woven Kenaf FRP Plates and Notched Concrete Beams Under Flexural Loading Z Omar, H Ahmad, S Sugiman, H Mansor, SK Mohamed, KMFK Meh Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience 6 (1), 25 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Flexural behaviour of lightweight foamed concrete partially encased steel beam C Ng, N Abd Rahman, H Ahmad, R Ahmadi World Journal of Engineering , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
The Mechanical Properties of Concrete Waste Slurry Containing Steel Fiber and Rubber Powder MH Ahmad IGI Global Scientific Publishing , 2025 2025
Utilization of high volume of cockle shell as sand replacement in bricks: Effects on density, compressive strength, water absorption and initial rate absorption N Lile, S Sugiman, N Majain, H Ahmad, LS Yee 2025
The mechanical properties of concrete waste slurry containing steel fiber and rubber powder N Majain, JM Radin, MH Ahmad, SMIS Zainal, MF Sulaiman Cutting-Edge Advances in Nanofibers and Fibers: Shaping Future Applications … , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Static Shear Strength of Double-Strap and Single-Lap Joints incorporating Toughened Mussel Epoxy MNS Azhar, S Velayutham, S Sugiman, DD Chin, SY Lee, RH Goh, ... International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering and Technology … , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Experimental and numerical investigation of adhesively bonded kfrp/steel double strap joints incorporating eggshell powder-toughened epoxy adhesive CL Yip, S Sugiman, D Chin, H Ahmad Case Studies in Construction Materials 20, e02790 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
Fracture energy and mechanical properties of toughened epoxy resin with eggshell powder C Fong, S Sugiman, D Chin, H Ahmad Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology 38 (12), 2065-2084 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
The development of Semi-Auto flood door barrier K Supar, SMNS Ismail, MA Azmi, AI Jafri, MAM Azmi, H Ahmad Multidisciplinary Applied Research and Innovation 5 (2), 24-30 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
The Development of IBS Structure Panel Using Revit Software K Supar, NAI Hisyamudin, MNAMA Abdullah, AMA Abdullah, NFSM Noor, ... Multidisciplinary Applied Research and Innovation 5 (2), 1-8 , 2024 2024
Shear Strength of Adhesively bonded Joints with Toughened Mussel Shell Powder S Velayutham, S Sugiman, MH Ahmad, ZM Jaini International Journal of Integrated Engineering 16 (1), 201-212 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
STATIC SHEAR STRENGTH OF DOUBLE-STRAP AND SINGLE-LAP JOINTS INCORPORATING TOUGHENED MUSSEL SHELL POWDER WITH EPOXY S AZHAR, S VELAYUTHAM, S SUGIMAN, CD DANIEL, H AHMAD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL 15 (3) , 2024 2024
Shear Strength of Adhesively Bonded Joint with Toughened Epoxy Mussel Powder S Velayutham, S Sugiman, H Ahmad, Z Mohd Jaini International Journal of Integrated Engineering 16 (2), 1-12 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Experimental and numerical investigation of adhesively bonded kfrp/steel double strap joints incorporating eggshell powder-toughened epoxy adhesive CLY Chia Lia Yip, SS Sugiman Sugiman, DC Desmond Chin, H Ahmad Case Studies in Construction Materials 20, 1-7 , 2024 2024
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Compressive strength of palm oil fuel ash concrete MH Ahmad, RC Omar, MA Malek, NM Noor, S Thiruselvam Proceedings of International Conference on Construction and Building … , 2008 2008 Citations: 84
Proposed framework for the flood disaster management cycle in Malaysia SAHBS Muzamil, NY Zainun, NN Ajman, N Sulaiman, SH Khahro, ... Sustainability 14 (7), 4088 , 2022 2022 Citations: 78
Strength prediction in CFRP woven laminate bolted double-lap joints under quasi-static loading using XFEM H Ahmad, AD Crocombe, PA Smith Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 56, 192-202 , 2014 2014 Citations: 57
Mechanical properties of palm oil clinker concrete MH Ahmad, S Mohd, NM Noor Engineering Conference, 172 , 2007 2007 Citations: 39
Comparison of cohesive zone and continuum damage approach in predicting the static failure of adhesively bonded single lap joints S Sugiman, H Ahmad Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology 31 (5), 552-570 , 2017 2017 Citations: 36
Strength prediction in CFRP woven laminate bolted single-lap joints under quasi-static loading using XFEM H Ahmad, AD Crocombe, PA Smith Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 66, 82-93 , 2014 2014 Citations: 33
Physical properties of local palm oil clinker and fly ash MH Ahmad, NM Noor Engineering Conference, 162 , 2007 2007 Citations: 32
Shear strengthening of reinforced concrete beams using carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminate: a review MBS Alferjani, A Samad, BS Elrawaff, NB Mohamad, MHB Ahmad American Journal of Civil Engineering 2 (1), 1-7 , 2014 2014 Citations: 26
Use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminate for strengthening reinforced concrete beams in shear: a review MBS Alferjani, AA Samad, BS Elrawaff, N Mohamad, M Hilton, AAS Saiah International Refereed Journal of Engineering and Science (IRJES) 2 (2), 45-53 , 2013 2013 Citations: 20
XFEM modelling of single-lap Kenaf fibre composite hybrid joints under quasi-static loading LS Yee, H Ahmad Plastics, Rubber and Composites 48 (2), 48-56 , 2019 2019 Citations: 19
Experimental and numerical investigation of the residual strength of steel-composites bonded joints: effect of media and aging condition S Sugiman, PD Setyawan, S Salman, H Ahmad Composites Part B: Engineering 173, 106977 , 2019 2019 Citations: 18
Stress distribution study on multi-holes configurations in woven fabric kenaf composite plates K Supar, H Ahmad IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 271 (1), 012005 , 2017 2017 Citations: 18
Physically based finite element strength prediction in notched woven laminates under quasi-static loading H Ahmad, AD Crocombe, PA Smith Plastics, Rubber and Composites 42 (3), 93-100 , 2013 2013 Citations: 17
Shrinkage of Malaysian palm oil clinker concrete MH Ahmad, NM Noor, SH Adnan ICCE08. Pahang, Malaysia , 2008 2008 Citations: 16
The effects of woven fabric Kenaf FRP plates flexural strengthened on plain concrete beam under a four-point bending test Z Omar, S Sugiman, MM Yussof, H Ahmad Case Studies in Construction Materials 17, e01503 , 2022 2022 Citations: 15
Predicting the flexural behaviour of CFRP-strengthened concrete beam using combined XFEM and cohesive zone model Z Omar, S Sugiman, MM Yusoff, H Ahmad Journal of Applied Science and Engineering 25 (6), 1077-1090 , 2022 2022 Citations: 15
Mix design of palm oil fiber concrete MH Ahmad, MN Nurazuwa Proceedings of the International Conference on Civil Engineering , 2008 2008 Citations: 15
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) using geographical information system (GIS): An integrated land suitability analysis of filling stations NN Ajman, NY Zainun, N Sulaiman, SH Khahro, FEM Ghazali, MH Ahmad Sustainability 13 (17), 9859 , 2021 2021 Citations: 14
Numerical modelling of foamed concrete beam under flexural using traction-separation relationship H Ahmad, S Sugiman, ZM Jaini, AZ Omar Latin American Journal of Solids and Structures 18, e382 , 2021 2021 Citations: 14
XFEM modelling of multi-holes plate with single-row and staggered holes configurations K Supar, H Ahmad MATEC Web of Conferences 103, 02031 , 2017 2017 Citations: 14
