ARID ZONE JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Efficacy of Sugarcane Bagasse and Rice Husk Adsorbent for treatment of Heavy metals from petroleum refinery effluent

S. A. Waziri — 2024-06-01

Heavy metals are being extremely released into the environment due to poor was management resulting from industrialization and urbanization. Discharging wastewater contaminated with heavy metals poses a significant risk to human health and the surrounding ecosystem. Heavy metals are characterized by their non-biodegradable nature and potential carcinogenic properties. Activated carbons (ACs), which are carbon-based nano-porous adsorbents, are widely utilized in the removal of heavy metals because of their extensive surface area. In this study, active carbon materials were prepared using rice husk and sugarcane precursor by applying physical-chemical activation methods. To examine the Sequestering of heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc) in a refinery effluent, a batch adsorption technique was adopted, and the process parameter were investigated at different temperatures and impregnation ratio. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to determine the surface morphology and functional group while X-Ray Diffraction analysis (XRD) was used for the study of the crystallographic property of the activated carbon adsorbent. Both Rice Husk and Bagasse showed promising capacity for multiple adsorption of heavy metals. Freundlich and Langmuir's models were applied to study the sorption behavior. Although, process parameters play a vital role in the activation of the adsorbent, rice husk, and sugar bagasse have a strong potential for heavy metal adsorption. The hierarchy of performance effectiveness of rice husk was Cr>Pb>Cu>Cd>Zn>Ni according to the Langmuir model with Chromium (Cr) having the highest performance with a coefficient of correlation R2 of 0.9512 and the least Nickel (Ni) having R2 of 0.6156. While Sugarcane bagasse fitted well to the Freundlich model with the efficacy of removal in the order Pb>Cu>Cd>Ni>Cr>Zn with Lead (Pb) having the highest efficacy of removal with R2 of 0.957 and the least was Zinc (Zn) with R2 of 0.211 respectively.

Sensitivity analysis of the effects of load magnitude on pavement strains using load spectra

A. A. Murana — 2024-06-01

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of wheel loads on linear responses by sensitivity analysis on an elastic linear analysis. Sensitivity analysis of traffic factors was carried out on the failure parameters, where the impact of each of the wheel load magnitude for each axle type and its relationship with the pavement response outputs was evaluated. The reference central value (mean) of the ALS on both the southbound axis and northbound axis of the selected route, Kaduna-Zaria roadway, were either increased or reduced by 0% to 50%, and also, 100% and 500%, to see how the pavement will respond to a constant pavement configuration and material properties applied to all cases. The results obtained from KENLAYER runs were used to determine the relationship between the axle load groups and the pavement responses. The effect of load magnitude on pavement responses, was evaluated in respect of the tensile strains and compressive strains. The findings of the study revealed that: Development of comprehensive data base was accomplished from the local traffic data that meets the requirements of M-E design procedure. Wheel load group relationship for each axle type to vertical strains on top of the subgrade soils are linear, while the tensile strain at the bottom of the asphalt concrete is about 50%.

Comparative Analysis of Cutting Fluids Developed from Groundnut Oil and used Engine Oil for Machining Operation

M. A. Abba-Aji — 2024-06-01

This research concentrates on the development of cutting fluid from spent engine oil used in motor vehicles (used engine oil) and groundnut oil, for the purpose of cooling the heat generated in the cutting zone during metal work. Cutting fluid are widely used in machining process such as turning, milling, grinding and forming manufacturing process. Four different soluble oil were developed using locally sourced material and applied as cutting fluids for turning operation in a lathe machine. Sample A comprises groundnut oil, emulsifying wax, potassium dichromate, 2-aphtol, Sulphur, Soap. Sample B comprises Groundnut oil, Liquid paraffin, Potassium dichromate, 2-Naphtol, Sulphur, Soap. Sample C comprises of Used Engine oil, Emulsifying wax, potassium dichromate, 2-Naphtol, Sulphur, Soap. Sample D comprises of used engine oil, liquid paraffin, potassium dichromate, 2-Naphtol, Sulphur soap. Determination of temperature, viscosity, PH values and percentage of free fatty acid (%FFA) were conducted on these samples. Viscosity and pH values of the samples were measured using Brookfield Synchro-electric Viscometer and pH meter, respectively. A straight-turning operation was carried out on a bar (workpiece) of 4mm diameter, using a lathe machine at a feed rate of 2 mm/min at a turning speed ranging from 58 to 370rpm. Using dry cutting, the cutting zone generated a temperature of 73°C. When applying the developed cutting fluids directly at the tool tip-work piece point of contact, determination of their ability to dissipate heat away from the cutting zone, using a thermocouple was conducted. It was observed that the turning operation conducted with sample D serving as cutting fluid (with a cutting zone temperature of 17.0°C and viscosity of 0.365) dissipated more heat (56°C) away from the cutting zone when compared to samples A, B and C, having temperature and viscosity of 32°C, 28°C, 20°C and 0.02, 0.235, 0.155 Nsm-2 respectively. Sample D has the lowest pH value of 3.78 making it more acidic and susceptible to corrosion. In conclusion, all the samples can be used for cutting fluid.

Design of a Smart Solar Hybrid Egg Incubator for Small Scale Poultry Farmers

M. A. Abba-Aji — 2024-06-01

In this study, an electro-mechanical device (incubator) was designed to provide temperature and humidity for fertilization of eggs. A 132 capacity egg crates and medium density fiber board plywood (MDF-plywood) with a 15mm thickness for the incubation chamber were used. A 200AH lithium phosphate battery, 300W capacity solar panel and inverter were used to power the 200W electric bulb and other incubator components in the time of power shortages. Incubation temperature of 37.50C and average relative humidity of 45% were considered during the design. A 3D model of the designed incubator was produced using Solid works software package. The model provided some important information on the material properties of the proposed plywood for construction of the casing, the plastic egg crates and the egg turning tray. The required number of egg crates and egg turning trays were determined as 8 and 4 respectively with two plastic crates sitting on each tray. Heat generation and heat losses of the system were also determined as 139.482595W and-3.395925W respectively. The total power consumption of the designed incubator was 150.4159W. Design of a cost-effective solar hybrid eggs incubator (N940, 200), with a dimension of 1100mm for poultry farmers was successfully carried out with a hatching capacity of 1056eggs.

Exploring the Influence of Noise on Voice Recognition Systems: A Case Study of Supervised Learning Algorithms

M. O. Balogun — 2024-06-01

Speech recognition systems have become increasingly prevalent in various applications, ranging from virtual assistants to voice-controlled devices and dictation software. The desire to design human-computer interfaces that are more accessible, intuitive, and efficient cannot be overemphasized. Such advancements hold significant potential to enhance accessibility, productivity, safety, and user experience across various domains and industries. Despite significant advancements in speech recognition technology, several challenges persist. One primary challenge is achieving high accuracy and robustness across diverse speaking styles, accents, and environmental conditions. Background noise, variations in pronunciation, and overlapping speech can introduce errors and degrade performance, especially in real-world scenarios. This study explores the pursuit of accurate and lightweight algorithms in biometric applications, focusing on voice recognition. Using a dataset featuring renowned leaders' voices, the research compares K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) techniques. Employing Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) and considering noisy and noiseless environments, the study reveals that ANN outperforms KNN. In noisy conditions, ANN achieves 62.4% accuracy, while KNN reaches 33.4%. In noiseless settings, ANN's accuracy rises to 95%, surpassing KNN's 88%. Assessment metrics like False Acceptance Rate, False Rejection Rate, F1 Score, Recall, Precision, and Receiver Operator Characteristics Curve are analyzed. The study emphasizes the detrimental impact of noise on recognition accuracy and underscores ANN's consistent superiority over KNN. Despite challenges posed by noisy environments, the research highlights the potential benefits of these approaches, emphasizing ANN's superior performance across scenarios. This research showcases the significance of accurate biometric systems, emphasizing ANN's advantages in enhancing usability and precision, especially in real-world noisy conditions.

Generation of Rainfall Intensity-Duration Frequency Models for Port Harcourt City in South- South Ngeria

C. C. Emeka-Chris — 2024-06-01

Inadequate meteorological data poses a significant challenge for engineers in accurately designing, operating, and planning water resources, particularly against extreme rainfall events. This study focuses on Generating Intensity Duration Frequency (IDF) Models for Port Harcourt City in South Nigeria. Daily rainfall data spanning thirty-two years (1983-2014) were collected from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Oshodi, Lagos State. The annual maximum series method was employed to select datasets for rainfall analysis.

Two statistical distributions, Gumbel and Log Pearson Type III, were utilized to calculate observed rainfall intensity values at durations of 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, and 360 minutes, considering return periods of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 years. Non-linear regression analysis using Microsoft Excel's Optimization Technique Solver wizard was performed to derive parameters for the IDF models for each duration and return period. Metrics such as chi-square (χ2), coefficient of determination (R2), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) were analyzed in order to assess the performance of the models. For the Gumbel distribution, R2 values ranged from 0.76 to 1.00, with RMSE from 0.20 to 11.73. The Log Pearson Type III distribution showed perfect R2of 1 and RMSE ranging from 0.23 to 9.68, indicating superior performance in terms of R2 and RMSE.

While there were no significant differences among the predicted intensities of various IDF models, the Log Pearson Type III Model is recommended for predicting rainfall intensities in Port Harcourt due to its superior performance metrics. These IDF Models serve as valuable tools for engineers and hydrologists in estimating stormwater runoff, designing drainage systems, managing reservoirs, and planning water resources development to mitigate flooding and its impacts. Moreover, they can enhance the teaching of land drainage courses for engineering students, providing practical demonstrations and improving their understanding of the subject matter.

Wind Energy Assessment in Auchi, Nigeria using Weibull Distribution and NASA Data

I. Seidu — 2024-06-01

The advancements in wind energy farms in the developed world have significantly reduced the cost of wind energy turbine systems, making them more competitive and contributing to a reduction in global warming, which has a widespread impact on the global population. This study evaluates the wind energy potential of Auchi, a community in Edo State, Nigeria, using the Weibull distribution function. Wind speed data from NASA spanning an 11-year period (2012-2022) at a height of 10 m is utilized, and statistical methods are employed to estimate the Weibull parameters (scale and shape), which are then used to calculate the wind power density and the probability density function which was validated using root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination R2. The results indicate that Auchi possesses favorable wind conditions for power generation, with an average wind speed of 6.07 m/s and an average power density of 153.64 W/m². Additionally, the study examines the influence of surface roughness and height on wind speed and power density, highlighting the potential for harnessing wind energy for electrification purposes in Auchi, thereby offering a solution to Nigeria’s energy challenges.

Effects of Orientation on the Properties of Fan Palm Fibre Reinforced Sheet

O. A. Adeleke — 2024-06-01

In this research, the effect of orientation of the strength of fan palm fibre reinforced sheets was investigated. The material used was fan palm fibre whose length varies from 0.8 to 1.7m with an average bulk density of 1.133g/cm3, specific gravity of 0.46 and Moisture Content (MC) of 7.40%. And the mould used was a wooden mould of 300×300×9 mm. The fibre was soaked in both water and cement slurry for 24 hours and 7 days. Soil sieve analysis was carried out using ASTM standard and curing was done for 28 days. The percentage of fibre in the sampled reinforce sheet was between 1-3% at various orientations (0, 30, 60° and 2D). The properties examined were Water Absorption (WA), Compressive Strength (CS) and Flexural Strength (FS). Data analysis was done using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results showed that the reinforced sheets with long fibre of 1, 2 and 3% have WA of 5.76, 3.72 and 5.05% respectively. While those with short fibre of 1, 2 and 3% have 6.87, 7.36 and 7.75% respectively. The CS of the reinforced sheets of 1, 2 and 3% fibre at 0, 30, and 600 orientations were 6.9568, 8.0779, 7.2330; 3.2870, 6.6764, 7.355; and 3.0592, 5.3215, 3.9090 N/mm2 respectively and the FS results were also observed. The CS and FS of reinforced sheets at 00 and 300 fibre orientations seems to be the best.

Development and Simulation of a Rotor Flux- Oriented Control Scheme for Efficiency Improvement in a Three Phase Induction Motor

G. A. Olarinoye — 2024-06-01

The efficiency of induction motor drives under variable operating load and speed conditions can be improved by developing an algorithm that compute the optimum flux in the motor and commands a voltage that drives the motor at maximum efficiency for any given load and speed. This approach also helps to achieve significant amount of savings in electric energy consumption. In this paper, a method to optimize the flux of a three-phase induction motor and thereby maximize its efficiency for each load torque applied at a given speed, was developed. Mathematical models for the conventional rotor flux-oriented control scheme, total power loss as a function of rotor flux and for optimum flux as a function of operating speed and load torque were analytically derived. A MATLAB/Simulink model of the proposed rotor flux optimization scheme was developed to verify the analyses set forth for a typical three-phase Induction Motor. The results of the proposed method were compared with those of the conventional rotor flux control method and direct torque control (DTC) method in terms of loss reduction and efficiency for the same induction motor. The proposed rotor flux optimization scheme achieved 8.51% improvement in efficiency compared to the conventional rotor flux control scheme at a speed of 250 rad/s for a load torque of 3Nm. It also achieved 5.01% improvement in efficiency compared to the optimized DTC control scheme for the same speed and load torque. At a lower speed of 150 rad/s, power loss reduced by 17.1% while efficiency was higher by 5.7% for a load torque of 3Nm under the proposed scheme as compared to the optimized DTC scheme

Geospatial Assessment of Channel Planform and Migration in the Lower Reach of River Gongola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

M. Ikusemoran — 2024-06-01

Channel migration is the process by which stream channels move and shape floodplains through time. The river channel of the lower reach of River Gongola between Kiri dam and the inlet to River Benue has been subjected to channel migration since the impoundment of Kiri reservoir in 1984. In this study, temporal changes in river channel parameters such as width, area, perimeter, sinuosity and channel bars, as well as the channel migration of the lower reach of River Gongola were assessed. Landsat MSS image of 1975 (nine years before the commissioning of Kiri reservior) and Google maps of 1975, 1984, 1989, 1999, 2009 and 2019 were aquired, processed and analyzed for the changes in channel parameters and migration in each of the six selected years. Overlay method in ArcGIS 10.5 sofware and appropriate formula were used to obtain the values of the channel parameters as well as that of channel migration. The result of the study reveals that all the channel parameters have been subjected to changes. The channel width was widest in 1975 when the dam was not constructed. The largest channel bars in 1989 recorded positive impact on the channel width, perimeter, length and sinuosity as all these parameters covered the highest land area in the same year. The sinuosity index ranged from 1.22 to 1.26 which fall within the “sinuous” class and hence, the channel is currently in sinuous stage. Areas covered by erosion were more prominent in the river channel than areas with deposition. The initial vertical incision before and shortly after the impoundment of the reservoir has changed to lateral erosion which leads to channel widening. It was recommended that geospatial techniques should be applied in the temporal monitoring of river channels for reliable and accurate data for monitoring of river channels.

Strength Characteristics of Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitate/Cement Stabilized Laterite Blocks

S. Abdullahi — 2024-06-01

This paper assesses the strength characteristics of microbial induced calcite precipitate/cement stabilized laterite blocks. To achieve this, the compressive strength of unmodified lateritic soil blocks, Bacillus coagulans calcite precipitate modified lateritic soil blocks, cement modified lateritic soil blocks as well as the combined effects of the Bacillus coagulans calcite precipitate and 5% cement stabilized lateritic soil blocks were determined. Bacillus coagulans bacteria was used as the bio calcination agent and ordinary Portland cement as the stabilizer. The B. coagulans was mixed at various concentrations using the McFarland standard and cement was replaced at 5% to 20% replacement levels after which the crushing strengths were determined considering various curing ages. The compressive strength increased at the various curing ages ranging from 0.9 N/mm2 to 2.0 N/mm2 at 7 days, 1.3 N/mm2 to 2.1 N/mm2 at 14 days, 1.5 N/mm2 to 2.15 N/mm2 at 21 days and 1.65 N/mm2 to 2.5 N/mm2 at 28 days for all the stabilized blocks with varying concentrations of B. coagulans suspension. The compressive strength of the cement stabilized laterite blocks increased with an increase in percentage of cement replacement, and also with increasing B. coagulans suspension density for stabilized microbial induced calcite precipitate (MICP) laterite blocks. The 5% cement stabilized MICP laterite blocks performed better than cement stabilized laterite blocks with 20% cement replacement. The optimum concentration was achieved at Bacillus coagulans suspension of 2.4 x 109 cell/ml and 5% cement replacement at 28 days curing age with compressive strength value of 4.2 N/mm2. Based on the study conducted, it is recommended that for production of laterite blocks, a quantity of 5% cement replacement for stabilization of laterite may be used in addition to Bacillus coagulans to produce stronger laterite blocks

Investigation of the Properties of Concrete Made with Fly-Ash and Dry Waste Okra Powder

Y. Rahmat — 2024-06-01

Concrete is the most utilized construction material globally, with the issues of global warming, overburden and over-dependence on cement leads to the research into alternative materials in the production of concrete, which would not only reduce the usage of cement but also improve the performance of concrete product. The research investigates the effect of fly ash (FA) and dry waste okra powder (DWOP) on the strength performance of concrete. Concrete mix of 1:2.43:2.85 with water cement ratio of 0.5 was used. 10% by weight of cement was replaced by fly-ash, and dry waste okra powder was added at 0.25% to 1% at 0.25% interval as admixture. The parameters investigated are, chemical composition, setting time, workability, chemical composition of fly-ash and dry waste okra powder, density, compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength. The results showed that fly-ash is a good pozzolan with combined SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 to equal 89.04%. The use of dry waste okra powder increases the setting time of cement/FA-DWOP paste and also resulted in the increase in workability of the concrete as the percentage admixture increases. The result showed that fly-ash ash has a pozzolanic effect and DWOP has an admixture effect on concrete properties by considering the strength activity index, higher compressive strength, higher flexural and splitting strength than control concrete for fly-ash blended admixture concrete at 0.5% and 0.75% up-to 1% admixture content. From this result, it can be concluded that FA as partial replacement material is a good pozzolanic material and DWOP is suitable as admixture material in concrete production.

Optimization of Sandwich Bumper for Three Year Old Child Neck Injury Prevention

I. A. Rafukka — 2024-06-01

Impact energy absorption vehicle components play an important role in reducing severity of injury in vehicle crashes. Children being delicate are most vulnerable in vehicular collisions. The neck is the major body region after head that experiences a high moment when deceleration is transmitted to it. Bumper is one of the vehicle’s frontal energy absorption components that reduce deceleration to the occupants. Sandwich bumper is an energy absorption component that could substitute a steel bumper. The geometry of the sandwich bumper affects its energy absorption capability on impact. This work applies an optimization technique to determine the sandwich bumper thicknesses that provides lower neck moments to child on impact at 48km/h in LS DYNA code. Finite element (FE) simulations using crash dummy models being the simplest method to reproduce accident was employed. The optimization results found the minimum neck moment of 25.4 Nm occurred at foam thickness of 68.76 mm and bumper thickness of 2 mm. The study provides designers with quantitative information on how the bumper performance affects child injury in vehicular frontal crashes. This will lead to design of safer vehicles for the children population.

Hate Speech Identification in West Africa, using Machine-Learning Techniques

A. A. Sosimi — 2024-06-01

The tremendous rise in social media usage over the past ten years has resulted in an extraordinary spike in hate speech activities in West Africa. Because of this, her unity is constantly in peril. This study combines relevant natural language processing techniques and machine learning classifiers to create a hate speech detection model using hate speech from West African countries, including Pidgin English, on Twitter, now ‘X’. The data was pre-processed using word embedding, CountVectorizer, and Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (Tf-Idf) to extract useful characteristics from the cleaned dataset. Five machine learning classifiers were used to train the dataset, these include Logistic Regression (LR), Naïve Bayes (NB), Extreme Gradient Boost (XGBoost), Deep Neural Network (DNN), and Bidirectional Long and Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM). The Bi-LSTM fitted on Global Vectors (GloVe) embedding produced the best experiment results, with an accuracy of 92% and an F1-Score of 83% when assessed on a test set. The machine learning models generally demonstrated strong performance on test data, suggesting that they had internalised the knowledge from the training set and could use it to analyse new data.

Student Perceptions of ICT-Based Lecture Delivery During COVID-19 Pandemic

U. A. Baba — 2024-06-01

The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to adopt online learning methods. This study investigates the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage on student performance in Adamawa State, Nigeria, focusing on Yola North Local Government. A quantitative approach employed a survey questionnaire distributed to 170 participants (students, teachers, and principals). Descriptive statistics analysed demographic profiles, ICT access, online learning satisfaction, and perceived barriers. While many students and teachers agreed they had sufficient IT skills, access to equipment and internet connectivity was limited. Zoom was the preferred online learning tool, but challenges like inconsistent communication, difficulty participating, and limited practical sessions were reported. Barriers included lack of consistent power supply, poor learning environment, and limited access to materials. ICT played a crucial role in continuing education during the pandemic, but significant challenges remain. Improved access to resources, better connectivity, and enhanced online learning practices are essential for optimizing student performance in future disruptions.

Design, Construction and Performance Evaluation of a Mucuna Bean Seed Cracker

P. J. Etim — 2024-06-01

A cracking machine was developed for Mucuna bean seed. Design considerations and calculations were made using relevant equations and data from some engineering properties of the seed. A 2 hp electric motor running at a speed of 1400 rpm was used to transmit power to the gear mechanism. The cracker was fabricated using locally available materials to promote the possibility of replacing damaged parts. The performance of the machine was evaluated at various moisture levels since traditional post-harvest processing of the seed is moisture-dependent. The feed rate of the machine decreased as the moisture level increased. A significant decrease of 17.31 % was observed across the various moisture levels tested as the feed rate of the machine decreased from 8.01 to 6.59 kg/hr. At a moisture content level of 5.31 % (dry basis), the throughput capacity of the machine was obtained as 12.02 kg/hr, while between 9.14 to 11.52 % moisture content, it decreased by 3.5 %. The efficiency of cracking of the seed increased from 56.6 to 66.1 % as moisture content increased from 5.31 to 18.38 % (dry basis). The percentage of seed breakage also increased with moisture level. The seeds were observed to crack more efficiently when moisture was reduced. An average of 500 seeds were cracked within an hour, as against a minimum of 48 hours that would have been spent if the seeds were to be soaked in water before manual cracking.

Performance Improvement of a Boost Converter Driving a Separately Excited DC Motor using Inductor-Capacitor (LC) Filter.

H. M. Usman — 2024-06-01

The increasing use of boost converter circuits for driving DC motors is attributed to their ability to provide extensive adjustable speed control, frequent starting, precise speed regulation, braking, and reversing capabilities. However, the presence of harmonic content poses a significant challenge for these converters. This study investigates the performance enhancements achieved through the integration of an Inductor-Capacitor (LC) filter in a boost converter circuit driving a separately excited DC motor. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements in both converter and motor performance with the LC filter. The average output voltage and current of the converter increase from 122.61 V and 31.24 A to 129.30 V and 34.39 A, respectively, indicating effective ripple mitigation. Additionally, the motor speed rises from 1103 rpm to 1205 rpm, with corresponding improvements in efficiency for both the converter (from 81.21% to 94.18%) and the motor (from 68.32% to 85.13%) with the LC filter. These improvements highlight the critical role of the LC filter in reducing losses, enhancing motor performance, and achieving overall system efficiency gains. These findings highlight the significance of innovative filtering techniques in optimizing power electronics systems and motor control applications.

Influence of Agroforestry Technology Adoption on Poverty Reduction Among Farming Households in Okunland of Kogi State, Nigeria

D. O. Oke — 2024-06-01

The significance of Agroforestry to the enhancement of livelihoods of farming households, through its contribution to food and income security as well as the improvement of crop productivity of farmers, cannot be overemphasized. Consequent upon this, the study assessed the impact of agroforestry practices on poverty reduction among small farming families in Okunland, Kogi State, Nigeria. In selecting respondents for the study, a multi-stage sampling approach. This study used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics for analysis. The descriptive statistics used are frequencies and percentages, while the inferential statistics used is Foster Greer Thorbecke (FGT) technique. Findings showed that about 35% of those who adopted the practice of agroforestry did not measure up to the poverty line (N54, 520.13k). Therefore, since they were found below the poverty line, they were regarded as poor. For those who did not adopt the practice of agroforestry, sixty seven percent of them were found below the poverty line (N31, 654.19k). By implication, this category of people can be regarded as poor. In order to reveal the extent of poverty among the respondents, FGT poverty index was used. Results from this therefore showed that the farming households who adopted and practiced agroforestry technology had a better livelihood when compared to those that failed to adopt the technology. In addition, it was discovered from the study that several constraints were militating against the adoption of agroforestry technologies by the farming households in the study area. Some of the constraints were lack of knowledge and required skills on agroforestry, long gestation period of trees, insufficient land for tree planting, lack of planting materials among others. Consequent upon this, this study recommends that necessary efforts should be made by government and concerned stakeholders to increase the adoption of agroforestry technology by creating awareness and sensitizing farmers on significance of adopting agroforestry technology and the associated benefits derivable from agroforestry practices. To accomplish this, extension agents and subject matter specialists on agroforestry should train and enlighten farmers on how best to use their land so as to accommodate both arable and tree crops so as to ensure improved productivity.

Influence of Rubber Crumbs on the Structural Efficiency of Concrete Made from Ceramic Tile Aggregates

A. Adetiloye — 2024-06-01

The indiscriminate dumping of used tyres and construction waste like ceramic tiles has contributed to the present unclean environment. As part of the efforts in the recycling of these waste materials, they were both introduced to concrete, and the effect of these two materials on the structural properties of concrete was studied in this work. Crushed ceramic tiles were used to totally replace granite as the coarse aggregate, while crushed tyre rubber crumbs replaced sand as fine aggregate (0%, 5% and 10%), designated as C0, C5 and C10 respectively. The mix ratio was 1:2:2 for cement, fine and coarse aggregates at 0.5 water/cement ratio, concrete was cured for 7 and 28 days. 100 x 100 x 100 mm concrete cubes were used for the compressive and 100 x 100 x 750 mm beam was used for the flexural strength tests. The results obtained from both compressive and flexural tests showed a general reduction in strength, this was due to the ceramic tiles that absorbed excess water into the concrete. The ACI 209R-92 equations for the prediction of concrete strength were used to determine the one-year strength of the concrete samples. Statistical analysis showed that the R2 of the strength within one year was 0.83 and 0.77 for the C0 and C5 samples respectively. The presence of rubber crumbs served as fillers, especially in the C5 samples. It was concluded that crushed ceramic tiles and rubber crumbs could be used in structural concrete, but should not exceed 5% of rubber crumbs.

The Implication of Tillage Practices and Decapitation Techniques on the Growth and Biomass Yield of Fluted Pumpkin

C. N. Tom — 2024-06-01

The implication of tillage practices and decapitation techniques on the growth and biomass yield of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) cultivated in an inland swamp land in the dry season was studied. The treatments considered on decapitation were: (A) the control (intact/un-decapitated plants), (B) removal of half the total number of branches on the plant at time of decapitation, (C) removal of all lateral branches and leaves at time of decapitation, (D) removal of all the leaves on the plant at time of decapitation and (E) cutting off half of the entire shoot system. While the treatments considered on tillage practices were: (i) Bed tillage (ii) Ridge tillage (iii) Flat (No tillage). Therefore, the total treatment combinations were fifteen. After the imposition of decapitation, data were collected on growth and yield parameters of the newly developed foliage. The parameters were number of leaves, plant height, total number of new branches, leaf length and breadth, the fresh and dry weight of root, leaves, and shoot biomass. The decapitation (harvesting) techniques and tillage practices adopted in this study affected biomass re-growth and development of fluted pumpkin (Telfaira occidentalis). Removal of half number of branches on bed tillage practice gives the best performance, when compared with the intact (control) plant and other treatments.