Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Generation and Characterization at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria

2021-09-15T12:52:16+00:00

Effective MSW management requires adequate knowledge of waste generation and characterization. Therefore, estimation and characterization of the MSW generated in the different sections of University of Ibadan was considered. The study area was divided into four groups for ease of study: residential, academic, religious, and commercial areas. A generation based direct waste sampling and analysis approach was adopted to estimate the waste generated daily. The average MSW generation rate was 1.55 kg/household/day, and 0.245 kg/head/day in the staff residential areas and students’ halls of residence respectively. It was 46.83 kg/faculty/day and 0.415 kg/shop/day in the academic and business areas respectively. Wastes composition were generally 48% food waste, 10% paper, 8% nylon, 6% yard waste, 5% plastic, 2% glass, 2% metal, 2% textile, 1% wood and 16% other wastes (sanitary, e-waste, etc.). The average density of MSW generated in various areas ranged from 67.25 - 408.13 kg/m³. High composition of non-biodegradable wastes was observed in the studied areas. This means that alternative waste management approach is require for effective waste management in the institution.

Finite element modelling of 2-dimensional plane stress problem with linear strain triangular elements

2021-09-15T13:14:10+00:00

The basic concepts of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) are presented by applying the technique to develop an FEA model for solving two-dimensional in-plane loaded plate using Linear Strain Triangular elements. This case study is chosen because it has an analytical solution and therefore provides a useful basis for the discussion of the accuracy of the finite element solution. Interactive input and output interfaces of the model were developed on the platform of Visual BASIC 6.0 for pre-processing and post-processing modules, respectively, while the codes for processing module were presented in FORTRAN 90, 4-element and 12-element meshes were employed for the analysis of the case study. Due to the symmetrical nature of the problem, 15°-sector of the disc was considered. The load boundary conditions were translated to the nodal forces components in order to obtain radial and tangential stresses for each element. The analytical results were calculated from the Lame’s equation. The model gave results close to those obtained from the Lame’s equation with percentage error not more than 9.173%. However, the 12-element mesh gave better results than the 4-element mesh. The model has made the analysis more flexible, and also made visualization and presentation of results easier for better appreciation

Implementing a Benchmarking Model for Assessing Internet Users’ Complaints in University of Ibadan, Nigeria

2021-09-15T13:01:30+00:00

The Internet is the most important research tool in a university, research being a major activity. It is therefore important to capture users’ satisfaction of the Internet services of a university. This work seeks to improve the performance of the Internet as a research tool by developing a benchmar king model of users’ complaints using University of Ibadan as a case study. Python Natural Language Process (NLP) technique was used to analyse users’ complaints while tokenization, stemming and stop words were used to extract keywords. The identified pro blems from the complaints benchmarking were classified into 32 groups which are clustered into four separate unit which are: “No signals”, “weak signals”, “physical problems” and “users related’ problems. The user related problems had the highest count, fu rther broken into, “Software problems”, “Hardware problems” and “Network problems”. The study revealed that users’ problems have the highest constraint within the university network . A database was created to capture and store user network complaint which was analysed using natural language processing algorithm . Similar complaints were matched with solutions, in order to improve on users’ satisfaction while using the Internet as a research tool as well as to facilitate the work of network administrators in decision making.

Effects of Fibre Size, Content and Plasticiser on Strength Properties of Gmelina arborea Fibre Reinforced Bioplastics

2021-09-15T13:05:13+00:00

Bio plastics produced from cassava starch plasticised with glycerol and sorbitol and reinforced with Gmelina arborea wood fibres at 0 20% fibre contents, 212 and 650 µm fibre sizes were test ed for strength properties. The results obtained revealed that the bio composites had strength properties: tensile strength (0.13 3.34MPa), moduli (1.99 36.31MPa), extension at break (7.08 18.85 mm) comparable with those previously reported in literat ure. Fibre size significantly affected the tensile strength while fibre content significantly affected the moduli and extension at break of the bio composites. Biocomposites produced with sorbitol had significantly higher tensile strength, moduli and exten sion at break than those produced with glycerol

Postharvest Practices among Grain Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

2021-09-15T13:13:01+00:00

The need for adequate postharvest crop management has come to the fore in sub Saharan Africa. A survey was conducted in ten farm settlements in Oyo state, Nigeria, where 400 farmers were interviewed. Respondents were predominantly males (82%), and about 33% did not undergo any formal education. About 39% reported hardly ever seeing agricultural extension agents coming to train them on mitigation of postharvest losses, whi le 87% of the farmers agreed that they experience significant postharvest losses. Observations revealed a low level of postharvest mechanization, while storage structures and processing equipment installed at the inception of the settlements were in a stat e of disrepair. Maize threshers were found in all settlements however, blowers, dryers and modern storage facilities which would ensure that grains are processed and stored properly were unavailable. Inability to effectively stop insect damage to stored gr ains makes over 80% of the farmers to apply unapproved chemicals such as DD Force (Dichlorvos as active ingredient) on harvested crops despite the threat to human health. Moreover, about 60% of the farmers surveyed were unaware of aflatoxin related issues. An obvious gap in information dissemination to farmers in hard to reach locations must be eradicated if sub Saharan Africa will achieve food security.