Stone mastic asphalt is a gap-graded mix and is usually related to its high bitumen content and its skeleton-like constitution. Although famous for its durability, high resistance to fatigue and rutting, issues such as bleeding and premature aging do occur in the mix since it has a high bitumen content and voids due to its gap-graded structure. In order to encounter these problems from affecting the mix, some instances such as adding additives, rejuvenators and stabilizers into the mixture has been implemented. Nowadays, nano materials are being used in the asphalt mixtures and nano titanium is being introduced as a modifier to the asphalt binder in order to improve the mechanical properties of the stone mastic asphalt mix. The related tests done in order to access the improvement are resilient modulus, dynamic creep, moisture susceptibility and binder drain down. The content of nano titanium used in this research are 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%. This study is done to assess the mechanical performance of stone mastic asphalt with nano titanium modified binder.

Porous asphalt mixture (PA), known as open-graded surfaces over a stone bed underneath, allows water to go through. These factors can affect the porous asphalt mixture adhesive strength. The high amount of course aggregate promotes the structure of air voids have certain impacts on the acoustic properties of porous asphalt. The materials properties are consisting of both aggregate and bitumen tests. This study also details out the aggregates sieve analysis test to develop new aggregate gradation for PA. According to five ASEAN countries’ specifications, the sieve analysis test was done. The countries included are Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. The test for the binder includes the softening point, penetration, and ductility. This study also investigates the addition of kenaf fiber in the mixture as an additive. Mechanical performance test for PA using Marshall Stability test to identify the strength and the properties of the conventional PA with the addition of kenaf fiber compared to the new gradation of PA incorporating kenaf fiber. From the results, the addition of 0.3% kenaf modified PA improved the performance of PA in terms of Marshall Stability and volumetric properties.

In Eurocode 5, the stiffness equation for bolted steel-wood-steel is stated as a function ofwood density and fastener diameter only. In this research, an experimental study on various configurations of tested bolted steel-wood-steel (SWS) connections has been undertaken to predict the initial stiffness of each connection. In order to validate the Eurocode 5 stiffness equation, tests on 50 timber specimens (40 glued laminated timbers and 10 laminated veneer lumbers (LVL)) with steel plates were undertaken. The number of bolts was kept similar and the connector diameter, timber thickness, and wood density were varied. The results obtained in the experimental tests are compared with those obtained from the Eurocode 5 stiffness equation. From the analysis, it is signified that the stiffness equation specified in Eurocode 5 for bolted SWS connections does not adequately predict the initial stiffness. The results from Eurocode 5 stiffness equation are very far from the experimental values. The ratio of stiffness equation to experimental results ranges from 3.48 to 4.20, with the average at 3.77, where the equation overpredicted the experimental stiffness value for the connection. There is a need to consider or incorporated other parameters such as geometric configurations in Eurocode 5 stiffness equation to improve the ratio with the experimental data.