This study focused on the reclamation of ash from incineration process and development of new artificial lightweight aggregate (LWA) that have comparable properties with existing natural coarse aggregate. The main objective of this study is to examine potential use of recycled municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) ash as raw material in LWA production with a method of cold-bonded pelletization. Two types of incineration ash which is bottom ash (BA) and fly ash (FA) were collected from Cameron Highland Incineration Plant, Malaysia. The properties of BA and FA are studied by means of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and microstructure of these ashes were inspected using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The properties of BALA and FALA produced in this study is examined including loose bulk density, water absorption and aggregate impact value (AIV). From the results of both types of artificial LWA, the lowest loose bulk density of BALA is BALA50 with 564.14 kg/m3 and highest is at 831.19 kg/m3. For FALA50, lowest loose bulk density is 573.64 kg/m3 and highest is 703.35 kg/m3. Water absorption of BALA and FALA is quite similar with one another in with the value of 23.8% and 22.6%, respectively. Generally, FALA have better qualities of LWA comparing with BALA with lower bulk density and water absorption and can be categorized as strong aggregate. In summary, reclamation and reutilization of incinerator ash has generated acceptable qualities for artificial LWA. Both types of BA and FA shown a great potential to be recycled as additional materials in artificial aggregate production.

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.