Mazen Al-Kheetan

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• PhD Civil Engineering
• Professor (Associate) at Mutah University

This study explores the potential of waste brick and geo-cement aggregates as substitutes for natural sand in alkali-activated materials (AAMs) for mortar production. With a focus on achieving net-zero construction and mitigating environmental impact, the study replaces Portland Cement (OPC) and virgin aggregates with waste materials and by-product...

This study investigates the printability of one-part brick powder-based alkali-activated materials (AAMs) containing end-of-life brick particles as aggregate. The novel formulation showcases promise for 3D printing of small to medium-sized building blocks, reminiscent of a Lego-type system, capitalising on the rapid setting time inherent to one-par...

This study investigates the effects of natural and calcined halloysite clay minerals (“NH” and “CH”, respectively) on the performance of 3D printed alkali-activated materials (AAMs). Halloysite clay minerals are selected as they are low-cost and abundantly available. At first, different characterisation techniques were employed to characterise the...

This research addresses the urgent need for sustainable construction practices by presenting an innovative approach to mitigate the environmental burden associated with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) waste disposal. This study offers a dual benefit of waste management and resource conservation by repurposing PVC as aggregates in cementitious systems. The...

The widespread popularity of additive manufacturing in most industries ranging from biomedical to aerospace suggests a transformation in manufacturing, which has recently also emerged in the construction sector. This paper presents an active system for the extrusion-based 3D printing of cementitious materials. The system can be extended to other ma...

Mining activities generate large quantities of waste rocks that pose significant challenges to the environment due to their disposal in landfills, making their incorporation in asphalt mixtures a vigorous solution. This work offers a groundwork for assessing the effectiveness of fully replacing natural limestone aggregate with phosphate mine waste...

The growing demand for sustainable and high-performance asphalt binders has prompted the exploration of waste-derived modifiers. This study investigates the performance enhancement of Natural Asphalt (NA) using Sugarcane Molasses (SM) and Waste Engine Oil (WEO). The modified blends were prepared by partially replacing 50% NA with varying proportion...

Rutting is a crucial concern impacting asphalt concrete pavements’ stability and long-term performance, negatively affecting vehicle drivers’ comfort and safety. This research aims to evaluate the permanent deformation of pavement under different traffic and environmental conditions using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) prediction model. The mod...

High temperatures combined with heavy traffic load necessitate asphalt binder modification to enhance its performance and durability. This research examines the effects of polyphosphoric acid (PPA) on the physical, rheological, and chemical properties of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt binders. Asphalt binders were prepared by addi...

Pavement deterioration due to rutting, fatigue, and thermal cracking poses significant challenges to road infrastructure. Traditional asphalt modifiers often fall short in addressing these issues, leading to growing interest in advanced materials such as nanomaterials. This study investigates the individual and combined effects of three nanomateria...

The depletion of petroleum reserves and increasing environmental concerns have driven the development of eco-friendly asphalt binders. This research investigates the performance of natural asphalt (NA) modified with waste engine oil (WEO) as a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum asphalt (PA). The study examines NA modified with 10%, 2...

A new line of research is introduced in this study, where polypropylene face masks have been used as an additive in concrete mixtures after their treatment with a silane coupling agent (SCA). Face masks were added to concrete in 3 wt.% and 5 wt.% ratios of the weight of cement. The influence of face mask fibers on fresh, mechanical, and durability...

Pavement maintenance is significant to maintain an efficient and safe operation of the road network and meet the need of the drivers and their vehicles. The soundness of the pavement layers affects the overall performance of the pavement, with surface course being the layer that requires high quality materials to withstand direct contact with repea...

This paper investigates hot-applied micro surfacing as a means to improved mix design, durability and performance in comparison to slurry seals or cold laid micro surfacing. The study involved constructing laboratory specimens using both an impact compactor and a non-standard hand-held vibrating compactor. The focus was on analyzing air voids conte...

Additive manufacturing of low-carbon cementitious composites is becoming increasingly important in the construction sector, offering two-dimensional sustainability from both materials and technology standpoints. To address the pressing demand to lessen the negative consequences of the construction sector on the environment, it is essential to ident...

Nanomaterials enhance the performance of both asphalt binders and asphalt mixtures. They also improve asphalt durability, which reduces resource consumption and environmental impact in the long term associated with the production and transportation of asphalt materials. Thus, this paper studies the effectiveness of Nano Calcium Carbonate (Nano CaCO...

With the emergence of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement as a substitute for conventional steel reinforcement, different design codes have been developed to account for the different mechanical properties of the FRP, specifically the elastic modulus. The ACI 440.11-22, CSA/S806-12, and JSCE-97 are well-known standards for FRP-reinforced c...

The replacement of virgin aggregate with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in concrete mixtures offers an eco-strategy to mitigate the environmental limitations linked with traditional recycling techniques of RCA. However, the inferior properties of RCA, in contrast to virgin aggregate, present an obstacle to efficiently proceeding with this approa...

This study investigates the replacement of fine aggregates in concrete with untreated and silane-treated marble and granite waste (MGW) in different ratios of 3 wt.-%, 5 wt.-%, 10 wt.-% and 30 wt.-%. Fresh, mechanical, durability, microstructural, and synergistic properties of all concrete mixtures were assessed by conducting slump test, compressiv...

Incorporating recycled Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (UPVC) aggregates into Alkali Activated Materials (AAMs) presents a promising approach to alleviate the environmental drawbacks associated with conventional recycling methods for UPVC. The distinctive characteristics of UPVC aggregates, as compared to natural sand, pose a challenge in the purs...

Moisture susceptibility is a complex phenomenon that induces various distresses in asphalt pavements and can be assessed by the Retained Stability Index (RSI). This study proposes a robust model to predict the RSI using a hybrid machine learning technique, including Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Gene Expression Programming. The model is expre...

This study set out to examine the unconventional use of raw oil shale (OS) as fine aggregate in concrete instead of its traditional utilisation as a pollutant energy source aiming to hinder the depletion of natural resources. Oil shale particles have been used to replace sand in concrete with 30 wt.-% and 50 wt.-% ratios. Part of the used OS partic...

One-part alkali-activated materials (AAMs) can preserve natural resources and lower embodied carbon of the built environment by accommodating various wastes, industrial by-products, and end-of-life materials in their composition. This study investigates the feasibility of using end-of-life bricks in two physical states, powder and aggregate, to par...

Additive manufacturing (AM), including 3D printing, has the potential to transform the construction industry. AM allows the construction industry to use complex and innovative geometries to build an object, building block, wall, or frame from a computer model. As such, it has potential opportunities for the construction industry and specific applic...

3D printing is a developing technology that has the ability to use different materials to produce concrete elements with complex shapes. The utilization of geopolymers or alkali-activated materials (AAMs) in 3D printing is receiving significant interest due to the environmental benefits of replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The use of solid...

The rapid development in 3D printing applications requires exploring a sustainable printable mixture to decrease the environmental impact induced by the existing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) mixtures and enable 3D printing technology to reach its peak efficiency. The high-volume substitution of OPC with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs)...

This research studied the sustainable utilization of waste ceramic in asphalt mixtures by substituting fine aggregate with treated and untreated waste ceramic produced from construction and demolition activities. To improve its adhesion to the asphalt binder and lower the moisture susceptibility of Superpave asphalt mixes, the waste ceramic was tre...

The built environment sector is under increasing pressure to reduce costs while improving environmental quality. This paper examines Kuwait’s current construction and demolition waste (CDW) management policy, highlights the obstacles faced by recycling processes and suggests solutions to enhance waste management practices. Kuwait has only one landf...

Polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) and glass waste have proven to be significant environmental concerns considering their restricted reuse and complicated recycling procedures. Glass and PVC waste materials form a substantial portion of total solid wastes that negatively influence the environment. This study aims to fully replace natural sand with re...

To enhance wheat straw compatibility with the polylactic acid (PLA) matrix, several graphene-based materials (GBMs) derivatives, including graphene nanoplatelets, graphene oxide, and nano graphite particles with a constant fraction of 0.1 wt.-%, were employed for the surface functionalisation of wheat straw. Wheat straw surface quality was assessed...

Due to global environmental concerns related to climate change, the need to improve the service life of structures and infrastructures is imminently urgent. Structural elements typically suffer service life reductions, leading to poor environmental sustainability and high maintenance costs. Graphene oxide nanosheets (GONSs) effectively dispersed in...

This research aims to economically reduce the waste disposal of hemp shiv by incorporating it into cementitious composites as a replacement for sand. Hot water and steam (H + S) pre-treatment of hemp shiv wastes was employed to mitigate their defects and improve the cementitious composites' mechanical properties. Morphological analysis revealed an...

There has been increasing interest in using nanosized fillers in cement-based construction materials to upgrade mechanical properties, durability, and multi-functionality. In this context, graphene oxide (GO) is proved to be an effective candidate, and its interaction with cement can lead to remarkable enhancement in its macro-properties. To guaran...

Introduction Energy consumption rates in residential buildings rely heavily on the modularity of construction. Methods Traditional building models in Jordan are considered the dominant models in which modern technology is not taken into account in building in order to reduce energy consumption. Recently, interest in modern construction schemes has...

This study elucidates the manufacture of lightweight pedestrian paving blocks (LPPB) by partially substituting sand with wheat straw fibres. Sodium silicate was used to treat wheat straw fibres before their integration into the mixtures. The physical, mechanical, and long-term properties of all LPPB mixtures were evaluated by running the slump, com...

An in-depth investigation of the incorporation of silane-treated and untreated glass waste in concrete is presented in this research. Coarse and fine aggregates were replaced with glass waste in 30 wt.-% and 50 wt.-% ratios, while glass powder was employed as an additive to concrete with 2 wt.-% and 5 wt.-% ratios. Physical, mechanical, microstruct...

One of the ways to achieving net-zero concept in the construction industry is to use alternatives to Portland cement (OPC) and virgin aggregates for concrete manufacturing. Recycled rubber and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) aggregates in conjunction with low-carbon binders can be potentially utilised to substitute natural sand and reduce the negative env...

The Shear Tester with Normal Stress (STNS) is developed in this study for measuring the fundamental shear properties of asphalt mixes at a low cost. The device can shear an asphalt concrete specimen subjected to controlled normal stress of 113 kPa (16.35 Psi). A total of 72 test specimens of three asphalt mixes, produced at different daily times, w...

A new line of research is presented in this study where wick drainage technique was implemented in masonry walls. Three different types of wicks, two lignocellulosic natural materials, namely, sisal and jute, and one synthetic, polypropylene were installed on the external side of the walls with the aim of reducing dampness on their interior structu...

This study aimed to simplify the testing procedure of the duplicate shear tester (DST) and modify it for testing different shapes of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) specimens. The DST steel plates were replaced with aluminum plates of smaller dimensions to reduce its weight. The device was also modified to accommodate asphalt concrete specimens of 101.6 mm a...

The scarcity of energy supplies has recently become one of the most pressing global issues. Jordan, in particular, is facing a significant problem in terms of fossil fuel resources, particularly in generating electrical energy from thermal power plants. For this investigation, a typical Hybrid fuel (natural gas, and Diesel fuel) thermal plant in Jo...

A new line of research is reported in this study where magnetite is used as a partial replacement of traditional aggregates in stone mastic asphalt (SMA) mixtures. The objective is to enhance the functional and mechanical properties of SMA while taking advantage of better thermal properties of magnetite to promote self-healing characteristics of th...

The impact of extra-low dosage (0.01% by weight of cement) Graphene Oxide (GO) on the properties of fresh and hardened nanocomposites was assessed. The use of a minimum amount of 2-D nanofiller would minimize costs and sustainability issues, therefore encouraging the market uptake of nanoengineered cement-based materials. GO was characterized by X-...

This study undertakes a comprehensive investigation of the shear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened by near surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. Different strengthening configurations were employed by varying the length and inclination angle of the CFRP laminates. Results indicated that NSM-CF...

Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavement was studied with incorporation of an environmentally friendly eco-additive, sodium acetate (C2H3NaO2). This additive was added to PCC pavement in three different percentages of 2%, 4% and 6% of binder weight. For a comprehensive elucidation of the eco-additive incorporation on the performance of PCC pavement,...

This research presents new insights into the utilisation of waste glass powder in concrete pavements. Two different types of glass powder were used as a partial replacement for sand: 10% neat glass powder (untreated) and 10% silane-treated glass powder. The interfacial bonding properties, physical properties, and mechanical properties of concrete p...

The impact of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical and mechanical properties of cementitious nanocomposites was investigated. A market-available premixed mortar was modified with 0.01% by weight of cement of commercial GNPs characterized by two distinctively different aspect ratios. The rheological behavior of the GNP-modified fresh admixt...

This article is aimed at investigating the long-term performance of three original hydrophobic materials, namely, sodium acetate, fluoropolymer, and silicone resin. Their performance was compared with traditional silane when applied to fully dry concrete, fully saturated concrete, and concrete with 2 and 4% moisture content. A recently developed fr...

Despite excellent service history, concrete pavement faces accelerated deterioration due to water and chemical ingress through micro cracks and surface voids. Surface protection could be an inexpensive way of enhancing the durability of concrete pavement. This research focuses on evaluating the performance of three surface applied hydrophobic mater...

Individual and hybrid pre-treatments, including hot water, steam and microwave were used on wheat straw to mitigate the surface quality deficiencies for an intimate interfacial bond between substrate and Polylactic Acid matrix. Microstructural analysis showed the expansion of cells due to the pre-treatments which in turn promotes mechanical entangl...

In this study an extensive experimental campaign has been conducted on mortars modified with nano-Graphite (nG) aimed to assess the properties of the resulting nanocomposites in terms of density, microstructure, flexural and compressive strength, damping ratio, thermal and electrical conductivity. Permeability properties were also investigated in t...

The research carried out in this study presents the effectiveness of using sodium acetate as a protective material for concrete pavement. A newly developed freeze-thaw method that depends on the alteration of temperature and humidity is introduced in this research to investigate the efficacy of integrating sodium acetate with concrete with differen...

This study investigates the interfacial bonding of natural fibre reinforced (NFR) cementitious composites by exploring the incorporation of 20-30 mm strands of uncoated and resin coated flax/wool twine into various cementitious matrices. Cementitious matrices consisting of pulverised fly-ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and ord...

A new line of research is presented in this study where sodium acetate is used as a protective material for concrete. A newly developed freeze-thaw method that depends on the alteration of temperature and humidity is introduced in this research to investigate the efficacy of integrating sodium acetate with concrete with different water to cement ra...

This research presents new insight on the performance of concrete when integrated with sodium acetate and cured under extremely harsh environmental conditions: freezing temperature of -25 °C and hot temperature of 60 °C. Mechanical properties, water absorption, microstructural analysis and interaction mechanism of concrete and sodium acetate were e...

Whilst application of deicing salt is essential to maintain the serviceability of concrete pavements in winter months, penetration of salt through microcracks and pores can be harmful to the underlying reinforcement. The aim of the work presented herein is to develop a shielded concrete by integrating a novel anhydrous sodium acetate (ASAc) compoun...

In this research, a silica-based crystallizing protective material was integrated into a fresh concrete mix to evaluate its efficacy in reducing water absorption while preserving the compressive strength level of the mixture. An optimum concrete mix design was determined, by producing several concrete mixes with different water-to-cement ratios (w/...

The present paper investigates the performance and efficacy of four protective surface applied materials; sodium acetate, fluoropolymer, silicone resin and silane when applied to marine structures with different moisture contents. Materials were applied to fully dry and fully saturated concrete along with concrete with 2% and 4% moisture contents....

The purpose of this research is to enhance the performance of Self compacting Concrete (SCC) to make it a more sustainable alternative to traditional concrete. SCC serves the purpose in harsh environments, therefore, requires protection against de-icing agents and harmful saline environments. This paper reports the results from a laboratory study e...

A novel approach has been presented to add a dual‐crystalline hydrophobic admixture in fresh concrete for improving hydrophobicity against chloride and harmful chemicals. Dual‐crystalline material can utilize water of the fresh concrete to form crystals, but the challenge is to maintain adequate hydration and strength while improving hydrophobicity...

Purpose- The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of new and innovative crystallizing materials, so-called moisture blockers, in protecting masonry structures from water ingress. Design/methodology/approach- Two masonry wells were constructed; one with lime mortar and the other with cement based mortar in order to hold water in...

A new line of research to enhance the performance of concrete under adverse (harsh) and normal (air cured) curing conditions is presented. A crystallising hydrophobic admixture and curing agents were added to fresh concrete to improve its resistance against severe environmental conditions. A two-stage approach was pursued by adding the crystallisin...

Moisture content at the time of applying the protective material to concrete has the major influence on the success or failure of the treatment process. The code of practice, BD 43/03 and BS EN 1504-2, suggests a maximum moisture content of approximately 5.0% at the time of applying the treatment. However, this moisture content is the bulk moisture...

With the world moving towards the use of alternative environmentally friendly hydrophobic materials, in the intention of protecting concrete from water ingress and accelerated deterioration, this research focuses on testing three different hydrophobic; Fluoropolymer, Silicate Resin and Crystallizing materials. A number of C40 concrete cubes were tr...

Treating concrete surfaces with cementitious coating, especially those are used as a reservoir for potable and recreational water, is increasingly gaining popularity as a safer and better alternative to conventional coating material formulated from epoxies, urethanes, acrylics and polyureas. Despite good resistance to weathering, scratches and load...

Strength and durability are the main properties that are affected by water ingress and moisture attack in concrete bridges and pavement. Protecting concrete from such attacks is normally done by applying protective treatments on matured concrete. However, on-site moisture at the time of application concern over the penetration depth, and subsequent...

The long-term performance of structural concrete is adversely affected by environmental loading such as heavy rainfall, temperature variations and freeze-thaw action. Adding waterproofing admixtures and curing agents to concrete mix can improve its durability. This research considers the application of crystallizing hydrophobic material followed by...