Muscat: In a remarkable feat of innovation, students and staff members of the National University of Science and Technology, Oman, have been granted an Indian patent for their pioneering work on utilising dates palm rachis or shaft as an alternative to steel reinforcement bars in concrete structure.
The groundbreaking research, spearheaded by Fatma bint Khalid al Wahaibiyah, Fatma bint Mohammed al Sinaniyah and Maryam bint Mohammed al Balushiyah, under the mentorship of Dr N Aravind, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has garnered widespread acclaim. Professor A Vallavaraj, Dean of the College of Advanced Technology, provided the impetus for this innovative endeavour. The laboratory instructor, Eman Muhye Adeen Muhye al Hatali, played a pivotal role in completing the experimental works.
The proposal, submitted to the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MoHERI), secured a grant of RO 1,500 under the scheme Undergraduate Research Grant (URG).
Explaining the essence of the invention, the student inventors emphasised the feasibility study conducted on utilising date palm rachis as reinforcement in concrete structural members. They highlighted the abundance of date palm trees in Oman and the significance of repurposing date palm rachis, which are often discarded as waste material.
The research demonstrated that incorporating naturally seasoned date palm tree rachis bars as reinforcement, along with Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites, significantly enhance the flexural strength of concrete beams. Comparative tests revealed that reinforced concrete beams with rachis bars could bear up to 42 per cent more load than those without any reinforcement.
The initiative addresses the issue of steel reinforcement corrosion, a major concern in concrete structures, by replacing steel entirely with date palm tree rachis bars. These eco-friendly alternatives offer rust-free and cost-effective solutions for construction projects ranging from small buildings to railway sleepers.
Acknowledging the support received, the inventors expressed gratitude to the government of India for granting the patent on February 22, 2024. They also extended thanks to Dr Hafez Al Sadeq, head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Prof Ahmed al Balushi, Dean of the College of Engineering, Prof KP Ramachandran, Dean of PG Studies and Research, and Prof Syed Mohammed Rizwan, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, for their unwavering encouragement and provision of laboratory facilities.
The innovative research holds promise for revolutionising construction practices, particularly in Gulf countries, by effectively utilising waste products and fostering sustainable development in the industry.
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