The main aim of this study was to compare the physical properties and mechanical properties of Oil Palm Trunk (OPT) fibre and Oil Palm Fruit Bunches (OPFB) fibre reinforced laterite bricks. For comparison purposes, the properties such as dimension, density, water absorption and the compressive strength of both types of bricks were determined. The effects of the incorporation of various amounts of fibres on the above properties were analysed. The tests were carried out according to BS 3821: 1985 for clay bricks.The samples were pressed at the factory Majpadu Bricks Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia and tested at the Material Testing Laboratory, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia.The findings of this research were, firstly, the dimension of bricks content with OPFB fibres were less accurate than bricks with OPT fibres. Secondly, the density of bricks with OPFB fibres was higher than the density of bricks with OPT fibres. Thirdly, in compressive strength of the bricks with OPFB fibres was higher than bricks with OPT fibres, with the maximum fibre content identified as 3 percent fibres. Finally, the water absorption of bricks with OPFB fibres was lower than the water absorption of bricks with OPT fibres. It can be concluded that the bricks with OPFB fibres had better physical and mechanical properties than bricks with OPT fibres.

Open distance learning (ODL) is a new paradigm shift from conventional education systems that provide flexibility to learners in accessing education and training without constraints of time and place. Full Implementation of ODL initiated in all institutions of higher learning in Malaysia after announcement of movement control order by the prime minister of Malaysia in March 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the impact of ODL in the attainment of program outcome (PO5) in modern engineering tool usage for a civil engineering design project course. In the ODL environment, the teaching method, assessment method, tool of assessment and rubrics in the assessment of PO5 were revised accordingly. Online practical test was set as the only tool to evaluate students' ability in using the modern engineering tool of this course. Prokon software was employed as the modern engineering tool used by the students in carrying out their individual projects as well as online practical tests. Result of this study has shown that the average attainment of PO5 dropped significantly when online teaching and learning of Prokon software took place. Also, the percentage of students failed in PO5 rose for the semesters during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is anticipated that the remote evaluation process could be unrealistic to measure the ability of students in the psychomotor domain. The challenges of online teaching and learning of modern engineering tools are discussed, and actions need to be taken to tackle the problems and improve the attainment of PO5 among students under an ODL environment.

This paper investigates the properties of Sago pith waste ash (SPWA) from agricultural waste using different calcination temperatures (500°C, 700°C and 1000°C). Chemical characteristic of SPWA was first investigated by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) followed by XRD analysis as a verification of the mineralogical phases present in the SPWAs. Based on the analysis, the major compositions of SPWA are found to be CaO and SiO2 with other minor oxides such as MgO, Fe2O3 and Al2O3. Both CaO and SiO2 are very significant oxides that can be used as an alternative binder in the synthesis of ceramic materials and geopolymer. Moreover, the presence of these oxides are consistent for SPWA calcined from 500°C, 700°C and 1000°C. Phase transformation such as quartz, calcite and magnesite that can be found in 500°C and 700°C whilst new phases such as wollastonite, fayalite and cristobalite in 1000°C proved that SPWA beneficial to be used as a new material resources especially in the ceramic and geopolymer applications.

The COVID-19 disease has created the largest disruption in human history, affecting all sectors especially educational systems. Closure of schools, universities, and other educational premises due to pandemic has forced higher education and researchers to create a new alternative way on how to alleviate this problem. E-learning and online instructions is one of the most notable methods that is highly recommended during this pandemic. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the experiences and challenges in learning Civil Engineering Materials (CEM) during COVID-19 pandemic among Civil Engineering Studies (CES). This quantitative study data was conducted to 159 students who enrolled in the CEM course. The student's experiences and challenges while undergoing online learning sessions and how the students can adapt to the CEM course with the new learning environment is the main concern of this study. The result showed that most of the students had a variety of problems such as internet access, discomfort, and inappropriate places to complete the required assessment. Whilst facing the risk of loss of enthusiasm in learning, lack of focus and lack of communication skills between the teaching staff and friends.

This paper presents the effects of Sago pith waste ash (SPWA) as a replacement material in fly ash (FA) based geopolymer mortar (from 0 to 40%), from the aspect of mineral composition and compressive strength. The geopolymers were prepared and synthesized using a combination of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) as activator whilst SPWA and FA (by percentage) as high silica-alumina resources. The compressive strength of geopolymer mortar utilizing SPWA/FA was investigated together with the quantitative chemical characteristic via X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and the X-ray diffractometer (XRD). It was observed that by substituting SPWA to partially replacing FA in geopolymer mortar affects the compressive strength as well as the chemical compositions of the mortars. SPWA can increase 5% of the compressive strength (at 10 wt% SPWA, GSPWA10) compared to the FA geopolymer based sample (control). Furthermore, the increment in the percentages of SPWA increased the silica/alumina (SiO2/Al2O3) ratio and that resulted in reduction of compressive strength for other geopolymer mortar samples.