This paper elucidated the potential of electron backscatter diffraction analysis for ground granulated blast furnace slag geopolymers at 1000°C heating temperature. The specimen was prepared through the mechanical ground with sandpaper and diamond pad before polished with diamond suspension. By using advanced technique electron backscatter diffraction, the microstructure analysis and elemental distribution were mapped. The details on the crystalline minerals, including gehlenite, mayenite, tobermorite and calcite were easily traced. Moreover, the experimental Kikuchi diffraction patterns were utilized to generate a self-consistent reference for the electron backscatter diffraction pattern matching. From the electron backscatter diffraction, the locally varying crystal orientation in slag geopolymers sample of monoclinic crystal observed in hedenbergite, orthorhombic crystal in tobermorite and hexagonal crystal in calcite at 1000°C heating temperature.

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.

Malaysia’s construction industry is experiencing rapid growth, translating into increased demand for cement. However, cement production pollutes the air to the detriment of the climate via CO2 emission, making research into a cementitious replacement in concrete a necessity. This paper details an experimental study of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with partial replacement of cement by rice straw ash (RSA), which is expected to result in environmental preservation due to the green materials being used in cement production. The physicomechanical properties of the SCC with RSA replacement were determined via its compressive strength, water absorption, self-workability, and fire resistance (residual strength after exposure to high temperatures). The proportion of RSA replacement used were 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, and all passed the slump flow test, except the 20% and 25% samples. The SCC samples with 15% of RSA replacement reported the highest compressive strength at 7 and 28 curing days and the highest residual strength post-exposure to high temperatures. The lowest percentage of water absorption was reported by the 15% of RSA replacement, with a density of 2370 kg/m3.