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July 2022
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University Staff Happiness during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis between Staff who Work From Office and Work From Home
Abdul Kadir Othman, Aidawati Zainan Abidin, Zainura Idrus, Bainun Che Mohamed Rosol, Idaya Husna, Norlida Jaafar, hereen Noranee, Muhammad Naim Hussin, Mohd Syuhaidi Abu Bakar, Wan Ismahanini Wan Ismail, Suriani Musa
ABSTRACT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most universities have requested their employees regardless academic or non-academic to either work from the office or work from home. Work from home allows employees to work on their own sweet time, within their own comfort of their home. However, Work from office has some limitations, including lack of convenience, the shortage of resources, improper infrastructure, etc. In order to investigate the employee happiness level during the pandemic, a group of researchers conducted a study by distributing a questionnaire via email to all staff. The objective of the study is to compare the level of happiness between those working from home and those working at the office and between acadecicians and administrators. It is hypothesized that employees working at the office are happier than those working from home. The study used an online questionnaire survey, which was distrubuted to all staff via email. A descriptive analysis was performed and the results indicate that those work from home have lower levels of happiness as compared with those work from office. The finding confirm the earlier assumption that employees working from the office are happier than those working from home despite the spike of COVID-19 cases. This study provides some implications on how to address the issues of happiness of those involved in work from home. Providing assistance and support can ease the challenges faced by employees. Future studies can verify the findings by investigating the issue among the general public. In general, employees are generally happier when working from the office than working from home. Academic staff and the administrative staff are equally happy working from home and at the office. However, they are happier than the administrative staff when working from home except for academicians holding administrative roles.
[ FULL TEXT PDF 1-7 ] DOI: 10.22587/ajbas.2022.16.7.1
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Engineering characteristics of Avlamè lateritic aggregate for it use in road construction in the Republic of Benin
Kocouvi Agapi Houanou, Kpomagbé Serge Dossou, Kouandété Valéry Doko, Vincent Prodjinonto, Emmanuel Olodo
ABSTRACT: Laterite aggregate is the most widely used material in road construction. In central Benin, laterites aggregates are available in quantity, especially in the Abomey plateau. Thus, the present study is initiated to characterize the laterite aggregate of Avlamè, a locality of the Abomey plateau, for use in road construction. To achieve this, an experimental study based on normative tests was used. The identification tests on the laterite aggregate of Avlamè made it possible to determine the rate of particles with a diameter lower than 80 mm, or 27.77%, the liquidity limit which is 35%, the plasticity index whose value is 17.67%, then the organic matter content equal to 0.03%. Similarly, the mechanical tests carried out resulted in the determination of the CBR index (California Bearing Ratio) evaluated at 58.00% for 95% OPM (modified proctor optimum), then the secant modulus whose value estimated at 360 days is 331.71±0.09 MPa. Determination of the secant modulus of the lateritic gravel makes it possible to evaluate the real deformation. Finally, these studies have shown that its mechanical parameters increase linearly with the maturation time of the specimens analysed. All in all, the analysis of the various results in accordance with the specifications of the CEBTP (Centre of expertise for building and public works) 1984 guide revised in 2019 shows that Avlamè's laterite aggregate can only be used as a sub-base, whatever the type of pavement.
[ FULL TEXT PDF 8-19 ] 10.22587/ajbas.2022.16.7.2
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The Mechanical Properties And Stability In The Water Of Clay Mud Blocks Reinforced With Rice (Oryza sativa) Straw
KOUAKOU Conand Honoré, DJOHORE Ange Christine, ASSANDE Aka Alexandre, KOUADIO Koffi Clément, EMERUWA Edjikeme
ABSTRACT: Recovering today to earthen construction techniques in many countries has led to the development of various earth block production techniques, including the clay mud block casting technique. Furthermore, the maturation in water is an essential step in developing cementitious matrix materials because it allows an improvement in performance due to the crystallization of a large amount of cement. However, the best maturing method has not been identified for clay-cement blocks produced by this casting technique. Thus, this research aims to revisit this technique and improve blocks' mechanical performance by proposing the adopted maturation method. Clay mud blocks containing 8% cement and rice straw contents varying between 0 and 1% (mass proportion) were made. They were divided into three-part and exposed to three different treatments. The first part was made to mature at room temperature in a room for 25 days. The second part was made to mature in water for 20 days and then dried for 5 days in the same room. Finally, the third part was matured under a tarpaulin for 20 days and then dried for 5 days in the room. These blocks' flexibility was tested under dry and wet conditions. Similarly, their water absorption and swelling were measured. Blocks that have matured at room temperature dissolve totally or partially in the water, while those that have matured in water and under a tarpaulin remain stable. In addition, fibers generally increase water absorption and blocks swelling. They also increase blocks mechanical resistance because of their distribution and adherence to the clay-cement matrix. Finally, the best bending strengths are achieved with 0.8 % fiber with blocks that have matured in water. The maturation in water increases the bending resistance and reduces the swelling of the blocks in water more important than the maturation under a tarpaulin. Similarly, maturation under a tarpaulin allows greater performance improvement than maturation in air.
[ FULL TEXT PDF 20-27 ] 10.22587/ajbas.2022.16.7.3
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