Comparative Study of Terrazzo Tiles Produced in Koya and Erbil , and its Suitability for ts Suitability for Construction Purposes

Sarmad F. Abdullah; Sarkawt A. Saeed; Shler S. Qadir

doi:10.14500/aro.10053

Sarmad F. Abdullah Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Koya University, University Park, Danielle Mitterrand Boulevard, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region.
Sarkawt A. Saeed Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Koya University, University Park, Danielle Mitterrand Boulevard, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region.
Shler S. Qadir Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Koya University, University Park, Danielle Mitterrand Boulevard, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region.

Keywords: Impact resistance, modulus of rupture, terrazzo tiles, water absorption.

Abstract

Tiles are durable and have a long lifespan. They may be used as a floor finish for both interior and exterior applications. Experimental and field studies were conducted to investigate the parameters and properties of terrazzo tiles from different regions, namely Erbil and Koya being represented by factories (A) and (B) respectively. These parameters and properties are dimensions, water absorption, modulus of rupture and impact resistance. Test results indicate that the dimensions and modulus of rupture for the tiles from both factories (A) and (B) are conformable with Iraqi specifications, but water absorption of terrazzo tiles from factory (B) does not conform with the Iraqi specification and having surface and total absorption values which are 55.1% and 23.8% higher than that for factory (A) tiles, respectively. The results show that terrazzo tiles of factory (A) have an impact resistance value which is 50% higher than that of tiles from factory (B). The field study which includes questionnaire procedure indicates that 63% of the residents agreed that the terrazzo tiles are beautiful as a floor finishing material and at the same time 94% agreed that this material is expensive. This study shows also that only 20% of Koya residents are satisfied with the quality of the production of factory (B), whereas, 90% of Erbil residents are satisfied with the production of factory (A).

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Author Biographies

Sarmad F. Abdullah, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Koya University, University Park, Danielle Mitterrand Boulevard, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region.

Sarmad F. Abdullah is an Assistant lecturer in the department of civil Engineering, at Koya University since 2012. Before that he was an Assistant Lecturer at The University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq, where he was a lecturer in Building and Construction Engineering department (2002-2006). He gained a B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from Al-Mustansiriya University in 1997, M.Sc. degree in Building Materials Engineering from University of Technology in 2001. He started his academic teaching in 2002 when he joined the work at the University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq, as an Assistant Lecturer in the department of Building and Construction Engineering. In 2006 he joined the Peremba Construction Company (PECD), Dubai, UAE as Quality Control Engineer, and then he joined Middle East Engineering Consultants, Dubai, UAE as Resident Engineer in 2007 till 2010, where he joined the work as a lecturer in Koya University, Faculty of Engineering, Civil Engineer Department, Kurdistan, Iraq

Sarkawt A. Saeed, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Koya University, University Park, Danielle Mitterrand Boulevard, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region.

Sarkawt A. Saeed is an assistant professor and head of Civil Engineering Department at Koya University. He has B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Civil Engineering / Structural Engineering from Salahaddin University in 1988 and 1992 respectively. He is a Consultant Engineer at the Kurdistan Engineering Union. Mr. Sarkawt has an experience in structural design and he participated in designing and checking many bridges and buildings. He has publications in the fields of concrete materials and bridges. He has more than 23 years of teaching, learning and management experience at the ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Kurdistan Region.

Shler S. Qadir, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Koya University, University Park, Danielle Mitterrand Boulevard, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region.

Shler S. Qadir is a lecture in Civil Engineering Department at Koya University. She joined Koya University in 2006. She has long experience in teaching. She received the B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from Salahaddin University in 1991 and the M.Sc. degree in Structural Engineering from Dohuk University in 2002. Mrs. Shler is a consultant Engineer at the Kurdistan Engineering Union. She has publications in the fields of Concrete structures and concrete materials.

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