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General Article
- Using smart sustainable city indicators to evaluate urban quality in the Kingdom of Bahrain
- Huma Mohammad Khan and Fay Abdulla Alkhalifa
- The world continues to witness rapid urbanizations that induce environmental stress and urban challenges. Sustainable development policies were adopted globally to address …
- The world continues to witness rapid urbanizations that induce environmental stress and urban challenges. Sustainable development policies were adopted globally to address such adversities, and investments in smart technologies to improve urban efficiency and quality of life are now a common theme. This research aims to define a Smart Sustainable City (SSC) within the local context, taking the Kingdom of Bahrain as a global case. The study further seeks to develop an assessment framework suitable for evaluating SSCs. Finally, the study validates the developed framework by quantitatively assessing the quality of urban life in Diyar Al Muharraq, a newly developed urban area in Bahrain, selected for its advertised goal of creating a smart and sustainable urban community. The research contributes to the understanding of SSCs globally. In addition, it creates a unique methodology for developing a local understanding and assessment framework for SSCs. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- The trend towards street network sprawl - Residential neighbourhoods of Chennai
- Mohana Gopiraj and Meenatchi Sundaram
- Urban concepts, theories, and vibrant city development initiatives significantly consider accessibility as the prime strategy. The street network-characterising sprawl in urban areas …
- Urban concepts, theories, and vibrant city development initiatives significantly consider accessibility as the prime strategy. The street network-characterising sprawl in urban areas is not accessible-friendly and positively correlated with a greater vehicle mile travelled. Street networks are the primary spatial structure. It plays a significant role in transforming into a vital place in achieving higher density and greater mixed-use. Studies reveal that most of the world is building an ever-more disconnected street-network sprawl. Urban street network sprawl witnessed a barrier in transforming into a vibrant urban setup. Chennai city, being in a faster urbanisation rate, most recent neighbourhoods have sprawled since last decade. The development pressure due to population migration and, as part of providing basic infrastructure, invited these neighbourhoods to evolve. Syntactical parameters such as Intelligibility, synergy, and Axiality reveal the efficiency of the street networks. The study is intended to evaluate the syntactic and morphological characteristics of residential neighbourhoods of Chennai City. Space syntax is a method that provides quantitative descriptions of street network variables. The methodology of quantifying the syntactic values of street networks in terms of Connectivity, Integration defines the transformation potential of the urban structure. In understanding the syntactic characteristics of the morphology of the neighbourhoods, the street network patterns reveal Sprawl and disconnectedness. It Constraints the process of Transformation into an essential place in the future, leading to the expansion of urban footprint, thus making it accessible through a higher rate of mobility leading to an environmental impact. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- Assessment of EPS core panel system with wire mesh and chipping concrete on sustainability indicators: A case of low-cost housing project at Bhubaneswar, India
- Abhijit Rastogi and Virendra Kumar Paul
- India is undergoing rapid urbanization as a result more infrastructure and services are required to meet the needs of the growing population. …
- India is undergoing rapid urbanization as a result more infrastructure and services are required to meet the needs of the growing population. Considering this demand, the government recently launched various schemes with a mission to provide housing for all by the year 2022. To achieve this objective, it is important to identify new innovative construction technologies that could be cost-effective, speedier, and ensure a higher quality of construction of houses, meeting diverse geo-climatic conditions and desired functional needs with the least energy demand. One such advanced construction methodology is developed using an expanded polystyrene sheet, i.e., EPS. However, before implementing this new technology on a mass scale it is essential to evaluate its performance, compare it with conventional Reinforced Cement Concrete (R.C.C) framed system, and then decide whether this technology has the potential to be implemented on a large scale. Thus, this paper aims to evaluate the EPS core panel system with Wire Mesh & Chipping Concrete housing technology on green and sustainable parameters to check its feasibility for large-scale housing projects. The study explores the indicators like 1) Embodied energy and Carbon Content, 2) Thermal Performance, 3) Durability and 4) Ease in construction & maintenance contributing to sustainability. A demonstration housing project constructed using this technology is considered for evaluation. The energy model was prepared and simulation was performed to analyze the building’s performance whereas the onsite data were collected to evaluate the durability and maintenance-related aspects. This paper further compares the analysis results with that of conventional technology i.e., R.C.C framed structure to demonstrate the benefits. In this study, the EPS core panel system confirms the potential for better performance in terms of both embodied energy and energy consumption. However, the post-occupancy evaluation is recommended to unveil more robust and refined results. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- Cement mortar reinforced by date palm fibers and inclusion metakaolin
- Rami Joseph Sldozian, Ali Jihad Hamad, Zaid Hazim Al-Saffar, AIrina Vladimirovna Burakova and Tkachev Alexey Grigorevich
- Palm frond waste as fibers to reduce the amount of waste produced annually. Additionally, the incorporation of palm fibers into cement mortar …
- Palm frond waste as fibers to reduce the amount of waste produced annually. Additionally, the incorporation of palm fibers into cement mortar can help to mitigate the impact of agricultural waste on the environment and make it more cost-effective. Metakaolin (MK) as a type of clay abundant in Iraq and replaced by weight of cement. The date palm frond used as fibers and known a date palm fibers (DPF). The volume fraction 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3% of DPF used by cement weight. Alongside, the DPF treated in three method before adding to the mix, where that are by NaOH 24 hrs, Na OH 48 hrs and mechanical treatment (by making random holes in the frond). The mechanical properties of cement mortar reinforced by DPF containing MK was done that consist of compressive strength, flexural strength, and flowability. Additionally, the multi-attribute decision-making methods (MADM) included to analyze the results and assign the importance mix. MOORA method that used to giving the required mix depending on the alternatives. The results revealed enhancing in the compressive and flexural strength by increasing the DPF content, and showed the greatest values at low dosage of DPF especially at 0.5% and 1% of DPF. The flowability was slightly reduced by DFP content. The treatment of DPF by NaOH 48 hours and mechanical treatment have significant influences on compressive and flexural strength. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- Towards gender-inclusive cities: Prioritizing safety parameters for sustainable urban development through multi-criteria decision analysis
- Asmita Yadav and Rashmi Kumari
- Gender safety research primarily focuses on qualitative analysis within the field of social sciences. While conceptual approaches like “Eyes on the street” …
- Gender safety research primarily focuses on qualitative analysis within the field of social sciences. While conceptual approaches like “Eyes on the street” and “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design” (CPTED) have addressed gender safety in urban settings, there is a lack of empirical and quantitative approaches to identify and prioritize parameters for creating gender-inclusive urbanism. Gender safety and urban development are complex and multi-dimensional issues. To address the challenge of multiple criteria, this study applies the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), to develop a Prioritization Framework Tool (PFT) for gender safety in Kanpur, India. The AHP model helps identify and prioritize four core parameters: pedestrian mobility, urban amenities, transit system, and security. The study reveals that well-lit pedestrian walkways and CCTV surveillance are crucial contributors to women’s safety perception, deserving high priority in action plans. Architects, planners, and policymakers can utilize this study and the AHP approach to create a roadmap for socially sustainable urban cities that are gender-friendly in nature. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- Building airtightness assessment and remediation: A case study of a commercial building located in British Columbia, Canada
- Ali Vaseghi and Craig Capano
- This paper presents an airtightness study conducted on a new construction building. The focus of the study was on evaluating the effectiveness …
- This paper presents an airtightness study conducted on a new construction building. The focus of the study was on evaluating the effectiveness of the employed air barrier system in achieving airtightness. The wall, ceiling, and floor air barrier systems were examined, consisting of polyethylene sheets, self-adhered membranes, and concrete structure. The building underwent a whole building air leakage test following ASTM E779 standards. The initial test revealed significant air leakage, primarily due to punctures in the air barrier system after drywall installation. Remediation measures were implemented, including sealing sprinkler caps, fasteners, and door weather stripping. Subsequent tests showed improved airtightness, with the measured air leakage rate falling within the specified target. The successful remediation efforts enhanced the building envelope’s airtightness, leading to improved temperature control, reduced energy consumption, and increased occupant comfort. This study emphasizes the importance of conducting air barrier installation commissioning even after drywall installation and highlights the significance of proper training for builders and occupants to prevent damage to the air barrier system. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- Study of block shear failure on steel angle tension members through finite element modelling
- Bhaskar Chandrakar, Mohan Kumar Gupta and Shashikant Jaiswal
- Design of steel structures is depends on load bearing capacity of members which are interconnected together with different type of joints or …
- Design of steel structures is depends on load bearing capacity of members which are interconnected together with different type of joints or connections. These connections transfer and distribute the load in over all structure to maintain structural stability. Hereby connections have a significant contribution in design of steel structure moreover design of complete entity depends on stress dissemination capacity of connections. Rolled steel sections are connected by any of the methods among welding, bolting and riveting depending upon the design requirement. Joints of various pattern are fabricated in order to optimize their efficiency of transmitting load from one member to another without failure. This concludes that bearing capacity of joint must be equivalent or greater than those sections in between which load is transmitted. Bolted steel connections are invariably adopted for construction of steel structures, design methodology of bolted joints adopted from conventional codes is implemented while calculating yield capacity of bolted joints. Standard codes of design require revision and development for given equations as suggested by field execution and failure analysis. The recurrent failure mechanism in bolted steel connections is classified in three different forms, namely yielding of gross section, rupture of critical section and block shear failure, of these block shear mechanism of failure is frequent. This mechanism involves fracture of section in two perpendicular planes, along the direction of force and perpendicular to direction of applied force. Equation of block shear strength from different codes were worked out and in conjugation with results obtained from experimental analysis and modelling output, existing equation was modified for optimization of joints which fail under the influence of block shear strength. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- Distribution of shear lag and its significance in tensile capacity of steel angle section
- Bhaskar Chandrakar, Mohan Kumar Gupta and Shashikant Jaiswal
- This work presents experimental investigation for analysis of shear lag and its effect in steel angle tension members with bolted connections. Seventy-two …
- This work presents experimental investigation for analysis of shear lag and its effect in steel angle tension members with bolted connections. Seventy-two sets of specimens were fabricated to test for tensile load bearing capacity of angle sections.Twenty-six tests were performed on equal angle sections and forty-six on unequal angle sections with both two-bolt connection and three bolt connection. Different bolt arrangements in angle sections connected with their longer leg was considered for checking the difference in resulting strength. The test results indicated that variation in edge distance, end distance and pitch have influence in load bearing capacity of sections.Further clear mode of failure mechanism and load distribution was visualized with the help of finite element modelling. Results of previously published research were compared to find out the concurrent conclusions by other authors. The data analysis of results through finite element modelling and full-scale testing were utilized to account the effect of shear lag while other factors influencing block shear strength were varied. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- The use of metakaolin as a supplementary cementitious material to reduce the environmental impacts of ready-mixed concrete
- Seungjun Roh, Mina Seong, Hyunsik Kim and Rakhyun Kim
- This study endeavors to conduct an environmental performance analysis of concrete employing metakaolin as a substitute for cement. Through an exhaustive literature …
- This study endeavors to conduct an environmental performance analysis of concrete employing metakaolin as a substitute for cement. Through an exhaustive literature review, the study explores concrete mix designs incorporating metakaolin and limestone, employing a rigorous assessment methodology to quantitatively evaluate six environmental impact categories, four safety measures, and environmental costs, including reductions in carbon emissions. As a result, all mixtures containing metakaolin exhibited higher ODP values than PC (Portland Cement). GWP shows a strong correlation with the quantity of cement. Therefore, reducing the cement content is crucial for mitigating GWP. While metakaolin is effective in reducing certain environmental impacts, including GWP. This is because metakaolin not only increases ODP and ADP but also has an influence on biodiversity and environmental costs. - COLLAPSE
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General Article
- Investigation of relationship between carbon emission and building energy performance index for carbon neutrality
- Rakhyun Kim, Seungjun Roh and Hyunsik Kim
- There have been various environmental regulations established according to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), and the industry of construction …
- There have been various environmental regulations established according to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), and the industry of construction is no exception to those regulations. Although the industry of construction in Korea has been blamed as the biggest cause of global warming and environment pollution for emitting carbon dioxide (CO2), it is now seeing the severity of the problem and is about to change. Those new environmental regulations are, however, not mandatory, but just recommendations, and criteria for CO2 reduction are still insufficient, compared to their importance. The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between the reduction of CO2 emission and the score of Energy Performance Index (EPI), which is regulations on energy performance, so that it can be possible to check how much CO2 is reduced as the score of EPI increases, and then to derive a regression equation. The objectivity of this study is to analyze the relationship between the amount of CO2 reduction and EPI, which is stipulated in Standards for energy conservation being enforced in Korea, and then to draw a regression equation. For that objectivity, the amounts of CO2 emission and reduction were checked as the scores of EPI items increase, with Visual DOE which is a building energy interpretation program, and those items affecting CO2 reduction were gathered separately and regression equations for them were derived. - COLLAPSE