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Community sanitation is a fundamental human right and need. Every year, as per the World Bank, total cost of providing sanitation services is estimated at around 114 billion USD per year. In India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA), a public welfare scheme (PWS), is aimed at addressing community sanitation problems. Despite the successful implementation of SBA, local communities still practise open defaecation. To deduce the behavioural patterns governing communal toilet use, interviews were conducted with the local communities in the Kho Nagorian area of Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. This qualitative survey examined attitudes towards the construction of a toilet, awareness towards the SBA scheme, and the willingness to use excreta-based pit humus. The study then discusses the factors that increase the local community's willingness to use these toilets. Results show that open defaecation is still prevalent in society. One way to foster the adoption of toilets is that the construction materials should mainly consist of local materials. As a recourse, places of worship could be used to influence people's perception of hygiene. In addition, community toilets should be cleaned often as well. PWS should not be made accessible at no cost to prevent a sense of entitlement among the people. A small sum should be charged to increase social responsibility towards the PWS. Another way to curb open defaecation is to tap into the sense of entitlement by making effective use of social campaign programs. Further, cross-table analysis revealed that the locals were inclined to use a toilet if they have invested in it. Advertisements were found to be ineffective, and proposals were made to make them effective. These findings aid in understanding public perceptions and can guide the development of public policies. The findings also assist in making tax distribution decisions that reflect public concerns, attitudes, and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The colonisation of building materials by microorganisms is the first step in terms of a subsequent biodeterioration and an occurrence of potential building-associated health hazards. Contrary to many studies to date, focusing mainly on old buildings with symptoms of biocorrosion, this research focuses on the bioreceptivity of selected unused building materials and the factors determining the intensity of their colonisation. The experiments were carried out in parallel in India and Poland, with the use of indigenous microflora from a given region. They revealed the similar dynamics of the microbial multiplication in concrete and plasterboard and the extreme intensity of the process: after only 10 weeks under favorable conditions, the number of bacteria and fungi reached 107 CFU/g of dry weight of the material. The stimulation of microbial growth by individual environmental factors was slightly different in Indian and Polish studies: in India, the strongest stimulating factor was the periodic increase in humidity, while in Poland, the highest intensification of growth was observed in samples enriched with organic matter. Mould biodiversity turned out to be higher in India, although some types of fungi common to both regions were isolated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assessment of radioactivity concentration of reinforced cement concrete types of house was conducted in the valley region of Manipur, India. The average radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K of portland cements are 39 (range: 32–52) Bqkg−1, 36 (range: 22–62) Bqkg−1, and 1812 (1254–2424) Bqkg−1; for concrete are 36 (range: 26–45) Bqkg−1, 65 (range: 45–86) Bqkg−1, and 660 (639–681) Bqkg−1; for sand are 45 (30–61) Bqkg−1, 114 (range: 55–212) Bqkg−1, and 1859 (range: 1413–2232) Bqkg−1; and for bricks are 30 (range: 24–37) Bqkg−1, 148 (range:79–184) Bqkg−1, and 1444 (range: 1093–2103) Bqkg−1, respectively. The annual effective dose was observed with an average value of 1.9 (range: 0.9–3.3) mSvy−1. However, gamma index was observed with an average value of 1.1 (range: 0.5–2.0). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research forms a part of the comprehensive Indian Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network program, focusing on the continuous measurement of absorbed dose rate in outdoor air due to natural gamma radiation (cosmic and terrestrial) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Over the course of a decade (2013–2023), data were collected from 41 monitoring locations in the city using permanently field-installed Geiger-Mueller detector-based environmental radiation monitors. This paper presents an analysis of the extensive long-term monitoring results. The mean absorbed gamma dose rate in outdoor air across the monitoring locations ranged from 84 ± 9 to 156 ± 4 nGy.h−1, with a calculated mean value of 124 ± 15 nGy.h−1. The estimated mean annual effective dose due to outdoor natural gamma radiation varied from 0.10 ± 0.01 to 0.19 ± 0.01 mSv.y−1, with an overall mean of 0.15 ± 0.02 mSv.y−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large amount of the radiation into the environment is contributed through the soil and construction materials by the process of exhalation and emanation. The present study was performed for the mass exhalation rate (using a Scintillation detector) of radon from the collected soil samples in the Chakrata region of the Garhwal Himalaya, India. The outdoor gamma dose rate for all sixty selected locations was also measured. The average mass exhalation and outdoor gamma dose rate were found 14.94 ± 0.38 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 0.16 ± 0.02 µSv h−1, respectively. The obtained results will strengthen the radiological database of the selected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study primarily focused on assessing the feasibility of utilizing textile effluent sludge (TES) in the creation of sustainable building materials, demonstrating the possibility of using this material and eventually generating new market opportunities. The physical, chemical, and mineralogical characterization of textile sludge was carried out after preliminary crushing and grain-size sorting. Five samples collected from the effluent treatment facility of textile industries situated in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India, underwent characterization to explore their potential innovative applications in the construction sector. Various physical tests, such as specific gravity, density, water absorption, and sieve analysis, were performed on these samples. Chemical characterization was carried out using x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, a field emission scanning electron microscope coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis. The results obtained demonstrate the potential of TES in the creation of sustainable building materials. In addition, the mix proportion of TES was further optimized using LINGO software to meet the chemical specifications required for cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study compares embodied energy, water, and carbon parameters in the cradle-to-gate construction phase for conventional houses in Jammu, India. Besides relying on hybrid material coefficients and field investigations-based materials database, the study adopts a general life cycle assessment framework. Descriptive statistics and regression techniques aid in meeting the findings. A strong interrelation exists between embodied energy and carbon, but a considerably weak embodied water-to-energy or embodied water-to-carbon relationship emerges. The top embodied energy and carbon-impacting materials (like brick) retard significantly in embodied water impacts. At the same time, steel deserves less attention than sand, aggregates, and cement, considering all three parameters together. Therefore, a new dimension to appropriately using building materials and construction technologies looms by outlining a broad materials palette. The results call for a differing embodied water optimisation approach to embodied energy or carbon-pertaining ones. The construction players receive a new insight towards a sustainable building approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement clay interlocking (CCI) hollow bricks have been used as a construction material in many developed and developing countries. Many emerging and underdeveloped nations have utilised cement clay interlocking (CCI) hollow bricks as building materials. In India, Andhra Pradesh local makers prepare these cement clay interlocking (CCI) hollow bricks by simply mixing clay, cement, and sand in a traditional method, without following strict design criteria or rules. Previous research has demonstrated that the mechanical characteristics of CCI hollow bricks gathered from various locations in detailed manner respect to hand books on Civil Engineering as per Indian Standards. Bricks from one region had compressive strengths that were significantly lower than the other region Indian Community Standards. Various methods were employed in this investigation to enhance the mechanical characteristics of CCI bricks. New mix patterns were created with the use of sand, cement, and fly ash in this research paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India, being a developing economy, has ensured a significant contribution of the gross domestic product for the development of the infrastructure. This growth in infrastructural development has fostered social and economic development across the nation. However, the increasing number of construction projects lay a huge stress on the availability of raw materials. Also, the wastes generated during construction, as well as at the end-of-life of infrastructural projects and buildings, are usually disposed of in landfills or on open earth without treatment, thereby causing pollution. The idea of circular economy (CE) is known as a sustainable approach for the efficient use of resources across different sectors. CE encompasses the facets of the repair, maintenance, refurbishment, reuse and recycle. This research article, using exploratory survey research, is to analyse the factors which act as determinants for the reuse of construction materials in the Indian subcontinent. The respondents for the survey include academia, practitioners, industry experts and policymakers. The research categorizes the identified factors into eight dimensions: economic, environmental, social, technical, infrastructural, legal, behavioural and temporal factors. The research further gives a framework for determinants of reuse of construction materials based on the different life cycle stages of construction. Finally, based on this research, the article develops policy suggestions for promoting the reuse of construction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics, often known as synthetic polymers, have become an essential workhorse element in the contemporary marketplace due to their availability in a wide range of forms and adaptability. Despite its many advantages, the present plastic business has problems that are becoming more obvious by the day. Between 2000 and 2019, global waste plastic production more than quadrupled to 460 million metric tonnes. Only 9% is recycled, 12% is burned, and the rest is disposed of in the waste stream. As per the Down to Earth 2018 figures, India consumes over 16.4 million metric tonnes of plastic. In that, single-use plastics are made up of nearly 43% and were disposed of in landfills. Recycling possibilities include converting waste into raw materials for industry, producing fuel, and using it as construction material. Since buildings are intended to last for several decades, adding such waste materials into them helps to extend their life. It is thus conceivable to reduce both the amount of plastic waste put in landfills and the amount of natural resources mined for the production of conventional materials. This comprehensive review intends to logically analyze the findings of numerous researchers who introduced waste plastic in various forms (flakes, fibers, pellets, granules, pellets, and molten forms) into different building materials. This article supports the discussion of using waste plastic for sustainable building by offering details regarding the physical, mechanical, and durability strength properties of building materials containing various forms of plastic waste. The review analysis indicates that adding plastic waste, regardless of shape or particle size, tends to reduce the workability and mechanical properties of the resulting material. However, introducing plastic particles in small amounts, such as 2%–20%, helps to obtain threshold strength properties. The study also suggests that the addition of smaller particles with irregular forms helps to obtain better results than larger particles with uniform shapes and smooth surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural radioactivity due to 238U, 232Th and 40K in brick samples from Tamil Nadu was determined using gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K, 69 ± 6, 62 ± 6 and 462 ± 23 Bq kg−1, are slightly greater than the world recommended limits of 35, 45 and 420 Bq kg−1, respectively, and they are compared with a similar work carried out across the world. The radiological parameters such as radium equivalent activity, Raeq (193 ± 17 Bq kg−1), internal hazard index, H in (0.71 ± 0.06), and activity utilisation index, AUI (1.43 ± 0.13), was lower, whilst absorbed dose rate, DRin (89 ± 8 nGy h−1), annual effective dose equivalent, AEDEin (0.43 ± 0.04 mSv y−1), and excess lifetime cancer risk, ELCRin (1.52 ± 0.13 mSv y−1), are slightly greater than the world's recommended limit. Bi-variate statistical analysis was performed to corroborate the relationship between radionuclides and radiological hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is confronted with the substantial issue of plastic debris due to the absence of an efficient waste management infrastructure. Recycled plastic has the potential to enhance various construction materials, such as roofing tiles, paving blocks, and insulation. The aforementioned materials possess notable attributes such as high strength, low weight, and exceptional resistance to extreme temperatures and humidity. The objective of this study is to ascertain feasible alternatives for manufacturing road paver blocks utilizing plastic waste (Polyethene terephthalate (PET)), and M-sand (stone dust). Three variations of a discarded plastic cube measuring 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm were prepared for the experiment. The experimental findings indicated that a ratio of 1:4 was determined to be the most effective in achieving the desired level of compressive strength. I-section road and brick paver blocks were produced as an alternative to the traditional concrete ones. Compressive strength tests were performed on I-sections and brick paver blocks, revealing that the 1:4 mix ratio exhibited the highest average compressive strength for both materials. The findings indicated that including plastic waste positively impacted the compressive strength of the I-sections and brick paver blocks. Additionally, the quality grading of these materials was evaluated using an ultrasonic pulse velocity test. The ultrasonic pulse velocity test results demonstrated a high-quality grading for the I-sections and brick paver blocks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests assessed the microstructural behavior and performance. The results of this study demonstrate that incorporating plastic waste in combination with M-sand can effectively improve the mechanical characteristics of composite materials, rendering them viable for use in construction-related purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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AAC was introduced in India in 1970s. However, there were only three factories producing a total of less than 1 million m3/year till 2008. Post 2009, AAC blocks gained popularity due to their numerous advantages, including high strength, excellent insulation properties, fire resistance, sound absorption, and cost advantages over alternate walling materials. The use of AAC blocks has also been promoted by the Indian government's emphasis on sustainable and eco‐friendly building materials. The number of factories increased rapidly to over 150 factories with a cumulative capacity of over 25 million m3/year in 2022 (a growth of 25 times in nearly 15 years). Despite the rapid growth, the share of AAC in walling industry in India is still in the range of 5%–6%. There is still a lot of room for the industry to grow. AAC reinforced products have also been recently re‐introduced in India, though it is still at a very nascent stage and the share of AAC reinforced products in total AAC sales is less than 1%. More than 95% of AAC industry in India uses fly ash as the primary raw material and faced challenges initially to stabilize the design mix, due to variations in raw material characteristics. The rapid growth also resulted in improper implementation of standards and processes, during both production and application. The primary issue on the production side has been lower compressive strength and higher corner chipping. The main challenge on the application side has been improper techniques such as non‐usage of reinforcement beams and fiber meshes, which led to cracks in masonry subsequently. Now, the AAC industry is working together with applicators and researchers to overcome these challenges, in order to consolidate the gains and continue the rapid growth trajectory to become the preferred walling material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green Library is the latest concept in today's scenario. A 'Green Library' or 'Sustainable Library' is a modern library that uses environmentally friendly building materials, maximizes the use of natural resources, reduces waste, maximizes the use of renewable resources, and conducts its operations more cost-effectively and efficiently. The library environment encompasses not only its physical factors - the space, the layout, lighting, accommodation, furniture, and visual aspects such as posters and displays - but also its ethos and atmosphere. Green Library is Eco-friendly and sustainable for our health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• By 2050, 70–80 million tonnes of EoL-PV waste may be expected. • A novel approach to upcycle EoL-PV as building material is proposed. • India's housing needs and SDGs are benefited from this approach. • Reduction in cost, embodied energy & carbon emission expected with this approach. • This approach promotes jobs in PV and construction sector benefiting society. Solar photovoltaic (PV) installations worldwide continue to grow, and in 2022, global PV installations crossed 1 TW of solar PV. Various factors like extreme weather events, higher temperatures, humidity, and other operational factors bring down the life of PV panels. A poor functional and (or) economic viability leads PV panel to its End-of-Life (EoL). By the end of 2050, 70–80 million tonnes of EoL-PV waste is anticipated. Recycling technology is currently not economically viable. A hitherto untried solution is proposed to use EoL-PV panels as a building material. The rising need for building materials in developing countries is imminent, and EoL-PV would be a low-cost, low embodied energy building material. Our objectives are to evaluate the potential benefits of such strategy in terms of reduction in embodied energy, carbon emission offset, and cost benefit. Following that, projections on number of EoL-PV panels and number of households in demand in every state and union territory of India are made. A projection at this level will show the potential sources of End-of-Life PV panels and number of places where the houses in demand exist. Embodied Energy, Cost, and carbon emissions of a typical EoL-PV integrated building is lower by 30.7%, 38.4% and 33.3% compared to conventional buildings of the same size, respectively. This is a promising result for a preliminary investigation and calls for further assessment. Even if 6.9% of the households (demand) in the country use EoL-PV panels as the choice of building material during 2030-2035, all the EoL-PV panels generated may be fully utilized in India ending the possible landfill option. The avoided carbon emissions, in this case, is around 2% (or 8 million tonnes). This study strongly suggests the use of EoL-PV in buildings by integrating as a building element rather than applying on the wall/roof of the building, simply to enjoy the benefits of cost, embodied energy and emissions. The estimations made in this study may be replicated for the case of other countries where solar PV waste issue is anticipated. This approach makes EoL-PV no longer a liability to the solar power plant but an asset that can be traded for another application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising instances of prolonged inundation due to climate-aggravated high tide flooding are economically burdensome for resource-crunched developing nations that bear enormous damage due to loss of built infrastructure (housing in this case). Regardless of the loss, coastal flood impact on buildings is rarely given precedence. The mud building typology in India captures 34% of existing housing demand primarily within ruralIndia; for instance, 75% of the housing in Sagar Island uses mud as the dominant construction material, making it an ideal case for the proposed research. The multivariate nature of damage and empirical data constraint associated with mud buildings propels the development of two unconventional damage assessment approaches using multivariate-probabilistic technique. The proposed literature-based approach uses logical reasoning based on the available scientific evidence whereas the lab-based approach uses the insights from structural analysis of scaled model. The damage matrix created from both the approaches are used to analyse a common flood data (depth & duration) generated using 1000 Montecarlo simulations. The resultant Damage Stage values confirm the versatility of either approach over spatial (local to regional)—temporal (flood character and intensity) dimensions. The lab-based approach proved to be a better alternative considering the availability of continuous records on damage behaviour and precise information on the flood threshold of dominant building material, a crucial component of the multivariate damage assessment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor radon and thoron survey has been carried out in 50 dwellings under Kohima district, Nagaland, India, using the latest measurement technology. The survey has been carried out for a one-year period in 3 different seasons, and the dwellings were selected according to the building materials used for construction. Indoor radon and thoron concentrations, as well as their progeny, followed a predictable pattern with greater levels in the winter and lower levels in the summer. Concrete housing had greater radon and thoron concentrations than bamboo and semi-wood/bamboo homes. The equilibrium factor (E.F.) and inhalation dose due to radon, thoron, and their corresponding progeny were also studied in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building materials constitute a considerable portion of all the materials we use and about half the waste (in solid form) generated worldwide. Construction and demolishment (C&D) aggregates can be an invaluable source of construction material. If we measure the quantity of C&D waste in India, it will exceed the amount of all other types of hard solid wastes put together. Therefore, the use of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) in new construction is being encouraged worldwide. But due to the inferior compressive, mechanical strengths and poor durability performance, it cannot be qualified for structural usage. Hence, there is a need to treat these aggregates and produce better quality aggregates suitable for good structural grade concrete. The present work focuses on the study and comparison of the effects on durability performance due to different treatment techniques of recycled aggregates. Effective treatment techniques can potentially separate or strengthen the weaker portions of the recycled aggregates like the old adhered mortar and the ITZs formed due to them. Effects of different RCA treatment methods along with their combinations such as immersing aggregate in acid solution and silicate solution impregnation, multistage-mixing techniques, biologically induced carbonate precipitation, modifier solution impregnation, ultrasonic cleaning, crushing aggregates at multiple levels, and mechanical grinding are considered for analyzing their effectiveness in improving RCA durability. The durability performance of treated RCA is evaluated based on the improvement in the parameters such as water absorption and resistance to acid attack, permeability, chloride attack, and carbonation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prime objective of this research study was the investigation the new natural cellulosic fiber extracted from the stem of Abutilon Indicum plants as an alternative reinforcement in greener composite materials for structural applications. Abutilon Indicum a flowering plant with unique medicinal values are abundantly found in India and other south Asian countries. The fibers extracted from the stem of the Abutilon Indicum plant are proven to be sustainable, ecofriendly, and novel and hence this fiber is chosen for characterization study. In this experimental investigation the physical, chemical, thermal, morphological, crystallinity, chemical constituents, and surface characteristics of raw Abutilon Indicum fibers (AIF) were analyzed. Chemical analysis results convey the presence of higher cellulose content of (56.12 wt.%) in AIF. The diameter (175 μm) and density (1.170 g/cm3) of AIFs are determined by physical analysis of the raw fibers. Such lower density values observed in AIF make it as a perfect material for lightweight applications. Crystalline properties of AIFs are determined from X‐ray diffraction tests with a crystalline index of 77.35%, and crystalline size of 2.20 nm, which attributes to the presence of cellulose‐1β and the crystallites are ordered in nature. Thermal stability of 175°C, maximum degradation temperature upto 302.6°C and kinetic activation energy of 86.95 kJ/mol of AIF are established based on thermo gravimetric analysis. Morphological and surface characteristics of AIF through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis revealed that the raw fibers display a relatively finer surface. Research findings of the AIF mentioned above conclude that the AIFs prove to be an ideal, alternative reinforcement in greener composite materials for sustainable and cleaner production of components in structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cement dust is a significant source of occupational exposure affecting lung function and respiratory health. A higher burden of respiratory morbidity is known among factory workers involved in cement production. Globally or from India, there are no estimates of this burden from informal workers exposed to cement dust. Objective: To assess difference in lung function and respiratory symptoms among informal workers exposed to cement and those unexposed, using a comparative community based cross-sectional study from purposively selected areas in Delhi, India. Methods: Using a portable spirometer we measured lung function and collected respiratory symptoms from conveniently sampled informal workers (n = 100) exposed to cement dust, 50 indoor informal workers (tailors), and 50 outdoor (vegetable) vendors. Regression analyses were performed to compare respiratory symptom score and lung function parameters, adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, socioeconomic status, and years of occupational exposure. Findings: Exposed workers had significantly lower lung function (PEF = –750 ml/s and –810 ml/s and FEV1/FVC (%) = –3.87 and –2.11) compared to indoor and outdoor groups, with three times higher chronic respiratory symptoms when compared to the unexposed groups. The cement dust exposure was observed to be associated with PEF (mean difference (MD) = –0.75L, 95%CI = –1.36 to –0.15, p = 0.01), %FEV1/FVC (MD = –3.87, 95%CI = –6.77 to –0.96, p = 0.03) and respiratory symptoms (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study generates evidence regarding the respiratory burden of occupational exposure among vulnerable informal workers. There is an urgent need for policy reforms to safeguard health from occupational exposures, especially among informal workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River sand is a one of the important and commonly used building material in India and hence in the present study, activity concentration of natural radionuclides such as 226Ra, 232Th and 40 K have been measured in sand samples collected from Ponnai river, Tamilnadu using HPGe detector-based gamma ray spectroscopy. The measured activity concentrations vary from 13.30 to 54.83 Bq kg−1 with a mean value of 31.07 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, from 26.15 to 245.33 Bq kg−1 with a mean value of 83.61 Bq kg−1 for 232Th, from 218.76 to 581.88 Bq kg−1 with a mean value of 416.36 Bq kg−1 for 40 K. These mean values of activity concentration of radionuclides have been compared with recommended limit and other similar work carried in the world. In order to assess the radiation associated with sands, radiological parameters such as air absorbed dose rate, annual indoor and outdoor effective dose rate, excess lifetime cancer risk, were calculated. The result shows that excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) for the indoor exposure varied from 0.775 × 10−3 to 3.216 × 10−3 with an average value of 1.440 × 10−3. An average ELCR for Ponnai river sand samples is slightly higher than the world average value of 1.16 × 10−3 mSv y−1. Finally, to assess the delivery of gamma radiation to organs, effective dose to body organ (Dorgn) was calculated for all river sand samples in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the introduction of European prefabrication building systems in India in the years immediately after independence from Britain in 1947, through the lens of two episodes. In each case, the analysis challenges the often-perceived notion of the local, in this case Indian, actors in the Global South as mere recipients of superior foreign technologies, positing them instead as critical assessors, evaluators and decision makers. In the first example of UK's Alcrete House, well known as the reason for German architect Otto Koenigsberger's infamous departure from India, the paper examines archival materials, discussed here for the first time, to shed light on the role of Indian players who demanded accountability from foreign experts. In the second lesser-known example of the Swiss lightweight concrete building product, Durisol, the analysis highlights the role of local architects like Shaukat Rai, who deployed his own transnational and intranational networks in the product's bid to enter the Indian construction market in the early 1950s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-ray spectrometry was employed to assess the activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides ( 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K) in various construction materials, including those used for building, roofing, furnishing, flooring, and plastering. The measured activity concentrations of the radionuclides ranged as follows: 238 U (25 to 477 Bq kg -1 ), 232 Th (below detection limit to 239 Bq kg -1 ), and 40 K (285 to 1915 Bq kg -1 ). Based on these values, the materials were categorized in descending order of radioactivity threat as: Furnishing > Roofing > Building > Flooring > Plastering. The potential radiation dose and radiological hazards to occupants from continuous exposure were estimated using risk parameters. The absorbed dose rates for flooring (217.7 nGy h -1 ), building (286.9 nGy h -1 ), furnishing (353.1 nGy h -1 ), roofing (322.5 nGy h -1 ), and plastering ( 1 76.8 nGy h -1 ) were all found to exceed both the world average value and the typical indoor gamma dose rate of 84 nGy h -1 . This study highlights significant radiological risks to inhabitants associated with the use of certain materials in building construction. These include clay tiles for roofing, wood, specific granite varieties (reddish/brown granite), and certain types of bricks (fly ash, burnt, and AAS)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Road accidents are a growing concern worldwide, and crash barriers have significantly reduced the severity of these incidents. In its pursuit of developing an eco-friendly crash barrier, India installed the world's first 200 m bamboo crash barrier, on Bombay-Pune Highway. Although its eco-friendly and recyclable design is commendable, using Bambusa balcooa infused with creosote oil and covered with High-density polyethylene (HDPE) raises substantial health and environmental issues due to the presence of toxic and carcinogenic Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To address these concerns, a novel eco-friendly design has been proposed, utilizing Pseudoxytenanthera bamboo species treated with Cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL). This study rigorously characterizes these bamboo species through mechanical testing at both nodes and internodes, evaluating critical strength parameters such as axial tensile modulus, ultimate strength, compression strength, flexural strength, and impact strength. Scanning electron microscopy is employed to examine fracture morphology, linking the natural fiber characteristics to their mechanical properties. The results indicate that Pseudoxytenanthera stocksii exhibits superior Tensile strength (496.73 MPa), flexural (235.57 MPa), Impact strength (4.8 kJ/m 2 ) and compressive strength (68.66 MPa), with a direct correlation between density, particularly in nodal regions. The final phase involves chemically validating the bamboo treated with CNSL to enhance its environmental friendliness, presenting a viable alternative to steel for sustainable infrastructure. This study presents a high-strength sustainable and non-toxic alternative to conventional crash barriers by utilising Pseudoxytenanthera bamboo species treated with CNSL, replacing the toxic creosote-treated Bambusa balcooa, and offering a robust solution for safer road infrastructure while advancing green engineering practices., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics statement: Experimental research and field studies on various species of bamboo reported here comply with relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

The estimated mean value of activity of radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) in the forest environment of Shankaraghatta are 11.52 ± 1.6, 19.94 ± 2.08 and 164.67 ± 3.2 Bq kg−1 for soil, and for building materials 48.53 ± 1.99, 63.20 ± 2.48 and 470.47 ± 6.59 Bq kg−1 respectively. The average indoor and outdoor Gamma Absorbed Dose rate and total Annual Effective Dose rate are less than the global average values. The forest ecosystem influenced in reducing the natural ambient gamma radiation levels. The constructions materials used for roads enhanced it. The entire measured hazard indices are far below the criterion limit of unity except pink granite and ceramic tiles contains higher activity of radionuclides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern social collectivities—such as nations, publics, and political movements—depend upon the capacity of media technologies to transcend bodily proximity. The contemporary proliferation of such remote sociality may seem to render physical gatherings superfluous. But at times, people go to great pains to manifest collectivities by assembling bodies in one place. This article explores what we should make of cases in which it is not enough for collectivities to be projected, abstracted, imagined, or invoked—times when bodies together are all that will do. Presenting research from India and Laos, and in dialogue with reflections on the COVID‐19 pandemic, we consider those cases in which bodies are thought to be essential for making collectivities. We show that it is the limits and weaknesses of bodies—that they require sleep and food, that they are vulnerable to police batons and thrown stones, that they can usually only be in one place at a time—that often make them potent materials for building mass actors. Sketching a comparative anthropology of gathering, we reflect on what these limits afford and rethink what bodies might mean for future modes of social connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing construction sector, there is a constant rise in wastes generated by both construction and demolition activities. According to an estimate by Building Material Promotion Council (BMPTC), 150 million tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) wastes are generated in India annually. However, the official recycling capacity is a meagre6, 500 tonnes per day (TPD) - just about 1 percent. This paper examines the properties of Black cotton soil and investigates the use of recycled C&D wastes in soil stabilization of black cotton soil. This research focuses on the inexpensive and eco-friendly nature of C&D wastes as an admixture for soil stabilization. The tests were performed using different proportions of recycled C&D wastes in the proportions: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, to increase the strength of black cotton soil. California Bearing Ratio (CBR) showed an increase from 2% to 18.09%, Maximum Dry Density (MDD) showed a decrease from 2.107 g.cc-1 to 1.69 g.cc-1, and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) showed a variation and increased from 15% to 18.09% with the addition of 25% C&D wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Manual brick manufacturing units in West Bengal, India are mostly unorganized sectors employing many migrant female workers in manual material handling tasks as brick moulders and brick carriers. OBJECTIVE: The study estimated the biomechanical postural stress developed due to manual load handling, carriage and brick transportation. METHODS: Body Part Discomfort Scale was used to assess the subjective pain felt by 18 adult female brick moulders and 12 brick carriers during work. Video recordings were taken during the actual field work and the images were analyzed for two-dimensional prediction kinetics and kinematics. RESULTS: Results show that the horizontal distance of the load from the body was 59.95±3.74 cm during the initial lifting of bricks by the brick carriers and so their biomechanical trunk angle inclination was significantly detrimental. The bending moment at the lumbosacral disc was much higher during the squatting posture while initial brick lifting. Moreover, the trunk and the neck pain of the brick carriers were caused by carrying 18% of body weight load. CONCLUSIONS: The brick carriers were the more vulnerable group in terms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, ergonomic interventions such as relay brick carrying and pole supported balanced brick carrying, may be implemented to reduce the prevalence of pain. This study is the first of its kind that validates the extent or the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among the female brickfield workers through approaches of predicted biomechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the current practices for managing construction and demolition waste (CDW) in two tier-2 cities of Karnataka state: Hubli-Dharwad and Davanagere. The research highlights the quantification, characterization, and effective management strategies for CDW. CDW dumping sites were identified through field visits conducted across all wards of the cities and recorded using a mobile-based app. At each site, data were collected on the types of vehicles dumping CDW, the frequency of dumping, the volume of waste in the vehicles, and the quantity of CDW removed for reuse. The dumping sites were categorized into large, medium, and small based on the area and volume of waste. In total, 130 unauthorised dumping sites were identified in Hubli-Dharwad and 62 in Davanagere. The study estimated that Hubli-Dharwad generates approximately 607 tonnes per day (TPD) of CDW, while Davanagere produces around 287 TPD. The characterization of CDW revealed that in Hubli-Dharwad, CDW consists of 14.4% concrete, 25.5% brick and mortar, 39.1% soil and aggregates, and 20% other materials. In Davanagere, the composition includes 19% concrete, 29% brick and mortar, 38% soil, and 14% other materials. Based on these findings, the study proposes a system for the collection and transportation of CDW and recommends suitable recycling technologies. While the approach outlined in this paper is well-suited for urban local bodies to assess CDW, the data on CDW reuse and recycling is primarily based on informal practices. This makes accurate quantification challenging and subject to variation over time due to a lack of regulatory oversight. Additionally, the study provides only a snapshot of CDW generation and management at a specific point in time, potentially missing seasonal variations or long-term trends in waste handling., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Due to the enormously increasing population in metropolitan cities of India, most of the transmissions of ozone exhausting substances are expected from metropolitans, of which the building structures may contribute significantly. To limit these levels, one of the inevitable structures of the metropolitan plan is to adopt green buildings. In this regard, integration of Nano-enhanced Bio Phase Change Material (NeBPCM) in buildings is an innovative technology that has a high potential to reduce the thermal energy penetration into the buildings, The green buildings enhance the thermal comforts inside the building with energy conservation. A novel integration of NeBPCM composite is introduced to a Solid Concrete Hollow Block of size 400 mm x 200 mm x 100 mm. The experimental building of size 1 m x 1 m x 1 m is constructed to analyze the thermal effects of this phase change material (PCM) integration within the buildings. A drop in temperature is observed in PCM integrated building from 5.3°C to 1.1°C compared to that of building without PCM. The error between the measured data and numerical predictions is found to be within the range of 0.3°C and 1.6°C. The experimental investigations also revealed a reduction in maximum room temperature up to 5.3°C in the building integrated with NeBPCM vis-à-vis building without NeBPCM. Also, NeBPCM integration in building increased the temperature by 1.8°C when the outside ambient temperature averagely dropped below 23.6°C, thus improving the thermal comfort in the buildings all over the seasons. Therefore, NeBPCM integration in buildings is advantageous in terms of maintaining the room temperature to provide passive cooling of buildings with energy savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing demand for houses in urban India has increased the requirements for construction materials such as clay fired bricks and cement blocks. At the same time, conventional practice of brick manufacturing is not environment friendly due to high energy consumption and CO2 emissions during various stages of its production. Therefore, recent trend in research has been directed towards utilization of various industrial wastes and methods, which emerge as sustainable alternatives for environ- mental concerns arising in the construction industry. This study focused on utilizing mining waste, namely iron ore tailing (IOT) in development of stable blocks. It has reported various properties of compressed unfired blocks formed by IOT and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) in varying proportions and with a fixed amount of lime. The combination of GGBS and lime was found to be suitable in stabilizing IOT towards block production. Furthermore, a maximum compressive strength of 7.7 MPa was achieved for blocks after 28 days of air curing. Also, the addition of GGBS has reduced the water absorption and apparent porosity of the IOT blocks, confirming the positive interaction between IOT, GGBS and lime. It also indicates the prospective of blended binders in improving the compactness of the blocks, which will have direct influence on the durability and service life of the blocks. Finally, the results show that most of the developed blocks satisfy the requirement of IS 1077 specification and can be used in various applications such as load and non-load bearing walls, framed structures, foundations and pedestrian walkways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The majority of handicraft workers in India falls under the informal sector, which plays a prominent role in the employment generation. Artisans in handicraft sectors encounter various hazards and risks causing occupational diseases. OBJECTIVE: The key objective of the study is to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and occupational risk factors among the artisans involved in making traditional lacquerware toys in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, South India. METHODS: The subjects considered in this study are 177 artisans who work in mechanized lathes at Channapatna of Karnataka and Etikoppaka of Andhra Pradesh, South India. The information regarding the reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) symptoms from 7 days to 12 months are collected through modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and by direct observations. Moreover, the intervention of WMSD in their day-to-day life and the overall comfort of their body are also determined. The questionnaire survey is conducted through face-to-face interviews and by direct field study. RESULTS: From the statistical analysis, it is found that about 76.83%of the study population (77.4%male and 74.28%female) has self-reported WMSDs. The prevalence of WMSD is most common in the age group of 30–40 years. Physical factors like workplace adaptability, stress at work, body postures, health status, body mass index, active and enough breaks during work and body condition at the end of work have a significant association with WMSD. CONCLUSION: In this study, many of the work-related and lifestyle/health-related factors show a significant association with WMSD in artisans. The sub-standard working environment and the nature of work expose artisans to many occupational risks in their day-to-day life. To mitigate the occupational risks and musculoskeletal disorders, the workspace needs to be redesigned ergonomically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction is a process of developing new ventures and is a never-ending activity. The aggregates are the raw materials, which constitute 70-80% in the concrete mixture. Every year, it is estimated that the construction industry in India generates about 10-12 million tonnes of waste annually. Concrete is the most versatile material which is used extensively in the construction field. There is a need to think of alternate materials because of the scarcity of natural aggregates. The use of this recycled coarse aggregate is mainly for two reasons: To decrease CO2 emission which is harmful to environment and to reduce the cost of construction material / cost cutting/reduce the budget of the construction. C&D waste can be reduced, re-used and recovered, dramatically reducing the dumping of demolished waste. The main purpose of recycling is to minimize the amount of waste to be deposited and to preserve natural resources. The present investigation is carried out for evaluation of properties of natural and recycled aggregate concrete. Pozzolanic materials like Fly Ash and Silica Fume are used as mineral admixtures for good workability and for better strength. Cement is replaced with 10% SF and 20% FA in design mix. RAC20 made with different grades of recycled aggregates of GA20, GA25, GA30, GA35 and GA40 with different replacements 50%, 75% and 100%. During mix proportion presoaking of aggregates is done before the mixing of concrete. Three stage mixing approach is adopted for the production of concrete. The density of concrete, compressive strength and water absorption of PC & RAC were determined at ages of 7 and 28 days. The results of compressive strength are found to be lower than target strength. With GA20 at 50% replacement, 95% of the target strength is achieved (27.55MPa). Strength could have achieved with increase in curing period. It is also concluded that the water absorption and density of RAC is lower than NAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Konyaks in Nagaland, India, since time immemorial have been dependent on the forest and its products for their sustenance and economic growth. The use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Mon district, Nagaland, was studied through surveys and interviews with vegetable vendors in Mon and Aboi town markets, and villagers of Chingkao, Tangnyu, Sheanghah-Lampong, Wakching and Hongphoi. Forest resources and their products have been a source of livelihood providing the local inhabitants with food, medicine, construction materials and other utilitarian items, especially for the economically marginal people residing in and around the forest. This study covers 43 plant species belonging to 26 families that are used by the tribals of Mon district. Family Asteraceae was dominant in yielding forest products followed by Arecaceae and these resources are used with the traditional knowledge passed down from generations. The study shows the diverse NTFPs that fulfill the needs of a thriving Naga tribe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesite Mine Tailings (MMT) is a kind of waste produced during the mining of magnesite ore. Due to open cast mining process, huge amount of tailings are generated and dumped as open landfill that leads to numerous environmental hazards in the vicinity. MMT from Salem mine dump site, India, is collected, and a series of laboratory tests related to physical, chemical, mineralogical, mechanical, electrical and thermal properties have been conducted to characterise the MMT as construction material. Further, the results are compared with river sand and conventional coarse aggregates. The results indicate that the MMT can be used as aggregates in concrete for non-wearing surfaces, manufacturing of bricks, low thermal insulation panels, embankment and thermal insulation fills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the various ways in which huge volumes of waste formed from urban and semi-urban areas can be optimally reutilized as an additive in the construction of bituminous pavements. It shows that different waste materials like scrap tyres, plastic wastes, glass, coal waste, fly ash, concrete waste, wood waste, etc. can be effectively reused in bituminous pavement construction. In countries like India, waste derived from various sources is usually incinerated, open burned, dumped into water bodies, disposed through landfills or ground, and discharged to sewers. This shows the potential of waste being used as a construction material in pavement development in developing nations like India where consumption is more and the availability of space for disposal is less. Moreover, the need for effective energy utilization and global climate change have made it mandatory to reduce pollution and increase recycling and re-use. Hence, to satisfy environmental norms, such practices need to be introduced into civil engineering situations. This work evaluates the various application of solid waste in sustainable pavement engineering and reviews the existing works on the re-utilization of solid wastes as road construction material and their sustainability. Life cycle assesement (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of solid waste as a construction material. The principal findings of this study reveal that solid waste obtained from various sources could be effectively incorporated into construction materials in the forms of aggregate, reinforcement fiber, filler material, additive etc. In summary, the study guides us in adopting stable and eco-friendly choices of converting the wastes into superior environmentally friendly road construction materials. In addition to being a lesser burden to the environment, this practice provides a satisfactory enhancement in the strength and durability of the pavements and also helps reduce energy and overall cost thereby proving to be a very useful and effective choice for all pavement related works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructions and demolition activities was increased normally for the past two decades. With these type of construction activities going up, we are having short for these construction materials, mainly aggregates, therefore finding an other type resource is the need of time. Laboratory trials have conducted to investigate the possibility of using recycled aggregates as the replacement of natural coarse aggregates in the concrete. Large quantities of construction and demolition wastes were happened every year in developing countries like India. The disposal of this waste is a very big problem, because it needs large space for its disposal and that too very little demolished waste is recycled. This study is a part of comprehensive program where in the experimental investigations have been carried out to assess the effect of partial replacement of the coarse aggregates by the demolished waste on workability and the compressive strength of the recycled concrete for study at 7,14& 28 days. In this study replacement of recycled aggregate was done in four proportions i.e. 0%,10%,20%&30%. Each sample was tested for compressive strength for 7, 14 & 28 days and compared with standard concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregates are the principal material in pavement construction. Conventional road aggregates in India are natural aggregates obtained by crushing rocks. The physical properties of coarse aggregate are more significant in new generation bituminous mixtures. Aggregate characteristics such as particle size, shape, and texture influence the performance and serviceability of hot mix asphalt pavement. The shape of aggregate particle has significant influence on performance of the Bitumen pavement. Particle shape can be described as cubical, blade, disk and rod .The strength serviceability requirements of Bitumen mixes such as stability, flow, voids in mineral aggregate (VMA), voids filled with bitumen (VFB) and air voids are highly depend on the physical properties of aggregate. Dense bituminous macadam (DBM) mixes were analyzed with different proportions (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%) of different shape of aggregates were studied. Mixes with cubical and rod shape aggregates has been showed good results on stability. The parameters such as air voids and voids in mineral aggregate increases with increase in proportion of blade type of aggregates in DBM mixes. The particle index value of coarse aggregate significantly affected the engineering properties of Hot mix asphalt (HMA) mix. The particle shape determined how aggregate packed into a dense configuration and also determined the internal resistance of a mix. Mixes prepared by replacing 20% aggregates shown higher stability values. Cubical particles exhibit interlock and internal friction, and hence results in greater mechanical stability than the blade, rod, and disk shape aggregates. Particle shape parameter values obtained were higher for cubical shape aggregates and lower for blade shape aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanically strong sandstones consider as a potential construction material which can withstand modest load and not associated with any geologic fractures. This work is about understanding the macro-mechanical properties of sandstones by studying several petrographic parameters, which could provide evidence of their influence on mechanical strength. Here the authors were considered the Bhuban sandstones of western Indo-Burmese Ranges (IBR) of north-eastern India to investigate the above criteria. The result shows that sandstones have a mean grain size between 108 to 208 µm. Moderate to poorly sorted (phi scale ranges 0.56-1.5) grains show greater content of rounded constituents (43-68 %) with sphericity between 0.65-0.85; along with moderate packing properties (packing density 54-77 %; packing proximity 32-70 %). The grains join by mostly straight (20-54 %) and concavo-convex (13-45 %) contacts; with lesser point (5-13 %) and sutured contacts (8-44 %). Schmidt Hammer rebound values (R-values) were used to calculate and analyse the uniaxial confined stress (UCS); which again validated with UCS testing of core samples. The comparison between macro-mechanical parameters and the UCS shows interrelationship among rock constituents which hold the key to the mechanical strength of the rock. The presence of angular grains and semi-angular spherical grains diminish the macromechanical strength to some extent. Moreover, FETEM-EDX analysis confirms the microweathering of the angular grains, which have a deformed lattice setting. These findings show that macro-mechanical and micro-nano scale properties of sandstones influence the rock strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, the scarcity of construction materials has been resulted from significant infrastructure development operations taking place in both rural and urban areas. The pavement industry is exploring ways to improve lower-quality recycled materials that are often used in road construction. The stabilization of these recycled materials with cement is considered to be one of the most common and widely used techniques to enhance mechanical properties. Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) and crushed brick (CB) aggregates are abundantly available recycled materials, and their use in road construction and maintenance is a sustainable and environmentally friendly process. In the current study, different proportions of various recycled materials (RAP, RCA, and recycled unbound aggregates) 0% to 100%, blended with different percentages of virgin aggregates were studied and the same mixes were stabilized with different cement contents varying from 0% to 10% for both base and sub-base layers has been investigated. Compaction characteristics and performance tests like unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the same were investigated. Analysis has been performed on the collected UCS data of various recycled aggregates stabilized with different cement content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]