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This study analyzes the economics of combined cargo containment systems and boil-off hydrogen (BOH) handling systems for large-scale liquid hydrogen (LH 2) transportation. In large-scale LH 2 transportation, addressing the issue of pressure increase in LH 2 storage tanks due to BOH is the most critical technical challenge. To handle this, there are three options: using high-pressure storage tanks, reducing pressure by reliquefying BOH through a reliquefaction system, and utilizing BOH as fuel for ship propulsion. This study conducts a comprehensive economic analysis of these three options using life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis. Additionally, the impact of the insulation-layer thickness of the LH 2 storage tank on economic feasibility was examined, using the concept of the levelized shipping cost of hydrogen (LSCOH), which represents the cost of transporting a unit of hydrogen. Among the options, Option 1 involving high-pressure storage using high design-pressure tanks indicate the lowest LSCOH value of $0.316/kgH2 at an insulation-layer thickness of 0.4 m. Meanwhile, Options 2 and 3 indicate minimum LSCOH values of $0.394/kgH2 and $0.421/kgH2, respectively, at insulation-layer thicknesses of 0.7 and 1.0 m, respectively. These results indicate that the thermodynamic and structural analysis, along with the economic evaluation of LH 2 storage tanks, suggest that designing high-pressure storage tanks capable of withstanding the pressure increase during navigation is more economical than adding and operating re-liquefaction system or using expensive hydrogen as ship propulsion fuel to manage BOH. Additionally, sensitivity analysis is performed on the main cost-influencing factors and a larger-scale LH2 carrier is analyzed. The results of this study present both absolute and relative economic analysis results for BOH handling options and suggest that there is an optimal insulation-layer thickness of LH 2 storage tanks that can transport LH 2 most economically. • Comparative economic analysis of three representative BOH handling options was conducted. • The effect of the insulation-layer thickness of the LH 2 storage tank on the economic feasibility of each option was analyzed. • Option 1, which uses a high-design-pressure tank, showed the highest economic feasibility with a minimum levelized shipping cost of hydrogen value of $0.316/kgH 2 when the insulation-layer thickness was 0.4 m. • Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of the main cost-influencing factors for each option. • An analysis of a large-scale LH 2 carrier (160,000 m3) was conducted in addition to the base case (50,000 m3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, the dominant strategy in the design of structures is to reduce the initial weight of the structure. Of course, the possible future costs such as damages caused by earthquakes are generally ignored. Considering the variety of urban buildings from the point of view of regularity and irregularity, it is important to examine their life cycle cost (LCC); this issue has not yet been fully explored in previous research. On the one hand, the lack of utilization of building information modeling (BIM) in previous structural design-based LCC research is evident. This research aims to highlight the impact of irregularity on the LCC of structures by providing an integrated framework based on the seismic design optimization of structures by using LCC and BIM capacities. For this, a shared environment is created in MATLAB software, information is exchanged between Revit, Etabs, and Excel software, and optimization is done using NSGA-II for establishing a trade-off between initial cost and LCC. BIM tools can greatly reduce the limitations of LCC analysis, such as information exchange time, and increase the accuracy and speed of calculations. By modeling six models in two regular and irregular types, the framework of the research and the difference in the behavior of the structures are examined. The results showed that the indirect costs of irregular structures are more than the regular ones. In addition, the findings show that reducing the LCC of irregular structures compared to regular ones requires a higher initial cost percentage. For example, for regular and irregular 13-story structures, a 17% increase in the initial cost leads to a 48% and 40% reduction in their LCC, respectively [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry has enormous impacts on the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. To mitigate these impacts, several researchers have explored a variety of methods that link Building Information Modeling (BIM) with methodologies for a holistic evaluation of sustainability, such as Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). However, the complete integration of BIM-LCSA still remains unresolved, with a series of challenges that must be overcome. Consequently, the aim of this article is to identify the advances and challenges of BIM-LCSA integration focused on buildings through a literature review of the existing solutions presented by researchers worldwide. The PRISMA 2020 protocol is used. A total of 135 articles published between 2010–2023 are reviewed for bibliometric analysis. Furthermore, an exhaustive analysis of the case studies is carried out, by taking into account the structure proposed by ISO 14040. The authors identify a gap in the literature mainly regarding the full integration of the three dimensions with BIM that facilitates a simultaneous on-the-air assessment, in addition to the lack of a standardized LCSA method of calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of energy storage systems, optimizing the life cycle of power converters is crucial for reducing costs, making informed decisions, and ensuring sustainability. This study presents a comprehensive methodology for calculating the life cycle cost (LCC) of power converters, employing a nine-step process that integrates digitalization, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and the Asset Health Index (AHI). The methodology adapts the Woodward model to provide a detailed cost analysis, encompassing the acquisition, operation, maintenance, and end-of-life phases. Our findings reveal significant insights into asset management, highlighting the importance of preventive and major maintenance in controlling failure rates and extending asset life. This study concludes that adopting sustainable business models and leveraging advanced technologies can enhance the reliability and maintainability of power converters, ultimately leading to more competitive and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straw management is extremely challenging, and irrational treatment can cause environmental pollution and affect the development of a circular economy in agriculture. The high-value utilization of agricultural straw as an important pathway to promote circular economy and achieve carbon neutrality goals has attracted much attention. Herein, the environmental and economic performance of the main straw-based fuel (straw-to-biochar, ethanol, and biogas) and material (straw-to-board and paper) utilization scenarios in China were compared from a life cycle perspective. This study is based on data from the eFootprint platform and the China Life Cycle Database. The results show that straw production for fuel has a better environmental performance than the production of materials option for water use, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, and respiratory inorganics. Utilizing straw to produce fuels or materials can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 155–1296 kg CO2 eq. and decrease primary energy consumption by 8949–31270 MJ. Straw-to-board has the worst energy conservation and emission reduction performance but has the best economic performance with an LCC value of − 46.38 USD. The scenario with the shortest payback time is straw-to-ethanol, which take only 2 years. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the product has the most significant impact on the environmental and economic performance. The study analyzed the environmental impacts and economic benefits of these straw utilization pathways to provide solutions for sustainable straw management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Built environment contributes significantly to social and economic development, but it is also resource intensive. It is therefore one of the main producers of emissions and carbon footprint. Choosing building designs with a long service life is the key to resolving environmental problems. In this paper, the life cycle of a residential building is evaluated to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and costs associated with the construction, use and disposal of the building. Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing methods were used to evaluate the environmental and financial impact of the residential building. The system boundaries were defined as "Cradle to Grave" and a lifetime of 60 years. The calculation showed that the building emitted 843 tons of CO2e, or 19.8 kg CO2e/m2/year, and the life cycle costs were 2 026 €/m2. Considering the phases considered, the energy consumption phase (B6) caused the highest CO2e emissions, up to 50.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well understood that many of civil projects require large sums of money annually to preserve their assets during the operation phase. Operation and maintenance costs typically account for over 80% of life cycle costs (LCC). Thus, decision-making based solely on ownership costs cannot be optimal in the long run. To address this concern, the use of LCC is suggested for assessing project cost performance. The diversity of civil projects and the importance of decision-making in such projects have led to the development of numerous studies in this field. Given the diversity of LCC-related problems and its special place in the scientific community, various studies have been conducted. Yet, the substantial number of studies poses a challenge in identifying research procedures and emerging areas. Therefore, scientometric techniques were used to analyze 2804 papers published (to date) by researchers in this field. The co-occurrence network of keywords, co-authorship of authors, and journal citations were examined, and renowned authors and research fields were identified. The results indicated that 57% of studies related to infrastructure and 43% buildings. Also, the literature on LCC-based structural design, one of the newest and perhaps most neglected branches was analyzed. One of the gaps in this field is overlooking the analysis of LCC adoption in the seismic design optimization of high-rise and irregular structures, which needs much more attention to be paid in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building maintenance and operation costs represent a significant portion of the life cycle costs (LCC) of construction projects. The accurate estimation of these costs is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and financial efficiency of buildings. This study aims to develop a novel framework for predicting maintenance and operation costs in construction projects by integrating an emotional artificial neural network (EANN). Unlike traditional models that rely on linear regression or static machine learning, the EANN dynamically adapts its learning through synthetic emotional feedback mechanisms and advanced optimization techniques. The research collected input data from 313 experts in the field of building management and construction in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia, through a comprehensive questionnaire. The integration of expert opinions with advanced machine learning techniques contributes to the innovative approach, providing more reliable and adaptive cost predictions. The proposed EANN model was then compared with a classic artificial neural network (ANN) model to evaluate its performance. The results indicate that the EANN model achieved an R2 value of 0.85 in training and 0.81 in testing for buildings aged 0 to 10 years, significantly outperforming the ANN model, which achieved R2 values of 0.78 and 0.72, respectively. Additionally, the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) for the EANN model was 1.57 in training and 1.60 in testing, lower than the ANN's RMSE values of 1.82 and 1.90. These findings show that the superior capability of the EANN model in estimating maintenance and operation costs.. This led to more accurate long-term maintenance cost projections, reduced budgeting uncertainty, and enhanced decision-making reliability for building managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined energy performance improvement factors by analyzing both energy performance and the economic impacts to reduce energy costs for senior centers. A fact-finding survey was conducted on 20 senior centers in a metropolitan area, identifying key energy improvement factors. Energy simulations of the buildings were performed using ECO2, an officially certified energy assessment program in Korea, comparing the energy requirements before and after the improvements. The energy demand, energy consumption, and floor area were analyzed, with the J, K, and S standard models selected based on the median values of these factors. To assess the impact of the improvements, blower door tests were conducted on two senior centers before and after window upgrades. Based on the ECO2 simulations and the blower door test results, improvement priorities were identified in the following order: windows, exterior walls, boilers, roofs, and doors. Finally, an economic feasibility analysis applied the construction and heating costs to the standard models. Over a 40-year period, only boiler improvements generated a net profit. Without government support, this study recommends prioritizing boiler upgrades when selecting energy performance improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is integrated within a life cycle assessment (LCA) model to comprehensively evaluate the energy, environment, and economic impacts of the Jatropha biodiesel production in China. The total energy consumption of producing 1 ton of Jatropha biodiesel is 17566.16 MJ, in which fertilizer utilization and methanol production consume 78.14% and 18.65% of the overall energy consumption, respectively. The production of 1 ton of Jatropha biodiesel emits a number of pollutants, including 1184.52 kg of CO2, 5.86 kg of dust, 5.59 kg of NOx, 2.67 kg of SO2, 2.38 kg of CH4, and 1.05 kg of CO. By calculating and comparing their environmental impacts potentials, it was discovered that NOx and dust emissions during the fertilizer application, combustion of Jatropha shells, and methanol production urgently require improvement, as they contribute to serious global warming and particulate matter formation issues. LCC study shows that the cost of Jatropha biodiesel is 796.32 USD/ton, which is mostly contributed by Jatropha oil cost (44.37% of the total cost) and human input (26.70% of the total cost). Additional profits are generated by the combustion of Jatropha shells and glycerol by-product, which can compensate 16.76% of the cost of Jatropha biodiesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The developing world continues to face substantial obstacles to achieving affordable and dependable electricity access. This issue is especially pertinent for Nigeria, where diesel generators are widely relied upon in urban and rural regions because of an underdeveloped and unreliable national grid. The lack of grid reliability is worsened in Northeastern Nigeria, an area plagued by conflict, extreme poverty, and grid infrastructure deterioration. This study investigates the feasibility of implementing community-scale microgrids in rural areas without grid connection access. It focuses on assessing the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of utilizing these microgrids to deliver inexpensive and dependable electricity to underserved populations to increase energy access. A case study was conducted in Kabuiri, a village with an estimated population of 2,300 residents and an estimated load demand of 610 kWh per day. A hybrid microgrid system was designed and optimized to meet the community's load demand using HOMER software, sized to produce 610 kWh/day of electricity with a renewable penetration of 99%. The optimal solar PV/battery/generator system had a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of $ 0.093 per kWh, a net present cost (NPC) of $266,709, and an annual operating cost of $9,110. The system contributed 1,624 kg CO2 eq/year of global warming potential and 56.81 kg O3 eq/year of smog formation during operation. Sensitivity analysis showed that the system could effectively react to or adapt to substantial increases in diesel prices, requiring only marginal increases in photovoltaic capacity and reduced generator usage to maintain the most cost-efficient operation. Additionally, the system model can be adapted based on the population of the remote community without substantially impacting the LCOE, however, the NPC increases with increase in population size. This research will aid in increasing energy access in remote locations by providing insights to stakeholders and energy access project developers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of using steel slag in different layers of a flexible pavement structure on the permanent deformation performance and life cycle cost (LCC). Materials were obtained from a recent expressway pavement construction project. Physical and chemical properties of steel slag produced in Oman indicated that it can be used in the pavement layers. Results indicated that 100% of slag can be used in the base or subbase layers resulting in a CBR value of 212%. For wearing course (WC) and bituminous base course (BBC) layers, a 30% and 25% replacement of coarse aggregate was recommended based on Marshall mix design method. A finite element program was used to model the pavement sections. Rutting performance was determined based on the dynamic modulus |E*| results and mechanistic empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) rut models. Rutting was not significantly different from the control section when steel slag was used in the base and/or subbase pavement structure. Rutting increased from 12.5 to 17.9 mm at the end of design life when slag was used in the WC layer. Further increase in rutting resulted when the steel slag was introduced in the BBC layer. LCC analysis based on 75 mm milling and overlay and zero slag cost indicated a reduction of 29.4% in cost when slag is used in both base and subbase layers. Steel slag in WC was recommended for lower volume roads with a higher target rut depth (16.5 mm), in which case LCC increased by 12% compared to the control section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Winter heating in rural areas of northern China requires about 200 million tonnes of standard coal, of which coal is used as the main heat source, causing serious air pollution and exacerbating the greenhouse gas effect. Abundant "zero-carbon" straw in rural areas is a viable strategy for replacing coal-fired heating. The purpose of this paper is to compare the environmental and economic performance of straw heating scenarios. Methods: The environmental impacts and economic costs of four straw heating models across household, village, township, and county scales were compared through life cycle assessment and life cycle cost methods. In this study, the 24-h heat demand of 1 m2 (5.18 MJ) was used as a functional unit. Results: The results showed that the county scale straw cogeneration (CSC) model exhibits the best environmental performance. The global warming potential (GWP) and primary energy demand (PED) of the CSC model are only 11.17% and 10.82% of the household heating model. Straw heating is preferable at the township scale to the village scale from environmental aspects, and direct combustion heating is superior to gasification. For economic aspects, fuel costs are the highest as a percentage of total costs, and the CSC model has the lowest economic costs, with an LCC of 47% of the HSP model. Replacing 20% of coal with straw for heating can reduce annual emissions by 128 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent and the energy conservation and emission reduction impact by 0.17 (19.97%) in rural areas of China. Conclusions: Straw heating reduces the environmental impact as scale increases. At the same scale, straw direct combustion for heating has better environmental and economic performance than gasification. The county scale straw heating model has 89% lower carbon emissions than household scale, and has the best overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To enhance sustainability and resilience against climate change in infrastructure, a quantitative evaluation of both environmental impact and cost is important within a life cycle framework. Climate change effects can lead performance deterioration in bridge components during their operational phase, highlighting the necessity for a risk-based evaluation process aligned with maintenance strategies. This study employs a two-phase life cycle assessments (LCA) framework. First, risk assessments are conducted to evaluate the impact of climate change on steel plate girder bridges and prestressed concrete (PSC) girder bridges under identical structural conditions. The reduction in flexural strength of steel plate girders and PSC girders due to changes in environmental variables such as temperature and relative humidity, induced by various climate change scenarios, was evaluated analytically. Subsequently, life cycle environmental impact and cost assessments were performed, including maintenance outcomes derived from risk assessments. The findings revealed that the environmental impact and cost could increase by approximately 12.4% when climate change is considered, compared to scenarios where it is not taken into account. Sensitivity analyses were performed to identify the key factors influencing environmental impact and cost. The analysis determined that the frequency of preventive maintenance, the recycling rate, and environmental cost coefficient weight in the life cycle assessment significantly affected the results.

The continuous growth of the construction sector in Saudi Arabia will result in social, environmental, and economic implications. To this end, this study focuses on selecting optimal structural and external envelope systems for an office building in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Our research’s novelty lies in the fusion of life cycle cost (LCC) and life cycle impact (LCI) assessment models to optimize structural and envelope choices, a methodology that has real-world applications for the sustainable construction of office buildings. The study findings offer a substantial contribution to the evolving field of sustainable construction practices by enhancing cost-efficiency and environmental performance. The proposed models evaluate different external envelope materials, including concrete masonry unit (CMU), insulated CMU, limestone cladding, autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), three types of glazing (double, triple, and Nanogel), and two structural systems (steel frame and reinforced concrete frame), considered over a 30-year lifespan. Our methodology integrates advanced tools, including Autodesk Revit for precise building modeling, Design Builder software for energy consumption simulations, and One Click LCA software for life cycle assessments. The LCC analysis reveals the most cost-effective option as reinforced concrete with insulated CMU and triple glazing, saving 5.6% or 11,962,496 Saudi Riyals compared to the baseline. Moreover, insulated CMU with Nanogel glazing demonstrates a remarkable 22% annual energy savings, equivalent to 397,469 Saudi Riyals. The proposed framework provides facility managers with comprehensive guidelines for updating conventional office buildings into sustainable ones.

Abstract Background Municipal solid waste (MSW) has increased dramatically in emerging economies like Bangladesh as a result of rapid urbanization and economic growth. Due to the high land requirements and nature of the waste, options of municipal waste management such as landfilling and waste-to-energy have proven to be expensive and inefficient. Previously, a pilot study on a waste-to-compost program in a decentralized facility was done in Dhaka to evaluate the effectiveness of municipal waste management. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the life cycle costs (LCCs) of a waste-to-composting facility in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The objective was to ensure economical and effective management of MSW by comparing overall spending to the current and proposed waste management process. Methodology In order to evaluate the potential of the planned decentralized compost plant, LCC methods using UNEP/SETAC guidelines are used in the study. This includes an additional analysis of environmental and operational costs and benefits. Result The research found that the overall cost of the decentralized compost facility was $857,110, much less than the expenditures associated with landfilling and conventional composting methods in Dhaka. Conclusion This study shows that a decentralized waste-to-compost plant may be a profitable option for dealing with municipal solid waste. Its potential to ease stress on municipal governments is highlighted by its much lower price tag. Insightful for policymakers and urban planners in emerging nations confronting comparable waste management difficulties, this research stresses the need to implement such creative, cost-effective approaches in quickly rising metropolitan cities.

Massive construction systems have always characterized traditional architecture and are currently the most prevalent, straightforward, and cost-effective in many Mediterranean countries. However, in recent years, the construction industry has gradually shifted towards using lightweight, dry construction techniques. This study aims to assess the effects on energy consumption, comfort levels, and environmental sustainability resulting from the adoption of five high-performance construction systems in a multi-family residential building: (i) reinforced concrete structure with low-transmittance thermal block infill; (ii) reinforced concrete structure with light-clay bricks and outer thermal insulation; (iii) steel frame; (iv) cross-laminated timber (CLT); (v) timber-steel hybrid structure. To achieve this goal, a multidisciplinary approach was employed, including the analysis of thermal parameters, the evaluation of indoor comfort through the adaptive model and Fanger's PMV, and the quantification of environmental and economic impacts through life cycle assessment and life cycle cost applied in a long-term analysis (ranging from 30 to 100 years). The results highlight that heavyweight construction systems are the most effective in terms of comfort, cost, and long-term environmental impact (100 years), while lightweight construction systems generally have higher construction costs, provide lower short-term environmental impacts (30 years), and offer intermediate comfort depending on the thermal mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is a method used to determine the preservation costs required for an object, in this case, a bridge, throughout its service life. This method has been implemented in several advanced countries, including Japan. The LCCA calculation concept in Japan differs from those in other countries, as it involves a detailed segmentation of structural elements of bridges, making the model unique and highly detailed. This model is known as High-Precision Life Cycle Cost Analysis (HP-LCCA) and will be tested for application in Bridge Management Systems (BMS) in Indonesia. Implementing this model requires several adjustments, including aligning perceptions of visual inspection results and adapting the assessment concepts for each element based on research interpretations. Additionally, the difference between non-physical and physical condition assessment models presents a challenge for adopting this calculation model. The research shows a similar pattern and positive correlation between non-physical and physical assessment models. Furthermore, factors influencing LCC calculations include bridge age and the number of segments in structural elements. This research aims to provide optimal LCC calculations and facilitate their application in BMS in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analysed the performance of a hot-water pipe (HWP) and fan-coil units (FCUs) in controlling microclimate conditions in a net-zero energy greenhouse (NZEG). The performance of a previously developed TraNsient SYstem Simulation (TRNSYS) model for the NZEG was enhanced to include a crop model and several HWP emission standards, and the improved TRNSYS model was used to analyse heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for different greenhouse sizes in the Republic of Korea. Further, an economic analysis was conducted. The model validation showed excellent agreement between the measured and simulated values, with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.98. The presence of crop in the simulation model reduced the total heating load by 14.5 MWh and increased the cooling load by 4 MWh. The capacity of the FCU was increased as the outside temperature rose from 33.4 ℃ to 36.4 ℃ in summer, and the diameter of the HWP was decreased from 25A to 10A as the outside temperature rose from −21.7 ℃ to −12.2 ℃ in winter to maintain the greenhouse at the desired temperature of 15 ℃. Notably, the payback period was reduced by 9 years when the annual savings in heating energy costs and revenue from carbon trading were considered as a part of the net economic cash flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Introduced a circular economy-based cost model for kerbside wastes. • Evaluated costs in closed-loop and open-loop recycling. • Demonstrated KGRSB cost less than KRMB model. • Alignment of cost model with attributional LCA model for kerbside waste recycling. Rapid expansion in urban areas has engendered a superfluity of municipal solid waste (MSW) stemming from contemporary civilization, encompassing commercial sectors and human undertakings. Kerbside waste, a type of MSW, has the potential for recycling and reuse at the end of its first life cycle, but is often limited to a linear cycle. This study aimed to assess the life cycle costs of different separation and recycling methods for handling kerbside waste. A new life cycle cost model, drawing from the circular economy's value retention process (VRP) model, has been created and applied to assess the continuous recycling of kerbside glass. The study investigates two key separation techniques, kerbside recycling mixed bin recycling (KRMB) kerbside glass recycling separate bin (KGRSB) and analyses their impact on the life cycle cost of the recycling process. Additionally, the research explores two approaches of recycling and downcycling: closed-loop recycling, which pertains to the recycling of glass containers, and open-looped recycling, which involves the use of recycled glass in asphalt. The results showed when use annually collected waste as the functional unit, the KRMB model incurred lower costs compared to the KGRSB model due to its lower production output. However, when evaluated over a 1-ton production of glass container and asphalt, the KGRSB method demonstrated superior cost performance with a 40–50% reduction compared to the KRMB method. The open-loop recycling method (asphalt) incurred a higher cost compared to the closed-loop recycling method due to its larger production volume over a 21-year period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global phenomenon of urban flooding has become a pressing issue for cities worldwide. Conventional strategies to alleviate flooding, such as augmenting the capacity of drainage systems, are incompatible with the principle of sustainable development. In this regard, Low Impact Development (LID) techniques have emerged as a promising and sustainable approach to manage storm water. The objectives of the present study are to determine the enhancement in functional and structural resilience of an UDS after implementation of LIDs and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis of implementation of LIDs. To showcase the role of LIDs in enhancing drainage system resilience, a case study was conducted in Gurugram, India, a city frequently impacted by flooding. The LID Performance Index is designed to measure the improvement in functional resilience and decrease in the number of vulnerable locations aims to quantify the enhancement in structural resilience. The LCC analysis is carried out to determine the Benefit–Cost Ratio (BCR) of implementing the LID. The study determined the optimal percentage of LIDs to incorporate into the urban drainage system through the creation of various scenarios that considered the impacts of urbanization, climate change, and the cost of implementing LIDs. Results indicated that a system incorporating 10% of LIDs (S1) with a Benefit–Cost ratio of 2.05 was the most suitable scenario for the case area. For the scenario S1 the functional resilience is enhanced by 21% and number of vulnerable locations decreases by 8.7%. The study also identifies the barriers to the implementation of LIDs in developing countries like India, categorizing them into planning, implementation, and maintenance stage barriers. Ultimately, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of nature-based solutions for the effective management of urban drainage infrastructure, offering valuable insights for urban planners, design engineers, and policy makers to protect cities from flood hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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It is well understood that the dominant approach in the seismic design of structures is to reduce the initial cost while meeting the required safety level, as dictated by compliance codes. Nevertheless, this approach often overlooks the long-term costs that are incurred over the lifetime of the structures. A comprehensive approach is thus required for a design based on life cycle cost (LCC), where both initial and long-term costs are considered. While LCC-based design has been employed on regular structures, irregular structures have not received adequate attention. This research aims to highlight the impact of irregularity on the LCC optimization of tall structures. To do this, a bi-objective heuristic optimization framework is developed to balance the initial and long-term costs. The framework is used to analyze six steel regular and setback irregular structures with 7, 10, and 13 stories. The structures are all designed to meet the life safety performance level. The findings show that the irregular structures reveal a higher sensitivity to variations in initial costs compared to regular structures, which are mainly buildings above 13 stories. We also show that reducing the LCCs of irregular structures requires a higher increase in the initial cost compared to regular structures; for example, in the regular and irregular 13-story structures, a 17% increase in the initial cost resulted in approximately 48% and 40% reductions in the LCCs, respectively. Overall, our results confirm that the long-term costs of irregular structures are more than those of regular ones; this is an important finding that should be considered for the seismic design of tall irregular structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]