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Abstract Internet of Things (IoT) technologies present transformative opportunities through connectivity of intelligent devices, environmental sensors, and integrated management systems. This study aims to investigate the benefits and impact of IoT implementation on construction sites by analyzing relationships between key factors and outcomes for safety and efficiency. Hypotheses were developed proposing positive correlations between each factor and effective IoT adoption on construction sites. Structural equation modeling analysis on survey data from construction professionals and site reports strongly validated the research hypotheses. Positive path coefficients and high statistical significance confirmed environmental monitoring (0.38), equipment management (0.343), predictive analytics and maintenance (0.222) and safety monitoring (0.369) as crucial enablers for successful IoT integration leading to safer and more productive construction operations. The findings highlight imperative focus areas and provide actionable insights for construction stakeholders on strategies to effectively leverage IoT capabilities.

Abstract This research examines how Holistic Building Design (HBD) affects Lifecycle Management of Building Structures in the ever-changing construction market. HBD includes adaptability, environmental sustainability, maintenance, and disaster preparation. It is a key idea in the present boom in resilient and sustainable building techniques. A surprising dearth of quantitative empirical research on HBD’s impact on LMBS considering the field’s growing importance. This study uses a quantitative method to explore the relationship between essential HBD components and LMBS outcomes especially Extended Service Life (ESL) and Optimized Performance and Value (OPV) are critical factors to address this information gap. The quantitative study polled 171 construction industry professionals and utilized Structural Equation Modelling to examine the data. This approach was selected for its ability to explore complex relationships between variables and constructs. HBD components Adaptability and Retrofitting (AAR), Environmental Considerations and Sustainability (ECS), Maintenance and Inspection Programs (MIP), and Resilience and Disaster Preparedness (RDP) profoundly influenced the Enhanced Service Life (ESL) and Optimized Performance and Value (OPV) elements of LMBS. Building adaptation and retrofitting, maintenance and inspection programs, and other activities increased building value and lifespan. These findings have major theoretical and practical implications. The work potentially fills a research gap by providing actual evidence on HBD-LMBS linkages. Practically, the results advise construction industry specialists to use HBD ideas for sustainable building management. Finally, our work illuminates the vital roles of HBD components in LMBS and paves the way for ecologically friendly building approaches.

Abstract This investigation purposes to use the recycling waste materials in concrete to produce a sustainable environment for construction. The Costus lucanius bagasse fiber (CLBF) was utilized as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to analyse the workability and mechanical properties of blended cement concrete. The concrete samples were made with the inclusion of 5–20% of CLBF at several w/c ratio by applying RSM modelling and optimization. Moreover, the cubical specimens were cast to study the compressive strength (CS), while beams were used to investigate the flexural strength (FS) on 28th days correspondingly. The outcomes show that the compressive and flexural strengths were decreased with rise in proportion replacement in concrete at various w/c ratio. The highest flexural and compressive strengths was attained at 5% of CLBF at 28 days respectively. Across the tested specimens, the values of compressive strength and flexural strength ranged from 30.20 to 53.92 N/mm2 and 2.15–8.81 N/mm2 for CLBF correspondingly. Besides, the workability and water absorption of concrete is getting decreased as the content of CLBF increases while it is recorded increasing as w/c ratio increases from 0.20 to 0.40. Furthermore, response model predictions were constructed and verified applying ANOVA at an acceptable level of significance of 95%. The coefficients of R2 for the mathematical models ranged from 98 to 99.99%. The research study also indicated that cement can be substituted by CLBF in the production of concrete for various construction purposes.

Abstract This study presents the findings of a comprehensive geotechnical and seismic site investigation conducted at Otuasega Town located in Bayelsa State within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Subsurface exploration involved advancing 10 boreholes to 30 m depth using hollow stem auger drilling. Continuous disturbed and undisturbed soil sampling was performed at 1.5 m intervals for detailed geotechnical testing. Laboratory tests on the recovered soil samples established the index properties, classification, densities and consistency limits of the stratified deposits. The subsurface profile comprised alternating layers of clay, silt and sand typical of deltaic sediments, with the clay fractions exhibiting medium to high plasticity. Shear wave velocity (Vs) profiling using Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (WASW) techniques categorised the site predominantly as Site Class C and D based on international standards. The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) N-values ranged from 5 to 10, indicating soft normally consolidated clay conditions typical of the Niger Delta region. Predictive empirical models developed from the field and lab data showed strong correlations for estimating key geotechnical parameters such as SPT blow count, Vs and liquefaction resistance. Ground response analyses using the Vs and SPT data indicated significant site amplification potential, with peak ground accelerations up to 1.5 times the bedrock motion. Liquefaction analysis based on the empirical SPT-based methods revealed a high potential for liquefaction in the sandy layers, especially under strong earthquake shaking. The study characterized the complex sedimentology and provided baseline information for seismic microzonation and site-specific ground response analyses to advance understanding of geohazards in this delta environment.

Abstract This research study is performed on the self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC) combining coal bottom ash (CBA) and metakaolin (MK) as a substitution for GGBFS alone and combined for analysing the fresh properties (slump flow, V-Funnel, and T50 flow), mechanical characteristics (compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths) and durability tests (permeability and sulfate attack test). Though, total 195 SCGC samples were made and tested for 28 days. It has been revealed that the consumption of CBA and MK as a substitution for GGBFS alone and combine in the production of SCGC is decreased the workability of SCGC while mechanical characteristics of SCGC are enhanced by utilizing CBA and MK as a substitution for GGBFS alone and combine up to 10%. In addition, the compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths were calculated by 59.40 MPa, 5.68 MPa, and 6.12 MPa while using the 5CBA5MK as a substitution for GGBFS in the production of SCGC after 28 days correspondingly. Furthermore, the permeability is decreased by growing the quantity of CBA and MK by the weight of GGBFS alone and jointly in the production of SCGC after 28 days. Besides, the minimum change in length of the SCGC specimen is recorded by 0.062 mm at 7.5MK7.5CBA while the maximum change in length is calculated by 0.11 mm at 10CBA10MK as a substitution for GGBFS at 180 days correspondingly. In addition, the embodied carbon is recorded reduce as the addition of CBA while it is getting higher when the accumulation of MK alone or combined with CBA in SCGC. Besides, response models for prediction were constructed and confirmed using ANOVA at an accuracy rate of 95%. The models' R2 fluctuated from 88 to 99%. It has been observed that the utilization of CBA and MK alone and together up to 10% as substitution for GGBFS in geopolymer concrete provides the best results therefore it is suggested for structural applications.

Abstract The industrial production of cement contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, making it crucial to address and reduce these emissions by using fly ash (FA) as a potential replacement. Besides, Graphene oxide (GO) was utilized as nanoparticle in concrete to augment its mechanical characteristics, deformation resistance, and drying shrinkage behaviours. However, the researchers used Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to evaluate the compressive strength (CS), tensile strength (TS), flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (ME), and drying shrinkage (DS) of concrete that was mixed with 5–15% FA at a 5% increment, along with 0.05%, 0.065%, and 0.08% of GO as potential nanomaterials. The concrete samples were prepared by using mix proportions of design targeted CS of about 45 MPa at 28 days. From investigational outcomes, the concrete with 10% FA and 0.05% GO exhibited the greatest CS, TS, FS, and ME values of 62 MPa, 4.96 MPa, 6.82 MPa, and 39.37 GPa, on 28 days correspondingly. Besides, a reduction in the DS of concrete was found as the amounts of FA and GO increased. Moreover, the development and validation of response prediction models were conducted utilizing analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 95%. The coefficient of determination (R2) values for the models varied from 94 to 99.90%. Research study indicated that including 10% fly ash (FA) as a substitute for cement, when combined with 0.05% GO, in concrete yields the best results. Therefore, this approach is an excellent option for the building sector.

There has been a significant surge in the yearly use of plastics, leading to a notable rise in plastic waste generation. Consequently, the recycling of plastic garbage has emerged as a prominent concern around the world. This research explores the feasibility of using polyethylene furanoate (PEF) plastic waste as a substitute for coarse aggregate (CA) in concrete. Graphene nano-platelets (GNPs) were added to the concrete mix in different quantities to improve its structural reliability. The research study used an experimental research design in conducting its investigation. PEF waste plastic was added in concrete in varying proportions of 0%, 5%, 15%, 20%, and 25% as a supplementary material to gravel, and GNPs were added in different percentages of 0%, 0.03%, 0.05%, 0.08%, and 0.1% by weight of cement. Mechanical tests were conducted, which includes compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (STS), flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (MoE), and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and the environmental assessment of concrete was done by assessing carbon in concrete and concrete’s eco efficiency (ESE). It was found that 5% addition of PEF as the substitute to CA and 0.1% of GNPs gives the optimum strength, enhancing CS, STS, and FS by 9.10%, 18.18%, and 4.45%, respectively. Response surface technique (RSM) models were created to provide mathematical equations for predicting the predicted outcomes. All models were optimized using a multi-objective optimization approach and then validated.

Abstract Revolutionizing construction, the concrete blend seamlessly integrates human hair (HH) fibers and millet husk ash (MHA) as a sustainable alternative. By repurposing human hair for enhanced tensile strength and utilizing millet husk ash to replace sand, these materials not only reduce waste but also create a durable, eco-friendly solution. This groundbreaking methodology not only adheres to established structural criteria but also advances the concepts of the circular economy, representing a significant advancement towards environmentally sustainable and resilient building practices. The main purpose of the research is to investigate the fresh and mechanical characteristics of concrete blended with 10–40% MHA as a sand substitute and 0.5–2% HH fibers by applying response surface methodology modeling and optimization. A comprehensive study involved preparing 225 concrete specimens using a mix ratio of 1:1.5:3 with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.52, followed by a 28 day curing period. It was found that a blend of 30% MHA and 1% HH fibers gave the best compressive and splitting tensile strengths at 28 days, which were 33.88 MPa and 3.47 MPa, respectively. Additionally, the incorporation of increased proportions of MHA and HH fibers led to reductions in both the dry density and workability of the concrete. In addition, utilizing analysis of variance (ANOVA), response prediction models were created and verified with a significance level of 95%. The models' R2 values ranged from 72 to 99%. The study validated multi-objective optimization, showing 1% HH fiber and 30% MHA in concrete enhances strength, reduces waste, and promotes environmental sustainability, making it recommended for construction.

Construction using eco-friendly materials reduces environmental impact and promotes sustainable practices. This research uses sawdust and steel fibers to design sustainable concrete. The main goal is to improve mechanical properties and reduce embodied carbon emissions. This study examines the mechanical properties of concrete with different sawdust and steel fiber combinations to fill a gap in the literature. In this research synergistic effect of saw dust and steel fiber on concrete characteristics have been studied. The research also examines these pairings’ environmental benefits. This study used a response surface methodology (RSM) to design an experimental program and assess the effects of input variables (sawdust and steel fiber percentages) on output responses like compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (STS), flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (MOE), embodied carbon (EC), and eco-strength efficiency (ESE). Established testing methodologies and RSM provided an optimum prediction model based on specimen mechanical properties. Sawdust and steel fibers enhances concrete’s mechanical properties. Varying proportions of both materials were added in mix; sawdust (0%–12%) and steel fiber (0%–2%). The experimental findings suggest that the optimized composition achieved the following mechanical properties: 13.85 MPa compressive strength, 1.4 MPa split tensile strength, 3.67 MPa flexural strength, 18.027 GPa modulus of elasticity, 211.272 kg CO2e/m3 embodied carbon, and 0.065487 eco-strength efficiency. This research showed that the aims of improving mechanical properties and reducing embodied carbon were achieved. As per multi-objective optimization, optimal percentages of saw dust and steel fibers in concrete are 11.81% and 0.063% respectively. The investigation yielded many suggestions. To test the optimal blend composition of ecologically friendly concrete in real-world building projects, start with realistic projects. Finally, life cycle evaluations and cost studies are needed to determine the environmental and economic impacts of eco-friendly concrete compared to standard options.

Incorporating technology into construction projects is highly important to achieve success. One of the critical technologies is robotics, but it faces significant barriers in terms of implementing it in the construction sector. Existing research focuses on the benefits of robotics in terms of construction management. Besides this, there is limited known study that simultaneously focuses on overcoming the barriers and their impact on success in construction projects. This research was aimed at evaluating the barriers faced in the implementation of robotics in construction and determining their impact on success. A quantitative research design was followed, starting with the identification of possible challenges from the literature, performing the pilot survey, conducting the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and performing structural equation modeling (SEM). The results produced a structural model involving barriers and their relation to construction success with a significant positive relation value of B = 0.87. Positive implications are formulated in relation to managerial and theoretical expectations of future robotics implementation in construction projects.

Given the escalating apprehensions regarding climate change and environmental risks, the construction industry is confronted with the crucial task of guaranteeing the enduring structural robustness of buildings. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as an innovative tool to tackle these challenges effectively and enhance the performance of building structures processes by developing intelligent and sustainable structures. A comprehensive methodology was utilized to assess the relationships between the BIM factors and their impacts on smart and sustainable structure development by conducting a literature overview, quantitative analysis, exploratory factorial analysis (EFA), structural equation modeling (SEM), and predictive relevance findings. The findings show positive correlations between the implementation of BIM and the elements integral to smart and sustainable structure development. This study investigates the effects of BIM-driven environmental risk assessment, BIM-enabled energy efficiency, environmental performance, climate change adaptation strategies with BIM, and real-time monitoring and maintenance on the effectiveness of smart and sustainable structures development. The BIM-driven environmental risk assessment significantly impacts the sustainable and smart structures development with B = 0.360, followed by the real-time monitoring and maintenance with BIM with 0.316. This study provides the contemporary knowledge base by providing insights into BIM's transformative abilities in shifting sustainable and smart construction practices. The outcomes offer widespread insights to enterprise specialists interested in enhancing task effects and organizing sustainable and environmentally aware built surroundings. The growing popularity of BIM has implications for the future growth of the construction industry in phrases of ecologically smart and sustainable structure development.

Researchers are investigating eco-friendly binders like coconut shell ash (CSA), metakaolin (MK), and calcined clay (CC) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) in high-strength concrete (HSC). Abundantly available as industrial or agricultural waste, these materials, when combined with Portland cement (PC), offer synergistic benefits. This not only improves concrete performance but also addresses waste disposal issues, presenting a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for long-term use in HSC production. However, this study performed on fresh and mechanical characteristics of HSC blended with CSA, MK, and CCA alone and together as SCM after 28 days of curing. A total of 504 samples of standard concrete were cast and the cubical samples were tested to achieve the targeted compressive strength about 80 MPa after 28 days. The experimental results indicated that the rise in tensile, flexural and compressive strengths of 9.62%, 8.27%, and 10.71% at 9% of CSA, MK, and CC as SCM after 28 days of curing. As SCM content increases, the density, porosity and water absorption of concrete decrease. Moreover, the workability of fresh concrete is getting reduced when the concentration of SCMs increases in HSC. In addition, the concrete's sustainability assessment revealed that employing 18% MK, CC, and CSA as SCM reduced carbon emissions by approximately 11.78%. It is suggested that using 9% CC, MK and CSA together in HSC yields the best results for practical applications in civil engineering.

Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) provide a substantial risk to both public safety and infrastructure within severe earthquake zones. This research aims to provide a thorough analysis of the many elements that contribute to RTAs in the area. Although research on RTAs has been conducted in numerous settings, there is a lack of localized research specifically focused on developing countries. Therefore, this study is necessary to address this gap in literature. Our study focuses on examining the distinct issues and elements that are particular to this specific location. The objective is to provide customized solutions that effectively reduce the occurrence of accidents. The objective of this study is to examine the status of RTAs, ascertain the main factors contributing to RTAs, and provide viable approaches to improve road safety. A comprehensive study of data was undertaken, which included the examination of key highways, accident-prone areas, and causes contributing to accidents. Insights were derived by the use of statistical analysis, hotspot mapping, and the categorization of incidents. The results revealed a distressing roadway are afflicted by a significant frequency of accidents, even those occurring on prominent thoroughfares. Excessive speed has been revealed as the primary contributing factor, closely followed by negligence and recklessness. The common factor seen in these events was the insufficient enforcement of traffic regulations. The research highlights several practical consequences. Firstly, it is advised to implement urgent actions such as the upgrading of the traffic database, the adoption of contemporary traffic management software, and the enforcement of rigorous traffic laws. The establishment of a comprehensive centralized database system is crucial in order to enhance the documenting and management of accidents. Furthermore, the use of cost-benefit analysis provides justification for the adoption of traffic calming measures in locations with a high incidence of accidents. Furthermore, the implementation of continuous road safety awareness efforts and the establishment of clear legislative guidelines pertaining to fatal accidents are imperative measures in promoting enhanced road safety.

Civil engineering infrastructures are increasingly becoming exposed to seismic loads, and at such a stage there is an increased need for alternative methods to fortify and enhance the resilience. The present study deals with the intricate linkage of internet of things (IoT) devices and the resilience of structures in a seismically affected zone. From the literature, the role of adaptive structural control, data acquisition and transmission, early warning systems, integration with building standards and codes, and real-time analytics and monitoring have been found to be the topmost aspects of ensuring resilience to seismic events. The seismically affected area of concern provides an in-depth analysis of the practical applications of the IoT in buildings in a seismic area. A survey was distributed to 239 respondents, and a very solid 58.99 % response rate proved the interest and participation of the respondents in the study. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the researchers frame a measurement model which is applied to analyze the reliability and validity of the IoT constructs. Further, the bootstrap resampling mechanisms are adopted to test the five hypotheses rigorously. The findings establish robust connections between adaptive structural control, data acquisition, early warning systems, integration with building codes and standards, real-time monitoring and analytics, and IoT, contributing to enhanced seismic resilience. Infrastructure developers can draw management implications from these findings, while empirical researchers can utilize the verified framework to guide future studies.

- In recent years, traditional fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas have historically dominated various applications, but there has been a growing shift towards cleaner alternatives. Among these alternatives, hydrogen (H2) stands out as a highly promising substitute for all other conventional fuels. Today, hydrogen (H2) is actively taking on a significant role in displacing traditional fuel sources. The utilization of hydrogen in gas turbine (GT) power generation offers a significant advantage in terms of lower greenhouse gas emissions. The performance of hydrogen-based gas turbines is influenced by a range of variables, including ambient conditions (temperature and pressure), component efficiency, operational parameters, and other factors. Additionally, incorporating an intercooler into the gas turbine system yields several advantages, such as reducing compression work and maintaining power and efficiency. Many scholars and researchers have conducted comprehensive investigations into the components mentioned above within context of gas turbines (GTs). This study provides an extensive examination of the research conducted on hydrogen-powered gas turbine and intercooler with employed different methods and techniques, with a specific emphasis on the different case studies of a hydrogen gas turbine and intercooler. Moreover, this study not only examined the current state of research on hydrogen-powered gas turbine and intercooler but also covered its influence by offering the effective recommendations and insightful for guiding for future research in this field.

Polyurea coatings are well recognized for their remarkable protective properties, making them highly appropriate for practical use in the field of concrete building. The use of polyurea coatings in the concrete building business is currently constrained, despite its prevalent application in industrialized nations. The limited use may be ascribed to ambiguities about the determinants of effective implementation in this particular setting, as well as the dearth of extensive study in the realm of new building materials. The primary objective of this research is to assess and conceptualize the key determinants linked to the use of polyurea coatings in concrete building endeavors. Utilizing a quantitative research approach, a comprehensive literature analysis was conducted to identify a total of 21 probable success variables. The reliability of the questionnaire was established by the administration of a pilot survey, and afterwards, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to enhance the clarity and precision of the underlying components. The researchers used structural modeling (SEM) approaches to develop a robust model using the primary data obtained from the questionnaire survey. The EFA revealed the presence of five unique constructs that have an impact on the effectiveness of polyurea coatings in concrete building projects. These constructions comprise several characteristics, including environmental considerations, functional requirements, protective properties, execution processes, and creative elements. The significance and relevance of this research are shown by the validation of the study's results using SEM. The study makes a valuable contribution towards the progression of polyurea coating use within the concrete building sector.

In recent times, there has been a substantial increase in the annual use of plastics, resulting in a major upward trend. As a result, recycling plastic waste has become a major global issue. The present research aims to explore the feasibility of utilizing Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a possible substitute for coarse aggregate in concrete. In addition, the integration of Graphene Nano-platelets (GNPs) into the concrete mixture was conducted using different quantities, aiming to improve its structural integrity. The study employed an experimental research design to carry out its examination. PET was included into concrete at varied ratios, namely 0 %, 5 %, 15 %, 20 %, and 25 %, serving as an additional ingredient alongside coarse aggregate. Additionally, GNPs were introduced into the mixture at various weight percentages, namely 0 %, 0.03 %, 0.05 %, 0.08 %, and 0.1 %. A series of mechanical tests were performed to evaluate various properties of the concrete, including compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (STS), flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (MoE), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). In addition, an assessment of the concrete's environmental impact was conducted by analysing the carbon content and evaluating its eco-efficiency (ESE). The research study revealed that the incorporation of 5 % PET as a replacement for coarse aggregate, together with the inclusion of 0.1 % GNPs, resulted in the optimal enhancement of CS, STS, FS, MOE, UPV by 9 %, 12.21 %, 4.40 %, 4.40 % and 0.070 % respectively. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) models were developed, and mathematical equations were generated in order to predict the expected results. The optimization process for all the models was carried out using a multi-objective optimization technique, followed by a subsequent validation process.

Concrete has a great capacity to withstand compressive strength, but it is rather weak at resisting tensile stresses, which ultimately result in the formation of cracks in concrete buildings. The development of cracks has a significant impact on the durability of concrete because they serve as direct pathways for corrosive substances that harm the concrete’s constituents. Consequently, the reinforced concrete may experience degradation, cracking, weakening, or progressive disintegration. To mitigate such problems, it is advisable to include discrete fibres uniformly throughout the concrete mixture. The fibers function by spanning the voids created by fractures, therefore decelerating the mechanism of fracture initiation and advancement. It is not practical to assess the beginning and spread of cracks when there are uncertainties in the components and geometrical factors through probabilistic methods. This research examines the behaviour of variation of steel fibers in Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) via Finite Element Method (FEM) modeling. In this study also the fracture parameters such as fracture energy, and fracture toughness have been computed through FEM analysis. The FEM constitutive model developed was also validated with the experimental result. The compressive strength of the developed constitutive model was 28.50 MPa which is very close to the 28-day compressive strength obtained through the experiment, i.e., 28.79 MPa. Load carrying capacity obtained through FEM was 7.9 kN, 18 kN, and 24 kN for three FEM models developed for three varying percentages of steel fiber 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75% respectively. The study developed a FEM model which can be used for calculating the fracture parameters of Steel Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (SFRC).

The growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings, particularly in the context of tall structures, has prompted increased attention to innovative solutions. Despite advancements in Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, there exists a critical gap in understanding its comprehensive application for achieving net-zero energy consumption in tall buildings, particularly in the Malaysian construction industry. This research addresses this gap by presenting a novel strategy that integrates BIM technology with energy analysis tools for net-zero tall buildings in Malaysia. The aim of the study is to contribute valuable insights to the construction industry, policymakers, and researchers by conducting empirical research, utilizing case studies, validating the proposed framework, advancing sustainable design practices, and supporting the transition towards net-zero energy tall buildings in Malaysia. The methodology involves a three-phase approach, including qualitative analysis, a pilot survey, and a main questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) validates the categorization derived from qualitative interviews, while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) assesses the convergent and discriminant validity of the measurement model. Hypotheses testing using bootstrapping establishes the significance of correlations between BIM deployment and key factors such as early design integration, enhanced energy efficiency, optimized system integration, predictive performance analysis, and validation of sustainable design. The research findings support the positive associations between BIM deployment and the mentioned factors, providing statistical significance through T-statistics and p-values. The implications of this research extend beyond the Malaysian context, offering valuable insights for architects, engineers, and stakeholders involved in designing and managing sustainable tall buildings. By addressing the identified gaps and leveraging BIM technology effectively, stakeholders can contribute to the construction of net-zero energy structures, aligning with global efforts towards sustainable and energy-efficient building practices.

Project failure is a persistent challenge in the construction industry, rendering it one of the most demanding sectors. Many obstacles, including safety concerns, quality management issues, environmental preservation challenges, economic sustainability, privacy constraints, and legal regulations, weigh heavily on construction projects. However, a beacon of hope emerges in AI-powered drones capable of surmounting these challenges and paving the path to resounding project success. This study employed diverse methodologies, engaging subject-matter experts through interviews and conducting pilot and primary surveys. Our analytical arsenal featured Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) for the pilot survey and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) for the primary survey. Our research revolves around a singular mission: elevating building project success by dismantling the barriers that have impeded the widespread adoption of AI-driven drones in construction. The study’s verdict is clear: privacy and legal constraints, coupled with economic and sustainability challenges, alongside human resource management dilemmas, constitute the formidable triumvirate obstructing the ubiquitous embrace of drones in construction. Yet, the impact of breaching these barriers reverberates far beyond overcoming these hurdles. It cascades into public health and safety, environmental conservation, quality management, and economic sustainability, culminating in an amalgam of enhanced Building Project Success. The implications of our findings are profound for the construction industry. They beckon the sector to confront and surmount the legal and regulatory barriers to adopting AI-based drones. A clarion call to invest in human resources to empower technology integration resounds. And, perhaps most importantly, it beckons the industry to embrace the profound economic and sustainability advantages of embracing these cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, our study underscores that adopting AI-powered drones in construction is not merely about project success; it catalyzes fostering public health, safeguarding the environment, ensuring top-tier quality management, and fortifying economic sustainability. These interwoven facets illuminate the broader canvas of drone technology’s transformative role in construction.

Alkali-activated binders made from various waste products can appreciably reduce the emission of CO2 and enhance the waste recycling efficiency, thus making them viable substitutes to ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based binders. Waste materials including fly ash (FA), palm oil fuel ash (POFA), and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) reveal favorable effects when applied to alkali-activated mortars (AAMs) that are mainly related to the high contents of silica, alumina, and calcium. Therefore, fifteen AAM mixes enclosing FA, POFA with high volume of GBFS were designed. The obtained GBFS/FA/POFA-based AAMs were subjected wet/dry and freeze/thaw cycles. The impact of various GBFS contents on the microstructures, freeze-thaw cycle, abrasion resistance, mechanical and durability features of the proposed AAMs were evaluated. The results showed that presence of Ca can significantly affect the AAMs durability features and long-term performance. The abrasion resistance of the AAMs was decreased with the decrease of CaO contents. Furthermore, the abrasion depth of 70% AAMs (0.8 mm) was lower in comparison to the mix made by replacing 50 wt% of FA with GBFS (1.4 mm). Generally, increase in the GBFS contents from 50 to 70% could largely impact the AAMs properties under aggressive environmental exposure. The expansion and physical impacts during the freezing-thawing cycles was argued to destroy the bonds in C–S–H and paste-aggregates, causing the formation of large cracks. It is asserted that the AAM mixes made from FA, POFA and high volume of GBFS may offer definitive mechanical, durable, and environmental benefits with their enhanced performance under aggressive environments.

Rohtas fort built by Sher Shah Suri is located in Jhelum district of Punjab province in Pakistan. It is a national heritage as well as a UNESCO world heritage site. With the passage of time, Rohtas fort had seen significant deterioration. One of the major deteriorations affecting Rohtas fort the most is the decay of the mortar, which results in stone loosening in the stone masonry walls. The objective of the study is to analyze the mortar samples taken from Rohtas fort and suggest a repair material, which is compatible with the old Mortar. This work was divided into two parts; the first one consisted of the characterization of the old mortar and the second part as design of a modern-day mortar made from similar ingredients. The old mortar was evaluated through a number of multidisciplinary techniques like density, porosity, compressive strength, microscopic examining, XRD, XRF and TGA. The analysis revealed that the old mortar consisted of hydrated lime, broken bricks, sand and clay. The hydrated lime: aggregates ratio was found out to be 1.156. The density, porosity and compressive strength of the old mortar was found as 1.6 g/cm3, 42% and 2.2 MPa. The presence of Calcium-Silicate-Hydrate (C-S-H) gel revealed pozzolanic activity due to brick particles. The modern mortar was prepared with the same ingredients, hydrated lime, local brick particles, local sand and local clay in the composition analogous to that of the old one. The particle size distribution of the aggregates was also kept same as that of the old mortar. The density, porosity and the compressive strength of the modern mortar was found to be 1.9 g/cm3, 35% and 3.5 MPa respectively at 28 days of age. Owing to pozzolanic character of the brick particles, and carbonation of the hydrated lime, the properties are expected to improve further.

In the last decade, there has been an increase in research on ecologically benign, cost-effective, and socially useful cement alternative materials for concrete. Alternatives involve industrial and agriculture waste, the potential advantages of which may be recognized by recycling, repurposing, and recreating techniques. Important energy reserves and a decrease in Portland cement (PC) consumption may be attained by using these wastes as supplementary and substitute ingredients, contributing to a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) production. Consequently, the incorporation of marble dust powder (MDP) and calcined clay (CC) as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in high strength concrete may lower the environmental effect and reduce the amount of PC in mixes. This study is conducted on concrete containing 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of MDP and CC as cementitious materials alone and in combination. The main objectives of this investigations are to examine the effect of MDP and CC as cementitious materials on the flowability and mechanical characteristics of high strength concrete. In order to examine the ecological effect of CC and MDP, the eco-strength efficiency and embodied carbon were considered. In this context, there are so many trial mixes were performed on cubical specimens for achieving targeted compressive strength about 60 MPa after 28 days. After getting it, a total of 273 concrete specimens (cubes, cylinders, and prisms) were used to test the compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength of high strength concrete correspondingly. Moreover, when the amount of MDP and CC as SCM in the mixture grows, the workability of green concrete decreases. In addition, the compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength are increased by 6.38 MPa, 67.66 MPa, and 4.88 MPa, respectively, at 10% SCM (5% MDP and 5% CC) over a period of 28 days. In addition, using ANOVA, response prediction models were generated and confirmed at a 95% level of significance. The R2 values of the models varied from 96 to 99%. Furthermore, increasing the amount of CC and MDP as SCM in concrete also reduces the amount of carbon embedded in the material. It is recommended that the utilization of 10% SCM (5% MDP and 5% CC) in high strength concrete is providing optimum outcomes for construction industry in the field of Civil Engineering.

With an embodied carbon content of 0.93 kg CO2/kg, cement is an essential component of concrete. As the global demand for concrete construction is rising, research is being conducted to replace cement with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). A variety of SCMs are identified as having positive impacts on the concrete's compressive strength and embodied carbon. Coir Fibre Ash (CFA) is well known in SCM from existing research, but its use in concrete has not been investigated from an embodied carbon perspective before. The paper adopts an experimental methodology involving CFA as SCM at 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15%, and 18% of 576 kg cement for each m3 of concrete. CFA was therefore added. The study aimed to find out the impact of the addition of CFA in concrete on compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), splitting tensile strength (STS), and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The determination of embodied carbon was made, and RSM was used to develop the model with maximum accuracy. Samples were prepared for 7, 14, and 28 days. CFA was found to be positively affecting CS, FS, STS, and MOE till 9%, after which, because of the dominance of silica dioxide in CFA, it did not show any improvement. Embodied carbon was found to be decreasing with the increasing addition of CFA. RSM results followed by optimization provided highly validated equations for predicting the CS, FS, STS, and MOE of concrete by just using the value of CFA as SCM.

An acceptable viscosity and an easy penetrability of cement - limestone filler grout in the granular matrix of self compacting concrete are an important factors that affecting both its rheological and its hardened properties. This experimental and theoretical work consists to study the effect of limestone filler fineness on the rheological behavior of cement - limestone filler grout. In the first part, five different grouts were prepared by varying the Blaine Specific Surface (BSS) of the limestone filler, 3060, 4750, 6320, 7680 and 9440 cm2/g, respectively. A large number of properties relating to the rheology and the stability are carried out on the five grouts such as grain dispersion, density, volume concentration of solid, dynamic viscosity and Marsh funnel flow. The second part consists to develop a theoretical model to predict the different rheological properties of the grout as function of limestone filler BSS. The results show that the rheological properties of cement-limestone filler grout such as the dispersion percentage, the intergranular distance and the flow time are strongly affected by the limestone fillers fineness. In addition, the experimental and the predicted results present a good agreement.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) on the mechanical properties of concrete as well as the flexural performance of reinforced concrete (GnP-RC) beams. In the experimental campaign, several dosages of GnP (0.00%, 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.30%, and 0.50% wt of cement) were included in the concrete mixtures. First, the mechanical properties of concrete (compressive, tensile, flexural, and modulus of elasticity) were studied. A further experimental investigation was conducted on the flexural behavior of GnP-RC beams. The failure mode of beams, crack patterns, moment-curvature relationship, and ductility properties are reported. According to the observed results, GnP addition is capable of significantly improving mechanical properties. By adding 0.02% of GnP, both the compressive and tensile strengths were improved by 20.82% and 30.05%, respectively. Additionally, 0.02% of GnP also enhanced the cracking, yielding, and ultimate loads of beams by 36%, 23%, and 15%, respectively. Further, for the same concentration of GnP, the energy absorption and post-cracking ductility were improved by 25% and 20%, respectively. This report also presents analytical and statistical models for predicting the ultimate moment capacity of RC beams containing nano-reinforcement materials. The models have been demonstrated to be accurate at predicting the present and independent data.

The innovative paper evaluated the water of the sea as a curing component and mixing constituent in high-performance concrete (HPC). This motivation would provide an understanding for the reader of how the water from the sea affects the HPC. This paper would provide information about the mechanism and the influence of prepared high-performance concrete mixed with either freshwater or seawater and made to cure in freshwater, seawater, or air. The mechanism and the influence were evaluated by XRD tests, SEM observations, and petrography analysis of HPCs at 3 days, 7 days, 28 days, and 90 days. The structure of the Friedel's salt increases tobermorite and ettringite (3CaO.Al2O3.3CaSO432H2O) and retards portlandite (Ca(OH)2) and calcium silicates (2CaO.SiO2 and 3CaO.SiO2) in HPC mixed with seawater for 3–90 days. Air curing reduces the formation of portlandite (Ca(OH)2), tobermorite (3CaO.2SiO2.3H2O), ettringite (3CaO.Al2O3.3CaSO432H2O), and calcium silicate (3CaO.SiO2) in seawater HPC while increasing the formation of calcium silicate (2CaO.SiO2). SEM analysis supports the mechanism and influence of mixing of seawater, curing in the water of the sea, and curing treatment in the air. According to data from petrographic analysis and porosity testing, the porosity was decreased by the seawater and curing treatment in the seawater in HPC mixes. In terms of hydration components, SEM observation, porosity, and petrographic analysis, the HPC-3 shows the best performance in the work.

The alkali-activated materials found in agricultural and industrial waste have less carbon impact on concrete production. This study intends to use unprocessed charcoal gravel (UCG) and unprocessed charcoal fine gravel (UCFG) appropriately as a substitution of normal gravel stack to manufacture self-consolidated construction material (SCCM). The SCCM contains pulverized fuel ash (PFA), two different alkalis- NaOH and Na2SiO3 as alkali activator, and superplasticizer (SP). The measured features are density, workability, air content, mechanical stresses, modulus of elasticity, gas-based, water-based, and chloride-based endurance, resistivity of electrical power and strength of acid on ten different SCCM mixes in the work. In the mixes, the stack of normal gravel was substituted with the stack of unprocessed charcoal gravel at ten contents in terms of volume: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%. In addition to the measured features, new math models were suggested to estimate the durability and mechanical features of SCCM produced with different stack of unprocessed charcoal gravel. It was shown with the results that the SCCM features were developed significantly by substituting of 20% normal gravel stack with unprocessed charcoal gravel stack. In addition, the suggested math models could obtain to estimate accurately the features of SCCM containing PFA, alkalis, unprocessed charcoal gravel, and superplasticizer.

The construction industry has been significantly transformed by the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM), which has facilitated extensive project management capabilities across the entire life cycle. Notwithstanding its advantages, there exist certain limitations that hinder its extensive implementation. This study aims to investigate the disparities related to the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) by conducting a thorough analysis of factors such as data interoperability, standardization, collaboration, skill gaps, and resistance to change. The data were collected through a preliminary pilot survey and a primary questionnaire. The collected data were then subjected to analysis using two statistical techniques: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). This study reveals noteworthy associations between the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and several crucial factors, including Continuous Integration (CI), Monitoring and Control (MC), Project Management (PM), Resolution and Performance (RP), Structural Management (SM), Sustainability Administration (SA), and Value Management (VM). This study provides valuable insights for professionals and policymakers, offering recommendations to enhance the implementation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and advocating for additional research on complementary factors. Through the identification and subsequent resolution of recognized shortcomings, Building Information Modeling (BIM) can be employed in a proficient manner to augment collaboration, mitigate costs, optimize energy efficiency, and implement sustainable construction methodologies. The present study makes a substantial contribution to the progress of Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption and the efficient management of construction project life cycles.

Thermal comfort preference in primary schools is quite crucial because of the difficulty of young students to show and reflect their actual status of comfort: they may come with a jacket early morning in winter, but they may not take it off later in the afternoon. Little research on thermal comfort has been done in educational buildings globally as compared to other types of buildings such as working places. This research was focused on the ultimate type of shading devices in relation to thermal energy performance such as indoor air temperature, solar heat gain, and day-lighting from one side and thermal comfort preference from the other. In this research, we used a variety of tools such as thermal imaging cameras, TAS EDSL software. There is a clear lack in economical perspective for the users in this region to try to adapt without heavy reliance on air-conditioning systems, one of the major contribution of this study is to provide alternatives for sustainable buildings. We observed that vertical shading systems were generally more preferable for efficient shading in hot regions.

Construction is dangerous, making safety management essential. Robotics process automation (RPA) can improve construction project risk management. RPA is hindered by several factors. This study examined the primary technical, economic, legal, privacy, and resource obstacles to RPA adoption for tall building safety management. The pilot survey comprised 161 Malaysian tall building specialists, while the full questionnaire poll included 231 experts. EFA and SEM analyzed the data. Technology, economics, legislation, privacy, and resources prevented RPA from managing tall building safety. Theoretical and empirical breakthroughs in construction safety management and RPA deployment prompted this inquiry. This study illuminates the main obstacles to employing RPA for tall building safety management. The results show where to spend time and money to eliminate the obstacles. The study’s management implications may benefit construction safety managers, project managers, and company owners. The findings may help the building industry plan RPA safety management in tall projects and overcome hurdles. This study contributes to construction safety management and RPA deployment theory by identifying and analyzing the main barriers to using RPA for safety management in high-rise buildings. This research can help solve the problems preventing RPA from being used in construction project safety management.

Concrete is a widely utilized construction material globally; however, it is characterized by a fundamental deficiency in its tensile strength when it is not reinforced. The incorporation of diverse novel materials into concrete is being pursued with the aim of mitigating its limitations while concurrently enhancing its reliability and sustainability. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that concrete embodies a significant quantity of carbon. The primary cause of this phenomenon can be attributed to the utilization of cement as the principal binding component in concrete. Recent advancements in research have indicated that jute fiber, commonly referred to as JF, exhibits considerable potential as a novel material for enhancing the mechanical robustness of concrete. Although there is a significant body of literature on the application of jute fiber in concrete, there has been a dearth of research on the capacity of jute fiber (JF) to improve the mechanical strength of concrete and mitigate its carbon emissions. This study aims to cover a gap in the existing literature by analyzing and enhancing the application of JF in relation to its mechanical properties and environmental impact. The study involved conducting experiments wherein JF was added at varying weight percentages, specifically at 0%, 0.10%, 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%. The investigation encompassed a number of examinations of both the fresh and hardened states of concrete, in addition to assessments of its durability. The fresh concrete tests included the slump test, while the hardened concrete tests involved measuring compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (STS), and flexural strength (FS). Additionally, the durability tests focused on water absorption (WA). The study involved the computation of embodied carbon (EC) ratios for various mix combinations. The findings suggest that incorporating JF into concrete results in a decrease in environmental impact relative to alternative fiber types, as demonstrated by a rise in eco-strength efficiency (ESE). Based on the findings of the conducted tests, an optimal proportion of 0.10% JF has been determined to be conducive to enhancing the CS, STS, and FS by 6.77%, 6.91%, and 9.63%, respectively. The aforementioned deduction can be inferred from the results of the examinations. Using data obtained from extensive experimentation, the RSM (Response Surface Methodology) was used to construct a model. The model was optimized, resulting in the establishment of definitive equations that can be used to evaluate the effects of incorporating JF into concrete. Potential benefits have been identified for the advancement of concrete in the future through the utilization of JF.

The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of isolated structures by considering the possibility of impact under severe earthquakes. In the design of isolated structures, the required displacement capacity is determined based on the considered earthquake hazard level. However, there is a possibility of an impact caused by moat walls or adjacent structures under severe earthquakes. Dampers are used in this study to improve the performance of structural and nonstructural components. In this regard, three isolated structures (6, 9, and 12 stories) equipped with Triple Friction Pendulum Isolator (TFPI) are designed under earthquake hazard levels of BSE-1 with return periods of 475 years. Based on the different positions of these three structures relative to each other, four scenarios are defined to investigate the effect of impact. Modified endurance time (MET) method, as a cost-efficient nonlinear time history analysis method, is employed for structural evaluation under variable earthquake hazard levels. The placement of dampers is also taken into account in evaluating the effect of dampers. Therefore, the structures have been retrofitted once by adding damping and stiffness devices (ADAS) on the stories and once by adding fluid viscous dampers (FVD) at the isolated level. Results indicate that structures might collapse under earthquake hazard levels of BSE-2 with return periods of 2475 years. This matter is influenced by the adjacency of two isolated structures next to each other, and the severity of this fact depends on the height of the structures and the displacement capacity of the isolators so that the tall, isolated structures have decreased the performance of the adjacent shorter isolated structure. Moreover, the placement of dampers has a significant influence on the performance of structural and nonstructural components, depending on the reason for the impact.

The objective of this study is to ascertain the essential elements that contribute to the successful implementation of cloud computing in small-scale construction projects, with the ultimate goal of promoting intelligent development in Malaysia. The construction sector is undergoing rapid transformation, and the integration of cloud computing technology can make a substantial contribution to the achievement of project objectives and the promotion of sustainable development. Nonetheless, there exists a dearth of comprehension regarding the function of cloud computing in minor construction undertakings within the Malaysian context. In order to bridge this gap, a mixed-methods approach was implemented, which encompassed a comprehensive review of the literature, interviews with experts, and a preliminary survey that involved 160 participants. Utilizing the findings of the pilot survey, the process of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to discern and eliminate nonessential determinants of success. A survey utilizing primary questionnaires was conducted with a sample size of 230 participants. The subsequent analysis of 16 critical success factors was carried out through the application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings indicate that there are four fundamental constructs that play a crucial role in the effective execution of a project. These include cost, quality, and time management (β = 0.352); planning success (β = 0.360); organizational success (β = 0.351); and communication and coordination (β = 0.299). The research results have favorable ramifications for the construction sector in Malaysia. The integration of cloud computing technology in minor construction endeavors has the potential to augment project efficacy and foster sustainable development. This study offers a roadmap for stakeholders in the construction industry to effectively utilize cloud computing technology for smart development by identifying critical success factors.

A large amount of industrial solid waste is generated from industrial activities worldwide. One such waste is marble waste, a waste generated from quarries which is generated in larger amount which needs attention. It is proved that this waste has a significant impact both on the people health and on the environment. Hence, research works are directed towards addressing usage of waste marble power, the aim of this experimental investigation is to study the usability of sand obtained by crushing marble waste (MWS) on the mixing of lightweight concrete based on expanded perlite aggregate (EPA). First, the mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of marble waste sand and expanded perlite aggregate were determined after which different mixtures of concrete are prepared by varying the percentage of EPA (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%), in order to find the optimum mixture focussing on obtaining best hydraulic properties. Also, in this work, the thermal and acoustic properties (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity and sound reduction index at different frequencies) of the tested concrete samples were investigated. Results shows that it is possible to obtain thermal and acoustic insulation lightweight concrete by using sand obtained by crushing marble wastes. Also, addition of more than 20% of EPA aggregate in concrete, develops a thermal insulating lightweight concrete which possess capacity to store heat and produce better thermal performance. Concrete blend with a percentage of more than of 20% of EPA aggregate can be placed in the category of acoustic insulation lightweight concrete. In summary, cement based on MWs and EPA provides better workability and energy saving qualities, which are economical and environmentally beneficial and may result in decreased construction budget and improve a long-term raw materials sustainability.

In areas of high humidity, moisture is a major problem for human comfort and air-conditioning systems. As a green solution to this prevalent problem, a solar assisted rotary desiccant dehumidification system has been proposed for air dehumidification. Through an experimental study conducted, performance evaluation of a parabolic trough solar collector assisted rotary desiccant dehumidification system has been performed based on the parameters including air flow rate, regeneration air temperature, inlet-outlet air temperature, and humidity ratios. Findings indicated that the highest regeneration air temperature supplied by the parabolic trough solar air collector to the dehumidifier was 45.8 °C at a flow rate of 60 m³/h. It was also found that the highest dehumidification efficiency was achieved at a regeneration air flow rate of 80 m³/h. The experimental study clearly proves that parabolic trough solar collectors can successfully provide low-medium temperature thermal energy required during the regeneration process in the desiccant wheel. The findings confirm the potential and explain specific conclusions for the practice of solar thermal driven rotary desiccant wheel system.

As a top construction material worldwide, concrete has core weakness relating to low tensile resistance without reinforcement. It is the reason that a variety of innovative materials are being used on concrete to overcome its weaknesses and make it more reliable and sustainable. Further, the embodied carbon of concrete is high because of cement being used as the integral binder. Latest research trends indicate significant potential for carbon fiber as an innovative material for improving concrete mechanical strength. Although significant literature is available on the use of carbon fiber in concrete, a limited number of studies have focused on the utilization of carbon fiber for concrete mechanical strength improvement and the reduction of embodied carbon. Following the gap in research, this study aimed to investigate and optimize the use of carbon fiber for its mechanical characteristics and embodied carbon improvements. The use of carbon fiber in self-compacting concrete lowers sagging. The greatest quantity of carbon fiber is that it reduces the blockage ratio, forcing the concrete to solidify as clumps develop. With time, carbon fiber improves the durability of concrete. Self-compacting concrete with no carbon fiber has a poor tensile strength. Experiments were conducted by adding carbon fiber at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0% by weight. Fresh concrete tests including slump test and L-box test, hardened concrete tests involving compressive strength and splitting tensile strength, and durability tests involving water absorption and acid attack test were conducted. Embodied carbon ratios were calculated for all of the mix ratios and decreasing impact, in the form of eco-strength efficiency, is observed with changes in the addition of carbon fiber in concrete. From the testing results, it is evident that 0.6% carbon fiber is the ideal proportion for increasing compressive strength and split tensile strength by 20.93% and 59%, respectively, over the control mix. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is then applied to develop a model based on results of extensive experimentation. Optimization of the model is performed and final modelled equations are provided in terms of calculating the impact of addition of carbon fiber in concrete. Positive implications are devised for the development of concrete in the future involving carbon fiber.

In this study, hybrid AA1050/Al2O3/TiO2 composites have been produced via combined liquid casting and powder metallurgy techniques. Degassing was utilized to improve the wettability of molten aluminum alloys, and then successful bonding was generated between aluminum matrix and reinforcement particles during the powder metallurgy technique. As the base matrix and reinforcements, AA1050 alloy, Al2O3 and TiO2 particles were taken, respectively. Then, content values of 5Wt.% of Al2O3 in the mesh size of 20 μm and 2.5 and 5 wt. % of TiO2 particles with mesh size of 5μm were added to the AA1050 matrix. For each composite sample, ceramic particles were warmed to 600°C in order to improve wettability and distribution. An identical scattering of subdivisions was observed through aluminum (as matrix) in the microstructural study. To measure the wear resistance, the mechanism of rotary wear test was used. The achieved results illustrated that the fabrication of hybrid composites is an ideal approach to improve the wear resistance of Al-based composites. By increasing of TiO2 Wt.% up to 5% for all composite samples, the wear rate improved to less than half of the monolithic Al alloy value for each composite sample.

Although concentrically braced frame (CBF) systems enjoy high elastic stiffness and lateral strength, they show a low seismic energy absorption capacity. This dilemma is due to the buckling of CBFs’ diagonal members under compressive loading. To overcome the shortcoming, researchers have proposed the use of dampers to improve the behavior of CBF systems. Among the proposed dampers, the metallic shear damper is the most popular thanks to its suitable performance as well as its economic profit. The main shortcoming of the shear dampers is low stiffness. Therefore, in this article, an innovative approach is proposed to improve the behavior of the shear dampers. Subsequently, strengthening the shear damper with X-stiffeners is proposed, and its behavior is evaluated numerically and parametrically. Results indicate that by adding the X-stiffeners, the ultimate strength and elastic stiffness of the shear dampers are enhanced considerably. However, the properties of the stiffeners do not impact the stiffness in the nonlinear zone. Moreover, the behavior of the dampers is affected by parameters such as the ratio of the strength of the web plate to the flange plates, the ratio of the X-stiffeners to the flange plates, and the ρ factor. To consider the parameters to predict the behavior of the damper, required equations are proposed which demonstrate a good agreement with finite element results.

The extensive use of Portland cement (PC) in the manufacturing of concrete is responsible for the depletion of natural resources that are part of cement production. Cement supply is permanently threatened by the ongoing depletion of natural materials, including sand, limestone, and clay. Concurrently, the incineration of agricultural residues presents a significant ecological problem. This study explores the substitution of cement in concrete with 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% wheat straw ash as an environmentally friendly alternative. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of substituting wheat straw ash (WSA) for PC on the mechanical characteristics of concrete. A total of 75 concrete samples were made by cement or cement + WSA/fine aggregate/coarse aggregate ratio of 1:1, 5:3, and water-to-cement ratio was kept constant at 0.50. All of these specimens were cured and tested at 28 days. The properties tested in the paper were workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and permeability. The outcomes showed that the substitution of PC with WSA 10% resulted in the greatest concrete strength. In contrast, the mechanical properties and permeability of concrete were reduced when 20% WSA was substituted for PC at 28 days. In addition, the slump value dropped as increasing the content of WSA diminished the weight of PC in the concrete. This could be attributed to the fact that the water content in the WSA 20% concrete was not enough for mechanical strength. Other concretes with WSA showed similar properties to those of the WSA 10% concrete. It was concluded from the results that since the WSA 10% concrete showed the best properties, it can be recommended as the best recipe in this research work.

Nowadays, the incorporation of natural fiber, such as coir fiber, to high-strength concrete has sparked a lot of attention in the construction materials industry. This is because coir fibers are significantly cheaper and more widely accessible than synthetic fibers. Natural fibers such as bamboo, flax, hemp, and coir have distinct microstructures and chemical compositions from cement-based materials. The physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber, such as coir fiber, are significantly correlated with fiber concentration and cellulose component. However, coir fiber has high stretching to failure, while bamboo, flax, and hemp fibers are very resistant to stress and increase stiffness. Based on these distinctive fiber qualities, it is anticipated that coir fiber would facilitate the development of cement-based materials for advanced concrete building applications. In this paper, coir fiber-reinforced cement-based concretes were evaluated in terms of workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and permeability. The relationship between strength and fiber content was analyzed to understand the impact of coir fiber on the properties of coir fiber-reinforced cement-based concrete. Based on the results obtained, it is determined that 2% coir fiber modification offers the highest compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. Moreover, the modulus of elasticity is increased, and the permeability is plummeted by the volume fractions of coir fiber 1%, 2%, and 3% because the blending of coir fiber has a bridging and dispersing mechanism of the force-carrying capacity in concrete. In conclusion, coir fiber might be a viable choice for improving the strength and durability of concrete. Therefore, the sparing use of coir fiber presented in this research can be implemented for the manufacturing of concrete in the future.

Green building materials are an alternative to ordinary materialsoffering multiple environmental benefits. This study consists of an experimental investigation of a new design of gypsum plaster blocks. First, a mix design of gypsum plaster and water mixture was prepared. The optimal mix composition was determined according to the mechanical and physical properties, such as the water absorption, the temperature of hydration, the density, and the compressive strength of different gypsum plaster and water mixtures made by varying the water dosage. The second part of this investigation aims to study a new design of green blocks prepared from the optimal water and gypsum plaster mixture. The new blocks are perforated to lighten them and to reduce their thermal conductivity in order to make them moreinsulate. Experimental tests were conducted on the block prototype, such as the measurement of dimensional tolerances, compressive strength, density, flatness, water absorption, residual moisture, surface hardness, and thermal conductivity. Experimental test results show that the new blocks have very low density, and their compressive strength is sufficient for wall construction. In addition, the manufacturing process of the new blocks is very easy and very fast. Finally, the obtained physical and mechanical properties of the new gypsum plaster blocks give it the opportunity to be used for interior walls for building constructions.

The transformation of conventional binder and grout into high-performance nanocarbon binder and grout was evaluated in this investigation. The high-performance nanocarbon grout consisted of grey cement, white cement, lime, gypsum, sand, water, and graphite nanoplatelet (GNP), while conventional mortar is prepared with water, binder, and fine aggregate. The investigated properties included unconfined compressive strength (UCS), bending strength, ultrasound pulse analysis (UPA), and Schmidt surface hardness. The results indicated that the inclusion of nanocarbon led to an increase in the initial and long-term strengths by 14% and 23%, respectively. The same trend was observed in the nanocarbon binder mortars with white cement, lime, and gypsum in terms of the UCS, bending strength, UPA, and Schmidt surface hardness. The incorporation of nanocarbon into ordinary cement produced a high-performance nanocarbon binder mortar, which increased the strength to 42.5 N, in comparison to the 32.5 N of the ordinary cement, at 28 days.

The present work focused on the experimental study of the mechanical, thermal and acoustic properties of cement composite reinforced using Posidonia oceanica (PO) fibers. For this purpose, parallelepipedic specimens of dimensions 270 mm × 270 mm × 40 mm and cubic specimens of dimensions 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm were prepared with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.50 by varying the volume of fibers (Vf) from 0% to 20%. Properties such as compressive strength, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, standardized level difference and sound transmission class were examined. The compressive strength of the specimens was determined using the rebound hammer test, while the thermal measurements were performed with the steady-state box method. The results showed that the addition of PO fibers improved the compressive strength of the mixtures and produced a maximum value of 33.60 MPa for a 10% volume of fiber content. Thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity decreased significantly with the addition of fibers for all the mixtures. The experimental investigation also showed that the sound transmission class of PO-fiber-reinforced cementitious composites decreased as the fiber volume increased due to an increase in air voids in the mixtures.

Self-compacting concrete (SCC), which appeared in the 1980s in Japan, is a concrete that differs from others by its high fluidity. The constituents of SCC can be quite different from those of ordinary concretes. They can differ both in their proportions and in their choice. Given the method of installation of SCCs, particular attention is paid to the study of their physical and mechanical characteristics. In this context, experimental tests were conducted to assess the effect of high temperatures on the behavior of SCC. For this purpose, a SCC and ordinary concrete (OC) were tested at temperatures of 20, 150, 300, 450, and 600 ∘C. Prismatic specimens of dimensions 100 × 100 × 400 mm3, cylindrical specimens of dimensions 160 × 320 mm, and parallelepiped specimens of dimensions 270 × 270 × 40 mm3 were prepared for physical (thermal conductivity) and mechanical (compressive strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity) tests. The results showed an increase in the compressive strength for SCC between 150 and 300 ∘C following an additional hydration of the cementitious matrix. The residual flexural strength of the concretes decreases progressively with the increase in temperature. This reduction is about 90% from 450 ∘C to 600 ∘C. The results also showed that the thermal conductivity of concrete decreases as the temperature increases and can reach a value of 1.2 W/mK for the heating temperature of 600 ∘C.

The flexural behavior of five reinforced concrete beams containing recycled ceramic as cement and aggregate replacement subjected to a monotonic static load up to failure was studied. A full-scale, four-point load test was conducted on these beams for 28 days. The experimental results were compared with the conventional concrete as a control specimen. The cross-section and effective span of these beams were (160 × 200 mm) and 2200 mm, respectively. The data recorded during the tests were the ultimate load at failure, steel-reinforcement bar strain, the strain of concrete, cracking history, and mode of failure. The beam containing 100% recycled aggregates displayed an ultimate load of up to 99% of the control beam specimen. In addition, the first crack load was almost similar for both specimens (about 14 kN). The deflection of the beam composed of 100% of the recycled aggregates was reduced by 43% compared to the control specimen. Regardless of the recycled ceramic aggregates ratio, quantities such as service, yield, and ultimate load of the proposed beams exhibited a comparable trend. It was asserted that the ceramic wastes might be of potential use in producing high-performance concrete needed by the structural industry. It might be an effective strategy to decrease the pressure on the environment, thus reducing the amount of natural resources usage.

Self-cured concrete is a type of cement-based material that has the unique ability to mitigate the loss rate of water and increase the capacity of concrete to retain water compared to conventional concrete. The technique allows a water-filled internal curing agent to be added to the concrete mixture and then slowly releases water during the hydration process. Many researchers have studied the composition of self-curing concrete using different materials such as artificial lightweight aggregate (LWA), porous superfine powders, superabsorbent polymers (SAP), polyethylene glycol (PEG), natural fibers, and artificial normal-weight aggregate (ANWA) as curing agents. Likewise, physical, mechanical, and microstructure properties, including the mechanisms of curing agents toward self-curing cement-based, were discussed. It was suggested that adopting self-curing agents in concrete has a beneficial effect on hydration, improving the mechanical properties, durability, cracking susceptibility behavior, and mitigating autogenous and drying shrinkage. The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the curing agent and the cement paste matrix also improved, and the permeability is reduced.

This paper presents the operational modal analysis of a 90-m-high RC minaret of an iconic mosque considered as a landmark of the city. The minaret was monitored for three days with 11 tri-axial MEMS accelerometers. The purpose of the study was to observe the behavior, develop a representative finite element (FE) model, and establish baseline data for health monitoring studies. The modal properties were extracted using three operational modal analysis techniques (OMA): Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD), Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI), and Natural Excitation Technique with Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (NExT-ERA). The first 10 identified modes were below 7 Hz. Eight modes out of the ten were bending-dominant, while the remaining two were torsion-dominant. A FE model was also developed in ETABS to ascertain and compare the response of the structure with the identified results. From the FE model, the modes corresponding to the first ten identified modes were considered for comparison with the identified frequencies from ambient monitoring. The maximum 7.71% error was observed between the experimental and numerical frequencies. The error was minimized by using the manual updating the material properties and adding the weight of nonstructural elements. The variation of identified modal frequencies with ambient temperature was observed to be linearly dependent to a reasonable degree. A general trend of decreasing identified frequencies was observed with the rise in temperature.