bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design Optimization to Minimize Material Usage in Steel Buildings Subjected to Lateral Loads
Authors: Dokhaei Bahareh , Saini Dikshant , Shafei Behrouz , Alipour Alice 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis chapter presents a comprehensive approach to optimizing steel usage for reducing the environmental impact of building structures, aligned with sustainable development goals. The study focuses on developing the structural design of members with optimization methods to reduce steel usage, leading to lightweight structural systems while minimizing carbon footprints in the built environment. This study identifies optimum cross-sectional dimensions of structural sections to withstand lateral wind loads. For that purpose, a nonlinear programming solver is used. This solver is robust in finding the minimum of a constrained nonlinear multivariate function. The volume of the structural steel is taken as the objective function to ensure sustainability, while two constraints of demand to capacity indices of structural members as a strength condition and inter-story drift ratio as a serviceability constraint are taken to meet performance criteria, such as safety and cost-effectiveness designing process. The results show that this optimized design tool can effectively reduce the weight of structural steel usage, paving the way to achieve both sustainable and resilient buildings.
Emission-Based Relocation Strategies for Mobile Prefabrication Factories
Authors: Ma Jianxiang , Revolti Andrea , Benedetti Lorenzo , Escamilla Edwin Zea , Habert Guillaume 
Published: January 2025

AbstractComplex linear infrastructure projects have a unique characteristic that the construction site moves as the project progresses, necessitating that off-site manufacturing should be mobile. A mobile prefabrication factory is a promising distributed production facility that meets such requirements and offers benefits such as carbon emissions reduction by shortening the distance between the construction site and the off-site prefabrication facility. However, factory relocations introduce significant variability in the distances for transporting materials to the factory and delivering the completed prefabricated elements from the factory to the construction site. This paper presents an integer linear programming model to identify a feasible relocation strategy that reduces the overall transportation carbon emissions. A case study of hyperloop construction, an ultra-high-speed vacuum ground transportation infrastructure, is conducted as a demonstration. The results show that using mobile prefabrication factories to supply linear infrastructure projects can significantly reduce the overall transportation carbon emissions by around 50% compared to the fixed factory scenario. The primary factor to optimize this problem is the total transportation distance of the prefabricated elements. Relocating the mobile factory four to six times aligns with achieving efficient performance in terms of reducing carbon emissions. This analysis offers insights into developing feasible factory relocation strategies for decision-makers in complex linear infrastructure projects.
Prefabricated Vertical Drain-Supported Railway Embankment on Thick Marshy Deposit: A Case Study of Udaipur Railway Station Project, Tripura, India
Authors: Ghose Samrat , Dey Arindam 
Published: January 2025

AbstractIn many parts of northeast India, in order to achieve a sustainable infrastructure based on minimal distance and gradient criteria, railway tracks often have to pass through a marshy deposit with significantly poor bearing capacity. Consequently, the laid tracks undergo significant long-term settlements due to creep-induced dissipation of excess pore pressure from the underlying low-permeable soft cohesive deposits, thereby necessitating ground improvement. Among several techniques, a sustainable one has to be decided to ensure long-term unhindered functionality of the adopted methodology. In lieu to this understanding, a case study of the Udaipur railway embankment in Tripura, India, is presented. The embankment, raised over a thick bed of soft soil, suffered extraordinary settlement. Consequently, prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) were used as a method of ground improvement. In this regard, a plane strain finite element (FE) analysis is carried out for predicting the consolidation settlement due to the staged loading of the embankment and the evolution of excess pore pressure dissipation from the layered substratum improved with PVDs. Mohr–Coulomb (MC) constitutive model is used for representing the embankment and cohesionless layers, while the soft cohesive soils are represented using Soft Soil model. The PVDs are simulated as ideal drains by employing 1D “drain” elements. In contrary to the conventional approach of considering layered horizontal substratum, the importance of considering the realistic undulated substratum is highlighted. It is exhibited that design based on the conventional approach might be insufficient in draining out the pore water in case a basin is formed in an undulating low-permeable layer beneath the designed length of the PVD, thereby elucidating the sustainability in the considered approach.
Leadership and Orchestration of PED Projects: An Organizational Perspective
Authors: Pezzotta Micol , Müller Anders Riel 
Published: January 2025

AbstractInnovative ways of implementing renewable and distributed energy systems in the urban environment are necessary to reach climate goals. The realization of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) builds upon the willing participation of multiple stakeholders from both the private and public sectors. Stakeholders contribute to PED initiatives with resources, competencies, and time and can take on various and changing roles; however, they usually have different powers, goals, and interests. Thus, the efforts of actors belonging to different organizations need to be coordinated to reach tangible results within a given timeframe. This article argues that the co-creation processes across multiple stakeholders in PED projects require better knowledge of leadership roles and functions in PED projects. We seek to identify the extent to which leadership in PED projects has been addressed in the existing literature on PEDs via searches with Google Scholar and Scopus. It is found that, although collective governance is regarded as a major challenge, there is a lack of research on how the processes and people in PED development projects are coordinated, including how information is exchanged, responsibilities are distributed, and decisions are taken. To further our knowledge of leadership roles in PED projects, we suggest drawing lessons from strategic management literature and theories and a preliminary framework for studying leadership roles and co-creation processes in PEDs is proposed for future research.
CO2 Capturing of Aggregates Extracted from Alkali-Activated GGBS Concrete
Authors: Tavasoli Syamak , Breit Wolfgang 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCO2-emissions as the main reason for global warming turn out to be a challenging issue in the twenty-first century. Reduction of CO2-emission in the cement and concrete industry by using low-carbon alternative binders on the one hand and carbon-capturing technique on the other hand is an innovative solution for this purpose. Using carbon-capturing techniques for recycled aggregates also leads to superior mechanical, as well as durability properties. The objective of this research is to assess the carbonation possibility of the aggregates extracted from alkali-activated concrete and its consequences on the concrete made with them. In this study, recycled aggregates extracted from alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) concrete produced with natural and recycled aggregates were carbonated. The CO2-absorption rate and its influence on the properties of aggregates were investigated. Recycled aggregates showed up to 4 wt.% CO2-capturing potential, which can result in up to 40% lower water absorption. Moreover, the effect of carbonated aggregates on the mechanical behavior of concrete made with them was investigated which showed an improvement of mechanical properties.
Strengthening Brick Masonry Structures with Natural Fiber Elements for Enhancing Earthquake Resistance
Authors: Kushwaha Manisha , Saini Kusum , Matsagar Vasant 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBurned clay brick masonry is a commonly used building unit for structures. Improving the earthquake resistance of such structures is vital due to the increase in the occurrence of seismic events globally, affecting larger populations and aging/deterioration of the masonry. Generally, conventional synthetic material-based strengthening techniques are widely used for structures, which is carbon-intensive and not climate-friendly. Therefore, to strengthen brick masonry structures seismically, various techniques for enhancing earthquake resistance using locally available natural fibers are investigated and presented in this study. The use of locally available natural fibers helps in reducing emissions and carbon footprint overall, apart from providing good thermal insulation. In this study, a finite element model of a two-story brick masonry building strengthened with natural fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites subjected to earthquake ground motions is developed. Linear dynamic analysis of the buildings without and with strengthening is performed under uniaxial earthquake ground motion. The dynamic response of the buildings, i.e., peak shear force, acceleration time histories, stress distribution, crack propagation patterns, and overall earthquake resistance of the buildings is compared. An enhancement in the dynamic performance of the building is reported on the adoption of strengthening measures using a variety of natural fiber elements. The flax FRP composite is observed to be the most effective in strengthening the masonry structure under static and seismic load scenarios. The study contributes to proposing sustainable practices in seismic risk mitigation for existing as well as new structures.
Influence of Spatial Coarsening of Pore Space in Porous Asphalt on Simulated Infiltration for Enhanced Stormwater Management
Authors: Allen Rebecca 
Published: January 2025

AbstractPorous asphalt is a road material that allows rainwater to infiltrate through the top layer of a road in an effort to handle stormwater on the spot rather than through drainage piping and infrastructure. Good design of porous asphalt requires understanding the relationship between porosity, permeability, as well as durability. In this work, the pore space is modelled via imaging and digital construction of the total and connected pore space. Then, the infiltration behaviour through the pore space is simulated via lattice Boltzmann modelling, which allows for the calculation of saturated-permeability values. Spatial coarsening tests are performed to assess its impact on permeability results. It is in understanding the top-to-bottom connected pores that the permeability of the asphalt can be better assessed, leading to improved design of porous asphalt.
Corrosion Risk Assessment of Bridges in Oslo, Norway, Based on Visual Inspection
Authors: Shabani Amirhosein , Amin Wahid , Kirschhausen Sven 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCorrosion can have several detrimental effects on bridges, impacting both the structural integrity and long-term durability of the infrastructure. The risk of corrosion for structures like bridges can vary depending on several factors, and different elements of a bridge may be exposed to different levels of risk. In addition to humidity and rainfall, which elevate the risk of corrosion, another contributing factor is road salt, commonly employed for de-icing roads in cold-climate regions during winter. Proper corrosion protection measures, including coatings, cathodic protection, and material selection, can help extend the service life of bridge structures and ensure their safety and durability over time. A risk assessment was performed to evaluate the risk of corrosion of different components of bridges in Oslo, Norway, based on visual inspection data registered in the Brutus online system. The Brutus system, specifically developed for bridge maintenance in Norway, has recorded various information about the bridges. This information encompasses various details, including geometry, construction year, location, material type, and bridge type. In this study, bridges under the maintenance responsibility of the Oslo municipality were classified according to their material type and construction year. Afterward, the level of corrosion damage to each component and its possible consequences were evaluated. The study pinpointed components of bridges exhibiting corrosion damage and categorized the Oslo region according to the corrosion risk index. Finally, preventive measures were suggested to decrease the corrosion risk of bridges.
Multicriteria Performance Index Analysis of Geopolymeric and Cementitious Screed Flooring Materials
Authors: Hwalla Joud , El-Hassan Hilal , Assaad Joseph , El-Maaddawy Tamer 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis paper presents a comprehensive multicriteria performance index analysis to find the most suitable screed composite to be used in flooring applications. The mechanical and durability properties and the economic and environmental impact of various screed mixes were considered. The screed composites were prepared by varying the mix design parameters, including the binder (cementitious and geopolymeric), fine aggregates (crushed sand or dune sand), solution-to-binder ratio, and binder-to-aggregate ratio. Compared to cementitious mixes, geopolymer screeds demonstrated higher production costs but remained competitive in terms of cost per unit strength and durability–cost relationship. Geopolymer screeds also exhibited lower global warming potential values, highlighting their environmental advantage over cementitious counterparts. Upon synergic consideration of the examined response criteria, the multicriteria performance index analysis showed that geopolymer screeds produced with crushed sand demonstrated superior performance among the different screed mixes for category A types of screeds. At the same time, cement-based mix produced with crushed limestone performed the best as a category B type of screed. However, the geopolymer screed produced with a binder-to-crushed sand ratio of 1:7 was superior to all category B screed mixes when cost and environmental impact were considered solely.
Performance Evaluation of Recycled Concrete Aggregates as Drainage Material in Combination with Geosynthetics for Landfill Cover Systems
Authors: Syed Sayeeda , Mishra Anumita 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis study investigates the integration of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in landfill cover systems as a sustainable alternative to natural aggregates. The research primarily examines the interaction of RCA with geomembranes by determining the interface friction angle between RCA drainage layers and geomembranes through large-scale direct shear testing. A Finite Element Method (FEM) model of a municipal solid waste landfill in Este, Italy, was developed and validated against the analytical two-wedge theory for veneer shear failure in layered systems. The results demonstrate that RCA outperforms traditional aggregates as a drainage layer material. It also highlights the limitations of commercial FEM software in identifying weak interfaces in landfill cover systems.
Optimizing the Embodied Carbon of Concrete, Timber, and Steel Piles with a Case Study
Authors: Abushama Kareem , Hawkins Will , Pelecanos Loizos , Ibell Tim 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe construction industry is responsible for a considerable share of the carbon emissions annually. Despite the wide body of literature addressing the embodied carbon of superstructures, limited attention is given to the embodied carbon of substructures. This research introduces an optimization algorithm to minimize the embodied carbon of deep foundations. The algorithm is used to optimize and then compare the embodied carbon of concrete, timber, and steel piles at different pile capacities. Results show that for clay soils and low pile capacities, timber piles are the least emitting compared to other materials, while steel piles are the highest emitting. The algorithm is then applied to a case study in London clay and demonstrated embodied carbon savings of up to 76% compared to current pile designs showing a high potential to reduce the embodied carbon and achieve the net-zero future goal in the construction industry.
Carbonation of Hydrated Blast Furnace Slag Cement Powder: Characterization and Application as a Cement Substitute
Authors: Mehdizadeh Hamideh , Baghban Mohammad Hajmohammadian , Ling Tung-Chai 
Published: January 2025

AbstractOver the past decades, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) has been extensively used as a replacement for cement in concrete production to mitigate cement carbon emissions. Hence, a substantial portion of the hydrated cement paste discarded at the end of a concrete’s lifespan could contain a certain quantity of GGBS. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using hydrated cement paste containing 30% GGBS (BSCP) in cementitious binders via moisture carbonation treatment. The changes in the microstructure of BSCP before and after carbonation are analyzed using thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The carbonated BSCP (CBSCP) is then used to substitute a part of cement (0%, 15%, and 30% by mass), and the flowability and compressive strength of the blended CBSCP-cement paste are examined at 3, 7, and 28 days. The results show that carbonation can significantly alter the microstructure of BSCP by forming calcium carbonate crystals and consuming a significant amount of calcium hydroxide. Consequently, the inclusion of CBSCP in new cement paste results in a reduction in flowability and enhancement of early-age strength. Overall, it can be concluded that carbonated BSCP can be utilized as an emerging binder up to 30% in cement-based materials, without significantly compromising the later-age strength.
Sustainable Service Ecosystems in Positive Energy Districts: A Conceptual Framework to Steer Long-Term Impacts
Authors: Viljakainen Anna , Valkokari Katri , Hukkalainen Mari , Nikunen Tytti 
Published: January 2025

AbstractPositive energy districts (PEDs) are central in the global transition toward sustainable, decentralized, and self-sufficient energy systems. Energy transformation taking place locally in cities may trigger broader sustainability transitions (STs) toward PED ecosystems at macro level. The work adopts a service ecosystems perspective to tackle the complexity of STs in the energy sector. The work builds a conceptual framework intended to support the transition and renewal of PED service ecosystems at a micro- and meso levels and uses illustrative case examples from a PED located in Espoo, Finland. The framework is intended to map the interdependencies between different actors in commercializing PED service ecosystems, and acts as a transformational tool for the public and private organizations to address change in PEDs. The framework concretizes the value propositions, actor roles, resource integration, and monetization mechanisms, as well as the transformation enablers, challenges, and long-term impacts. Additionally, the goal of the framework is to help municipalities to understand their roles in strengthening the institutional and social enablers for the local energy transformation with clear regulatory frameworks, incentive mechanisms, long-term political commitment, and vision. Overall, the study supports our understanding on the underlying mechanisms in the paradigm change toward sustainable energy systems.
Direktdemokratische und deliberative Bürgerbeteiligung in der Mobilitätspolitik
Authors: Dienel Hans-Liudger , Schröder Sabine 
Published: January 2025

ZusammenfassungEine konsequent nachhaltigkeitsorientierte kommunale Mobilitätspolitik ist ohne eine aktive Akzeptanz der Bevölkerungsmehrheit in einer Demokratie nicht umsetzbar. Der folgende Beitrag baut auf dieser Erfahrung auf und präsentiert die jüngere Entwicklung sowie aktuelle Erfahrungen mit den deliberativen Bürgerräten und den direktdemokratischen Bürgerbegehren und -entscheiden zur kommunalen Mobilitätspolitik in Deutschland. Der Handbuchbeitrag zeigt, dass diese Verfahren die Möglichkeit bieten, zu kollektiv bindenden Entscheidungen in der kommunalen Mobilitätspolitik zu kommen und damit auch dazu beitragen, der zunehmenden gesellschaftlichen Polarisierung entgegenzuwirken und das Systemvertrauen in demokratische Steuerungssysteme zu stärken.Bürgerentscheide, die sich in der Vergangenheit oft gegen kommunale Entscheidungen gewandt haben, haben sich in den vergangenen Jahren zu einem demokratischen Instrument gewandelt, welches Zukunftsentscheidungen ermöglicht und nicht bestimmte Entscheidungen verhindert. Dieser Wandel ist voll allem durch eine Kombination der Bürgerentscheide mit zufallsbasierten deliberativen Verfahren möglich geworden. Stakeholderbeteiligungen, so wichtig sie sind, bieten dagegen vor allem Raum für die Artikulation von Einzelinteressen, die sich zumeist gegen einzelne kommunalpolitische Maßnahmen richten.
Public capital investment spike events: the regional dimension in Greece
Authors: Arachovas Charalampos , Christopoulos Dimitris , Rovolis Antonis 
Published: January 2025

AbstractDeviating from the standard practice of linking public infrastructure and regional output expansion through a linear long-run equilibrium relationship, we consider the case where public investments follow a ‘bumpy’ path instead. According to the political business cycles theory, we argue that public infrastructure investments occur in a lumpy manner at the beginning of the electoral period, with reduced activity between spikes. In this framework, we propose a novel methodology applied in a different context to identify the role of investment spikes on the performance of Greek regions from 1995 to 2015. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research focusing on the relationship between spikes in public investments and their impact on regional development. To address the research question, we utilize a difference-in-differences (Diff in Diff) model. However, it is important to note that this approach is susceptible to endogeneity concerns, particularly it might suffer from omitted variable bias, a form of endogeneity. The analysis shows a strong increase in regional labor productivity, peaking three years after the shock.
Generic solutions of equations involving the modular j function
Authors: Eterović Sebastian 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAssuming a modular version of Schanuel’s conjecture and the modular Zilber–Pink conjecture, we show that the existence of generic solutions of certain families of equations involving the modular j function can be reduced to the problem of finding a Zariski dense set of solutions. By imposing some conditions on the field of definition of the variety, we are also able to obtain versions of this result without relying on these conjectures, and even a result including the derivatives of j.