2031 research outputs found
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Quantifying Slope Stability and Landslide Susceptibility Through Rainfall-Induced Geotechnical Assessment
No full textLandslides are a major hazard to people and infrastructure, especially in areas with weak geology and high rainfall. This study examined soil properties and slope stability in Ranau (RNU) and Kota Belud (KB), Sabah. Soil tests showed that RNU had 2–21% clay with cohesion of 3.49–9.7 kPa, while KB soils contained 2–17% clay, more sand and gravel, and much lower cohesion of 0.5–1.1 kPa, indicating weaker strength and higher permeability. Rainfall data from 2013–2023, provided by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, were used to develop Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves. Results showed that 1-hour intensities increased from 0.92 mm/hr at ARI-2 to 2.18 mm/hr at ARI-100, reflecting the variation of extreme rainfall. Slope stability was analyzed using GeoStudio’s SEEP/W and SLOPE/W to simulate infiltration and compute the Factor of Safety (FOS). In RNU, FOS rose from 2.481 to 2.565 after 24 hours, showing stable slopes. In KB, FOS declined from 2.495 to 2.379 under ARI-100 rainfall, along with higher pore-water pressures. Both slopes remained above the safe limit of 1.50, but KB proved more vulnerable to long rainfall. Compared with earlier studies, this research introduces a decade-long dataset combined with numerical modelling to demonstrate the dynamic response of tropical slopes. The findings provide practical contributions to slope design, drainage management, and disaster risk reduction in regions experiencing similar climatic and geological conditions
Performance Evaluation of Composite CNT/PE-Modified Asphalt Concrete at Binder, Mixture, and Pavement Levels
No full textAdvancing the multi-scale performance of asphalt pavements requires innovative binder modifications that address limitations in rutting resistance, fatigue resistance, and durability across the binder, mixture, and structural levels. This study evaluates the performance of asphalt cement, mixtures, and pavement systems modified with a combination of polyethylene (PE) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The binder was modified using 4% PE and varying CNT contents (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% by weight of the modified binder). Binder performance was assessed through conventional and rheological tests, including penetration, softening point, viscosity, performance grade (PG) evaluation, and master curve analysis. Mixture-level performance was evaluated using Marshall properties, rutting, resilient modulus, and fatigue tests. Long-term pavement behavior was predicted using VESYS 5W software. The results showed that incorporating 1.0% CNT with 4.0% PE significantly improved binder rheology, increasing the true failure temperature by approximately 10% compared to the reference binder. Complex modulus and phase angle master curves also indicated notable improvements at low frequencies. Mixtures containing 2% CNT demonstrated approximately one-third of the permanent strain observed in the reference mix, while PCNT1.0% exhibited the best fatigue resistance. These findings highlight the significant role of combining plastomeric modifiers (PE) with nanoscale materials (CNTs) in enhancing the performance of asphalt binders and mixtures
Geomechnical Characterization of Lateritic Soil by Combining Crushed Granite and Low Content of Cement
No full textLateritic soils, which are widespread in intertropical regions and traditionally used as pavement sub-base layers in Burkina Faso, often exhibit low geomechanical performance, thereby limiting their long-term durability under increasingly heavy traffic loads. This study investigates a combined stabilization approach consisting of incorporating 20% of 10/20 crushed granite aggregates together with low cement content (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%). The objective was to improve both the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of these soils, while reducing the environmental footprint associated with cement use. Accordingly, an experimental program was carried out, including geotechnical tests (maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, and CBR at 95% compaction) and mechanical characterizations (unconfined compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and full stress–strain behavior under uniaxial compression). The results revealed substantial improvements when 20% aggregates and 3% cement were added to the raw soil: the maximum dry density increased by approximately 5%, the CBR by 2253%, the compressive strength by 134%, the indirect tensile strength by 85%, and the Young’s modulus by 195%. Regarding fracture behavior, the same mixture showed an enhanced energy absorption capacity, with increases of approximately 40% for fracture energy, 65% for peak energy, 87% for elastic energy, 18% for plastic energy, and 5% for post-peak energy. These findings confirm that the combination of crushed aggregates and low cement content produces a synergistic effect, yielding a material that is stronger, stiffer, more water resistant, and more ductile. Thus, innovative stabilization approach represents a promising alternative for sustainable road construction
The Effect of Fiberglass Paint Coating on the Shear and Flexural Strength of Concrete Blocks
No full textThis study uses an experimental method to investigate the behavior of concrete blocks coated with fiber paint, focusing on their shear and flexural strength, ductility, stiffness, and energy dissipation to enhance their mechanical performance. The fiber paint coatings used in this study were applied in different thicknesses, namely 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm. The results show that a 3 mm coating provided the highest improvement, with shear and flexural strengths increasing by 47.36% and 66.06%, respectively. Flexural ductility improved by up to 32%, while stiffness increased by 12% in flexure and 13% in shear. Energy dissipation also showed significant enhancement; total flexural energy increased from 1.38 kNmm to 10.76 kNmm at 3 mm, and shear energy dissipation reached 50.72 kNmm at 3 mm. These results confirm that fiber paint can enhance the shear and flexural strength, ductility, stiffness, and energy dissipation of concrete blocks. This study introduces fiber paint as a practical reinforcement method for concrete block materials, offering a simple, easy-to-apply, and cost-effective alternative that improves both mechanical and aesthetic performance
Agile Project Management for Sustainable Construction: A Systematic and Thematic Literature Review
Get PDFThis study aims to explore the implementation of Agile Project Management (APM) in Sustainable Construction Projects (SCPs) to identify thematic trends, challenges, and enablers shaping agile adoption in the construction industry. The objective of this review is to determine how agile principles improve collaboration, adaptability, and sustainability outcomes. A systematic review of 104 scholarly articles published between 2006 and 2025 was performed using the PRISMA protocol to ensure rigour and transparency. Thematic analysis was conducted with NVivo and ATLAS.ti to code, visualise, and validate evolving patterns across the literature. The analysis revealed five major themes: iterative planning, responsiveness to change, stakeholder collaboration, digital facilitation, and sustainability integration. These results reveal that agile principles significantly contribute to sustainable construction by improving adaptability, decision-making, and communication processes, in spite of barriers such as organisational resistance and policy constraints. The integrative use of NVivo and ATLAS.ti improved depth and methodological reliability through cross-validation of themes. The novelty of this review lies in its dual-software thematic framework and its demonstration of how agile practices can transform sustainability-orientated construction management. It provides methodological and practical insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to embed agility in sustainable development goals
Prediction the Dynamic Modulus of Hot Asphalt Mix Using Genetic Algorithms and Neural Network Modeling
Get PDFThe dynamic modulus is a fundamental characteristic of asphalt concrete and expresses the stiffness properties of a hot mix asphalt mixture as a function of temperature and loading rate. This study used artificial neural network modeling and genetic algorithms to evaluate the asphalt concrete dynamic modulus. The experimental database was collected from LTPP DATA that used in the ANN and genetic algorithm development and modeling. The output for the two models was the asphalt concrete dynamic modulus. Moreover, mathematical models were employed to predict the dynamic modulus of asphalt concrete with different parameters. Following the establishment of the model designs, the deficiencies and strengths of the proposed models are evaluated using determination coefficient (R2) values. The evaluation was performed by comparing the dynamic modulus of asphalt concrete predicted from four models with the dynamic modulus obtained from the experimental testing. Notably, the neural network models achieved precise calculations for models 1 and 2, with R2 values of 0.96 and 0.93, respectively. The genetic algorithm models achieved R2 values of 0.73 for model 1 and 0.64 for model 2. The two models, the genetic algorithm model and the artificial neural network model, contributed to the generation of two new empirical equations
Assessment for Evaluation of Local Roads Based on Infrastructure Data and Budget Allocation
Get PDFTechnical criteria are one of the determining factors in calculating the technical index amount of the allocation budget for road infrastructure. The technical criteria include pavement deterioration, bridge condition, road performance, local budget allocation for road capital expenditure, allocation of local budget government for routine maintenance of roads, e-monitoring reporting, and SHP map reporting. Evaluation is required to determine the influence of each of these criteria and highlight the importance of comprehensive and continuous data testing to provide an overview of road infrastructure data and budget allocations. This study aims to analyze the influence of each technical criterion based on infrastructure data and the allocation of funding for local road maintenance in Indonesia. Two regression methods, Multiple Linear Regression with Dummy (MLRD) and Binary Logistic Regression (BLR), were used to identify and evaluate each variable and the potential of the resulting criteria. The results show that pavement deterioration (PD) and road performance (RP) are the criteria that significantly influence the assessment of infrastructure data and are the best models. This finding highlights the need for comprehensive data testing to provide an accurate overview of local road infrastructure from the data submitted by local governments to the central government. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-01-04 Full Text: PD
River Sand Replacement with Sustainable Sand in Design Mix Concrete for the Construction Industry
Get PDFThe present study prepared four sustainable design mixes of concrete using desert sand, modified recycled sand, and supplementary cementitious material silica fume to replace cement. The design mix concrete was prepared using the absolute volume method of a design strength (f´c) and target strength (f´cr)of 30 MPa and 38 MPa, respectively. The analysis of results showed that the four sustainable design mix concrete successfully passed the strength criterion set by the ACI 318-19 building code. The resulting pattern shows an increment in the mechanical and durability properties compared to the reference mix when (50% desert sand + 50% recycled crushed sand) is combined with 5-12.5% silica fume. The optimum result was achieved when the optimized, sustainable sand ratio (50% desert sand + 50% recycled crushed sand) was combined with 10% silica fume. It can be concluded that the prepared concrete has excellent results in terms of concrete strength and durability properties. Furthermore, this study shows that 100% of natural sand and 10% of cement can be saved using the optimal proposed concrete design mix. This study would have explored sustainability in the Saudi region by utilizing a vast percentage of vacant desert sand in concrete manufacturing. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-01-012 Full Text: PD
Experimental Study of the Dynamic Behavior of Stabilised Marl with Lime
Get PDFThe variable characteristics of weathered marl cause engineering problems, particularly in geotechnics, and require in-depth studies to design structures. Where these characteristics are poor, lime is used to stabilize the soil. Experimental research is being carried out on various Tizi-Ouzou marls composed of different percentages of CaCO3. The aim is to study their behavior in the presence of quicklime and its impact on the evolution of their geotechnical characteristics to provide effective and economical solutions for stabilization. These marls are mixed with increasing percentages of lime and subjected to a series of tests in which cyclic shear is essential for simulating dynamic effects. The results obtained confirm the improvement in their geotechnical characteristics. On the one hand, interstitial pressures and cyclic deformations have decreased, thus avoiding the risk of liquefaction, subsidence, or settlement. On the other hand, cyclic stresses and resistances have increased, resulting in better resistance of these stabilized marls to dynamic stresses. Finally, the number of cycles required to reach failure has increased, thus reducing the risk of pavement damage. These results depend primarily on the percentage of CaCO3in the marl. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-01-09 Full Text: PD
Methodology of Studies for Construction of Water Reservoir Dams in Countries Prone to Landslide Hazard
Get PDFConstruction of water reservoirs often has significant geomorphological and environmental impacts, particularly in regions prone to landslides. This study addresses the critical issue of slope stability in the context of the construction of a planned water reservoir in Astghadzor, Gegharkunik Marz, Armenia. The primary objectives are to investigate the stability of slopes, identify potential landslide triggers, and evaluate seismic impacts using advanced numerical modeling techniques. GeoStudio SLOPE/W software was employed, with calculations performed using the Morgenstern-Price and Spencer methods, which ensure rigorous equilibrium conditions for mountainous terrains. Field investigations and laboratory tests provided input data, forming an engineering-geology model for the analysis. The results reveal that the slopes remain stable under static loading conditions; however, seismic loading renders them unstable, particularly in soils related to Category III. Stability factors decrease by approximately 68% under adverse soil conditions. These findings underline the necessity for incorporating advanced stabilization measures and soil-specific interventions into the design of water reservoir dams. This study contributes to optimizing design methodologies, improving the safety of reservoirs, and guiding future research in landslide-prone and geologically challenging regions. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2025-011-01-016 Full Text: PD