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Unveiling the Impact of Psychological Factors on Consumer Purchase Intentions for Overall Sustainable Success in Green Residential Buildings: Using SEM-ANN Analysis
Get PDFThe research problem addressed in this study is the limited understanding of the intricate interactions among emotional, environmental, and psychological factors within organizations and their collective impact on overall sustainable success (OSS). A critical gap exists in the literature, as previous studies often analyze these factors in isolation, leaving an incomplete picture of their interdependence. To fill this gap, this study aims to comprehensively understand the interplay between Psychological Factors (PF) and OSS. The objectives are to identify relevant factors, collect data, and employ a rigorous methodology for analysis. The research methodology involves a three-phase approach: factor identification, data collection, and analysis. This study leverages a unique integration of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to deepen the analysis, revealing intricate relationships among identified factors. The study's findings highlight a robust positive association between PF and OSS, underscoring the significance of prioritizing employees' psychological well-being for enhanced workplace satisfaction and performance. These insights have practical implications for organizational leaders and managers, guiding them to cultivate positive emotional climates, instill environmentally conscious practices, and address negative emotional states within their teams. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-05-07 Full Text: PD
Seismic Resilience of Steel-Braced Frames Incorporating Steel Slit Dampers: A Review and Comparative Numerical Analysis
Get PDFSteel dampers, specifically steel slit dampers (SSDs), are crucial for enhancing the seismic resilience of buildings by absorbing energy and mitigating damage. SSDs are celebrated for their ability to produce stable hysteretic behavior, owing to the inelastic deformation of their strips, alongside benefits such as lightness, ease of manufacture, and straightforward post-earthquake replacement. This research extensively examines SSD applications, design principles, and innovations in their modeling, optimization, and production processes. The literature highlights SSDs' consistent performance in resisting both compression and tension, their adaptability in strength, ductility, and energy dissipation through modifications in strip configurations and the superiority of non-prismatic and hourglass-shaped designs over traditional options. Numerical analyses have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of non-prismatic slit dampers in comparison to their prismatic counterparts within braced frames. Three distinct braced frame configurations have been analyzed: one with a diagonal brace without a damper, another featuring a uniform prismatic slit damper, and a third incorporating a non-prismatic slit damper with an hourglass shape. The analysis primarily compared these systems' hysteresis behavior, ductility, and energy dissipation capacities. Results indicate a significant enhancement in performance when utilizing non-prismatic slit dampers. Notably, these dampers exhibited a remarkable 69% increase in cumulative energy dissipation compared to prismatic ones. Furthermore, the study reveals that a steel slit damper-braced frame, when equipped with optimally designed slit geometries, can tolerate inter-story drifts in excess of 2% while simultaneously achieving a greater than 12% increase in energy dissipation efficiency. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-04-019 Full Text: PD
Artificial Neural Network-Based Prediction of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Concrete Containing Glass Aggregates
Get PDFThis comprehensive study analyzes the use of crushed glass as both fine and coarse aggregate in concrete, as well as the prediction accuracy of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The primary objectives are to understand the interactions between concrete's constituents and to assess the accuracy of ANN models in predicting concrete's mechanical and physical properties. This is achieved using a two-decade experimental results dataset of concrete's compressive and tensile strengths, slump, density, and the corresponding mix design proportions, including waste glass aggregate. A series of 70 concrete samples were carefully built and tested, with compressive strengths varying from 12 to 71 MPa and glass aggregate percentages ranging from 0-100%. These samples served as the basis for the creation of an input dataset and ANN targets. The ANN model underwent intensive training, validation, testing, and statistical regression analysis. The ANN models are exceptionally accurate, with a continuously low error margin of roughly 2%, highlighting their usefulness in matching experimental and predicted results. Validation techniques highlight the models' dependability, with consistently high coefficients of determination (R-values), including 0.99484, demonstrating their robustness in replicating complicated concrete properties. The data analysis shows a unique pattern, with optimum glass aggregate percentages in the range of 10–20%. Beyond this range, there is a noticeable decline in concrete properties. Finally, the study confirms the efficacy of ANN in predictive modeling while also validating the potential of crushed glass to replace natural aggregates in concrete. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-05-018 Full Text: PD
Impact of Rear Slope Variation on Rubble Mound Breakwater Stability Under Seismic Loading
Get PDFThis study aims to enhance the seismic stability of rubble mound breakwaters, crucial maritime structures, by examining how variations in the rear slope angle affect their response to seismic loads. Utilizing the Plaxis 2D software, a finite element method was employed to simulate the behavior of a conventional rubble mound breakwater under different seismic conditions. The analysis considered three different rear slope angles and subjected each to various seismic loads characterized by differing amplitudes and frequencies. Our findings indicate that the rear slope inclination significantly influences the seismic response of the breakwaters, notably affecting the displacements and deformations within the structure. The most optimal angle of inclination was identified, which minimized the seismic-induced deformations, thereby potentially improving the structural integrity and longevity of these maritime defenses. This investigation not only provides valuable insights into the design of more resilient maritime structures but also introduces an approach to optimize breakwater design for better performance under seismic conditions, marking a notable improvement in the field of maritime engineering. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-SP2024-010-08 Full Text: PD
Quantitative Monitoring of Coastal Erosion and Changes Using Remote Sensing in a Mediterranean Delta
Get PDFThe morphology of coastal regions is continually changing because of both natural and human factors. Monitoring and understanding these changes are essential for efficient coastal management and sustainable development. To protect and develop beaches, quantitative monitoring of coastal changes is crucial. According to this study, there is a persistent erosion issue with the shoreline of the Rosetta region in Egypt. Over the previous century, there has been noticeable erosion. This is mostly because of the Aswan High Dam, which was built in 1964 and decreased runoff and sediment flow. Five Landsat images spanning the years 1980–2023 were utilized in this study. The Nile Delta would be eroding at an alarming rate if action were not taken due to coastal erosion, which is made worse by sea level rise. Our study's primary goal is to evaluate the shoreline of the Rosetta region and identify rates of erosion and accretion as well as patterns of accumulation and erosion using a combination of statistical analysis of the coastline using DSAS software and remote sensing techniques. It also seeks to pinpoint hotspots that require security. In this study, the Shoreline Linear Regression Rate (LRR), End Point Rate (EPR), Shoreline Change Envelope (SCE), and Net Shoreline Movement (NSM) were determined by creating cross-sections perpendicular to the baseline using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). According to the analysis of coastal change, the periods with the highest levels of erosion were between 1980 and 1990, before the protection of the promontory took place. In addition, the results extracted from this study showed a stabilized shoreline between 2000 and 2023 at the Rosetta Promontory and noticeable erosion in the east and west of the promontory. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-06-08 Full Text: PD
Integration of Blockchain-Enabled Smart Contracts in Construction: SWOT Framework and Social Network Analysis
Get PDFThe construction sector, one of the most ancient industries globally, holds a crucial role in the progress and development of societies. However, it faces persistent productivity and efficiency challenges, rendering it a relative setback when compared to other sectors. In the ever-evolving landscape of the construction industry, characterized by complex projects, numerous stakeholders, and intricate contractual agreements, the integration of emerging technologies presents an unprecedented opportunity for transformation. Smart contracts (SCs), underpinned by blockchain (BC) technology, hold the potential to streamline and revolutionize traditional construction processes. Current literature shows a lack of comprehensive quantitative understanding of how Blockchain-enabled Smart Contracts (BSC) can affect the construction sector. To address this gap, the authors have (1) conducted a systematic keyword analysis of literature on SC in construction from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases; (2) conducted a strengths–weaknesses–opportunities–threats (SWOT) analysis of BSC's adoption in the construction industry from 174 peer-reviewed papers; (3) identified a holistic list of 72 factors steering BSC adoption in construction, categorized into the 4 aspects of the SWOT framework; (4) performed social network analysis (SNA) to quantitively assess the literature in terms of the identified factors; and (5) conducted clustering analysis to categorize combination of factors frequently highlighted in research publications into common groups. This research offers a comprehensive and methodical evaluation of the potential advantages, applications, and challenges associated with integrating BSC in the construction industry. The findings of SNA and clustering reveal a notable lack of investigation into certain combinations of factors in existing academic research. This disparity and the ensuing knowledge gaps may affect SC's adoption in the construction sector. To this end, this study equips stakeholders with the insights necessary to make informed decisions in this rapidly evolving sector and contributes to a roadmap for future BSC construction-related research. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-05-020 Full Text: PD
Assessing Multifaceted Effects of Speed Humps and Bumps: Travel Time, Safety, and Environmental Considerations
Get PDFThis study focuses on investigating the significant impacts of speed breakers on various parameters, including travel time delays, vehicle speeds, fuel consumption, pavement maintenance costs, and vehicular exhaust emissions. Field data was collected and analyzed to assess the effects of different types of traffic calming measures on these parameters. The findings provide valuable insights into the implications of speed breakers on road safety, environmental pollution, and overall road infrastructure management. The results reveal that the implementation of speed humps, speed bumps, and triple bumps effectively slows down vehicles, as evidenced by considerable reductions in the 85th percentile speeds. The reduction percentages were 41.65% for speed humps, 73.52% for speed bumps, and 86.27% for triple bumps. This indicates the effectiveness of these traffic calming measures in improving road safety by reducing vehicle speeds. However, the presence of speed breakers also leads to increased travel time delays. On average, traversing stretches with speed humps, speed bumps, and triple bumps resulted in delays of 9.31, 16.42, and 29.51 seconds, respectively. While the individual delay times may appear relatively short, the cumulative effect of multiple speed obstacles along a road needs to be considered. Another significant impact observed is the increased fuel consumption associated with speed breakers. The study found that for every 100 km of travel, motorcycles and passenger cars consumed approximately 12.07 km and 27.37 km of additional fuel, respectively, when the density of speed breakers was 1.33/km. This translates to a fuel consumption increase of 13.73% for motorcycles and 37.74% for passenger cars. Furthermore, the presence of speed humps was found to contribute to pavement deterioration, as indicated by decreased Pavement Condition Index (PCI) values. The study also revealed that sections with speed humps incurred significantly higher maintenance costs compared to sections without speed humps. The increase in maintenance cost ranged from 100 to 264% across different road sections, with higher traffic volumes leading to greater cost escalation. Additionally, the study confirms that lower vehicle speeds, particularly between 0-15 km/hr, are associated with higher emissions of pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO) and other pollutants. This highlights the environmental implications of speed breakers and their contribution to urban air pollution. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-07-07 Full Text: PD
Experimental and Numerical Research on the Behavior of Steel Columns with Circular Hollow Cross Sections
Get PDFA circular, hollow tubular steel column is introduced for experimental and analytical analysis in this study. A series of axial compression tests for the variation of static schemes are reported in this study. All theoretical, numerical, and experimental analyses are based on the European Standards for the steel structure, respectively EN 1993-1-1. The experimental models of steel columns are conducted on actual steel columns with a length of 3000 mm and a circular hollow section of 114.3/2.8 mm. To assess the behavior and stress values of the columns, various schematically supported systems are modeled, starting from the axial-centered columns to the symmetrical eccentric load and asymmetrical loaded columns. 3D modeling of the steel columns using the finite element program SEISMOSOFT is also developed for such elements. The accuracy of the model is compared with the experimental results using numerical analysis by the finite element method. Finally, the numerical comparison of the results provides a recommendation for the engineers regarding the design and construction of such columns. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-05-014 Full Text: PD
Constitutive Relations for Modelling Macro Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Get PDFThe increasing utilization of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) within the construction industry signifies a pivotal shift towards enhancing structural integrity and durability. Despite the predominant use of steel fibers, exploring macro synthetic fibers has gained momentum due to their potential to address critical challenges, such as workability reduction and corrosion resistance in FRC, without markedly affecting its structural performance. Among the forefronts of FRC research is developing an accurate constitutive model encompassing the diverse behavior of fibers, particularly synthetic ones. This discrepancy necessitates a distinct constitutive model for synthetic fibers to precisely characterize their tensile post-cracking behavior and regulate their design specifications. In this research, a preliminary constitutive model is derived through an inverse analysis procedure employing a Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) optimization method to the load-displacement results of the experimental testing of twenty ASTM C1609 beam samples. The results of the inverse analysis are used to correlate the ASTM C1609 residual flexural tensile strength parameters, fL/600 and fL/150to the stress-strain points defining the uniaxial tensile curve of macro-synthetic fibers, achieving coefficients of determination exceeding 98.5%. The model is statistically confirmed to be a valid constitutive relation for macro-synthetic fibers via successfully representing the post-cracking load-deflection behavior of standardized concrete beams, thereby outperforming traditional constitutive models in simulating the post-cracking behavior of FRC. Moreover, the model demonstrates robust predictive capabilities for the load-deflection curve of externally standardized samples, showcasing its potential for broader application in FRC design and analysis. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-06-06 Full Text: PD
Enhancing the Properties of Steel Fiber Self-Compacting NaOH-Based Geopolymer Concrete with the Addition of Metakaolin
Get PDFThere is a demand for innovative construction materials that offer enhanced mechanical characteristics while also being cost-effective and environmentally friendly. This paper examines the fresh properties and mechanical properties of geopolymerized self-compacting concrete (SCC) reinforced with steel fibers, containing 0–100% metakaolin (MK) by mass, as an eco-friendly substitute for Portland cement. SCC combinations included one or more waste cementitious materials (WCMs), such as metakaolin (MK), NaOH as an alkaline activity, and double-hook end steel fibers. For every NaOH geopolymer SCC blend, the mechanical characteristics (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength), as well as the new properties (lump flow, V-Funnel, L-box test), were read up. The findings indicate that combining metakaolin and steel fibers reduces the flowability of NaOH-based geopolymer SCC. On the other hand, incorporating MK and steel fibers enhances the compressive and flexural strength of NaOH-based geopolymer SCC with 25% metakaolin and 0.3% steel fiber. In contrast to the fiber-reinforced NaOH-based geopolymer SCC samples, which could transfer a sizable load even when the crack mouth opening deflection rose at flexural strength, the fiber-free SCC samples showed a brittle and abrupt fracture. The findings showed that the addition of NaOH as an alkaline activator, MK, and steel fiber had a negative impact on the fresh state properties; however, their combined use greatly enhanced the bond strength and flexural performance of the NaOH geopolymer SCC specimens. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-07-011 Full Text: PD