152 research outputs found
Steps towards digital-based environmental civil engineering in developing countries
Full text linkDigital skills are becoming increasingly important within civil engineering, along with a growing need for other soft skills applicable in training, research, and practice which should reflect the diversity of modern civil engineering. Civil engineers need to embrace digital technology and develop skills necessary to exploit its benefits. A culture of continuous learning needs to be embedded more deeply in the profession to ensure that individuals can meet skills requirements throughout their careers and, for this, a more flexible approach which will include both academia and industry is needed. In order to achieve it, a project has been realized by Glasgow Caledonian University, which was conducted by Macedonian Association for Geotechnics. The applied methodology and findings are explained below
A Novel Integrated Design Methodology for Nature-Based Solutions and Soil and Water Bioengineering Interventions: The Tardio&Mickovski Methodology
Full text linkA methodology for designing nature-based solutions (NBS) and soil and water bioengineering (SWB) works is proposed which includes the main particularities of this type of intervention. The dynamic nature of NBS/SWB works, their most important changes and possible critical scenarios are reflected in the proposed methodology. A clear and practical time framework for design checks is also defined. Existing structural design routines and plant root reinforcement models are integrated into the proposed time staged scheme. Likewise, the connections with the monitoring stage and the possibilities of continuous improvement are incorporated as an essential characteristic of the approach of this type of intervention. The proposed methodology is validated by means of a practical case study example embracing the whole service life of an SWB/NBS intervention. The obtained results are in good agreement with both the accumulated experience within the European SWB sector and the existing data collected in SWB monitoring works. The proposed methodology can be readily implemented in a wide range of nature restoration projects and works
Sustainable Geotechnics—Theory, Practice, and Applications
Full text linkToday, modern Geotechnical Engineers, who in the past would have considered the phenomena occurring in the (primarily soil) environment, are faced with developments in environmental sciences that are becoming increasingly more detailed and sophisticated, with the natural phenomena and processes surrounding the civil engineering infrastructure being modeled, designed, monitored, and assessed in a more holistic way. This book brings together the state of the art in geotechnics with a focus on sustainable design, resilience, construction, and monitoring of the performance of geotechnical assets from ground investigations, through foundation and drainage design to soil stabilization and reinforcement. Engineers and scientists working in the fields of green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, sustainable drainage, eco-engineering, hydro-geology, landscape planning, plant science, environmental biology or bio-chemistry, earth sciences, GIS, and remote sensing are represented here by articles that show significant geotechnical components or applications. Case studies showcasing the application of the sustainable development principles (e.g., reuse, recycle, reduce; stakeholder engagement; public health; UN Global Sustainability Goals) in Geotechnics are also included in this book
Hillslope processes: mass wasting, slope stability and erosion
No full textBook abstract: This book is designed to assist the civil and geotechnical engineer, geomorphologist, forester, landscape architect or ecologist in choosing ecotechnological solutions for slopes that are prone to a variety of mass movements e.g. shallow failure or erosion. Within this book, the ‘engineer’ is used in the global sense to encompass all planners, designers, etc who are involved in the stabilisation of slopes. We review the types of problematic slopes that may occur and describe briefly the nature of mass movements and the causes of these movements
The State Of The Environment In Macedonia With HIighlights On The Solid Waste Management
Full text linkThis thesis reports on the slate of the environment(SoE) in Macedonia. Using available data from the specialiied institutions and environmental experts, it shows an accurate picture of the situation with environmental protection in the country. The media addressed include air, water, soil and forests. Also, the social sphere of the environmental Protection is discussed through the review of the natural protection, public participation and the media. The focus of the thesis is on solid waste management. An assessment of the current situation in solid waste management in Macedonia is pesented together with its major components: waste stream composition, collection, transportation, recyclingj, reusing and disposal.Identifying landlilling as the most feasible waste dispoI option, an attempt is made to improve the current solid waste management policy. Supranational policy initiatives as at the EU level contribute to a gradual shift from smaller, uncontrolled landfills, with larger unmonitored environmental and larger quality effects and costs, to larger, generally regional systems with pollution control features, These “modern” landfills are carefully sited, and access and dumping are controlled and monitored. In the light of this, several suggestions are made for improvement of the solid waste management, and for gradual shifting towards integrated solid waste management
The effect of environmental factors on the development of pine root systems
Full text linkIt is well known that two of the principal soil physical factors that affect root growth are its mechanical strength and temperature. Soil compaction, which results in mechanical impedance that might restrict root growth, arises from mainly externally applied forces such as trampling by animals or farm and tillage equipment and even a small increase in compaction can result in large decrease in root growth and major changes in root morphology
Sustainable geotechnics - theory, practice, and applications
Full text linkToday, modern Geotechnical Engineers, who in the past would have considered the phenomena occurring in the (primarily soil) environment, are faced with developments in environmental sciences that are becoming more and more detailed and sophisticated, with the natural phenomena and processes surrounding the civil engineering infrastructure being modelled, designed, monitored, and assessed in a more holistic way [...
Re-thinking soil bioengineering to address climate change challenges
Full text linkSoil bioengineering includes the sustainable use of vegetation for civil engineering purposes, including addressing climate change challenges. Previous research in this area has been focused on determination of the strength and stability that vegetation provides for the soil it grows in. The industry, on the other hand, has concentrated on mainly empirical approaches in the design and construction of nature-based solutions. The aim of this paper is to attempt a reconciliation of the scientific and technical aspects of soil bioengineering with a view of proposing broad guidelines for management of soil bioengineering projects aimed at combatting climate change and achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). More than 20 case studies of civil engineering projects addressing climate change challenges, such as erosion, shallow landslides, and flooding, were critically reviewed against the different project stages and the UN SDGs. The gaps identified in the review are addressed from civil engineering and asset management perspectives, with a view of implementing the scientific and technical nexus in the future. Recommendations are formulated to help civil engineers embrace the multidisciplinary nature of soil bioengineering and effectively address climate change challenges in the future
Challenges in Agro-Climate and Ecosystem
No full textDue to an increasing population and rapid urbanization, crop production demand is high, and global food security is at risk. Challenges such as rising temperatures and environmental degradation need to be addressed quickly and effectively. This book discusses agriculture, climate change, and the ecosystem in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Chapters examine the various types of environmental stressors that negatively impact crop yield (drought, salinity, high temperatures) and how to mitigate them. They also present case studies from different parts of the world
New tools and routines for ecotechnological slope stability analysis
No full textEl uso de material vegetal vivo y materiales biodegradables en las obras de estabilización, control de erosión y, en general, restauración ecológica, incluyen en la fase diseño una serie de particularidades a las que la ingeniería civil tradicional no tiene que enfrentarse. Es precisamente esta característica la que está ralentizando la adopción de las técnicas de bioingeniería en el mundo de la obra civil y la geotecnia. La utilización de un lenguaje común entre el mundo de la restauración ecológica y la ingeniería tradicional permitirá tender puentes entre ambas disciplinas y mejorar tanto su colaboración como sus sinergias. Por otro lado, la anterior situación también limita las posibilidades de estandarización e inclusión en pliegos de condiciones de las técnicas de bioingeniería. El objetivo general principal de este trabajo consiste, pues, en aportar nuevas herramientas de calculo y diseño para apoyar el proceso de especialización del sector de la eco-ingeniería y facilitar la transición de los técnicos de la ingeniería civil y la geotecnia al mundo de las obras de restauración ecológica. Para dar respuesta a esta empresa, este trabajo se ha estructurado en cuatro bloques. Un primer bloque aportando un nuevo método para mejorar la simulación del comportamiento mecánico de un suelo con raíces. Un segundo bloque, aportando nuevas metodologías de diseño que incluyan las particularidades de las obras de eco-ingeniería. Un tercer bloque donde se desarrolla una metodología no invasiva para facilitar la toma de datos necesaria para simular los efectos de la vegetación en los análisis de estabilidad. Finalmente, en el cuarto bloque se analiza la evolución de una obra de eco ingeniería para mostrar la gran importancia que tiene la fase de seguimiento en este tipo de obras. ABSTRACT The use of both living plant material and biodegradable materials in slope stabilization and erosion control works, include several particularities at the design level stage that traditional civil and geotechnical engineering do not need to face. This situation is slowing down the incorporation of eco-engineering techniques in traditional engineering sectors. The use of a common language between ecological restoration and traditional engineering will permit building bridges between them as well as improving their collaboration possibilities and synergies. On the other hand, the preceding situation also limits the necessary standardisation process of the eco-engineering works and their inclusion at the procurement stage. The main aim of this work consists in contributing with new design tools to both support the specialisation process of the eco-engineering sector and offer an easier transition for civil and geotechnical engineers to the ecological restoration world. In order to give a suitable answer to the preceding objectives this work has been organised into four blocks. A first block where a new methodology, allowing for a more realistic rooted soil mechanical behaviour simulation, is offered. A second block introducing new design methodologies including the eco-engineering work particularities. A third block, where a non-invasive field work scheme for determining, in a cost effective way, useful information for incorporating the plant effects into soil stability analyses. Finally, a fourth block where an eco-engineering work evolution is analysed in an attempt to highlight the great importance of the monitoring stage in this type of works
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