International Research Award on Civil and Environmental Engineering

  1. Introduction 🌍 Concrete production significantly contributes to global carbon emissions, primarily due to the use of cement. This study explores a sustainable alternative by estimating the carbon footprint of conventional and geopolymer concrete materials. By analyzing the environmental impact of various design components, it seeks to identify effective low-carbon alternatives. The focus lies on evaluating alkali-activated materials as replacements for cement. A comprehensive methodology is employed to assess emissions and associated uncertainties. 2. Geopolymer Concrete Components and Emission Factors 🧱 The study examines major constituents of geopolymer concrete—fly ash, GGBS, sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate, and superplasticizers. Each component's carbon footprint is assessed to mirror actual production and application conditions. This detailed evaluation helps determine where emissions are most concentrated. The analysis acknowledges the complex interaction between t...

  Introduction  Bridges are critical infrastructures that often face damage from natural aging and extreme events like earthquakes. Over time, their structural integrity can degrade, increasing vulnerability and operational risks. The combined effects of seismic activity and material deterioration pose significant threats to network safety. A proactive risk management approach is essential for ensuring long-term serviceability. This study introduces a comprehensive framework to evaluate and prioritize bridge interventions. Seismic Fragility Analysis of Bridges  Seismic fragility analysis assesses the vulnerability of bridges under different earthquake intensities. It quantifies the probability of failure or damage based on structural parameters and seismic load scenarios. This analysis provides critical insight into which bridges are most likely to fail during seismic events. It forms the foundation of the broader risk management strategy. Accurate fragility assessment...

  INTRODUCTION This section introduces the purpose and significance of the study, emphasizing the need to evaluate shear strength in unreinforced concrete brick masonry wall panels under diagonal compression. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM Details the methodology, including the variables tested—specifically, the bed-joint mortar mixing ratio—and outlines the process of fabricating and testing thirty masonry wall panel specimens. FAILURE MODES IDENTIFICATION Describes the five observed failure modes in the tested panels: diagonal tension, combined failure, bed-joint sliding, toe crushing, and non-diagonal failure, explaining the characteristics of each. SHEAR STRENGTH ANALYSI Presents a detailed discussion on how shear strength varied with each identified failure mode and highlights the dependency of shear performance on the mode of failure. COMPARATIVE EVALUATION WITH EXISTING CODES Compares the experimental results with existing masonry design code provisions, particularly focusing on shear...