scholarly journals Identification of Key Indicators for Sustainable Construction Materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humphrey Danso
Keyword(s):  
Social Indicators ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Local Resources ◽  
Key Indicators

Studies on sustainable construction materials are on the rise with their environmental, social, and economic benefits. This study identifies the key indicators for measuring sustainable construction materials. The design used for the study was that of a survey which relied on a questionnaire with five-point Likert scale to generate data for the analysis. For this purpose, 25 indicators from the three dimensions (environmental, social, and economic) identified from the literature were presented to the respondents in a structured questionnaire, and responses were collected and analysed using SPSS. The study identified three key environmental indicators for measuring sustainable construction materials, and these indicators are human toxicity, climate change, and solid waste. Furthermore, adaptability, thermal comfort, local resources, and housing for all were identified as the four key social indicators for sustainable construction materials. In addition, maintenance cost, operational cost, initial cost, long-term savings, and life span were found to be the five key economic indicators for measuring sustainable construction materials. The study therefore suggests that these twelve indicators should be considered in future studies that seek to measure sustainable construction materials.

State of the art on geopolymer concrete

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoi G. Ralli ◽  
Stavroula J. Pantazopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Geopolymer Concrete ◽  
Critical Material ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Requirement

PurposeImportant differentiating attributes in the procedures used, the characteristic mineral composition of the binders, and the implications these have on the final long term stability and physico-mechanical performance of the concretes produced are identified and discussed, with the intent to improve transparency and clarity in the field of geopolymer concrete technologies.Design/methodology/approachThis state-of-the-art review covers the area of geopolymer concrete, a class of sustainable construction materials that use a variety of alternative powders in lieu of cement for composing concrete, most being a combination of industrial by-products and natural resources rich in specific required minerals. It explores extensively the available essential materials for geopolymer concrete and provides a deeper understanding of its underlying chemical mechanisms.FindingsThis is a state-of-the-art review introducing the essential characteristics of alternative powders used in geopolymer binders and the effectiveness these have on material performance.Practical implicationsWith the increase of need for alternative cementitious materials, identifying and understanding the critical material components and the effect they may have on the performance of the resulting mixes in fresh as well as hardened state become a critical requirement to for short- and long-term quality control (e.g. flash setting, efflorescence, etc.).Originality/valueThe topic explored is significant in the field of sustainable concrete technologies where there are several parallel but distinct material technologies being developed, such as geopolymer concrete and alkali-activated concrete. Behavioral aspects and results are not directly transferable between the two fields of cementitious materials development, and these differences are explored and detailed in the present study.

scholarly journals Research on High- and Low-Temperature Characteristics of Bitumen Blended with Waste Eggshell Powder

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2020
Author(s):  
Xuancang Wang ◽  
Guanyu Ji ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Yuchen Guo ◽  
Jing Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Temperature Characteristics ◽  
Porous Microstructure ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Eggshell Waste

The sustainability of resources is presently a major global concern. Sustainable construction materials can be produced by applying biological waste to engineering. Eggshells, as biological waste, are usually dumped in landfills or discarded. This causes many environmental problems including malodor, noise pollution, and serious waste of resources. To solve these problems, this study combined eggshell waste with bitumen materials for bio-roads construction. This paper investigated the impact of biological waste eggshell powder on the high- and low-temperature characteristics of bitumen materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the microstructure of eggshell powder. The interaction between eggshell powder and asphalt was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The high- and low-temperature characteristics were investigated using conventional performance tests, and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR) experiments. These results indicate that eggshell powder (1) has a rough and porous microstructure; (2) has no apparent chemical reaction with asphalt; and (3) improves the consistency, hardness, and high-temperature characteristics. However, it reduces the plastic deformation capacity of asphalt, and the low-temperature crack resistance of asphalt cannot be improved. The research demonstrated that the application of eggshell powder in asphalt is feasible and has long-term resource and environmental advantages.

scholarly journals Triple bottom line and sustainable performance measurement in industrial companies

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio Hourneaux Jr ◽  
Marcelo Luiz da Silva Gabriel ◽  
Dolores Amalia Gallardo-Vázquez
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Triple Bottom Line ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
Sustainable Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a minimum set of indicators to be measured by industrial companies to represent the triple bottom line (TBL) approach. Design/methodology/approach The research is both descriptive and quantitative. Three hypotheses establish associations among the degrees of use of TBL indicators and their different degrees of use in firms. The authors used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the scale and structural equation modelling to represent the final measurement model. The survey gathered 149 industrial companies. Findings The results pointed out that there are positive associations among the degree of use of environmental indicators and social indicators, economic, environmental and social indicators have different degrees of use in firms, a positive association between the degree of use of environmental and social indicators and the use of economic indicators was not confirmed. The findings suggest how to measure sustainable performance for industrial companies and highlight the differences in the degree of use for the three dimensions of TBL. Research limitations/implications The limitations refer to the non-probabilistic sample, applied in a specific context, industrial companies. Practical implications This set of indicators is intended to be used by industrial companies as a reliable instrument to sustainable performance assessment of the current stage of the TBL deployment and provide alternative approaches to address specific issues related to the environmental, social and economic sustainability. Social implications The results offer tangible results for measuring and reporting firm’s social and environmental performance. Originality/value This paper intends to offer an integrated and consistent way of measuring sustainability in industrial companies.

scholarly journals The Influence Of Construction Materials On Sustainable Constructions: A Study In Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 236-242
Author(s):  
AshebirAlyew Mamo ◽  
◽  
AshenafiReta Tessema ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Raw Materials ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Labor Cost ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Waste Rate

Studies on sustainable construction materials are on the increase with their Social, Environmental and Economic benefits. The research categorizes the key factors for sustainable construction materials. The method used for the study was that of a survey which depends on a questionnaire with five scale of measurements of Likert scale (1 for “Strongly Insignificant” (SI), 2 for “Insignificant” (IS), 3 for “Neutral” (N), 4 for “Significant” (S) and 5 for “Strongly Significant” (SS)) to create data for the analysis. For the purpose of this study, 18 indicators from the different dimensions summarized from the literature were presented to the respondents in the form of questionnaire, and replies were collected and analyzed using Likert scale on Microsoft Excel. The research result identified 18 underlined keyfactor for sustainable construction materials. Such as, Escalation of material prices, Material and equipment cost, Labor cost, Cost of variation orders, Waste rate of materials, Conformance to specification, Availability of personals with high experience and qualification, Quality of equipment and raw materials, Wastes around the site, Climate condition in the site, Human toxicity, Empowerment & participation, Adaptability, Social value, Life span, Initial cost, Job creation, and Tourism. Commonlythe study recommends that emphasis should be given for the identified key factors especially on the top five ranked key factors for Sustainable Construction Materials.

scholarly journals Sustainable Tourism: A Competitiveness Strategy Perspective in Baja California

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 6934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca Estela Bernal Escoto ◽  
Malena Portal Boza ◽  
Duniesky Feitó Madrigal
Keyword(s):  
Baja California ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Contingency Analysis ◽  
Travel And Tourism ◽  
Local Resources ◽  
The Social ◽  
Economic Well Being

Sustainability plays an important role in society by improving long-term quality of life, including future generations, seeking harmony between economic growth, social development and the protection of the environment. For decades, companies focused their efforts on maximizing returns for their stakeholders, setting aside the preservation of the environment by making indiscriminate use of local resources, which had a direct impact on the social and economic well-being of it, however today the organizations analyze and evaluate the demands, tastes and preferences of new generations as a competitive strategy, because they seek healthier and safer spars, showing increasing interest in social indicators, economics and mid-environment, denying sustainable strategies for their stakeholders. The combination of statistical techniques of descriptive and contingency analysis the sustainability of the tourist micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) of the state of Baja California through the application of the travel and tourism competitive index. The main findings show that the sustainable good practices implemented by micro-entrepreneurs so far has allowed them to develop competitive value strategies focused on their Stakeholders, seeing an increase in their competitiveness.

RISCO DE MOVIMENTOS DE MASSA NAS COMUNIDADES MAZAGÃO 1 E JOSÉ DA SILVA SOBRAL, MUNICÍPIO DE ALAGOA NOVA / PB

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-135
Author(s):  
Caroline Barros de Sales ◽  
Samara Sayonara Cândida da Silva ◽  
Lutiane Queiroz de Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Social Vulnerability ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Exposure Data ◽  
The Social ◽  
Bibliographical Survey ◽  
Photographic Records

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar o risco nas comunidades Mazagão 1 e José da Silva Sobral, a partir de indicadores sociais de vulnerabilidade e ambientais de perigo para movimentos de massa. Para isso, buscou-se inicialmente o levantamento bibliográfico, respaldando-se em autores que trabalham com as temáticas de riscos e vulnerabilidade, e foram realizadas atividades de campo, as quais possibilitaram a aplicação dos questionários de vulnerabilidade social e das fichas de exposição a movimentos de massa, além de permitir a realização de registros fotográficos. A partir da sistematização dos dados de vulnerabilidade social e de exposição, permitiu-se estabelecer as características mais presentes nas comunidades, indicando os elementos mais críticos, os quais colaboram para que haja risco de movimentos de massa, apontando então para a necessidade de pesquisas que venham a estudar profundamente a situação, podendo vir a propor medidas mitigadoras diretamente aplicáveis à área de risco.Palavras-chave: Vulnerabilidade; Perigo; Desastre. ABSTRACTThe present work aims to characterize the risk in the communities Mazagão 1 and José da Silva Sobral, considering social indicators of vulnerability and environmental indicators of danger to mass movements. In order to do this, a bibliographical survey was sought, supported by authors working on the themes of risk and vulnerability, and field activities were carried out, which made possible the application of the social vulnerability questionnaires and the exposure sheets to mass movements, besides allowing the realization of photographic records. Systematizing social vulnerability and exposure data, the most present characteristics in the communities were established, indicating the most critical elements, which contribute to the risk of mass movements, pointing to the need for research that will deeply study the situation, and may propose mitigating measures directly applicable to the area of risk.Keywords: Vulnerability; Danger; Disaster. RESUMENEste trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar el riesgo en las comunidades Mazagão 1 y José da Silva Sobral, con base en indicadores sociales de vulnerabilidad y peligro ambiental para los movimientos de masas. Para ello, se buscó inicialmente la investigación bibliográfica, apoyada por autores que trabajan con los temas de riesgos y vulnerabilidad, y se llevaron a cabo actividades de campo, que permitieron la aplicación de cuestionarios de vulnerabilidad social y hojas de exposición al movimiento, además de permitir la realización de registros fotográficos. A partir de la sistematización de datos sobre vulnerabilidad social y exposición, fue posible establecer las características más comunes en las comunidades, indicando los elementos más críticos, que contribuyen al riesgo de movimientos masivos, señalando la necesidad de una investigación que Estudie la situación en profundidad y proponga medidas de mitigación directamente aplicables al área de riesgo.Palabras Claves: Vulnerabilidad; Peligro; Desastre.

Enhancing community welfare through improved water quality: a case for applying staggered pollution charges in the river Musi sub-basin of Andhra Pradesh, India

Water Policy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 469-483
Author(s):  
Tishya Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Marginal Costs ◽  
Community Acceptance ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Over Time

In conditions of severe water-pollution and dormant community acceptance of accumulating environmental damage, the regulator's role goes beyond pollution prevention and more towards remediation and solutions based on the community's long-term expectations of economic benefits from clean water. This paper suggests a method to enable these benefits to become perceptible progressively, through participatory clean-up operations, supported by staggered pollution charges. It analyses the relevant literature on pollution prevention and applies a cost-based “willingness to pay” model, using primary basin-level data of total marginal costs. It develops a replicable demand-side approach imposing charge-standard targets over time in urban-industrial basins of developing countries.

scholarly journals A Multi-Attribute Decision Method under Uncertainty Environment Conditions—The Green Supplier Evaluation Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 344
Author(s):  
Hao Xu ◽  
Liuxin Chen ◽  
Qiongfang Li ◽  
Jianchao Yang
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
External Environment ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Supplier Evaluation ◽  
Uncertain Environment ◽  
Green Suppliers ◽  
Uncertainty Environment ◽  
Selection Of

Due to the continuous changes of political environment, consumption habits, technological progress and other factors, the external environment of enterprises is full of uncertainty. The turbulence of external environment is not conducive to the long-term operation and development of enterprises, but also brings great challenges to the selection of suppliers. This makes the competition of enterprises focus on how to choose long-term cooperation suppliers in the uncertain external environment. In addition, due to the deterioration of the global environment, governments pay more and more attention to environmental pollution, and consumers are more and more inclined to green consumption, which makes many companies pay more and more attention to environmental indicators when selecting suppliers. In the case of external environment turbulence and serious environmental pollution, the evaluation and selection of green suppliers in uncertain environment is particularly important for the long-term development of enterprises. What’s more, when the supplier’s capability gap is small, the decision-maker often hesitates among several suppliers. In this paper, the hesitant fuzzy is used to describe the hesitant psychology of decision-makers in selecting suppliers, the variance fluctuation is used to describe the characteristics of hesitant fuzzy numbers, and the probability is used to measure the uncertainty of the environment. A green supplier evaluation model under the uncertainty environment is proposed, which comprehensively evaluates the green suppliers under the uncertain environment. Furthermore, it is compared with other methods that do not consider the uncertainty and the adaptability of evaluation method and right confirmation method, so as to reflect the influence of uncertainty to green supplier evaluation and the importance of adaptability of evaluation method and right confirmation method.

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