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1 – 10 of 22
Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Nilesh R. Parmar, Sanjay R. Salla, Hariom P. Khungar and B. Kondraivendhan

This study aims to characterize the behavior of blended concrete, including metakaolin (MK) and quarry dust (QD), as supplementary cementing materials. The study focuses on…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to characterize the behavior of blended concrete, including metakaolin (MK) and quarry dust (QD), as supplementary cementing materials. The study focuses on evaluating the effects of these materials on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

MK, a pozzolanic material, and QD, a fine aggregate by-product, are potentially sustainable alternatives for enhancing concrete performance and reducing environmental impact. The addition of different percentages of MK enhances the pozzolanic reaction, resulting in improved strength development. Furthermore, the optimum dosage of MK, mixed with QD, and mechanical properties like compressive, flexural and split tensile strength of concrete were evaluated to investigate the synergetic effect of MK and quarry dust for M20-grade concrete.

Findings

The results reveal the influence of metakaolin and QD on the overall performance of blended concrete. Cost analysis showed that the optimum mix can reduce the 7%–8% overall cost of the materials for M20-grade concrete. Energy analysis showed that the optimum mix can reduce 7%–8% energy consumption.

Originality/value

The effective utilization is determined with the help of the analytical hierarchy process method to find an optimal solution among the selected criteria. According to the AHP analysis, the optimum content of MK and quarry dust is 12% and 16%, respectively, performing best among all other trial mixes.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Aminuddin Suhaimi, Izni Syahrizal Ibrahim and Mariyana Aida Ab Kadir

This review paper seeks to enhance knowledge of how pre-loading affects reinforced concrete (RC) beams under fire. It investigates key factors like deflection and load capacity to…

Abstract

Purpose

This review paper seeks to enhance knowledge of how pre-loading affects reinforced concrete (RC) beams under fire. It investigates key factors like deflection and load capacity to understand pre-loading's role in replicating RC beams' actual responses to fire, aiming to improve fire testing protocols and structural fire engineering design.

Design/methodology/approach

This review systematically aggregates data from existing literature on the fire response of RC beams, comparing scenarios with (WP) and without pre-loading (WOP). Through statistical tools like the two-tailed t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test, it assesses deflection extremes. The study further examines structural responses, including flexural and shear behavior, ultimate load capacity, post-yield behavior, stiffness degradation and failure modes. The approach concludes with a statistical forecast of ideal pre-load levels to elevate experimental precision and enhance fire safety standards.

Findings

The review concludes that pre-loading profoundly affects the fire response of RC beams, suggesting a 35%–65% structural capacity range for realistic simulations. The review also recommended the initial crack load as an alternative metric for determining the pre-loading impact. Crucially, it highlights that pre-loading not only influences the fire response but also significantly alters the overall structural behavior of the RC beams.

Originality/value

The review advances structural fire engineering with an in-depth analysis of pre-loading's impact on RC beams during fire exposure, establishing a validated pre-load range through thorough statistical analysis and examination of previous research. It refines experimental methodologies and structural design accuracy, ultimately bolstering fire safety protocols.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 November 2023

Marzieh Ghasemi, Akram Karimi-Shahanjarini, Maryam Afshari and Leili Tapak

Understanding the factors that influence individuals’ adherence to social distancing is critical to effective policymaking in respiratory pandemics such as COVID-19. This study…

Abstract

Purpose

Understanding the factors that influence individuals’ adherence to social distancing is critical to effective policymaking in respiratory pandemics such as COVID-19. This study aims to explore the role of social factors in relation to social distancing measures.

Design/methodology/approach

Stratified convenience sampling was used in this survey research, involving 450 adults residing in both rural and urban areas of Aligodarz County, Lorestan, Iran.

Findings

The findings showed that approximately 14% of participants did not adhere to any of the assessed social distancing behaviors, while only around 30% adhered to all four assessed behaviors. On average, participants reported having 5.13 (SD = 3.60) close physical contact within the 24 h prior to completing the questionnaire. Bridging social capital and gender emerged as the most frequently observed predictors across the assessed social distancing measures. Additionally, age, employment status and residential setting were identified as influential factors for some of the evaluated measures.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the field by highlighting that the likelihood of non-adherence to social distancing measures tends to increase among male participants, those aged above 60, employed individuals, urban residents and those with a higher level of bridging social capital.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2023

Arti Sahu and S. Shanmugapriya

This research proposes a viable method of slab and shore load computation for the partial striking technique utilized in high-rise construction projects to optimize the use of…

Abstract

Purpose

This research proposes a viable method of slab and shore load computation for the partial striking technique utilized in high-rise construction projects to optimize the use of horizontal formwork. The proposed Partial Striking Simplified Method (PSSM) is designed to be utilized by industry practitioners to schedule the construction operations of casting floors in order to control the formwork costs incurred throughout the completion of a project.

Design/methodology/approach

The article presents the PSSM for calculating slab and shore loads in multi-story building construction. It introduces the concept of “clearing before striking,” where shore supports are partially removed after a few days of pouring fresh concrete. The PSSM procedure is validated through numerical analysis and compared to other simplified approaches. Additionally, a user-friendly Python program based on the PSSM procedure is developed to explore the capability of the PSSM procedure and is used to study the variations in slab load, shoring level, concrete grade and cycle time.

Findings

The study successfully developed a more efficient and reliable method for estimating the loads on shores and slabs using partial striking techniques for multi-story building construction. Compared to other simplified approaches, the PSSM procedure is simpler and more precise, as demonstrated through numerical analysis. The mean of shore and slab load ratios are 1.08 and 1.07, respectively, which seems to have a slight standard deviation of 0.29 and 0.21 with 3D numerical analysis. The Python program developed for load estimation is effective in exploring the capability of the proposed PSSM procedure. The Python program's ability to identify the floor under maximum load and determine the specific construction stage provides valuable insights for multi-story construction, enabling informed decision-making and optimization of construction methods.

Practical implications

High-rise construction in Indian cities is booming, though this trend is not shared by all the country's major metropolitan areas. The growing construction sector in urban cities demands rapid construction for efficient utilization of formwork to control the construction costs of project. The proposed procedure is the best option to optimize the formwork construction cost, construction cycle time, the suitable formwork system with optimum cost, concrete grade for the adopted level of shoring in partaking and many more.

Originality/value

The proposed PSSM reduces the calculation complexity of the existing simplified method. This is done by considering the identical slab stiffness and identical shore layout for uniform load distribution throughout the structure. This procedure utilizes a two-step load distribution calculation for clearing phase. Initially, the 66% prop load of highest floor level is distributed uniformly over the lower interconnected slabs. In the second step, the total prop load is removed equally from all slabs below it. This makes the load distribution user-friendly for the industry expert.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2024

Xiongyong Zhou, Haiyan Lu and Sachin Kumar Mangla

Food sustainability is a world-acknowledged issue that requires urgent integrated solutions at multi-levels. This study aims to explore how food firms can improve their…

Abstract

Purpose

Food sustainability is a world-acknowledged issue that requires urgent integrated solutions at multi-levels. This study aims to explore how food firms can improve their sustainability performance through digital traceability practices, considering the mediating effect of sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) and the moderating effect of supply chain learning (SCL) for the food supply chain therein.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical regression with a moderated mediation model is used to test the proposed hypotheses with a sample of 359 food firms from four provinces in China.

Findings

Digital traceability has a significant positive impact on the three pillars of sustainability performances among food firms. SOI (product innovation, process innovation and organisational innovation) mediates the relationship between digital traceability and sustainability performance. SCL plays moderating roles in the linkage between digital traceability and both product and process innovation, respectively.

Originality/value

This paper contributes as one of the first studies to develop digital traceability practices and their sustainability-related improvements for Chinese food firms; it extends studies on supply chain traceability to a typical emerging market. This finding can support food sustainability practice in terms of where and how to invest in sustainability innovation and how to improve economic, environmental and social performance.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2024

Xingong Li, Xiaokai Li and Sheng Ding

Digital transformation (DT) is among the vital factors contributing to innovation ambidexterity, especially for advanced manufacturing firms (AMFs). However, the empirical studies…

Abstract

Purpose

Digital transformation (DT) is among the vital factors contributing to innovation ambidexterity, especially for advanced manufacturing firms (AMFs). However, the empirical studies on the relationship between DT and innovation ambidexterity in AMFs from the perspective of knowledge management are inadequate. Therefore, this study aims to systematically analyze the impact of DT on innovation ambidexterity and its mechanism of action.

Design/methodology/approach

This study selects 254 listed firms within the ten key areas of “Made in China 2025,” as they occupy a key position in China’s advanced manufacturing system. Based on the knowledge-based view (KBV) and contingency theory, it constructs a model of the influence mechanism of DT on innovation ambidexterity.

Findings

The results show that the DT of AMFs positively influence innovation ambidexterity. External pressure from environmental turbulence enhances the positive relationship between DT and innovation ambidexterity, demonstrating the “resilience effect,” external knowledge search (EKS) and broadening the knowledge base mediating roles between them, highlighting the “accumulation effect.”

Originality/value

By identifying this mediation mechanism of DT and innovation ambidexterity, this study provides new ideas for path research on the KBV. Moreover, this study explores the triggering effect of market environmental turbulence on the DT of firms. It reveals the boundary conditions of DT acting on innovation ambidexterity, expands the research perspective on organizational resilience and enriches the theory of power change.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 November 2023

Shubham Bansal, Lokesh Choudhary, Megha Kalra, Niragi Dave and Anil Kumar Sharma

One of the most contested and anticipated research issues is the acceptability of using recycled aggregates instead of fresh aggregates. This study aims to look at the possibility…

Abstract

Purpose

One of the most contested and anticipated research issues is the acceptability of using recycled aggregates instead of fresh aggregates. This study aims to look at the possibility of replacing fresh aggregates with 15%, 30%, 60% and 100% recycled aggregates.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is divided into two stages. The compressive, split tensile, flexural and bond strength of the various mixes were examined in the first phase using untreated recycled concrete aggregates (RCA). The second phase entails chemically treating RCA with a 10% 0.1 M sodium metasilicate solution to evaluate differences in strength, indicating the success of the treatment performed. Microstructural experiments such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were also conducted to evaluate the formation of interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in treated and untreated RCA specimens.

Findings

The observed findings reveal a decrease in concrete strength with increasing RCA concentration; however, when treated RCA was used, the strengths increased significantly when compared to untreated samples. The findings also include curves indicating the correlation between compressive strength and other mechanical strength parameters for an optimum mix of concrete prepared with 30% RCA replacement.

Originality/value

The study through its novel approach, demonstrates the effect of pretreatment of RCA in the absence of any standardized chemical treatment methodology and presents significant potential in minimizing reliance on fresh aggregates used in concrete, lowering building costs and promoting the use of waste materials in construction.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2023

Nor Salwani Hashim, Fatimah De’nan and Norbaya Omar

Basically, connections are used to transfer the force supported by structural members to other parts of the structure. The flush end-plate bolted beam to column connection is one…

Abstract

Purpose

Basically, connections are used to transfer the force supported by structural members to other parts of the structure. The flush end-plate bolted beam to column connection is one type that has been widely used because of its simplicity in fabrication and rapid site erection. The purpose of this study is to determine the moment-rotation curve, moment of resistance (MR) and mode of failure, and the results were compared with existing results for normal flat web connections.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the connection modeled was the flush end-plate welded with triangular web profile (TriWP) steel beam section and then bolted to a UKC column flange. The bolted flush end-plate semi-rigid beam to column connection was modeled using finite element software. The specimen was modeled using LUSAS 14.3 finite element software, with dimensions and parameters of the finite element model sizes being 200 × 200 × 49.9 UKC, 200 × 100 × 17.8 UKB and 200 × 100 with a thickness of 20 mm for the endplate.

Findings

It can be concluded that the MR obtained from the TriWP steel beam section is different from that of the normal flat web steel beam by 28%. The value of MR for the TriWP beam section is lower than that of the normal flat web beam section, but the moment ultimate is higher by 21% than the normal flat web. Therefore, it can be concluded that the TriWP section can resist more acting force than the normal flat web section and is suitable to be used as a new proposed shape to replace the normal flat web section for a certain steel structure based on the end-plate connection behavior.

Originality/value

As a result, the TriWP section has better performance than the flat web section in resisting MR behavior.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2023

Gunda Esra Altinisik, Mehmet Nafiz Aydin, Ziya Nazim Perdahci and Merih Pasin

Positive effect of knowledge sharing (KS) on innovation has come to the fore and government-supported innovation and mentoring communities or mentor networks have become…

Abstract

Purpose

Positive effect of knowledge sharing (KS) on innovation has come to the fore and government-supported innovation and mentoring communities or mentor networks have become widespread. This article aims to examine the community connectedness and mentors' preferences for professional competency-based KS of such innovation community of practice networks (CoPNs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper constructs a directed weighted CoPN model with a node-attribute-based novel fingerprint edge weights. Based on the CoPN, Social Network Analysis (SNA) metrics and measures including Giant Component (GC) were proposed and analyzed to identify mentors' connectedness preferences. The fingerprint was proposed as a novel binarized node attribute of competence. Jaccard similarity of fingerprints was proposed as edge weights to reveal correlations between competences and preferences for KS.

Findings

The work opted to conduct a survey of 28 innovation mentors to measure a CoPN. Both a name generator question and a second set of questions were employed to invite respondents to name their collaborators and indicate their professional competence. SNA metrics result in differing values for GC and the rest, which lead us to focus on GC to reveal salient metrics of connectedness. Jaccard similarity analysis results on GC demonstrate that mentors collaborate in an interdisciplinary manner.

Originality/value

Based on the CoPN, the methods proposed may be effective in predicting preferred relationships for interdisciplinary collaborations, providing the managers with an analytical decision support tool for KS in practice.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2024

Utkarsh Shrivastava, Bernard Han, Ying Zhou and Muhammad Razi

Sharing patient health information (PHI) among hospitals has been much slower than the adoption of health record systems. This paper aims to investigate if privacy regulation (PR…

Abstract

Purpose

Sharing patient health information (PHI) among hospitals has been much slower than the adoption of health record systems. This paper aims to investigate if privacy regulation (PR) or security measures (SMs) influence hospitals’ use of health information exchange (HIE) to share PHI with other providers (e.g. physicians, labs, hospitals). The study specifically focuses on how multiple PRs can impede and a strong national security infrastructure (NSI) can support HIE.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses secondary data from a multi-national and multi-hospital survey administered by the European Union. The multi-level structure of the cross-sectional panel data is used to test the influence of both hospital-level (e.g. PR) and national-level variables (e.g. NSI) on HIE. A total of nine types of HIE, three types of PRs, nine SMs and other relevant control variables are considered. This study uses a two-level random intercept generalized linear model to test the hypothesis proposed in the study.

Findings

The study finds that national-level PRs (NLPR) have the strongest positive influence on HIE in comparison to regional (RLPR) and hospital-level (HLPR) PRs. Moreover, the study finds evidence that the presence of RLPR and HLPR, on average, decreases the positive impact of NLPR by 264%. The SMs also have a significant and positive impact on HIE. Adoption of an additional SM can increase the odds of engaging in a certain type of HIE between 21% and 61%. On the other hand, a strong NSI can also amplify the positive impact of SM on certain types of HIE.

Originality/value

This study extends prior research on the role of PRs in enabling HIE by considering the complexities brought up by adopting multiple PRs. NLPRs have the strongest impact on HIE in comparison to RLPRs or HLPRs. Moreover, public infrastructure initiatives such as those related to secure communications can also complement SMs adopted by the providers by encouraging HIE.

Details

Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-5038

Keywords

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