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Clause 12 in the Conditions of Contract for Plant & Design Build and in the Conditions of Contract for EPC/Turnkey Projects (Silver Book) deals with Tests after Completion. The Tests after Completion are the tests carried out by the Employer after the Taking Over of the Works or a Section in accordance with Clause 10 [Employer’s Taking Over]. The envisaged purpose of the Tests after Completion is testing the performance of the Works or a Part thereof. ‘Performance’ is used broadly to cover any relevant performance criterion (output, input, stability etc.).

Clause 8 is about time; the time period for the performance of the Works (the beginning and the end), management of the Programme, the Contractor’s right to Extension of Time and the Employer’s right to suspend progress of the Works. Once the Works have been completed, Clause 9 [Tests on Completion] deals with the testing at completion and Clause 10 [Employer’s Taking Over] deals with the mechanics for the Employer’s Taking Over of the Works. Clause 11 [Defects after Taking Over] deals with defects after the Employer’s Taking Over. See also Figure 8.

The purpose of this study is to determine propeller damage based on acoustic recordings taken from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) propellers operated at different thrust conditions on a test bench. Propeller damage is especially critical for fixed-wing UAVs to sustain a safe flight. The acoustic characteristics of the propeller vary with different propeller damages.

For the research, feature extraction methods and machine learning techniques were used during damage detection from propeller acoustic data. First of all, sound recordings were obtained by operating five different damaged propellers and undamaged propellers under three different thrusts. Afterwards, the harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR) feature extraction technique was applied to these audio recordings. Finally, model training and validation were performed by applying the Gaussian Naive Bayes machine learning technique to create a diagnostic approach.

A high recall value of 96.19% was obtained in the performance results of the model trained according to damaged and undamaged propeller acoustic data. The precision value was 73.92% as moderate. The overall accuracy value of the model, which can be considered as general performance, was obtained as 81.24%. The F1 score has been found as 83.76% which provides a balanced measure of the model’s precision and recall values.

This study include provides solid method to diagnose UAV propeller damage using acoustic data obtain from the microphone and allows identification of differently damaged propellers. Using that, the risk of in-flight failures can be reduced and maintenance costs can be lowered with addressing the occurred problems with UAV propeller before they worsen.

This study introduces a novel method to diagnose damaged UAV propellers using the HNR feature extraction technique and Gaussian Naive Bayes classification method. The study is a pioneer in the use of HNR and the Gaussian Naive Bayes and demonstrates its effectiveness in augmenting UAV safety by means of propeller damages. Furthermore, this approach contributes to UAV operational reliability by bridging the acoustic signal processing and machine learning.

Clause 1 [General Provisions] contains the provisions that in many contracts are bundled together under the ‘miscellaneous’ or ‘other provisions’ heading and includes a list of definitions, some interpretation principles, rules on communication between the Parties, documents forming the Contract, assignment, confidentiality etc. But Clause 1 also contains other provisions, like the Employer's right to use documentation and other deliverables provided by the Contractor (in other contracts usually referred to as a license to use), and a substantive Sub-Clause on limitation of liability.

This Clause deals with the Contractor’s contractual obligations during the Defects Notification Period. Primarily, the Contractor shall remedy any defect or damage to the Works if such defect or damage is notified to the Contractor before the expiry of the DNP, regardless of what caused the defect or damage. This Clause also outlines the consequences of the Contractor failing to remedy defects or damage, the Contractor’s obligation to establish the cause of the defect or damage and provisions on the expiry of the DNP.

This paper aims to inform the readers an overview of expected impacts of sea level rise (SLR) and climate change on rice crops area, yield and the urgent need to build climate responsive infrastructures to a coastal district, Alappuzha – a high-risk area which is already under mean sea level (MSL). This research carried out to understand the realities and impacts with respect to the exposures of rise in SLR and possible inundation extent of crop land. The extreme precipitation events have caused crop loss and damage, numerous casualties and enormous economic loss in this district during the recent past and project the likely impacts under anticipated climate change.

Global sea levels have already been risen noticeably as a result of climate change, and this trend is anticipated to continue. To reflect on the research objectives, the paper projects a climate change scenario analysis and impact assessment on the major crop grown, i.e. rice, using a crop simulation model, DSSAT 4.7 as the first part of the study. QGIS 3.28 version and Erdas Imagine software were used for land use land cover analysis and to delineate possible inundation in the major land use land cover, especially in agriculture area under SLR scenario. It points out the need to equip the district urgently with climate responsive agriculture strategies as majority of the area comes under 10 mts of elevation as per the Sentinel 2 data. For better adapting to the current and future climate change impacts in the aspects of built environment such as early warnings in farm sector in particular and forests, urban water management, transportation systems, building construction and operation and land use planning in general. Climate change is no longer a policy issue alone; now it is a common man’s nightmare. For a coastal state like Kerala, extreme climate events during 2018 and 2019 and 2021 have posed substantial impacts and damages on the environment and society. The impacts hit the vulnerable communities in multiple ways.

From the analysis, it was revealed that there is an increasing trend in rainfall observed over the past three decades in Alappuzha district. It is projected that day and night time temperatures may increase in Alappuzha by 2.5°C and 2.6°C by 2100, respectively, under RCP 4.5. With unchecked pollution or emission reduction actions, warming may further rise and hence the median projection when SLR reaches 2.4 meters (8 ft) at Alappuzha to Cochin coast is 2130s. The possible inundation analysis shows that around 53.48% of the coastal agriculture land may be likely inundated if SLR is only with mitigation measures such as extreme carbon cuts, SLR rise can be delayed till 2200. Alappuzha is known as the rice bowl of Kerala; however, it is highly exposed to climate vulnerability in terms of its unique environmental geographical settings like coastal wetlands, lagoons and sand beaches. DSSAT simulations shows that Uma rice, a major ruling variety in the region, may have yield reductions of up to 13% in the near century for Alappuzha.

This paper in general explains the projected climate change perspectives for Alappuzha, a climate change hotspot of Kerala with respect to SLR and coastal agriculture. and a review of the progression of DRR in the built environment and mainstreaming CCA and DRR by government and other agencies in the state.

This study underscores the urgent need for climate-responsive agricultural strategies in Alappuzha, Kerala, due to anticipated sea level rise, climate change, and land use changes. Equipping farmers with the knowledge and tools to adapt is essential for ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods. Implementing climate-resilient practices and technologies will help mitigate adverse effects on rice crops, promoting economic stability and resilience in the region. Involving local stakeholders in the adaptation process is crucial, as their participation can enhance collaboration, increase awareness, and accelerate the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, making the transition smoother and more effective.

It is the responsibility of the scientific community to inform the knowledge gained for the benefit of the society, especially on criticality of altering the existing land use pattern and building climate resilient coastal infrastructures. Studies such as this can stand as basis for implementing planned adaption actions. This is to conclude that instead of working in silos, mainstreaming climate change adaptation holistically across sectors is very necessary at this crucial hour. Participatory action plans and policies involving all local stakeholders can strengthen awareness and fasten the learning processes for adaptation including managed retreats.

At present, there are no specific studies, on the impacts of climate change and SLR on rice cropping systems in the district which specifically inform how to mainstream adaptation in the agriculture strategies in low lying coastal zones of Alappuzha.

This paper aims to analyze what Samarco and Brazilian magazines speak and say about Mariana’s environmental crime. Discover their doxa in this subject. Interpret the speakings, sayings and doxas through the theories of the treadmills of production, crime and law.

It is a qualitative and documental research and a narrative analysis. Regarding the documents: 45 were from public authorities, 14 from Samarco Mineração S.A. and 73 from Brazilian magazines. Theoretically, the authors resorted to Bourdieusian sociology (speaking, saying and doxa) and the treadmills of production, crime and law theories.

Samarco: speaking – mission statements; saying – detailed information and economic and financial concerns; doxa – assistance discourse. Brazilian magazines: speaking – external agents; saying – agreements; doxa – attribution, aggravations, historical facts, impacts and protests.

The absence of discussions that addressed this fatality, with its respective consequences, from an agenda that exposed and denounced how it exacerbated race, class and gender inequalities.

Regarding Mariana’s environmental crime: Samarco Mineração S.A. speaks and says through the treadmill of production theory and supports its doxa through the treadmill of crime theory, and Brazilian magazines speak and say through the treadmill of law theory and support their doxa through the treadmill of crime theory.

To provoke reflections on the relationship between the mining companies and the communities where they settle to develop their productive activities.

Concerning environmental crime in perspective, submit it to a theoretical interpretation based on sociological references, approach it in a debate linked to environmental criminology, and describe it through narratives exposed by the guilty company and by Brazilian magazines with high circulation.

Clause 17 addresses issues relating to the care of the Works (i.e. the risk of incidental loss or damage to the Works) and the indemnities provided by the Contractor and the Employer, as well as the shared indemnities. It may not make perfect sense to bundle care of the Works in the same Clause as indemnities, but they sit together for historic reasons as Clause 17 in the 1999 edition included liabilities as well as care of the Works and indemnities and, therefore, provided a comprehensive approach to risks, liabilities and indemnities. In the 2017 edition, the main provisions on liabilities have been moved to Sub-Clause 1.15 [Limitation of Liability]. The passing of risk (the care of the Works) is addressed in Sub-Clause 17.1 [Responsibility for Care of the Works]; some exceptions to the allocation of this risk are stated in Sub-Clause 17.2 [Liability for Care of the Works]. Indemnities are dealt with in the remaining Sub-Clauses: Sub-Clauses 17.3 [Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights], 17.4 [Indemnities by Contractor], 17.5 [Indemnities by Employer], and 17.6 [Shared Indemnities].

The present work focuses on evaluating the physical and mechanical characteristics of geopolymer concrete (GPC) by replacing the sodium silicate waste (SSW) in place of traditional river sand. The aim is to create eco-friendly concrete that mitigates the depletion of conventional river sand and conserves natural resources. Additionally, the study seeks to explore how the moisture content of filler materials affects the performance of GPC.

SSW obtained from the sodium silicate industry was used as filler material in the production of GPC, which was cured at ambient temperature. Instead of the typical conventional river sand, SSW was substituted at 25 and 50% of its weight. Three distinct moisture conditions were applied to both river sand and SSW. These conditions were classified as oven dry (OD), air dry (AD) and saturated surface dry (SSD).

As the proportion of SSW increased, there was a decrease in the slump of the GPC. The setting time was significantly affected by the higher percentage of SSW. The presence of angular-shaped SSW particles notably improved the compressive strength of GPC when replacing a portion of the river sand with SSW. When exposed to elevated temperatures, the performance of the GPC with SSW exhibited similar behavior to that of the mix containing conventional river sand, but it demonstrated a lower residual strength following exposure to elevated temperatures.

Exploring the possible utilization of SSW as a substitute for river sand in GPC, and its effects on the performance of the proposed mix. Analyzing, how varying moisture conditions affect the performance of GPC containing SSW. Evaluating the response of the GPC with SSW exposed to elevated temperatures in contrast to conventional river sand.