{"title":"Engineering Design and Context: Moving Toward Ecosociotechnical Systems","authors":"Steven A Moore","doi":"10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555691","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555691","url":null,"abstract":"In the modern view generally accepted by non-scientists, science is understood to be the process, or method of accumulating abstract truths. From this perspective, truths are composed of multiple facts that may be universally applied. For example, the properties of lead are said to be the same in Zimbabwe as they are in Canada. Once scientists establish such truths, they are handedover to practical designers (e.g., engineers, architects, medical practitioners ....) to solve problems in the messy conditions of the world. Surprisingly, however, this modern dualistic view of the world is less a departure from the mystical past than was claimed by advocates of modernity. Rather, modern philosophical dualisms simply reproduce the ancient separation of mind and matter, or God and man. Such popular understanding of science suggests that we have not yet finished the Modern project.","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76863486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of Different Intersection Designs to Accommodate Left Turns Through Indirect Maneuvers","authors":"Hatem Abou Senna","doi":"10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555689","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555689","url":null,"abstract":"Although there are studies that compared between indirect left-turn treatments such Median U-turn (MUT) or RCUT to the Conventional Intersection (CI) designs, very few have compared between the operational performances of MUT versus RCUT. Furthermore, few studies on the Quadrant Roadway Intersection (QRI) were found in the literature. The main objective of this paper is to assess different designs for the accommodation of left turns through indirect maneuvers. Traffic performance of the proposed intersection designs was evaluated based on microsimulation. The results revealed that the difference between the two designs, RCUT and MUT lies in the amount of traffic rerouted to the crossover intersections. Increasing the traffic downstream of the main intersection to the crossover intersection still has an effect on the main intersection’s operations. Proper design and spacing is needed at the crossover intersection to mitigate this effect. The analysis also showed that at higher volume levels, RCUT throughput becomes restricted compared to the MUT which was attributed to the left turn effect at the main intersection. However, the RCUT showed 52% improvement over the MUT in average speeds. RCUT also showed 66% over MUT in delay savings and one-year cost reductions when compared to the conventional intersection at 200% volume level. The assessment of the Quadrant Roadway Intersection (QRI) design revealed 12% increase in throughput compared to the CI when CI reaches capacity with 48% increase in speeds and 66% reduction in delay. The cost of the connector roadway is the greatest cost and affects the total project cost depending on the available right of way. Some of the costs associated with the QRIs could be slightly compensated by the reduced widths at the main street intersection. Overall, QRI is significantly cheaper than the grade separation alternative.","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"57 6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77567158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interaction Between Soil and the Reinforcement Material","authors":"Sami Goren","doi":"10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555688","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"815 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80019691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Construction Professionals Understanding of Benefit of Stabilised Earth Construction in Urban Low-Cost Housing Crisis in Zimbabwe","authors":"Mohammad Sharif Zami","doi":"10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555687","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555687","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76511954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rocks Fall in the Cape Aokas (Bsjaia): Geological Study Contribution and Reinforcement of the Rocky Slope","authors":"Hallal Nassim","doi":"10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555683","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555683","url":null,"abstract":"The Cape Aokas situated in the oriental coastal region of Béjaïa city (Algeria). The cape takes its origin from the babor mountain chain to the Mediterranean Sea along the Aokas city. Its relief is characterized by abrupt slopes. On May 9th, 2005 rocks fall in large mass (20,000 to 30,000m3) from one of the walls constituting the cape, blocked traffic on a busy road (RN° 9) at the entrance of Aokas city. The excavation work of fallen rocks was quickly undertaken by the authorities: 23 days after the rock fall, the road was reopened to traffic. The topometric monitoring was be implemented between April and September 2014 during the summer. The reflection was started to find the best way to strength permanently the rocky slope. In this paper, we present a comparison between the stabilizing system applied to the rocky slope and an optimization proposal in both following cases: without earthquake and under reference earthquake solicitation.","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83884486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving the Skid Resistance and Surface Texture of Asphalt Pavement Using AMIR Compactor Technology","authors":"Luciana Girardi Omar","doi":"10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555682","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555682","url":null,"abstract":"Compaction of asphalt pavements is defined as the process of reducing the air voids in the asphalt mixture and enhancing the interlock between the aggregate particles through rearranging them more closely together in order to create a denser and more effective asphalt mixture [1]. In Ontario, Canada, since 1970, the currently conventional compaction method encompasses three stages with one specific roller for each stage. The main result of using three types of rollers is the attempt to treat the formation of hairline cracks (check cracks) caused by the vibratory steel roller used in the first stage of compaction, the breakdown stage. In the second stage of compaction, the intermediate stage, a pneumatic roller is used due to the false belief that it treats the hairline cracks caused in the first stage. In the third stage, the finish stage, a static smooth roller smoothens the tire marks left by the pneumatic roller in the second stage [2]. Although the current conventional compaction method satisfies the road authority’s requirement of densification, the design objectives of asphalt pavements are rarely met because the pavements deteriorate earlier than the expected design service life (15 to 20 years), despite significant improvements to asphalt mix quality, testing methods, contract specification, and workmanship [3]. The main reason for premature deterioration of asphalt pavements is related to deficiencies in the conventional compaction method that induces check cracking and results in pavement distresses such as surface cracks, low compaction at unsupported edges and longitudinal joints, and loss of fine aggregates. Furthermore, the resulted cracks permit water to penetrate the surface of the top asphalt layer leading to additional damage caused by freeze/thaw cycles and stripping.","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77680630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigation of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as a Supplement in Cement for Building Applications","authors":"J. Egbe","doi":"10.19080/CERJ.2018.06.555681","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/CERJ.2018.06.555681","url":null,"abstract":"An investigation of Rice husk ash Pozzolan as a supplement in cement for building applications was carried out. A controlled burning of rice husk ash (RHA) at 5000C produced amorphous Silica (SiO2). The rice husk ash (RHA) was substituted for cement in proportions of 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% of concrete. The concrete was cured for 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days respectively. It was observed that 20% replacement of Rice husk ash (RHA) provides the optimum strength. Comparison of mixtures with particle sizes of 600 microns, 425 microns, 300 microns, 212 microns, 150 microns and 75 microns, showed that 75 microns provide the optimum strength. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was performed to determine the content of various chemical oxides in RHA, which indicated that Mg 0.9%, Si 81.8%, P 5.48%, K 3.19%, Ca 1.80%, Mn 0.417%, Fe 0.782%, Zn 0.140% and Ru 0.270%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to determine low crystallinity of the samples showed the peak value at 26.66 known to be the quartz primary.","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83489302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Micro Hydropower Plant Perspectives in Decentralized Mini Generation and Micro Markets within Brazil","authors":"Geraldo Lúcio Tiago Fo","doi":"10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555680","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555680","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82384484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Windcatcher as a Persian Sustainable Solution for Passive Cooling","authors":"Payam Nejat","doi":"10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19080/cerj.2018.06.555679","url":null,"abstract":"Currently, building energy consumptionhas become an international issue especially in developing countries. In hot arid climate,60% of total building energy consumptionin this areais associated with cooling systems. Wind as an important renewable energy can play a prominentrole to supply natural ventilation inside the building and windcatcher as a traditional technique can be implemented for this purpose. In this paper the different types of windcatchers, its performance and functionwas reviewed. It can be concluded in most area this technique can be successfully be employed and help to reduce fossil energy consumption and related CO 2 emissions.","PeriodicalId":30320,"journal":{"name":"Constructii Journal of Civil Engineering Research","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82233308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}