Title: Assessment of Mechanical and Durability Properties of High Strength Concrete Using Iron Ore Tailings and Waste Rock as Aggregates

Abstract:-- This paper investigates the suitability of using iron ore tailings (IOTs) and crushed waste rock (CWR) as fine and coarse aggregates to prepare high strength concrete (HSC) with 28-day target compressive strength of 80 MPa. This experimental investigation was carried out on four series of concrete mixtures with different combinations of fine and coarse aggregates, such as IOTs and crushed limestone (CLS), river sand (RS) and CLS, RS and CWR, LOTs and CWR. The specimens with RS and CLS was taken as control mixture. Tests were done to determine the compressive, flexural strength and splitting tensile strengths, elastic modulus, rapid chloride permeability, resistance to sulphate attack and freeze-thaw resistance in HSC specimens. The results indicated that superplasticizer demand increased in the three mixtures containing the mine waste aggregate of IOTs or CWR in order to achieve the same workability as that of the control mixture. The compressive strength of all HSC mixtures could meet the design requirement of C80 grade strength, but the mechanical and durability characteristics of HSC were adversely affected by the substitution of mine waste aggregates for natural aggregates.

Title: Framework for Assessing and Continuously Improving Regional Sustainability

Abstract:-- This paper proposes a methodology for assessing and continuously improving sustainability based on the concatenation of the tools Barometer of Sustainability, Multi-Criteria Analysis (AHP), and 5W2H, which make it possible to evaluate sustainability, prioritize actions, and formulate an action plan suitable to the characteristics of a region. The central problem, the object of analysis of this paper, is the lack of a methodology for sustainability that assesses, prioritizes the items evaluated, and efficiently and effectively takes initiative for increasing the level of sustainability of the object selected. The methodology proposed was analyzed by specialists, making it possible to reach conclusions about its use and reliability, who also confirmed its ability to be adapted to different scenarios. The relevance of this study is to benefit decision makers and society as a whole by providing an easy-to-use tool that contributes to increasing the effectiveness of the evaluation process and continuous improvement for sustainability.

Title: The Evolving Transformation of Mashrabiya as a Traditional Middle Eastern Architecture Element

Abstract:-- Buildings’ facade is considered as the skin and the main component which covers the building and the only that has a direct contact with the outer climate. Not only the façade is considered as a building’s cover component, but also it can be used as a sustainable technique for energy saving in present day architecture. Approaching the 21st century, the world has witnessed a dramatical change regarding architecture. New architecture expressions were introduced to face environment global issues. Mashrabiya which was known as a wooden window screen largely tends to be a cultural expression of form and solve environmental issues especially in hot arid climate, was reshaped and reintroduced in a different form to keep up with the modern technologies. Also, Mashrabiya didn’t become limited to cover openings and windows, but also covering the entire façade of the building. Consequently, this study will explore Mashrabiya system as a traditional façade system in middle eastern countries and present the historical background of Mashrabiya as an architecture device in hot climate countries, as well as its changes throughout the history and looks at the potential application of this device within the contemporary context of the architecture. Besides, analyzing the gap between traditional and modern Mashrabiya through analyzing different case studies.

Title: Finite Element Modeling and Analysis of Sandwich Dry Floor Slab

Abstract:-- Behaviour of composite dry floor slab system constructed using profiled steel decking and plywood panels is studied by conducting linear and non-linear finite element analysis. The parameters considered are steel sheeting and plywood thickness, profile shape of the deck, and single (top) and double skin (top and bottom) plywood panels. The main focus of the study is on the determination of slab strength under bending and load distribution behaviour in two-way action. A bending test of single skin specimen was conducted to obtain load-deflection behaviour for verification of the finite element model. The results of the analysis indicate that the steel sheeting thickness is the main parameter that governs the slab load bearing capacity while plywood thickness minimally affects the slab strength. Slab with double skin plywood can take the load three times larger than that with single skin plywood. Slab made with trapezoidal shape steel deck has a better load distribution in the transverse direction (two-way system) compared to those made with rectangular and dove tail shape deck. The information obtained from this study can be used as a guide for application of composite dry floor slab system.

Title: Analysis of Drought and Ground Water Depletion of Naogaon District in Bangladesh

Abstract:-- Naogaon is the northwestern district of Bangladesh. It is a drought prone area in Bangladesh. Transplanted aman (T-aman) is mainly dependent on rainfall and boro rice is fully dependent groundwater irrigation. In early 1980s shallow tubewells were introduced to cultivate rabi crops using groundwater. The shallow tubewells is failed to withdrawal of groundwater. Deep tubewells were introduced in the early nineties to irrigate rabi crops and boro rice in dry season. Due to less rainfall the deep tubewells were used for irrigation of T-aman during monsson season in mid-nineties. It creates additional pressure on the groundwater. It is necessary to study on rainfall pattern, temperature variation and fluctuation of groundwater table which are directly related to the irrigation efficiency and crops yield. It is found from the present study that the variation of the minimum and maximum annual rainfall of the study area is from 500mm to 2100mm. The monthly rainfall is gradually decreasing in most of the upazilas of Naogaon district after 2000. The drought is occurred mainly due to several week gaps between two consecutive rainfalls or no rainfall in the late monsoon. It is observed from the present study that Porsha, Shapahar Patnitala and Atrai upazila are the more drought prone area in the Naogaon district. The annual maximum mean temperature is increasing trend. Average rate of depletion groundwater level of Naogaon district is one feet per year. The dug well and shallow tubewell is abandoned due to the depletion of groundwater table.