This paper looks into mechanical and fresh characteristics of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) using a broad experimental and predictive modeling approach. An extensive experimental database on 144 concrete mixes was established, including compressive strength of between 15 and 40 MPa. The aggregate that was also used as a replacement for the natural coarse aggregate was Recycled Aggregate (RA), which was used as a percentage of 0-100 with an increment of 20 percent. Three specimens were cast and also tested for every mix, with the average values of compressive strength, slump, and density recorded. The main aim of the research was to measure the effect of adding RA content on the concrete performance as well as to establish valid prediction models with the help of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and regression analysis, which were executed and approved with the help of MATLAB and Python, respectively. The results of the experiments showed a definite and gradual decrease in the concrete properties as the content of RA increased. Compressive strength was decreased by up to around 35 percent, slump by an average of 38 percent, and density by close to 15 percent at full replacement of the RA relative to the comparison mixes with natural aggregates. These tendencies could be explained by high porosity, lower interfacial transition zones, and greater water uptake of recycled aggregates. An ANN model that uses tansig activation was created, and its predictive accuracy is very high, with the error margins of about ±2.5 MPa when predicting compressive strength, ±3 mm when predicting slump, and ±25 kg/m3 when predicting density. The ANN model showed good statistical results, and the R2 values were found to be higher than 0.976, and the MSE and RMSE values were low in all the outputs. Python-based regression models showed moderately good predictive performance with comparatively somewhat larger errors and lower R2 values. These were further verified by the correlation matrices, actual versus predicted plots, and residual analysis that indicated the higher robustness and stability of the ANN method. Overall, the findings demonstrate the efficiency of data-driven modeling methods, especially ANN, to predict RAC properties in an accurate way and justify sustainable concrete mix design.

In saline and marine environments, steel and the penetration of chlorides in concrete initiate and promote the rapid and progressive deterioration of structures, resulting in a loss of performance, increased maintenance needs, and a potential catastrophic failure. This has been the motivator of research in Peru to look for natural and sustainable inhibitors of a lesser ecological footprint, as the industrial inhibitors are far more detrimental, i.e., to the native plants. This research studied the relative performance of commercial vs. natural additives of steel and concrete in saline environments. In identifying optimal concentrations, plant extracts and microcapsules of avocado oil in varying concentrations were prepared. ASTM G31, G59, and C876 were the tests for corrosion measurement of the steel, and ASTM C1202 was for the chloride ion permeability. Seventeen variants were analysed with three replicates per material type. The results showed that the 75% avocado pulp coating achieved efficiencies of up to 85% on steel, similar to the industrial inhibitor. Likewise, apple and eucalyptus extracts achieved average efficiencies of over 69%, significantly reducing the likelihood of corrosion. Specifically, the 1% avocado oil microcapsule outperformed the commercial inhibitor with an efficiency of 78%, while apple and eucalyptus extracts achieved 74% and 73%, respectively, all classified as low permeability. In conclusion, natural additives, applied with appropriate formulations, can match or exceed the performance of industrial inhibitors, constituting a technical, economical, and ecological alternative for the protection of structures in marine and saline environments.

Street furniture in public spaces in high-risk areas meets two fundamental requirements for its designation: exposure to extreme climates and adverse weather conditions such as floods or landslides. Therefore, this article is based on an evaluation of the materials currently used in street furniture in high-risk areas, taking as a case study the informal settlement of the Sergio Toral Cooperative in Guayaquil. The overall objective of the study is to assess the current condition of the materials and propose solutions using high-density plastics to improve their long-term resistance and maintenance. In conclusion, it was determined that, with varying dosages of plastic alloys (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) and the addition of recycled HDPE plastic spheres, PVC fibers, and cement, the best results were obtained at the 3% and 4% dosages, particularly in sunlight, and with increased water absorption and dissipation. A hybrid material with absorbent and waterproofing properties was developed, resulting in a material more resistant to cracking and breakage, and with a 22% increase in its elastic properties.

Eco-friendly measures are evident everywhere, including in interior design. Greenery, organic food processing, and kitchen measures are potential trends at the moment. However, the study relates to this concept, as it discusses eco-resilient kitchen frameworks. On the other hand, the research examined the role of civil and interior professionals in integrating biophilic finishes into the kitchen interior. The study focuses on creating sustainable composite integration in modern kitchen appliances through civil engineering and design. This study presents statistical reports and several literature reviews by different authors on this subject. These facilitate different perspectives on the context, including the identification and coordination of recycled processes and material capabilities by both professionals. Also, the methodology of this study is defined as a secondary source and incorporates qualitative and thematic analysis, which perfectly addresses the research objectives. The study’s findings indicate that the use of recycled steel in the kitchen can also minimise environmental impact and lower material costs. The high-purity materials developed recycled products that meet stringent quality standards. Further, it is also evaluated that civil engineering integration can enhance collaboration among other fields and sub-disciplines of civil engineering, such as environmental science, urban planning, and architecture.

In civil engineering, the clay soils in urban areas of Junín have low bearing capacity and high deformability, which increases the cost of constructing retaining walls. This research analysed the structural design of cantilever walls stabilising soils with recycled waste such as plaster, glass, marble, and brick to improve their properties and optimise structural and economic performance. The specific weight, cohesion, angle of internal friction, and bearing capacity were evaluated, determining the optimal doses for each addition. Based on the experimental results, the walls were designed, and a comparative analysis of costs and dimensions was carried out. Glass powder at 15% was the most efficient and economical alternative, increasing the bearing capacity and allowing the wall base width and total cost to be reduced by more than 20%. Recycled gypsum at 12.5% showed the best technical balance, increasing cohesion and bearing capacity, as well as reducing footing thickness and optimising structural expenditure.

Concrete is the most important construction material around the world, which is characterized by its strength, durability, and ability to withstand live and dead loads. Concrete consists of three essential components: cement, sand, and gravel, which are mixed with water using different mixing percentages, with the addition of additives to get the required type of concrete. Concrete can be classified into many types according to the required strength demand. In addition, concrete is exposed to dynamic loads, which are the loads that would change the positions and quantities of the concrete structures. The dynamic or kinetic loads often occur in areas exposed to earthquakes and disasters, as well as traffic on highways. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of curing by tap water and river water on the properties of the concrete. In this study, three types of concrete, which are Normal Concrete (NC), Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC), and Fly Ash Concrete (FAC), were used to form six slabs by using a mold with dimensions of (450*450*100) mm, in addition to their control specimens. Each slab with its control specimens was cured by tap water and river water for 28 days. The slabs were examined for the dynamic load using a drop ball impact device. The results showed that samples cured in river water gave approximately 25% fewer strokes and 16% less crack width than those of samples cured in tap water. The compressive strength of samples cured with tap water was slightly higher than that of samples cured with river water; the average increase was 3%, 5%, and 4.5% for NC, SCC, and FAC, respectively. Also, the results exhibit similar crack patterns with punching failure for all specimens. Using river water for concrete curing is a good option after ensuring that the water is free of pollutants and chemicals that may affect the workability and durability of concrete.

Chromium (Cr) is a prevailing heavy metal pollutant present in industrial wastewaters. While preserving soil health and ensuring crop productivity are pivotal aspects of sustainable agriculture, using contaminated water on agricultural land will definitely affect the health of the soil and the productivity of a crop. This paper proposes a microbial-based remedial mechanism for (Cr) contaminated soil. The primary aim is to reduce the concentration of (Cr) contaminated soil using specific microbes (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Aspergillus, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) and carrier materials (Biochar and Zeolite). The area contaminated with Chromium is identified specifically in the tannery soil. Pot cultures were conducted to assess the effectiveness of five different plant species (Radish (Raphanus Sativus), Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba), Palak (Spinacia Oleracea), Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata), Red Spinach (Amaranthus Dubius)) in reducing Chromium levels. After that, seventeen different treatments were applied, consisting of various combinations of microbes (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Aspergillus, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) and carrier materials (Biochar and Zeolite). Among the five plant species, the growth and performance of the radish, cluster bean, and palak were high under the treatments of (Treatment 12, 9, 7). In treatment 12, the combination of the Bacillus, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, and Biochar is used to reduce the Chromium level in contaminated soil. The effectiveness of the treatment in reducing Chromium contamination was evaluated by focusing on Treatment 12 and using radish, cluster bean, and palak plant species. Treatment 12, as well as the control contaminated soil, underwent thorough characterization of Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDAX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). To ascertain the materials' elemental makeup, the EDAX analysis was performed. XRD analyses were performed to assess variations in intensity. The characterization, EDAX, and XRD provided valuable insights into the changes in the contaminated soil composition and the success of Treatment 12 in mitigating Chromium levels.

Geopolymer concrete has emerged as a promising sustainable alternative to conventional concrete, primarily due to its potential to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts. In addition, several industrial by-products, if not properly managed, pose serious environmental concerns. Among these, waste rubber represents a critical challenge, as its incineration releases toxic compounds detrimental to both human health and the ecosystem. Thus, utilizing such waste materials as partial replacements for natural aggregates in geopolymer concrete may seem to be beneficial in conserving natural resources as well as in facilitating effective waste management. As synthesis of geopolymer binders typically involves elevated-temperature curing, the thermal performance of rubberized geopolymer concrete necessitates comprehensive evaluation. Although numerous studies have investigated the mechanical and durability characteristics of geopolymer concrete, research addressing its behavior under high-temperature conditions remains relatively limited. In the present study, the mechanical property and durability performance of rubberized geopolymer concrete are analyzed using two alkaline activator concentrations—14M and 16M NaOH—each cured at 100 °C with varying percentages of CR. The effect of the Alkaline Ratio (Na₂SiO₃/NaOH) is also examined by increasing the ratio from 1% to 2.5% in intervals of 0.5%. The experimental findings identified an optimal mix comprising 6% Crumb Rubber (CR) content with a 16M NaOH solution and a Na₂SiO₃/NaOH ratio of 2.5. As an extension of this work, real-scale experiments on geopolymer concrete under high temperatures need to be performed in the future to substantiate its practical applicability as a replacement for conventional concrete in civil engineering construction.

Tropical coastal urban areas are highly vulnerable to climate-induced stress, and thus, a process-based understanding of how the urban morphology regulates microclimate and thermal comfort is required. This paper assesses the impact of SVF on the thermal environment at a coastal settlement in Gorontalo City, Indonesia, by using IoT-integrated measurements and residents’ thermal perception data. Measurements were made at six paired field sites along a Coastal Foothill Transect (T0-T5), using IoT-based monitoring of temperature, humidity, and wind speed, combined with hemispherical photography and savannah view factor estimation from Google Street View. Statistical methods such as ANOVA, multivariate regression, and robust regression were used to correlate objective thermal indices (Ta, PMV, PET) with subjective responses (TSV, Acceptability). The results indicate that low SVF is associated with higher temperature (+2-6 °C), elevated heat perception (TSV +1,7-2,1), and reduced acceptability (≥ 0.76). The mulivariate model (R2adj = 0.84) confirms that SVF primarily influences thermal comfort through airflow regulation rather than direct temperature control. These findings provide rare field-based evidence from a humid tropical coastal control context and highlight SVF as a critical morphological parameter for climate-responsive urban design.