Production Of Building Materials Research Articles

Migration of trace elements and radioisotopes to various fractions of solid wastes generated as a result of the sewage sludge incineration process

The research was aimed at providing new knowledge in the field of chemical characteristics of solid waste generated in the process of combustion of sewage sludge in fluidized bed furnaces. The research material consisted of disposed fluidized beds (DFB), sewage sludge ash (SSA) and air pollution control residues (APC) from three Polish installations for the thermal treatment of sewage sludge. Natural radionuclides as well as anthropogenic isotope 137Cs were determined in the tested materials and the migration of a wide spectrum of trace elements to various waste fractions generated in the process of sewage sludge combustion was examined. It was observed that both radioisotopes and most of the trace elements determined accumulate in SSA and DFB, while the APC fraction contains a much smaller amount of them. The exceptions are mercury and selenium, whose volatile compounds migrate to the exhaust gas dedusting system and accumulate in the APC fraction (up to 40 mg/kg and 13 mg/kg, respectively). A potential threat from the 226Ra isotope in SSA is identified in the context of the management of this waste in the production of building materials because the typical activity of 226Ra in SSA collected from areas with very low Ra content in natural environment exceeds 1.5–6 times the activity of this isotope in conventional cement mixtures. When managing SSA and DFB, special attention should be paid to the content of metalloids such as As, B and Se, due to the high content of mobile forms of these elements in the mentioned materials.

Using Backpropagation Neural Network for Polyvinylchloride Ceiling Price Modeling

Sales predictions on building material products today have applied an artificial neural network approach. One of the products of building material that need to be predicted for sales is polyvinylchloride (PVC) ceilings. Most companies haven’t implementing prediction technique for the sale of PVC ceilings, so this study aims to predict PVC ceiling sales with the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) method using the R algorithm. Unit gradients are calculated using the average absolute per cent error value (MAPE) to minimize the total square errors of network output. The results showed that the network architecture used was 4 to 6-1 and obtained an accuracy of 88% based on the lowest MAPE value.

Determination of Clay and Sand Volume Using Vertical Electrical Sounding

This study presents the results of an electrical resistivity survey conducted in Agudama Epie, Yenagoa local government area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The primary objective of the survey was to estimate the volume of clay and sand within a rectangular land parcel measuring 100 m by 200m in the study area. The survey employed the Schlumberger electrode configuration and utilized nine vertical electrode sounding (VES) points.Data was collected using a Terrameter SAS 1000 and was processed using IPI2win software. The geophysical analysis revealed the presence of four distinct geoelectric layers across the study area, identified as layers 1 to 4 in the VES profiles. Layer 2, characterized by clay, exhibited an average thickness of 21.2 meters, while layer 3, consisting of sand, had an average thickness of 8.15 meters. The apparent resistivity values ranged from 8.45 to 79.43 ohm-meter to a depth of 10.14 meters for the clay layer and 8499.86 to 15013.11 ohm-meter to a depth of 33.5 meters for the sand layer. The study estimated a substantial presence of approximately 746,240 tonnes of clay and approximately 261,126 tonnes of sand in Agudama Epie. This discovery offers significant economic potential, including job creation, the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises, and opportunities within the construction industry. The local extraction and processing of clay can drive economic growth and facilitate the production of concrete and building materials. Additionally, the availability of sand in the region can reduce transportation costs and stimulate local construction projects, thereby fostering economic activity and infrastructure development.

A laboratory study on the durability of limestone wastes in harsh environments for their suitability as aggregate in concrete

One of the critical environmental issues in the Chegeni area (Lorestan Province, western Iran) is the production of a large volume of limestone wastes during the quarrying operations. Releasing limestone wastes in the areas neighboring the quarries has caused visual damage to the environment, and adverse effects on the quality of the soil, running water, and groundwater used for agricultural and drinking water purposes. One solution to this issue can be recycling limestone wastes to produce building materials. In the present study, a comprehensive laboratory program is planned for the durability evaluation of the limestone wastes under harsh environments for their suitability as aggregate in concrete. For this purpose, five aging tests, including freeze-thawing (F-T), salt crystallization (SC), acid attack (AA), wetting-drying (WD), and heating-cooling (HC), were conducted on the limestone sample up to 60 cycles. After every 10 cycles, the physico-mechanical characteristics of the sample, including porosity (n), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), point load index (PLI), and P-wave velocity (Vp) were determined. Moreover, the pores structure modification of the sample subjected to aging tests was examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data analyses revealed that the sample is highly vulnerable to the AA and SC processes but is durable against FT, WD, and HC actions. These results were in good agreement with the SEM data such that the sample exposed to AA and SC underwent more changes in their pore structure compared to FT, WD, and HC. Among the physico-mechanical characteristics, the Vp and PLI had the highest and the lowest accuracy, respectively, in the durability evaluation of the sample exposed to aging tests. Based on the data analysis, limestone wastes can be used as aggregate in concrete in environments with the possibility of FT, WD, and HC. However, this type of concrete is not suitable for conditions with occurrences of the AA and SC. Finally, in addition to reducing the environmentally harmful impacts of the study area, using limestone wastes as aggregate in the construction of concrete can also be a practical solution for sustainable development from an economic viewpoint. The results of the present study can be used for assessing limestone wastes produced in other areas of Iran and the world.

Ecologically Friendly Building Materials: A Case Study of Clay–Ash Composites for the Efficient Management of Fly Ash from the Thermal Conversion of Sewage Sludge

The European Union’s initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emissions has paved the way for the exploration of innovative building materials that are environmentally friendly and meet all requirements of durability and strength. These criteria can be met by combining natural resources used in the production of building materials with waste materials that would otherwise be landfilled, having a negative impact on the environment. This study focuses on such materials and presents the results of recent research conducted at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. The aim was to develop a new generation of materials fully compliant with the principles of the circular economy and sustainable development. Simultaneously, these materials should have no adverse effects on human health and be strong enough to carry the required loads. This study proposes the combination of a natural raw material—in the form of clay—with fly ash from the incineration of sewage sludge to produce a new generation of materials. Several samples were prepared using fly ash from two sources and then were fired at 950 °C. The resulting composites underwent physico-chemical and strength tests. These tests not only confirmed the high strength and durability of the obtained product but also the neutralization of the heavy metals originally present in the fly ash.

Research on Low-Carbon Economic Reform of Construction Industry Based on Stacking-IGA Modeling

Low-carbon economy is an economic development model centered on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which has become an inevitable trend in China. Low-carbon economic reform of the construction industry is an important part of China's realization of low-carbon economy, and the key lies in integrating and coordinating the relationship between low-carbon development and economic development of the construction industry. In order to achieve this goal, this paper aims to minimize the carbon emission and maximize the gross output value of the construction industry, and constructs the Stacking-IGA model, which includes data-driven, Stacking integrated model and improved genetic algorithm. First, based on the data-driven and Stacking integration model, the planning problem of low-carbon economic development target of the construction industry is defined. Secondly, the improved genetic algorithm is used to solve the problem. Finally, the Pareto frontier surface is used to provide a reference basis for the low-carbon economic reform of the construction industry. The research results show that the model circumvents the dependence of the traditional objective planning model on the assumption of the objective function and the assumption of the background conditions, and is suitable for uncertainty objective planning modeling and solving. The model shows good results in sample expansion, sample equalization, feature redundancy, model accuracy and stability, objective solving efficiency and solving quality. It is difficult to realize the reduction of carbon emission and the increase of total output value in China's construction industry at the same time, and to realize the reform of low-carbon economy in the construction industry, we should start from the production of building materials and promote the new construction technology at the same time.

Ecological modernization at construction industry enterprises as an innovative production and management technology

The article delves into the pivotal role of ecological modernization, specifically the environmentalization of production at enterprises in the building materials sector. A comprehensive study was conducted on the product range of Ivano-Frankivskcement PJSC, one of the largest enterprises in the Western region. This case study serves as a tangible example, demonstrating that the adoption of environmentally friendly production necessitates both the environmentalization of production processes and management. The implementation of a comprehensive environmentalization strategy involves the incorporation of ecologically oriented measures in both the internal and external environments of the production system, while the environmentalization of the management system entails a restructuring of organizational forms and management methods to align with ecological principles. It was established that an essential part of ecological modernization is the introduction of environmental management systems. This includes requirements for waste and its processing, control over the use of water resources, and implementation of environmental certification and standards. Ecological modernization at enterprises in the construction industry helps to reduce the sector's ecological impact on the environment, contributes to the preservation of natural resources, and improves people's quality of life. It is proposed that enterprises producing building materials switch to the use of a dry method of production - an innovative technology that will contribute to the reduction of morbidity in the population and will protect the natural environment from harmful impurities and combustion products. The main advantage of this is energy-saving and highly efficient cement production technologies. It is emphasized that when carrying out production activities, enterprises in the field of production of construction materials should also apply management technologies of controlling, outsourcing, foresight, etc., with the help of which adverse environmental and economic problems can be detected promptly, and suggestions for their elimination can be made. Keywords: ecological modernization, "green" technologies, enterprise, business entity, management, production, ecological situation.

Properties and microstructure evolution of Pisha sandstone after water/alkali leaching

Alkali-activated aluminosilicate minerals for the production of geopolymer building materials provide low-carbon and low-energy advantages compared to OPC. Pisha sandstone (PS) is a mudstone/sandstone rich in silica and aluminium, but it cannot be used directly as an engineering material due to the expansion of soggy clay minerals. In this study, the PS was modified via water and alkali leaching pretreatments, and the modified PS was used to investigate the feasibility of eliminating or attenuating the swelling of montmorillonite, and the alkali activation behavior of the PS system, respectively. The stirring frequency, dosage and types of leaching agent, and leaching time were considered as the variables. The ion concentration of the leachate was characterized using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The modified and untreated PS were characterized using a range of analytical techniques, including particle size analysis, powder XRD, SEM/EDX, TGA, and its free swelling volume in water, as well as the mechanical properties of the specimens prepared as cylinders. The results show that water leaching reduces the particle size of PS, diminishes the span of its particle size distribution, and decreases the relative amount of montmorillonite in PS. Montmorillonite undergoes dissolution/ion exchange under alkali leaching. With increasing alkali concentration and leaching time, the phase changes from Ca-montmorillonite to Na-montmorillonite to glassy phase silica-aluminate. The amorphous N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H coexist in the system, N-A-S-H is the major hydration product. PS is still classified as a material with low pozzolanic activity, as the amount of geopolymer produced in the system is very low. The degree of water-absorption swelling and cracks on the specimen surface induced by the ASR gel deepened with increasing alkali concentration. The involvement of reactive Al and reactive Ca converted the ASR gels into (N,C)-A-S-H gels or C-(A)-S-H gels, which depended on the atomic ratios of these reactive ions, and significantly improved the strength and water resistance of the specimens.

Incorporation of clay brick wastes and calcium hydroxide into geopolymers: Compressive strength, microstructure, and efflorescence

This study aimed to evaluate the incorporation of clay brick waste (CBW) into geopolymers for the production of sustainable building materials. Eight mixtures were prepared with and without the incorporation of calcium hydroxide (CH) and with 0 %, 25 %, 50 %, and 75 % of the mass of metakaolin (MK) replaced by CBW. Physical-mechanical tests evaluated the macrostructural properties and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses evaluated the microstructure. The results showed that the incorporation of CH significantly improved the physic-mechanical properties of the produced geopolymers due to the formation of C-A-S-H gel in the geopolymer matrix. Thus, CH produced an increase in compressive strength of 357.8 %, 157.6 %, and 95.2 % at 7, 28, and 91 days in the mixture with high CBW content. SEM/EDS analysis showed that Fe3+ partially replaced Al3+ in the geopolymer matrix with the incorporation of CBW. In addition, the partial replacement of Al3+ by Fe3+ from CBW in the N-A-S-H gel contributed to the mitigation of efflorescence with increasing CBW content. Therefore, the results showed that CH contributes to the production of CBW-based geopolymers with satisfactory compressive strength for use as construction materials.

УТИЛИЗАЦИЯ ШЛАМОВЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ ПРОМЫВКИ ОТСЕВОВ ШАРХИНСКОГО КАРЬЕРА В ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕ СТЕНОВЫХ СТРОИТЕЛЬНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ

Abstract. The effect of semi-dry pressing on the strength of samples has been studied. It is shown that the optimal specific pressure for pressing samples from molding mixtures containing 10, 20, 30% slag-portland cement is 30Mpa. With the help of RCCP, static processing of experimental results was carried out and a regression equation was obtained for the dependence of the strength of the samples on the pressing pressure and the content of slag-portland cement in the molding mixture.
 When examining the microstructure of the samples, it was found that the resulting material is a homogeneous and durable conglomerate, the crystals of neoplasms are evenly distributed over the mass and bind the sludge particles. A pilot test of the semi-dry pressing process of products has established the possibility of obtaining high-quality hollow bricks of the M100-M300 grades with a content of slag-portland cement in the mixture in the range of 10-30% (wt.).
 The subject of the study: sludge products of flushing the screenings of the Sharkhinsky quarry in the production of wall building materials.
 Materials and methods: sludge from the Sharkhinsky quarry and slag-portland cement from the Bakhchisarai cement Plant were used in the work. The structure of the samples was studied using electron scanning microscopy on a REM-106 SELMI microscope. Experimental and industrial tests were carried out on the equipment of the Aggregate company. The physical and mechanical properties of bricks and paving slabs were studied in accordance with the norms and standards established in GOST 6133-2019.
 Results: The microstructure of the samples was investigated and it was found that the resulting material is a homogeneous and durable conglomerate, the crystals of neoplasms are evenly distributed over the mass and bind the sludge particles. Experimental and industrial testing of the semi-dry pressing process of products from molding mixtures based on the sludge of the Sharkhinsky quarry was carried out. It was confirmed that it is possible to produce high-quality hollow bricks marked M100-M300 using slag-portland cement in a mixture in the range of 10-30% (by weight), which fully meets the requirements set out in GOST 6133-2019
 Conclusions: Sludge products from the flushing of the Sharkhinsky quarry screenings can be successfully used in the production of wall building materials, which contributes to waste disposal and improvement of the ecological state of the environment. Effective methods of disposal of sludge products make it possible to obtain high-quality building materials with high physical and mechanical properties and durability.

Investigation of dynamic compression properties of lightweight engineered geopolymer composites containing different ceramsites (LW-EGC)

Lightweight engineering geopolymer composites (LW-EGC) can contribute to green building materials products by taking advantage of the advantages of man-made ceramsite and geopolymers. In this paper, an active "sacrifice" method was proposed, which is based on the idea that low elastic modulus ceramsites are preferentially damaged or ruptured during the impact loading process, thus absorbing and dissipating the impact energy. LW-EGC was enhanced by PVA fiber with volume fraction of 2% and multi-walled carbon nanotubes with mass fraction of 0.15%. The dynamic compression properties of LW-EGC containing different ceramsites were studied by using Φ100 mm split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test device. The compression characteristics of the LW-EGC under an impact load were evaluated, including the strain rate, dynamic stress–strain relationship, elastic modulus, dynamic increase factor (DIF), energy absorption, and failure patterns. The results showed that the dynamic peak stress, dynamic peak strain, DIF, energy absorption and damage degree of LW-EGC all increased with the increase of strain rate, showing obvious strain-rate sensitivity. At high strain rate, the dynamic elastic modulus mainly showed softening effect. At the same strain rate, the impact resistance of LW-EGC-1 containing fly ash ceramsite was the best, and the damage degree of LW-EGC-3 containing shale ceramsite was the lowest. Empirical DIF formulas of the LW-EGC was proposed; the DIF increased approximately linearly with the strain rate in a logarithmic manner.

INVESTIGATION OF THE ISSUE OF INCREASING THE STRENGTH OF ARBOLITE BASED ON A MULTICOMPONENT BINDER

An urgent issue in the construction industry is the introduction of resource-saving, energy-saving technologies in the production of building materials, products and structures. By reviewing foreign literary scientific works, it has been proved that it is possible to obtain composite materials – arbolite products based on vegetable agricultural waste such as cotton stalks, rice husks and its straw and other organic fillers. In particular, the following formulations have been adopted: (1) CHP ash – 60%; (2) CHP ash – 50%; (3) CHP ash 45% + rice husk ash 5%; (4) CHP ash-42% + rice husk ash 10%. The cement of the 3th and 4th composition and the ash of the CHP with the addition of rice husk ash are crushed in a ball mill with a specific surface area of up to 3500-4000 cm2/g. For the production of arbolite products, the technology of pressed arbolite, manufactured by conveyor method, has been applied. The compressive strength of arbolite samples based on various plant agricultural waste and a multicomponent binder was determined. The developed technological operations improve the physical properties of arbolite and increase its strength. As a result of experimental studies, the strength of arbolite with a density of 615 kg/m3 based on rice husks during compression was 2.5 MPa, arbolite with a density of 621 kg/m3 based on wood chips was 2.6 MPa, arbolite with a density of 605 kg/m3 based on cotton stems was 2.40 MPa, arbolite with a density of 614 kg/m3 based on mown rice straw-2.2 MPa and reed sawdust, the strength of arbolite with a density of 617 kg/m3 on the basis was 2.0 MPa.

Replacement of Fine Aggregates in Fine-Grained Concrete by Waste Material from Cetris Boards Production

Given the increasing amount of waste in the world, it is essential not only to reduce waste generation but also to explore potential uses for the waste produced. This includes waste generated in the production of building materials. The construction industry is a significant contributor to global waste and carbon dioxide emissions, making it crucial to address these issues for sustainable development. During the production of CETRIS boards, approximately 7 600 tons of waste are generated annually. One of the waste materials obtained during the board processing is a fine powder. This waste material can potentially be reused in two ways: it can be incorporated back into the process of producing CETRIS boards or utilized in the production of building materials. This research project focuses on examining the possibility of using this waste material as a substitute for fine aggregate in fine-grained concrete. To investigate its viability, the waste material underwent testing for dry density and absorbency. Subsequently, a reference mixture and concretes with different replacement rates (50%, and 100%) of natural fine aggregate were produced to create self-healing concrete mixtures. The study examined the density, and compressive strength of these concrete samples 28 days after concreting. The findings indicated that as the amount of waste material in the concrete increased, the measured properties decreased. However, despite the decrease, the compressive strengths of the concrete remained very high, leading to the classification as high-strength concrete. Further exploration and optimization of the replacement rates could lead to the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable building materials.

NEW DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SYRDARYA REGION: INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT PROJECTS

The article pays special attention to the formation of a new economic system in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the change in the quality of life of the population with the strengthening of modern public institutions and their main positions. Achieving qualitatively new successes in the regional economy, increasing the efficiency of the extractive sector; ensuring economic diversification; developing advanced domestic modern infrastructure in the regional and global economy; The socio-economic modernization of special economic zones in the direction of modern education and professional retraining, the use of new technologies, ideas and views, the development of an innovative economy is considered on the example of the Kyzylorda region. In order to attract high-quality investments into the economy of the Kyzylorda region, indicators of effective work on expanding international cooperation in the agro-industrial complex, light industry, production of building materials, mining, transport and logistics, healthcare, education, tourism, oil refining and other industries are provided. Differentiated investment attractiveness of the region, actions to modernize the potential of the region, new prospects and development priorities.

Evolution and Influencing Factors of Spatial Correlation Network of Construction Carbon Emission in China from the Perspective of Whole Life Cycle

Based on the whole life cycle perspective, the carbon emissions of the provincial construction industry in China from 2011 to 2019 were calculated from the production, construction, operation, and demolition stages of building materials. A spatial correlation network matrix of the carbon emissions in the construction industry was constructed by using the modified gravity model, and the structural characteristics of the correlation network were described by introducing social network analysis. Through the quadratic assignment program, the spatial correlation matrix of carbon emissions in the construction industry and its influencing factors were regressed and analyzed. The conclusions were as follows:① the spatial correlation network of carbon emissions in China's construction industry clearly existed. The network density and network correlation numbers were gradually rising, and the network tightness and stability were gradually improving. ② Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing, and Jiangsu had a higher degree centrality and closeness centrality, which are the core and dominant positions of the spatial correlation network of carbon emissions in the construction industry. Zhejiang replaced Shanghai in the top four from 2013 to 2018, and the betweenness centrality of each province had unbalanced characteristics. ③ Beijing, Tianjin, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, and Shandong were "net beneficiaries" blocks, receiving the carbon emissions from other regions. Four provinces, Guangdong, Chongqing, Fujian, and Shandong, belonged to the "broker" sector, achieving a dynamic balance between the production and consumption sides of building carbon emissions. The remaining 20 provinces played a "net spillovers" role, actively sending carbon emissions from the construction industry to other provinces. The correlation between blocks was much greater than the correlation relationship within the blocks. ④ Industrial structure, urban population, spatial adjacency, consumption level, and construction industry process structure had a significant influence on the spatial correlation of carbon emissions in the construction industry. The greater the inter-provincial differences in industrial structure, urban population, spatial adjacency, and consumption level, the greater the similarity of inter-provincial construction industry process structure, and the stronger the spatial correlation and spatial spillover of the construction industry carbon emissions. Finally, according to the evolution characteristics and influencing factors of the spatial correlation network of building carbon emissions, relevant countermeasures and suggestions were provided for the collaborative carbon reduction development of the construction industry region.

Characterizing spatiotemporal dynamics of carbon emissions in peri-urban residential communities: A life cycle perspective

Building stock provides favorable material and welfare support to the urbanization process, but also triggers significant resource extraction and carbon emissions. Spatial explicit stock studies have focused mainly on developed areas and mature cities, with less attention paid to peri-urban areas. In terms of carbon emission, inconsistent system boundary selection and lack of building life cycle analysis limit the accuracy and comparability of results. Moreover, the absence of spatial distribution of emissions undermines support to regional carbon reduction initiatives. In this study, the Yangtze River Delta Integration Demonstration Area (YRDA), which is considered as a typical peri-urban area in China, was selected to study the spatiotemporal pattern of material flows and stocks at the residential community scale since the reform of the housing system in 1998, and to analyze spatiotemporal dynamics of carbon emissions over the life cycle of buildings. The results show that material inputs in peri-urban areas have experienced a fluctuating increase, with a gradual decline after 2016 as housing policies were tightened, and have a lower residential stock intensity than city centers. Residential carbon emissions also fluctuate while trending upwards, with operation accounting for the highest share of emissions, followed by building material production, with demolition now causing a rapid growth in emissions. Material stocks and residential carbon emissions display significant spatial heterogeneity, and a new concentration area has formed at the intersection of the three administrative districts that of YRDA. The study underscores the influence of economic growth and housing policy on the spatiotemporal pattern of building stocks, flows and carbon emissions, offering insights for cross-boundary ecosystem governance and regional circular economy development.

A Brief Analysis of The Production of Building Materials Utilizing Waste-Based Reinforcements and Recycled Textiles

The utilization of composite materials in construction has recently exerted a significant impact on society, particularly concerning ecological responsibility and environmental considerations. On a daily basis, proposals advocating the use of emerging materials crafted from discarded or repurposed items are put forth to transcend the limitations posed by conventional resources. One notable aspect of this movement revolves around textile components, encompassing fibres such as wool, cotton, cannabis, and flax. Over the past decade, there has been a heightened focus on worn clothing, as it represents an unprocessed product that holds both commercial viability and ecological benefits. Approximately 1.5 percent of the global waste generated daily comprises textile scraps, with blue jeans, crafted from cotton, standing out as the most prevalent type of apparel worldwide. Textile scraps find new life through recycling, serving various purposes such as the creation of electrical wires, the production of pulverized substances for temperature and acoustic insulation materials, and the incorporation as filler or reinforcement in concrete construction. This paper delves into multiple themes, covering (i) the adverse environmental impacts stemming from the extensive use of clothing; (ii) the recycling and reclamation of textile waste; and (iii) the utilization of waste and reclaimed materials from textiles as building components.

Carbon Emissions Reduction of a Circular Architectural Practice: A Study on a Reversible Design Pavilion Using Recycled Materials

The construction industry, as a major consumer of resources and energy, accounts for about 40% of global carbon emissions. The concept of a circular economy (CE) is one effective means to address this issue. The entire lifecycle of a building includes: material production, construction, operation, and demolition. The production of building materials emits the largest proportion of carbon dioxide, followed by the operational phase, while construction (including demolition) has the smallest proportion. However, it is crucial to note the waste phase after demolition, where building materials are typically disposed of through incineration or landfill, leading to significant carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Therefore, carbon emissions generated during both the production and waste phases of the construction industry cannot be overlooked. This article employs a combined approach of practice and research, using the Circular Pavilion as a case study. From the design stage, reducing resource usage and carbon emissions are considered crucial factors. Reversible design, modularity, and the use of recycled materials are employed to reduce the emissions of “embodied carbon” and enhance material reuse. To validate the effectiveness of recycled materials in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this study calculates the material usage and carbon emissions during the production, transportation, and waste phases of the Circular Pavilion, Concrete Pavilion, and Steel Pavilion. The Circular Pavilion accounts for 34% and 3.5% of the total carbon emissions of the Concrete Pavilion and Steel Pavilion, respectively. In conclusion, the practical implementation of reversible design and recycled materials based on the concept of a circular economy is key to transitioning the construction industry from environmentally harmful impacts to eco-friendly practices. This establishes an effective method for resource reuse and carbon dioxide reduction in the construction sector, allowing waste resources to re-enter production and manufacturing processes, thereby reducing natural extraction, waste disposal, and energy consumption. Future applications of this method in the construction field involve establishing multidimensional composite design models and conducting feasibility assessments with upstream and downstream supply chains to support the realization of circular cities.

Reducing Carbon Emissions from Prefabricated Decoration: A Case Study of Residential Buildings in China

Since decoration is an essential part of buildings, the carbon emissions generated by decoration work should not be ignored. In recent years, prefabricated decoration has attracted much attention as efforts are made to pursue green, low-carbon, and waste-reducing buildings. However, research on carbon emissions assessment of prefabricated buildings has focused mainly on the structural aspect of prefabricated buildings, with few studies having considered prefabricated decoration. This study therefore focuses on assessing the carbon emissions of prefabricated decoration from the life cycle perspective of a case study residential building and explores the potential for reducing carbon emissions by decorating buildings with prefabricated components. The results show that using prefabricated decoration in the case study building reduced carbon emissions by 29.08% at the building material production stage compared to traditional decoration, and using an optimized design of prefabricated decoration, the building’s energy consumption over its design life could reduce carbon emissions by 1046 kgCO2/m2. These findings demonstrate the benefits of prefabrication decoration for reducing carbon emissions. This study provides decoration companies with robust data and insights to guide future decisions and practices, helping to transform and achieve the carbon neutrality goal for the building decoration industry.

ANTIOXIDANTS, BIOCHEMICAL, AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS CHANGE IN WORKERS OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED TO RADON INHALATION AT CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL INDUSTRIES IN ERBIL, IRAQ

This study examined the effects of radon on the endogenous antioxidants, biochemical, and hematological parameters of workers in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. This was carried out to ascertain how radon affects the health of those who work in certain factories producing building materials. The case study group consisted of 70 workers, who were then divided into seven subgroups (gypsum, cement plant, lightweight block, marble, red brick 1, crushed stone, and concrete block 2), while the control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), the complete blood count (CBC), and liver function tests were evaluated. The statistical analysis revealed that the antioxidant activities and CEA levels between the case study group and the control group differed significantly. Also, antioxidant enzyme activities and indoor radon concentration, the annual effective dosage, were found to be highly significantly correlated by Pearson and Spearman analyses in the case study group. Additionally, the results demonstrated a substantial correlation in the data between the levels of CEA biomarkers and radon (r=0.478, p˂0.000). The present results showed that radon concentration increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in a radon concentration-dependent manner (r=0.263 and p ˂0.05). The aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin activities, on the other hand, were not significantly affected by radon. The most significantly influenced CBC parameter was the low white blood cells (WBC) in the case study group compared to the controls. Low platelet count (PLT) was the second-highest problematic metric. The other CBC values, however, did not significantly differ between the research group and the control group. This study offers a preliminary image of the endogenous antioxidant systems in employees, especially to show a connection between radon and the occurrence of cancer among workers in Iraq Kurdistan Region.