Environmental Performance Requirements Research Articles

HCDR-based motion planning for mobile manipulators with the continuous trajectory task

Mobile manipulators have been widely used in modern industrial fields due to their advantages of large operating workspace and high motion dexterity. For the application, the path planning has been a core foundation for its motion control. However, as the environmental complexity and performance requirements increase, existing methods are limited by low execution efficiency, and lack of comprehensive consideration of motion performances. A motion planning technique is proposed for mobile manipulators with continuous trajectory task. In this technique, a hierarchical constraints dimension reduction (HCDR) strategy is presented based on the task decomposition and performance requirements analysis of each stage. HCDR strategy aims to improve the execution efficiency of the algorithm through local operations of performance constraints and the local simplification of the distance calculation at different stages of the task. Models of inverse kinematics and performance indexes are established to provide basis for constraint conditions, including distance models with different accuracy, manipulability index model and trajectory tracing error model. Two optimization strategies are presented to solve the motion planning problem considering the overall performance of the system. And simulation results show that the three-level strategy has the higher convergence efficiency than the bi-level strategy, as well as can guarantee the motion performance of the system.

Analytical modelling of ultra-thin white topping cement concrete overlay on bituminous concrete pavement using ANSYS

PurposeThe ultra-thin white topping (UTW) is a cement concrete overlay of the thickness of 50–100 mm on bituminous concrete pavements with surface failures. This is a long-lasting solution without having short-term failures. This paper aims to design an ultra-thin cement concrete overlay using a developed critical stress model with sustainable concrete materials for low-volume roads.Design/methodology/approachIn this research paper, a parametric study was conducted using the ultra-thin concrete overlay finite element model developed with ANSYS software, considering the significant parameters affecting the performance and development. The non-linear regression equation was formed using a damped least-squares method to predict critical stress due to the corner load of 51 kN.FindingsThe parametric study results indicate that with a greater elastic modulus of bituminous concrete, granular layer along with 100 mm thickness of concrete layer reduces the critical corner stress, interface shear stress in a significant way responsible for debonding of concrete overlay, elastic strains in the pavement further the concrete overlay can bear infinite load repetitions. From validation, it is understood that the non-linear regression equation developed is acceptable with similar research work done.Originality/valueFrom the semi-scale experimental study, it is observed that the quaternary blended sustainable concrete overlay having a high modulus of rupture of 6.34 MPa is competent with conventional cement concrete overlay in terms of failure load. So, concrete overlay with sustainable materials of 100 mm thickness and higher elastic modulus of the layers can perform in a sustainable way meeting the environmental and long-term performance requirements.

Analysing Competitive Advantage of Retail Industry in South Africa

Abstract Strong competitive advantage is a common goal shared among many retailers. Generally, to establish a competitive advantage, many retailers all over the world will focus on the three primary methods of gaining a leg up on their competitors which are cost leadership, differentiation and strategic alliance. However, the environmental issues regarding the pollution, waste, climate change and global warning are changing the competitive landscape of many industries such as the retail industry. Considering the strict environmental regulations and the consumers’ increasing interest in the environmental problems, managers can no longer ignore the need to implement and develop innovative strategies that incorporate environmental aspects. The aim of the study was to the investigate the impact of environmental protective strategies such as environmental performance, green image and customer requirements on the competitive advantage of retailers in Southern Gauteng. The study adopted a quantitative approach to survey a sample of 200 managers and general employees from the retailer’s businesses in Southern Gauteng, province of South Africa. A convenience sampling technique was applied to collect data from the respondents. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (26.0). Moreover, confirmatory factors analysis was applied to examine and test the relationship between observed constructs and their casual latent construct. Smart PLS 3.0 was also used to test the hypothesised relationships between the constructs. The current study revealed that green image, environmental performance and customer requirements are determinants of competitive advantage. The results also showed that there is a negative relationship between green image and environment performance. The results of the study also revealed that, through green image, customer requirements and environmental performance sustainable competitive advantage can be achieved.

Optimal design of geopolymer grouting material for semi-flexible pavement based on response surface methodology

Composite grouting material (CGM) is an important part of constructing the semi-flexible pavement (SFP). The usage of CGM can improve pavement durability and rutting resistance in heavy-duty traffic. Owing to the environmental protection and performance requirements for grouting in loose sediments, the geopolymer grouting material (GPGM) as a new type of CGM is designed by a combination of powder materials, alkali and activator. The response surface method (RSM) is used to study the influence of three independent constituents (powder quality ratio, sodium oxide content, and water-binder ratio) as well as their interactions on four response variables (fluidity, 7 d dry-shrinkage ratio, 7 d compressive strength, and 28 d compressive strength) of GPGM. Furthermore, three types of additives, including water reducer, shrinkage reducing admixture and polymer latex, are taken into account to design the expected responses of GPGM by using the orthogonal test design method (OTDM). Finally, the micro detection experiments are built to compare the micro characteristics of GPGM blended with and without additives. The results show that the optimal mix proportion of GPGM can be obtained by RSM and OTDM. The micro performance tests and analysis can well explain the mechanism of inner constituents in GPGM.

Use of a wellbeing framework for establishing building sustainability performance requirements in building regulations

Improving the sustainability of New Zealand’s housing stock is a significant challenge. Economic, indoor climate and energy use data indicates the affordability, healthiness and environmental impacts of new and existing houses in New Zealand are relatively poor compared with other OECD countries. Poor performance is largely due to the building energy and environmental performance requirements prescribed by regulations, which are low in New Zealand compared with other jurisdictions. Building performance requirements will need to be raised in order to improve the sustainability of housing.A wellbeing approach to determining public benefits from raising building performance requirements in regulations is outlined in this paper. This approach draws on the Living Standards Framework (LSF) developed by The New Zealand Treasury. This framework links 12 domains of wellbeing to each other and to 4 capital stocks, including housing, that underpin future wellbeing. The LSF is used to assess the impacts of raising building performance requirements on community wellbeing. Results indicate better knowledge of the relationships between the domains of wellbeing and the underpinning capital stocks is needed to improve the identification and analysis of preferred regulatory settings.

Yeşil tedarikçi seçimi için birleştirilmiş bir DEMATEL-QFD-AT2 BAHP yaklaşımı

Tedarik zinciri sisteminin temel amacı kar etmek ve müşterilerin beklentilerini aynı anda karşılamaktır. Bu nedenle tedarikçi değerlendirme ve seçme işlemi, işletme maliyetlerini azaltmak, iş fırsatlarını geliştirmek ve kurumsal rekabet gücünü artırmak için önemli bir stratejik karardır. Ayrıca, çevrenin korunmasına ve sürdürülebilir kalkınmaya olan ilginin artması ile birlikte, çevre gereksinimlerine daha fazla dikkat etmek ve yeşil faktörleri seçim sürecine dâhil ederek potansiyel tedarikçileri değerlendirmek gittikçe önem kazanmaktadır. Bu nedenle seçilen tedarikçiler, şirketin isteklerini yerine getirerek müşterilerin "sesini" dikkate almalıdırlar. Bu bağlamda, bu çalışmanın amacı, çeşitli çevresel performans gereklilikleri ve kriterlerini dikkate alarak yeşil tedarikçi seçimi için entegre bir yaklaşımı ortaya koymaktır. Önerilen yaklaşım, bir ilişki yapısını oluştururken, müşteri gereksinimleri (MG'ler) arasındaki ilişkileri karar alma denemesi ve değerlendirme laboratuvarı (DEMATEL) yöntemi yardımıyla ele almaktadır. Her bir tedarikçi seçim kriteri çifti ile MG'ler arasındaki ilişki derecesini belirlemek amacıyla merkezi bir ilişki matrisi oluşturmak için kalite fonksiyon yayılımı (QFD) modeli kullanıldı. Daha sonra, alternatif tedarikçileri önceliklendirmek ve sıralamak için aralık tip-2 bulanık analitik hiyerarşi süreci (AT2 BAHP) uygulandı. Son olarak önerilen yaklaşımın potansiyelini ve uygunluğunu ortaya çıkarmak için bir vaka çalışması sunulmuştur.

Retrofit Methodology Based on Energy Simulation Modeling Applied for the Enhancement of a Historical Building in L’Aquila

Energy loss has not been addressed effectively by policies introduced to encourage the preservation and enhancement of historical structures. Material and other constraints, together with safety standard improvements, do not always guarantee adequate levels of environmental performance. An optimization of retrofit measures to align with new uses, new standards of comfort, and energy saving are needed, as are studies based on new best practices for the enhancement of architectural heritage. This paper presents a method that uses dynamic models tared on non-destructive surveys, and based on compatible energy and structural interventions derived from preliminary analyses integrated into special design tools. Energy simulations were carried out using Design Builder (6.1.5.002, Designbuilder Software Ltd, Stroud, UK) software. The case study is a former hospital, S. Salvatore, in L’Aquila, an architecturally important building, severely damaged by an earthquake in 2009. The methodology presented in this research includes in-depth investigations coherently systematized into a multi-scenario output using simulation software. The results guarantee a high level of compatibility with restoration and seismic guidelines, and new building environmental performance requirements.

CSIRO In-Situ Lab: A multi-pronged approach to surface gas and groundwater monitoring at geological CO2 storage sites

In February 2019, at the CSIRO In-Situ Laboratory CCS project, a test was conducted where 38 t of gaseous CO2 were injected over 5 days into a fault zone at a depth of approximately 340 m. As a release test, this project enabled the testing and validation of surface and shallow well monitoring strategies at intermediate depths (i.e. depths much deeper than previous release projects and shallower than reservoirs used for CO2 storage). One of the aims of this project is to understand how CO2 would behave at intermediate depths if it did migrate from deeper depths (i.e. from a storage reservoir); the CO2 was not intended to migrate to the shallow subsurface or to surface/atmosphere. To verify that the injected CO2 remained in the subsurface, and to comply with environmental performance requirements on site, a comprehensive surface gas and groundwater monitoring program was conducted. The monitoring strategy was designed such that any leakage(s) to the surface of injected CO2 would be detected, mapped and, ultimately, quantified. The surface air monitoring program was comprised of three different but complementary approaches allowing data to be efficiently collected over different spatial and temporal scales. These approaches included continuous soil-gas chamber measurements at fixed locations, periodic soil-gas chamber measurements on gridded locations and near-surface atmospheric measurements on a mobile platform. The surface air monitoring approaches gave self-consistent results and reduced the risk of “false negative” test results. The only anomalous CO2 detected at the surface flowed from the observation well and could be directly attributed to a breach in the well casing at the injection depth providing a conduit for CO2/water to rise to the surface. Groundwater monitoring program revealed no impact on the groundwater resources attributable to the carbon injection project. Based on this work, we demonstrate that this multi-pronged monitoring strategy can be utilized to minimize the overall resources devoted to monitoring by increasing the number of monitoring approaches and diminishing the resources devoted to each technique. By maximizing the effectiveness of each element of the monitoring program, a cost-efficient and robust monitoring strategy capable of early leak detection and attribution of any leaking CO2 can be achieved.

Requirements set by Swedish municipalities to promote construction with low climate change impact

This study investigates how Swedish municipalities work to reduce the climate change impact of building construction. It focuses on current practices related to promoting the use of sustainable construction materials and on barriers to environmental requirements in construction, in particular environmental performance requirements based on LCA procedures. Municipalities were surveyed about the existence of municipal policies dealing with environmental issues in construction, the knowledge level about these issues, and the measures and requirements used to promote materials with low climate change impact. The survey was followed by semi-structured interviews about current practices and barriers to environmental requirements in construction. Results show that large municipalities are more likely to have dedicated policies and implement more measures than their smaller counterparts. However, willingness to implement future measures and knowledge of sustainable construction do not vary significantly with municipality population. Efforts are often limited to procurement, municipal construction projects and discussions with stakeholders. When requirements are set, they are almost always based on prescribing a technical solution (e.g. use of timber) rather than assessing environmental performance (e.g. calculating greenhouse gases emissions with a LCA tool). Measures that municipalities can take as public authorities are restricted by the law, which remains ambiguous as to the legality of environmental performance requirements. Legal issues, limited knowledge and resources appear to be the main barriers to environmental performance requirements in construction. A strategy is proposed to overcome these issues. After setting appropriate targets and securing resources, the municipality should establish dialogue with developers and constructors. It should then require them to provide inventory data for new construction projects. The municipality should make sure appropriate guidance and standardised methods are available. Information requirements should be strengthened over time, and practitioners should progressively become familiar with data collection and LCA methods. When data and knowledge gaps are filled, the municipality can set environmental performance requirements for new buildings.

Multipurpose experimental characterization of smart nanocomposite cement-based materials for thermal-energy efficiency and strain-sensing capability

Novel nanocomposite smart multifunctional materials are emerging as promising technological advances in construction industry, where thermal-energy efficiency needs should meet environmental sustainability and mechanical performance requirements. In this view, new cement-based materials showed encouraging results in terms of added functional properties combining all the above mentioned capabilities with electrical conductivity and self-sensing potential for a variety of field scopes, e.g. vibration measurements, damage detection, structural health monitoring, electromagnetic shielding, self-heating pavements for deicing and more. The present paper deals with the development and multipurpose experimental characterization of cement-based materials doped with different carbon nanoinclusions consisting of: multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, carbon black, and graphene nanoplatelets. The study investigates morphology, optical features, thermal characteristics, electrical properties and strain-sensing capability of the different composites, through a campaign of in-lab experimental measurements. The results highlight the peculiar behavior of each composite material, which is strictly related to the adopted nanoinclusions, that reveal to be suitable for specific purposes. In particular, all carbon nanoinclusions are seen to reduce solar reflectance capability, while they produce negligible variations in thermal emittance. Graphene nanoplatelets represent the most effective nanoinclusion to increase thermal conductivity and diffusivity, which is related to their structural and geometrical characteristics and better capability to distribute the thermal wave. Consistently, the same graphene samples produce the largest electrical conductivity and capacitance. However, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, even though providing comparatively smaller contributions to electrical conductivity, are seen to be the best nanoinclusions for providing strain-sensing capabilities to the cement-based composites.

Integrated QFD-MCDM framework for green supplier selection

Supplier evaluation and selection is a significant strategic decision for reducing operating costs and improving organizational competitiveness to develop business opportunities. Moreover, with increasing concern towards environmental protection and sustainable development, it becomes important to pay more attention to environmental requirements and evaluating the potential suppliers by incorporating green factors into the selection process. Thus, the aim of this paper is to put forward an integrated approach for green supplier selection by considering various environmental performance requirements and criteria. The proposed approach addresses the inter-relationships between the customer requirements (CRs) with the aid of decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method while constructing a relationship structure. Quality function deployment (QFD) model is used to establish a central relationship matrix in order to identify degree of relationship between each pair of supplier selection criteria and CRs. Finally, complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) applied to prioritize and rank the alternative suppliers. A case study is presented to reveal the potentiality and aptness of the proposed methodology.

Informação de desempenho de um edifício e gráficos de abordagem na concepção de projetos

This research focuses on a new workflow between the fields of Space Layout Planning (SLP) and Building Performance Simulation (BPS) for the early stages of building design with the aim of reducing the energy needs of a building and improving indoor environment quality. Parameters of environmental performance requirements, such as temperature, view, acoustics, and so forth, were selected from different international standards. The intention is to link these performance parameters to a graph that supports schematic design tasks during the creation of architectural floor plans. Programming tests were run to add the information to the graph. A prototype for the early stages of the design is presented in which designers can visualize performance information during the schematic design of floor plans for a building. The complete framework for a BIM (Building Information Modeling) application is described and a case study is presented to demonstrate the usability of the concept. Keywords: building information modeling, space layout planning, floor plan design, building performance simulation, building energy performance, architectural design.

CFD application to optimise the ventilation strategy of Senate Room at Palazzo Madama in Turin (Italy)

Abstract Over the last years, there was an increasing interest in keeping suitable microclimatic conditions for the preservation of artefacts: the artefacts preservation requirements may diverge from those of the museums visitors, willing to enjoy the works of art in a situation of psycho-physical wellness. The HVAC designers and engineers will have then to cooperate closely with the curator, in order to define a compromise between conflicting environmental performance requirements. In particular at the stage of air-conditioning system design or retrofit, it is extremely important to carry out a series of preliminary analysis to evaluate and monitor the existing environmental conditions and to anticipatory simulate and predict the post-intervention conditions. To this aim, advanced fluid-dynamic investigation tools (Computational Fluid Dynamic [CFD] techniques) enable to deal with the specificity of such topics and provide a useful decision-making support.

Shipbuilding and new requirements to reduce the environmental impact of ships: New technological challenges and business opportunities

New and increasingly demanding requirements of reducing the environmental impact of all types ofships from all countries, along with regulatory institutions like the new "Green Policy" of the EuropeanUnion, leads to the development of a series of regulations/directives, which will immediately affect boththe owner and the builders worldwide. This requires introducing modifications in the vessel design tofulfill these requirements and, ultimately, improve their exploitation while avoiding penalties and/orrestrictions. Awareness of these requirements by some Spanish owners has allowed Spanish shipbuildingto be positioned strategically at the forefront of technology to fulfill these requirements. This work, aftera review of those Directives affecting ship design, focuses on the presentation of the results obtained intwo Ro-Ro Vessels. These vessels, given their design and performances, are a "technological reference"in the new scenario of high environmental performance requirements: Noise and vibrations on board,noise radiated to the harbor, and noise radiated to the water.

Promoting Technological Environmental Innovations

This paper reviews and discusses the debate over the effectiveness of environmental regulation in promoting industrial Technological Environmental Innovation (TEI). Using the innovation-friendly regulatory principles adapted from Porter and van der Linde (1995a, 1995b), this paper demonstrates how properly designed and implemented environmental regulation (TEI promoting regulation) has played a critical role in promoting TEI in the transport industry in California and Hong Kong. In both cases, it has shown that stringent environmental regulations that send clear and strong signals for future environmental performance requirements are critical in promoting TEIs in the public transport industries. Unlike traditional command-and-control regulations, TEI promoting regulations are strongly supported by incentive and capability-enhancing measures.

Study of two concrete mix-design strategies to reach carbon mitigation objectives

The building and construction sector is a major CO2 producer and climate change perspectives urged to reduce CO2 emissions. The impact of concrete buildings on environment is mainly due to clinker, which is the main material used all over the world to produce cement and which releases a bit less than 1 ton of CO2 per ton of clinker produced. In this study, we first evaluate if the medium term CO2 emission reduction objectives for the cement industry are realistic according to our current scientific and technologic knowledge. We consider two environmental strategies. The first one is the substitution of clinker by mineral additions in cement in order to reduce the environmental cost of the material for a given volume of material; the second one is the reduction of the concrete volume needed for a given construction process by enhancing the concrete performances. The impact on CO2 emissions of a combination of these options is also roughly evaluated. We show that medium term objectives can be reached although long term objectives will need further research developments. We moreover present here a first step towards mix-design methods associating environmental costs and performance requirements which could allow for a better balance between societal demand in terms of environment and technical building requirements. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. The industrial sector is responsible for approximately 25% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions among which CO2 emissions from cement plants represent no less than 5% of total anthropogenic emissions [1,2] despite the efforts of the cement industry to reduce emissions. Recent studies on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for concrete structures show that 85% of the CO2 emissions are related to cement production [3]. Moreover, LCA for cement shows that 95% of the CO2 is produced during the fabrication of the cement, compared to emissions during the transport of raw materials and finished products [4]. It seems therefore obvious that the necessary effort in the building and construction sector in term of CO2 reduction has to be made on the type and amount of cement used in concrete, at least as a first step. The cement industry has been encouraged to keep on improving its production processes to reduce its CO2 emissions due to the Kyoto protocol goals. The so-called Kyoto protocol was signed in 1997 with the aim of reducing the developed country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% from the 1990 level by 2008–2012. To enforce the implementation of the Kyoto targets, the European Union

Building simply: ethic or aesthetic? Thinking and making in an era of specialisation

The recent history of architecture can be characterised as a battle between attention-grabbing, ‘iconic’ buildings and a counteracting tendency towards the aesthetically reduced, even avowedly ‘minimal’. But beneath the surface appearance of these contrasting formal tendencies – restless or serene, as demanded by their aesthetic ideals – the means of building have become relentlessly more complex to meet ever more demanding environmental and other performance requirements. It was against this background that the Design Research Unit at Cardiff University convened a one-day symposium to explore the possibility of ‘Building Simply’: the topic proved, not unexpectedly, elusive. Below we publish some reflections by Gordon Murray on some of the issues raised, and these are followed by three design papers – by Pierre d'Avoine, Roland Raderschall and the organisers – that addressed the topic from differing perspectives.

Greening the automotive supply chain: a relationship perspective

PurposeThis study seeks to explore the moderating impact of relationship conditions existing between a customer and its suppliers on the uptake and effectiveness of the customer's environmental performance requirements (otherwise known as “green‐supply”).Design/methodology/approachThe study assesses the extent to which a supplier's environmental performance is influenced by its customer's environmental performance requirements when specific relationship conditions (investment, contracting and monitoring routines) are taken into account. Data were collected through a survey of first and second tier component manufacturers in the Australian automotive industry and analysed using linear regression and MMR.FindingsSuppliers were found to be more responsive to their customers' environmental performance requirements where increasing levels of relationship‐specific investment occurred. As the level of investment in the customer‐supplier relationship increased, suppliers become less likely to believe that they would be penalized for non‐compliance with the customer's environmental performance requirements.Research limitations/implicationsSurvey data were collected in 2004 and are limited to the Australian automotive industry. The sample size available for the regression analysis also precluded the use of more comprehensive analytic techniques.Practical implicationsThe research offers new insight into the issue of how firms might improve the environmental performance of suppliers and the sustainability of their supply chain.Originality/valueVirtually no research exists on the actual effectiveness of green supply requirements when placed in context with the realities of inter‐organizational dynamics. The findings suggest that traditional operations theory on inter‐organizational performance improvement is just as relevant to the use of environmental performance requirements.

Incorporating environmental concern in product development

PurposeThe paper aims at providing empirically‐based insights into product development when environmental performance requirements are addressed. The purpose is to investigate characteristics of product development projects when environmental performance requirements are considered.Design/methodology/approachThe research was carried out as in‐depth case studies of two commercial product development projects. Data was primarily collected via open‐ended semi‐structured interviews. Other sources of data include written project material, such as minutes from meetings, project and product specifications, company‐internal education material, etc. A few project meetings were also attended.FindingsThe paper indicates that the characteristics of product development projects differ when environmental performance requirements are considered. On the basis of the identified differences a two‐dimensional model is suggested. It contains the dimensions “level of ecodesign experience” and “environmental complexity”. The model outlines a tentative contingency framework that can be used for positioning different organisations concerning their level of experience in ecodesign and the challenges they face concerning complexity in the interrelationships between the products and the environment.Practical implicationsThe findings presented in the paper provide some insights into the characteristics of projects carried out in organisations in which the “level of ecodesign experience” and “environmental complexity” differ. Aspects related to the two dimensions represented in the model are discussed in the paper. This should support companies to be better prepared for managing the challenges associated with the incorporation of environmental performance requirements into product development projects.Originality/valueAlthough different issues have been addressed in earlier ecodesign research, one problem is that ecodesign research often addresses the environmental impacts exclusively, whereas other aspects of product development are omitted or only briefly discussed. Taking the starting point in a number of elements that have been outlined in the literature as representing vital areas of concern in product development, this paper contributes to the understanding of how development organisations consider environmental performance requirements in the product development projects.

Organising for environmental considerations in complex product development projects: implications from introducing a “Green” sub-project

This paper presents findings from a case study of a product development project in which environmental performance requirements were introduced. Focus is set on how the project was organised in order to ensure that the environmental performance requirements were considered. A specific “Green” sub-project was included in the project organisation. The analysis shows that such a sub-project can: (1) serve as a means to put environmental considerations on the agenda, (2) introduce a risk for confusion regarding who is responsible for fulfilling the environmental performance requirements, (3) act as an arena for communication about the environmental performance requirements, (4) serve as a platform for environmental champions to be active, and (5) serve as a means for environmental specialists to become part of established contact networks in the product development organisation.