Green Maintenance Research Articles

Road Performance of Cold Repaired Asphalt Mixture with New Green Maintenance Materials

Cold patched asphalt mixture plays a crucial role in road maintenance, providing flexibility and the ability to quickly recover from harsh weather conditions. This article conducts in-depth research on the performance of cold patched asphalt mixture through multiple experiments, with special attention paid to the influence of diluent content and curing conditions on its performance. The experimental results show that using a mixture of green curing agents is feasible, and the diluent content is one of the main factors affecting the physical properties of cold patched asphalt. The optimal content of asphalt diluent was determined to be 25% through mass evaporation experiments and rotational viscosity experiments. Meanwhile, it was found that single component polyurethane prepolymers and SBS curing agents have a negative impact on the adhesion of cold patched asphalt, but have an improving effect on its strength, high-temperature resistance, and water stability. After comparing the performance of cold patched asphalt mixtures under different curing conditions, it was found that the performance of cold patched materials with long-term curing was better. Finally, this study determined the optimal dosage ratio of base asphalt, bio oil diluent, and single component polyurethane prepolymer as 100:25:12, providing technical support for the design and application of cold patched asphalt concrete pavement under high adverse weather conditions.

Patch growth of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) treated with inorganic fertilizer and organic biostimulant

Inorganic fertilizers are often used in the United States in golf courses putting green maintenance. We used milled plant biomass on putting greens to test the hypothesis that organic biostimulants used in putting green maintenance can achieve similar results as inorganic fertilizers. Dilapidated putting greens, #4 and #14, with conspicuous patches at the L.E. Ramey Golf Course in Kingsville, TX, were selected for the study. Each green was split in half with one half selected for treatment and the other half maintained as the control and treated with NPK. Milled Medicago sativa L. mixed with milled high auxin-containing plant species in a ratio of 10:1 was used to test the hypothesis. The mixture was applied in the bio-treated section of the two greens while the golf course management continued to apply inorganic fertilizers on the control section of the study greens. Patch count on the greens was conducted once a week utilizing a randomly placed 1 by 1 m quadrant. Also, soil moisture measurement was taken twice a week on the greens to understand soil moisture retention due to the treatments. Patch count indicates that the bio-treated sections grew and filled significantly faster than the sections treated with inorganic fertilizers. Regression analysis of data collected between July 13th and July 27th indicates a strong linear biostimulant/patch growth relationship (R2 = 0.75 and 0.92) on Greens #4 and #14 respectively. Also, soil moisture data indicates significantly higher moisture retention on the putting green sections treated with the biostimulant.

Research and Practice of Green Maintenance Concept of Highway

Research and Practice of Green Maintenance Concept of Highway

Life cycle assessment of energy consumption and carbon emissions of a green maintenance material for asphalt pavement: Warm mix OUFC-5

The warm mix (WM) 4.75 mm nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) Open-Graded Ultra-thin Friction Course (WM OUFC-5) represents an innovative green preventive maintenance material boasting commendable road performance. Its potential to address carbon peak and neutrality goals objectives has garnered significant interest. This study aims to quantify the energy-saving and carbon reduction benefits of WM OUFC-5. Three commonly used preventive maintenance materials, including thin overlay (TO), synchronous surface dressing (SSD), and micro-surfacing (MS) in Hubei province, China, were selected as a control group. Employing the process-based life cycle assessment (PLCA), an evaluation framework and computational model was devised to gauge the energy and carbon footprints of each maintenance material. A comparative analysis was then conducted to identify the primary energy and emission contributors of WM OUFC-5 across different life-cycle phases. The results indicate that WM OUFC-5 is a highly sustainable material with low energy consumption and carbon emissions, with its energy consumption being merely 47.2% of TO and 50.7% of MS. And its carbon emissions are 64.3% lower than TO, 26.9% lower than MS, and 49.8% lower than SSD. Throughout the maintenance life cycle, the raw materials production and processing phase and the mixture production phase emerged as the predominant contributors to energy consumption and carbon emissions. The study also provided actionable recommendations to curtail energy and carbon footprints across all phases of the asphalt pavement maintenance life cycle. This study provides support for the low-carbon development of asphalt pavement maintenance in China.

The Effect of Green Maintenance on Environmental Performance Applied Research in the General Company for Oil Products

The Effect of Green Maintenance on Environmental Performance Applied Research in the General Company for Oil Products

Design, Analysis and Maintenance of Green, Innovative Marine Structures

This Special Issue includes eleven research studies on structural design, analysis and maintenance of green, innovative marine structures [...]

Paint repair appraisal for heritage buildings: the adoption of green maintenance model in Banda Aceh and Melaka

PurposeThis paper is an appraisal using the life cycle assessment (LCA) of paint repair for heritage buildings based on the green maintenance model.Design/methodology/approachCalculation procedures of green maintenance model within cradle-to-site boundaries of LCA approach were undertaken. The calculations evaluate embodied carbon expended from paint repair of Gunongan, Banda Aceh and Melaka Stamp Museum, Melaka.FindingsThe findings show that the type and number of coats applied will determine the lifespan of the paint. The lifespan of paint influences the frequency of its repair, thus affecting environmental maintenance impact (EMI).Practical implicationsGreen maintenance model is not confined to heritage buildings and can be applied to any repair types, materials used and building forms. The model supports and stimulates research dedicated to the sustainable development of cultural heritage. This results in the attainment of environmentally focused conservation, promoting sustainable repair approach and inculcating sustainable development of the historic environment.Social implicationsGreen maintenance model highlights the efficiency of repair options that may be adopted for heritage buildings, thus cultivating skills and knowledge in cultural heritage and sustainable development.Originality/value The paint repair appraisal of heritage buildings in different countries and localities, which share similar tropical climate, can be undertaken. It demonstrates how different approaches by relevant agencies to the paint repair of heritage buildings impact on embodied carbon expenditure.

Multiscale performance of composite modified cold patch asphalt mixture for pothole repair

Cold patch asphalt mixture (CPAM) has become primary material for pothole repair of asphalt pavement due to its advantages of convenient storage, strong seasonal adaptability and timely repair, as well as green maintenance feature. However, insufficient adhesion of CPAM due to the asphalt binder diluted by diesel may lead to secondary distress in a short term. In this paper, composite modified CPAM is developed and its multiscale interfacial morphology and mechanical properties are explored. Three kinds of CPAM with different gradations are designed. Based on indirect tensile test, scanning electron microscope and nanoindentation experiment, the multiscale interface morphology characteristics and mechanical properties are analyzed. The results showed that elastic modulus of CPAM increases with the increase of aged time because of the evaporation of light diesel; with the optimal cold patch asphalt (CPA) content 4.3%, the aggerates are all coated and the mixture is loose; with redundant CPA content 5.0%, too thick asphalt film and agglomerate CPA paste can also be observed; with insufficient CPA content 3.5%, aggregates are not completely coated by CPA. By comparing interface microstructure, with the optimal CPA content 4.3%, redundant CPA content 5.0% and insufficient CPA content 3.5%, smooth morphology, redundant CPA spilling and inadequate asphalt attachment are observed in the interface of CPAM, respectively. In addition, the evaporation of light diesel, age of asphalt polymer and composite additive cause microcracks and micro-holes in the interface between CPA mortar and aggregates.

The Role Total Productive Maintenance in Achieving Green Maintenance an Exploratory Study of the Opinions of a Sample of Individuals Working in the Mosul Dairy Factory in Iraq

This study aims to find the relationship between total production maintenance and to show the extent of its impact on green maintenance as an exploratory study in the Mosul Dairy Factory in Iraq,The problem of the study was expressed by several questions, including the reasons for the lower performance of maintenance activities than the better performance,And after reviewing the reality of the work of the research laboratory,and collecting data and information from the records of the laboratory and its working personnel, using the questionnaire as the main tool for collecting data and information that was designed for this purpose,(40) questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, distributed among the departments and divisions of the lab investigated.And then analyze this data by relying on the statistical program (SPSS),In light of the analysis process, the study reached a set of conclusions, the most important of which are,The existence of significant correlations between the two variables and the presence of a significant effect of the total productivity maintenance on green maintenance,The researchers presented a set of proposals that fit with the nature of the current study, the most important of which is, It was represented in the need to move towards the application of the comprehensive production maintenance method in all operations and activities of the plant promptly to upgrade its products and move towards achieving green maintenance,As the study was tested in the research laboratory.

Effect of edible coatings on green mold reduction and quality maintenance of Mexican lime fruit

Effect of edible coatings on green mold reduction and quality maintenance of Mexican lime fruit

Can We Barter Local Taxes for Maintaining Our Green? A Psychological Perspective.

Previous research highlighted that the desire for neighborhood improvement is an antecedent of the citizens’ involvement in green urban areas maintenance. Nevertheless, the topic of civic participation in the maintenance of green areas is not yet well developed in the literature and a link with local legislation is missing. We investigate the intention of participation in such maintenance through a web-based experiment. We hypothesize that stimuli of poor (vs. good) maintenance will be associated with a higher intention of contributing to the upkeep of green areas following the administrative barter law. The administrative barter is a law approved in Italy, which gives citizens the possibility of a reduction of local taxes in exchange for their involvement in the improvement of the territory. One hundred ninety-six participants (Mage = 33.81) were assigned randomly to good maintenance condition (n = 100) or poor maintenance condition (n = 96). The level of maintenance was manipulated through photographs of a neighborhood depicting good or poor maintenance of the urban green ornamentation. Results pointed out that people showed a greater willingness to engage in the improvement of green urban areas in the poor condition as compared to the good condition, according to the administrative barter law. This study suggests that local legislation may provide an incentive fostering citizens’ involvement in green urban areas maintenance.

STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR OPTIMIZING FLORA PARKS IN SURABAYA BASED ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Public Green Open Space is one of the important components for managing the city. The Surabaya City Cleanliness and Green Open Space Service in terms of providing public green open space, namely the Flora Park. Flora Park is one of the parks in Surabaya that has the potential to fulfill community rights arising from the presence of public spaces, this can be seen from its strategic location and diversity of facilities. In achieving the optimization of the Flora Park, the Surabaya City Government has explained in the Strategic Plan (RENSTRA) of the Surabaya City Cleanliness and Green Open Space Service for 2016-2021, namely through the Green Open Space Management Program which includes activities for the arrangement of green open spaces, maintenance, and procurement of park and trail facilities. Green, and Maintenance and Procurement of Recreational Park Facilities and Infrastructure. Therefore, researchers chose the focus of strategic planning carried out by the Surabaya City Cleanliness and Green Open Space Service.This study aims to identify, identify and analyze the strategic planning carried out by the Surabaya City Cleanliness and Green Open Space Service in optimizing the Flora Park based on sustainable development in the city of Surabaya and to analyze the driving factors and inhibiting factors of strategic planning in the optimization of the Flora Park in the city of Surabaya. The type of research used in the preparation of this research is descriptive research with a qualitative approach.The results of this study indicate that the strategic planning in optimizing the Flora Park carried out by the Surabaya City Cleanliness and Green Open Space Service has been running quite smoothly. The strategy of the Surabaya City Cleanliness and Green Open Space Service in optimizing the Public Flora Park based on sustainable development is following the 3 pillars contained in sustainable development which include social-based strategies, economic-based strategies, and environment-based strategies. The driving factor in optimizing the Flora Park in Surabaya is having institutions or organizations involved in optimizing the Flora Park in Surabaya, green open space management programs, having human resources, very high community participation, and collaboration with the private sector. While the inhibiting factor that can affect the success of the optimization of the Flora Park in Surabaya is limited funds for the implementation of activities.

Microwave Heating as an Innovative Road Maintenance Technology: Aging Effect on Binder and Feasibility Evaluation

The microwave heating/healing technique is regarded as a green maintenance approach for asphalt pavements thanks to its promising environmental and economic benefits. However, the main concern about this technology is represented by the possible aging effect generated on bituminous binders. Currently, there is a significant lack of studies dealing with this topic. Based on these premises, the main purpose of this study is to appraise the feasibility of implementing microwave-based maintenance operations considering the associated aging effect. The assessment of fatigue life after cyclic microwave heating (MH) based on a linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test and the changes in the chemical groups detected through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy document the aging phenomenon. The results indicate that the microwave aging degree on bituminous binder is nonlinear with MH cycles. The microwave radiation causes a distinct aging impact on binders during the first 10 cycles, then the values become constant. Furthermore, a feasibility analysis of MH technology is developed, encompassing four main multidisciplinary aspects: evaluation of microwave aging degree, working mechanism of MH equipment, safety assessment, and economic and ecological considerations. Despite the associated aging issue, the MH method is an efficient technology, considering its various advantages (i.e., rapidity of execution, uniform and non-pollutant treatment, and deep penetration). Meanwhile, the use of steel slag as a microwave absorber bolsters the sustainability of MH technology. This study provides a new perspective to evaluate the microwave heating technique in road engineering comprising the generated aging effect. Practice-oriented recommendations are also formulated regarding the safe implementation of MH technical operations.

Factors Affecting Perceived Health Benefits and Use Behaviors in Urban Green Spaces During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern China Megacities.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has alienated people from urban green spaces (UGSs) that have various health outcomes for humans. However, little is known about the influential factors of perceived health benefits and use behaviors in UGSs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the key factors that influence perceived health benefits and use behaviors in UGSs and to assess the mediating role of place attachment in relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chinese megacities.Methods: We conducted an online questionnaire survey from December 2020 to March 2021 in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China. Six multiple regression models were constructed to investigate the main factors by which UGSs influence citizens' perceived health benefits and use behaviors. Four mediation models were established using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method to explore the mediating effect of place attachment.Results: A total of 628 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The results revealed that some UGS components (green space access, maintenance, and soundscape) significantly affected perceived health benefits for citizens (physical, mental, and social health) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, use behaviors (frequency of visits, duration of visits, and activity intensity) were mainly affected by the sociodemographic context but less affected by UGS components. In addition, UGS components were found to significantly predict place attachment, which in turn influenced the perceived health benefits, frequency, and duration of visits.Conclusions: This study distinguished the key factors that affect perceived health benefits and use behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: green space access, maintenance, soundscape, and sociodemographic characteristics. Place attachment still needs to be considered when discussing how to encourage citizens to visit UGSs during the pandemic. These findings provide implications for policymakers and landscape planners regarding design and management measures for UGSs that are conducive to coping with pandemics.

Systematic Literature Review on Green Maintenance Principles and Maintenance Performance Indicators for Green Buildings Design

The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2020 highlighted buildings and cities as one among six sector solutions for climate change through enhanced energy efficiency and carbon reduction. A good performing green building is seen as a solution for energy efficiency and environmental protection, but performance of green building is largely affected by maintenance management. Green maintenance has been introduced to allow goal of maintenance to be realised using advanced technology and equipment at the lowest cost of resources and energy use, waste and minimise environmental effect. There have been findings that green buildings might not be performing as how it is intended. However, green maintenance performance indicators are rarely studied. Even though there is an issue in this area, it was found that there was still scarcity of studies that review the existing literature on green maintenance, maintenance performance, and maintenance management of green building. Hence, a systematic literature review was conducted on the integration of green maintenance principles into maintenance performance indicators for green buildings. This review was based on the publication standard, namely RepOrting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES) and integrated multiple research designs. Two leading databases (Web of Science and Scopus) was selected for the searching of existing literature. Based on the data, for green maintenance principles and performance indicators, 4 main aspects have been established, namely Environment, Economy, Technical and Social. 5 green maintenance principles that have also been identified. Moreover, 11 green maintenance indicators and 25 sub-indicators were identified. This study has offered significant contribution to the body of knowledge in this topic. The findings explained the importance of integrating green maintenance principles into maintenance performance for green building to ensure desired maintenance performance, as follows: 1) to encourage green building managers to realise their role in maintenance performance; 2) to plan integration strategies according to the desired maintenance performance; and 3) to inform on the knowledge gap existence on specific areas and future studies suggestions.

Simulation Study on Vertical Deformation of CRTS III Slab Track under Ambient Temperature and Its Upgrade to “Green Maintenance”

In view of the vertical deformation of CRTS III slab ballastless track of high-speed railways under the action of ambient temperature, a simulation model of the temperature field and vertical deformation of CRTS III slab ballastless track was developed and verified by a field test. The main conclusions are as follows: When the temperature gradient is positive, the central part of the slab track deforms upward. The edge of the slab track deforms downward. The displacement in the central part of the slab track is the largest, and the elliptical region is formed in the middle. The more outward the displacement is, the smaller the displacement is. When the temperature gradient is negative, the downward displacement in the middle of the slab track is the largest, an elliptical region is formed in the middle, and the outward displacement gradually changes from downward to upward. The model developed in this study can accurately reflect the temperature field inside the slab track and the vertical displacement of the slab track at the macro level. In practical application, the technical data can be provided for the maintenance of CRTS III slab tracks according to the simulation results. The temperature field distribution and possible deformation of the slab track can be obtained by adding simulated working conditions according to the climatic conditions. These predictions can be used to focus on targeted maintenance and repair to reduce the investment of human, material, and financial resources, and to achieve the purpose of “green maintenance”.

OBSTACLES OF IMPLEMENTING GREEN MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT IN HOSPITAL BUILDINGS

Demand for green hospital buildings is increasing. While some hospital buildings were designed and constructed as green buildings, many hospital buildings have been upgraded to comply with the green requirements. Green hospital buildings require green maintenance practice. In comparison, procuring green buildings is easy as compared to green maintenance. Through unstructured interviews involving 3 hospitals, this research investigated the complications in the implementation of green maintenance in hospital buildings. The research found that lack of awareness, financial constraints/government support, new technologies, and top management support were the major obstacles toward the implementation of green maintenance. The results also confirmed that the maintenance of hospital buildings is corrective, reactive, and cost-driven. The salient finding from this research is that the maintenance organizations have a poor understanding of the concept of green maintenance practices. Saving energy costs are the main purpose of implementing green maintenance in hospitals. From an ontological point of view, the main findings of this research on the constraints of the implementation of green maintenance are generalizable to other types of buildings in and outside of Malaysia.

A questionnaire based probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) of heavy metals in urban and suburban soils under different land uses and receptor populations

The choice of receptor populations is crucial for assessing the health risk posed by heavy metals in soil. A total of 457 questionnaires were conducted on 10 sensitive receptor populations, which were exposed to potentially contaminated soil under four land uses, to determine their exposure frequency (EF) and exposure time (ET) values. The exposure risk (ER: the probability of being exposed to target soil) varied between the receptor populations because of their different EF and ET values. Green maintenance workers in park soil, who had fixed outdoor working hours (6 or 7 days per week and 8 h per day), had the highest EF and ET values, while adults and children who visited parks only at weekends had the lowest EF values. Green maintenance workers, sanitation workers, and children faced the highest hazards (i.e., hazard index (HI) values) from heavy metals in soil in parks and residential areas, roadsides, and farmland, and were found to be the most sensitive receptor populations (MSRPs) for these land uses. The 90th percentile of the HI value for the four land uses based on MSRPs followed the order of roadsides (0.48) > parks (0.44) > residential areas (0.21) > suburban farmlands(0.18), and all were lower than 1, indicating a virtually safe level. Washing hands immediately and wearing shoes when working on farmland considerably reduced the HI values by 56.6%. The EF, ET, and body weight (BW) values were the most sensitive parameters in the health risk assessment. The results suggested that the type of receptor population will greatly affect the results of a health risk assessment for soil pollutants. It is necessary to select the risk receptors carefully based on the land use types.

Suppression of Annual Bluegrass in Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens Using Plant Growth Regulators

Decreased stand uniformity together with reduced aesthetics and playability caused by annual bluegrass (Poa annua) intrusion in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) putting greens is one of the major problems that golf course superintendents face with managing newer playing surfaces. Few herbicides are registered for selective control of annual bluegrass in creeping bentgrass greens, and the risk of herbicide resistance remains an issue, thus use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is still the primary method of annual bluegrass suppression. This study was conducted to evaluate eight PGR treatments, employed as a series of 15 consecutive, biweekly applications to suppress annual bluegrass encroachment in ‘Pure Distinction’ creeping bentgrass maintained as a golf course putting green in Los Angeles, CA. Best annual bluegrass suppression was observed with products containing flurprimidol (FP) at 0.256 lb/acre, paclobutrazol (PB) at 0.119 lb/acre, or three-way mixture of FP, trinexapac-ethyl (TE), and PB (FP+PB+TE) at 0.055, 0.014, and 0.055 lb/acre, respectively. Although all treatments caused some significant creeping bentgrass injury, which increased over time, PB at 0.119 lb/acre and FP+PB+TE at 0.055, 0.014, and 0.055 lb/acre, respectively, appeared to be safest among effective treatments. Additionally, those treatments caused significantly darker green turf, which may be desirable on putting greens. This research confirms the potential of PGR use to limit annual bluegrass infestation on creeping bentgrass greens in a Mediterranean climate and reveals the most effective treatments that could be used in a putting green maintenance program.

Science Mapping of Sustainable Green Building Operation and Maintenance Management Research

Green building is a solution to address the impact of buildings on the environment. In its development, green buildings require sustainable green management during the operational and maintenance phase in order to meet the current and future needs of users. As the longest phase in the green building life cycle, it is important to track and map the development of studies related to this field. This paper aims to map the development of literature related to the operational and maintenance phases of sustainable green buildings from 1999 to 2019. Literature data were obtained from the Scopus database and the analysis was conducted using a science mapping approach with VOSviewers. Based on literature data, 746 publications are found to be relevant to this study, the results of this study are in the form of scientific mapping covering wave of research, source and publication types, influential countries, references with strongest citation burst, author contributions, research subjects, and major research areas divided into three categories (frequent, medium and rare). The results of this study are quite important, because they not only provide a mapping of existing research developments, but can also serve as a reference for researchers who have an interest in developing sustainable green building operations and maintenance studies in the future.