Exploitation Of Resources Research Articles

When does group chat promote cooperation in shared resource governance?

When people use shared resources, overextraction can occur. While deliberation tends to mitigate shared resource exploitation problems, the question remains: under what conditions does group chat improve cooperation in shared resource dilemmas? This study analyzes chat and game data from about 1500 rounds of gameplay involving 143 groups across 4 resource types using Sentiment Analysis and Structural Topic Model. We find that, despite their fundamental differences, the 4 games tend to have similar discussions, including strategizing actions, coordinating choices, and socialization, but they differ in which topics explain cooperation within each game. Discussion topics promoting cooperation include coordination in the foraging game (FOR) and long-term goals in the groundwater game (GG). However, discussion topics negatively associated with cooperation include off-topic/socialization in FOR and the irrigation game (IRR) and crop choice affirmation in GG. We suggest that the context in which communication occurs matters, and biophysical characteristics, rules of the game, and levels of uncertainty explain some variations of our findings.

Feasibility of coaxial deep borehole heat exchangers in southern California

This paper investigates the feasibility of coaxial deep borehole heat exchanger (CDBHE) applications to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) campus. By collecting different geophysical source data for various formations and well logs around the UCSD campus, a multilayered thermophysical model for the ground on the site is established. Water circulation within a closed coaxial loop system considers the geothermal energy extraction under uncertainty consideration of the unknown deeper layers heat flow gradient as coupled with the variation of pipe insulation properties, flow rates, outer pipe diameter, grout, and depths between 1 and 4 km. A finite-element framework models the Navier–Stokes fluid flow and heat transfer in the CDBHE system, validated with a field test on CDBHE from the literature. Results show that a 4-km CDBHE could produce a thermal power of 600 kW under the optimum geological conditions at the UCSD site: the water flow rate of 2.78 L/s and a ground thermal gradient of 60 ℃/km. Thermal power shares from different layers indicate that deeper formation layers contribute more to the thermal power than the shallower layers because increasing the CDBHE length from 1 to 4 km can lead to a maximum of 900% increase in thermal power and a 50% expansion in thermal plume for a CDBHE with an insulated inner pipe between the upper and lower bound heat flow bounds. An inner pipe with an insulated depth of 2 km produces only 1–6% less power than a fully insulated inner pipe for the 4-km CDBHE, and thus, a partially insulated vacuum-insulated tube (VIT)-plastic inner pipe is suggested as the best practice. Furthermore, the CDBHE thermal power increases by 5% when the grout thermal conductivity increases from 1 to 3.65 W/(K∙m), close to the formation thermal conductivity, and then maintains almost the same, and the 4-km CDBHE with flow rates of 2.78–6.94 L/s at the UCSD site can directly supply a low-temperature heating radiator system for room heating. This study suggests practical ranges for geothermal energy extraction for southern California. A CDBHE with a well-insulated inner pipe of 0.05 W/(m∙K), the thermal power of lower and upper-bound heat flow cases can vary by 60% from the mean. Finally, water as the working fluid is more efficient than CO2, doubling CDBHE's thermal power. The effects of the investigated factors provide guidelines for future geothermal resource exploitation in southern California.

Challenges of Applying Circular Economy in Agricultural Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Kurdistan Province, Iran

Current production and distribution models in agriculture primarily operate based on the 'linear economy' approach. This means that after the exploitation of natural resources and the production of the final product, a significant portion of these resources and products, now contaminated or turned into waste, exit the economic cycle. The circular economy approach in agriculture seeks to reuse waste products and depleted inputs, thereby reducing the intensity of resource exploitation and taking a step towards sustainable agriculture. However, applying circular economy concepts in agriculture across different regions, especially in developing countries like Iran, can encounter various obstacles and challenges. The present study aims to identify and analyze these obstacles and challenges in the agriculture sector of Kurdistan Province, one of Iran’s key agricultural regions. For this purpose, after reviewing the literature and gathering expert opinions from the province's agrarian elites, 16 challenging factors were identified as potential barriers to expanding the circular economy in Kurdistan Province. These were examined and analyzed using the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approach. The required data were collected via a questionnaire in the spring of 2024. The research findings indicate that among the 16 factors analyzed, the key variables are the second, first, and third factors—namely, the illiteracy and low literacy rates among farmers, traditional and subsistence farming, and the small size and fragmentation of agricultural lands in Kurdistan Province. According to the experts and specialists interviewed, addressing these variables can significantly influence others, reducing the barriers and challenges facing the circular agricultural economy and the sustainable development of agriculture in Kurdistan Province.

Spatiotemporal Relationship Between Land Subsidence and Ecological Environmental Quality in Shenfu Mining Area, Loess Plateau, China

The exploitation of coal resources has caused problems such as ground deformation, affecting the ecological environment. Spatiotemporal varying characteristics between land subsidence and ecological environmental quality (EEQ) are an important research hotspot. Using the SBAS-InSAR method, 64 Sentinel-1 images were utilized to monitor land subsidence in the Shenfu mining area, one of China’s largest coal source regions. And the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) was used to monitor and evaluate EEQ of the Shenfu mining area. Global and local spatial autocorrelation methods were used to assess the spatial aggregation degree and change patterns over time. Spatial Econometric Models were employed to explore the impacts of land subsidence on EEQ. The results showed the following: (1) The average RSEI values in the Shenfu mining area were 0.531, 0.488, and 0.523 in 2016, 2018, and 2020, respectively; there was a slight downward trend in EEQ. The permanent scatter (PS) point deformation rate ranged from −353.40 mm/year to +246.24 mm/year, with average deformation rates of 0.1642, 0.2181, and 0.2490 mm/year, respectively. (2) There was a significant correlation and spatial agglomeration effect between land surface subsidence and EEQ. Low–high, high–low, and low–low clusters were the main types of relationships, indicating that land subsidence primarily has a negative spatial impact on the ecological environment. (3) The relationship between land subsidence and EEQ varied spatially in the Shenfu mining area at 500 × 500 grid units. This research can provide scientific guidance for disaster prevention and sustainable development in mining areas by considering long-term differences in ecological environmental quality and its correlation with land subsidence.

Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategies of Pentahelix Stakeholders in Realizing Sustainable Supply Chains in Indonesia

The sustainable supply chain sector is increasingly becoming an important concern in Indonesia, especially amidst the threats of climate change, environmental degradation, and exploitation of natural resources. This study aims to identify the challenges, opportunities, and strategies faced by pentahelix stakeholders in realizing a sustainable supply chain in Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. The data collection technique in this study is through literature studies. The data that has been collected is then analyzed in three stages, namely data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The results of the study show that efforts to realize a sustainable supply chain in Indonesia require strong collaboration between the government, academics, business, society, and the media. Pentahelix is ??the right strategy to ensure that each stakeholder plays its role optimally. By taking advantage of existing opportunities, such as increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products and strong government support and overcoming challenges through technological innovation and comprehensive policy development, Indonesia has great potential to become a leader in sustainable business practices at the global level.

Automated estimation of offshore polymetallic nodule abundance based on seafloor imagery using deep learning.

The burgeoning demand for critical metals used in high-tech and green technology industries has turned attention toward the vast resources of polymetallic nodules on the ocean floor. Traditional methods for estimating the abundance of these nodules, such as direct sampling or acoustic imagery are time and labour-intensive or often insufficient for large-scale or accurate assessment. This paper advocates for the automatization of polymetallic nodules detection and abundance estimation using deep learning algorithms applied to seabed photographs. We propose UNET convolutional neural network framework specifically trained to process the unique features of seabed imagery, which can reliably detect and estimate the abundance of polymetallic nodules based on thousands of seabed photographs in significantly reduced time (below 10 h for 30 thousand photographs). Our approach addresses the challenges of data preparation, variable image quality, coverage-abundance transition model and sediments presence. We indicated the utilization of this approach can substantially increase the efficiency and accuracy of resource estimation, dramatically reducing the time and cost currently required for manual assessment. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of this method to be integrated into large-scale systems for sustainable exploitation of these undersea resources.

Climate Change Implications on Middle Eastern Geography and Stability – A Case Studies of GCC- with a Focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The environment constitutes the natural setting where humans reside, secure food sources, and utilize natural resources to fulfill their material and life necessities. Unlike other creatures, humans have not adapted to nature and the surrounding environment; instead, they have manipulated it to their advantage, disrupting the ecological balance. The primary catalyst for this disruption was the Industrial Revolution, which significantly increased pollution rates, harmful emissions, and the extraction of raw materials, thereby intensifying the exploitation of natural resources. The gravest concern is that the damage inflicted upon nature may reach a point of no return, with catastrophic and enduring consequences, such as global warming, ice melting, rising sea levels, and escalation in greenhouse gases, along with severe repercussions of these events, including an increase in mortality rates due to natural disasters. Effective responses necessitate actions at various levels, including cultural and educational initiatives and international measures, particularly in legislation. Such laws must enforce stringent controls on emissions from industrial and automotive sources. Individuals are called upon to conserve electricity and water, and adopting renewable energy sources, such as solar, hydro, wind, and tidal energy, that do not rely on fuel combustion is encouraged. Planting trees, which absorb carbon dioxide as a primary contributor to global warming, is among the most critical measures we can undertake. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is essential in combating climate change in this arena, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leading in this. This paper elaborates on the impact of climate change in Middle Eastern countries using a brief case study of the Saudi Green Initiatives. The paper also presents the policy recommendations to the concerned stakeholders of the GCC and the government of Saidi Arabia.

An elusive line in an elusive frontier: Delineating the historical trajectory of the inner line in India’s northeast

The Inner Line remains one of the most contentious yet enduring legacies of colonial rule in the erstwhile British India’s northeast frontier. However, there is a major disconnect between the popular conception of the Inner Line as a legal shield protecting ‘vulnerable’ communities, and the scholarly deconstruction of the Inner Line as a colonial instrument designed for the exploitation of resources and the policing of hill communities. This article traces the historical trajectory of the Inner Line in India’s northeast and highlights the significant moments when the Inner Line was subjected to varying interpretations. It argues that the history of the Inner Line was characterised by flexibility and instability not only in its physical manifestation as a geographical marker but more particularly in its perceived intent and purpose. Delineating the shifts in the roles and functions that were ascribed to the Inner Line at different historical junctures, this article attempts to reconcile the varied and even contradictory understandings of the Inner Line that continue to persist in postcolonial Northeast India.

Ecological Turn of Humanities, Science, and Technology with examples from Mexico's Conahcyt and China's Global Influence

This article emphasizes the importance of integrating humanistic knowledge into the ecological transformation within the fields of humanities, science, and technology, with a particular focus on how these ideas align with China's green development initiatives. The article critically explores the role of humanistic knowledge in fostering a sustainable relationship between humanity and nature, challenging the capitalist economic model that has historically alienated nature through the relentless exploitation of natural resources. This exploitation has prompted the development of new paradigms centered on sustainable growth, which prioritize environmental protection, the development of ecological industries, and the preservation of biodiversity. By using a comparative case study approach, the article analyzes the practices of Mexico's Conahcyt and China in global ecological governance, demonstrating how the adoption of these sustainable paradigms promotes a more inclusive approach to development. The ecological Marxism movement finds particular resonance in China's concept of Ecological Civilization, i.e., Eco-Marxism being Chinese in orientation. Additionally, the article examines how Mexico has integrated the humanities with science and technology through its Research and Development (R&D) initiatives, led by Conahcyt, to restore the balance between nature and society. The article further reviews the implications of these paradigms for global cooperation, highlighting China's Ecological Civilization Thinking as a guiding framework for global environmental governance, particularly during the 2021 Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). This work underscores the need for innovative strategies that combine human knowledge with scientific and technological advancements to achieve sustainable development goals.

Application of Artificial Intelligence Technology in New Energy Vehicles

Due to environmental pollution caused by excessive exploitation of world resources, countries are now advocating for green travel, which has led to the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry. Compared to traditional cars, the safety, maneuverability, and convenience of new energy vehicles have made the application of artificial intelligence technology increasingly widespread in this field. Therefore, this article provides a systematic review and analysis of the application of artificial intelligence technology in new energy vehicles. Firstly, the article outlined the main application scenarios of artificial intelligence in the field of new energy vehicles, including autonomous driving, energy management optimization, vehicle intelligent interconnection, and predictive maintenance. On this basis, this paper analyzed the role of artificial intelligence technology in improving the performance, safety, and reliability of new energy vehicles, as well as the technological challenges and development trends it faces. For example, issues such as data privacy protection and real-time performance need to be further addressed. In the future, artificial intelligence and new energy vehicles will further integrate, making important contributions to achieving intelligent, green, and safe future travel.

Influence of Forest Plantation Establishment Schemes on Community Livelihoods: A Case of Makutano Forest Kericho County, Kenya

Exploitation of forest resources has been a thorny issue to many countries. In efforts to restore degraded forests, countries have resulted to establishing forest plantations. There is also need to sustain livelihoods of these populations living around forests. Kenya on its part, adopted Plantation Establishment and livelihoods Improvement scheme (PELIS) program as part of participatory Forest management (PFM). PELIS involves the planting of food crops together with tree seedlings. It is however not clear whether balance has been strike between attaining forest cover and improving community livelihoods as was the intent of the program. Consequently, this study sought to shed light on this issue by looking at the influence of forest plantation on community livelihoods. This study adopted the decentralized forest management theory. Cross-sectional research design was adopted. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in data collection and analysis. The target population was 1719 which included forest adjacent community (FAC) members, and community based organization (CBO) leaders. From this a sample of 212 was selected. Systematic sampling was used in selecting the households and snowball sampling in selecting the CBO leaders involved in two tire focused group discussion. Questionnaire schedules were prepared to be used among household members. The findings indicated a significant influence of PELIS on community livelihood (f = 221.642, P=0.000). Those near the forest registered to have derived more economic benefits than those far away from the forest (f= 3.127, P= 0.000). A strong relationship between the frequency of attending CFA and CBO meetings, the level of involvement in decision making and planning of forest activities (B = 3.479, P< 0.05) was noted. The size of land available for cultivation was found to be statistically significant to food security among the community (f= 221.642, P= 0.000). The most important and most utilized forest products were firewood at 95%, fodder at 71% and droppers from tree pruning at 68%. Further research is needed on how more benefits from products like herbs, wild vegetables and honey cold be realized.

Dynamicity of ecosystem service value driven by land use/land cover alteration in Vadodara City, India

The ecosystem is considered the fundamental unit of ecology which plays a crucial role in providing a range of essential services to individuals. These services include the provision of food and shelter, as well as the regulation of climate and environment, either directly or indirectly. However, the emergence of urban industrial cities has witnessed the uncontrolled exploitation of resources, the decline of biodiversity, unprecedented population growth and climate change. Consequently, these factors contribute to environmental crises as ecosystem services increase in urban areas, where higher ESV values adversely affect the environment. Considering this, the current study examines the relationship between land use change and the status of ecosystem services in Vadodara City, India. The ecosystem service value was calculated using the methodology proposed by (Costanza et al. in Ecol Econ 25:3–15, 1997;Costanza et al. in Glob Environ Chang 26:152–158, 2014;), while the contribution of Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) was determined using the Maximum Likelihood Classification. The findings highlighted that LULCs are critical drivers for the loss of ecosystem services. During 2001–2021, it was found that built-up and water bodies increased by 24.48% and 0.21%, respectively, while vegetation, agricultural and barren land decreased by 1.11%, 25.61% and 0.19% respectively. The valuation of ecosystem services in 2001 observed $3,517,118 and $125,607,186 using the corresponding coefficients of (Costanza et al. in Ecol Econ 25:3–15, 1997;Costanza et al. in Glob Environ Chang 26:152–158, 2014;), while in 2021, their cumulative value slightly increased to $3,629,024 based on the 1997 coefficient and $131,537,398 based on the 2014 coefficient. Furthermore, the study analyses the response of ecosystem service values to land use alterations and the elasticity value at the zonal level to gain insight into spatial variation.

Recovering Anticolonialism as an Intellectual and Political Project in Education

AbstractIn this essay, Michalinos Zembylas revisits the tension between decolonization and other social justice projects in education scholarship, focusing in particular on the arguments for and against the notion of decolonization as land return. While different colonized communities are justifiably projecting their own political priorities in struggles against specific colonial forms of domination, Zembylas argues that education as scholarship and practice would be well served to recover the anticolonial as a shared intellectual and political project for understanding the different practices and experiences of resistance to colonialism and imperialism around the world. Anticolonial thought and praxis offer education scholars, activists, and practitioners an intellectual and political framework of connectivity and anticolonial solidarity that neither erases differences between decolonization and other political projects, nor fails to foreground community building between fields, approaches, and geographical regions. Instead of seeing different political projects as competing against one another — e.g., by considering social justice projects that do not prioritize land return as misguided or misplaced — anticolonialism seeks to theorize and act against a broad range of colonial practices and by‐products that include racism, militarism, resources exploitation, land dispossession, and so on.

A satellite-derived bathymetry method combining depth invariant index and adaptive logarithmic ratio: A case study in the Xisha Islands without in-situ measurements

Accurate bathymetric data is crucial for various aspects such as marine resource exploitation and marine ecological conservation. Currently, satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB) based on empirical and physical models has been widely utilized in constructing underwater terrain in shallow seas. However, the application of such SDB models is limited in remote island reef areas lacking in-situ measurement data. To overcome this issue, the manuscript proposes an unconstrained SDB optimization method without in-situ measurement data, utilizing satellite multispectral imagery (Geoeye-1) and spaceborne LiDAR data (ICESat-2). By classifying the seafloor substrate in coral reef areas into sandy and coral, based on the depth invariant index (DII), we employ an adaptive logarithmic ratio model for unconstrained SDB. The ICESat-2 LiDAR data are then used to correct the SDB results, achieving bathymetry optimization in the coral reef area of the Xisha Islands. Additionally, the proposed method is applied to Yuanzhi Island of the Xisha Islands, and the accuracy of the bathymetric results is evaluated against ALB (Airborne LiDAR Bathymetry) data. The findings demonstrate that compared to conventional methods, our method can improve the accuracy of SDB results with good adaptability. In the Yuanzhi Island area, the proposed method yields SDB results with an R2 of 0.93, an MAE (Mean Absolute Error) of 0.94, and an RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) of 1.12 m, compared to ALB data. The average error is less than 10 % of the maximum depth, essentially meeting the requirements of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards for depth measurement error when depth is <20 m. This study can offer a novel approach for enhancing bathymetric accuracy around offshore and remote islands, where gathering underwater terrain data is challenging.

Effect of Microgravity on Rare Earth Elements Recovery by Burkholderia cepacia and Aspergillus niger

Rare earth elements (REEs) are indispensable in modern industry and technology, driving an urgent demand for innovative, eco-friendly recovery technologies. As space exploration advances, the impact of microgravity on microorganisms has become a focal point, yet the effects on microbial growth and REEss recovery remain uncharted. This study investigates the biosorption of REEs by Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) and Aspergillus niger (A. niger) from a mixed solution containing La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Er, and Y under varying initial concentrations, pH levels, and microgravity conditions. We observed that the medium’s pH rose with B. cepacia and fell with A. niger when cultured in normal gravity conditions, suggesting distinct metabolic responses. Notably, microgravity significantly altered microbial morphology and metabolite profiles, significantly enhancing REEs recovery efficiency. Specifically, the recovery of B. cepacia of Ce and Pr peaked at 100%, and A. niger achieved full recovery of all tested REEs at pH 1.5 (suboptimal growth conditions). This study pioneers the application of biosorption for the recovery of REEs in microgravity conditions, presenting a promising strategy for future resource exploitation by space biomining.

Shellfish Meat Safety on the Montenegro Coast

Exploitation of natural resources of the marine ecosystem to feed a growing human population has led to the possibility of their application in the future. In order to solve this problem, mariculture develops and the create adequate conditions for the breeding of marine organisms which are using in human nutrition and one of them are shellfish known as nutritionally valuable food. Microflora of marine organisms, and therefore shells largely depends on environmental factors such as time of the year, temperature of the sea water etc. This work was focused on growing shells on the Montenegrin coast, and a special emphasis was put on placing health-safe shells on the Montenegrin food market. In addition to meat shells, physical and chemical parameters of sea water were studied: water temperature, salinity, oxygen saturation, pH, transparency, nitrate concentration, Examination of these parameters is related to the period of one year. The own results of the microbiological examination of the samples of shellfish sampled in six production zones in April according to presence of Escherichia coli in the value of ˂18 MPN – (Most Probably Number) per 100 g of meat and intra-shell liquid, which means that shellfish in general at the Montenegrin coasts satisfy and meet microbiological criteria in view of the presence of Escherichia coli. When its own results compare with the results of the SVL (Specialist Veterinary Laboratory) for the same time in each zone, it can be determined that the results match, thus confirming the accuracy of the test results shown.

A parsimonious model for springs discharge reconstruction and forecast for drought management: Lessons from a case study in Central Italy

Study regionKarst springs located in Central Apennine ridge (Central Italy), in the Tiber River basin. Study focusThe assessment of water availability is a key issue in a water supply system because of increasing drought and water scarcity events. Analysing and predicting the dynamic behaviour of groundwater resources is challenging to conceptualize and model, especially in poorly-monitored systems. A parsimonious model based on linear regression between the monthly spring discharge time series and Standardized Precipitation Index is proposed. The model is conceived for management purposes and suitable for users with a limited background in modelling techniques, who can take advantage from an initial knowledge of the aquifers hydrological regime. New hydrological insights for the regionThe model developed for long-term monitored springs is used to reconstruct the historical groundwater hydrographs and to make predictions for poorly-monitored springs with similar properties, exploiting the “similarity principle”. Results highlight the notable performance of this approach, which represents a useful tool for overcoming the limitations in spring discharge monitoring networks. Moreover, the tool is used to test forecast performance enabling water managers to develop a monthly early-warning system fostering a sustainable water resource exploitation and limiting the critical issues of the water supply system, especially during drought periods. Results are discussed from the perspective of the water utilities entrusted to manage their resources in the study region.

Feathers, folklore, and eco-literacy: Stories ascribe cultural keystone status to avian scavengers in South Asian cities

Abstract We examined the cultural significance of commensal avian scavenger species—vultures, kites, and crows—and their exploitation of anthropogenic resources and sentiments within Delhi’s urban landscapes. For this, we investigated the intrinsic values attributed to these birds by people, which are indicative of complex, rapidly urbanizing social-ecological systems. Semi-structured interviews revealed folk perceptions intertwined with socio-cultural narratives and traditions, shaped by observations of avian morphology, ecology, and behavior. Birds’ nesting habits, habitats, home ranges, and foraging behaviors affected people’s perceptions, while ecosystem services inspired zoomorphism and anthropomorphism via vernacular-nomenclature (e.g., chidiya collectively for songbirds, giddha for scavenging raptors). Culturally rooted perceptions, which informed ritual feeding practices and shaped prevalent attitudes towards commensal species, fostered mutual tolerance, and brought people into closer contact with urban biodiversity. Such physical and cultural proximity is a defining characteristic distinguishing tropical urban ecosystems from their Western counterparts. We also uncovered the web of social-technological influences on animal-related folk stories. The urbanization of perceptions in vulture extinction zones revealed shifts in social-ecological relationships with wildlife. It adds cultural dimensions to the currently appreciated keystone status of vultures, vital for their erstwhile coexistence at extremely high densities in South Asia. Urban transformations, technological advancements, and media exposure potentially reshaped human–animal interface, with media misinformation affecting personalized ecologies. Conflicts and health concerns arose from media narratives on garbage-consuming animals. Our findings offer insights to prevent severing of people and nature connections due to urbanization (e.g., technological applications can integrate scientific knowledge with biocultural narratives and folklore), promoting a new-age eco-literacy.

Experimental study on interaction characteristics of explosive cracks under confining pressure and its comparison with free boundary results

The influence of confining pressure on the dynamic fracture mechanical behavior of deep rock masses is crucial in the exploitation of deep resources and the development of underground spaces. In this study, dynamic caustics experiments were conducted using transparent epoxy resin materials to investigate the crack propagation behavior and interaction mechanisms of double cracks under confinement. The experimental results indicate that biaxial confining pressure suppresses crack propagation, interaction between double cracks, and penetration. Without confining pressure, cracks do not penetrate until the relative vertical distance ΔH between crack tips is 20 mm, whereas with confining pressure, cracks cease to penetrate when the relative vertical distance between crack tips is 10 mm; however, interaction between crack tips still exists at this point. During the crack interaction stage, both fracture toughness and propagation velocity of crack tips exhibit significant fluctuations under no confining pressure conditions, whereas under confining pressure, both decrease rapidly. Additionally, under confining pressure conditions, the fluctuation range of crack propagation direction during crack interaction is relatively small. Confining pressure rapidly reduces the degree of stress concentration at crack tips, increases the rate of energy release at crack tips, and enhances the ability of dynamic cracks to resist the influence of other crack tips or crack surfaces. Under confining pressure, continuous Rayleigh waves are typically observed at crack tips due to an imbalance between stored strain energy and the energy release rate. These waves dissipate part of the strain energy, promoting crack deflection and branching.

Experimental Investigation on the Properties of Concrete Containing Waste HDPE Plastic and Copper Slag as Coarse and Fine Aggregates Replacement

Resource concerns have become apparent globally, particularly in the construction sector due to the exploitation of resources for developing globalized infrastructures. This has led to challenges, especially in sourcing construction materials. Consequently, numerous studies have focused on waste management strategies with eco-efficient parameters, particularly in the realm of construction aggregates. While previous research has explored alternatives for these aggregates, there remains ample opportunity for further investigation on the effectiveness and potential of alternative materials in construction projects to promote sustainable resource management. The research aims to fill this gap by examining the impact of using alternatives for both fine and coarse aggregates, specifically copper slag and waste HDPE. This study investigates the effects of partially incorporating waste HDPE plastic and Copper slag on the strength and sustainability of concrete, with the goal of evaluating their viability as sustainable alternatives in construction materials in the construction sector. Three percentages of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Plastic (10%, 20%, and 30%) and Two Percentages (30% and 40 %) of copper slag were incorporated with the weight of Coarse aggregate and Fine aggregate respectively. Comparisons of conventional concrete with concrete incorporating HDPE waste &amp; copper slag as coarse aggregate and fine aggregates were conducted. From investigation it was found that concrete incorporating 10% of HDPE and 40% of copper slag cured for 7 and 28 days had 10% increase in compressive strength compared to the nominal mix and flexural strength 25% and 40% more than nominal mix. The concrete incorporating 10% of HDPE and 30% of copper slag had 18% reduction in split tensile strength for cylinders cured for 7 days and 55% increase in split tensile strength for cylinders cured for 28 days.