Selection of eco-friendly alternative brick for sustainable development; A study on Technical, Economic, Environmental and Social feasibility

The construction industry plays a significant role in environmental strain, attributed mainly to its substantial resource consumption, primarily driven by the surge in residential construction. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) presents an innovative paradigm for designing and constructing infrastructure and buildings more efficiently, using conventional materials with unconventional techniques. The article aims to apply this approach to an MMC-based building structure, minimizing its life cycle impact by optimizing the consumption of building materials, with particular attention to the effects of the maintenance phase from a preventive point of view. This study focuses on assessing the sustainability of reinforced concrete flat slabs employing a hollow structural body system, explicitly emphasizing environmental aggressiveness factors contributing to corrosion, such as carbonation and chlorides. The research explores ten design options for a waterfront public residential building, examining their impact on the economy, the environment, and even society regarding the maintenance cycles required over the structure's lifetime, depending on the preventive strategy employed for each design. In assessing the sustainability of these options, researchers employed a combination of the best-worst method (BWM) and the VIKOR technique, considering nine criteria related to sustainability. The study found that 5 % silica fume concrete is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option, with hydrophobic impregnation reducing social impacts. However, compared to one- and two-dimensional evaluations, the study demonstrates the importance of simultaneously considering a design's life cycle's economic, environmental, and social impacts to achieve sustainability in maintenance with a holistic view. This approach led to an 86 % higher sustainability rating for a design using sulforesistant cement in the concrete mix than the baseline.

The valorization of various waste in construction sector is viewed as a sustainable measure. Protecting natural resources and minimizing waste lays the foundation for sustainable development. The study is aimed to identify the optimum utilization of granite cutting waste (GCW) in sustainable rendering mortar development. The comprehensive study is performed for cement mortar mix of 1:3 (volumetric) by replacing natural sand with 10 % range up to 50 % by GCW powder. The mortar is evaluated for flowability, Fresh density, Compressive resistance, Flexural resistance, Adhesiveness with substrate, Drying shrinkage, Water absorption capacity, Percentage voids, Hardened bulk density, Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity, and Dynamic Modulus of Elasticity parameters. It is observed that, for 30 % replacement, the compressive strength increased by 75 % compared to control mortar for the 28 days curing period. The maximum flexural strength 2.99 N/mm² is achieved for 30 %, and the highest adhesive strength, 0.89 N/mm², is noted for 20 % replacement. Also, the microstructural studies are performed to assess the effect on the hydration of the cement. The sustainability evaluation, performed by life cycle assessment methodology, revealed that higher substitution of GCW helps in lowering the environmental impacts for cradle to gate life cycle phase of the mortar. Abiotic depletion potential Fossil Fuels and Ozone depletion potential has contributed to 19.56 and 18.82 % lower impacts for 20 % substitution by granite. The mortar mixes with varied substitutes of granite waste were also evaluated and ranked using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). In comparison to conventional rendering mortar, the AHP findings show that the mortar mix with 30 % granite waste integration scores highest above all other replacements, indicating its potential as an efficient and environmentally friendly choice. The GP50 mortar mix rated highest on Eco-efficiency index result. However, at optimum substitution of 30 %, the eco-efficiency index lies above average line.

In this study, the synergistic utilization of steel slag (SS), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and fly ash (FA) was investigated to optimize the mechanical properties of high-strength and high-toughness alkali-activated composite materials (AAM). The research focused on understanding how varying ratios of these components affect the workability, compressive strength, elastic modulus, tensile strength, and tensile deformation capacity of high-strength and high-toughness AAM. A key part of the study involved optimizing the SS-GGBS-FA ternary cementitious system in high-strength and high-toughness AAM using the simplex-centroid design methodology. The findings reveal that changes in the proportions of SS, GGBS, and FA predominantly influence the flowability of high-strength and high-toughness AAM to a limited extent. Notably, the amount of GGBS in the cementitious mix significantly affects the compressive strength and elastic modulus of the material. A synergistic enhancement of the tensile properties was observed due to the combined effect of SS, GGBS, and FA. An optimal tensile deformation performance was achieved with approximately 15% SS. For an ideal balance of properties, including tensile strength above 8.1 MPa, ultimate tensile strain exceeding 6.4%, and compressive strength over 95 MPa, the study recommends maintaining SS between 7.5% and 11.5%, GGBS between 31.5% and 35.5%, and FA between 55.5% and 58.5%. These insights are crucial for the design and practical engineering applications of the SS-GGBS-FA ternary cementitious system in high-strength and high-toughness AAM.

This study presents an in-depth analysis of the rapidly evolving mobile payment market, focusing on the competition between Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), as exemplified by China's Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP), and well-established private digital payment platforms. This research builds on economic theories, including Metcalfe's Law and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). It employs the Stackelberg game model as a strategic framework to dissect these payment systems' interactions and potential equilibrium outcomes. A notable innovation of this study is the application of advanced simulation techniques, as it uses Matlab2018a to model and predict variations in profit margins contingent on the size of the user base for each payment method. This approach yields three insightful and nonintuitive results that deepen our understanding of market dynamics. First, the study underscores the indispensable role of government support, particularly in the nascent stages of DCEP implementation, as a catalyst for competitiveness against entrenched third-party systems. Without proactive and substantial backing from the government, the DCEP might struggle to gain a foothold in a market dominated by private entities. Second, this study highlights the critical interconnectedness among the various user groups. It posits that for DCEP to effectively penetrate the market and challenge the dominance of third-party platforms, it must strategically align itself within the existing networks of these platforms. This aspect emphasises the importance of understanding and leveraging the complex web of relationships and dependencies within the mobile payment ecosystem. Third, the study identifies mutually beneficial cooperative strategies between the DCEP and third-party platforms. Drawing on the concept of Nash equilibrium, this suggests that collaboration, rather than competition, could lead to optimal outcomes for both parties. This cooperative stance can manifest in various forms, such as shared technological infrastructure, joint ventures, and cross-platform compatibility, ultimately enhancing the value proposition for end users. These findings have significant implications for policymakers, financial regulators, and market strategists, as they suggest that a balanced approach that harmonises the strengths of state-led digital currencies and private payment solutions is crucial for the sustainable development of the digital finance sector. This study also provides strategic insights for CBDCs and private payment platforms, guiding them to make informed decisions in a market increasingly characterised by technological innovation, regulatory shifts, and evolving consumer preferences.