| 1. |
- Ahmed Waqas, Hafiz, et al.
(author)
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Performance Prediction of Hybrid Bamboo-Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Gene Expression Programming for Sustainable Construction
- 2023
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In: Materials. - : MDPI. - 1996-1944. ; 16:20
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The building and construction industry’s demand for steel reinforcement bars has increased with the rapid growth and development in the world. However, steel production contributes to harmful waste and emissions that cause environmental pollution and climate change-related problems. In light of sustainable construction practices, bamboo, a readily accessible and ecofriendly building material, is suggested as a viable replacement for steel rebars. Its cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and considerable tensile strength make it a promising option. In this research, hybrid beams underwent analysis through the use of thoroughly validated finite element models (FEMs), wherein the replacement of steel rebars with bamboo was explored as an alternative reinforcement material. The standard-size beams were subjected to three-point loading using FEMs to study parameters such as the load–deflection response, energy absorption, maximum capacity, and failure patterns. Then, gene expression programming was integrated to aid in developing a more straightforward equation for predicting the flexural strength of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams. The results of this study support the conclusion that the replacement of a portion of flexural steel with bamboo in reinforced concrete beams does not have a detrimental impact on the overall load-bearing capacity and energy absorption of the structure. Furthermore, it may offer a cost-effective and feasible alternative.
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| 2. |
- Amin, Fayiz, et al.
(author)
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Influence of arch action on load-carrying capacity of double-sized industrial precast slabs: A combined numerical and experimental study
- 2024
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In: Results in Materials. - : Elsevier. - 2590-048X. ; 23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The precast industry offers slab panels of different geometries according to the field conditions. These slab panels are popular in temporary constructions and beneficial in sustainability but have some financial limitations and local constraints. For a long time, the construction industry has used the arch action method, which restricts the stresses to the compression zone in concrete members and develops the required load-carrying capacity. For the same motives, industrial buildings have preferred semi-circular precast roofs, but the morphology was not suitable. For the proposed slab in this research, firstly, the typical industrial precast slab panel was doubled in width to minimize the time and efforts required for its casting, curing, and placement. Secondly, that doubled-in-width slab was provided with the arch action to confine the stresses to compression and benefit from the section entirely. Lastly, the top of the slab was kept flat to take advantage of the roof space. All these changes aimed for structural stability, reduced material’s weight, improved load-carrying capacity, appropriate mobilization, and financial viability. A numerical approach and practical testing were adopted using the finite element modeling software, ABAQUS, to analyze load–deflection responses of both slabs through the concrete damage plasticity model. The proposed slab exhibited better performance as its capacity enhanced by about 1.5 times that of a typical slab. Although the volume of the material in the proposed slab increased slightly from 0.040 m3 to 0.045 m3, the reductions in joint filler materials, reinforcements, and efforts required for mixing and lifting machinery compensated for this increase significantly. Hence, the slab can be recommended for the industry to save the costs while taking heavier loads efficiently.
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| 3. |
- Azevedo, Flavio, et al.
(author)
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Social and moral psychology of COVID-19 across 69 countries
- 2023
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In: Scientific Data. - : NATURE PORTFOLIO. - 2052-4463. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all domains of human life, including the economic and social fabric of societies. One of the central strategies for managing public health throughout the pandemic has been through persuasive messaging and collective behaviour change. To help scholars better understand the social and moral psychology behind public health behaviour, we present a dataset comprising of 51,404 individuals from 69 countries. This dataset was collected for the International Collaboration on Social & Moral Psychology of COVID-19 project (ICSMP COVID-19). This social science survey invited participants around the world to complete a series of moral and psychological measures and public health attitudes about COVID-19 during an early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (between April and June 2020). The survey included seven broad categories of questions: COVID-19 beliefs and compliance behaviours; identity and social attitudes; ideology; health and well-being; moral beliefs and motivation; personality traits; and demographic variables. We report both raw and cleaned data, along with all survey materials, data visualisations, and psychometric evaluations of key variables.
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| 4. |
- Van Bavel, Jay J., et al.
(author)
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National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic
- 2022
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In: Nature Communications. - : Nature Portfolio. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Understanding collective behaviour is an important aspect of managing the pandemic response. Here the authors show in a large global study that participants that reported identifying more strongly with their nation reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies in the context of the pandemic. Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = -0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.
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