Proceedings of International Conference on Advances in Materials, Modeling, and Analysis for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Volume 2

The plastic waste (PW) with the growth of consumerism has become vulnerable to ecological footprint and the environment of India. The widely used plastics such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinylchloride have a direct impact on degrading ecosystem and affecting carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and phosphorus cycle of the environment leading to leaching of ground water and sterile lands. The terrestrial and marine biota have been subjected to vulnerability due to increasing micro plastic along with population. The threat to environmental sustainability of plastic disposal is a huge concern throughout the globe. India has been trying various plastic disposing methodologies including incineration, landfills, recycling, pyrolysis, and laying roads. But all these processes are either costlier or produce harmful gases and chemicals into the atmosphere and environment. This technical note narrates the possibility of using the bioremediation process using various mealworms. The mechanism of the bioremediation is explored along with the feasibility of implementing the biological process in Indian context.

Rural communities across the globe continue to grapple with multifaceted challenges related to sustainability, water management, educational disparities, and economic instability. This paper addresses the multidimensional challenges faced by rural communities through an integrated approach to sustainability and resilience-building. Using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodologies, we worked closely with local communities to co-create region-specific solutions. The integration of linear regression models provided quantitative insights into factors influencing water consumption and waste generation, enabling more effective, data-driven decision-making. Key interventions focused on improving water management, economic stability, and educational opportunities. These community-driven strategies align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are designed to be scalable and transferable to other rural contexts, contributing to long-term resilience and sustainability. The integration of data-driven models with community-driven approaches underscores the potential for long-term resilience in rural development.

Water scarcity is a critical issue in rural India. This paper discusses the management challenges that arise from such regions. Some of the actual causes of water scarcity include climate change, deforestation, and inefficient agriculture. It proposes a multi-faceted approach to address this issue. These strategies can enhance its water security, agricultural productivity, and sustainable development. In fact, policy support and public–private partnerships provide the very basis for obtaining optimal solutions in water management. This research—from participatory rural appraisal methods applied in co-designing with villagers to resource mapping—explores a community-centric approach toward implementing an RO filtration system, thereby addressing the problems of waste management in holistic strategies to further improve the community's access to water.

Landslides, triggered by natural or anthropogenic factors like rainfall, earthquakes, and construction activities, are prevalent in the Western Ghats in the south and the Himalayas in the north of India. Most of the landslides in the Western Ghats are triggered by heavy rainfall during the monsoon. Despite many mitigations and slope stabilization measures, every monsoon season witness huge loss of human lives and property damage which demands further research studies. The current study focuses on Kavalappara, Malappuram district of Kerala, located on the windward slopes of the South Western Ghats. Following the 2019 landslide disaster, this region has been identified as prone to landslides. In this analysis, a Three-Dimensional (3D) slope stability analysis was conducted using Scoops3D, a software that assesses slope stability across digital landscapes using a 3D method of columns approach. A 1-Arc resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) obtained from USGS Earth Explorer, processed in ArcGIS Pro, served as the primary input for the model. The DEM used here along with additional topographic inputs makes the slope stability analysis more accurate. The results obtained show that as the pore pressure ratio (Ru) increases, the value of the Factor of Safety (FoS) decreases, indicating slope instability. Also, the higher Ru results in lower failure volumes, indicating shallow landslides. The study contributes toward planning of proper landslide mitigation measures and developing landslide early warning systems.

The industries are found to be one of predominant sources of contamination of both surface and groundwater. Tanneries are found to be the most polluting source among the industrial sectors. Previous studies have stated that Tamil Nadu comprises around 3000 tanneries which are located mostly in the districts of Vellore and Dindigul. Dindigul is found to have around 100 tannery units which have drastically contaminated the water bodies in that region. Due to this pathetic scenario, the researchers have suggested to carry out periodical assessment of water quality to preserve the water resources, routine assessments of water quality parameters, and management techniques. As per the suggestion, this study focuses on the present state of water quality in the adjacent areas of tanneries at Dindigul. To ascertain the physico-chemical properties of groundwater in specific areas of Dindigul town, the current study has been conducted. In this study both groundwater and tannery effluent samples were gathered and examined for ten physico-chemical criteria, and the water quality index (WQI) was used to suggest the current state of the water. The findings showed that most of the physico-chemical parameters of the water samples had a significant concentration of dissolved oxygen, fluoride, and chemical and biochemical oxygen demands. The examination of physico-chemical properties of the tannery effluents and groundwater samples collected from 5 different locations indicates that still the water qualities are in a poor state except the specified locations near two tanneries.

The village of Ramaipur, which is tucked away in India’s busy metropolis, faces a variety of difficulties that could endanger both its ability to grow economically and the welfare of its residents. The long-term effects of unemployment in the area show up as limited prospects and slowed economic development. Farmers who put in a lot of effort see their labors wasted when cattle tramp all over their crops. The foundation of the village is further threatened by an insufficient waste management system, putting the environment and the health of its citizens at risk. This study explores the essence of Ramaipur by applying a special combination of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles. Taking on the persona of perceptive observers, we participated in participant observation to painstakingly record the village’s daily routines. In-depth interviews acted as a medium for real conversations with the residents, in which we took on the role of attentive listeners, tuned into their desires, ambitions, and the unsaid struggles they faced. The community convened for brainstorming sessions, which promoted cooperation as we jointly developed solutions that enabled them to take charge of their destiny. This study sheds light on the village of Ramaipur’s steadfast hopes for a sustainable future. It establishes the framework for focused interventions that will enable Ramaipur to prosper and overcome its challenges.

Rubber Sand Mixtures (RSM) have shown remarkable potential as a Geotechnical Seismic Base Isolation (GSI) system. To evaluate the performance of the RSM as a GSI System, a two-dimensional numerical model was created using PLAXIS 2D and validated with the previous research. The study compared Peak Roof Acceleration (PRA), Peak Footing Acceleration (PFA), Peak Spectral Acceleration (PSA), time period and settlement of medium-rise buildings resting on RSM with that on pure sand. The introduction of the RSM layer as the GSI system resulted in a 21 and 35% reduction in PFA and PRA, respectively. However, the footing settlement was significantly greater than that of a building resting on sand without any RSM bed. The introduction of geogrid resulted in 71% reduction in settlement. Further due to the insertion of geogrid at a depth of 0.03 Bf (width of Raft), maximum PSA for roof reduced by 14% and maximum PSA of footing reduced by 36% as compared to building resting on pure sand.

Agricultural drought being one of the worst consequences of climate change highly impacts the world’s food security. To understand the drought dynamics, continuous monitoring of climatological parameters is essential. Remote sensing-based drought indices are being utilised for the successful drought monitoring in various climatic zones. This study focuses on agricultural drought monitoring in two river basins of South India, belonging to Tamil Nadu (Thamirabarani river basin) and Kerala (Keecheri river basin). Both river basins are situated in two different climatic zones, i.e., semi-arid region and humid region respectively. As the agricultural activities in these river basins highly depend on rainfall, fluctuations in monsoon pattern (Southwest and Northeast), climate change will cause decrease in agricultural productivity of these basins. The main objective of this research is to observe the agricultural drought dynamics in both river basins and analyse the impact of agricultural drought. This study utilises various indices such as Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Normalised Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) to monitor agricultural drought in both river basins from 2014 to 2023 using Landsat and Sentinel data. A multi-criterion weighted overlay approach was carried out and the results show that in both the basins, more than 60% of the area falls under mild drought during the study period. Occurrence of deficit rainfall during the years 2016 and 2019 has increased the area falling under mild drought in both Thamirabarani and Keecheri river basins respectively.

The world is facing a myriad of challenges posed by climate change. When coupled with accelerated urbanization these challenges are multiplied. To face these it is necessary to have sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Along with grey infrastructure, it is essential to consider green spaces, waterbodies, wetlands, parks, gardens, etc. as a part of a city’s infrastructure, as they provide Ecosystem Services (ES) vital for survival and well-being of all, and reduce the load on traditional grey infrastructure. This concept is termed as Green Infrastructure (GI). When effectively planned and implemented, GI forms a Social-Ecological System (SES) where society works on maintaining and protecting ecology, and is in turn provided with ES. This paper explores how SES approach towards GI planning can result in better system resilience while facing climate change challenges. This includes reviewing academic papers where SES approach towards GI is discussed, delineating the major thematic areas and their contribution to sustainability and climate resilience, and case studies that analyse this approach in Indian cities. It was found that when GI is panned through SES lens, society and ecology tend to serve and protect each other, thus sustainably maintaining the system resilience while confronting climate change. However, in the selected case studies this approach was found to be limited. The current paper recommends that city authorities should focus on social-ecological aspects like participatory approach, collaboration between organizations, and social and ecological connections and contexts while planning for GI.

The performance of any control mechanism degrades in practice due to the deviation of the structural system and the frequency regime of the excitation to the initial form. This study experimentally investigated the effectiveness of a frequency adaptive control strategy for a three-dimensional structural system when subjected to control input. Initially, the control was designed in the independent modal space of a generalized symmetric structural system to control the lateral degrees of freedom. A closed-loop experimental study was performed on a scaled symmetric single-story frame structure based on frequency adaptive control for a low, near-resonance, and high-frequency sinusoidal excitation with respect to the fundamental natural frequency of the symmetric system. The performance of the proposed frequency adaptive control was compared with respect to the existing linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control strategy. In a later stage, a perturbed structural system was considered and controlled with the same control input designed for the symmetric system subjected to sinusoidal excitations. The structural responses were evaluated in terms of lateral and torsional modes of vibrations for the controlled symmetric and perturbed structural systems with respect to the uncontrolled system behavior based on the adopted control mechanism along with the existing LQG control.

This paper presents a detailed case study of the tribal community of Kattunayakan Theru, a rural village in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, as a Live-in-Labs® program for rural development and sustainable capacity building. The village faces major social and economic challenges, including lack of livelihood opportunities, lack of education, and poor infrastructure. Through Participatory Rural Assessment (PRA) and Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodologies, key issues such as water scarcity, poor sanitation, and high dropout rates especially limited income, thereby perpetuating a cycle of poverty in the community. To address these challenges, this study proposes a comprehensive solution focused on empowering rural women through skill development in tailoring, which has been identified as a sustainable livelihood opportunity appropriate to cultural intelligence. Combining skills development, educational outreach, and entrepreneurship, the project aims to provide a sustainable model of rural sustainable development that can be replicated in other areas facing similar challenges quite. The study highlights the importance of community empowerment through participatory approaches, ensuring that solutions are locally driven and sustainable in the long term.

Thermal behavior of cement-based mortar, which is commonly used for plastering in buildings, can be significantly improved by integrating phase change materials (PCMs). PCMs are known for their ability to hold and release heat, making them excellent materials for improving the thermal performance of buildings. This study explores the thermal analysis of a building incorporated with PCM-based cement mortar wall panel using COMSOL Multiphysics® software. A PCM is prepared using vermiculite which is impregnated with capric acid (CA) and absolute ethanol (AE) which has proven significant thermal stability. The combination of PCM, coconut fiber, and nano silica incorporated in cement mortar sample demonstrated superior mechanical and thermal properties among the different cement mortar composites. The inclusion of these materials helps to manage hydration heat and improves thermal insulation, reducing the risk of thermal stress and cracking. The simulation findings indicate that these composites can significantly improve thermal comfort in buildings, offering a sustainable and energy-efficient solution compared to non-insulated building structures.

Water is essential for all life forms. The water we intake every day can be contaminated by natural sources or industrial effluents. One such contaminant is fluoride, which in excess harms health like children’s black brains, dental fluorosis, arthritis, osteoporosis, chronicle issues, etc. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises a fluoride level in drinking water of 0.5–1 part per million (ppm). Modern techniques employed in defluoridation are very expensive and time-consuming, which will result in the need for cheap and efficient methods that we could easily implement in our houses. This study emphasizes the effectiveness of a biosorbent—tea ash in the elimination of fluoride ions, determining adsorbent dosage, pH, and optimum contact time for defluoridation. This approach has the benefit of making a cheaper and more environmentally friendly solution to the risk produced by the consumption of water containing fluoride.

Efficient waste management is crucial for sustainable growth in rural areas, yet this issue is often overlooked due to a lack of infrastructure and resources. This paper presents a case study of Krishnappa Nagara, a semi-rural neighborhood of Bengaluru in the South Indian state of Karnataka, where community-driven waste management strategies were implemented to address urgent waste disposal and environmental health concerns. Utilizing participatory research methods and active community engagement, the study identified critical gaps in waste management, including inadequate segregation practices and limited knowledge of environmentally friendly disposal techniques. In response, an affordable and scalable solution tailored to the village’s specific needs was proposed, incorporating upcycling, small-scale composting, and household waste segregation. The findings illustrate how grassroots engagement can foster long-term resilience and sustainability in rural communities and highlight the essential role of community involvement in promoting sustainable waste practices.

Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall pose significant hazards in steep, loose-soiled regions, leading to infrastructure damage and loss of life. Addressing these challenges requires effective mitigation strategies. Study explores the effectiveness of Alccofine 1203, on the engineering properties of landslide-prone soil in Monnageri village, Kodagu, Karnataka. Soil samples treated with varying concentrations of Alccofine were tested for liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, compaction characteristics, and unconfined compression strength. The results showed significant improvements in soil stability and strength parameters with increasing Alccofine dosage. Specifically, the plasticity index decreased as Alccofine concentration increased, indicating reduced soil susceptibility to volume changes. Compaction tests demonstrated an increase in soil density up to 6% Alccofine addition, beyond which density declined, accompanied by an increase in optimum moisture content. Unconfined compression tests revealed higher strength values with longer curing periods and higher Alccofine concentrations, attributed to the formation of secondary cementitious products over time. These findings highlight Alccofine’s effectiveness as stabilizing agent for landslide-prone soils, offering sustainable improvement in soil properties while utilizing industrial by-products. This research supports the use of Alccofine in engineering practices aimed at mitigating landslide risks and enhancing environmental sustainability. The findings suggest that similar stabilization techniques may be applied to other regions, like Shirur highway, Ankola which experienced a massive landslide on 16th July 2024 after thorough investigation.

This paper explores the harmful effects of stubble burning on air quality, soil fertility, and public health, particularly in South Asia, with a focus on India. Through an extensive review of literature and data analysis, the study underscores how stubble burning significantly contributes to air pollution by releasing gaseous pollutants such as methane, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter. The research methodology included analyzing stubble production in India, reasons behind practicing stubble burning and evaluating the potential economic and environmental advantages of alternative management practices. The findings highlight the urgent need for programs that raise awareness among farmers about sustainable alternatives and the broader impacts of stubble burning. This review focuses on presenting a case toward adopting proactive methods that incorporate strategies for evidence-based, most recent practices for sustainable agriculture. This review is designed to provide the scope for analysis of the critical gaps left by previous studies by integrating new findings and practices into the historical understanding of the case. Among other things, it proposes new approaches for improving the health of soils and minimizing environmental impact caused by traditional practices such as stubble burning in support of sustainable farming practices that offer environmental, economic, and long-term farm productivity benefits.

With contaminants including organic and inorganic substances introduced into aquatic ecosystems on a daily basis, water contamination poses a major risk to human health as well as the environment. Water contamination can be effectively removed through symbiotic action of biodegradation and adsorption which are more well-liked inexpensive, and sustainable techniques. In our present study, we perfected the use of green adsorbents such as Gelatine and powdered biochar from waste for removing two inorganic dyes from wastewater samples. The characterization of green adsorbents like the surface morphology, and physic-chemical compositions were performed using FTIR and XRD. The two synthetic dyes used in the adsorption kinetics and equilibrium investigation were methylene blue (MB) and methylene red (MR). By altering the reaction time and pollutant concentration, the equilibrium kinetics investigation was carried out, and it was discovered that the equilibrium time for MB and MR was greater than 180 min. Orange peel waste derived biochar was shown to have a maximal adsorption capacity of 0.0367 mg/g for MB and 0.0399 mg/g for MR. An isotherm study was also conducted for the acquired results using Langmuir and Freundlich models. While Gelatine can dissolve fully, we conclude that powdered biochar had an effective clearance rate of over 65% for colors. In conclusion, green sorbents are effective for usage in industrial wastewater treatment plants and other emerging pollutants removal. Additionally, studies might look into various green sorbents and how well they work on a pilot size to remove contaminants from water samples.

Seismic analysis of structures is an indubitable prerequisite for the understanding and visualization of the necessary responses to earthquake episodes. The inferred curative knowledge on seismic performances can drastically minimize the consequential impact of disruptive tremors. There are no previous works globally to identify the research hotspots in geotechnical engineering focusing on seismic responses of soil retaining structures and the advancement of machine learning techniques. This analysis addresses the gap in existing literature by implementing a scientometric and content analysis of the identified research hotspot, employing text mining and literature network mapping. The machine learning techniques were perceived as pertinent to systematically assess the seismic analysis. The current analysis explores both the existing state and future trends, as well as co-occurrence of keywords in the field of study. The findings of the study revealed the accelerated growth in the artificial intelligent (AI) research in seismic analysis. The scientometric analysis provides discernment of the linkages of co-authors, countries, keywords, and research areas, beyond the limits of manual analysis. This AI-powered techniques have identified the textual pattern and trends of unstructured data in diverse research areas and the research hotspots to be explored in future.

Early and precise prediction of corrosion-induced deterioration plays a crucial role in designing robust Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures with reduced carbon footprints. In light of the aforementioned, a blend of Portland Slag Cement (PSC) and alccofine concrete is considered to exhibit a durable performance even in the presence of extremely high chloride levels. By ASTM C876-91 standards, concrete cube samples with centrally positioned bars and different alccofine levels (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%) were subjected to accelerated corrosion in a 5% NaCl solution for seven stages extending up to 105 days. Findings reveal that corrosion initiation occurred within 30–45 days in samples containing 0, 5, 10, and 20% of alccofine. Conversely, specimens with 15% alccofine replacement exhibited a passive state for up to 45 days, with corrosion initiation noted after this period. Between days 45 and 75 of testing, all specimens remained in an uncertain probability region. Following an extended testing period surpassing 90 days, the samples transitioned to active corrosion with a probability of 0.9. Notably, the 15% alccofine replacement samples displayed notable resistance against corrosion compared to other replacement percentages throughout the testing intervals. Based on the experimental findings, adjusting the optimal dosage within the 10–15% range is recommended. The pozzolanic properties of alccofine contribute to the formation of dense and compact structures within the concrete, thereby reducing permeability and enhancing durability.

Interstage structures are critical components that connect various stages of a launch vehicle, each equipped with its own fuel storage and propulsion system. These structures enable staging, where rocket stages are sequentially fired to break through earth's atmosphere and enter space. Their design focuses on meeting growing performance demands through lightweight materials and increased structural efficiency, achieved by reducing weight without compromising strength and stability. Commonly used configurations, such as monocoque, semi-monocoque, and isogrid, were selected in this study for their applications in the aerospace industry. This study demonstrates significant mass optimization of cylindrical interstage structures, using ABAQUS for detailed modeling and analysis. Focusing on specific dimensions (cylinder height and diameter) and defined loading conditions, preliminary designs of the configurations were developed and analyzed. Lightweight materials were employed to achieve the minimum possible mass. The monocoque configuration resulted in a maximum weight of 808.46 kg, while the isogrid configuration significantly reduced the mass to 534 kg. To evaluate structural and dynamic behavior, static and buckling analyses were performed, both with and without an applied pressure of 10 kPa, along with free vibration analysis. This comprehensive approach highlights the efficiency of isogrid designs for weight-sensitive applications and establishes a robust methodology for developing lightweight, high-performance structures using advanced simulation tools.

During seismic events, structures often undergo nonlinear deformations, resulting in hysteresis cycles that minimize force transfer to the superstructure while dissipating significant seismic energy. This nonlinear behavior is characterized by sudden changes in system stiffness, leading to energy redistribution across system modes. Such energy transfers can excite higher modes, potentially impacting responses like attached component behaviors during earthquakes. The energy transfer process is largely influenced by interactions between the initial and degraded modes of a nonlinear hysteretic system. While linear structural dynamics assumes mode orthogonality for simplicity, sudden nonlinearities especially during large deformations or damage disrupt this orthogonality, leading to non-zero modal interaction. This study investigates modal interaction during sudden nonlinearities at the structural base and its role in explaining energy transfer between different vibrational modes, often triggering higher mode excitation. The research also highlights the limitations of first-order perturbation theory in predicting modal interaction for severely damaged structures, emphasizing the need for a more accurate approach across varying degrees of freedom and damage levels.

The geomorphological property of the watershed plays a vital role in times of crisis in solving hydrological problems, which otherwise cannot be carried out due to inadequate data in some ungauged watersheds. In the current study, the 18 sub-watersheds of Singipuram are classified based on their vulnerability to soil erosion by morphometrical analysis with subsequent prioritization. Singipuram is a sub-watershed pertaining to the Vellar basin of Tamil Nadu, India. The morphometric properties selected to prioritize the sub-watersheds are the bifurcation ratio, circulatory ratio, compactness ratio, elongation ratio, drainage density, form factor, stream frequency, stream length, stream order, and texture ratio. Post morphometric analysis, the quantity compound parameter value was computed, after which the priority ordering of 18 mini-watersheds was performed. The mini-watershed 10 is subjected to the highest erosion as it has the least compound parameter value of 8.3. Hence, top priority while adopting soil conservation measures has to be provided for this mini watershed.

In recent years, vehicles have gained the capability to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure. This network of vehicle communication is anticipated to expand in the near future, incorporating intelligence for autonomous decision-making and forming what is known as the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). Such a system enhances decision-making abilities through real-time information. However, ITS faces several security challenges, including sensor spoofing, false data injection, and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, which can jeopardize control systems and lead to cyber vulnerabilities and physical malfunctions. Traditional security methods are often inadequate in tackling these issues. This study introduces a Lightweight Cyber Security (LCS) model designed for secure communication between vehicles and within in-vehicle systems. An ITS testbed was established to validate the LCS model and demonstrate the effects of various attacks. Experimental tests involved the random injection of threats, and the simulation results from the ITS testbed reveal the percentage of threats that successfully targeted the nodes.

As globalization accelerates, the availability of clean water is becoming increasingly scarce, necessitating the development of advanced filtration membranes that offer high flux, high permeability, reduced energy consumption, and superior selectivity and stability. Filtration membrane-based wastewater purification relies on porous, permeable membranes to remove suspended solids, including particles, macromolecules, and microorganisms, from water. Geotextiles—manufactured fabrics made from polymers like polyester, polypropylene, or nylon— act as physical barriers, filtering solids and contaminants from wastewater. In a study, domestic wastewater was pre-treated with chemical coagulants, specifically alum and ferric chloride (FeCl3). Ferric chloride proved more effective, with an optimal dosage of 1 mg/L for 1000 ml. After a 24-h settling period to allow sludge to settle, the supernatant was filtered using four non-woven geotextiles (150 GSM, 200 GSM, 300 GSM, and 500 GSM) with varying properties. Different combinations of these geotextiles were used in column studies to evaluate filtration efficiency. The results showed that geotextiles achieved total suspended solids removal efficiencies of 70–90% and COD removal efficiencies of 50–70%. The most effective arrangement, with geotextiles placed in the upper, middle, and bottom layers sandwiched between sand and granular activated carbon, achieved COD and TDS removal efficiencies of 96.87 and 95.17%, respectively. Among the geotextiles, the 500GSM non-woven fabric yielded the best results, offering superior strength, flexibility, durability, and controlled degradation compared to traditional sand filters.

Drinking Water scarcity is a critical issue that affects communities across India, in rural as well as urban areas. Existing water management systems are often inefficient, due to improper infrastructure that does not match the current needs of the population. This leads to resource wastage and exacerbates water shortages. This study aimed at understanding the challenge of drinking water shortage from a user perspective, and to explore how technology could be leveraged to increase the sustainability and resilience of communities. A participatory research methodology was implemented to understand this challenge from the ground up. This included extensive community engagement through collaborative activities and informal interviews with community members. As a result, a conceptual smart water management framework is proposed. It leverages Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, cloud computing, and data analytics technologies to optimize water usage and distribution. The system integrates real-time water monitoring using IoT sensors that track water levels, consumption patterns, and leak detection, all of which are stored and processed on a cloud platform. Technology provides actionable insights, enabling predictive maintenance, demand forecasting, and efficient water allocation to address the needs of the people. By combining advanced technologies with a community-driven approach, this framework has the potential to significantly reduce water wastage, improve resource allocation, and contribute to the long-term sustainability and resilience of communities. While the implementation details are yet to be fully developed, the conceptual framework provides a comprehensive roadmap for deploying technology-driven solutions to address water scarcity in rural India.

This study presents a comprehensive comparison of hemp, kenaf, and sisal fibres as internal curing materials in concrete production. Internal curing has emerged as an effective technique to mitigate autogenous shrinkage and enhance concrete durability. Natural fibres offer sustainable alternatives to conventional internal curing agents. The research evaluates the water retention capacity, moisture release characteristics, and effects on concrete properties of these three fibre types. Experimental results demonstrate variations in absorption rates, desorption kinetics, and its impacts on mechanical properties of concrete among the fibres. The results indicate that hemp fibres exhibit superior water retention, while kenaf shows optimal moisture release patterns. Sisal fibres contribute significantly to improved strength. The study also assessed the effect of fibre dosage on the workability, compressive strength, and cost-effectiveness of each fibre type. This comparative analysis provides valuable insights into the selection of natural fibres for internal curing, considering both performance and sustainability aspects in concrete technology.

This review paper examines the basic understanding of the term vulnerability, resilience, and its relevance in urban context and the evolving from a state of vulnerability to resilience. But in the recent events, it is extremely significant and alarming, and the focus is more on the prevention of the events and mechanisms to resolve them. The cities must need to be resilient to any kind of natural and man-made disasters, and vulnerability to be minimized. Various steps are taken at global level and national level and their coordination to achieve resilience. Focusing largely on cities because they are growing rapidly and to address disaster of any type, and there must be some strategies and frameworks in place. To reduce economic and social losses, there must be intervention of policies, programmes, and authorities, with strategic implementations. Steps are taken by United Nations of Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) through various goals and strategies. Importance is given in sustainable development goals and other relevant initiatives. Chennai city has been included in 100 RC (resilient city) by a Non-Profit Organization ARUP in the year 2015 and has also collaboratively worked with Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and has developed various strategies for the city to be resilient. To study the pre- and post-scenarios of a particular city as a case, this paper discusses about Chennai, Tamil Nadu, through Neighbourhood Development of Chepauk area.

The rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly materials has driven heightened interest in natural fibre-reinforced composites, with coir fibre being particularly notable due to its availability, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness. Natural geotextiles, available in both woven and non-woven forms, are thin, durable, and flexible fabric sheets used in pavement construction and maintenance to improve soil stability and reduce erosion risks. This study examines the mechanical properties of coir fibre-reinforced polymer mat by incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a coating layer to enhance the mechanical properties of coir mats. The study also focused on the impacts of coir mat thickness, polymer concentration, proportion and number of coatings. The primary forces encountered by geotextiles predominantly are tensile and puncture forces. In this study, various thicknesses of non-woven coir mat fabrics impregnated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were developed with 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0 cm thickness respectively. The PVA of two different concentrations of 10 and 30% is used for this study. The study further examines the proportions of the two PVA concentration solution in the range of 10, 50, and 90% by the weight of coir mat. The influence of the number of coatings is also determined by considering single and double coating of coir mat. The test result confirmed that the non-woven coir mat performed better for 0.8-cm thickness, coated with 90% by the weight of coir mat of 30% PVA concentration in two layers.

Underground structures are subjected to both seismic and static loading. The research states that the response of a rectangular structure is in the form of racking. However, circular structures like tunnels behave in the form of ovaling. The practical approach adopted for the design of the underground metro stations ignores soil structure interaction, assuming the design to be more critical for the racking forces without soil–structure interaction. However, the study implies that structures with more stiffness than the surrounding soil will experience more deformation without soil–structure interaction, whereas structure with less stiffness than the soil will experience less deformation compared to the actual forces applied due to the absence of soil–structure interaction. Research is done for the underground box structure, experiencing the raking forces in two different media of soil and rock with and without soil–structure interaction. The analysis shows that the racking forces will increase in the case of rock medium with soil–structure interaction. However, the forces will reduce by approx. 20% in less stiff soil using soil–structure interaction.

Real-world disasters such as forest fires frequently result in significant losses of life, property, and ecosystems. These are all seriously threatened by forest fires, which makes risk mapping an essential tool for preventive management and mitigation. This research investigates the forest-prone areas of Wayanad district in Kerala, India. The frequency ratio (FR) technique is used in this work to map the prone area of forest fires using a geographic information system (GIS). The FR technique is an analytical tool in spatial statistics that identifies high-risk locations by correlating fire incidence with different environmental and socioeconomic parameters. Environmental factors such as vegetation, terrain, land use, and climatic conditions were combined with data from past fire incidents to create a GIS framework. The association between these factors and the incidence of fire incidents was measured using the FR approach. The present study created a risk index that shows locations of highly prone areas of forest fires by figuring out the frequency ratio for each element. According to the study, the risk of fire is greatly influenced by elements including the density of vegetation, the slope, and the closeness to metropolitan areas. Targeted preventive and response tactics are made easier by the risk map that is produced using GIS technologies and gives a visual depiction of areas that are prone to fires. This approach helps policymakers and forest managers better allocate resources and prioritize areas for improvement. By combining the frequency ratio technique with GIS technology, forest fire risk assessment is demonstrated to be robustly approached, providing insightful information that can be used to improve overall forest management practices and lessen the effect of forest fires.

The influence of climate variability on the availability of water is critical as it directly affects ecosystems and human livelihoods. Understanding these changes is essential for evolving adaptive strategies to mitigate water stress and ensure long-term water security. Despite the increasing identification of variable climate’s impact on water resources, examination of its upcoming implications is restricted, leaving a significant gap in understanding regional vulnerabilities. This paper attempts to analyze the impact of climate change on water availability and quality considering population growth. A bibliometric study of 582 research papers (journals) through the use of the two most prominent databases: Scopus and Google Scholar was conducted till 2024 on key terms: “climate change” and “water availability” using tools, VOSviewer 1.6.20, R Studio, and Biblioshiny. Therefore, the analysis helps get an in-depth summary of research in this domain that research scholars and individuals engaged can use to recognize probable ways for future research on water availability considering climate variability by formulating effective policies to mitigate water stress.

Since 2019, there has been a global pandemic due to Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), which has resulted in a large increase in the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) used for treating infected patients. The constant need for PPE has resulted in the accumulation of medical waste, leading to environmental issues. Apart from sanitation, incineration, and land filling, an energy recovery method has to be identified to handle COVID-19 medical wastes (CMW). This research focuses on the use of thermochemical processes for treating infectious medical wastes, especially pyrolysis. It is a method of converting CMW into useful products. It is eco-friendly, efficient, cost-effective, and causes lower pollution. This study provides comprehensive information on the management, treatment, and formation of valuable products, as well as the appropriate discharge of CMW into an open environment.

The corrosion of steel reinforcement significantly compromises the durability of concrete structures. This study highlights the innovative use of benzotriazole (BTA) as an anticorrosive additive in epoxy coatings to enhance corrosion protection for steel rebars. Combining BTA with epoxy offers a synergistic effect, significantly enhancing the barrier and inhibitory properties against corrosion. Corrosion performance was evaluated for uncoated, blank epoxy-coated, and BTA-modified epoxy-coated samples (5, 10, and 15 wt%) under aggressive environments, including 3.5% NaCl and 1 M H2SO4 solutions. Electrochemical techniques such as OCP, LPR, and Tafel polarization, along with weight-loss and half-cell potential methods, were employed. Results demonstrated that epoxy coatings with 15 wt% BTA provided superior corrosion resistance, offering a sustainable approach to improve the longevity of reinforced concrete structures.

The agricultural sector serves as the cornerstone of India’s economy, contributing 18% to the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA) in FY24. Despite facing challenges from pandemics and changing climatic conditions, the sector has shown remarkable resilience, playing a significant role in the recovery of India’s economy. Given the significant pollution generated by the concrete industry, partially replacing cement has become essential for achieving sustainability. Research indicates that when agricultural waste is properly processed, it gains pozzolanic properties, making it suitable as a partial substitute for cement in concrete production. This review highlights the local availability of various agricultural wastes and their effects on concrete. Findings suggest that partial replacement of cement with sugarcane bagasse ash, rice husk ash, and palm oil fuel ash could potentially save around 121 million tonnes of cement globally each year while maintaining or even enhancing the desired properties of concrete at optimal substitution ratios.

Identifying barriers that hinder sustainable development is essential for enhancing sustainability in rural communities. This study investigates the challenges in Devarnagar village, situated at Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu, India. To investigate the impediments to sustainable development, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Human-Centred Design (HCD) methodologies were employed. By utilizing the data compiled through the said methodologies, the study presents the complex obstacles hindering sustainable development. Based on the present study, potable water and waste management were identified as the critical challenges hindering sustainability in the study village. Additionally, the study recommends innovative sustainable solutions to address the challenges of sustainable development. The case study offers essential insights for addressing future challenges, particularly the scarcity of potable water and the improvement of waste management in areas similar to the study location.

Flood is a natural calamity that impacts the lives and property of individuals. Floods result from river overflow, coastal influences, and changes in Land Use Land Cover (LULC). The rapid land cover transformations and changes to natural stream flow pathways are causes of flooding. Changes in LULC along with high rainfall intensity over a short span of time produce more runoff in Kovalam basin. Floods are challenging to regulate; yet, they may be controlled with appropriate flood modelling techniques. This study discusses developing flood modelling for Kovalam basin by integrating GIS with Hydrologic Engineering Centre—Hydrologic Modelling Simulation model (HEC-HMS) and hydraulic Hydrologic Engineering Centre—River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) model. The Kovalam basin was chosen owing to the recurrent floods that occurred in 2015, 2021, and 2023. An extreme rainfall event of 400 mm occurred on 1–2 December 2015 is taken for simulating rainfall runoff process with changing land cover conditions of the years 2014, 2019, and 2024. The flood plain maps were developed for the changing LULC conditions. The maximum flood depth is 1.89 m in year 2014, 1.91 m in 2019, and 1.95 m in 2024 of LULC changes. This study discusses the necessity for developing flood modelling in flood management strategies for reducing flood risks. The proposed study can be implemented in basins with analogous hydrological circumstances.

The usage of recycled aggregates in concrete leads to a significant reduction in the extraction of natural resources and the disposal of construction and demolition wastes into landfills. The application of recycled aggregate (RA) in concrete results in an environment-friendly and cost-effective construction approach, contributing to a circular economy. There are different ways for the integration of recycled aggregates in concrete, such as direct addition, addition of treated RA to enhance the properties, and addition of mineral or chemical admixtures directly into recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The current study explores the life-cycle assessment of silica slurry-treated recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) added concrete and its impact on environment. The RCA was treated using impregnation of silica slurry into the pores of RCA, and the concrete was prepared with 50 and 75% treated RCA as a replacement to natural aggregate. To enhance the strength and shrinkage properties, 10% silica fume by weight of cement and 0.5% polypropylene fibers by volume of concrete were also added. The study confirmed the efficacy of treated RCA as a promising material for construction and, thus, a solution to various environmental impacts caused by the production of these construction and demolition wastes.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is essential for evaluating the state of cur-rent civil infrastructure. This study explores the use of guided waves specifically for SHM in mortar plates with sustainability and long-term performance as focal points. Optical fibers are strategically embedded in the plates to transmit light for monitoring purposes. Guided waves offer a non-destructive method for detecting faults, while optical fibers enable sustainable and low-impact real-time monitoring. This approach minimizes the need for external sensors and reduces material waste. The process entails the production of guided waves using piezoelectric transducers and transmitting them through the mortar plate. Optical fibers are embedded in locations that ensure minimal interference with structural integrity and optimize light transmission. This method streamlines the monitoring system, minimizes potential failure points, and aligns with sustainable practices in civil engineering. Further research is required to validate its effectiveness across diverse structural configurations and materials.

Evaluating road geometric design consistency is crucial for ensuring highway safety. The goal of geometric design consistency studies is to locate the inconsistent portions of highways so that suggestions for improvement can be made. As per studies, geometric design consistency measures are categorized based on operating speed, vehicle stability, driver workload, and alignment indices. In this study, geometric design consistency is evaluated based on the operating speed of vehicles on a two-lane state highway passing through rolling terrain. Horizontal curves of varying radii ranging from 23 to 50 m and listed as black spot locations by previous studies were considered for the study. Data on the operating speed of vehicles passing the approaching tangent and midpoint of the curve and their geometric parameters, such as curve length, gradient, superelevation, and minimum sight distance, were collected through field surveys. The 85th percentile speed of each vehicle category is then plotted against the curve radius. Pearson correlation analysis was done to study the geometric consistency by correlating the operating speed with the geometric parameters and determining their significance. Based on this, the operating speed reduction prediction model is developed by linear multiple linear regression at a 95% confidence interval using SPSS software, which is then validated in terms of mean absolute deviation (MAD) and root mean square error (RMSE) values. The model developed is further used for geometric design consistency evaluation.

Climate change stands as an overriding concern to the earth’s system. For a sustainable future, it is essential to consider each minute variation across the earth. Thus, it is important to understand the region’s spatiotemporal dynamics, trends, and forecasting behavior. The primary goal is to identify the characteristics of each parameter for further studies. The study mainly focuses on three aspects. The study mainly focuses on the spatiotemporal patterns of climatic variables (Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), surface temperature of land, and surface pressure) over 43 years, using geostatistical methods, assessing the historical trends of these with the Modified Mann–Kendall Test and forecasting the climate of Indian coastal states for the next 30 years using an Auto regression (AR) model. Geostatistical analysis indicates a rise in AOD over the northern parts of West Bengal. Over the past 43 years, surface temperatures have been notably higher along the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Odisha. Surface pressure peaks in regions of Gujarat as well as along the coastal borders of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The Modified Mann–Kendall Test highlights significant trends in both AOD (p-value 4.352e−14) and surface pressure (p-value 0.014), while the surface temperature of land (−0.002) exhibits no notable trends. Additionally, the autoregressive (AR) model exhibits an irregular trend. These results are vital for directing future research efforts.

Water, a ubiquitous available resource, yet due to sheer mismanagement in water distribution there is always humungous pressure imbued on fresh water. The rudimentary aim of this project is to design an effective decentralized water distribution using EPANET and efficacious in-house greywater filter system with indigenously produced waste. The data on water distribution was collected from the local authority of Thamanur, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. The network was created using EPANET; the existing network had shortcomings such as negative pressure and unequal flow at certain nodes. Hence, the recommendation proposed was to enlarge the pipe diameter, adding more overhead tanks and installing pump’s in several locations. Subsequently with water budgeting, greywater considered to be more voluminous and less polluted can be treated and reused which provides a sustainable decentralized alternative to tackle water scarcity. In the realm of greywater treatment, greywater were collected and characterized for various basic physicochemical parameters using the APHA standard operating procedure. In the due course, two filter media prototypes were designed for 20 cm height and named as H20 and W20. Filters had top 3 cm with hay for H20 and wood chips for W20 respectively, and the filters had fixed layers from top to bottom with vetiver, alum, biochar, activated charcoal, sand, and gravel. Post-characterization of filters showed pH 6.8, turbidity of 25 NTU, hardness of 97.5 mg/L (85%), alkalinity of 79%, total solids of 2500 mg/L, and suspended solids of 200 mg/L. Hence, treated greywater can be reused for non-portable uses like floor washing, gardening, and toilet flushing.