Editorial
Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Volume 8, Issue 3
The final issue of Volume 8 of the Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology includes papers on the use of steel fibers in self-compacting concrete (SCC), energy consumption and economic development, buildability factors of foundations, industry supported research funding, cleaner production(CP), alternative interconnects to copper, and braking system synchronization.
In the first paper, S. Ghanbarpour, H. Mazaheripourb, S.H. Mirmoradib and A. Barari discuss the economic and technical benefits of using steel fibers in SCC. They argue that steel fibers bridge cracks retard their propagation and improve several characteristics and properties of the SCC. They investigated the effects of type and volume fraction of steel fiber on the compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of steel fiber-reinforced SCC (SFRSCC) using micro wire and wave-type steel fibers with l d ratios of 50 were used. They found that inclusion of steel fibers significantly affected the split tensile and flexural strength of SCC accordance with type and f v.
The paper authored by Diao Xundi, Shen Liyin, Zeng Saixing, Ochoa Jose Jorge and Zhang Xiaoling examined the relationship between the current state of energy consumption and economic development in Beijing’s construction industry so as to supply decision support for the future. They found that at least maintaining the current economic development and energy utilization policy,production specifications, or using new technology, new methods and economic policy to stimulate the economic development, or more attention from all the stakeholders to saving more energy than before, would still have to be priority considerations for Beijing’s construction industry in the foreseeable future.
The next paper by Abdulaziz M. Jarkas investigated the effects and relative influence of grid patterns, variability of foundation sizes, total surface area,and average surface area on formwork labour productivity of isolated foundations. He found significant impacts of buildability factors on formwork labour productivity and substantiated the importance of applying rationalization and standardization concepts during the design stage of construction projects. Further, the outcomes of the study would provide designers with feedback on how well their designs used buildability principles and the tangible consequences thereof on labour productivity.
Maurice Oscar Dassah and Ernst Uken discuss the significance of the South African Technology and Human Resources in Industry Programme (THRIP) for sustained funding of research in science, engineering and technology. They argue that since public money is spent on this type of research, the need for tangible demonstration of socio-economic benefits and impacts is paramount. The findings suggest that THRIP resulted in human resource development accompanied by commercial/economic and technological spin-offs.
S. Fore and C.T. Mbohwa in their paper argue for CP for environmental conscious manufacturing in the foundry industry. They found that the CP approach adopted provides clear guidance for generating options and could be used as a practical basis for managerial decision making and policy formulation. Of major concern was resource depletion and pollution associated with the foundry processes. They concluded that there was need for Low-Income Countries to identify the Best Available Technologies available within the foundry industry and embrace or improve on them.
Yograj Singh Duksh, Brajesh Kumar Kaushik, Sankar Sarkar, and Raghuvir Singh discuss the comparative performance of carbon nanotube, nickel silicide nanowire and copper VLSI interconnects. They found that the theoretical studies suggested CNTs and NiSi nanowires to be better alternatives against copper on the ground of performance parameters, such as effective current density, delay, and power consumption. They argue that NiSi nanowire should be aggressively considered as an alternate and most promising candidate for modern VLSI interconnection. Further, bundle CNTs also assured long interconnect applications.
The final paper by S. Vinodh and M. Arun discuss the application of creative design concepts to braking system synchronization in two-wheeler bikes. They found that the effectiveness of braking system was improved by the adoption of the proposed system. They argue that the proposed system would reduce the number of accidents and also add significantly to the life of the brakes.
Special thanks to each of the contributing authors and reviewers for their contributions to the papers in this particular issue.
Theo C. Haupt
