Scientific Review Engineering and Environmental Sciences (SREES)

The association between ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and air pollution-related respiratory disease at the pollution control zone of Rayong Province, Thailand

Somboon CHAIPRAKARN — 2026-06-29

This study investigated the association between ambient PM_2.5 concentrations and respiratory diseases at the pollution control zone of Rayong Province in Thailand during 2020–2023. Daily PM_2.5 data were obtained from air quality monitoring stations, and hospital records of pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were analyzed. Spearman rank correlation and time-lag analyses (lags 0–7 days) were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Significant positive correlations were observed between PM_2.5 concentrations and bronchitis (r = 0.276, p < 0.05) and asthma (r = 0.283, p < 0.05), with lag effects detected up to three days following exposure. Weaker or non-significant associations were found for COPD. These findings suggest that short-term exposure to elevated PM_2.5 levels may increase the risk of acute respiratory conditions. Continuous air quality monitoring and early warning systems are therefore essential to mitigate health impacts in industrial regions.

The role of roadside vegetation near school in mitigating air pollution: an exploratory case study in Zielonka

Michał TRZECIAK — 2026-06-10

This study investigates the role of urban vegetation in mitigating particulate matter (PM₁, PM₂.₅, PM₁₀) pollution along school routes in Zielonka, a small town near Warsaw. Measurements were collected during leaf-off (March) and leaf-on (September) conditions using a Sniffer4D mobile air quality monitor carried along pupils’ commuting paths, alongside vegetation density estimates obtained with a SunScan Canopy Analysis System. Initial correlation analyses across the entire dataset revealed weak negative relationships between leaf area index (LAI) and particulate concentrations. To refine interpretation, the study introduced spatial stratification using built-up area percentages derived from the BDOT10k topographic database. While mean PM levels decreased with higher LAI, occasional local maxima were observed in dense canopy sections. The findings highlight that vegetation’s effectiveness in improving air quality is highly context-dependent, shaped by urban form and season. Although the explanatory power was modest, the results emphasize the importance of integrating vegetation and built-environment interactions in air quality assessments. Further studies with broader spatial and temporal coverage are recommended to better characterize these relationships and guide targeted greening strategies along school routes.

Quantifying thermal comfort improvement by palm tree-based street greening, in hot and dry climate

Naama KHELIFA — 2026-06-29

This paper aims to quantify the improvement in outdoor thermal comfort through palm tree-based street greening in hot, dry regions affected by rapid urbanization and climate change. The study was conducted in Sidi Okba, one of the largest oases in Biskra, Algeria, during summer, characterized by its diverse urban housing fabric. Two streets were compared: Str1, located in a traditional vegetation-free urban fabric but surrounded by Phoenix dactylifera palm groves to the northwest and south, and Str2, situated in a contemporary urban fabric with minimal vegetation. The methodology combined field measurements and digital simulations using Envi-Met software to evaluate a greening scenario for Str2 involving palm tree integration. Results revealed that Str1 exhibited superior cooling effects due to its proximity to palm groves, while the proposed greening scenario for Str2 demonstrated significant thermal comfort improvement compared to its current state. Factors such as palm tree density, distribution, and the location of a street within the urban fabric influence microclimatic conditions. The study underscores the efficacy of local palm trees in providing sustainable cooling and their cultural-environmental suitability for hot, arid regions. It urges urban planners to prioritize native vegetation and integrate it into urban development strategies to enhance climate resilience.

Behavior of self-compacted reinforced concrete deep beams using steel plates as shear reinforcement

Munaf Al-RAMAHEE — 2026-06-29

This research studies the structural behavior of self-compacted reinforced concrete deep beams by using steel plates as an alternative to traditional shear reinforcement. Seven specimens were fabricated and tested to evaluate the effectiveness of steel plate substitution based on force equivalency principles. The experimental program includes one specimen with traditional stirrup reinforcement as a control specimen and six specimens divided into two groups. The first group included three beams with web reinforcement substituted with 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm steel plates. The second group included three beams with skin reinforcement replaced by steel plates of the same varying thicknesses. Experimental results showed that using 4 mm-thick web steel plates enhances the load-carrying capacity by 11% compared to the control specimen. Other specimens, especially those with skin reinforcement steel plates, showed comparable performance to the control beam, suggesting that steel plate substitution maintains structural integrity without significant strength degradation. Finite element analysis was carried out using ABAQUS software to validate the experimental results. The numerical outcomes showed good agreement with those from the experimental program in terms of ultimate load capacity. The study concludes that steel plates can serve as a viable alternative to traditional shear reinforcement in self-compacting concrete deep beams, with optimal performance achieved using 4 mm-thick web steel plates.

Auditory comfort and noise perception under thermal and visual conditions in urban parks

Okan ŞİMŞEK — 2026-06-29

This study investigates auditory comfort in outdoor urban environments by examining the combined influence of visual and thermal factors. Field research was conducted in two major urban parks in Adana, Turkey, representing the Mediterranean climate, where simultaneous environmental measurements and surveys were performed during the autumn season. The collected data included air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, mean radiant temperature, sound pressure level, and both horizontal and vertical illuminance. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that sound pressure level was the most influential parameter, showing a strong negative association with auditory comfort, while higher vertical illuminance slightly decreased comfort levels. Thermal variables exhibited indirect effects on noise perception rather than on comfort itself. Participants expressed a strong preference for natural sounds such as birdsong and flowing water, while human and mechanical sounds were generally disliked. The findings highlight that auditory comfort is a multisensory phenomenon shaped by both acoustic and contextual environmental qualities.

Clay masonry units with variation in construction and demolition waste (CDW) particle size

Miriam Kattyuska CARASSAS ROSALES — 2026-06-29

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of construction and demolition waste (CDW) particle size on the physical and mechanical properties of clay bricks. The methodology was applied, with a quantitative approach and a quasi-experimental design. The population comprised all manufactured bricks, and the sample consisted of 75 units, distributed into a control group without CDW and four experimental groups with particle sizes of 3/4″, 1/2″, 3/8″, and No. 4. Absorption, dimensional variation, and compressive strength were evaluated. The control bricks exhibited an absorption of 10.7%, dimensional stability within regulatory limits, and a compressive strength of 55 kg⸱cm−². Absorption increased to 13.0% with 3/8″ waste, while No. 4 showed lower absorption (11.7%). Dimensional variation remained within acceptable limits. The 3/8″ waste particles retained their dimensions better, while the No. 4 particles showed greater deviations in height. Regarding compressive strength, the coarse waste particles (3/4″ and No. 4) reached 65 and 64 kg⸱cm−², respectively, surpassing the control, while the 3/8″ particles registered only 26 kg⸱cm−², demonstrating that coarse particles favor compaction and structural development of the brick. In conclusion, the incorporation of CDW into clay bricks is a proven alternative, with particle size being a determining factor in optimizing its properties.