Scientific Review Engineering and Environmental Sciences (SREES)

Study on the mechanical performance of sustainable earth blocks from sandy granite saprolite and marble waste

Rahima HAMIDECHE, Samy MEZHOUD, Youcef TOUMI — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the pursuit of sustainable and energy-efficient construction materials, earth-based technologies such as compressed earth blocks (CEBs) offer a promising alternative to conventional fired bricks. This study investigates the physico-mechanical performance of CEBs formulated with 85% sandy granite saprolite from Chétaïbi and 15% marble waste, stabilized with varying cement contents (6%, 9%, and 12% by weight) and subjected to different compaction pressures. The produced blocks were evaluated in terms of dry density, total water absorption, compressive strength, and flexural strength. Results indicate that increasing the cement content significantly improves the mechanical properties while reducing water absorption. All formulations exceeded the minimum compressive strength of 2 MPa required by the French standard XP P 13-901, and water absorption values remained below the 15% threshold established by the Indian standard IS 1725. These findings confirm the potential of these blocks as a viable, low-impact alternative to traditional masonry units, supporting the development of more environmentally responsible construction practices.

Dynamic analysis of traffic noise across various land uses based on real-time data

Irwan LAKAWA, SUFRIANTO, HUJIYANTO, Agung SEPTIAWAN — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Traffic noise is one of the most significant forms of environmental pollution in urban areas. It can have negative impacts on both road users and residents living near highways. The high growth rate of motor vehicles from year to year in Kendari City has triggered an increase in traffic noise levels. This study aims to analyze the distribution of traffic noise across various land uses by utilizing real-time data. Noise measurements were conducted using a sound level meter (SLM) at several sampling points representing residential, commercial, service, office, school, and public facility areas. The SLM was positioned 1 m and 10 m away from the edge of the road. According to the findings of the analysis, Kendari City’s traffic noise levels have exceeded the environmental noise threshold. The study found that the main factors contributing to high noise levels are traffic volume and low vehicle speed. Areas with high traffic volumes, such as service, commercial, and office zones, produce higher noise exposure compared to other land use types. Land uses located near social activity centers are significantly impacted by noise exposure. Real-time data-based noise mapping is highly effective in designing sustainable urban transportation and spatial planning policies in cities with heterogeneous traffic categories.

Bridging sustainability awareness and housing preferences: insights from Generation Z in Costa Rica

Tom OKOT — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates how Generation Z perceives and values sustainable residential housing, with a focus on environmental attitudes, personal norms, and awareness of green building certifications. This study is situated in Costa Rica, one of Latin America’s sustainability leaders. It applies the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the norm activation model (NAM) to explore the behavioral and normative drivers of housing preferences. A structured survey of 394 urban residents aged 22–28 was conducted, and responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression with diagnostic tests. Findings show that energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and bioclimatic design are the most valued features. Although environmental concern is nearly universal among respondents, only 31% are familiar with certifications such as LEED or EDGE, revealing a critical awareness gap. Regression analysis confirms that pro-environmental attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and personal norms significantly influence preference for green-certified housing, and certification awareness strengthens this relationship. These insights highlight the need for targeted sustainability education and clearer communication of certification systems. The study offers practical guidance for developers, urban planners, and policymakers aiming to align residential products with the values of environmentally conscious young adults in Costa Rica and comparable markets.

Drained and forgotten peat extraction sites: economic and carbon impacts of peat and water loss in spontaneously forested Lithuanian peatlands

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the condition and environmental impact of abandoned peatland quarries in Lithuania. Using spatial data and field investigations, we identified 33 abandoned peat quarry sites covering over 3,854 ha, which were abandoned between 1940 and 2020. Detailed field assessments were conducted at each abandoned peatland quarry to evaluate the peat depth, pH, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, decomposition, water table levels, and wood volume. Despite past extraction, many sites still contain substantial peat layers along with significant carbon and water storage potential. However, ongoing drainage continues to drive peat loss and carbon dioxide emissions. We estimate that peat loss from extraction totaled 77.5 million m³, which equates to a current value of €899 million in revenue. Nonetheless, the abandoned peatland quarries still host peat deposits ranging from 0.5 m to 2 m in depth. The drying and degradation of the peatlands has also reduced the water storage capacity across the 33 study sites. This loss is estimated at approx. 62 million liters of water, which equals approx. €33 million. This substantially affects local hydrology and increases the vulnerability to drought, fire, flood and natural biodiversity. Carbon emissions from drained peat soils are also substantial. We estimate approx. 14.2 t CO₂ emissions equaling €813 million were lost from peat extraction alone. These emissions are often unreported if such areas are classified simply as “forests.” Our findings highlight the need for active restoration, particularly rewetting, to stop further degradation. Rewetting would reduce emissions, improve water retention, and support biodiversity recovery while offering clear opportunities to align peatland restoration with EU climate and nature goals.

Hydrological analysis of the Oder droughts for the period 1950‒2022 in the context of the 2022 river disaster

Muhammad Umar Ali, Mateusz Grygoruk — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study aims to analyze the droughts of the Oder from 1950 to 2022 at three water gauge profiles located in the upper (Chałupki), middle (Połęcko), and lower (Gozdowice) reaches of the Oder. The subject of the analysis was the temporal variability of the lowest annual and monthly flows of the Oder, the durations of lows characterized by a flow lower than the adopted threshold criterion (average annual minimum flow, SNQ), and the trends of their changes in the analyzed period. We identified decreasing trends of the lowest annual river flows in the middle and lower reaches of the Oder. The lowest monthly flows of the Oder exhibit statistically significant trends in the months of April–September (Połęcko) and May–September (Gozdowice). The summer drought of 2022 was exceptionally long and severe (the discharge deficit amounted to more than 1.8 Mm³ in the Gozdowice profile) and is unlikely to be reduced to the SNQ level through any existing or planned reservoir. Changes in the drought indicators occur as a result of the course of hydrological processes taking place in the Polish part of the Oder basin.

Comparative assessment of the physico-mechanical properties of crumb rubber concretes developed with natural and dune sands

Amar MEZIDI, Salem MERABTI — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper investigates the incorporation of crumb rubber from recycled tires into ordinary concrete (OCCR) and dune sand concrete (SCCR), analyzing the effect of incorporation rates ranging from 1% to 5% relative to the sand mass. A comparative study was conducted focusing mainly on apparent density, compactness, mechanical strengths, and the elastic modulus in the linear regime. The results show that the addition of crumb rubber in concrete leads to a reduction in both compressive strength and flexural tensile strength. For an incorporation rate of 3%, Young’s modulus decreases significantly in SCCR compared to OCCR. Specifically, the elastic modulus is E = 24.7 GPa for OCCR and E = 14.23 GPa for SCCR, representing a reduction of approximately 42%.