Advanced Materials Research Vols. 450-451

Abstract: A large portion of surfaced roads in Zambia have asphalt as part of their pavement structure. Most of these surfaces and to some extent base layers are in a deplorable state. This situation, coupled with unfavorable economic conditions, leaves highway authorities with a huge backlog on highways sustainability. The past practice of “worst-first” is still a common principle other than maintaining pavements earlier in their service life to reduce life cycle costs. In order to include pavement preservation as a pavement network strategy, road surface sealing is adopted. This paper is focused on a selection of possible pitfalls on the usage of empirical models in the rational flexible road surfacing seal design of South Africa, which is commonly used in Zambia. The aggregates, fillers (dust) and bitumen used in surface seal coats vary to a large extent and with the availability of good quality natural materials becoming less, the challenges in providing good quality seal coats are increasing. Since the emphasis is based on failures rather than successes, few answers are provided on the number of questions that usually arise from seal coat design and the aim is to create awareness on some possible pitfalls for using the rational seal design method. The paper emphasizes on design aspects that are not addressed in the Interim guidelines for the design and construction of seal coats in South Africa (Technical Recommendations for Highways (TRH3, 2007)). A few case studies from recent projects in Zambia are also included and evaluated.

Abstract: Replying for the exigent needs of eco-sustainability in urban landscapes, this paper discussed the research countermeasures of urban landscape ecological sustainable planning from the levels of design philosophy and design method, through introducing the deep-ecology idea and the landscape ecology theory. Furthermore, a framework of ecological sustainable planning method was built up basing on space pattern and ecology-space correlation. This framework which mainly includes five planning aspects is the beneficial progress for the traditional urban landscape planning method.

Abstract: The urban plaza is an important constituent of the big system of the city. It makes a prominent contribution to improve the overall environment quality of the city. With different users and using behaviors, the planning and design of urban plazas with different qualities are also different. Based on environmental behavior studies and POE (post occupancy evaluation), the present thesis takes the Municipal Plaza and the Commercial Plaza in Jinniu District as investigating subjects. From June 30th to July 10th in 2011, the investigation was carried out for user groups of different ages, different genders and different activity preferences during different time intervals in working days and at weekends. The researcher carries out a comparative study on using time features, user group features, spatial behavioral features of users, and activity expectations and behavioral modes of users. The researcher explains the importance of paying attention to spatial environment and the humanized design of user behavioral need. The researcher also points out its realistic significance for plaza construction in China.

Abstract: In this paper, a realistic design case in based on both social and natural realities is studied from the following aspects: tourism planning, overall layout, architecture design, landscape and ecological design, etc. It points out that under the background of globalization and difference between the urban and rural areas narrowing down daily, design of new tourism village in China should base itself on local concepts to integrate factors of culture, land and ecology, etc, so as to give a peculiar answer.

Abstract: During urban landscape design, both the rational and the perceptual processes is the important stage. According to the characteristics of urban landscape and scheming, the semantic network method is put forward as a tool to solve the more and more complex problems. Because the semantic network is suitable to the characteristics of the human mind and computer, it is possible to assist urban landscape design and scheming for the designer. In this paper, we will put forward an initial idea of semantic network method and discuss how to use this tool.

Abstract: This paper mainly aims at researching the process of the development and evolution in the practice of construction project. It discusses the static changing process from the aspect of system theory and establishes the framework of wisdom dynamic construction project, providing a new approach for positive development of construction project.

Abstract: With the summary and analysis of the idea, connotation and meaning of green campus ecological planning, this paper demonstrates the specific practice and important meaning of human care in campus planning design, and makes a positive exploration of green human campus in the sustainable development of Chinese building.

Abstract: Strengthening and energy saving is an important engineering of existing buildings. The test is preceded by using two groups of beams, during which the comparisons of cracking load，yield load and ultimate load are made between strengthened and un-strengthened beams. The test result shows that bending capacity of reinforced beams rose obviously. Finally, based on experimental study, the formula of ultimate bending capacity which can be used in engineering design is presented.

Abstract: This paper reports an expermiental study on mechanical behaviors of structural concrete using recycled aggregates from repeatedly recycling waste concrete. Five series of natural aggregate concretes with compressive strengths of 25MPa, 30MPa, 40MPa, 50MPa and 60MPa were used as recycled coarse and fine aggregates to produce recycled concrete with an objective compressive strength of 30MPa after they were cured for 28d. These recycled concretes were used as aggregates to produce concrete with the same objective compressive strength of 30MPa. The cycles were carried on until the indices evaluating the quality of recycled coarse or fine aggregate exceeded the tolerance. The mechanical behaviors of these concrete were tested. The results indicates that that with the increase of the cyclic number, the mechanical properties of recycled concrete, including compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, modulus of elasticity, gradually stabilize after obviously decreaing in the first instance.

Abstract: The stand or fall of power plant operation is extremely important, so we need to analyze the comprehensive financial capacity of power plant. This paper evaluates the economic benefit of Datang Baoding thermal power plants' expansion project based on the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation mathematical model, to determine the effectiveness of the project after implementation.