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This study presents a displacement-based seismic fragility assessment of a high-rise reinforced cement concrete (RCC) building designed in compliance with Indian seismic codes. The selected structure, a G+19 ordinary moment-resisting frame (OMRF), is modelled in ETABS with realistic material properties, geometric irregularities, and design loads as per IS 875 and IS 1893 provisions. Seismic performance evaluation is conducted through Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) using a suite of ground motion records from FEMA P695, scaled progressively to capture structural response from elastic behaviour to collapse. Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) and spectral displacement serve as intensity measures, while inter-storey drift ratio is adopted as the primary damage parameter. Fragility curves are developed for key performance levels based on maximum allowable drift limits. The results reveal significant sensitivity of the high-rise frame to torsional irregularities, with drift concentration occurring predominantly in the mid-height storeys. Probabilistic fragility functions indicate that the probability of exceeding life safety limits increases sharply beyond a PGA of 0.25g. Comparison with previous studies confirms that displacement-based assessment provides a more accurate representation of seismic vulnerability than force-based methods, particularly for irregular high-rise configurations. The findings emphasize the necessity for enhanced design considerations, including stiffness regularity and supplemental damping systems, to improve resilience in Indian high-rise RCC buildings. This research contributes a performance-based seismic assessment framework adaptable for both new designs and retrofitting strategies in similar structural systems.

The increasing global focus on sustainability and decarbonization has highlighted the urgent need for effective plastic waste management strategies, including their potential reuse in construction materials. Pharmaceutical blister packaging, primarily composed of plastic aluminium laminates, represents a growing post-consumer waste stream, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased reliance on solid medications. Recycling waste pharmaceutical blisters (WPBs) poses significant challenges; however, its incorporation into concrete offers a sustainable alternative for waste utilization. This study explores the feasibility of using WPB in M30 concrete by developing two mix categories through the absolute volume method: (i) direct addition of WPB (0–30% by weight of sand) and (ii) partial replacement of sand with WPB (5–30%). Compressive strength tests identified 20% substitution as optimal, with mixes achieving 92–95% of control strength. Non-destructive evaluation using the Schmidt Rebound Hammer validated destructive testing results. Water absorption analysis revealed that partial sand replacement provided better resistance compared to direct addition. Furthermore Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses of the optimum mix after 90 days confirmed well-developed hydration products and strong interfacial bonding between WPB fibers and the cementitious matrix. The results demonstrate that WPB can be effectively utilized in low-strength concrete, providing a promising solution for pharmaceutical waste management while contributing to circular economy and decarbonization goals in the construction sector. Future studies should investigate durability under aggressive environments, behavior at elevated temperatures, and flexural performance, along with advanced microstructural characterization to better understand interfacial transition zones.

In this paper, an analytical model for the stability analysis of rock slope subjected to block toppling pertaining to different hydraulic forms has been developed. In the traditional analytical model, ground water pressure is considered to be varied hydrostatically. To better reflect the physical situation, three different hydraulics forms have been considered in developing a stability model for a rock slope susceptible to block toppling. It is well known fact that presence of ground water causes the instability in a rock slope. The present study observes that hydraulic distribution forms also significantly influence the stability of the rock slope. Ground water pressure markedly increases the toppling forces on the blocks and reduces the normal and shear force at the base of block along failure plane, thereby causing instability. The increase in toppling force and reduction in the factor of safety on the blocks are more prominent when the flow slit is blocked, indicating a condition of permanent or seasonal frozen strata. The study highlights that adopting the traditional hydraulic form to analyse block toppling stability, considering presence of ground water would not be suitable for all field conditions. This necessitates the selection of an appropriate hydraulic distribution form based on the encountered field conditions.

A deterministic model for the factor of safety of an idealized rock mass for planar mode of failure is developed adopting Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) using Patton’s shear strength criterion and considering practically occurring conditions such as the effect of tension crack, water filled up in tension crack, horizontal and vertical seismic acceleration, rock bolt stabilizing force and surcharge. In the Pseudo-static analysis horizontal seismic acceleration is taken outward from the slope and vertical seismic acceleration is considered in both the direction i.e. towards the direction of gravity (downward) and opposite to the direction of gravity (upward). An expression of normal stresses as limiting criterion has been derived in order to compare the field normal stresses along the failure surface. A detailed parametric study has been presented to investigate the influence of vertical seismic coefficient for both the direction on the stability of rock slope using developed expression. For high normal stress along the failure plane, it is observed that the factor of safety decreases with increase in the value of vertical seismic coefficient towards the direction of gravity and increases linearly with increase in the value of vertical seismic coefficient against the direction of gravity and the opposite trend has been found for lower normal stress. The vertical seismic coefficient against the direction of gravity has predominant effect on factor of safety of rock slope as the rate of increase/decrease of factor of safety with vertical seismic coefficient is more against the direction of gravity. Hence in determining the critical factor of safety, effect of vertical seismic coefficient against the direction of gravity should be considered.

In this study, we report the fabrication of a cubic phase SnO2-based thin film gas sensor with excellent sensitivity and selectivity for carbon monoxide (CO) gas at room temperature, with a high response of 25606% achieved at 2 ppm CO gas concentration, and a detection limit down to 1 ppb. Cubic phase SnO2 thin films are synthesized using a simple sol-gel process, followed by spin coating. Our synthesis technique allows for stabilizing the cubic phase of SnO2, confirmed through XRD and TEM studies, which is otherwise reported at high pressures and temperatures. Further, our DFT simulations show that the cubic phase of SnO2 nanoparticles has a lower energy barrier for CO adsorption and desorption than the more common tetragonal phase. The low-voltage and ambient operating conditions of the sensor reported in this study make it highly practical for widespread use, thus offering a promising solution to the growing need for efficient and affordable gas sensing applications, including environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and medical diagnosis.In this study, we report the fabrication of a cubic phase SnO2-based thin film gas sensor with excellent sensitivity and selectivity for carbon monoxide (CO) gas at room temperature, with a high response of 25606% achieved at 2 ppm CO gas concentration, and a detection limit down to 1 ppb. Cubic phase SnO2 thin films are synthesized using a simple sol-gel process, followed by spin coating. Our synthesis technique allows for stabilizing the cubic phase of SnO2, confirmed through XRD and TEM studies, which is otherwise reported at high pressures and temperatures. Further, our DFT simulations show that the cubic phase of SnO2 nanoparticles has a lower energy barrier for CO adsorption and desorption than the more common tetragonal phase. The low-voltage and ambient operating conditions of the sensor reported in this study make it highly practical for widespread use, thus offering a promising solution to the growing need for efficient and affordable gas sensing applications, including environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and medical diagnosis.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop criteria for project manager selection based on desired skills of a project manager and facilitate the selection of a suitable candidate from a pool of potential candidates for the implementation of projects in the Indian context. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes three major skills, namely human skill, conceptual and organizational skills; technical skill along with their sub-skills to develop criteria for project manager selection. Based on the responses of project professionals from industry, the study uses analytical hierarchy process to prioritize and identify the relative importance of different skills in the criteria in order to develop a hierarchical structure for project manager selection. Findings The study finds that at the first level of project manager selection criteria, conceptual and organizational skills are the most important selection criteria followed by human skills and technical skills. At the second level of project manager selection criteria, planning, delegating authority and understanding methods, processes, and procedures are some of the important sub-selection criteria. The weights indicating the relative importance of major selection criteria and sub-selection criteria can be used to evaluate the relative weight of a given candidate for selection as a project manager. Research limitations/implications The results in this study are derived from specific demographic conditions in India. Future research with larger samples from other countries is needed for generalizations of the proposed criteria. Practical implications The proposed method quantifies the intangible qualitative criteria to select a project manager, which can aid decision-makers in a multi-criteria decision-making environment. Originality/value This research paper is focused on the identification of critical skills for the selection of a project manager, which is almost neglected by the researchers.

This study examines the pattern and trend of seasonal and annual precipitation along with extreme precipitation events in a data scare, south Asian country, Afghanistan. Seven extreme precipitation indices were considered based on the intensity, duration, and frequency of precipitation events. The study revealed that the precipitation pattern of Afghanistan is unevenly distributed at seasonal and yearly scales. Southern and southwestern provinces remain significantly dry whereas, the northern and northeastern provinces receive comparatively higher precipitation. Spring and winter seasons bring about 80% of yearly precipitation in Afghanistan. However, a notable declining precipitation trend was observed in these two seasons. An increasing trend in precipitation was observed for the summer and autumn seasons, however; these seasons are the lean periods for precipitation. A declining annual precipitation trend was also revealed in many provinces of Afghanistan. Analysis of extreme precipitation indices reveals a general drier condition in Afghanistan. Large spatial variability was found in precipitation indices. In many provinces of Afghanistan, significantly declining trends were observed in intensity-based (Rx1-day, RX5-day, SDII, and R95p) and frequency-based (R10) precipitation indices. The duration-based precipitation indices (CDD and CWD) also infer a general drier climatic condition in Afghanistan. This study will assist the agriculture and allied sectors to take well-planned adaptive measures in dealing with the changing patterns of precipitation, and additionally, facilitate future studies for Afghanistan.

PurposeIn view of the substantial gaps between desirable and actual competencies of project practitioners, there is a genuine and continual need to improve approaches towards project management education. The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine whether previous work experience of students pursuing a master’s programme in project management plays a role in their understanding and learning from the programme.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 282 respondents, who included working project professionals along with first-year (junior) and second-year (senior) students of a two-year postgraduate programme in project management. Considering the responses of working project professionals as the benchmark, the paper employs exploratory factor analysis and multiple comparisons to examine differences in the perceived importance given to factor groupings of critical success factors (CSFs) of construction projects by different respondent groups.FindingsResults of the study suggest that irrespective of students’ seniority in the postgraduate programme, responses of students with previous project work experience more closely match the responses of project professionals, in contrast to students without such experience. The results indicate that students’ previous project work experience does play a role in their understanding and learning. In addition, the paper also identifies four factor groupings of CSFs and, diverging from past studies, conceptualises “alignment” as a new factor grouping.Practical implicationsFindings support the view that adequate previous work experience may be included as an essential qualifying requirement for pursuing higher education in project management.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first empirical studies that investigate the requirement of students’ previous work experience and reveals its significance in higher project management education.

In this study, we report the fabrication of a cubic phase SnO -based thin film gas sensor with excellent sensitivity and selectivity for carbon monoxide (CO) gas at room temperature, with a high response of 25606% achieved at 2 ppm CO gas concentration, and a detection limit down to 1 ppb. Cubic phase SnO thin films are synthesized using a simple sol-gel process, followed by spin coating. Our synthesis technique allows for stabilizing the cubic phase of SnO , confirmed through XRD and TEM studies, which is otherwise reported at high pressures and temperatures. Further, our DFT simulations show that the cubic phase of SnO nanoparticles has a lower energy barrier for CO adsorption and desorption than the more common tetragonal phase. The low-voltage and ambient operating conditions of the sensor reported in this study make it highly practical for widespread use, thus offering a promising solution to the growing need for efficient and affordable gas sensing applications, including environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and medical diagnosis.

An endeavour has been made to assess the spatial fluctuation of the profundity of endured and designing bedrock in Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh, North India utilizing Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) study. One-layered MASW study has been done at Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur campus and Shear-wave Velocity V S 30 are estimated. MASW overview at 3 location and a Standard Penetration Test SPT-N from the profound geotechnical boreholes data used for comparison of site classification. The deduction of this work might be utilized as contributions for seismic tremor risk the board by lessening the seriousness of earthquake shaking through plan of tremor Earthquake risk resilient structure strong designs. The data that collected from the MASW experimental setup is feed using the software ParkSEIS (v.3.0), we obtain Shear Wave Velocity (V S 30 ). The obtained V S 30 is used to plot Response Spectra for MMMUT Gorakhpur. The Time History data used in this thesis is Nepal Earthquake 2015 data which is collected from Indian Metrological Department (IMD) Delhi, India. SPT-N value data is collected from Awas Vikas Parishad for the New Administration Building build at MMMUT campus Gorakhpur. The Time History data of Nepal Earthquake 2015 is analysed using DEEPSOIL v7 Software and a systematic layer wise study of MMMUT Campus soil is carried out, results such as Ground Motion Parameters, Response Spectra, Spectral acceleration vs Frequency plot, Tripartite Spectrum and Response spectra corresponding to 5% damping are obtained.