Hani Abu Qdais, Osama Saadeh, Mohamad Al-Widyan, Raed Al-tal and Muna Abu-Dalo
The purpose of this study is to describe the efforts undertaken to convert the large university campus of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) into a green…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to describe the efforts undertaken to convert the large university campus of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) into a green, resource-efficient and low-carbon campus by following an action-oriented strategy. Sustainability features of the campus were discussed and benchmarked. Challenges were identified and remedial actions were proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
Taking 2015 as the baseline year, data on energy, water consumption and solid waste generation for the university campus were collected. Energy consumption for cooling, heating and transportation, besides electric power consumption, were reported, and the associated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were estimated. By calculating the full time equivalent of students and employees, carbon emission and water consumption per capita were calculated. A comparison with other universities worldwide was conducted.
Findings
Although located in a semiarid region with scarce water resources, JUST has set an example by greening its campus through an action-oriented approach. It was found that the per capita carbon emission for JUST campus was 1.33 ton of CO2 equivalent, which is less than the emissions from campuses of other universities worldwide. As for water, this study revealed that the daily per capita water consumption was about 56 L, which is approximately one-third of that for students in institutions in the USA. Furthermore, the findings of this study indicated that the average solid waste generation rate was 0.37 kg per student per day compared to 0.31 kg per capita per day when considering the university community (students and employees) collectively. These figures were less and thus compare favorably to the corresponding data for other universities in both developing and developed countries.
Originality/value
This research addresses the issue of greening JUST campus, which is one of the largest university campuses in the world. JUST campus is located in a semiarid, water-scarce country, which on its own poses a serious challenge. The originality and value of this study mainly stem from the facts that on the one hand, this is one of the unique and pioneering comprehensive studies of its type and, on the other hand, other universities with similar conditions can benefit from the findings of this research to meet the sustainability objectives on their campus operations.
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Mashal Sheban, Muna Abu‐Dalo, Ayman Ababneh and Silvana Andreescu
The aim of this research was to develop corrosion protection systems for reinforced concrete structures under chloride attack. Benzotriazole (BTA) and BTA derivatives were used as…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this research was to develop corrosion protection systems for reinforced concrete structures under chloride attack. Benzotriazole (BTA) and BTA derivatives were used as corrosion protection materials for the steel.
Design/methodology/approach
The effect of BTA and four other BTA derivatives on the corrosion resistance of steel in simulated concrete pore (SCP) solutions was studied. BTA derivatives were used as two separate protection systems: inhibition and pickling protection systems. The experiments were performed in SCP solutions which simulated concrete with and without severe chloride attacks. Electrochemical techniques, i.e. potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to assess the steel corrosion protection systems.
Findings
The potentiodynamic polarization studies showed an increase in the pitting potential for all protection systems tested. In addition, a large increase in the steel solution interfacial resistance was observed by electrochemical impedance studies (EIS) due to the formation of steel‐BTA derivatives complex on the surface. This film was formed on the steel surface with either mono‐or bi‐dentate bonds between the triazolic nitrogen ring and the steel surface as shown by the FTIR.
Research limitations/implications
BTA derivatives provided good protection for steel in SCP solutions, indicating their applicability in reinforced concrete structures. However, tests using reinforced concrete samples are required to study possible interactions between steel, BTA derivatives and concrete constitutes, e.g. sand, gravel, cement and chemical admixtures. These BTA‐based systems also should be studied under carbonation attack.
Originality/value
BTA derivatives provided a good protection for steel in the SCP solutions, and this indicates the applicability to use them in reinforced concrete structures.