Climate Trends in the Semi-Arid and Arid Region of Kapoeta in South Sudan | Chapter 04 | Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 5

 

Climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions is occurring at an alarming pace in the Kapoeta region of South Sudan. Currently, the Kapoeta region is faced with stiff competition over access to grazing resources within and with neighbouring groups, such as the Karamojong of Uganda and the Turkana of Kenya, culminating in increased migration to water and pasturelands during dry seasons. Accordingly, the study ascertained historical (1984-2016) and projected future (2021-2050) climate trends in the Kapoeta region. Rainfall and temperature data were sourced from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) Climatology Resource, along with the Global Weather Data for Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) data. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics, including the Man-Kendall-tau and Sen's s-Slope estimator, were used in XLSTAT 2016 to project historical (1984-2016) and future (2021-2050) climate trends in the Kapoeta region of South Sudan. The study was conducted in Greater Kapoeta, Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan, in 2016. The Norwegian Earth System Model One (NorESM1) was used to project rainfall and temperature trends under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 for the period from 2021 to 2050. The results demonstrate that annual rainfall amount declined (P=0.05) by 0.32 mm between 1984 and 2016, and its monthly patterns changed from unimodal (1984-1994) to bimodal patterns (1995-2016). Similarly, the maximum annual temperature significantly (P=0.05) increased by 0.061 °C, and the monthly temperature increased significantly (P=0.05) in March, April, May, July, and October from 1984 to 2016. The annual rainfall projection shows a non-significant (P=0.06) rise of 2.912 mm under RCP8.5 and a decrease of 3.080 mm under RCP4.5 from August to December between 2021 and 2025. The peak average monthly rainfall amounts of 111 mm and 89 mm were anticipated to occur in November under RCP8.5 and RCP4.5 from 2021 to 2050. The study projected a significant (P=0.05) increase in annual temperature by 0.016 °C and 0.028 °C, and average monthly temperature increase from January to May under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 between 2021 and 2050. The peak maximum average monthly temperature will reach 28.4 °C and 28.3 °C in March under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 between 2021 and 2050. Ultimately, the climate trends increased during (1984-2016) with an anticipated future increase in climate trends (2021-2050) that requires awareness of the pastoral and agropastoral communities on climate anomalies in the Kapoeta region. Future research should focus on identifying the adaptation and mitigation strategies to improve the overall resilience of local communities in the region.

 

Author(s) Details :-

 

Onono Francis Alex
Department of Animal Production, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Juba, P.O. Box 82, Juba, South Sudan.

 

Sadhat Suleman Walusimbi
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

 

Emmanuel Zziwa
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. 7062, Kampala, Uganda and Climate Change Adaptation, Global Climate Change Alliance, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Plot 88, Buganda Road Wandegeya, P.O. Box 521, Kampala, Uganda.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/crgese/v5/6864

Fundamentals of Timber Construction: Materials, Techniques, and Sustainability | Book Publisher International

Fundamentals of Timber Construction: Materials, Techniques, and Sustainability is an essential guide that explores the core principles of timber construction, offering an in-depth examination of the material’s properties, design fundamentals, and advanced construction techniques. This book is geared toward students, professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the versatility of timber as a sustainable building material in modern construction. In the context of an increasingly environmentally-conscious world, timber is being rediscovered for its numerous advantages, including its renewability, natural beauty, and carbon-sequestering qualities. The book not only introduces the historical significance of timber in construction but also provides a detailed understanding of its modern applications and innovative uses.

The introduction sets the stage by outlining the essential role timber plays in contemporary architecture. As the construction industry faces the challenges of reducing its carbon footprint, timber stands out as an ideal material due to its sustainability. The introduction discusses the growing importance of timber as a renewable resource and its advantages over more conventional building materials, such as steel and concrete, especially in the context of reducing environmental impacts. Timber's natural ability to sequester carbon and its renewable nature make it a central element in sustainable building practices. This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for understanding how timber when utilized thoughtfully, can contribute to sustainable design solutions and help mitigate climate change.

Following the introduction, the book delves into the fundamentals of timber design. This chapter provides a solid foundation in the essential principles that guide the use of timber in construction. It discusses the basic engineering concepts of timber structures, such as structural behavior, and the material’s performance under different conditions. Understanding how timber responds to stress, environmental factors, and time is key to optimizing its use in construction. The chapter emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate timber species based on their properties, ensuring the material's performance aligns with specific project requirements. It also explores the challenges associated with working with a natural material, highlighting issues such as moisture content, shrinkage, and the material’s susceptibility to rot and pests. Furthermore, this chapter emphasizes the importance of designing for longevity and durability, ensuring that timber structures can withstand the test of time while minimizing maintenance needs.

The properties of timber are critical in determining its suitability for various construction applications. The book dedicates an entire chapter to examining these properties in detail, from the basic physical characteristics such as density, grain structure, and moisture content, to its mechanical properties, including tensile strength, shear resistance, and compressive strength. Timber's performance varies depending on species, grain patterns, and moisture content, which all influence its structural capabilities. The chapter provides insights into how these factors can affect design decisions and the long-term performance of timber structures. A deep understanding of these properties is necessary for selecting the right type of timber for specific building elements, whether it be for structural beams, cladding, or flooring. Additionally, the chapter explores the sustainability advantages of timber, such as its role in carbon sequestration, the fact that it is a biodegradable material, and its lower environmental impact compared to other construction materials. Timber's ability to store carbon during its growth cycle is a unique and valuable characteristic that supports the growing demand for environmentally friendly construction practices.

One of the defining features of timber construction is the wide variety of joints and connections used to assemble timber structures. The book’s chapter on special joint constructions introduces readers to both traditional and modern techniques for connecting timber elements. It covers the various types of joints, ranging from traditional methods such as mortise and tenon, dovetail, and scarf joints to modern innovations like laminated timber joints and the use of metal connectors or adhesives. The chapter explains the principles behind these jointing methods, focusing on their strength, durability, and suitability for different applications. It also explores the advances in joinery techniques that allow for greater precision and efficiency in timber construction, including prefabrication and the use of advanced materials like engineered wood products. The importance of selecting the right joint type for specific project requirements is stressed, as the joint can significantly impact the load-bearing capacity and the overall stability of the structure. Furthermore, the chapter addresses the challenges that come with working with timber joints, including the need to account for expansion and contraction due to moisture changes, as well as ensuring that joints remain strong over time.

In conclusion, Fundamentals of Timber Construction provides a thorough and accessible guide to understanding the use of timber in construction, from its properties and design fundamentals to advanced joinery techniques. It highlights timber’s significant role in sustainable construction practices, offering readers a deeper appreciation of this versatile material. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical advice, this book equips those in the field with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about using timber in building design and construction. As the demand for sustainable building solutions continues to grow, timber is poised to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of the built environment. This book serves as an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore the potential of timber construction in creating durable, environmentally responsible buildings.

 

Author (s) Details

BH Janaka Pushpakumara
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-49473-05-8

Impact of Climate Change Dynamics on Sustainable Horticultural Practice in India | Chapter 12 | Emerging Issues in Environment, Geography and Earth Science Vol. 2

 Climate change, compelled by the rise in global hotnesses due to increased hothouse gas emissions, is a important threat to both leading and emerging economies. India, wrestling with a burgeoning people and escalating greenhouse smoke emissions, has experienced notable shifts in critical patterns. In 2018, India emitted 2,299 million tonnes of colorless odorless gas, underlining a pressing concern. Horticulture, including various crops like vegetables, crops, and medicinal plants, plays a vital act in sustainable development by contribution nutritional security, utilization, and economic prosperity. However, changeful climatic conditions pose a danger, leading to diseases and lowered crop yields, disrupting sustainable incident goals. To combat climate change's antagonistic effects and ensure tenable development, climate-bouncy pathways are crucial. These pathways involve adjusting strategies that mitigate temperature change impacts while fostering effective organizations and strategies for risk management. They aim to lower vulnerabilities, enhance managing mechanisms, and continuously accustom to evolving circumstances inside complex socio-ecological systems. The business-related impact of climate change on horticulture is expected to affect productivity, prices, demand, supply, and business. Timely adaptive and mitigative conduct are imperative at both the farm level and with policymakers. Small and marginal farmers bear be empowered to cope with feeling adversities. Ultimately, adaptation and alleviation strategies are paramount in embellishing climate resilience, lowering vulnerability, and promoting tenable development in the face of surroundings change.

Author(s) Details:

Harish Kumar H. R.,
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru-560065, India.

Pavan, V.,
Institute of Agribusiness Management, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru-560065, India.

Madhu D. M.,
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru-560065. India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/EIEGES-V2/article/view/12316

A Comparative Study of Design and Techniques for Retrofitting an Existing Structure by Cost-Benefit Analysis| Chapter 6 | Research Aspects in Chemical and Materials Sciences Vol. 3

 Retrofitting of some random construction is finished to work on its solidarity and execution. In many situations, retrofitting is finished to work on seismic strength and execution, but in this examination retrofitting methods are used to change the utilitarian utilization of a design, to be more exact, the plan is to change a business 10 story structure into a server farm building. To incorporate the extra burden boundaries, rather than complete remaking, retrofitting arrangements are to be taken on, which decreases cost, work and is very energy and climate cognizant. The said structure was displayed utilizing the E-Tabs programming, with proper burden boundaries. Moreover, the adjusted burden boundaries for the server farm would similarly be analyzed to figure out the degree of disappointment and would help in demonstrating the proper retrofitting answer for enhance what is going on. Notwithstanding the execution of retrofitting procedures, we conceived a little factual model (Money saving advantage Investigation) which assisted us with clarifying the requirement for an ordinary methodology. This undertaking is state of the art as in a feasible methodology in the development business is tried to, checking out at the requirement for energy productivity.

Author(s) Details:

Sreenivas Muthukumaraswamy Kamalakannan,
College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, India.

Sravan Ashwin Ananda Murali,
College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, India.

Mohamed Ansari Raja Abdul Malik,
College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, India.

Nithya Anand Saravanan,
College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, India.

B. Vimal Kumar,
Utracon Structural Systems Private Limited, India.

R. Vijayaragavan,
Utracon Structural Systems Private Limited, India.

C. Umarani,
College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RACMS-V3/article/view/8234