1. A comprehensive review of the advances, manufacturing, properties, innovations, environmental impact and applications of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)Gregor Kravanja, Ahmad Rizwan Mumtaz, Stojan Kravanja, 2024, review article Abstract: The article presents the progress and applications of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), a revolutionary material in modern construction that offers unparalleled strength, durability, and sustainability. The overview includes the historical development of UHPC, covering its production and design aspects, including composition and design methodology. It describes the mechanical properties and durability of UHPC and highlights recent innovations and research breakthroughs. The potential integration of multifunctional properties such as self-heating, self-sensing, self-luminescence and superhydrophobicity, is explored. In addition, advances in nanotechnology related to UHPC are addressed. Beyond the actual material properties, the article presents an environmental impact assessment and a life-cycle cost analysis, providing an insight into the wider implications of using UHPC. To illustrate the environmental aspects, the determination of CO2 emissions is explained using three numerical examples. Finally, various applications of UHPC are presented, focusing on the construction of buildings and bridges. By synthesizing the above-mentioned aspects, this review paper captures the dynamic landscape of UHPC and serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers in the field of construction materials.
Keywords: ultra-high-performance concrete, UHPC, manufacturing, mechanical properties, durability, multifunctionality, environmental impact assessment, life-cycle costs
Published in DKUM: 02.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 28
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2. Kraft lignin/tannin as a potential accelerator of antioxidant and antibacterial properties in an active thermoplastic polyester-based multifunctional materialKlementina Pušnik Črešnar, Alexandra Zamboulis, Dimitrios Bikiaris, Alexandra Aulova, Lidija Fras Zemljič, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: This research focuses on key priorities in the field of sustainable plastic composites that will lead to a reduction in CO2 pollution and support the EU’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The main challenge is to develop high-performance polyphenol-reinforced thermoplastic composites, where the use of natural fillers replaces the usual chemical additives with non-toxic ones, not only to improve the final performance but also to increase the desired multifunctionalities (structural, antioxidant, and antibacterial). Therefore, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites based on Kraft lignin (KL) and tannin (TANN) were investigated. Two series of PLA composites, PLA-KL and PLA-TANN, which contained natural fillers (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.5% (w/w)) were prepared by hot melt extrusion. The effects of KL and TANN on the PLA matrices were investigated, especially the surface physicochemical properties, mechanical properties, and antioxidant/antimicrobial activity. The surface physicochemical properties were evaluated by measuring the contact angle (CA), roughness, zeta potential, and nanoindentation. The results of the water contact angle showed that neither KL nor TANN caused a significant change in the wettability, but only a slight increase in the hydrophilicity of the PLA composites. The filler loading, the size of the particles with their available functional groups on the surfaces of the PLA composites, and the interaction between the filler and the PLA polymer depend on the roughness and zeta potential behavior of the PLA-KL and PLA-TANN composites and ultimately improve the surface mechanical properties. The antioxidant properties of the PLA-KL and PLA-TANN composites were determined using the DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) test. The results show an efficient antioxidant behavior of all PLA-KL and PLA-TANN composites, which increases with the filler content. Finally, the KL- and PLA-based TANN have shown resistance to the Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, but without a correlation trend between polyphenol filler content and structure.
Keywords: poly (lactic acid), Kraft lignin, tannin, multifunctionality of PLA composites, surface mechanical properties, antioxidant/antibacterial activity
Published in DKUM: 18.09.2023; Views: 495; Downloads: 210
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3. The importance of complementarity in the territorial cohesion and sustainability of rural areas : the case of Cambres, a Duoro winegrowing area, and Magueija, a mountainous areaHelena Pina, 2010, review article Abstract: Although the rural world reveals several troubling trends, such as demographic decline and stagnation/deterioration of the economic framework, there are multiple potentialities requiring urgent vitalization. Furthermore, heterogeneity predominates, a fact that becomes very clear when comparing the territorial setting of Cambres, a parish located in the Lamego municipality, part of the Douro winegrowing area and the area classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, with another parish set within mountainous terrain, Magueija, also located in the Lamego municipality, whose endogenous potential is completely neglected. As such, many challenges compromise its development and conformance with one of the main strategic vectors for the region, which is territorial cohesion.
Keywords: territorial cohesion, multifunctionality, TRA, complementarity
Published in DKUM: 29.03.2018; Views: 978; Downloads: 74
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4. Sustainable rural development - EU agricultural perspectiveAndreja Borec, Jernej Turk, 2009, review article Abstract: Rural areas are diverse worldwide but the paradigm of sustainable development and the improving of rural development has become an issue that occupies most of the world’s governments. The global goal is the same everywhere: to improve the well-being of rural people in the broadest possible sense, but the strategies are various and depend on many different factors and sectors.
Throughout history, agriculture has always played a dominant role in the development of rural areas, but today its significance is under discussion in many countries.
The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has shifted from supporting agricultural production to supporting producers' income directly and with the objective of sustainable agriculture. Issues such as environmental sustainability, the viability of rural economies, food quality and animal health and welfare standards have become more prominent.
In this paper, we try to review some key milestones and dates of CAP and to explain the new role for agriculture in rural areas through the concept of multifunctional agriculture.
Multifunctionality is therefore argued as a model to bring post-modern agriculture up to speed with new societal demands. It emphasizes that, in addition to producing food and fiber, agriculture also produces a wide range of non-commodity goods and services, shapes the environment, affects social and cultural systems and contributes to economic growth. Although the concept is rather simple, its translation into policies remains, however controversial (Dobbs and Pretty, 2004) it may be. Thus, the need for further theoretical and empirical research support for deconstructing the multifunctional concept is crucial for sustainable agriculture and rural development in the near future.
Keywords: sustainability, development, agriculture, multifunctionality, EU, European Union
Published in DKUM: 19.03.2018; Views: 1640; Downloads: 133
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