-
Research Article
A Hybrid Approach Based on Factor Analysis and Fuzzy AHP Multi-criteria Decision-Making Model for Evaluating Pavement Maintenance Management Practices: The Case of Ethiopian Roads Authority
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
131-152
Received:
31 May 2025
Accepted:
19 June 2025
Published:
10 July 2025
Abstract: The construction industry has long been realized as one of the most important enablers for the social, economic, and political development of countries. Road pavement that has been constructed undergoes a process of deterioration and catastrophic failure after opening to traffic starts at a low rate and with time this rate increases because of aging, overuse, misuse, and mismanagement. Proper maintenance management practice helps to reduce the cost of maintenance and to make sure the pavement is in good condition with minimum maintenance. Thus, the study focuses on exploring the pavement maintenance management practice in the Ethiopian road authority. The method of data analysis for this study was carried out by using factor analysis and fuzzy AHP methods. Factor analysis provides as to reduce a data set to a more manageable size without much loss of the original information while fuzzy AHP is used to determine the preference weights of the variables. To achieve the objective, the data were collected from primary and secondary sources. SPSS software version 23, and Microsoft Excel were used as analysis tools. The study revealed that written maintenance management plans (0.072), maintenance staff training (0.071), maintenance management team leader (0.069), maintenance checklists (0.068), and periodic maintenance (0.063) were mostly practiced in the Ethiopian road authority. Finally, it can be recommended that the decision-makers conduct practical solutions to enhance, advance, and improve pavement maintenance management practices.
Abstract: The construction industry has long been realized as one of the most important enablers for the social, economic, and political development of countries. Road pavement that has been constructed undergoes a process of deterioration and catastrophic failure after opening to traffic starts at a low rate and with time this rate increases because of agin...
Show More
-
Research Article
Application of Light Storage Direct Flexible Energy Management System in Low Carbon Campus Construction in Cold Regions
Liu Bing,
Lv Tiangang,
Li Zhu,
Guo Runbo*
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
153-159
Received:
15 May 2025
Accepted:
4 July 2025
Published:
15 July 2025
Abstract: In the context of the policy of "carbon peaking and carbon neutralization", campuses in cold regions are characterized by high per capita energy consumption, high total carbon emissions, low utilization of renewable energy and concentrated power consumption. At the same time, campuses have the social attributes of teaching and educating people and disseminating low-carbon ideas, so reducing campus carbon emissions is of great significance. With the development of science and technology and renewable energy application technology, photovoltaic power generation, energy storage technology, DC power distribution and flexible management are integrated in the light storage direct flexible energy management system, which improves the utilization efficiency and local absorption rate of renewable energy, and can solve the problems of high energy consumption and low utilization rate of renewable energy in cold areas, and help the construction of low-carbon campus. The author first analyzes the feasibility and advantages of the combination of light storage, direct and flexible system and low-carbon campus construction, and then takes the light storage, direct and flexible demonstration project of the sunken square of a teaching building in the north as an example to discuss the system construction scheme and intelligent adjustment strategy, so as to provide the basis and reference for the construction and promotion of light storage, direct and flexible energy management system in low-carbon campus in cold regions.
Abstract: In the context of the policy of "carbon peaking and carbon neutralization", campuses in cold regions are characterized by high per capita energy consumption, high total carbon emissions, low utilization of renewable energy and concentrated power consumption. At the same time, campuses have the social attributes of teaching and educating people and ...
Show More
-
Research Article
Design and Performance Evaluation of Biogas-based ‘Injera’ Baking Stove Using Local Waste as Feedstock
Ashenafi Desta*,
Abera Ayza
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
160-165
Received:
27 December 2024
Accepted:
13 January 2025
Published:
5 August 2025
Abstract: Injera is a popular food in Ethiopia. Currently, approximately 70-80% of the primary energy for cooking in Ethiopia comes from biomass. The collection of wood for fuel and its combustion in inefficient stoves lead to local scarcity and ecological damage. This extensive use of biomass in traditional ways contributes to drought, environmental pollution, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and health issues. To mitigate these problems, there is a growing emphasis on promoting alternative renewable energy sources, such as biogas technology, which is both energy-efficient and cost-effective. Currently, biogas in Ethiopia is primarily used for lighting and cooking. However, previously implemented biogas injera baking stoves have faced challenges, including uneven heat distribution, heat loss, and high fuel consumption. This study aims to analytically design and develop an improved biogas injera baking stove and its performance. This project is focusing on key parameters such as cooking time, biogas consumption, temperature, efficiency, energy requirements, and the quality of injera. The newly developed stove completed the baking process in just 120 sec. The experimental results demonstrate that the newly developed biogas injera baking stove outperforms the existing model, showing significant reductions in both baking time and biogas consumption. Additionally, this study highlights the economic feasibility of the new stove, with a positive net present value.
Abstract: Injera is a popular food in Ethiopia. Currently, approximately 70-80% of the primary energy for cooking in Ethiopia comes from biomass. The collection of wood for fuel and its combustion in inefficient stoves lead to local scarcity and ecological damage. This extensive use of biomass in traditional ways contributes to drought, environmental polluti...
Show More
