ProQuest/CSA

In this study, the author investigates a two-stage transport system, which consists of several warehouses and demand points grouped into clusters. The study aims to identify the combination of shipping and delivery strategies, which implementation in two-stage transport system increase efficiency. To achieve this objective, the author models the costs associated with the application of those strategies in different transport solutions, proposes a framework useful for efficiency evaluation and its practical application. During a case study, the author investigates those transport solutions and specifies the most economically attractive ones allowing to achieve costs reduction for products supply to each cluster. According to the case study analysis, approximately 47 % of costs could be minimised in the transport system by applying the transportation solution, which includes the combination of store order shipping and direct store delivery strategies. The scientific novelty of this research is the application of the proposed framework for efficiency examination in the two-stage transport system.

Sustainable development in supply chain management (SCM) is challenging to implement, so various studies have sought to identify appropriate practices that eliminate barriers and challenges’ effects on sustainable SCM (SSCM). To overcome previous investigations’ limitations, the present research developed a multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) framework for prioritising SSCM practices, which was applied to an Iranian case. A careful, systematic review of previous studies extracted a comprehensive list of SSCM barriers and practices. To shorten the long list of barriers identified, the fuzzy Delphi and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation methods were used to reduce the decision criteria list. These two approaches are particularly appropriate because of the criteria’s complex interactions. In addition, fuzzy sets are useful when dealing with uncertainties in decision-making processes and obtaining experts’ opinions. With the selected experts’ help, the extent of each practice’s impact on barriers was measured. The practices were then ranked by order of priority using six fuzzy MADM methods. The implemented methods’ weights were determined using the correlation coefficient and standard deviation (CCSD) approach in order to prioritise the practices for the final time. The proposed methodological framework combines different approaches’ results and increases the findings’ empirical robustness by applying the CCSD method, thereby eliminating previous studies’ limitations. Results show that ‘Lack of sustainable product and service promotion’ (B18) and ‘Weak social and society-related pressures’ (B34) are the top priority barriers and ‘Applying preventive and maintenance strategies to maximize equipment’s effectiveness’ (P5) and ‘Implementing reverse logistics’ (P3) have been identified as the most important SSCM practices.

Sustainability has become one of the most important issues in the field of supply chain management (SCM). In recent years, many studies have been conducted about how to select a sustainable supplier and different methods have been proposed for this purpose in fuzzy and deterministic environments. A review of the research literature reveals that decision makers have paid more attention to the results of fuzzy-based studies because they are more accurate and precise in collecting data. The purpose of this paper is to present a new model with a triangular fuzzy approach for sustainable supplier selection (SSS) in the supply chain. The proposed fuzzy model is based on the best-worst method (BWM) and α-cut analysis in which the decision maker (DM) can determine the alpha value between 0.1 and 0.9, depending on the level of uncertainty. A high value of alpha indicates low uncertainty and its low value indicates a high uncertainty in decision making. To illustrate the model and demonstrate its capability, a real SSS case in Iran Khodro Company (IKCO), was examined by three experts in the automotive industry and the decision criteria were selected based on the literature review and expert opinions. The results show that the first supplier (ISACO Parts Supply Company) is the most sustainable supplier.

The paper analyses the energy and technical possibilities of installing systems that use renewable energy sources (solar energy) to renovate soviet type apartment buildings. The aim of the analysis is to study the possibilities of using solar energy systems to renovate apartment buildings (five-storey, nine-storey and sixteen-storey), which are built in Lithuania, provide detailed conclusions about the energy and engineering aspects of such systems. The authors also intend to determine the optimal technological combinations and solutions that would allow achieving maximum energy benefits (solar collectors for domestic hot water preparation and photovoltaic panels for electricity use). For the research computer simulation tools EnergyPRO and PV*SOL Premium were selected. Actual collected heat and electricity consumption data is also used for the analysis.

The extant literature reveals a growing need to rethink urban sustainability. Sustainable urban development is becoming more important to city strategic planning since sustainability is a critical aspect of environmental protection, social cohesion, and economic growth. However, decisions are currently not always taking into account the need to maintain sustainability because either decision makers do not fully understand the decision problems at hand or they do not focus on finding realistic, contextualized solutions. In addition, most existing models of urban sustainability assessment are static. Therefore, new urban sustainability assessment systems based on landsenses ecology are needed, which should combine natural elements, physical senses, and psychological perceptions, and assist decision makers develop successful management policies. Using fuzzy cognitive mapping and system dynamics, this study sought to develop a fresh, holistic perspective on urban sustainability. Based on the knowledge and experience of a panel of experts in urban development, some of the most significant determinants of urban sustainability were identified, namely: sustainable construction; urban planning and/or design; health; economy; culture, citizenship, and education; environmental quality; public policies and governance; and mobility and/or accessibility. The results obtained were validated both by the panel members and the director of the Department of Urban Planning of the Lisbon City Council, Portugal. The advantages and limitations of our approach are also discussed, as well as recommendations for future research.

In this study, the authors have investigated warehouse processes to identify critical ones that are wasteful. The aim of this research study was to improve the efficiency of warehouse processes by reducing travel time and cost in replenishment and order picking. To achieve this objective, the authors have proposed a mathematical model and discrete event simulation study. For the simulation model, the Dijkstra algorithm has been selected to schedule forklifts driving and picking vehicles routes in internal transport. According to the extensive simulation analysis approximately 67 % of waste could be reduced in warehouses. Of course, this number depends significantly on a warehouse layout, operations and material handling equipment used in warehouses.

Results are provided for a study of the properties of SiC refined by different methods (milling and disintegration) on morphology of the particles obtained. It is established that SiC refinement by disintegration in an amount of 10–20% within the composition of heat-resistant concrete compared with a similar amount of milled SiC improves concrete mechanical properties after hardening and firing from 11 to 23%, reduces its shrinkage by up to 25%, and improves thermal shock resistance by up to 20%.

Scientific literature mostly aims at investigation of composites with fibre hemp shives (FHS) aggregate and lime binder, although, such materials are characterised by pretty low mechanical properties. In order to obtain higher mechanical properties of a composite, it is appropriate to use cementitious binder. This work investigates physical properties of blocks from hemp shives aggregate and cementitious binder, manufactured in the expanded clay production line using vibro pressing technology. Following properties of the blocks are determined: freeze-thaw resistance, compressive strength, thermal conductivity and density. Thermal resistance according to EN ISO 6946 for the block with cavities is calculated as well. It is found that compressive strength of FHS-cement blocks may be up to 3.18 MPa when the density is of ~850 kg/m3 and thermal conductivity up to 0.135 W/(m∙K). It is found as well that the decrease of compressive strength is 8.7% after 25 freeze-thaw cycles.

Durability is one of the main characteristics in the production of high-quality concrete paving blocks in the Baltic region climate zone. Concrete paving blocks are produced by means of vibropressing, dimensions: 198×98×80 mm. The article describes tests with concrete paving blocks, the top layer of which contains 5% of zeolite admixture obtained from waste of aluminum fluoride production by low-temperature synthesis. The durability of concrete paving blocks was tested according to abrasion resistance, tensile splitting strength, absorption and frost resistance. The test results revealed that 5% of zeolite admixture added to the top layer of concrete paving blocks reduce the absorption, increase the tensile splitting strength and decrease abrasion. The zeolite admixture used in concrete paving blocks reduces the scaling about 4 times after 28 freeze-thaw cycles when 3% NaCl is used as the freezing solution. The test results proved that synthetic zeolite obtained from aluminum fluoride by means of low temperature synthesis can be used as a supplementary cementitious material to increase the durability of concrete pavement elements.

We may see modern urbanism as a collection of many successful developments as well as a series of endless mistakes and repeated failures. The paper focuses on the analysis of existing and former urban planning and design patterns in aspect of efficiency of applied methods to achieve higher quality referring to the philosophy and practice of Landscape Urbanism. The Missionaries Block in Vilnius City serves as a case study for assessing its development in three distinguishable periods by the set of quality criteria derived from Landscape Urbanism theories and practices. The assessment results disclose an evident drop in the overall quality of the selected site’s development in the recent period. The paper discusses if and how one may use the method employed hereby for programming and shaping the future regeneration and redevelopment of existing urban setting.