Applied Research Journal
Volume:2 Issue: 3, Mar 2016

Performance of the buildings can be measured from two indexes (condition Index and Functional Index), while the condition index can be assesses physically the functional index need a quantifying method for measuring its performance. The revolution of sustainability and sustainable requirements cover the functional part of the building performance measurement. The study is suggesting a method to assess the annual building sustainable maintenance need for different types of governmental buildings in Iraq using multiple attribute decision making (MADM) approach and depending on the actual requirements of the Iraqi governmental buildings.

Conflict of interest can occur in the organization of any size, extent and magnitude. Both financial and non-financial conflicts of interests are widespread and the most common prescribed remedy is disclosure. The purpose of the conflict of interest legislation is to ensure that government personnel while performing their official duties not influenced by personal or vested interests and the resulting decision will solely be based on public interest. Conflict of interest laws attain two objectives. First, the public servants and ministers should be proscribed certain blatant conflicts in official duties and barred while awarding contracts to an organization where they have an interest or potential interest of their own, family or associates. Second, the law requires curtailing the capacity of a private interest to influence the effective performance of public service by disclosing their shareholdings and other assets. Despite the law and regulatory frameworks exist in Pakistan, the constitutional requirements followed by civil servants in bureaucracy, public officials in public sector entities and ministers in government are flagrantly infringed.

Porous asphalt mixture (PAM) is mainly applied to the surface drainage layer on high-speed trafficked highway pavements because it has many application advantages such as : noise reduction and safety during rainfall due to its open structure water is stored and moved horizontally within the layer which reduces splash and spray effects and thus increases the visibility of drivers during rainfall. On the other hand the major disadvantage of porous asphalt layers are low stiffness , high rutting and durability .The objective of this study was to compare the influence of two modifier types (styrene-butadiene-styrene [SBS] and propylene modifier [PP]) on a porous asphalt mixture performance . The PAM evaluation was based on air voids, asphalt flow drain down, and abrasion resistance at the mix design step. The mix performance has been investigated by permeability, moisture susceptibility, and rutting. The test results emphasized the importance of using the modifier in in minimizing the abrasion loss, reducing rutting and enhancing the durability of the PAC mixture. Porous asphalt mixtures prepared with 5 % SBS modifier were the most effective at increasing the abrasion resistance and reducing rutting; and the PP had no effect on the mix strength.

The acceptable serviceability and performance of asphalt concrete pavement during the design life is highly dependent on long term monitoring of the pavement surface condition, and implementing the right decision to start the maintenance, and the right maintenance alternative at the right time. This paper describes the implementation of computer aided system to assess in the management of asphalt pavement maintenance decision using Vanguard Software. The Visual inspection and the walk through techniques for evaluating the Asphalt Concrete pavement surface condition have been utilized. Common types of Asphalt pavement distresses including various cracking types, bleeding of Asphalt, patching, pot holes, and deformation, with their various severity and intensity level have been included in the data base of the system. The pavement condition is recommended to be visually evaluated, and distress data will be fed to the software system. The types of different distresses intensity and severity will be subjected to analysis by the system, and the present condition rating index (PCRI) of the pavement is determined. The decision tree of the system suggests the required maintenance action based on the budget available, classification of the roadway, and the expected change in the design life of the pavement when such maintenance decision is implemented.

Reinforced concrete barriers have been commonly used in protecting the important building because the response of R.C. barriers subjected to blast loading is practically more acceptable than other materials used to build the barriers. In this study, the response of R.C. barriers was detected due to the blast effects caused by two charge weights (50 kg and 400 kg); ANSYS 14 was used to simulate the problem. A horizontal distance of 2 m between the explosive TNT charge and the front face of wall was taken. The pressure on the front face of the concrete barriers was measured at three levels. The R.C. barrier was entirely damaged when subjected to the blast effects caused by 400 kg TNT explosion bomb. However, the 50 kg TNT charge had a minor damaging effect on the same R.C. barrier.