Abstract:The ground temperature increase is the crucial problem that influences the longterm performance of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system in cooling dominated region of China. In this report, the numerical simulation model based on the heat rejection model of an insitu Thermal Response Test (TRT) is created using TRNSYS simulation tool. Seven different thermal conductivity backfills are simulated for 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. The result illustrates that the higher conductivity backfills improves the heat exchange performance between BHE and surrounding ground but it also increases the ground temperature in cooling dominated regions for long terms operation. In the case of Chuzhou city of this study, when the conductivity of backfill is higher than 1.9 W/(m center dot K) which is closest to the thermal conductivity of the surround ground, there are little growth in ground temperature as well as the heat exchange performance.

Abstract:Information systems are a critical factor in achieving supply chain agility in fluctuant markets. However, there has been limited research on identifying specific mechanisms on how information systems may affect supply chain agility. We address this gap by illustrating that IS complements supply chain agility on various operational dimensions, such as flexibility, responsiveness and dependability. We develop a conceptual model to explicate the significance of IS on several critical operational dimensions drawing examples from the context of the Chinese automotive supply chains.

Abstract:Term deposits are facing challenges from both economic pressure and marketing competition. There are a number of valuable studies concerning bank and deposit marketing. These studies mentioned the significance of customers and customer segmentation in bank and deposit marketing. However, problems like obsolescence of data, inadequate maps, lack of data and specific methods encounter in practical application of deposit market segmentation. This research adopts data mining techniques through SPSS Modeler to predict customers’ term deposit subscription behaviors and understand customers’ features to improve the effectiveness and accuracy of bank marketing. © 2018 Newswood Limited. All rights reserved.

Abstract:This study evaluates carbon emissions of construction and demolition (C&D) waste generated by building refurbishment, using a life cycle assessment approach through a case study project in China. Three waste management scenarios were developed for a building refurbishment project in the city of Suzhou. Scenario 1 is under the business-as-usual C&D waste management practice in China; scenario 2 is based on the open-ended 3R strategy, which focuses on the downstream impact of waste; and scenario 3 considers both the upstream and downstream impact of waste. The results reveal that the composition of the waste generated from building refurbishment projects is different from construction and demolition projects. In the life cycle of C&D waste management of building refurbishment projects, the refurbishment material stage generates the highest carbon emissions compared to the dismantlement, refurbishment construction, and refurbishment material end of life stages. Scenario 1 produces higher carbon emissions than scenario 2, but the difference is not significant in the whole life cycle of the building refurbishment project, whereas carbon emissions for scenario 3 are significantly less than both scenario 1 and scenario 2. The study finds the reason for this difference is that scenario 1 and scenario 2 are based on a linear economy that relies on unsustainable demand for raw materials, whereas scenario 3 is based on a circular economy that uses upcycled materials to substitute for raw materials and considers waste management from a cradle to cradle perspective. This study fills a research gap by evaluating carbon emissions of different waste management strategies for building refurbishment projects, which are expected to be an increasing portion of overall construction activity in China for the foreseeable future.

Abstract:Purpose: Building refurbishment (BR) is promoted as a green alternative to demolition and new build for urban renewal. The construction and demolition (C&D) waste of BR is increasing and recognized as more complex to manage. To address the limitations of the current static and linear life cycle assessment (LCA) method for evaluating the environmental impact of C&D waste, this study decodes the complex process and provides a causal loop model for evaluating the carbon emissions (Greenhouse Gases emissions) of BR C&D waste. Methods: The study integrates system dynamics (SD) and a LCA approach to produce an integrated and holistic model for evaluating the carbon emissions of BR C&D waste. The environmental assessment system boundary and main factors of evaluating the carbon emissions of BR C&D waste are identified based on a LCA approach. Stakeholders in the life cycle of BR C&D waste are involved in development of the causal loop model. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with key stakeholders to validate the factors and identify the key processes of BR C&D waste management through a case study of Suzhou, China. Results: Five causal loops are developed in this study: a general model for evaluating the carbon emissions of the life cycle of BR C&D waste, a sub-model for evaluating carbon emissions of BR C&D waste at the dismantlement stage, a sub-model for evaluating carbon emissions of BR C&D waste at the refurbishment material stage, a sub-model for evaluating carbon emissions of BR C&D waste at the refurbishment construction stage, and a sub-model for evaluating carbon emissions of BR C&D waste at the refurbishment material end of life stage. Conclusion: The integrated SD-LCA causal loop model developed in this study will help decision makers to more clearly visualize and understand the current problems associated with BR C&D waste management and thereby strategically intervene to reduce the carbon emissions in the life cycle of BR C&D waste. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Abstract:Due to environmental pollution caused by the excessive use of fossil fuels, developing countries are under considerable pressure to find sources of renewable and clean energy with limited financial resources and inadequate technological capacity. Bioenergy from briquetting sawdust, an organic waste by-product of the lumber industry, is one source of renewable and clean energy that is inexpensive to produce and does not require sophisticated technology. Since Madagascar's main industry is lumber, this study therefore set out to identify the key factors affecting the production and use of biomass sawdust briquettes in that country by integrating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis with a multi-criteria decision-making technique known as analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The results indicate that the most critical SWOT factors are lack of knowledge about biomass briquettes, lack of government support, political instability, social acceptance of biomass briquettes, focusing more on other types of renewable energy, and fossil fuel incentives. Suggestions are offered for how to promote the production and use of sawdust briquettes by overcoming critical weaknesses and coping with threats revealed in this study, including providing financial subsidies and tax breaks in Africa.

Abstract:As the driving force of social and economic development worldwide, a vibrant and environmentally friendly construction industry in every country is a necessary element for a successful and green global economy. China has a vibrant construction industry but faces environmental challenges posed by rapid urban redevelopment that generates huge quantities of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in most of its key cities. An understanding of C&D waste management in such cities, including the effectiveness of low carbon and waste reduction policies, can provide the basis for the sustainable development and economic growth of China's construction industry. This study therefore evaluated the effectiveness of the C&D waste management policies of three key cities in China's Yangtze River Delta region: Nanjing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. Information was collected and presented based on statistical analysis and qualitative assessment of the total C&D waste and governance policies of each of the three cities between 2007 and 2018. The results show that Shanghai's C&D waste annual total difference over the 11 year period is the largest at 2.85 million tons, a decrease of 36.8%%, while Hangzhou has the largest difference in the total annual amount of C&D waste of 0.82 million tons, a reduction of 11.8%%. Findings from the study provide scientific-based decision support for local and central government when strengthening construction waste management policies in China, as the country works towards a circular economy.

Abstract:The electrochromic (EC) smart window is a promising intelligent technology for improving the energy performance of a building. When applying a new glazing material, the window-wall ratio (WWR) is regarded as a significant factor related to daylight and building energy losses. However, there have not been any studies examining the relationship between the efficiency of the EC smart window and the WWR. The aim of this study is to provide strategies for mitigating energy losses and environmental impacts from window elements in an office building. It focuses on optimizing the WWR of EC smart windows to increase building energy efficiency. Double EC, low-emissivity (low-E), and clear glazing materials are simulated com-bined with five WWRs from 0%% to 80%% with an interval of 20%%, four window orientations, and humid subtropical and Mediterranean climates. The results show that a 40%% WWR in a southern-facing building façade using a humid subtropical climate setting provides the optimum energy performance of EC glazing among all the configurations tested. Since it was also found that EC glazing reduces the cooling load, it is more suitable for climate conditions characterized by a hotter temperature with greater solar irradiation. Future research should consider the impact of WWR when balancing thermal, lighting and ventilation requirements, and the properties of EC glazing.

Abstract:Continuously increasing amounts of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) is a critical problem globally. As a quantitative modeling approach to solve complex problems, system dynamics (SD) is frequently adopted to help understand the dynamic interrelationship of contributing variables of C&DW management and predict future behavior for both short and long-term decision making. However, there has been no systematic review of such SD applications to C&DW management. The aim of this study is therefore to provide a systematic review of current applications of SD modeling to C&DW management in order to identify research gaps and provide future related research opportunities. The novelty of this paper is that it is the first time that bibliometric visual analysis has been adopted to interpret visualized network maps of the co-occurrence of countries, keywords, and citations of selected articles on the application of SD modeling in C&DW management. The SD modeling applications of these articles are comprehensively reviewed from the two main C&D waste management perspective of the 3R principle and sustainability. The results reveal that more research effort has been made to reduce and recycle C&DW than to reuse it, and that the economic and environmental performance of C&DW attracts more attention than its social performance. The study suggests that to deepen and broaden the analysis of C&DW management, future research could use hybrid models by combining SD with emerging techniques and tools, such as building information modeling, geographic information systems, and blockchain technology.

Abstract:Construction and demolition waste (CDW) accounts for 40%% of urban municipal waste in China and around 25%% in the European Union (EU). Since the EU is more developed and urbanized than China, its experience with managing CDW may be helpful to China. This study therefore compared China and the EU with respect to the flow of CDW materials and the policies, laws and regulations for CDW management. The results reveal that the CDW management practices and facilities in China are relatively underdeveloped with a large amount of low-value inert material going to landfill compared with the EU. The study also reveals the important role of government involvement in CDW management, including the use of punitive measures and preferential policies; most EU members states achieved their waste recovery rates by 2016 due to mature CDW legalization. To improve the management of CDW in China, a series of suggestions are proposed including waste prevention strategies, establishment of supervision mechanisms, and financial support.