This paper outlines the obstacles to sustainable construction growth in Iran and thereafter examines the effect and relation between these barriers and the direction of sustainable construction growth as one of the essential objectives for achieving sustainable cities and infrastructure. The study is applied for research purposes that are based on descriptive survey data gathering and correlational data analysis techniques. The statistical population for this study consists of 120 construction-related engineers and university professors who were assessed on a five-point Likert scale. Using SmartPLS software version 4, the responses to the questionnaire were examined. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov assessment was utilized to evaluate the normalcy of the variables, as this assessment is typically employed for this purpose. For data analysis, the PLS (partial least squares) method was used, while SEM (structural equation modeling) methods have been used to assess the study hypotheses. Cronbach’s alpha and the composite reliability coefficient (CR) were applied to determine the instrument’s viability, and the results show that the coefficient connected to all variables is above 7.0, which is an acceptable value. The AVE (average variance extracted) was also used to evaluate the questionnaire’s validity, which was greater than 0.4 and deemed acceptable for coefficients of significance (T-values), coefficient of predictive power (Q2), and coefficient of determination (R2). The obtained results support and confirm all research hypotheses, including that the identified obstacles directly affect the performance of sustainable construction. According to the results of the Friedman test, the legal restrictions variable (CL) is the most significant obstacle to sustainable construction in Iran, with a rank of 4.24. The indicators of political limits (CP) and social and cultural constraints (CSC) came in at second and third, respectively. The results could help government officials make better decisions about where to focus their attention and how to distribute scarce resources.

This paper provides a novel implementation of the intelligent water drops (IWD) method for resolving data aggregation issues in heterogeneous wireless sensor networks (WSN). When the aggregating node is utilized to transmit the data to the base station, the research attempts to show that the traffic situations of WSN may be modified appropriately by parameter tuning and algorithm modification. IWD is used to generate an optimum data aggregation tree in WSN as one of its applications. IWD assumes that all nodes in the environment are identical, resulting in identical parameter updates for all nodes. In practical scenarios, however, diverse nodes with variable beginning energy, communication range, and sensing range characteristics are deployed. In order to replicate the influence of heterogeneity in the environment, improved IID (IIWD) is offered as an enhancement to the original IID. The suggested enhancement is appropriate for scenarios in which the aggregation node is utilized to transmit data to the base station in heterogeneous configurations. In terms of residual energy, dead nodes, payload, and network lifespan, a series of simulation results demonstrates that the proposed IIWD significantly improves the accuracy and effectiveness of the IWD method in comparison.

This research investigates the efficacy of a proposed novel machine learning tool for the optimal simulation of building thermal load. By applying a symbiotic organism search (SOS) metaheuristic algorithm to a well-known model, namely an artificial neural network (ANN), a sophisticated optimizable methodology is developed for estimating heating load (H_L) in residential buildings. Moreover, the SOS is comparatively assessed with several identical optimizers, namely political optimizer, heap-based optimizer, Henry gas solubility optimization, atom search optimization, stochastic fractal search, and cuttlefish optimization algorithm. The dataset used for this study lists the H_L versus the corresponding building conditions and the model tries to disclose the nonlinear relationship between them. For each mode, an extensive trial and error effort revealed the most suitable configuration. Examining the accuracy of prediction showed that the SOS–ANN hybrid is a strong predictor as its results are in great harmony with expectations. Moreover, to verify the results of the SOS–ANN, it was compared with several benchmark models employed in this study, as well as in the earlier literature. This comparison revealed the superior accuracy of the suggested model. Hence, utilizing the SOS–ANN is highly recommended to energy-building experts for attaining an early estimation of the H_L from a designed building’s characteristics.

Transport infrastructure is a crucial component of Kazakhstan's socio-economic development. The current state of Kazakhstan's railway infrastructure is a critical factor to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of new railway routes in increasing freight traffic. The railway network of Kazakhstan is extensive, covering thousands of kilometres and connecting various regions of the country. Infrastructure railways include a diverse range of lines, terminals, and stations, as well as related facilities such as maintenance depots and warehouses. Additionally, the railway infrastructure plays a crucial role in promoting international trade, as Kazakhstan serves as a vital transit corridor for cargo transportation between Europe and Asia.The development of new railway routes plays a key role in increasing the volume of freight traffic, especially in the context of transit and international trade. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cargo flows, which is attributed to the improvement of infrastructure and the optimisation of logistics processes.In Kazakhstan, it is essential to study the effectiveness of new railway routes in increasing freight traffic within the country in terms of the continuous development and modernisation of railway infrastructure. The purpose of this scientific article is to develop practical recommendations for enhancing the efficiency of new railway routes in increasing freight transportation, using the example of JSC NC KTZ. Importance of the study: It is anticipated that the construction of a new railway route will increase cargo flows passing through Kazakhstan's territory.