Efficient sanitation system management relies on vigilant sewage surveillance to uphold environmental hygiene. The absence of robust monitoring infrastructure jeopardizes unimpeded conduit flow, leading to floods and contamination. The accumulation of harmful gases in sewer chambers, coupled with tampered lids, compounds sewer network challenges, resulting in structural damage, disruptions, and safety risks from accidents and gas inhalation. Notably, even vehicular transit is vulnerable, facing collisions due to inadequately secured manholes. The core objective of this research was to deconstruct and synthesize a prototype blueprint for a live-feed sewer monitoring framework (LSMF). This involves creating a data gathering nexus (DGN) and empirically assessing diverse wireless sensing implements (WSI) for precision. Simultaneously, a geographic information matrix (GIM) was developed with algorithms to detect sewer surges, blockages, and missing manhole covers. Three scrutinized sensors—the LiDar TF-Luna, laser TOF400 VL53L1X, and ultrasonic JSN-SR04T—were evaluated for their ability to measure water levels in sewer vaults. The results showed that the TF-Luna LiDar sensor performed favorably within the 1.0–5.0 m range, with a standard deviation of 0.44–1.15. The TOF400 laser sensor ranked second, with a more variable standard deviation of up to 104 as obstacle distance increased. In contrast, the JSN-SR04T ultrasonic sensor exhibited lower standard deviation but lacked consistency, maintaining readings of 0.22–0.23 m within the 2.0–5.0 m span. The insights from this study provide valuable guidance for sustainable solutions to sewer surveillance challenges. Moreover, employing a logarithmic function, TF-Luna Benewake exhibited reliability at approximately 84.5%, while TOF400 VL53L1X adopted an exponential equation, boasting reliability approaching approximately 89.6%. With this navigational tool, TF-Luna Benewake maintained accuracy within ±10 cm for distances ranging from 8 to 10 m, showcasing its exceptional performance.

Concrete strength gain can be significantly affected by the initial characteristics of the raw materials. Unfortunately, information on the potential influence of the initial water pH on concrete strength gain is still scarce. In this study, the potential effects of the initial water pH on concrete strength gain were investigated using a combination of sensors and a sclerometric test. The impact of initial pH on the strength gain process was investigated using three distinct pH values (4.0, 7.0, and 12). The primary variables examined were pH variations over time, internal temperature, and strength gain. The problem was further examined using a number of statistical techniques, including Single-way Analysis of Variance, Scheffé’s approach, and Correlation Matrixes. When the temperature data from 4.0, 7.0, and 12 pH values were put through the Analysis of Variance, a p-value of 2.4 × 10⁻²⁶¹ was retrieved. Additionally, when the strength gain data from 4.0, 7.0, and 12 pH values were subjected to the Analysis of Variance, a p-value of 2.9 × 10⁻¹⁶⁸ was retrieved. The results showed that the differences in the list data retrieved from the investigated pH values were statistically significant. Based on the results, we can state that the initial pH level in the mixing water can have noticeably varied consequences in terms of the strength gain of the concrete and should be carefully considered during the preparation process of concrete. The findings retrieved from this study provide a piece of useful information in the construction field, especially with concrete strength management.

The study examined the intricate relationships between embankment slope configurations, toe drain designs, and drawdown scenarios. It utilized a unique combination of numerical, physical, and mathematical models. The investigation involved 16 numerical models and 8 physical models with distinct characteristics. The research explored the correlations of key parameters: matric suction, horizontal water conductivity, time, and factor of safety. The factor of safety values varied from 0.62 to 1.03 as a result of the different investigated combinations. For instance, a 1:2 embankment slope without a toe drain under instantaneous drawdown led to the factor of safety values ranging from 1.22 to 1.57. Additionally, incorporating elements like a 30 m toe drain and a 1 m per day drawdown rate influenced these values, with extremes recorded from 1.337 to 2.21, shedding light on embankment stability under diverse conditions and configurations. When subjected to a 1 m per day drawdown, water flow rates decreased significantly at the upstream face and increased downstream, accompanied by an increase in water mass flux at the upstream face and a decrease at the downstream toe, suggesting dynamic changes in water behavior in response to drawdown. Moreover, the findings unveiled significant correlations between matric suction and time (correlation coefficient of 0.950) and factor of safety and water conductivity (correlation coefficient of 0.750). Conversely, a distinct negative correlation emerged between matric suction and factor of safety (correlation coefficient of −0.864). The study’s distinctive insights contribute to our understanding of seepage behavior and dam stability across varied scenarios, offering valuable input for resilient dam construction approaches that will ensure the longevity and effectiveness of these essential structures.

The paper proposes an impregnation composition for cement concrete roads used as an ice-phobic coating. The composition has been made based on keratin-containing components derived from animal waste with the addition of water-soluble polymers. The main parameter of serviceability of the coating impregnated with the developed composition was assessing the adhesion resistance of ice crust to concrete under the influence of mechanical loads. For this purpose, tests of big specimens (surface area 1925 cm²) in laboratory conditions with application of vibration and impact loads and modelling of thermal stresses were conducted. The test results showed the effectiveness of the ice-coating, as in all experiments, the uncoated specimens showed a greater resistance of the ice crust to mechanical stresses. An additional evaluation parameter was comparing the water absorption capacity of coated and uncoated concrete. The test results showed a significant difference in the water absorption capacity of the uncoated specimens, exceeding the coated specimens by 47%. Due to the results obtained, it will be possible to use the impregnation compound effectively to improve the ice resistance of cement concrete coatings.

Urbanization is a significant challenge that catchments face around the world leading to difficulty in implementing stormwater-related engineering solutions. This study aimed at investigating the impact of land use/land cover change on...