Research Publications (Engineering and Built Environment)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/215
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Item Green roofs and stormwater runoff quality in the urban landscape in South Africa(National Research Council Canada, 2021-06-20) Sucheran, Arisha; Sucheran, ReshmaA number of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), such as green roofs, are being developed and implemented in cities around the world to help reduce stormwater runoff and improve stormwater runoff quality. This study compares the water quality of green roofs with that of conventional roofs in the eThekwini region, South Africa. Samples of stormwater runoff from the different green roof systems on the eThekwini Green Roof Pilot Project were collected to test their level of contaminants and pollutants. The tests focused on all physical, aesthetic, chemical, and microbiological determinants pertaining to stormwater runoff. For all tests, the level of contaminants and pollutants were measured against the South African Water Quality Guidelines Volume 7 for Aquatic Ecosystems. The data revealed significant variations in pollutant concentrations between the green roofs and the conventional roof. Moreover, runoff water quality varied across the various roof types, which may indicate that the substrate composition has the greatest impact on green roof performance regarding rainwater quality. Overall, the results suggest that these green roof systems do not have the ability to filter pollutants out of stormwater runoff, but rather increase their levels of concentration.Item Analysis of temperature and rainfall trends in Vaal-Harts irrigation scheme, South Africa(AJER, 2014) Adeyemo, Josiah; Otieno, Fredrick Alfred O.; Ojo, Olumuyiwa I.Abstract: - Agriculture is crucially dependent on the timely availability of adequate amount of water and a conducive climate. Temperature and rainfall patterns impact the availability of water for agricultural uses. Therefore, temperature and rainfall are twin important environmental factors in agricultural activities such as tillage, planting, irrigation and mechanization. The characteristics of the Vaal-Harts temperature data for year 1996 to 2010 and rainfall data for year 1983 to 2010 were examined in this study using statistical techniques. Basic statistical properties of the data were determined using the mean, variance, coefficient of variation and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Temperature and rainfall observations with the average of about 17.44 were used. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded were 9.720C and 23.520C. The Coefficient of variation (CV) was found to be about 29.59. Variance is a measure of how far a set of numbers is spread out; and the variance of this set of observations is 26.625. The average yearly temperature increases insignificantly by a constant of about 0.117 (p = 0.163; 95% CI: -0.054 – 0.288), while rainfall shows decreasing trend annually which means that the dry season will be drier. The involvement of non-zero values in the serial correlation indicated the significance of the deterministic component in the data. The results of this analysis enhance our understanding of the characteristics of air temperature and rainfall in the study area for effective planning of farming operations.Item Effects and benefits of using high content of fly ash in concrete(Thomson Reuters, 2016-01) Zulu, Sabelo; Allopi, DhirenThe usage of fly ash products by the South African cement and construction industries has saved the country over 6 million tons of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The recycling of it as cement extenders provides an immediate benefit for the environment while still improving the quality of concrete, and increasing the amount used in concrete can promote sustainable development. This study evaluated properties of 35MPa/9,5mm concrete with fly ash substituted at 30%, 40%, 50% and 60%. Increasing the fly ash content can result in more workable and less permeable concrete. The compressive strength and durability index results showed that the fly ash content can be increased beyond 50% and still achieve the required strength and produce durable concrete. Substituting high volumes of cement with fly ash in concrete can provide good quality concrete and a relief to the environment without compromising the quality and cost of concrete.Item Influence of high content fly ash on concrete durability(IJEIT, 2014-01) Allopi, Dhiren; Zulu, SabeloAbstract - The use of fly ash products by the South African cement and construction industries has saved the country over 6 million tons of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Fly ash is an industrial by-product that is normally consigned to landfills and the re-use of it as cement extenders provides an immediate benefit for the environment while still improving the quality of concrete. Fly ash blended cements in concrete perform better than pure cement in providing better concrete properties. Current specifications limit the use of fly ash in concrete to 30%, although an increase of this amount can be very beneficial in concrete structures, economically and environmentally. In South Africa the durability index of concrete is commonly determined by performing the Oxygen Permeability test, Water Sorptivity test and Chloride Conductivity test, developed by the Universities of Cape Town and the Witwatersrand. Performing these tests in this study, the results obtained showed that concrete mixes with fly ash content that is higher than the specification limit can result in concrete with acceptable good durability qualities, and with age, the durability qualities are improved due to pozzolanic reactions. Substituting high volumes of cement with fly ash in concrete can provide high quality concrete and a relief in the environment without compromising the quality of concrete.