Muhammad Rauf Shaker

Energy harvesting is an emerging approach that supports the generation of renewable and clean energy, while also augmenting the durability and stability of infrastructure. The paper aims to review applicable energy harvesting systems deployed in various types of infrastructure, including roads and bridges, for applications such as photovoltaic noise barriers, photovoltaic cells, piezoelectric devices, and thermoelectric units. The harvested energy can be utilized to generate electricity, power wireless sensors, melt ice, and provide heating or cooling, while also assisting in monitoring structural conditions. Each energy harvesting technology is described in detail, covering operational principles, application scenarios, prototype development, and key findings from the literature. Economic feasibility studies are also examined to allow for a comparative assessment of energy output, production costs, and cost-effectiveness. This review provides a comparative feasibility framework integrating energy performance, levelized cost of electricity, payback period, and technology readiness levels for infrastructure-based energy harvesting systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global construction industry, resulting in workforce shortages, project delays, and contractual disputes. This study used an online survey of private engineering and construction companies to assess their responses to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The survey focused on workforce management, technological advancements, safety protocols, and project execution. Workforce adaptations, particularly the shift to telework, saw 66% of respondents reporting partial telework and 22% indicating that telework became permanent after the pandemic. Technological advancements were crucial for maintaining operations during the pandemic, with 82% of respondents reporting the adaptation of new digital tools. These included widespread adoption of Microsoft Teams and Zoom by both office and field staff. Training was identified as essential for the effective implementation of these technologies, enabling employees to maximize their benefits. The pandemic affected project design and construction activities, with 69% of respondents reporting delays during the design phase and 70% during construction. Cost overruns of up to 25% were reported in the public sector and 67% of respondents in the private sector reported cost overruns, highlighting the financial impact of the pandemic. The findings provide insights into organizational resilience strategies adopted by private firms and offer lessons that can inform preparedness for future disruptions.

The present impediments to the implementation of sustainable practices in residential and commercial structures in the United States, India and Afghanistan will be evaluated and compared in this study. This study intends to identify the barriers to sustainable development within the residential and commercial buildings creating a basis for the methods to address these issues. The selection of these three countries was based on taking the United States as a developed country, India as developing country and Afghanistan as an undeveloped country. Understanding the barriers studied will establish a path to overcoming them and allow the market to open up to the widespread implementation of sustainable practices. According to the survey conducted, about 91% of respondents in Afghanistan, about 71% in India and 32% of respondents in the USA have moderate to low knowledge on sustainable construction. Other barriers mentioned in the study include the high cost of materials, insufficient training, government policy, and so on.