In the northwestern saline soils and coastal areas, cement soil (CS) materials are inevitably subjected to various factors including salt erosion, dry-wet cycle (DWC), temperature fluctuations and dynamic loading during its service life, which the coupling effect of these unfavourable factors seriously threatened the durability and engineering reliability of CS materials. Additionally, combined with the substantially extensive application prospects of rubber cementitious material, as a resource-efficient civil engineering material and fibre-reinforced composites, consequently, in order to address aforementioned issues, this investigation proposed to consider the incorporation of rubber particles composite basalt fiber (BF) to CS materials as an innovative engineering solution to effectively enhance the mechanical and durability properties of CS materials for prolonging its service life. In this study, sulphate ions were utilized to simulate external erosive environment and basalt fibre rubber cement soil (BFRCS) specimens were subjected to various DWC numbers (0, 1, 4, 7, 11 and 15) in diverse concentrations (0 g/L, 6 g/L and 18 g/L) of Na2SO4 solution, and specimens that had completed the corresponding DWC number were then conducted both unconfined and dynamic compressive strength tests simultaneously to analyze static and dynamic stress-strain curves, static and dynamic compressive strength, apparent morphological deterioration characteristics and energy absorption properties of BFRCS specimens. Furthermore, further qualitative and quantitative damage assessments of pore distribution and microscopic morphology of BFRCS specimens under various DWC sulphate erosion environments were carried out from the fine and microscopic perspectives through pore structure test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test, respectively. The test results indicated that the static, dynamic compressive strength and specific energy absorption (SEA) of BFRCS specimens exhibited a slight increase followed by a progressive decline as DWC number increased. Additionally, compared to 4 mm BFRCS specimens, those with 0.106 mm rubber particle size demonstrated more favorable resistance to DWC sulphate erosion. The air content, bubble spacing coefficient and average bubble chord length of BFRCS specimens all progressively grew as DWC number increased, while the specific surface area of pores gradually decreased. The effective combination of BF with CS matrix significantly diminished pores and weak areas within specimen, and its synergistic interaction with rubber particles efficiently mitigated the stresses associated with expansive, contraction, crystallization and osmosis subjected by specimen. Simultaneously, more ettringite (AFt) had been observed within BFRCS specimens in 18 g/L sulphate erosive environments. These findings will facilitate the design and construction of CS subgrade engineering in northwestern saline soils and coastal regions, promoting sustainable and durable solutions while reducing the detrimental environmental impact of waste rubber.

The brick walls of ancient buildings have got a lot of tiny and closely connected pores inside, so they can soak up water really well. This can easily cause problems like getting powdery and having efflorescence. To stop water from spoiling the grey bricks, this paper focuses on the brick walls of historical buildings in Kaifeng City. Based on our investigation, we study the distribution features of the problems. This paper tells about using the method of negative pressure infiltration to change the grey bricks. We measure all kinds of basic indicators and analyze how different ratios of modifiers affect the water properties and dry-wet cycle tests of the grey bricks. We look at the changes in the inside shape through SEM to show how it changes the grey bricks of ancient buildings. Second, we improve the wet walls by using a way that combines blocking and drainage. The main things we studied and the conclusions are like this: We use sodium methyl silicate and acrylamide polymer as modifiers to soak the historical grey bricks under negative pressure. We figure out the best ratio through orthogonal experiments. We analyze things like the water vapor permeability, how long it takes for a water drop to go through, the compressive strength, the water absorption rate, and the height of water absorption of the modified bricks. The results show that the crosslinking agent and acrylamide monomer have a big influence on how high the capillary water goes up in the modified bricks. The air permeability of the modified grey bricks with acrylamide polymer goes down a bit, but it's still okay. The surface of the modified grey bricks is very hydrophobic and there are fewer pores inside. The mechanical properties of the modified grey bricks get better in different degrees. The water absorption rate and the height of capillary water absorption go down. The modified grey bricks can really cut down the erosion of water on the wall when used in real life. They can reduce salt crystallization and efflorescence caused by rising water, and so make the brick walls of historical buildings last longer. This is super important for protecting historical buildings in Kaifeng City and taking care of other similar structures. Also, by using a way that combines blocking and drainage, and putting polymer infiltration reinforcement and the ventilation of the moisture drainage pipe together, the results show that this combination can really lower the height that capillary water goes up in the brick wall. So we get a way to control how wet the wall is.

The significant rise in soil salinity has had detrimental effects on global agricultural production, negatively impacting overall plant health and leading to a decline in productivity. As a protective response, plants have developed diverse regulatory mechanisms to counteract these adverse conditions. The mechanisms help mitigate damage caused by both osmotic and ionic stress resulting from high salinity. Given the severe threat this poses to global food security and the well-being of the world's population, scientists have dedicated decades of research to understanding how to manage salt stress. Numerous mechanisms have been identified and studied to enhance plant salt tolerance and alleviate the damage caused by salt stress. This review examines recent advancements in molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying plant salt, including salt uptake and transport, salt sensing and signalling, hormonal regulation, epigenetic modifications, genetic adaptation, and posttranslational modifications. Although current knowledge has advanced our understanding, critical gaps and controversies remain, such as the stability of epigenetic memory, the trade-off between stress tolerance and growth, hormonal crosstalk, and novel genes with uncharacterised roles in salt tolerance. To resolve these questions, further research employing techniques like GWAS, transcriptomics, transgenic and genome-editing technologies, as well as studies on energy allocation and hormonal regulation, is essential. A deeper exploration of these complex, synergistic mechanisms will pave the way for enhancing plant resilience and ensuring adaptation to increasingly challenging environmental conditions.

The extensive utilization of agricultural machinery in China has made it a prominent contributor to particulate matter (PM). However, there still exist significant knowledge gaps in understanding optical characteristics and molecular composition of chromophores of brown carbon (BrC) in PM emitted from agricultural machinery. Therefore, BrC in PM from six typical agricultural machines in China were measured to investigate the light absorption, chromophore characteristics, and influencing factors. Results showed that the average emission factors of methanol-soluble organic carbon (MSOC) and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were 0.96 and 0.21 g (kg fuel)-1, respectively, exhibiting clear decreasing trends with increasing engine power and improving emission standards. Despite the light absorption coefficient of methanol-extracted BrC (Abs365,M) being approximately 2.2 times higher than that of water (Abs365,W), mass absorption efficiency of water-extracted BrC (MAE365,W) exhibited significantly greater values than MAE365,M. Among the detected chromophores, nitro-aromatic compounds (NACs) exhibited the highest contribution to light absorption that was about 14.5 times more than to total light absorption compared to their mass contributions to MSOC (0.04%), followed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs). Besides, the average integrated simple forcing efficiency values were estimated to be 1.5 W g-1 for MSOC and 3.7 W g-1 for WSOC, indicating significant radiative forcing absorption of agricultural machinery. The findings in this study not only provide fundamental data for climate impact estimation of but also propose effective strategies to mitigate BrC emissions, such as enhancing emission standards and promoting the adoption of high-power agricultural machinery.

Local ecological materials in construction represent a fundamental step toward creating living environments that combine environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort. It is part of an organizational context that encourages the adoption of these methods and processes. This study aims to improve the use of locally available materials, particularly soil and agricultural residues, in the Errachidia region (southeastern Morocco). In particular, date palm waste fiber, a widely available agrarian by-product, was incorporated into the soil to develop six different types of stabilized earth bricks with fiber contents of 0 %, 1 %, 2 %, 3 %, 4 %, and 5 %. The aim was to evaluate their thermophysical, mechanical, and capillary water absorption properties. Thermal properties were determined using the highly insulated house method (PHYWE), a specific methodology for assessing thermal properties in a controlled, highly insulated environment. In addition, mechanical measurements were carried out to assess compressive and flexural strength. The results obtained showed that the addition of date palm waste fibers to brick based on soil improves the thermal resistance of the bricks. Flexural and compressive strength increased up to 3 % of fiber content, while a reduction was observed above this value. The 3 % fiber content is optimal for the stabilization of brick based on soil. Then, the increase of fiber content in bricks resulted in an increase in water absorption with a decrease in the density of the bricks. Physical and chemical characterization (XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDX) of the soil and date palm waste fibers was carried out with geotechnical soil tests. The results obtained showed that the soil studied satisfies the minimum requirements for the production of bricks stabilized by fibers. These bricks can be considered an alternative to conventional bricks in ecological construction.

Using local materials with low environmental impact is essential in building living spaces, combining energy efficiency, environmental respect, and user well-being. However, despite advances in using natural materials, few studies have focused on integrating spathe fibers into earth bricks to optimize their thermal, mechanical, and hydric performance. The study aims to develop an innovative approach to using spathe fibers as natural reinforcement in manufacturing soil bricks while analyzing their impact on thermal, mechanical, and hydric properties. Several soil bricks reinforced with spathe fibers at different concentrations (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) were developed. Thermal performance was assessed using the hot disk method, while mechanical strength was measured in compression and flexure with capillary absorption tests. Based on fiber content, the brick density ranged from 1719.75 to 1247.6 kg/m3. The thermal conductivity of the materials ranges from 0.621 to 0.327 W/m. K, indicating good insulating performance. Maximum capillary water absorption values range from 170 to 287%, revealing a difference in water permeability depending on fiber content. Compressive strengths range from 1.4 to 3.6 MPa, and flexural strengths range from 1.6 to 1.91 MPa, suggesting potential for structural applications. Physico-chemical and geotechnical analyses confirm the suitability of the soil for the production of spathe fiber-stabilized bricks. This study offers an alternative to conventional bricks, contributing to the promotion of ecological and sustainable building materials suitable for arid and semi-arid climates.

Research on the performance of solidified soil in capillary water absorption seawater environments is necessary to reveal the durability under conditions such as above seawater level in coastal zones. Taking soda residue-ground granulated blast furnace slag-carbide slag (SR-GGBS-CS) and cement as marine soil solidifiers, the deterioration characteristics of solidified soil resulting from capillary seawater absorption were elucidated systematically through a series of tests including capillary water absorption, unconfined compressive strength, swelling, local strain, and crystallization. The microscopic mechanism was analysed through nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction tests. The results showed that cement-solidified soil exhibited higher water absorption and faster swelling compared with SR-GGBS-CS solidified soil in the one-dimensional seawater absorption state. In the three-dimensional seawater absorption state, solidified soil with low GGBS dosage experienced a significant transition from vertical shrinkage to swelling during the capillary water absorption process, leading to a substantial decrease in strength after 7 days of crystallization. Cement-solidified soil displayed non-uniform and anisotropic swelling, along with the formation of more external salt crystals. Overall, the soil solidified with 25% SR, 10% GGBS, and 4% CS demonstrated robust resistance to capillary absorption deterioration in a seawater environment due to its minimal water absorption and swelling, uniform surface strain, weak salt crystallization, and limited strength deterioration caused by capillary water absorption.

Despite its advantages, conventional soil-cement has limitations in terms of mechanical strength and durability, especially in environments with high humidity or high structural demands. The development of high-performance soil-cement (HPSC) presents significantly superior mechanical properties. The decentralized production of these panels has resulted in a cost reduction of more than 40%, making them an affordable alternative for low-income communities. Even so, providing technical support for the popularization of HPSC is crucial for the advancement of civil construction and to enable the expansion of affordable and sustainable housing for vulnerable communities. This study focuses on the development of a high-performance soil-cement panel, including its manufacturing process and the materials used. The panel was produced using Yellow Argisol soil, found locally in abundant quantities, modified with sand. Measurements of flexural strength and water absorption were carried out, together with a comparison of the strength of high-performance concrete (HPC) found in the literature. The developed panels present an average flexural strength of 6.71 MPa. Additionally, water absorption reached 5.99%, indicating the high performance of this material, which is comparable to high-performance concrete but more economical and sustainable. This contribution confirms the viability of transferring HPSC technology and highlights its social impact on civil construction.

Waste tire textile fiber (WTTF), a secondary product from the processing of end-of-life tires, is predominantly disposed of through incineration or landfilling-both of which present significant environmental hazards. The incineration process emits large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as well as harmful substances such as dioxins and heavy metals, exacerbating air pollution and contributing to climate change. Conversely, landfilling WTTF results in long-term environmental degradation, as the synthetic fibers are non-biodegradable and can leach pollutants into the surrounding soil and water systems. These detrimental impacts emphasize the pressing need for environmentally sustainable disposal and reuse strategies. We found that 80% of WTTF was used for the production of thermal insulation mats. The other part, i.e., 20% of the raw material, used for the twining, stabilization, and improvement of the properties of the mats, consisted of recycled polyester fiber (RPES), bicomponent polyester fiber (BiPES), and hollow polyester fiber (HPES). The research shows that 80% of WTTF produces a stable filament for sustainable thermal insulating mat formation. The studies on sustainable thermal insulating mats show that the thermal conductivity of the product varies from 0.0412 W/(m center dot K) to 0.0338 W/(m center dot K). The tensile strength measured parallel to the direction of formation ranges from 5.60 kPa to 13.8 kPa, and, perpendicular to the direction of formation, it ranges from 7.0 kPa to 23 kPa. In addition, the fibers, as well as the finished product, were characterized by low water absorption values, which, depending on the composition, ranged from 1.5% to 4.3%. This research is practically significant because it demonstrates that WTTF can be used to produce insulating materials using non-woven technology. The obtained thermal conductivity values are comparable to those of conventional insulating materials, and the measured mechanical properties meet the requirements for insulating mats.

This paper presents the results of experimental testing of adobe masonry assemblages to study their flexure and bond behaviors. The properties of soil and water absorption of adobe units also were investigated. The plasticity index of the soil was 7.56, which was higher than that reported for the adobe soil in a few regions of the world. The silt and clay contents of the soil also were higher than those of the soil used by researchers elsewhere. High water absorption of the adobe units (27.37%) indicated their low cohesion characteristic, which was evidenced by low bond strength. The flexural strength of the wallettes tested in a direction parallel to the bed joints was less than that of those tested perpendicular to the bed joints. The tensile bond strength determined by the bond wrench method was considerably smaller than the flexural strength of the wallettes. The observed flexural and bond strengths of the adobe masonry also were smaller than those reported in the literature.