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The aim of this Briefing Paper is to provide guidance to potential authors (and reviewers) on the main types of paper submissions that the Ground Improvement journal accepts. Expectations in terms of content and novelty, together with future challenges are also covered. One of the bigger challenges is bridging the elusive gap between novel fundamental laboratory-based research and practical industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Engineering Sustainability. The editorial discusses the role of new technologies and techniques in construction materials and management in promoting sustainable development. It highlights three research papers that explore the use of fly-ash as a more environmentally sustainable building material. The papers discuss the use of alternative alkali activators to enhance the strength of fly-ash in construction. The editorial also includes other papers that focus on sustainable construction processes, project management, and the acceptance of autonomous vehicles. Overall, the document emphasizes the importance of continued innovation and sustainable practices in transitioning towards a more sustainable future. [Extracted from the article]

Floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) systems offer a more sustainable energy option than ground-mounted ones by avoiding land use and enabling decentralised power generation. This paper presents a conceptual hybrid design for an actual hydropower plant and a simulated FSPV plant, considering relevant factors. Five significant reservoir dams in India were chosen to test the proposed design, and as a novelty, the cooling effect was considered. In general, the cooling impact is dependent on the kind of supporting structure. Metrics such as generation, carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions, water savings and extra hydropower were computed in this work by considering two kinds of floating structures. The results indicate that with a total coverage of less than 20%, the hydroelectric reservoirs can double their installed power capacity. In terms of energy gain, the hydroelectric plant generated 92% more energy on average after integrating floating solar power. Furthermore, the capacity factor of the plant grew by an average of 18.43%. The total water savings in this scenario are 134.6 million m3, resulting in an additional 34.97 GWh of annual hydroelectricity generation. The cost–benefit analysis shows that the energy produced by FSPV is the most cost effective, ranging from 2.65 to 3.05 Indian rupees/kWh (US$0.03–0.04/kWh), depending on the FSPV platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of overcoming the shortcomings of traditional approaches, in this paper, an exponential Weibull distribution for fitting the significant wave height data is proposed in order to calculate more accurately the sea-state parameter distribution tails and to extrapolate well. This proposal is applied in predicting the probability distribution tails of a measured ocean wave dataset, and its accuracy is clearly demonstrated. The proposal is subsequently utilised in combination with Monte Carlo sampling to form a new environmental contour method for deriving a 50 year contour line based on the aforementioned measured ocean wave dataset. The derived environmental contour line is compared with that predicted by using a traditional contour line approach. Additionally, the engineering significance of using a more reliable environmental contour line, such as the one derived using the proposed new method for predicting the long-term design force values for an ocean sustainable energy system is highlighted. In conclusion, the newly proposed environmental contour method is recommended to be used when predicting the extreme dynamic response values for the safe and successful design of ocean sustainable energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK has over 35 000 primary, debris and security screens, intended to prevent internal blockage of culverts by debris and/or entry to a hazardous culvert. Historically some screens were constructed with insufficient justification, insufficient area or poor detailing, increasing flood risk and unnecessary safety risks to operatives, especially during high river levels. In 2019, Ciria's Culvert, Screens and Outfall Manual (C786) replaced the Environment Agency's Trash and Security Screen Guide and Ciria's Culvert Design and Operation Guide. The manual encourages assessment of the ongoing need for screens and, where they cannot be removed, to take a systems approach that considers the wider watercourse and catchment. This paper presents findings from early experience of using the manual on an Environment Agency programme to assess the continuing need for 92 screens in England. Early indications are that avoiding unnecessary screens and removing or modifying existing screens can improve safety, help natural sediment and debris movement along a watercourse, reduce operational expenditure and support the net zero carbon dioxide target and UN SDG 13: Climate action. It is recognised that every screen is unique and not every situation is covered by guidance. A novel design that reduces risk can be justified with documented rational analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopolymers are green and sustainable cementitious materials that are a possible alternative to cement due to lower energy consumption and emissions. Volcanic ash can be used as raw material to prepare geopolymers by alkali activation owing to its high silica and alumina content. However, research on volcanic-ash-based geopolymers is still limited and no consensus on the optimal alkali activator and reaction mechanism has been obtained. This study investigates the effect of alkali activators with different cations on the mechanical properties and microstructure of volcanic-ash-based geopolymers. The flexural and compressive strengths were evaluated. X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and silicon-29 (29Si) magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance were used to characterise the microstructural properties. The results showed that the alkali activation effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on volcanic ash was superior to those of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), particularly at a concentration of 8 mol/l, with 28-day flexural and compressive strengths of 3.0 and 28.3 MPa, respectively. Microstructural results indicated that the sodium hydroxide-activated geopolymers formed dense, continuous, highly polymerised silica–aluminate gels. This paper provides a proper ratio scheme for activating the volcanic ash from similar deposits and promoting practical applications conducive to sustainable engineering development in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many possibilities to improve sustainable management in the construction industry. In this context, this paper aims to analyse the influence of construction practices, organised by factor in sustainability dimensions. For this, a survey with 80 project managers from the construction industry was performed. The participants answered about the sustainable management practices used in their projects, as well as their performance in relation to indicators in the social, economic and environmental dimensions. The data were analysed through confirmatory factor analysis and logistic regression. It was possible to verify that not all of the analysed factors (as well as the practices that compose them) could be considered significant to explain all dimensions of sustainability. Another interesting finding is that the influence levels of the factors vary widely, indicating that some factors are more important than others in the pursuit of (one or more) sustainability dimensions. In addition, contrary to expectations, not all factors (and therefore not all practices) have a positive impact on the sustainability of construction projects. The resource management and pollution factor negatively influences economic sustainability. This study sought to broaden the understanding of sustainable practices in construction project management and guide future analysis and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need within society to manage its impacts on the environment. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO 14001 tool, based on the original BS 7750 standard, was created in 1996 and subsequently updated in 2004 and 2015; it has become the most prevalent type of environmental management system (EMS) adopted worldwide. Engineering and construction organisations wanting to implement ISO 14001 should be fully acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of adopting an EMS. Using the Scopus academic database, this study used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses method to identify and select publications (since 1999) for systematic review. Examination of the chosen articles (n = 46) revealed a limited number of works per annum, with a peak in 2011 (n = 6). The most frequently reported benefits are 'enrichment of green corporate and public image', 'improved environmental performance' and 'regulation compliance', while the barriers are 'costs', 'lack of experience, expertise or knowledge' and 'lack of training'. Further analysis, using the VOSviewer software, shows the network relationships between article keywords, notably that sustainability is increasingly listed (since 2011) and links with most other keywords. This suggests that the engineering and construction sectors may be seeing beyond the cost barrier and are realising the positive difference that ISO 14001 can contribute to their operations, their local/national communities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 outbreak changed travel behaviour in many ways. This paper evaluates these changes in Tehran, Iran, from a transportation sustainability perspective. It uses data from travel surveys before and during the pandemic to evaluate changes in travel activity and their impacts on public transportation (PT) system costs and revenues, air quality and traffic crashes. A structural equation model (SEM) is used to assess the potential impact of passengers' characteristics, details of each transportation mode and the severity of Covid-19 on travel behaviour. Hypothesis testing is used to compare the changes that occurred in air quality and traffic crashes. SEM outputs indicate that the frequency of trips previously made by sustainable modes and changes in regular trips have the highest impact on the sustainability of trips made during the Covid-19 pandemic. Air quality declined in many city districts. The pandemic caused reductions in PT ridership and an increase in private car use, which threaten the long-term sustainability of public transit services. Crash fatalities declined slightly, particularly during periods of movement restrictions. However, motorcycle fatal crashes increased in comparison with the reduction in motorcycle trips, apparently due to increased traffic speeds. The government did not use the pandemic as an opportunity to promote sustainable and low-contagion modes. This analysis infers that the Covid-19 outbreak reduced the overall transportation sustainability in Tehran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the synergistic influence of bottom ash as a Portland cement (PC) and natural fine aggregate (NFA) replacement in concrete. Coal bottom ash (CBA) is a heavy ash that settles at the bottom of the combustion chamber of a thermal power plant. It was ground (GCBA) for two hours prior to replacing 10–30% PC, while CBA was used in raw form to replace 25% and 50% NFA. The mechanical properties along with durability properties (accelerated carbonation and chloride penetration) were studied after 28 days and 90 days of curing. Non-destructive tests were also performed to check the quality of CBA-based concrete. Microstructural characterisation was conducted using various techniques, namely X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The concrete with 20% GCBA and 25% CBA (G20C25) reported the best performance in terms of parameters studied owing to the pozzolanic reactivity of GCBA and the filler effect of fine CBA. The microstructural investigations also validated the findings and trends observed in the experimental results. Well-fitted mathematical models were derived and optimisation was carried out using the desirability function approach. Multi-objective optimisation recommended 21.80% GCBA and 24.17% CBA as the optimum amount, resulting in a significant reduction of 19.19% and 18.19% in carbon footprint and eco-cost, respectively, compared to the control mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) have garnered significant attention within the construction industry, owing to their exceptional mechanical properties and durability. This thorough review presents a meticulous analysis of the progress and prospects in ECC research. It begins by introducing the background and rationale for investigating ECCs, while outlining the objectives of the review. The review provides an encompassing overview of ECCs, encompassing their definition, characteristics, historical development, composition and constituent materials. Emphasis is placed on the examination of ECCs' mechanical properties, specifically their flexural behaviour, tensile behaviour, compressive strength and resistance to environmental factors. Furthermore, the rheological properties of ECCs, including workability, flowability, self-healing, crack mitigation, viscosity and thixotropy, are discussed in detail. The review delves into the influence of fibre reinforcement on ECCs, encompassing the types of fibres utilised and their impact on mechanical and structural properties, as well as fibre dispersion and orientation. Additionally, it explores the diverse applications of ECCs across various fields, such as structural applications and sustainable building practices. The challenges and limitations associated with ECCs, such as cost and availability, are addressed, alongside an exploration of future trends and research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last decade has witnessed an urgency to adopt integrated and sustainable practices within construction manufacturing processes. With this in mind, this study examines individuals' experiences of the sector's uptake of BES 6001 to determine themes and propose methods for improving the process driving towards a sustainable future. Using a phenomenological methodology and a strategy for purposive sampling of architecture, engineering and construction industry professionals involved in the certification of products under the BES 6001 framework, semi-structured interviews (n = 6) were used to collect 'lived-experience' data. The key benefits of implementation include (a) management belief; (b) BES 6001 providing automated, transparent and accountable reporting; and (c) BES 6001 providing assurance to stakeholders. Meanwhile, the key barriers include (a) the complexity and cost of administration of the assessment; (b) access for small and medium-sized enterprises/small supply chain members being challenging; and (c) the perception of value. Based on the findings, the following recommendations are proposed: (a) there should be consultation and assessment of planned future revisions of the BES 6001 standard; (b) there should be analysis of evidence production for BES 6001 accreditation, with a view to provide in-depth support to organisations – such as a guidance manual or similar; and (c) a clear and integrated approach to responsible sourcing should be explored, considering multiple third-party accreditations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry contributes the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in which concrete production is one of the key components. Extracting and transporting raw materials such as limestone and aggregates contribute to habitat destruction and pollution. This study deals with the relative assessment of a group of commonly used concretes at varied strength levels using emergy analysis and life-cycle assessment (LCA). Six types of concrete are considered for evaluation: normal, binary blended, ternary blended, quaternary blended, alkali-activated and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). Emergy analysis considers different qualities and quantities of inputs, providing insights on resource-based impacts through emergy indicators. LCA, conducted using the SimaPro software, evaluates the environmental impacts of concrete production using midpoint and endpoint indicators. From emergy analysis, it is observed that concrete with alternative materials such as fly ash, silica fume, ground granulated blast-furnace slag and recycled aggregate exhibits better results in terms of emergy indicators. RAC shows the highest value of emergy sustainability index in all strength ranges. In LCA, higher impacts are seen for normal concrete, followed by those for RAC. To obtain a more inclusive result, an integrated emergy–LCA index is proposed. The results from this index aid in improved decision making regarding the sustainability of the system considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing and using environmental management systems (EMSs) in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sectors has received worldwide attention but never through a phenomenological lens. This study investigates the 'lived experiences' of experts who have implemented and used ISO 14001 in AEC organisations based in the UK. Using a qualitative research strategy of semi-structured interviews, extensive analysis of the conversations reveals several themes – namely, participants believe that ISO 14001 is not just an environmental business tool, ISO 14001 offers a means of delivering sustainability, ISO 14001 accreditation opens doors for business accruement and, moreover, ISO 14001 is more than a badge, rather it is a modern-day business necessity. The study also reveals that not all organisations asking for ISO 14001 have the accreditation themselves. Based on this evidence, and contrary to previous studies that have proposed that EMSs are chiefly implemented to save costs and comply with legislation, it seems that box ticking as part of the tendering process is now the major motivation for organisations to attain and maintain International Organization for Standardization accreditation. Further, concerns are expressed that some organisations are unwilling to state their sustainability objectives or embed their operations within an EMS that will be audited because it could emphasise their poor performance to stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates clayey soil from a road project situated in the district of Lodhran, Punjab, Pakistan. The subgrade prepared with the soil distorted due to heaving after a certain period of its construction. First, laboratory tests were conducted to explore the reason for this problem, examining the fundamental engineering properties of soil. The test results show that the soil acts as a soft material when water content reaches 30%, significantly reducing its strength. The soft soil is generally considered unsuitable for civil work due to its poor performance behaviour. So, the performance of clayey soil was examined in the study at its soft state by coupling it with stronger materials, such as polyethylene polymeric reinforcement and sand, developing laboratory-scale foundation models. Based on the model studies, the study proposes a sustainable polyethylene–sand–soft soil model, which shows 155 and 56% higher ultimate bearing capacity (BC) than soft soil and sand-reinforced soft soil foundations. The changes in BC occur due to the reinforcement action of the polyethylene reinforcement, which is associated with its tensile membrane action effects and interlock bonding at the soil-reinforcement interface. Practically, the study can reduce the dependency of industry practitioners on sand materials. Using polyethylene in civil work is viable for environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Engineering Sustainability. The editorial discusses three articles in the journal that explore environmental sustainability and carbon reduction from different perspectives: organization, built environment, and public policy. One article reviews the benefits and barriers of adopting the ISO 14001 global standard for environmental management systems. Another article examines the impact of building design characteristics on power plant carbon emissions. The third article evaluates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on transport sustainability in Tehran, Iran. The editorial highlights the importance of coordinated public policy and the challenges of achieving sustainability goals during crises. [Extracted from the article]

Novel ultra-high-performance concretes (UHPCs) made with calcium-oxide-activated materials (CAM), modified synthetic macro (MSM) fibres, glass fibres and steel fibres were developed. The mechanical and durability properties of UHPC-CAM specimens made with the different fibre types were tested and compared. The microstructure of the samples was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The environmental impacts of the mix designs were assessed using the Impact 2002+ method, a life cycle assessment tool. The results showed that the UHPC-CAM made with glass or MSM fibres had a high compressive strength (>110 MPa) and improved ductility. These specimens also had low water absorption and high electrical resistance, indicating low corrosion risk. SEM analyses showed that the MSM fibres created a denser geopolymer matrix than the glass fibres. The UHPC-CAM was found to have a lower environmental impact than conventional UHPC in terms of human health, ecosystem quality, carbon dioxide footprint and use of resources. MSM fibres were determined to be the most eco-friendly fibres for UHPC-CAM production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable seismic design (SSD) is the first step towards next-generation earthquake engineering. SSD of mixed multiple seismic systems (MMSSs), in which more than one earthquake-resisting structure is used, is a challenging structural engineering issue. Seismic sustainability implies survivability during and after an earthquake, preceded by post-earthquake realignment and repairs (PERR). Purpose-specific MMSSs are ideally suited for SSD. However, contemporary codes address neither the sequences nor the failure mechanisms of the earthquake-resisting structures of MMSSs. The difference between conventional design and SSD is their approach to expected behaviour during and after an earthquake. Earthquakes are natural and dynamic occurrences, whereas PERR is a manual and static process. SSD does not favour unreal detailing or oversimplifying assumptions; it is a multi-faceted effort that involves realistic structural analysis and planned manual operations. In this context, design implies operability with a view to PERR and requires a change from damageability assessment and performance-based seismic design to performance control and reparability-based design, including the development of new analytic tools and purpose-specific details. This article presents graphical solutions and theoretical principles to help achieve practical SSD for MMSSs. These new techniques may be used for practical reliability, economy and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stabilisation of soil has been carried out by many researchers in the past using conventional materials such as lime, fly-ash, silica fumes, quarry dust and so on. Ground improvement using enzymes or micro-organisms, fermented from vegetable extracts, has been one of the latest sustainable invents in geotechnical engineering. This study explores and compares the effectiveness of terrazyme in improving the mechanical properties such as strength and compressibility characteristics of locally available soils. The experimental studies are extended to two soils that possess extreme characteristics namely lateritic and black cotton (BC). The study is carried out on three different dosages of terrazyme, namely 150, 200 and 250 ml/m3, respectively, obtained through volumetric proportioning. To understand the long-term behaviour pattern of terrazyme, studies are carried out on varying curing periods (7 and 28 days) and the results are compared. The results highlight that terrazyme modification is more effective in BC soil than lateritic soil. To evaluate the changes in soil fabric brought about on the account of application of enzyme, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray studies are carried out. The design of flexible pavements with an enzyme-modified subgrade revealed a more robust and sustainable infrastructure solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the world, the acceptance criterion for concrete made with non-potable water (SA) is stipulated for mean strength with reference to similar concrete made with potable water (SP). The basis for the strength design of concrete is the characteristic strength. The effect of the acceptance criteria on the characteristic strength of SA and SP was examined using statistical simulations, for the first time. It was found that, compared with a two-sample set, using a three-sample set would improve the characteristic strength of SA. A higher allowable ratio between the means of SA and SP and a lower deviation of individual samples from the mean would improve the characteristic strength of SA. The effect of the coefficient of variation (CoV) of the original population on the characteristic strength of SA varied. On the one hand, a higher CoV reduced the characteristic strength of SP, thereby increasing the probability of SA strength being higher than SP strength. On the other, a higher CoV of SP meant a wider spread of the samples and that could increase the CoV of SA, thereby reducing the characteristic strength of SA. Probabilistic charts were developed for the characteristic strengths of SA and SP for different combinations of the aforementioned variables, with guidance for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable use of water reservoirs is threatened by sediment accumulation, but loss of storage volume can be prevented or limited by appropriate sediment management strategies that work in a variety of expected conditions. The development of a reservoir flushing strategy, tested against water and sediment inflow that might occur over centuries, is presented. A typical length of water and sediment records of 50 years was used to represent the range of variability within a year, and extended by deducing longer term inter-annual variability from suitable indicators (sediment cores in natural lakes, tree-ring chronologies etc.). It was concluded that, over past centuries, water inflows over a period of 50 years could typically vary by about 10%, while sediment inflows could vary by about 20%. The resilience of flushing rules derived solely on the recorded dataset over centuries-long periods was tested using a long-term computer simulation of reservoir sedimentation. The simulations showed that some modifications to the flushing rules would increase performance over centuries-long periods. Although the approach was derived for a specific project, it is based on some generally applicable parameters, such as the discharge at which operation stops and the moving average of the annual peak flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was undertaken to evaluate the embodied greenhouse gas emissions of four different design options for the foundation of a residential modular building in the East Midlands, UK. The assessment considered the embodied carbon dioxide equivalent of material production (without and with Portland cement replacement using ground granulated blast-furnace slag), transportation, construction works (such as soil excavation) and plant usage on site and off site. The findings indicated that helical piles and reinforced concrete slabs supported with expanded polystyrene were the most sustainable options (in terms of embodied emissions) compared with conventional strip and pad foundations. This study provides valuable insight into considerations and constraints that may arise when evaluating the sustainability of modular building foundations. It offers practical guidance for decision makers in the modular construction sector seeking to mitigate the environmental impact of their geotechnical design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-intensive binders such as cement are traditionally employed to stabilise peat. Few studies have investigated alternative materials such as biochar to improve peat stability while simultaneously sequestering carbon dioxide. This study explored biochar produced through pyrolysis of clean wood and leaves to stabilise peat from Tiller-Flotten, Norway. Unconfined compressive strength, water content and pH measurements on biochar, Portland composite cement and peat compositions and a sustainability assessment were conducted. It was found that biochar amendment increased strength and stiffness of peat and cement-stabilised peat. Biochar showed the potential to reduce the cement amount when stabilising peat while retaining geotechnical properties. Peat stabilised with 200 kg/m3 of biochar and 100 kg/m3 of cement exhibited comparable strength (63.3 ± 4.2 kPa, n = 3) as samples with 200 kg/m3 of cement (63.2 ± 1.3 kPa, n = 3), but with a negative carbon footprint. Adding biochar quantities greater than 27% of the cement quantities resulted in a climate-neutral stabilisation. At a carbon price of approximately €85/t, the biochar costs equalled the cement costs. The cement-only samples outperformed the ones with additional biochar in terms of shear strength/€, while future carbon prices increased the competitiveness of biochar amendments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial attacks rapidly degrade concrete structures in wastewater facilities, leading to brief service lifespans. Hence, producing concrete resistant to chemical and sulfuric acid corrosion is more cost-effective. In the present study, a total of six concrete mixtures incorporating 7.5% silica fumes (SF) and 10% natural zeolite (ZE) were immersed in 0.5% and 1% sulfuric acid solutions with a maximum pH threshold of 2 and 1, respectively, for 70 weeks. The specimens were regularly monitored for surface deterioration, mass change and crushing load change. To better understand the relationship between the pore structure of concrete mixtures and resistance to sulfuric acid, various durability tests such as rapid chloride penetration, water absorption, electrical resistivity and chloride diffusion coefficient were performed. Based on the results obtained, converting calcium hydroxide into calcium silicate hydrate gel through pozzolanic reactions and then refining the porosity of concrete with silica fumes (SF) and natural zeolite (ZE) was effective in enhancing the resistance of concrete to attack by sulfuric acid of relatively low concentration. As a result, using silica fumes (SF) and natural zeolite (ZE) is a lower-cost method for reducing corrosion rates to extend the service life of facilities, particularly in lower concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novelty of this study is the combined experimental and statistical approach, which is showcased to predict and optimise bamboo–mortar bond strength, incorporating the effects of various material factors. The design of experiments method was used to quantify the impact of multiple factors affecting the bond strength. Firstly, different experimental pull-out tests were conducted in the laboratory to determine the effect of various factors (water/cement ratio, curing duration, cement/sand ratio, fly ash content and bamboo treatment) on bond strength development. Three failure patterns were observed – bamboo failure, bond failure and mortar failure. Secondly, using a two-level full factorial design method, different statistical models were formulated. These models were developed based on the surface treatment of the bamboo (model M1 (untreated) and model M2 (treated and untreated)). The effects of single factors and their interactions on bond strength development were quantified. The developed models were validated for the prediction of bond strength based on different factors. The developed statistical models were found to predict and simulate the experimental behaviour of bond strength with sufficient accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]