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Majpadu Bricks Sdn. Bhd. was a Malaysian company incorporated in 1996. Majpadu's business was in manufacturing and supplying compressed clay bricks, known as dry pressed earth brick (DPEB), a type of bricks manufactured using high-density compression technology. Unlike other bricks that were widely available in the market (also known as ordinary baked bricks), Majpadu's bricks were not 'fired' in kilns; as such, DPEB was claimed to be more eco-friendly, cooler in temperature and yet very durable. Majpadu's expertise was within the engineering process as well as the technical knowledge of DPEB. Apart from its main business, it also offered consultancy services to the industry. Over the years, Majpadu saw the company face several internal and external circumstances that affected its bottom line. By early 2017, the situation had become more serious, forcing Mr Zaki Hayat, the Managing Director of Majpadu, to implement a strategy to tackle the problems faced by the company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that global awareness for sustainable development has risen to face environmental damages, different building materials have been considered from a mechanical perspective. In this sense, considering the richness of South America regarding its woods, the Guayacan and the Ecuadorian oak timbers have not been previously characterized. The present research has performed mechanical, thermal, and moisture content characterizations to acknowledge the benefits of considering these materials for the building industries. In this sense, Guayacan has been shown to have lower thermal conductivity, making it ideal for thermal insulation; the oak from Manabi showed the best compressive strength; while the oak from El Oro stands with the best tensile strength; and the oak from Loja showed the best modulus of elasticity. On the other hand, all the materials were compared by multicriteria decision methods to select the best, by using the COPRAS method driven by the objective entropy-weighted method, showing that the oak from Loja is the best choice considering the advantage that presents with the modulus of elasticity. In this sense, it is concluded that regarding the mechanical properties, there is not much difference for the compression, bending, and tensile strength; nevertheless, for the modulus of elasticity the oak from Loja stands out, making it a factor to be considered in the selection of a wood for building applications that is corroborated through multicriteria decision methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Researchers warn of a new critical vulnerability in Apache OFBiz, an open-source https://www.cio.com/article/272362/what-is-erp-key-features-of-top-enterprise-resource-planning-systems.html system and framework. The flaw potentially allows for remote code execution (RCE) without authentication and was patched [...]

An alkali–silica reaction (ASR) is a chemical process that leads to the formation of an expansive gel, potentially causing durability issues in concrete structures. This article investigates the properties and behaviour of ASR products in mortar with the addition of low-purity calcined clay as an additional material. This study includes an evaluation of the expansion and microstructural characteristics of the mortar, as well as an analysis of the formation and behaviour of ASR products with different contents of calcined clay. Expansion tests of the mortar beam specimens were conducted according to ASTM C1567, and a detailed microscopic analysis of the reaction products was performed. Additionally, their mechanical properties were determined using nanoindentation. This study reveals that with an increasing calcined clay content, the amount of the crystalline form of the ASR gel decreases, while the nanohardness increases. The Young's modulus of the amorphous ASR products ranged from 5 to 12 GPa, while the nanohardness ranged from 0.41 to 0.67 GPa. The obtained results contribute to a better understanding of how the incorporation of low-purity calcined clay influences the ASR in mortar, providing valuable insights into developing sustainable and durable building materials for the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The building materials industry ranks first in terms of carbon emissions and energy consumption within the industrial sector. To achieve the goal of reducing carbon emissions, the development of the green intelligent building materials (GIBMs) industry has become a strategic priority and major demand for the country. Government support plays a vital role in promoting the growth of the GIBMs industry. This paper utilizes evolutionary game theory and Matlab software to analyze the impact of government regulations on the development of the GIBMs industry. The research findings indicate the following. i) Appropriate government control over building materials enterprises is beneficial for the advancement of the GIBMs industry. A balance is necessary, as both excessive control and weak control hinder the industry's development. ii) Increased financial assistance from the government to enterprises producing GIBMs has a positive influence. This support enables building materials enterprises to overcome technical barriers, drive technological innovation, and encourage construction developers to actively purchase these materials. iii) Stronger government punishment for pollutant emissions by building materials enterprises serves as a catalyst for the production of GIBMs. Stricter penalties motivate these enterprises to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. iv) Moderate to strong government investment in infrastructure has a significant impact. It prompts construction developers to actively choose and purchase GIBMs. In response to government regulations and market demand, building materials enterprises are inclined to produce these environmentally friendly materials. This study emphasizes the importance of government regulations and support in promoting the growth of the GIBMs industry. By implementing appropriate control measures, providing financial assistance, imposing punishments for pollution, and investing in infrastructure, the government can effectively encourage the development of the GIBMs industry. These measures contribute to achieving the double carbon goals and fostering a more sustainable built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]