Nation‐building policies in Timor‐Leste: disaster risk reduction,including climate change adaptation

Few studies have explored the relationships between nation‐building, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Focusing on small island developing states, this paper examines nation‐building in Timor‐Leste, a small island developing state that recently achieved independence. Nation‐building in Timor‐Leste is explored in the context of disaster risk reduction, which necessarily includes climate change adaptation. The study presents a synopsis of Timor‐Leste's history and its nation‐building efforts as well as an overview of the state of knowledge of disaster risk reduction including climate change adaptation. It also offers an analysis of significant gaps and challenges in terms of vertical and horizontal governance, large donor presence, data availability and the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for nation‐building in Timor‐Leste. Relevant and applicable lessons are provided from other small island developing states to assist Timor‐Leste in identifying its own trajectory out of underdevelopment while it builds on existing strengths.     

Environmental protection by utilization of the slag from magnesium production in building materials

This paper presents the results of research on the utilization of slag produced as the waste material of metallic magnesium production. This material is a fine powder with a high magnesium content. The characterization of slag was performed by XRD, DTA and TG analysis. Chemical composition and mechanical properties of slag were also determined. By using a mixture this slag and limestone aggregate, it is possible to obtain dry mortar which, mixed with water, gives a material fully satisfying for plastering mortar. By adding inorganic pigments (Fe₂O₃, Ca₂O3, etc.) decorative mortars are obtained, and when they are spread over the foundation made of brick or concrete, they retain their colour on the entire coating and surface of the mortar.     

Managing natural resources with eco-friendly technologies for sustainable rural development: a case of Garhwal Himalaya

Traditional Central Himalaya societies face a range of socio-economic and environmental problems. The potential of science and technology has not yet been adequately and appropriately harnessed to overcome the development constraints posed by the fragile Himalayan environment. Thus there is a need for large-scale establishment of technology resource centers. The Garhwal Unit of GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development established rural technology demonstration and training centers in three different agroecological zones between 550 and 2200 m asl and in 13–15 locations, with suitable technologies based on appropriate use and management of locally available bio-resources that ensure people participation. About 35 on-site training courses were organised for about 2329 participants. The participants were given on-site demonstrations, training and technical know-how on various technologies, to enable farmers to better understand problems faced during implementation of new technologies for sustainable management of natural resources. An action research framework and training manuals were also developed in consideration of local socio-economic condition. The documentation and analysis of research (quantitative and qualitative) and data related to cost–benefit analysis of the technologies adopted by farmers generated through this study has created wider sharing of farmer training outputs, at farm level, amongst the scientific communities and with policy planners.     

Free or low-cost geoinformatics for disaster management: Uses and availability issues

The disaster management applications of geographical information systems and remote sensing are examined relative to the disaster cycle, in pre-disaster, crisis and post-disaster contexts. We focus on the uses and limitations of free or low-cost data and software. A wide range of geospatial datasets are currently freely available, from digital elevation models (DEMs) and thematic digital maps, to multispectral satellite imagery and virtual globes, such as Bing Maps. Maps of hazardous terrain and vulnerable features can be derived from sets of satellite data such as shuttle radar topography mission DEMs and Landsat imagery. The derived maps are particularly useful for district scale (1:25 to 1:100 K) disaster management in low-income countries. Detailed maps (i.e. better than 1:25 K scale) of hazardous terrain and vulnerable features generally require expensive high-resolution satellite imagery or aerial photography.

Although the Internet allows the distribution of free or low-cost geospatial data, software and training materials, there are still some countries with limited Internet access. Data integration, spatial/temporal analysis and map production are also limited by the frequently high price of geoinformatic software, making it a priority to develop suitable Free and Open-Source Software.     

Disaster risk reduction and the evolution of physical development regulation

In 1984 the Mitigation Implementation Conference recognized the need for effective management of urban development in terms of building standards and land-use zonation. In the intervening 25 years, significant progress has been made in the development of building codes and hazard mapping for disaster risk reduction; however, the failure to promulgate, implement and enforce regulation of development has resulted in the dramatic expansion of exposure and risk. It is now necessary to re-assess regulatory policy and practice. New approaches to regulatory compliance must be explored, including participatory regulation and reliance on cultural and religious bases for individual commitment to community safety.     

高层建筑外立面U型结构火蔓延特性数值模拟研究

对高层建筑外立面U型结构竖直火蔓延特性影响进行了数值模拟研究,给出了火蔓延速度、热释放速率、火蔓延温度特性等参数.研究发现U型结构竖直火蔓延是一个加速燃烧的过程,当U型结构的结构因子α在0.4和1.6之间时,其火蔓延速度随着α的增加而增加,这是由于在燃烧过程中U型结构会产生烟囱效应,其强度随着U型结构结构因子的增大而增大,烟囱效应的增强加速了火蔓延过程.     

基于BP神经网络的绿色建筑评价

绿色建筑是指在建筑的全寿命周期内,最大限度地节约资源,保护环境和减少污染,为人们提供健康、适用和高效的使用空间,与自然和谐共生。根据绿色建筑的特点,确立绿色建筑评价指标体系,并运用管理理论中的层次分析法(AHP)和模糊综合评价方法(Fuzzy),提出了人工神经网络(ANN)评价模型。评估结果表明,该评价体系用于绿色建筑等级综合评价是快速、有效的。     

高层住宅建筑火灾人员疏散仿真研究

基于高层建筑火灾的严重危害,本文在具体分析阐述我国目前高层住宅建筑的户型设计现状后,以长沙市某高层塔式住宅建筑为研究对象,利用人员疏散软件Building EXODUS(V4.06版)和烟气模拟软件CFAST对发生火灾后建筑物的人员疏散和烟气流动情况仿真模拟。研究表明,逃生楼梯的设计位置对高层塔式住宅的人员疏散效率影响较大;在发生紧急情况后,事前是否进行过疏散演习和事中的人工干预引导疏散对保障高层住宅建筑火灾居民的生命安全尤为重要;高层住宅建筑火灾,起火楼层越底,伤亡越大。     

建筑火灾坍塌危险性的评估

从建筑火灾坍塌事故的特点及危害入手,分析了火灾中影响建筑坍塌时间的因素,阐述了建筑火灾坍塌前兆,得出建筑火灾坍塌危险性评估结论:在无爆炸发生情况下,无先天质量问题的钢筋混凝土建筑,一般在火灾持续5、6个小时内不会发生整体坍塌;我国北方建筑比南方的建筑普遍抗烧塌性相对较强;按防震设计的震区建筑,其火灾抗塌性明显增强;灭火冷却及时的建筑不易坍塌。     

大型商业建筑人员整体疏散与层次疏散效率对比模拟研究

大型商业建筑人员密度高,疏散环境复杂,火灾条件下人员疏散困难,疏散过程中易发生楼梯口拥堵,而造成疏散效率降低。本文针对大型商业建筑人员逃生疏散过程中大部分时间被耗用在聚集楼梯口等待这一实际问题,应用Building EXDOUS安全疏散软件对某购物广场进行数值模拟分析,通过对比整体疏散和层次疏散两种疏散方式,发现层次疏散较之整体疏散时间大为缩短,人员在楼梯口等待时间显著降低,疏散效率明显提高,进而完善了大型商业性建筑内疏散策略。