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Development and revalorization of the architectural heritage of Azerbaijan in the urban planning system

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-4-9
Abstract
With a highly developed cultural heritage, Azerbaijan has always been known for its remarkable achievements in architecture and decorations. It serves as an optimal territory for the development of the modern approach to urban planning, supported by the governmental efforts to protect the values of this country at the level of world culture. Since gaining its independence, Azerbaijan has managed to develop a strong cooperation with UNESCO, making a great contribution to heritage conservation worldwide.
This paper studies the issue of the connection of the architectural legacy of Azerbaijan with the current system of urban development in theory and practice. Considering Baku as the key example of the discussed subject, the author analyses the successful co-existence of the historic structures in a developing city and tries to find out the ways to preserve the identity of this place during the process of the globalization of cities. Instead of working on restoration projects separately, the author suggests using the urban approach to preservation of the historic places as an important element of the socio-economic and architectural structure of the city. Moreover, the issue of the balance between the traditional aesthetics and modern constructions, along with the adaptive reuse of the historic areas is considered. There is a great focus made on the importance of international cooperation and compliance with the UNESCO requirements".
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Efficiency of applying various types of basic renewable energy sources in modern buildings and structures

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-4-10
Abstract
The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the applicability and efficiency of basic renewable energy sources (RES) in modern buildings, including high-rise and unique structures. A comparative analysis of key technologies—solar (PV and thermal), wind, geothermal (heat pumps), and bioenergy—was conducted, highlighting their specific advantages as determined by efficiency indicators, COP, capacity factor (CUF), and temperature potential. The selection methodology is implemented as a sequence of iterative steps based on international statistical data (IRENA, IEA), modeling tools, and multi-criteria analysis principles. Key engineering requirements for the external and internal units of solar (photovoltaic and thermal), wind, geothermal systems, and bioenergy are identified. It is established that the selection and design of RES systems are determined by a triad of imperatives: achieving architectural harmony, maximizing energy efficiency, and ensuring safety and durability. A universal solution does not exist, and the efficiency of integration is determined by a combination of factors: climatic conditions, architectural and structural features of the building, and its energy profile. A typology of solutions for different building classes – from mass multi-story construction to skyscrapers – is proposed, with a detailed examination of wind and vibration loads, thermal deformations, and installation logistics. It is proven that for complex facilities, a hybrid approach is optimal, combining, in particular, geothermal heat pumps, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and adapted small wind turbines. The article emphasizes the necessity of interdisciplinary design at the intersection of architecture, energy engineering, and mechanics to create efficient energy-active buildings. The transition from assessing RES potential in general to designing adaptive solutions for specific buildings is a necessary condition for creating energy efficient and carbon neutral buildings. The practical value of the work lies in providing designers and developers with a structured decision-making tool, which contributes to the creation of energy efficient, carbon neutral buildings and a sustainable urban environment.
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Rational technology for the use of glass cullet and fly ash in silicate bricks to improve the thermal insulation properties of enclosing structures

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-3-1
Abstract
A topical issue in the modernization of housing and communal services is increasing the energy efficiency of enclosing structures while maintaining the standard strength and durability of wall materials. The study aimed to investigate opportunities for the use of glass cullet and fly ash in the production of autoclaved silicate bricks to reduce their thermal conductivity. The tested characteristics included average density, the thermal conductivity coefficient, compressive and flexural strength, water absorption, and frost resistance. The introduction of glass powder and fly ash was found to consistently lower the average density of silicate bricks from 1,910–1,950 to 1,625–1,700 kg/m³ and the thermal conductivity from 0.88–0.91 to 0.52–0.54 W/(m•K). The optimal compositions (samples No. 2 and No. 3) reduced thermal conductivity by 25–30% compared to the control sample with compressive strength remaining above 17.5 MPa and frost resistance in the range of F27–F35. An analysis of microstructural and phase characteristics based on SEM and XRD data showed that the improvement of thermophysical properties was due to the formation of a finely porous structure and a mixed hydrate matrix containing tobermorite and an amorphous C–S–H phase. The results confirm the expedience of using glass cullet and fly ash to produce energy-efficient silicate bricks suitable for use in enclosing structures in the framework of modernizing the facilities of housing and community services, which will not require major changes to current production technologies.
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Special features of obtaining a high-strength ceramic body based on modified argillites

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-3-2
Abstract
After studying construction market trends over the past year, a rapid decline in ceramic materials production was revealed. According to Rosstat, construction materials output fell by 8.6% in September 2025 compared to the same month last year. Regarding the ceramic materials market, a decline was observed in the ceramic brick, stone, and tile production segment. Production of construction bricks decreased by 3.8%, ceramic stone by 4.8%, and ceramic facade tiles by 3.1%. Furthermore, clinker roofing tiles, large-format ceramic tiles, and siding are unavailable on the market, as imports of these products are limited and domestic production is nonexistent. Many ceramic material manufacturers are prepared to be modernized to support import substitution, thereby reducing the shortage in the construction industry. The primary challenge currently is to find raw materials suitable for the production of high-strength ceramic products. Argillites, which are widely distributed throughout the Russian Federation, could serve as such raw material. The main deposits of this raw material are located in the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts.
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Prospects for using bentonite-polymer composites to improve the strength and stability of iron ore pellets during granulation

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-3-3
Abstract
The article investigates the application of bentonite-polymer composites (BPC) in the process of granulation of iron ore concentrates to increase the strength and stability of iron ore pellets. The purpose of the study was to optimize the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets using BPC as a binder. The relevance of the work is associated with the growing demand for more efficient pelletizing technologies capable of ensuring high-quality pellet production while reducing binder consumption and improving process stability. During the experiments, laboratory tests were performed with various dosages of bentonite and BPC, achieving a stabilized granulometric composition and improved strength characteristics of green pellets. The results showed that BPC added to the batch promoted a significant increase in compressive strength and a decrease in the abrasion of calcined pellets. In addition, binder consumption was found to be connected with the quality indicators of the product, enabling the optimization of the technological process and the achievement of target parameters. The paper stressed the importance of using high-quality binders to improve pellet efficiency and stability, which has significant implications for metallurgical production. Recommendations for the use of BPC can be applied in the development of new methods for the production of iron ore pellets with improved performance.
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Study of the aerodynamic characteristics and dispersed composition of halite salt dust

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-3-4
Abstract
The paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of the physical and particle-size characteristics of halite salt dust, which is widely used in industry and traditionally not regarded as a hazardous environmental pollutant. Nevertheless, under large-scale production conditions, crushing, handling, storage, and transportation processes are accompanied by additional crystal fragmentation, which may lead to the formation of fine fractions and dust aerosols. Under certain aerodynamic conditions, such particles are capable of dispersing beyond industrial sites, thereby contributing to the problem of industrial air pollution. The aim of the study was to provide a quantitative assessment of the dust-forming tendency of halite salt and to determine the characteristics of the resulting dust fraction. The research included an analysis of the particle size (granulometric) distribution of both the initial material and the generated dust, experimental investigations of particle entrainment by airflow, determination of dust particle settling velocities, and measurement of their true density using the pycnometric method. The obtained data make it possible to assess the potential migration capacity of the fine fraction and its contribution to aerosol pollution under large-scale production conditions. It is shown that even with a relatively small mass fraction of fine particles, the total emission volumes may be significant due to high production capacities. The results of the study can be used in the development of dust suppression measures, optimization of technological regimes, improvement of dust collection systems, and in the environmental assessment of enterprises involved in the processing and storage of halite salt.
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A refined method for determining rheological parameters of the maxwell-gurevich equation from polymer relaxation curves using the example of epoxy resin edt-10

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-3-5
Abstract
This paper presents a refined methodology for determining the rheological parameters of the nonlinear generalized Maxwell-Gurevich equation, which is widely used to describe creep and relaxation processes in polymer materials. Despite the extensive application of this constitutive model in polymer mechanics, existing methods for identifying its key parameters – namely the high-elasticity modulus E∞, the rate modulus mcr, and the initial relaxation viscosity ηcr,0 – often yield approximate values that do not fully capture the material's behavior across different deformation levels. The proposed approach addresses this limitation through a comprehensive two-stage algorithm based on the processing of stress relaxation curves at various initial strain levels. In the first stage, preliminary parameter values are obtained using an analytical approximation method that involves polynomial fitting of creep strain data and logarithmic transformation of the relaxation viscosity coefficient. The second stage employs numerical optimization techniques implemented in the Python programming language, specifically the scipy.optimize.fmin function for global minimum search, combined with the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method for solving the differential equation of creep strain rate. The methodology was validated using experimental data for EDT-10 epoxy resin – a thermosetting polymer widely employed in structural applications – tested at 20°C under six different initial relative deformations ranging from 0.008 to 0.035. The relaxation curves were digitized from classical literature sources and processed according to the developed algorithm. The results demonstrate that the rheological parameters of the Maxwell-Gurevich equation exhibit significant dependence on the initial strain (stress) level, contrary to the common assumption of their constancy for a given temperature. Specifically, the high-elasticity modulus E∞ decreases nonlinearly from 19142.71 MPa to 2643.07 MPa as the initial deformation increases, while the rate modulus mcr shows an increasing trend from 3.58 MPa to 22.48 MPa. The initial relaxation viscosity ηcr,0 decreases by approximately two orders of magnitude, from 8.14•10⁵ MPa•h to 1.33•10⁴ MPa•h. Functional relationships approximating these dependencies as functions of the initial elastic strain were established with high correlation coefficients (R² ranging from 0.9776 to 0.9988 for individual curves). A comparative analysis was conducted with three previously published parameter sets for EDT-10 epoxy resin. The comparison reveals that traditional constant-parameter approaches significantly underestimate the high-elasticity modulus and lead to excessively rapid stress relaxation, particularly at higher initial strain levels (>0.0155), where the solution degenerates. In contrast, the proposed strain-dependent parameterization yields theoretical relaxation curves that closely match the experimental data across the entire range of deformations, with coefficients of determination R² exceeding 0.97 for all curves except the lowest strain level (0.008), where digitization errors are more pronounced. The methodology demonstrates robustness and can be extended to other polymer materials and loading conditions, including creep tests where the stress remains constant. The findings have important implications for the mechanics of polymer structures, adhesive joints, and composite materials, where accurate prediction of long-term deformation behavior under various stress states is essential for reliable design and service life assessment. Future research directions include validation of the proposed hypothesis for creep curves and investigation of temperature-dependent parameter variations.
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Controlling the density and thermal conductivity of silicate bricks by adjusting the dispersity of glass powder from glass waste

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-3-6
Abstract
Under tightening requirements for the energy efficiency of buildings, the development of building materials with reduced thermal conductivity and with the use of secondary resources is gaining particular relevance. A promising area is the use of cullet in the production technology of silicate bricks as a wall building material. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of dispersity and the content of glass powder obtained from sheet glass waste on the physicomechanical and thermophysical properties of autoclaved silicate bricks. Glass powder was examined as an active silica-containing additive and a source of alkaline Na⁺ ions that affect hydrothermal phase formation. The samples were molded by semi-dry pressing at a pressure of 20 MPa and 10–12% humidity of the mixture, after which the bricks were autoclaved according to the industrial regime of the silicate brick factory of West Kazakhstan Corporation of Building Materials, JSC (174–175°C, 0.8 MPa). The introduction of 5–15% fine glass powder was found to decrease the average density and thermal conductivity coefficient of the product while maintaining strength at the level of grades M150–M200. Microstructural and phase analysis showed a predominance of an amorphous and semi-crystalline C–S–H phase with the suppression of tobermorite formation due to the alkaline effect of glass powder. The study determined that the modification of silicate bricks with glass powder allows obtaining more energy-efficient wall materials without changing the industrial production technology. The findings testify to the prospects of recycling cullet in the silicate brick production technology with the aims of increasing the energy efficiency of the enclosing structures.
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Ensuring decarbonization underground construction technologies of backfilling based on the tailings

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-3-7
Abstract
This study presents an innovative strategy for decarbonizing underground construction based on circular waste management by reducing coal mine methane emissions through goaf backfill. High methane emissions are often underestimated due to their low concentrations in ventilation air and leaks from abandoned mines. However, they significantly contribute to the global greenhouse effect. The study combines modeling and evaluation of the underground construction decarbonization effects and coal mining with the development and testing of goaf backfill monoliths based on tailings (Gai Mining and Processing Plant). By analyzing the methane emissions dynamics during coal and gas co-mining, we investigate and quantify gas losses arising from the low efficiency of the mine's gas drainage system, which could be converted into energy. It was found that activation of geomaterials increases the strength properties of backfill composites from 2.54 to 4.56 MPa. The use of activated tailings results in a denser and more homogeneous matrix with a more uniform pore space distribution. Furthermore, their use to ensure the stability of underground drainage boreholes will prevent the emission of 257,195 m³ of coal mine methane. This study confirms the viability of circular waste management in mining, demonstrating significant potential for additional benefits from the transition to sustainable underground construction.
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Mechanical and durability performance of concrete incorporating waste glass powder and ldpe in saline environments

https://doi.org/10.58224/2618-7183-2026-9-3-8
Abstract
The depletion of natural sand reserves and the accumulation of plastic and glass waste necessitate sustainable alternatives for concrete production, particularly for infrastructure in aggressive environments such as the Dead Sea region. This study evaluates the mechanical and durability performance of concrete incorporating waste glass powder and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) granules as partial replacements for fine and Coarse aggregates. Experimental mixes included a control sample and variations with 10% glass powder combined with 5%, 10%, and 15% LDPE, subjected to standard curing and 3-month immersion in a 5% NaCl + 5% Na₂SO₄ saline solution. Mechanical properties were assessed through compressive and tensile strength tests, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and strain gauge measurements, complemented by microstructural analysis using SEM and XRF, and numerical validation via ABAQUS Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) simulations. Results indicated that the mix containing 10% GP and 5% LDPE showed optimal performance, reached a compressive strength of 46.63 MPa , compared to 42.47 MPa for the control. Notably, after saline exposure, this optimal mix showed a 47.49% strength increase, whereas the control suffered a 13.72% reduction, attributed to the pozzolanic reaction of GP and the hydrophobic barrier effect of LDPE. Microstructural analysis confirmed reduced efflorescence (salt crystallization) and ettringite formation in modified samples, while simulations (Abaqus) validated superior stress redistribution capabilities. These findings demonstrate that combining waste glass and LDPE enhances concrete ductility and resistance to chloride and sulfate attack, offering a viable sustainable solution for infrastructure in corrosive marine environments.
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