European Journal of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Estimation of Optimum Insulation Thickness for the Buildings in Different Climate Zones of Türkiye

2026-01-13T13:17:03+00:00

The application of insulation on outer walls of buildings is investigated in this study. The provinces of Istanbul, Ankara, Van and Erzurum are selected as 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th zones, respectively in Türkiye for the investigation. The optimum insulation thickness (x_opt) values are computed using heating degree-day method. The extruded polystyrene (XPS) and glass wool are separately used as insulation materials in the analysis. According to the obtained results, x_opt of glass wool is higher compared to XPS material while the payback periods for glass wool are found to be shorter for all studied provinces. In addition, the amount of saved energy due to the application of x_opt increases as going from 3^rd zone (Istanbul) to 6^th zone (Erzurum). The saved energy is seen to be over 80% due to the presence of x_opt. The saved energy amount is also determined to be greater using glass wool than XPS for the presence of insulation material with optimum thickness in all studied cities. The glass wool can be suggested as a potential insulation material than XPS for these investigated provinces considering quicker payback period, higher energy savings and suitable value of overall heat transfer coefficient.

Bio-Heat Transfer in Cancer Treatment: A Mathematical Framework for Hyperthermia-Assisted Radiotherapy Using Monte Carlo Simulation

2026-01-18T08:57:48+00:00

This study explores bio-heat transfer during radiotherapy combined with hyperthermia, with the goal of improving cancer treatment by maximizing tumor destruction while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissue. Understanding thermal dynamics during therapy allows clinicians to enhance treatment effectiveness, anticipate biological responses based on dose parameters, and reduce side effects. In this work, we focus on the synergistic use of hyperthermia and X-ray radiotherapy. During short recovery periods between hyperthermia pulses—when tissue responds to elevated temperatures (43 °C, 45 °C, 47 °C)—radiation is delivered. The central hypothesis is that heating tumor tissue increases its radiosensitivity, potentially shortening treatment time and improving outcomes. Evidence from current literature supports this synergy, showing that higher temperatures amplify cellular damage. To quantify this effect, we applied the Arrhenius damage model, which converts temperature and exposure duration into a single thermal damage parameter (Ω) representing irreversible tissue injury. Finally, we developed a mathematical framework to simulate this process, using Monte Carlo photon transport to generate spatial heat sources and solving Pennes’ bio-heat equation to model heat transfer across layered biological tissue.

Quantifying Black Carbon Emissions Using Non-Instrumental Methods: a Framework Applied to Coast Guard Fleet in the Philippines

2026-01-23T05:23:53+00:00

Black carbon (BC) emissions originating from the maritime sector pose serious risks to both the global climate and human health. A short-lived climate pollutant that contributes to the melting of Arctic ice, influences weather patterns, and is associated with cardiopulmonary diseases. Despite its impact, several domestic fleets and those operated by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) lack real-time onboard monitoring capability for BC emission measurement. This disparity stresses the need to use alternative non-instrumental methods for accurate emission tracking, eventually leading to the development of effective mitigation strategies. We develop a systematic framework for estimating BC emissions, using existing data and acknowledged guidelines, identifying the key high-emission activities, particularly berthing, which account for a large share of total emissions. We find that berthing contributes 70% of the sampled emissions, significantly more than the underway phase (27%) and the docking and undocking phases (3%). The total sampled emissions are 0.1707 metric tons, with 0.1203 metric tons from berthing alone. This research exhibits that non-instrumental approaches can reliably produce BC emission profiles in data-scarce settings, with the emphasis on the importance of prioritizing port-related emissions for effective policy implementation. The framework, based on European Environment Agency (EEA) Guidelines coupled with ship details and activity profiling, offers a solid and repeatable method for establishing baseline emission inventories, assisting informed policy decisions, and sustainable maritime practices. This novel application of non-instrumental techniques to a real-world fleet without advanced monitoring shows its potential for broader use, offering a practical route reducing global BC emissions.

Sustainable Production of Maleic Anhydride: Minimizing By-Product Formation in Industrial Fixed-Bed Tubular Reactor

2026-01-28T11:28:35+00:00

The synthesis of maleic anhydride from n-butane in an industrial fixed-bed reactor is presented, with emphasis on reducing by-product formation. The modeling and simulation of an industrial fixed-bed reactor are also presented in this paper. The research was conducted using industrial process data collected from a fixed-bed reactor over a defined period, addressing challenges related to conversion, yield, selectivity, and minimization of acrylic acid formation. The numerical software package MATLAB was used for solving the system of mathematical model equations. By decreasing the molar flow of n-butane at the reactor inlet by 15%, the conversion of n-butane and the yield of maleic anhydride increased by 6.89% and 3.13%, respectively, while the amount of acrylic acid formed was reduced by 2.10%. Conversely, increasing the molar flow of oxygen at the reactor inlet by 15% led to a 13.12% increase in the molar percentage of acrylic acid, whereas decreasing the oxygen flow by 15% reduced the molar percentage of acrylic acid by 10.77%. Increasing the pressure of the reaction mixture at the reactor inlet by 15% raised the molar percentage of acrylic acid by 6.93%, while decreasing the pressure by 15% reduced it by 8.04%. The selectivity of acrylic acid increases with higher inlet pressure due to enhanced n-butane conversion. Given that the main objective of the n-butane oxidation process to maleic anhydride is to achieve high n-butane conversion and maleic anhydride yield while minimizing acrylic acid formation, the optimal strategy is to reduce the molar flow of n-butane at the reactor inlet.

School Design and Post-Occupancy Evaluation: Sharjah School Case Study

2026-02-03T21:33:41+00:00

This study applies a customized Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) to a private school in the UAE, addressing the gap in region-specific evaluation frameworks for educational buildings. A two-part assessment—technical performance analysis and occupant perception surveys—was developed from a targeted literature review. Using base drawing analysis and structured walk-through observations, the study identified design strengths and areas for improvement directly affecting user experience. Outcomes aim to embed POE into facility management practices and provide actionable feedback for the design of future educational facilities in the UAE

Awareness and Behavior Analysis of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use in Clinical Settings: A Study from an Occupational Safety Perspective

2026-02-05T17:38:56+00:00

This study analyzes the awareness, behavior, and attitudes of healthcare workers working in clinical settings toward the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) from an occupational safety perspective. The study, conducted with a mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) research design, included 372 healthcare workers working in six different hospitals in Antalya, Turkey. Quantitative findings revealed that 92% of workers were aware of the importance of PPE, but only 58% used the equipment regularly. This result suggests a significant behavioral gap between awareness and behavior (r = 0.42, p < 0.01).
Qualitative analyses revealed that the primary factors determining sustainable behavior in PPE use are organizational support, managerial exemplary behavior, ergonomic comfort, and psychosocial well-being. The loss of comfort associated with prolonged PPE use, particularly in hot and humid climates, negatively impacts behavioral continuity. Furthermore, increased emotional exhaustion and stress significantly reduce PPE compliance.
The research demonstrates that safe behavior should be supported not only by individual awareness but also by organizational culture, leadership style, and technological monitoring systems. The results suggest that integrating ergonomic design, digital monitoring systems, and psychosocial support programs will play a critical role in building a sustainable safety culture in the future of clinical safety.

Acceptance Level and Perceived Risks of FRP Reinforced Systems in the Construction Industry: Practitioner Engineer Opinions

2026-02-05T17:50:56+00:00

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced systems offer significant innovation potential in structural engineering, offering advantages such as high strength, lightweight, and corrosion resistance as an alternative to traditional steel reinforcement. However, practicing engineers' perceptions, acceptance levels, and operational risk assessments regarding these systems directly impact the rate of technology's dissemination. This study examines the attitudes, perceived risk factors, and adoption barriers of practicing engineers in the Turkish construction sector toward FRP reinforced systems from a multidimensional perspective.

The research is based on online survey data collected from 217 engineering firms using quantitative data collection. The measurement tool is based on three key variables: perceived technical suitability, economic viability, and perceived reliability risk. The data were evaluated using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and factor analysis techniques. The findings indicate that FRP systems have achieved technical acceptance among engineers, but there is a significant lack of confidence in their cost, maintenance, and long-term performance. Sixty-two percent of respondents identified a lack of field training in FRP applications as the primary obstacle, while 54% cited the lack of domestic standards and regulations as a significant risk factor.

The study's results reveal that not only technological but also psychological and institutional adaptation processes play a critical role in integrating FRP-reinforced systems into the construction industry. In this context, training programs to raise engineer awareness, incentive models based on cost-benefit analysis, and standardized application guidelines are recommended. The study provides original field data to understand the role of FRP in Turkey's sustainable building material transformation.