Recent earthquakes such as the 2023 Türkiye-Syria, Morocco, and Afghanistan, 2015 Gorkha Nepal, and 2009 Indonesia earthquakes have demonstrated the vulnerability of existing building stock. Throughout Europe, many existing buildings were constructed considering low or moderate standards or without considering them. This study investigates the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, exemplified as a six-story RC dormitory building, focusing on various support and foundation conditions, soil characteristics, and site seismicity scenarios representing the seismicity of Europe. The research aims to assess the potential effects of exceeding anticipated site seismic intensities, potentially leading to safer communities and infrastructure in the face of impending earthquakes. Robot Structural Analysis Professional software is used for structural analysis and design throughout soil-structure interactions and site seismicity considerations. Moreover, this study investigates the environmental implications of RC buildings, which represent the future building inventory in Europe. It examines the varying material usage required to design structures compliant with Eurocode standards through a life cycle analysis. The methodology employed in this investigation aligns with the core principles of practical design encompassing economic and environmental sustainability. The study's key findings indicate that increasing member size can enhance performance at lower intensities, but this may not be a sufficient strategy at higher intensities, where shear walls may be necessary in high seismic zones. Sustainable design necessitates a balance between material use, performance, and environmental impact.

Levees are critical flood protection structures, safeguarding communities and ecosystems from riverine flooding. However, climate change-induced alterations in precipitation patterns, flood magnitudes, and soil stability pose significant challenges to levee performance. This study evaluates the stability and resilience of the Ásványráró levee in the Szigetköz region, northwest Hungary, under projected climate change impacts. The research employs a combination of geotechnical field data and numerical modelling to assess levee behaviour under various stress conditions. Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) was conducted to determine the geotechnical properties of levee foundation soils, providing insights into stratigraphy, permeability, and shear strength. These data were incorporated into Plaxis 2D finite element modelling to simulate flood scenarios, seepage effects, and potential failure mechanisms under different climate projections. Overall, the results showed that climate change significantly increases levee vulnerability through enhanced seepage, deformation, and hydraulic loading. Results indicate that increased flood intensity and prolonged inundation exacerbate levee instability through overtopping, seepage-induced erosion, and slope failure. The findings highlight the necessity for proactive levee reinforcement strategies and adaptive management of levee systems. This study underscores the importance of integrating climate change projections into levee design and maintenance plans, providing a framework for policymakers and engineers to enhance flood resilience in vulnerable regions. By adopting advanced geotechnical assessments and numerical simulations, the research contributes to the development of more robust and climate-adaptive flood defence systems.

The global waste crisis poses significant environmental challenges, with Southeast Asia being a major contributor to solid waste. Medan, Indonesia’s third largest city, is facing environmental challenges due to large amounts of plastic waste and was considered the dirtiest metropolitan city of Indonesia based on the assessment of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Adipura 2020 program. This study proposes a sustainable approach by transforming plastic waste into fiberglass, a durable composite material, to produce fiberglass formwork, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional wooden formwork, since wooden formwork contributes to deforestation and environmental concerns. Building upon existing literature that separately reports the feasibility of producing fiberglass from plastic waste, and the utilization of fiberglass for formwork manufacturing, this study seeks to establish a direct link between plastic waste management and fiberglass formwork production. The objectives include evaluating its material potential, cost-effectiveness, productivity, and life cycle performance compared to wooden formwork. Results demonstrate that fiberglass formwork offers superior durability, dimensional stability, water resistance, 80% quicker installation, and extended lifespan up to 10 times longer than wooden formwork. This translates to cost-effectiveness by 54%, improved construction efficiency, and life cycle assessments show significant ecological cost and carbon footprint advantages, highlighting its environmental sustainability. This novel approach not only addresses plastic waste management but also reduces deforestation, aligning with global sustainability goals. Fiberglass formwork thus presents a compelling case for adoption in environmentally responsible construction practices.