Welcome to the open access, multi disciplines Journal of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences (JCEES). We are delighted to announce that all the original work in the engineering, sciences and environment can be covered under the scope of JCEES. In the Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, we are bringing together the new ideas of different research activities from different fields (chemical, biological, andengineering related to environment and health) to encourage and advance the multidisciplinary research. It has been well known that there is a strong relations/interactions between the environmental compartments (air, water, and soil), and that understanding the chemical reactions and the biological interactions in all the environmental compartments provides insight in making decision on how to protect environment and human health. Therefore, we are putting together the real knowledge into the hands of everyone who are interested in understanding the chemical and the biological transformation of pollutants; this information together can be used to develop targeted solutions to pollution.

Cultural barrier is always perceived as the prime challenge for modernizing idle construction markets. Unsurprisingly, most changes in construction hinge on understanding the benefits of sustainable transformation. Persistent attempts in stagnant construction cultures have materialized in some noted changes. Successful sustainable transformation in such economies appears to be chiefly impeded at the execution level. The Kotter’s model for change is globally accepted approach for comprehensive implementation of major business transformations. Modern organizational change initiatives typically embrace the notions of Six Sigma in a broader sense. This concept paper propose the use of Six Sigma DMAIC technique for reforming stagnant construction cultures. A case study from a challenged construction market is referred to for potential implication.

Treatment of waste water containing ethylene glycol (EG) by implementing a sequence of two Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR) were studied. Reactors were operated at different hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 48, 24, 18, and10 hours while EG concentration was in the range of 10 mg/l to 1,150 mg/l. Throughout the experiments the ratio of EG Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) to total COD was changed from 0.0 to1.0. The maximum removal efficiency of EG was achieved at HRT of 18 hours during the tests and COD removal efficiency varied from 71.7% to 96.7%. To describe the kinetics of biodegradation in biofilm processes, models based on Monod’s equations as well as models suggested by other researchers including Grau and Stover- Kincannon were used. As an outcome of this study, both Grau and Kincannon-Stover models were determined to be the most appropriate models for this reactor. These models gave high correlation coefficients and appeared to be able to predict the reactor performance under different conditions. The kinetic studies showed that biofilm diffusion is the most important parameter in controlling the mass transfer phenomena compared to hydraulic factors in the system

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is grown in wide climate conditions, which may affect fruit biochemical characteristics such as vitamins, soluble solids and antioxidants. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the biochemical responses of fruit to these climate variables. For this purpose 5 districts of Kashan, Shahrud, Yazd, Kiasar and Sari were chosen to collect fruits. On November 2012, based on a complete block design ripen fruits were collected and quality factors were measured. The results of this research showed that local climate condition significantly (P < 0.01) influenced fruit biochemical characteristics. Fruit collected from Kashan had the highest vitamin C (1.74 mg /100 ml) acidity (pH = 6.6), while the samples from Shahrud had the highest soluble solids (22.13) and titratable acidity (0.04 mg/100 ml). Fruits collected from Yazd showed significant differences in Chl- and carotenoids contents, 0.07 and 0.42 mg/g, respectively, relative to other sites. These results show that arid and semi-arid districts enhance fruit quality.

The field of civil engineering is ever expanding where technology grows and advances at a very fast pace. Newer constructional materials are introduced every year to cater to these needs. There are certain naturally occurring cement types that have been found to bear many useful properties such as increased strength and work ability and/or reduction in bleeding, segregation and heat of hydration. Examples of such naturally occurring cement include hydraulic lime and powdered surkhi. The paper delves on the various products and technologies that have been developed recently in the area of Civil Engineering. It consists of a discussion on the naturally occurring materials such as low cost paper bricks, bamboo, hydraulic lime and powdered surkhi. Furthermore, there are a host of industrial products with environment-friendly properties such as bamboo, insulated concrete, FRC, RPC, cellular reinforced concrete, diagrid, alternative materials of asbestos, insulated panels, engineered lumber and so on. With such bountiful gifts provide to mankind, it is essential to become more aware of their uses and applications. A detailed study on all of the above materials will facilitate the development of the various practical ways of their applications in the construction industry thus opening a plethora of opportunities. The paper delves on such products and technologies that have been developed recently in the area of Civil Engineering focussing primarily on the naturally occurring materials.

This paper aims to provide an innovative scenario for transportation and lowering installation of heavy caissons of 18000 tons for Persian Gulf Bridge. The project is supposed to be carried on in Bohal port from Hormozgan to Qeshm Island in Iran. There is a heated controversy over the suitable scenario to do the operation safely and lower the caissons correctly under sea to position them on their exact location. Due to this a comprehensive study is need to take heed all aspect of the operation. The study will include a discussion on both sides of installation and transportation and give a deep-rooted insight over the excuvation plane for the operation.