An investigation into the age and origin of Suranga in the foothills of the Western Ghats of India

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version. The final publication is available at Springer via: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12685-015-0125-yThis paper presents the evidence for determining the age and origin of suranga irrigation found mainly in southern Karnataka and northern Kerala in the foothills of the Western Ghats of south India. It draws on on-going research that has attempted to use an interdisciplinary approach to date the system using Indian Archives, British and Portuguese colonial archives, etymology, oral testimony archaeology, phenology and palaeo dating techniques. The results from this study put the origins of the system at around 1900–1940 CE. These results are compared with the current academic discourse that supports the view that the system originates from ancient Persia and qanat technology, because of the long established trade links with Persia and the Arabian Peninsula in the Malabar region. We argue that a new ‘origin discourse’ should be framed around these much more recent dates. The methodological constraints behind both theories are discussed throughout to enable the reader to appreciate the limitations of both arguments.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Assessing the socio-cultural impact of urban revitalisation using Relative Positive Impact Index (RPII)

Abstract Urban heritage is a vital resource that connects communities to their local identity. Unplanned developments and rapid urbanisation often harm the authenticity of historic areas, disrupting the cultural fabric and altering their character. This study introduces the Relative Positive Impact Index (RPII), a novel technique for assessing the socio-cultural impacts of urban revitalisation. The significance of RPII lies in its ability to quantitatively evaluate the impacts on the cultural fabric and integrity of historic urban areas, which is crucial for sustainable urban development. The study’s objective is to apply RPII in evaluating qualitative socio-cultural characteristics in historic urban areas, with a focus on four main criteria and 16 sub-criteria, in the case of the Kuttichira precinct. The methodology integrates the analysis of published literature, a quantitative survey mapping the stakeholders’ perception, and qualitative insights. This approach facilitates an in-depth understanding of how urban revitalisation affects local socio-cultural dynamics, preserving the authenticity and character of historic areas. The study reveals that the revitalisation project in Kuttichira positively impacts the socio-cultural fabric of the area, maintaining cultural integrity and addressing social challenges. These findings offer valuable insights for sustainable urban development and policymaking in historic areas. The study recommends the application of RPII in other urban precincts for comparative analysis and further development of urban development practices, contributing to informed urban policy and planning decisions

Hygrothermal Features of Laterite Dimension Stones for Sub-Saharan Residential Building Construction

International audienc

Durability performance of concrete containing laterite aggregates

© 2015, Korean Society of Civil Engineers and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. In Malaysia, concerns about the depletion of granite aggregates in the future and the availability of laterite aggregates locally have incentivized researchers to integrate laterite aggregate into the production of concrete. Studies found that the use of 20 to 30% of laterite aggregates, as partial replacement for coarse aggregates, results in concrete with the targeted strength. However, the effect of laterite aggregate content on the durability performance of this concrete is unknown. As such, the acid resistance and water absorption of concrete consisting of various percentages of laterite aggregates, integrated as partial replacement of coarse aggregates, are presented and discussed. Mixes consisting of varying amounts (0–50%) of laterite aggregates were prepared in the form of cubes (150 × 150 × 150 mm). After water curing for 28 days, the specimens were tested for the determination of compressive strength and durability against acid attack and water absorption. It was found that concrete with low water absorption can be produced through the integration of 50% of laterite aggregates. Similarly, the integration of laterite aggregates of up to 20% produces concrete that exhibits good durability against acid attack, chloride ion penetration, and water absorption