Panorama of the Second International Scientific Conference on Architecture and Civil Engineering
Under the auspices of Dr. Aram Mohammed Qadir, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and with the presence of some considerable number of researchers, academic staff and experts, and by following all health guidelines to avoid the spread of COVID-19, Cihan University-Erbil organized its second international scientific conference on Architecture and Civil Engineering in cooperation with the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland on Monday and Tuesday, April 5th-6th, 2021.
Registration
The conference opened at Conference Hall on Monday, April 5th, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. For this purpose, a specific committee registered the names of all participants; the conference requirements were distributed among participants; a brochure giving details about the event, the researchers and their research title. Preventive measures against COVID-19 were taken and masks and leaflets were distributed and social distancing was maintained. Later, the welcoming committee guided the participants to their places.
Opening Ceremonies
The conference began by a one-minute silence in recognition of the soul of Kurdistan Martyrs. Later, President of Cihan University-Erbil, Prof. Dr. Amjad Saber Al-Delawi, delivered a speech. In his speech, he welcomed the conference participants and talked about the conference programs and objectives. He mentioned the number of researches that were submitted by some researchers from modern universities around the world. The speech of the President of Cihan University-Erbil is included here.
Presenting a speech by Prof. Dr. Amjad Saber Al-Delawi, the President of Cihan University-Erbil in the conference:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome all participants today to the 2nd International Joint Conference on Architecture and Civil Engineering organized by Cihan University-Erbil on April 5-6, 2021.
With the blessing of Allah, we meet today in a new scientific event within the premises of Cihan University-Erbil. We welcome all the respected guests, researchers and experts in the field of architecture and civil engineering.
Dear Attendants,
On behalf of myself as the president of Cihan University-Erbil and the chairman of this conference, and on behalf of my colleagues in the joint organizing committee from both Cihan and Warsaw universities, I take this opportunity to remind ourselves of the great advantages of holding such conference in Cihan university-Erbil.
It is no secret that the significance of this conference comes from the importance of its main topic, and the growing needs for the latest developments in the fields of civil and architectural engineering, especially with the growing need in the volume of Kurdistan Region and Iraq for an architectural revival to accommodate the latest global trends in engineering. The other importance of this scientific event is in the partnership between the two universities, each with its own features, advantages, and teaching staff, which provides an opportunity to obtain moderate and contemporary scientific researches that may meet the growing needs in this field.
The Scientific Committee of the conference received 43 scientific research papers, which were subjected to evaluation and double blind peer review. This committee Included 10 experts from outside of Iraq. 7 papers were rejected, and 36 papers were accepted, 8 papers were from outside Iraq affiliated to universities from the United Kingdom, Australia, Turkey, Oman, Cyprus and Malaysia, while 28 papers were accepted from within the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Also, the conference will present 5 international keynote speakers from Italy, Poland and United Arab Emirates, in addition to 2 local experts in the field of architecture and civil engineering.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Having a profound footprint on the scope of university education not only in Iraq but the neighboring countries as well, Cihan University- Erbil has undertaken its societal responsibility further by providing scientific visions presented by its international conferences in order to meet the social and governmental needs of the Region. Our university aims to build a foundation of knowledge and expertise through researches with high scientific quality, behind a cadre of elite and hardworking researchers. This is precisely the mission of Cihan University-Erbil since its inception and continues to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of a broad inquiry throughout and beyond Cihan University-Erbil community.
Finally, I wish you all dear respected participants the success and prosperity in your current and future endeavors. I hereby announce the launch of this conference, reiterating my appreciation and gratitude for all the good efforts that have contributed to this conference’s success, supplicating Almighty Allah to help us all for the good and welfare of our countries in specific and the world as a whole.
Professor Dr. Amjad Saber AL-Delawi
President of Cihan University-Erbil
Conference Chairman
Presenting a speech by the President of Warsaw University of Life Sciences
In another part of the conference, the president of Warsaw University of Life sciences, Prof. Dr. Michal Zasade, gave an online speech and talked about the importance of the joint conference to develop Engineering practices and to share their experiences.
Beginning the Plenary Session
After the presidents had delivered their speeches, the program of the Second International Conference on Architecture and Civil Engineering begun. In this context, 36 seminars were presented; 8 researches were from abroad universities; from Britain, Australia, Turkey, Oman, Cyprus, and Malaysia. At the same time, 28 researches were presented by researchers from national universities. Furthermore, a keynote speaker from United Arab Emirates, two keynote speakers from Italy, one from Poland and two speakers from Iraq set out the central theme of the conference.
The two keynote speakers of the conference, Prof. Dr. Francesco Calabro and Prof. Dr. Giuseppina Cassalia, from Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Italy gave the first seminar on ‘Strategic Planning and Programming as Innovative Tools to Manage the Territorial and Urban Transformation’.
Architecture Engineering and Building Development
The first panel of the conference was allocated for architecture engineering and building development which was held in Academy Hall on April 5th, 2021 at 12 p.m. The keynote speaker of this section was Asst. Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Khayat from Kurdistan University, Erbil, Iraq. The committee chairs were Asst. Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Khayat from Kurdistan University, Erbil, Iraq and Dr. Siba Ibrahim Taha from Cihan University-Erbil, Iraq.
In the context of this panel, the findings of 6 scientific researches were presented. Firstly, Dr. Farhan Abdullah Ali from Cihan University-Erbil gave a seminar entitled ‘Adopting SCAMPER’S Strategies to Incorporate the Sustainability Concepts within Architectural Design Processes’. Later, Asst. Lect. Nagham I. Yahya from Cihan University-Erbil, and Asst. Lect. Rania K. Al Ali from EMU University, Northern Cyprus gave a seminar on ‘Investigation of Façade Contribution in Energy Efficiency of a Low Rise Office Building in Mediterranean Climate’. In this panel, Dr. Mouzzaz Yassin Soud from Higher College of Technology, Muscat Sultanate of Oman, presented his practical research on ‘Smart Building for Sustainable Agriculture and Providing Food Security in Oman’ at 1 p.m.
Having a coffee break, the participants continued presenting their researches at 1:40 p.m. The researchers, Mr. Khalid Ahmed Hussein and Asst. Prof. Emad Hani Ismaeel, from the University of Mosul presented their research on ‘Classifying the Heritage Elements Using Shape Grammars’. Additionally, another research from the University of Mosul entitled ‘The Nature of Interpretation in Architectural Criticism’ was presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Asma H. Al Dabbagh. The final part of the first panel was dedicated to conducting a seminar on ‘Investigate the Factors Affecting Green Building Projects in Iraq Towards Building Sustainability’ by Prof. Dr. Kadhum Raheem and Asst. Lect. Hayder Fadhil from the University of Baghdad.
After presenting all research works, the researchers offered precise answers to the attendees’ questions. They all, the researchers and attendees, enriched the conference with their comments and attitudes on the scientific researches which in turn made the conference to be more stimulating.
Urban Design and Planning
The second panel of the International Conference on Architecture and Civil Engineering was dedicated to urban design and planning. Likewise the first panel, the second one was held at Cihan Academy Hall of the university on April 5th, 2021 at 12 p.m. The Keynote Speaker of the panel was Dr. Mohammed Sherzad from Ajman University. Asst. Prof. Dr. Hussen Ali Hussen from Salah-Aldin University, Erbil, Iraq held the post of chairman and Asst. Lect. Nagham I. Yahya from Cihan University-Erbil was the member of the committee to run the seminars.
To meet the objectives of the conference, a scientific research entitled ‘The Role of Smart Parking in Achieving the Urban Sustainability of Mosul City’ was delivered by Lect. Maha Akram, Asst. Lect. Maysaa Moffaq Alobaidi and Asst. Lect. Luma Mohammed from the University of Mosul. Later, Dr. Omar Arshad Al. Hafith, Dr. BK. Satish and Dr. Peter De. Wilde from UK presented ‘A Review of the Iraqi Housing Sector Problems’. Following that, Mr. Salah Haj Ismail from Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University gave a seminar on ‘The Hidden Heritage of Ankara Citadel: an Ambiguous Future between Conservation and Transformation’.
After a short break, a new panel of the conference begun by introducing some more scientific researches. For this purpose, a joint research entitled ‘The Role of Urban Legislation in Improving the Mental Images of the City (Erbil as a Case Study)’ was presented by two researchers from Cihan University-Erbil, Lect. Dr. Siba Ibrahim Taha and Asst. Lect. Alhan Faris Ibrahim. Then, another joint research presented at 2 p.m. Asst. Lect. Omar Abdulwahhab Khalaf from Cihan University-Erbil, and Centre of Innovative Architecture & Built Environment (SErAMBI), Asst. Lect. Alhan Faris Ibrahim from Cihan University-Erbil, and Dr. Nor Haslina Ja`afar from Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia and Centre of Innovative Architecture & Built Environment (SErAMBI) explained about their research on ‘The Impact of The Characteristics of Spatial Organization of Historic Castles on The Urban Development Strategies for The Surrounding Areas (Salah Al-Din Citadel in Cairo as a case study)’. Finally, the last part of the panel was assigned to a research entitled ‘Land-uses as Quality of Making Successful Streets in Sulaimaniya City Centre, Iraq’ by Asst. Lect. Musaab Sami Al-Obeidy from Cihan University-Erbil. Hence, the committee members finalized the panel by putting forward their ideas and answering the attendees’ questions.
Structural Engineering
Another panel of the conference was designated to ‘Structural Engineering’. This panel began on April 5th, 2021 at 12 p.m. in a similar way to the other panels of the conference. The ‘Structural Engineering’ panel was held in VIP Hall, Cihan University-Erbil. The Keynote Speaker of the panel was Prof. Dr. Salamak Marek from Silesian University of Technology, Poland. The head and the member of the Chair Committee were Prof. Dr. Sabih Hashim Al-Zuhairy from Cihan University-Erbil, Iraq and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Abdullah from Alqadysia University, Iraq, respectively.
To run the first section of this panel, Prof. Dr. Sabih Hashim explained about his research entitled ‘An Experimental study on Concrete Containing Nano and/or Micro Silica’. Later, another seminar was presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Adnan Sadiq Al-Kuaity from Islamic University. His article explored ‘Ultimate Strength of Parabolic Concrete Arches’. The third seminar in this panel was for a research called ‘A Simplified Method for the Analysis of Hybrid Steel and FRP RC Beams’ conducted by Dr. Haitham Al-Thairy from the University of Al-Qadisiyah.
After a coffee break, the panel continues its activities. For this purpose, three researchers, Hayder Kh. Hassan, Prof. Dr. Haitham H. Muteb, Asst. Prof. Haider M. Al-Baghdadi from the University of Babylon, presented their joint work on ‘Interaction between Precast Concrete Columns with Socket Foundations Using Different Bonding Interfaces’. Then, another joint research was presented. It was entitled ‘Development of Lightweight Concrete using Industrial Waste Palm Oil Clinker’ conducted by Dr. Ibrahim Abdulrazak Al-Ani from Al-Farabi University College, Wan Hamidon and Wan Hanna Mohtar from National University of Malaysia, and Basma Sabah Alwachy from Ministry of Education.
In continuation of the scientific panel, the results of a joint research called ‘Size Effect on the Bond Behavior of Grouted Reinforcing Bars Embedded in Light-weight Concrete’ by Aamer Najim Abbas, Ola Ahmed Hussein from Al-Mustansiriyah University, Yaqoob Talib Yaqoob Al-Ani from Al-Rafidain University Collage, Ibrahim Abdulrazak Al-Ani from Al-Farabi University Collage was explained to the attendees. The last seminar of the panel was dedicated to a research entitled ‘Erosion of Roller Compacted Concrete Exposed to Different Water Conditions’ conducted by Asst. Lect. Kanar Mohammad Ismael Nanakali and Asst. Prof. Faisal A. Dahham from University of Salahaddin, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Maher B. Yousif Al Samaani, from Cihan University-Erbil.
Geotechnical and Water Resources Engineering
Cihan University-Erbil in cooperation with Warsaw University of Life Sciences continued the programs of the second international scientific conference on Architecture and Civil Engineering on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021. Within this framework and by setting up the first panel of the second day of the conference on Geotechnical and Water Resources Engineering in VIP Hall, Cihan University-Erbil, some seminars were presented. The Keynote Speaker of this panel was Prof. Dr. Jarosław Chormański from Warsaw University of Life Science. The committee chairmen were Prof. Dr. Hussen Mindeel Ashoor from Almuthna University, Iraq, and Asst. Prof. Mahmood Izat from Cihan University-Erbil, Iraq.
In this panel, a joint research entitled ‘Effect of Sand Percentage On the Compaction Properties and Undrained Shear Strength Of Low Plasticity Soft Clay’ conducted by Iyad Alkroosh1, Ali A. Al-Robay and Saif Alzabeebee from University of Al-Qadisiyah and Prabir Sarker from Curtin University was presented at 9:20 a.m. Later, Ibrahim Abdulrazak Al-Ani from Al-Farabi University College, Hayder A. Al-Thamery from University of Baghdad, and Wan Hanna Wan Mohtar from National University of Malaysia explained the results of the research entitled ‘Multi Criteria Decision Making to Optimize the Best Runoff Control Measure Contributing to Haditha Dam Reservoir’. The third seminar of this panel was allocated to another joint research called ‘Evaluating The Efficiency of Crushed Gravel Filters around Field Drains Polymers into Asphalt Mixes’ which was done by Ass. Prof.Dr. Amer Hassan Al-Haddad from Al-Farabi University College and Dhuha M.Mahdi from Baghdad University. Next, the results of a research entitled ‘Stabilization of Clayey Soil by Using Metakaolin and Sugarcane As’ by Zainab Saleem Abdul Zahra, and Mahmood Dheeab Ahmed from the University of Baghdad, and Ibrahim Abdulrazak Al-Ani from Al-Farabi University College were presented.
After a short coffee break and at 11 a.m., the panel continues its activities. Initially, Prof. Dr. Raid R. Al-Omari from Al-Farabi University College, and Prof. Dr. Mohammed Y. Fattah, and Lect. Mudhafar K. Hameedi from University of Technology presented a seminar on ‘Creep Characteristics of Organic Soft Clay Soil Using Large–Scale Model’. It followed by another joint research on ‘Engineering Properties of Soil Immersed in Heavy Fuel Oil Waste’ conducted by Asst. Prof. Ahmed A. Al-Obaidi from Tikrit University, Asst. Prof. Mahmoud I. Mahmoud from Cihan University- Erbil, Asst. Prof. Rizgar A. Hummadi from Salahaddin University, and Dunya Kh. Thieban from Ministry of Electricity.
The last part of this panel was dedicated to another two scientific researches. For this purpose, first, the results of a research on ‘Slope Stability Analyses of Zoned Dam under Steady State Condition/Case Study’ were presented to the attendees. It was conducted by Dr. Ako Abdullah Daraei, and Asst. Lect. Dlshad Khurshid Ahmed from Cihan University- Erbil. The other seminar was to presenting the results of a joint research entitled ‘Investigating the Effect of Different Roughness on Velocity Pattern at a Reach of Shatt-Al-Arab’ by Amjed Muhammad Abbas from Ministry of Water Resources, Muhannad Muhammad Abbas from Diyala University, Ibrahim Abdulrazak Al-Ani, and Havan Hassan Salman from the Ministry of Water Resources.
In concurrent with the first panel of the conference, the second panel on Transportation and Traffic Engineering – Engineering Management and Economy was held in the Conference Hall of Cihan University-Erbil on April 6th, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. the Keynote Speaker of the panel was Prof. Saad Isaa Sarsam from Baghdad University, Iraq. Prof. Saad Isaa Sarsam from Baghdad University, Iraq and Asst. Prof. Dr. Noori Ali Sadiq from Cihan University-Erbil, Iraq were the committee chairs to run the panel.
The first seminar of this panel was for Prof. Dr. Mohammed Abbas Al-Jumaili from the University of Kufa to explain about his research on ‘Study Enhancing the Rutting of Flexible Pavement by Adding Selected Polymers into Asphalt Mixes’. Prof. Saad Issa Sarsam from Baghdad University presented the next seminar on ‘Implementation of Surveying Techniques in the Route Selection for Baghdad Metro Tube’. Later, the same researcher, Prof. Saad Issa Sarsam, revealed the results of his research on ‘Reserving the Sustainability of Flexible Pavement In Terms Of Microcrack Healing’. Afterwards, the findings of a joint research on ‘Evaluation on the Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Using Polymer Modifications’ by Asst. Lect. Dlzar Bakr Qadr from Cihan University-Erbil, Asst. Prof. Dr. Aso Faiz Talabany, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Sinan Abdulkhaleq Yaseen from Salahaddin University were presented to the attendees.
In the last part of this panel, five other selected researches were discussed. Firstly, a seminar on ‘Reservation and Development of Rigid Pavement Quality with The Aid of Bacteria’ conducted by Prof. Saad Issa Sarsam from Baghdad University and Mohammed Fadel Sulaiman from the University of Almustansiriah was presented. The other joint research was presented by Dr. Ayman A. AbdulMawjoud, Dr. Abdulkhalik A.M. AL-Taei from the University of Mosul. They had carried out their research on ‘Pedestrians Crossing Behavior Models on Midblock Suburban Area in Dohuk City’. Later, a research entitled ‘Comparative Study of Traffic Flow Models: A Case study for Al-Doura Expressway in Baghdad City’ by Husam Muslih Al-Faris, Mahmood Khalid Al-Obaidi from Al-Farabi University College was presented.
Subsequently, the results of a joint research entitled ‘Time Overrun in Construction Projects of Sulaimani City’ by Asst. Prof. Dr. Noori Sadeq Ali from Cihan University –Erbil, and Payjor Ali Shonm Abdullah from Sulimania University were presented. The last seminar of the panel was dedicated to a research on ‘Overhead Cost Assessment of Construction Projects in Erbil Governorate’ by Asst. Prof. Dr. Noori S. Ali from Cihan University-Erbil, and Salar S. Ahmed from Salahaddin University.
Following presenting the results of all researches, the researchers answered the attendees’ questions about the discussed subjects. The participants enriched the conference with their critical and constructive comments on the scientific researches which in turn encouraged more interest in the conference.
The Conference Closing Remarks
After covering all selected researches during two days, the conference participants put forward some positive and practical recommendations for improvement of such conferences. It included as following:
- Sharing scientific innovation, experience and information among the same departments in colleges and universities.
- Encouraging all conference participants to bring together more academics, researchers, experienced people and professionals to identify and fill the gaps in theoretical and practical sciences in the fields of architecture and civil engineering.
- Deriving maximum benefit from theoretical and practical outcomes of the discussed researches in the conference and making use of them to improve theoretical and practical subjects of study in architecture and civil engineering departments.
- Using 3D architectural models in construction industry due to having large number of disorderly planned new buildings and horizontal construction projects
- Having strong interaction with community, fostering and raising public awareness about national development programs
- Exploiting modern technologies for manufacturing construction materials in the process of mixing, frame working, finishing and transforming the concrete.
Closing Ceremony
After presenting all 36 researches by the researchers and announcing the recommendations and outcomes of the conference, the conference ended in Conference Hall of Cihan University-Erbil on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Prof. Dr. Amjad Saber Al-Delawi, the President of Cihan University-Erbil presented the closing speech of the conference. In his speech, he thanked all committee members from Warsaw University of Life Sciences and Cihan University-Erbil who ran the second international conference on ‘Architecture and Civil Engineering’. At the end, certificates of participation were awarded to the researchers and committee members of the conference.