Buildings, Volume 14, Issue 2 (February 2024) – 254 articles

Within the research project ITSAFE, two full-scale structures were built, one consisting of a single-storey, two-span, 7.00 × 14.00 m² RC frame with a solid slab and another consisting of a two-storey, 7.00 × 7.00 m² RC frame with solid slabs. In the two-span frame, one of the central supports was first demolished using a pneumatic hammer, resulting in rather limited damage (a 14–15 cm deflection at the removed support location). However, torsional cracks appeared at the interface between a column and slab in one of the outer supports. When the second central support was removed, the structure collapsed with the failure of the support–slab connection. The same type of cracking was observed in the two-storey structure, where the column removal was dynamic, and a 22 cm deflection was measured. These experimental results question current practice in which, for internal supports, alternative load path mobilizing membrane forces in the slab are said to prevent their collapse, or in the cases of edge and corner columns, rupture line analysis is used and suggests that special reinforcement at the column–support connection is also needed to prevent the premature failure of the structure. Full article

The distinct cultural environment of various regions leads to unique consumer preferences for building facades, including the colours and materials that are used for the exteriors of condominium buildings. Understanding these preferences holds significant industry reference value for urban planning authorities and residential development companies. However, the colour and material aesthetic preferences of consumers for building facades have not received much research attention. To fill this gap, this study empirically investigates these preferences within the cultural context of Fuzhou, China. Using house prices as a reference perspective and econometric methods as research tools, this study explores the specific aesthetic preferences of urban consumer groups and compares the preferences of groups with different levels of consumption. The results confirm the existence of specific consumer preferences for building facade colours and materials and a close connection among the variations in these preferences and various combinations of facade colours and materials. Different quantities and types of materials can lead to distinct preferences for the quantities and features of facade colours. Apart from providing precise professional insights for urban planning authorities and residential developers, this study also offers a feasible conceptual reference for future studies to be conducted in other regions. Full article

The dry Mediterranean climate (BShs) is the European region with the highest number of hours of sunshine per year. The high annual solar radiation makes sun shading devices necessary to comply with current energy efficiency standards. However, these standards do not sufficiently consider their effect on the indoor lighting comfort of buildings. The objective is to qualitatively and quantitatively determine how movable sun shading devices jointly influence the energy efficiency, thermal comfort and lighting comfort of buildings in BShs climate. The scientific novelty of the work consists of demonstrating the limitations of the sun shading systems commonly used in southeastern Spain and determining the optimal technical solution in this climate to simultaneously improve thermal and lighting comfort. This research comparatively studies the influence of various movable sun shading systems on the daylighting and thermal performance of an educational building. This study conducted on-site measurements, user surveys and computer simulations to study how to improve the thermal and lighting performances of the building. This work demonstrates that interior solar shading provides little improvement in thermal comfort and reduces the cooling demand by only 25%. External movable sun shading improves thermal comfort and reduces the cooling demand by more than 60%, but only adjustable blinds or awnings achieve adequate and homogeneous illuminance values as they diffuse daylight. The paper concludes that energy efficiency standards should be modified to ensure adequate lighting comfort in buildings. Full article

Currently, reinforced thin-walled irregular steel tube concrete frame structures have been applied in engineering, but there are few researches on the seismic performance of this type of structures after fire. The seismic performance of structures after fire is generally carried out based on rigid foundation conditions. Therefore, it is of certain engineering and theoretical value to study the seismic performance considering the SSI (soil–structure interaction) in this paper. ABAQUS is employed to establish the finite element models of the reinforced thin-walled irregular steel tube concrete frame structure considering the SSI after a fire. The paper analyzes the impact of different site conditions and fire durations on the structural natural vibration period, maximum acceleration, inter-story shear force, and maximum inter-story displacement angle. The results show that the consideration of the SSI increases the basic natural vibration period of the structure by 10–30%. The softer the soil and the longer the fire duration, the more significant the increase. For harder soil, lower seismic intensity, and shorter fire duration, the acceleration assigned to the structure and foundation after considering the SSI is smaller than the results assuming a rigid foundation. The change in inter-story shear force is mainly determined by the acceleration of the structure and foundation. The inter-story displacement angle increases when considering the SSI, and the increase is more significant with softer soil, larger seismic wave acceleration amplitude, and longer fire duration. Full article

With urban development and renewal, underground space is becoming more utilized. The design and use of open underground public space entrances and exits have become more and more frequent. As a pedestrian passage connecting indoors and outdoors, the wind and thermal environment of open entrances have a great impact on human comfort. This paper investigates the open underground space entrances and exits in Xuzhou. Physical environments such as temperature and wind speed were measured. Through numerical simulation, the influence relationships between the spatial form elements of open entrances and exits and microclimate and thermal comfort were investigated. This study showed that there are four common spatial morphological elements of open entrances and exits. The physiologicafl equivalent temperature (PET) of the outdoor part of the entrance is the highest in summer, and the lowest in winter, and the PET is most affected by the shape of the opening plane and the aspect ratio, which are linearly related. The trends of the spatial morphology elements were not consistent when seeking the optimal situation of PET in summer and winter, respectively. The relationship between the spatial form elements of entrances and PET established in this study provides technical guidance for the design of open entrances, which can help improve environmental quality and enhance human comfort. Full article

The complexity and uncertainty of construction projects contribute to low efficiency in the construction industry. This research applied the Takt-time planning method to optimize the construction working process, and proposed a risk control framework based on Value at Risk (VaR) and Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) approaches to explore and predict a project schedule and cost performance under different scenarios. This research selected a high-rise residential building project for a case study and collected 1672 productivity data samples. Arena Simulation models were established based on 90 combinations of labor assignments to assess Takt-time planning strategies’ impact on project performance in four scenarios. The VaR and CVaR evaluations at 75% and 90% confidence levels were compared to balance project benefits and risks. Without any overtime or additional workers, this research found a Takt-time planning method that can reduce the project duration by 20.2% and labor costs by 2.1% at the same time, using a labor assignment of 12 bar placers, 12 carpenters, and 5 pipefitters. The findings can assist construction managers to achieve a shorter duration, reduced cost, and safer work environment, which will be very effective and beneficial to improve project overall performance. Full article

Given the challenges of innovation and adaptation to change, Construction 4.0 (C4.0) is triggering a revolution within construction and industry firms from automation to a greater level of digitalization. Despite the plethora of advantages and growing research interest in certain aspects of C4.0 technology implementation (C4.0TeIm), previous discourses have been largely fragmented and lack a comprehensive investigation of the factors influencing C4.0TeIm. To this end, this study aims to holistically investigate the influencing factors of C4.0TeIm and propose guidelines for future research directions. Informed by the United Nations twin green and digital transition perspectives, this study initiated its exploration in the background by delving into the potential intersections between C4.0 and sustainability. To achieve the aim, this study (i) reviewed 77 relevant articles and discerned a comprehensive list of factors influencing C4.0TeIm; (ii) outlined and quantified the influence and importance of the identified factors using social network analysis and validated results against the simplified analysis; and (iii) revealed gaps in the literature and proposed a research roadmap directing future research needs. The results show that 60 factors could collectively influence construction firms’ C4.0TeIm; they can be categorized into the external environment, technology competence, organizational factors, project-based factors, and technology challenges. The findings also reveal that further endeavors should emphasize those understudied factors such as “perceived overall organizational performance improvement”, “corporate strategy and management policy”, and “availability of resources”. Practically, the proposed research guidelines provide valuable references to accelerate C4.0TeIm in both academics and the business world and offer strategies for the top management of firms to maximize potential benefits and gain competitiveness. Full article

This paper introduces a deep learning (DL) tool capable of classifying cities and revealing the features that characterize each city from a visual perspective. The study utilizes city view data captured from satellites and employs a methodology involving DL-based classification for city identification, along with an Explainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to unveil definitive features of each city considered in this study. The city identification model implemented using the ResNet architecture yielded an overall accuracy of 84%, featuring 45 cities worldwide with varied geographic locations, Human Development Index (HDI), and population sizes. The portraying attributes of urban locations have been investigated using an explanatory visualization tool named Relevance Class Activation Maps (CAM). The methodology and findings presented by the current study enable decision makers, city managers, and policymakers to identify similar cities through satellite data, understand the salient features of the cities, and make decisions based on similarity patterns that can lead to effective solutions in a wide range of objectives such as urban planning, crisis management, and economic policies. Analyzing city similarities is crucial for urban development, transportation strategies, zoning, improvement of living conditions, fostering economic success, shaping social justice policies, and providing data for indices and concepts such as sustainability and smart cities for urban zones sharing similar patterns. Full article

Since decoration is an essential part of buildings, the carbon emissions generated by decoration work should not be ignored. In recent years, prefabricated decoration has attracted much attention as efforts are made to pursue green, low-carbon, and waste-reducing buildings. However, research on carbon emissions assessment of prefabricated buildings has focused mainly on the structural aspect of prefabricated buildings, with few studies having considered prefabricated decoration. This study therefore focuses on assessing the carbon emissions of prefabricated decoration from the life cycle perspective of a case study residential building and explores the potential for reducing carbon emissions by decorating buildings with prefabricated components. The results show that using prefabricated decoration in the case study building reduced carbon emissions by 29.08% at the building material production stage compared to traditional decoration, and using an optimized design of prefabricated decoration, the building’s energy consumption over its design life could reduce carbon emissions by 1046 kgCO₂/m². These findings demonstrate the benefits of prefabrication decoration for reducing carbon emissions. This study provides decoration companies with robust data and insights to guide future decisions and practices, helping to transform and achieve the carbon neutrality goal for the building decoration industry. Full article

Walking exercise is a prevalent physical activity in urban areas, with streetscapes playing a significant role in shaping preferences. Understanding this influence is essential for creating urban environments conducive to walking exercise and improving residents’ quality of life. In this study, we utilize scenic beauty estimation and deep learning methods, leveraging street view images and walking exercise trajectories to analyze this influence from a human-centric perspective. We begin by generating sampling points along streets covered by trajectories and acquiring street view images. Subsequently, we apply a deep learning model to segment the images, yielding six visual indicators. Additionally, we use scenic beauty estimation to derive the seventh visual indicator. Finally, we match these indicators with trajectory data to implement preference analysis. The main findings are: (1) preferences for walking and running exercises differ on multiple indicators; (2) there are gender distinctions, with males preferring openness and females prioritizing enclosed spaces; (3) age plays a role, with those aged 30–40 preferring openness and those aged 40–50 preferring enclosed spaces; (4) preferences for different indicators vary over time and across different locations. These insights can inform policymakers in tailoring urban planning and design to specific population segments and promoting sustainable residential landscapes. Full article

Currently, human society is in the era of the digital economy, driven by a new wave of digital technology revolution. Against this backdrop, China actively draws on global development concepts, accelerating the advancement of new infrastructure construction. This initiative aims to stabilize current economic demands while laying a material foundation for long-term development. Therefore, the efficient implementation of this new infrastructure has become a pressing issue for China, as unlocking its empowering role in the national economy is of paramount importance. This study, based on balanced panel data from China’s initial smart city pilot projects from 2008 to 2018, employs both two-way fixed effects and mediation effect models to empirically examine the impact of new infrastructure construction on urban innovation quality, considering endogeneity issues. The research findings reveal that new infrastructure construction enhances urban innovation quality by expediting industrial structural upgrades and enhancing total factor productivity. Furthermore, due to variations in geographical location and population density, there is heterogeneity in the impact of new infrastructure on urban innovation quality, with investments in new infrastructure exerting a more pronounced positive effect in cities with high population density. Full article

Thermal sensation prediction models can help to evaluate complex thermal environments and guide the environment conditioning strategy. However, most existing models are established basing on the thermal status of the entire human body or local body parts, failing to reflect thermal sensation generating mechanism or micro-scale (centimeter-scale) thermal sensation. This study put forward a new thermal sensation predicting approach by coupling the skin heat transfer and the thermoreceptor impulse signals. The micro-scale thermal sensitivity data under steady stimuli were applied to bridging the objective heat transfer model and the subjective sensation model. The model contains a one-dimensional skin heat transfer equation and three sensation-generating equations: the thermoreceptor impulse equation, the psychosensory intensity equation, and the thermal sensation equation. The dimension of the skin heat transfer equation was determined through a skin temperature diffusion experiment, and the coefficients of the static/dynamic impulse in the thermoreceptor impulse equation and the thermal sensation equation were obtained through polynomial fitting using thermal sensitivity data. The validated mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 0.08 and 0.1 under cooling and heating stimuli, respectively. This new model can predict thermal sensation on the centimeter scale and be applied under different boundary conditions. In the future, the new model can be further developed by testing dynamic stimuli and other boundary conditions so that it can be applied to more complex thermal exposures. Full article

Urban color, primarily emanating from building façades and roofs, plays a pivotal role in shaping a city’s image and influencing people’s overall impression. Understanding the nuances of color patterns contributes significantly to unraveling the uniqueness and identity of a city. This study introduces a statistical method for the systematic analysis of urban color and macroscopic urban structure. Specifically, we employ drones to collect and extract building roof and façade colors in the main urban area of Hangzhou, mapping these colors to the HSV color space. Subsequently, we establish a random walk model and an origin–destination trip model within the urban transportation network to simulate the movement of people. Our experiments reveal robust correlations between façade and roof values and passing frequency (with the Pearson correlations reaching 0.70). Through a rigorous statistical analysis, we gain insights into the distribution of urban color and the impact of architectural structures on color variations, identifying potential patterns or trends. By integrating color data with architectural structure data, our systematic research method deepens the understanding of the visual features that define cities. Beyond theoretical exploration, this approach offers practical insights for building planning and design. This study not only sheds light on the relationship between architectural structures and urban color but also provides valuable guidance for future urban development initiatives. Full article

Asphalt mixtures exhibit complex mechanical behaviors due to their multiphase internal structures. To provide better characterizations of asphalt pavements under various forms of potential distress, a two-dimensional (2D) finite element simulation based on images of asphalt mixtures can be used to increase computational efficiency and reduce labor consumption. Nonetheless, using a representative image to eliminate the influence of dimension reduction from three dimensions to two dimensions is of great significance for attaining a reliable simulation result. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the consequence of dimension reduction for open-graded asphalt mixtures (denoted as OGFC-16), including a comprehensive characterization of these 2D models in terms of their morphologies and the similarities between them. This study aimed to reveal the variation in a 2D finite element simulation when applied to open-graded asphalt mixtures. Structural compositions, gradations, the aspect ratios of aggregates, and aggregate orientations were counted and calculated. In addition, the cosine similarity and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) were also calculated. Consequently, we performed a statistical analysis on the aforementioned indicators to quantitatively identify the discrepancy in the 2D images caused by dimension reduction. The results demonstrate that this 2D simulation might not be sufficient for representing the realistic mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures due to the remarkable variations in the image morphologies in different 2D images. However, the basic rules of stress behavior within structures can be accurately simulated. A compensative methodology for conducting a 2D simulation of open-graded asphalt mixtures should be based on a morphological characterization, considering structural compositions and the structural similarity index measure. Full article

The environmental concerns raised by the over-exploitation of fresh water and river sand have driven researchers to explore seawater sea sand concrete (SWSSC) as a substitute for conventional concrete in structural columns. With numerous investigations on this in the past, there is a need to systematically classify and comprehensively understand the response of confined SWSSC columns to promote their usage as structural columns. Consequently, the objective of this review is to summarise and analyse the experimental work conducted so far on confined SWSSC under different compressive loadings. Confined SWSSC columns are classified into five confinement schemes based on the cross-section of the specimens: single-skin, single-skin multilayered, single-skin with additional reinforcement, double-skin, and double-tube-confined SWSSC columns. Based on the findings of the reviewed studies, it can be concluded that the compressive strength and the ductility of the SWSSC can be enhanced through confinement, with effectiveness majorly depending on the material and geometrical properties of the confinement providing material. The existing research work on SWSSC confinement lays out a strong base for future investigations in this area, which will eventually facilitate the acceptance of SWSSC as structural columns, especially for coastal and marine infrastructure. Full article

The technical condition of bridges has become a crucial issue for organizing the maintenance and repairs in bridge management systems. It is of great practical engineering significance to construct an effective model for predicting the technical condition degradation of the bridge through the use of the historical inspection data. Based on the semi-Markov random process, this paper proposes a useful deterioration prediction model for bridges in the highway network. From the historical inspection data of the prefabricated concrete box girder bridges, the degradation curves of technical condition rating are obtained. The effect of bridge length on degradation rate of the prefabricated concrete box girder bridges is analyzed. According to the Weibull distribution parameters of different condition grades, the technical state degradation models for a bridge group and an individual bridge are proposed to predict the performance of the overall bridge and superstructure of the bridge. The results show that with the increase in bridge length, the degradation rate of bridge technical condition increases. The degradation rate of the technical condition of the superstructure is faster than that of the overall bridge. The proposed semi-Markov stochastic degradation model for the bridge group can not only predict the different condition ratings of the bridges at any time, but also predict the future deterioration trend of an individual bridge under any ratings. Full article

The core driving force behind innovation in intelligent construction technology is synergistic relationships. It has become common practice to promote synergistic innovation through agent interaction and knowledge coupling in the development of intelligent construction technology. Drawing upon synergetics, social network theory, and the knowledge base view as theoretical frameworks, this research examines the impact of synergistic relationship, agent interaction, and knowledge coupling on innovation in intelligent construction technology. An empirical analysis of 186 questionnaires revealed the following: (1) regarding synergistic relationships, both horizontal synergy and vertical synergy significantly positively impact innovation in intelligent construction technology. (2) Concerning agent interaction, strong interaction serves as a mediator between horizontal synergy and innovation in intelligent construction technology, while weak interaction serves as a mediator between vertical synergy and innovation in intelligent construction technology. (3) Knowledge coupling has a positive moderating effect on innovation in intelligent construction technology under a strong interaction and a negative moderating effect on innovation in intelligent construction technology under a weak interaction. This study contributes to expanding the theory of synergistic relationships and its application in the context of intelligent construction technology. Furthermore, it provides practical insights and guidance for construction companies seeking to enhance innovation in intelligent construction technology through the utilization of agent interaction and knowledge coupling. Full article

At present, increased modes of transport have facilitated daily life. Building information modeling (BIM) integration has become a key strategy to foster efficiency, collaboration, and sustainability in the fields of buildings, transport, and facilities. Currently, there is a scarcity of comprehensive examinations of the performance of integrated BIM with transport facilities and applications to help identify potential prospects for sustainable development. Hence, this research paper attempts to scrutinize the integration of BIM, transportation, and facilities (T and Fs) by highlighting future directions and trends, revealing the existing status and hotspots of research in the field, and clarifying the developmental pulse of research as well as emerging areas in the future. A quantitative research technique is utilized in this study, using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software, and the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The study findings suggest that the hot keywords for the integration of BIM and T and Fs are predominantly concentrated on construction, framework, system, design, and management. In addition, over the previous 34 years (years 1989 to 2023), the applications of point cloud, digital twin, and life cycle assessment have been the current hot topics, and these emerging technologies can offer more innovative breakthroughs for the future. Furthermore, the integration of BIM and T and Fs represents an important trend that is essential for improving the efficiency, sustainability, and intelligence of buildings and infrastructure, from which the three domains can create synergies that contribute to the better planning, construction, and management of building and infrastructure projects. Full article

Shield misalignment is a common problem in shield tunnels, which seriously affects the safety and durability of tunnels. However, at present, there is a lack of research on the influence of shield misalignment on the shear capacity of the circumferential joint structure, and the failure mechanism of the circumferential joint structure before and after reinforcement is not clear. Therefore, this paper simulates the influence of misalignment on the performance mechanism of segmented circumferential connection and the effect of channel reinforcement on the ABAQUS platform. The simulation results are compared with the full-scale test results, and the results show that the shear failure process of the circumferential joint can be divided into three stages under the condition of no reinforcement. In the first stage, the vertical load increases, but the misalignment between the shield tunneling sections is very small. In the second stage, the load almost does not increase, but the degree of misalignment increases. In the third stage, the load–displacement relationship is nonlinear, indicating that the bending bolt has been sheared. Under the condition of unreinforced, the bolt will form two plastic hinges when it fails. After reinforcing the channel, the removal of the bolt forms only one plastic hinge. After channel steel reinforcement, the boundary area between the channel steel web and the steel plate first reaches the ultimate tensile strength of the steel plate, and the failure mode becomes channel steel reinforcement failure. Under the same shear load, the misalignment of the circumferential joint reinforced with channel steel is reduced. In this paper, the misalignment relationship of shear load and the yield of the bending bolt obtained through numerical calculation is consistent with the conclusion of the full-scale test. However, the circumferential connection misalignment obtained via numerical calculation is relatively small. The yield position of the bending bolt is also in good agreement with the test results, and the bolt strain obtained through the test is relatively small. Full article

Rail transportation plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions from the transportation system, making a significant contribution to environmental impact mitigation due to the efficiency of passenger and freight rail transportation. Accurate assessment of carbon emissions resulting from rail transit is essential to quantify the positive impact of this mode of transportation on overall urban transport emission reduction. Given that measuring carbon emissions throughout the lifecycle of rail transportation involves a wide array of factors, adopting a systematic framework for analyzing these aspects is crucial. This study conducts a comprehensive review of existing research related to carbon emissions in rail transportation and its mitigation. Initially, the distinct characteristics of carbon emissions associated with rail transportation are identified, along with the complexity involved in accurately measuring these emissions. Subsequently, a comparison and analysis are conducted regarding various models for measuring carbon emissions in rail transportation. Finally, the study examines some greenhouse gas emission measurement research within the railway system. Redirecting research efforts toward measuring carbon emissions in the rail transportation system is essential to help the development of robust and effective public policies. This measure will play a crucial role in emission reduction, climate change mitigation, and the promotion of more sustainable transportation. Furthermore, the identified results propose which LCA methodology offers a valuable framework improving the quality of railway transportation emissions for future generations. Full article

The widespread adoption of building information modelling in the construction industry faces significant obstacles, particularly among small and medium-sized construction enterprises. This research accessed barriers to building information modelling adoption among small and medium enterprises in the Nigerian construction industry. The study obtained quantitative data from 182 participants out of the 200 questionnaires that were distributed. A combination of descriptive and exploratory factor analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26, and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) test and Bartlett’s sphericity test were conducted to check data adequacy and reliability. The study findings clustered five factors from the 25 identified barriers to BIM adoption in SMEs in the Nigerian construction industry. They are functionality and compatibility, risk and the unavailability of BIM resources, inadequate awareness of BIM, inadequate clients’ demands and support, and stakeholders’ skills gaps. The study recommends training opportunities for construction professionals, government facilitation through incentives, and safeguarding intellectual property linked to BIM-oriented projects. Collaboration among construction stakeholders would also increase client awareness and knowledge sharing on modern technology, such as BIM adoption in SMEs in the construction industry. Full article

The massive accumulation of graphite tailings causes serious environmental pollution, mainly from heavy metal pollution. Therefore, this article introduces a method of using graphite tailings as a high-content main material, cement as a small component of the auxiliary cementitious material, and clay as a substitute for cement. The compressive strength and permeability of graphite tailing–solidified material (GT, GT–Clay) were tested, and the effect of clay partially replacing cement as an auxiliary cementitious agent on GT–Clay performance was compared. In addition, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP) was used to analyze the effect of the graphite tailing placement time on the heavy metal content, as well as the changes in the GT heavy metal leaching concentration and its heavy metal content under outdoor freeze–thaw conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to elucidate the microstructural changes in the GT–Clay. The experimental results show that, as the substitution of clay for cement increased from 0 to 50%, the compressive strength of the 90% GT–Clay gradually decreased, and the permeability also increased. The compressive strength of 95% GT–Clay did not show significant changes, but the permeability increased, and when mixed with quicklime, gypsum, and silica fume, the permeability decreased. The Ni and As in graphite tailings fluctuated significantly with the placement time. The heavy metal leaching concentrations of the 90% GT and 95% GT were below the standard limit, and Cd, As, and Ni in GT were potential sources of pollution. The analysis of the microscopic test results showed that the hydration products of the GT–Clay included ettringite, Ca(OH)₂, and calcium silicate hydrates. The hydration product stabilized and filled the gaps between the tailing particles, thereby cementing them together. Not only did it improve the mechanical strength of GT, it also reduced the permeability and heavy metal leaching rate. This study provides a new analytical approach to applying graphite tailings for environmental treatment. Full article

This study focuses on sustainable development in urban planning and develops a 21st century sustainable neighborhood. For empirical neighborhood design, urban design was conducted on a specific 5.2 ha site in Le Rheu Commune, France. Targeting a site with the attributes of ecologically based sustainable urban planning, this study derived a neighborhood design model using sustainable development strategy methods from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. Consequently, an infrastructure-based design was created, integrating and accommodating the infrastructure and various urban amenities necessary for the neighborhood. Additionally, infrastructure within the neighborhood was proposed as a design element for technology-based sustainable urban planning. This is a novel, empirical study based on urban planning theory. This theory-based empirical research model contributes to urban planning theory and the knowledge of urban planners and architects. Future studies should conduct urban planning research that combines sustainable neighborhood planning based on ecological infrastructure, as attempted in Le Rheu Commune, with the IoT, such as smart home care. Full article

A temporary monitoring system was installed on the 175-year-old historical Széchenyi Chain Bridge during its reconstruction. The bridge is in the downtown area in the capital city of Hungary and plays a significant role in the city life of Budapest. Six-month-long measurements were conducted during the reconstruction process of the bridge, yielding crucial insights into the structural behaviour of the historical structure. The measurement results were evaluated; the findings encompass the rotation capacity of the pins between the chain elements and the structural response to temperature changes. This information helped the decision-making between 2021 and 2023 by the designers and construction company during the reconstruction. For instance, daily temperature fluctuations resulted in increased bending moments in the chain elements, rising up to 158% compared to the values observed during a proof load test in 2018. Furthermore, the measurements reveal an approximate 42% increase in normal forces compared to the proof load test, which highlights the high sensitivity of chain bridges to temperature fluctuations, where geometric stiffness plays a crucial role. Reconstruction, namely reducing self-weight, notably intensifies the impact on normal forces and bending moments. These outcomes strongly emphasize the dominance of the dead load and self-weight in the case of chain bridges. Full article

This paper summarizes the results of a Special Issue focusing on the practical applications of model predictive control and other advanced control methods in the built environment. This Special Issue contains eleven publications and deals with various topics such as the virtual sensing of indoor air pollutants and prediction models for indoor air temperature and building heating and cooling loads, as well as local and supervisory control strategies. The last three publications tackle the predictive maintenance of chilled water systems. Most of these publications are field demonstrations of advanced control solutions or promising methodologies to facilitate the adoption of such control strategies, and they deal with existing buildings. The Special Issue also contains two review papers that provide a comprehensive overview of practical challenges, opportunities, and solutions to improve building operations. This article concludes with a discussion of the perspectives of advanced controls in the built environment and the increasing importance of data-driven solutions. Full article

Pervious concrete is an innovative eco-friendly construction material. Through the application of mineral admixtures and microscopic analysis to optimize its performance and analyze its mechanisms, its traits as a sustainable building option may be further improved. This study primarily examines the impact of the optimal blend quantities of fly ash, silica fume, and reinforcing agent on the attributes, micro-morphology, and phase composition of porous concrete. The optimal admixture was chosen after analyzing the effects of various factors on the mix ratio and properties of permeable concrete. To understand the degree of impact, performance tests were conducted on the 28-day compressive strength, water permeability coefficient, and porosity. Furthermore, the micro-mechanisms of the admixtures and reinforcing agents on the properties of permeable concrete were analyzed from a microscopic point of view using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. This research found that the advantageous properties of permeable concrete were enhanced by the simultaneous integration of appropriate quantities of fly ash, silica fume, and reinforcing agent. This resulted in a 28-day compressive strength of 18.33 MPa and a permeability coefficient of 8.27 mm/s. Compared with the unadulterated mineral admixture, the optimal admixture of fly ash, silica fume, and reinforcing agent at the same time increased the 28-day compressive strength by about double; the permeability coefficient was reduced by 36%, but it was still at a high level; and the measured porosity did not differ much from the designed porosity. Through thorough microanalysis, the hydration reaction was significantly improved, which could enhance the microstructure and pore structure of the concrete. This was supported by a substantial increase in the macroscopic compressive strength and a decrease in the water permeability coefficient, which were consistent with the aforementioned enhancement found in the microanalysis. Full article

The fluid-saturated porous continuous barrier has a better vibration isolation effect than the single-phase solid continuous barrier, and layer-forming saturated soils will have an impact on the vibration isolation effect of the barriers due to their irregular layer-forming distribution. Based on Biot’s theory of saturated porous media and Snell’s law, a dynamic model of a fluid-saturated porous continuous barrier in layered saturated soil is established in this study. By introducing the potential function and using the continuous boundary condition of the interface between the saturated soil and the barrier, the analytical solution of the inverse transmission amplitude ratio of a P₁-wave passing through the fluid-saturated porous continuous barrier in stratified saturated soil is obtained. The rationality of the proposed method is verified by comparing the solution of the P-wave model at the interface between the elastic medium and the saturated coarse particle interlayer. The differences in the propagation characteristics of fluid-saturated porous continuous barriers in layered saturated soils, homogeneous saturated soils, and layered single-phase soils are analyzed via numerical examples, and the influence of changes in the physical and mechanical parameters of the fluid-saturated porous continuous barriers on the reflectance amplitude ratios under the conditions of a layered saturated soil foundation are also analyzed. The results show that the presence of fluid in the stratified saturated soil model changes the trend of the reflection amplitude ratio with the incidence angle. The reflection amplitude ratio of the P₂-wave and the SV-wave increases first and then decreases with the increase in the incident angle, while the reflection amplitude ratio of P₁-wave decreases first and then increases. Barrier thickness and porosity change the energy distribution relationship at the interface; a relatively thicker barrier thickness and a higher porosity would result in a higher amplitude of barrier reflections. Full article

Based on the tunnel crack width identification, there are operating time constraints, limited operating space, high equipment testing costs, and other issues. In this paper, a large subway tunnel is a research object, and the tunnel rail inspection car is an operating platform equipped with industrial cameras in order to meet the requirements of the tunnel tube sheet crack width recognition of more than 0.2 mm, with the measuring instrument to verify that the tunnel rail inspection car in the state of uniform motion camera imaging quality has the reliability through the addition of laser rangefinders, the accurate measurement of the object distance and the calculation of the imaging plane and the angle of the plane to be measured, to amend the three-dimensional cracks. The pixel resolution of the image is corrected, the images imaged by the industrial camera are preprocessed, the YOLOv8 algorithm is used for the intelligent extraction of crack morphology, and finally, the actual width is calculated from the spacing between two points of the crack. The crack detection width obtained by image processing using the YOLOv8 algorithm is basically the same as the value of crack width obtained by manual detection, and the error rate of crack width detection ranges from 0% to 11%, with the average error rate remaining below 4%. Compared with the crack detection error rate of the Support Vector Machine (SVM), the crack extraction model is reduced by 1%, so using the tunnel inspection vehicle as a platform equipped with an industrial camera, YOLOv8 is used to realize the recognition of the shape and width of the cracks on the surface of the tunnel tube sheet to meet the requirements of a higher degree of accuracy. The number of pixels and the detection error rate are inversely proportional to each other. The angle between the imaging plane and the plane under test is directly proportional to the detection error rate. The angle between the vertical axis where the lens midpoint is located and the line connecting the shooting target and the lens center point is ${\alpha }_i$ and the angle ${\theta }_i$ between the measured plane and the imaging plane is reciprocal, i.e., ${\alpha }_i$ + ${\theta }_i$ = 90°. Therefore, using the inspection vehicle as a mobile platform equipped with an industrial camera and based on the YOLOv8 algorithm, the crack recognition of the tunnel tube sheet has the feasibility and the prospect of wide application, which provides a reference method for the detection of cracks in the tunnel tube sheet. Full article

Low-energy asphalt techniques, such as warm mix asphalt (WMA), combined with the rational consumption of geomaterials and waste recycling would promote more sustainable and energy-efficient asphalt pavements. In volcanic environments, a significant proportion of aggregate production is discarded due to its extreme porosity, and used tires generate a main environmental issue as well. While recycled rubber powder from tire waste can enhance the mechanical behavior of asphalt, it also raises its viscosity. Therefore, joining rubberized asphalt containing local waste geomaterials with WMA technologies is crucial to reduce the manufacturing temperatures and emissions and to produce more eco-efficient pavements. For this purpose, the most relevant technological characteristics of rubberized warm mix asphalt with residual aggregates from highly vesiculated volcanic rocks are tested in the laboratory and contrasted with conventional mixtures. The outcomes demonstrate not only the feasibility of the production of such mixtures in line with the current specifications, but also show a significant improvement in the resistance to moisture and to plastic deformations, and an improvement in the stiffness modulus. The eco-efficiency indicators conclude that the energy consumption and emissions are reduced by 9%, enabling the reuse of waste materials by more than 95%. Full article

Healthcare facilities (HCFs) are complex building structures that are becoming more challenging with ever-changing codes and regulations. Previously completed projects become a basis for future guidance regarding costs and scope. A robust normalization framework to assess previously completed projects with today’s costs and location will benefit various stakeholders. The current study provides a complete picture for normalizing the overall project cost and phase cost by life cycle and HCF cost elements. This study aims to develop a cost normalization approach tailored to HCF-specific cost elements to extend the normalization framework for the overall project cost. Further, the researchers developed a distinct framework for normalizing the effect of shell space on the normalization of Total Installed Cost (TIC) to establish fixed cost adjustment rates for cold and warm shell spaces in HCFs, which can increase the accuracy of cost normalization of the overall project cost. This study identified an appropriate set of cost indices for normalizing HCF cost elements using publicly available indices. The cost elements identified for normalization included HCF-specific and Construction Specifications Institute Master Format (CSIMF) cost elements for assigning individual normalization procedures. This study provides individual and unique approaches for normalizing all identified cost elements, such as mechanical, concrete, etc. The initial framework was evaluated through a case study analysis that developed into the proposed approach built upon the collaborative efforts of academic researchers and industry experts. This study introduced shell space cost adjustment rates for warm and cold shell spaces to further develop a space normalization framework. This paper addresses the challenges of normalizing HCF project costs using the breakdown of HCF cost elements. Moreover, the paper provides the HCF’s overall cost normalization approach, emphasizing cost elements that allow accurate comparisons between various HCFs for early scope and cost guidance. Full article