Buildings, Volume 14, Issue 6 (June 2024) – 311 articles

Modern lifestyles result in people spending 90% of their time indoors, where windows serve as a unique component providing an outdoor view and enabling visual experiences. Chromogenic windows, which adjust both thermal and visual conditions, represent a promising fenestration system for achieving energy savings. However, the tinting properties and their effects on human responses to filtered window views have not been thoroughly explored. This study conducted an experimental test using a customised questionnaire to investigate eight distinct window conditions in a hotel building. Forty-five participants took part in this evaluation by observing photographs. The conclusions drawn are as follows: (1) All tinted windows were found to be less acceptable than clear windows; however, the bronze window was relatively preferred. (2) In terms of visual capacity, the red window had the most negative effect, followed by the blue window. (3) Considering the window views, the tinted windows significantly disturbed the view outside. These results have the potential to guide the development of chromogenic windows in practical applications in the future, particularly from the perspective of colour selection. Full article

The impact of global climate change on the built environment emphasizes the need for sustainable development goals (SDGs) using technological solutions, such as the Internet of Things (IoT). The significance of innovative building assessment (BA) tools plays a pivotal role in bridging the existing gap between the theoretical and actual operational performance of buildings. The main research question is how can a new generation of BA tools leverage the IoT to optimize occupant well-being and achieve SDGs’ targets. This article delves into the pivotal role played by the IoT and occupant-centric concepts in advancing sustainability initiatives and facilitating the achievement of SDGs. The novelty of this paper lies in its exploration of the current state of IoT integration as a strategic imperative for SDGs’ achievement and climate change mitigation. Consequently, a paradigm shift is evident in this work, showcasing a comprehensive comparison between conventional and IoT occupant-centric BA tools and introducing a correlation study between IoT occupant-centric systems and future SDGs’ targets. Lastly, current gaps and valuable insights into future research possibilities are offered. Full article

Before starting any construction work, providing workers with awareness about past similar accident cases is effective in preventing mishaps. Based on construction accident reports, this study developed two models to identify past accidents at sites with similar site information. The site information includes 16 parameters, such as type of work, type of accident, the work in which the accident occurred, weather conditions, contract conditions, type of work, etc. The first model, the site information classification model, uses named entity recognition tasks to classify site information, which is extracted from accident reports. The second model, the similar-site accident retrieval model, which finds the most similar accidents that occurred in the past from input site information, uses a semantic textual similarity task to match the classified information with it. A total of 17,707 accident reports from South Korean construction sites were found; these models were trained to use Korean Language Understanding Evaluation–Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (KLUE-BERT) for processing. The first model achieved an average accuracy of 0.928, and the second model was precisely matched, with a mean cosine similarity score exceeding 0.90. These models could identify and provide workers with similar past accidents, enabling proactive safety measures, such as site-specific hazard identification and worker education, thereby allowing recognition of construction safety risks before starting work. By integrating site information with historical data, the models offer an effective approach to improving construction safety. Full article

Several reinforced concrete minarets in Turkey have suffered significant damage during earthquakes, resulting in fatalities and economic losses. These structures might be considered the most frequently built thin structures in Turkey. To improve seismic resistivity, it is necessary to figure out the exact nature of these tall structures. In this way, the existing ones can be strengthened. This study examined the most widely built (traditional) forms of reinforced concrete minarets under two earthquakes, the M_w 7.2 Van on 23 October 2011 and the M_w 7.4 İzmit on 17 August 1999, by considering three types of soils, i.e., stiff, medium and soft, with the viscous boundary method proposed from Burman et al. Moreover, diameter of the soil was selected as ten times the diameter of the foundation of the minarets. After conducting numerous analyses, it was concluded that the RC minarets’ structural behavior was altered by the softening of the earth, leading to a sharp increase in internal forces. Furthermore, it was discovered that the regions of stress accumulation indicated for the representative minarets matched the damage shown in recent earthquakes. Full article

Guided by the principles of visual perception and basic design, this research was conducted to examine users’ preferences on how they perceive natural unique wood phenomena of Pedunculate Slavonian Oak veneers (Quercus robur L.) such as color changes, wood rays, sapwood, and knots, which in the production and technical sense represent defects and wood residue, but could be used in the design of sustainable and ecological wall decorations. The goal was to detect samples with the most positive attributes and to observe their connection with activities and functional space if they are viewed as wall coverings in the interior. The results confirm that discoloration and wood rays are considered the most harmonious (“prettiest”) decors. Discoloration is associated with quiet cognitive or medium-intensity activity that can be used in libraries, hotel rooms, and classrooms. Wood rays are connected with very quiet activity in ambulance waiting rooms or religious buildings and museums. Knot decors are considered the most natural and are recommended for interiors with very or medium-intensive activities such as restaurants, cafes, and hotel receptions, but attention should be paid to the way the wall decors are arranged on the walls. Sapwood–hardwood decors are the subject of further research and improvement concerning the relationship between the dark and light parts of the veneer. In conclusion, the results provide useful guidelines for manufacturers with a large veneer residue in production and who want to design decorative wall panels, as well as for designers and architects designing interiors for a specific purpose and function where certain user behavior and psychological stimulation are desired. Full article

Channel steel-reinforced brick column technology has gained significant popularity in rural China due to its convenience and cost effectiveness. However, current research on channel steel reinforcement is sparse, and engineering applications often rely solely on construction experience. This reliance leads to significant construction errors, inconsistent reinforcement effects, and, in some cases, tragedies such as the collapse of Changsha’s “4.29” self-built houses. Therefore, in this paper, experimental and simulation studies on brick columns reinforced with external channel steel were conducted, and the results show that channel steel reinforcement can significantly enhance the axial load capacity of brick columns. However, increased initial stress levels and height-to-thickness ratios substantially reduce the reinforcement effect. Under axial pressure, the outer channel steel fails mainly through bending and buckling instability. Still, due to its good ductility, its failure occurs later than the brick column after being restrained by sufficient wall screws. Based on the experimental and simulation results, a method for calculating the axial compressive bearing capacity of the reinforced column is proposed, providing theoretical support and engineering guidance for applying this reinforcement method. Full article

Exploring urban spatial structures through spatial coupling analysis methods is an important method to provide theoretical support for the construction of sustainable urban structures. In order to make up for the neglect of POI species differences in previous studies, information entropy was introduced to calculate POI confusion, and a comprehensive POI index was constructed by combining kernel density and the entropy weight method; impervious surface coverage was extracted based on land cover data. The spatial distribution of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration and some typical cities was analyzed by coupling two types of data using the dual-factor mapping method. The research indicates the following: (1). The spatial distribution of the two sets of data in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region is highly consistent, indicating a state of high spatial coupling; Beijing has the highest proportion of coupling in the same region at the city level (73.39%). (2). The areas with different coupling of the two types of data are mainly distributed in the urban fringe areas transitioning from the city center to the suburbs, as well as in large-scale areas with single functionality such as airports, scenic spots, and ports. This study shows that analysis combining the POI comprehensive index and impervious surface coverage can effectively characterize urban spatial structure characteristics, providing a new perspective for the study of the spatial structure of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration. It is of great significance for a deeper understanding of the laws of urban agglomeration spatial structures and guiding the coordinated development of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration. Full article

Many scientific publications pointed out delays in the progress of payments by owners as one of the top direct causes of project delays and disputes. This research investigates the causes of payment delays and explores deliberate delay tactics and their reasons within Saudi Arabian public construction projects. This research employs a robust mixed methodology, an extensive literature review, and preliminary semi-structured interviews to identify the causes of payment delays and possible tactics and reasons for deliberate delays or procrastinated payment. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey is distributed among experienced personnel. The survey aims to verify the results of the first phase, assess occurrence rates of the causes of payment delays, study tactical forms used by parties to delay payment, and identify reasons for such practices. The findings of the study reveal that the contractual issues group has the highest score for occurring, deliberate disruptions occur although they are not prevalent, tactics to deliberate delays exist and are practiced, and all the possible forms of deliberate delays under investigation and reasons for deliberate delays are confirmed valid. This study provides valuable insights for businesses and policymakers seeking to comprehend the issue of payment delays in Saudi Arabian public construction projects. Full article

In this paper, steel fiber coal gangue concrete is examined for its fire resistance, high strength, and stability, aiming to achieve both green sustainability and resistance to elevated temperatures. We conducted tests on concrete specimens with varying coal gangue aggregate volume replacement rates (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%) and steel fiber volume contents (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) to assess their post-high-temperature mechanical properties. These tests were performed at five temperature levels: 20 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C. The focus was on analyzing the residual mechanical properties and constitutive relationship of the steel fiber coal gangue concrete after exposure to high temperatures. The findings indicate that as the temperature rises, the compressive strength, split tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity of the steel fiber coal gangue concrete specimens undergo varying degrees of reduction. However, the peak strain and ultimate strain increase gradually. The incorporation of steel fibers enhances the mechanical properties of the coal gangue concrete, resulting in improvements in the elastic modulus and peak strain, both before and after exposure to high temperatures. Furthermore, the established constitutive relationship for steel fiber coal gangue concrete after high temperatures, derived from calculations and validated with experimental data, provides a more accurate representation of the entire damage process under uniaxial compressive loading at elevated temperatures. Full article

Numerous studies have examined the impact of the built environment on mental health, yet there remains an underexplored area concerning how microenvironments within educational buildings affect students’ mental well-being from a physical environment standpoint. This paper fills this gap by utilizing data from 440 valid questionnaires to develop regression models that assess students’ perceptions of physical environment factors in college teaching buildings and their impact on anxiety likelihood. This study examined the physical environment of the teaching building’s interior, courtyard, and semi-outdoor areas. Findings indicate that students’ perceptions of specific physical environment factors—such as classroom ventilation (p < 0.01, OR = 0.330), lighting (p < 0.01, OR = 0.444), noise conditions (p < 0.01, OR = 0.415), courtyard thermal comfort (p < 0.01, OR = 0.504), and the views from semi-outdoor areas (p < 0.01, OR = 2.779)—significantly influence the likelihood of experiencing anxiety. Optimal physical conditions are linked to reduced student anxiety. The suitability of the physical environment of teaching buildings is interrelated, and it is urgently necessary to address issues related to unsuitable lighting in window areas of classrooms, as well as problems with ventilation, lighting, and noise caused by the corridor layout within teaching buildings. These insights are crucial for the design and renovation of academic buildings to enhance students’ mental well-being. Full article

Concrete materials are widely used in engineering projects, with fine aggregates (sand) being a key component currently in short supply. Copper tailings sand, a waste by-product of copper mining, accumulates in large quantities in tailings dams. Recycling and reusing this waste sand is crucial for environmental sustainability. This paper investigated the incorporation of copper tailings sand into concrete as a partial replacement for fine aggregates and evaluated its effects on concrete’s workability and mechanical properties. The experimental results indicate that the addition of copper tailings sand reduced the workability and compressive strength of concrete. Specifically, at a 60% substitution rate, the slump of the concrete was reduced by 15%, and the axial strength was closest to that of ordinary concrete, with a reduction of 2.5%. As the proportion of copper tailings sand increased from 0% to 80%, the average axial strength decreased from 37.3 MPa to 34.9 MPa, and stiffness decreased by approximately 6.43%. A complete stress–strain curve equation was proposed based on fitting relevant parameters, closely aligning with experimental data. Moderately adding tailings sand can help address the issue of large amounts of waste sand accumulating in tailings dams while maintaining acceptable concrete properties. Full article

In response to the critical need for enhanced resource management in the construction industry, this research develops an innovative, integrated methodology that synergistically combines Agent-Based Modeling (ABM), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies. Central to our approach is a sophisticated technological framework that incorporates a Client Early Warning System (CEWS) and a Decision Support System (DSS). These systems facilitate real-time monitoring and management of construction resources, ensuring operational efficiency and optimal resource utilization. Our methodology was empirically validated through a comprehensive case study at Helwan University’s College of Engineering. The results demonstrated a significant enhancement in operational efficiency, particularly in resource allocation and progress tracking. Key practical outcomes include the development of a CEWS master dashboard that provides in-depth, real-time insights into project metrics. This dashboard was crucial for managing compliance with health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the framework’s adaptability to critical health standards. Further, the integration of indoor tracking technology revolutionized attendance tracking by replacing outdated manual methods with automated processes. This capability not only underscores the practical applicability of our research but also establishes a new benchmark for future technological advancements in construction project management. Our study sets the stage for subsequent innovations, paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and data-driven approach in the construction industry. Full article

This study proposes a fatigue life analysis method for long-span CFST arch bridges based on a vehicle–bridge coupled vibration analysis model, which can analyze the structural dynamic effects and the excessive fatigue damage caused by the passage of vehicles. In situ test analysis of bridge dynamic characteristics is carried out, and a numerical model considering the vehicle–bridge coupled system is validated according to the measured vibration modes, frequency, and displacement time history. The results indicate that the proposed vehicle–bridge coupled vibration numerical model can be used to simulate the dynamic response of the bridge under various conditions. The factors of vehicle speed, vehicle weight, and road surface condition are further selected to analyze the vehicle–bridge coupled vibration effect, and it is found that the response time history is more sensitive to the vehicle weight factor. In addition, the fatigue life of suspenders at different positions is compared, which is found to decrease significantly with a reduction in suspender length. Due to damage to the suspender caused by environmental erosion, the cross-sectional area decreases and the stress amplitude changes, resulting in a decrease in the fatigue reliability of the suspender under different conditions. Full article

The necessity of understanding and simulating hydrological phenomena as well as their interactions and the effect of anthropogenic and climate conditions on the ecosystem have encouraged researchers for years to investigate the moisture transfer in soil. Considering the moisture transfer as an isothermal phenomenon might cause a wrong estimation due to the non-isothermal nature of the moisture movement in porous media. Hygrothermal (coupled heat and moisture transfer) models are quite diverse and are the engine of the various hygrothermal software tools used to analyze the heat and moisture in building envelopes, drying technologies, and many other applications. This paper is a literature survey conducted to provide an overview on the classical hygrothermal models to address the historical perspectives on these models. First, it investigated, from a historical point of view, the challenges behind the development of hygrothermal models as unsaturated flow theories, beginning with Buckingham theory. The non-isothermal nature of moisture was the starting point for researchers to deal with new challenges during mathematical modeling and experimental analysis. In general, the theory of coupled heat and moisture transfer first developed by J.R. Philip and De Vries and the authors in the mid-1950s inspired the novel hygrothermal models, including Sophocleous and Milly’s model, Rode’s model, Künzel’s model, and Grunewal’s model. In a parallel of hygrothermal model developments, the models of Whitaker and Luikov can also be classified as hygrothermal models; they were mostly applied in modeling the phenomenon of drying. The study highlights the application of hygrothermal models in building physics and gathered a summary of international efforts such as Annex 24, Annex 41, and the HAMSTAD project and advancements performed from the classical dew point or steady-state Glaser method. Moreover, this study emphasizes the advantages of the standard of EN 15026 and limitations of the Glaser method. To sum up, hygrothermal models are still under development based on various assumptions of moisture driving potentials and transfer coefficients. Full article

The need to reduce the effects of climate change has been increasing. One of the pathways to answer such a need is green construction. Hybrid wood–soil (HWS) structures are eco-friendly in addition to being cost-effective. Within this study, a single-storey building has been architecturally and structurally designed and tested. A conventional reinforced concrete (RC) structural system was designed and considered as a control case to be compared to the design at hand, which is an HWS system incorporating locally cultivated Casuarina Glauca wood and an in situ earth-based mixture. The two design alternatives are compared in terms of cost and carbon emissions. The HWS has proven to be economically viable and eco-friendly when compared to RC. The following stage within the research was to validate that the HWS structure will be structurally sound when erected. First, the effectiveness of the finger jointing process of the wooden members was experimentally assessed through performing bending tests on a finger-jointed specimen. Furthermore, half-scale models of one room within the structure have been manufactured from Casuarina Glauca wood and tested laterally to investigate the resistance of the HWS structural system to lateral loads. The first model was tested laterally without the earth-based infill and plaster materials to assess the behavior of the structural elements and measure its deformations. The second model was tested after applying the earth-based materials to obtain the true structural behavior of the system and the effect of the earth-based materials on its resistance to lateral loads. The results were used to assess the degree of the structural effectiveness of this HWS and the contribution of its components to its lateral stiffness. Full article

This paper presents an evaluation of the bearing capacity of cross-bracing in steel transmission tower structures. Design guidelines (ASCE 10-15, BS EN 50341-1, GB 50017-2017, and DL/T 5486-2020) related to the buckling capacity of the cross-bracing are summarized and compared with the experimental results. The current design provisions obtained the bearing capacity from the equivalent slenderness ratio, and then the stability coefficient and buckling capacity were derived. The calculated bearing capacity based on the design code tends to be overly progressive for smaller slenderness ratios (particularly those below 100), except for EN 50341-1-2012. Conversely, for larger slenderness ratios, ASCE 10-15 and DL/T 5486-2020 Class A design codes lean towards being overly progressive, while GB 50017-2017 and EN 50341-1-2012 codes tend to be more conservative. The design standard appears to exhibit unsafe predictions for Class A and B connections with low slenderness ratios and Class C connections. It needs to be noted that the effects of torsional stiffness and joint connection type are not considered in the current design codes, which are proved to be nonnegligible by the test results. In this paper, the bearing capacity calculation formula is proposed by introducing a modified effective length coefficient (K), and both the torsional stiffness and joint connection type are taken into account. The modified bearing capacity is verified with the test results; the correlation coefficient is 0.997, and the coefficient of variation is 0.04. It can provide a reference for the engineering design of steel lattice transmission tower structures. Full article

The random movement of occupants in a high-speed railway station results in a more complex indoor environment. In this study, the indoor thermal environment and the thermal comfort in summer were investigated via field measurements and questionnaires in the waiting hall of a high-speed railway station. The results showed that there was an uneven horizontal temperature distribution in the area, and over 30% of the passengers were dissatisfied with the air conditioning system. In order to improve the control of the indoor temperature as well as reduce the energy consumption of the air conditioning system, an improved zonal control strategy and AMPC control optimization algorithm based on real-time people are proposed, and different control strategies are modeled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink. It is concluded that the improved zonal control method proposed in this paper can save 28.04% of the fan energy consumption compared with the traditional control strategy. Full article

Designing reasonable commercial transportation space is of great significance to enhancing the overall value of commerce. This study takes the classic cases of three typical plans of commercial wholesale centres (CWCs) as the research object, uses space syntax to analyse the connectivity of the architecture of the traffic space, simulates the current situation of the pedestrian flow distribution through ArcGIS, and constructs a multiple regression model for the association between connectivity and pedestrian flow distribution. The results of this study show that for CWCs with a single business type and a focus on traffic efficiency, the distribution of the pedestrian flow is most affected by the main entrance and the vertical traffic distribution. For different types of planes, when the commercial traffic space has strong symmetry, its group relationship is more concise. While a uniform form is more conducive to achieving a balanced distribution of commercial traffic, the asymmetry of the plan layout helps to establish a psycho-spatial map for the visitors. In addition, the commercial value of the first floor is greatly influenced by the layout of the building entrance, and the commercial value of the second floor is greatly influenced by the location of the vertical transportation. In conclusion, when commercial building development planning is in the stage of traffic flow design, the use of space connectivity traffic data can assist in the selection of construction plans and predict the distribution of the economic value in CWCs. Full article

Solar energy is playing a crucial role in easing the burden of environmental protection and depletion of conventional energy resources. The use of solar energy in urban settings is essential to meet the growing energy demand and achieve sustainable development goals. This research assesses the solar potential of buildings considering shading events and analyzes the impact of urban built forms (UBFs) on incoming solar potential. The primary data for constructing a virtual 3D city model are derived from a UAV survey, utilizing drone deployment software for flight planning and image acquisition. Geospatial modelling was conducted using the MATLAB Mapping Toolbox to simulate solar irradiation on all the building envelopes in the study area in Jamshedpur, India. The empirical investigation quantified annual solar potential for more than 30,000 buildings in the region by considering time-varying shadowing events based on the sun’s path. The region’s annual solar energy of 310.149 TWh/year is estimated. Integrating UAV-derived datasets with MATLAB introduces a cost-effective and accurate approach, offering to develop 3D city models, assess solar potential, and correlate the impact of urban building forms (UBFs) to incoming solar potential. Full article

Cost estimation is the process of creating cost forecasts by quantitative determination and pricing of the necessary resources for a project’s implementation. This process is iterative, where estimates are regularly updated based on the available information. Studying the relationship between the costs of construction projects is crucial for establishing reliable practices of cost estimation and management. Variability in construction costs can significantly impact investors’ or clients’ decisions. Greater coherence and confirmed relationships between construction costs and factors influencing them can assist investors, developers, and contractors in making informed decisions and ensuring effective cost management. Therefore, the aim of this article is to identify the factors shaping the costs of facade systems of public utility buildings and to examine the mutual influences and dependencies that occur between these factors. The factors were selected based on an analysis of project documentation, and then their assessment was made through expert opinions. The DEMATEL method was used to investigate the mutual relationships and dependencies between the factors as one of the tools of multi-criteria analysis. Through the analysis, it can be pointed out that factors such as the height of the building, the type of facade analyzed, and the level of complexity of the facade have the greatest impact on the cost of facade systems. Moreover, the type of facade analyzed and the number of floors are the factors showing the greatest direct influence on the other factors of the cost of facade systems. The identification and prioritization of factors carried out by the authors provide a basis for future research, which are models that support the prediction of the cost of making facade systems. Full article

Creating healthy street environments to encourage physical activity is an effective strategy against non-communicable diseases exacerbated by rapid urbanization globally. Developing countries face more significant health challenges than developed ones. However, existing research predominantly focuses on the perspective of developed countries. To address the health challenges in developing nations, studies should not only draw on the findings from developed countries but also clearly define unique research processes and pathways. Consequently, this study conducts a comparative analysis between China, representing developing countries, and developed nations, using databases like China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WOS) and tools such as Citespace, Bicomb, and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to explore research hotspots, developmental trajectories, thematic categories, and trends. The findings reveal a shift in developed countries from macro-material to micro-environmental elements under multidisciplinary scrutiny, while future topics may include street space evaluations and psychological healing. In China, research has been dominated by different disciplines at various stages, starting with medical attention to chronic disease prevention, which then shifted to traffic engineering’s focus on constructing green travel environments, and finally expanded to disciplines like landscape architecture examining the impact of street environment elements on pedestrian behavioural perceptions. Future themes will focus on promoting elderly health and urban health transport systems. Generally, research in developed countries exhibits a “bottom-up” approach, with practical issues at a “post-evaluation” stage, primarily based on the “socio-ecological model” and emphasizing multidisciplinary collaboration. Chinese research shows a “top-down” characteristic, driven by national policies and at a “pre-planning” stage, integrating theories such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and attention restoration theory, with relatively loose disciplinary cooperation. Overall, research is shifting from macro to human-centric scales and is progressively utilizing multi-source and multi-scale big data analysis methods. Based on this, future research and development recommendations are proposed for developing countries, with China as a representative example. Full article

Bridges are one of the most critical and costly structures on road networks. Thus, their integrity and operation must be preserved to prevent safety concerns and connectivity losses after seismic events. Recent large-magnitude earthquakes have revealed a series of vulnerabilities in multi-span highway bridges. In particular, skewed bridges have been severely damaged due to their susceptibility to developing excessive in-plane deck rotations and span unseating. Although seismic design codes have been updated to prescribe larger seating lengths and have incorporated unseating prevention devices, such as shear keys and cable restrainers, research on the seismic performance of skewed bridges with passive energy-dissipation devices is still limited. Therefore, this study focuses on assessing the effectiveness of implementing hysteretic dampers on skewed bridges. With that aim, dampers with and without recentering capabilities are designed and incorporated in representative Chilean skewed bridges to assess their contribution to seismic performance. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models, multiple-stripe analysis, and fragility curves are utilized to achieve this objective. The results show that incorporating bidirectional dampers can effectively improve the seismic performance of skewed bridges at different hazard levels by limiting in-plane deck rotations independently of their skew angle. Additionally, the influence of external shear keys and damper hysteretic behavior is analyzed, showing that these parameters have a low influence on bridge performance when bidirectional dampers are incorporated. Full article

Selecting the best projects and programs is of paramount importance to the success of organizations in the construction industry for the employer, clients, and developers. The existing selection criteria in the literature are tailored toward traditional construction projects. However, with the current move toward sustainable construction, there is a need to incorporate sustainability-specific criteria in the process portfolio selection. This study aims to identify and evaluate the sustainability-specific project selection criteria for construction organizations from the client’s perspective; this research topic is significant because developers/clients do not always consider sustainability criteria when selecting their portfolio of projects. The research methodology of this study consists of a literature review, identifying the sustainability criteria into an integrated list, and a survey to weight and rank the criteria. Sixteen criteria were identified through an extensive review of the related literature. These criteria were categorized based on three sustainability pillars: environmental, social, and economic. The environmental pillar includes six selection criteria, which are energy use, material use, water use, land use, pollution, and waste management. The social pillar consists of five selection criteria, which include health and safety, employee training and education, improvement in infrastructure, relation with local communities, and alternative transportation. The economic pillar consists of five selection criteria, which include life cycle cost, contribution to GDP, employment creation, innovation and technology, and use of national suppliers. A survey was developed and circulated to specialists in the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The weights for the sustainability selection criteria were assessed by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The results show that the environmental group is the most important group among the pillars of sustainability, with a weight of 0.520, compared with the social and the economic pillars, which had weights of 0.214 and 0.266, respectively. Full article

A possible way to improve the structural safety and robustness of precast building structures is to develop effective precast frame systems with layered beams, which combine prefabricated parts with cast-in situ ordinary concrete, high-performance concrete, fiber concrete, or FRP. The paper provides a new type of precast reinforced concrete frame system with layered beams for rapidly erected multi-story buildings resistant to accidental actions. Using a combination of the variational method and two-level design schemes, a simplified analytical model has been developed for structural analysis of the precast reinforced concrete frame system, both for serviceable and ultimate limit states as well as for accidental actions. The proposed model allows for determining shear deformations and the formation and opening of longitudinal cracks in the intermediate contact zone between precast and monolithic parts of reinforced concrete structural elements of the frame, as well as the formation and opening of normal cracks because of the action of axial tensile force or bending moment in these elements. The design model was validated by comparing the calculated and experimental data obtained from testing scaled models of the precast reinforced concrete frame system with layered beams. The paper investigates and thoroughly analyzes the factors affecting the stiffness and bearing capacity of the intermediate contact zone, discusses the criteria for the formation of shear cracks along the contact zone of precast and monolithic concrete, and examines the change in the stiffness and dissipative properties of layered elements at different stages of their static–dynamic loading. The robustness of the experimental models of the structural system was not ensured under the specified load, section dimensions, and reinforcement scheme. Following an accidental action, longitudinal cracks were observed in the contact joint between the monolithic and prefabricated parts in the layered beams. This occurred almost simultaneously with the opening of normal cracks in adjacent sections. A comprehensive analysis of the results indicated a satisfactory degree of agreement between the proposed semi-analytical model and the test data. Full article

This paper presents a probabilistic method to predict fatigue crack growth for surface flaws in pipelines using a particle filtering method based on Bayes theorem. The random response of the fatigue behavior is updated continuously as measured data are accumulated by the particle filtering method. Fatigue crack growth is then predicted through an iterative process in which particles with a high probability are reproduced more during the update process, and particles with a lower probability are removed through a resampling procedure. The effectiveness of the particle filtering method was confirmed by controlling the depth and length direction of the cracks in the pipeline and predicting crack growth in one- and two-dimensional cases. In addition, the fatigue crack growth and remaining service life with a 90% confidence interval were predicted based on the findings of previous studies, and the relationship between the fatigue crack growth rate and the crack size was explained through the Paris’ law, which represents fatigue crack growth. Finally, the applicability of the particle filtering method under different diameters, aspect ratios, and materials was investigated by considering the negative correlation between the Paris’ law parameters. Full article

The global demand for energy is significantly impacted by the consumption patterns within the building sector. As such, the importance of energy simulation and prediction is growing exponentially. This research leverages Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodologies, creating a synergy between traditional software methods and algorithm-driven approaches for comprehensive energy analysis. The study also proposes a method for monitoring select energy management factors, a step that could potentially pave the way for the integration of digital twins in energy management systems. The research is grounded in a case study of a newly constructed educational building in New South Wales, Australia. The digital physical model of the building was created using Autodesk Revit, a conventional software for BIM methodology. EnergyPlus, facilitated by OpenStudio, was employed for the traditional software-based energy analysis. The energy analysis output was then used to develop preliminary algorithm models using regression strategies in Python. In this regression analysis, the temperature and relative humidity of each energy unit were used as independent variables, with their energy consumption being the dependent variable. The sigmoid algorithm model, known for its accuracy and interpretability, was employed for advanced energy simulation. This was combined with sensor data for real-time energy prediction. A basic digital twin (DT) example was created to simulate the dynamic control of air conditioning and lighting, showcasing the adaptability and effectiveness of the system. The study also explores the potential of machine learning, specifically reinforcement learning, in optimizing energy management in response to environmental changes and usage conditions. Despite the current limitations, the study identifies potential future research directions. These include enhancing model accuracy and developing complex algorithms to boost energy efficiency and reduce costs. Full article

Daylight discomfort glare evaluation is important when selecting shading properties. New standards recommend allowable glare frequency limits but do not specify the modeling accuracy required for annual glare risk assessment. Fast simulation tools allow users to perform hourly glare evaluations within minutes. However, reliable evaluation of glare through roller shades requires accurate modeling of their specular and diffuse transmission characteristics, affected by color, materials, and weaving technology. This study presents a systematic comparison between commonly used glare simulation methods against the “ground truth” Radiance ray-tracing tool rpict in terms of hourly daylight glare probability (DGP), hourly vertical illuminance (Ev), and annual visual discomfort frequency. The results are presented for two shade fabrics using light transmission models with and without a peak extraction algorithm (Radiance–aBSDF and Radiance–BSDF) for the specular component. The impact of sky/sun discretization on glare prediction is also discussed. The results show that the Radiance 5–Phase Method (5PM) is superior when modeling direct sunlight and DGP through shades, while other investigated methods (3–Phase Method, imageless DGP, ClimateStudio Annual Glare) are not as robust for that purpose. Users are encouraged to understand the underlying assumptions in the imageless methods to avoid errors when simulating glare, especially due to the contrast effects. Full article

Sandy soil in the north of Hebei region of China is widely distributed, the temperature difference between day and night is large, the phenomenon of freezing and thawing is obvious, and the soil body before and after the freezing and thawing cycle of sandy soil slopes is affected by the changes. This paper takes the stability of a sandy soil anchorage interface under a freeze–thaw cycle as the research background and, based on the self-developed anchor−soil interface shear device, analyses the influence of changing sand rate, confining pressure, and the number of freeze–thaw cycles on the shear characteristics of an anchor−soil interface in anchorage specimens. The research findings indicate that, at 50%–60% sand contents, the shear strength increases with a higher sand content and is positively correlated with confining pressure within a higher range. A higher sand content stabilises the anchoring body, but an excessively high sand content can lead to failure. Increasing the sand content, confining pressure, and freeze‒thaw cycle number all result in a reduction in the shear displacement at the peak strength. After 11 freeze‒thaw cycles, the shear strength of the anchoring body stabilises, with a reduction in strength of approximately 32%, and a higher sand content effectively reduces the reduction in strength. Full article

The objective of this research is to investigate the characteristics of the deformation response in adjacent subway tunnels caused by deep foundation excavation of reclaimed land. Focusing on a deep foundation excavation project situated in proximity to Line 11 of the subway in Shenzhen, this study employs theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and on-site measurements to thoroughly investigate the deformation issues induced by the unloading of the excavation. The research results are as follows: using the energy method to calculate the uneven deformation of adjacent subway tunnels caused by the excavation can overcome the limitations of traditional algorithms, which treat the subway tunnel as a uniformly elastic foundation beam, resulting in more reasonable calculation results. Increasing the self-stiffness (EI)_eq of the tunnel can effectively reduce the maximum displacement (w_max) of the tunnel, and as (EI)_eq increases, its “weakening effect” on w_max gradually diminishes. Underground continuous walls can effectively control tunnel deformation, with tunnel displacement decreasing as the thickness and concrete strength of the continuous walls increase. “Long excavation” deep foundation excavations can impact the displacement and uplift range of the tunnel, with the maximum tunnel displacement showing a nonlinear decrease with increasing excavation depth. Tunnel displacement decreases as geotechnical parameters (elastic modulus E, internal friction angle φ, and cohesion C) increase, with the elastic modulus being the most sensitive parameter. The research findings can be applied to tunnel construction, maintenance, and safety evaluations, providing valuable references for similar engineering projects in the future. Full article

Timber–concrete composite structure is a type of efficient combination form composed of concrete floors and timber beams or floors through shear connectors, and shows good application potential in the floor system of timber buildings. The long-term performance of the timber–concrete composite structures is complex and is affected by the creep of timber and concrete, as well as the long-term slip of the shear connectors. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the research status on the long-term behavior of timber–concrete composite members and different shear connectors. For the shear connectors, the effects of loading levels, environments, and component materials on their creep coefficients are summarized. As to the timber–concrete composite members, both the experimental and numerical investigations are gathered into discussions: the connection types, component materials, loading conditions, and durations in the long-term tests are also discussed; various models for describing long-term behavior of timber, concrete, and connection systems are provided, and then a comprehensive description of the progress of numerical investigations over the last decades is made. In addition, the suggestions for future research are proposed to reach a clearer understanding of the bending mechanisms and mechanical characteristics of timber–concrete composite structures. Full article