Buildings

39 pages, 12608 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Audio Augmented Reality Navigation System for Blind and Visually Impaired People Integrating BIM and Computer Vision

by Leonardo Messi, Massimo Vaccarini, Alessandra Corneli, Alessandro Carbonari and Leonardo Binni

Buildings 2025, 15(18), 3252; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15183252 (registering DOI) - 9 Sep 2025

Since statistics show a growing trend in blindness and visual impairment, the development of navigation systems supporting Blind and Visually Impaired People (BVIP) must be urgently addressed. Guiding BVIP to a desired destination across indoor and outdoor settings without relying on a pre-installed infrastructure is an open challenge. While numerous solutions have been proposed by researchers in recent decades, a comprehensive navigation system that can support BVIP mobility in mixed and unprepared environments is still missing. This study proposes a novel navigation system that enables BVIP to request directions and be guided to a desired destination across heterogeneous and unprepared settings. To achieve this, the system applies Computer Vision (CV)—namely an integrated Structure from Motion (SfM) pipeline—for tracking the user and exploits Building Information Modelling (BIM) semantics for planning the reference path to reach the destination. Audio Augmented Reality (AAR) technology is adopted for directional guidance delivery due to its intuitive and non-intrusive nature, which allows seamless integration with traditional mobility aids (e.g., white canes or guide dogs). The developed system was tested on a university campus to assess its performance during both path planning and navigation tasks, the latter involving users in both blindfolded and sighted conditions. Quantitative results indicate that the system computed paths in about 10 milliseconds and effectively guided blindfolded users to their destination, achieving performance comparable to that of sighted users. Remarkably, users in blindfolded conditions completed navigation tests with an average deviation from the reference path within the 0.60-meter shoulder width threshold in 100% of the trials, compared to 75% of the tests conducted by sighted users. These findings demonstrate the system’s accuracy in maintaining navigational alignment within acceptable human spatial tolerances. The proposed approach contributes to the advancement of BVIP assistive technologies by enabling scalable, infrastructure-free navigation across heterogeneous environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the “24th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality—CONVR2024”)

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17 pages, 406 KB

Open AccessArticle

Innovative Governance Schemes for International Engineering Projects: Cultural Identification and Trust Networks of Project Participants

by Hui Xie and Xiang Wang

Buildings 2025, 15(18), 3251; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15183251 (registering DOI) - 9 Sep 2025

Abstract

The participants in international engineering projects are from different countries, each with distinct cultural backgrounds and behavioral habits. While previous research has drawn attention to the interference of cultural differences in project performance, it has not formulated an integrated management strategy for promoting cultural interaction. This study endeavors to decipher the correlative mechanism among the trust networks of project participants, cultural identity, and project performance, thereby filling the existing research gap. The findings of this study can assist project managers in formulating innovative cultural management strategies tailored to international engineering projects. By applying the PLS-SEM, this research conducts an analysis of 119 valid questionnaires collected from international engineering projects. The results of the data analysis indicate that there exists a positive correlation between cultural identity and project performance. However, the impact of the trust networks on project performance and cultural identity demonstrates heterogeneity. From the perspective of relational governance, these research findings contribute to fostering cooperative behavior among the participants in international engineering projects, optimizing cooperation efficiency, and reducing the likelihood of inter-organizational conflicts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in Construction and Project Management: Digital Technologies, Intelligent Systems, and Sustainable Solutions)

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18 pages, 6358 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Response and Failure Mode of Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Impact

by Jianhe Li, Zichun Kang, Guo Yu, Shuai Wang, Min Wu, Lei Bu, Asim Farooq and Chen Kai

Buildings 2025, 15(18), 3250; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15183250 (registering DOI) - 9 Sep 2025

Abstract

The dynamic behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams under impact loads is highly complex. In this work, the failure modes, impact force, displacement, and internal force of RC beams under impact loads were studied in detail with different research parameters. Firstly, a numerical model of RC was established, and its reliability was verified through a series of tests. Then, seventeen groups of different parameters were designed and analyzed. These parameters included the shear–span ratio of the RC beams, the impact velocity of a drop hammer, concrete strength, and boundary conditions. The results indicate that the shear–span ratio and boundary condition of RC beams have no noticeable influence on the maximum impact forces. The maximum displacement, residual displacement, and vibration period of RC beams with fixed-oundary conditions are obviously less than those of supported RC beams. The negative moment of RC beams subjected to impact loads needs to be considered in design due to the many cracks near the supports caused by the negative moments. The shear force of RC beams with a fixed condition is greater at the support section, which requires detailed consideration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)

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17 pages, 4544 KB

Open AccessArticle

Seismic Performance of Long-Span Continuous Rigid-Frame Bridge Equipped with Steel Wire Rope Damper Isolation Bearings

by Xiaoli Liu, Penglei Zhao, Yongzhi Chen, Bin Huang, Zhifeng Wu, Kai Yang and Zijun Weng

Buildings 2025, 15(18), 3249; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15183249 (registering DOI) - 9 Sep 2025

Abstract

Aiming to address the seismic vulnerability of long-span continuous rigid-frame bridges in high-intensity seismic zones, this study proposes to use a novel annular steel wire rope damper spherical bearing (SWD-SB) to dissipate the input earthquake energy and reduce the seismic responses. Firstly, the structural configuration and mechanical model of the new isolation bearing are introduced. Then, based on the dynamic finite element formulation, the equation of motion of a continuous rigid-frame bridge with the new isolation bearings is established, where the soil-structure interaction is considered. In a practical engineering case, the dynamic responses of the Pingchuan Yellow river bridge with the SWD-SB bearings are calculated and analyzed under multi-level earthquakes including the E1 and E2 waves. The results show that, compared with the bidirectional movable pot bearings, the SWD-SB significantly reduces the internal forces and displacement responses at the critical locations of the bridge. Under the E2 earthquake, the peak bending moments at the basement of main piers and at the pile caps are reduced by up to 72.6% and 44.7%, respectively, while the maximum displacement at the top of the main piers decreases by about 34.6%. The overall structural performance remains elastic except the SWD-SB bearings, meeting the two-stage seismic design objective. This paper further analyzes the hysteretic energy dissipation characteristics of the SWD-SB, highlighting its advantages in energy dissipation, deformation coordination, and self-centering capability. The research results demonstrate that the steel wire rope isolation bearings can offer an efficient and durable seismic protection for long-span continuous rigid-frame bridges in high-intensity seismic regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring and Intelligent Safety Assessment in Civil Engineering)

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Buildings, Volume 15, Issue 18 (September-2 2025) – 4 articles

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