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Search Results (3,431)

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Keywords = building composites

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25 pages, 9050 KiB  
Article
Field Blast Tests and Finite Element Analysis of A36 Steel Sheets Subjected to High Explosives
by Anselmo S. Augusto, Girum Urgessa, José A. F. F. Rocco, Fausto B. Mendonça and Koshun Iha
Eng 2025, 6(8), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6080187 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Blast mitigation of structures is an important research topic due to increasing intentional and accidental human-induced threats and hazards. This research area is essential to building capabilities in sustaining structural protection, site planning, protective design efficiency, occupant safety, and response and recovery plans. [...] Read more.
Blast mitigation of structures is an important research topic due to increasing intentional and accidental human-induced threats and hazards. This research area is essential to building capabilities in sustaining structural protection, site planning, protective design efficiency, occupant safety, and response and recovery plans. This paper investigates experimental tests and finite element analysis (FEM) of thin A36 steel sheets subjected to blast. Six field blast tests were performed at standoff distances of 300 mm and 500 mm. The explosive charges comprised 334 g of bare Composition B, and the steel sheets were 2 mm thick. The experimental results, derived from the analysis of high-speed camera recordings of the blast events, were compared with FEM simulations conducted using Abaqus®/Explicit version 6.10. Three constitutive material models were considered in these simulations. First, the FEM simulation results were compared with experimental results. It was shown that the FEM analysis provided reliable results and was proven to be robust and cost-effective. Second, an extensive set of 460 additional numerical simulations was carried out as a parametric study involving varying standoff distances and steel sheet thicknesses. The results and methodologies presented in this paper offer valuable and original insights for engineers and researchers aiming to predict damage to steel structures during real detonation events and to design blast-resistant structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Insights in Engineering Research)
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22 pages, 4189 KiB  
Article
A Hierarchical Path Planning Framework of Plant Protection UAV Based on the Improved D3QN Algorithm and Remote Sensing Image
by Haitao Fu, Zheng Li, Jian Lu, Weijian Zhang, Yuxuan Feng, Li Zhu, He Liu and Jian Li
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(15), 2704; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17152704 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
Traditional path planning algorithms often fail to simultaneously ensure operational efficiency, energy constraint compliance, and environmental adaptability in agricultural scenarios, thereby hindering the advancement of precision agriculture. To address these challenges, this study proposes a deep reinforcement learning algorithm, MoE-D3QN, which integrates a [...] Read more.
Traditional path planning algorithms often fail to simultaneously ensure operational efficiency, energy constraint compliance, and environmental adaptability in agricultural scenarios, thereby hindering the advancement of precision agriculture. To address these challenges, this study proposes a deep reinforcement learning algorithm, MoE-D3QN, which integrates a Mixture-of-Experts mechanism with a Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory model. This design enhances the efficiency and robustness of UAV path planning in agricultural environments. Building upon this algorithm, a hierarchical coverage path planning framework is developed. Multi-level task maps are constructed using crop information extracted from Sentinel-2 remote sensing imagery. Additionally, a dynamic energy consumption model and a progressive composite reward function are incorporated to further optimize UAV path planning in complex farmland conditions. Simulation experiments reveal that in the two-level scenario, the MoE-D3QN algorithm achieves a coverage efficiency of 0.8378, representing an improvement of 37.84–63.38% over traditional algorithms and 19.19–63.38% over conventional reinforcement learning methods. The redundancy rate is reduced to 3.23%, which is 38.71–41.94% lower than traditional methods and 4.46–42.77% lower than reinforcement learning counterparts. In the three-level scenario, MoE-D3QN achieves a coverage efficiency of 0.8261, exceeding traditional algorithms by 52.13–71.45% and reinforcement learning approaches by 10.15–50.2%. The redundancy rate is further reduced to 5.26%, which is significantly lower than the 57.89–92.11% observed with traditional methods and the 15.57–18.98% reported for reinforcement learning algorithms. These findings demonstrate that the MoE-D3QN algorithm exhibits high-quality planning performance in complex farmland environments, indicating its strong potential for widespread application in precision agriculture. Full article
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20 pages, 18635 KiB  
Article
The Passive Optimization Design of Large- and Medium-Sized Gymnasiums in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions Oriented on Energy Saving: A Case Study of Shanghai
by Yuda Lyu, Ziyi Long, Ruifeng Zhou and Xu Gao
Buildings 2025, 15(15), 2745; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152745 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
With the promotion of national fitness, the requirements for regulating indoor environments during non-competition periods are low and relatively flexible under the trend of composite sports buildings. To maximize the use of natural ventilation and lighting for energy savings, passive optimization design based [...] Read more.
With the promotion of national fitness, the requirements for regulating indoor environments during non-competition periods are low and relatively flexible under the trend of composite sports buildings. To maximize the use of natural ventilation and lighting for energy savings, passive optimization design based on building ontology has emerged as an effective strategy. This paper focuses on the spatial prototype of large- and medium-sized gymnasiums, optimizing key geometric design parameters and envelope structure parameters that influence energy consumption. This optimization employs a combination of orthogonal experiments and performance simulations. This study identifies the degree to which each factor affects energy consumption in the competition hall and determines the optimal low-energy consumption gymnasium prototype. The results reveal that the skylight area ratio is the most significant factor impacting the energy consumption of large- and medium-sized gymnasiums. The optimized gymnasium prototype reduced energy consumption by 5.3%~50.9% compared to all experimental combinations. This study provides valuable references and insights for architects during the initial stages of designing sports buildings to achieve low energy consumption. Full article
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21 pages, 5068 KiB  
Article
Estimating Household Green Space in Composite Residential Community Solely Using Drone Oblique Photography
by Meiqi Kang, Kaiyi Song, Xiaohan Liao and Jiayuan Lin
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(15), 2691; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17152691 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 56
Abstract
Residential green space is an important component of urban green space and one of the major indicators for evaluating the quality of a residential community. Traditional indicators such as the green space ratio only consider the relationship between green space area and total [...] Read more.
Residential green space is an important component of urban green space and one of the major indicators for evaluating the quality of a residential community. Traditional indicators such as the green space ratio only consider the relationship between green space area and total area of the residential community while ignoring the difference in the amount of green space enjoyed by household residents in high-rise and low-rise buildings. Therefore, it is meaningful to estimate household green space and its spatial distribution in residential communities. However, there are frequent difficulties in obtaining specific green space area and household number through ground surveys or consulting with property management units. In this study, taking a composite residential community in Chongqing, China, as the study site, we first employed a five-lens drone to capture its oblique RGB images and generated the DOM (Digital Orthophoto Map). Subsequently, the green space area and distribution in the entire residential community were extracted from the DOM using VDVI (Visible Difference Vegetation Index). The YOLACT (You Only Look At Coefficients) instance segmentation model was used to recognize balconies from the facade images of high-rise buildings to determine their household numbers. Finally, the average green space per household in the entire residential community was calculated to be 67.82 m2, and those in the high-rise and low-rise building zones were 51.28 m2 and 300 m2, respectively. Compared with the green space ratios of 65.5% and 50%, household green space more truly reflected the actual green space occupation in high- and low-rise building zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Remote Sensing in Landscape Ecology)
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20 pages, 4467 KiB  
Review
Structuring the Future of Cultured Meat: Hybrid Gel-Based Scaffolds for Edibility and Functionality
by Sun Mi Zo, Ankur Sood, So Yeon Won, Soon Mo Choi and Sung Soo Han
Gels 2025, 11(8), 610; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11080610 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 44
Abstract
Cultured meat is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional animal agriculture, with scaffolds playing a central role in supporting cellular attachment, growth, and tissue maturation. This review focuses on the development of gel-based hybrid biomaterials that meet the dual requirements of biocompatibility [...] Read more.
Cultured meat is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional animal agriculture, with scaffolds playing a central role in supporting cellular attachment, growth, and tissue maturation. This review focuses on the development of gel-based hybrid biomaterials that meet the dual requirements of biocompatibility and food safety. We explore recent advances in the use of naturally derived gel-forming polymers such as gelatin, chitosan, cellulose, alginate, and plant-based proteins as the structural backbone for edible scaffolds. Particular attention is given to the integration of food-grade functional additives into hydrogel-based scaffolds. These include nanocellulose, dietary fibers, modified starches, polyphenols, and enzymatic crosslinkers such as transglutaminase, which enhance mechanical stability, rheological properties, and cell-guidance capabilities. Rather than focusing on fabrication methods or individual case studies, this review emphasizes the material-centric design strategies for building scalable, printable, and digestible gel scaffolds suitable for cultured meat production. By systemically evaluating the role of each component in structural reinforcement and biological interaction, this work provides a comprehensive frame work for designing next-generation edible scaffold systems. Nonetheless, the field continues to face challenges, including structural optimization, regulatory validation, and scale-up, which are critical for future implementation. Ultimately, hybrid gel-based scaffolds are positioned as a foundational technology for advancing the functionality, manufacturability, and consumer readiness of cultured meat products, distinguishing this work from previous reviews. Unlike previous reviews that have focused primarily on fabrication techniques or tissue engineering applications, this review provides a uniquely food-centric perspective by systematically evaluating the compositional design of hybrid hydrogel-based scaffolds with edibility, scalability, and consumer acceptance in mind. Through a comparative analysis of food-safe additives and naturally derived biopolymers, this review establishes a framework that bridges biomaterials science and food engineering to advance the practical realization of cultured meat products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Hydrocolloids and Hydrogels: Rheology and Texture Analysis)
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27 pages, 4880 KiB  
Article
Multi-Objective Optimization of Steel Slag–Ceramsite Foam Concrete via Integrated Orthogonal Experimentation and Multivariate Analytics: A Synergistic Approach Combining Range–Variance Analyses with Partial Least Squares Regression
by Alipujiang Jierula, Haodong Li, Tae-Min Oh, Xiaolong Li, Jin Wu, Shiyi Zhao and Yang Chen
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8591; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158591 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 144
Abstract
This study aims to enhance the performance of an innovative steel slag–ceramsite foam concrete (SSCFC) to advance sustainable green building materials. An eco-friendly composite construction material was developed by integrating industrial by-product steel slag (SS) with lightweight ceramsite. Employing a three-factor, three-level orthogonal [...] Read more.
This study aims to enhance the performance of an innovative steel slag–ceramsite foam concrete (SSCFC) to advance sustainable green building materials. An eco-friendly composite construction material was developed by integrating industrial by-product steel slag (SS) with lightweight ceramsite. Employing a three-factor, three-level orthogonal experimental design at a fixed density of 800 kg/m3, 12 mix proportions (including a control group) were investigated with the variables of water-to-cement (W/C) ratio, steel slag replacement ratio, and ceramsite replacement ratio. The governing mechanisms of the W/C ratio, steel slag replacement level, and ceramsite replacement proportion on the SSCFC’s fluidity and compressive strength (CS) were elucidated. The synergistic application of range analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) quantified the significance of factors on target properties, and partial least squares regression (PLSR)-based prediction models were established. The test results indicated the following significance hierarchy: steel slag replacement > W/C ratio > ceramsite replacement for fluidity. In contrast, W/C ratio > ceramsite replacement > steel slag replacement governed the compressive strength. Verification showed R2 values exceeding 65% for both fluidity and CS predictions versus experimental data, confirming model reliability. Multi-criteria optimization yielded optimal compressive performance and suitable fluidity at a W/C ratio of 0.4, 10% steel slag replacement, and 25% ceramsite replacement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
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15 pages, 3003 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigations on Sustainable Dual-Biomass-Based Composite Phase Change Materials for Energy-Efficient Building Applications
by Zhiwei Sun, Wei Wen, Jiayu Wu, Jingjing Shao, Wei Cai, Xiaodong Wen, Chaoen Li, Haijin Guo, Yin Tang, Meng Wang, Dongjing Liu and Yang He
Materials 2025, 18(15), 3632; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153632 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 163
Abstract
The incorporation of phase change material (PCM) can enhance wall thermal performance and indoor thermal comfort, but practical applications still face challenges related to high costs and potential leakage issues. In this study, a novel dual-biomass-based shape-stabilized PCM (Bio-SSPCM) was proposed, wherein waste [...] Read more.
The incorporation of phase change material (PCM) can enhance wall thermal performance and indoor thermal comfort, but practical applications still face challenges related to high costs and potential leakage issues. In this study, a novel dual-biomass-based shape-stabilized PCM (Bio-SSPCM) was proposed, wherein waste cooking fat and waste reed straw were, respectively, incorporated as the PCM substance and supporting material. The waste fat (lard) consisted of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acid glycerides, exhibiting a melting point about 21.2–41.1 °C and a melting enthalpy value of 40 J/g. Reed straw was carbonized to form a sustainable porous biochar supporting matrix, which was used for the vacuum adsorption of waste fat. The results demonstrate that the as-prepared dual-Bio-SSPCM exhibited excellent thermal performance, characterized by a latent heat capacity of 25.4 J/g. With the addition of 4 wt% of expanded graphite (EG), the thermal conductivity of the composite PCM reached 1.132 W/(m·K), which was 5.4 times higher than that of the primary lard. The thermal properties of the Bio-SSPCM were characterized using an analog T-history method. The results demonstrated that the dual-Bio-SSPCM exhibited exceptional and rapid heat storage and exothermic capabilities. The dual-Bio-SSPCM, prepared from waste cooking fat and reed straw, can be considered as environmentally friendly construction material for energy storage in line with the principles of the circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Friendly Intelligent Infrastructures Materials)
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17 pages, 5265 KiB  
Article
Influence of Agricultural Practices on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Rhizosphere Microbial Communities in Apple Orchards in Xinjiang, China
by Guangxin Zhang, Zili Wang, Huanhuan Zhang, Xujiao Li, Kun Liu, Kun Yu, Zhong Zheng and Fengyun Zhao
Horticulturae 2025, 11(8), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11080891 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 175
Abstract
In response to the challenges posed by soil degradation in the arid regions of Xinjiang, China, green and organic management practices have emerged as effective alternatives to conventional agricultural management methods, helping to mitigate soil degradation by promoting natural soil recovery and ecological [...] Read more.
In response to the challenges posed by soil degradation in the arid regions of Xinjiang, China, green and organic management practices have emerged as effective alternatives to conventional agricultural management methods, helping to mitigate soil degradation by promoting natural soil recovery and ecological balance. However, most of the existing studies focus on a single management practice or indicator and lack a systematic assessment of the effects of integrated orchard management in arid zones. This study aims to investigate how different agricultural management practices influence soil physicochemical properties and inter-root microbial communities in apple orchards in Xinjiang and to identify the main physicochemical factors affecting the composition of inter-root microbial communities. Inter-root soil samples were collected from apple orchards under green management (GM), organic management (OM), and conventional management (CM) in major apple-producing regions of Xinjiang. Microbial diversity and community composition of the samples were analyzed using high-throughput amplicon sequencing. The results revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in soil physicochemical properties across different management practices. Specifically, GM significantly reduced soil pH and C:N compared with OM. Both OM and GM significantly decreased soil available nutrient content compared with CM. Moreover, GM and OM significantly increased bacterial diversity and changed the community composition of bacteria and fungi. Proteobacteria and Ascomycota were identified as the dominant bacteria and fungi, respectively, in all management practices. Linear discriminant analysis (LEfSe) showed that biomarkers were more abundant under OM, suggesting that OM may contribute to ecological functions through specific microbial taxa. Co-occurrence network analysis (building a network of microbial interactions) demonstrated that the topologies of bacteria and fungi varied across different management practices and that OM increased the complexity of microbial co-occurrence networks. Mantel test analysis (analyzing soil factors and microbial community correlations) showed that C:N and available potassium (AK) were significantly and positively correlated with the community composition of bacteria and fungi, and that C:N, soil organic carbon (SOC), and alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) were significantly and positively correlated with the diversity of fungi. Redundancy analysis (RDA) further indicated that SOC, C:N, and AK were the primary soil physicochemical factors influencing the composition of microbial communities. This study provides theoretical guidance for the sustainable management of orchards in arid zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fruit Production Systems)
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29 pages, 540 KiB  
Systematic Review
Digital Transformation in International Trade: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Implications
by Sina Mirzaye and Muhammad Mohiuddin
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18(8), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18080421 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 370
Abstract
This study synthesizes the rapidly expanding evidence on how digital technologies reshape international trade, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Guided by two research questions—(RQ1) How do digital tools influence the volume and composition of cross-border trade? and (RQ2) [...] Read more.
This study synthesizes the rapidly expanding evidence on how digital technologies reshape international trade, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Guided by two research questions—(RQ1) How do digital tools influence the volume and composition of cross-border trade? and (RQ2) How do these effects vary by countries’ development level and firm size?—we conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review covering 2010–2024. Searches across eight major databases yielded 1857 records; after duplicate removal, title/abstract screening, full-text assessment, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT 2018) quality checks, 86 peer-reviewed English-language studies were retained. Findings reveal three dominant technology clusters: (1) e-commerce platforms and cloud services, (2) IoT-enabled supply chain solutions, and (3) emerging AI analytics. E-commerce and cloud adoption consistently raise export intensity—doubling it for digitally mature SMEs—while AI applications are the fastest-growing research strand, particularly in East Asia and Northern Europe. However, benefits are uneven: firms in low-infrastructure settings face higher fixed digital costs, and cybersecurity and regulatory fragmentation remain pervasive obstacles. By integrating trade economics with development and SME internationalization studies, this review offers the first holistic framework that links national digital infrastructure and policy support to firm-level export performance. It shows that the trade-enhancing effects of digitalization are contingent on robust broadband penetration, affordable cloud access, and harmonized data-governance regimes. Policymakers should, therefore, prioritize inclusive digital-readiness programs, while business leaders should invest in complementary capabilities—data analytics, cyber-risk management, and cross-border e-logistics—to fully capture digital trade gains. This balanced perspective advances theory and practice on building resilient, equitable digital trade ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Enterprises/E-Commerce Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
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16 pages, 2829 KiB  
Article
Axial Compression Behavior of Bamboo Scrimber-Filled Steel Tubular (BSFST) Column Under Different Loading Modes
by Ze Xing, Yang Wei, Kang Zhao, Jinwei Lu, Baoxing Wei and Yu Lin
Materials 2025, 18(15), 3607; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153607 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 132
Abstract
Bamboo scrimber is an environmentally friendly biomass building material with excellent mechanical properties. However, it is susceptible to delamination failure of the transverse fibers under compression, which limits its structural performance. To address this problem, this study utilizes steel tubes to encase bamboo [...] Read more.
Bamboo scrimber is an environmentally friendly biomass building material with excellent mechanical properties. However, it is susceptible to delamination failure of the transverse fibers under compression, which limits its structural performance. To address this problem, this study utilizes steel tubes to encase bamboo scrimber, forming a novel bamboo scrimber-filled steel tubular column. This configuration enables the steel tube to provide effective lateral restraint to the bamboo material. Axial compression tests were conducted on 18 specimens, including bamboo scrimber columns and bamboo scrimber-filled steel tubular columns, to investigate the effects of steel ratio and loading mode (full-section and core loading) on the axial compression performance. The test results indicate that the external steel tubes significantly enhance the structural load-bearing capacity and deformation capacity. Primary failure modes of the composite columns include shear failure and buckling. The ultimate stress and strain of the structure are positively correlated with the steel ratio; as the steel ratio increases, the ultimate stress of the specimens can increase by up to 19.2%, while the ultimate strain can increase by up to 37.7%. The core-loading specimens exhibited superior load-bearing capacity and deformation ability compared to the full-section-loading specimens. Considering the differences in the curves for full-section and core loading, the steel tube confinement coefficient was introduced, and the predictive models for the ultimate stress and ultimate strain of the bamboo scrimber-filled steel tubular column were developed with accurate prediction. Full article
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19 pages, 7574 KiB  
Article
Effect of Natural Fiber Characteristics on Properties of Cementitious Composites: A Comparison of Recycled Pulp from Beverage Cartons, Bamboo, and Eucalyptus Fibers
by Phouthanouthong Xaysombath, Nattakan Soykeabkaew, Darunee Wattanasiriwech and Suthee Wattanasiriwech
Constr. Mater. 2025, 5(3), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/constrmater5030050 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 132
Abstract
This study evaluates the influence of fiber type, geometry, and interfacial behavior on the physical and mechanical performance of cementitious composites reinforced with recycled pulp from beverage cartons (RPBC), bamboo fiber (BF), and eucalyptus fiber (EF) as the sole reinforcing agents. The BF [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the influence of fiber type, geometry, and interfacial behavior on the physical and mechanical performance of cementitious composites reinforced with recycled pulp from beverage cartons (RPBC), bamboo fiber (BF), and eucalyptus fiber (EF) as the sole reinforcing agents. The BF was rounded in shape and had the highest aspect ratio, while the ribbon-shaped EF exhibited the highest tensile strength index. The RPBC fibers were fibrillated and the shortest, with a ribbon shape. Flexural strength results showed that RPBCC achieved a maximum strength that was 47.6% higher than the control specimen (0% fiber), outperforming both BF- and EF-reinforced counterparts. This superior performance is attributed to the higher fibrillation level of the ribbon-shaped RPBC fibers, which promoted better fiber–matrix bonding. As the fiber content increased, the bulk density of EFC and BFC decreased linearly, while RPBC composites showed only a modest decrease in density. Porosity steadily increased in EFC and BFC, whereas a non-linear trend was observed in RPBCC, likely due to its unique morphology and fibrillation. Conversely, EFC exhibited significantly higher maximum fracture toughness (3600 J/m2 at 10 wt.%) compared to PBFCC (1600 J/m2 at 14 wt.%) and BFC (1400 J/m2 at 14 wt.%). This enhancement is attributed to extensive fiber pullout mechanisms and increased energy absorption during crack propagation. Overall, all composite types demonstrated flexural strength values above 4 MPa, placing them in the Grade I category. Those reinforced with 10–14% RPBC exhibited strengths of 11–12 MPa, categorizing them as Grade II according to ASTM C1186-02. Full article
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22 pages, 61181 KiB  
Article
Stepwise Building Damage Estimation Through Time-Scaled Multi-Sensor Integration: A Case Study of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake
by Satomi Kimijima, Chun Ping, Shono Fujita, Makoto Hanashima, Shingo Toride and Hitoshi Taguchi
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(15), 2638; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17152638 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 287
Abstract
Rapid and comprehensive assessment of building damage caused by earthquakes is essential for effective emergency response and rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath. Advanced technologies, including real-time simulations, remote sensing, and multi-sensor systems, can effectively enhance situational awareness and structural damage evaluations. However, [...] Read more.
Rapid and comprehensive assessment of building damage caused by earthquakes is essential for effective emergency response and rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath. Advanced technologies, including real-time simulations, remote sensing, and multi-sensor systems, can effectively enhance situational awareness and structural damage evaluations. However, most existing methods rely on isolated time snapshots, and few studies have systematically explored the continuous, time-scaled integration and update of building damage estimates from multiple data sources. This study proposes a stepwise framework that continuously updates time-scaled, single-damage estimation outputs using the best available multi-sensor data for estimating earthquake-induced building damage. We demonstrated the framework using the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake as a case study and incorporated official damage reports from the Ishikawa Prefectural Government, real-time earthquake building damage estimation (REBDE) data, and satellite-based damage estimation data (ALOS-2-building damage estimation (BDE)). By integrating the REBDE and ALOS-2-BDE datasets, we created a composite damage estimation product (integrated-BDE). These datasets were statistically validated against official damage records. Our framework showed significant improvements in accuracy, as demonstrated by the mean absolute percentage error, when the datasets were integrated and updated over time: 177.2% for REBDE, 58.1% for ALOS-2-BDE, and 25.0% for integrated-BDE. Finally, for stepwise damage estimation, we proposed a methodological framework that incorporates social media content to further confirm the accuracy of damage assessments. Potential supplementary datasets, including data from Internet of Things-enabled home appliances, real-time traffic data, very-high-resolution optical imagery, and structural health monitoring systems, can also be integrated to improve accuracy. The proposed framework is expected to improve the timeliness and accuracy of building damage assessments, foster shared understanding of disaster impacts across stakeholders, and support more effective emergency response planning, resource allocation, and decision-making in the early stages of disaster management in the future, particularly when comprehensive official damage reports are unavailable. Full article
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29 pages, 9521 KiB  
Article
The Chemical Fingerprint of Smokeless Powders: Insights from Headspace Odor Volatiles
by Miller N. Rangel, Andrea Celeste Medrano, Haylie Browning, Shawna F. Gallegos, Sarah A. Kane, Nathaniel J. Hall and Paola A. Prada-Tiedemann
Powders 2025, 4(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/powders4030021 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 700
Abstract
Smokeless powders are a commonly used low explosive within the ammunition industry. Their ease of purchase has allowed criminals to use these products to build improvised explosive devices. Canines have become a vital tool in locating such improvised devices. With differing fabrication processes, [...] Read more.
Smokeless powders are a commonly used low explosive within the ammunition industry. Their ease of purchase has allowed criminals to use these products to build improvised explosive devices. Canines have become a vital tool in locating such improvised devices. With differing fabrication processes, one of the most difficult challenges for canine handlers is the optimal selection of training aids to choose as odor targets to allow for broad generalization. Several studies have been underway to understand the chemical odor characterization of smokeless powders, which can help provide canine teams with essential information to understand odor signatures from powder varieties. In this study, a SPME method optimization was conducted using unburned smokeless powders to provide a chemical odor profile assessment. Concurrently, statistical analysis using PCA and Spearman’s rank correlations was performed to explore whether odor volatile composition depicted associations between and within powder brands. The results showed that a longer extraction time (24 h) was optimal across all powders, as this yielded higher compound abundance and number of extracted odor volatiles. The optimal SPME fiber varied per powder, depicting the complexity of powder composition. There were 66 highly frequent compounds among the 18 powders, including 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, diphenylamine (DPA), and dibutyl phthalate. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that while powders may be of the same type (single/double base), they can still portray clustering differences across and within brands. The Spearman’s rank correlation within powder type suggested that the double-base powders had a slightly higher similarity index when compared with the single-base powder types. Understanding the volatile odor profiles of various smokeless powders can enhance canine training by informing the selection of effective training aids and supporting odor generalization. Full article
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25 pages, 8622 KiB  
Article
Low-Carbon Insulating Geopolymer Binders: Thermal Properties
by Agnieszka Przybek, Jakub Piątkowski, Paulina Romańska, Michał Łach and Adam Masłoń
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6898; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156898 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 189
Abstract
In the context of the growing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to develop sustainable solutions for the construction industry, foamed geopolymers represent a promising alternative to traditional binders and insulation materials. This study investigates the thermal properties of novel low-emission, insulating [...] Read more.
In the context of the growing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to develop sustainable solutions for the construction industry, foamed geopolymers represent a promising alternative to traditional binders and insulation materials. This study investigates the thermal properties of novel low-emission, insulating geopolymer binders made from fly ash with diatomite, chalcedonite, and wood wool aiming to assess their potential for use in thermal insulation systems in energy-efficient buildings. The stability of the foamed geopolymer structure is also assessed. Measurements of thermal conductivity, specific heat, microstructure, density, and compressive strength are presented. The findings indicate that the selected geopolymer formulations exhibit low thermal conductivity, high heat capacity and low density, making them competitive with conventional insulation materials—mainly load-bearing ones such as aerated concrete and wood wool insulation boards. Additionally, incorporating waste-derived materials reduces the production carbon footprint. The best results are represented by the composite incorporating all three additives (diatomite, chalcedonite, and wood wool), which achieved the lowest thermal conductivity (0.10154 W/m·K), relatively low density (415 kg/m3), and high specific heat (1.529 kJ/kg·K). Full article
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25 pages, 6464 KiB  
Article
Eco-Friendly Sandwich Panels for Energy-Efficient Façades
by Susana P. B. Sousa, Helena C. Teixeira, Giorgia Autretto, Valeria Villamil Cárdenas, Stefano Fantucci, Fabio Favoino, Pamela Voigt, Mario Stelzmann, Robert Böhm, Gabriel Beltrán, Nicolás Escribano, Belén Hernández-Gascón, Matthias Tietze and Andreia Araújo
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6848; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156848 - 28 Jul 2025
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Abstract
To meet the European Green Deal targets, the construction sector must improve building thermal performance via advanced insulation systems. Eco-friendly sandwich panels offer a promising solution. Therefore, this work aims to develop and validate a new eco-friendly composite sandwich panel (basalt fibres and [...] Read more.
To meet the European Green Deal targets, the construction sector must improve building thermal performance via advanced insulation systems. Eco-friendly sandwich panels offer a promising solution. Therefore, this work aims to develop and validate a new eco-friendly composite sandwich panel (basalt fibres and recycled extruded polystyrene) with enhanced multifunctionality for lightweight and energy-efficient building façades. Two panels were produced via vacuum infusion—a reference panel and a multifunctional panel incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) and silica aerogels (AGs). Their performance was evaluated through lab-based thermal and acoustic tests, numerical simulations, and on-site monitoring in a living laboratory. The test results from all methods were consistent. The PCM-AG panel showed 16% lower periodic thermal transmittance (0.16 W/(m2K) vs. 0.19 W/(m2K)) and a 92% longer time shift (4.26 h vs. 2.22 h), indicating improved thermal inertia. It also achieved a single-number sound insulation rating of 38 dB. These findings confirm the panel’s potential to reduce operational energy demand and support long-term climate goals. Full article
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