Search Results (121)

The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters—such as floods, storms, droughts, and earthquakes—have created a growing demand for temporary housing. These facilities must be rapidly deployed to provide safe, functional living environments for displaced individuals. This study proposes a design methodology for temporary housing exteriors using the text-to-image capabilities of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to address urgent post-disaster housing needs. The approach aims to improve both the efficiency and practicality of early-stage design processes. The study reviews global trends in temporary housing and the architectural applications of GenAI, identifying five key environmental factors that influence design: type of disaster, location and climate, duration of residence, materials and structure, and housing design. Based on these factors, hypothetical disaster scenarios were developed using ChatGPT, and corresponding exterior designs were generated using Stable Diffusion. The results show that diverse, scenario-specific design alternatives can be effectively produced using GenAI, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool in architectural planning for disaster response. Expert evaluation of the generated designs confirmed their ability to adhere to text prompts but revealed a significant gap in terms of architectural plausibility and practical feasibility, highlighting the essential role of expert oversight. This study offers a foundation for expanding GenAI applications in emergency housing systems and supports the development of faster, more adaptable design solutions for communities affected by natural disasters. Full article

Construction site layout planning (CSLP) plays a pivotal role in determining the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of construction projects. Material handling operations, which constitute a significant portion of indirect project costs, heavily depend on the spatial arrangement of temporary facilities such as site offices, storage yards, and equipment zones. Poorly planned layouts can lead to excessive travel distances, increased material handling times, and operational delays, all of which contribute to inflated costs and reduced productivity. Therefore, optimizing the layout of construction sites to minimize transportation distances and enhance workflow is a critical task for project managers, contractors, and other stakeholders. The challenge in CSLP lies in the complexity of simultaneously satisfying multiple, often conflicting, requirements such as space constraints, safety regulations, and functional proximities. This complexity is compounded by the dynamic nature of construction activities and the presence of numerous facilities to be allocated within limited and irregularly shaped site boundaries. Mathematically, this problem can be formulated as a Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP), a well-known NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem. The QAP seeks to assign a set of facilities to specific locations in a manner that minimizes the total cost, typically modeled as the sum of products of flows (e.g., material movement) and distances between assigned locations. However, due to the computational complexity of QAP, exact solutions become impractical for medium to large-scale site layouts. In recent years, metaheuristic algorithms have gained traction for effectively tackling such complex optimization problems. Among these, the Advanced Jaya Algorithm (A-JA), a recent population-based metaheuristic, stands out for its simplicity, parameter-free nature, and robust search capabilities. This study applies the A-JA to solve the CSLP modeled as a QAP, aiming to minimize the total weighted travel distance of material handling within the site. The algorithm’s performance is validated through two realistic case studies, showcasing its strong search capabilities and competitive results compared to traditional optimization methods. This promising approach offers a valuable decision-support tool for construction managers seeking to enhance site operational efficiency. Full article

The dynamic development of energy storage technologies makes it possible to solve many problems related to the negative impact of renewable sources and fluctuating loads on the power and voltage quality parameters at their point of connection to the distribution grid. By absorbing temporary energy surpluses and covering temporary energy deficits, these technologies enable the smoothing of output power profiles of wind turbines, as well as the reduction in peak power values, for example, in traction substations or fast-charging hubs for electric vehicles. This article discusses the specifics of both applications with particular emphasis on methods for sizing energy storage parameters, methods for their control, and the special effects they allow us to achieve. The methods proposed by the authors allow for the more optimal selection of energy storage parameters in existing energy facilities based on their measured power profiles. The proposed control methods, in turn, allow for not only a reduction in relative changes in power and voltage but also enable an increase in the installed power of wind farms without investing in the modernization of the distribution network, as well as reducing the contracted power of traction substations. The analyses presented in this article are based on power profile measurements of real objects, and the proposed solutions are already being implemented in power infrastructure. Full article

Concrete used in high-risk infrastructures must withstand elevated temperatures and thermal shocks. This study investigated the thermal transfer behavior of explosion-proof concrete exposed to 100–400 °C through a combined experimental and numerical approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the dominant crystalline phases remained identifiable across this range, but peak broadening and intensity reduction indicated partial decomposition of hydration products and microstructural disorder. Thermal conductivity reached its maximum of 1.48 W/(m·K) at 100 °C and decreased at higher temperatures due to porosity growth and microcracking, reflecting detrimental alterations in heat conduction pathways. In contrast, the specific heat capacity increased from 963.89 J/(kg·K) at 100 °C to 1122.22 J/(kg·K) at 400 °C, enhancing the material’s heat absorption. Density initially decreased with temperature but showed a temporary rebound at 300 °C due to secondary hydration, before dropping sharply to 1830 kg/m³ at 400 °C. Numerical simulations confirmed that high temperatures reduce surface–core temperature gradients, leading to more uniform but structurally weakened heat transfer. These findings highlight that explosion-proof concrete retains acceptable thermal stability below 200 °C, while significant degradation occurs beyond 300 °C. The novelty of this work lies in integrating experimental thermophysical tests with finite element simulations to link microstructural changes with macroscopic thermal behavior. Practically, the results provide guidance for optimizing concrete formulations and protective strategies in fire- and explosion-prone facilities such as LNG storage units and petrochemical infrastructures. Full article

The article examines the role of art in the successful revitalisation of brownfield sites in Nantes. The city’s deindustrialization in the 1960s–80s caused a severe economic and social crisis. Significant areas were left behind by the abandoned factories, which were rapidly degrading, negatively affecting the entire city. Many of these were located on a river island in the city centre. Since the early 1990s, the Nantes authorities initiated a process of revitalising brownfield sites. They implemented several culture-led regeneration strategies. Nantes opened up to temporary events: street theatre shows and art festivals. The flagship project and symbol of renewal became Les Machines de Île, mobile, interactive machines that took over the previously degraded island and hark back to its industrial past. Site-specific art installations filled the city. The municipal authorities also started to implement the concept of a creative cluster, concentrating art colleges, cultural facilities, and creativity-related businesses on former wasteland. The use of a variety of strategies brought success, and the results went beyond the revitalised area. Cultural activities became an accelerator of change and contributed to the regeneration process of the city. Full article

Agricultural production waste (APW) is characterized by pollution, increasing volume, spatial dispersion, and temporal and spatial variability in its generation. The improper handling of APW poses a growing risk to the environment and public health. This paper focuses on the planning of APW recycling networks, primarily analyzing the selection of temporary storage sites and treatment facilities, as well as vehicle scheduling and route optimization. First, to minimize the required number of temporary storage sites, a set coverage model was established, and an immune algorithm was used to derive preliminary site selection results. Subsequently, the analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method were employed to refine and determine the optimal site selection results for recycling treatment facilities. Second, based on the characteristics of APW, with the minimization of recycling transportation costs as the optimization objective, an ant colony algorithm was used to establish a corresponding vehicle scheduling route optimization model, yielding the optimal solution for recycling vehicle scheduling and transportation route optimization. This study not only improved the recycling efficiency of APW but also effectively reduced the recycling costs of APW. Full article

The sustainable utilization of forest biomass for bioenergy production is increasingly challenged by the variability and unpredictability of raw material availability. These challenges are particularly critical in regions like Central Portugal, where seasonality, dispersed resources, and wildfire prevention policies disrupt procurement planning. This study investigates two flexibility strategies—dynamic network reconfiguration and operations postponement—as policy relevant tools to enhance resilience in forest-to-bioenergy supply chains. A novel mathematical model, the mobile Facility Location Problem with dynamic Operations Assignment (mFLP-dOA), is proposed and solved using a scalable matheuristic approach. Applying the model to a real case study, we demonstrate that incorporating temporary intermediate nodes and adaptable processing schedules can reduce costs by up to 17% while improving operational responsiveness and reducing non-productive machine time. The findings offer strategic insights for policymakers, biomass operators, and regional planners aiming to design more adaptive and cost-effective biomass supply systems, particularly under environmental risk scenarios such as summer operation bans. This work supports evidence-based planning and investment in flexible logistics infrastructure for cleaner and more resilient bioenergy supply chains. Full article

Recent advances in DNA research have increased the necessity for museums to preserve not only morphological specimens but also their DNA, leading us to maintain tissue samples linked to specimens at −80 °C. DNA analysis has become an essential tool for taxonomic research and biodiversity assessment; however, freezer storage for all samples is impractical due to space limitations and operational costs. This creates a pressing need to develop more widely applicable DNA preservation methods. We investigated the comparative effects of traditional preservation methods versus DESS (DMSO/EDTA/saturated NaCl solution) preservation on both morphology and DNA integrity using museum specimens from various taxonomic groups. Our results demonstrated that DESS preservation maintained high-quality DNA fragments exceeding >15 kb at room temperature across all examined species, with nematode samples maintaining DNA integrity even after 10 years of storage. When preserving whole organisms, the optimal preservation solution conditions for maintaining both morphological features and DNA integrity varied among species. Notably, DNA integrity was maintained even after complete evaporation of the DESS solution. These findings suggest that DESS utilization for specimen DNA preservation is effective across many species, not only for long-term storage in environments without freezer facilities but also for temporary preservation until freezing. Full article

Barium sulfate precipitation in production industrial facilities and in petroleum reservoir systems is a dangerous operational problem. The solvent acts as a second component in the system during the onset of crystallization from solution, significant impacting the kinetics. Few studies have investigated the influence of organic solvents on barium sulfate precipitation. In this study, we examine the precipitation reaction of barium sulfate in mixed propan-1-ol–water and ethanol–water solvents at 303.15 K. The temporary conductivity variation is determined to follow the kinetics of the precipitation reaction and the germination time of barium sulfate crystals. A large variation is found in the precipitation reaction rate and induction time due to differences in physical parameters such as polarity and dielectric constants between water and organic solvents. This difference in physical properties leads to a stronger variation in intermolecular interaction between the solute and the solvent, especially in hydrogen bonds. The solid phase obtained at the end of the precipitate reaction is characterized through FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques, demonstrating an important difference in the structure, morphology, and agglomeration phenomena of the precipitate obtained in water–ethanol and water–propan-1-ol mixtures compared to pure water solutions. Full article

Throughout human settlement history, the pursuit of durability has been a paramount objective in building construction. The emphasis on durability has resulted in the construction of buildings designed to outlast human lifespans. However, the lack of consideration for building demolition and disposal during the design and construction phases has created challenges for future generations. This oversight contributes to the environmental impact of structures after demolition, which is a significant concern given that the construction industry is a major contributor to energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and solid waste production. In fact, in recent decades, there has been an increasing demand for temporary constructions, driven by factors such as migration phenomena, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in sectors like agriculture, where seasonality and annual variations in activities require adaptable structures such as warehouses, barns, livestock shelters, and food storage facilities. Unlike traditional constructions, these temporary buildings must be assembled and disassembled multiple times during their lifespan. The challenge lies in ensuring the structural integrity, adaptability to varying conditions, and compliance with specific requirements to extend their usability and postpone the disposal phase. This study focuses on the design of a novel type of temporary structures intended for temporary needs such as emergencies and planned agricultural activities, resulting in a European patent. The structure is based on a glulam frame inside two OSB panels—that work as structural bracing, creating a hollow, resistant, light structure—connected with external steel connections. This work reports results of mechanical simulations and thermal transmittance calculations. Specifically, it demonstrates the building maintains structural strength through multiple usages and its thermal characteristics can be easily adapted to the context. These are the first steps for a resilient and sustainable building. Full article

Background: Facility location is a key challenge in humanitarian logistics, particularly in disaster response, where rapid and efficient resource deployment is crucial. Temporary facilities offer a cost-effective solution due to their rapid deployment and flexibility in addressing increased demand and the dynamic conditions of post-disaster environments. Methods: This study conducts a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines to analyze facility location problems involving temporary or modular facilities in humanitarian logistics. A total of 65 articles from Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed. Results: Most studies focus on temporary facilities like shelters and medical centers in earthquake-affected areas, with most applications in Asia. Despite being temporary, only 6% of the studies consider closure decisions. Recent research explores modular facilities that enhance adaptability through module relocation and capacity adjustments. Conclusions: Temporary facilities after sudden-onset disasters require advanced modeling approaches that include multi-period planning, modular design, and complex decision-making, requiring solutions through heuristics or relaxations. However, there is a lack of research on their application in slow-onset and human-induced disasters. Moreover, considering geographical, cultural, and political factors is essential to ensure effective solutions. Further studies are also needed on facilities functioning as collection and processing centers, given their critical role in the humanitarian supply chain. Full article

Relocatable modular buildings (RMBs) offer significant advantages, including flexibility, mobility, and scalability, making them ideal for temporary or rapidly changing scenarios. However, as the scale and quantity of RMB modules increase, their allocation across projects poses complex logistical challenges. Inefficiencies in traditional manual allocation methods, such as suboptimal module selection, increased transportation costs, and project delays, underscore the need for innovative solutions. This study develops a Digital Twin (DT)-based decision support system to optimize the allocation and management of RMB modules. The proposed framework integrates Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), and Geographic Information Systems (GISs), enabling the real-time synchronization of physical assets with their digital counterparts. The DT framework incorporates real-time data acquisition, dynamic module condition assessments, and an algorithm-driven allocation process to streamline resource utilization and logistics planning. The system is validated through a case study of South Korea’s first relocatable modular school system project, demonstrating its capability to optimize module allocation, reduce costs, and enhance lifecycle management. This study advances RMB management by offering a practical, data-driven approach, empowering facility managers to leverage real-time data for preventive maintenance, asset optimization, and sustainable resource utilization. Full article

In response to public health emergencies, the importance of resilient medical facilities—such as large exhibition centers and sports venues that can be rapidly converted into temporary emergency hospitals—has become increasingly evident. This study focuses on these potential medical resources within megacities, using Shanghai as a case study. Employing advanced analytical tools including the kernel density two-step floating catchment area method, Lorenz curves, and Gini coefficient, we systematically evaluated the spatial allocation of 36 resilient medical facilities in Shanghai. The findings indicate that Shanghai’s resilient medical facilities ensure 4.5 emergency beds per thousand residents, with large exhibition centers and sports venues demonstrating exceptional conversion capabilities far surpassing those of ordinary public venues. However, the study also uncovers significant disparities in spatial allocation: these facilities are predominantly concentrated in the city center, leading to notable deficiencies in accessibility and equity for suburban areas. The opportunity for residents to access emergency medical services decreases progressively from the city center outward, a trend consistent across various travel time scenarios. The calculated Gini coefficient underscores an extremely uneven spatial configuration of resilient medical facilities, well beyond the warning threshold, suggesting substantial service disparities between different regions during emergencies, which poses potential risks to public health. Our research provides valuable insights for megacities aiming to more effectively address future public health challenges and enhance societal resilience. Full article

Background and Objectives: On 11 March 2020, our hospital adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by becoming a temporary COVID-19 facility, leading to the suspension or delegation of non-COVID-19 services. Among the international IBD community, there were significant concerns regarding the neglect of immunocompromised IBD patients and their increased vulnerability to COVID-19. To address these challenges, the COVID-19 ECCO Taskforce recommended the implementation of telehealth. Following this recommendation, our hospital’s IT department integrated audiovisual hardware and software solutions to facilitate virtual consultations. This approach enabled patients and their local physicians to receive formal reports comparable to those issued during standard in-person care. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis who participated in telemedicine consultations. Average distances and time saved were calculated using Google Maps, while carbon emissions and carbon footprint reductions were determined. Results: Between 11 August 2021 and 15 June 2023, 107 telehealth consultations were completed. Patients benefited from reduced travel distances, with an average saving of 168.28 km per consultation and a total reduction of 18,006 km. Travel time savings averaged 2 h and 22 min per consultation, amounting to a total of 252 h saved. The reduction in carbon emissions was calculated at 3.26 tons, equivalent to the annual absorption capacity of 109 fully grown trees, considering that an individual tree absorbs approximately 21.77 kg of CO₂ annually. These findings underscore telemedicine’s role in reducing environmental impact while enhancing patient convenience. Conclusions: The adoption of telehealth successfully optimized outpatient clinic operations, maintaining high-quality patient outcomes while contributing to environmental sustainability. Full article

Effective Construction Site Layout Planning (CSLP) ensures the organized placement and sizing of temporary facilities, enhancing workflow and logistical efficiency. Poorly planned layouts, however, can increase material handling times, create bottlenecks, and reduce productivity, ultimately leading to higher costs. The main objective of this study is to introduce a BIM-based hybrid framework for CSLP that integrates Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) with a Genetic Algorithm (GA), developed through a Design Science Research approach. This Construction Site Optimization Framework (CSOF) addresses CSLP as a multi-objective optimization problem, prioritizing efficient positioning of facilities while accounting for workflow intensity, safety, and manager preferences. The framework’s continuous-space modeling supports a realistic approach, moving beyond fixed-location models. Exploratory case studies demonstrated CSOF’s effectiveness, achieving 30.79% to 40.98% reductions in non-value-adding travel distances and adaptability across varied site conditions. In this way, this research provides a decision-support tool that balances automation with decision-maker input, enhancing layout efficiency and operational flexibility in construction site management. Full article