Journal Description
Buildings
Buildings
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on building science, building engineering and architecture published monthly online by MDPI. The International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) is affiliated with Buildings and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Inspec, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Engineering, Civil) / CiteScore - Q1 (Architecture)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 14.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion Journal: Architecture.
Impact Factor:
3.8 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.8 (2022)
Latest Articles
Study on the Mechanical Performance of RC Beams under Load Reinforced by a Thin Layer of Reactive Powder Concrete on Four Sides
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1451; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051451 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
To repair reinforced concrete beams efficiently in a limited building space, the four-sided application of a reinforcing thin layer of reactive powder concrete (“RPCTL”) was proposed to improve the bending capacity of the members. Static flexural tests of one comparison beam and five
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To repair reinforced concrete beams efficiently in a limited building space, the four-sided application of a reinforcing thin layer of reactive powder concrete (“RPCTL”) was proposed to improve the bending capacity of the members. Static flexural tests of one comparison beam and five reinforced beams were completed on a four-point centralized loading device. Changes in deflection, cracks, stresses, and damage characteristics of the specimens were measured under various levels of loading. The test results showed that the damage patterns of the reinforced specimens were dominated by the yielding of longitudinal tensile reinforcement at the bottoms of the beams and the crushing of the cementitious material in the top compression zones of the beams. The cracking load greatly increased by 1.42 to 7.12 times, and the ultimate bearing capacity increased by 0.29 to 1.41 times. The distribution characteristics and dynamic changes in the displacement, stress, and damage of the specimens were dynamically simulated by finite element software. The effects of reinforcement and initial load-holding level on the reinforcement effect were investigated. A bending capacity calculation formula for RPCTL reinforcement technology is proposed that aligns with the test results and can provide a reference for the design of RPCTL reinforcement.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
Open AccessArticle
Influence and Mechanism of the Excavation Width on Excavation Deformations in Shanghai Soft Clay
by
Pei Huang, Kexin Dang, Haili Shi, Kun Yang and Jiacheng Wu
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1450; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051450 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
This study investigated the influence and mechanism of the excavation width on excavation deformations in Shanghai soft clay. Based on three excavations that had different final excavation depths, dissimilar retaining structures and diverse geological conditions, 40 sets of two-dimensional numerical models with different
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This study investigated the influence and mechanism of the excavation width on excavation deformations in Shanghai soft clay. Based on three excavations that had different final excavation depths, dissimilar retaining structures and diverse geological conditions, 40 sets of two-dimensional numerical models with different excavation widths were employed to analyze the deformation rules affected by the excavation width. Moreover, a series of simplified models with different excavation widths were employed to analyze the effect of the excavation width on excavation deformations. The results show that under the same excavation depth, both the horizontal displacements of the retaining walls and ground surface settlements increase as the excavation width increases, but the increasing rate gradually decreases. Factors such as the unloading influence depth, the overlap degree of the passive zones, the stress state of the basal soils and the development of the relative shear stress have a significant influence on excavation deformations. With increasing excavation width, the unloading influence depth gradually deepens, the overlap area of the passive zones gradually decreases, the direction of the rotation of the major principal stress gradually reduces and the relative shear stress of the distant and deep soils gradually expands. Therefore, the constraint ability of the passive zones on excavation deformation gradually reduces and excavation deformations gradually increase.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
Displacement Analyses of Diaphragm Wall in Small-Scale Deep Excavation Considering Joints between Panels
by
Ming Yang, Rongxing Wu, Chenxi Tong, Jianwei Chen and Bing Tang
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051449 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
This paper proposed a new method for modelling joints, using anisotropic plate elements and elastic bar elements to address the issue that joints between panels are usually disregarded in numerical modelling. For small-scale deep excavations, which are frequently performed in the construction of
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This paper proposed a new method for modelling joints, using anisotropic plate elements and elastic bar elements to address the issue that joints between panels are usually disregarded in numerical modelling. For small-scale deep excavations, which are frequently performed in the construction of various working shafts but have not been sufficiently studied, two numerical models were developed, using the No.1 Shaft of Tongtu Road Utility Tunnel in Ningbo, China, as a research object. One model considered the joints between the panels as proposed, while the other disregarded the joints as conventional. In comparison to the conventional method, the proposed method was validated due to yielding wall displacements that closely matched the results of the field monitoring, with a notable reduction in the error observed in the calculated displacements for the short side of the excavation. Furthermore, 34 numerical models were developed in order to investigate the influence of excavation length, depth, and diaphragm wall thickness on the relative differences between the calculated displacements obtained by the two models. The results of this study can provide references for the development of finite element models for designing small-scale deep excavation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
Open AccessArticle
The Shear Effect of Large-Diameter Piles under Different Lateral Loading Levels: The Transfer Matrix Method
by
Jing Liu, Mingxing Zhu, Xiaojuan Li, Chen Ling, Tengfei Wang and Xuan Li
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1448; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051448 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
In various analytical models, modeling the behavior of large-diameter monopiles and piles can be challenging due to these foundations with huge body sizes carrying mechanisms of lateral loads to the surrounding soils. In this paper, the transfer matrix method with the Timoshenko beam
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In various analytical models, modeling the behavior of large-diameter monopiles and piles can be challenging due to these foundations with huge body sizes carrying mechanisms of lateral loads to the surrounding soils. In this paper, the transfer matrix method with the Timoshenko beam theory was used to modify the shear rotation of pile sections under different loading stages, including serviceability limit stages and the ultimate loading stage. In this transfer matrix method, a large-diameter pile is considered according to the Timoshenko beam theory, and the recurring variables in the matrix equation are replaced with constants to simplify the calculation steps. Two model test cases were used to verify the accuracy of the method. Then, a series of comparisons between the Timoshenko beam and the Euler–Bernoulli beam theories, with the relative pile–soil stiffness being equal to 0.15, 0.45, and 0.75, was conducted to investigate the differences in pile response after considering the shear deformation. The results show that the effect of shear deformation of large-diameter piles changes with different loading levels. The values of the pile deformation based on the Timoshenko beam theory divided by those of that based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory were in the range of 1.0 to 1.10, and they increased slightly with increasing loads, reaching their maximum value, and then rapidly decreased to 1.0 when close to the ultimate lateral load; the maximum value was influenced by the relative pile–soil stiffness. Furthermore, the ratio of the shear rotation of the pile section to the slope of the deflection curve was in the range of 1.0 to 1.10; these also showed similar but more moderate trends compared with the values of pile deformation based on the Timoshenko beam theory divided by those of that based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Mining Sciences in Construction)
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Open AccessArticle
Influence of Pile Spacing on the Compressive Bearing Performance of CEP Groups
by
Yongmei Qian, Qingzhi Cao, Yang Yang, Da Teng and Tingting Zhou
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1447; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051447 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Pile spacing is an important factor affecting the bearing capacity of concrete expansion pile (CEP) groups. In this study, a pile group was simulated and analyzed using ANSYS software R19.0. The influence of pile spacing on the bearing capacity of the pile group
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Pile spacing is an important factor affecting the bearing capacity of concrete expansion pile (CEP) groups. In this study, a pile group was simulated and analyzed using ANSYS software R19.0. The influence of pile spacing on the bearing capacity of the pile group under a vertical load was determined using three sets of four-, six-, and nine-pile models with different pile spacings. The grid division of the pile soil model adopts a mapping method, using the contact types of rigid and flexible bodies and applying surface loads to the model piles step-by-step. After vertical pressure was applied to the model pile, in-depth analysis was conducted on the displacement cloud map, pile top displacement, and other data. The different stress conditions of corner, edge, and center piles in each model group were compared and analyzed, revealing the relationship between the stress mechanism and failure law of the soil around the pile and the pile spacing. It was found that the soil displacement range of edge piles is slightly larger than that of corner piles. This phenomenon gradually decreases with increasing pile spacing. When the pile spacing increases to four times the cantilever diameter, the difference in soil displacement at different pile positions is small, and the pile spacing has little effect on the compressive bearing capacity of the pile group. Thus, it is reasonable to control the pile spacing at three to four times the cantilever diameter. In the nine-pile model, when the load is loaded to the 20-step level, the displacement value of the central pile is −72.278 mm, while the displacement values of the edge pile and corner pile are −69.012 mm and −66.806 mm. It is shown that increasing the pile spacing can effectively reduce the pile group effect and improve the bearing capacity of the pile foundation. At present, CEP pile groups are gradually being applied in practical engineering, but research on the influence of pile spacing on the compressive bearing performance of CEP pile groups is still at a very early stage. This article reinforces the influence of pile spacing on the compressive bearing performance of CEP pile groups. It provides theoretical support for its application in practical engineering.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
Research on the Design of Recessed Balconies in University Dormitories in Cold Regions Based on Multi-Objective Optimization
by
Weidong Ji, Jian Sun, Huiyi Wang, Qiaqing Yu and Chang Liu
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1446; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051446 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Thermal comfort and daylighting are vital components of dormitory environments. However, enhancing indoor lighting conditions may lead to increased annual energy consumption and decreased thermal comfort. Therefore, it is crucial to identify methods to reduce buildings’ energy costs while maintaining occupants’ thermal comfort
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Thermal comfort and daylighting are vital components of dormitory environments. However, enhancing indoor lighting conditions may lead to increased annual energy consumption and decreased thermal comfort. Therefore, it is crucial to identify methods to reduce buildings’ energy costs while maintaining occupants’ thermal comfort and daylighting. Taking the dormitory building of Songyuan No. 2 at Shandong Jianzhu University of Architecture, which is located in a cold region, as an example, a field measurement analysis was conducted on the recessed balconies within the dormitory. The measured data were analyzed and utilized to simulate the annual energy consumption, thermal comfort predicted mean vote (PMV), and useful daylight illuminance (UDI) values of the dormitory units using the Grasshopper platform with the Ladybug and Honeybee plugins. The different depths of the balconies and window-to-wall ratios have a significant impact on the indoor physical environment and energy consumption, leading to the design of independent variables and the construction of a simplified parametric model. The simulation results underwent multi-objective optimization using genetic algorithm theory through the Octopus platform, resulting in a Pareto optimal solution set. Comparisons between the final-generation data and simulations of the original Song II dormitory unit indicate potential energy savings of up to 2.5%, with a 25% improvement in indoor thermal comfort satisfaction. Although there was no significant improvement in the UDI value, all the solution sets meet the minimum requirement of 300 lux specified by relevant regulations, according to the simulated average illuminance levels on the indoor work plane. Finally, the 60 optimal solution sets were further screened, filtering out sets deviating excessively from certain objectives, to identify 6 optimal solutions that are more balanced and exhibit a higher overall optimization rate. These findings offer detailed data references to assist in the design of dormitory buildings in cold regions.
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(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
Creep Characteristics of Reconstituted Silty Clay under Different Pre-Loading Path Histories
by
Bin Xiao, Peijiao Zhou and Shuchong Wu
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1445; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051445 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Due to the long-term deformation settlement of foundations, issues such as damage and functional failure of buildings and structures have long been a concern in the engineering field. The creep of soil is one of the primary causes leading to long-term deformation of
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Due to the long-term deformation settlement of foundations, issues such as damage and functional failure of buildings and structures have long been a concern in the engineering field. The creep of soil is one of the primary causes leading to long-term deformation of foundations. In this paper, the consolidation deformation, creep characteristics, and creep model of reconstituted saturated silty clay were studied using the isotropic consolidation creep test and triaxial compression creep test. The results show that for the isotropic consolidation creep test, although the applied load adopted different stages of loading, as long as the final applied confining pressure was the same, the number of stages applied by the confining pressure had little effect on the final isotropic consolidation deformation of the sample and the triaxial undrained shear strength after creep. However, for the triaxial shear creep test, it was found that under the same final deviatoric stress, the final deviatoric strain of the sample was closely related to the number of loading stages of deviatoric stress. The test showed that the more loading stages with the same deviatoric stress, the smaller the final deviatoric strain, and the triaxial undrained shear strength of the sample after creep increased. In addition, it was reasonable to set the pore pressure dissipation of the sample at 95% ((u0 − u)/u0 = 95%) as the time (t100) at which the primary consolidation of the soil sample was completed. The isotropic consolidation creep curves and the triaxial compression creep curves showed certain non-linearity. Then, the logarithmic model and the hyperbolic model were used to fit the creep curves of the samples. It was found that the hyperbolic model had a better fitting effect than the logarithmic model, but for the triaxial compression creep test, the creep parameters of the sample changed greatly. Therefore, studying the creep characteristics of soil under different pre-loading steps is of significant engineering importance for evaluating the long-term deformation of underground structures.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction in Urban Underground Space)
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Open AccessArticle
Numerical Simulation Study on the Impact of Excavation on Existing Subway Stations Based on BIM-FEM Framework
by
Yi Qiu, Junwei Wang, Chao Zhang, Lingxiao Hua and Zhenglong Zhou
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1444; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051444 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Building information modeling (BIM) and finite element method (FEM) models have a wide range of applications in underground engineering design, construction, and operation and maintenance. This study employs a BIM-FEM framework to numerically simulate the impact of excavation on existing subway stations, using
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Building information modeling (BIM) and finite element method (FEM) models have a wide range of applications in underground engineering design, construction, and operation and maintenance. This study employs a BIM-FEM framework to numerically simulate the impact of excavation on existing subway stations, using the Yanjiang New City Station TOD project as a case study. This framework simplifies the smooth integration of BIM and FEM models, automating functions such as assigning material properties, conducting construction simulations, and generating high-quality meshes. Simulation results reveal significant horizontal and vertical displacements in diaphragm walls, support structures, and subway station structures, with the greatest impacts occurring closest to the excavation site. The BIM-FEM framework is validated as an effective tool for designing foundation pit support structures, enhancing numerical modeling accuracy and efficiency in underground engineering. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the dynamic interactions between excavation and underground structures, informing the development of construction strategies and protective measures to ensure structural safety.
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(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
Microscopic Mechanism and Reagent Activation of Waste Glass Powder for Solidifying Soil
by
Yuze Hong, Xinyi Xu, Chaojie Zhang, Zehai Cheng and Guanshe Yang
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1443; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051443 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Glass waste products represent a significant environmental concern, with an estimated 1.4 billion tons being landfilled globally and 200 million tons annually. This results in a significant use of land resources. Therefore, it would be highly advantageous to develop a new method for
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Glass waste products represent a significant environmental concern, with an estimated 1.4 billion tons being landfilled globally and 200 million tons annually. This results in a significant use of land resources. Therefore, it would be highly advantageous to develop a new method for disposing of waste glass. Waste glass can be recycled and ground into waste glass powder (WGP) for use in solidified soil applications as a sustainable resource. This study is based on solidified soil research, wherein NaOH, Ca(OH)2, and Na2SO4 were incorporated as activators to enhance the reactivity of WGP. The optimal solidified soil group was determined based on unconfined compressive strength tests, which involved varying the activator concentrations and WGP content in combination with cement. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to study the composition of solidified soil samples. Microscopic pore characteristics were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the Image J software was employed to quantify the number and size of pores. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to examine the activation effect of waste glass powder. This study investigated the solidification mechanism and porosity changes. The results demonstrate that the addition of activated WGP to solidified soil enhances its strength, with a notable 12% increase in strength achieved using a 6% Ca(OH)2 solution. The use of 2% concentration of Na2SO4 and NaOH also shows an increase in strength of 7.6% and 8.6%, respectively, compared to the sample without WGP. The XRD and SEM analyses indicate that activated WGP enhances the content of hydrates, reduces porosity, and fosters the formation of a more densely packed solidified soil structure.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development: Recycle and Reuse of Waste Materials in Construction Industry)
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Open AccessArticle
Pavement Crack Detection Based on the Improved Swin-Unet Model
by
Song Chen, Zhixuan Feng, Guangqing Xiao, Xilong Chen, Chuxiang Gao, Mingming Zhao and Huayang Yu
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1442; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051442 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Accurate pavement surface crack detection is crucial for analyzing pavement survey data and the development of maintenance strategies. On the basis of Swin-Unet, this study develops the improved Swin-Unet (iSwin-Unet) model with the developed skip attention module and the residual Swin Transformer block.
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Accurate pavement surface crack detection is crucial for analyzing pavement survey data and the development of maintenance strategies. On the basis of Swin-Unet, this study develops the improved Swin-Unet (iSwin-Unet) model with the developed skip attention module and the residual Swin Transformer block. Based on the channel attention mechanism, the pavement crack region can be better captured while the crack feature channels can be assigned more weights. Taking advantage of the developed residual Swin Transformer block, the encoder architecture can globally model the pavement crack feature. Meanwhile, the crack feature information can be efficiently exchanged. To verify the pavement crack detection performance of the proposed model, we compare the training performance and visualization results with the other three models, which are Swin-Unet, Swin Transformer, and Unet, respectively. Three public benchmarks (CFD, Crack500, and CrackSC) have been adopted for the purpose of training, validation, and testing. Based on the test results, it can be found that the developed iSwin-Unet achieves a significant increase in mF1 score, mPrecision, and mRecall compared to the existing models, thereby establishing its efficacy in pavement crack detection and underlining its significant advancements over current methodologies.
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(This article belongs to the Section Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation)
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Wind-Induced Response Analysis and Fatigue Life Prediction of a Hybrid Wind Turbine Tower Combining an Upper Steel Tube with a Lower Steel Truss
by
Meng Zhang, Chenhao Xie, Tianxiang Li, Md Nayim Hossain and Guifeng Zhao
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1441; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051441 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Based on the WindPACT-3MW wind turbine tower commonly used in wind power engineering, a finite element model (FEM) of a hybrid wind turbine tower combining an upper steel tube with a lower steel truss is designed and established. On this basis, a static
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Based on the WindPACT-3MW wind turbine tower commonly used in wind power engineering, a finite element model (FEM) of a hybrid wind turbine tower combining an upper steel tube with a lower steel truss is designed and established. On this basis, a static optimization analysis, wind-induced vibration analysis, and fatigue life analysis of the hybrid tower structure are performed. The results show that under the same design parameters, the overall stiffness and static bearing capacity of the tower structure can be significantly improved by using subdivided truss webs, increasing the truss height as much as possible and increasing the width of the truss base appropriately. Under normal operation conditions, the response of the tower structure in the along-wind direction is significantly greater than the response in the crosswind direction, indicating that the aerodynamic thrust generated by the rotation of the blades is the main factor causing the wind-induced vibration of the tower structure. For the tower structure analyzed in this study, when considering the entire range of wind speeds from the cut-in wind speed to the cut-out wind speed, the fatigue life of the structure is 38.5 years.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wind Load Effects on High-Rise and Long-Span Structures)
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A Multiphysics Simulation Study of the Thermomechanical Coupling Response of Energy Piles
by
Chang Xu, Yawen Wang, Xiaolin Meng, Qihang Lv, Hui Chen and Qingdong Wu
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051440 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The global demand for energy is on the rise, accompanied by increasing requirements for low-carbon environmental protection. In recent years, China’s “double carbon action” initiative has brought about new development opportunities across various sectors. The concept of energy pile foundation aims to harness
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The global demand for energy is on the rise, accompanied by increasing requirements for low-carbon environmental protection. In recent years, China’s “double carbon action” initiative has brought about new development opportunities across various sectors. The concept of energy pile foundation aims to harness geothermal energy, aligning well with green, low-carbon, and sustainable development principles, thus offering extensive application prospects in engineering. Drawing from existing research globally, this paper delves into four key aspects impacting the thermodynamic properties of energy piles: the design of buried pipes, pile structure, heat storage materials within the pipe core, and soil treatment around the pile using carbon fiber urease mineralization. Leveraging the innovative mineralization technique known as urease-induced carbonate mineralization precipitation (EICP), this study employs COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software to analyze heat transfer dynamics and establish twelve sets of numerical models for energy piles. The buried pipe design encompasses two types, U-shaped and spiral, while the pile structure includes concrete solid energy piles and tubular energy piles. Soil conditions around the pile are classified into undisturbed sand and carbon fiber-infused EICP mineralized sand. Different inner core heat storage materials such as air, water, unaltered sand, and carbon fiber-based EICP mineralized sand are examined within tubular piles. Key findings indicate that spiral buried pipes outperform U-shaped ones, especially when filled with liquid thermal energy storage (TES) materials, enhancing temperature control of energy piles. The carbon fiber urease mineralization technique significantly improves heat exchange between energy piles and surrounding soil, reducing soil porosity to 4.9%. With a carbon fiber content of 1.2%, the ultimate compressive strength reaches 1419.4 kPa. Tubular energy piles mitigate pile stress during summer temperature fluctuations. Pile stress distribution varies under load and temperature stresses, with downward and upward friction observed at different points along the pile length. Overall, this research underscores the efficacy of energy pile technologies in optimizing energy efficiency while aligning with sustainable development goals.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Prospects in Civil Engineering Structures)
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Properties and Microstructure of a Cement-Based Capillary Crystalline Waterproofing Grouting Material
by
Mengjie Wang, Xiaohua Yang, Kunlong Zheng and Rui Chen
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1439; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051439 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Cement grout is traditionally used for treating water leakage distress in tunnels. However, traditional cement grout has the disadvantages of a poor anti-seepage performance, long setting time, and slow strength gain. To this end, a high-performance cement-based capillary crystalline waterproofing (CCCW) grouting material
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Cement grout is traditionally used for treating water leakage distress in tunnels. However, traditional cement grout has the disadvantages of a poor anti-seepage performance, long setting time, and slow strength gain. To this end, a high-performance cement-based capillary crystalline waterproofing (CCCW) grouting material was synthesized using cement, capillary crystalline material, and several admixtures. The influences of the material proportions on the viscosity, bleeding rate, and setting time of the fresh grout, as well as the permeability coefficient of the grouted aggregate and the unconfined compression strength of the hardened grout material, were systematically studied. The mineralogy and microstructure of the CCCW grouting material were examined using X-ray diffraction, industrial computed tomography, and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the capillary crystalline material PNC803 was not suitable for mixing with bentonite, sodium chloride, and triethanolamine in cementitious slurries, but it can produce excellent synergistic effects with sulfate, calcium chloride, and triisopropanolamine. An analysis of the microstructure of the CCCW grouting material showed that the PNC803 and additives can promote the hydration of cement, which yields more hydration products, sealing water passage and filling micro voids and therefore leading to enhanced waterproofing and strengthening effects. These research results could improve the applicability of CCCW material in tunnel engineering.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Durability, Physical and Mechanical Properties of Ecofriendly Cement and Concrete Composites)
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Axial Impact Resistance of High-Strength Engineering Geopolymer Composites: Effect of Polyethylene Fiber Content and Strain Rate
by
Yu Ling, Xiafei Zhang, Weiyu Zou, Chang Feng, Huaming Lai, Jialin Yang and Beixin Xie
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1438; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051438 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
High-strength engineered geopolymer composite (EGC) materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties under quasistatic loading, thus showing great potential in military and civilian facilities subjected to impact or explosive loading. However, its dynamic mechanical response under high-speed loading is not fully understood. In this study,
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High-strength engineered geopolymer composite (EGC) materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties under quasistatic loading, thus showing great potential in military and civilian facilities subjected to impact or explosive loading. However, its dynamic mechanical response under high-speed loading is not fully understood. In this study, dynamic compressive test was performed on EGC with PE fiber contents of 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) test. The results indicated that EGC reinforced with 1.5% fiber exhibited optimal static and dynamic mechanical performance. In the strain rate range of 181 s−1 to 201 s−1, when the fiber content increased from 1.0% to 1.5% and 2.0%, the dynamic compressive strength of the EGC increased by 24.3%, 28.8%, and 44.0%, respectively, compared to the matrix without fiber. Dynamic parameters of the EGC, including dynamic compressive strength, dynamic increase factor, and impact toughness, showed sensitivity to strain rates and increased with strain rate. A modified model, incorporating the fiber bridging effect, was proposed based on the CEB-FIP model, providing important guidance for practical engineering applications.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Gen Cementitious Composites for Sustainable Construction)
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A Novel Eco-Friendly Thermal-Insulating High-Performance Geopolymer Concrete Containing Calcium Oxide-Activated Materials from Waste Tires and Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate
by
Shen-Lun Tsai, Her-Yung Wang, Keng-Ta Lin and Chang-Chi Hung
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1437; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051437 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
This study presents an innovative approach for the utilization of industrial by-products and municipal waste in the production of sustainable and environmentally friendly cement mortar. We explored stabilized stainless-steel reduced slag (SSRS) and polyethylene (PE) plastic waste as partial replacements for aggregates. Various
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This study presents an innovative approach for the utilization of industrial by-products and municipal waste in the production of sustainable and environmentally friendly cement mortar. We explored stabilized stainless-steel reduced slag (SSRS) and polyethylene (PE) plastic waste as partial replacements for aggregates. Various engineering properties of the resulting cement mortar specimens, including the slump, slump flow, compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, water absorption, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), were investigated through comprehensive experimental tests. The influence of different water–cement (w/c) or water–binder (w/b) ratios and substitution amounts on the engineering properties of the cement mortar samples was thoroughly examined. The findings revealed that an increase in PE substitution adversely affected the overall workability of the cement mortar mixtures, whereas an increase in the SSRS amount contributed to enhanced workability. As for the hardened properties, a consistent trend was observed in both cases, with higher w/c or w/b ratios and substitution amounts leading to reduced mechanical properties. Water absorption and UPV test results validated the increased formation of porosity with higher w/c or w/b ratios and substitution amounts. This study proposes a promising method to effectively repurpose industrial by-products and municipal waste, transforming them into sustainable construction and building materials. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the transportation costs and carbon footprint emissions between SSRS–cement mortar and PE–cement mortar was conducted to assess their environmental impact and sustainability. Generally, higher w/c or w/b ratios and replacement levels corresponded with a reduced carbon footprint. The geographical location of the source of SSRS and PE remains a challenge and studies to overcome this challenge must be further explored.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Friendly Building Materials: Recycled Waste and Sustainable Design)
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Research on the Digital Preservation of Architectural Heritage Based on Virtual Reality Technology
by
Haohua Zheng, Leyang Chen, Hui Hu, Yihan Wang and Yangyang Wei
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1436; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051436 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
As a representative of the scientific and technological achievements of the new era, the overall development of virtual reality (VR) technology is becoming increasingly refined, which provides new development ideas and technical support in the field of ancient building restoration and architectural heritage
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As a representative of the scientific and technological achievements of the new era, the overall development of virtual reality (VR) technology is becoming increasingly refined, which provides new development ideas and technical support in the field of ancient building restoration and architectural heritage preservation. In this context, digital conservation and the practice of architectural heritage have become important focuses of application in the industry. This paper starts from the core concept of VR technology, analyzes the value of the application of VR technology in the protection of ancient architecture, puts forward relevant suggestions and technical application methods, and takes Red Pagoda in Fuliang County as an example. In this sense, virtual reality technology is used to restore and protect the buildings, forming a digital heritage of ancient architecture. This study first utilizes a three-dimensional laser scanning instrument to collect point cloud data, and then the plane graph is drawn by measurement. Then, an Architectural Heritage Building Information Model is created, and comprehensive information on historical buildings is integrated. Finally, VR technology is used to show the effect of digital display and preservation. This study transforms architectural cultural heritage into a shareable and renewable digital form through restoration and reproduction, interpreting and utilizing it from a new perspective and providing new ideas and methods for architectural heritage conservation.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Strategic Replanning and Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage)
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Open AccessArticle
An Investigation into the Distribution of Fluctuating Wind Pressure and Associated Probabilistic Characteristics of Low-Rise Buildings Impacted by the Gap between the Hillside and the Building
by
Min Zhong, Chao Wang, Minghui Lin, Junyu Lu and Xiangjun Wang
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051435 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
In China’s mountainous coastal terrain, storms can badly damage low-rise buildings. At present, it is not clear how the relative position of buildings and mountains affects the surface of low-rise buildings. The study compared these results with the wind pressure distribution without the
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In China’s mountainous coastal terrain, storms can badly damage low-rise buildings. At present, it is not clear how the relative position of buildings and mountains affects the surface of low-rise buildings. The study compared these results with the wind pressure distribution without the surrounding environment. The distribution of wind pressure in different hillside landforms is examined through a wind tunnel experiment, which is also compared with the distribution in an open environment. The study examined the fluctuating coefficient as the distance between the building and the hillside changed, specifically for wind blowing at a 0° angle. The investigation examined the power spectrum and wind pressure probability distribution while considering the proximity of the building to an adjacent hill. The findings indicated that as the distance between the slope and the mountain increases, the fluctuating wind pressure coefficient continues to increase, and the contour lines of the wind pressure distribution are relatively denser compared to where there is a mountain. The maximum value of the fluctuating wind pressure coefficient is 0.22, which appears at the windward roof. The roof’s wind pressure coefficient fluctuated and gradually increased until it reached its peak, unaffected by the surroundings. The wind pressure on the leeward side exhibited Gaussian characteristics in its probability distribution.
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(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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Post-Fire Mechanical Properties of Half-Grouted Sleeve Connectors with Grouting Defects
by
Shouying Hu, Shan Jiang, Dong Chen, Haoran Li and Tao Xu
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1434; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051434 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Half-grouted sleeve connectors are a primary method for connecting rebar in prefabricated concrete structures. However, due to limitations in the construction environment, all kinds of grouting defects are inevitable, especially grouting voids. Additionally, fire disasters, among the most common types of disasters, significantly
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Half-grouted sleeve connectors are a primary method for connecting rebar in prefabricated concrete structures. However, due to limitations in the construction environment, all kinds of grouting defects are inevitable, especially grouting voids. Additionally, fire disasters, among the most common types of disasters, significantly threaten the structural performance and safety of these prefabricated structures. Therefore, it is imperative to determine the mechanical properties of half-grouted sleeve connectors with grouting voids after high temperatures. This study designed and prepared 48 groups of half-grouted sleeve specimens with different grouting voids and defect locations. These specimens were heated to the specified temperature (25 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C), followed by unidirectional tensile testing after natural cooling. The experimental results showed that rebar fracture failure and rebar pulled-out failure were the failure modes of specimens. With the increase in temperature, bearing capacity, safety factor and ductility coefficient of specimens all decreased. When the temperature was lower than 400 °C, the specimen with void length less than twice the diameter of the rebar (i.e., 2d) had sufficient connection performance. For specimens with the same total void lengths, the bearing capacity of discrete voids is lower than concentrate voids at the same temperature. The load-displacement curve, safety coefficient, ductility coefficient and grey correlation degree of half-grouted sleeve specimens with grouting voids at different temperatures are analyzed and discussed, and the bond stress slip constitutive model is given. Grouting defects have greater influence on specimens after grey correlation analysis. Findings from this study provide valuable references for the safety performance evaluation of prefabricated structures with half-grouted sleeve connectors after exposure to fire.
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(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
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Assessment of Adoption and Acceptance of Building Information Modeling for Building Construction among Industries in Qatar
by
Louiesito S. Vitente, Ardvin Kester S. Ong and Josephine D. German
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1433; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051433 - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Building information modeling (BIM) has become a vital tool in the construction industry, especially in Qatar, where remarkable infrastructural growth and innovation have taken place. This study looked into the factors influencing the adoption and acceptability of BIM in the Qatari construction industry
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Building information modeling (BIM) has become a vital tool in the construction industry, especially in Qatar, where remarkable infrastructural growth and innovation have taken place. This study looked into the factors influencing the adoption and acceptability of BIM in the Qatari construction industry using the Information System Success Model (ISSM), the Technology Acceptability Model (TAM), and structural equation modeling (SEM). Survey information gathered from project managers, contractors, engineers, architects, suppliers, and BIM specialists with direct BIM expertise was examined. The results showed that intentions to adopt BIM have a significant influence on its Perceived Usefulness and ease of use. The adoption of BIM is also significantly impacted by ISSM elements, including the Total Quality, Organizational Efficiency, Innovativeness, and Financial Aspects. This study illustrates the complex interactions between organizational influences and personal perspectives by demonstrating the direct and indirect effects of these factors on BIM adoption. These results provide a complete picture of the dynamics influencing BIM adoption in Qatar’s construction sector. As a result, this study makes connections between individual technology acceptance and the larger socio-technical environment of BIM implementation, providing essential information for building sector stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders. By using these insights to create strategies to boost BIM’s adoption and acceptability, the construction industries may be further aligned with global best practices in project management and delivery.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Management (BIM) toward Construction 5.0)
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Shaking Tables Test on Seismic Responses of a Long-Span Rigid-Framed Bridge Considering Traveling Wave Effect and Soil–Structure Interaction
by
Xiao-Yu Yan, Shan-Shan Cao and Zhuo Zhao
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1432; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051432 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
The traveling wave effect and soil–structure interaction have significant influence on the seismic response of large-span bridges with complex site conditions. In this paper, a 1/10 scaled-down large-span rigid-framed bridge model was designed and fabricated, and a shaking tables test considering the traveling
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The traveling wave effect and soil–structure interaction have significant influence on the seismic response of large-span bridges with complex site conditions. In this paper, a 1/10 scaled-down large-span rigid-framed bridge model was designed and fabricated, and a shaking tables test considering the traveling wave effect and soil–structure interaction was carried out on a large-scale continuous rigid bridge model by a real-time substructure hybrid test technique. Influences of the traveling wave effect and soil–structure interaction on the seismic responses of the rigid-framed bridge specimen were systematically analyzed with experimental data. The test results showed that when the apparent wave speed was small, the traveling wave effect increased the seismic responses of the rigid-framed bridge. With the increase in apparent wave speed, the structural response under traveling wave excitation and uniform excitation was basically the same. The SSI effect lead to a great change in the seismic input peaks and spectral characters at the bottom of the pier, and increased the seismic responses of the rigid-framed bridge. When both traveling wave and the SSI effect were considered, there was a phase difference in the seismic excitation. The dynamic responses of a continuous rigid-framed bridge could not be simply obtained by superposition of the separate traveling wave effect or SSI effect. Meanwhile, the real-time substructure test method in this paper solved the problems that the traditional soil box experiment cannot be applied to the test of a large-scale model, the soil and bridge structure find it difficult to meet the unified similarity ratio, and the boundary conditions are difficult to simulate accurately.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Vibration Control Research)
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