Construction Activities Research Articles

FA-HRNet: A New Fusion Attention Approach for Vegetation Semantic Segmentation and Analysis

Semantic segmentation of vegetation in aerial remote sensing images is a critical aspect of vegetation mapping. Accurate vegetation segmentation effectively informs real-world production and construction activities. However, the presence of species heterogeneity, seasonal variations, and feature disparities within remote sensing images poses significant challenges for vision tasks. Traditional machine learning-based methods often struggle to capture deep-level features for the segmentation. This work proposes a novel deep learning network named FA-HRNet that leverages the fusion of attention mechanism and a multi-branch network structure for vegetation detection and segmentation. Quantitative analysis from multiple datasets reveals that our method outperforms existing approaches, with improvements in MIoU and PA by 2.17% and 4.85%, respectively, compared with the baseline network. Our approach exhibits significant advantages over the other methods regarding cross-region and cross-scale capabilities, providing a reliable vegetation coverage ratio for ecological analysis.

Decision Support System (DSS) for Improving Production Ergonomics in the Construction Sector

Ergonomics is essential to improving workplace safety and efficiency by reducing the risks associated with physical tasks. This study presents a decision support system (DSS) aimed at enhancing production ergonomics in the construction sector through an analysis of high-risk postures. Using the Ovako Work Posture Analysis System (OWAS), the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (NIOSH equation) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), the DSS identifies ergonomic risks by assessing body postures across common construction tasks. Three specific postures—X, Y and Z—were selected to represent typical construction activities, including lifting, squatting and repetitive tool use. Posture X, involving a forward-leaning stance with arms above the shoulders and a 25 kg load, was identified as critical, yielding the highest OWAS and NIOSH values, thus indicating an immediate need for corrective action to mitigate risks of musculoskeletal injuries. The DSS provides recommendations for workplace adjustments and posture improvements, demonstrating a robust framework that can be adapted to other postures and industries. Future developments may include application to other postures and sectors, as well as the use of artificial intelligence to support ongoing ergonomic assessments, offering a promising solution to enhance Occupational Safety and Health policies.

Balancing Economic and Construction Growth with Environmental Sustainability in Albania’s Real Estate Sector

This study aims to examine the relationship between real estate development and environmental impact in Albania during the period of 1995–2022. This is among the first scientific studies of this nature in Albania and the region. Using an Autoregressive Distribution Lag (ARDL) model and EViews 12 software, we analyze how carbon emissions relate to economic indicators such as the issuance of building permits, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and energy consumption patterns. Our results show a positive relationship between construction activities and increased carbon emissions, signaling a development model that currently diverges from sustainable practices. This research is important as it not only fills a critical gap by quantifying the environmental footprint of the real estate sector in Albania but also provides strong signals to support policy makers in guiding sustainable development initiatives. This study recommends that future strategies integrate and harmonize economic growth with environmental care by targeting sustainability in construction techniques and renewable energy.

Virtual Value Engineering in Investment and Construction Activities

Statement of the problem. The Russian investment and construction industries continue to grow, and there is a growing demand for services related to designing and implementing new projects. The introduction of innovative technologies and improvements to construction processes are essential parts of investment and construction efforts in today's world. Engineering plays a significant role in investment and construction projects, as it is involved both in the planning phase and during the implementation stages. Cost engineering is a concept that refers to a set of techniques and tools used to manage the expenses of a project throughout its lifecycle. The integration of investment and construction engineering services with the latest technological advancements is a new but already popular trend in the construction market. Results. This study emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to facility design, considering the unique characteristics of modern technology and the requirements of participants in investment and construction projects that require operational involvement in project management. Conclusions. The paper supports the introduction of «virtual engineering», which can create a more comfortable environment for all stakeholders in an investment or construction project.

Research on Age-Friendly Renewal Design of Community Parks Based on Elderly Participatory Construction: A Case Study of Xinmenkou Community Park Renewal

Age-friendly design embodies a pivotal urban development endeavor in addressing the aging society during China’s urban renewal era. Among the key components of this renewal process, community parks occupy a prominent position, and their adaptation to cater to the older population stands as a significant area of research and development. Drawing upon an analysis of the characteristics and requirements of the senior population, along with factors influencing their participatory construction of community parks, this study proposes methodologies for elderly-involved construction activities encompassing design, planting, maintenance, and activity participation. Capitalizing on a user-centric approach, the study targets three primary aspects—space, facilities, and activities—to proceed with an age-friendly renovation for the Xinmenkou Community Park in Gulou District, Nanjing, China. By introducing tailored zones such as a self-created space zone, a planting experience zone, a voluntary maintenance zone, and an activity participation zone, the design aims to fulfill the aspirations of older residents for the participatory construction of community parks. This innovative scheme revitalizes aging urban communities and presents a fresh perspective for urban renewal strategies.

Influence of the basalt fibre and fly ash on the structural properties of sustainable high-strength concrete

Abstract The present article describes the experimental research carried out to investigate the properties of concrete containing basalt fibre reinforcement and concrete containing basalt fibres and fly ash additives. Each test was done as per Indian standards (IS-516). The experiments sought to establish both fresh and hardened concrete properties. In respect of new concrete, slump, setting time, bleeding, temperature, and density were estimated to check its quality. Compressive, flexural and split tensile strength are the three main parameters for assessing those qualities in a solidified state. It was determined that the utilization of fly ash with 20%, 30% or 40% proportions of cement involved resulted in a stronger concrete mixture. To these samples, different contents of basalt fibres 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75% by volume were added respectively. Standard samples were cast, cured and tested accordingly. Thus, the studies show that it is possible to mix concrete with basalt fibres without any segregation or balling effect on it or even sticking together during the mixing processes. Modestly increased splitting tensile and bending strengths have been obtained due to the introduction of basalt fibres on this composite material using which improved workability can be achieved more rapidly than conventional hydration reactions based solely upon Portland Cement chemistry, moreover, thermal stability has also been considerably enhanced, besides that even basic physical-chemical properties should be very much similar to those of ordinary Portland cement. Based materials thus ensuring better compatibility during processing from raw constituents towards final composites up-to-date with known technological aspects related specifically towards production practices carried out in developing countries like India. Such situations usually result primarily due to poor engineering control exercised over construction activities. Resulting problems areas namely joint locations limited access space between steel reinforcement bars inside walls. So often appearing weak points in overall design yield inadequate structural performance compared to intended specifications. Another reason why sustainable building methods cannot be fully adopted has been found that they lack proper skilled manpower despite having all necessary resources that are easily renewable. By compared with traditional ones made up of non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. However, fly ash used in place of concrete only makes it harder without improving workability and strength at the optimum percentage.

Range versus frequency averaging of underwater propagation loss for soundscape modelinga).

Guidance on efficient methods is needed for the practical application of modeling the sound field from broadband sources such as vessels, seismic surveys, and construction activities. These sound field models are employed for estimating how changes in the soundscape will affect marine life. For efficiency, acoustic propagation modeling is often performed in bands (decidecade or 13-octave), where propagation loss modeled for central frequency is assumed to represent an average propagation loss in the band. This shortcut comes at the expense of accuracy, which can be rectified by averaging the propagation loss across many frequencies in the band. Alternately, the equivalence of range and frequency averaging was shown by Harrison and Harrison [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 1314-1317 (1995)]. However, when and how to apply range averaging required further investigations. A simple environment with a flat sandy bottom and an isovelocity water-column sound speed profile was considered to test the agreement between the range and frequency averages for decidecade bands typically considered in soundscape modelling (10-1000 Hz). The optimal range smoothing window is a Gaussian window with a width of 10%-16% of the range from the source that switches to a width fixed beyond 20 km distance from the source.

Automation, Robotics Transforming How Industry Drills Wells

Automation, which can generate significant returns on investment, is increasingly mainstream, while robotics, which can improve safety on the jobsite, is gaining traction more slowly. Both play a role in safely finding and producing oil and gas, but neither would be able to shine without advances in technology. And while some worry automation will take jobs away—US dockworkers struck briefly in early October partly due to such fears—experts say the intent is to aid humans in their jobs and free them up for other, more meaningful tasks. Milos Milosevic, senior director of digital well construction at Halliburton, told JPT implementing automation and robotics generates a number of benefits, including resource optimization, operation transparency, and consistency. “As soon as you introduce automation, as soon as you introduce robotics, what you get is consistency, and what you get is transparency, because now we are putting all the knowledge in people’s heads in an automated system which executes every time the same,” he said, adding that leads to faster time to first oil, fewer emissions, and reduced hazards on the jobsite. “We want to have operations where we can be confident that every time, it’s going to go as we plan, and that the automation is going to help us deal with unexpected things that will happen in any kind of execution,” Milosevic said. “All of that creates value.” While uptake of automated processes is increasing, he noted many opportunities for further development remain. Beyond the benefit of using automation to remove people from having to perform routine operations, automation can produce outcomes that are very difficult for people to achieve, he said, such as integrating massive amounts of data and acting on that information. Knowledge can be distilled into software, which can then be trained to follow rules so the software recognizes when something is happening faster than a human can. He cited well construction activities as an example. “You don’t want to get stuck; you don’t want to have a well control event.” Typically, a person would watch a model, evaluate how a well was shaping up, and take action if data indicates irregularities or potential issues with the well. “That knowledge and that decision-making is distilled now into software,” Milosevic said. The goal is to aid experts by providing tools that allow them to spend their attention on important things. “They’re getting the alerts. They’re getting automated recommendations of what to do. In certain cases, the automation takes over and does certain responses that the driller, for example, would acknowledge and see that this happened without the necessary intervention from a human. So, we are augmenting, really, what the person does,” he said. The result is that the software can “worry” about the safety of equipment, such as by alerting people to emerging issues in order to prevent unsafe operations of machines and let the software focus on when actions are taken, instead requiring the people to do so. Milosevic said such software “orchestrates higher levels of working. When do we do certain things? When do we turn on certain pressure zones? When do you drill harder or not?”

Extreme rainfall events eliminate the response of greenhouse gas fluxes to hydrological alterations and fertilization in a riparian ecosystem

Riparian ecosystems are essential carbon dioxide (CO2) sources, which considerably promotes climate warming. However, the other greenhouse gas fluxes (GHGs), such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), in the riparian ecosystems have not been well studied, and it remains unclear whether and how these GHG fluxes respond to extreme weather, fertilization and hydrological alterations associated with reservoir management. Here, we assessed the impacts of hydrological alterations (i.e., flooding frequency) and fertilization (nitrogen and/or phosphorus) induced by human activities (hydroengineering construction and agricultural activities) on GHG fluxes, and further investigated the underlying mechanisms in two contrasting years (normal vs. extreme rainfall years) in a reservoir riparian zone dominated by grasses. The significant combined effects of extreme rainfall events and human activities (hydrological alterations and fertilization) on the GHGs were observed. Continuous flooding reduced CO2 emissions by 24% but increased CH4 emissions by ∼4 times in a normal rainfall year. In addition, nitrogen fertilization promoted CO2 emissions by 37%. However, these phenomena were not observed in the year with extreme rainfall events, which made the flooding levels homogeneous across the treatments. Furthermore, we found that CO2 fluxes were driven by the soil moisture, nutrient content, aboveground biomass, and root carbon content, while CH4 and N2O fluxes were merely driven by the soil properties (pH, moisture, and nutrient content). This study provides valuable insights into the crucial role of extreme rainfall events, hydrological alteration, and fertilization in regulating GHG fluxes in riparian ecosystems, as well as supports the integration of these changes in GHG emission models.

Effect of temperature on the radon release characteristics of red clay

Bricks and tiles crafted from fired red clay are extensively utilized in everyday construction activities. However, red clay inherently contains radon gas, a radioactive substance that could potentially endanger human health. Hence, investigating the radon emission patterns of red clay post high-temperature treatment holds significant importance. This study examines the pore structure of red clay following high-temperature treatment through nitrogen adsorption and analyzes the radon release patterns. Findings reveal that the radon release rate from red clay initially rises, then declines with increasing temperature, peaking at 200 °C, registering at 0.0127 Bq/(m2 s). The pore structure significantly influences radon exhalation, with connectivity and micropore volume demonstrating linear correlations with radon exhalation rate, with correlation coefficients of 0.96 and 0.78, respectively. This research offers valuable insights into radon radiation in structures made of red clay.

Application of Building Information Modelling in Construction and Demolition Waste Management: Systematic Review and Future Trends Supported by a Conceptual Framework

The architecture, engineering, construction, and operations industry faces an urgent need to enhance construction and demolition waste management in urban areas, driven by increasing demolition and construction activities and a desire to align with sustainable practices and the circular economy principles. To address this need, a systematic literature review on the building information modelling methodology was conducted, employing a structured protocol and specific tools for the analysis of academic studies, based on PRISMA guidelines and StArt software (version 3.4 BETA). Ninety relevant studies published between 1998 and 2024, were analysed and selected from the Web of Science, Scopus, and Engineering Village databases. Findings indicate that China leads in publications with 34%, followed by Brazil (8%) and the United Kingdom (7%). The analysis emphasises the use of drones and LiDAR scanners for precise spatial data, processed by 3D reconstruction tools like Pix4D and FARO As-Built. Revit excels in 3D modelling, providing a robust platform for visualisation and analysis. Visual programming tools such as Dynamo automate processes and optimise material reuse. The study presents a conceptual framework that integrates these technologies with the principles of the circular economy, clarifying the interactions and practical applications that promote the sustainable management of demolition waste from urban buildings and process efficiency. Although the approach promotes material reuse and sustainability, it still faces barriers such as the need for waste segregation at the source, the adaptation of innovative technologies, like the iPhone 15 Pro LiDAR and thermal cameras, as well as associated costs. These factors may limit its adoption in larger-scale projects, particularly due to the increased complexity of buildings.

An Analytical Review for Search of Optimal Selection & Utilization of Earthwork Equipment in Construction

Different types of equipment with various levels/times application times are the characteristic features of all construction projects. Almost every construction project/industry has the most common problem of slow progress and cost overruns due to increasing downtime and decreasing operational efficiency of construction equipment. Construction equipment is involved in construction to such an extent that without it no construction activity can be performed. In recent years, with the continuous advancement in technology and improvement of urbanization, there have been more and more construction project/equipment requirements resulting in either the project delay or cost enhancement As the most critical element earthwork is responsible for not only successful completion of project within schedule but also for the starting of the project, selection of right equipment for earthwork is necessary. Earthwork complexity further increases due to various soil types and equipment, and adverse environmental conditions The present study is concentrated or focused on soil and various costs based practices adopted for the selection of construction equipment and an attempt has been made to find the optimal solution for the most problematic or responsible activities for the delay in project/cost overrun especially in context to excavation, compression, and earth / material movement equipment utilization.

Postural Assessment of Indian Masons and Prototype Design of Work Table

Indian Masons are engaged in different construction activities like bricklaying, plastering, and concreting work in prolonged standing, sitting, trunk flexion posture at lumbar, squatting, and truck twisting posture to pick the materials, tools and perform bricklaying and plastering work throughout the day. A different study revealed that prolonged working in flexion posture and working in squatting posture without supporting any fixture would cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders gradually. Earlier studies also showed that working in poor posture correlated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study examines the influence of working in trunk flexion posture at the lumbar, trunk twisting, Neck twisting and squatting posture by the masons while performing different masonry work to find the discomfort among the Indian masons. The 64 male masons were observed and video-recorded at different construction sites. The REBA, ERIN, WERA and QEC methods are used for the assessment of exposure on the body. The assessment was performed on real-time images of masons performing bricklaying and plastering work. The REBA, ERIN, WERA and QEC results showed that masons were at high risk due to prolonged working in trunk flexion posture at the lumbar, working with twisting position of the trunk and Neck and squatting posture. The newly developed worktable will help the mason to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

AIR QUALITY IN YEREVAN IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Over the past five years, the atmospheric air quality in Yerevan has continued to deteriorate, primarily attributed to a significant increase in airborne dust, particularly during the hot summer months that coincide with the peak tourist season. This phenomenon reflects a complex interplay among atmospheric emissions, air quality, emission source altitudes, changes in chemical composition, solar radiation, weather patterns, and topographic conditions. Sources of dust pollution in Yerevan include industrial activities, vehicular emissions, road dust, and construction activities. Data from various administrative districts indicate that, over the past five years, concentrations of dust, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide frequently exceed established standards. Additionally, there are unregulated static sources of dust pollution within the city. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the primary pollutants in the context of climate change and urbanization in Yerevan over the last five years. It also assesses green areas and evaluates the effectiveness of greening initiatives, while considering compliance with national legislation in the Republic of Armenia.

Assessment of the extent of community preparedness to flood risk in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Jigawa State faces annual flood disasters that have resulted in significant loss of life and property, putting many communities at risk. This study aim to evaluate the preparedness for flood risk in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A sample of 666 respondents was selected for a self-administered questionnaire, with 601 fully completed. The collected data were analyzed descriptively to determine the preparedness index. (PI). From the result of the findings, a majority (77.7%) of the respondents agreed that the community is aware of flood risks. There was also a provision of a neighborhood directory (97.8%), local shelter (75.9%) and emergency contacts (55.4%) during floods. The PI (92.6%, 98.6% 84.1% and 85.1% respectively), are above the 65% threshold and hence considered ‘prepared’ in this regard; but, ‘somewhat prepared’ (PI of 61.7%) regarding awareness of flood disaster risk management strategies; ‘and unprepared’ (PI of 55.5%, 50.5%, 50.5%, 50.8% and 54.3% respectively) in terms of community organization of public education and training of flood risk reduction (66.6%); engagement on rehearsals/emergency drills (51.6%); good community-based warning system (51.4%); and a standalone system for property protection measures during floods (52.4%); as well as an active recovery plan (62.9%). It was recommended that proper embankment protection and water regulation outlets be established. Additionally, real-time flood forecasting and effective early warning systems should be developed. Communities should be assessed to identify flood risk zones before construction activities begin, or alternatively, resettlement to safer areas should be considered for those living in flood-prone regions.

Comprehensive Review of Tunnel Blasting Evaluation Techniques and Innovative Half Porosity Assessment Using 3D Image Reconstruction

To meet the increasing demand for rapid and efficient evaluation of tunnel blasting quality, this study presents To meet the increasing demand for rapid and efficient evaluation of tunnel blasting quality, this study presents a comprehensive review of the current state of the art in tunnel blasting evaluation, organized into five key areas: Blasting Techniques and Optimization, 3D Reconstruction and Visualization, Monitoring and Assessment Technologies, Automation and Advanced Techniques, and Half Porosity in Tunnel Blasting. Each section provides an indepth analysis of the latest research and developments, offering insights into enhancing blasting efficiency, improving safety, and optimizing tunnel design. Building on this foundation, we introduce a digital identification method for assessing half porosity through 3D image reconstruction. Utilizing the Structure from Motion (SFM) technique, we re-construct the 3D contours of tunnel surfaces and bench faces after blasting. Curvature values are employed as key indicators for extracting 3D point cloud data from boreholes. The acquired postblasting point cloud data is processed using advanced software that incorporates the RANSAC algorithm to accurately project and fit the borehole data, leading to the determination of the target circle and borehole axis. The characteristics of the boreholes are analyzed based on the fitting results, culminating in the calculation of half porosity. Field experiments conducted on the Huangtai Tunnel (AK20 + 970.5 to AK25 + 434), part of the new National Highway 109 project, provided data from shell holes generated during blasting. These data were analyzed and compared with traditional onsite measurements to validate the proposed method’s effectiveness. The computed half porosity value using this technique was 58.7%, showing minimal deviation from the traditional measurement of 60%. This methodology offers significant advantages over conventional measurement techniques, including easier equipment acquisition, non-interference with construction activities, a comprehensive detection range, rapid processing speed, reduced costs, and improved accuracy. The findings demonstrate the method’s potential for broader application in tunnel blasting assessments.

Technosols Made from Iron Mine Tailings and Construction and Demolition Waste as an Alternative for Sustainable Solid Waste Management

ABSTRACTBrazil faces urgent environmental challenges due to large waste production from mining and construction activities particularly regarding the disposal and management of the solid waste generated by these activities. The extraction of iron ore and the storage of tailings in dams, most of which are at imminent risk of rupture, represent foretold environmental disasters. Additionally, the disposal of construction waste raises environmental concerns due to the decreasing vailability of inert landfill space. To address these challenges, we evaluated the potential of Technosols made from construction and demolition waste (CDW) and iron mining tailing (IMT) in different proportions (60:40, 70:30, 80:20, and 100% of IMT and CDW, respectively) to support grass development. The Technosols were compared to a natural soil (Haplic Ferralsol). The soils were cultivated with Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu in a field experiment conducted for 120 days. At the end of experiment, soil samples were collected and analyzed their chemical, physical, and mineralogical attributes, while plants were analyzed for dry biomass. Plants cultivated in Technosols exhibited dry biomass production 3.3‐fold (825 ± 270 g) greater than those cultivated in the natural soil (251 ± 77 g). Higher biomass production in the Technosols, especially in the TEC70:30, was associated with the favorable chemical conditions of these soils, such as slightly neutral pH (~7.5), higher cation exchange capacity (68.1 ± 12.4 mmol dm−3) and nutrient availability, especially Ca and P (57.8 ± 0.8 and 28.2 ± 0.4 mmol dm−3, respectively). These results aim to provide insights for the effective use of different Technosols in mitigating environmental impacts and promoting sustainable land and waste management practices, primarily to prevent future environmental disasters.

A Framework for Industry 4.0 Related Green Concept Integration of Services Component in Commercial Buildings

The effects of global warming are far-reaching and can affect and threaten every aspect of human existence. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation have mainly contributed to the emission of these greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Construction activities and practices are one such human activity. Building services are the aspects of a building that ensure the occupants are comfortable and secure within the building. However, building services use resources such as energy and water to create such comfort. The 4.0 era of industry has introduced dimensions to Green Building Concepts and practices of creating structures and processes that are environmentally friendly, responsible and resource efficient. This research, therefore, seeks to develop a framework for the integration of Industry 4.0-related green concepts into services in commercial buildings. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted in this research to provide information concerning integrating green concepts into building services in commercial buildings in Nigeria. Data were collected with questionnaires from 106 built environment professionals who also use commercial buildings in the study area of Abuja. Statistical tools for frequency, percentage, mean score, relative important index (RII), independent samples t test, Mann–Whitney U test and the factor reduction method based on eigen values were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that quality indoor air conditioning is the most critical satisfaction parameter for users within commercial buildings, with an average mean score of 3.81. The aesthetic effect of installed services on the building façade and high-quality building services components was ranked high, with an average mean score of 3.33 for each. The results also indicated that the lack of relevant technology and inadequate training of service personnel hindered the growth of green building concepts in Nigeria. These factors had a mean score of 4.35 each. Professionals ranked energy efficient/saving bulbs, e.g., CFLs, remote controlled, sensored lights, natural daylight, solar photovoltaic panels and building management systems, as the most effective green components that can be incorporated into commercial buildings. These factors and others were combined to create a framework for integrating green concepts for services into commercial buildings. When the construction industry and government in Nigeria adopt this framework, it can promote more integration of green concepts into commercial building services.

Human-bird interactions in the Levant during the Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene: Multi-scalar analysis of avifaunal remains

This paper describes analyses of avifauna from Levantine Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene sites at contrasting scales. We present avian osteological data at Shubayqa, in northeast Jordan, illustrating human-bird-environment interactions over 4000 years offering interpretation of environmental change on avifaunal communities and reorientation in the nature of multi-species relationships at a wetland environment. Comparisons to published avifaunal assemblages investigates bird-human relationships across a broader temporal and geographical span. During the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene, some of our species gradually transitioned to agriculture. People hunted birds for subsistence but extensive evidence for the symbolic importance of birds suggests complex relationships between species. Avifaunal evidence, therefore, presents insights into two commonly suggested primary causes for the shift from hunter-foragers to agriculturalists – resource pressure and symbolic expression. In this paper, we investigate and try to clarify the relationship between humans and birds at this transitional period in human history, furthering discussions of the shift towards agriculture. We argue humans gradually modified the landscape but this was not a reactionary response to resource stress. Nevertheless, this resulted in the productivity of the landscape increasing and allowed further intensification. Feathers and talons of birds were used for millennia preceding the shift to agriculture and the increase in bird hunting towards the end of the Pleistocene cannot be explained by the increased role of birds in the symbolic realm. The evidence from the avifauna adds weight to the idea of ecological niche construction activities, as people invested in specific locations, increasing productivity of habitats, thus encouraging further investment within some environments.

Research on an Equivalent Algorithm for Predicting Gas Content in Deep Coal Seams

This document introduces a novel equivalent algorithm for forecasting gas content within deep coal seams, which is subject to constraints stemming from the advancements and precision achieved in well and roadway engineering endeavors. This algorithm meticulously acknowledges that coal seam gas content comprises three fundamental components: the inherent gas emission rate of the equivalent stratum, the residual gas content retained within the coal seam itself, and the influence imparted by the gas content within the coal seam. Furthermore, the approach thoroughly considers variations in the level of porosity development within the coal seam and its surrounding rock formations, as well as the occurrence of gas within these structures. The equivalent layer is classified into two distinct groups: the sandstone zone and the clay zone. The sandstone zone utilizes pertinent parameters pertaining to fine sandstone, whereas the clay zone distinguishes between clay rock and thick mudstone. The influencing factor considerations solely encompass natural elements, such as the coal seam’s occurrence and geological structure. The residual gas content employs either existing measured parameters or acknowledged experimental parameters specific to the coal seam. Based on this predictive approach, an intelligent auxiliary software (V1.0) for mine gas forecasting was devised. The software calculates the gas content of deep coal seams within the mine at intervals of 100 m × 100 m, subsequently fitting the contour lines of gas content across the entire area. The gas content predictions derived from this equivalent algorithm demonstrate robust adaptability to variations in gas content caused by construction activities, and the prediction results exhibit an acceptable level of error on-site. Notably, the prediction process is not constrained by the progress of tunnel engineering, ensuring that the prediction outcomes can accurately represent the distribution characteristics of deep coal seam gas content. After a year of application, the prediction results have consistently met on-site requirements, providing a scientific foundation for the implementation of effective gas prevention and control measures in the mining area. Furthermore, this approach can effectively guide the formulation of medium- and long-term gas prevention and control plans for mines.