Agricultural Buildings Research Articles

Сучасний стан конкурентоспроможності вітчизняного ринку сільськогосподарського машинобудування на міжнародній арені

Сучасний стан конкурентоспроможності вітчизняного ринку сільськогосподарського машинобудування на міжнародній арені

Architecture that Speaks: S. C. P. Vosper and Ten Remarkable Buildings at Texas A&M ed. by Nancy T. McCoy and David G. Woodcock

Reviewed by: Architecture that Speaks: S. C. P. Vosper and Ten Remarkable Buildings at Texas A&M ed. by Nancy T. McCoy and David G. Woodcock Kathryn E. Holliday Architecture that Speaks: S. C. P. Vosper and Ten Remarkable Buildings at Texas A&M. By Nancy T. McCoy and David G. Woodcock. ( College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2017. Pp. 230. Photographs, line drawings, bibliography, index.) Architect S. C. P. Vosper is far from a household name, and his influence on shaping the college experience at Texas A&M University has been [End Page 221] little acknowledged. As chief designer for the university between 1929 and 1933, and with the supervision of the technically oriented chief architect, Frederick Ernst Giesecke, Vosper designed the Cushing Library, the Chemistry Building, the Petroleum Engineering Building, the Agricultural Engineering Building, and six more classroom and office buildings at the heart of the now sprawling campus. The ten buildings featured in Nancy McCoy and David Woodcock's architectural history of the campus offer new insights into the ways that the university, which is now well known for its strict observance of tradition, established its reputation and culture in the 1920s and 1930s. At the heart of this story is Vosper's ability to translate the architectural ideals of the Beaux-Arts and the City Beautiful movements, which dominated American thinking about public and civic buildings through the 1920s, into something appropriate to an isolated and still-fledgling land grant campus in small-town Texas. In the late 1920s, Texas A&M had access to new wealth from the oil-boom-fueled Permanent University Fund, and it began to expand to its east, poised to connect to the newly proposed State Highway 6. As a result, the university embarked on what the authors call the "largest building program to date on the campus" (19), which would amplify its ability to become the premier agricultural and mechanical college in the state. Vosper, raised and educated in New York, had more than ten years' experience working in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio before taking on the campus commissions, and he had developed a "love of Texas history" (19) that is still visible in his designs. Particularly emphasized in Vosper's work is the idea of architecture parlante, or the idea that "buildings speak" of their uses and purposes through ornament. Vosper's design for the 1933 Administration Building, for example, is embellished with cast stone panels that illustrate events and heroes from state history and with bronze doors whose figures personify, appropriately enough, agriculture and mechanics. McCoy and Woodcock divide the book into two complementary sets of chapters, one providing a detailed campus history and the other looking in minute detail at the design and construction of the ten Vosper buildings. In so doing, they provide a welcome primer for non-architects on how to understand the design and construction of historic buildings. They also emphasize the importance of collaboration and craft, giving capsule histories of sculptors, artisans, and craftsmen who were essential to making the buildings come to life. The book translates the specialized jargon of the architecture and planning professions and classifies the kinds of materials and techniques that Vosper and Giesecke used. These Beaux-Arts and Art Deco buildings are easy to navigate, with grand staircases that lead to airy hallways and generous auditorium spaces. Carolyn [End Page 222] Brown's superb photographs highlight details like cast stone horse's and sheep's heads, plaster constellations, stained glass crystals, iron trilobite fossils, and terrazzo maps of Texas that may go unnoticed on a typical class day but here receive justified attention. The text plainly elucidates the pro-Texas, pro-agriculture, pro-science messages of these adornments and their role in celebrating the university's mission to educate students and to support the state's economy. McCoy's and Woodcock's book provides ample evidence that architecture is fundamental to our understanding of institutional culture and identity. The survival of Vosper's auditorium in the Chemistry Building, for example, ensures that contemporary students have a palpable connection to the ways that the university's core mission originated in and has grown from long-established roots...

INVOLVEMENT OF ENERGY - SAVING AND ECOLOGICAL FACILITIES IN RURAL TOURISM

Rural tourism is a rest in the countryside. People, who have a small farm, are hosts for arriving guests and they have the opportunity for their accommodation and can offer a variety of activities. In recent years the popularity of rural tourism has grown considerably in the developed countries. In this direction there is a growing interest of foreign tourists to the Georgian villages, too. Rural tourism provides very interesting opportunities for business development in the village. Theoretically, any resident of the village who has time, desire and organizational skills can be engaged in the rural tourism. Georgia has great potential for rural tourism development: natural beauty, rich flora and fauna, a lot of cultural and historical monuments, folklore, cuisine and more. The aim of the research is to study the prospects for the development of rural tourism in the country, as additional employment opportunities, together with or on the basis of its own housekeeping rural areas. Research methodology: Theoretical and methodological basis of the study are the works of Georgian and foreign specialists in this field, Legislative acts, as well as methods of the survey, analysis, conclusion. Results and implications: Research into the causes of poverty in the villages of Georgia showed that most of the respondents consider the low incomes and unemployment to be the main source of the poverty. To improve this situation, it is important that the rural population has been able of additional employment together with a private household, or based on it. such a possibility is the development of rural tourism and homestead tourism. Conclusion: Development of rural tourism in Georgia will contribute: 1. The creation of new jobs in rural areas. 2. The improvement of the living standards of village inhabitants. 3. The creation of tourism infrastructure. 4. The reduction of seasonality of tourism to nothing (rural tourism is functioning year-round). 5. The development of entrepreneurial activities in the village. 6. The restoration of cultural and natural monuments in rural areas. 7. To attract tourists in the villages. The proposed works suggest the creation of facilities for alternative, organic, ecologically pure, harmless, energy- saving materials, such as wood, clay and stubbles. based on the research, it was found that the stubble eco-house is very attractive, cheap and convenient for consumers, because of its thermal characteristics, including accommodation, such materials are acceptable for residential and hotel buildings, for recreation of tourists and protected areas,also in agricultural buildings (farms, warehouses ...), cottages, etc.

Possible Use of Diatomite and Pumice-Amended Mortar and Plaster in Agricultural Structures

This study was conducted to investigate the potential use of diatomite (a natural pozzolana) and pumice in plasters and mortars to be used in agricultural buildings. Compacted and loose unit weights, specific weight, water absorption, organic matter content, abrasion resistance of aggregate (sand and pumice) and pozzolana were investigated and materials were found to comply with the relevant standards. Test results on fresh (unit weight and slum test) and hardened (unit weight, capillary water absorption, total water absorption, bending and compressive strength, vapor diffusion test) mortar samples revealed that pumice and diatomite could be used in agricultural structures. Diatomite and pumice should be heat-treated and grounded before to use in mortars. In plasters to be made with abundant pumice and diatomite sources, high water holding capacity of the materials should be taken into consideration and further researches should be carried out about their compliance with the other materials.

The Dynamics of Human–Environment Interactions in the Collapse of the Classic Maya

In this study we investigate the societal development of the Maya in the Southern Lowlands over a span of approximately 1400years and explore whether societal dynamics linked to the depletion of natural resources can explain the rise and fall of the Classic Maya. We propose a dynamical systems model that accounts for the state of the land, population and workers employed in swidden and intensive agriculture and monument building. Optimisation of model output to fit empirical data fixes biometric parameters to values consistent with the literature and requires that a shift from swidden to more intensive agriculture took place at around 550 CE. The latter prediction is consistent with the dating of the beginning of the Late Classical period. Thus, our model offers an explanation of the collapse of the society of the Maya and suggests that the role of droughts may have been overestimated. Consistent with previous work, the collapse can be modelled by a critical transition (supercritical Hopf bifurcation), where the critical parameter is the harvesting rate per capita of intensive agriculture. Furthermore, an extensive sensitivity analysis indicates that the model and its predictions are robust.

Structure and properties of new wear-resistant steels for agricultural machine building

The phase transformations and the changes in the structure and mechanical properties of highstrength steel are studied under the common treatment operations (hot rolling, stamping, and heat treatment). On the basis of the results of research, new competitive wear-resistant steels with the yield strengths of 1200, 1500, and 1700 MPa are developed for the agricultural machine building industry.

Automation of air disinfection and lighting in agricultural buildings

The article describes the urgency of this problem and modern ways of its solving. Modern disinfection and lighting systems are not developed enough. The authors proposed to automate the system of disinfection, dust removal and lighting in the farm building. We developed algorithm on the basis of which the universal program in the programming language C ++ was written. Assembled the microprocessor set ARDUINO. The program is included in the microprocessor ATMEGA, which is part of ARDUINO. As a basis for the disinfection system, a two-component ARUF device was used, which includes two decontaminating components: an ultraviolet lamp and an aerosol dispenser. Each of the algorithms (lighting and disinfection) consists of 3 parts: data collection and analysis, control, data output to the display. The sequence of 3 parts is 1 cycle, then it repeated. In the first part on the basis of indications of sensors assignment to variables of some values was carried out. In the second part, based on the values of the variables, the decontamination and lighting devices are controlled. In the third part due to changing the screen number, variable, it is possible to switch the display and view the status of the installation and external parameters. The program, written on the basis of algorithms, is universal and suitable for almost any poultry and livestock buildings. All parameters (the time of the beginning and completion of the ARUV operation within 24 hours, the daily time of the illumination of a certain cycle, the maximum and minimum humidity, the duration of each cycle) used for control and management are variables. Operator can set the items using the display in the menu.

Human Errors in the Design and Execution of Steel Structures—A Case Study

Construction engineering activity requires decision making that involves a relatively large number of risk factors. These factors are related not only to the statistical variability of design data and model uncertainties but also to human proneness to commit errors. Human errors are inevitable and have a significant influence on the safety of building structures, which has been confirmed by the results of numerous structural failure analyses. This influence is also mentioned in the European Standard EN 1990, but human errors are not considered in the partial factor design. In this respect, the reliability required for the structure is achieved by applying quality management measures in design, execution, use and maintenance. The correct operation of the quality control system is then essential for the operational safety of the structure and the economic efficiency of the entire business project. This issue is illustrated with an analysis of the steel structure of an agricultural building in which human errors occurred at the planning, design and execution stages. Owing to the incorrect application of the quality management system, these errors had not been revised in due time, which led to the initiation of legal proceedings and finally to the decision to dismantle the building before putting it into use.

Sand Dune Stabilization by Hydrated Lime

Formation and movement of sand dunes could be considered the most important problems thatsafer and destroy agricultural lands, domestic and industrial buildings. These dunes finally forma desertification state. The hard climate as high temperature and reduction in rainfall are themain factors affecting on this formation. This practical study is a trial to solve this problemthrough addition and covering the dunes by local material. Hydrated lime was used in this work,the lime was mixed with water in different ratios and covered a hills of sand. Three ratios of limewere selected to cover three sand hills with diameter 100 cm and height 50cm. The thickness ofthe lime layer is 6cm and covered all the hill. The hills were lifted for a year under the naturalcircumstances of sun shine, winds, rainfall and temperature. Results indicated that the hills werefixed and no sand were blown from dunes. Furthermore, some natural plants have been grownover them.

Sand Dune Stabilization by Hydrated Lime

Formation and movement of sand dunes could be considered the most important problems that safer and destroy agricultural lands, domestic and industrial buildings. These dunes finally form a desertification state. The hard climate as high temperature and reduction in rainfall are the main factors affecting on this formation. This practical study is a trial to solve this problem through addition and covering the dunes by local material. Hydrated lime was used in this work, the lime was mixed with water in different ratios and covered a hills of sand. Three ratios of lime were selected to cover three sand hills with diameter 100 cm and height 50cm. The thickness of the lime layer is 6 cm and covered all the hill. The hills were lifted for a year under the natural circumstances of sun shine, winds, rainfall and temperature. Results indicated that the hills were fixed and no sand were blown from dunes. Furthermore, some natural plants have been grown over them. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.25130/tjes.24.2017.16

Validation of an open source CFD code to simulate natural ventilation for agricultural buildings

To study natural ventilation for agricultural buildings, OpenFOAM, an open source CFD code, enables to develop tools that automate complex simulation procedures for nonprofessional CFD users. Prior to developing such tools, this paper investigates the accuracy of simulated air velocity in three test buildings according to different mesh sizes and turbulence models. The computed results, that were obtained using 13 different mesh sizes and 4 different k-ε turbulence models, were qualitatively and quantitatively compared to wind tunnel measurements by two validation metrics. The results showed that the smaller mesh size leads to slightly higher simulation accuracy, but an increase in the number of meshes above a certain level did not improve the simulation accuracy due to the problem of solution convergence. The mesh size larger than 0.25m at building walls was appropriate for the standard k-ε model and the RNG k-ε model, while a small mesh size of 0.125m was preferable for the low Re k-ε model. The simulation results, especially obtained from the RNG k-ε model, were highly influenced by whether the solution converged showing the relative error of on average 6.4% higher in the oscillatory solutions, while those from the low Re k-ε model were more dependent on the mesh size.

Evaluation of CFD turbulence models for simulating external airflow around varied building roof with wind tunnel experiment

Detailed airflow information around a building can be crucial for the design of naturally ventilated systems and for exhaust air dispersion practices in agricultural buildings like greenhouses and livestock buildings. Full-scale measurements are cost-intensive and difficult to achieve due to varied wind conditions. A common method to gain insight of flow field under different wind conditions is the numerical simulation by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Still, evaluation of a CFD models’ performance and validation of its predictions with high quality experimental data is necessary before the model is used in practice. In this research three types of common agricultural buildings, arched-type, pitched-type and flat-type roof, were examined by conducting experiments in a wind tunnel with controlled airflow conditions, in order to validate different 3D turbulence models for predicting airflow patterns. The focus of this work was the detailed description of the external airflow field over the varied roof geometries and especially the velocity distribution and turbulent kinetic energy in the wake of each building. Experimental measurements of velocity were performed with a Laser Doppler Anemometer (LDA) and were compared with 3D RANS turbulence models’ simulation results. A reasonable agreement was found between experimental and simulation results concerning the velocity and the turbulence kinetic energy with CFD models slightly underestimating these magnitudes. The k-e series turbulence models and especially the standard k-e, RNG k-e and Realizable k-e models presented good agreement concerning velocity contours; however, high prediction error occurred over the roof of the buildings compared to the average values.

Effect of the greenhouse design on the thermal behavior and microclimate distribution in greenhouses installed under semi‐arid climate

AbstractGreenhouse design and cover material properties may strongly impact greenhouse energy. To study the effect of these parameters, three typical unheated agricultural buildings equipped with rows of canopy were considered, and two‐dimensional simulations were conducted using the discrete ordinate model for simulating radiative transfers. Experiments were conducted to establish the boundary conditions and to validate the model. Two parametric studies were carried out: one for the nocturnal period when the energy performance of each type of greenhouse was investigated, and one for the diurnal period, when the sun path was simulated taking into account the type of the cover, its spectral optical and thermal properties. Results indicate that for the diurnal period, and for both plastic greenhouses equipped with fully opened side vents, the air located between the rows of canopy and ground surfaces remained very slow, not exceeding 0.2 m/s; for the Venlo glasshouse, the recirculation loop situated above the crop improved the air mixing and induced a good homogenization. Results also indicate that the cover material with the highest absorptivity, deteriorated the natural ventilation, increasing the air temperature by convection, enhancing local air temperature favoring the development of a secondary recirculation, and reduced the available photosynthetically active radiation. Concerning the nocturnal period, the ambient air temperature in the tunnel and in the vertical wall of the greenhouse was relatively homogenous and warmer than the temperature in the Venlo greenhouse. During the nocturnal period, the plastic greenhouse (in particular the one with the tunnel) performed better in regard to the homogenization of the climate and thermal energy storage.

School Culture's Influence on Beginning Agriculture Teachers' Job Satisfaction and Teacher Self-Efficacy

This study explored first and second year agriculture teachers’ job satisfaction and teacher self- efficacy through their perceived levels of school culture support. Prior research indicated one possible contributor to poor teacher retention is a lack of belonging teachers feel to their schools. Data were collected from beginning teachers in three states and stepwise multiple regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The researchers found that colleague support was statistically significant contributors to beginning teachers’ efficacy. District and school administration, colleague, and financial supports were all statistically significant contributors to teachers’ job satisfaction. These findings provide support for further research to explore gaps in the profession’s understanding of the role school culture plays for agriculture teachers. Recommendations include incorporating positive relationship-building techniques into pre-service and teacher induction programs and making beginning teachers aware of materials used in promoting agricultural education programs and building administrative relationships.

New Trends in Energy Production and Utilization

Abstract Energy has been the engine of nations’ development, and this has driven mankind towards growing energy needs, in particular for transportation, agricultural and industrial activities and buildings. Energy for transportation is based on oil derived fuel, whereas energy in buildings consists mainly of electricity, which is produced from fossil fuels, nuclear power and/or from renewable energy sources, such as hydro and solar. Agricultural and industrial activities use a combination of fossil fuels and electric energy. To increase the sustainability of energy production and efficient energy use, it is urgent that better monitoring and control systems are used, and increase the energy production from renewable sources. This drives the energy sector towards the need for Life Cycle Analysis of energy processes to support the selection and implementation of more sustainable energy systems, as well as to develop better and more intelligent electric energy grids, where storage energy systems plays an essential role. These questions will be briefly discussed in this paper, focusing in the current situation, existing problems and potential solutions, and expected developments.

Light on the Land: Construction Revolution in Farm Buildings of the Northern Rockies, 1890–1910

In the twenty years surrounding the turn of the twentieth century, the form and character of agricultural buildings in the Northern Rockies and the construction methods used to build them changed dramatically. This essay focuses on the Gallatin Valley of southwestern Montana to explore the nature and meaning of these changes. It places them within the context of the region's growth and development during its early agricultural settlement, which coincided with a period of tremendous advances in agricultural practices. The earliest Euro-American buildings in the region (1862 to the 1880s) reflect typical frontier construction, with logs the predominant material due to the plentiful local pine and fir and the limited tools available. However, this construction method presented structural limitations when the need for larger buildings arose due to regional economic development. Lacking other alternatives, farmers and stock growers put their faith in light balloon frame construction, although many of them had little experience with this method, particularly for sizable buildings. The demand for larger and more complex buildings spurred the introduction and subsequent adoption of an essentially new architecture. High elevation, climate, and the forces of national economic markets were the principal factors that influenced the rapid transition to light wood framing in Rocky Mountain agricultural buildings. This transformation, a real revolution in local design and construction, relates to the larger history of American architecture in the western United States, and it led to the broad diversification of farm building forms and types in the Northern Rockies.

Properties of Plain and Blended Cement Concrete Immersed in Acidic Peat Water Canal

Reinforced concrete structures exposed to the acidic environment, such as acidic soil, agricultural building, industrial acid, are unavoidable in practice. Structures and infrastructures in acidic environment are usually have durability problems related to degradation of concrete cover and corrosion of steel reinforcement. Acidic soil such as peat, contains organic humic acids that can retard cement hydration process, and potentially reduce the concrete integrity after continuous exposed to the environment. This research is aimed to investigate concrete degradation when subjected to peat water by direct field exposure in water canal. The specimens were made from Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Composite Cement (PCC) and OPC replaced with 10% (by cement weight) Palm Oil Fuel Ash (OPC POFA). Those plain and blended cement specimens were cast and cured in water pond in laboratory, then immersed in peat water canal up to 120 days. Compressive strength, tensile strength and porosity of specimens were measured at 28, 91 and 120 days. After 120 days of immersion, compressive and tensile strength reduction, and porosity increase were seen for the OPC specimens. The PCC and OPC POFA specimens performed a gradual increase in both compressive and tensile strength, and reduction of porosity with the exposure period. The results indicated that cement type had significant effect on concrete properties exposed to the peat water directly. The test results showed that the PCC samples are more chemically resistant to acid attack in peat water, followed by the OPC POFA samples and finally the OPC samples after subjected to acidic peat water canal.

Communication Strategy on Family Planning Campaign by the Field Officer for Family Planning Campaign in North Sumatera

Communication strategy on family planning campaign is the interpretation of knowledge, attitude and practice theory (KAP theory) that commonly used in many health campaign programs in developing countries and advanced countries in the world. This theory can also be applied to other programs such as agriculture, family planning, commercial, and society capacity building. The aims of this research are to describe and analyse communication strategy on family planning campaign by the field officer, and also to find out all factors that can be the obstacle on family planning program in Sumatera Utara province, especially in Sibolga City. The long-term goal of this research is to find out the best method that can be done by the government in order to get people’s support. It can only be achieved if the program is transparent, clearly stated and on the perfect target. The population of the research are the field officer for family planning campaign (10 persons) and also the citizen of Sibolga City (10 persons plus their husband/wife). Purposive sampling technique was selecting all informants. Observation, interview and Focus Group Discussion were also being held in order to get the best result. Several results were shown: it showed (especially using injection and implant method) among productive age couples is increasing. Nias people in Sibolga City are the most fragile community where many of them are not able to perform family planning due to lack of information because of the language problem. Another problem in Sibolga City is that many of the family planning acceptors using short-term contraception methods such as pill, condom and injection rather than long-term contraception methods such as IUD, implant or vasectomy/tubectomy. BKKBN in Sibolga City still needs to improve many aspects of doing communication strategy on family planning campaign by the field officer for family planning campaign, especially in the low-income productive age couples where the birth rate number is still high.

Investigation of Agro-concrete using by-products of Rice Husk in Mekong Delta of Vietnam

Agro-concrete concept seems to create interesting links between agriculture sector and building industry. Over the last years, researcher around the world have reported their investigation on such material made out of different type of agricultural by-products mixed with lime-based binder. Based on the locally use natural aggregate and good thermo-physical properties, they are considered as as eco-material for more comfortable low carbon building. Indeed, energy efficiency or thermal conform are improved from optimization of building envelopes. In this paper, we focus on producing concrete block under mechanical compaction method from two types of rice husk (natural and reusing) mixing with binder (hydrate lime and metakaolin). Physio-mechanical properties of concrete block were characterized at appropriate period of curing condition in dry air. Empirical results show that both compressive strength and splitting strength of concrete block evolve over time due to pozzolanic reactivity and natural carbonation reaction. Low thermal conductivity 0.27 W/mK with normal density 880 kg/m3 in mixed formulation deal with the purpose of using in thermal and acoustic insulating solution. In the current context of rural development in the delta region, the objective of using rice husk concrete for non-load bearing wall building as filling material or non-fired brick would be discussed.

Agroturystyka jako czynnik rozwoju obszarów wiejskich w Polsce po 1989 roku

Agritourism is a form of tourism that has recently undergone quite a fast development. Statistics show a dynamic increase in the number of holiday farms. An increasing need for holidays spent far away from big cities, in peace and quiet, in close contact with nature and in a family atmosphere contributes to the growth of this form of tourism which attracts more and more people every year. Development of agritourism opens up new possibilities of using rural space, agricultural buildings and local infrastructure. Additionally, agritourism is an important factor in fostering countryside development, especially with respect to places located far from metropolitan areas. Agritourism is an important form of countryside economic development.