Building Construction Systems Research Articles

Integrating Technology and Heritage Design for Climate Resilient Courtyard House in Arid Region

This research has investigated the sustainability and climate resilience of courtyard houses of adobe architecture in the UAE. It analyzed design effectiveness in terms of power consumption, CO2 emissions, thermal comfort, and daylight use, employing simulations to assess building structures and construction systems. Adopting a three-phase mixed-methods approach, the study began with a literature review on courtyard house design, construction, and environmental performance, emphasizing sustainable design and passive ventilation. The second phase involved a case study of a UAE courtyard house (Al Midfa), including site visits, interviews, and energy consumption and CO2 emission data collection. The final phase used building energy simulation software to model energy performance and evaluate passive ventilation's role in reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, with simulation results validated against real-world data. Advanced Sefaira simulations with the Energy Plus Engine identified one out of seven modified models (M5) as exceptionally thermally efficient, influencing the architectural design of the Al Midfa house. To transform the Al Midfa house into a sustainable climate-resistant structure, the research suggested retrofitting with new glazing and insulation on the inside of external walls and on the roof surface at a combined U-value of 0.4 W/m2to enhance energy efficiency without altering the exterior. A notable innovation was the use of injected cellulose insulation in wall systems, combining efficient insulation with architectural aesthetics, signifying a shift towards energy-efficient interior modifications. The study's findings contribute to the evolution of traditional house designs toward climate change resilience and a sustainable future. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-018 Full Text: PDF

A life cycle assessment of building demolition waste: a comparison study

Globally, building demolition waste constitutes a considerable environmental problem. The environmental implications are not only associated with volume but also with carbon embodied in the waste. These adverse environmental impacts associated with the generated waste can be minimised through appropriate waste management strategies. This study proposed a mathematical model from the end-of-life perspective to examine two waste treatment methods. The model was illustrated by a case study of three approved building construction systems by a current UK supermarket referred to as construction methods CM1, CM2 and CM3 to assess the construction system with the least carbon dioxide emission. Landfilling and recycling were assumed as waste treatment methods to examine the preferable waste treatment method. Results showed that recycling is the most preferred method of waste treatment method of the supermarket. This was revealed by the amount of demolition waste material recycled (more than 90%) from each of the CM compared with the volume of waste materials landfilled (<10%) and the associated carbon dioxide emissions. Steel has the highest carbon reduction potential contributing ∼80% in each case study compared with concrete ∼1%. Finally, CM1 has the lowest carbon dioxide emission, with both CM2 and CM3 emitting ∼3% more.

Vulnerability of the Building Construction Safety System Based on ANP-SD

The study aims to analyze the evolution trend of system vulnerability under the interactive relationship of building construction risk factors. Based on social technology theory, the influencing factors are analyzed from four subsystems: individual, technology, organization management, and internal and external environment. By using the method of “network AHP” (ANP), the “relative value” and “absolute value” of each factor are established. A comprehensive simulation model is established to simulate and analyze the “single” and “combined” control modes. The results show that, compared with the vulnerability of the building construction system in the initial state, the minimum decline of the vulnerability evolution trend of the building construction system is only 1.28%, and the maximum is only 14.2% after adopting a single control measure. Among them, the biggest decline in the vulnerability evolution trend is the construction of enhanced safety culture in personal subsystem control measures. After taking joint control measures, the decline of vulnerability evolution trend of the housing construction system is [25.96%, 36.8%]. The control effect of joint control measures is not that the more control measures are taken, the better. However, it depends on the absolute coefficient of the related factors of the influencing factors of the trunk center and the subsystem to which they belong to provide a reference for the risk control of housing construction.

Risk accumulation assessment method for building construction based on complex network

PurposeIn the evolution process of building construction accidents, there are key nodes of risk change. This paper aims to quickly identify the key nodes and quantitatively assess the node risk. Furthermore, it is essential to propose risk accumulation assessment method of building construction.Design/methodology/approachAuthors analyzed 419 accidents investigation reports on building construction. In total, 39 risk factors were identified by accidents analysis. These risk factors were combined with 245 risk evolution chains. Based on those, Gephi software was used to draw the risk evolution network model for building construction. Topological parameters were applied to interpret the risk evolution network characteristic.FindingsCombining complex network with risk matrix, the standard of quantitative classification of node risk level is formulated. After quantitative analysis of node risk, 7 items of medium-risk node, 3 items of high-risk node and 2 items of higher-risk nodes are determined. The application results show that the system risk of the project is 44.67%, which is the high risk level. It can reflect the actual safety conditions of the project in a more comprehensive way.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper determined the level of node risk only using the node degree and risk matrix. In future research, more node topological parameters that could be applied to node risk, such as clustering coefficients, mesoscopic numbers, centrality, PageRank, etc.Practical implicationsThis article can quantitatively assess the risk accumulation of building construction. It would help safety managers could clarify the system risk status. Moreover, it also contributes to reveal the correspondence between risk accumulation and accident evolution.Originality/valueThis study comprehensively considers the likelihood, consequences and correlation to assess node risk. Based on this, single-node risk and system risk assessment methods of building construction systems were proposed. It provided a promising method and idea for the risk accumulation assessment method of building construction. Moreover, evolution process of node risk is explained from the perspective of risk accumulation.

A scientific process for a sustainable architectural design: A case study of a rural pavilion in a hot semi-arid climate

The present research study is an essential contribution to sustainable design following a new process of rethinking design in architecture. Yet, through researchers’ investigations (building engineers, material engineers, climate and data engineers, etc), open-source data platforms, building and simulation software, products data sheets, built experience and local-know-how, are deemed necessary tools to master each decision concerning the building architectural design and the building construction systems. The present paper is a demonstration to the cited process. Indeed, the case study is a pavilion building located in a rural area characterized by a (BSh) climate according to Köppen-Geiger classification. The current project is designed to reduce the energy needs by passive measures considering the envelope, and the cooling/heating systems. The studied building allies both natural and conventional materials, taking advantage of each one depending on the uses. The results of the simulation study, using TRNSYS software, show that limestone-based variant (V2) and rammed earth-based (V3) perform better as their annual load is reduced by 57.2% and 56%, respectively, compared to cement-block reference case (V1). The variants (V2) and (V3) perform better than the double red clay bricks (V4), by 12% and 9.6%, respectively. However, according to different selection criteria, rammed-earth-based variant is considered, in this context, the most sustainable one among the four. Indeed, the comparison is based on both Life-Cycle-Assessment and the Embodied Energy analysis, contextualized depending on the cost, the local know-how and the social and cultural heritage.

Technological Appraisal of Prefabricated Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) Panels in Building Construction System

Housing is a fundamental human necessity and an integral part of the built environment. Traditional building materials utilised in the housing sector, like steel, cement and burnt clay bricks, are becoming more and more necessary every year. The decrease of the use of these energy-intensive construction materials and the speedy supply of housing units at reasonable rates are the two key challenges facing the mass housing business today. Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG), a new building material, is used mostly in houses. Building panels called Rapidwall are another name for it. Gypsum plaster that has been changed and strengthened with chopped glass fibres is used to create glass fibre reinforced gypsum panels, or GFRGs. This panel can be used to build walls, floors, and roof slabs because it has voids that can be filled with concrete and reinforced with steel bars for further strength and ductility. It is a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial alternative to common materials like cement blocks, concrete, and bricks. Prefabricated Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) Panels are a cost-effective and resource-efficient way to build low-rise homes in poor nations. The case of Prefabricated Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum (GFRG) Panels is examined in this research, along with their engineering viability and qualities as a building material. The study finds that GFRG panels are a practical substitute for traditional bricks that have more intangible advantages.

Experimental investigation on foam concrete as a filler material in glass fiber reinforced gypsum panels

In the construction of building systems, the use of panels constructed of glass fibre reinforced gypsum (GFRG) is an attractive and rising trend in the building technology industry. This is among the most recent occurrences in the region. In nations like India, where there is a severe housing shortage, there is an urgent need for creative solutions that are not only environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and of high quality, but also accelerate the building process. This technology has been shown through the construction of more than 300 structures in India, and it is based on substantial research undertaken at IIT Madras over the course of more than a decade. Traditional structures are required to have cement plastering, whereas GFRG buildings do not, and they also use far less steel, sand, and water. Conventional constructions must be plastered with cement. GFRG buildings recycle industrial waste gypsum, which contributes to the development of sustainable practises, and have a considerably lower embodied energy consumption, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint. This permits GFRG buildings to have a lesser environmental effect. Due to the use of GFRG panels in the home's construction, we were able to complete the project in a reasonable amount of time. In order to ease some of the pressure being placed on the supporting superstructure, foam concrete is being used as a filler material in GFRG panels.

Local Wisdom and Sustainable Features of Tidore Vernacular Architecture

The energy consumption in the building sector is very high and is expected to increase continuously with the world's population growth. It is believed that vernacular architecture has the essential knowledge to be learned and adopted as sustainable development strategies according to the context and region. Therefore, this study aims to explore the vernacular architecture of the archipelago region of Tidore in Indonesia through literature studies and field observations to understand the principles of design and building construction systems in response to extreme environments. It also focuses on analyzing the features of local wisdom and sustainability applied to vernacular architecture in the past using the sustainable assessment method. The results showed that the Tidore vernacular architecture has adapted to extreme weather and natural disasters for centuries with the traditional construction technique of the button and bond systems using lightweight materials from the surrounding environment. It also aligns with the local context, including the culture, tradition, and religion or spirituality of the people. Moreover, the approach respects the environmental and climatic factors and is in harmony with the topography. The strongest point of this approach is the ability to realize the

Influence on the Incorporation of Carbonate Minerals as Stabilizers in Clay and Sawdust-Based Blocks for Thermal Insulation

This research is focused on the influence of carbonate minerals on the properties of ceramic blocks as a replacement for commercial stabilizers, using three types of clays and sawdust as raw materials extracted from Chiapas, Mexico, for their application in thermal insulation on lightweight construction systems of local buildings. The effective thermal conductivity of each sample was tested by the guarded hot plate method in a permanent state, and their physical and chemical properties were determined by water absorption, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The results directed attention toward the knowledge of the role of the parameters in improving the thermal insulation properties, highlighting calcite as a favorable stabilizer in the manufacture of such blocks. Furthermore, the parameter affecting the thermal conductivity of the samples is the mass percentage of magnesium oxide (MgO) in a positive linear trend. Finally, the volumetric proportions of the sawdust as a pore-forming aggregate influence the decrease in the bulk density in the ceramic blocks and, thus, the reduction in the thermal conductivity.

Information Value Analysis for Real-Time Silo Fill-Level Monitoring

Supply chains in the construction industry are less efficient than in other industries (e.g., retail or automotive). The reason for the less optimized supply chains is often the lack of accurate, up-to-date information. For a leading supplier of building materials and construction systems, we perform a value of information analysis to guide future investments in costly sensors for silo fill-level monitoring. Silo inventory is vendor-managed as construction sites withdraw material from silos as they need it. Ensuring continuous availability of material requires proactive replenishment across products and customers. We establish the optimal purchase level of (partial) information for different hardware costs and service levels. Based on the current ensured service level regime, the minimum total costs are achieved with approximately 50% sensor-equipped silos for medium and high annual sensor costs. The findings on the appropriate use of information technology to improve decision making with partial information are generally relevant for suppliers looking to stand out with service guarantees and short delivery times. History: This paper was refereed.

CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM SELECTION IN LOW-BED CAPACITY HEALTH BUILDINGS WITH FUZZY AHP IN EARTHQUAKE ZONES

Purpose: Reconstruction of health buildings that were heavily damaged after the earthquake has become an important issue in Turkey. The negative performance of the construction systems of health buildings after major earthquakes necessitates the evaluation of the building system (CS) options, which can create an alternative to the market, according to various criteria. The main purpose of the study is to develop a systematic basis for the CS of 1816 health institutions to be rebuilt within the scope of the UDSEP 2023 project and to decide between alternatives in Turkey. In this study, the example of a hospital with a low bed capacity (20 beds) was discussed. Method: In the application of the Methodology-Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method of the research, 40 expert opinions were taken at the stages of planning, construction and inspection of health buildings. Findings: Experts in various fields of the construction industry have determined that CS performance is the primary criterion and cost is the secondary criterion for healthcare buildings in high seismic hazard areas. Conclusion: Among the CS alternatives, Structural Steel Frame (SSF) was determined as the most suitable structural system for earthquake zones.

Reassessing the Building Construction System and Quality Issues in Relocated Settlement after the Gorkha Earthquake

This paper assesses the reconstruction process in a mountainous village that typically represents the dominant location of damage by the Gorkha earthquake of April 25, 2015. The pre- and post-earthquake scenarios are presented comparatively. The structural system is found to be mostly compliant as per the new guidelines set by the government; however, deficiencies in terms of construction system and structural characteristics were significant in the reconstruction. Thus, the reconstructed buildings with several deficiencies could be still seismically vulnerable. It is recommended that the performance of reconstructed buildings after the Gorkha earthquake shall be re-assessed for necessary risk management planning. Also, this study provides insight into the construction practice in after earthquake reconstruction and areas of poor workmanships in such work.

Functionally Gradient Concrete // Resource- and emission-reduced concrete building construction system for NZ - The development of a seismically resistant joint for a functionally graded concrete wall-to-floor connection

Concrete is known to have a large carbon footprint; however, its versatility and durability are unparalleled. These qualities pertain to the usefulness of concrete in an ever-increasing population, and therefore demand our attention. By optimizing and improving the performance of concrete through innovative technologies, such as functionally graded concrete, the carbon footprint can be reduced. In construction, the weight of a conventional concrete structure accounts for approximately 70 % of a building’s total mass. In comparison, functionally graded concrete (FGC) is 50-60 % lighter, accounts for reduced emissions (45-60 %), and has improved insulative properties. These factors are achieved by its increased porosity and efficiency of material. Additionally, in comparison to a conventional concrete system, less raw material would be needed to achieve the same structural requirements and therefore less resources would be required. By varying its density, FGC creates a purely mineral, multifunctional, mono-material element that is fully recyclable. Investigations into implementing FGC as a building component in seismic areas have not yet been carried out. The development of a seismically resistant joint for a FGC wall-to-floor connection is necessary due to seismic requirements present around the world. The project presents a review of existing seismic resilient connection technologies, their classification to small scale and largescale building typologies, and the development of concepts for FGC seismically resilient wall-to-floor connections.

A Simple Stilt Structure Technique for Earthquake Resistance of Wooden Vernacular Houses in Bima, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia

The existence of local building structures in Bima vernacular architecture is the research object in this study. The condition of the Bima Regency, which is prone to tectonic and volcanic earthquakes, is the context that influences the structure of the wooden stilt houses. This vulnerability occurs because of two earthquake fault lines flanking the Sumbawa island and an active volcano, Mount Tambora. Identification of Bima vernacular houses' structures and their effectiveness in reducing deformation due to earthquakes become the aims of this study. Data collection uses field observation methods to identify local building structures and construction systems. It also uses digital simulation to determine diagonal bar elements' effectiveness on the stage structure in reducing deformation due to an earthquake. The results showed that the stilt structure consisting of post components with corbels to support the beams, double beams arranged in a cross, diagonal bars, and wooden pegs were structures that maintained their existence. The existence of this stilt structure technique is part of the local seismic culture of the Bima community. The simulation result shows that diagonal bars' presence reduces deformation in structural elements due to earthquake loads. The synergy between structural components occurs in the construction of the Bima vernacular house structure. Thus, the system, form, and material of the Bima stilt structure can reference the development of earthquake-resistant houses in Indonesia.

A spatio-temporal framework for sustainable planning of buildings based on carbon emissions at the city scale

• An integrated spatio-temporal life cycle framework is developed. • Assessed CO 2 emission for building construction and operation. • Analyzed the impact of using different materials and building construction systems. • Identified CO 2 hot spots at the urban level. • Analyzed retrofitting scenarios and associated improvements. Buildings are key society element and essential in the formation of sustainable cities. Several studies focused on life cycle assessment of construction materials while limited research analyzed CO 2 emissions associated with buildings. This research proposes a spatio-temporal framework to analyze CO 2 emissions of buildings applied at the city scale to assist in planning and decision-making of buildings construction and operation. The embedded methods within the framework can identify locations of high-intensity CO 2 emissions in a city and recommend retrofitting actions to resolve these hotspots. The framework analysis is applied to the city of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates that had witnessed major expansion. The findings indicate that the embodied carbon emissions equivalents (ECEE) for buildings construction had increased from 7,095 Kt to 9,064 Kt, and then to 12,680 Kt in the years 1986, 2005, and 2015, respectively, and the ECEE for buildings operation had increased from 1,389 Kt/year to 1,919 Kt/year, and then to 2,547 Kt/year in the years 1986, 2005, and 2015, respectively. The recommended retrofitting actions for Ajman developed through the analysis can reduce total CO 2 emissions of buildings operation by 14%. Future work can consider additional sustainability indicators within the proposed framework.

Methodology for an HBIM workflow focused on the representation of construction systems of built heritage

• A HBIM workflow addressing the representation of building construction systems is presented. • It is structured into 5 recursive and flexible phases to adapt to available information/model uses. • Each phase is presented with a methodological insight to help operators in developing the process. • The results of the methodology are applied on The National Archaeological Museum of Naples – MANN. • the test proved its the efficiency while guiding experts the most appropriate course of action. Conservation and valorisation practices of built heritage can greatly benefit from Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) workflows. The use of HBIM as an information management process is not fully established yet, also due to the focus on industrialised architecture typical of the most common BIM tools. Capitalising on the benefits of the BIM process in the field of built heritage requires pursuing a continuous trade-off between geometric accuracy, semantic richness and parametric behaviour. This research aims to present an HBIM workflow that, as compared to other, more specific pipelines, is general in scope to support the planning and implementation of maintenance and conservation activities of built heritage, emphasising the representation of the building construction systems. The workflow is structured in five phases (model planning, data collection, geometric survey, breakdown structure and HBIM modelling), recursive and flexible to influence one another and to adjust to the information available and the development of the work over time. Each phase of the workflow is presented with a general outline and a methodological insight to help operators in developing the HBIM process most suitable for specific cases. The results of the application of this methodology on a complex and massive historical building (The National Archaeological Museum of Naples – MANN) show that the workflow is both versatile and sufficiently flexible to accommodate a heterogeneous range of objectives while guiding experts to select and document the most appropriate course of action.

Understanding the Characteristics of Regional Building Construction Systems

Background:Pandemics have increased the importance of understanding future building construction systems' regional characteristics due to the increasing number of country-specific industrial systems and the growing potential for international collaboration through video conferencing.Objective:This study aims to develop a method to objectively understand the characteristics of regional building construction systems.Methods:The “architecture concept” tool was used to develop the proposed idea and ensure objectivity. This concept focuses on the interdependence of the components to be created. However, considering that all construction projects are conducted under different conditions, a relative discussion between projects tends to exist. This study aims to transcend this relative discussion to achieve sophistication in the proposed approach. Therefore, this work focuses on a detailed view of the most complex construction parts standardized in each region.Results:As a case study, we examined the approaches adopted in the UK and Japan,i.e., in Europe and Asia, respectively. The proposed concept confirmed that the approaches adopted in the UK exhibited modular characteristics, whereas those in Japan had integral characteristics pertaining to the fundamental design concept of construction.Conclusion:This study developed a method for the utilization of the characteristics of each region by understanding the trends of the unique fundamental design concepts of building construction in the UK and Japan. Based on the results, the characteristics of many other regions in the construction industry can be understood.

A Parametric Approach to Optimizing Building Construction Systems and Carbon Footprint: A Case Study Inspired by Circularity Principles

There is a global call for a paradigm shift in the construction industry towards carbon neutrality, but a scant effort has been madein practice, especially concerning circularity. This paper helps bridge the gap by introducing a parametric approach to optimize sustainable construction design. The methodology was tested on a newly constructed office building, inspired by circularity principles, in Westerlo, Belgium. The methodology consists of parametric construction-typological analysis, automated through One Click LCA software (Life Cycle Assessment) and Microsoft Excel with 21 alternate designs and 630 iterations. The parametric variations involved three key performance indicators: construction system, materials’ environmental impact, and materials; reuse of content. The environmental effects of both construction systems (i.e., structural system, foundation type, materials, and envelope details) and reused building materials content (i.e.,) were evaluated by the parametric analysis for four construction systems scenarios. Environmental impact analysis for timber, steel, concrete, and hybrid construction systems was conducted, following ISO 14040 and CEN/TC 350 standards. The focus of the whole life cycle assessment was mainly on carbon neutrality. Results indicate that using local biosourced materials, including timber, can remarkably reduce buildings’ environmental impact. The sensitivity analysis results provide hard evidence that the construction material’s weight, materials reuse potential, and construction dismantling ability are the most influential factors in carbon-neutral buildings. This paper should improve professionals’ understanding of the impact of different structural systems choices and inform building designers about the circularity potential, and carbon footprint of construction technologies.

Sustainable prefabricated buildings: a holistic approach

Although modern prefabricated buildings may offer many advantages, such as a significant reduction in cost and time, improved quality and accuracy in manufacture, easy dismantle and reuse of its components, etc., they have not gained the attention they deserve in the construction market yet. In this paper, a holistic approach for the formation of prefabricated buildings of advanced performance is presented. Within this context, a new, innovative prefabricated building element is developed, designed to exhibit optimized structural, hygrothermal, energy, acoustic, fire and environmental performance. The improved properties of the building element are ensured by the proper configuration of the layers that compose it with respect to the design objectives; for example, in order to support the heat storage and the control of indoor temperatures, the integration of PCMs in the element's layers is investigated. Furthermore, in order to indicate the contribution of the new building element to the sustainability of the overall construction, the performance of a building formulated with the new element is analyzed in terms of energy and environmental behaviour. The new building element and construction system are expected to systemize the prefabricated element's production, leading eventually to the improvement of the building quality, as well as to the reduction of time and cost of building's erection. In parallel, the new certified and optimized building performance will increase the share of prefabricated buildings in the Mediterranean countries, where housing needs are gradually growing, while at the same time, energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction will be promoted.

The Modelling of Digital Twins Technology in the Construction Process of Prefabricated Buildings

In the process of building construction, traditional architectural design and construction methods take a long time. The built buildings perform poorly in terms of energy usage and energy conservation. The study expects to explore the potential safety hazards of prefabricated buildings during the construction process. On this basis, a modelling study of the construction process is carried out. The study uses Digital Twins (DTs) technology and prefabricated Building Information Modelling (BIM) to conduct in-depth modelling research on the building construction process. The prefabricated building construction system oriented to DTs technology can well solve the problems of structural damage and deformation in the production, transportation, and assembly process of building components. Especially in prefabricated buildings, it can monitor and accurately predict the damage of building components that may occur in the entire system due to structural problems and material problems in real time. Regarding the building information model, the study uses third-party software to transfer the assembly information to the network cloud to further realize the display of the BIM. The study shows that the maximum value of the effective risk cases selected is 130, and its effective rate is 100%; after processing the data, it is found that the initial value is always stable, and its value is 1; the extracted value is always changing, the maximum value is 0.86, and the minimum is 0.75. By this result, the conclusion is that DTs technology and BIM can effectively monitor the indicators of risk problems during the construction of prefabricated buildings and can further reduce potential safety hazards. Through building information modelling, the development of intelligent industrialization of building construction design and the in-depth study of construction modelling has practical application value.