Construction Method Research Articles

Cyclic Tests and Analysis of Corroded Precast Concrete Column-to-Footing Connections Constructed with Accelerated Bridge Construction Methods

Cyclic Tests and Analysis of Corroded Precast Concrete Column-to-Footing Connections Constructed with Accelerated Bridge Construction Methods

Design and construction of small-scaled variable modular installation (SVMI) in the context of Chinese street renewal (CSR) : A case study of the "Jingzhang Box" (JZB) service installation in Beijing

China's urban areas are entering an era of stock renewal, where street renewal is receiving policy attention and practical project implementation. However, the challenges posed by spatial constraints and insufficient functional activities on the streets have led to street renewal failing to meet public demands. Small Variable Modular Installations (SVMI) possess a high degree of adaptability to constrained spaces and a flexible capacity to shape diverse functions, making them a targeted strategy in theory to address the challenges of street renewal. Nevertheless, there is a research gap in the context of Chinese street renewal (CSR) concerning the design, and construction of SVMI: an insufficient exploration of combined variable and modular technology solutions and practical construction techniques and methods. In response to this research gap, this study focuses on the "Jing-Zhang Box" (JZB) service installation in Beijing, providing specific analysis of its design concept, design technical points, application functions, spatial structure and connection methods, construction methods, and construction outcomes. This study aims to provide specific supplementation to the research on SVMI design and construction in the context of CSR and to offer theoretical and engineering foundations for the future design and practical construction of SVMI in various scenarios.

Construction of copulas for bivariate failure rates

AbstractThis paper aims to develop a method to construct an asymmetric copula, based on which a closed form of the cumulative bivariate failure rate can be obtained. The construction method differs from existing ones. This new method can facilitate the derivation of some results such as the estimation of the expected number of occurrences for a system whose failure process is modelled by a bivariate stochastic process or the expected cost in optimisation of maintenance policies.

Encapsulation structure and in-situ embedding test and model study of a new type of road piezoelectric energy collector

In recent years, research on road piezoelectric energy harvesters (RPEH) has made great progress in the field of road vibration energy harvesting. However, the research on the packaging structure and embedding method of RPEH is not comprehensive. In this paper, a new type of transducer unit structure is developed, which can improve the electrical energy output compared with the drum piezoelectric transducer, and its waterproof performance of the transducer unit is tested under different water depth and duration. Then, a new RPEH package structure is made, and the output performance is compared with the three commonly used package structures in the current research, and the field construction of RPEH with different embedding methods is carried out on the actual road to evaluate the electrical energy output capacity of RPEH under different embedding methods, and the best construction method of RPEH is summarized through durability test. Finally, the three-dimensional simulation model of RPEH with different construction methods is established, and the stress and voltage are analyzed by finite element method to verify the best embedding method. The test results show that the piezoelectric output efficiency of the new transducer unit is increased by 38.9 %, and it still has good electrical energy output after 24 h immersion at a depth of 1.5 m, and its waterproof level reaches IPX8. Under larger excitation frequency and load, the indoor output of RPEH in the new package structure has better output performance in indoor test. The bolt-spring package is used to apply pre-pressure to RPEH, and the output efficiency of RPEH is improved. When the excitation conditions are 10 kN, 10 Hz, the output power is increased by 11.1 %, 127.3 % and 247.4 % compared with the other three package structures. The maximum power of RPEH is 3.41 W by placing concrete on the bottom surface of RPEH sponge washer and using asphalt as the pavement layer to ensure the durability of piezoelectric pavement. The finite element analysis illustrates the strain and voltage variation of piezoelectric pavement with different embedment modes, and the simulation results are consistent with the test results. The research results provide an important basis for the design of RPEH packaging structure and embedding method in road piezoelectric engineering.

RuiXue Multi-Hall-Human machine collaboration in reciprocal structures

This article centers on the RuiXue Multi-Hall architectural design project in Chengdu, China, with a specific focus on a comprehensive workflow framework that integrates reciprocal geometric design and digital construction methods, primarily within the context of shell structures. The research expands on the concepts of structural design, adjustments of performance parameters, and the optimization of free-form shells. In addition, it outlines the spatial design approach for the shell structure. The study delves into reciprocal geometric design for the existing shell structure, establishing a library of reciprocal geometric shapes suitable for architectural design. The primary focus is on the application of these shapes to the shell structure, optimizing parameters for several grids within the library, and comparing various design schemes. Furthermore, the article discusses digital construction methods for the existing shell space and reciprocal structure, with a specific emphasis on the material performance of timber components. This discussion includes reciprocal timber structures and 3D-printed roofs for shell surfaces, all guided by a geometric control system to facilitate an interactive design and construction process. This research on reciprocal geometric design and digital construction methods for shell structures holds dual significance. It not only traces the historical development of reciprocal structures but also explores innovative construction methods using digital technology. The establishment of a comprehensive framework for reciprocal geometric design-construction is expected to catalyze innovative breakthroughs in future architectural design, spanning aspects such as space, form, materials, and structure.

Optimization of Blasting Parameters Considering Both Vibration Reduction and Profile Control: A Case Study in a Mountain Hard Rock Tunnel

The number of excavated tunnels is increasing day by day, and the corresponding engineering scale is also getting increasing. Safe, efficient, and economically beneficial tunnel construction methods are indispensable in the process of crossing mountains and steep ridges in the southwest region. However, behind the improvement of transportation infrastructure in Southwest China is the support provided by the rapid development of blasting industry engineering technology in China. In the process of tunnel construction using the drilling and blasting method, in addition to blasting vibration disasters the phenomenon of overbreak and underbreak caused by blasting construction is a prominent problem. This phenomenon not only affects the safety and stability of the tunnel excavation but also seriously increases the construction cost. Based on a short mountain hard rock tunnel project in southwest China, this paper studies the effect of blasting construction on the blasting vibration of adjacent structures and the influence of tunnel contour forming quality. Through the monitoring and analysis of in situ blasting vibration, the Sadowski formula is used to study the attenuation law of blasting vibration velocity in different tunnel sites, which provides a theoretical basis for tunnel blasting vibration control. This article compares the use of overbreak and underbreak value with the traditional method to determine the degree of overbreak and underbreak. It introduces the analysis of contour section fractal dimension value and uses fractal theory in the Python image processing module to accurately and quantitatively describe the problems of tunnel overbreak and underbreak. The feasibility and accuracy of this method have been verified, by combining the total station and 3D laser scanner results of overbreak and underbreak measurements of the Brenner Base Tunnel and a short hard rock tunnel in a mountainous area of southwestern China. The blasting scheme was optimized from the aspects of cut hole form, detonator interval time, and peripheral hole charge structure, and the rationality of the optimized scheme was verified according to the on-site blasting experiments. It has a profound influence on strengthening the protection of adjacent tunnel structures and improving the economic benefit of mountain highway projects.

Integration of Building Services in Modular Construction: A PRISMA Approach

Integration of Building Services in Modular Construction: A PRISMA Approach

Construction of type-II ZCCS for the MC-CDMA system with low PMEPR

This paper introduces a novel construction method for Type-II Z complementary code set (ZCCS) based on the Kronecker product between complete complementary code and mutually orthogonal sequences. Type-II ZCCS offer significant advantages over their Type-I counterparts, boasting larger zero correlation zone (ZCZ) width and a larger number of codes with identical constituent sequences and lengths. Moreover, we propose a strategy to reduce column peak-to-mean envelope power ratio (PMEPR) to a low values upto smaller than 2. This construction framework also facilitates the creation of Z complementary pairs (ZCPs) with flexible parameters. Furthermore, we present a Type-II ZCCS based multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) system and conduct performance comparisons against existing Type-I ZCCS based counterparts. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed system, showcasing improved reliability and efficiency. Additionally, we establish a novel relationship among set size, code size, sequence length, and ZCZ width for Type-II ZCCS.

Optimal solving of a binary knapsack problem on a D-Wave quantum machine and its implementation in production systems

AbstractThe efficient management of complex production systems is a challenge in today’s logistics. In the field of intelligent and sustainable logistics, the optimization of production batches, especially in the context of a rapidly changing product range, requires fast and precise computational solutions. This paper explores the potential of quantum computers for solving these problems. Traditional computational methods are often limited when it comes to optimizing complex logistics systems. In response to these challenges, the paper proposes the use of a hybrid algorithm that combines quantum technologies with classical computational methods. Such integration allows the computational power of both types of technologies to be harnessed, leading to faster and more efficient identification of optimal solutions. In this work, we consider the knapsack problem, a classic NP-hard optimization problem that is commonly used to verify the effectiveness of new algorithm construction methods. The algorithm presented is based on the Branch and Bound method and aims to ensure solution optimality in the context of the non-determinism of quantum computers. Within the algorithm, computations are performed alternately on a classical processor and a quantum processor. In addition, the lower and upper bounds of the objective function are computed in constant time using the D-Wave quantum machine.

A Review Paper on Low Cost Housing

This study delves into cost-efficient construction materials and methods within civil engineering, aiming to address the pressing challenge of housing affordability. Traditional materials such as fired bricks and cement concrete, while prevalent, pose environmental concerns due to their high energy consumption during production and soil depletion. By scrutinizing existing research and practical applications, this research evaluates the potential of alternative materials such as Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks and fly ash concrete in building design. The research conducts a comparative analysis of construction costs for a duplex employing both conventional and alternative materials, quantifying potential cost savings achievable through adopting these alternatives. Through assessing the economic viability of these options, this study contributes to the discourse on sustainable construction practices. The findings provide valuable insights into mitigating the environmental and financial burdens associated with traditional building materials

A Construction Method for a Dynamic Weighted Protein Network Using Multi-Level Embedding

The rapid development of high-throughput technology has generated a large amount of protein–protein interaction (PPI) data, which provide a large amount of data support for constructing dynamic protein–protein interaction networks (PPINs). Constructing dynamic PPINs and applying them to recognize protein complexes has become a hot research topic. Most existing methods for complex recognition cannot fully mine the information of PPINs. To address this problem, we propose a construction method of dynamic weighted protein network by multi-level embedding (DWPNMLE). It can reflect the protein network’s dynamics and the protein network’s higher-order proximity. Firstly, the protein active period is calculated to divide the protein subnetworks at different time points. Then, the connection probability is used for the proteins possessing the same time points to judge whether there is an interaction relationship between them. Then, the corresponding protein subnetworks (multiple adjacency matrices) are constructed. Secondly, the multiple feature matrices are constructed using one-hot coding with the gene ontology (GO) information. Next, the first embedding is performed using variational graph auto-encoders (VGAEs) to aggregate features efficiently, followed by the second embedding using deep attributed network embedding (DANE) to strengthen the node representations learned in the first embedding and to maintain the first-order and higher-order proximity of the original network; finally, we compute the cosine similarity to obtain the final dynamic weighted PPIN. To evaluate the effectiveness of DWPNMLE, we apply four classical protein-complex-recognition algorithms on the DWPNMLE and compare them with two other dynamic protein network construction methods. The experimental results demonstrate that DWPNMLE significantly enhances the accuracy of complex recognition with high robustness, and the algorithms’ efficiency is also within a reasonable range.

A Review Paper on Study of Low Cost Housing

This study investigates cost-efficient construction materials and methods in civil engineering to tackle the growing challenge of housing affordability. While widely used, traditional materials like fired bricks and cement concrete raise environmental concerns due to high energy consumption during production and soil depletion. By analysing existing research and practical applications, this project assesses the potential of alternative materials like Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks and fly ash concrete for building design. We compare construction costs for a 2BHKhouse using both conventional and alternative materials to quantify potential cost savings from adopting these alternatives. By evaluating the economic viability of these options, this research contributes to the ongoing discussion on sustainable construction practices. Our findings offer valuable insights into reducing the environmental and financial burdens associated with traditional building materials

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS ON SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH CONVENTIONAL CONCRETE BUILDING METHODS

Renewable-sourced EWPs offer enhanced dimensional stability, durability, and mechanical properties, facilitating larger and more complex structural elements, and contributing to faster construction times and better energy performance. The research investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of Engineered Wood Products (EWPs) as sustainable building materials in the construction sector by a comparison of their cost, performance, and environmental impact against conventional concrete. The research emphasises the importance of innovative design, recycling, and waste reduction in fostering sustainable construction methods that satisfy the demands of present and future generations while conserving energy. However, there are negative environmental impacts linked to the production of concrete, such as habitat destruction, atmospheric emissions, and waste generation. The research adopted a web-based survey to gather quantitative data from construction experts. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was adopted to analyze the respondents' perceptions of the benefits of EWP and concrete negative effects. The results of the research reflect respondents' significant preference for EWPs and are consistent with their outstanding environmental qualities. In conclusion, this paper argues that EWPs possess the potential to effectively revolutionise the construction industry by minimising its carbon footprint and encouraging sustainable construction practices that are required for addressing the expectations of both the present and the future.

Construction method and verification of digital twin mechanism model of pulmonary ventilation

Construction method and verification of digital twin mechanism model of pulmonary ventilation

Iodine-promoted amide formation via oxidative cleavage of indoles: novel quinazoline-4(3H)-one and tryptanthrin syntheses.

A highly efficient method for the direct construction of amide bonds via a selective cleavage of C-H and C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds in indole structures using an iodine-promoted approach was developed. Mechanistic studies indicated the formation of superoxide radicals obtained from molecular oxygen activation as a key intermediate step, which provided a precursor for subsequent oxidative ring-opening and intermolecular cyclization. A broad range of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and tryptanthrins were synthesized in moderate to good yields under mild and environmentally benign conditions.

On Construction of Nearly Orthogonal Latin Hypercube Designs

Orthogonal Latin hypercube designs are becoming popular in designing computer experiments. Available literature on construction of orthogonal or nearly orthogonal LHDs has one or more restriction in terms of either runs or factors. In this article, we have proposed a method of construction for obtaining nearly orthogonal Latin hypercube designs capable of accommodating flexible number of runs or factors.

Mechanical Fault Diagnosis of High-Voltage Circuit Breakers with Dynamic Multi-Attention Graph Convolutional Networks Based on Adaptive Graph Construction

With the rapid development of deep learning, its powerful capabilities make it possible to perform mechanical fault diagnosis of high-voltage circuit breakers (HVCBs). Among deep learning approaches, the convolutional neural network is widely used. However, while it can extract features effectively, it also has some limitations. Specifically, it depends on a large number of training data and only takes data information into account without considering structural information. These shortcomings lead to unused information and unsatisfactory model results. To address these shortcomings, this paper proposes AKNN-DMGCN, a novel dynamic multi-attention graph convolutional network based on an adaptively constructed graph, which can achieve high accuracy and robust mechanical fault diagnosis of HVCBs. First, a novel adaptive k-nearest neighbor (AKNN) graph construction method is proposed to construct informative graphs. The AKNN method can mine the relationship between the original data samples and utilize the data and label information. Thus, it has high fault tolerance to noise signals and can construct a structure graph with rich and accurate information, which can improve the overall model performance. Then, a dynamic multi-attention graph convolutional network (DMGCN) is applied for mechanical fault diagnosis of HVCBs. DMGCN fully utilizes structural and numerical information representing HVCB signals to perform classification. DMGCN has a dynamic multi-attention mechanism with strong expressive ability, which allows it to achieve high diagnostic accuracy. The experimental results indicate that the accuracy of AKNN-DMGCN reaches 97.22% on a balanced dataset and 95.01% on an imbalanced dataset, which demonstrates that the proposed method is effective for both balanced and imbalanced samples.

Determining the stationary digital twins implementation barriers for sustainable construction projects

PurposePrevious research has demonstrated that Digital Twins (DT) are extensively employed to improve sustainable construction methods. Nonetheless, their uptake in numerous nations is still constrained. This study seeks to identify and examine the digital twin’s implementation barriers in construction building projects to augment operational performance and sustainability.Design/methodology/approachAn iterative two-stage approach was adopted to explore the phenomena under investigation. General DT Implementation Barriers were first identified from extant literature and subsequently explored using primary questionnaire survey data from Hong Kong building industry professionals.FindingsSurvey results illustrated that Lack of methodologies and tools, Difficulty in ensuring a high level of performance in real-time communication, Impossibility of directly measuring all data relevant to the DT, need to share the DT among multiple application systems involving multiple stakeholders and Uncertainties in the quality and reliability of data are the main barriers for adopting digital twins' technology. Moreover, Ginni’s mean difference measure of dispersion showed that the stationary digital twin’s barriers adoption is needed to share the DT among multiple application systems involving multiple stakeholders.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings offer valuable guidance to the construction industry. They help stakeholders adopt digital twins' technology, which, in turn, improves cost efficiency and sustainability. This adoption reduces project expenses and enhances environmental responsibility, providing companies a competitive edge in the industry.Originality/valueThis research rigorously explores barriers to Digital Twin (DT) implementation in the Hong Kong construction industry, employing a systematic approach that includes a comprehensive literature review, Ranking Analysis (RII) and Ginni’s coefficient of mean difference (GM). With a tailored focus on Hong Kong, the study aims to identify, analyze and provide novel insights into DT implementation challenges. Emphasizing practical relevance, the research bridges the gap between academic understanding and real-world application, offering actionable solutions for industry professionals, policymakers and researchers. This multifaceted contribution enhances the feasibility and success of DT implementation in construction projects within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector.

A replaceable-component method to construct single-degree-of-freedom multi-mode planar mechanisms with up to eight links

Abstract. The multi-mode planar mechanisms (MMPMs) are excellent-performance reconfigurable mechanisms, which not only inherit structural characteristics of planar mechanisms but also have the multi-task, multi-working-condition application advantages of multi-mode mechanisms. However, lacking common bifurcation analysis and construction methods, their industrial application and development are seriously hindered. This paper presents a replaceable-component method to construct a set of single-degree-of-freedom (single-DOF) MMPMs based on the branch graphs of the corresponding planar mechanisms and the proposed multi-mode modules (MMMs). First, according to the established loop equations, all the kinematic information of the original planar mechanism is obtained by the branch graphs and singularity points using Maple. Then, compared to the relationship between the concepts of the branch and motion mode, the number and continuity of branches are taken as the index to identify the potential bifurcation and mode conversion ability for the corresponding planar mechanisms. Subsequently, the MMM is presented to help the planar mechanisms break the singularity positions to form the corresponding MMPMs, and the steps of constructing single-DOF MMPMs are summarized. Finally, a single-DOF Stephenson six-bar three-mode planar mechanism, a Watt six-bar three-mode planar mechanism, and an eight-bar four-mode planar mechanism are constructed for the first time, and the corresponding multi-mode motion analyses are made. The results can give the available configuration for the design of corresponding MMPMs. The proposed method will provide strong guidance for the configuration design of MMPMs.

Building benchmarking and energy performance: Analysis of social and affordable housing in British Columbia, Canada

This research assesses the energy performance of social and affordable housing by conducting quantitative analysis of 23 community housing buildings in British Columbia (BC) using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The study sampled community housing buildings, tracked utility bills from 2019 to 2022, and analyzed weather-normalized energy consumption. We find that high-rise buildings in our dataset performed worse compared to other buildings in the dataset and to market housing buildings in BC. We attribute these differences to variability in building characteristics, construction methods, and mechanical systems. Results also show that average energy consumption per dwelling unit in community housing buildings is lower than the BC average, indicating that residents in social and affordable housing use less energy. This could be linked to the lack of amenities in community housing like air conditioning as well as possible efforts taken by residents to reduce utility bills by using less energy. These results demonstrate that it is important to retrofit these buildings for the sake of building and environmental performance but also, and perhaps more critically, to improve the living conditions of those who live in social and affordable housing. Limited understanding of the influence of occupant behaviour on energy performance is a study limitation warranting further study.