Construction Of Dwellings Research Articles

Language evolution to revolution: the leap from rich-vocabulary non-recursive communication system to recursive language 70,000 years ago was associated with acquisition of a novel component of imagination, called Prefrontal Synthesis, enabled by a mutation that slowed down the prefrontal cortex maturation simultaneously in two or more children – the Romulus and Remus hypothesis

There is an overwhelming archeological and genetic evidence that modern speech apparatus was acquired by hominins by 600,000 years ago. On the other hand, artifacts signifying modern imagination, such as (1) composite figurative arts, (2) bone needles with an eye, (3) construction of dwellings, and (4) elaborate burials arose not earlier than 70,000 years ago. It remains unclear (1) why there was a long gap between acquisition of modern speech apparatus and modern imagination, (2) what triggered the acquisition of modern imagination 70,000 years ago, and (3) what role language might have played in this process. Our research into evolutionary origin of modern imagination has been driven by the observation of a temporal limit for the development of a particular component of imagination. Modern children not exposed to recursive language in early childhood never acquire the type of active constructive imagination called Prefrontal Synthesis (PFS). Unlike vocabulary and grammar acquisition, which can be learned throughout one’s lifetime, there is a strong critical period for the development of PFS and individuals not exposed to recursive language in early childhood can never acquire PFS as adults. Their language will always lack understanding of spatial prepositions and recursion that depend on the PFS ability. In a similar manner, early hominins would not have been able to learn recursive language as adults and, therefore, would not be able to teach recursive language to their children. Thus, the existence of a strong critical period for PFS acquisition creates an evolutionary barrier for behavioral modernity. An evolutionary mathematical model suggests that a synergistic confluence of three events (1) a genetic mutation that extended the critical period by slowing down the prefrontal cortex development simultaneously in two or more children, (2) invention of recursive elements of language, such as spatial prepositions, by these children and (3) their dialogic communications using these recursive elements, resulted in concurrent conversion of a non-recursive communication system of their parents to recursive language and acquisition of PFS around 70,000 years ago.

The evolution and adaptive development of traditional dwelling in Southern Shaanxi, China.

Traditional architecture has been successful in achieving harmony between housing and environment, which is one of the most important conditions for sustainability. The research tried to study and analyze the traditional architecture to diagnose its importance and ability to solve contemporary problems. Firstly, this study sets up qualitative survey, including location, function space, and structural materials of the dwelling. Then typical dwellings were selected for the assessments of their indoor thermal environment by on-site monitoring. Quantitative analysis reveals that the earth wall has a "warm in winter and cool in summer" property. Secondly, from the perspective of user willingness, we propose the impact factors of dwelling's development. Finally, it puts forward the measures of dwelling's sustainable development and seeks to establish a strategy to guide the construction of new dwellings.

RADON EXHALATION FROM GRANITIC ROCKS

Naturally occurring radionuclides such as radon (222Rn), its decay products and other elements from the radioactive series of uranium (238U and 235U) and thorium (232Th) are an important source of human exposure to natural radioactivity. The worldwide evaluation of health radiobiological effects and risks from population exposure to natural radionuclides is a growing concern. About 50% of personal radiation annual dose is related to radionuclides such as radon (222Rn), thoron (220Rn), radium (226Ra), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K), which are present in modern materials commonly used in construction of dwellings and buildings. The radioactivity of marbles and granites is of big concern since under certain conditions the radioactivity levels of these materials can be hazardous to the population and require the implementation of mitigation procedures. Present survey of the 222Rn and 220Rn activity concentration liberated in the air was performed using commercialized Brazilian granite rocks at national market as well as exported to other countries. The 222Rn and 220Rn measurements were performed using the AlphaGUARD instant monitor and RAD7 detector, respectively. This study was performed at the Applied Nuclear Physics Laboratory of the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR). Obtained results of radon concentration activity in air exhaled studied samples of granites varied from 3±1 Bq/m3 to 2087±19 Bq/m3, which shows that some samples of granitic rocks represent rather elevated health risk the population.

Space-planning arrangements for low-rise housing on the relief with the use of the constructive system "bearing floor" in the city of Kasab (Syria)

This article investigates the problem of construction of dwellings In the conditions of the mountainous city of Kasab, which has a complex relief. The city is located in the" bowl " formed by a mountain massif. And for the construction of individual houses were used flat areas with a small slope. In connection with military operations in the country increases the population emigrating to Kasab, where military operations are not conducted. At the same time, there is a need for new types of houses, which take into account the traditions of the Arab family and provide an opportunity to adapt to modern conditionsin city Kasab. The existing building has a low quality architecture of the living environment: the space-planning structure of houses is not very diverse in architecture and functional content. To solve this situation, it is proposed to build cost-effective individual houses in mountainous areas using the structural system "bearing floor". This article analyzes the structural system "bearing floor". Its economic advantages and space-planning capabilities with due regard for constraints are determined. The basic characteristics of this system, which meet the requirements of modern housing are presented. These recommendations make it possible to increase the comfort of living and reduce the consumption of reinforced concrete for the construction of the house up to two times compared with traditional solutions.

Форми соціального захисту державних службовців в Україні

У статті проаналізовано специфіку форм соціально-го захисту державних службовців в Україні. Наведе-но особливості норм законодавства у вказаній царині. Розкрито наукові підходи до характеристики темати-ки наукового дослідження. Наголошено, що формами соціально-побутового напряму соціального захисту державних службовців є: надання безвідсоткового кре-диту для житлового будівництва або придбання квар-тир чи індивідуальних житлових будинків; надання службовцям матеріальної допомоги для вирішення соціально-побутових питань – вид грошової допомоги, яка надається для вирішення різноманітних особистих питань один раз на рік у розмірі середньомісячної за-робітної плати на підставі особистої заяви. Визначено, що формою пенсійного напряму соціального захисту державних службовців є пенсія державного службов-ця. Пенсія державного службовця – це вид пенсійного напряму соціального захисту державних службовців, який виплачується державним службовцям у разі досягнення ними пенсійного віку. Специфіка пенсій-ного забезпечення державних службовців зумовлена тим, що згідно з чинним законодавством воно здійс-нюється у загальному порядку відповідно до Закону України «Про загальнообов’язкове державне пенсійне страхування». Встановлено, що натепер соціальний захист державних службовців здійснюється в чоти-рьох напрямах: матеріальному, соціально-побутовому, оздоровчо-рекреаційному та пенсійному. Специфіка перерахованих напрямів зумовлена тим, що ряд форм соціального захисту є характерними лише для держав-них службовців і не є характерними для інших катего-рій працюючих громадян, наприклад, матеріальне та соціально-побутове забезпечення. При цьому зверне-мо увагу на те, що за останні роки соціальний захист державних службовців був у багатьох моментах зрів-няний із соціальним захистом інших категорій праців-ників. Реалізація кожного із напрямів здійснюється за допомогою конкретних видів соціального захисту, які передбачені чинним законодавством у різних фор-мах. Окрім проаналізованих, на державних службов-ців поширюються всі ті гарантії соціального захисту, які належать усім громадянам нашої держави.

Research on Development Countermeasures of Prefabricated Buildings in New Rural Construction -- A Case Study of Longfeng Village, Hunan Province

This paper introduces the present situation of the development of prefabricated buildings under the background of the development of prefabricated buildings advocated by the state. Through field visit, questionnaire survey and interview in Longfeng village, Hunan province, the present situation of the structure system of rural dwellings was investigated and researched, and its main problems were investigated and analyzed from various perspectives of energy conservation, environmental protection, thermal insulation, seismic resistance and the like. According to the survey data, this paper analyzes the difficulty of assembling rural self-built houses. Finally, the paper puts forward the corresponding development countermeasures for the construction of new rural dwellings on the road of sustainable green building, and provides strategies for the construction of new rural areas.

Assessing the performance of earth building materials: a review of recent developments

After being almost abandoned at the end of the Second World War, the use of raw earth is currently regaining the interest of architects, engineers and policy makers for the construction of dwellings in industrialised countries. This renaissance is driven by growing ecological awareness and the promotion of construction techniques that minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions. Raw earth displays very interesting thermo-hygro-mechanical properties, which can contribute to the reduction of the environmental impact of buildings not only during construction but also during service life. Nevertheless, one of the reasons that still prevents dissemination of raw earth into construction practice is the lack of commonly agreed procedures for assessing material performance. The RILEM technical committee TCE 274 has been established as a first step for overcoming this obstacle. The objective of the technical committee is to critically examine current testing procedures in order to propose suitable experimental standards. The results of this work will be presented in future publications while the present paper summarizes the main challenges faced by the committee and briefly describes some of the existing procedures for measuring the engineering properties of earth materials.

The return of cities: the trajectory of Swiss cities from demographic loss to reurbanization

ABSTRACTReurbanization refers to the new demographic growth of cities that previously lost population. How can we explain such a trend reversal? This paper discusses theoretically both phases of urban decline and reurbanization. It examines the trajectory of Swiss cities that have moved from a period of decline (1970–2000) to a new growth (since 2000). It analyses the components behind the population evolution, discusses the socio-cultural, economic and political trends triggering or enabling reurbanization, and identifies three main results. First, reurbanization is due to several population groups: the growing international mobility of the labour force, the increasing number of non-family households (in the context of the second demographic transition) and the growing attractiveness of cities for young adults (extension of youth as a life stage). Second, reurbanization is not only housing-led (construction of dwellings due to planning strategies and real estate activities). It is also population-led: A generation replacement induces a rejuvanation of the age structure and an increase in the density of occupancy of dwellings. Third, reurbanization can be broadly interpreted as a return of cities in terms of residential aspirations, political agenda and real estate activities. As a conclusion, I outline a research agenda on reurbanization.

Radiological evaluation of the use of clay brick and pumice brick as a structural building material

In this study, clay brick (CBRICK) and pumice brick (PBRICK) samples used as structural material in the construction of dwellings, schools, workplaces and factories in Turkey were compared with each other from a radiological viewpoint. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K naturally occurring in CBRICK and PBRICK samples collected from different regions of Turkey were determined by using a gamma-ray spectrometer with a high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in CBRICK and PBRICK samples were found as 35.4 ± 3.3, 37.5 ± 2.4 and 593.7 ± 42.7 Bq kg−1 and 81.9 ± 2.5, 65.8 ± 6.0 and 1066.0 ± 46.6 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radon surface exhalation rate (EXS) and radon mass exhalation rate (EXM) of CBRICK and PBRICK samples were measured by using an active radon gas analyzer with an accumulation container. The average value of EXS and EXM of CBRICK and PBRICK samples found as 45.9 ± 2.9 mBq m−2 h−1 and 3.7 ± 2.9 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 100.9 ± 4.7 mBq m−2 h−1 and 9.9 ± 0.5 mBq kg−1 h−1, respectively. Radiological parameters related to external and internal exposure to members of the public such as the radiation protection index, alpha index, and indoor absorbed gamma radiation dose rate and the corresponding annual effective dose from external exposure, annual effective dose from inhalation of radon, and the lifetime cancer risk were estimated for CBRICK and PBRICK samples. The results were compared with each other and with the international recommended limits or criteria. The results reveal that the average values measured and estimated for CBRICK samples are approximately two times lower than those measured and estimated for PBRICK samples. Thus, from the radiological viewpoint, clay brick is preferable to pumice brick as a structural material in the building sector.

Titanium-Rich Beach Placers in As-Sufal, Hadhramout Coast

The accumulations of beach placers along the shoreline of Hadhramout at As-Sufal area have been prospected and analyzed for their radiogenic and chemical characteristics for the first time. The activity concentrations of $$^{226}\hbox {Ra}$$ , $$^{232}\hbox {Th}$$ , and $$^{40}\hbox {K}$$ in the beach placers’ samples were measured by gamma-ray spectrometry using a 56% HPGe detector and found to be $$1270\pm 237$$ , $$2098\pm 380$$ , and $$208\pm 40\,\hbox {Bq kg}^{-1}$$ , respectively. The results established As-Sufal as a high natural background radiation area. The hazard indices predicted elevation of the external exposure of residents when sand soiled with beach placers from this area is used as a building material. Radium equivalents of beach placers were 8.6–14.3 times the maximum recommended for the safe use of materials in the construction of dwellings. The outdoor annual effective doses ranged from 1.68 up to $$\sim $$ 2.82 mSv considerably higher than the recommended 1-mSv dose limit for members of the general public. The beach placers at the study locations are dominated by $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$ , $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ , and $$\hbox {SiO}_{2}$$ . Ir and Hf were found to be incorporated in Zr and Al compounds, respectively, and the anti-correlation of Zr with either Al or Hf indicates that Zr replaces both elements in the beach placers’ grains. The radionuclides in beach placers seem to be attributed to Mg-, Ca-, Si-, and Zr-bearing minerals and not associated with Fe-bearing minerals. The heaviest fractions are mainly composed of $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$ , $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ , and $$\hbox {ZrO}_{2}$$ . The $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$ -bearing minerals in the heaviest fractions contain V-rich portions.

Estimating natural radiation exposure from building materials used in Sri Lanka

In this work, the natural radioactivity levels of several building materials used in Sri Lanka, were determined in terms of Bq kg−1, and to calculate the radiological effects caused by this radioactivity. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in eighteen samples of manufactured building materials were measured using gamma spectroscopy based on high purity germanium detector with an efficiency of 48% at 1332.5 keV. The measurement of the activity concentration in building materials is required to estimate the excess dose to public dwelling in such buildings. BEGe detector is a well-chosen equipment for this purpose. The activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K from the selected building materials ranged from (5.0 ± 0.5 to 45.2 ± 2.9 Bq kg−1), (7.1 ± 0.6 to 68 ± 5.9 Bq kg−1) and (42.8 ± 3.8 to 1773 ± 54 Bq kg−1) respectively. Radium equivalent activities, absorbed dose rate, the value of external hazard indexes and alpha indexes were calculated for the measured samples to assess the radiation hazards arising from using those materials in the construction of dwellings. The average value of indoor annual effective doses of Sri Lankan building materials was 0.22 mSv. Also the average value of outdoor annual effective doses of Sri Lankan building material was 0.05 mSv. It has been noted that the values of annual effective dose of Sri Lankan building materials were below the world average value of terrestrial annual radiation exposure which was 0.48 mSv. Therefore, the types used in the current study are quite safe to be used as building materials.

Study on Bottom Damp-Proof Method of Cave Dwelling

The cave dwelling, as one of the most typical and traditional characteristic local housing styles in the loess area of Northwest China, has been adopted widely in many areas since ancient times. The construction of the cave dwellings supports environmental protection, makes use of innovative construction technology, and preserves historical cultural heritage. The cave dwellings have practical significance and play an important role in the current society. Although there are many natural advantages to use cave dwellings, they also pose many problems, such as high moisture, inadequate lighting, poor ventilation, insufficient strength, and so on. The most serious problem is related to moisture, which affects the comfort, security, and safety of the residents; it needs to be addressed. The authors propose to resolve this problem by developing a method of building a damp-proof course in the bottom of these cave dwellings. Meanwhile, specified experiments were carried out to validate the feasibility of this method. The results show that the method is reasonable and practical, and it can be implemented easily and conveniently in the future. This research has significant practical value; the results can improve people’s living environment and increase comfort and safety of cave dwelling.

The effects of physical restructuring on the socioeconomic status of neighbourhoods: Selective migration and upgrading

In the last few decades, many governments have implemented urban restructuring programmes with the main goal of combating a variety of socioeconomic problems in deprived neighbourhoods. The main instrument of restructuring has been housing diversification and tenure mixing. The demolition of low-quality (social) housing and the construction of owner-occupied or private rented dwellings was expected to change the population composition of deprived neighbourhoods through the in-migration of middle- and high-income households. Many studies have been critical with regard to the success of such policies in actually upgrading neighbourhoods. Using data from the 31 largest Dutch cities for the 1999 to 2013 period, this study contributes to the literature by investigating the effects of large-scale demolition and new construction on neighbourhood income developments on a low spatial scale. We use propensity score matching to isolate the direct effects of policy by comparing restructured neighbourhoods with a set of control neighbourhoods with low demolition rates, but with similar socioeconomic characteristics. The results indicate that large-scale demolition leads to socioeconomic upgrading of deprived neighbourhoods as a result of attracting and maintaining middle- and high-income households. We find no evidence of spillover effects to nearby neighbourhoods, suggesting that physical restructuring only has very local effects.

Environmental radioactivity of soils and sediments: Egyptian sector of the Nile valley

ABSTRACTThe activity concentrations of natural 40K, 232Th, and 238U in 89 soil and 84 sediment samples collected over the entire Egyptian Nile River basin including the Nile delta are reported based on the results of epithermal neutron activation analysis. The average activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th, and 238U equal to 15.3 ± 6.6, 15.6 ± 11.1 and 220 ± 31 Bq/kg, respectively, are significantly lower than those reported for the Upper Continental Crust, World Average Sediments as well as World Average Soils, suggesting the presence of a considerable portion of mafic material, most probably originating from the Ethiopian High Plateau. Their average activity concentrations are statistically the same in soil and sediments, indicating that the Nile sediments and soil material are of the same origin. The main goal of this study was not only to estimate the radiological hazards but also to show the influence of sedimentary material transportable by the Blue Nile from the Ethiopian High Plateau. The different hazard indices like the radium equivalent, gamma index, external hazard as well as the internal hazard show a low radiological exposure either on direct contact or if local mud bricks are used in the construction of dwellings.

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiological Hazards of Cement in Iraq

Eight samples of cement were collected from different commercial factories (Al-Koufa, Al-Basra, Al-Najaf and Kerkouk factories) located in Iraq. They were analyzed using a gamma ray spectroscopy system. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were ranged from 5.8 to 43.17 Bq kg^-1, from 0.99 to 55.79 Bq kg^-1 and from 53.28 to 185.34 Bq kg^-1, respectively. The potential radiological hazards were assessed by calculating the radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), the indoor absorbed gamma dose rate (D), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), the alpha index (I_α), the gamma index (I_γ), and the external hazard (H_ex) and internal hazard (H_in) indices. The highest value of Ra_eq is estimated of 101.36 Bq kg^-1, which is significantly less than the upper limit of 370 Bq kg^-1. The estimated maximum value of the absorbed gamma dose rate of 54.71 nGy h^-1 is within the world average value of 55 nGy h^-1, and the annual effective dose equivalent in the studied samples were 0.05 (outdoor), 0.18 (indoor) mSv y^-1, which is lower than the recommended limit reported in the UNSCEAR (2000). The values of the hazard indices were below the recommended levels; therefore, the study shows that the measured radioactivity for cement does not pose as significant source of radiation hazard and is safe for use in the construction of dwellings.

Arriendo en propiedad: arraigo y vulnerabilidad residencial en el barrio Puerto de Valparaíso

Current housing policies and the increased price of land hamper the construction of well-located dwellings for low-income groups in Chile. On the other hand, international recommendations propose the leasing of dwellings as a solution to the spatial segregation generated by housing policies. However, the situation of tenants and the activity of leasing as well as the housing policies involved in this sector have been scarcely explored in Chile and Latin America. The case study of the port district of Valparaiso, a site characterized by the development of this type of tenure –where more than 90 percent of dwellers are tenants– explores and describes the subjective dimensions of tenancy associated with attachment and the sense of belonging to the place of residence and the neighborhood, which transcend the type of land ownership. This paper analyses the characteristics of tenancy, which is understood as a specific type of residential vulnerability within a context marked by social production at a neighborhood scale and the pressure exerted by urban renewal and gentrification initiatives.

Estimation of 222Rn exhalation rate and assessment of radiological risk from activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K

The activity concentration of natural radionuclides and 222Rn (Radon) exhalation rate in soil samples were determined using NaI gamma detector and Scintillation based Smart Radon Monitor (SRM). Soil samples were collected from different geological formations of the same area. The concentration of three radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) in the studied area has been varied from 25Bqkg−1 to 48Bqkg−1, 28Bqkg−1 to 47Bqkg−1 and 356Bqkg−1 to 598Bqkg−1 respectively. The average value of 226Ra (Radium) equivalent activity in soil samples of the studied area was 125Bqkg−1. The 226Ra equivalent activities of soil samples have been calculated to assess the radiation hazards arising due to the use of these soils in the construction of dwellings. The exhalation of 222Rn from the earth's crust and building material are the main source of 222Rn in indoor environment. The 222Rn exhalation rate in the studied area was varied from 16.9±0.5mBqKg−1h−1 to 38.2±0.9mBqKg−1h−1. A weak correlation was obtained between the 226Ra and 222Rn exhalation rate. The annual effective doses for different organs and radiation hazards have been also calculated in the studied area. The overall average annual effective dose in the studied is lower than the world recommended value of 1.0mSva−1.

New acoustic solutions for cross laminated timber based buildings

Cross laminated timber is becoming a popular building material for the construction of multifamily dwellings, offices, hotels, etc. The acoustic challenges are important: in contrast to light weight timber frame constructions, it is far more sensitive to flanking transmission and its equally relatively light weight and orthotropic character in comparison with traditional heavy stone requires special solutions for the direct airborne and impact sound insulation. The paper presents a new, special, and patented building system that almost annihilates flanking transmission and will detail optimized low frequency sound insulation solutions for floors.

Assessment of natural radioactivity and associated radiation hazards in sand building material used in Douala Littoral Region of Cameroon, using gamma spectrometry

Twenty-four sand samples were collected from different sand quarries from Douala Littoral Region (Wouri, Dibamba, Mungo and Docteur Anse rivers and Atlantic Sea) along the Guinea Golf. These samples were investigated using gamma-ray spectrometry system. Highest values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K measured specific activities expressed in Bq Kg−1 units were, respectively, 146.7 (in Youpoue–Bamenda 2) 102.9 (in Village 1) and 928 (in Northern Akwa 6) while the lowest values were found to be, respectively, 11.8 (in Northern Akwa 6), 8.0 (in Bonaberi–Bonamikano 4) and 54.0 (Youpoue 3). The potential radiological hazards parameters were assessed by calculating successively radium equivalent activity (Raeq), outdoor absorbed gamma dose rate (D out), annual effective dose rate, internal hazard (H in) and external hazard (H ex) indices and alpha and gamma index from using those sand in the construction of dwellings and large buildings. Results obtained show that annual dose absorbed by inhabitants due to sand construction use in Douala is below 1.0 mSv year−1. Therefore, most of the types of sands studied and incorporated in constructions appear to be safe as building material. The outputs from this research will be useful to assess the radiation hazards of sand building material in humans and to initiate a sand database together with a radiological map of the area at stake.

Vikendice na otoku Krku - prostorni raspored i strukturna obilježja vlasnika

The period of the conversion of the existing and abandoned residential dwellings into second homes (mostly in 1960s and 1970s) on the island of Krk, as well as along the whole stretch of the Croatian littoral, was followed by the period of the construction of purpose-built dwellings for vacation and recreation, i.e. of family weekend-houses (in 1970s and 1980s). This was manifested through the purchase and conversion of agricultural land into building sites which initially targeted the most desirable locations along the coast of the island, and later less desirable locations in the island hinterland. From mid 1990s onwards the island of Krk, and especially certain parts of it, experienced a more intensive construction of multi-apartment buildings for vacation and recreation which brought about radical geographical transformation. The study analyses the characteristics of the recent developmental dynamics of the second home phenomenon on the island of Krk as a representative case study of a receiving second home region within the Croatian littoral. The study is based on the analysis of the spatial distribution of dwellings for vacation and recreation and the comparison of their number with the number of dwellings for permanent occupancy. In order to achieve a more accurate picture of the intensity and directions of the second home mobility which exists among emissive and receiving second home regions, an analysis is provided of the structural characteristics of the owners of second homes on Krk. They are grouped by the place of their permanent residence, the distance between the place of permanent residence and the receiving second home region and by the size of the place of permanent residence.