Panel Construction Research Articles

Moisture ageing effects on the mechanical performance of eco-friendly sandwich panels made of aluminium skins, bamboo ring core and bio-based adhesives

Recent research has been focused on developing high-performance sandwich structures using renewable resources. The adoption of bamboo rings as a core material and bio-based adhesives has emerged as a promising sustainable design solution for panel construction. It is therefore critical to conduct accelerated ageing tests on these materials to evaluate the impact of environmental humidity on their degradation and durability. This study assessed the effects of moisture ageing on the physic-mechanical properties of eco-friendly sandwich panels and their constituents (aluminium skins, bamboo ring core and castor oil bio-adhesive). Mechanical evaluations of sandwich panels with compacted and spaced bamboo ring cores were performed under varying humidity conditions. Bamboo rings exhibited variable bulk density due to swelling and loss of organic material over time. They also demonstrated increased compressive properties after 2 years of natural ageing but reduced performance after 30 days at 100 % relative humidity. The mechanical properties of the bio-based polymer were enhanced through water-ageing exposure. Sandwich panels constructed with compacted bamboo ring cores exhibited higher bending properties than those with spaced ring core architecture, with the latter showing failures characterised by a wrinkling effect on both skins followed by debonding.

Hybrid lattice structure with micro graphite filler manufactured via additive manufacturing and growth foam polyurethane

The utilisation of lightweight structures is a common practice across a range of disciplines, including the construction of light steel frames, sandwich panels, and transportation infrastructure, among others. The advantages of lightweight structures include design flexibility, weight reduction, and the sustainability of materials that can be easily recycled. However, these advantages also present significant weaknesses. Compared to solid materials with compact weight, lightweight structures do not have the same characteristics. With the reduction in material weight, the strength of the lightweight structure decreases significantly compared to solid materials. In this study, the lightweight structure was made using additive manufacturing and reinforced with solid Composite Polyurethane Foam reinforced with graphite filler expanded into the lightweight structure. The results showed that in the compression test, the mixture with 2 % graphite filler had the highest value of 2.5 kN. The highest hardness test on the specimen with a 2 % graphite mixture was 19.8 HA. FT-IR testing showed that the carbon bonds from graphite in the 2 % specimen had the highest intensity. The test results showed that the addition of Polyurethane Foam into the structure could enhance material strength effectively without adding significant material weight.

CO2 valorisation from lime production via Columbus process to produce E-methane for transport sector – A comprehensive life cycle assessment

In the next decades, CO2 capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies can contribute to climate change mitigation. The Columbus project is an example of a CCU initiative in which CO2 is captured from lime production and converted into E-methane via CO2 methanation. E-methane can serve as fuel for ships and lorries to replace heavy fuel oil and diesel, respectively. This paper aims to assess the environmental impacts of E-methane production via the Columbus process, powered by renewable electricity, and its utilisation in the transport sector benchmarked to conventional fuel production (references) through life cycle assessment (LCA). A basket of products approach was used to also consider the co-products obtained from the Columbus process in the assessment. Both emission and resource based indicators were selected for the LCA. The results show that E-methane production and its utilisation in ships and lorries result in a decrease of the impact on climate change (35 %), particulate matter formation (94 %) and fossil resource use (85 %) compared to the references. For this comparison, the conventional production of the co-products was also taken into account. However, the production and utilisation of this fuel consumes more minerals and metals than the references. The higher mineral and metal extraction from the environment can be explained by the construction of the solar panels required to provide electricity for electrolysis. Future research should focus on the social acceptance and techno-economic assessment of the Columbus process.

Increasing the Efficiency of Ecological Solar Panels Combined with the Building’s Roof

This article is devoted to increasing the efficiency of ecological solar panels with their combination with the house’s roof. A solar panel construction that combines both the solar collector and the building cover is considered. This work investigates the efficiency of solar panels depending on the type of coating, heat-carrying medium mass flow rate, tube diameter, and the distance between the tubes. Among the coatings, Grafplast PDA roofing material is the most effective. Prandelli/Tuborama tubes with a diameter of 16 mm are recommended. The diameter of the tubes significantly affects the efficiency of the solar panel only at low intensity of solar radiation.

CHARACTERIZATION OF CLT PANELS FOR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS

The civil construction market with wood in Brazil is growing and shows a promising future due to the availability of forests and technology. Wood offers advantages in the workability of prefabricated and semi-handcrafted components compared to masonry construction. Sustainability is an important goal for companies in the sector that invest in wood construction. It highlights the difficulty in executing wood construction in Brazil due to the lack of properly processed wood. The objective of this study was to compare the physical properties of Pinus elliottii and CLT panels. The results highlight that CLT panels significantly enhance mechanical strength compared to Pinus elliottii. Raw sawn wood is suitable for panel construction, with a C50 classification, and the elasticity results were superior to those found in the literature. The study emphasizes the importance of investing in technology and disseminating knowledge to advance in this market.

Optimizing Strategy for Whole-Genome Genotype Imputation in Scallops

Advancements in sequencing technologies have facilitated low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (lcWGS) for detecting millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in large populations at low cost. The effectiveness of this approach relies on genotype imputation following lcWGS. While several imputation methods have been applied in human and other terrestrial animals, their performance in aquaculture organisms, particularly mollusks, remains unassessed. Mollusks contribute 70% of mariculture production in China and are characterized by high genetic polymorphism. In this study, we aimed to optimize reference panel construction and evaluate imputation strategies for SNP detection in two scallops, Chlamys farreri and Patinopecten yessoensis, both important bivalve species. High-coverage whole-genome sequencing (hcWGS) data were used to construct haplotype reference panels, and three imputation methods were applied: Beagle5.4, GLIMPSE2, and QUILT. QUILT outperformed other methods, achieving imputation quality scores (IQS) exceeding 0.930 in C. farreri and 0.946 in P. yessoensis, and yielded the highest number of imputed loci in both species. Furthermore, panel construction was optimized by adjusting for genotype quality (GQ) and minor allele frequency (MAF); we determined that a GQ threshold > 20 and an MAF threshold > 0.01 were optimal. We observed that imputation quality improved with increased sequencing depth, plateauing at 0.5×, and varied with sample size depending on the imputation method. A negative correlation was observed between imputation quality and the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rates (Ka/Ks) across chromosomal segments, highlighting the influence of selection pressure on imputation efficacy. Collectively, our findings provide an optimized framework for SNP genotyping using lcWGS in scallops, with implications for aquaculture breeding and genetic research.

ANALYSIS OF DESTRUCTIONS AND STRENGTHENING METHODS OF PRECAST REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR PANELS

Currently, there is a high demand in Ukraine for the rapid restoration of buildings destroyed and damaged as a result of Russian armed aggression, as most people, despite active shelling of cities (especially those close to combat zones) and consequent constant danger, want to return to their homes. Due to military aggression to over 160,000 buildings in Ukraine got extensive damage, with nearly 20,000 high-rise residential structures being built using large-panel construction. The challenges of restoration include unpredictable structural failures and the economic feasibility of repair methods.Recent studies on building restoration in Ukraine due to military damage have emerged only in recent years, with a focus on panel buildings being notably absent in international literature. Given the current situation, domestic research primarily addresses the inspection methodologies and classification of war-related damages, offering preliminary assessments but limited restoration recommendations. In this paper, the authors focused on the panel construction of Kharkiv city, as these buildings account for the most destruction among residential buildings. The assessment of damage to panel slabs of multi-story residential buildings focusing on the heavily affected North Saltivka district due to artillery shelling and rocket strikes is discussed. Despite occupying only 9 % of the area, residential buildings in North Saltivka sustained significant damage, with 70 % affected. Construction in the area consists mainly of precast concrete panel buildings of various heights and designs. Damage severity varies, ranging from minor cracks to complete structural failure, influencing repair and reinforcement strategies. The assessment involves on-site inspections and categorizes damage levels to determine the buildings' suitability for repair or replacement. Based on numerous inspections of panel buildings, in which the authors of the article directly participated, it was possible to identify a gradation of the degree of damage to the panels of multi-storey buildings. As a result of summarizing the obtained information, three categories of panels with acceptable damage for restoration were identified. An analysis of existing methods for reinforcing such structures allowed the selection of a prototype for detailed development of a structural solution to restore the load-bearing capacity of such panels. In the future, the authors of the article will focus on improving the described structural solution and developing a step-by-step technology for its implementation.

STUDI PERANCANGAN KAPASITOR BANK 1200 KVAR DI PT. RAYA SINERGI ELEKTRIKAL

Electricity is a vital necessity for human life, and one aspect related to electricity is the electrical panel, which functions as the distributor of electrical energy. PT. Raya Sinergi Elektrikal is a company engaged in the manufacturing of electrical panels, with one of its products being the Capacitor Bank Panel, which serves to improve power factor. The production of capacitor bank panels involves design considerations, including the components to be used, panel construction, wiring diagrams, single-line diagrams, and calculations of Capacitor Bank Panel requirements. The Capacitor Bank Panel can be operated manually or automatically. This research was conducted through direct observation and interviews at PT. Raya Sinergi Elektrikal to gather data related to the topic. This study adds new knowledge and understanding regarding the design of 1200KVAR Capacitor Bank Panels, which are widely used in industries and offices to minimize power factor losses.

Dual-Axis Solar Tracker

Solar energy is becoming a popular technique to develop sustainable energy sources. Engineering professionals must understand the technologies involved. Solar panel tracking system design and construction are covered in this project. Solar tracking orients the solar array toward the sun, increasing energy output. This system expands on course topics. Solar energy feasibility requires solar array system efficiency optimization. Solar array systems can be improved by sun tracking. This method keeps a solar array facing the sun at all times. Solar modules cleanly turn sunshine into energy in remote areas, solving the power generating problem. The solar tracker designed for this project is reliable and affordable for aligning a solar module with the sun to maximize energy output. Hardware/software hybrid prototype Automatic Sun Tracking System improves solar panel alignment with the sun to maximize energy production and inspire design. Problems and solutions will be discussed.

Measurement of Light Interception by Crops under Solar Panels using PARbars

To analyse agrivoltaics systems and understand crop responses to shading, measurements of available light for the crop and light interception by the crop are important. Especially in row crops, there is a lot of variation in the amount of light at different heights, different positions relative to the row and over time. This spatial and temporal variation in light is difficult to capture with standard point measurement technology. Commercially available line quantum sensors are not long enough to cover the desired width within an agrivoltaics system and come at high cost. Therefore, custom made PARbars were used: bars of 1.5 m long having light sensors every 5 cm facing the sky and giving a total (line) irradiance value per time step. PARbars were installed above and below a raspberry crop row in both the agrivoltaics system and the control with a plastic foil cover, and a point sensor was installed in the open field. The difference between open field radiation and the top PARbar gives the light interception by the panel construction or the foil cover, the difference between the top and bottom PARbar gives the light interception by the crop. This information can be used in conjunction with destructive crop measurements to analyse impacts on leaf area and light interception, dry matter production and derived efficiency of photosynthesis. The crop in the current agrivoltaics system received half of the amount of light compared to the control system, but total biomass production was less reduced because of compensation by increasing specific leaf area and photosynthesis efficiency. Further analysis is needed to evaluate the agrivoltaics system and the impact of increasing shade on the crop, and to assess the trade-off between electricity production and crop production.

A Case Study of the Integration of Ground-Based and Drone-Based Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) for an Archaeological Survey in Hulata (Israel): Advancements, Challenges, and Applications

This study delves into the fusion of ground-based and drone-based ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technologies in archaeological exploration. Set against the backdrop of the Hulata solar panel construction site in Israel, the research confronts daunting obstacles such as clayey soil, accurate detection of small objects, and the imperative of timely reporting crucial for construction management. The drone-based GPR, a testament to technological innovation, showcases remarkable adaptability to challenging terrains, dispelling doubts about electromagnetic wave decay in clayey soil. Methodologically, the study employs detailed orthophoto mapping and grid-type surveys. The correlation of the results significantly bolsters the reliability of archaeological discoveries, uncovering scattered artifacts buried approximately 1–1.5 m below the surface. Meticulous excavations validate the geophysical surveys, affirming the presence of structures constructed from boulders. The application at the Hulata site validates the adaptability of drone-based GPR in challenging terrains. It provides a swift, cost-effective, and minimally invasive alternative to traditional excavation techniques, thereby transforming the field of archaeology.

The readout panels for the BI-RPC project for ATLAS Phase-II upgrade

To take full advantage from the LHC upgrade to high luminosity in 2029, the ATLAS community has approved an intensive detector upgrade program that includes the construction of an additional trigger layer positioned close to the BI MDT chambers of the muon spectrometer. These chambers are RPC with thin gas gap, thin High Pressure Laminate electrodes coated with graphite on one side, and only use strips orthogonal to the beam-axis to reconstruct the eta and phi coordinates of the detector point where an ionizing particle passes. A detailed description of the construction and validation of these strip panels in China and Italy assembly sites, is presented here.

The concept of using wind turbine propellers in the construction of acoustic screens as an example of a circular economy model

This paper aims to conceptualise the construction of noise barrier panels from components recovered from used wind turbine propellers. At present, they are mainly waste, but many ideas for their reuse are emerging. Based on previously conducted material tests, the strength of the panels was calculated in accordance with EN 14388. The finite element method and the ANSYS space-claim programme were used to analyse the strength and generate a 3D numerical model of the cracked wind turbine propeller panels. The permissible values given in the standard were compared with those obtained for the deflection of the component.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphic variants C677T and A1298C in rectal cancer in Slavic population: significance for cancer risk and response to chemoradiotherapy.

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been suggested as risk, prognostic, and predictive factors for colorectal cancer in various populations, but have not been validated so far. The aim of this study was to examine the association of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131) single nucleotide polymorphisms with the risk of rectal cancer as well as the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) based on 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) in the locally advanced setting. Patients and methods: This case-control study included 119 healthy controls and 97 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). For MTHFR genotyping, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) was employed. Results: In silico analysis highlighted that SNPs C677T and A1298T correlate with MTHFR gene expression, and that gene expression profile correlates with cancer risk and stage. Using dominant and recessive models, it was found that the MTHFR 677CC vs. 677CT+677TT have increased risk of cancer development (odds ratio (OR): 2.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30-3.95, p = 0.002) as well as 677CC+677CT compared to 677TT (OR: 4.18, 95% CI: 1.16-14.99, p = 0.014). MTHFR 1298AA also shown increased risk for cancer development compared to 1298AC+1298CC (OR:2.0, 95% CI: 1.20-3.59, p = 0.035) Statistical analysis of combined genotypes highlighted the protective role of CT/AC combined genotype (OR: 3.15 95% CI: 1.576-6.279, p = 0.002) while the CC/AA genotype showed an increased risk for rectal cancer development (OR: 2.499, 95% CI: 1.246-5.081, p = 0.016) The carriers of the 677C/1298A haplotype had the highest risk for developing rectal cancer (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.198-2.530, p = 0.002) while the 677T/1298C haplotype seems to provide a protective effect. (OR: 0.44; 95%CI 0.248-0.795, p = 0.003). No significant association with response to chemoradiotherapy was found. Conclusion: Our data point to MTHFR 667C allele and 1298A alleles as low-penetrance risk factors for rectal cancer in our population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of this type performed on the Slavic population in the Western Balkan, as various population-based factors might also be significant our findings can be used for future meta-analyses and the construction of genetic cancer risk prediction panels.

Impact of outdoor heat adaptation on indoor thermal conditions – Combining microscale urban climate and building performance simulation

To what extent can outdoor heat adaptation measures in urban districts help to reduce high indoor temperatures in buildings and thus enhance indoor thermal conditions? To answer this question microscale meteorological simulation (MMS) and building performance simulation (BPS) are combined in a model chain approach. Two existing residential German districts with different urban designs are modelled in the MMS tool ENVI-met. For both districts, a representative residential building (one from the Wilhelminian period and one large panel construction type) is modelled using the BPS tool IDA-ICE. Different scenarios of heat adaptation measures are applied to analyse how changes in urban and building design (e.g. white (cool) roofs (high albedo), white traffic areas (high albedo), intensive green roofs, urban trees, facade insulation or facade greening) affect outdoor and indoor temperatures. The MMS results highlight that the district from the Wilhelminian period is less heat resilient and that the efficacy of heat adaptation measures on heat reduction in open space depends on the urban design and the daytime. Regarding the efficacy of heat adaptation measures on indoor thermal conditions, our findings indicate that the larger share of the indoor cooling effect is not caused by the outdoor air temperature reduction by the outdoor heat adaptation measures but by the change of the building physics in the BPS model (e.g. changing the surface reflectance of the white roofs). White roofs and intensive green roofs show the largest cooling effect by reducing the operative room temperature by more than 1 Kelvin. Our findings also demonstrate that facade insulation can act as both, climate adaptation and mitigation measures.

Analysis of the state of the problem of improving the armor-piercing properties of personal protective equipment: a review study

The object of the study is personal protective equipment such as body armour, and the subject of the work is the study of the processes of destruction of the integrity of personal protective equipment such as body armour in order to find ways to improve their strength characteristics. Protective body armour is a key element of protection for the military, law enforcement agencies and other professions involving risk to life. Modern materials and technologies make it possible to produce bulletproof vests of the highest level of protection, providing not only protection against bullets but also against other hazards such as explosions and shrapnel. However, the systems must have improved ballistic efficiency, be lightweight, flexible and comfortable for effective work. In general, the effectiveness of protective body armour is determined by various factors, including the construction technique of the vest, the type of materials and the finish of the protective panels.
 This paper provides a detailed overview of the current state of the art in body armour panel design and various materials for the manufacture of protective plates. A detailed analysis of the different types of protective body armour and their categories is provided. Next, various methods of panel construction, their problems and possible solutions will be presented. Finally, various polymeric fibre and future possible advanced materials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene CNTs and super thickened fluids (STFs), will be discussed for the development of enhanced protection panels.

Evaluating the clinical validity of genes related to hemostasis and thrombosis using the Clinical Genome Resource gene curation framework

BackgroundInherited bleeding, thrombotic, and platelet disorders (BTPDs) are a heterogeneous set of diseases, many of which are very rare globally. Over the past 5 decades, the genetic basis of some of these disorders has been identified, and recently, high-throughput sequencing has become the primary means of identifying disease-causing genetic variants. ObjectivesKnowledge of the clinical validity of a gene-disease relationship is essential to provide an accurate diagnosis based on results of diagnostic gene panel tests and inform the construction of such panels. The Scientific and Standardization Committee for Genetics in Thrombosis and Hemostasis undertook a curation process for selecting 96 TIER1 genes for BTPDs. The purpose of the process was to evaluate the evidence supporting each gene-disease relationship and provide an expert-reviewed classification for the clinical validity of genes associated with BTPDs. MethodsThe Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) Hemostasis/Thrombosis Gene Curation Expert Panel assessed the strength of evidence for TIER1 genes using the semiquantitative ClinGen gene-disease clinical validity framework. ClinGen Lumping and Splitting guidelines were used to determine the appropriate disease entity or entities for each gene, and 101 gene-disease relationships were identified for curation. ResultsThe final outcome included 68 Definitive (67%), 26 Moderate (26%), and 7 Limited (7%) classifications. The summary of each curation is available on the ClinGen website. ConclusionExpert-reviewed assignment of gene-disease relationships by the ClinGen Hemostasis/Thrombosis Gene Curation Expert Panel facilitates accurate molecular diagnoses of BTPDs by clinicians and diagnostic laboratories. These curation efforts can allow genetic testing to focus on genes with a validated role in disease.

Analysis of the Impact of the Net Zero Movement on International Trade

The net-zero carbon emission mission raised by UNFCCC accelerated the already looming shortage of various key metals in the construction of renewable energy facilities, such as copper for the construction of solar panels. Using basic econometric tools through Stata, this paper studied the effect on copper prices related to the net-zero campaign, aiming at both establishing the validity of such an effect and quantifying its scale. Relevant data from FRED demonstrates that this effect drives up copper price at a high significance level and quantifies it to be 2440.636 USD per metric ton. This effect also seems to be lagging into future periods, and a staggered events analysis suggests that the growth in copper price due to the net-zero campaign will decelerate in the near future. Potential flaws are discussed, and several valid and valuable future research directions are also raised.

ANFIS based method for faults detection in the photovoltaic system

<span>As the case with all electrical and electronic systems, a photovoltaic (PV) system can be exposed to several failures causing it to malfunction; several studies have found that the reliability of the PV systems is highly dependent on the material used for the construction of the PV panels, temperature, humidity and solar radiation. A PV system can have several faults, whether construction type faults, or material and electrical faults caused by climatic conditions. This requires identification, the main objective of which is to provide a tool that can detect and locate these faults in order to guarantee optimal performance of the system, and thus reduce maintenance costs and above all increase productivity by increasing the availability rate facilities in order to have a better performance. The objective of this article is to propose a technique for detecting and locating faults in a PV system, the proposed algorithm is based on adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). This algorithm is based on the technique of artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic. Nine faults will be examined with simulation results under MATLAB-Simulink in PV system (array, converter DC-DC and battery).</span>

Wood Diaphragm Deflections. I: Generalizing Standard Equations Using Mechanics-Based Derivations for Panel Construction

Horizontal wood diaphragm systems, whether decked with conventional or mass timber panels, transfer wind and seismic loads to vertical elements of a lateral force-resisting system (LFRS), in flexible, rigid, or semirigid fashion. Characterizing and calculating the resulting diaphragm deflections determines the distribution of forces to critically loaded components and a significant portion of lateral building translations and rotations. Deflection equations for sheathed wood structural panel (WSP) diaphragms are well established in US design standards in a four-term expression that models flexural, shear, and fastener-slip deformations, and its full derivation using principles of mechanics is provided herein. Derivations of similar equations for cross-laminated timber (CLT) diaphragms have yet to unfold, despite growing industry consensus that CLT panels make efficient slabs and decks. In this first of two companion papers, the corrected full derivation of the current four-term WSP diaphragm deflection expression is provided and assessed, and two ways to quantify the cumulative contribution of fastener slip are presented to expand its usage to a wider variety of WSP and CLT configurations in current use. Building on this generalized mechanics-based derivation, the authors are able to propose and assess in the companion paper a unified diaphragm deflection model to compute both WSP and CLT diaphragm deflections as implemented under current practice and guide further development.