Construction Vehicles Research Articles

Research on Weighted Network Model Construction and Layout Structure of New Energy Vehicle Charging Station

(1) Background: Spatial layout is the key to the construction and development of new energy vehicle charging stations; (2) Methods: A network analysis method is used to build the new energy vehicle charging station network, design network indicators, analyze the structural characteristics of new energy vehicle charging stations based on the local nodes and the overall structure of the network, and identify the key nodes and important parts of the network; (3) Results: Taking the new energy vehicle charging station in Jinan City of Shandong Province as an example, the empirical analysis is carried out. The empirical results show that the new energy vehicle charging station network constructed in this paper and the network indicators designed can effectively describe the layout of new energy vehicle charging stations, identifying key stations and important parts of the network; (4) Conclusions: This provides a theoretical basis for further improving the utilization rate of charging stations and the reasonable planning of new energy vehicle charging stations. It provides an idea and method for the research on the layout of charging stations for new energy vehicles.

Enhancement of 5-Fluorouracil Drug Delivery in a Graphene Oxide Containing Electrospun Chitosan/Polyvinylpyrrolidone Construct.

Electrospun nanofibrous mats, consisting of chitosan (CS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were constructed with the addition of graphene oxide (GO) for enhancement of delivery of the 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) chemotherapy drug. Upon studying the range of GO concentrations in CS/PVP, the concentration of 0.2% w/v GO was chosen for inclusion in the drug delivery model. SEM showed bead-free, homogenous fibres within this construct. This construct also proved to be non-toxic to CaCo-2 cells over 24 and 48 h exposure. The construction of a drug delivery vehicle whereby 5-Fu was loaded with and without GO in various concentrations showed several interesting findings. The presence of CS/PVP was revealed through XPS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. FTIR was also imperative for the analysis of 5-Fu while Raman exclusively highlighted the presence of GO in the samples. In particular, a detailed analysis of the IR spectra recorded using two FTIR spectrometers, several options for determining the concentration of 5-Fu in composite fibre systems CS/PVP/5-Fu and GO/CS/PVP/5-Fu were demonstrated. By analysis of Raman spectra in the region of D and G bands, a linear dependence of ratios of integrated intensities of AD and AG on the intensity of host polymer band at 1425 cm-1 vs. GO content was found. Both methods, therefore, can be used for monitoring of GO content and 5-Fu release in studied complex systems. After incorporating the chemotherapy drug 5-Fu into the constructs, cell viability studies were also performed. This study demonstrated that GO/CS/PVP/5-Fu constructs have potential in chemotherapy drug delivery systems.

Network Integration as a Tool for Sustainable Business Development

Business enterprises are required to adopt new economic models and business strategies in line with global trends such as the green agenda, the shortening of innovation cycles, digitalization (networking platforms) and socio-economic security. The models of network integrations (clusters, industrial symbioses, innovation ecosystems, etc.) are developing faster than other business models. Networking allows businesses to synergetically, based on the principles of collaboration, trust and self-organization, increase intellectual, innovative, social, and environmental values, which leads to economic growth and sustainable development. Through networking integration, the business performance of all participants in multi-company projects can be improved, regardless of their size and activities. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodological framework for assessing the synergistic effect and the level of collaborative maturity of participants in network industrial integration. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of network business integration efficiency. The authors’ methodology is based on the AHP hierarchy method, expert evaluation and Harrington’s level of desirability. The methodology is validated on Russian industrial integrations: industrial cluster of Nizhny Novgorod region; pipeline valve manufacturing cluster; South Ural industrial cluster producing spare parts and assembly units for roadbuilding, construction and agricultural vehicles. The results show that the level of collaborative maturity of business partners and the synergies from network integration effect the sustainability of business development. Recommendations for businesses are provided to improve their network integration and collaborative maturity. Furthermore, the findings allow the authors to define directions for further research, considering the interests of the business community, regional authorities, and financial institutions, and provide a framework for researchers to investigate the link between industrial network integration and economic growth.

Method for Determining the Conditions for Ensuring Stable Rearward Movement of a Semi-trailer Combination with Non-turning Semi-trailer Wheels

The efficiency of organising freight transport and using motor transport in a Smart City depends on a set of its properties, which in the process of operation determine its suitability for use in given operating conditions. Vehicles have different overall dimensions and designs, which determine their maneuverability and directional stability, their ability to make a curve-line movement in the city, as well as to move safely in reverse. Nowadays, tractor-trailer combinations with non-turning semi-trailer wheels are widely used for freight transport. Such a scheme of vehicle construction does not ensure its directional stability when reversing, which can lead to the folding of the tractor and semi-trailer and loss of mobility of the combination. In the absence of additional special systems, the driver controls the rearward movement of the road train using the steering wheel and rear-view mirrors, and the accuracy of delivery to the object depends on the level of the driver's training. The research of driver's reaction time spent on situation assessment, decision making, and realisation has been carried out. It has been revealed that with manual control, there are difficulties connected with training of drivers to estimate the parameters of movement and control of the road train, in particular, with the process of parking and its accurate delivery to the object. With the help of the developed mathematical model of the rearward movement of the road train and the proposed new turn control law, the research of maneuvering of the road train during its delivery to the object has been carried out and the results confirming the possibilities of building an automated system allowing to reduce the influence of the human factor on the parking process, as well as to reduce the time required to perform the maneuver have been obtained. The conducted analysis of system stability with the help of Routh–Hurwitz criterion has determined the conditions of providing stability of the system moving in reverse. The method of controlling the backward movement of the road train and the design of the device realising it has been developed. The results of simulation modeling allowed us to find the necessary values for the control law for the movement of road trains of different lengths, as well as the preferred variants of the initial positions of the road train for the realisation of its precise delivery to the object.

Modeling wheeled locomotion in granular media using 3D-RFT and sand deformation

Modeling the wheel-soil interaction of small-wheeled robots in granular media is important for robot design and control. A wide range of applications, from earthmoving for construction and farming vehicles to navigating rough terrain for Mars rovers, motivate the need for a model that can predict the force response of a wheel and the terrain shape afterward. More importantly, the speed, accuracy, and generality of the model should be considered for real-world applications. In this paper, we offer a straightforward sand deformation simulator to simulate the soil surface and integrate it with 3D-RFT in order to capture the soil motion caused by the wheel. The proposed method is able to: (1) estimate three-dimensional interaction forces of arbitrarily shaped wheels traveling in granular media; (2) simulate the soil displacement from the trajectory; and (3) perform the force calculation in real-time at 60 Hz.

Assessment of Coating Properties in Car Body by Ultrasonic Method

Adhesive bonds, including car putty coatings, are used in the construction of modern motor vehicles. Therefore, it is important to improve methods that allow nondestructive evaluation of the properties of these joints. The main objective of this study was to evaluate selected properties of putty coatings such as the width of the applied coating and adhesion to the substrate based on changes in ultrasonic wave parameters. The research was carried out in two stages. In the first, the values of the surface wave amplitude were determined as a function of the width of the coating to the substrate. It was found that as the width of the coating increases, the amplitude of the surface wave pulse decreases. The second stage involved correlation studies to relate the reflection coefficient |r| to the adhesion of the coating to the substrate. Based on the results, it was found that as the value of the reflection coefficient decreases, the value of the coating’s adhesion to the substrate increases. The determined values of this parameter range from 0.30 to 0.86, which correspond to the adhesion of the range 1.51 to 18.97 MPa. The obtained test results have practical significance and can be used in evaluating the condition of coatings in vehicle body repair shops.

Correction to “Use of a low transformation temperature effect for the targeted reduction of welding distortion in stainless chromium‐nickel steel for an application in rail vehicle construction”

Correction to “Use of a low transformation temperature effect for the targeted reduction of welding distortion in stainless chromium‐nickel steel for an application in rail vehicle construction”

Pothole detection and International Roughness Index (IRI) calculation using ATVs for road monitoring

The accelerated deterioration of roads is conditioned by parameters such as climate change, poor construction, and heavy vehicle traffic. Two relevant measures to monitor the condition of a road are the International Roughness Index (IRI) and the number of functional failures in a segment, mainly potholes, since they are associated with higher risks such as accidents or damage to vehicle mechanics. In the state of the art, pothole detection or International Roughness Index (IRI) calculation algorithms are proposed, but they use vehicles designed to produce less vibration and use phones that decrease the performance of the embedded sensors. In addition, some works propose complex algorithms of higher computational load that leads to use more hardware and power consumption. In this context, the present work aims to monitor the condition of a road through low-cost dedicated sensors implemented in an urban patrolling all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), where energy consumption is optimized using low-complexity signal processing techniques for noise reduction and detection algorithms. The results show an average accuracy of 90.5% in the detection of potholes, a relative error of 8.41% in the calculation of the International Roughness Index (IRI) and an average reduction of 65.4% in the monitoring time.

Assessment of Air Pollution Levels from a Building Construction Site on Lagos Island

The introduction highlights the challenges of air pollution from construction activities on a site in Lagos Island, Nigeria, emphasizing the need for comprehensive studies to assess air pollution levels and evaluate its implications for public health and environmental quality. The methodology outlines the monthly data collection process, using the Earth Sense Zephyr (equipped with electrochemical detectors for gases) to measure CO, NO, NO₂, O₃, and Optical light scattering for particles) to measure PM₂.₅, and PM₁₀, and the ARA n-FRM Sampler for additional data collection on PM₂.₅, and PM₁₀. The study found that CO, NO, and NO₂ levels were influenced by construction activities, vehicle emissions and industrial sources, with notable peaks in CO and NO concentrations during specific months. Ozone levels remained consistently low, likely due to the "titration effect," while particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) showed significant seasonal variation, peaking during the dry season due to construction dust and dry weather conditions. The findings underscore the need for stringent regulatory measures and effective dust control practices, particularly during periods of increased construction activity and dry weather, to mitigate air pollution and protect public health. In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of air pollution from a typical construction site in Lagos Island, emphasizing the urgency of sustainable interventions to safeguard public health and environmental integrity. The study proposes enhanced monitoring and surveillance, stringent regulatory measures, promotion of sustainable construction practices, and public awareness and education, to address the challenges associated with construction-related air pollution on Lagos Island.

A review on the effect of different advanced joinery applied on automobiles to reach fuel economy

Fuel economy has always been a key performance indicator of automobiles and an urgent issue to be addressed in environmental protection. Fuel economy is influenced by various factors such as car quality, driving resistance, transmission, engine, etc. To increase the fuel economy of automobiles, manufacturers are utilizing new materials for vehicle construction. therefore, it is necessary to investigate the most effective joinery method for constructing lightweight automobiles. In this article, the stages of joinery technology, including clinching, ultrasonic welding, riveting, bolting will be discussed. The authors have chosen to focus on the three most important aspects of these five methodologies, which are strength, bending, and fatigue. This paper will present a conclusion regarding these joining methods after discussing their properties.

A Lightweight CER-YOLOv5s Algorithm for Detection of Construction Vehicles at Power Transmission Lines

In the context of power-line scenarios characterized by complex backgrounds and diverse scales and shapes of targets, and addressing issues such as large model parameter sizes, insufficient feature extraction, and the susceptibility to missing small targets in engineering-vehicle detection tasks, a lightweight detection algorithm termed CER-YOLOv5s is firstly proposed. The C3 module was restructured by embedding a lightweight Ghost bottleneck structure and convolutional attention module, enhancing the model’s ability to extract key features while reducing computational costs. Secondly, an E-BiFPN feature pyramid network is proposed, utilizing channel attention mechanisms to effectively suppress background noise and enhance the model’s focus on important regions. Bidirectional connections were introduced to optimize the feature fusion paths, improving the efficiency of multi-scale feature fusion. At the same time, in the feature fusion part, an ERM (enhanced receptive module) was added to expand the receptive field of shallow feature maps through multiple convolution repetitions, enhancing the global information perception capability in relation to small targets. Lastly, a Soft-DIoU-NMS suppression algorithm is proposed to improve the candidate box selection mechanism, addressing the issue of suboptimal detection of occluded targets. The experimental results indicated that compared with the baseline YOLOv5s algorithm, the improved algorithm reduced parameters and computations by 27.8% and 31.9%, respectively. The mean average precision (mAP) increased by 2.9%, reaching 98.3%. This improvement surpasses recent mainstream algorithms and suggests stronger robustness across various scenarios. The algorithm meets the lightweight requirements for embedded devices in power-line scenarios.

A Novel Three-Stage Collision-Risk Pre-Warning Model for Construction Vehicles and Workers

A Novel Three-Stage Collision-Risk Pre-Warning Model for Construction Vehicles and Workers

Over 30 years of monitoring and implementing the Bern Convention's recommendations for the protection of Mediterranean sea turtles

The Bern Convention was the first international treaty dedicated to the conservation of European wildlife and habitats. Their task is to review member states’ efforts depending on their commitments for flora and fauna protection. Since 1993, the Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (MEDASSET) has been advocating for the creation and enforcement of legislation at the national, European Union, and regional levels. MEDASSET monitors the implementation of the Convention’s recommendations in two major sea turtle nesting areas in Greece (Laganas and Kyparissia Bays) and four in Turkey (Anamur, Kazanli, Fethiye, and Patara). In Greece, the most important pressures are uncontrolled tourist boat activity, illegal construction, and beach furniture management issues reported in Laganas Bay, and light pollution, illegal construction, and unhindered vehicle access in Kyparissia. In Turkey, Anamur is negatively impacted by the lack of law enforcement, illegal sand extraction, and coastal development, and Kazanli has been subjected to the release of toxic waste from a Soda Chrome Factory since 2000. Moreover, Fethiye and Patara are affected by the lack of management and protection, and the rapid construction and touristic development. Nevertheless, some positive steps have been made due to MEDASSET and other NGO activities over the past 30 years, such as the establishment of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, and the issuing of the Bern Convention’s recommendations for each one of the aforementioned nesting sites.

Uloga pokretnih knjižnica u županijskoj knjižničnoj mreži u kontekstu nabave novog bibliobusa Knjižnice i čitaonice „Fran Galović“ Koprivnica

Aim. The paper aims to illustrate the development of the network of mobile libraries in Koprivnica-Križevci County, highlight the challenges in their development, operation, and funding, and emphasize the significance and importance of the existence of mobile library services in the County and the Republic of Croatia. Additionally, the aim is to describe the process of planning the construction and equipping of the new mobile library vehicle for the "Fran Galović" Public Library in Koprivnica, as well as the possibilities of developing programmes and services provided through the new vehicle. Approach/methodology/design. The research included an analysis of the legal framework for the establishment and operation of mobile libraries, research and analysis of existing statistical data, and reports on the activities of public libraries in Koprivnica-Križevci County and the mobile library service in Koprivnica. This paper outlines the process of developing a new mobile library vehicle, whose space and services were designed based on insights into the functioning of mobile services in Croatia and other European countries, obtained through research and the authors' direct insight into the work and development of mobile libraries. Results. The paper addresses the process and challenges of establishing, maintaining, and operating a network of mobile libraries in Koprivnica-Križevci County. It details the experience and challenges of purchasing, designing, construction, and equipping a new mobile library vehicle, as well as the development of programmes and services facilitated by the provision of new mobile library space. Originality/value. The experiences and examples presented in this paper are the result of the authors' many years of engagement and specialization in the field of mobile librarianship. The work synthesises professional knowledge acquired through practical work in the organization of mobile libraries, fieldwork in the mobile library itself, as well as gathering information and knowledge through training and direct observation of this segment of librarianship through personal insight into the work, equipment and programs in other countries. Consequently, the example of the establishment and operation of the mobile library service in Koprivnica, as an integral and extremely important part of the overall county network of public libraries in Koprivnica-Križevci County, and the experiences in the procurement, construction, and equipment of a new, modern mobile library vehicle presented in this paper, can serve as a very valuable source of information for other libraries planning to establish a mobile library service or to acquire a vehicle for its operation.

Use of a low transformation temperature effect for the targeted reduction of welding distortion in stainless chromium‐nickel steel for an application in rail vehicle construction

Use of a low transformation temperature effect for the targeted reduction of welding distortion in stainless chromium‐nickel steel for an application in rail vehicle construction

DOCOL 1100M WELDING IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC MEANS OF TRANSPORT

Advanced high-strength steels are important for the automotive sector. Metal active gas (MAG) is the most popular method for joining grades of steel. The goal of the paper is to analyze the mechanical properties of the MAG welding joint made of high-strength DOCOL 1100M intended for the construction of electric vehicles. The manuscript shows a basic understanding of the properties of DOCOL joints. This type of material is characterized by a martensitic microstructure, which makes it difficult to make a proper joint. The tensile strength, metallographic structure, and type of non-metallic inclusions were analyzed as a function of the oxygen amount in the protective gas mixture. Investigations of oxide non-metallic inclusions were carried out using scanning electron microscopy. This article attempts to obtain high joint strength of the electric vehicle structure by controlling the average size of non-metallic inclusions in the weld, which is influenced by shielding gas in the MAG welding process. The solution has application potential for the automotive industry, especially for electric vehicles.

Ultrahigh temperature ablation resistant HfB2-SiC composites: From liquid SiHfCB precursor synthesis to light weight bulk preparation and characterization

The current generation of ultrahigh temperature ceramic precursors typically encounters obstacles in achieving high ceramic yields (<40 wt.%) due to the challenges in integrating significant amounts of boron, which hampers their conversion into boride-based ultrahigh temperature ceramics. To tackle these challenges, a serious of pioneering liquid multi-component hafnium-containing ceramic SiHfCB precursors (with different Hf/Si ratios) have been developed. These novel precursors are featured with stable molecular structure and high ceramic yield which were successfully created through a novel one-pot polymerization process. They present in liquid form and their structure is characterized by C-C bonds forming its main chain with branched chains of O-Si-O, Si-O-Hf, Si-O-B, and B-O-Hf which have untapped advantages including uniform component dispersion, and excellent fluidity. The ceramic yield of SiHfCB precursor with Hf/Si of 0.2 is remarkably up to 68.6 wt.% at 1500 °C, and their Hf content exceeded 50 wt.%. Of particular interest, the pyrolyzed product HfB2-SiC nanopowders derived from the SiHfCB precursor with Hf/Si of 0.2, consist of nanopowders in the 40–60 nm range with a density of 5.23 g cm−3. Remarkably, this material demonstrates exceptional performance in ultrahigh temperature oxygen-containing environments at 2500 °C, showing near-zero ablation with a linear ablation rate of just 2.5 × 10−4 mm s−1. Post-ablation analysis of the microstructure reveals that the formation of a lava-like HfO2 and HfO2-SiO2 oxide layer effectively blocks oxygen penetration and provides excellent oxidation resistance. The innovative SiHfCB hafnium-containing ceramic precursor offers a groundbreaking solution for the preparation of lightweight ultrahigh-temperature ceramics. This development is poised to provide robust technical support for the use of ultrahigh temperature ceramics in non-ablative thermal protective systems, particularly in the construction of hypersonic vehicles, where ultrahigh temperature resilience is crucial.

Rheology of automotive adhesives during dispensing: A direct comparison of epoxy and rubber based systems via drag and pressure driven flows

Construction of vehicles requires adhesive dispensing for body-in-white assembly, hemming of closure panels, decking of windshields and the manufacture of battery packs. Knowledge of the rheological properties of adhesives applied using common dispensing systems is important for optimization of dispensing and application conditions. However, flow behavior of adhesives at shear rates used in dispensing is not well understood. Therefore, this study combines parallel plate and capillary rheology techniques to directly compare the rheological properties of an epoxy structural adhesive used in hemming applications and a rubber ‘topical sealer’ used to seal water leak paths across the range of shear rates observed in dispensing. Shear viscosity (η) and complex viscosity (η*) master curves were created from time-temperature-superposition (TTS) of steady shear and dynamic oscillatory data. Both adhesives did not follow the Cox-Merz rule. It was found that the Carreau-Yasuda model fit the steady shear viscosity master curve of the epoxy structural adhesive, while a simpler power law model fit the steady shear viscosity master curve of the rubber topical sealer. An inexpensive capillary rheometer was developed to simulate the adhesive dispensing process. Viscosity data was corrected for entrance pressure losses and a non-Newtonian flow front using Bagley and Weissenberg-Rabinowitsch corrections, respectively. It was observed that complex viscosity master curves better predicted viscosity during dispensing, as compared to steady shear viscosity master curves. Linear stress ramp measurements showed that the adhesives have widely different yield stresses, while the capillary rheometry measurements showed they have similar viscosities during dispensing. Furthermore, the capillary rheometer ‘shot meter’ pressures were related to the apparent and doubly corrected viscosity values through power law functions. A new quality control method based on the capillary rheology data is proposed.

Global path planning for autonomous construction vehicles in building construction: A comparative study with a focus on vehicle kinematic characteristics

Technological advancements in robotics and automation have led to a growing emphasis on integration into construction industry from a global research context. In particular, autonomous construction vehicles (ACVs) stand out as a pivotal innovation. One key aspect of successful deployment of ACVs on construction sites is the path planning technology, especially the global path planning (GPP) methods. Thus, this study conducted a comparative study of the six GPP algorithms from various underlying principles, including graph search methods (e.g. Dijkstra and A*), sampling-based methods (e.g. rapidly exploring random tree (RRT) and rapidly exploring random tree star (RRT*)), evolutionary computation (e.g. genetic algorithms (GAs)), and artificial intelligence (e.g. deep Q learning (DQN)), to reveal how GPP algorithms perform on the travel of ACVs. These algorithms were evaluated with consideration of the kinematic characteristics of typical construction vehicles, including truck-trailers and excavators, within a typical unstructured real-world building construction site and based on two tasks and eight criteria encompassing efficiency and safety. The findings were analysed from three perspectives, i.e. the planned global paths and travel paths of ACVs, the performance of algorithms in each metric, and the overall performance of each algorithm, to identify the strengths of each GPP algorithm. GAs excel in generating smoother travel paths than others, whereas the global paths from RRT and DQN exhibit unpredictable changes, leading to a meandering travel paths for ACVs. The quality of global paths induces a greater impact on differential-wheeled excavators compared to front-wheel steering truck-trailers. Practical guidance can therefore be provided to select and improve the GPP algorithms and thereby to enhance the safety and efficiency of ACVs on construction sites.

Prospects for the development of drivetrain systems in trucks

The article presents the directions of development of drive systems in trucks. A database of vehicles and their technical data was developed. This data contains information about the drivetrain configuration. The external characteristics of the engines and the structure of the drivetrain were analyzed. It was found that the factors determining development are primarily economic and ecological aspects. It was noticed that, based on the configuration of the drive system, vehicles can be divided according to their purpose and type of transport. Vehicles intended for international transport are characterized by low gears and engines that achieve high torque at low engine speeds. Construction vehicles and vehicles intended for oversize transport are characterized by large gear ratios and torque amplification systems. The structure of electric vehicle drive systems is different from conventional vehicles. Gearboxes usually have two gears, drive axles may have integrated engines located next to the main gear or in the final drive position. The study also made it possible to outline the problem of the short range of such cars and the need for further work on increasing it.