Construction Techniques Research Articles

Protective Interphases of Advanced Znic Anodes: Structure, Mechanisms, Fabrication Strategies and Characterization Techniques.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) with metallic Zn anode have the potential for large-scale energy storage application due to their cost-effectiveness, safety, environmental-friendliness, and ease of preparation. However, the concerns regarding dendrite growth and side reactions on Zn anode surface hamper AZIB's commercialization. This review aims to give a comprehensive evaluation of the protective interphase construction and provide guildance to further improve the electrochemical performance of AZIBs. The failure behaviors of Zn metal anode including dendrite growth, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution are analyzed. Then, the applications and mechanisms of the constructed interphases are introduced, classified by the material species. The fabrication methods of the artificial interfaces are summarized and evaluated, including the in-situ strategy and ex-situ strategy. Finally, the characterization means of the interphases are discussed to give a full view for the study of Zn anode protection. Based on the analysis of this review, a stable and high-performance Zn anode could be designed by carefully choosing applied material, corresponding protective mechanism, and appropriate construction technique. Additionally, this review for Zn anode modification and construction techniques for anode protection in AZIBs may be helpful in other aqueous metal batteries with similar problems.

Feasibility and effectiveness of replacing built-up members with hollow and concrete-filled section for bow-truss bridge

This paper investigates the comparative study of the conventional bow truss bridge proposed at Rishikesh, India with the composite bow truss bridge (new construction technique). Firstly, the bridge has been designed by considering the conventional sections of steel. By adopting a modified construction technique, the top chord member of the bridge is replaced with a concrete-filled steel box section; bottom girder, diagonal and cross girder (tension members) with hollow steel box sections. For replacement analysis, the FEM model is validated with the experimental data. The 200x200x8mm steel section (fy=374MPa) filled with concrete (fck=42.5MPa) is found suitable for top chord members. Buckling and plate yielding analysis for the box section are also investigated; due to higher stress concertation only two opposite sides of the plate yield. For obtaining the economic design, the cost comparison has been carried out, which shows that the composite section can cut the overall cost up to 51% when assuming pinned connections and 13% when assuming fixed connections. Furthermore, the effects of the joint (by considering the hinge and fixed) have been analyzed to check the critical connection and end failure of bridge members.

Temple and Their Architectural Style in Himachal Pradesh: An Overview

The traditional architecture of Himachal Pradesh is developed and mostly present in the form of numerous temples constructed in different parts of the state. It is the outcome of the prevalent topography, available natural resources, extremes of the climate and other natural forces. These temples are the best-known example of successful experimentation with locally available building materials and indigenous construction techniques to produce architectural marvels. It is also best reaction to the harsh climate of hilly regions and other natural forces. The present study simply described the temple architecture distribution and its types in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The whole study is based on primary as well as secondary sources of data. Various kinds of temple architecture have been discussed in this study i.e., Shikhra Style, Pyramid style, Tower Style, Pent Roof Style and Dome Style. Himachal Pradesh has been a meeting place of various art and culture. Broadly Himachal art can be divided into three group each distinguished by the recurring theme of Hinduism and Buddhism. These are (1) Khasha Art (2) Indo Aryan Art (3) Indo-Tibetan Art. Therefore, Himachal Pradesh has been a meeting of varied art and cultures. But, the main focus of study is related to Hinduism as it has large number of architectures related to Hinduism than others.

Optimization Study on Key Technology of Improved Arch Cover Method Construction for Underground Metro Stations Based on Similar Model Test

To enhance comprehension of the improved arch cover construction method for underground metro stations and provide guidance for future construction techniques and programs, the paper examines the indoor improved arch cover method of construction in the underground concealed excavation station of Tianhe Road Station of Guangzhou Metro Line 10, China. It includes a similar model test of the key technology and an analysis of the evolution law of the surrounding rock stress, the law of the ground settlement, and the law of the arch top deformation after the tunnel excavation. The study found that increased over-support can decrease arch settlement, with the maximum settlement occurring near the arch. Ground settlement typically occurs in the same areas as arch settlement, but arch settlement may occur earlier. The excavation of the arch cover has little impact on the overlying soil pressure, and the supporting structure is more effective in controlling soil deformation. The upper part of the arch cap experiences mainly extrusion stress, with the maximum stress occurring near the middle of the arch. The stresses in the arch’s base decrease significantly during the excavation of the side drifts but show an increasing trend during the excavation of the lower rock mass. The presence of the central column significantly affects both the settlement of the arch and the ground, as it bears most of the compressive stress of the arch. This stress decreases initially and then increases. The amplitude of deformation is more pronounced when the dismantled central column is closer to the middle of the arch.

Slab design combining interlocking blocks with a structural sheet

The construction of structural slabs is one of the more complex, costly, time consuming, and hazardous processes in constructing buildings. This is mainly due to the on-site formwork placement, reinforcement arrangement, and concrete pouring — all required for commonplace slab designs. In theory, industrialization-ready slab designs pose a promising path towards overcoming these challenges. However, designs that can deliver on this promise are not yet fully developed. Here we present a new structural slab design fit for an industrialized construction framework. It is made of interlocking blocks that are adhesively bonded to a structural sheet. We first present the slab design, detail the rationale behind it, and illustrate its inherently quick and accurate construction technique. Then, using numerical simulations, we examine the structural action of the proposed design and how it compares with that of a typical reinforced concrete slab with the same material quantities. We find that the structural performance of the proposed design is competitive with that of a reinforced concrete slab in terms of stiffness, carrying capacity, and ductility. Our results show that the inherently superior constructability of the proposed design is achieved without critical sacrifice of performance, thus underscoring its promising potential as a viable structural design alternative.

A Bibliometric Review of Reinforced Soil Wall Research Topics

Reinforced soil or mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall structures offer straightforward construction techniques as an alternative to conventional retaining earth walls. The benefits of MSE wall structures are their low cost, rapid construction, minimal ground occupation, and high tolerance for differential settlements. In the past, a vast amount of research has been conducted on this specific topic, but there is no state-of-the-art overview on the general reinforced soil walls subject. In this paper, a bibliometric review of MSE walls literature is carried out to provide multiple data points regarding the state-of-the-art in MSE wall publications. To present/demonstrate the main traditional applications, current utility, and last developments of MSE walls, a thematic/keyword cluster categorization is performed to catalog and organize the numerous applications analyzed and published in the last 4 decades. Furthermore, a discussion of MSE wall characteristics is conducted to assist researchers in expanding their understanding of potential future research areas.

DeepARV: ensemble deep learning to predict drug-drug interaction of clinical relevance with antiretroviral therapy

Drug-drug interaction (DDI) may result in clinical toxicity or treatment failure of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) or comedications. Despite the high number of possible drug combinations, only a limited number of clinical DDI studies are conducted. Computational prediction of DDIs could provide key evidence for the rational management of complex therapies. Our study aimed to assess the potential of deep learning approaches to predict DDIs of clinical relevance between ARVs and comedications. DDI severity grading between 30,142 drug pairs was extracted from the Liverpool HIV Drug Interaction database. Two feature construction techniques were employed: 1) drug similarity profiles by comparing Morgan fingerprints, and 2) embeddings from SMILES of each drug via ChemBERTa, a transformer-based model. We developed DeepARV-Sim and DeepARV-ChemBERTa to predict four categories of DDI: i) Red: drugs should not be co-administered, ii) Amber: interaction of potential clinical relevance manageable by monitoring/dose adjustment, iii) Yellow: interaction of weak relevance and iv) Green: no expected interaction. The imbalance in the distribution of DDI severity grades was addressed by undersampling and applying ensemble learning. DeepARV-Sim and DeepARV-ChemBERTa predicted clinically relevant DDI between ARVs and comedications with a weighted mean balanced accuracy of 0.729 ± 0.012 and 0.776 ± 0.011, respectively. DeepARV-Sim and DeepARV-ChemBERTa have the potential to leverage molecular structures associated with DDI risks and reduce DDI class imbalance, effectively increasing the predictive ability on clinically relevant DDIs. This approach could be developed for identifying high-risk pairing of drugs, enhancing the screening process, and targeting DDIs to study in clinical drug development.

Sustainable Housing in Rural Wayanad: Exploring the Link between Income and Housing among Indigenous Communities

This study examines sustainable housing development to address indigenous communities' socio-economic challenges in Wayanad, Kerala, India. The research aims to propose policy recommendations for promoting sustainable housing while addressing poverty. The methodology integrates field research and literature review findings to develop comprehensive insights. The study's novelty lies in its holistic approach, which integrates income, housing conditions, and community resilience. Findings suggest that community-driven initiatives and environmentally friendly construction techniques like rammed earth and cob construction can empower indigenous communities while fostering environmental stewardship. Policy recommendations emphasise community participation, climate responsiveness, and flexibility in dwelling unit plans to promote sustainable housing development. Overall, the study highlights the potential of sustainable housing to address socio-economic disparities and empower indigenous communities in Wayanad.

Biomechanical effects of men’s dress shoes made with bacterial cellulosic composite

PurposeThis study aimed to compare the performance of sustainable shoes made with bacterial cellulosic composite and commercial leather shoes using an experimental research design. The two specific research objectives were: (1) to examine the basic material properties of multi-layered bacterial cellulosic materials (MBC), which include green tea-based cellulosic (GBC) mats, hemp fabrics, and denim fabrics, in comparison with those of two-layered leathers (MCP) consisting of calf-skin and pig-skin – commonly used in shoe manufacturing; and (2) to explore wearers’ performance in the two types of shoes by assessing quantitative kinematic and kinetic parameters of lower body movements.Design/methodology/approachThis study focused on assessing the basic materials testing and performance of sustainable shoes through a biomechanical approach, in contrast to commercially available leather shoes, through human wear trials. In this study, green tea-based cellulosic (GBC) mats were developed using the optimal combination of ingredients for cellulose growth. Subsequently, the GBC, denim fabric (100% cotton), and 100% hemp fabric were combined to create multi-layered bacterial cellulosic materials (MBC) as an alternative to leather. Additionally, calf-skin and pig-skin leathers were utilized to produce a commercially available two-layered leather (MCP), commonly employed in shoe manufacturing. 37 of the 42 human subjects who participated in wear testing were collected. A paired t-test was conducted to determine whether significant mean differences existed between the two shoe types, a paired t-test was conducted.FindingsTo develop a biodegradable and compostable material that could be used as a leather alternative for the footwear industry, we proposed MBC and examined its properties compared with those of MCP, a product often used when making shoes. These findings confirmed the similar properties of MBC and MCP from the material testing and the possibility of using a men’s sustainable shoe prototype as a leather alternative, in terms of kinematics and kinetics.Practical implicationsThe new multi-layered bacterial cellulosic materials (MBC) could be an alternative to commercial leathers such as innovative sustainable material construction, advanced design, and advanced techniques to optimize the overall performance of sustainable footwear.Originality/valueInvestigating the integration of smart textile technologies, ergonomic design principles, and personalized customization will contribute to developing MBC and making sustainable shoes using MBC compared with commercial leather shoes. This study provides valuable insights into further refinement and innovation in the sustainable footwear industry.

D22. A Reinforced Auricular Cartilage Framework Construction Technique in Asian Rhinoplasty to Prevent Long-term Nasal Tip Drooping

D22. A Reinforced Auricular Cartilage Framework Construction Technique in Asian Rhinoplasty to Prevent Long-term Nasal Tip Drooping

The Small-N Series in the Zero-Dimensional O(N) Model: Constructive Expansions and Transseries

AbstractWe consider the zero-dimensional quartic O(N) vector model and present a complete study of the partition function Z(g, N) and its logarithm, the free energy W(g, N), seen as functions of the coupling g on a Riemann surface. We are, in particular, interested in the study of the transseries expansions of these quantities. The point of this paper is to recover such results using constructive field theory techniques with the aim to use them in the future for a rigorous analysis of resurgence in genuine quantum field theoretical models in higher dimensions. Using constructive field theory techniques, we prove that both Z(g, N) and W(g, N) are Borel summable functions along all the rays in the cut complex plane $$\mathbb {C}_{\pi } =\mathbb {C}{\setminus } \mathbb {R}_-$$ C π = C \ R - . We recover the transseries expansion of Z(g, N) using the intermediate field representation. We furthermore study the small-N expansions of Z(g, N) and W(g, N). For any $$g=|g| e^{\imath \varphi }$$ g = | g | e ı φ on the sector of the Riemann surface with $$|\varphi |<3\pi /2$$ | φ | < 3 π / 2 , the small-N expansion of Z(g, N) has infinite radius of convergence in N, while the expansion of W(g, N) has a finite radius of convergence in N for g in a subdomain of the same sector. The Taylor coefficients of these expansions, $$Z_n(g)$$ Z n ( g ) and $$W_n(g)$$ W n ( g ) , exhibit analytic properties similar to Z(g, N) and W(g, N) and have transseries expansions. The transseries expansion of $$Z_n(g)$$ Z n ( g ) is readily accessible: much like Z(g, N), for any n, $$Z_n(g)$$ Z n ( g ) has a zero- and a one-instanton contribution. The transseries of $$W_n(g)$$ W n ( g ) is obtained using Möbius inversion, and summing these transseries yields the transseries expansion of W(g, N). The transseries of $$W_n(g)$$ W n ( g ) and W(g, N) are markedly different: while W(g, N) displays contributions from arbitrarily many multi-instantons, $$W_n(g)$$ W n ( g ) exhibits contributions of only up to n-instanton sectors.

Driving Style Recognition Method Based on Risk Field and Masked Learning Techniques

With the increasing demand for road traffic safety assessment, global concerns about road safety have been rising. This is particularly evident with the widespread adoption of V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology, where people are more intensively focused on how to leverage advanced technological means to effectively address challenges in traffic safety. Through the research of driving style recognition technology, accurate assessment of driving behavior and the provision of personalized safety prompts and warnings have become crucial for preventing traffic accidents. This paper proposes a risk field construction technique based on environmental data collected by in-vehicle sensors. This paper introduces a driving style recognition algorithm utilizing risk field visualization and mask learning technologies. The research results indicate that, compared to traditional classical models, the improved algorithm performs excellently in terms of accuracy, stability, and robustness, enhancing the accuracy of driving style recognition and enabling a more effective evaluation of road safety.

Creation of Historical Building Information Modelling (HBIM) Library, A Case Study of Registered House (No:56), Akçakoca

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a methodology created by adapting information technologies to the construction industry, creating 3D parametric and object-based models, and adding time and cost data to the models. In recent years, the creation of digital cultural heritage is a current field in terms of protecting cultural heritage and transferring it to future generations. Development of technology and the increase in opportunities, destinations that cannot be physically visited due to access difficulties or pandemics are trying to transfer their cultural richness to digital environments. For this purpose, Historical Building Information Modelling (HBIM), which is the version of BIM applied to historical buildings, emerges as an important tool. The digitalization of cultural heritage structures by modelling is a process that requires intensive labour due to the lack of uniform details, and the fact that they were made with different construction techniques at different times and periods. For this reason, this process will be improved with the creation, dissemination, classification, and accessibility of parametric object libraries with HBIM. In this direction, the research method; is based on the analysis and synthesis of the literature review and case study in particular on modelling and library studies as a case study. As a field study, it was created in three dimensions with HBIM on a registered civil architecture example that has lost its originality in Düzce province, Akçakoca district, and the building and library elements were modelled and transferred to BIM. The original state of the building has been created to be experienced interactively. As a result, the building and its elements are defined by parametric objects. With the development of the HBIM library, the elements of the structures of similar typology become digitally accessible and digital legacies are created much more easily and effectively. HBIM studies create a comprehensive three-dimensional data set in digital documentation, restitution periods and restoration studies.

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE OF JODHPUR: A RESILIENT APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

Sustainable architecture is the application of principles that contribute in the evolution of building designs and processes that reduce the negative environmental effects of construction. When contemplating Jodhpur's vernacular architecture, it becomes clear that traditional construction methods correspond to basic green design principles such as using energy-efficient locally available materials and resources. Many traditional aspects of Jodhpur architecture can be easily incorporated into contemporary environments to provide a sustainable atmosphere and natural accompaniment. This study presents the scope of eco-friendly development of the city by using traditional construction techniques and materials, built forms, and fabric with a thorough analysis of the hot and dry climate of the area. It also encompasses the use of this local architecture to help create an energy- efficient thermal comfort zone in similar climatic conditions in any part of the world. This work is an attempt to reclaim the ideals about good architecture towards this setting, in not only terms of identifying the hot and arid climate but also in terms of producing a design philosophy relevant to the manner of living in a conventional city.

[Simulation model of tumor-treating fields].

Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) is a novel treatment modality for malignant solid tumors, often employing electric field simulations to analyze the distribution of electric fields on the tumor under different parameters of TTFields. Due to the present difficulties and high costs associated with reproducing or implementing the simulation model construction techniques, this study used readily available open-source software tools to construct a highly accurate, easily implementable finite element simulation model for TTFields. The accuracy of the model is at a level of 1 mm 3. Using this simulation model, the study carried out analyses of different factors, such as tissue electrical parameters and electrode configurations. The results show that factors influncing the distribution of the internal electric field of the tumor include changes in scalp and skull conductivity (with a maximum variation of 21.0% in the treatment field of the tumor), changes in tumor conductivity (with a maximum variation of 157.8% in the treatment field of the tumor), and different electrode positions and combinations (with a maximum variation of 74.2% in the treatment field of the tumor). In summary, the results of this study validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed modeling method, which can provide an important reference for future simulation analyses of TTFields and clinical applications.

Conservation and In Situ Enhancement of Earthen Architecture in Archaeological Sites: Social and Anthropic Risks in the Case Studies of the Iberian Peninsula

Archaeological sites constitute one of the main tourist attractions in the heritage offerings of most populations. Their ability to convey the ways of life and construction techniques of past societies through physical remains positions them as a culturally significant alternative for visitors. However, their physical conservation, essential for efficiently ensuring information with precision, poses a serious challenge for the various professionals involved, as numerous social and anthropic risks threaten long-term preservation for the enjoyment of future generations. Of all traditional building materials, earth is undoubtedly one of the most fragile and sensitive to loss in the absence of the original protection systems, so that a precise assessment of its threats is essential to minimizing the destruction of these non-renewable assets. The objective of this study is to evaluate the most determining human risk factors within the territorial scope of the Iberian Peninsula, including aspects such as its musealization, suitable interpretation, visit planning, agricultural land use, vandalism and rural depopulation. This is achieved through a literature review and on-site data collection from 85 archaeological sites, as well as the development of an analysis tool to assess the degree of vulnerability, aiming to develop prevention measures.

Suitability of novel 3D-printed and coated vessels for water calorimetry.

In water calorimetry, absolute dose to water is determined by measuring radiation-induced temperature rises. In conventional water calorimeters, temperature detectors are housed in handmade glass vessels that are filled with high-purity water, thus mitigating radiation-induced exo/endothermic chemical reactions of impurities that would otherwise introduce additional heat gain/loss, known as heat defect. Being hand-crafted, these glass vessels may suffer from imperfections, have shape and design constraints, are often backordered, and can be prohibitively expensive. The purpose of this work is to determine suitability of 3D-printed plastic vessels that are further coated for use in water calorimetry applications, and to study their stability and characterize their associated heat defect correction factor ( . This novel vessel production technique would allow for cost-effective rapid construction of vessels that can be produced with high accuracy and designs that are simply not practical with current glass vessel construction techniques. This in turn enables water calorimetry applications in many novel radiation delivery modalities, which may include spherical vessels in GammaKnife ICON water calorimetry as an example. Eight vessels were 3D-printed using Accura ClearVue in an SLA 3D-printer. Two vessels were coated with Parylene C and four were coated with Parylene N. The water calorimetry preparation procedures followed for these vessels was identical to that of our traditional glass-vessels (i.e., same cleaning procedures, same high purity water, and same saturation procedures with high purity hydrogen gas). The performance of each vessel was characterized using our in-house built water calorimeter in an Elekta Versa using both 6MV flattening filter-free (FFF) and 18MV beams. The stability of the coating as function of time and accumulated dose was evaluated through repeated measurements. of each vessel was determined through cross-comparisons against an Exradin A1SL ionization chamber with direction calibration link to Canada's primary standard laboratory. of the two uncoated vessels differed by 2.8% under a 6MV FFF beam. Vessels coated with Parylenes resulted in a stable and reproducible heat defect for both energies. An overall of 1.001±0.010 and 1.005±0.010 were obtained for Parylene N and Parylene C coated vessels respectively. All Parylene coated vessels showed agreement, within the established uncertainties, to the zero-heat defect observed in a hydrogen-saturated glass vessel system. An additional long-term study (17 days) of a Parylene N vessel showed no change in response with accumulated dose and time. Electron microscopy images of a Parylene N coated vessel showed a uniform intact coating after repeated irradiations. An uncoated 3D-printed vessel is not viable for water calorimetry because it exhibits an unstable vessel-dependent heat defect. However, applying a Parylene coating stabilizes the heat defect, suggesting that coated 3D-printed vessels may be suitable for use in water calorimetry. This method facilitates the creation of intricate vessel shapes, which can be efficiently manufactured using 3D printing.

A Review of Electrically Conductive Cement Concrete Pavement for Sustainable Snow-Removal and Deicing: Road Safety in Cold Regions

Within cold U.S. regions, winter storms can cause interruptions in transportation networks, affecting transportation entities’ revenue streams. Conventional snow-removal methods on roadways efficiently remove snow and ice, yet their adverse environmental impacts further make winter maintenance more challenging. In response to these concerns, electrically conductive cement concrete (ECCC) pavement has become an effective alternative for deicing and snow melting on road surfaces. ECCC utilizes the Joule heating principles to effectively melt snow and ice by incorporating conductive elements into conventional concrete. This paper comprehensively reviews the current literature on ECCC pavement. Previous studies have diligently explored various aspects of ECCC pavement, including concrete conductivity enhancement, heat transfer processes, and meticulous performance assessments, ranging from controlled laboratory scale experiments to small-scale field evaluations. The conclusions drawn from these investigations highlight the potential of ECCC pavement to considerably enhance winter road maintenance, consequently improving road safety and minimizing traffic interruptions during winter storms. The present review emphasizes ECCC pavement as a promising paradigm for effectively addressing the complexities associated with winter road maintenance in colder regions. Moreover, its environmentally friendly deicing capabilities present a sustainable departure from conventional methodologies. However, certain limitations currently impede widespread adoption of ECCC pavement, mainly concerning optimizing cost-effective construction techniques, ensuring long-lasting durability, and enhancing energy efficiency. Addressing these limitations could accelerate the broader adoption of ECCC pavement, promoting safer and more sustainable winter transportation practices.

Methodology for geometry assessment of self-drilling micropiles using distributed fibre optic sensors

Self-drilling micropiles (SDMs) are gaining popularity as bearing foundation elements, as this construction technique allows for considerable time and cost savings. However, the irregular geometry and variability in the bearing capacity present uncertainty and a significant risk that has limited SDM deployment. To date, no reliable technology has been used to measure the SDM geometry. This paper proposes a methodology that uses distributed fibre optics (DFO), heat conduction modelling and inverse analysis to measure the pile geometry, and could also be extended to assess its bearing capacity. The temperature distribution during cement hydration was measured using two DFO investigative technologies and was compared to traditional temperature measurements using point sensors. An inverse analysis of SDM geometry was subsequently carried out based on the DFO measurement of temperature, a finite-element heat conduction model and a calibration pile. Finally, the calculated pile geometry was compared to the geometry of an excavated pile in the uppermost part. The methodology presented here is not only intended as a tool for designing SDMs but can also be deployed as a structural health monitoring system to detect and monitor crack formation.

Applying Bounding Techniques on Grammatical Evolution

The Grammatical Evolution technique has been successfully applied to some datasets from various scientific fields. However, in Grammatical Evolution, the chromosomes can be initialized at wide value intervals, which can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the underlying technique. In this paper, a technique for discovering appropriate intervals for the initialization of chromosomes is proposed using partition rules guided by a genetic algorithm. This method has been applied to feature construction techniques used in a variety of scientific papers. After successfully finding a promising interval, the feature construction technique is applied and the chromosomes are initialized within that interval. This technique was applied to a number of known problems in the relevant literature, and the results are extremely promising.