Conventional Construction Research Articles

In vitro one-pot construction of influenza viral genomes for virus particle synthesis based on reverse genetics system

The reverse genetics system, which allows the generation of influenza viruses from plasmids encoding viral genome, is a powerful tool for basic research on viral infection mechanisms and application research such as vaccine development. However, conventional plasmid construction using Escherichia coli (E.coli) cloning is time‐consuming and has difficulties handling DNA encoding genes toxic for E.coli or highly repeated sequences. These limitations hamper rapid virus synthesis. In this study, we establish a very rapid in vitro one-pot plasmid construction (IVOC) based virus synthesis. This method dramatically reduced the time for genome plasmid construction, which was used for virus synthesis, from several days or more to about 8 hours. Moreover, infectious viruses could be synthesized with a similar yield to the conventional E.coli cloning-based method with high accuracy. The applicability of this method was also demonstrated by the generation of recombinant viruses carrying reporter genes from the IVOC products. This method enables the pathogenicity analysis and vaccine development using genetically modified viruses, and it is expected to allow for faster analysis of newly emerging variants than ever before. Furthermore, its application to other RNA viruses is also expected.

Diffuse radio sky models using large-scale shapelets

Sky models used in radio interferometric data-processing primarily consist of compact and discrete radio sources. When there is a need to model large-scale diffuse structure such as the Galaxy, specialized source models are sought after for the sake of simplicity and computational efficiency. We propose the use of shapelet basis functions for modeling the large-scale diffuse structure in various radio interferometric data-processing pipelines. The conventional source model construction using shapelet basis functions is restricted to using images of smaller size due to limitations in computational resources such as memory. We propose a novel shapelet decomposition method to lift this restriction, enabling the use of images of millions of pixels (as well as a wide spectral bandwidth) for building models of large-scale diffuse structure. Furthermore, the application of direction-dependent errors onto diffuse sky models is an expensive operation that is often performed as a convolution. We propose using some specific properties of shapelet basis functions to apply these direction-dependent errors as a product of the model coefficients, which avoids the need for convolution. We provide results based on simulations and real observations. In order to measure the efficacy of our proposed method in modeling large-scale diffuse structure, we considered the direction-dependent calibration of simulated as well as real LOFAR observations that have a significant number of diffuse large-scale structure. The results show that by including large-scale shapelet models of the diffuse sky, we are able to overcome a major problem of existing calibration techniques, which do not model this large-scale diffuse structure, that is, the suppression of this large-scale diffuse structure because the model is incomplete.

Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructions

Abstract This paper explores the mechanisms of and motivations for two unconventional comparative constructions in Mandarin: [bi Ni hai Ni] and [bi Ni hai Nj]. They are unconventional in that the item expressing the dimension along which the comparison is made is a noun rather than an adjective. It is shown that [bi Ni hai Ni] emerges (i) by analogy with the conventional comparative construction [bi N hai A] and (ii) by inheriting the nominal feature from an existing construction [Adverb N], which is corroborated by a collexeme analysis. At a more schematic level, the extension A > N observed in [bi N hai A] > [bi Ni hai Ni] may have been modeled on the existing development from [Adverb A] to [Adverb N]. Analogical extension and inheritance also underlie the subsequent development from [bi Ni hai Ni] to [bi Ni hai Nj]. This study not only shows how language changes in a constructional network (including node creation and network reconfiguration), but also sheds light on the nature of horizontal links. It also demonstrates how a synchronically perceived relation between constructions may impact a later, similar language change.

High-temperature behaviour of geopolymer composites containing carbon fibre and nano-silica: Mechanical, microstructure, and air-void characteristics

The fly ash–ground granulated blast-furnace slag-based geopolymer (FSG) represents a groundbreaking material, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional construction materials. This paper presents a systematic experimental study on FSG reinforced with carbon fibre (CF, 0%–1.0%) and nano-silica (NS, 1%–3%) at high temperatures (20, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 900 °C). Various tests concerning appearance, residual strength, uniaxial tension, XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM, and air-void characteristics were conducted to analyse thermal effects. The findings show that as temperature increases, the colour of the geopolymer transitions from dark grey to yellow grey. Enhanced geopolymerisation during thermal solidification from 20 to 400 °C significantly increases the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of the geopolymer. The addition of CF and NS improves the residual strength of geopolymers at high temperatures, with optimal concentrations found to be 0.6% for CF and 2% for NS. CF maintains its bridging effect at high temperatures, enhancing fibre–matrix bonding, while NS promotes the formation of additional hydration products on CF surfaces, thereby strengthening the material further. After exposure to 800 °C, despite a weakening of the fibre–matrix interface, the modified geopolymers (FSGC0.6 and FSGC0.6N2) exhibit finer air bubble chord lengths and superior air-void characteristics than the control group. This supports the theory that the synergistic action of CF and NS not only enhances geopolymerisation but also fills pores, thus limiting crack propagation and densifying the pore structure.

Analysis and Design of Pre-Engineered Industrial Warehouse Building with Different Standard

Over the years, pre-engineered building (PEB) has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete construction as well as conventional steel construction. In this paper, pre-engineered industrial warehouse building will be design with different codal provision using software Staadpro and analyzed with different loads on building i.e. dead load, live load, collateral load, wind load and load combinations on building .The main objective of this study to find the optimum weight of steel quantity in building with use of different country codel provision .

Computational turf model validation with Clegg Impact Soil Tester experimental impacts on a wide range of synthetic turf constructions

The use of synthetic turf has been increasing in professional sports, where evaluation of novel turf designs for mechanical response, consistency, and athlete playability currently requires time-consuming and complex physical testing on physical turf, and more efficient drop-weight impact testing. A variety of drop tests are used to measure the impact response and surface stiffness of synthetic turf, including the Clegg Impact Soil Tester (CIST). Finite element computational models offer an opportunity to assess new turf designs prior to the construction of physical turfs but require validation for a range of turf constructions. In the present study, 14 different synthetic turf designs with varying infill and fibers were constructed and experimentally evaluated using the CIST device. Peak accelerations and acceleration-versus-time responses were measured. The turf constituent materials were mechanically characterized, FE models of all the turfs were created, and the CIST tests were simulated. The peak acceleration from the simulation followed the experimental trend for the wide range of turf designs, with an average difference of 9.7%. When considering conventional turf constructions, the average difference in peak acceleration was 8.8%, indicating the models provided a good prediction of turf impact response and can be used to assess new turf designs virtually, potentially reducing design times and physical test requirements.

3DP for sustainable built environment – Synthesis and thermomechanical characterization of composite materials based on local soil and date palm fiber waste

There is an increasing demand for sustainable construction materials to address the challenges posed by the environmental impact of the built environment (BE), which is driven by climate change, population growth, and urbanization. Conventional construction materials like cement contribute significantly to carbon emissions during production, transport, use, and disposal phases, and their poor thermal conductivity hinders efforts to maintain comfortable indoor environments. To address these challenges, there is an urgent need for innovative, locally sourced thermal insulation materials specifically designed for regions with extreme climates and high energy demands to maintain building comfort. This research explores synthesizing novel, environmentally friendly building materials using locally sourced date palm fiber waste and clay. The study also investigates the developed material's 3D printing (3DP) capabilities and optimizes its printing parameters with lab-scale prototypes. Additionally, thermo-mechanical characterization is conducted to assess its suitability for built environment applications. Different concentrations, from 1 to 5 wt% of date palm fiber to clay ratio (Dpf/C), were studied regarding microstructural, thermal, and mechanical properties, dimensional accuracy, and feasibility for 3DP of BE structures. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in thermal conductivity by 73%, achieving 0.244 W/mK, and an increase in compressive strength by 106%, reaching 10.9 MPa at 5 wt% Dpf/C. The promising thermomechanical properties of these composites and their suitability for 3DP support their use in real-world applications in the future's sustainable built environment. This scalable methodology can be adapted to regions with similar sustainable local and waste resources, advancing the circular economy.

Study on the effect of cinder ash as an auxiliary additive mineral in hydrated lime treatment for expansive sub-grade soil in road construction

Expansive soils pose significant challenges to road construction globally due to their tendency to expand and contract with changes in moisture content, leading to pavement failure. In the construction industry, finding an economical and cost-effective alternative to conventional road construction materials is crucial. The use of a natural cinder ash and hydrated lime mixture as reinforcement has proven to be effective in addressing this issue. Cinder ash, a readily available waste material in countries like Ethiopia, is adaptable and water-resistant, making it an ideal choice for reinforcing expansive soil. This article investigates the strength performance of a cinder ash and hydrated lime mixture as a reinforcement material for expansive soil. The study involves mixing 0%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 35% of cinder ash with soil stabilized with 2–5% hydrated lime. Expansive soil samples are prepared according to the ASSHTO & ASTM method and tested for compressive strength, California bearing ratio, bulk density, and water absorption. The findings reveal a 448.62%, and 374% increase in compressive strength and California Bearing Ratio respectively for the specimen containing 5% hydrated lime and 35% cinder ash, cured for 28 days. The water absorption is minimized at 15.23% for the 5% hydrated lime and 35% cinder ash mixture; while the maximum density of the soil is observed at 1.774 kg/m3 for the optimal combination of 5% hydrated lime and 35% cinder ash mix. The study suggests that using 5% hydrated lime and 35% cinder ash content for the stabilization of expansive soil significantly enhances the strength characteristics of compressed stabilized soil.

Contrasting Conventional and Modern Building Construction Methods

Contrasting Conventional and Modern Building Construction Methods

Comparative analysis of embodied carbon in modular and conventional construction methods in Hong Kong

Addressing the rise in global temperatures and the associated increase in greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, is a critical challenge necessitating innovative approaches within the building sector, a significant contributor to worldwide carbon emissions. While previous studies have demonstrated the prefabrication’s potential in reducing emissions, comprehensive assessments using actual project data for buildings constructed entirely with modular methods in Hong Kong are lacking. This study bridges this gap by evaluating the modular integrated construction (MiC) method through an embodied carbon assessment of the Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility. Using comprehensive project data from China State Construction (HK) Limited, the research conducts a comparative analysis between the actual emissions of the MiC method and those of a hypothetical conventional construction approach. Quantitative analysis reveals that MiC achieves a 20.7% reduction in embodied carbon, primarily due to shortened construction timelines, decreased waste generation, and optimized material usage. This significant reduction suggests substantial potential for decreasing the construction industry’s carbon footprint. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the environmental benefits of MiC in Hong Kong construction industry, promoting its broader adoption of MiC as a strategy for achieving carbon reduction targets. The findings align with Hong Kong’s carbon neutrality goals and contribute to the global initiative to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Frontiers in construction 3D printing: self-monitoring, multi-robot, drone-assisted processes

AbstractTo overcome productivity issues and revolutionize the stagnating construction industry, a large amount of research efforts has been devoted to robot-assisted construction technology. The advancements in robotics including mechanical system design, tool design, digital system design, and numerical control systems design enabled engineers to create complex geometries that are infeasible for conventional construction methods. In addition, innovative robotic systems that utilize mobile platforms, multiple robots, and unmanned aerial vehicles have demonstrated significant promise in fully automating the construction process. This work will provide a perspective on the state-of-the-art applications of robotics in the revolution of construction, where a comprehensive review of the current development of the relevant software and hardware, 3D concrete printing (3DCP), robot-assisted assembly of discrete prefabricated blocks, real-time quality monitoring and feedback control systems, and typical innovative robot-assisted structural designs are conducted. Finally, the limitations of existing robot-assisted construction technology are identified, which leads to several recommendations for future research toward fully automatic construction.

An optimized method for AUV trajectory model in benthonic hydrothermal area based on improved slime mold algorithm

The optimization of the desired autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) trajectory modeling and AUV trajectory tracking control in the benthonic hydrothermal area were studied. In the conventional trajectory tracking model construction methods, the time points were roughly combined with the position points of the planned path, making it difficult to produce a smooth trajectory. Although the spline interpolation method was an ideal option for smooth curves, a great number of points were needed for a complex desired trajectory mode. In response to the demanding requirements of AUV trajectory tracking control in the benthonic hydrothermal area, an under-actuated test platform was first established, and the cubic spline interpolation was adopted to process the preset path points for a smooth desired trajectory. An improved slime mold algorithm (SMA) was put forward to optimize the interpolating points used in the trajectory modeling. The Levy flight technology and the compactness technique to speed up the search process and increase the search accuracy. The simulation experiments were conducted in comparison with the artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA), the particle swarm optimization (PSO), and the compact cuckoo search (CCS). The results showed that the improved SMA shortened the search process, effectively avoided the local extreme values, and generated a high-precision desired trajectory model in a shorter time. The pool test also verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. The method proposed in this study can satisfy the modeling of benthonic hydrothermal trajectory with a fewer number of nodes, faster search progress and search accuracy.

Evaluating the environmental impacts of brick production from waste plastic

The building and construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of the total process-related greenhouse gas emissions, out of which 11% of emissions are related to the production of building materials. To achieve environmental sustainability, it is imperative that these emissions be minimized through a novel approach. We propose that instead of using conventional building techniques of wood-based construction for interior walls of a house, bricks manufactured from waste plastic be used. In this paper, a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) is carried out for the building materials used in the construction of interior walls for a standard 2450 sq. ft. home, and the results are compared to the bricks manufactured from waste plastic. Plastic bricks are manufactured by sorting and shredding the waste plastic and then bailing it in a superheated steam environment. The LCA is modeled in SimaPro 9.5.0.1, using the Ecoinvent v3 database and the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) 2016 impact assessment method. The results indicate that the use of waste plastics in construction leads to reduction in the water consumption by 26%, terrestrial ecotoxicity by 59%, mineral resource scarcity by 81%, and the land use by 99% when compared to conventional construction activities. Our research work provides a novel pathway towards sustainable construction practices through this life cycle assessment study, and the results can be further improved by using eco-friendly energy sources and natural resource-based adhesives. Future work needs to be carried out to explore the mechanical and structural properties of the bricks and their use in large-scale commercial applications, as well as innovative brick designs that eliminate the need for adhesives.

The risk of shifting environmental burdens in biobased construction - Life cycle assessment of a residential renovated building case study in Belgium

Abstract The construction industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and energy consumption. As global concerns about sustainability and environmental impact continue to rise, it becomes imperative to reassess the materials used in building construction. This research paper presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) using the Belgian TOTEM tool according to EN15804+A2 for evaluating material choices in building construction with a focus on the renovation of residential buildings in Belgium. The study aims to provide a holistic understanding of the environmental implications associated with biobased construction materials enabling informed decision-making for sustainable building practices. To achieve this, we conducted an analysis of the life cycle environmental performance of biobased materials used in external walls of a renovation case study project and compared it to common built-up scenarios of conventional construction materials applied in the same case study. The research results show that using biobased materials for renovation can significantly reduce embodied GHG emissions but can lead to burden shifting such as resulting in an increased impact on land use, particulate matter emissions, depletion of abiotic resources and eco-toxicity. The study not only underscores the importance of comprehensive cradle-to-grave life cycle thinking but also provides valuable insights for stakeholders in the construction industry.

A novel advanced block assembly method with 3D printed channel systems

Modular construction offers economic and environmental advantages over conventional construction technologies. Although several researchers have introduced various modular construction systems, the methods for creating channel structures within block modules and injecting epoxy resin to connect blocks efficiently have not been fully explored. This study proposes a new assembly channel system for modular construction using 3D printing. Four different channel types are fabricated using 3D printing, and epoxy resin is injected for block connections. The relationships between channel geometries and structural resistance are thoroughly analyzed with the uniaxial tensile and three-point bending tests. Both experiments are also numerically simulated using the finite element method to validate the modeling methodology for assembly channel systems. The validated methodology is useful for evaluating assembly channel systems and enhancing the design of such systems. Overall, this study can foster the practical application of modularization across various industrial fields.

Comparative Analysis of The Implementation Of Conventional And Modular Methods On Walls And Floor Plates In Terms Of Cost And Time (Case Study: Construction Of Satpol PP Building)

Building construction requires selecting efficient construction methods to achieve the desired project objectives. This research aims to compare conventional and modular construction methods in the implementation of walls and floor plates, with a focus on cost and time analysis. The case study taken is the construction of the Satpol PP Building. This research method uses a quantitative approach by collecting primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through field observations and interviews with parties involved in the project, while secondary data was obtained from project documents, literature and other related references. Data analysis was carried out with comparing the total costs and time required for each construction method.

First Experimental Application of DNA-Layered Salmonid Alphavirus-Based Replicon Vaccine in Non-Salmonid Fish: Induced Early Semi-Specific Protection against Spring Viraemia of Carp Virus (SVCV) in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Our study demonstrates the first application of the salmonid alphavirus-based replicon vector system (pSAV) as a DNA vaccine in a non-salmonid fish species, in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) against spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV). SAV replicon encoding the glycoprotein of the SVCV was used as a DNA-layered plasmid, and its efficacy was compared with a previously described conventional DNA vaccine construct (pcDNA3.1 based vector) and with a control group (pcDNA3.1-empty-plasmid) in an SVCV challenge at a water temperature of 14 ± 1 °C. Vaccine prototypes were administered intramuscularly at a dose of 0.1 µg/g of fish (n = 25 per group). The DNA-layered SAV replicon resulted in 88% survival, compared to around 50% in all other groups. The DNA-layered pSAV vaccination induced the innate immune genes at the injection site, and increased IgM upregulation was also observed. Our preliminary results show that the SAV-based replicon construct may serve as a potential vaccine candidate for the protection of non-salmonid fish in the future provided that further clinical and field trials confirm its efficiency.

Life cycle assessment of ceramic tiles manufactured using industrial waste fly ash

Sustainability in the ceramic tile industry is critical due to its significant resource and energy consumption. With limited life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on waste materials in tile production, a research gap exists specifically for industrial waste fly ash (IWA). Building upon previous research that has confirmed the technical feasibility of IWA as a sustainable alternative material in ceramic tile, this study explores the environmental and economic feasibility of replacing potash feldspar with IWA in ceramic tiles. A comparative LCA across scenarios with varying IWA additions from 0 % to 30 % was conducted, focusing on six key environmental impact categories: climate change, terrestrial acidification, human toxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater eutrophication, and fossil depletion. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis on increased production energy and an environmental life cycle cost analysis (ELCC) were performed. Results reveal significant reductions in environmental impacts with increased IWA incorporation compared to the conventional construction. Notably, the IWA30 (30 % IWA addition) scenario, which entirely substitutes potash feldspar, achieves the most substantial benefits, reducing climate change impacts by 8 %, terrestrial acidification by 10 %, and terrestrial ecotoxicity by 22 %. These reductions demonstrate that incorporating IWA significantly decreases the overall environmental footprint of ceramic tile production by reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources and mitigating pollution. IWA30 also proves to be the most cost-effective option, with an 11 % cost reduction due to IWA's availability as a waste material. Overall, adopting IWA decreases the environmental burden and enhances economic viability, providing strong incentives for industries to adopt more sustainable practices by minimising waste management challenges and raw material consumption.

The wettability of complete denture base materials constructed by conventional versus digital techniques: an in-vitro study

BackgroundDecreased salivary flow can make the patients uncomfortable with their complete dentures and affects the retention of the dentures. Milling and 3D printing have become an alternative to conventional denture construction techniques. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of conventional and digital techniques of the complete denture construction on the denture surface wettability with distilled water and saliva substitute before and after thermocycling.MethodsA total of 30 specimens were utilized in the present study. Specimens were divided according to the construction techniques into 3 groups (n = 10 each). Group I: Heat-polymerized polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) group, group II: Milled group, and group III: 3-dimensional (3D)-printed group. All the specimens were subjected to 2000 cycles of thermal aging in a thermocycler. The wettability of all specimens to water and saliva substitute was measured via a contact angle goniometer (Olympus TGHM, Rame-hart Inc, USA) before and after thermocycling. Descriptive statistical analysis, plots, and the Shapiro-Wilk test were used to verify normality for each variable. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the 3 study groups, while paired samples t-test was used to compare the differences within each group (P < .05).ResultsThe smallest contact angle of drop of water to the denture base specimens before and after thermocycling were recorded in the milled group (53.0 ± 4.77 and 50.27 ± 2.30, respectively), followed by the heat polymerized PMMA group (85.65 ± 4.71 and 65.06 ± 2.27, respectively), and the 3D-printed group (91.34 ± 6.74 and 90.86 ± 8.57, respectively). While the smallest contact angle of drop of saliva substitute to denture base specimens was recorded in the milled group (56.82 ± 2.29 and 34.85 ± 7.51, respectively), followed by the 3D-printed group (72.87 ± 4.83 and 58.14 ± 9.58, respectively) and the heat polymerized PMMA group (83.62 ± 4.12 and 67.82 ± 4.93, respectively). There was statistically significant difference between the groups (P < .05). A significant decline in the average contact angle of drop of saliva has been reported in all groups after thermocycling. The contact angle values differed significantly between saliva substitute and distilled water in both 3D-printed and milled groups after thermocycling (P < .001).ConclusionsThe milled denture base material presented the best wettability to water and saliva substitute than the 3D-printed and the heat-polymerized PMMA materials. Saliva substitutes improve the wetting ability of denture base materials manufactured by CAD/CAM compared with water.

Adaptive neural chattering suppression pseudo inverse active control for a class of micromilling systems with multiaxis piezoelectric actuators

For a multi-axis nonlinear milling system with piezoelectric actuators, a pseudo inverse dynamic surface active control scheme with adaptive fuzzy output-feedback is developed. The main contributions can be characterized as following: (1) to overcome the hysteresis non-linearities in the piezoelectric actuators, the new hysteresis pseudo inverse compensators are established to replace the conventional hysteresis direct-inverse model construction, which is a very challenging or even impossible work. The hysteresis pseudo inverse means that the hysteresis direct-inverse model is no longer essential any more, instead, a search algorithm for the actual control signal from the designed hysteretic temporary control laws are proposed to alleviate the hysteresis nonlinearities effectively; (2) to realized high-precision tracking control and mitigate chattering suppression in the micromilling systems, the fuzzy logic systems, the novel dynamic surface control algorithms and the modified high-gain states observer are designed to approximise the unknown continuous functions of the micromilling systems, design the high performance controller and estimate the immeasurable states in the control system, respectively; (3) the hardware-in-loop simulation platform is constructed and the experiments of tracking control and chattering suppression are implemented to validate the effectivity of the developed control scheme.