Design Criteria Research Articles

Can residential energy systems withstand the heat? Quantifying solar photovoltaic and heat pump yields for future New Zealand climate conditions

Abstract We investigate how higher temperatures resulting from climate change impact the energy system. Specifically, we examine the cumulative effects of fluctuating solar photovoltaic (PV) generation performance, heating and cooling demand, and heat pump efficiency on such days.
To achieve this, we used the climate analogue space, which maps a given city’s future climate to an existing one. By employing climate analogues, we can predict the impact of higher temperatures by 2050, transforming Auckland, New Zealand’s climate into one akin to Sydney, Australia. This approach avoids reliance on historical weather data, which many energy system models use. We used this future climate time series as an input to a residential energy system model for Auckland, New Zealand. The residential energy system model simulates solar PV generation output via mapping of experimental data, building thermal characteristics via grey-box resistance-capacitance (RC) modelling, and hourly coefficient of performance (COP) for air source heat pumps (ASHP) via linear regression.
Our findings revealed that a future climate doubles the cooling demand and reduces the heating demand by one-third, with the heat pump demand peak load projected to be 40% higher than current demand. Although solar PV generation experiences a decrease in efficiency of 8%, there is a 40% increase in annual direct usage of ASHP. Despite the high cooling demand, the combined yearly electricity demand for heating and cooling decreased by 6.5% overall, and the system saw a 50% improvement in demand fulfilment. However, the system performance volatility at hotter-than-normal temperatures and the potential for significant energy shortfalls remain concerns. The shift from a predominantly heating to a cooling environment is a critical design condition that should be considered in energy expansion planning and future electrification.
The framework and time series developed in this work can be expanded and applied to other energy system modelling exercises.

Gold Nanoparticles as a Platform for Delivery of Immunogenic Peptides to THP-1 Derived Macrophages: Insights into Nanotoxicity

Background: Peptide-based nanovaccines have emerged as a promising strategy for combating infectious diseases, as they overcome the low immunogenicity that is inherent to short epitope-containing synthetic peptides. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) present several advantages as peptide nanocarriers, but a deeper understanding of the design criteria is paramount to accelerate the development of peptide-AuNPs nanoconjugates (p-AuNPs). Methods: Herein, we synthesized and characterized p-AuNPs of 23 nm (p-Au23) and 68 nm (p-Au68) with varying levels of peptide surface coverage and different peptide designs, investigating their effect on the cell viability (cell death and mitochondrial activity), cellular uptake, and cathepsin B activity in THP-1 macrophages. Results: p-Au23 proved no negative effect in the cell viability and high levels of nanoconjugate uptake, but p-Au68 induced strong toxicity to the cell line. The peptide sequences were successfully designed with spacer regions and a cell-penetrating peptide (pTAT) that enhanced cellular uptake and cathepsin B activity for p-Au23, while pTAT induced severe effects in the THP-1 viability (~40–60% cell death). Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insight into the design criteria of AuNPs and immunogenic peptides, along with nanotoxicity effects associated with AuNP size and surface charge in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Structural design optimization and vibration assessment of a base frame for a 3 MW turbo compressor

This study focuses on the design and analysis of a base frame for a 3 MW turbo compressor, aiming to develop a robust and reliable structural framework. The design process included comprehensive simulations, incorporating static stress-strain and dynamic vibration analyses to assess the base frame’ performance under operational conditions. The static analysis evaluated the total deformation and strain behavior of the base frame, ensuring it can withstand the maximum load without yielding or excessive deformation. Dynamic vibration analysis was performed to identify the natural frequencies and potential resonance issues, minimizing the risk of vibrations that could compromise operational stability. Results from the static analysis revealed that the initial design exhibited a maximum total deformation of 0.24 mm, which was reduced to 0.09 mm in the final design—a 62.5% improvement. Elastic strain values were within safe operational limits for both designs. The effective mass ratio analysis showed significant results at frequencies close to 0 Hz, with negligible impact across the operating frequency range. Based on these analyses, an optimized base frame model was developed, meeting the design criteria for mechanical strength and vibrational stability. The results highlight the importance of integrating deformation, strain, and vibration assessments in the structural design of heavy-duty turbo compressor base frame, contributing to enhanced durability and performance.

Early Detection of the Pathogenetic Variants of Homologous Recombination Repair Genes in Prostate Cancer: Critical Analysis and Experimental Design

It has been shown that the pathogenic variants (PVs) of the DNA Damage Response (DDR) genes, whether of a germinal or somatic nature, represent a predictive biomarker of high sensitivity to treatment with inhibitors of the enzyme poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) in patients with hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer (HRPCa). Moreover, the detection of PVs of the Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR) genes in PCa patients can help to define the patient’s prognosis and the choice of the therapeutic procedure. Among men with metastatic PCa, the frequency of PVs in HRR genes ranges from 11% to 33%, which is a significantly higher rate compared to non-metastatic PCa, where the incidence is between 5% and 10%. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) results were more commonly obtained from newly acquired somatic samples compared to archived samples (prostate biopsy or prostatectomy). We developed an experimental multidisciplinary prospective study in patients with a new diagnosis of high-risk PCa at biopsy. The aim was to evaluate the presence of PVs of different HRR genes in patients with the first diagnosis of PCa in relation to a metastatic or non-metastatic stage, tumor aggressiveness, and early risk of progression. Among 43 initial tumor samples from 22 patients, 25 samples from 12 patients were selected for library preparation based on their DNA concentration and quality. After the NGS, 14 different DNA variants were prioritized. Oncogenetic and likely oncogenetic variants were found in the ATM, BRCA1, PTEN, KMT2D, and CDH1 genes. Moreover, variants of uncertain significance were found in ATM, DDR2, FANCA, FOXA1, PLCB4, PTCH1, and RB1.

Challenges in the Design for Disassembly of Light Timber Framing Panelized Components

The construction sector generates more than one-third of global waste. Although there is a consensus on the need to reduce it, empirical research evaluating current systems to develop circular solutions remains limited. Using a full-scale model, this article evaluates the disassemblability of the corner joint between two prefabricated lightweight timber-framed walls, a system widely adopted in residential construction in North America. The analysis deconstructed the disassembly actions, identified their level of difficulty, and classified the recovered materials into three categories: reusable, recyclable, and waste. The results reveal that the lack of design criteria for disassembly significantly limits the system’s circularity, as it prioritizes assembly speed and energy performance. The predominant use of nails as fasteners complicates the separation of layers, damages materials, and restricts their reuse. This highlights the urgent need to redesign construction solutions that enable efficient disassembly, promote component recovery, and extend their time in circulation. This study establishes a foundation for the evolution of lightweight timber-framed panel design toward systems more aligned with circularity principles.

Design of walking aids for the elderly based on the Kano-AHP-FEC method

As global populations age, ensuring the mobility safety of elderly individuals has become a prominent concern, highlighting the need for innovative designs in assistive products for seniors. This study aims to offer a scientific and practical design methodology for mobility aid designers, validated through the design of a walker for elderly users. To begin, potential user needs for walkers were identified using User Journey Mapping, with these needs categorized through the Kano model to establish a structured hierarchy of design requirements. Then, the Analytic Hierarchy Process was applied to weight these requirements, pinpointing the most critical design needs for walkers to guide practical design decisions. Finally, the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method was used to systematically assess walker design proposals, helping to identify the optimal solution and specifying areas for improvement. The findings demonstrate that the combined KANO-AHP-FCE framework effectively guides the design of walker products, enhancing their ability to meet user needs. This approach not only provides a valuable reference for future assistive product innovation but also contributes to solutions for enhancing elderly mobility safety in an aging society.

Evaluation of Wind Power Plants from the Aspect of Earthquake Design

Türkiye in recent years, consequently, their share in the total generation of energy within the country is also increasing every year. Considering the cost of wind power plants, together with the targeted amount of energy generation, earthquake planning for these systems becomes crucial. Earthquakes are one of the principal risks of wind energy investments, especially when considering the earthquake hazard level in a large portion of the country. Under the present circumstances, the companies producing wind turbines conduct the analysis and planning they deem necessary and forward these to the investors in our country. The extent to which manufacturers consider earthquake parameters and analysis methods in the design of wind turbines for earthquake resistance is not well-defined. The lack of clarity makes it difficult for investors to accurately evaluate the suitability of wind turbine tower and foundation designs for the specific conditions of the country. This study evaluates earthquake design methods by looking into the regulations used in the design of wind turbines around the world. The magnitude of ground motion considered in the earthquake design, the method of analysis used, the load combinations on which the designs are based, and the criteria for the designs have been inspected. Moreover, the design documents for a wind turbine that is being constructed has been examined in detail, with the earthquake design stage being especially scrutinized. Assessments and recommendations have been made regarding the design specifications, analysis methods and criteria used in the analysis and design of the wind turbines currently being built in our country. Subsequently, obtained recommendations have been taken into consideration to propose an earthquake design procedure for the earthquake design of wind turbines.

Numerical investigation of the shear capacity of reinforced concrete continuous deep beams

AbstractThis paper presents a numerical investigation on the behavior and shear capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) continuous deep beams with and without openings. The numerical model is validated against the experimental results of 10 RC continuous deep beams from the literature. The validated model is then used to conduct an extensive parametric study to investigate the effect of critical design parameters on the behavior and shear capacity of RC continuous deep beams. The examined parameters include concrete compressive strength, shear span to depth ratio, member depth, vertical and skin reinforcement ratio. The numerical results confirm that shear span to depth ratio is the most critical parameter also for continuous deep elements. Furthermore, the strut‐and‐tie provisions of ACI 318‐19 and EC2 are shown to be conservative and provide a non‐uniform margin of safety in predicting the shear capacity of RC continuous deep beams.

Content and quality of web-based health information for the prevention and prediction of food allergies in children: A systematic evaluation

Web-based health information can support health-related decisions if it is of high quality, i. e. accurate, understandable and barrier-free. Our study systematically searched for German-language, web-based health information on the prevention and prediction of food allergies in children and assessed their content and quality. In July 2022, four researchers conducted a systematic Google search for German-language web-based health information (HI) on the prediction and prevention of food allergies in children. They searched independently of each other with a predefined search algorithm. Two independent reviewers analyzed the data using qualitative and quantitative content analysis (step/analysis 1) and assessed the quality of HI (step/analysis 2) using a comprehensive criteria catalog (transparency, text design, content, language, presentation of frequencies and statistical information, visualization, and accessibility). The systematic search yielded 59 websites, which were provided by nine sectors. The most frequent sectors were "Health portals and expert opinions" and "Guidelines/scientific and medical specialized information" (22 % each). The content analysis (step 1) showed, among other things, that the topic of prediction was only implicitly addressed. 49 materials (83 %) contained guideline-compliant information. However, there were also 26 materials (44 %) whose content was not in line with the current S3 guideline on allergy prevention. Quality assessment (step 2) revealed that only a small number of the 43 HI received good or very good ratings regarding the transparency (n = 3, 7 %) and content (n = 9, 21 %) criteria. The criterion concerning frequencies and statistical information was rated good or very good quality in only 11 HI (26 %). Almost all HI met the quality criteria for language (n = 38, 88 %), text design (n = 43, 100 %), and visualization (n = 43, 100 %). None of the evaluated HI was given a good or very good rating in terms of accessibility criteria. The analysis by sector revealed only minor differences (Mean of the seven criteria: 56-69 %). The quality of the available web-based health information on the prevention and prediction of food allergies in children is highly heterogeneous. There is need for improvement in terms of accessibility, content (e. g., selective presentation of prevention measures), and transparency (e. g., missing details of contacts). Further research is needed for expanding the user perspective and analyzing social media in the context of prediction and prevention of food allergies in children.

Multi-Physical Lattice Metamaterials Enabled by Additive Manufacturing: Design Principles, Interaction Mechanisms, and Multifunctional Applications.

Lattice metamaterials emerge as advanced architected materials with superior physical properties and significant potential for lightweight applications. Recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) techniques facilitate the manufacturing of lattice metamaterials with intricate microarchitectures and promote their applications in multi-physical scenarios. Previous reviews on lattice metamaterials have largely focused on a specific/single physical field, with limited discussion on their multi-physical properties, interaction mechanisms, and multifunctional applications. Accordingly, this article critically reviews the design principles, structure-mechanism-property relationships, interaction mechanisms, and multifunctional applications of multi-physical lattice metamaterials enabled by AM techniques. First, lattice metamaterials are categorized into homogeneous lattices, inhomogeneous lattices, and other forms, whose design principles and AM processes are critically discussed, including the benefits and drawbacks of different AM techniques for fabricating different types of lattices. Subsequently, the structure-mechanism-property relationships and interaction mechanisms of lattice metamaterials in a range of physical fields, including mechanical, acoustic, electromagnetic/optical, and thermal disciplines, are summarized to reveal critical design principles. Moreover, the multifunctional applications of lattice metamaterials, such as sound absorbers, insulators, and manipulators, sensors, actuators, and soft robots, thermal management, invisible cloaks, and biomedical implants, are enumerated. These design principles and structure-mechanism-property relationships provide effective design guidelines for lattice metamaterials in multifunctional applications.

Enhancing Graduate Research Skills via Action Research and Book Clubs

This study investigates the application of action research to enhance the development of research methodology knowledge among graduate students. Students, in this study context, were dissatisfied with current courses, leading to knowledge gaps and limited application of research approaches. Through iterative cycles of action research, a book club intervention was implemented. Key findings highlight several critical design elements: selecting engaging textbooks, optimizing group size for interaction, scheduling sessions during breaks, actively facilitating discussion and misconception correction, and integrating technological tools for communication and reflection. Overall, this study underscores the potential of action research as a valuable framework for developing effective educational methodologies, emphasizing the need for thoughtful design in creating supportive learning environments. Future studies should explore innovative teaching approaches that incorporate diverse perspectives to further enrich graduate education.

Innovative Approach to Pavement Rehabilitation Analysis and Design of Runway (R/W) 15L-33R at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, TX

In late 2003, the City of Houston determined Runway (R/W) 15L-33R at George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH) should be rehabilitated in order to provide an additional 20 years of useful life. The City required the Engineering Consultants to provide two possible pavement rehabilitation options one of which to include a PCC overlay or remove and reinstall the keel section. The existing runway was originally constructed under 3 different contracts. The original contract constructed the North 2440 m (sta 0+003 to sta 0+027) in 1968 and consisted of a 200 mm sand-shell sub-base with a 304 mm PCC slab which was later overlaid with a 457 mm PCC partially bonded overlay in 1976. At the same time, a 1220 m extension was added on the south end (sta 0+027 to sta 0+039) which consisted of a 533 mm PCC layer over a 152 mm asphalt treated sub-base. The rehabilitation strategy proposed for this project was developed by using an innovative approach to interlayer stiffness in determining the existing condition of the runway, performing both fatigue and deflection analyses on the existing pavement structure for each section, and finally identifying pavement design criteria to configure each rehabilitation strategy. The fatigue analysis was not elaborate and was determined by the Layered Elastic Airport Pavement Design software (LEDFAA v1.3), taking into account damage by the critical stress imposed by each aircraft included in the runway traffic mix. Since LEDFAA does not consider the accumulation of permanent deformation in the subgrade under deflection imposed by each aircraft, deflection criteria was developed in order to give a more complete picture of what different rehabilitation options offer performance-wise. Deflection design criteria was formulated to prevent permanent deformation in the subgrade due to loads imposed by the heavy aircraft included in the runway traffic mix. Permanent deformation of this nature may lead to loss of support below the slab. As greater demands are being placed on our airport systems by increasing traffic and loading, improved pavement rehabilitation analysis and design methods are needed to fully account for all factors manifest in the condition of the pavement. This paper presents an innovative approach to account for the many factors influencing concrete pavement stiffness regarding the design and analysis of rehabilitation alternatives. The approach described affords practitioners a tool to realistically take into account current pavement conditions and future traffic loadings.

Framework for Design and Construction of Long-Life Concrete Pavements

In the past, concrete pavements were routinely designed and constructed to provide low-maintenance service life of 20 to 25 years. In fact, the majority of the U.S. interstate and the primary system were designed on the basis of the 20 to 25 year initial service life. Experience has shown that pavements in high volume traffic corridors need to be designed and constructed to provide longer service life because of the difficulties in performing effective repair and rehabilitation activities along these high volume highway corridors. In addition, the public is no longer tolerant of frequent extended lane closures to perform repair activities. It is becoming an established practice in the U.S. to require that concrete pavements provide low-maintenance service life of 40 plus years. PCC pavements can meet this specific requirement if proper considerations are incorporated in the design and good construction practices, including use of sound concrete making materials, are followed. This paper provides an overview of current U.S. practices and efforts at optimizing pavement design features and construction practices to minimize early age failures and provide long-term low-maintenance service in excess of 40 plus years. The paper also provides a framework for ensuring that the critical design and construction features that impact long-term service are recognized and accounted for. The design and construction features discussed include features that improve slab cracking and deflection responses, features that minimize maintenance operations, and construction features that assure long-life pavement.

Optimization of a viscous-elastic damper coupling two simple oscillators based on nonlinear stochastic response

Abstract Among the techniques used to control or mitigate the structural vibrations induced by dynamic input, such as wind and earthquake, the dissipative coupling is one of the most applied, especially for its ease of implementation. Indeed, for example in large urban areas, it is common to find adjacent structures where the space between the buildings becomes smaller. To optimally select the visco-elastic features of the dissipative device to be used, the paper retraces the path followed by the previous scientific works proposing new design criteria. Such criteria are based on the nonlinear stochastic response of two simple oscillators linked by a damper whose hysteretic behavior is represented by a Bouc-Wen model. A state-space formulation of the equations of motion has been adopted to facilitate the analysis of the dynamic response. At the same time, the loading is hypothesized as a zero-mean Gaussian excitation. Consequently, the nonlinear response has been approximately evaluated by the equivalent linearized standard deviations for both displacements and accelerations. Subsequently, formulations of objective functions, based on the Minimax and Total Energy of the equivalent linearized stochastic response, have been applied to determine the optimal configurations of the coupled system. The influence of both noise power amplitude and soil typology on the designed systems has been also investigated. Suggestions related to the path to achieve pre-fixed targets (as balancing of displacements and accelerations) are provided.

A Litz Wire-Based Inductor Model for a DC-DC Converter-Fed Single-Phase Inverter

Inductors play a major role in the power electronics domain, particularly in DC-DC converter design. The objective of this paper is to reach inductance value by means of fewer turns, using Litz wire wound on a ferrite core. In the manufacture of inductors, the key aspects of the design criteria include the choice of the core material, the type of copper coil and insulation materials, and their overall size. Taking into consideration the design parameters with no compromises on performance, Litz wire with the least turns is introduced into an inductor in certain DC-DC converters. Once the DC settled voltage is reached, it is given to a single-phase inverter for loading and application measures. This approach provides a small-level inductor design for maximized efficiency with improved thermal behavior. The hardware model for the proposed method has been developed using a DC-DC converter fed with a single-phase inverter model. The proposed DC-DC converter has been tested, performance-wise, by applying different load levels. It is observed, from the results, that the Litz wire-based approach achieves maximum efficiency with improved thermal behavior.

Optimizing seawater purification: Ion exchange selective demineralization through single and multi-objective techniques

This study focused on optimizing a selective demineralization process for seawater purification using ion-exchange technology. Experiments were conducted in three semi-batch reactors containing cation, anion, and mixed resins. Key process parameters included temperature (25 °C–50 °C), resin depth (23–82 cm), and pH (2–12). Statistical modeling and optimization were performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a central composite design, addressing both single and multi-objective criteria. A desirability function was used to assess process performance based on multiple response variables, such as the removal of trace metals (Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Ba2+, Cd2+), conductivity reduction, and total dissolved solids (TDS) elimination. Ten quadratic regression models were developed to describe the relationships between input parameters and responses, achieving high R2 values (≥0.7) for most responses except Cu2+, Mn2+, and Ba2+. Multi-objective optimization highlighted TDS, conductivity, and the removal of Ca2+, Mn2+, and Mg2+ as critical targets due to their significant impact on water hardness. The optimal conditions (temperature of 43.9 °C, resin depth of 75.45 cm, and pH of 5.9) yielded a composite desirability score of 0.77. Under these conditions, the process achieved over 99% removal efficiency for key cations (Ca2+, Mg2+), significant conductivity reduction, and near-complete TDS elimination. However, Mn2+ removal efficiency reached approximately 85%, likely due to its lower diffusion coefficient and higher hydration enthalpy. The results, particularly from the multicriteria optimization combined with desirability function approaches, highlight the effectiveness of ion-exchange resins in seawater demineralization and offer a robust framework for enhancing process performance.

Molecular Design for Dual Circularity: Polyester with Complementary Mechanical and Chemical Recyclability under Mild Conditions.

The plastic waste accumulation requires facile yet effective solutions. Currently mechanical recycling typically leads to downcycling, while the environmental footprint of chemical recycling is often unacceptable. Here, we introduce a dual circularity concept, where rational molecular design paves the way for complementary closed-loop mechanical and chemical recyclability under mild conditions. Very small changes in macromolecular structures, thermal and mechanical properties were observed, after as many as six repeated mechanical recycling cycles, showing that a wide processing window could be the key for closing the mechanical recycling loop. Facile, time and energy efficient closed-loop chemical recycling into products with identical performance to original ones was also realized, thanks to the abundant free volume and accessible ester-functionalities. With these design criteria at hand, dual circulation in recyclability can be realized; proceeding with mechanical recycling when we can, and switching to chemical recycling when we must.

Molecular Design for Dual Circularity: Polyester with Complementary Mechanical and Chemical Recyclability under Mild Conditions

The plastic waste accumulation requires facile yet effective solutions. Currently mechanical recycling typically leads to downcycling, while the environmental footprint of chemical recycling is often unacceptable. Here, we introduce a dual circularity concept, where rational molecular design paves the way for complementary closed‐loop mechanical and chemical recyclability under mild conditions. Very small changes in macromolecular structures, thermal and mechanical properties were observed, after as many as six repeated mechanical recycling cycles, showing that a wide processing window could be the key for closing the mechanical recycling loop. Facile, time and energy efficient closed‐loop chemical recycling into products with identical performance to original ones was also realized, thanks to the abundant free volume and accessible ester‐functionalities. With these design criteria at hand, dual circulation in recyclability can be realized; proceeding with mechanical recycling when we can, and switching to chemical recycling when we must.

Radiation‐Tolerant SRAM for Satellite Image Compression Systems: A Hybrid Memory Array Approach

ABSTRACTThis work is based on the design of an SRAM memory array for on board satellite image compression systems, including memory size, cost, power efficiency, and vulnerability to single event upsets (SEU). Initially, we designed a memory cell, RH_14T, specifically to mitigate the impact of SEUs. Subsequently, we incorporated RH_14T into the on‐board memory array in two variations: RH_14T with minimal area overhead (RH_14T_small) and RH_14T with substantial area overhead (RH_14T_large), which have critical charges of 30.10 and 38.77 fC, respectively. Given the higher sensitivity of higher order bits compared to lower order bits in image pixels, RH_14T_small was allocated for the least significant bit (LSB) positions. RH_14_large, on the other hand, was used for the most significant bit (MSB) positions within the memory array. This configuration enhanced the array's overall area, power, and space radiation tolerance. Furthermore, the RH_14T model was bench marked against other recently introduced radiation‐hardened SRAM cells and compared proposed RH_14T CC18T, RHC14T, RHMC12T, SARP12T, SRRD12T, DICE, and QUCCE12T across several critical design parameters. Notably, RH_14T's sensitive nodes can recover their original data even after radiation‐induced value flips. In addition to these benefits, RH_14T also demonstrates a high static voltage noise margin and reduced read and write delays compared to most of the cells it was compared with.

Risk assessment of design faults

This paper focuses on the risk assessment of design faults which can be made in design documentation thus leading to significant damage and reduced construction efficiency. The data on statistics of the remarks made at the stage of design expertise are given. The steps of risk management at different stages of design, as well as types of risks are described. A method is proposed to analyze the risks of design faults involving the analysis of the types, consequences, and criticality of failures. In this method, the frequency of faults, their significance, and the probability of their detection are scored. Additionally, the probability of a fault can be pre-determined by a sample of specific types of objects or accepted by expert judgment. By multiplying the scores, the value of the complex (priority) risk of design fault is found and the risk level is assigned. For this purpose, the complex risk is compared with the boundary value of the priority risk number (PRN) and then classified as high, medium, or low. The risk level is determined by estimates of the frequency and significance of design faults. According to the risk level the measures significant for design quality management can be assigned. Criteria for assigning scores as well as management measures for each level of complex risk are proposed. Risk assessment for the main high-risk design faults has been performed. As a result, the method can be used to form a list of critical design faults, to justify control and preventive measures, as well as optimize the design process for increasing the quality of projects.