Design Project Research Articles

Conformal mapping at elevation with implications for low-distortion projections

This article develops the theory of the conformal mapping of the surface of constant height above the ellipsoid (ChS), which has implications for the design of low-distortion projections. This paper gives a development of the Mercator, polar stereographic, Lambert conformal conic (LCC) and transverse Mercator (TM) projections based on the ChS, a better Earth model than the reference ellipsoid (RE) for positions at height. This article provides new formulas for the LCC and TM inverse scale problems – when given a value for the local scale function, where does it occur? These formulas apply to both traditional mapping on the RE and novel mapping on the ChS.

ПРОЄКТУВАННЯ ТЕАТРАЛЬНО-ВИДОВИЩНИХ ЦЕНТРІВ ДЛЯ ДІТЕЙ ТА МОЛОДІ (на прикладі досвіду кафедри дизайну архітектурного середовища)

The article explores the influence of educational, research, and competitive design of theatrical and spectacle buildings developed by professors and students of the Department of Architectural Environment Design at the Institute of Architecture and Design National University "Lviv Polytechnic". Within the framework of the contemporary cultural and educational environment, where active youth participation is a vital component of cultural development, there is a necessity for the creation of adaptive, innovative spaces for creativity and communication. The persistence of outdated architectural forms, characteristic of the Soviet period, particularly in segments like theaters for young audiences and puppet theaters, is emphasized. The absence of innovation in these types of structures at the beginning of the 21st century is noted, especially concerning theatrical and spectacle institutions such as theaters for young audiences and puppet theaters, which continue to exist but do not meet the modern needs for quality cultural education of Ukrainian youth. An analysis of over ten projects at all levels shows that a significant portion not only reproduces the concepts of architects from the second half of the 20th century but also incorporates elements inherited from theatrical and spectacle buildings of the former USSR. However, in recent years, the Lviv architectural school, particularly following the establishment of the Department of Architectural Environment Design, has shown a tendency towards experimentation and the search for innovative solutions for the architecture of the future. This is evidenced by the results of educational and competitive design projects, as well as the introduction of special courses that revive the ideas of futuristic architecture from the last century. Achievements in this field reflect the architectural visions of renowned masters such as F. Kiesler and I. Leonidov, as well as contemporary researchers like A. Quarmby, K. Tange, B. Fuller, G. Golmin and G. Kreiger, who explore the possibilities of future architecture. The article provides a classification of theatrical and spectacle centers for children and youth. The author discusses factors that continue to negatively impact the development of theatrical and spectacle centers in Ukraine in the future. The experience of designing research, educational, and competitive projects, exemplified by the activities of the Department of Architectural Environment Design, demonstrates that it can find application in the applied architectural and construction industry of the country as a whole.

Aided design decision-making framework for engineering projects considering cost and social benefits

PurposeCurrently, engineering project design lacks a design framework that fully combines subjective experience and objective data. This study develops an aided design decision-making framework to automatically output the optimal design alternative for engineering projects in a more efficient and objective mode, which synthesizes the design experience.Design/methodology/approachA database of design components is first constructed to facilitate the retrieval of data and the design alternative screening algorithm is proposed to automatically select all feasible design alternatives. Then back propagation (BP) neural network algorithm is introduced to predict the cost of all feasible design alternatives. Based on the gray relational degree-particle swarm optimization (GRD-PSO) algorithm, the optimal design alternative can be selected considering multiple objectives.FindingsThe case study shows that the BP neural network-cost prediction algorithm can well predict the cost of design alternatives, and the framework can be widely used at the design stage of most engineering projects. Design components with low sensitivity to design objectives have been obtained, allowing for the consideration of disregarding their impacts on design objectives in such situations requiring rapid decisions. Meanwhile, design components with high sensitivity to design objective weights have also been obtained, drawing special attention to the effects of changes in the importance of design objectives on the selection of these components. Simultaneously, the framework can be flexibly adjusted to different design objectives and identify key design components, providing decision reference for designers.Originality/valueThe framework proposed in this paper contributes to the knowledge of design decision-making by emphasizing the importance of combining objective data and subjective experience, whose significance is ignored in the existing literature.

Geoscience skills supplement emissions reduction through carbon solutions

As the energy sector transitions, traditional geoscience occupations have been impacted by the decrease in upstream oil and gas activity. However, these roles are highly technical and innovative, and could benefit many sectors if re-deployed. Carbon offsetting is available now to support meeting emission reduction targets and is expected to be deployed in the long term for hard-to-abate areas. In 2018, Woodside started a carbon business that includes the origination of offsets through carbon farming. Millions of seedlings have been planted on less productive farmland in WA. The program has been enhanced through the transferable skills that geoscientists provide, including uncertainty analysis, software technology and data acquisition. Much like the petroleum geoscience discipline, carbon offset investment requires an assessment of a natural resource. There is uncertainty in the total volume, the future state, and the policy conditions impacting the resource. Geoscientists at Woodside have led initiatives to assess carbon yield, quantify and forecast uncertainty, and develop decision-making frameworks for project investment. These initiatives have informed the business as a market participant and project developer in the nascent carbon market. Geospatial analytics is critical throughout the value chain of a planting project, including site selection, project design, site execution, monitoring and reporting. Remote sensing and imagery analysis are used for monitoring growth and quantifying carbon sequestration. Further, geospatial projects have aided efficiency, providing accurate, real-time data to and from the field and re-deploying geoscientists from in-house has contributed towards Woodside’s success.

Photovoice: Methodological Insights From a Multi-site Online Design

Photovoice involves respondents taking photographs of their environment to promote critical discussions and reflect on their experiences. Photovoice empowers marginalized communities and serves to reach policymakers. The Arizona Youth Identity Project (AZYIP) used photovoice with an innovative approach in a multisite research design with a large sample size and completely online research implementation using video conferencing, mobile phones, and video messages. We outline our process for other researchers interested in utilizing this dynamic method. We also reflect on the challenges and opportunities of engaging in this research design for future projects.

Assessment of Adoption and Acceptance of Building Information Modeling for Building Construction among Industries in Qatar

Building information modeling (BIM) has become a vital tool in the construction industry, especially in Qatar, where remarkable infrastructural growth and innovation have taken place. This study looked into the factors influencing the adoption and acceptability of BIM in the Qatari construction industry using the Information System Success Model (ISSM), the Technology Acceptability Model (TAM), and structural equation modeling (SEM). Survey information gathered from project managers, contractors, engineers, architects, suppliers, and BIM specialists with direct BIM expertise was examined. The results showed that intentions to adopt BIM have a significant influence on its Perceived Usefulness and ease of use. The adoption of BIM is also significantly impacted by ISSM elements, including the Total Quality, Organizational Efficiency, Innovativeness, and Financial Aspects. This study illustrates the complex interactions between organizational influences and personal perspectives by demonstrating the direct and indirect effects of these factors on BIM adoption. These results provide a complete picture of the dynamics influencing BIM adoption in Qatar’s construction sector. As a result, this study makes connections between individual technology acceptance and the larger socio-technical environment of BIM implementation, providing essential information for building sector stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders. By using these insights to create strategies to boost BIM’s adoption and acceptability, the construction industries may be further aligned with global best practices in project management and delivery.

A study on settlements of road embankments on soft ground using vertical drains

In civil engineering, the study of embankment settlement on soft ground is a vital geotechnical task in order to maintain serviceability of the road embankment, pavement, and facilities. This paper presents a study on settlements of road embankment on soft ground using vertical drains, including prefabricated-vertical drain (PVD), sand drain (SD), and sand compaction pile (SCP) on a number of packages of Hanoi – Haiphong Expressway Construction Project. The effectiveness of settlement prediction of vertical drain solutions is evaluated considering the ratios between the observed consolidation settlements and settlements predicted in the Detailed Design, in relation to the thickness of soft soil and the depth of treatment. Regression analysis is used to establish the correlation between the observed settlement and the height of embankment. The results show that (i) the design generally overestimated settlements; (ii) the ratios between observed and predicted settlements tend to positively correlate with the thickness of soft soil and the depth of treatment, and (iii) there are positive correlations between the height of embankment and the observed settlement. These correlations can be a valuable source of reference for anticipating settlements in basic design of highway projects with soft ground treated by vertical drains, in the regions that have geological stratum similar to Thabinh and Haihung formations of Bacbo Plain

Readiness for Implemented Sustainable Procurement in Indonesian Government Construction Project

Procurement is the process of obtaining goods and services in a construction project and is a crucial point for the success of a design and build (DB) project. The success of a DB project has an effect on work performance metrics such as cost, quality, and time. Therefore, this research aims to develop a readiness model for implementing sustainable procurement in a DB project with a financing system in the state/regional budget (APBN/APBD). By using previous literature reviews, this research adopted a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. Specifically, the qualitative method was conducted using in-depth interviews, and conclusions were drawn using the Delphi method and focus group discussion (FGD). Meanwhile, the quantitative method was used to analyze secondary data from the current DB project in order to examine sustainable procurement. The projects examined were spread across the country and had a value of at least 100 billion. Consequently, the results showed that various factors influenced sustainable procurement in the DB management project. In addition, this research impacted better procurement management in the DB project based on APBN/APBD funding, thereby increasing project productivity and innovation, as well as other beneficial values to stakeholders. Typically, the result could be used as a readiness model for implementing sustainable procurement in a DB project with APBN/APBD funding schemes, serving as a guide for construction management in the future and being useful for decision making on government projects.

Life-cycle-based considerations in design of driven piles in sand

This study conducts a life-cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts of driven shafts across 12 different siliceous sand sites, selected from a database of static load pile tests. Through parametric studies, this paper investigates the influence of soil properties, pile geometry and on-site activities on environmental impacts. For a single pile, the findings demonstrate that material production is the most impactful phase, contributing 88.4% of global warming potential (GWP) per unit capacity, while on-site operations contribute minimally at 1%. Sensitivity analyses show that variations in fuel consumption by ±25% and linear interpolations of blow counts result in negligible difference in GWP (less than 0.1 and 1%, respectively). On average, the total GWPs for steel and concrete piles are approximately 4.3 and 0.92 kg carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per kilonewton capacity, respectively. Although various factors influence pile design and installation, the results presented herein provide a foundational framework for geotechnical engineers to integrate environmental impacts into project planning, design and construction considerations.

RuiXue Multi-Hall-Human machine collaboration in reciprocal structures

This article centers on the RuiXue Multi-Hall architectural design project in Chengdu, China, with a specific focus on a comprehensive workflow framework that integrates reciprocal geometric design and digital construction methods, primarily within the context of shell structures. The research expands on the concepts of structural design, adjustments of performance parameters, and the optimization of free-form shells. In addition, it outlines the spatial design approach for the shell structure. The study delves into reciprocal geometric design for the existing shell structure, establishing a library of reciprocal geometric shapes suitable for architectural design. The primary focus is on the application of these shapes to the shell structure, optimizing parameters for several grids within the library, and comparing various design schemes. Furthermore, the article discusses digital construction methods for the existing shell space and reciprocal structure, with a specific emphasis on the material performance of timber components. This discussion includes reciprocal timber structures and 3D-printed roofs for shell surfaces, all guided by a geometric control system to facilitate an interactive design and construction process. This research on reciprocal geometric design and digital construction methods for shell structures holds dual significance. It not only traces the historical development of reciprocal structures but also explores innovative construction methods using digital technology. The establishment of a comprehensive framework for reciprocal geometric design-construction is expected to catalyze innovative breakthroughs in future architectural design, spanning aspects such as space, form, materials, and structure.

A Historical Building Information Modeling-Based Framework to Improve Collaboration and Data Security in Architectural Heritage Restoration Projects

With the increasing awareness of architectural heritage conservation and the development of digital technology, there is an urgent need in the field of architectural heritage restoration for a novel solution that can enhance data security, collaboration efficiency, and file management capabilities. This study proposes an Architectural Heritage Restoration Distributed Common Data Environment (AHR-DCDE) framework based on blockchain and IPFS technologies to address the above challenges. The AHR-DCDE framework significantly improves data security and collaborative efficiency in architectural heritage restoration projects by creating a decentralized collaborative design process that achieves data immutability, traceability, and efficient large-scale file processing capabilities. The AHR-DCDE framework significantly improves data security and collaborative efficiency in architectural heritage restoration projects by creating a decentralized collaborative design process that achieves data immutability, traceability, and efficient large-scale file processing capabilities. In this study, the practicality and effectiveness of the AHR-DCDE framework is verified by taking the heritage restoration design project of Pinghe Packing Factory in Wuhan, Hubei Province, as an example. Evaluation of the framework’s network latency, throughput, and storage costs indicates that AHR-DCDE can meet the requirements of architectural heritage restoration projects, possessing efficient capabilities for handling and sharing project data. Furthermore, the implementation of the AHR-DCDE framework also facilitates efficient collaboration among interdisciplinary teams, providing robust technical support for the protection and restoration of architectural heritage.

The sustainable potential of the architectural and urban heritage of the Algerian ksour

ABSTRACT This paper aims to assess the sustainability potential of Algerian desert Ksour's architectural and urban heritage. It identifies systems aligning with the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), categorized into formal, spatial organization, and architectonic aspects. The approach correlates Ksour's architectural features with SDGs defined by the International Union of Architects, yielding 40 passive features applicable for achieving SDGs. Notably, features like high windows (architectural) and strategic siting (urban) remain relevant for energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction. This research gives us the opportunity to improve our strategies for rehabilitating and adapting built heritage so that it can meet current environmental challenges, but also opens up the possibility in the future of continuing to identify more sustainable systems by extending the study of heritage examples, but also and above all of developing a reflection on the adaptation of these passive systems in the design of contemporary architectural and urban projects.

From Bureau to Micro-Industry

This paper aims to provide a critical and contextual analysis of research conducted together with Martin Smith at the Royal College of Art in the field of ceramic printmaking during 2015–2018, and the subsequent reflections upon the four years since as we have continued to implement the research as a commercial print studio. Over these seven years, I was a senior research associate on the two AHRC-funded research projects: Extending the Potential for the Digitally Printed Ceramic Surface and Improved Laser Printing Equipment for Ceramics, and design director for the spin-out ceramic design project, the print company Smith&Brown. Digital design, combined with electrophotographic laser printing technology, has the potential to open up new market models and extend the visual language of ceramic tableware design but it has hit several barriers causing it to be dismissed by the ceramic industry, weak deposits and poor colour saturation being the most significant of these. Our research has contributed to resolving these issues by developing several technical innovations. These improvements have convinced key players within the industry; however, other barriers to the acceptance/implementation of the technology remain. This has led us to question this context and revise our original aims for industrial uptake, and identify new models more appropriate to the exploration of the market for the uptake of our research findings.

Geopatial Technologies in Civil Engineering : A Critical Literature

This study investigates the role of geospatial technologies in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of civil engineering projects. Geospatial technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and spatial analysis, have revolutionized the field of civil engineering by providing critical tools for planning, design, construction, and management of infrastructure projects. The integration of these technologies enables accurate terrain mapping, real-time monitoring, and data-driven decision-making, which are crucial for ensuring the safety, sustainability, and resilience of modern infrastructure. This research aims to explore the applications of geospatial technologies in various civil engineering projects, including highway planning, urban development, and environmental monitoring. The study also examines the potential benefits and limitations of these technologies and provides recommendations for their effective integration into civil engineering practices. By understanding the impact of geospatial technologies on civil engineering projects, this research aims to contribute to the development of more efficient, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure that supports the needs of modern society.

Construction Worker Hiring Management System

The Integrated Construction Management System (ICMS) is a sophisticated web-based application developed to optimize the management processes associated with construction projects. Leveraging a technology stack that includes HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, PHP, and MySQL, this system aims to streamline communication, collaboration, and resource management within construction teams, ultimately contributing to the successful and efficient completion of projects. One of the primary features of ICMS is its robust user authentication and authorization system. The application implements a secure login mechanism that authenticates users while assigning distinct access levels based on their roles within the construction project. This ensures that project managers, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders have tailored access to relevant information and functionalities. The project dashboard serves as a centralized hub, providing a comprehensive overview of the project's status, milestones, and critical updates. Through real-time tracking of project progress, ICMS facilitates effective decision-making by offering stakeholders immediate insights into the current state of affairs. This dynamic approach extends to task and resource management, where tasks can be created, assigned, and tracked in real time, ensuring optimal workforce utilization

Multi-objective optimization for generative morphological design using energy and comfort models with a practical design of new rural community in China

In recent years, the development of new rural communities has emerged as a pivotal new trend in china, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and residential comfort in rural regions. This study introduces a multi-objective optimization design framework for the morphological design of residential area, with a focus on performance objectives such as building energy use intensity, summer thermal comfort, and winter thermal comfort. A case study of a new rural community design project in Hongnan Village, Yancheng City, was conducted. Utilizing the Rhino-Grasshopper parametric platform, this study undertook parametric modeling, performance simulation, and multi-objective optimization to receive the Pareto-optimal solutions. ParetoResults indicate that in the Pareto-optimal morphology scheme for the Hongnan Village community, open spaces are predominantly located on the upwind side with respect to the prevailing summer winds of the site. The number of duplex houses is often 28, and the building orientations are predominantly aligned at 23°, mirroring the direction of the surrounding structures. There is a significant correlation between residential unit configuration, building spacing, and energy use intensity, with correlation coefficients of 0.53 and −0.43, respectively. This study would like to offer valuable insights into the energy-efficient design of new rural communities, thereby contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and habitable rural living environment.

An Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Clinical Trial in Rural Alabama: Project Design and Potential Implications for Pharmacy and Audiology Interprofessional Collaborations.

Over-the-counter hearing aids (OTC HAs) have the potential to help adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss across the US, especially in rural communities, where access to hearing healthcare is extremely limited or non-existent. The purpose of this study was to describe an OTC HA clinical trial being conducted in five rural counties of Alabama and to provide preliminary anecdotal data related to the use and care of these hearing aids by the participants. In brief, for this clinical trial, adults with hearing loss were randomly placed in one of three groups where they received varying levels of support for setting, using, and maintaining their OTC HAs. Listening tests and surveys were administered to assess the extent to which they benefitted from the hearing aids as related to word understanding, communication with others in natural settings, and hearing aid use and care. Currently, anecdotal findings suggested that, although some participants required very little support to successfully use their hearing aids, others had difficulty setting and caring for their devices and could have benefitted from individualized guidance. Future quantitative studies will assess the extent of support needed for successful hearing aid benefit and use. Potentially, collaborations among pharmacy and audiology professionals could lead to increased access to hearing healthcare by supporting the use and purchase of OTC HAs in rural pharmacy settings.

Leveraging co-production within ecosystem restoration to maximize benefits to coastal birds

Coastal Louisiana's ecosystems are threatened by anthropogenic factors exacerbated by climate change induced sea-level rise. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill resulted in injuries and deaths to coastal birds in Louisiana, and the ongoing loss of habitat has limited the potential for successful nesting of resident birds throughout the coast. Habitat loss is being addressed through increased large-scale ecosystem restoration as a result of settlement funds from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To further inform bird restoration in Louisiana, an avian restoration guidance document (Guidance for Coastal Ecosystem Restoration and Monitoring to Create or Improve Bird-NestingHabitat, 2023) was developed to maximize restoration benefits for coastal breeding birds while also achieving broader habitat restoration objectives. The developed restoration guidance was co-produced by subject-matter experts and professionals, including avian experts, engineers, and coastal restoration project managers. The result of this cross-disciplinary effort was specific and targeted guidance that presents designable habitat features that are in the control of project engineers and are also important high-value bird nesting habitats (e.g., shoreline access, elevation heterogeneity and edge habitat). For the first time in Louisiana, defined nest-site characteristics and monitoring approaches are readily available to inform ecosystem restoration project implementation. The restoration document specifically emphasizes bird species that breed and nest in coastal habitats in Louisiana, and restoration managers can use these guidelines to explicitly incorporate bird nesting habitat features into coastal restoration planning, design, and implementation. In developing this guidance, many knowledge gaps and data needs were identified specific to engineering and project design, enabling the research community to frame research questions around specific coastal restoration questions. The co-production of science model applied here for avian resources is applicable to a wide range of other living marine resources that may benefit from large-scale ecosystem restoration and is an example of the benefits of working relationships, communications, and common goal setting.

Child passenger safety: Implementation and evaluation of a virtual educational intervention for parents and caregivers

ObjectiveThe objective of this project was to determine how a virtual educational intervention on Child Passenger Safety (CPS) impacts post-intervention knowledge and self-efficacy levels. MethodsThe intervention included watching a video related to CPS and completing a virtual car seat check with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). A quantitative pre- and post-test project design was utilized. Self-efficacy was measured using a confidence assessment and knowledge level was measured with a comprehension test. Participants were included if they had access to the internet, were English speaking, and parents or caregivers of children aged 12 years or younger. The program was active between February and April of 2021. Out of 58 individuals who expressed interest in participating in the program, the completion rate was 41 %. There were 24 participants who completed all steps of the intervention with a range in days to completion of 59 days. ResultsA video-based education intervention combined with completing a virtual car seat check with a CPST was shown to have a statistically significant impact on the knowledge and self-efficacy levels surrounding the use and installation of Child Safety Seats (CSSs) by parents and caregivers. There were a total of 34 car seats that were assessed during the virtual car seat checks and results showed that 65.6% of the car seats that were assessed on arrival had at least 1 error present. In whole, there were 34 car seat errors identified by the CPSTs throughout this project timeline. ConclusionsA video-based educational intervention combined with a virtual car seat check with a certified CPST has a positive impact on the knowledge and self-efficacy levels of participants. The data analysis shows the project was a successful and meaningful intervention to promote improvements in the field of CPS. This study design allows for the implementation of additional resources and supports for CPS within rural areas and at-risk populations and can help to address public health issues related to a lack of resources based on geographic location.

Navigating the depths: Experimental study on the influence of ground fissures on metro shield tunnels considering different intersection angles

Ground fissures are a typical slowly changing geological hazard that poses great safety risks to metro shield tunnels crossing ground fissures. To thoroughly analyze the deformation and failure of shield tunnels under the action of ground fissures with different intersection angles, this study reviews the existing research and carries out model tests on metro shield tunnels crossing ground fissures considering different intersection angles. Based on the experimental results and numerical simulations under multiple conditions, the deformation and failure characteristics of shield tunnels are systematically analyzed for the first time, which confirms that the activity of ground fissures can lead to a series of problems, including segment dislocation, lining cracking, structural elliptical deformation, bolt yield, joint opening and closing, void areas at the tunnel bottom in the hanging wall and tunnel top in the footwall, as well as resulting waterproof failure and internal gauge changes. In addition, as the intersection angle between tunnel and ground fissure increases, the failure mode of the structure gradually transitions from torsional failure to shear failure, with a decrease in the number of segment rings under bias pressure and an increase in the number of segment rings under shear effect. Based on the deformation characteristics, failure positions, and the changes of structural state of shield tunnels, some reflections on countermeasures are discussed, which can provide guidance for the design and maintenance of metro projects in ground fissure sites.