Construction Method Research Articles

Exploring reuse criteria for emergency temporary wooden housing- emphasis on local reuse and relocation

ABSTRACT During natural disasters, numerous temporary wooden houses are typically constructed, but regrettably, they are seldom repurposed and are instead disassembled once their two-year supply period expires. This study, therefore, delves into the criteria governing the construction and subsequent reuse of temporary wooden houses through discriminant analysis. The primary hindrance to their reutilization lies in the perception of local governments, which often regard these structures as strictly temporary dwellings, thus showing no intention of reusing them. However, the factors contributing to the reusability of temporary wooden houses extend beyond this singular perspective. A predictive equation is employed to determine a wooden temporary house’s potential for reuse by assessing the discriminant result derived from the discriminant equation. The pivotal factors found to influence reuse are the site area per unit and the construction method, which play a crucial role in both local and relocation reuse scenarios.

Study on the rational construction methods and mechanical properties of composite beams in transverse negative bending moment zones

Normal concrete (NC) bridge deck panels are transversely joined to steel beams at the trusses, serving as a transitional segment between the concrete bridge deck panels and trusses, typically using ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC). Positioned on both lateral sides along the bridge axis of the NC deck panels, these transverse joints primarily endure tensile forces in negative bending moment areas. Owing to the stiffness disparity between the steel beams and concrete, these transverse joints experience complex stresses. In this study, the mechanical behavior of these transverse joints under negative bending moments was examined for six shear connector layouts and two key-wet joint shapes. Static tests provided crucial data, including the separation distances between the UHPC and steel beams, ultimate load-bearing capacities, crack patterns in the UHPC, mechanical performance of the key-wet joints, and load-deflection curves. The experimental results were compared with those from finite element simulations, and the design of the composite beam was optimized. The results demonstrated that the mechanical properties of the transverse joints were significantly influenced by the orientation of the stud connectors and perfobond Leisten (PBL) shear connectors. The optimal design had stud connectors at the bottom and top surfaces, PBL shear connectors, trapezoidal key-wet joints, and no side stud connectors. This design resulted in minimal deflection, narrower key-wet joint widths, reduced structural strain, fewer and smaller concrete cracks, and minimal separation between the UHPC and steel top and side plates, which facilitates easier construction.

Short communication: Genomic prediction based on unbiased estimation of the genomic relationship matrix in pigs.

The traditional genomic relationship matrix (GRM) has shown to be a biased estimation of true kinship, which can affect subsequent genetic analyses. In this study, we employed an unbiased kinship (UKin) estimation method within the genomic best linear unbiased prediction framework to evaluate its prediction performance on both a simulated dataset and a Large White pig dataset. The simulated dataset encompasses six traits, 900 quantitative trait loci, and 36000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Two scenarios (small effect genes; major genes and small effect genes) and three heritabilities (0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) were considered. The Large White pig dataset includes two traits, 3290 animals and 35172 SNPs. The prediction performance of the Ukin method was compared with several other GRM construction methods, including VanRaden1 and 2 methods, Goudet method, and the runs of homozygosity (ROH) method. In the simulated dataset, VanRaden2 method and the UKin+VanRaden1 method achieved relatively higher prediction accuracies, averaging 0.561 and 0.558 for the six traits, respectively. Apart from the ROH method, all methods demonstrated similar levels of unbiasedness, around 1.10. In the Large White pig dataset, the accuracy of two traits hovered around 0.780, and the unbiasedness around 0.99, again with the ROH method as an exception. This study underscores the potential of the unbiased kinship estimation method in animal breeding.

New constructions of t-norms and t-conorms on bounded lattices and trellises

In this paper, we propose a rather effective method to construct t-norms using weak interior operators on appropriate bounded lattices, which covers several construction methods in the literature. We also present a generic construction method for t-norms on bounded trellises with the help of quasi-interior operators. In particular, we give the necessary and sufficient condition for this kind of construction and discuss how to relax the condition. Finally, the dual results for construction of t-conorms via weak (quasi-)closure operators on bounded lattices (trellises) are presented.

Video Library Construction for International Chinese Education

This paper proposes four principles for digital resource construction for language education and carries out practical video resource construction. We believe that extraction and generation will be the main methods for machine resource construction. For resource extraction, this paper first introduces subtitle-based video resource extraction and example sentence extraction. For resource generation, this paper discusses the present limitations and future ideal working framework of large video generation models. The video extraction process proposed in this paper can be applied for other resource construction purposes, and the Large Language Model (LLM) resource generation framework proposed in this paper can be applied to the generation of other resources. We believe that with the digital transformation of education, a large number of machine-constructed resources will emerge.

The Role of Advanced Materials in the Optimization of Wind Energy Systems: A Physics Based Approach

The transition towards renewable energy sources is essential for addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, positioning wind energy as a vital component of sustainable power generation. This paper investigates the pivotal role of advanced materials in optimizing the efficiency and reliability of wind energy systems through a physics-based approach. Recent advancements in material science including carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs), glass fiber reinforced polymers (GFRPs), and nanomaterials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes are evaluated for their potential to significantly enhance mechanical properties, reduce weight, and improve energy conversion efficiencies of wind turbines. A comprehensive review of the literature reveals the historical context of wind turbine materials and emphasizes the transition from traditional construction methods using steel and wood to innovative composite materials. The study introduces a novel methodology for the integration of advanced materials into turbine design, supported by numerical simulations and experimental validations. The impact of these materials on key operational performance metrics, including power output, structural integrity, and aerodynamic efficiency, is quantified. Moreover, the application of smart materials for real time structural health monitoring is explored, highlighting the potential for predictive maintenance that can prolong the lifespan of wind turbines. The findings suggest that although the initial costs of advanced materials may be higher, their superior performance characteristics offer significant long-term economic benefits and sustainability advantages. The discussion concludes with recommendations for future research directions, including the optimization of hybrid material systems, advancements in manufacturing techniques, and comprehensive long-term durability assessments. This study underscores the critical necessity for continued innovation in materials science to enhance the resilience and environmental efficiency of wind energy systems, thereby contributing positively to the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions.

Collaborative Development of Feedback Concept Maps for Virtual Patient-Based Clinical Reasoning Education: Mixed Methods Study.

Concept maps are a suitable method for teaching clinical reasoning (CR). For example, in a concept map, findings, tests, differential diagnoses, and treatment options can be documented and connected to each other. When combined with virtual patients, automated feedback can be provided to the students' concept maps. However, as CR is a nonlinear process, feedback concept maps that are created together by several individuals might address this issue and cover perspectives from different health professionals. In this study, we aimed to develop a collaborative process for creating feedback concept maps in virtual patient-based CR education. Health professionals of different specialties, nationalities, and levels of experience in education individually created concept maps and afterward reached a consensus on them in structured workshops. Then, medical students discussed the health professionals' concept maps in focus groups. We performed a qualitative content analysis of the transcribed audio records and field notes and a descriptive comparison of the produced concept maps. A total of 14 health professionals participated in 4 workshops, each with 3-4 participants. In each workshop, they reached a consensus on 1 concept map, after discussing content and presentation, as well as rationales, and next steps. Overall, the structure of the workshops was well-received. The comparison of the produced concept maps showed that they varied widely in their scope and content. Consensus concept maps tended to contain more nodes and connections than individual ones. A total of 9 medical students participated in 2 focus groups of 4 and 5 participants. Their opinions on the concept maps' features varied widely, balancing between the wish for an in-depth explanation and the flexibility of CR. Although the number of participating health professionals and students was relatively low, we were able to show that consensus workshops are a constructive method to create feedback concept maps that include different perspectives of health professionals with content that is useful to and accepted by students. Further research is needed to determine which features of feedback concept maps are most likely to improve learner outcomes and how to facilitate their construction in collaborative consensus workshops.

Teaching Social Studies in High Schools, Knowledge Construction versus Knowledge Transmission Methods

Teaching to transform lives requires both high-quality content and effective instructional strategies. This study examines the instructional designs that Social Studies teachers use to meet the subject’s requirements. It illustrates how both teacher-centred and learner-centred approaches align with the constructivist teaching model. Various teaching strategies were tested to determine how students engage in constructing knowledge. Using a descriptive mixed-method design, the study explored the instructional methods utilized in teaching Social Studies. It recruited 84 Social Studies instructors from 14 government senior high schools in the Central Region of Ghana, and 1,400 students. The key finding is that relying solely on one instructional technique – whether teacher-centred or learner-centred – limits students’ ability to actively create knowledge. However, when teacher-centred and learner-centred strategies are combined, starting with a teacher-centred approach and concluding with a learner-centred approach, it is more likely to promote active participation and effective learning.

Recording of Historic Buildings and Monuments for FEA: Current Practices and Future Directions

Cultural heritage (CH) sites and monuments share significant historical and cultural value, but at the same time, these are highly vulnerable to deterioration due to age, construction methods, and materials used. Therefore, stability studies for CH structures through numerical analyses allow researchers and stakeholders to safeguard them against time and exposure to hazards. To obtain reliable results for stability studies, detailed and accurate geometric documentation is needed prior to any modeling or simulation. In this context, geomatics technologies like LiDAR and photogrammetry can offer great support in documenting their structural integrity, providing efficient, non-invasive data collection methods that generate 3D point clouds. Nevertheless, despite the benefits, geomatic methods remain underutilized in structural engineering due to limitations in converting 3D point clouds directly for use in finite element modeling (FEM) analysis. The paper aims to review current approaches for the generation of FE models for structural analysis employing data obtained from 3D digital surveys. Each approach is described in detail, providing examples from literature and highlighting its advantages and disadvantages. Studies show that analysis accuracy depends strongly on point cloud level of detail, underlining the importance of precise geomatic surveys. Emerging workflows and semi-automated methods enable point clouds to be integrated with BIM (building information modeling) and FEM, thereby enhancing the contribution that laser scanning techniques and 3D modeling provide for the analysis of the stability of structures belonging to cultural heritage.

Estimation of the Water Footprint of Wood Construction in Chile Using a Streamlined Input–Output-Based Model

Wood construction is often proposed to reduce the construction sector’s greenhouse gas emissions due to its carbon sequestration potential. However, forestry significantly impacts natural water flows and increases water use—a critical concern in Chile. This study evaluates the water footprint of wood construction in Chile, considering direct and indirect water consumption under various scenarios. An input–output model was developed to quantify economic interactions, incorporating a new wood-construction sector based on data from a model house. An environmental extension matrix was also created to account for blue water (groundwater and surface water extraction) and green water (rainwater absorbed from soil) consumption. Future scenarios for the residential building sector were defined based on different growth rates for wood-based construction and current construction methods, and the model was resolved using the scenarios as demand vectors. The results indicate that wood construction’s water footprint is 2.38–2.47 times higher than conventional construction methods, with over 64% linked to forestry’s green water demand. By 2050, increased wood construction could raise the sector’s total water footprint by 30.0–31.8%. These findings underscore the need to assess water consumption as a critical sustainability parameter for wood construction and highlight the value of tools like the water footprint to guide decision-making.

Experimental Study on the Mechanical Performance of Reinforced Concrete Joints Connected by T-Shaped Steel Plates

In the case of engineering structures, the performance of a structure will gradually deteriorate with an increase in the usage time, leading to a decrease in the safety of the structure. In addition, even if the safety of a structure is reliable, its current structure type may no longer meet the latest usage requirements. Therefore, four reinforced concrete specimens were produced in this study: one was a cast-in-place specimen, and three were specimens connected by a T-shaped steel plate with steel cladding reinforcement. This article first introduces the structural form and construction method of the new types of joints, and then it describes the quasi-static testing that was conducted to analyze seismic performance indicators such as the failure characteristics, bearing capacity, ductility, stiffness degradation, and energy dissipation. Finally, combined with a strain analysis of the steel bars and steel plates, the force transmission mechanism of the new types of joints was investigated. The research content of this paper helps to promote the progress of structural retrofitting and strengthening work and the sustainable development of the construction industry.

Optical polarized orthogonal matrix

Multiplexing technology serves as an effective approach to increase both information storage and transmission capability. However, when exploring multiplexing methods across various dimensions, the polarization dimension encounters limitations stemming from the finite orthogonal combinations. Given that only two mutually orthogonal polarizations are identifiable on the basic Poincaré sphere, this poses a hindrance to polarization modulation. To overcome this challenge, we propose a construction method for the optical polarized orthogonal matrix (OPOM), which is not constrained by the number of orthogonal combinations. Furthermore, we experimentally validate its application in high-dimensional multiplexing of polarization holography. We explore polarization holography technology, capable of recording amplitude, phase, and polarization, for the purpose of recording and selective reconstruction of polarization multi-channels. Our research reveals that, despite identical polarization states, multiple images can be independently manipulated within distinct polarization channels through orthogonal polarization combinations, owing to the orthogonal selectivity among information. By selecting the desired combination of input polarization states, the reconstructed image can be switched with negligible crosstalk. This non-square matrix composed of polarization unit vectors provides prospects for multi-channel information retrieval and dynamic display, with potential applications in optical communication, optical storage, logic devices, anti-counterfeiting, and optical encryption.

A quantitative prediction method utilizing whole omics data for biosensing

Omics data provide a plethora of quantifiable information that can potentially be used to identify biomarkers targeting the physiological processes and ecological phenomena of organisms. However, omics data have not been fully utilized because current prediction methods in biomarker construction are susceptible to data multidimensionality and noise. We developed OmicSense, a quantitative prediction method that uses a mixture of Gaussian distributions as the probability distribution, yielding the most likely objective variable predicted for each biomarker. Our benchmark test using a transcriptome dataset revealed that OmicSense achieves accurate and robust prediction against background noise without overfitting. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that OmicSense preferentially utilized hub nodes of the network, indicating the interpretability of the method. Application of OmicSense to single-cell transcriptome, metabolome, and microbiome datasets confirmed high prediction performance (r > 0.8), suggesting applicability to diverse scientific fields. Given the recent rapidly expanding availability of omics data, the developed prediction tool OmicSense, can accelerate the use of omics data as a “biosensor” based on an assemblage of potential biomarkers.

X-CT Reconstruction as a Tool for Monitoring the Conservation State and Decay Processes of Works of Art and in Support of Restoration and Conservation Strategies

X-ray Computed Tomography (X-CT) is now an established technique for the investigation and diagnostics of Cultural Heritage. Its advantages include non-invasiveness, non-destructiveness, and the possibility of exploring the inner parts of an object without any modification. X-CT is often employed to investigate the construction methods of complex artifacts made with different parts or materials, but it is also able to support the analysis, intervention, monitoring and enhancement processes of artworks, creating digital models that can aid in the conservation and restoration procedures. In this work, several case studies are presented in which the CT technique has been decisive in identifying the effects of time and the events that occurred during the object’s life influencing its state of conservation. These range from large objects, such as an 18th century CE writing cabinet or an ancient Egyptian wooden coffin, to very small artifacts, like Mesopotamian lapis lazuli beads or fragments of Roman colored glass. Additionally, the results obtained by µ-CT investigations on the conservation state of a bronze arrowhead uncovered from the Urama-chausuyama mounded tomb (Japan, Kofun period, end of the 3rd century CE) are presented here for the first time. Lastly, the versatility of the technique when applied with different setups is highlighted.

Prognostic impact of clinical and genetic factors on delayed elimination of methotrexate in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background. Methotrexate (MTX) in high doses (1000–5000 mg/m2), occupies one of the leading places in modern programs of therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. Achievement of high long-term survival rates in children with ALL has become possible thanks to this drug. However, no less important problem is the toxicity of the treatment and prediction of its efficacy and safety, in this regard, the role of pharmacogenetic studies in the identification of polymorphisms in candidate genes affecting the pharmacokinetics of MTX is increasing.Objective. To determine predictors of delayed elimination of methotrexate using pharmacokinetic biomarkers in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.Materials and methods. We prospectively analyzed the database of pediatric patients with ALL within the framework of an observational (cohort) singlecenter study. The study included 124 children diagnosed with ALL who received therapy according to the ALL-IC BFM 2009 protocol including high-dosed MTX. Real-time PCR method was used to study polymorphisms of ABCB1 and SLCO1B1 genes. The study material was peripheral blood. Statistical analysis ofpharmacogenetic biomarkers influence on toxicity and efficacy of therapy was performed using SPSS Statistics 26.0 program (USA). To form mathematical prognostic models, we used the method of logistic function construction using binary logistic regression with step-by-step selection of factors and, if necessary, additional construction of ROC-curves with subsequent ROC-analysis. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05; at p ≥ 0.05, differences were considered unlikely and statistically insignificant.Results. Based on the results of the conducted complex analysis of efficacy and safety of high-dosed MTX therapy, a reliable (p < 0.001) prognostic model with high sensitivity, specificity and efficacy (>70 %, respectively) was developed, demonstrating the interrelationships of clinical and genetic factors influencing the delay of MTX elimination in children with ALL, which confirms the necessity of implementing pharmacogenetic testing in real clinical practice.Conclusion. Determination of polymorphisms of genes providing transport and metabolism of cytostatics should be used in practical work of oncohematological clinics for individualization of therapy and ensuring its safety.

A machine learning model the prediction of athlete engagement based on cohesion, passion and mental toughness

Athlete engagement is influenced by several factors, including cohesion, passion and mental toughness. Machine learning methods are frequently employed to construct predictive models as a result of their high efficiency. In order to comprehend the effects of cohesion, passion and mental toughness on athlete engagement, this study utilizes the relevant methods of machine learning to construct a prediction model, so as to find the intrinsic connection between them. The construction and comparison methods of predictive models by machine learning algorithms are investigated to evaluate the level of predictive models in order to determine the optimal predictive model. The results show that the PSO-SVR model performs best in predicting athlete engagement, with a prediction accuracy of 0.9262, along with low RMSE (0.1227), MSE (0.0146) and MAE (0.0656). The prediction accuracy of the PSO-SVR model exhibits an obvious advantage. This advantage is mainly attributed to its strong generalization ability, nonlinear processing ability, and the ability to optimize and adapt to the feature space. Particularly noteworthy is that the PSO-SVR model reduces the RMSE (7.54%), MSE (17.05%), and MAE (3.53%) significantly, while improves the R2 (1.69%), when compared to advanced algorithms such as SWO. These results indicate that the PSO-SVR model not only improves the accuracy of prediction, but also enhances the reliability of the model, making it a powerful tool for predicting athlete engagement. In summary, this study not only provides a new perspective for understanding athlete engagement, but also provides important practical guidance for improving athlete engagement and overall performance. By adopting the PSO-SVR model, we can more accurately identify and optimise the key factors affecting athlete engagement, thus bringing far-reaching implications for research and practice in sport science and related fields.

Higher Education Level Assessment Method and Implementation Using Multimedia Big Data Feature Extraction

With the rise of a new round of scientific and technological updates and changes, the application of multimedia big data is gradually used in all walks of life. Based on the characteristics of multimedia big data, this paper proposes the construction method and realization path of higher education evaluation method. By analyzing the characteristics of higher education evaluation methods and the application of multimedia big data in higher education evaluation, this paper determines the indicators in the higher education evaluation system from four dimensions. The weights of the indicators at all levels are determined through the entropy weighting method. Finally, this paper empirically tests the comprehensive evaluation method of higher education and proposes feasible measures while analyzing the evaluation results. This study provides useful guidance for the development of a perfect higher education evaluation system.

Long Term Performance of Sustainable Concrete Pavement Preservation Strategies in Canada

Rigid pavement preservation and rehabilitation strategies for high traffic volume roads are important sustainable methods of extending the life of our concrete roadways. In 1989, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) undertook the rehabilitation of an exposed concrete pavement exhibiting various distresses. The existing pavement, originally constructed in 1963, consisted of 230 mm mesh reinforced Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavement with dowelled joints at a spacing of 21.3 m. The preservation strategies used on the northbound lanes, which had experienced moderate deterioration, consisted of using sustainable concrete pavement restoration (CPR) techniques, material specifications and construction methods, which included full depth repair, partial depth repair, diamond grinding and joint sealant replacement. The rehabilitation strategy selected for southbound lanes was a 180 mm thick plain jointed unbonded PCC overlay to address the severe 'D' cracking and spalling at all the joints and cracks. This paper will identify the sustainable concrete pavement preservation strategies using the pavement sustainability rating system – GreenPave. It will also discuss the pavement preservation strategies and their long term performance evaluation in terms of roughness measurements, frictional resistance measured, and pavement condition ratings. Overall, the 22 year performance of these preserved and rehabilitated concrete pavements has been good with acceptable levels of ride quality, frictional resistance and distress propagation.

A Road Map for Research and Implementation of Freeze-Thaw Resistant Highway Concrete

The freeze thaw (F-T) durability of portland cement concrete (PCC) is a function of the exposure condition, concrete saturation, and the quality of the paste, aggregate, and air-void system. Unfortunately, the interplay of these variables is not well characterized. Because of this, most current specifications use a “one size fits all” approach to designing and specifying F-T durability, an approach that does not address the performance of modern materials, construction methods, and local exposure conditions. In some cases this leads to overdesign of concrete that wastes money and resources. In other cases key performance criteria may be missed that shortens the service life of a highway structure, such as a pavement, bridge element, etc. This paper outlines a road map for research and implementation leading to highway concrete design and specification for F-T durability. The proposed implementation is to consider the local exposure, design life, allowable risk, available materials, construction practices, and maintenance procedures as inputs to the design of the project. This decision making process will help design engineers address the critical FT variables and provide a robust approach to obtaining F-T durability that can be tailored to the needs of the project. All details of this approach are not provided as they are still being established through ongoing or proposed research. Instead, this paper establishes the need, outlines the framework for this approach, and initiates the discussion of what critical details are needed and how they might be obtained.

Characterization of Clay Shock Slurry and Its Safety Risk Control in Shield Crossing Project

To investigate the mechanism by which clay shock slurry fills excavation gaps and reduces ground layer deformation during shield tunneling, we conducted a study using the project example of Beijing Metro Line 19 from Youanmenwai Station to Niujie Station, which passes through Guang’anmennei Station to CaiShiKou Station of Beijing Metro Line 7 at a close distance. We employed physical and mechanical testing, numerical simulation calculations, and other methods to examine the deformation law and mechanism of the clay shock method in shield tunneling construction. Our results indicate that (1) as the mass concentration of clay shock slurry increases, its permeability decreases significantly; at a mass concentration of 400 kg/m3, clay shock slurry can prevent synchronous grouting slurry from flowing forward, providing optimal filling and support for excavation gaps. (2) Clay shock slurry can reduce friction between the shield shell and soil body by 50%, avoiding super-consolidation, shear damage, and volumetric expansion of the surrounding soil body. (3) Radial grouting with a two-fluid slurry of cement–water glass at a 1:1 ratio within 15 rings after shield tail removal effectively reduces settlement of the existing tunnel. (4) Numerical simulations demonstrate that using clay shock slurry to fill shield tunnel gaps not only significantly reduces construction settlement but also effectively inhibits strata displacement along the tunnel axis.