Design Practice Research Articles

Locating critical play on Roblox: glitching and (re)placement as methods of public access and transnational belonging

ABSTRACT This connective ethnographic case study highlights how three Brazilian immigrant children (ages 6–8) engaged in critical play on an online gaming platform called Roblox. Specifically, we examine how participants navigated and interacted in a Roblox minigame titled, Brookhaven. Brookhaven is a type of virtual domestic role-play in which players perform aspects of daily life with avatars in a digital town. Thinking with theories of critical play, restorying, and transnational childhoods, this paper considers how participants leveraged sociotechnical skills with their transnational experiences and imaginaries to build community in a mononational and ideologically precarious playspace. Our findings demonstrate how the children engaged in glitching and (re)placement practices to forward justice-oriented play across digital and analog contexts. Implications for this study advocate for assets-based explorations of young users’ play-based design practices that affirm and value their existence.

Calligraphy Art in Contemporary Packaging Design

Traditional culture plays a vital role in packaging design. This article explores how to incorporate the elements of small seal characters into the packaging design of stationery products to show its unique cultural heritage and artistic charm. Based on the importance of traditional culture and the cultural value of stationery brands, this article analyzes the artistic interpretation of small seal characters and their historical application in packaging design to explore the cultural connotations of existing stationery packaging design. By analyzing the problems existing in the packaging design of stationery products and finding solutions to the problems, this article explores how to combine the small seal characters with modernization in the packaging of stationery products through innovative design techniques, and finally completes the practice of stationery packaging design that meets the aesthetic needs of young people. It is hoped that this example will be used to try to achieve the purpose of enhancing the market competitiveness, economic value and aesthetic value of stationery products.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Practice of Architectural Design

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Practice of Architectural Design

Embracing Minimalism: A Guide to Modern Graphic Design Practices

Over time, the practice of graphic design has been undergoing progressive changes so much so that various authorities have come up with various specifications. There are various types of graphic designs amongst which are web design, user interface and user experience design, advertising and marketing design, game design, motion graphics, cartoons and animations, illustrations and typography, and publication design to mention but a few. This topic extrapolates the nuances of a minimalist approach to modern graphic design and in this essay; the word “graphics” has been used as a generic term that encapsulates corporate designs of items such as news magazines, journals, annual reports, calendars, book cover designs and such like. The objective of this research is to bring to the fore and compartmentalize the various stages of the minimalist approach to creating a cutting-edge modest design. The research methodology employed for this study is studio-based and practice-led, the survey and quasi-ethnographic study with some touch of literature review. Discussion exclusively centered on the antecedents of minimalism and steps to be taken in achieving a catchy design using the simplest techniques possible while it was concluded that it is more advantageous to adopt the minimalist approach to graphic designs with reasons rightly highlighted and expatiated on.

Enterprise Network Design and Deployment Practice based on eNSP

In recent years, with the frequent occurrence of network security incidents, the importance of enterprise network security has become increasingly prominent. The design of enterprise networks should not only meet the requirements of efficient communication, but also prioritize security to ensure the stable operation of the network. This article constructs a large-scale corporate park network, including the DMZ area and connected to the backbone network through dedicated lines. At the same time, with offices, it is necessary to achieve interconnectivity between the two networks. Based on dynamic routing protocol, IPSecVPN, VRRP and other technologies, combined with Huawei network equipment, the company has built a secure and efficient enterprise network architecture. The design content covers wireless network coverage, IPv6 support, traffic optimization, and redundant path selection to ensure stable communication between the company's campus network, offices, and the Internet, ultimately achieving a balance between security, flexibility, and reliability.

Practical Repair Cost Assessment of Steel Office Buildings with Diverse Beam-to-Column Connection Types in Japan

This study investigates the seismic performance of beam-to-column connections in Japanese steel office buildings and evaluates their impact on repair costs as part of practical seismic loss assessment. Repair cost analysis is conducted following FEMA P-58 guidelines, utilizing a probabilistic seismic performance approach. Additionally, this study incorporates the damage and loss of non-structural components, accounting for uncertainties arising from various factors. By applying story loss functions and the Capacity Spectrum Method within the assessment framework of this study, the applicability of these methods in Japanese design practices is validated. A numerical model of a typical steel building is established based on prior experimental data, and a series of numerical analyses are conducted to quantitatively assess variations in building response distribution and fragility resulting from different beam-to-column connection types. Analysis results indicate that, within the range up to maximum strength, differences in connection performance contribute more to variations in fragility than to building response. Component fragility is particularly influenced by connection type and dimensions that affect inter-story drift ratios. This approach highlights the potential cost differences driven by structural specifications and emphasizes the importance of connection-specific fragility in accurately estimating seismic repair costs in practical design. Furthermore, improvements in structural performance have limited effects in reducing non-structural damage, underscoring the necessity of directly enhancing non-structural component performance.

Studies on Strength Properties of RC Beam Column joint With Basalt Reinforcement

In recent earthquakes it Is observed that the beam column joint is more exposed to lateral loads due to which the joints undergoes severe deformations leading to yielding of the joints and the overall structure. . Poor design practices for beam-column joints are compounded by the high demand imposed by adjacent flexural members (beams and columns) as they mobilize their inelastic capabilities to dissipate load energy. Unsafe design and details in the joint region put the entire structure at risk, even if other structural elements meet the design requirements. Therefore the new material that is basalt rebar is used as reinforcement to observe the structural behaviour of the beam column joint. The experiment is conducted and the results are taken. The comparative study is done by using both steel specimens and basalt reinforced specimens. The detailing is done as per the seismic codes. The results are tabulated and graph is plotted.

Moisture dependent bending mechanical properties of Chinese fir

ABSTRACT Predicting the long-term deformation and failure of wood under varying environmental conditions is challenging due to the complex rheological behaviour of wood. In this study, the bending failure mechanism and moisture-dependent viscoelastic creep behaviours of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook.) were explored. The digital image correlation technique was used to monitor strain field changes during the bending process. The results revealed that wood in a dry state was more brittle than in a moist state. Strain field variations showed that the tensile load on the tension side primarily governs bending failure. There are distinct differences between tension and compression regions by fracture morphology analysis. The study further developed the time-moisture-stress superposition principle to integrate the effects of time, moisture, and stress on wood's creep behaviour in bending. These findings provide critical insights into how moisture affects wood’s mechanical behaviour, guiding more efficient design and manufacturing practices for long-term structural performance in the timber-construction industry.

Impact of several seismic scenarios on the dynamic responses of self-steady structures of different heights

Seismic load resistance is a crucial aspect of safety for self-stabilizing reinforced concrete (RC) structures, which are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by destructive earthquakes. These structures, often used in high seismic risk areas, require special attention to ensure their stability and durability under significant dynamic demands. This study focuses on the dynamic responses of low- and medium-rise RC buildings subjected to various seismic response spectra, including those from historic earthquakes such as El-Centro, Kobe, and Boumerdès (recorded at the Dar El-Beida station in Algeria), as well as the spectrum provided by the Algerian seismic code RPA 99/version 2003. The analysis examines three structures with 1, 3, and 6 stories to evaluate the influence of these spectra on key parameters: shear forces, maximum displacements, the ratio between dynamic and static base shear, and overturning moments. These investigations contribute to a deeper understanding of structural behavior under diverse seismic scenarios. The findings emphasize the need to complement the RPA99/v2003 code with studies based on real earthquakes to better address various structural periods and ensure optimal seismic design practices.

Research on Sustainable Intelligent Drying Wardrobe Design Strategy Based on Importance–Performance Analysis

Sustainable design concepts are design concepts that the United Nations and China have been promoting that aim to achieve environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability. In recent years, with the rise of intelligent drying wardrobes, more and more scholars have applied the concept of sustainable design to the theoretical research and design practices of intelligent drying wardrobes. But most of them focus on the research and practice of a certain functional module, while less focus on end users. This study examines users’ perceptions of the functional modules of intelligent drying wardrobes through a questionnaire. It focuses on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The research also measures users’ satisfaction and the importance of these modules using IPA. From the perspective of end users, the results show that social sustainability is the best option, followed by economic sustainability and environmental sustainability. From the enterprise point of view, the high priority of social sustainability in terms of user’s needs is highlighted. However, in response to sustainable development policy, environmental sustainability is taken as the second most important guiding factor for the development of intelligent drying wardrobe functional modules. This paper fills the current research gap on the differences in users’ perceptions of intelligent drying wardrobe design modules and prioritizes users’ perception decisions on functional modules from the perspective of sustainability, so as to provide some reference for enterprise production.

Structural Analysis of Latticed Steel Transmission Towers Subjected to Nondeterministic Wind Loads

Lattice steel towers are commonly used to support overhead power transmission lines. However, the dynamic behavior of these structures is often overlooked in current design practices. Given that many accidents involving these towers occur even at basic wind speeds lower than those specified in the project, it is likely that dynamic actions play a significant role in these failures. This study proposes a method to accurately simulate the interaction between transmission line cables and towers under non-deterministic wind loads to assess displacements and forces in the steel towers. The study examines a transmission line system consisting of towers, conductors, shield wires, and insulators, featuring a central suspension tower of 32.86 m in height, flanked by two end towers with 450 m spans. Finite element modeling was developed to account for the dynamic characteristics of the wind. Wind loads were modeled as a random process based on their statistical properties. The results revealed significant differences in displacement and force values when comparing the results provided by static and dynamic analyses. The structural design of a base leg member indicated potential failure at higher wind velocities, highlighting the importance of considering the wind dynamic effects in the design.

Seismic Fragility Analysis of Offshore Wind Turbines Considering Site-Specific Ground Responses

This study investigated the seismic performance and assessed the seismic fragility of an existing pentapod suction-bucket-supported offshore wind turbine, focusing on the amplification of earthquake ground motions. A simplified suction bucket–soil interaction model with nonlinear spring elements was employed within a finite element framework, linking the suction bucket and soil to hypothetical points on the OWT structures at the mudline. Unlike conventional approaches using bedrock earthquake records, this study utilized free-field surface motions as input, derived from bedrock ground motions through one-dimensional wave theory propagation to estimate soil-layer-induced amplification effects. The validity of the simplified model was confirmed, enabling effective assessment of seismic vulnerability through fragility curves. These curves revealed that the amplification effect increases the vulnerability of the OWT system, raising the probability of exceeding damage limit states such as horizontal displacement of the tower top, tower stress, and horizontal displacement at the mudline during small to moderate earthquakes, while decreasing this likelihood during strong earthquakes. Comparisons between the Full Model and the simplified Spring Model reveal that the simplified model reduces computational time by approximately 75%, with similar seismic response accuracy, making it a valuable tool for rapid seismic assessments. This research contributes to enhancing seismic design practices for suction-bucket-supported offshore wind turbines by employing a minimalist finite element model approach.

Effect of infill walls on the seismic performance of a severely damaged substandard RC building during the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaras earthquake sequence

On February 6, 2023, two catastrophic earthquakes with moment magnitudes of Mw 7.7 and Mw 7.6 struck southern cities of Türkiye, occurring only nine hours apart. Spectral accelerations obtained from some of the recorded ground motions exceeded the design spectrum specified in the Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBEC 2018) for the maximum credible earthquake level. This has prompted a review of seismic design practices within the framework of TBEC 2018. To address this concern, this study evaluates the performance of a reinforced concrete (RC) building with a ribbed slab that sustained heavy damage, according to official damage assessments, after the February 6th earthquake sequence. Numerical models were developed both with and without infill walls to assess their influence on the building’s response. Time history analysis and static pushover methods were used for its seismic performance assessment. Time history analyses were conducted under ground motions recorded at three different stations in close proximity to the investigated building. The inclusion of infill walls in the numerical model significantly influences the seismic performance analysis results. Peak floor accelerations of the building are determined to be higher at infilled model compared to the bare frame. The distribution of damaged columns in the actual building aligns well with the analysis results of the numerical model that includes infill walls. Notably, the numerical analysis using the ground motion record of the closest station to the building most accurately represents the actual damage distribution observed after the earthquakes. Finally, while the inclusion of infill walls in the model increases the lateral stiffness of the structure, it was also observed that displacement-dependent results obtained in the nonlinear time history analysis, such as relative story drifts, could increase depending on the selected ground motion record. This highlights the complex interaction between the infill walls, modal properties of the building, and the dynamic characteristics of the earthquake record.

Surrogate-assisted optimization under uncertainty for design for remanufacturing considering material price volatility

Remanufacturing is a well-established end-of-life (EOL) strategy that promises significant savings in energy and carbon emissions. However, the current design practices are not remanufacturing-inclusive, i.e., the majority of products are designed for a single life cycle. As a result, potential products that can sustain multiple life cycles are deprived of additional benefits of being designed for remanufacturing, such as reduced material usage, lower cost, and improved environmental impact. Moreover, the uncertainty in design, material selection, and economics are not considered to produce remanufacturable designs. Accordingly, this research proposes a design for remanufacturing (DfRem) framework that accounts for design uncertainty and material price volatility. The framework systematically explores the design space, performs design optimization under uncertainty, followed by topology optimization to provide additional mass savings, and finally, a price volatility analysis for plausible design material choices. The candidate designs are evaluated based on their design mass, material price volatility, failure mode characteristics, carbon footprint, and embodied energy impacts. The proposed framework's utility is demonstrated via the use of an engine cylinder head case study subjected to thermo-mechanical loads along with fatigue and wear failure. Considering grey cast iron and aluminum alloy as the design material choices, it was found that the cast iron design reduced the initial design mass by 6% as opposed to a 5% decrease for aluminum. On the other hand, about 8% area of the cast iron design failed due to fatigue, compared to 3% for aluminum. We further observed that although the aluminum design provided better mechanical performance than the cast iron design, this material was more expensive and volatile in price.

Minimizing Waste, Maximizing Sustainability: Analyzing Collaborative Practices Implementation Barriers in the Agri-Fresh Produce Industry

The agri-fresh produce industry confronts problems in minimizing food waste and achieving supply chain sustainability due to its complicated structure and lack of stakeholder participation. Significant food waste at numerous supply chain stages undermines the triple bottom line (Society, economy and environment) and wastes resources. Stakeholder collaboration, research, and information exchange can all help to minimize waste and improve sustainability. This study identifies barriers to implementing collaborative practices through literature analysis and expert insights and categorizes them into seven dimensions: relationship management practice, contractual and economic practice, joint practice, technological and information sharing practice, relationships management practice, and supply chain design practice. Furthermore, the grey-Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (grey-DEMATEL) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) were employed to develop an integrated framework that identifies interrelationships and prioritizes dimensions and attributes. The influence relationship diagraph helps decision-makers make policy recommendations by understanding the cause-effect interrelationships among the dimensions and their corresponding barriers. Finally, sensitivity analysis was performed to ensure that the results are robust and reduce decision-making biases.

Addressing Infrastructure Design Challenges In Constructing At-Grade Rail Crossings Near Road Intersections

At-grade rail crossings, where railway tracks intersect roadways at the same level rather than being separated by bridges or tunnels, are crucial elements of transportation infrastructure. However, these crossings create significant challenges for rail operations, particularly regarding safety and efficiency. Locating an at-grade rail crossing near a road intersection is generally discouraged due to the increased risk of train delays, reduced visibility for train operators, and the potential for train-road conflicts. While these issues are undesirable, they are sometimes unavoidable when rail infrastructure must be near or across road intersections. This study examines the design challenges of constructing at-grade rail crossings near road intersections. It provides a comprehensive review of the safety and operational concerns, including delays, conflicts, and the potential for accidents. The study also discusses existing guidelines and design practices to mitigate these challenges, offering insights into improving the efficiency and safety of at-grade rail crossings near road intersections.

Curriculum Development Process, Design Practice, and Delivery Evaluation in Chinese Universities

This study aimed to comprehensively investigate curriculum development practices in Chinese universities, focusing on the interconnected phases of development, design, and evaluation. A descriptive survey was employed to collect data from 425 administrators, teachers, and students across ten universities in Henan province. The findings revealed a moderate level of awareness among respondents regarding the significance of each stage in the curriculum development process. The study underscored the cyclical nature of curriculum development, emphasizing the interdependence of development, design, and evaluation. Curriculum development, rooted in a thorough analysis of social needs and learning contexts, serves as the foundation for establishing clear learning objectives and content selection. Design practice, the subsequent phase, translates these objectives into practical instructional strategies and innovative teaching methods. Delivery evaluation, the final component, assesses the effectiveness of curriculum implementation through student learning outcomes and teaching efficacy. The research highlights the importance of understanding these interconnected stages to optimize curriculum effectiveness and relevance. By fostering a holistic approach to curriculum development, universities can enhance student learning experiences, improve teaching practices, and ultimately contribute to the overall quality of higher education.

Awareness-Based Design

To shift beliefs, values and practices, we need to design learning experiences that can transform our inner dimension—that is, our ways of thinking, feeling and being in relation with the worlds we are a part of. With a view to promoting transformative learning (TL), we must start with becoming aware of our experiences within a social field. Given that our experience is oftentimes intangible (i.e. non-verbal, felt, relational and emergent), this paper argues that making intangible experiences visible or tangible can support TL. This research asks: How might design practice support awareness of intangible experiences during the process of transformative learning? The paper emphasizes four kinds of intangible experiences: thoughts, emotions, felt senses and sensations. The methodology brings practice-based design research to Social Presencing Theater (SPT)—and SPT to design. The SPT practices foreground an embodied, gestural and felt contribution often sidelined in design; while design brings a material and visual contribution to the embodied awareness of SPT. Awareness-based design (ABD) is the term introduced here for a design practice that learns from and engages with SPT. ABD is framed as a method-pedagogy aspiring to become a living curriculum. The set of relational, embodied and co-creative literacies, comprehensions and sensibilities outlined demonstrate how the acts of becoming aware and making sense of the intangible support the work of transformative learning.

Mitigating Temperature Effects in Curved Continuous Steel Box Girders: A Parametric Thermodynamic Analysis and Design Recommendations

Curved continuous steel box girders are extensively utilized in bridge construction due to their efficiency and environmental benefits. However, in regions with significant temperature fluctuations, temperature effects can result in cumulative deformation and stress concentration, which may severely impact structural safety and durability. This study examines the structural response of curved continuous steel box girders with five spans under diverse temperature conditions and also develops a comprehensive parameterized thermodynamic numerical model. The model assesses the influence of cross-sectional shape parameters, including the number of cross-sectional box chambers, diaphragm thickness, and height-to-width ratio, as well as longitudinal structural parameters such as planar configurations, width-to-span ratio, and support arrangements, along with the arrangement of stiffening ribs on the temperature-induced effects in the girders. The results indicate that optimizing the width and eccentricity of support stiffeners to 30% and 25%, respectively, in support plate size can significantly alleviate local temperature-induced stresses. Additionally, variations in longitudinal and transverse stiffeners manifest minimal impact on thermal performance. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for improved design and construction practices, offering practical design recommendations to mitigate temperature effects and enhance the longevity and safety of such structures.

Evaluation of Load Response in Elastomeric Bearings Through Link Element and Finite Element Modelling

Abstract: The Finite element modeling (FEM) and link element analysis of elastomeric bearings were conducted in this study to evaluate load behaviour and ensure compliance with design standards. A detailed FEM was developed, where material properties and boundary conditions were incorporated to simulate load transfer mechanisms, which were enhanced through link element analysis. Validation of results was performed against design codes and analysis software data, confirming the model's accuracy. A reliable method for optimizing elastomeric bearing design, improving structural safety, and meeting essential design checks was presented. Ten models in total were analyzed with variations, firstly the models were selected as per the design checks criteria. Then selected parameter’s output values are compared with each passed model case and then to finalize the research conducted, the data validation table has created with providing recommendations to show the suitability, aiming to improve design practices and address challenges in modern bridge engineering