Building Resilience Research Articles

Fragility functions for low‐damage post‐tensioned timber frames

AbstractThe growing concern over environmental impact and the significant improvement in the quality of engineered wood products have led to the rapid growth of the timber building industry in the last decades. Although traditional, yet recent, mass timber structural systems, such as cross‐laminated timber walls, can provide satisfactory seismic performance during earthquakes in terms of life‐safety, the crucial need for more resilient timber buildings has prompted the development of low‐damage high‐performance self‐centring and dissipative solutions based on unbonded post‐tensioned hybrid connections, referred to as Pres‐Lam technology. The flexibility of design and construction speed, combined with the enhanced seismic performance, create a unique potential towards an earthquake‐proof sustainable building system. Despite the growing popularity of the technology, a comprehensive framework for the fragility analysis, to be used in risk and loss modelling applications, has not yet been developed for both component and building levels.This article aims to develop a framework for assessing the fragility curves of moment‐resisting Pres‐Lam frame systems, at both structural system and connection levels, by using and comparing different approaches that involve nonlinear static (pushover) and time history dynamic analyses. A Python‐based parametric workflow was developed to evaluate fragility curves for a wide range of case‐study buildings. Particularly, three distinct structures were selected, and their fragility curves were evaluated utilizing alternative methodologies at a building structural‐system level. Finally, fragility models were fitted for individual structural connections using the results of time‐history analyses. These models are intended for use in a component‐based loss assessment.

Building Resilience through Territorial Planning: Water Management Infrastructure and Settlement Design in the Coastal Wetlands of Northern Apulia (Salpia vetus-Salapia) from the Hellenistic Period to Late Antiquity

This Gulf of Manfredonia has, for millennia, been the primary water feature of the coastal wetland of Northern Apulia, Italy, although modern reclamation works make writing its long-term history challenging. Our recent paleoenvironmental research has reconstructed the evolution of the southern half of this lagoon since the Neolithic period. Here, we write a history of water management and environmental change in this landscape from the perspective of two key urban sites: pre-Roman Salpia vetus and Roman Salapia. The Roman architectural historian Vitruvius recounts the abandonment of Salpia vetus and the refoundation of Salapia. We employ his narrative as a frame for a more complex environmental history, starting from a historiography of this landscape’s study and a summary of our interdisciplinary research agenda, which unifies environmental, topographical, remote sensing, and archaeological approaches. Resilience in this changeable wetland environment was only possible through an integrated and intentional management of water among rivers, the lagoon, and the Adriatic Sea. While Salpia vetus exploited this wetland and thrived for centuries, the settlement eventually collapsed due to human and environmentally impelled factors. Roman Salapia subsequently emerged with a different approach, new infrastructure, and a new location. This blueprint would sustain urban life in this wetland for six centuries and lay the groundwork for the Medieval town.

Peer-to-peer leadership of physical activity in the New Zealand school-based setting: an exploration of student leader perspectives

ABSTRACT This study explored the perceptions of peer leaders participating in a peer-led physical activity (PA) initiative where student leaders conduct fitness classes for their peers. Thirty-eight participants aged 9–13 from four New Zealand elementary and middle schools were surveyed using an online questionnaire gathering both qualitative and quantitative data. Student leaders viewed the experience positively, despite the physical challenges involved, and many reported increased fitness or PA levels. Provision of regular school practice time, teacher input, and resources from the outside provider were key. The task of leading their peers placed the leaders in a supportive yet anxiety-provoking environment, which presented valuable opportunities to teach them resilience-building skills. To fully leverage the programme’s potential impact, connections to a range of curriculum learning objectives could offer more meaningful learning experiences, including resilience building, generating understanding of the benefits of PA, and developing the skills involved in group work and leadership.

A framework for appraising the status of disaster resilience within the multi-hazard environment of coastal Bangladesh

Fostering resilience is widely acknowledged as a crucial strategy for mitigating the escalating risks posed by climate-related disasters around the world. Resilience assessment plays a vital role in this endeavour by assessing the baseline level of resilience, identifying the key resilience factors, and monitoring progress towards building resilience with time. Given this context, and considering the evolving conceptualization of resilience, we devised a framework for appraising the status of resilience across the coastal region of Bangladesh. Our framework represents a significant scholarly contribution, as it encompasses a broad spectrum of resilience dimensions, including stability, recoverability, and transformability. To operationalize this framework, we selected thirty context-specific variables and organized them systematically around these three overarching components. Employing a simple weighted average methodology, we constructed sub-indices for each component, which were subsequently aggregated into a composite resilience index. For spatial visualization, our findings were mapped in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Our analysis revealed Chattogram, Barguna, and Khulna as the most resilient districts. This manifests the potential for resilience enhancement even within areas exposed and inherently sensitive to multiple hazards through the optimal use of available resources. Notably, in the trio of districts, Barguna exhibited the highest stability index score, Chattogram showcased the highest recoverability score, and Khulna emerged with the top transformability index score. This finding underscores the significance of incorporating diverse capacities in resilience frameworks. These insights offer valuable guidance for refining resilience assessment frameworks in other developing countries of the world. Furthermore, the outcomes of our assessment can serve as a baseline for the coastal administrators of Bangladesh while developing disaster management policies and actions centering around fostering resilient communities. Thus, our study not only contributes to disaster theory, but holds practical implications for evidence-based decision-making to secure a more resilient future of the coastal communities of Bangladesh.

Development and Validation of Carbon Footprint Awareness Scale for Boosting Sustainable Circular Economy

This study aims to create and validate the Carbon Footprint Awareness Scale, which is designed to measure individuals’ awareness of their environmental impact through greenhouse gas emissions and represented as carbon dioxide equivalents. The scale consists of 19 items on a 5-point Likert scale, which are organized around five key areas: transportation (3 items), fuel consumption (3 items), electricity use (5 items), food consumption (5 items), and waste management (3 items). Expert evaluations and a pilot study confirmed the content validity of the scale. A sample of 553 Gen Z participants was analyzed using reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with AMOS and SPSS to establish the scale’s construct validity and reliability. The results show a solid factor structure with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86) and an explained variance of 56.09%. A second sample (n = 612) was used to confirm the findings, further supporting the scale’s psychometric robustness and effectiveness in evaluating carbon footprint awareness in individuals aged 18 and over. This innovative tool not only supports rigorous scientific inquiry into individual carbon footprints but also empowers individuals to play an active role in global efforts to mitigate climate change. By fostering awareness, informing decision making, and promoting sustainable behaviors, the Individual Carbon Footprint Scale contributes to building resilience and sustainability in communities worldwide, ensuring a healthier planet for present and future generations.

Building Resilient Supply Chains with Intelligent Automation

Building Resilient Supply Chains with Intelligent Automation represents a transformative approach to modern supply chain management, focusing on optimizing operations through the integration of advanced technologies, data analytics, and process automation. In an increasingly complex and competitive global market, these solutions offer a framework to enhance efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness across the entire supply chain from procurement to final delivery. This paper explores the core components of Intelligent Automation, including data integration, supply chain visibility, inventory and demand management, and process automation. However, implementing these systems also presents challenges such as overcoming data silos, managing supply chain complexity, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Intelligent Automation in supply chains, emphasizing their benefits, challenges, and the critical role they play in the evolution of supply chain management in today's dynamic business environment. Keyword: Supply Chain, Advance Logistics, Courier Management, Supply Solution, Automation, Demant Management

Reconceptualising graduate resilience – an integrated multi-level framework for future research

This paper draws on Bourdieusian social theory to reconceptualise graduate resilience in post-industrial societies to provide a fresh perspective on a concept that has gained increasing prominence in recent years. Through a review of sociological critiques of resilience, this paper argues that graduate resilience is a complex social phenomenon shaped by a range of factors, including material and social resources. In response, we propose an integrated multi-level framework that identifies different stages of graduate resilience, in the context of early transitions into the labour market, and how these stages are shaped at the micro, meso, and macro levels. This framework places resilience in the context of neo-liberalism and highlights structural barriers that hinder the building and signalling of graduate resilience. We argue that the framework enables current representations and understandings of graduate resilience within research, policy, and practice to be problematised and provides a critical starting point for advancing understanding.

Preparing for general practice in a remote and rural setting

General practice uniquely offers the opportunity to work in a wide variety of settings across the UK. Practicing in remote and rural settings provides opportunities to work in picturesque landscapes, develop additional clinical skills, and make a difference to the lives of people in a close community. GPs working in these areas face challenges such as isolation and building resilience is needed for a sustainable career. Clinicians interested in rural medicine will have varying levels of experience prior to practicing in this setting and the need for preparation will differ according to experience. Remote and rural areas vary, for example by accessibility, infrastructure, and community needs, so preparation will need to take account of these factors. This article provides guidance for those GPs preparing for a placement or work as a GP in a remote, rural setting.

Multi-experimental seismic analysis of low-rise thin reinforced concrete wall building with unconnected elastomeric isolators using real-time hybrid simulations

In response to the pressing need for housing and streamlining construction processes, the building industry has embraced innovative construction techniques. One such method, known as the Industrialized Housing Construction (IHC) system, departs from traditional framing systems by utilizing thin-reinforced concrete walls (TRCW). These TRCWs, characterized by high flowability and rapid strength gain, enable quick and efficient monolithic construction of walls and slabs. However, challenges have arisen regarding the structural behavior of these elements, potentially compromising their seismic performance. Given the significant seismic risk, there is a compelling need to develop resilient buildings by using this cost-efficient structural system. This study proposes the use of passive control systems such as base isolation to address this problem. While base isolation has proven effective in other countries, its feasibility in structures using TRCW and its performance during actual seismic events warrants further investigation. This paper presents an innovative approach using Multi-Axial Real-Time Hybrid Simulation (M-RTHS), which combines numerical and experimental components to gain deeper insights into the seismic response of low-rise TRCW buildings with base isolation using unconnected fiber-reinforced elastomeric isolators (U-FREIs). The methodology is detailed and includes the division of the structure into numerical and experimental segments and the use of transfer systems to replicate real seismic excitations, including those from El Centro (USA, 1940), Pizarro (Colombia, 2004), Chihuahua (Mexico, 2013), Loma Prieta (USA, 1989), and Kobe (Japan, 1995), with a maximum amplitude of 7.36 [Formula: see text] (0.75 g). The results highlight a remarkable reduction in upper structure floor drifts of over 57.47%, the characterization of the behavior and energy dissipation of each experimental specimen, and the optimal evaluation of M-RTHS. This research paves the way for improving the seismic resistance of buildings in regions prone to seismic activity, especially those using innovative construction methods such as TRCW.

Psychological Interventions and Those With Elements of Positive Psychology for Child and Youth Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Literature Review, Lessons Learned, and Areas for Future Knowledge Dissemination.

There was a marked decline in child and teenage mental health worldwide during the pandemic, with increasing prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Research indicates that positive psychological interventions may be beneficial for mental health. The aims of this review were to evaluate positive psychological interventions for child and youth mental health implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess overall effectiveness for mental health and knowledge. We undertook a literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for all eligible studies on digital and hybrid in-person psychological interventions for youth mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A particular emphasis was placed on positive psychological interventions or interventions that had components of positive psychology, including gratitude, acceptance, positive emotions, or resilience building. A total of 41 interventions were included in this review. Most of the interventions were digital. Overall, most of the interventions assisted with one or more mental health or psychological indicators, such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, stress, and resilience. However, findings were mixed when it came to targeting both depression and anxiety together. The interventions that promoted youth mental health most often had a range of diverse positive psychology components and were evidence based. Not all studies measured changes in mindfulness. Few studies examined knowledge acquired on mental health self-care, managing mental health problems, knowledge of positive psychological techniques, mindfulness knowledge, or mental health self-efficacy. Diverse multicomponent interventions appear to assist with youth mental health overall, although their effects on both depression and anxiety are less clear. There is also a need for more research on knowledge gains to determine whether the interventions improved knowledge on mental health-supportive behaviors, which may be sustained beyond the intervention. Finally, more studies need to evaluate whether the interventions assisted with increasing self-efficacy for practicing positive psychological techniques as well as changes in mindfulness levels. Future studies should not only assess effectiveness for mental health outcomes but also assess knowledge translation, with valid measures of knowledge and self-efficacy for mental health-supportive behaviors and positive psychological skills acquired (eg, the ability to practice mindfulness).

Global economic impact of weather variability on the rich and the poor

AbstractTemperature and precipitation variability and extremes impact production globally. These production disruptions will change with future warming, impacting consumers locally as well as remotely through supply chains. Due to a potentially nonlinear economic response, trade impacts are difficult to quantify; empirical assessments rather focus on the direct inequality impacts of weather extremes. Here, simulating global economic interactions of profit-maximizing firms and utility-optimizing consumers, we assess risks to consumption resulting from weather-induced production disruptions along supply chains. Across countries, risks are highest for middle-income countries due to unfavourable trade dependence and seasonal climate exposure. We also find that risks increase in most countries under future climate change. Global warming increases consumer risks locally and through supply chains. However, high-income consumers face the greatest risk increase. Overall, risks are heterogeneous regarding income within and between countries, such that targeted local and global resilience building may reduce them.

Building resilience and sustainability in small businesses enterprises through sustainable venture capital investment in sub-Saharan Africa

Building resilience and sustainability in small businesses enterprises through sustainable venture capital investment in sub-Saharan Africa

Nurturing the Teaching Soul: An Investigation on How Participation in Online Communities and Social Networks Boosts Academics Well-being, Professional Satisfaction, and Resilience

This study explores how online community and social network participation impact academics' well-being, professional satisfaction, and resilience. It aims to provide insights into the role of digital platforms in nurturing the teaching soul, a concept encompassing academics' intrinsic motivation, passion, and emotional commitment to their profession. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the research involved interviews with 13 administrators and 43 lecturers from 10 Ugandan universities, totalling 56 participants. The study employed a semi-structured interview guide developed based on social constructivism, focusing on online interactions' collaborative and supportive nature. Data were analyzed using NVivo 12 through thematic coding, with themes developed iteratively to ensure mutual exclusivity and address potential overlaps. The study identified three main themes: Supportive online communities, professional growth and satisfaction, and resilience building. The findings highlight the positive impact of online communities on various aspects of academics' professional lives. The study contributes to understanding how digital platforms can be harnessed to support and enhance academics' well-being, satisfaction, and resilience. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts and the effectiveness of specific online community practices. Practical recommendations include developing targeted university policies to leverage online communities for professional development and well-being initiatives, ensuring that these digital tools are effectively integrated into academics' professional lives.

Resilience Building in Indian Adolescents

The study examined the resilience of Indian adolescents, specifically exploring the variations in resilience characteristics between genders. The study investigated a sample of 124 adolescents from the Khordha district. The descriptive statistics indicated that there were moderate levels of resilience observed in all categories, and there were no significant differences between males and female adolescents. The results also indicated that gender does not have a significant effect on resilience characteristics. This challenges the initial belief that boys would exhibit better levels of resilience in some areas. The results are consistent with previous research indicating that resilience is affected by a range of external and intervention- related factors, rather than being only determined by gender. Research studies emphasize the efficacy of focused interventions and support structures in bolstering resilience, as exemplified by inner-city programs and institutional care settings. In summary, the study suggests that resilience is a dynamic process influenced by several factors, not limited to gender.

The 2023 wildfires in British Columbia, Canada: Impacts, drivers, and transformations to coexist with wildfire

In 2023, all regions of British Columbia (BC) experienced record-breaking fire weather and wildfires, with extreme behaviour and social-ecological effects. In total, 2,245 wildfires burned 2,840,545 hectares. Contemporary wildfires are the culmination of a century of altered human-forest-wildfire relationships, exacerbated by climate change. Transformative change is urgently needed for the ecosystems and communities to be resilient to wildfire. We present six interrelated strategies needed to amplify the pace and scale of change in response to recent wildfire extremes: (1) Immediately diversify wildfire response strategies and restore the ecological and cultural role of fire in BC’s ecosystems. (2) Invest in suppression capacity at local and national scales. (3) Support innovations to overcome the economic barriers for mitigating risk and building resilience within communities and the WUI. (4) Apply landscape fire management to drive a paradigm shift in forest management to increase ecological resilience to wildfire. (5) Transform wildfire governance to support collaborative and community-based solutions. (6) Strengthen expertise and capacity to uplift diverse ways of knowing, managing, and coexisting with fire. These strategies, combined with bold policy and governance changes and supported by sustained funding programs, provide a holistic approach to transform management and coexist with wildfire.

An Investigation into Building Functional Failures in Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria

Functional failures and faults are regular occurrences in buildings and construction industries. The rate of building collapse in Nigeria has increased dramatically over the last decade and shows no signs of abating which has led to massive losses causing loss of physical properties, destruction of movable properties, injury, and loss of life. Beyond this, building collapse always has far-reaching economic, financial, psychological, and sociological implications. This study reported the causes of functional failures of buildings in Akure South Local Government Area, Nigeria. As a result, this study aimed to investigate the causes of functional failures in buildings and their impact on the quality and functionality of a building to build a theoretical framework that can help address the functional failures in buildings. The study utilized a questionnaire-based survey in the Akure South Local Government area. Data was collected from residents occupying the buildings. Information obtained includes the type of building and the current physical condition of the houses they live in, and 90 responses were collected and analyzed. The analysis identified six factors of functional failures in buildings investigated; damp 30%, cracks 50%, poor plumbing 45%, poor electrical wiring 35%, roofing defects 25% and Inadequate maintenance 70% and four causes of building failures; poor construction materials 32.7%, human errors 20.7%, natural disasters 12.4%, and a combination of the three factors 34.2%. Based on the findings, the results showed that the combination of the three factors was the most significant cause of building functional failures in the Akure South LGA, while natural disasters were the least significant cause. To mitigate the functional failures in buildings, it is important to enforce stringent regulations and standards by involving Governmental bodies (architectural Engineers and structural Engineers) to check building drawings and structural analysis report properly and correctly before design approvals, conduct regular inspections and internal audits, to help detect and rectify errors and maintaining standards throughout the construction process in order to enhance the quality, safety, and resilience of buildings, ensuring their functionality and longevity.

Evaluating seismic resilience of steel buildings: integrating soil-structure interaction and ensemble modeling approaches

Evaluating seismic resilience of steel buildings: integrating soil-structure interaction and ensemble modeling approaches

Quantifying and Rating the Energy Resilience Performance of Buildings Integrated with Renewables in the Nordics under Typical and Extreme Climatic Conditions

The future buildings and society need to be resilient. This article aims to propose a novel concept of the energy resilience framework and implement a color-based rating system to quantify and rate the energy resilience performance of buildings in Nordic climates. The objective is to conduct a comparative analysis between old (1970s) and new (2020s) single-family buildings integrated with renewable energy sources and storage, assessing their energy resilience performance for heating during power outages, under extreme and typical climatic conditions. The study utilizes dynamic simulation of the buildings and renewable energy systems, conducting parametric studies to calculate proposed resilience indicators and rate their resilience performance, employing both passive and active methods. The total costs of the design variables are also calculated for economic evaluation. Given the complexities arising from climate change, the article uses a simplified method to synthesize regional climate to consider extreme climate change impacts on energy resilience performance. For the old building lacking PV, the robustness duration increased from 1 h to 3 h, and the degree of disruption (DoD) varied from 0.545 to 0.3 in extreme cold to warm climate scenarios, with the higher DoD number indicating worse performance. The impact of the season within the same climate scenario is also evident, as the habitability and robustness durations increased during spring compared to winter. The resilience improved with PV and battery. The new building showed that the robustness duration increased from 3 to 15 h, habitability durations increased, and the DoD varied from 0.496 to 0.22 from extreme cold to warm climates without renewables and storage. With the integration of PV and battery, the new building was able to achieve a lower DoD and better performance with lower PV and battery capacity, compared to the old building. Furthermore, utilizing the color grading method (red to green), optimal technical solutions and corresponding design variables were identified for each building type and climate scenario that could support decision-making. The total cost of the optimal solutions varied, as new buildings required lower costs to reach optimal performance. However, for optimal resilience performance during extreme cold climate scenarios, higher costs are required for each building type. The proposed resilience framework, indicators, color grading system, and costing could potentially support improvements in building regulations, ensuring the development of optimally resilient buildings, particularly in the face of extreme climatic conditions.

Analysis of the drivers and barriers influencing artificial intelligence for tackling climate change challenges

PurposeFacilities management (FM) organizations are pivotal in enhancing the resilience of buildings against climate change impacts. While existing research delves into the adoption of digital technologies by FM organizations, there exists a gap regarding the specific utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) to address climate challenges. This study aims to investigate the drivers and barriers influencing the adoption and utilization of AI by South African FM organizations in mitigating climate change challenges.Design/methodology/approachThis study focuses on South Africa, a developing nation grappling with climate change’s ramifications on its infrastructure. Through a combination of systematic literature review and an online questionnaire survey, data was collected from representatives of 85 professionally registered FM organizations in South Africa. Analysis methods employed include content analysis, Relative Importance Index (RII), and Total Interpretative Structural Modeling (TISM).FindingsThe findings reveal that regulatory compliance and a responsible supply chain serve as critical drivers for AI adoption among South African FM organizations. Conversely, policy constraints and South Africa’s energy crisis emerge as major barriers to AI adoption in combating climate change challenges within the FM sector.Originality/valueThis study contributes to existing knowledge by bridging the gap in understanding how AI technologies are utilized by FM organizations to address climate challenges, particularly in the context of a developing nation like South Africa. The research findings aim to inform policymakers on fostering a conducive environment for FM organizations to harness AI in fostering climate resilience in built assets.

Psychological Preconditions of Conflict Proneness of Personality and Mental Health: The Role of Self-Regulation, Emotional Intelligence and Mutual Understanding in The Context of Interpersonal Relations

This study aims at the investigation of psychological preconditions of conflict proneness in personality and mental health, with a specific focus on the roles of self-regulation, emotional intelligence, and mutual understanding. The research was oriented towards the application of qualitative methodology, particularly the analysis of transcripts of interview sessions. The findings showed that psychological preconditions of conflict proneness exist in professional, educational, and personal settings. Self-regulation, mutual understanding, and emotional intelligence were found to be important qualities which help to avoid conflicts. They contribute to increased motivation for conflict-less communication and interaction, cooperation, flexibility, improvement of active listening and problem solving, increased patience, formation of stress management skills, constructive feedback, reflective thinking, and building resilience. The special attention was paid towards the development of special strategies aimed at overcoming conflict proneness. The research findings demonstrated that the strategies include formation of communication skills, development of emotional intelligence and conflict management skills, improvement of active listening, building of stress management, development of team building activities, definition of responsibilities, creation of supporting environment, organization of immediate feedback, establishment of open communication, promotion of respect, creation of rituals, and encouragement of empathy. The outcomes can be used for the development of curriculum on the formation of conflict resolution skills.