Traditional Construction Technology Research Articles

Convergence between Green Technology and Building Construction in the Republic of Korea

This study examines the convergence between green technology and building construction in Korea using both input-output and network analysis from 1990 to 2015. The industry type of the input-output tables used in the Bank of Korea is reclassified into 20 categories. The analytical results are summarized as follows: First, the construction industry is expanding its production area by adopting green technologies (KRW 2245 billion → KRW 7842 billion). Second, the impact of green technologies on the growth rate of the construction industry is greater than that of traditional construction technologies (technical coefficient 0.5410 → 0.5831). Third, the results of the analysis show that smart green technology enhances efficiency in the construction industry (multiplier coefficient 2.3673 → 2.4972). Our input-output model reveals that the smart green technology coefficient input to construction is relatively small, but the output is bigger in effects. Also, the results of the input-output analysis show that both hardware and software smart technologies continuously increase energy demand. Finally, the network analysis demonstrates the rapid convergence of smart technologies in the construction industry (pathway 13 → 22). These results demonstrate that smart green technology leads to a high value-added output in the construction industry.

Empowering urban sustainability: unveiling the crucial role of project managers in attaining Sustainable Development Goal 11

PurposeThis paper explores project managers' (PMs') role in contributing to and achieving sustainability within construction projects, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 PMs working with construction firms in the UK. Thematic analysis was also performed on the qualitative data retrieved using the NVivo software.FindingsThe study’s findings revealed that PMs working on construction projects considered various sustainable construction processes in attempts to solve problems with traditional construction technology. Furthermore, it was revealed that the PM’s role was key in achieving the SDGs in general and SDG 11 in particular through the process of perfecting the client brief, ensuring the client’s financial stability and creating an environment of teamwork. In terms of specific competencies, sustainability leadership and sustainable innovative capability were revealed to suggest that a PM is the leader of change.Originality/valueThe study highlights the essential role of the PM in delivering sustainable construction projects as part of the drive to achieve SDG 11. The study impacts the construction industry in developing strategies and training programs that build PMs' competencies and skills for contributing to the world we want.

Climate change as challenges and prospects for architecture development

While the causes of climate changes remain poorly understood, their nature is undeniable. The shift in climate zone boundaries is accompanied by a rapid increase in the number and scale of extreme weather events, temperature and humidity variations. For many regions of Eurasia, climatic changes are manifested in the onset of desert and semi-desert (arid) climate zones. Extreme weather phenomena have a particularly threatening impact on urban life. For a variety of reasons, the urban environment is less resilient to weather disasters. The ways of increasing the resilience of urban environment, which are offered by the architectural mainstream, look insufficiently effective. The article substantiates the concept of using traditional and vernacular architectural and construction technologies preserved in regions with arid climate (Middle East, North Africa). Examples of successful application of traditional methods of house-building in combination with elements of the latest technologies are given.

Assessing the environmental impact of building life cycle: A carbon reduction strategy through innovative design, intelligent construction, and secondary utilization

The sustainable development of low-carbon buildings has aroused widespread concern in the whole society. This study aims to propose a three-step carbon reduction strategy based on innovative design, intelligent construction and secondary utilization, and provide a new solution for carbon reduction in the construction industry. Based on the life cycle assessment method, the system boundary and calculation model of carbon emission and carbon compensation in each stage of building life cycle are redefined, and the carbon reduction effect of the mixed three-step strategy is quantitatively analyzed through the case carbon emission data, which proves the scientific feasibility of the carbon reduction strategy in this paper. The research shows that it has a good carbon reduction effect whether it is adopting structural optimization aided design in the architectural design stage, upgrading the traditional construction technology with 3D printing intelligent construction technology, or effectively disposing of the construction waste for recycling.

Panoramic analysis of prefabricated building

Since the 21st century, China's economy has been developing rapidly. China puts forward that by 2050, a socialist modernization country will be built in an all-round way. Under this background, the development of the construction industry has become a top priority. With the improvement of industrial standards of construction enterprises, the implementation of new national policies and the development needs of the construction industry itself, the requirements for construction technology are more stringent than ever. In the face of such a situation, prefabricated construction technology undoubtedly conforms to the development of the current era. Compared with traditional construction technology, the environmental protection, cost reduction and high-tech requirements of prefabricated buildings are also in line with the national requirements for sustainable development policies and the adaptation of construction technology to modern development.

Requirements for block elements for modular construction

The article identifies the requirements applicable to modular structures based on a review of scientific papers and regulatory documentation.During the study, the requirements for modular structures in Russia were classified according to various criteria: dimensions, content, module materials, fire safety. The authors present the requirements that are estab-lished for modular structures in addition to traditional construction technologies. The rele-vance of the work is due to the low level of development of the regulatory framework for modular construction in Russia, subject to increased interest in this technology. The data pre-sented in the article allows to comprehensively consider the rules and restrictions applied to volumetric elements for modular construction. The authors also concluded that it is necessary to create a regulatory document regulating the entire list of requirements for these structures in Russia.

Research Progress of Concrete 3D Printing Technology and Its Equipment System, Material, and Molding Defect Control

The traditional construction technology not only has environmental friendly problems such as noise and dust but also has resource-saving problems such as large template quantity and low construction accuracy. In addition, the traditional construction technology has an insurmountable technical bottleneck in the construction of special-shaped buildings. Building 3D printing technology can effectively overcome many problems existing in traditional construction technology and provide unlimited possibilities for the construction of special-shaped buildings. Concrete 3D printing technology is one of the most important technical categories of building 3D printing. In this study, the research status and progress of concrete 3D technology were reviewed from the aspects of equipment system, materials, defect control, and application scenarios. On this basis, the development foreground was prospected.

Research on the Integrated Construction Technology of Cold Interval Thermal Insulation Ceiling in Cold Storage

This paper is based on the literature method, the investigation method briefly analyzes the cold storage thermal insulation ceiling traditional construction technology and specific construction requirements, on this basis discusses the cold storage thermal insulation ceiling integrated construction technology, and how to improve the cold storage thermal insulation ceiling construction quality made some Suggestions, for reference.

Nayã Ghar (A new house): Examining post-earthquake housing reconstruction issues in Nepal

Housing reconstruction is a major and critical task to be carried out in the aftermath of a disaster in developing countries. The agencies responsible for managing and implementing these programmes tend to promote the success of these interventions. Following the Bourdieusian framework, and undertaking qualitative research in the four most-affected districts in Nepal, we go beyond the narratives of a successful reconstruction programme to show how reconstruction is a complex and contested socio-political field. Despite many concerns raised, most of the participants felt the post-earthquake housing to be rāmro (nice or beautiful); however, this paradox was not dealt with sufficiently in previous studies. To understand the contradictions, our paper engages with Bourdieu's theory of habitus and symbolic capital. Our findings show that the post-earthquake reconstruction produced houses unfit for purpose. They essentially replaced vernacular design and traditional construction technologies with concrete houses that are spatially insufficient, climatically unsuitable, and practically inconvenient for everyday rural life. Moreover, our paper shows that disaster-stricken locations are not only sites for rebuilding and reconstruction, but they are also social arenas for struggles, competition, and profit maximisation. Therefore, the article builds on debates on disaster profiteering through a Bourdieusian lens. Our paper ends by recognising the limitations of the current work and by discussing the scope for future research.

Guidelines for the Implementation of Mass Customization in Affordable House-Building Projects

Mass customization (MC) is a business strategy that stands for the ability to develop high value-added products within short time frames and at relatively low costs. It emerged from the manufacturing industry and has been applied to several industrial sectors, including housing. However, the segment of affordable housing programs in developing countries has been criticized for having a high degree of product standardization, and failure to meet customers’ specific needs. The aim of this paper is to propose guidelines for implementing mass customization in affordable house-building projects. It is based on a design science research study carried out in a small-sized company, which explored the possibility of adopting mass customization ideas to offer some flexibility for customers while maintaining low costs. The main contributions of this research study are concerned with expanding the current understanding of the components that enable MC to be implemented in the context of house-building companies that adopt traditional construction technologies. From a practical perspective, this investigation outlines several practices that can be introduced for the implementation of MC strategies at a relatively low cost by small-sized house-building companies.

Interfacial bonding properties of 3D printed permanent formwork with the post-casted concrete

The rapid construction of prefabricated components of reinforced concrete structures using 3D printing concrete as a permanent formwork is a promising way to organically combine 3D printing with traditional construction technology. The bonding property of the contact interface between the 3D-printed permanent formwork and internal post-cast concrete is crucial for the 3D-printed structure to maintain the overall mechanical performance. In this study, the roughness of 3D-printed formwork (10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm) and the age difference between the formwork and post-cast concrete (1 d, 3 d, 7 d, and 14 d) were set as variables to investigate their influence on the interfacial tensile and shearing bonding properties. Additionally, computerised tomography (CT) scanning was used to visualise the meso-structure of the interfacial zones and the pore characteristics were quantified. The microstructure and hydration products of the bonding interface were detected, and the gradient structure of the interface transition zone of the 3D printing formwork was presented. A plastic limit analytical mechanical model of the interfacial shear strength was established. The results show that the tensile and shear properties of the bonding interface were the best when the layer height of the printing formwork was 20 mm, and it is recommended to cast internal concrete materials after 7 d of 3D printing formwork moulding.

Performance of Mechanized Pugged Soil Stabilized Adobe

The soil has been the most abundantly available construction material for use in human society, and it has been considered the primary material for any form of construction. Local availability and ease of handling make it one of the most energy-efficient, cost-effective, and reliable building materials for any structure. The traditional construction technology using soil has been undergoing a considerable change over a while, enhancing its quality and durability as a construction material. It has immense benefits in minimizing the impact of environmental pollution. The paper mainly focuses on comparing the strength of Soil Stabilized Adobe (SSA) (size −230 mm*108 mm*100 mm) prepared by mechanized pugging (using wet mixer grinder) and manual pugging. Compare to manual pugging, the process of mechanized pugging increases the consistency of the soil structure making it a homogenous mixture of clay, silt, sand and stabilizers. The soil considered in the study was red soil containing kaolinite type clay and has been reconstituted for 10% clay by adding M−sand. The different parameters considered in the study were: variation in pugging time (Mechanized Pugging −3min, 6 min, and 9 min and Manual Pugging −10 min and 15 min) and stabilizers (Cement alone (8%), lime alone(8%), and Combination of cement (6%) + lime (3%)). The following tests were conducted on SSA samples to study their performance: dry density, compressive strengths, water absorption and initial rate of absorption. The findings showed that, the SSA made by Mechanized pugging is more advantageous compared to Manual Pugging, as it saves time of pugging, increases the strength and consistency of the soil and reduces water absorption. Additionally, increase in pugging time improves the SSAs quality.

Construction Technology Safety Management under the Background of BIM and Information System Modeling

The construction industry is the driving force and pillar of my country’s economic development. In recent years, due to the increasing difficulty of construction and long construction period, the traditional construction technology safety management mode is no longer suitable for modern construction projects. Construction safety accidents also occur frequently and threaten The personal safety of construction workers has caused a serious negative impact on construction enterprises. The application of BIM technology and building information system has created a new management model for construction safety management in the construction industry, greatly improving the level of engineering construction safety management, and also marking the construction industry's march toward a new era of technical information.

НОВЫЙ ВЗГЛЯД НА ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ СТЕКЛОТКАНИ В СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВЕ ПРОМЫШЛЕННЫХ ДЫМОВЫХ ТРУБ

The change in the operational characteristics of reinforced concrete chimneys with a monolithic lining when changing the traditional construction technology is considered. The difference between the traditional and proposed technology is the replacement of the separating element of the concrete lining and the supporting concrete of the chimney trunk. Traditionally, when installing industrial pipes with a monolithic lining, both with the use of sliding formwork and lifting-adjustable, with almost simultaneous laying of two types of concrete, a steel mesh is used as a separating layer. It is proposed to replace the steel mesh with fiberglass with a heat-insulating coating. Thermal insulation of the "Bronya" type is considered as a multilayer thermal insulation coating. The work presents a comparative analysis of changes in the distribution of temperature fields along the chimney wall during the introduction of this technology on the example of the chimney of the Krasnoyarsk CHPP-1 h=275 m. It is proved that the replacement of steel mesh with fiberglass with a heat-insulating coating improves the physical and chemical characteristics of the structure and provides a more efficient thermal operation of the chimney. The use of this technology will also improve the organization of construction production, reduce construction time and costs, reduce the material consumption of chimney structures and the complication of work on its construction, reduce the possibility of defects and destruction. Therefore, the introduction of the proposed technology will increase the reliability and lifespan of the structures of industrial reinforced concrete chimneys with a monolithic lining

The development of green building technology

Green building has become a trend of sustainable building development in the 21st century. An important indicator to measure the development of society is the buildings index. Global requirements for buildings are also gradually improving, and the construction industry accounts for one third of the total world consumption. It is necessary to re-examine the consumption mode and ecological significance of the construction industry in the process of construction and use and abandon the traditional construction technology mode with high pollution and energy consumption. It is necessary to develop green building technology. It refers to a building technology model that has no harm to the environment which can fully utilize the environment and resources and does not destroy the basic ecological balance. In the new century, Chinese buildings should no longer follow the old development pattern of high pollution and high energy consumption. It is the only way for Chinese buildings to develop by studying green building technology and building green buildings.

Evaluating the Critical Barriers to Green Construction Technologies Adoption in China

Green construction technologies (GCTs) are important drivers of sustainable development in the construction industry. Despite a wide range of GCTs being available on the Chinese construction market, they are not yet widely popular. This study aims to evaluate the critical barriers hampering large-scale GCT adoption in China. Through a literature review, 21 barriers were identified and listed in the questionnaire survey, and 225 valid responses from 21 provinces in China were collected. The Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to verify whether different stakeholder groups perceive these barriers differently. Moreover, a comparative analysis of barriers to GCT, GBT (green building technologies), and GC (green construction) adoption was conducted. Results of statistical analyses showed that the top five barriers inhibiting GCT adoption are “lack of government incentives”, “extra costs associated with GCTs”, “dependence on traditional construction technology”, “a shortage of technological training for project staff”, and “conflicts of interest among stakeholders in GCT adoption”. Moreover, the top five factors preventing the adoption of GCTs differ from those of GBTs and GCs. This study not only provides valuable resources for stakeholders to better understand the critical factors preventing GCT adoption, but also could help policy makers to effectively promote GCT adoption.

Application of BIM Technology in Building Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Modeling and Pipeline Inspection

With the development of China’s urbanization process, the development of China’s construction industry is in full swing. There are more and more large scale and special shaped buildings, and the electromechanical engineering and construction projects are more complex. The traditional architectural design and construction technology level could not meet the needs. The BIM Technology can build the whole building model completely, and carry out collision detection and analysis optimization of various specialties design stage, a series of problems can be avoided in the later stage. In this paper, Shanghai Baoshan project is taken as the research object, and the collision between the building model and the electromechanical pipeline is analyzed by using BIM software.

Analysis of Indoor Thermal Environment of Korean-Chinese Dwellings in Yanbian Area in Winter

In order to understand the construction technology characteristics of traditional Korean-Chinese dwellings in Yanbian area, traditional Korean-Chinese earthen and brick houses were used as the research objects in the analysis of the indoor thermal environment. In this study, temperature and relative humidity in each room were separately tested. Due to the particular heating method applied in the traditional Korean-Chinese dwellings, the indoor temperature and relative humidity are relatively stable, i.e. average temperature is maintained above 16°C, and average relative humidity is maintained at about 50%. The test results can effectively verify the superiority of Korean-Chinese traditional construction experience and technology.

A Simple Framework for the Cost–Benefit Analysis of Single-Task Construction Robots Based on a Case Study of a Cable-Driven Facade Installation Robot

Single-task construction robots (STCRs) have become a popular research topic for decades. However, there is still a gap in the ubiquitous application of STCRs for onsite construction due to various reasons, such as cost concerns. Therefore, cost–benefit analysis (CBA) can be used to measure the net economic benefit of the STCRs, compared to traditional construction methods, in order to boost the implementation of STCRs. This paper presents a simple and practical framework for the economic evaluation of STCRs and conducts a case study of a cable-driven facade installation robot to verify the method. The results show that the cable-driven robot for facade installation is worth investing in in the UK, as well as in the majority of G20 countries. Furthermore, other socioenvironmental implications of STCRs and the limitations of the study are also discussed. In conclusion, the proposed method is highly adaptable and reproducible. Therefore, researchers, engineers, investors, and policy makers can easily follow and customize this method to assess the economic advantages of any STCR systems, compared to traditional construction technologies.

Innovation potentials for construction materials with specific focus on the challenges in Africa

Africa is urgently in need of adequate basic infrastructure and housing, and it is one of the continents where massive construction activities are on the rise. There is a vast variety of potentially viable resources for sustainable construction on the continents, and consequently, the continent can bring innovative, greener technologies based on local sources effectively into practice. However, unlike established concrete constituents from industrialised countries in the global North, most of the innovation potentials from the African continent have not yet been the focus of intensive fundamental and applied research. This clearly limits the implementation of more sustainable local technologies.
 This paper presents a case for the need to first appreciate the rich diversity and versatility of the African continent which is often not realistically perceived and appreciated. It discusses specific innovation potentials and challenges for cementitious materials and concrete technology based on local materials derived from sources on the African continent. The unique African materials solutions are presented and discussed, from mineral binders over chemical admixtures and fibres to reinforcement and aggregates. Due to the pressing challenges faced by Africa, with regards to population growth and urbanisation, the focus is not only put on the technological (durability, robustness and safety) and environmental sustainability, but also strongly on socio-economic applicability, adaptability and scalability. This includes a review of alternative, traditional and vernacular construction technologies such as materials-saving structures that help reducing cementitious materials. Eventually, a strategic research roadmap is hypothesised that points out the most relevant potentials and research needs for quick implementation of more localised construction materials.