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The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics...
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The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 57090

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Bożena Hoła

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials Engineering and Construction Processes, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: safety and health protection in construction processes; modeling of accidents; phenomenon analysis of the causes of accidents; accident assessment; risks and hazards; construction management; modeling deterministic and probabilistic construction processes; the use of artificial intelligence methods in solving decision problems in construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anna Hoła

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland

Special Issue Information

The construction industry is a sector of the economy that is characterized by a high variability of implementation conditions and a large variety of building structures. In the current period of rapid economic development, this high volatility and diversity generates many new scientific problems that must be solved in order to further improve the quality of production as well as reduce costs and construction time. In addition, in the construction industry, as is the case in other sectors of the economy, great importance is attributed to all ecological activities and broadly understood sustainable development strategies. This means that new building materials, modifications of commonly known and widely used materials, new research methods, and also methodologies for the implementation and control of construction processes are still being sought out. Moreover, the diagnostics of existing objects are gaining importance as the safe use and durability of such objects depend on accurate diagnosis.

We would like to encourage our colleagues to prepare original manuscripts containing current research results and scientific discoveries in the broadly understood field of construction engineering, in particular, referring to research on:

-- How the structure and properties of building materials can be affected by the modification of their composition with various micro- and nanomaterials, byproducts, and also waste;

-- Proposals and the implementation of new methodologies for controlling executive processes;

-- Planning and effective management in the construction industry;

-- Methods for diagnosing building structures, in particular, historical buildings;

-- The demolition of building objects and construction waste management.

To provide an update on the state of knowledge in the field of the above problems and to indicate new directions for future study, we encourage you to submit your latest research results for publication in this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Bożena Hoła
Dr. Anna Hoła
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • construction industry
  • scientific problems
  • sustainable development
  • implementation
  • management
  • diagnostic of building structures
  • diagnostic methods
  • modification of building materials
  • construction waste management
  • safety management
  • controlling executive processes

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 186 KiB  
Editorial
The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects
by Bożena Hoła and Anna Hoła
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6184; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11136184 - 03 Jul 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1204
Abstract
The construction industry is a sector of the economy that is characterized by a large variety of building structures, as well as a large variability in the conditions of their implementation [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

18 pages, 22551 KiB  
Article
A Multi-Criteria Decision Support Concept for Selecting the Optimal Contractor
by Ivan Marović, Monika Perić and Tomaš Hanak
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1660; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11041660 - 12 Feb 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4037
Abstract
A way to minimize uncertainty and achieve the best possible project performance in construction project management can be achieved during the procurement process, which involves selecting an optimal contractor according to “the most economically advantageous tender.” As resources are limited, decision-makers are often [...] Read more.
A way to minimize uncertainty and achieve the best possible project performance in construction project management can be achieved during the procurement process, which involves selecting an optimal contractor according to “the most economically advantageous tender.” As resources are limited, decision-makers are often pulled apart by conflicting demands coming from various stakeholders. The challenge of addressing them at the same time can be modelled as a multi-criteria decision-making problem. The aim of this paper is to show that the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) together with PROMETHEE could cope with such a problem. As a result of their synergy, a decision support concept for selecting the optimal contractor (DSC-CONT) is proposed that: (a) allows the incorporation of opposing stakeholders’ demands; (b) increases the transparency of decision-making and the consistency of the decision-making process; (c) enhances the legitimacy of the final outcome; and (d) is a scientific approach with great potential for application to similar decision-making problems where sustainable decisions are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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14 pages, 490 KiB  
Article
Typology Selection of Retaining Walls Based on Multicriteria Decision-Making Methods
by Belén Muñoz-Medina, Javier Ordóñez, Manuel G. Romana and Antonio Lara-Galera
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1457; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11041457 - 05 Feb 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2091
Abstract
In civil engineering and construction, in the selection of the most adequate and sustainable alternative, all of the alternatives and selection criteria, such as the requirements of the construction process (which are often overlooked) and the preferences of designers, clients, or contractors, are [...] Read more.
In civil engineering and construction, in the selection of the most adequate and sustainable alternative, all of the alternatives and selection criteria, such as the requirements of the construction process (which are often overlooked) and the preferences of designers, clients, or contractors, are not always taken into account. The purpose of this article is to suggest a methodology that may allow studying all of the possible alternatives to find the most ideal solution among all of the existing possibilities for the selection of retaining walls to be built in infrastructures in different environments. For this purpose, all typologies of retaining walls and selection criteria (external requirements, construction requirements, characteristics of the natural land and economic criteria) are first identified. Subsequently, a simple methodological method is proposed, allowing the relative importance of each criterion to be established and allowing us to select the most suitable solution for each situation by successively applying different multicriteria decision-making methods. Finally, the methodology developed is applied to two projects in different locations with different constraints. The results obtained provide a set of compromise solutions that remain as best-rank alternatives when the weights of the criteria change. Therefore, the methodology developed can be applied to the selection of typologies of other structures in future projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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19 pages, 10471 KiB  
Article
Technical and Structural Problems Related to the Interaction between a Deep Excavation and Adjacent Existing Buildings
by Grzegorz Dmochowski and Jerzy Szolomicki
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 481; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11020481 - 06 Jan 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3420
Abstract
Currently, new housing in city centers is more and more often developed on small plots of land, or existing buildings on such plots are rebuilt to such an extent that only their façade walls remain. In both cases, as a rule, a deep [...] Read more.
Currently, new housing in city centers is more and more often developed on small plots of land, or existing buildings on such plots are rebuilt to such an extent that only their façade walls remain. In both cases, as a rule, a deep excavation is also made, either at the existing object or within its area. Serious damage often occurs because of the carried out work. It is not possible to accurately determine the response of a building to the deformation associated with the excavation due to the variability of many factors that influence it. As a result, the response of the building must be estimated on the basis of constant monitoring and approximate calculations. Depending on the size of the predicted ground displacements and the technical condition of buildings, it is often necessary to protect or strengthen their structural elements. In the paper, the authors analyzed various risk factors for the implementation of infill buildings and the revitalization of historic buildings using only their façade walls. In addition, examples of contemporary solutions for securing the walls of existing buildings, and the method of monitoring vertical deformations using the Hydrostatic Levelling Cell (HLC) system, are presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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14 pages, 2682 KiB  
Article
Selection of the Optimal Actions for Crashing Processes Duration to Increase the Robustness of Construction Schedules
by Sławomir Biruk and Piotr Jaśkowski
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8028; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10228028 - 12 Nov 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1633
Abstract
Both the construction clients and the contractors want their projects delivered on time. Construction schedules, usually tight from the beginning, tend to expire as the progress of works is disturbed by materializing risks. As consequence, the project’s original milestones are delayed. To protect [...] Read more.
Both the construction clients and the contractors want their projects delivered on time. Construction schedules, usually tight from the beginning, tend to expire as the progress of works is disturbed by materializing risks. As consequence, the project’s original milestones are delayed. To protect the due date and, at the same time, avoid changes to the logic of work, the manager needs to the project progress and, if delays occur, speed up processes not yet completed. The authors investigate the problem of selecting the optimal set of actions of responding to schedule delays. They put forward a simulation-based method of selecting schedule compression measures (speeding up processes) and determining the best moment to take such actions. The idea is explained using a simple case. The results confirm that it is possible to find an easily implementable schedule crashing mode to answer schedule disturbances. The proposed method enables minimizing the cost of schedule crashing actions and the cost of delays as well as increasing the robustness of the schedule by reducing differences between the actual and the as-planned process starts. It is intended as a decision support tool to help construction managers prepare better reactive schedules. The lowest costs are achieved if the acceleration measures are implemented with some time lag to the occurrence of delays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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17 pages, 5819 KiB  
Article
Development of Alfa Fiber-Based Mortar with Improved Thermo-Mechanical Properties
by Siham Sakami, Lahcen Boukhattem, Mustapha Boumhaout and Brahim Benhamou
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(22), 8021; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10228021 - 12 Nov 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2209
Abstract
This work deals with the development of a new composite based on mortar reinforced with optimally sized alfa fiber (AF). Experimental investigations of physical and thermo-mechanical properties of the new AF mortar composite are performed for AF weight fraction varying from 0% to [...] Read more.
This work deals with the development of a new composite based on mortar reinforced with optimally sized alfa fiber (AF). Experimental investigations of physical and thermo-mechanical properties of the new AF mortar composite are performed for AF weight fraction varying from 0% to 5%. This simple material preparation process is described and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is undertaken to analyze the morphology of this composite. It shows a random dispersion of the AF into the mortar matrix. Physical properties such as open porosity, water absorption, and bulk density fluctuations with AF mass content are measured. Measured thermal conductivity is compared to the values generated by different prediction models. Good agreement, within 9.6%, is obtained with data predicted by Woodside–Messmer’s method. It is demonstrated that this simple blending of AF into mortar improves significantly the thermo-mechanical behavior of the new composite. An addition of 5% of AF weight content makes composite material lighter by about 15%, enhances its insulating thermal capabilities by about 57% and increases its heat diffusion damping rate by about 49%. Moreover, the composite mechanical (flexural and compressive) strength increases by up to 10% for an AF weight content of 1%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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14 pages, 3720 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Drying of Capillary-Porous Materials in a Thin Layer: Application to the Estimation of Moisture Content in Thin-Walled Building Blocks
by Gennadiy Kolesnikov and Timmo Gavrilov
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(19), 6953; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10196953 - 04 Oct 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2329
Abstract
Drying, as a process of changing the moisture content and temperature of capillary-porous materials, is a necessary step in many technologies. When predicting moisture changes, it is necessary to find a balance between the complexity of a model and the accuracy of the [...] Read more.
Drying, as a process of changing the moisture content and temperature of capillary-porous materials, is a necessary step in many technologies. When predicting moisture changes, it is necessary to find a balance between the complexity of a model and the accuracy of the simulation results. The purpose of this work was the development of a mathematical model for drying a capillary-porous material with direct consideration of its initial moisture content and drying temperature. Methods of mathematical modeling were used in the work. Using the developed model, an analysis of the features of the drying process of materials with high and low initial moisture content has been carried out. The analytical relationship for determining the time at which the extremum of the drying rate is reached has been substantiated. A model has been developed to directly take into account the influence of the initial material moisture content and drying temperature. The simulation results are consistent with the experiments on drying ceramic blocks for construction which are described in the literature. The obtained results can be taken into account in studies of the effect of drying modes on the energy consumption of a drying process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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23 pages, 6358 KiB  
Article
Impact of Alcohol on Occupational Health and Safety in the Construction Industry at Workplaces with Scaffoldings
by Marek Sawicki and Mariusz Szóstak
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(19), 6690; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10196690 - 24 Sep 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4875
Abstract
The value, care, and customs of workers are essential in terms of occupational health and safety. The abuse of alcohol is widely regarded as a serious threat to the lives, health, and safety of employees. The aim of the research was to identify [...] Read more.
The value, care, and customs of workers are essential in terms of occupational health and safety. The abuse of alcohol is widely regarded as a serious threat to the lives, health, and safety of employees. The aim of the research was to identify the main problems that are associated with alcohol abuse and consumption at work among employees in the construction industry, with particular emphasis on workstations where work is carried out on construction scaffoldings. Data for the analysis were obtained from two different sources. The first one was post-accident documentation on occupational accidents. The second one was surveys collected during the research project. This study confirmed that excessive and disproportionate alcohol consumption can be the cause of an accident, and consequently death at workplaces with scaffolding. Of 219 accident reports, 17.4% indicated alcohol as a contributing factor. Analysis of accident documentations shows that in cases where alcohol was indicated as a contributing factor in an accident, the alcohol was consumed during the workday. The results obtained on the basis of the conducted research were able to constitute a justification for the directions of preventive actions carried out in order to reduce the number of occupational accidents in the construction industry caused by alcohol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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13 pages, 984 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Defects in Residential Buildings Reported during the Warranty Period
by Edyta Plebankiewicz and Jarosław Malara
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(17), 6123; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10176123 - 03 Sep 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4136
Abstract
The aim of the article is to present the results of preliminary research of the defects in residential buildings occurring during the warranty period. Due to the small amount of data, the research results cannot be generalized but allow for the formulation of [...] Read more.
The aim of the article is to present the results of preliminary research of the defects in residential buildings occurring during the warranty period. Due to the small amount of data, the research results cannot be generalized but allow for the formulation of research hypotheses that will be verified in future studies. The data collected included reports of defects in three multifamily residential buildings constructed by the developer in one of the big cities in Poland, which were then examined. For the examination of defects, statistical analysis was used, which revealed that more than half of the reports contained reasonable defects. The results of the preliminary research also indicate that, on the one hand, owners are very active in making warranty claims in the first three months from the date of commissioning, and, on the other hand, with time, the percentage of reasonable defects increases. In terms of the significance of defects, the largest percentage was significant defects. The results showed little activity on the part of property managers in the initial phase of the operation of the buildings, which is the opposite of that of apartment owners. Reports of faults in windows and door joinery, moisture, scratches on walls, and in the area of balconies and terraces are characterized by a relatively low number of cases reported in the first half of the year after the building is commissioned and a gradual increase in the subsequent warranty period. On the other hand, reports related to electrical installation defects are most frequent in the initial period of the warranty, but, with time, their number decreases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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15 pages, 3074 KiB  
Article
Structural Analysis of Factors Influencing the Costs of Facade System Implementation
by Agnieszka Leśniak and Monika Górka
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(17), 6021; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10176021 - 31 Aug 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3557
Abstract
External facades of buildings and other structures shape the image of every building, creating the architecture of cities. Traditional concrete forms, as a symbol of durability and stability, have been replaced by lightweight enclosures—for example, in the form of aluminium–glass facades and ventilated [...] Read more.
External facades of buildings and other structures shape the image of every building, creating the architecture of cities. Traditional concrete forms, as a symbol of durability and stability, have been replaced by lightweight enclosures—for example, in the form of aluminium–glass facades and ventilated facades. In this paper, the authors attempt to verify the strength of influence and relations between the identified factors shaping the costs of facade system implementation using structural analysis. On the basis of the collected quantitative and qualitative data obtained as a result of research on design documentation and cost estimates of implemented public buildings, as well as on the basis of interviews conducted among experts, factors which have a real impact on the costs of facade systems in the form of aluminium and glass facades and ventilated facades were identified. The indicated factors were analysed and classified using the method of structural analysis, namely the MICMAC method (refers to the French acronym for Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification). Particular influences and relations between factors were examined. Finally, six groups of factors influencing the costs of facade systems were identified, including regulatory factors that do not have a very strong impact on the level of costs, but which show a strong correlation with other factors; determinants that have a very strong impact on the costs; and a group of external factors that show the smallest influence on the estimation of façade cost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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13 pages, 2428 KiB  
Article
Influence of Maximum Aggregate Grain Size on the Strength Properties and Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete
by Jacek Góra and Małgorzata Szafraniec
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(11), 3918; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10113918 - 05 Jun 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3278
Abstract
Depending on the dimensions of concrete elements, aggregates of different grain sizes are used for the building structures. Taking this fact into account, the authors of the paper have undertaken in their work an issue concerning the analysis of the influence of maximum [...] Read more.
Depending on the dimensions of concrete elements, aggregates of different grain sizes are used for the building structures. Taking this fact into account, the authors of the paper have undertaken in their work an issue concerning the analysis of the influence of maximum aggregate grain size on the strength properties and modulus of elasticity of concrete. This is also due to the fact that few published research results are available in this area. In this paper, the influence of the maximum grain size on the basic strength and deformation properties of concrete is discussed. The research concerns both concretes and gravel aggregates used for their construction with maximum grain sizes of 8 mm, 16 mm and 31.5 mm. The values of the compressive and splitting tensile strength, brittleness and modulus of elasticity of concretes with w/c = 0.45 were analysed. The analysis showed that the strength properties are proportional not only to the maximum size of aggregate grain, but also to the crushing strength of the aggregate. There were no analogous relations found with respect to the modulus of elasticity of the tested concretes. Tensile strength was particularly susceptible to the observed changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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17 pages, 609 KiB  
Article
A Methodology for Determining the Rehabilitation Needs of Buildings
by Beata Nowogońska
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(11), 3873; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10113873 - 02 Jun 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3483
Abstract
The appropriate rehabilitations planning of buildings should be based on the analysis of rehabilitation needs. This article proposes a methodology for Determining the Rehabilitation Needs of Buildings (DRNB). The DRNB method can be used for buildings made with traditional technology. The methodology provides [...] Read more.
The appropriate rehabilitations planning of buildings should be based on the analysis of rehabilitation needs. This article proposes a methodology for Determining the Rehabilitation Needs of Buildings (DRNB). The DRNB method can be used for buildings made with traditional technology. The methodology provides the possibility to prioritize the analyzed objects and their elements as well as to determine the sequence of rehabilitation needs of any buildings and their elements. The method can be used for a single building or several buildings. The obtained results can be compared and order relations between them can be determined, which will allow the planning of repair works. In setting the priorities in the DRNB method, the implementation of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used. The article presents also the application the DRNB method and results of determination of rehabilitation needs for residential buildings that are located in Poland in Zielona Góra. Determining the rehabilitation needs of building components should be the first stage of planning repair works. The DRNB method helps to determine which elements in which buildings need necessary rehabilitation now, which elements of rehabilitation are important now, and which elements can be rehabilitated later—i.e., if the repair works are only useful and are not currently necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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11 pages, 5343 KiB  
Article
Creep Assessment of the Cement Matrix of Self-Compacting Concrete Modified with the Addition of Nanoparticles Using the Indentation Method
by Paweł Niewiadomski and Damian Stefaniuk
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(7), 2442; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10072442 - 03 Apr 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2028
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the modification of cement composites with finer materials, including nanoparticles. Multi-scale studies are needed to fully assess the effect of nanoparticles and provide a complete overview of their impact on both the structure [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the modification of cement composites with finer materials, including nanoparticles. Multi-scale studies are needed to fully assess the effect of nanoparticles and provide a complete overview of their impact on both the structure of an obtained material and its important mechanical parameters, such as creep. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to fill the knowledge gap in the literature concerning the assessment of the creep of a cement matrix of self-compacting concrete modified with the addition of SiO2, TiO2, and Al2O3 nanoparticles using the indentation method. Depending on the type of used nanoparticles, we found an increase or decrease of the creep coefficient CIT in comparison to the reference series. The obtained results were scrupulously analyzed in terms of statistics, which enabled the conclusion that the addition of nanoparticles does not significantly affect the creep of the cement matrix of self-compacting concrete. The methodology used in this paper allowed us to shorten the time needed to assess the creep phenomenon compared to traditional methods and fill the corresponding knowledge gap in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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14 pages, 2132 KiB  
Article
The S-Curve as a Tool for Planning and Controlling of Construction Process—Case Study
by Jarosław Konior and Mariusz Szóstak
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(6), 2071; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10062071 - 19 Mar 2020
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 12837
Abstract
One of the key tasks of an investor and a contractor at the stage of planning and implementing construction works is to measure the progress of execution with regard to the planned deadlines and costs. During the execution of construction works, the actual [...] Read more.
One of the key tasks of an investor and a contractor at the stage of planning and implementing construction works is to measure the progress of execution with regard to the planned deadlines and costs. During the execution of construction works, the actual progress of the works may differ significantly from the initial plan, and it is unlikely that the construction project will be implemented entirely according to the planned work and expenditure schedule. In order to monitor the process of deviations of the deadline and the budget of the investment task, several rudimentary methods of planning—as well as the cyclical control of the progress of construction projects—are used. An effective tool for measuring the utilization of the financial outlays of a construction project is the presentation of the planned financial flows on a timeline using a cumulative cost chart, the representation of which is the S-curve. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the course of an sample construction project comparing the planned costs of the scheduled works with the actual costs of the performed works, as well as identifying the reasons leading to the failure to meet the planned deadlines and budget of the project implementation. As part of the research conducted at a construction site of a hotel facility, the authors of this paper analyzed each of the 20-month effects of financial expenditures on construction works that were developed and processed by the Bank Investment Supervision (BIS) over a period of three years (between 2017 and 2019). Based on these results, charts and tables of the scheduled and actual cumulative costs of the completed construction project were prepared, the careful analysis of which enables interesting conclusions to be drawn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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22 pages, 3624 KiB  
Article
A Proposed Soft Computing Model for Ultimate Strength Estimation of FRP-Confined Concrete Cylinders
by Reza Kamgar, Hosein Naderpour, Houman Ebrahimpour Komeleh, Anna Jakubczyk-Gałczyńska and Robert Jankowski
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(5), 1769; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10051769 - 04 Mar 2020
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 2467
Abstract
In this paper, the feed-forward backpropagation neural network (FFBPNN) is used to propose a new formulation for predicting the compressive strength of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-confined concrete cylinders. A set of experimental data has been considered in the analysis. The data include information about [...] Read more.
In this paper, the feed-forward backpropagation neural network (FFBPNN) is used to propose a new formulation for predicting the compressive strength of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-confined concrete cylinders. A set of experimental data has been considered in the analysis. The data include information about the dimensions of the concrete cylinders (diameter, length) and the total thickness of FRP layers, unconfined ultimate concrete strength, ultimate confinement pressure, ultimate tensile strength of the FRP laminates and the ultimate concrete strength of the concrete cylinders. The confined ultimate concrete strength is considered as the output data, while other parameters are considered as the input data. These parameters are mostly used in existing FRP-confined concrete models. Soft computing techniques are used to estimate the compressive strength of FRP-confined concrete cylinders. Finally, a new formulation is proposed. The results of the proposed formula are compared to the existing methods. To verify the proposed method, results are compared with other methods. The results show that the described method can forecast the compressive strength of FRP-confined concrete cylinders with high precision in comparison with the existing formulas. Moreover, the mean percentage of error for the proposed method is very low (3.49%). Furthermore, the proposed formula can estimate the ultimate compressive capacity of FRP-confined concrete cylinders with a different type of FRP and arbitrary thickness in the initial design of practical projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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13 pages, 4053 KiB  
Article
Temperature Impact on the Assessment of Reinforcement Corrosion Risk in Concrete by Galvanostatic Pulse Method
by Wioletta Raczkiewicz and Artur Wójcicki
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(3), 1089; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app10031089 - 06 Feb 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2445
Abstract
The electrochemical galvanostatic pulse method (GPM) is used for the evaluation of the degree of corrosion risk of reinforcement in concrete. This non-destructive method enables determining the corrosion promoting conditions through the measurements of reinforcement stationary potential and concrete cover resistivity, and determining [...] Read more.
The electrochemical galvanostatic pulse method (GPM) is used for the evaluation of the degree of corrosion risk of reinforcement in concrete. This non-destructive method enables determining the corrosion promoting conditions through the measurements of reinforcement stationary potential and concrete cover resistivity, and determining the probability of reinforcement corrosion in the tested areas. This method also allows for the estimation of the reinforcement corrosion activity and the prediction of the development of the corrosion process on the basis of corrosion current density measurements. The ambient temperature (and the temperature of the examined element) can significantly affect the values of the measured parameters due to electrochemical character of the processes as well as specific measurement technique. Differences in the obtained results can lead to a wrong interpretation of reinforcement corrosion risk degree in concrete. The article attempts to assess the effect of temperature on the measured parameters while using the galvanostatic pulse method. The GP-5000 GalvaPulseTM set was used. The results of this study confirmed the impact of temperature changes on the values of three measured parameters (reinforcement stationary potential, concrete cover resistivity, and corrosion current density) and contributed to catching the trend of these changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Latest Scientific Problems Related to the Implementation and Diagnostics of Construction Objects)
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