Journal Description
Buildings
Buildings
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on building science, building engineering and architecture published monthly online by MDPI. The International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) is affiliated with Buildings and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Inspec, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Engineering, Civil) / CiteScore - Q1 (Architecture)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 14.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion Journal: Architecture.
Impact Factor:
3.8 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.8 (2022)
Latest Articles
Model Test on the Collapse Evolution Law of Tunnel Excavation in Composite Strata with a Cavity
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 932; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040932 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
More complex geological conditions could be encountered with the construction of urban subway projects. At present, many subway tunnels have been built in composite strata with upper soft and lower hard layers, but the presence of a cavity in the strata increases the
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More complex geological conditions could be encountered with the construction of urban subway projects. At present, many subway tunnels have been built in composite strata with upper soft and lower hard layers, but the presence of a cavity in the strata increases the risk of collapse during construction. In this paper, a series of model experiments and discrete element methods were conducted to investigate the failure behavior of composite strata with a cavity caused by tunnel excavation disturbance. The influence of the distance between the cavity and vault (hd) and the distance between the soil–rock interface and vault (hr) on the collapse of the composite strata are analyzed. The research results indicate that tunnel collapse exhibits progressive failure because of the forming of a collapsed arch in the strata. If the hd is greater than the tunnel span (D), the arch can be stabilized without other disturbances. Additionally, the thickness of the tunnel rock layer affects the height of the collapsed arch significantly, as it is difficult to form a stable arch when the hr is less than 2/3 D. Finally, reasonable construction safety distances are proposed based on the possibility of forming a stable arch collapse in the tunnel and determining the range of the collapse.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design, Construction and Maintenance of Underground Structures)
Open AccessArticle
Influence of Staggered Truss on Progressive Collapse-Resistant Behavior of Steel Frame Structures
by
Changren Ke, Yihui Fan and Junling Jiang
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 931; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040931 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
In order to study the effect of the support mode of a staggered truss system on the continuous collapse resistance performance of a steel structure, four finite element models were established based on the bracing arrangement of a five-story steel frame structure. The
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In order to study the effect of the support mode of a staggered truss system on the continuous collapse resistance performance of a steel structure, four finite element models were established based on the bracing arrangement of a five-story steel frame structure. The situations of different columns on the first floor removed were classified into eight scenarios, and five models of each scenario were analyzed with nonlinear dynamic analyses. Finally, a computational metric based on energy robustness was proposed to evaluate the robustness of the structure. The results of nonlinear dynamic analyses indicated that the staggered truss system significantly improved the resistance to progressive collapse of steel frame structures and effectively increased the redundancy of steel frame structures. All four bracing methods effectively reduced the vertical displacement at the point of failure, with the peak displacement at the point of failure reduced by a maximum of 84 percent and a minimum of 41 percent compared to a pure frame structure. Moreover, the staggered truss system can reduce some axial force peaks in the adjacent columns adjacent to the failed columns. The structural robustness coefficients of Model A, Scheme 1, Scheme 2, Scheme 3, and Scheme 4 are 1.144, 1.339, 1.306, 1.584, and 1.176, respectively, according to the proposed robustness calculation method, which shows that the braced steel frame structure has improved robustness over the original structure. The staggered truss system improves the robustness of the steel frame structure so that the steel frame structure has better resistance to progressive collapse.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Steel Structures: Testing, Modelling and Design)
Open AccessArticle
Effect of Calcium Aluminate and Carbide Slag on Mechanical Property and Hydration Mechanism of Supersulfated Cement
by
Guangzheng Qi, Qiang Zhang and Zhengning Sun
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 930; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040930 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Supersulfated cement (SSC), a low-carbon, energy-efficient, eco-friendly cementitious material, is mainly made from industrial byproducts. However, SSC’s slow early strength development leads to inadequate initial hardening and reduced durability, which restricts its practical application. This study investigated the potential enhancement of SSC by
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Supersulfated cement (SSC), a low-carbon, energy-efficient, eco-friendly cementitious material, is mainly made from industrial byproducts. However, SSC’s slow early strength development leads to inadequate initial hardening and reduced durability, which restricts its practical application. This study investigated the potential enhancement of SSC by incorporating calcium aluminate (CA) and carbide slag (CS) alongside anhydrite as activators to address its slow early strength development. The effects of varying CA and CS proportions on the mechanical property and hydration mechanism of CA-CS-SSC were examined. Results indicate that employing 1% CA and 4% CS as alkaline activators effectively activates slag hydration in the 1CA-4CS-SSC, achieving a compressive strength of 9.7 MPa at 1 day. Despite the limited improvement in early compressive strength of other mixtures with higher CA and lower CS proportions in the CA-CS-SSC system, all mixtures exhibited enhanced compressive strength during long-term hydration. After 90 days, ettringite formation in the CA-CS-SSC system decelerated, whereas anhydrite remained. Concurrently, the formation of C-S-H continued to increase, promoting late compressive strength. The mechanism for enhancing the early compressive strength of the CA-CS-SSC system is attributed to the swift hydration of CA with anhydrite, dissolution of fine slag particles, and reaction with anhydrite under conditions with suitable alkali content to augment the ettringite production. This process also generates a C-S-H and OH-hydrotalcite to fill the void in the skeleton structure formed by ettringite, resulting in a dense microstructure that improves early compressive strength.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low-Carbon and Green Materials in Construction—2nd Edition)
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Open AccessArticle
Basic Analysis of Physical Determinants Affecting the Distribution Density of Senior Citizen Centers around Small Apartment Complexes, Focusing on Administrative Districts in Busan
by
Xiaolong Zhao, Eun-soo Park, Jieun Kim, Sang-Yup Lee and Heangwoo Lee
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 929; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040929 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
The role of senior citizen centers is becoming more important, with a greater emphasis placed on ensuring that these establishments facilitate leisure and communication for older adults. These developments are taking place as population aging has now become an irreversible global trend. However,
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The role of senior citizen centers is becoming more important, with a greater emphasis placed on ensuring that these establishments facilitate leisure and communication for older adults. These developments are taking place as population aging has now become an irreversible global trend. However, there is still a lack of systematic research on predicting the distribution density of senior citizen centers based on physical factors in urban planning. Therefore, this study set each administrative district in Busan as a unit and investigated physical factors affecting the distribution density of senior citizen centers around small apartment complexes to validate their effectiveness. First, the spatial hierarchy of each administrative district in Busan was examined. The city was divided into administrative districts while focusing on the distribution density of senior citizen centers (the dependent variable) around small apartment complexes where older adults live (within a 500 m radius). The spatial accessibility of senior citizen centers and the number of apartments in each administrative district were set as independent variables. This selection was made to verify the effectiveness of the physical factors by conducting an independent sample t-test, normality test, Friedman test, and two-way ANOVA. The chief findings of this study are as follows. (1) The spatial awareness of each administrative district was low, and there were large disparities in the land development density relative to the spatial scale of the administrative districts. (2) Regarding the physical factors affecting the distribution density of senior citizen centers, the spatial accessibility of senior residences was more significant than the number of small apartment complexes nearby. (3) Personal and social factors may have indirectly influenced the distribution density of senior citizen centers more than physical factors, depending on the type of house in which the older adults live. The findings will provide a theoretical basis for determining the location and distribution density of senior citizen centers in urban planning considering physical factors, as well as serve as a reference for public policy decisions related to the allocation of such centers in the future.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Wellbeing: The Impact of Spatial Parameters)
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Open AccessArticle
Theoretical and Numerical Simulation Study on the Ultimate Load Capacity of Triangular and Quadrilateral Truss Structures
by
Xianquan Wang, Yong Qiu, Jie Yuan, Dongyan Liu, Peiyu Shi, Chenchen Zhao, Shanyuan Xu and Tengfei Zhao
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 928; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040928 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Spatial truss structures (STSs), serving as the bottom support structure of a cooling tower, effectively harness the superior load-bearing capacity offered by lattice-type truss structures. STSs are composed of main bars, diagonal bars, and horizontal bars, with horizontal bars serving as vital components
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Spatial truss structures (STSs), serving as the bottom support structure of a cooling tower, effectively harness the superior load-bearing capacity offered by lattice-type truss structures. STSs are composed of main bars, diagonal bars, and horizontal bars, with horizontal bars serving as vital components of the truss structure. They play a pivotal role in maintaining the overall integrity and stability of the structure. The proportional relationship between the stiffness of each bar in STSs has a profound impact on the mechanical characteristics of the overall structure. This relationship directly influences the ultimate load-bearing capacity of the structure. Therefore, conducting research on the influence patterns of this relationship is of utmost importance. This paper explores the study of triangular truss structures (TTSs) and quadrilateral truss structures (QTSs). Firstly, through theoretical analysis, considering structural elements such as the stiffness of the horizontal bars, the number of layers in the truss, and the angle between the diagonal bars and the horizontal bars, theoretical expressions for the calculation of the ultimate load capacity of TTSs and QTSs are derived. Furthermore, a parametric finite element (FE) model was established for the TTSs and QTSs. Through numerical simulations, the validity of the theoretical calculation expressions was verified. Finally, this paper discusses the influence of factors such as the stiffness of the horizontal bars, the number of layers in the truss, and the angle between the diagonal and horizontal bars on the TTSs and QTSs. It analyzes the patterns and trends of these influences. The research results indicate that the theoretical and numerical simulation results for the TTSs have an error ranging from 0.40% to 4.93%, while the relative error for the QTSs ranges from 1.59% to 4.88%. These errors are within an acceptable range for engineering calculations. As the stiffness of the horizontal bars increases, the proportionality coefficient of the truss’s ultimate load capacity shows an initial increase followed by a stable trend. It reaches an equilibrium state when the stiffness of the horizontal bars reaches a certain threshold. As the number of layers in the truss and the angle between the diagonal and horizontal bars increase, the proportionality coefficient of the load capacity gradually decreases. The research findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of TTSs and QTSs in cooling towers.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Steel Structures Building: Mechanical Properties and Behaviour Analysis)
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Open AccessArticle
A Numerical Study of a Soil-Nail-Supported Excavation Pit Subjected to a Vertically Loaded Strip Footing at the Crest
by
Meen-Wah Gui and Ravendra P. Rajak
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 927; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040927 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Soil nailing is a prevalent and cost-effective technique employed to reinforce and enhance the stability of precarious natural or cut slopes; however, its application as a primary support system to prevent collapses or cave-ins during foundation excavation could be more frequent. To better
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Soil nailing is a prevalent and cost-effective technique employed to reinforce and enhance the stability of precarious natural or cut slopes; however, its application as a primary support system to prevent collapses or cave-ins during foundation excavation could be more frequent. To better understand the behavior of such a support system, this study simulated a full-scale nail-supported excavation for the foundation pit of a 20-story building to examine the effect of placing a strip footing with various combinations of configurations on the crest of the excavation pit. The results are discussed in terms of the nail axial force, wall horizontal deflection, basal heave, and safety factor against sliding. The results show that the footing width and setback distance are the two most significant factors dominating the wall horizontal deflection. This study also reveals that the maximum axial force is closely related to the apparent active earth pressure, which accounts for the presence of a tension crack, at nail depth. Such a finding allows engineers to assess and mitigate the risks of structural failure more effectively and optimize the design of nail-retaining structures.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
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Open AccessArticle
Numerical Evaluation on Thermal Performance of 3D Printed Concrete Walls: The Effects of Lattice Type, Filament Width and Granular Filling Material
by
Kunda Chamatete and Çağlar Yalçınkaya
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 926; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040926 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) is of great interest to scientists and the construction industry to bring automation to structural engineering applications. However, studies on the thermal performance of three-dimensional printed concrete (3DPC) building envelopes are limited, despite their potential to provide a long-term
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Three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) is of great interest to scientists and the construction industry to bring automation to structural engineering applications. However, studies on the thermal performance of three-dimensional printed concrete (3DPC) building envelopes are limited, despite their potential to provide a long-term solution to modern construction challenges. This work is a numerical study to examine the impact of infill geometry on 3DPC lattice envelope thermal performance. Three different lattice structures were modeled to have the same thickness and nearly equal contour lengths, voids, and insulation percentages. Additionally, the effects of filament width and the application of granular insulating materials (expanded polystyrene beads and loose-fill perlite) were also studied. Finally, the efficacy of insulation was established. Results show that void area affects the thermal performance of 3DPC envelopes under stagnant air conditions, while web length, filament width, and contact (intersection) area between the webs and face shells affect the thermal behavior when cavities are filled with insulating materials due to thermal bridging. The thermal efficiency of insulation, which shows the effective use of insulation, varies between 26 and 44%, due to thermal bridges.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Concrete Materials)
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Open AccessArticle
Evolution of Project-Based Collaborative Networks for Implementing Prefabricated Construction Technology: Case Study in Shanghai
by
Cong Liu, Hui Zeng and Jiming Cao
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 925; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040925 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Prefabricated construction (PC) is considered to be a low-carbon construction method. Implementing prefabricated construction projects (PCPs) requires multiple industry organizations to participate and collaborate. As different PCPs are initiated and implemented, industry organizations will gradually gather into a complex and evolving collaborative network
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Prefabricated construction (PC) is considered to be a low-carbon construction method. Implementing prefabricated construction projects (PCPs) requires multiple industry organizations to participate and collaborate. As different PCPs are initiated and implemented, industry organizations will gradually gather into a complex and evolving collaborative network at the industry level based on specific collaboration relationships with different project backgrounds. The evolution of the collaborative network is related to how industry organizations interact with each other, and how PC-related knowledge and innovation has spread among organizations in the long term. However, the laws of network evolution and the micro effects that drive network evolution are still unknown. This study analyzes 236 prefabricated construction projects (PCPs) in Shanghai during 2015–2023, using the stochastic actor-oriented models (SAOM) method to explore how the macro structure of project-based inter-organizational collaborative networks for prefabricated construction (PC) technology implementation evolves over time, and how micro effects jointly support the evolution of the networks. The macro-level descriptive analysis of the network indicates that the collaborative network has become increasingly dense over time and continues to show a core–peripheral structure, with a small number of super-connected organizations. The micro-level SAOM analysis further reveals that the evolution of the collaborative network structure is driven by structure-based preferential attachment and geographic proximity effects, as well as attribute-based ownership similarity effect. This exploratory effort applies a network dynamics model to investigate the micro mechanism of the evolution of inter-organizational collaboration. The research results provide theoretical guidance and decision-making references for PC industry organizations to develop efficient network action strategies. In addition, it can help industry managers to formulate appropriate network management strategies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization)
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Open AccessArticle
Effect of Textile Layers and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose on Flexural Behavior of TRLC Thin Plates
by
Jiyang Wang, Dan Yu, Chen Zeng, Xiaohua Ji, Lingpeng Ye, Pinghuai Zhou and Senlin Zhao
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 924; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040924 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
To examine the flexural toughness characteristics of textile-reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (TRLC), a four-point bending test was conducted to assess the impact of varying numbers of textile layers and the inclusion of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose on the ultimate load-bearing capacity and deformation capacity of
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To examine the flexural toughness characteristics of textile-reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (TRLC), a four-point bending test was conducted to assess the impact of varying numbers of textile layers and the inclusion of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose on the ultimate load-bearing capacity and deformation capacity of TRLC thin plates. Six groups of specimens were prepared for the experiment, and the bending capacity of the thin plates in each group was evaluated. The flexural toughness index was utilized to quantify the bending performance of TRLC thin plates. The findings revealed that increasing the number of textile layers improved the initial cracking load, initial cracking deflection, ultimate load, ductility, and flexural toughness of the thin plates. For the specimens without HPMC, the initial cracking load was increased by up to 36.1%, the ultimate load by up to 40.9%, and the flexural toughness index by up to 292% as the number of textile layers was increased. For specimens doped with HPMC, the initial cracking load was increased by up to 61.7%, the ultimate load by up to 246.7%, and the flexural toughness index by up to 65%. The TRLC thin plate containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose exhibited a reduced initial cracking load yet displayed a stronger matrix consistency and good flexural toughness. Moreover, the enhancement in the ultimate load of TRLC thin plates with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was more pronounced with an increased number of textile layers, resulting in a significantly higher number of cracks compared to TRLC without hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and an 11.40-fold increase in the flexural toughness index.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber-Reinforced Polymers and Fiber-Reinforced Concrete in Civil Engineering)
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Open AccessArticle
Impacts of Photovoltaic Façades on the Urban Thermal Microclimate and Outdoor Thermal Comfort: Simulation-Based Analysis
by
Elisabeth Fassbender, Josef Rott and Claudia Hemmerle
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 923; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040923 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2024
Abstract
Cities face the consequences of climate change, specifically the urban heat island (UHI) effect, which detrimentally affects human health. In this regard, deploying PV modules in urban locales prompts inquiry into the impact of energy-active building components on the adjacent thermal microclimate and
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Cities face the consequences of climate change, specifically the urban heat island (UHI) effect, which detrimentally affects human health. In this regard, deploying PV modules in urban locales prompts inquiry into the impact of energy-active building components on the adjacent thermal microclimate and human thermal comfort. A twofold simulation-based methodology addresses this subject: First, the implications of façade-integrated photovoltaics on the urban thermal microclimate are investigated using a case study in Munich, Germany. Secondly, a parameter study allows us to gain further insights into the relevance of several parameters on the microthermal impact. The simulation results show a daytime heating effect of photovoltaics on the mean radiant temperature of up to +5.47 K in summer and +6.72 K in winter. The increased mean radiant temperature leads to an elevation of the Universal Thermal Climate Index of up to +1.46 K in summer and +2.21 K in winter. During night-time, no increase in both metrics is identified—hence, nocturnal recovery as a key element for human health is not affected. Despite extended human exposure to thermal heat stress in summer, PV façades improve the annual outdoor thermal comfort autonomy by 0.91% due to lower cold stress in winter. The higher PV efficiencies and lower albedo of the reference building surface lower the heating effect. However, with the current efficiencies, PV façades consistently lead to heating of the surrounding thermal microclimate in summer and lower the outdoor thermal comfort.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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Open AccessArticle
The Mechanical Properties and Mechanisms in Contact-Hardening Behavior of Silica-Alumina Mine Solid Waste
by
Baojun Cheng, Xiaowei Gu, Haoyue Hu, Yaning Kong and Pengyu Huang
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 922; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040922 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
There are some limitations in the application of tuff powder as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Exploring its feasibility in new fields will consume a large amount of silica-alumina mine solid wastes. This study has investigated the mechanical properties and mechanism in contact-hardening
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There are some limitations in the application of tuff powder as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Exploring its feasibility in new fields will consume a large amount of silica-alumina mine solid wastes. This study has investigated the mechanical properties and mechanism in contact-hardening of tuff powder with a method of compression molding. The compressive strength of specimens was tested, and the X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) methods were used to reveal the mechanism of contact-hardening of tuff powder from a micro-perspective. The results indicated that the compressive strength of specimens was higher when activated by sodium hydroxide compared to calcium hydroxide. Compared to calcium hydroxide, the compressive strength of TFS20 and TFF20 activated by sodium hydroxide was improved by 20% and 23%, respectively. The hydration degree of tuff powder was very low, with a water–cement ratio (w/c) of 0.15, while the hydration degree of coal gangue powder was higher. The results of TGA and SEM indicated that the sodium hydroxide had a better activating effect on slag and fly ash. Therefore, more C-S-H gels were generated in those samples activated by sodium hydroxide. Furthermore, the structure of samples was more compacted, and there was a reduction of porosity by 10% and 11% for TFS20 and TFF20, respectively, especially the proportion of harmful pores.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Mechanical Properties of Civil Engineering Materials)
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Blast Loading of Small-Scale Circular RC Columns Using an Explosive-Driven Shock Tube
by
Mohamed Ben Rhouma, Azer Maazoun, Aldjabar Aminou, Bachir Belkassem, Ignaas Vandenbruwane, Tine Tysmans and David Lecompte
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 921; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040921 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Reinforced concrete (RC) columns, being axial-bearing components in buildings, are susceptible to damage and failure when subjected to blast loading. The failure of these columns can trigger a progressive collapse in targeted buildings. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the
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Reinforced concrete (RC) columns, being axial-bearing components in buildings, are susceptible to damage and failure when subjected to blast loading. The failure of these columns can trigger a progressive collapse in targeted buildings. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the failure characteristics of laboratory-scale RC columns subjected to localized blast loading. The columns, with a length of 1500 mm and an outer diameter of 100 mm, are reinforced with 6 mm diameter longitudinal bars and 2 mm diameter steel ties. The blast loading is generated using an explosive-driven shock tube (EDST) positioned in front of the mid-span of the RC columns with a 30 g and 50 g charge. To capture the global response of the RC columns, high-speed stereoscopic DIC is used in addition to LVDTs. Furthermore, an FE model is developed using LS-DYNA R10.0 and validated against the experimental data. The results show that the proposed FE approach is able to reproduce the applied blast loading and the failure characteristics of the columns. The relative difference in column mid-span out-of-plane displacement between the FE model and the average measured data lies below 5%. Finally, the gray correlation method is conducted to assess the influence of various parameters on the blast resistance of the RC columns.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Damage to Civil Engineering Structures)
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Decoding BIM Adoption: A Meta-Analysis of 10 Years of Research—Exploring the Influence of Sample Size, Economic Level, and National Culture
by
Kaiyang Wang, Min Guo, Luigi Di Sarno and Yao Sun
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 920; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040920 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
In recent years, some studies have explored the determinants of Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption. However, the findings of these studies are varied and sometimes contradicting. Consequently, this study undertakes an in-depth exploration of the relationship between influencing factors and behavioral intention. This
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In recent years, some studies have explored the determinants of Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption. However, the findings of these studies are varied and sometimes contradicting. Consequently, this study undertakes an in-depth exploration of the relationship between influencing factors and behavioral intention. This analysis is achieved through a synthesis of findings from prior empirical studies, considering the nuanced impacts of specific contextual factors, including sample size, national culture, and economic level, on these relationships. In total, this meta-analysis encompasses 57 articles, and as of 31 December 2023, incorporates 63 datasets comprising a collective sample size of 13,301. An extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was developed based on the most frequently studied constructs relevant to BIM adoption. The analysis reveals that BIM adoption is primarily affected by performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, and perceived value. The moderator analysis indicates that sample size statistically significantly moderates the relationships between facilitating conditions and use behavior. Moreover, the extent of individualism in each national culture significantly moderates the associations between facilitating conditions and user behavior. The research serves to enrich the existing body of literature on BIM acceptance by addressing contradictory and mixed results found in empirical studies. It represents one of the first attempts to explore the influence of sample size, economic level, and Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions as moderators in the field of BIM utilizing meta-analytic techniques.
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(This article belongs to the Section Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization)
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Open AccessReview
Review of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Blockchain, and LiDAR Applications in Construction Lifecycle: Bibliometric, and Network Analysis
by
Amir Faraji, Shima Homayoon Arya, Elnaz Ghasemi, Payam Rahnamayiezekavat and Srinath Perera
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 919; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040919 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Investigating Industry 4.0 technologies and studying their impacts on various aspects of the construction industry, including stakeholders and the lifecycle, is vital to enhance novel applications of such technologies in an industry that is known as Construction 4.0. The main objective of the
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Investigating Industry 4.0 technologies and studying their impacts on various aspects of the construction industry, including stakeholders and the lifecycle, is vital to enhance novel applications of such technologies in an industry that is known as Construction 4.0. The main objective of the current state-of-the-art review is to provide a comprehensive literature review on three widely used Industry 4.0 technologies, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Blockchain, and LiDAR, which have strong potential to promote and optimize different activities of the project, and also, the integration of them can greatly impact the construction industry in the whole project lifecycle. A bibliometric analysis of keyword co-occurrence and citations revealed a significant number of publications from 2014 to 2023 investigating the selected technologies. Recent trends indicate that the majority of papers have considered the selected technologies in the integration with each other. However, a specific gap exists in the literature regarding the interactions and potential synergies among these technologies. This gap limits the understanding of how these integrations can address challenges unique to the construction industry and hinders the development of comprehensive solutions. The review has been analyzed and discussed in reference to the type of article, single or multi technologies, the lifecycle, and their applications. The study showed that the integration of BIM, Blockchain, and LiDAR, as a recent trend and as a beneficial solution to automate the whole construction process, has considerable capacities to improve the productivity of the construction industry. Finally, some application areas for the integration of these three technologies are concluded and are suggested, and therefore, an advantageous reference has been provided for scholars to plan their future research in this sector.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Technologies in Construction: Present Status and Future Trends)
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The Assessment of the Maturity of Informatization in Assembly-Building Projects Utilizing the CMM-CME Methodology, Taking a Project in China as an Illustration
by
Yongxia Chen, Tianlong Meng, Zhichen Zhang and Binjie Xu
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 918; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040918 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Owing to its rapid advancement, information technology has emerged as a critical tool in assembly construction for addressing market demands, improving project quality, and reducing costs. However, the absence of unified informatization standards within the assembly construction industry has led to the adoption
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Owing to its rapid advancement, information technology has emerged as a critical tool in assembly construction for addressing market demands, improving project quality, and reducing costs. However, the absence of unified informatization standards within the assembly construction industry has led to the adoption of different technologies and systems by various businesses during the development of informatization systems; this has generated issues such as unbalanced development and mutual incompatibility. While researchers have examined these issues, a comprehensive assessment of the maturity of informatization in assembly-building projects is lacking. Assessment of the maturity of informatization can provide evaluation standards and methods for the development of informatization of assembly buildings, explore the important and difficult points of applying informatization technology to assembly buildings, and put forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions to promote the benign development of informatization of assembly buildings. Therefore, this study strives to develop a model for assessing the maturity of informatization of assembly-building projects. This study begins by determining the level of the maturity level of informatization, key process areas, and key practices for assembly-building projects using the capability maturity model (CMM). On this basis, the maturity evaluation index system was constructed through expert interviews and questionnaires. Furthermore, in order to assign weights to the indicators comprehensively, the ordinal relationship method and entropy weight method were implemented. The evaluation criteria were determined by consulting the relevant literature and expert opinions. Followingly, an evaluation model was established based on the cloud matter element (CME) theory. Finally, a case study demonstrates that the methodology can be utilized to quantify the maturity of project informatization. In conclusion, this study unearths a system for assessing the level of maturity of informatization of assembly-building projects, which provides a valuable reference for promoting the continuous development of the maturity of informatization in assembly-building projects.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inclusion, Safety, and Resilience in the Construction Industry)
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Open AccessReview
Thermo-Environmental Performance of Modular Building Envelope Panel Technologies: A Focused Review
by
Mohammed Alhaji Mohammed, Ismail M. Budaiwi, Mohammed A. Al-Osta and Adel A. Abdou
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 917; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040917 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Modular construction is becoming famous for buildings because it allows a high degree of prefabrication, with individual modules easily transported and installed. Building envelope optimization is vital as it protects buildings from undesirable external environments by expressly preventing the incursion of outside elements.
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Modular construction is becoming famous for buildings because it allows a high degree of prefabrication, with individual modules easily transported and installed. Building envelope optimization is vital as it protects buildings from undesirable external environments by expressly preventing the incursion of outside elements. This research uses a systematic literature review to appraise the characteristics of modular envelope panels, focusing on hygrothermal and energy performance. A total of 265 articles were subjected to rigorous filtering and screening measures. The findings reveal notable inconsistencies in modular envelope terminologies and a lack of consistent performance measures, which present significant challenges for research and development efforts. Furthermore, the results indicate a predominant focus on hygrothermal and energy performance in existing studies, with limited attention to environmental impacts and other performance factors. Moreover, the existing literature primarily addresses modular envelope solutions in temperate climates, offering inadequate information for hot and hot–humid climate contexts. To address these gaps, this study proposes categorizing modular envelope panels into four distinct categories: active, passive, smart, and green/vegetated wall panels. These findings will benefit researchers, architects, building envelope designers, policymakers, and organizations developing building performance-related assessment ratings, standards, and codes. The study suggests adopting the categorization of modular envelope panels provided in this study and developing modular panels suitable for hot and humid climates to fill the existing knowledge gap.
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(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
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Open AccessArticle
The Development of a Framework for the Automated Translation of Sketch-Based Data into BIM Models
by
WoonSeong Jeong, ByungChan Kong, Manik Das Adhikari and Sang-Guk Yum
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 916; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040916 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
At the foundational phase of architectural design, it is of the utmost importance to precisely capture and articulate the visions and requirements of stakeholders, including building owners. This critical step ensures that professionals, including architects, can effectively translate the initial concepts into actionable
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At the foundational phase of architectural design, it is of the utmost importance to precisely capture and articulate the visions and requirements of stakeholders, including building owners. This critical step ensures that professionals, including architects, can effectively translate the initial concepts into actionable designs. This research was directed towards developing a framework to facilitate the decision-making process by efficiently depicting the client’s intentions. This study demonstrates a framework that leverages deep learning to automate the creation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) models from sketched data. The framework’s methodology includes defining the necessary processes, system requirements, and data for system development, followed by the actual system implementation. It involves several key phases: (1) developing a process model to outline the framework’s operational procedures and data flows, (2) implementing the framework to translate sketched data into a BIM model through system and user interface development, and, finally, (3) validating the framework’s ability to precisely convert sketched data into BIM models. Our findings demonstrate the framework’s capacity to automatically interpret sketched lines as architectural components, thereby accurately creating BIM models. In the present study, the methodology and framework proposed enable clients to represent their understanding of spatial configuration through Building Information Modeling (BIM) models. This approach is anticipated to enhance the efficiency of communication with professionals such as architects.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in BIM-Based Technologies for Sustainable Building Performance Predictions)
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Strategic Integration of a Vegetative Component on a Metal Roof Base: An Evaluation of Its Impacts on Thermal and Acoustic Performance in the Tropics
by
Siew Bee Aw, Pau Chung Leng, Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling, Keng Yinn Wong, Mohamed Rohaizad Mohamed Anuar, Ismail Wajdi Mohd Rokhibi, Cheah Haur Ng, Nathan Hui Kai Law and Santa Ying Zi Goh
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 915; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040915 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
This paper attempts to ascertain the thermal and acoustic impacts of introducing a vegetative roof layer on insulated and uninsulated metal roofs for tropical climates, through field measurements in Skudai, Johor, Malaysia, that were conducted for both dry and wet days. Four small-scale
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This paper attempts to ascertain the thermal and acoustic impacts of introducing a vegetative roof layer on insulated and uninsulated metal roofs for tropical climates, through field measurements in Skudai, Johor, Malaysia, that were conducted for both dry and wet days. Four small-scale roof modules were tested, namely an uninsulated metal roof (uiMDR), an insulated metal roof (iMDR), and two identical corresponding modules with an additional vegetative component (uiGR and iGR, respectively). Outdoor ambient temperature (Tamb) was the most influential correlated variable affecting the roof outer surface temperature (RTOS) in 50% of the assessed scenarios. On the selected dry day, the inter-quartile ranges (IQR) of iGR, iMDR, uiGR, and uiMDR were 6.21 °C, 8.32 °C, 6.69 °C, and 1.66 °C, respectively; the IQRs were 1.6 °C, 4.11 °C, 2.59 °C, and 1.78 °C, respectively, on the selected wet day. Based on design U-value calculations, iGR was better than iMDR and uiMDR for both dry and wet days. The U-value of uiGR was also better than iMDR under dry-day conditions. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test also indicated a statistically significant difference in the roof inner surface temperature (RTIS) measurements (p-value = 0.00) during Malaysian daylight hours, between 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m., regardless of the weather. In terms of sound level reduction under dry-day conditions, the Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed statistically significant differences in sound level reductions, with iGR and uiGR performing better than iMDR and uiMDR (p-values = 0.00). The sound level reductions for iGR, iMDR, and uiGR were 51%, 32%, and 31%, respectively, while uiMDR experienced sound level amplifications by 6%, possibly due to the acoustic resonance effect. This proof of concept may encourage a broader application of extensive GRs in Malaysia using metal roofs, beyond the conventional RC base construction method.
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(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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Correlation Analysis of Urban Road Network Structure and Spatial Distribution of Tourism Service Facilities at Multi-Scales Based on Tourists’ Travel Preferences
by
Xiaoyun Song, Lizhu Du and Zheyu Wang
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 914; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040914 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Harbin, as a popular tourist city in China, and the host of the 2025 Asian Winter Games, boasts rich tourism resources and significant potential for further development. The structure of the urban road network is a crucial factor influencing the spatial distribution of
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Harbin, as a popular tourist city in China, and the host of the 2025 Asian Winter Games, boasts rich tourism resources and significant potential for further development. The structure of the urban road network is a crucial factor influencing the spatial distribution of tourism service facilities. However, the current research on the correlation between the two, analyzed at multiple scales based on tourists’ travel preferences, is not sufficient. First, utilizing the questionnaire survey method to analyze tourists’ travel preferences and combining it with the theory of 15-min life circle, we determine the study scales at 500 m, 1000 m, 3000 m, and 5000 m. Secondly, the integration value and choice value of roads in the main urban area of Harbin are analyzed based on the theory of spatial syntax. The spatial distribution characteristics of tourism service facilities are then revealed through kernel density analysis. Finally, the correlation between the road network structure and the distribution of various types of tourism service facilities in Harbin at different scales is determined through buffer analysis and Pearson bivariate correlation analysis. The results show that: (1) Integration value plays a significant positive role in promoting the clustering of tourism service facilities, especially tending to cluster in areas with high integration value formed at a scale of 500 m; (2) At the scale of 3000 m, the distribution of tourism service facilities exhibits a significant correlation with the choice value; (3) The correlation between dining, shopping, and entertainment facilities and the integration value decreases with the increase in scale, whereas the spatial distribution of accommodation and attraction facilities does not exhibit a regular pattern with changes in integration value. In addition, this paper also puts forward targeted suggestions for optimizing the urban road network structure, reasonably locating tourism service facilities, and implementing balanced regional development. The contribution of this study is that it will help improve tourists’ travel experience in the city and provide scientific support for promoting the overall sustainable development of tourism in Harbin.
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(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
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Out-of-Plane Design Equations for Confined Masonry Walls
by
Luis Fernandez-Baqueiro, Jorge Varela-Rivera and Joel Moreno-Herrera
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 913; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/buildings14040913 - 27 Mar 2024
Abstract
Nowadays there is still a lack of requirements for the out-of-plane design of confined masonry walls. Current code requirements are mainly based on the in-plane behavior of those walls. This research is divided into two parts. In the first part, two confined walls
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Nowadays there is still a lack of requirements for the out-of-plane design of confined masonry walls. Current code requirements are mainly based on the in-plane behavior of those walls. This research is divided into two parts. In the first part, two confined walls subjected to out-of-plane uniform loads were tested in the laboratory. Confining elements with minimum cross-section dimensions and wall aspect ratios smaller than one were considered. The variable studied was the wall length. Out-of-plane load—displacement curves of walls were obtained. In the second part, two design equations were developed to determine the out-of-plane strength of confined walls. A design equation was developed to determine the corresponding in-plane forces transferred to the confining elements. The out-of-plane strength of 6912 walls was determined using a computer program based on the bidirectional strut method. A parametric analysis was carried out for the out-of-plane strength considering different variables. Multiple linear regression analyses were carried out to propose out-of-plane strength design equations. It was concluded that the experimental out-of-plane strength increased, and the wall failure type changed as the wall length decreased. In addition, the experimental out-of-plane strength of walls was well predicted with both out-of-plane design equations.
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(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
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