Buildings

  2075-5309

 

  Thụy Sĩ

Cơ quản chủ quản:  Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) , MDPI

Lĩnh vực:
ArchitectureCivil and Structural EngineeringBuilding and Construction

Các bài báo tiêu biểu

Fatigue-Prone Details in Steel Bridges
Tập 2 Số 4 - Trang 456-476
Reza Haghani, Mohammad Al‐Emrani, Mohsen Heshmati
This paper reviews the results of a comprehensive investigation including more than 100 fatigue damage cases, reported for steel and composite bridges. The damage cases are categorized according to types of detail. The mechanisms behind fatigue damage in each category are identified and studied. It was found that more than 90% of all reported damage cases are of deformation-induced type and generated by some kind of unintentional or otherwise overlooked interaction between different load-carrying members or systems in the bridge. Poor detailing, with unstiffened gaps and abrupt changes in stiffness at the connections between different members were also found to contribute to fatigue cracking in many details.
Performance of Blue-Green Roofs in Cold Climates: A Scoping Review
Tập 8 Số 4 - Trang 55
Erlend Andenæs, Tore Kvande, Tone Merete Muthanna, Jardar Lohne
Green and blue-green roofs are emerging as an increasingly popular feature of rooftops, particularly in urban areas. Particular problematic conditions render their usage complex in the Nordic countries. In order to ensure that green roofs are built durable and with the service life expected of them, it is important to know all the relevant factors surrounding their construction and operation. A scoping study was conducted in order to gain an overview on green roof research and available scientific literature. One hundred articles of particular interest for Nordic climates were retrieved and their findings summarized. It is found that the vast majority of green roof research has been conducted on a theoretical basis, or with practical measurements on green roof test beds or isolated components. There is scarcely any literature on the operation of full-scale, building-implemented green roofs, and no articles were found on the building technical performance of aged green roofs. These knowledge gaps indicate a major risk factor in green roof operation, as their performance and integrity over time has not been documented. This despite the fact that green roofs have been implemented and in operation worldwide for decades.
Metal-Nails Waste and Steel Slag Aggregate as Alternative and Eco-Friendly Radiation Shielding Composites
Tập 12 Số 8 - Trang 1120
Mohammed M. Attia, Bassam Abdelsalam Abdelsalam, Mohamed Amin, Ibrahim Saad Agwa, Mohammad Farouk Abdelmagied
Metal waste recycling has become a global requirement owing to its environmental benefits and powerful economic activity. Metal nail waste (MNW) is a byproduct of metal nail manufacture. MNW has an equal size, contains a high ratio of iron, and has a high specific gravity comparable to normal aggregate. We present MNW recycling as a partial replacement for fine aggregates and electric arc furnace steel slag (EAFSS) as coarse aggregates to produce sustainable heavyweight concrete (HWC). Our main research aim was to study the radiation shielding and mechanical properties of sustainable HWC by partially replacing MNW with 10, 20, 30, and 40% sand. EAFSS is a coarse aggregate for 60% of the total volume. Fresh and hardened properties of HWC are presented. Furthermore, we analysed the internal structure of HWC mixes using a scanning electron microscope. Our results showed the positive effects of MNW on the unit weight of concrete. The density of HWC mixes ranges between 2650 and 3170 kg/m3. In addition, MNW contributes to increasing the compressive strength of concrete mixes with their use of up to 30%. Therefore, the MNW ratios improved the failure behaviour of HWC mixes. The improved linear attenuation coefficient of HWC mixes was due to using MNW ratios and higher densities than the reference mix.
Seismic Analysis of Historic Masonry Buildings: The Vicarious Palace in Pescia (Italy)
Tập 2 Số 2 - Trang 63-82
Michele Betti, Luciano Galano
Recent Italian earthquakes have underlined the need for wide monitoring and safety assessment of architectonical heritage. This has emerged also from requirements of the new Italian Technical Recommendations for buildings. Within this subject the paper investigates the seismic vulnerability of a specific monumental masonry building: the Vicarious Palace (Palazzo del Vicario) in Pescia, a small town near Florence. The structural behavior of the Palace was investigated using a finite element model in which the non-linearities of the masonry were considered by proper constitutive assumptions. The seismic behavior was evaluated by the pushover method, according to the Italian Technical Recommendations. The results were compared with the ones obtained by a simplified approach based on the kinematic theorem of limit analysis. Comparisons of the expected seismic demand vs the seismic capacity of the Palace confirm the weakness of this type of building to suffer extensive damage under earthquakes, as frequently observed in similar construction typologies. Additionally, the comprehension of the structural behavior under seismic loading allows the identification of a proper retrofitting strategy.
The Vertical Farm: A Review of Developments and Implications for the Vertical City
Tập 8 Số 2 - Trang 24
Kheir Al‐Kodmany
This paper discusses the emerging need for vertical farms by examining issues related to food security, urban population growth, farmland shortages, “food miles”, and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Urban planners and agricultural leaders have argued that cities will need to produce food internally to respond to demand by increasing population and to avoid paralyzing congestion, harmful pollution, and unaffordable food prices. The paper examines urban agriculture as a solution to these problems by merging food production and consumption in one place, with the vertical farm being suitable for urban areas where available land is limited and expensive. Luckily, recent advances in greenhouse technologies such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics have provided a promising future to the vertical farm concept. These high-tech systems represent a paradigm shift in farming and food production and offer suitable and efficient methods for city farming by minimizing maintenance and maximizing yield. Upon reviewing these technologies and examining project prototypes, we find that these efforts may plant the seeds for the realization of the vertical farm. The paper, however, closes by speculating about the consequences, advantages, and disadvantages of the vertical farm’s implementation. Economic feasibility, codes, regulations, and a lack of expertise remain major obstacles in the path to implementing the vertical farm.
Optimization of Fresh and Mechanical Characteristics of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Composites Using Response Surface Technique
Tập 13 Số 4 - Trang 852
Muhammad Basit Khan, Ahsan Waqar, Naraindas Bheel, Nasir Shafiq, Nadhim Hamah Sor, Dorin Radu, Omrane Benjeddou
As a top construction material worldwide, concrete has core weakness relating to low tensile resistance without reinforcement. It is the reason that a variety of innovative materials are being used on concrete to overcome its weaknesses and make it more reliable and sustainable. Further, the embodied carbon of concrete is high because of cement being used as the integral binder. Latest research trends indicate significant potential for carbon fiber as an innovative material for improving concrete mechanical strength. Although significant literature is available on the use of carbon fiber in concrete, a limited number of studies have focused on the utilization of carbon fiber for concrete mechanical strength improvement and the reduction of embodied carbon. Following the gap in research, this study aimed to investigate and optimize the use of carbon fiber for its mechanical characteristics and embodied carbon improvements. The use of carbon fiber in self-compacting concrete lowers sagging. The greatest quantity of carbon fiber is that it reduces the blockage ratio, forcing the concrete to solidify as clumps develop. With time, carbon fiber improves the durability of concrete. Self-compacting concrete with no carbon fiber has a poor tensile strength. Experiments were conducted by adding carbon fiber at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0% by weight. Fresh concrete tests including slump test and L-box test, hardened concrete tests involving compressive strength and splitting tensile strength, and durability tests involving water absorption and acid attack test were conducted. Embodied carbon ratios were calculated for all of the mix ratios and decreasing impact, in the form of eco-strength efficiency, is observed with changes in the addition of carbon fiber in concrete. From the testing results, it is evident that 0.6% carbon fiber is the ideal proportion for increasing compressive strength and split tensile strength by 20.93% and 59%, respectively, over the control mix. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is then applied to develop a model based on results of extensive experimentation. Optimization of the model is performed and final modelled equations are provided in terms of calculating the impact of addition of carbon fiber in concrete. Positive implications are devised for the development of concrete in the future involving carbon fiber.
Barriers to the Implementation of Building Information Modeling among Jordanian AEC Companies
Tập 12 Số 2 - Trang 150
Esraa Hyarat, Tasneem Hyarat, Mustafa Al Kuisi
Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers significant opportunities for construction management as it provides an effective method for design and documentation, supports communication and collaboration, and enhances the most important factors of a project (time, cost, and quality). The aim of this study is to investigate the barriers to BIM implementation at AEC (architecture, management, construction, and quantity survey) companies in Jordan, and to look at the similarities and differences in perceptions on the significance of these barriers between respondents from different AEC companies. To accomplish these objectives, a questionnaire survey was created to gather feedback on the 20 major barriers to BIM implementation identified through a comprehensive literature review. The top significant barriers were identified using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Mean value; and to assess variances between respondents in the four AEC firms, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. From this, it was concluded that the “cost of training”, “cost of BIM software”, “insufficient BIM technical knowledge and awareness”, “lack of adequate BIM guidelines”, and “huge BIM up frontal investment” are the key barriers affecting the BIM implementation in Jordanian AEC companies. Considering this, this study provides an important step towards better understanding the implementation of BIM in Jordan.
Factors Influencing Adoption of Digital Twin Advanced Technologies for Smart City Development: Evidence from Malaysia
Tập 13 Số 3 - Trang 775
Ahsan Waqar, Idris Othman, Hamad Almujibah, Muhammad Basit Khan, Saleh Alotaibi, Adil A. M. Elhassan
Digital Twin Technology (DTT) has gained significant attention as a vital technology for the efficient management of smart cities. However, its successful implementation in developing countries is often hindered by several barriers. Despite limited research available on smart city development in Malaysia, there is a need to investigate the possible challenges that could affect the effective implementation of DTT in the country. This study employs a mixed methodology research design, comprising an interview, a pilot survey, and the main survey. Firstly, we identified barriers reported in the literature and excluded insignificant factors through interviews. Next, we conducted an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) on the pilot survey results to further refine the factors. Finally, we performed a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis on the main survey data to develop a model that identifies barriers to DTT implementation in smart city development in Malaysia. Our findings suggest the presence of 13 highly significant barriers, which are divided into four formative constructs. We found that personalization barriers are highly crucial, while operational barriers were less important for DTT implementation in smart city development in Malaysia.