In this paper we define a generating function for buildings of type $\widetilde{A}_1$ (i.e. trees) that are enhanced with a certain filtration structure. We prove that this generating function recovers the zeta function of certain quadratic orders. We do this by studying how the ideals of the orders distribute in the building of $SL(2, K)$.
Abstract In an effort to reduce waste and engage in more sustainable construction, this research focuses on the development of a cost-competitive, environmentally-friendly geopolymer concrete mixture that offers structural benefits relative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), uses fly ash, a toxic waste byproduct as a raw material, and reduces the amount of CO2 emitted during production of the concrete. The production of OPC, the current standard in concrete, relies on a high amount of energy, and as a result accounts for 7% of CO2 emissions worldwide. Production of OPC is expected to increase 4-fold over the next 30 years, posing significant environmental risk. While numerous studies have examined the use of geopolymer concrete as a more sustainable construction material, concerns about the cost and environmental impact are obstacles against widespread production and market adoption. The new mix designs proposed herein result in up to a 50% decrease in the cost of geopolymer concrete, making this sustainable alternative a viable option relative to traditional concrete. In addition, the production of the proposed mixtures requires less than 50% of the fuel usage (thermal energy) required for OPC, decreasing CO2 emissions. The proposed mixtures not only reduce environmental impact, but they also offer improved performance, which may appeal to many concrete manufacturers. While the proposed alternative to Portland cement is suitable for most applications, it is posited that those firms interested in pursuing sustainable construction may be most inclined to adopt the proposed mixture in order to meet their sustainability goals.
The UHPC deck layer may be susceptible to cracking during construction, raising concerns for bridge engineering utilizing this advanced material. Addressing the issue of drying shrinkage cracking observed on the UHPC deck layer of a cable-stayed bridge, a real-time investigation into crack evolution was conducted. This study employed acoustic emission (AE) technique with in-situ data processing, focusing on AE time series analysis. Additionally, triangulation techniques were utilized to determine the AE source positions of active cracks. The results showed continuous crack evolution on the UHPC deck layer, mainly due to construction vehicles, with two major instances of crack propagation and arrest. AE signals correlated with measured crack propagation, with two major AE events matching recorded crack jumps. Later AE sources indicated a step-by-step crack tip advancement. This paper underscores the effectiveness of the AE technique for crack identification and real-time monitoring of in-service bridges.
Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General), Building construction
We address the scientific “time” concept in the context of more general relaxation processes toward the <i>Wärmetod</i> of thermodynamic equilibrium. More specifically, we sketch a construction of a conceptual ladder of chemical reaction steps that can rigorously bridge a description from the microscopic domain of molecular quantum chemistry to the macroscopic materials domain of Gibbsian thermodynamics. This conceptual reformulation follows the pioneering work of Kenichi Fukui (Nobel 1981) in rigorously formulating the <i>intrinsic reaction coordinate</i> (IRC) pathway for controlled description of non-equilibrium passages between reactant and product equilibrium states of an overall material transformation. Elementary <i>chemical reaction steps</i> are thereby identified as the logical building-blocks of an integrated mathematical framework that seamlessly spans the gulf between classical (pre-1925) and quantal (post-1925) scientific conceptions and encompasses both static and dynamic aspects of material change. All modern chemical reaction rate studies build on the apparent infallibility of quantum-chemical solutions of Schrödinger’s wave equation and its Dirac-type relativistic corrections. This infallibility may now be properly accepted as an added“inductive law” of Gibbsian chemical thermodynamics, the only component of 19th-century physics that passed <i>intact</i> through the revolutionary quantum upheavals of 1925.
IFC data has become the general building information standard for collaborative work in the construction industry. However, IFC data can be very complicated because it allows for multiple ways to represent the same product information. In this research, we utilise the capabilities of LLMs to parse the IFC data with Graph Retrieval-Augmented Generation (Graph-RAG) technique to retrieve building object properties and their relations. We will show that, despite limitations due to the complex hierarchy of the IFC data, the Graph-RAG parsing enhances generative LLMs like GPT-4o with graph-based knowledge, enabling natural language query-response retrieval without the need for a complex pipeline.
Stefan Gieseke, Stefan Kiebacher, Simon Plätzer
et al.
We introduce building blocks for the cluster hadronization model in light of a new structure, focusing on cluster fission and cluster decay. We propose theoretically motivated matrix elements for cluster fission and decay as building blocks and study some first phenomenological implications at different energies. In particular we develop a set of observables which can be used to dissect the hadronization history and have constraining power on the individual building blocks. Our analysis will be completed by including colour reconnection in a follow-up work.
Yinan Yu, Alex Gonzalez-Caceres, Samuel Scheidegger
et al.
Renovating existing buildings is essential for climate impact. Early-phase renovation planning requires simulations based on thermal 3D models at Level of Detail (LoD) 3, which include features like windows. However, scalable and accurate identification of such features remains a challenge. This paper presents the Scalable Image-to-3D Facade Parser (SI3FP), a pipeline that generates LoD3 thermal models by extracting geometries from images using both computer vision and deep learning. Unlike existing methods relying on segmentation and projection, SI3FP directly models geometric primitives in the orthographic image plane, providing a unified interface while reducing perspective distortions. SI3FP supports both sparse (e.g., Google Street View) and dense (e.g., hand-held camera) data sources. Tested on typical Swedish residential buildings, SI3FP achieved approximately 5% error in window-to-wall ratio estimates, demonstrating sufficient accuracy for early-stage renovation analysis. The pipeline facilitates large-scale energy renovation planning and has broader applications in urban development and planning.
Simeng Xie, Pedro Martinez-Vazquez, Charalampos Baniotopoulos
The response to the climate emergency requires solutions that address multiple sustainability targets, which could be conducted by merging scientific research from areas that have traditionally evolved separately. This investigation presents advances in that direction by studying a building prototype designated for vertical farming, which enables the wind energy potential across built-up areas to be explored, in this case through the implementation of micro-wind turbines on the surface of the prototype. The study includes a parametric analysis consisting of varying locations of wind turbines across the building envelope, and the width of ventilation corridors. The effects of different widths of outdoor ventilation corridors, various locations, and additional wind angles on the capacity to harvest wind resources were investigated. The results showed that the 5 m wide outdoor corridor has the best ventilation effect, and the wind turbine placed on the roof has the best wind energy potential. The efficiency of wind turbines decreases significantly when multiple devices are placed at the same height on the façades, although overall, the potential for energy harvesting seems incremental.
The existence of structural strength in undisturbed soil results in its distinct characteristics compared to remolded soil. Under the influence of freeze–thaw cycles, this difference may easily cause geotechnical disasters in cold regions. This study aimed to analyze and discuss the expression degree and influencing factors of the structural strength of expansive soil. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, high-pressure consolidation test, and microscopic test were performed on expansive soil retrieved from a seasonally frozen region. Moreover, sensitivity parameters, including stress sensitivity (<i>S<sub>t.qu</sub></i>, <i>S<sub>t.σ<sub>k</sub></sub></i>) and strain sensitivity (<i>S<sub>t.ɛu</sub></i>, <i>S<sub>t.C<sub>c</sub></sub></i>), were applied to explore the expression degree and influencing factors of structural strength in a seasonally frozen region. The results reveal that the undisturbed samples have better structural connection and particle arrangement than the remolded samples. However, the primary fractures have a certain degrading effect on the strength of the undisturbed soil as influenced by a seasonally frozen region. With the increase in water content and the decrease in density, the expression degree of the structural strength in terms of compressive strength and the ability to resist deformation enhances under the unconfined condition. By contrast, the expression degree increases in strength and decreases in ability under the confined condition. Furthermore, the effect mechanisms of the basic property, particle composition, structural linkage, lateral confinement, and historical role on the structural expression were analyzed.
This paper delves into the application of green building aspects in historical and modern homes, driven by the imperative to address the environmental impacts of building construction. Against the backdrop of evolving human needs and architectural forms, the study aims to assess the extent of green building implementation in typical old and modern houses. Methodologically, the research conducts a comprehensive analysis of six key aspects of green building—Appropriate Site Development, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Water Conservation, Material Resources and Cycle, Indoor Health and Comfort, and Building Environment Management—through random observations of representative buildings from different time periods. The results indicate a notable discrepancy in the adoption of green aspects between historical and modern homes, with historical houses exhibiting a higher degree of integration. Specifically, historical homes scored 41 points in green aspect implementation, while modern houses scored 22 points. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing sustainable building practices to mitigate environmental impacts and promote holistic well-being in residential constructions.
Andreas Walch, Attila Szabo, Harald Steinlechner
et al.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) describes a central data pool covering the entire life cycle of a construction project. Similarly, Building Energy Modeling (BEM) describes the process of using a 3D representation of a building as a basis for thermal simulations to assess the building's energy performance. This paper explores the intersection of BIM and BEM, focusing on the challenges and methodologies in converting BIM data into BEM representations for energy performance analysis. BEMTrace integrates 3D data wrangling techniques with visualization methodologies to enhance the accuracy and traceability of the BIM-to-BEM conversion process. Through parsing, error detection, and algorithmic correction of BIM data, our methods generate valid BEM models suitable for energy simulation. Visualization techniques provide transparent insights into the conversion process, aiding error identification, validation, and user comprehension. We introduce context-adaptive selections to facilitate user interaction and to show that the BEMTrace workflow helps users understand complex 3D data wrangling processes.