Self-Help Housing Stimulus Assistance (BSPS) is a program that renovates unlivable houses with government funds of IDR20,000,000, with the remaining funds provided by the program recipient’s self-help funds. The assistance value has been set since 2020, but, aside from inflation, the community also stated that it was insufficient. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the adequacy of assistance value by sampling 195 BSPS recipients across nine regencies/cities in East Java Province. The results showed that the BSPS house renovation costs were influenced by the recipient's self-help value, averaging IDR11,583,677. Although the average self-help value is quite large, the BSPS assistance of IDR 20,000,000 still needs to be increased to between IDR 21,000,000 and IDR 26,000,000. An increase in assistance value from IDR1,000,000 to IDR6,000,000 will provide relief for the community through self-help and optimize the amount of assistance and community self-help to meet the needs for livable housing specifications. The results of this study can also inform a re-examination of the design and budget plan for simple houses for the community, especially those with low incomes, to ensure they remain liveable and affordable.
Technology, Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
Abstract On the 12th of June 2017 an earthquake of Mw = 6.3 struck SSE of Lesvos Island, causing one human fatality and severe damage to the built environment. The traditional settlement of Vrissa was the most affected area, having masonry structures as the majority of its building stock. The objective of the present study is two-fold: to present the structural damage and failure patterns induced by the Lesvos earthquake to masonry structures; to highlight the causes and weaknesses that led to damage, or the factors that prevented it. Particular attention is paid to traditional construction techniques and architectural features that contributed to the seismic response of the structures, either having beneficial or detrimental effect. To this end, a field reconnaissance has been conducted and meaningful technical conclusions are drawn by the observations. Structural systems of both unreinforced and timber-reinforced masonry are inspected. Besides the identification of frequent cases of local, out-of-plane and in-plane mechanisms, combined global mechanisms are also pointed out. Finally, insight into the performance of past interventions is also given, assisting the challenging task of engineering practice.
: The rapid advancement of intelligent design technology in building structures has been primarily implemented in engineering practice through the use of local or cloud-based software to offer intelligent design services. However, local intelligent design services are time-consuming and require high-end hardware, whereas cloud-based designs fail to integrate seamlessly with existing design processes. Consequently, providing convenient intelligent design support for engineering practices is challenging. To address these problems, this study proposes a local–cloud collaborative intelligent design technology called AIstructure-Copilot, which serves as a structural intelligent design assistant. In this system, the local end performs routine graphical operations that align with engineers' design habits, whereas the cloud end executes generative artificial intelligence (AI) for intelligent design, thereby enhancing efficiency and effectively combining the strengths of both services. Specifically, this technology achieves a high level of automation and intelligence throughout the entire process, encompassing architectural design, structural design, and the establishment and execution of structural analysis models. This is accomplished by constructing a local–cloud collaborative mode, introducing a comprehensive data transmission format, and developing a cloud interface for generative AI algorithms. The effectiveness of the AIstructure-Copilot model was validated using a typical case study. The results demonstrate that AI design improves design efficiency by more than tenfold, satisfies the regulatory requirements of design schemes, and exhibits a discrepancy of approximately 20% when compared with designs created by competent engineers.
Buildings exert a profound influence on the environment, with the design phase recognized as the pivotal determinant of a building’s overall performance. Green building design, in particular, introduces heightened complexity, where the attributes of the design team play a pivotal role in shaping performance outcomes. Consequently, the characteristics of the design team emerge as crucial factors in the enhancement of both green building design performance and client attributes. This study aims to empirically examine a model formulated to gauge the extent to which Effective Design Team Attributes contribute to the enhancement of performance in designing green buildings and influencing client attributes. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive questionnaire survey was administered to professionals within the architecture and engineering domains actively engaged in the design and consulting sectors of the building industry. The collected data underwent meticulous scrutiny for authenticity and dependability using the WINSTEPS 5.2.5 software before undergoing subsequent analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 19, with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach implemented through Amos version 18 to derive the most robust model. The findings underscore the pivotal role of an adeptly managed design team in significantly improving both the performance of green building designs and the qualities of clients. Rasch’s analysis confirmed the validity of our 5-point Likert scale for Design Green Building Performance (DGBP), Effective Design Team Attributes (EDTA), and Client Qualities (CQ). All items demonstrated excellent reliability, separation, and discrimination, ensuring robust data quality. Dimensionality tests revealed the appropriateness of response categories, indicating satisfactory scale performance. The Effective Design Team Model, validated through Principal Components Analysis (PCA), exhibited a satisfactory fit, supported by significant chi-square statistics, high goodness-of-fit indices, and acceptable root mean square residual values. Client attributes displayed a strong association with effective design team management, validating key model elements. The intricacies inherent in the design process can be mitigated by adopting the green design charrette approach. Consequently, the establishment of an effective design team, coupled with green design leadership, active participation, and clarity in roles and responsibilities, emerges as a potent strategy for elevating the performance level of green building designs.
This study used a thorough experimental method to examine the dynamic interaction between soil and structures in earthquake-prone locations. The study challenge concentrated on how different soil types and configurations influence the diversity of structural reactions under seismic loading conditions. The research utilized a mixed methods approach, which involved quantitatively analyzing soil parameters and assessing structure dynamics. The methods employed included the creation of scaled replicas depicting common architectural structures situated on various soil types, including sandy, clayey, and mixed compositions. We used high-precision sensors to record ground motion characteristics such as Acceleration, velocity, and Displacement. The data was then evaluated using statistical methods such as ANOVA and regression analysis. The results revealed substantial differences in the structural reaction based on the type of soil and the parameters of the structure. Structures built on sandy soils saw greater peak accelerations (up to 0.170 g) but smaller displacements. On the other hand, structures on clayey soils had moderate accelerations (up to 0.140 g) but had bigger inter-story drifts. The varied soil layers, ranging from 1.500 Hz to 1.780 Hz, influenced the natural frequencies of the buildings. The damping ratios ranged from 5.000% to 7.800%, indicating that structural damping effectively reduces seismic forces. The results emphasized the critical importance of the interaction between soil and structures in seismic design and the necessity for customized engineering solutions based on the individual soil conditions at the site. Suggested measures include improving methods for soil characterization, optimizing structural dynamics using cutting-edge dampening technologies, and upgrading seismic design codes to enhance the ability of structures to withstand earthquakes in places prone to seismic activity.
ABSTRACT The preservation of architectural heritage relies on a comprehensive understanding assisted by diagnostic procedures. Among non-destructive techniques, the Sonic Pulse Velocity Test (SPVT) qualifies the compactness of a masonry wall through elastic wave transmission. However, it does not directly estimate any mechanical parameters. This study presents findings from a database of 346 direct SPVTs carried out over thirteen years on both listed and ordinary buildings. Results were categorized based on masonry type according to the Italian building code, to derive information about construction quality and relate SPV with building features. Tests performed on 37 masonry panels strengthened by grout injections also confirmed the validity of SPVT in evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention. Furthermore, the Masonry Quality Index (MQI) method permitted to refine the masonry type definition through the judgment of the units’ arrangement. MQI and SPVT results were also combined by statistical analysis. These findings aim to increase comprehension of the different types of existing masonry capacity and contribute to engineering assessments for ensuring the structural safety of historical buildings.
Nanotechnology and nanomaterials have offered sustainable design options for the built environment and enabled architects to design more flexible architectural forms. Carbon nanotubes have excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, and chemical properties and are useful in a wide range of engineering applications. However, the role of carbon nanotube composites as a functional construction material has large potential and awaits further investigation and exploration. This paper gives an overview of the synthesis and fabrication methods of carbon nanotubes, carbon nanotube properties, different forms of carbon nanotube composites, and application of carbon nanotubes in the construction industry. To explore the prospects for construction use, the aesthetic, structural, and functional characteristics of several futuristic building projects are discussed. This overview proposes a promising material approach for the application of carbon nanotubes in construction and explains the related opportunities and challenges.
Structures enabling transformability of buildings, components and materials at different levels gain significance in view of a sustainable built environment. Such structures are capable of obtaining different shapes in response to varying functional, environmental or loading conditions. Certain limitations of classic tensegrity and scissor-like structures, applied so far in an architectural and engineering context, are attributed to a limited number of possible configurations and a big number of actuators required. In this context, rigid-bar linkages offer a promising alternative with regard to constructability, modularity, transformability and control components integration. In achieving improved flexibility and controllability with a reduced number of actuation devices, a kinematics principle has been previously proposed by the authors that involves the reduction of the system to an externally controlled one degree-of-freedom mechanism in a multistep transformation process. The paper presents application of the kinematics principle in two classes of a transformable spatial rigid-bar linkage structure. Investigation of the system kinematics was conducted using parametric associative design. The kinematics principle is applied on a torus-shaped spatial structural system composed of planar interconnected linkages. Alternative motion sequences of multiple transformation steps by the planar linkages can be implemented for the stepwise adjustment of the joints to their desired values. The actuators employed are positioned at the ground supports and are detached from the main structural body. Thus, minimum structural self-weight, simplicity and reduced energy consumption become possible. The transformation approaches using parametric associative design are exemplified based on a selected motion sequence pattern. The case study demonstrates the high degree of control flexibility and transformability of the system.
Hysteresis behavior of structural components has been one of the research focus for the structural engineering community for decades, comprehensively determines the structural performance and safety, and plays an important role in structural disaster mitigation. It is of great significance to continuously monitor structural responses and accurately characterize structural hysteresis. Currently, the nonlinear properties of real‐world structural components cannot be obtained before its failure. Thus, a historical database is collected firstly. Then, a data‐driven analysis method is proposed for predicting hysteresis behaviors of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. A bidirectional LSTM (BLSTM) network is developed to model and predict hysteresis curves. The data with unfixed lengths are specially processed to simultaneously guarantee a uniform size and avoid data loss, and the clipping layers are inserted in the model to clip off inferior predictions and improve the accuracy. This methodology is systematically studied and validated by employing a sythetic database generated by numerical simulation and the full‐scale experiment database named PEER database. Result shows that proposed BLSTM can predict the hysteresis curves of the RC components with acceptable accuracy and robustness. Moreover, the interpretability analysis is performed on identifying the learning and prediction principle of the BLSTM model on hysteresis prediction and its accuracy variation under different model architectures.
Abstract Modern day building design projects require multidisciplinary expertise from architects and engineers across various phases of the design (conceptual, preliminary, and detailed) and construction processes. The Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) community has recently shifted gears toward leveraging design optimization techniques to make well-informed decisions in the design of buildings. However, most of the building design optimization efforts are either multidisciplinary optimization confined to just a specific design phase (conceptual/preliminary/detailed) or single disciplinary optimization (structural/thermal/daylighting/energy) spanning across multiple phases. Complexity in changing the optimization setup as the design progresses through subsequent phases, interoperability issues between modeling and physics-based analysis tools used at later stages, and the lack of an appropriate level of design detail to get meaningful results from these sophisticated analysis tools are few challenges that limit multi-phase multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) in the AEC field. This paper proposes a computational building design platform leveraging concurrent engineering techniques such as interactive problem structuring, simulation-based optimization using meta models for energy and daylighting (machine learning based) and tradespace visualization. The proposed multi-phase concurrent MDO framework is demonstrated by using it to design and optimize a sample office building for energy and daylighting objectives across multiple phases. Furthermore, limitations of the proposed framework and future avenues of research are listed.
Abstract. The work that is presented here shows the results of the survey and material characterization campaign, performed through digital information acquisition and management processes of the Temple of Venus in Baia, in the framework of the activities by the Departments of Civil, Building, and Environmental Engineering of the University of Naples Federico II, in agreement with the Archaeological Park of Campi Flegrei. The artifact stands as a deeply interesting example of an architectural palimpsest, which - despite being involved by significant structural reinforcement interventions - presents interesting technical solutions, to be further investigated in their singularity and specificity. Unfortunately, it cannot be currently visited, until the execution of works to guarantee its complete and safe accessibility, also in terms of structural safety. The use of digital methodologies for data acquisition, in the integration of range and image-based survey techniques, and their semantic de-discretization has allowed systematizing the developed knowledge into models that can be easily queried and implemented over time, where both the geometric and the information component are indispensable for orienting and elaborating a conscious and articulate restoration project, as required by this building.
The dynamic process of formation of protein assemblies is essential to form highly ordered structures in biological systems. Advances in structural and synthetic biology have led to the construction of artificial protein assemblies. However, development of design strategies exploiting the anisotropic shape of building blocks of protein assemblies has not yet been achieved. Here, the 2D assembly pattern of protein needles (PNs) is controlled by regulating their tip-to-tip interactions. The PN is an anisotropic needle-shaped protein composed of β-helix, foldon, and His-tag. Three different types of tip-modified PNs are designed by deleting the His-tag and foldon to change the protein-protein interactions. Observing their assembly by high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) reveals that PN, His-tag deleted PN, and His-tag and foldon deleted PN form triangular lattices, the monomeric state with nematic order, and fiber assemblies, respectively, on a mica surface. Their assembly dynamics are observed by HS-AFM and analyzed by the theoretical models. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations indicate that the mica-PN interactions and the flexible and multipoint His-tag interactions cooperatively guide the formation of the triangular lattice. This work is expected to provide a new strategy for constructing supramolecular protein architectures by controlling directional interactions of anisotropic shaped proteins.
We designed graphene oxide composites with increased morphological and structural variability using fatty acid-coupled polysaccharide co-polymer as the continuous phase. The matrix was synthesized by N, O-acylation of chitosan with palmitic and lauric acid. The obtained co-polymer was crosslinked with genipin and composited with graphene oxide. FTIR spectra highlighted the modification and multi-components interaction. DLS, SEM, and contact angle tests demonstrated that the conjugation of hydrophobic molecules to chitosan increased surface roughness and hydrophilicity, since it triggered a core-shell macromolecular structuration. Nanoindentation revealed a notable durotaxis gradient due to chitosan/fatty acid self-organization and graphene sheet embedment. The composited building blocks with graphene oxide were more stable during in vitro enzymatic degradation tests and swelled less. In vitro viability, cytotoxicity, and inflammatory response tests yielded promising results, and the protein adsorption test demonstrated potential antifouling efficacy. The robust and stable substrates with heterogeneous architecture we developed show promise in biomedical applications.
Oana NECULAI, Irina IGNATESCU-MANEA, Ana – Maria TOMA
et al.
Agriculture is one of the most important economical branches that supports and develops our society. With the increased surface allocated for the urban areas, in order to create more space for agriculture purposes, one idea is to look up. Therefore, the idea of a multi-level greenhouse in a hyperboloid structure has emerged. The hyperboloid is composed of multiple glass panels, interconnected with stainless steel rods or casings which envelope three (or more) concrete floors supported by a cylindrical concrete core. This shape was chosen for stronger structural integrity and for ensuring proper natural lighting. The main advantage for this system, besides a very low ground print, compared to the traditional greenhouses, is allowing growing different types of plants, as the soil type, water quantity, humidity and temperature conditions can be modulated for each level and sector.
Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings, Engineering design
Various supraparticles have been extensively studied owing to their excellent catalytic properties that are attributed to their inherent porous structure; however, their mechanical properties have not garnered attention owing to their less dense structure. We demonstrate a rational approach for fabricating assembled supraparticles and, subsequently, highly dense microspheres. In addition, 3 mol % yttria-stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) and alumina particles were selected as building blocks and assembled into higher-order architectures using a droplet-based template method (spray drying) for validation with proof-of-concept. Moreover, structural features such as density, size, sphericity, and morphology of supraparticles were controlled by adjusting the competing kinetics occurring between the assembly of building blocks and evaporation of the solvent in the droplets. The preparatory aqueous suspension and process parameters were optimized as well. A detailed understanding of the formation mechanism facilitated the yield of tailor-made supraparticles and, thereafter, highly dense microspheres (approximate relative density = 99%) with excellent sphericity (>98%) via heat treatment. The microspheres displayed highest hardness (26.77 GPa) and superior elastic modulus (210.19 GPa) compared with the mechanical properties of the 3YSZ samples reported to date. Ultimately, the proposed supraparticle engineering provided insight for controlling the structural features and resultant micromechanical properties, which widely extends the applicability of supraparticle-based functional materials for practical purposes that require materials with high density and excellent mechanical properties.
PurposeThe two main contributing factors that control the overall buildings’ energy performance are the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and the envelope design. Environmental design guidelines that consider these two factors aim to lower energy consumption. However, they are regional and climate-sensitive. This study aims to investigate how three main buildings’ envelope design variables (orientation, compactness and window to wall ratio) impact the overall building’s energy consumption within Kuwait’s regional and climate conditions.Design/methodology/approachThis study simulate the energy consumption of typically shaped buildings by varying their geometry between a square to a rectangular floor plan. This study analyse the associated energy usage and provide early-stage envelope design guidance specific to the country’s conditions, to make informed decisions towards environmentally conscious buildings.FindingsThe analysed envelope variables have the potential to reduce energy consumption by 40%, and the possibility to reduce HVAC system capacity by 30%. In contrast to the general guidance in literature and standards, the simulation results demonstrate that less compact building forms perform on occasions better than the most compact ones.Originality/valueThe objective of this paper is to quantify the energy consumption rates for buildings located within the Arabian Peninsula, an under-studied region with potentially high interest considering three main envelope design variables. The buildings’ yearly energy consumption patterns are unique and suggest different envelope design considerations, compared to other regions with different climate conditions. This emphasises the importance of regional guidelines for the different factors associated with energy and buildings’ environmental performance.
Renewable energy design is a complex process requiring many different factors to consider. There are many methods for calculating solar heat supply systems, varying in the degree of feasibility of each specific solution relative to its counterparts. Moreover, each design stage is based solely on the determination of the engineering and technical parameters of the selected solar system execution scheme; such important indicators as reliability, load-bearing capacity and operational safety of structural elements on which the elements of solar power plants are located often fade into the background and are even rarely taken into account by agreement with specialists performing related sections (architectural treatment – AT; structural concept – SC). In turn, the latter creates the need to revise the already adopted design options, and sometimes recalculate the developed measures. The solution to this problem is the development of a conceptual design methodology, including the calculation of active solar systems, taking into account not only climatic parameters that affect the performance of solar systems, but also the fundamental influencing factors that form the load on the load-bearing structural elements of the building, as well as entail a change in it. energy model (in particular, thermal protection indicators). At the same time, it is also possible to correlate the architectural and artistic appearance of the building with the accepted layout of the heliofields of active solar systems on the facades and other protruding elements of the building; including inclined facades.
Indonesia is an archipelago country with a sea larger than the mainland, so it is undeniable that in Indonesia there are many fisherman settlements. Often fishermen settlements in Indonesia are marginalized in the development of maritime and service industries and even become victims of the activities of the utilization of coastal areas by the private sector engaged in tourism, industry, and services. The fisherman settlement community is not getting a positive impact from the development, therefore this study aims so that the fisherman settlement community can get a positive impact from the development of the surrounding area. This research takes a case study in the fisherman settlements of Kingking and Karangsari in Tuban Regency, East Java. The approach used in this research is the urban assemblage approach to reveal socio-cultural knits as a cultural force that shapes the sustainability of the place. The urban assemblage approach will be supported by search methods which will then be analyzed descriptively qualitatively. The search was carried out through literature review and field surveys. This research presents the results in the form of a mapping of knits between culture, social, the economy as the cultural strength of the Kingking and Karangsari fisherman settlements with the surrounding tourist areas. The results of this study can be considered by the government and local communities in planning the development of coastal areas or fisherman settlements into tourist destinations.
Technology, Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to clarify the state of the disposition of building evacuation sites in Sendai, including the processes and background, whilst considering the project environment surrounding the disposition in central ministries and Sendai. The Home Ministry, which had been responsible for building evacuation during the wartime period, consistently promoted the conversion of evacuation sites into urban planning sites immediately following the end of World War II. The Ministry of Transport and the War‐Damage Reconstruction Institute also planned to convert evacuation sites into urban planning sites and railway land. Therefore, in Sendai, there were plans to convert two evacuation sites into streets. However, due to differences in the project environment surrounding the disposition of evacuation sites; such as the number of evacuated houses, required expenses, regional characteristics, and differences in project characteristics; only one street was completed. Considering the influence of pre‐war urban planning on building evacuation, and thus war‐damage reconstruction: three streets coincided with preceding pre‐war plans, and the pre‐war urban planning street was taken over in a manner consistent with war‐damage reconstruction through building evacuation.
Architecture, Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings