This study presents the Structural–Typological–Value Sensitivity Model (STVSM), a multidimensional framework for evaluating vulnerability in historic buildings where physical fragility cannot be adequately captured through structural indicators alone. While existing approaches primarily prioritize load-bearing behaviour, they often overlook typological discontinuity, spatial fragmentation, and the erosion of architectural and cultural value. STVSM addresses this limitation through three weighted sub-indices: structural vulnerability (SV), typological degradation (TV), and heritage value (HV), each calibrated using expert-derived micro- and macro-level weighting coefficients. Field-based deterioration scores (0–1) are combined with these weights to generate SV, TV, and HV values, which are then integrated into a Conservation Priority Index (CPI). Although conceptually informed by building-scale seismic vulnerability literature, the model does not aim to simulate earthquake performance or replace numerical structural analysis. Instead, it operates as a comparative decision-support framework that incorporates seismic-informed deterioration patterns within a broader, conservation-oriented logic. The model is applied to twenty-five historic buildings across three heritage contexts: traditional houses in Cumalikizik, vernacular dwellings in Balıkesir–Karesi, and nineteenth-century Greek Orthodox churches in Bursa. The results demonstrate that integrating structural condition, typological integrity, and heritage value provides a transparent, repeatable, and scalable basis for conservation prioritization across diverse historic building stocks.
بیش از یکصد سال از پاسخهای معماران جهان اسلام به مناقشه دوگانه حفظ و تداوم سنت یا پذیرش کامل مدرنیته میگذرد. با وجود این، تأثیر آرای اندیشمندان و نواندیشان جهان اسلام بر اندیشه و عمل این معماران واکاوی و بررسی نشده است. ظهور مدرنیته و پیامدهای بحران هویتی و تشدید افول جوامع مسلمان، جوامع و اندیشمندان مسلمان را با رویکردی احیاگرانه به واکنش واداشت. این پاسخها در حوزه نظر (اندیشه) و عمل (معماری) ذیل سه گفتمان و رویکرد کلی 1) بازگشت به سنت، 2) پیروی از مدرنیته، 3) تلفیق سنت و مدرنیته، قابل شناسایی است. آنچه که تحت عنوان جنبش احیاگری، رنسانس اسلامی و یا جریان نومعتزله خوانده میشود، متمرکز بر همنهادی درونی میان سنت و مدرنیته است که تلفیق را به عنوان راه حل پیش رو و پاسخی میانۀ طیف سنت و مدرنیته، متصور میشود. در مقاله حاضر با بررسی تاثیرات این گفتمانها بر اندیشه و روش کار معماران معاصر پیشرو جهان اسلام، تفسیری تاریخی از رویکردهای عمده طراحی بر پایۀ مطالعه تطبیقی مبانی نظری معماران معاصر با آرای نواندیشان جهان اسلام ارائه میشود. در این مقاله با بررسی و نقد آثار این معماران احیاگر و پاسخهای معمارانه آنها به تلاقی سنت و مدرنیته، ذیل تقسیمبندی سهگانه ناصر رباط یعنی 1) شرقگرایی 2) ملیگرایی 3) نئو-اسلامی، نشان داده میشود که این تقسیمبندی با وجود دقت نظر فراوان، بخصوص در بخش ملیگرایی دسته بندی کلانی بنظر میرسد. در بحث پیش رو سعی شده این دسته بندی با توجه به نظریات نواندیشان جهان اسلام به روز و تکمیل شود.
Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
The seismic assessment of high-rise structures, especially in near-fault regions, necessitates advanced design solutions. This study evaluates the seismic performance of a 37-story steel Special Moment-Resisting Frame (SMRF) building equipped with Buckling-Restrained Braces (BRBs), subjected to near-fault pulse-like and non-pulse-like ground motions. The model, designed following ASCE7-22 standards, incorporates BRBs to enhance energy dissipation and mitigate inelastic deformations. Nonlinear time history analysis (NTHA) on the 3D model was conducted using OpenSees, considering key parameters such as inter-story drift ratio (ISDR), normalized base shear, and peak story accelerations. Also, the nonlinear response of the beam, column, and BRB have been presented. The results reveal distinct seismic response patterns based on the ground motion characteristics. Pulse-like records induce significantly higher demands, particularly at upper stories, manifesting in amplified accelerations and inter-story drifts compared to non-pulse-like records. In the most critical case, this resulted in approximately a 40% increase in drift and a 20% increase in acceleration. Conversely, non-pulse-like motions impose prolonged but less intense demands, leading to greater cumulative damage over time. The study underscores the critical need for incorporating both pulse-like and non-pulse-like ground motions in seismic assessments and highlights the importance of balanced stiffness and ductility in BRB-integrated designs. These insights contribute to the improvement of seismic design methodologies, ensuring the resilience and safety of tall buildings in earthquake-prone regions.
This study presents the Structural–Typological–Value Sensitivity Model (STVSM), a multi-dimensional framework for evaluating vulnerability in historic buildings where fragility cannot be explained by structural indicators alone. Existing models prioritise load-bearing behaviour but overlook typological discontinuity, spatial fragmentation and erosion of cultural or architectural value. STVSM addresses this through three weighted sub-indices—structural vulnerability (SV), typological degradation (TV) and heritage value (HV)—each calibrated using expert-derived micro–macro coefficients. Field-based deterioration scores (0–1) are multiplied by these final weights to produce SV, TV and HV values, then merged into a Conservation Priority Index (CPI).The model is applied to twenty-five buildings in three heritage contexts: Cumalıkızık traditional houses, vernacular dwellings in Balıkesir–Karesi and nineteenth-century Greek Orthodox churches in Bursa. The churches yield the highest CPI values due to roof loss, wall deformation and spatial discontinuity, reinforced by cultural significance. Vernacular houses show moderate structural deterioration but marked typological distortion linked to later additions and façade alterations. Cumalıkızık houses present heterogeneous conditions, combining preserved structures with material decay.By quantifying structural behaviour, typological integrity and heritage value within a single analytical system, STVSM offers a transparent and repeatable basis for conservation prioritisation across diverse historic building stocks.
Algumas dinâmicas existentes nas cidades geram consequências que podem tornar-se problemáticas urbanas como segregação, desigualdades sociais e criminalidade. Na tentativa de compreender como intervenções de qualificação urbana podem trazer mais vitalidade para essas áreas auxiliando a minimizar tais problemáticas, essa pesquisa buscou desenvolver um procedimento metodológico para identificar locais ideais para inserção de intervenções de microescala visando a qualificação urbana em cidades de médio porte. Os procedimentos metodológicos desenvolvidos e aplicados estão divididos em três etapas e auxiliam a analisar os bairros da cidade de Santa Maria (Rio Grande do Sul) sob quatro indicadores escolhidos. Os indicadores escolhidos para as análises e mapeamentos realizados foram dados de vulnerabilidade econômica, criminalidade, dados referentes à vazios urbanos existentes na malha da cidade e dados sobre pertencimento e organização comunitária (obtidos através
de entrevistas com gestores e funcionários do município). Esses indicadores apresentam necessidades e potenciais dos bairros da cidade analisada, nesse sentido, ao final do trabalho foi possível chegar no resultado dos bairros mais indicados a receberem intervenções de qualificação urbana na cidade de Santa Maria.
Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
Biopolymers are essential building blocks that constitute cells and tissues with well‐defined molecular structures and diverse biological functions. Their three‐dimensional (3D) complex architectures are used to analyze, control, and mimic various cells and their ensembles. However, the free‐form and high‐resolution structuring of various biopolymers remain challenging because their structural and rheological control depend critically on their polymeric types at the submicron scale. Here, direct 3D writing of intact biopolymers is demonstrated using a systemic combination of nanoscale confinement, evaporation, and solidification of a biopolymer‐containing solution. A femtoliter solution is confined in an ultra‐shallow liquid interface between a fine‐tuned nanopipette and a chosen substrate surface to achieve directional growth of biopolymer nanowires via solvent‐exclusive evaporation and concurrent solution supply. The evaporation‐dependent printing is biopolymer type‐independent, therefore, the 3D motor‐operated precise nanopipette positioning allows in situ printing of nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and proteins with submicron resolution. By controlling concentrations and molecular weights, several different biopolymers are reproducibly patterned with desired size and geometry, and their 3D architectures are biologically active in various solvents with no structural deformation. Notably, protein‐based nanowire patterns exhibit pin‐point localization of spatiotemporal biofunctions, including target recognition and catalytic peroxidation, indicating their application potential in organ‐on‐chips and micro‐tissue engineering.
Construction and demolition waste represents a growing environmental, social, and economic problem, and has become a priority for European and worldwide policies. The early quantification of construction waste is essential for the minimisation of its production and the improvement of waste management. This requires the development of design-based tools that enable a better understanding of the expected waste produced during the construction phase. Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodologies have gained recognition in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sector, largely due to their capacity for data simulation, storage, and management during the building design phase. This study presents a software application, called WE-BIM Add-in, to quantify construction waste (CW) while designing the BIM model in Revit. A validated CW quantification model which enables waste types and quantities per building element to be predicted in detail according to the European List of Waste (LoW) is integrated into the Revit workflow. Design alternatives could be effortlessly simulated in real time to assist practitioners in decision-making during the early design stages. Two alternative structural systems of a Spanish residential building were compared: a reinforced concrete structure, Option 1 (O1), and a steel structure, Option 2 (O2). The results were obtained automatically: O2, in addition to reducing 56% of O1′s waste, would have increased the waste recycling rate by 49%; and displayed in Revit, thereby remaining consistent with those of other studies that compare prefabricated systems with in situ systems. This work provides a basis for future research into the automated estimation of construction waste in BIM which could become a useful tool in waste-prevention policies.
Smart home technology (SHT) is becoming more widespread, implemented to enhance convenience as well as energy flexibility and efficiency. Smart heating, lighting, security and entertainment systems are affecting social practices and the use of energy in different ways. This paper explores differences in competences, meanings and forms of knowledge involved in the performance of (gendered) household practices based on two Danish qualitative studies of different user groups: SHT frontrunner households ('n' = 15) and less tech-interested households ('n' = 12). The former had incorporated a broad range of smart technologies, 'e.g'. vacuum cleaners, lighting and entertainment systems, while the latter were primarily engaged with smart heating systems. In the frontrunner households, internal differences in competences and meanings between men and women were more apparent than in households with less tech interest. A clear division between traditional and digital housekeeping is apparent that reinforces gender inequality. Evidence shows the variation in how SHT is part of gendered everyday practices; how SHT changes meanings and competences in practices and induces new ways of performing practices that can involve gendered digital inequality. Thus, it is necessary to consider competences and meanings in everyday practices as well as gendered ideas behind the technology. 'Policy relevance' Strategies and policies for a green transition of the energy systems in Denmark and the European Union include a digitalisation of consumption in households. This transition will induce reconfigurations of everyday practices potentially entailing both digital and gendered inequality. The home has often been a contested space, relating to gender roles, inequality and division of household labour. This paper shows that SHT potentially reinforces gender inequality by creating a gendered gap between digital and traditional housekeeping. To avoid potential reinforcement of gender inequality within the home, SHT promotion and development needs to account for gender differences. Actions by industry would include differences of gendered housekeeping, showing an awareness of varying technology competences and meanings in everyday practices as well as the gendered vision of SHT and its users.
Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
Jafar H. Agalarov, Guldasta Akif Mammadova, Mexseti Akif Rustamova
The movements of a reinforced net are considered. Mesh systems are used in various areas of modern technology, aviation, fishing, and construction. In recent years, much attention has been drawn to the complete equations that describe the motion of a deformable thread. In accordance with the studied task, the reinforcement of the net is carried out by adding terms in the equations of motion. In the planar case, the static behavior of the structure is investigated, and equations of motion are derived that allow the study of motion. The problem of wave propagation in deformable filament systems, taking into account a significant deviation of the filament shape from the original rectilinear one, is mathematically very difficult, since the equations of motion are a system of nonlinear differential equations in partial derivatives. To solve the problem, the method of characteristics is used. As well the method of characteristics solves the problem of the propagation of unloading waves (in the case of a load, shock waves arise). Depending on the velocity distribution at the boundary, the distribution of the strain constant on the characteristics is determined. The results are constructed by numerical integration of the integrals of the characteristics found by the method. The solution using the characteristic equations shows the occurrence of traveling waves.
Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
Ana Isabel Santolaria Castellanos, Jaime Ramos Alderete, Pablo Ramos Alderete
Esta investigación se centra en las relaciones existentes entre el habitante, la casa y los objetos que contiene, para revelar el papel que adquiere la colección en la construcción del espacio doméstico. El objeto de estudio es la casa de John Soane en Londres, como caso ejemplar en el que la colección se convierte en definidora y creadora de espacio. El estrecho vínculo entre colección y arquitectura se manifiesta especialmente en las Descriptions, el texto en el que Soane describe su propia casa a través de los objetos de cada estancia, planteando un recorrido ideado para revelar las virtudes del espacio arquitectónico. Se muestra así que la casa de Soane es una gran colección de arquitectura, materializada en la construcción simultánea de tres colecciones: de fragmentos de arquitectura, de edificios y de espacios arquitectónicos construidos. De algún modo, lo que Soane construye en el interior de su casa es un capricho arquitectónico. Una fantasía que representa una visión idealizada de su propia ‘idea de arquitectura,’ cuyo mayor valor y atractivo reside precisamente en la yuxtaposición deliberada de las piezas y en el diálogo que emerge entre ellas, construyendo así un espacio tridimensional cargado de significados intencionados.
Engineering design, Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
AbstractIn this study, the type and transformation of the spatial composition of Craig Ellwood's residential works were investigated, focusing on structural systems. The analysis addressed 28 works, evaluating the structure construction, structure of the main facade, and inner space structure. As a result, the following points were derived: In the 1950s, the order in space was created by setting directions and showing beams in inner and outer spaces. In the 1960s, the order in space was achieved by forming an architectural framework with columns and beams clearly exposed in the exterior space.
Microporous polymer membranes hold great promise in carbon capture. However, engineering a continuous CO2-selective microporous network to achieve ultrahigh gas permeance and desirable selectivity remains a grand challenge. Aiming to manipulate the pore architecture and pore chemistry to implement efficient separation, knitted microporous polymer membranes are fabricated by in situ knitting composite membranes comprised of polyphenylene oxide (PPO) polymer and benzyl alcohol (BnOH). Specifically, the crosslinkers, formaldehyde dimethylacetal, bridge the neighboring aromatic backbones of PPO chains and BnOH to construct a highly crosslinked network with microporosity. By increasing the structural bridge density, the BET surface area of membranes increases from 4 to 538 m2 g−1. The formation of a highly interconnected microporous network provides remarkably increased permeability. Meanwhile, BnOH as a hydroxyl-containing functional building unit is knitted into micropore skeletons, which can directly tune the pore size and improve the CO2-philicity for enhanced selectivity. The resulting membrane displays an ultrahigh permeability of 4651.2 barrer with a CO2/CH4 selectivity of 27, and demonstrated good resistance to plasticization (up to 30 bar) and aging (for 190 days). This knitting strategy enabling versatile combination of building units with different structures and special functionalities may set up an innovative platform for fabricating a broad range of advanced membranes.
Agustina Sri Rezeki Simbolon, Dwira Nirfalini Aulia, Hilma Tamiami Fachrudin
The government is currently conducting programs to provide subsidized housing in order to meet the needs of low-income people. Some of the houses provided have, however, been modified by the residents to ensure proper and effective implementation of their activities and this indicates a benchmark of the dissatisfaction of the residents and omission of a particular thing in the initial design of the subsidized housing program provided by the government. The Grand Permata Residence II Housing used as a case study has a house with type 36/91 m2 and 13 out of 14 respondents have transformed their residential space according to their economic capacity as low-income people. This study was, therefore, conducted to map the residential space transformation of the subsidized housing program provided by the government and determine the causative factors. Primary data were obtained in the form of designs and photos of space transformation through direct observation and interviews with residents while secondary data were in the form of initial floor plans retrieved from the housing manager and analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques. The findings serve as an evaluation for the government in designing subsidized housing which meets the target and needs of low-income people.
Architecture, Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
Edoardo Currà, Alessandro D’Amico, Marco Angelosanti
A validated method for the digital representation of historic construction through HBIM permits assessment of compliance with workmanlike practices and structural performance. The construction of an appropriate model is closely linked to survey methodology, to the integrated application of multiple techniques of direct and indirect survey and non-destructive tests. The paper specifically deals with the complementarity between photogrammetry based on UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) with TLS (Terrestrial Laser Scanner). Finally, through this methodology, the HBIM model set for structural use allows the analysis of local mechanisms in order to verify the performance of the building. The methodological approach to the relationship between constructive survey and construction of the HBIM model to understand and evaluate the building organism from a structural point of view is exposed using Villa Palma-Guazzaroni in Terni as a case study. The Villa is representative of architectural heritage resulting from an original unitary intervention and subsequently affected by several modifications that, without obscuring many of the original values, have nevertheless altered the building and its architectural characteristics.
Architectural engineering. Structural engineering of buildings
Abstract Energy efficient building envelopes are essential for sustainable development in civil engineering and architecture. In this preliminary investigation, a structural building envelope that is load bearing is developed for daylight harvesting. A translucent concrete panel (TCP) design is constructed using optical fibers (OFs) to transmit light and common concrete mix design. A steel mesh is embedded in the TCP to increase its structural load bearing capacity. It has the potential to save energy and reduce carbon footprint by collecting, channeling and eventually scattering the sunlight. Constructability issues including mechanical and optical losses are analyzed and discussed. Numerical models of the single OF and the whole TCP are developed using ray tracing software and the light transmission mechanisms are analyzed. Nonimaging sunlight collectors, namely compound parabolic concentrator (CPC), together with the OFs represent an efficient system for harvesting and guiding the sunlight into the interior spaces. The light transmission of a model made out of a CPC and an OF is evaluated from an energy efficiency point of view.
Mohammad B. Hamida, M. Hassanain, Abdul-Mohsen Al-Hammad
PurposeThis paper intends to review and assess the factors influencing adaptive reuse of commercial projects, throughout their life cycle, in Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachA mixed approach of literature review, pilot-testing and questionnaire survey was utilized to identify and assess the factors affecting adaptive reuse of commercial projects. Thirty-eight factors were identified and categorized under four groups, corresponding to the key phases of the project life cycle. The questionnaire survey was administered to a targeted group of 90 architecture/engineering, construction and facilities management (AEC/FM) practitioners of building adaptive reuse, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The relative importance index (RII) for each factor was calculated. Three levels of agreement, based on the ranking of the factors, among the respondents were determined.FindingsThe most important factors affecting adaptive reuse of commercial projects are: structural integrity of the building, municipal approval for the land use change, enforcement of safety procedures at the project site, compliance with health and safety measures and accuracy and completeness of the contract documents. A high level of agreement was observed among the three groups of respondents, on the ranking of the factors.Originality/valueThis research expands the body of knowledge, through providing AEC/FM practitioners, with the type, importance and ranking of the influential factors on adaptive reuse of commercial projects, throughout their life cycle.