bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-Examining Urban Vitality through Jane Jacobs’ Criteria Using GIS-sDNA: The Case of Qingdao, China
Authors: Wang Siyu , Deng Qingtan , Jin Shuai , Wang Guangbin
Published: October 2022

This study focuses on the assessment of historic city vitality to address increasingly fragmented urban patterns and to prevent the decline of livability in older urban areas. In 1961, Jane Jacobs theorized urban vitality and found the main conditions that were required for the promotion of life in cities: diversity of land use, small block sizes, diversity of buildings with varied characteristics and ages, density of people and buildings, accessibility for all people without depending on private transport, and distance to border elements. Jacobs’ criteria for urban vitality has had an indisputable influence on urban researchers and planners especially in the Anglo-American context. This perspective has influenced the development of New Urbanism and similar planning policies, such as neo-traditional communities and transit oriented development, yet her theories have to be more substantiated in Asia’s developing cities, especially in China’s historic cities. In order to verify the significance of Jacobs’ urban vitality theory in Chinese historic cities, we develop a composite measure of 16 variables of built environment, and we test it using GIS-sDNA in a historic city with an aging population and low-income in Qingdao. A systematic approach to urban spatial analysis allows us to provide a detailed spatial interpretation of a historic city form. The results emphasize that historic cities vitality, far from being homogeneous, followed a multi-centered distribution pattern, which is related to the previous European planning of the region, where a grid-type pattern was more likely to disperse urban vitality. The results can serve as a useful framework for studying the livability and vitality of different areas of the city in different geographical contexts.
Antimicrobial Performance of an Innovative Technology of Atmospheric Plasma Reactors against Bioaerosols: Effectiveness in Removing Airborne Viable Viruses
Authors: Pourchez Jérémie , Peyron Aurélien , Sarry Gwendoline , Leclerc Lara , Verhoeven Paul O. , Choi Peter , Pierson Claude , Petit Olivier , Hernández Francisco , Dumitrescu Carmen
Published: October 2022

Reducing the exposure to airborne contaminants, including bioaerosols containing viruses, is a key challenge in the context of indoor air quality. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of innovative Atmospheric Plasma Reactor (APR) technology, which can be included in air cleaner devices, as an engineering control tool for reducing the concentration of viable airborne viruses. We investigated the KillViDTM APR technology that uses ultra-high electric fields and pulsed power plasma to directly electroporate living cells and produce advanced oxidizing species in situ within the micro-droplet aerosols containing the pathogens to be treated. An experimental setup was developed in order to aerosolize a high concentration of virus suspension directly into the air cleaner, containing 3 or 6 modules of 215 atmospheric plasma micro-reactors. As a virus surrogate, we used the phi11 bacteriophage which was aerosolized using a vibrating mesh nebulizer. The viability of airborne viruses after a single pass through the air cleaner was assessed by quantifying the lysis of a specific Staphylococcus aureus host strain. We were able to demonstrate that our virucidal results were robust and showed a 5-log reduction (99.999%) in terms of virucidal activity for the 3-module configuration, while we observed at least a 6-log reduction (from an initial viral load of 9.25 × 105 PFU to 0) for the 6-module configuration.
Improvement of Fire Safety Performance for Nursing Homes by Using Fireproof Curtains with a Water Film System
Authors: Chiu Su-Hua , Wu Charlene , Chen Chen-Yu , Lin Ta-Hui , Lee Shin-Ku
Published: October 2022

Nursing home residents often have impaired faculties, which limit their evacuation responses in light of accidents. Specifically, fire accidents can pose significant risks to both residents and property. In this study, we designed a water film cooling system to enhance the heat and smoke resistance of a fire retardant curtain without a fire resistance rating. The experimental results on a full-scale door/wall refractory furnace and smoke-barrier system showed that the proposed curtain had 1.5-h heat resistance properties, while the smoke control performance could meet the ISO 5925-1 requirement. Finally, we used Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) 6.0 to simulate an existing nursing home with this type of fireproof curtain setup for horizontal evacuation waiting space. The results show that our proposed water film cooling system can effectively inhibit the diffusion of smoke during the initial stage of a fire, creating a safe evacuation waiting zone for disadvantaged evacuees.
FDEM Simulation on the Failure Behavior of Historic Masonry Heritages Subjected to Differential Settlement
Authors: Ou Weibing , Chen Xudong , Chan Andrew , Cheng Yingyao , Wang Hongfan
Published: October 2022

Historic masonry heritages, such as cathedrals, colonnades, and arch bridges, were constructed with individual components (e.g., stones, bricks, other materials) bound together with, e.g., mortar, and they are very vulnerable to foundation settlement, especially differential settlement which occurs frequently in engineering practice. These masonry structures are discontinuous, and therefore, their behavior under differential settlement is highly nonlinear and complex. In this study, the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) is employed to simulate the failure behavior of historic masonry heritages subjected to support differential settlement. In the FDEM models, structures are discretized into elements where FE formulation is incorporated, resulting in an accurate estimate of structural deformation and interaction forces. In addition, a fracture model is employed for masonry blocks. Numerical examples are given and compared with results from the literature, showing that the FDEM is applicable and reliable in simulating the failure behavior of historic masonry heritages. Further analyses including block fracture reveal that fracturing can decrease the capacity against settlement significantly.
Building-as-a-Service: Theoretical Foundations and Conceptual Framework
Authors: Wildenauer Adrian , Mbabu Alex , Underwood Jason , Basl Josef
Published: October 2022

The provision of data with information management are a significant challenge for the digital developing construction industry. The utilisation of data from a built asset’s planning, design, and construction phases to the operations phase core and to the facility management function of building and integration in supporting core business and support services is frequently limited due to technical obstacles in information management. The paper presents the second of three stages of design science research to propose a conceptual approach for the implementation of the “as-a-service” method for the construction industry, namely “Building-as-a-Service” (BaaS). BaaS involves a shift in the concept of services: users become recipients of services generated by the building, not only services provided in the building. The paper shows the interdependencies between these various concepts and suggests a possible framework for the inclusion of these “as-a-Service” approaches for enabling a Digital Twin based on Building Information Modelling, which is becoming mandatory in several European states. The study gathered the foundational theoretical constructs through a literature review and elucidated them to make the proposed framework feasible. The theoretical foundations comprise Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Digital Twin (DT), the interconnecting technology of smart applications and the practical application in projects. The approach of “Building-as-a-Service” in combination with smart applications can be an approach to making the use of buildings available in a resource-saving way to clients, building owners and users.
Experimental Research on the Compression Property of Geopolymer Concrete with Molybdenum Tailings as a Building Material
Authors: Sun Ming , Fu Yin , Wang Weixin , Yang Youzhi , Wang An
Published: October 2022

This paper experimentally studied the effects of different molybdenum tailings (MoT) content, standard curing and 60 °C water curing conditions on the compressive strength of fly ash-based geopolymers at different ages. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were applied to investigate the effect of the content of MoT and different curing conditions on the reaction products, microstructure and chemical composition of fly ash-based geopolymers. The results show that MoT content and curing conditions have synergistic effects on the compressive strength of fly ash-based geopolymers. For standard curing, the increase in MoT content is detrimental to the development of compressive strength, and an obvious weak interfacial transition zone between MoT and the gel product is observed in specimen containing 40 wt% MoT; meanwhile, under water curing conditions, the compressive strength of geopolymers first increases and then decreases with the increase in MoT, and the 28-day compressive strength can reach 90.3 MPa when the content of MoT is 10 wt%. The SEM results show that the curing conditions have a great influence on the microstructure of the geopolymer matrix, and the microstructure of the specimens under the water curing conditions is smoother and denser, with fewer pores. EDS analyses show that the gel product constituting the geopolymer matrix is N(C)-A-S-H gel; MoT can participate in the reaction, and the mass ratio of Ca/(Si + Al) of N(C)-A-S-H gel increases with the increase in MoT, resulting in a decrease in compressive strength. In addition, the results of the FTIR confirm that water curing can increase the degree of crosslinks in the gel phase.
The Impact of Carbon Quota Benchmark Allocation on Cement Company Competitiveness: A System Dynamics Approach
Authors: Du Jing , Zhao Min , Zhu Jin
Published: October 2022

The cement industry, as a high energy-consuming industry, has been included in the carbon emissions trading system (ETS) in the context of the carbon neutrality goals. Benchmark allocation of carbon quotas may have a significant impact on cement companies. To study this impact, we constructed a system dynamics (SD) model for a cement company with the three subsystems of “demand and production”, “economic efficiency”, and “carbon emission and carbon trading” based on company competitiveness theory. A company competitiveness index was established from the SD model. Through computer simulation, the influence of the annual decline coefficient of the benchmark value and the innovation investment rate on a cement company’s competitiveness under different circumstances were compared and analyzed. This study puts forward suggestions for low-carbon development, such as setting a reasonable range of annual decline coefficient of the benchmark value (0.97–0.99) and promoting investment in emission-reduction technologies in multiple phases.
A Review of Improvement of Interfacial Transition Zone and Adherent Mortar in Recycled Concrete Aggregate
Authors: Memon Shazim Ali , Bekzhanova Zere , Murzakarimova Aray
Published: October 2022

An increasing amount of construction and demolishing waste has made the implementation of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) a popular topic; RCA can reduce the environmental pollution caused by the construction industry. This paper describes differences in physical, mechanical, and chemical properties between RCA and natural aggregate (NA). For the first time, the methods of interfacial transition zone (ITZ) improvement in RCA, including strengthening through carbonation, incorporation of mineral admixtures, and different mixing approaches, are extensively covered. In addition, the methods used to improve the adherent mortar regions of RCA are covered. This approach makes it possible to demonstrate the impact of different methods on these regions (ITZ and adhered mortar) and overall RCA enhancement. Lastly, a comparison of each of these methods in terms of their effectiveness is presented. The review of several studies concludes that the carbonation treatment method for ITZ and adherent mortar enhancement are the most efficient and sustainable methods compared to others. Summarizing, using RCA instead of NA provides a sustainable solution for the construction industry due to reducing the amount of produced waste and conserving landfill space.
Calibration of the Length of the Plastic Hinge for Numerical Models of Reinforced Concrete Members
Authors: Barbagallo Francesca , Bosco Melina , Floridia Andrea , Marino Edoardo M. , Panarelli Dario , Rossi Pier Paolo , Spinella Nino
Published: October 2022

A proper and computationally efficient numerical modeling of the nonlinear cyclic flexural behavior of reinforced concrete members is crucial for the assessment of the seismic response of RC framed structures. To mitigate the problem of damage localization and improve the stability of the numerical model, force beam column elements with fiber cross-section and finite length hinges located at the ends of the member are often used. In this case, the accuracy in the prediction of the cyclic response is strictly dependent on the length assigned to the plastic hinge. In the past, several authors have proposed formulations to evaluate this crucial parameter based on observations and data from laboratory tests. Nevertheless, the values given by these expressions can differ significantly from each other. In this paper, the optimal value for the length of the plastic hinge is calibrated by comparison between laboratory and numerical test results. Laboratory tests are selected to identify members that are representative of columns of existing reinforced concrete buildings. Based on the optimal values of the plastic hinge length found for the selected set of laboratory tests, a simple relation of the plastic hinge length has been proposed.
Digital Protection and Utilization of Architectural Heritage Using Knowledge Visualization
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Zhi Ying , Xu Jiaqi , Han Lixia
Published: October 2022

Architectural heritage is a lively carrier of historical development, as well as providing a valuable resource for human society. Recently, however, the longevity of architectural heritage has been influenced and even threatened by natural and human factors. Furthermore, the future remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a comprehensive method, namely, digital protection and utilization based on knowledge visualization (DPUKV), to protect and utilize architectural heritage. The most important problem to solve involves transforming digital protection data into a digital inheritance culture. We constructed a technical framework of knowledge acquisition, knowledge reconstruction, knowledge innovation, and knowledge management using qualitative and vertical methods to form hierarchical digital resources of architectural heritage. In particular, the knowledge reconstruction converted tacit knowledge of architectural heritage into explicit knowledge via visualization technology, providing research materials for more scholars. In knowledge innovation, architectural heritage culture was excavated and inherited through knowledge graphs, digital displays, and cultural creation with virtual reality, augmented reality, etc. Furthermore, this method was validated over four years via architectural heritage in China as case studies. In this paper, the buildings of Qinglian Temple in Shanxi, China, are discussed in detail as a case study. The results indicated that this method was effective for preserving architectural heritage and is suitable for other cultural heritage. It is also helpful to improve the public’s protection of and interest in cultural heritage, especially architectural heritage.
Effect of Star Rating Improvement of Residential Buildings on Life Cycle Environmental Impacts and Costs
Authors: Islam Hamidul , Bhuiyan Muhammed , Tushar Quddus , Navaratnam Satheeskumar , Zhang Guomin
Published: October 2022

A diagnostic framework is proposed to assess the influence of star rating improvement for residential buildings on life cycle environmental impacts and life cycle costs (LCEI and LCC) using life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing methods, respectively, on all life cycle phases (i.e., construction, operation, maintenance, and disposal). A reference house was modified on the basis of six alternative designs to deliver a particular star rating in order to demonstrate the analysis framework. Two LCIA methods (i.e., material flows/add masses and eco-indicator 99 Australian substances) were used to estimate ten LCEI indicators under two categories: seven from problem-oriented (i.e., raw material, air emission, water emission, eco-toxicity, acidification/eutrophication potential, ozone depletion, and climate change) and three from damage-oriented (i.e., resource depletion, ecosystem quality, and effect on human health) categories. The three damage-oriented indicators were combined to evaluate environmental and economic wellbeing on a single eco-point basis. All these combinations of impact indicators can offer three lines of analytical options along with star rating: problem-oriented, damage-oriented, and a variety of problem and damage-oriented LCEIs with LCCs. Hence, the optimum house selection is-based not only on cost or star rating, but also on LCEIs.
Structural Relationship between COVID-19, Night-Time Economic Vitality, and Credit-Card Sales: The Application of a Formative Measurement Model in PLS-SEM
Authors: Kim Seong-a , Kim Heungsoon
Published: October 2022

Cities worldwide are actively promoting their Night-Time Economies (NTEs) to recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. However, in the case of Seoul, Korea, the interest in the NTE from an urban perspective remains insufficient. Therefore, this study was performed with the following two objectives: (1) To empirically identify the characteristics of Korea’s NTE and derive an indicator of the nighttime economic vitality (NTEV) by considering the NTE in urban regions; (2) to explore the structural relationship between NTEV, COVID-19, and credit-card sales in Seoul, to which operational restrictions were stringently applied according to the COVID-19 policy of Korea. The NTEV was evaluated using indicators of the nightly floating population, night-lighting value, and number of entertainment facilities. Moreover, to identify the structural relationship between COVID-19, NTEV, and credit-card sales based on abnormal analysis data, a formative measurement model of the partial least squares structural equipment modeling framework was used. The results highlighted that the effect of COVID-19 differed depending on the density of facilities to which the “social distancing policy” was applied, and the NTEV boosted the consumption economy of the entire city. Moreover, we empirically confirmed that an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients directly or indirectly decreased credit-card sales, which deteriorated the urban economy.
Curing Stress Influences the Mechanical Characteristics of Cemented Paste Backfill and Its Damage Constitutive Model
Authors: Chen Shunman , Xiang Zhenggui , Eker Hasan
Published: October 2022

As mechanical characteristics are one of the most important indexes that represent the backfill effect of CPB, curing stress is less considered, thus, establishing a damage constitutive model under the effect of curing stress has great significance for the stability of CPB. Firstly, a multifield coupling curing experiment was developed, and a uniaxial pressure testing experiment was used to test the mechanical parameters. Then, the evolution rule of mechanical characteristics of CPB, considering the effect of curing stress, was analyzed. Secondly, combined with elastic mechanics and damage mechanics theory, a damage constitutive model of CPB was explored. Thirdly, based on the laboratory results, an established damage constitutive model was verified. The results indicate that uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the CPB was significantly improved because of increasing curing stress and was also influenced by curing age. It was also shown that there existed four stages for the stress-strain curve of the CPB specimens. Moreover, the stress-strain curves of the model and the experiment’s results were the same. There were also good validity and rationality for the established two-stage damage constitutive model, which can provide a good reference for engineering applications of CPB.
Architecture: Integration of Art and Engineering
Authors: Kapliński Oleg
Published: October 2022

The current Special Issue is a synthetic overview of 21 published articles. The contact point of architecture–art–engineering is multidimensional, and therefore, this synthesis of works takes into account three criteria: (a) research subject indication, (b) research problem identification, and (c) sublimation of the research techniques and instrumentality used. Research problems, scientific values, and utility values have been highlighted. This synthetic tripartite is intended to make it easier for the reader to find an interesting subject and instrumentality. As the topics of the articles overlap, guided by the dominant values of each article, five subject groups have been sublimated. These are: structural aspects and design, digitization, architectural heritage, aesthetics and emotions vs. engineering, and interior architecture. The characteristic values of each subject group are presented. The indicated new design and research tools do not separate but combine the subject industries; they connect the entities of the investment process.
Transfer Matrix Method for Calculating the Transverse Load Distribution of Articulated Slab Bridges
Authors: Guo Kaiqiang , Liu Zhao , Bairán Jesús-Miguel
Published: October 2022

Articulated slab bridges have been widely used by transportation administration for short-to-medium span bridges because of their good economy, convenient construction, and environmental advantages, while the presence of shear keys increases the complexity of structural behavior. Developing more reasonable analysis approaches of quick assessment, pre-design, and hand calculations for the articulated slab bridges is a challenge because of the peculiar shear key mechanism. This paper is devoted to presenting a recursive algorithm, based on the force equilibrium conditions of each individual slab, thus resulting in simultaneous equations of the transfer matrix method (TMM). In this procedure, the state vector is an array composed of vertical displacement, shear force, unit constant; and the transfer matrix contains the bending and torsional stiffness parameters of simply supported slabs. Then, the influence line of transverse load distribution (TLD) is calculated for each slab by introducing boundary conditions. To validate and verify the efficiency of the TMM algorithm, a transversely prefabricated void slab bridge with a span of 20 m is considered as a case study. The traditional force (FM) and finite element (FEM) methods are used for comparison and validation. It is demonstrated that the TMM can provide good results with higher algorithm efficiency by exempting the modeling tasks in FM and FEM and capture variations in TLD along the bridge’s span. In addition, the influence of the span length and relative stiffness coefficient of slabs on the TLD of articulated slab bridges are analyzed from the parametric analysis.
Wind-Induced Response Characteristics and Equivalent Static Wind-Resistant Design Method of Spherical Inflatable Membrane Structures
Authors: Chen Zhaoqing , Wei Chao , Li Zhenmin , Zeng Cong , Zhao Junbin , Hong Ningning , Su Ning
Published: October 2022

The wind-induced responses and wind-resistant design method of spherical inflatable membrane structures are presented in this paper. Based on the wind pressure data obtained from wind tunnel experiments, the characteristics of wind-induced responses are studied via nonlinear dynamic time–history analysis, considering the influences of spans, rise–span ratios, internal pressures, wind velocities, and cable configurations. The results show that with the increment of wind velocity, the position of the maximum displacement changes from the top to the windward region, which usually leads to the exceedance of the displacement limitation. Under high wind velocity, enhancing the internal pressure can effectively reduce deflection. However, the membrane stress will also increase. Particular attention should be paid to checking the strength. The restraint effect of cross cables on wind-induced response is better than radial cables. Furthermore, an equivalent static analysis method for the wind-resistant design of spherical inflatable membrane structures is developed. The empirical formulas and recommendation values of gust response factors and nonlinear adjustment factors are provided for engineering reference.
Subjective and Physiological Responses towards Interior Natural Lightscape: Influences of Aperture Design, Window Size and Sky Condition
Authors: Kong Zhe , Hou Keming , Wang Zhongyu , Chen Feifei , Li Yunhao , Liu Xinyue , Liu Chengyu
Published: October 2022

Indoor daylighting quality has impacts on occupants’ physical and psychological aspects. Although daylighting design metrics have strictly restricted the amount of sunlight penetration, studies have shown occupants’ preference towards an appropriate amount of sunlight and distributions. Currently, insufficient studies have focused on the composition of interior daylighting distributions. Therefore, this paper presents a laboratory experiment exploring the psychological influences of sunlight patterns under immersive virtual reality scenes. The sunlight patterns are created by a combination of nine aperture designs, two window sizes and two sky types. The experiment collects 41 valid architecture students’ assessments and their physiological responses. Degrees of eight adjectives, including pleasantness, calmness, interest, excitement, complexity, spaciousness, satisfaction with exterior view amount and brightness, are rated by the participants. Physiological data of heart rates and electroencephalogram are collected. According to the analysis, both the aperture designs and sky types have influences upon subjective responses. The large window enhances beta oscillations and beta power on the right prefrontal lobe area, and the clear sky attenuates the theta rhythm on the pre frontal lobe areas. These findings indicate the important influence of natural lightscape compositions created by aperture designs and sky types upon occupants’ psychological processes.
Effects of Different Building Materials and Treatments on Sound Field Characteristics of the Concert Hall
Authors: Yu Ruiguang , Ma Erhao , Fan Li , Liu Jun , Cheng Bing , Jiang Zhilu
Published: October 2022

The effects of different building materials on sound field characteristics of the concert hall were studied by experimental study and numerical simulations. A single non-directivity excitation sound source in situ test was carried out. The acoustic analysis model of the multifunctional concert hall was established. The reverberation time, the early decay time, the speech transmission index and the sound pressure level (SPL) were tested. The architectural treatment solutions with or without sound absorption in the design ceiling, sound absorption on the side walls, the influence of ceiling form on acoustic characteristics, and the acoustic characteristics of different positions on the first and second floors were analyzed, respectively. Simulation results show that there was little difference in reverberation time at different reception points by using the same treatment solutions, and the speech transmission index increased with the distance of the reception point. The language performance of the positions on the second was better than on the first floor. The SPL decreased with increasing distance from the receiving point. The ceiling form had no significant effects on the acoustic characteristics of the multifunctional concert hall, and the reverberation time was smaller when acoustic materials were used in the ceiling than the side walls. Meanwhile, the language transmission performance in multifunctional concert halls was improved. The difference between the maximum and minimum sound pressure levels for a sound-absorbing material ceiling is less than that of a non-sound-absorbing material.
Repair and Protection of Existing Steel-Reinforced Concrete Structures with High-Strength, Textile-Reinforced Mortars
Authors: Beßling Markus , Groh Melanie , Koch Viola , Auras Michael , Orlowsky Jeanette , Middendorf Bernhard
Published: October 2022

Numerous concrete monuments built in the High Modern Era (turn of the 20th century until the 1970s) must now be repaired for preservation. Traditional concrete repair according to current guidelines involves considerable material removal, changing the appearance of the existing structure. With a combination of the material properties of high-/ultra-high-performance concrete (HPC/UHPC) with its dense microstructure and corrosion-free textile reinforcement (carbon and basalt), a high-performance mortar repair system can be developed. Such a system allows for concrete repairs with minimal material loss by using very thin layers that are durable and do not change the architectural character of the repaired monument. For the investigation of the load-bearing behaviour of a structural repair system using textile-reinforced, high-performance mortar, 20 mm thick slabs were produced and mechanically characterized. In the next step, the proposed repair system was applied to 70 mm thick old concrete slabs. The results show that a high surface tensile strength of 2.9 MPa was obtained. In a further step, the system will be applied to concrete pillars of transmission tower in Berus, adapted in terms of colour and structure and installed for long-term monitoring.
Digital Technologies Role in the Preservation of Jewish Cultural Heritage: Case Study Heyman House, Oradea, Romania
Authors: Grama Vasile , Ilies Gabriela , Safarov Bahodirhon , Ilies Alexandru , Caciora Tudor , Hodor Nicolaie , Ilies Dorina Camelia , Kieti Damiannah , Berdenov Zharas , Josan Ioana , Narynbek uulu Kurmanbek
Published: October 2022

The Jewish architectural heritage is and will remain an integral part of the local cultural heritage, but part of it still needs to be discovered, rehabilitated, maintained and valued. For Oradea, a Central–Eastern European city, this challenge is very specific because the Jewish communities before World War II were very strong and prosperous and because of the current desire to assert the city in the tourism market through urban regeneration. The Jewish community of Oradea had an important representative in Éva Heyman, a child of the Holocaust, nicknamed “Anne Frank of Transylvania”, which became famous. At the age of 13 years, Éva Heyman kept a diary during the Jewish ghettos in Oradea. In addition to the diary, her story is about the house where she grew up, built in the Art Nouveau style at the center of Oradea. Even though this house is of inestimable value from an aesthetic and cultural point of view, very little is known among the local population. Moreover, it is not listed as a historical monument, and its current state of preservation is precarious. With the increasing importance of preserving cultural heritage and computer graphics development, the digitization of historical buildings began to be used more and more for evaluation, preservation and promotion. This paper attempts to highlight the story of Éva Hayman and the house where she grew up. The paper further presents the innovative methods by which it is desired to achieve the presented goal for this architectural jewel. The results show that three-dimensional digitization methods are powerful tools for preservation and use for the benefit of the general public, education professionals, administrators and investors, art historians, restorers, etc., who are concerned with the collection preservation, exploration and mediation of the Jewish cultural heritage.
Design Calculation for Concrete-Filled Steel Tube under Soft Lateral Impact
Authors: Kang Xiangjie , Liu Yanhui , Zhao Shichun
Published: October 2022

In recent decades, the rapid development of transportation construction has increased the possibility of concrete-filled steel tubes (CFSTs) subjected to soft lateral impact. Some kinds of deviation may still exist between the soft impact process and its design prediction due to frequent safety accidents. To improve the prediction accuracy, this paper contrasted the current soft impact design with the experimental impact processes of CFSTs. The current design is represented by the method and route in Eurocode-1 Actions on structures, which belongs to the one-step type. Extra parameters were added to the one-step method to describe the inertia effect of CFST. According to the experiments and predictions, the soft impact process contains two stages, which are the initial peak stage (IPS) and the stable stage (SS). The current one-step method is consistent with SS but incorrect in IPS and its accuracy is related to the proportion of IPS and SS. An empirical formula, based on the weight of IPS, is summarized to evaluate the overall error of the one-step method in the soft impact design of CFST. This error is due to the unreasonable assumption of the inertial effect in IPS. For the demands of an accurate design in IPS, a new technical route is proposed, consisting of two steps: qualitative analysis and two-stage calculation. The qualitative analysis achieved an approximate quantitative division of IPS and SS, and provided the design loads for the two-stage calculation. The two-stage calculation supplemented the prediction of the inertia effect in IPS and independently estimated the resistances and responses of CFST in the two stages. The above qualitative analysis and two-stage calculation constituted the two-step method and its accuracy and applicability are generally better than that of the one-step design.
Reinforced Concrete Corbels Shear Test: The Triangular-Truss Method Evaluation
Authors: Huang Yuan , Han Bing , Yin Wenmeng
Published: October 2022

In this paper, five reinforced concrete double-corbel specimens with the same designed bearing capacity are produced according to the triangular-truss method (TTM) in GB 50010-2010. Corbels with different dimensions and reinforcement configurations are obtained by separately varying the concrete compressive strength and shear span. The differences in the mechanical performance and load-bearing capacity of the corbels are compared to evaluate the accuracy and rationality of the TTM under specific variables. Then, the accuracy in predicting the load-bearing capacity of GB 50010-2010, ACI 318-19, EC 2, CSA A23.3-04, the softened strut-and-tie method, and the Russo strut-and-tie method is compared. The results show that the safety factor (ratio of the actual bearing capacity to the designed bearing capacity) of the TTM is increased from 1.419 to 1.718 when the concrete strength is improved from 20.8 MPa to 65.3 MPa; the safety factor of the TTM is increased from 1.414 to 1.859 when the shear span–depth ratio is increased from 0.25 to 0.67. Compared to GB 50010-2010, ACI 318-19, and EC 2, the predictions of CSA A23.3-04 for corbels are closer to the test values. The safety level of codes GB 50010-2010, ACI 318-19, and EC 2 is essentially the same; both the SSTM and the Russo STM are accurate in the predictions.
Study on Mechanical Properties and Mechanism of Recycled Brick Powder UHPC
Authors: Yuan Chengfang , Fu Weicheng , Raza Ali , Li Haofei
Published: October 2022

Recycled brick powder (RBP) is a kind of solid waste material with pozzolanic activity, which can partially replace cement as a cementitious material to prepare concrete. In this paper, ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was prepared by RBP. The effects of different RBP contents as a mineral admixture on the mechanical properties and microstructure of UHPC were studied by experiments. The results show that RBP has a certain weakening effect on the compressive strength development of UHPC. The compressive strength of UHPC decreases with the increase in the replacement rate of RBP, but the 28 d compressive strength of each group of specimens is not less than 140 MPa. The flexural toughness and tensile strain of RBP UHPC increased first and then decreased with the increase in brick powder replacement rate and reached the maximum at 40% and 30%, respectively. The material exhibits good strain-hardening characteristics. In addition, the incorporation of RBP can improve the bond strength between steel fiber and matrix and the ultimate bond strength reaches the maximum when the substitution rate is 40%. From the perspective of nano-scale characteristics, the RBP not only fills the pores as micro-aggregate, but also participates in the secondary hydration reaction to further optimize the pore structure of UHPC.
Implementation of System Identification Techniques and Optimal Control for RC Model Selection by Means of TRNSYS Simulation Results and Experimental Data
Authors: Bagheri Ali , Genikomsakis Konstantinos N. , Ioakimidis Christos S.
Published: October 2022

Simulating the thermal model of a district requires simultaneously retaining accuracy and simplicity, in order to avoid cumbersome calculations and unrealistic predictions. Within this scope, introducing a simple structure for modeling the energy consumption of a building that can be expanded to the district level becomes essential. In this paper, a hierarchy of thermal models with increasing complexity is developed to identify the simplest structure that can effectively represent the thermal behavior of a building, using a simulated building in TRNSYS and the measurements of a real building as two datasets to estimate the model parameters. Each model is placed in a closed loop system to track the constant indoor temperature by means of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) technique. To select the best structure, the model outputs are compared to TRNSYS simulations and measurements. The main features of the selected models include the use of only a few parameters to predict the indoor temperature, peak power, total heat demand, and transient behavior of a building. It is shown that the proposed models are able to determine the indoor temperature with less than 1 °C of error, and the total heat demand and peak power are also determined with an error lower than 25%.
Bonding of Steel Bars in Concrete with the Addition of Carbon Nanotubes: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Reis Elvys Dias , Resende Heron Freitas , Ludvig Péter , de Azevedo Rogério Cabral , Poggiali Flávia Spitale Jacques , Bezerra Augusto Cesar da Silva
Published: October 2022

Advances and innovations in science and engineering have been increasingly supported by nanotechnology, and the modification of cementitious materials by nanoengineering is an expanding field. With this perspective, this paper aims to elucidate the behavior of steel bars in concrete with the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a function of the characteristics of the cement-based material, the dispersion techniques and dosage of CNTs, the bond tests and specimen geometry, and the rebar characteristics. To reach this proposed goal, the ProKnow-C methodology was applied to select the most relevant publications from the last ten years, and then seven articles were fully analyzed. The results of the present systematic review of the literature revealed both consolidated knowledge and gaps to be filled in future research, as the need to study the chemical effect of adding these nanomaterials for improving steel–concrete adhesion, the bonding of thin bars in concrete, and the real influence of anchorage length on the steel–concrete bond, regardless of the use of CNTs, is vital.
Features of Assessment and Formation of the Aeration Regime of Residential Development on the Sloping Lands of the Russian Arctic
Authors: Danilina Nina , Korobeynikova Anna
Published: October 2022

The urban development of areas in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is a relevant and important task to be tackled by contemporary urban planners. This focus is largely explained by the development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and its port cities. Last but not least, to develop these cities means to ensure a comfortable living environment for local residents and visiting specialists. However, given the harsh climate in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, this task requires a more elaborate approach. Current building techniques, designed for flatlands with relatively comfortable climates, cannot be applied to this territory without degrading the quality of the living environment. Environmental comfort is influenced by many factors, and one of them is the aeration regime. This study is aimed at researching the aeration regime of built-up areas on the sloping lands of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and identifying the features of its formation. The object of this study is a residential development on the sloping lands of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The subject of the study is the external aeration regime at the level of 1.2 m from the ground level of the residential development on the sloping lands of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. These parameters were explored, and the aeration regime was assessed using such advanced software packages as QG for the GIS analysis of the area and ANSYS Fluent for the mathematical modeling of the aeration regime. The results of the research are presented in the form of graphs, dependency tables, and petal diagrams visually demonstrating the distribution of discomfortable zones for different morphotypes of development on various slopes most widely spread in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The theoretical research was pilot-tested in the existing residential development area in Murmansk. The results of the study are usable in practice if respective land use documents are drafted for residential areas of settlements in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.
Associating Company-Specific Characteristics with Ownership Structure and Performance: An Analysis of Publicly Listed Firms from Selected Countries in the Eurozone during the 2008 Financial Crisis and Its Aftermath
Authors: Makris Ilias , Giannopoulos Vasileios , Cheila Efi
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we analyzed data from publicly listed firms from selected countries of the eurozone between 2008 and 2016, a period of high volatility in the global economy and high uncertainty in financial markets. Economic indicators, such as sales volume, debt accumulation, internationalization, and innovative activity, were combined with firm size and ownership structure to examine their impact on economic performance. We first performed a panel data analysis to associate the economic and non-economic company-specific characteristics with performance and growth, while also examining the possible differences between countries. In the second part of the paper, we focused on ownership structure, an issue of great importance in the literature on business and economics. Through structural equation modeling (SEM), we attempted to shape the profiles of closely held companies, and their impact on performance. Our findings confirmed that significant differences exist not only between firms but also between countries relative to performance indicators; however, a common trend was found relative to debt, size, and ownership. Our findings also revealed a more conservative approach of closely held companies relative to long-term commitment and risky investment projects, compared to their non-closely held counterparts.
Decoration of Reduced Graphene Oxide with Magnesium Oxide during Reflux Reaction and Assessment of Its Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Bensouici Aicha , Baali Nacera , Bouloudenine Roumaissa , Speranza Giorgio
Published: October 2022

The aim of this work is the reduction and decoration of graphene oxide (GO) with magnesium oxide (MgO). In this work, GO was synthesized using modified Hummers’ protocol with (1:2), (1:3) and (1:4) graphite:potassium permanganate mass ratios. Subsequently, all GO samples (GO1:2, GO1:3, GO1:4) were reduced and decorated with magnesium oxide nanoparticles using a reflux technique at 100 °C for 2 h. Sample characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the presence of peaks relative to two different magnesium (Mg) phases: magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2). The presence of these spectral features, although characterized by a remarkable broadening, confirms the successful synthesis of Mg(OH)2-rGO-MgO nanocomposites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra indicate the presence of peaks assigned to C, O and Mg. The analysis of the high-resolution XPS spectra of these elements confirms once again the presence of Mg(OH)2-rGO-MgO compounds. The low temperature synthesis of Mg(OH)2-rGO-MgO nanocomposite exhibiting superior catalytic properties compared to MgO–rGO nanoparticles is an important step forward with respect to the current state of the art. The antioxidant activity of six nanocomposites, namely GO1:2, GO1:3, GO1:4, MgO–rGO1:2, MgO–rGO1:3 and MgO–rGO1:4, was determined using standard protocols based on a DPPH radicals scavenging assay, an H2O2 scavenging assay, and a phosphomolybdate assay. All our samples exhibited dose-dependent antioxidant activity. Interestingly, among the different synthesized nanoparticles, GO1:4 and MgO–rGO1:4 showed the best performances.
Simultaneous Electrochemical Sensing of Dopamine, Ascorbic Acid, and Uric Acid Using Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Sheet-Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Moradpour Hediyeh , Beitollahi Hadi
Published: October 2022

Nitrogen (N) doping is a well-known approach that can be effectively used to tune the properties of graphene-supported materials. The current attempt followed a simple hydrothermal protocol for the fabrication of N-doped graphene sheets (N-GSs). The N-GSs were subsequently applied to modify the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for a dopamine (DA) electrochemical sensor (N-GSs/GCE), tested on the basis of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The findings highlighted a limit of detection (LOD) as narrow as 30 nM and a linear response in the concentration range between 0.1 and 700.0 μM. The modified electrode could successfully determine DA in the co-existence of uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA), the results of which verified the potent electrocatalytic performance of the proposed sensor towards AA, DA, and UA oxidation, and three distinct voltammetric peaks at 110, 250, and 395 mV via DPV. The practical applicability of the as-developed N-GSs/GCE sensor was confirmed by sensing the study analytes in real specimens, with satisfactory recovery rates.