bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obtaining frequency-time diagram from perturbation signal-time diagram
Authors: Liu Xiaoyuan , Zhang Yuxin , Dai Runrui , Lai Zongqiang , Qiu Huibin , Shen Chengshuo , Weng Huang , Wu Shengfa , Zheng Wei , Zhang Wei , Liang Wenxiang , Han Qianhao , Li Xiaobin , Liu Lihuan , Shi Chunhui , Xu Ting , Zhang Haotian , Fan Jiayu , Yu Meiping , Tao Jiajun
Published: October 2024

In the field of nuclear fusion energy development, magnetic confinement tokamak reactors, which use strong magnetic fields to confine high-temperature plasmas, are crucial for sustainable and clean fusion energy. Disruption caused by plasma instability can terminate the fusion reaction and even cause irreparable damage to the equipment. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms is essential for predicting and preventing plasma disruption. The recently proposed analytical theory of plasma disruption may predict and prevent plasma disruption, but its validation requires the frequency-time signals. The Heavy Ion Beam Probe (HIBP) can provide such signals, however, because its scarcity in the world, particularly in China, it is necessary to develop more suitable methods. Here we show a new approach that employs Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on magnetic perturbation signals to obtain frequency-time diagrams. We successfully applied this algorithm to acquire the frequency-time diagram of the J-TEXT-1054560 discharge. This new method offers an effective tool for validating the plasma disruption theory, overcoming the limitations of traditional techniques and providing a crucial methodological basis for understanding and predicting plasma disruption. This new analytical approach will accelerate the advancement of fusion technology.
BEIT-based and feature extraction unsupervised clustering algorithm for wafer patterns
Authors: Shao Kangpeng , Wang Xiaofei , Jiang Hui
Published: October 2024

In the wafer manufacturing process, a multitude of electrical tests are conducted, with each test generating a measurement value at the corresponding location. The distribution of different consecutive test values on a wafer constitutes a wafer pattern. Accurate classification of wafer patterns is essential for tracing the root causes of issues and optimizing the manufacturing process. Traditional pattern classification algorithms rely on supervised learning, which necessitates extensive manual labeling of samples for model training. To optimize the consumption of human resources, we propose an unsupervised clustering algorithm for wafer patterns based on BEIT and feature extraction. This method not only meets the requirements for analyzing and tracing problems but also eliminates the need for manual labeling, thus conserving resources. The final experimental results show that our method, compared to the BEIT model, has increased the JC (Jaccard Coefficient) index by 16.2 percentage points when the clustering sample size reaches 50%, and has improved by 14.4 percentage points on the FM (Fowlkes and Mallows) index.
Performance evaluation of cyclone models for similar body diameter and flowrate using CFD
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Prakash Om , Pandey Satyanand , Singh Sandhir Kumar , Brar Lakhbir Singh
Published: October 2024

The present study performs numerical simulations of a few popular medium-to-high efficiency cyclone models viz. Stairmand cyclone, Swift cyclone, Patterson-Munz cyclone, Obermair cyclone, and Lapple cyclone to compare their performance. The reason to undertake this study is that these models are widely used for benchmark studies or for the validation by the researchers. Earlier, all these geometries were investigated experimentally by respective inventors that bear different sizes. Hence, for the sake of performance comparison, the diameter (D = 0.29 m) and a volume flow rate (Q = 0.135401 m3/s) of the fluid in all the models is the same - the latter is used to calculate the inlet velocity in each cyclone model. We have not considered a similar Reynolds number condition for comparison as it will change the volume flow rate of the flow. Apart from the pressure drop and collection efficiency values, we present the details of the flow field inside each model. Conclusive results indicate that the Patterson-Munz cyclone has the lowest pressure drop while the Swift cyclone has the highest collection efficiency. Interestingly, the cut-off diameter in the swift cyclone is found to be minimum.
Heat Transfer Through a Heated Rod Placed in Different Arrangements
Authors: Kunal  , Dhiman Sushil Kumar
Published: October 2024

The present work experimentally analyses the surface heat transfer from a thermally active copper rod of circular cross-section placed in different arrangement of dummy rods. All the rods are arranged in cross-flow. Wind-tunnel experiments for nine different arrangements of heated rod at a Reynold’s number of 12600 were investigated. Temperature variation, heat transfer and vertical velocity distribution downstream of the cylinder were studied. Higher heat transfer rate was obtained when the heated rod was placed in downstream position due to the rubbing action of vortex shedding phenomena of upstream rod. Maximum heat transfer rate was reported in tandem arrangement of rod with the thermally active cylinder placed in the downstream row. The wall effect becomes dominant near the wall region and affects the flow and heat transfer in the vicinity of wall. Pressure and logarithmic value of temperature has been reported at suitable positions to explain the thermofluid physics.
Comparative Study on DI Diesel Engine Performance and Emissions using HCP microalgae biodiesel, Mahua oil biodiesel, Rubber seed oil biodiesel and Petroleum diesel
Authors: Jagadevkumar AP
Published: October 2024

Energy consumption of the world is increasing hence the prices of fuels are increasing. Fossil fuels are the major source of energy but they are depleting in nature and they may exhaust in future. So we cannot depend on these sources and biofuels can be considered as substitute for fossil fuels, hence lot of researchers are doing extensive research on biofuels. So it is important to study the performance of different biofuels to find suitable one in terms of food crisis and better engine performance. Accordingly in this study the performance and emissions characteristics of Rubber seed oil, Mahua oil and microalgae oil biodiesels are studied. The results of this comparison study carried with HCP-B20, MO-B20 and RSO-B20 biodiesel blends indicates that the performance of HCP-B20 blend is better and emissions are lower compared to MO-B20 and RSO-B20 blends. The higher content of oxygen present in the microalgae biodiesel leads to higher rate of combustion reactions, in turn complete flame propagation and improved combustion. The BTE is lower with HCP-B20, MO-B20 and RSO-B20 compared to PD. Added advantage with this microalgae biofuel is, it is non-edible, it doesn’t require fertile land for its growth. So HCP-B20 blend may be viable for the commercial application.
Elucidating the Impact of Mn-Fe Substitution on The Crystal Structure of LiMn(x)Fe(1-x)PO4 Solid Solutions: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Jaafar Zahraa M. , Jumah Thamir Abdul-Jabbar , Mahmood Natheer B.
Published: October 2024

This study generated crystallography information files (CIF) to synthesize LiMn(x)Fe(1-x)PO4 solid solutions, with the Mn to Fe substitution ratio (x) ranging from 0 to 1 in 0.1 increments, guided by Vegard’s law, utilizing crystallography software. The investigation focused on how this substitution influences key structural parameters and properties within the Mn-Fe Olivine system. Specifically, it examined variations in lattice parameters, unit cell volume, cell density, and Theoretical capacity attributable to the substitution factor. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, predicted using mathematical models through the same software, provided insights into structural changes. Notably, the XRD analysis revealed a progressive shift in peak positions and an increase in peak intensities corresponding to the substitution level. These observations were linked to the altered lattice parameters resulting from the introduction of ions with varying ionic radii, and an enhanced electron density stemming from the increased presence of Fe. This comprehensive analysis underscores the significant impact of Mn-Fe replacement on the microstructural characteristics and electron density of the olivine system, offering valuable insights into material design and optimization in the context of energy storage materials.
Energy management of residential buildings using innovative passive techniques
Authors: Kandil Ahmed , Emam Mohamed , Sekiguchi Hidetoshi , Nada Sameh
Published: October 2024

Recently, efforts on sustainability and energy savings in buildings have increased due to the growing global awareness of the energy use of buildings and the negative impacts of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change. As a result, it is critical to propose effective strategies to reduce such energy consumption. The goal of this project is to advance the idea of net-zero energy buildings as a worldwide mitigation method for climate change. Thus, a numerical model was developed and validated to investigate the passive cooling capabilities of an innovative phase change material (PCM)-based phase cube in residential buildings. The proposed phase cube includes six various PCM-compact storage module (PCM-CSM) configurations including Rubitherm’s SP-24E plates (Horizontal), Half Circular Inline, Half Circular Staggered, Vertical plates, Inline Cylindrical and Staggered Cylindrical compact storage modules. All the proposed designs were numerically simulated, and the obtained results were compared and analysed at an inlet air temperature and velocity of 35°C, and 4m/s, respectively and each phase cube contained the same mass of Rubitherm’s SP-24E PCM, which was 30.326 kg. The results showed that the Horizontal, Half Circular Inline and Vertical phase cubes can absorb heat at a higher rate from fresh air at nearly 496.19w, 465.9w and 458.16w, respectively translating the lowest outlet air temperature of about 25°C from the cube. Integrating such phase cubes into residential buildings for indoor passive air cooling substantially decreased the building cooling loads, resulting in reduced electric energy consumption by the air conditioning system.
Building retrofitting towards net zero energy under climate change
Authors: Ibrahim M , Harkouss F , Biwole P , Fardoun F , Oultboukhtine S
Published: October 2024

The challenge in Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) retrofitting is to identify the most effective measures to address energy performance issues. This paper presents a machine learning model for optimizing retrofit measures to achieve NZEB under the influence of climate change. Specifically, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-III) minimizes energy consumption and the predicted percentage of dissatisfaction (PPD) while achieving a NZE balance, thereby obtaining the Pareto front. The Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) ranking technique is then applied to the Pareto front to obtain an optimal solution. Various passive energy retrofit measures are investigated, and renewable retrofit measures are employed to cover the required energy. This process is repeated for different time frames to consider the impact of climate change on selecting retrofit measures. The results clearly indicate that, for retrofitting a residential NZEB, higher insulation values are needed for future scenarios compared to the present scenario due to the effects of climate change. Using the future scenarios defined by the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways framework, a higher level of envelope insulation and renewable retrofit measures are required to achieve NZEB in the Sustainable Future scenario compared to the Fossil Fuel-dependent Future scenario, with increases of 35% and 50%, respectively.
The operational matrices for Elliptic Partial Differential Equations with mixed boundary conditions
Authors: Enadi Myasar Obaid , Al-Jawary Majeed A.
Published: October 2024

The purpose of this research is to implement the orthogonal polynomials associated with operational matrices to get the approximate solutions for solving two-dimensional elliptic partial differential equations (E-PDEs) with mixed boundary conditions. The orthogonal polynomials are based on the Standard polynomial (xi
), Legendre, Chebyshev, Bernoulli, Boubaker, and Genocchi polynomials. This study focuses on constructing quick and precise analytic approximations using a simple, elegant, and potent technique based on an orthogonal polynomial representation of the solution as a double power series. Consequently, a linear partial differential equation is transformed into a linear algebraic system which is solved by the Mathematica®12. Approximate solutions can be found if the answers are polynomials in and of itself. Three applications involving well-known linear problems Laplace, Poisson, and Helmholtz equations have been solved by using the proposed methods, and a comparison of the approaches has been provided. Furthermore, the computation of the error norm L∞
has been done to show the accuracy of the suggested approaches. The results clearly demonstrate how precise, efficient, and dependable the proposed methods are in obtaining rough solutions to the problem. Bernoulli was one of the best methods in most examples.
Comparison of interaction supervised classification methods with indices to identify areas contaminated with hydrocarbons
Authors: Khaleel Zahraa A. , Shaban Auday H. , Al Maliki Ali A.
Published: October 2024

Field companies and laboratories impose certain controls to preserve the environment, and it has recently been proven that oil facilities are among the main causes of pollution in the environment due to non-compliance with environmental safety instructions and the quantities of crude oil extracted on a daily basis. In this study, some of the remote sensing techniques were used, which is interaction supervised classification by relying on data Real field samples. The study area was classified based on dividing the study area into five regions. To determine the effective ranges for detecting hydrocarbon pollution, it will apply four indices to find out which of them gives better results, based on the range of the wavelength that response to the hydrocarbon components. The image from Landsat were downloaded at the same date of collecting the samples. Adaptive methods were generated along with the four indices and evaluated through an assessment’s methods. The adaptive method gives a magnificent result to be used in detecting hydrocarbon contamination.
Effect of chitosan and natural materials on properties of polyvinylchloride for blood bags applications
Authors: Saadi Furqan M , Salih Wafaa M , Mohammed Alaa A
Published: October 2024

Polyvinyl chloride is the most common material used in the manufacture of blood bags, and chitosan and wheat extract were used to improve the biological, physical, mechanical and optical properties of the manufactured blood bag. Chitosan was added at three concentrations (1, 2, and 3%) to the PVC matrix sample, and the wheat extract was supplemented to the sample having the highest properties to study its effect. It was found that the addition of chitosan led to an increase in tensile strength, as well as a significant increase in inhibition against the bacterial activity of two types of bacteria (S. aureus and C. albicans), and the ability to absorb water, but the addition of wheat extract led to a very small decrease in absorbency. Also, the supplement of chitosan and wheat extract reduced the transparency of the manufactured blood bag. All samples were characterized as not having the ability to non-hemolytic in the hemolysis test. All the results of polymer blends and polymer composite were compared with the pure PVC and commercial blood bags as reference samples.
Assessment of the Influence of Input Parameters in CFD Simulation of Ventilation in an Experimental Chamber
Authors: Kucirek P. , Šikula O.
Published: October 2024

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of selected input parameters on the accuracy and usability of CFD simulations. This paper compares the achieved results of Computational Fluid Dynamics (hereinafter CFD) simulations of air age with the ventilation results of a specific experimental box. A total of 16 variants were simulated for different simulation settings, including various computational domains and meshes in OpenFOAM, Ansys Fluent, DesignBuilder, and BlueCFD-AIR software. The paper primarily focuses on the importance of meeting the suitability criterion for the yPlus parameter used in the wall function of turbulent models k-ε and k-ω SST, and the resulting air age. Simulation with the best yPlus parameter shows the best agreement in airflow velocity and air age with the experiment. Overall, this led to an improvement in accuracy by 41 % compared to original simulation and 56 % compared to the previous our best OpenFOAM simulation.
Mould Risk in Technical Room in Four Underground Water Reservoirs
Authors: Nováková I. , Sikula O.
Published: October 2024

This conference article analyses the indoor climate of a technical room in four underground water reservoirs. This indoor climate with minimal input energy is specific by high relative humidity and low air temperature, as shown in the experimental measurement. The unsteady 2D numerical simulation of the detail section (partly sub-terrain peripheral wall and floor) in software Calculation Area 4.0e calculates fluctuation of internal surface temperature and relative humidity. Finally, the empirical predictive Finnish VVT model predicts the seasonal mould risk on the internal surface of the peripheral wall.
Investigation of the hybridization effect of glass fibers and diboron trioxide epoxy composites on some mechanical properties
Authors: Oleiwi Ahmed H. , Hasan Mustafa Th. , Hashim Hassanein A.
Published: October 2024

The mechanical behavior was most important in industry, and one way to enhance the mechanical properties involves preparing hybridized epoxy composites. Different additives (glass fiber and B2O3 powder) have various concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, and 30% wt.) for B2O3, while glass fibers have a fixed concentration (10% wt.). Hybrid epoxy composites have been manufactured by the hand lay-up method. Mechanical investigations involve tensile tests, impact tests, and hardness tests. According to the results, increasing the boric oxide concentration increased the examined mechanical characteristics (strength, stiffness, strain-at-break, hardness, toughness, and fracture toughness). Hybrid materials with a weight percentage of 20% B2O3 and 10% glass fibers had the best mechanical properties. These findings are most likely due to the reinforcing elements being evenly distributed and scattered, which enhances mechanical characteristics. A slight decrease in the mechanical properties of the composite at 30% weight percentage of B2O3 and 10% glass fibers, which is related to the presence of voids and agglomerations, is thought to be a sign that the material has reached the saturation level of reinforcement and that the mechanical properties of the structure will collapse if more reinforcing materials are added.
Photodetector application of CuO nanoparticles on porous silicon fabricated by laser ablation in liquid at diverse laser energies
Authors: Abdulhasan Wasan , Rasheed Mohammed , Nayef Uday M.
Published: October 2024

This paper describes the synthesis and analysis of a photodetector made of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) embedded in a porous silicon (PS) matrix. CuONPs were generated utilizing pulsed laser ablation in ethanol (PLAL), while a porous silicon-(PS) substrate was created via photo-assisted electrochemical etching. An investigation is conducted on the optical, structural, and electrical characteristics of CuONPs/PS devices, with a focus on their dependence on laser energy. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the presence of distinct peaks associated with a copper cubic structure, demonstrating the successful synthesis of CuONPs that have been deposited onto PS. The study using field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the particles exhibited spherical form. The CuO-nanocolloids exhibited a linear relationship between laser power and absorption, and their surface plasmon resonance peaks were clearly visible at 570–590 nm. Band gaps of 1.70, 1.61, 1.81, and 1.90 eV were found for CuONPs produced at 500, 600, 700, and 800 mJ of laser energy, respectively, according to the optical characteristics. The greatest responsivity of the CuO-NPs/PS photodetector, manufactured at an energy level of 700 mJ, was 0.135345 A/W at 450 nm, as determined by the optoelectronic characteristics. As a result of combining PS with CuONPs, the devices shown in this work have the ability to function as highly efficient photodetectors.
Research on Numerical Simulation Methods of Cavity Wind Noise Based on Different Turbulence Models
Authors: Wang Ning , Yu Yuting
Published: October 2024

In order to more accurately simulate the acoustic properties of the fluid in the cavity, this paper uses four different turbulence models, LES, Spalart-Allmaras/LES, Realizable/LES, model, to simulate and calculate the simple cavity, combined with the acoustic experimental data carried out on the cavity model, and found that the simulated experimental values of pulsating pressure from the SST-k-/LES model and the Spalart-Allmaras/LES model have a better agreement with the simulated experimental values of the cavity pulsation pressure, and the calculated sound pressure spectra obtained from the SST-k-/LES model are the closest to the experimental values.
Analysis of Water Production Factors of Gas Wells in Sulige Gas Field
Authors: Xie Qing , Li Jia , Ye Xiaochuang , Gao Jiaqi , Song Yifei , Hu Siwen
Published: October 2024

The Sulige gas field, characterized by its low porosity and poor permeability, faces challenges in managing the complex gas-water distribution, which has become a growing concern as the field develops. This complexity, coupled with the varied and intricate nature of water production, has impacted the field’s efficiency. To tackle this issue, a study was carried out on water-producing gas wells within the field, examining the production mechanisms, main factors, and distribution patterns. The study found that in the field’s central region, the gas-water ratio in water-producing wells is relatively stable, with some wells yielding over 0.8m3 of water per day. The water sources include formation water, pore water, and water from the wellbore edges and bottom, as well as industrial water usage. Understanding these factors helps mitigate the negative impact of water production on field development and provides guidance for managing similar gas fields effectively.
Numerical Modelling of a Pulsating Flow Generator for Simulating Blood Pressure
Authors: Lin Zhenghao , Xu Ziyi , Zhang Zhongli , Jiang Houyong , Liu Chunguang , Xu Xiafan , Zhang Hongyang , Li Huiyang
Published: October 2024

Hypertension is a leading risk factor that deserves to be taken seriously, therefore researches on blood pressure measurement play a critical role. In this work, a liquid-operated pulsating flow circulation system with a bionic arm is set as a blood pressure simulator and a related numerical model is built to analyse the flow under different settings. The motion patterns of the flow generator and the medium used are two of the main factors discussed in this work. By comparing the pressure curves under different conditions and actual experimental data, the numerical model is validated, and so as to find the suitable parameters of the actual system.
Research on the Balance Axial Force of the Back Blade of Centrifugal Pump Impeller based on CFD
Authors: Chen Taoli
Published: October 2024

One popular way to decrease the pump’s axial force is by utilizing the back blade. In this paper, by changing the number and width of back blades and using CFD 3D simulation technology, the influence law of back blades on pump performance, pump chamber liquid pressure characteristics and axial force characteristics is obtained. By changing the number of the back blade and width of the back blade, this paper adopt CFD 3D simulation technology to study, get pump performance, pump cavity liquid pressure characteristic and the influence law of axial force characteristics. The results show that the pump head and power increase with the increase of the width and number of back blades. However, the efficiency of the pump gradually decreases with the increase of the width and number of back blades. The impeller mounted back blade can change the pressure distribution of liquid of the pump chamber, and affect the axial force of the pump. The size and direction of the axial force change with the number and width of the back blades.
Study on the Sulfuric-Leaching Kinetics of Germanium from Zinc Oxide Dust Assisted by Microwave Roasting
Authors: Wang Wankun , Wang Fuchun
Published: October 2024

The Ge-bearing zinc oxide dust (ZnO) is commonly leached by sulfuric acid in industry, but the leaching percentage of Ge is only < 60%. To date, there is no suitable industrial process to address this problem. Thus, a novel process of microwave roasting followed by sulfuric acid leaching of Ge from ZnO dust is proposed to further improve Ge extraction from ZnO dust, and the kinetics behaviors and related theoretical models are studied. Results reveal that Ge leaching percentages are markedly increased by microwave roasting, the reaction kinetics follow the shrinking core model of the diffusion process of the solid film, and the apparent activation energy is 2.28 kJ/mol.
Perturbation of soil organic carbon induced by land-use change from primary forest
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Lu Chengwen , Chen Jingyao , Li Sheng , Zheng Xuhui , Zhang Liming , Zhang-Zheng Huanyuan
Published: October 2024

The impact of land-use change (LUC) on soil organic carbon (SOC) has been a wide concern of land management policymakers because CO2 emissions induced by LUC have been the second largest carbon source worldwide. However, due to insufficient data quality and limited biome coverage, a global big picture of the impact of LUC on SOC is still not clear. This study conducted a meta-analysis on 288 independent observations sourced from 62 peer-reviewed papers to provide a global summary of the change in SOC after the conversion of primary forests into other land-use types. The conversion of primary forest to cropland resulted in the most severe SOC loss (−33.2%), followed by conversion into plantation forests (−22.3%) and secondary forests (−19.1%). Nonetheless, SOC increased by 9.1% after a conversion from primary forests into pasture. More SOC loss was found at sites with lower precipitation for primary forests converted to cropland and plantation forests. The SOC loss decreased consistently with increasing mean annual temperature (MAT) for all four types of LUC. Moreover, the loss of SOC tended to worsen over time when primary forests are converted to cropland or plantation forests. In contrast, SOC loss recovered over time following conversion to secondary forests. The gain of SOC gradually increased over time after conversion to pastures. To conclude, the changes in SOC are related not only to the land-use type but also to precipitation, temperature and turn years after LUC. Due to limited data, this study focuses on soil profiles within 30 cm depth, and future research should explore SOC dynamics induced by LUC at greater depths. Overall, cases of SOC loss of approximately 30% following deforestation were very common (except for conversion to pasture), and the results of this study show that the loss of SOC following LUC should be carefully considered and monitored in land management.
Transformation Pathways: Drumul Taberei Neighbourhood - a Positive Energy District?
Authors: Dragomir Ana-Maria , Papina Codruț-Lucian , Lazăr Adelin-Costin , Guarino Francesco
Published: October 2024

Positive Energy Districts (PED) have surged in prominence amidst Europe’s ambitious climate targets and the fluctuating energy landscape, influenced notably by geopolitical uncertainties such as the Ukraine conflict. Aligned with European and national priorities, which emphasises the renovation of its housing stock as part of the Renovation Wave initiative, PED emerges as a viable solution for urban areas. However, the challenge remains in how PED can address energy poverty, promote renewable energy, and align with renovation priorities of the outdated infrastructures (including buildings). The KINETIC project addresses PED transformation challenges at the neighbourhood level by deploying an intensive co-creation process for identifying key transformation directions. The Romanian DEMO area (along with DK and IT study cases) is the Drumul Taberei neighbourhood in Bucharest Sector 6, a dense neighbourhood composed of multifamily buildings realised in the 60s and 70s during the communist regime. The area needs comprehensive regeneration and renewal initiatives. If proven feasible through mathematical modelled data paired with strategic integrated planning, the outcomes of KINETIC for the Drumul Taberei neighbourhood will be able to revolutionise the future rehabilitation project of collective housing districts in Romania, and beyond. The paper will outline PED transformation pathways stemming from initial co-design workshops involving local stakeholders. It will also explore collaboration and investment prospects between municipality-housing associations and NGOs. Given the privately owned housing estate and state-funded rehabilitation, the project will assess innovative models to meet PED’s ambitious goals.
Study on the evaluation of the effectiveness of centralized post-disaster housing reconstruction in rural areas of Dujiangyan city after the Wenchuan earthquake
Authors: Kabilijiang W , Wang C , Zhu P , Dong W , Hou Y
Published: October 2024

The Wenchuan earthquake caused severe damage to rural areas in Dujiangyan. Determining the reconstruction plan for farmers’ housing and unifying reconstruction opinions, while ensuring the rational distribution of resources, became a key focus for the government. As post-disaster reconstruction planning progressed and neared completion, comparative and innovative studies on rural land systems before and after the earthquake, as well as patterns of farmers’ housing reconstruction, became important research topics. Traditional studies lack empirical assessments of rural housing reconstruction models from a micro perspective. This paper analyzes and compares the resettlement effects of three typical housing reconstruction models in rural Dujiangyan, aiming to supplement empirical assessments of post-disaster rural reconstruction effectiveness. It reflects the impacts and effects of different reconstruction models selected through collective resolutions in typical towns of Dujiangyan, considering aspects such as development intensity, resettlement efficiency, economic income, and living environment. This analysis helps understand the differences that various reconstruction methods may bring to communities, aiming to summarize past experiences, optimize reconstruction planning and management, and enhance the satisfaction and well-being of disaster-affected people in rural housing reconstruction.
Integrating Nature-Based Solutions for urban stormwater management into existing urban fabrics
Authors: Chen Yu
Published: October 2024

Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) have been proven to address urban stormwater challenges effectively while providing multiple benefits to the economy, society, and environment. Urban fabrics profoundly influence flood risk as the changes in urban form, land use, and building layout will affect the urban hydrological cycle, thereby altering precipitation and runoff. However, few studies look at the connection between NBSs and urban fabrics, which can contribute to urban stormwater management. This paper aims to categorize the general types of urban fabrics and consider NBSs as strategic interventions that can improve water-related issues and help to create a resilient neighborhood. This paper elaborates on some strategic approaches to integrate NBSs in existing urban fabrics at the neighborhood scale to optimize their response capacity according to the local conditions. The novelty lies in adopting a systemic vision to deliver a design toolkit that can be adapted to different conditions and with different typologies across the places and countries facing similar water-related challenges. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the importance of understanding how different NBSs fit various urban fabric types, and future work is needed to provide assessment tools to evaluate the efficiency of different design scenarios.
Methodological Challenges in Aligning EPDs with Whole Life Carbon Limits for Buildings: A B2B Approach
Authors: Brisson Stapel Emilie , Balouktsi Maria , Grau Sørensen Christian , Birgisdottir Harpa
Published: October 2024

The environmental performance from the materials used in buildings is pivotal in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector; buildings are in the top three of the world’s most significant contributors of GHG emissions and are responsible for one-fifth of the overall resource consumption. Alongside multiple countries enforcing legal GHG limits and requiring Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for new buildings, the availability of product-level environmental data, known as Type III Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) has increased exponentially. EPDs were originally used for Business-to-Business purposes but are now the main data source for building-level LCAs. However, this often comes with a large set of uncertainties, as EPDs are still evolving as a documentation approach, and not always readily applicable in the whole life cycle approach. There are a multitude of complex areas to engage into, this study focuses on how use-stage modules are documented in EPDs, and how varied approaches create further complexity and perils in relation to their use in LCA and regulations, in the sense of, potential leading to high uncertainties and wrongful interpretations. The study aims to address the methodological gaps associated with the use of EPDs as data inputs in legally binding LCA requirements particularly concerning modules B1-5, which constitute the embodied part of the use-stage. The findings reveal a significant margin of error if EPDs are not correctly implemented, underscoring the importance of the Business-to-Business documentation approach.
Digital workflow to support the reuse of precast concrete and estimate the climate benefit
Authors: Dervishaj Arlind , Gudmundsson Kjartan , Malmqvist Tove
Published: October 2024

Concrete production contributes to around 8-9% of global CO2 emissions. Reusing building components in a circular economy can contribute to closing material loops and lowering CO2 emissions. When reusing concrete elements, it is necessary to have effective methods for evaluating their reuse potential. In this study, a novel digital workflow is developed to support the reuse of precast concrete elements by evaluating their lifespan based on carbonation depth. The workflow relies on automated retrieval of material quantities and information from a digital model. This model is then coupled with environmental data on construction products and calculation methods for CO2 uptake in concrete by carbonation. The remaining service life of concrete elements was calculated for a case study. For reference, CO2 uptake during the first service life was estimated at 4973 kg CO2 or 4% of the embodied carbon. Hence, the potential benefits of reuse outweigh those of carbonation. The presented approach supports the decision-making process when evaluating the reuse potential for concrete elements. The digital workflow can help designers make quick decisions concerning the lifespan and carbon footprint of concrete. The digital tool can be extended in future work with more parameters to evaluate additional sustainability indicators.
Sustainable practices in construction: Exposing the Potential of Waste as a Resource.
Authors: Daria Stuetzer M.A. , Essig Natalie , Kustermann Andrea
Published: October 2024

This paper examines the critical issues facing the construction and demolition industry in the countries of the European Union, with a particular focus on Germany. It presents strategies for waste management and sustainable development goals in construction sector. The construction industry is responsible for a significant proportion of waste production, which underscores the urgency of addressing the impending waste management crisis. The paper highlights the necessity for the implementation of circular-oriented construction practices that prioritize recycling and the reduction of waste, aiming to improve the efficient use of resources in building design and construction. Using a real non-residential building demolition as a case study, the paper outlines specific steps to determine building materials and document demolition procedures. This study presents a variety of selective demolition strategies, with consideration of end-of-life scenarios for materials, including reuse, recycling, and downcycling. The analysis highlights the complexity of the demolition process, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive evaluation methodologies. By closing the material cycle and prioritizing reuse and recycling, it is possible to achieve sustainable and long-term value retention of building materials. Additionally, methods such as life cycle assessment and material flow analysis for waste streams are introduced. The environmental impact of the demolition of the “Elementum” office building in Munich was analyzed and the CO2 emissions calculated, in relation to transport distances. Results were presented on the reduction in CO2 emissions due to the elimination of transport to landfill and the associated impact on the Life Cycle Assessment. By considering factors such as resource conservation, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation and pollution, stakeholders can make informed decisions to mitigate negative environmental impacts.
Ephemeral walls for natural, flexible living
Authors: Gatóo Ana , Ramage Michael H. , Bakker Ron
Published: October 2024

This paper explores the feasibility of developing flexible engineered timber partitions using digital tools for adaptable and flexible housing. For the past decades, a shift in gender roles, an ageing population, new ways of forming families, globalisation and a population in constant motion, a rigid construction sector, and the way we design our cities are necessitating a change toward spaces that are adaptable to our changing needs. In order to address this need in part through flexible engineered timber partitions, extensive testing was undertaken to study the flexibility of timber through kerf patterns. These partitions folded through kerf hinges are modular, easy to fabricate, affordable, and can be placed anywhere within an apartment. Even more, as the partitions are considered a kit of parts designed to be disassembled, they can be reused in the future, promoting a circular economy. All the materials are natural. In the 21st century, with such technological advancements, the climate emergency, and citizens in constant motion, flexibility and customisation should be at the forefront of housing design.
Demountable structures: evaluation of a circular design approach through life cycle assessment
Authors: Trubina Nika , Lupíšek Antonín , Pešta Jan , Vlasatá Barbora
Published: October 2024

The demand to reduce the use of raw materials, construction waste, and the negative environmental impacts of the construction sector is constantly increasing. New circular design strategies, such as Design for Disassembly, are intended to meet these challenges. Furthermore, circular strategies facilitate the easy and quick replacement of building components during end-of-life phases, as well as the efficient and waste-free deconstruction of entire buildings for subsequent reuse. However, building structures developed according to these strategies can have a higher environmental burden in the production or use phase of their life cycle. To confirm the actual environmental benefits of circular constructions, the paper utilizes the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method as a vital tool for the environmental evaluation of circular structures. As a case study, fully demountable and conventional masonry building façade systems with insulation are analyzed through a cradle-to-cradle approach over 2 life cycles. Several End-of-Life scenarios, as well as reuse and the benefits it provides, were considered during the assessment. Examining eight environmental indicators, the comparative analysis of linear and circular facade design approaches in the chosen case studies provides insights into efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.
Towards a national life cycle database: an LCA case study from the Czech Republic
Authors: Felicioni Licia , Trubina Nika , Růžička Jan , Veselka Jakub , Vlasatá Barbora , železná Julie
Published: October 2024

The building sector in the Czech Republic faces several challenges, including limited availability of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data for building materials and products, insufficient market incentives, little institutional capacity, and some resistance from governmental entities. Therefore, this study also outlines the creation of an internal environmental dataset database designed to conduct Whole Life Carbon (WLC) assessments for 50 case studies. The database primarily sources Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and generic data from the Ecoinvent database, which are stored within the OneClick LCA software (OCLCA). The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is calculated for the whole life cycle of each building, using the EU Level(s) methodology. As a baseline, the datasets for materials and products with the highest GWP values were used. A sensitivity analysis was performed on the main resulting hotspots to produce results for both the so-called realistic (average GWP values) and optimistic (lowest GWP values) scenarios. The application of this methodology is demonstrated through a detailed example of one of the case studies, within the framework of the INDICATE international project. This work represents a significant step toward defining a Czech national methodology for establishing benchmarks that can be readily used by Czech practitioners and practitioners.
Timber family houses: Potential for digitization and automation
Authors: Veselka Jakub , Diviš Jakub , Lupíšek Antonin , Slaměník Petr
Published: October 2024

Wooden constructions have a rich historical background globally. Due to their attributes, modern timber buildings present opportunities for energy efficiency and environmental conservation, thus aiding in mitigating the ecological footprint of the construction sector. This paper aims to compare the diverse methodologies employed in timber construction between the US and Europe and subsequently evaluate the potential for digital transformation and automation within the operations of RD Rýmařov, Czechia’s largest producer of single-family timber residences. The unique aspect of this company is the whole process (design, prefabrication, assembly) is fully controlled by the company itself. This study synthesizes insights from the ongoing research project Automation4Timber, currently in its concluding phase. The methods section delineates the process enhancement initiatives carried out by RD Rýmařov, encompassing preparatory, production, and assembly phases, each comprising various components. All instituted alterations facilitating digitalization and automation are elucidated in the Results section. The subsequent discussion and conclusion sections encapsulate the experiential insights gained from the implementation process, highlighting key aspects and potential challenges. This paper adds value by presenting a tangible case study of a manufacturing enterprise.
Navigating the Evolution: Factors Influencing the Adoption of Electric Two-Wheelers in India’s Sustainable Transport Landscape
Authors: Nagarkar Jeevan , Malik Sushant , Paul Dipen , Mishra Dharmesh K. , Venkateswara Raju A.
Published: October 2024

Data indicates that two-wheelers (TW) make up most of all vehicle registrations in India. India’s Electric Two Wheelers (E-TW) market landscape has undergone notable evolution over time, shaped by technological advancements, favourable government policies, escalating fuel costs, and consumers’ increasingly positive reception of electric vehicles. This study aims to delve into the determinants influencing the inclination of Indian customers towards purchasing electric two-wheelers. While previous research has predominantly focused on consumer perspectives in European nations, China, and specific urban areas, the context in India is distinct. As one of the leading contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions and with transportation playing a growing role in the national carbon footprint, understanding the potential for broader adoption of electric vehicles among Indian consumers becomes paramount. Employing a survey instrument of 199 respondents, this research gathers data from Indian consumers to assess their attitudes toward electric two-wheelers. The collected data undergoes scrutiny through descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and logistic regression for comprehensive analysis. The results of the exploratory factor analysis revealed that ‘Technical factors and Infrastructure’, ‘Environmental Benefits and Government Incentives, ‘Brand and Attaining Top Speed’ are four distinct variables affecting electric vehicle purchase decisions and out of the four variables, ‘Brand and Attaining Top Speed’ doesn’t influence adoption. The study will help different public and private organisations effectively position and promote E-TWs in India.
Optimization of process parameters in fabricating AA6082/Nip surface composite using friction stir processing technique
Authors: S Santhoshkumar , Kumar K L Senthil , Rahiman M Kalil , S Manojkumar
Published: October 2024

In this present study, an attempt was made to improve the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and Microhardness (MH) of friction stir-processed AA 6082 with Nip surface composites without affecting the ductility of the Base Metal (BM). Nip micron particle with an average size of 149 μm (99.99 purity) was utilized as reinforcement and AA6082 as a matrix for fabricating the surface composites. Process parameters namely rotational speed, transverse speed, and volume fraction with three levels considered as input parameters for this study. Moreover, ultimate tensile strength, microhardness, and wear rate were determined as process output. For this study, experiments were conducted as per Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array (OA) by repeating each trial three times and the average values were used for further analysis. ANOVA was performed to ensure the influential process parameter and the results exhibited that the volume fraction of Nip exhibited the most influential parameter among the three process parameters. Additionally, Grey relational analysis (GRA) was used to grade the rank of the experimental samples using the Grey Relation Coefficient (GRC). Based on this method, the optimal process parameters (Rotational Speed = 1250 rpm, Transverse Speed = 40 mm min−1, Volume Fraction = 18%) were chosen and the optimal sample (Rank 1) attained a UTS of 247 MPa and MH of 100 HV. The results revealed that the fabricated composite (AA6082/Nip) demonstrated an improvement in UTS (26.02%), MH (56.25%), and wear rate (57.38%) as compared to BM (AA6082). Eventually, the surfaces of the optimized samples were also analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX), and field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) methods to confirm the composition of surface composite and the uniform distribution of particles.