bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Function Transformation and Spatial Reconstructuring of Small Towns in China’s South of the Yangtze River From 1840 to 1949: Case on Changzhou
Authors: Haiyan Dai , Hong Zhang , Liang Zhao
Published: December 2021

Taking Changzhou as a case, this paper studies on the functional transformation and spatial reconstructuring of small towns in the south of the Yangtze River in China from 1840 to 1949. Then, the article analyzes its adaptability and mechanism. During this period, there were three significant transformations of urban functions in Changzhou. The political status of Changzhou declined from the Changzhou Prefecture of the Qing Dynasty to the county of the Republic of China; the transportation function reduced from the regional transportation hub city to the local transportation hub city; and the economic function was transformed from the traditional agricultural city to the light industrial city. Functional transformations have driven the spatial reconstructuring. Urban construction has transformed from urban internal transformation to a composite expansion mode, a ring-layer and axial-type composite model. Finally, a lute-shaped urban form was formed, and the internal facilities of the city were more modern.Although there are some regrets, Changzhou's urban spatial reconstructuring has changed the original material framework of the city. This adapted and promoted the transformation of urban functions during this period. In terms of mechanism, first, this is a passive transformation model. Changzhou mainly promotes urban functions through local private forces and relies on the role of the market. Second, industrialization is the fundamental driving force.In the political and economic context of this period, these changes in function and space manifested self-organizing and progressive characteristics.
Traffic calming in historic city centres - a case study
Authors: Zalewski Andrzej , Chmielewski Jacek , Kempa Jan , Santos Bertha , Gonçalves Jorge
Published: December 2021

The aim of the paper is to compare the existing transport service solutions in the city centers of Bydgoszcz (Poland) and Hasselt (Belgium) that use the widely understood idea of calming the movement. The method of elaboration consisted of analyzes of the literature on the subject of the article, analyzes of available documents and local visits. The solution has been operating in Hasselt since September 2018, and in Bydgoszcz also since September, but 2019. Analyzed solutions in terms of traffic calming goals in these areas, implemented principles, methods used and traffic calming measures that are to lead to a consensus between traffic and the accessibility of the area and making centers living areas. The analyzes carried out confirm that the primary effect of leading to obtain areas centers as areas of “livable city" is to eliminate traffic not associated with a given area, the implementation of restrictions on the availability of cars while maintaining accessibility to public and residential buildings and creating preferences in terms of accessibility for pedestrians, bicycles and public transport. In both cities significant attention was paid to shaping public spaces for pedestrians and development of street fronts with facilities for attractive functions for center users and tourists. Analyzed examples of Bydgoszcz and Hasselt show that the implementation of a separated cycling infrastructure in the historic structure of centers is very difficult. For achievement of “livable city", special emphasis is placed on functional solutions and forms of pedestrian areas, taking into account the requirements of conservation protection, aesthetics and road safety.
Sustainable City- Green Walls and Roofs as Ecological Solution
Authors: Strumiłło Krystyna
Published: December 2021

The impact of urban development on the natural environment creates unique challenges for architects and the need to seek a change in design strategies by building green and sustainable buildings. Designing and displaying green elements such as roofs and walls becomes an important element in this sense. Greenery plays a very crucial role in the city space. Green roofs and walls are the missing link between the built environment and the natural environment. They can complement urban greenery. This paper aims to show the possibilities of green roofs and walls solutions in the city, their aspects and impact on the environment and people. The research method is based on the analysis of selected existing objects with greenery solutions and showing their role in creating a sustainable city. The analysis shows that the green roofs and walls offers many environmental, social and economic benefits. They have the ability to improve the microclimate and increase air humidity. Thus, they affect the health and well-being of the city's inhabitants. This technology should be considered a valuable part of the design process to tackle climate change and the energy crisis. Green roofs and facades are passive techniques and provide benefits in reducing the energy requirements of buildings, among other things, but also play a role in shaping a better visual aspect of the city. In the 21st century, people are slowly beginning to realize the advantages of green architecture, which is considered a new perspective also for the urban heat island problem. Thus, the living roofs and walls are of major importance as part of a sustainable strategy for the urban environment. Sustainable cities will exist when society makes an informed choice to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle. The green roofs and walls these are the solution for the future, for better quality of life.
Demographic Factor as a Criterion for Forming Networks of Public Buildings in Ukraine
Authors: Shuldan Larysa , Pavliv Andriy
Published: December 2021

The study of the developmental delays of temporal and spatial transformations of architecture and the architectural space is often based on a comprehensive fact analysis. Demographic factors, among others, determine trends of architecture development of public buildings and complexes and changes in the structure of their networks for the short-term. The authors consider fact analysis and trends at three levels to deal with current architecture issues of demographic indicators: the macro-level (global and European), the state level (meso-level), and the micro-level (the region, city, and district level). The demographic situation in Ukraine is objectively different from both the average global trends and the situation in European countries. Currently, there are depopulation signs of changes in Ukraine. The pace of urbanization is projected to be rapid for low-income countries. It was also revealed that public buildings and complexes and their networks are the most sensitive to demographic changes and, at the same time, are more open to the upcoming changes. These changes will include: increasing role and demand for public buildings and complexes under conditions of rapid urbanization; designing in conditions of dense existing development; development, expansion and new types of public buildings appearance following the needs of the population progressive link; the need to create and redistribute networks of public building and complex types depending on the quantitative meanings of demographic forecasts; the predominance of modernization, renovation, expansion and reconstruction of existing buildings in comparison with new construction; providing public buildings with more multifunctionality; public buildings architectural and typological improvement with maximum use in the engineering, construction and operation of modern architectural and engineering innovative practices and techniques.
Vertical Urbanization: The Territorial Crisis of a Universal Model
Authors: Martinez-Muñoz Adrian
Published: December 2021

This research aims to examine, from the perspective of the urban design, the necessity and appropriateness of writing an architectural manifesto that questions, or rethinks, the vertical city model based on the orderly accumulation of slender and free columns – housing towers– where society must fraternize and develop life. The journey through the skyline of the main megalopolitan concentrations in countries such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico or those of the Pacific, shows us a landscape of dense residential conglomerates whose spatial and urban configuration was conceived almost a century ago. Vast extensions of vertical developments conquer, as a final and universal solution, plots without attributes between huge highways, old rice fields, deserts or even impossible topographies. With man's desire to live close to the clouds fulfilled and the technical challenge of rising in a vacuum having been overcome, the challenge should now point to the search for strategies that place the inhabitant again at the centre of the debate. By making the city taller, denser and faster, increases the difficulty of social participation for certain sectors of the population in their environment. Thus, the paper starts analyzing the influence of the precepts of the modern city in the contemporary vertical city. Later, it reflects on the loss of the public space dedicated for people and finally, it will deepen in the experiments of the avant-gardes of the second part of the twentieth-century to find alternatives growth strategies to the city of towers. The results show us that, due to overpopulation and the massive movement towards cities, as well as due to the necessary reduction of our footprint on the planet, is necessary to rethink the urban model of verticalism to get a more human city. As a conclusion, this paper proposes writing an architectural manifesto based on five points to achieve a vertical city for people in our near future.
Hydrologic Performance of Experimental Green Roofs Stands as the Effect of Climate Condition
Authors: Miňová Zuzana , Purcz Pavol , Takal Lukáš
Published: December 2021

The water storage capacity of a green roof forms several benefits for the building and its environment. The hydrologic performance is traditionally expressed by the runou coefficient, according to international guidelines and standards. The runoff coefficient is a dimensionless coefficient relating the amount of runoff to the amount of precipitation received. It is a larger value for areas with low infiltration and high runoff (pavement, steep gradient), and lower for permeable, well vegetated areas (forest, flat land). The paper is presenting 3 experimental stands of green roofs. Each stand is unique in terms of its construction. The aim of this paper is to highlight how green roof responds to real clima events. The experiment provides mathematical graphs and behaviour of the geen roof stands from 03/2019 to 01/2021.
Parametric Study of Concrete Members with GFRP Reinforcement Subjected to Bending and Axial Force
Authors: Šenšelová Žaneta , Borzovič Viktor , Baran Jaroslav
Published: December 2021

The paper deals with the possible replacement of steel reinforcement by GFRP reinforcement for concrete elements subjected to bending moment and compressive axial force. For the last 15 years, Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars became more popular and commercially available as reinforcement for concrete elements. Composite FRP materials are still new in construction and many engineers are not familiar with their properties and behaviour. FRP has certain advantages over steel reinforcement. It is a durable material that is not subject to corrosion, does not conduct heat, is an electrical insulator and conducts electrical current, and is non-magnetic. In contrast, FRP also has certain deficiencies such as sensitivity to higher temperatures, alkaline environments, and reduction of mechanical properties at high levels of long-term stress. In the case of FRP reinforcements, the plastic branch is missing in the σ-ε diagrams, what leads to a sudden failure of the reinforced concrete element, either by tensile rupture of the reinforcement or by crushing the concrete. The most used FRP reinforcement is made of glass fibres - GFRP reinforcement. The paper deals with the possible replacement of steel reinforcement by GFRP reinforcement for slab and beam elements. The text describes a parametric study for different reinforcement ratio with GFRP reinforcement and steel reinforcement. The study is performed for a cross-section of 500x500 mm for a column element and a cross-section of 1000x250 mm for a slab element. The effect of longitudinal GFRP reinforcement in elements under compression was investigated. The study contains a comparison of interaction P-M diagrams of concrete elements with steel and GFRP reinforcement. For design of GFRP reinforced concrete elements, it is necessary to consider different material characteristics such as tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. The contribution of the GFRP reinforcement in compression was neglected due to the anisotropic nature of the GFRP reinforcement and the low modulus of elasticity. The main reference basis for the elaboration of a parametric study is the fib Bulletin No. 40.
Land-Use Readjustment For Roi Et Government Centre, Thailand
Authors: Raksawin Karuna , Suthasupa Supagtra
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to present the planning and design of Roi Et provincial government center master plan according to the land use readjustment theoretical framework in the urban design process. This approach maintains the basis that the uniqueness of the original area should be maintained, and the effectiveness of the area application should be increased, and thereby increasing the efficiency of space utilization. The results of the study include, respectively, the scoping of the study area, the investigation of the existing land uses and accessibility, and the readjusting the land uses with the concept of mix-use planning. Moreover, it is suggested that there should be further studies about the architectural styles showing the uniqueness of Roi Et city, water management for watering plants, and planting design of local species.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Modular Construction, including Environmental Impacts
Authors: Hořínková Dita
Published: December 2021

Similar to other fields, the construction industry tends to constantly evolve. There is an increasing demand for the construction of new buildings regarding the speed of the construction process, economy, and minimization of the negative effects on the environment, i.e. sustainability. These requirements can be met by using prefabrication for this construction. Modular construction represents one of the prefabrication technologies that is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. The topic of this article is the use of modular construction, even from the sustainability point of view. There is a basic overview of modular construction, its history in the construction field, an overview of the materials used, and the possibilities of its implementation. Furthermore, this article provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of modular construction. The advantages are listed in terms of quality, economy, time, and ecology as well as in terms of construction flexibility and work safety, both during production and assembly on the construction site. The disadvantages of modular construction discussed in this article are the complicated transportation of modules, demanding coordination of production and construction, the requirement for detailed construction planning, and the non-acceptance of this construction technology by the general, and sometimes professional public. This article also deals with the comparison of modular construction technology with conventional construction technologies. It points out the possibility of reusing materials from disassembled modular buildings. It also points out the ways to control and mitigate the impact of modular construction on the environment throughout the life cycle of modular building. Only after a thorough analysis of these aspects of modular construction, is it possible to explore other ways to further increase the efficiency of this technology in all directions and also to make even better use of its environmental impact minimization potential.
DEA Modelling Effectiveness of Building Envelopes
Authors: Jaroslav Žák V V , Žáková Kateřina
Published: December 2021

Today, insulated building envelopes must not only meet thermal-technical, mechanical, and economic requirements but must also be environmentally friendly. These requirements are often contradictory, and it is not clear what the effective option is for a particular case. The aim of the paper is to compare twenty different variants of building envelopes, not only in terms of thermal-technical properties but also in terms of environmental parameters and time and financial demands. The result of the paper is the determination of effective variants by a suitable mathematical method with consideration of all the above-mentioned influences.
Air Content in Fresh Air-Entraining Cement Mortars
Authors: Miera Patrycja
Published: December 2021

The durability of a cement composite is the most important criterion for assessing this material. However, due to the durability of the cement composite, its frost resistance is an important property. In order to ensure concrete frost resistance, the European standard PN-EN 206-1: 2013 requires its aeration at the level of 4 - 7%. The Committee 201 of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) also requires the use of an air-entraining admixture in concretes exposed to frost damage. The amount of air-entraining admixture is significantly influenced by the composition of the cement used. In order to minimize the problems with obtaining frostresistant concrete, an attempt was made to create air-entraining cements. This article presents the effect of the amount and type of dosing of air-entraining admixtures (natural and synthetic) on the air content in fresh air-entraining cement mortars. The test cements used also differed in the production method: joint mixing of components and joint grinding of components. Based on the research, a lot of valuable information was obtained related to the influence of the preparation of air-entraining cements on the air content in the mortar, e.g. mortars with mixed cement with natural air-entraining admixture have a higher air content. The air content is higher in the cement co-ground with natural air-entraining admixture. A synthetic air entraining admixture added separately to mixed cements with silica fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag increases air entrainment in mortars. The synthetic air-entraining admixture added separately to co-milled cements causes an increase in air entrainment in the mortars, except for those containing cement with ground granular blast furnace slag.
Sustainable Ways and Methods of Recycling Epoxy Fiberglass Waste
Authors: Yakovlev Grigory , Khozin Vadim , Abdrakhmanova Lyaila , Maisuradze Natalia , Medvedev Vladislav , Grechkin Pavel , Polyanskikh Irina , Gordina Anastasiya , Elrefai Ali Elsaed Mohamed Mohamed , Zakirov M. F.
Published: December 2021

This article presents two technological ways of recycling the wastes of the production and application of products made of highly oriented fiberglass bound by the epoxy matrix. The first technology is aimed at shredding the epoxy-based products obtained by pultrusion to create fine and ultrafine powders (up to 2-10 microns) used as fillers in various composites. The second technology offers a way to obtain coarse powders with a particle size of up to 100 microns, used in the composition of heat-insulating materials and fire-retardant intumescent coatings. Proposed is the mechanical grinding of fiberglass to a finely dispersed state with subsequent heating to a temperature of 400 °C in the presence of a foaming coke and liquid glass. This technology allows the full utilization of waste from the production and application of epoxy fiberglass, such as windmill blades and parts of molded products, leading to the creation of an environmentally friendly fire-resistant and heat-insulating material in the form of plates, blocks and other products with operation temperature up to 400C, as well as fire retardant coatings for building materials and structures. By varying the content of the foaming agent and soluble glass in the composition of the intumescent mixture, one can regulate the average density, thermal conductivity and strength of the material within significant limits, achieving characteristics that exceed those of traditional heat-insulating materials. The proposed material based on recycled epoxy fiberglass is inflammable and resistant to unfavorable environmental impacts; it has high biostability and provides heat and mass transfer during the operation in buildings and structures.
A Numerical Study on Liquefaction Induced Settlements by Using PM4Sand Model
Authors: Subasi Ozan , Koltuk Serdar , Akbas Merve , Iyisan Recep
Published: December 2021

Abstract: The destructive effects of earthquakes negatively affect many people's lives and cause a large number of lives and property losses. One of the most crucial factors that increase the destructive effects and structural damages of earthquakes is the deformations in the soil layers during strong ground motion. Especially liquefaction due to sudden increase in pore water pressure during strong ground motion in saturated sandy soils causes large deformations in the soil layers; hence leads to severe damage to the structures. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the liquefaction-induced deformations and settlements in the soil layers with high liquefaction potential. Following this purpose, three different two-dimensional fully saturated soil profiles with 35, 55, 75 % relative densities were created and carried out by using different strong ground motions for estimation of liquefaction-induced free field settlements. The finite element code "Plaxis 2D" and constitutive model "PM4Sand" were used in the analysis. The results of finite element (FE) analyses were compared with semi-empirical methods in the literature. The liquefaction state observed with pore pressure ratio (Ru) and safety factor (FS) is similar in numerical and empirical methods. The FE analyses have shown that the evaluation of free-field, liquefaction-induced settlements obtained from PM4Sand-Model have considerably lower settlement values than the semi-empirical methods. However, the semi-empirical method suggested by Cetin et al. (2009) and numerical analyses gave quite similar settlement results to each other. Moreover, there is no direct relationship between the liquefaction-induced settlements and the earthquake source properties in the numerical method. However, this is different for semi-empirical methods, and there is a relationship between strong ground motion features and liquefaction-induced settlements.
Effect of Non-Metallic Composite Reinforcement on Load-Bearing Capacity
Authors: Sobczak-Piąstka Justyna , Burchenya Sofiya , Famulyak Yuriy
Published: December 2021

It is known that non-metallic composite reinforcement was invented in the 60's of the last century, and already then, a large number of scientists began to investigate its physical and mechanical characteristics. Despite its rather old age, this reinforcement has not been sufficiently studied for its work in building structures. Fiberglass composite reinforcement (Arvit) is a high quality construction material with many advantages: 4-5 times less weight compared to metal of the same diameter; it does not rust or oxidize; tensile strength is 2 times higher than metal reinforcement; it does not conduct electricity; high resistance to temperature changes from -70 to +200 ° C; easy to transport. The distinctive features of work of fiberglass composite reinforcement in bending spacer elements are still insufficiently studied, which in design and production practices leads to the non-use of such reinforcement in the construction of elements of buildings and structures. The experimental results of the test specimens are presented in the article. In first test specimen, longitudinal working reinforcement was made of two metal rods Ø8 class A400S, in second - two fiberglass rods Ø8 AKS 600.
Method of Experimental Research of New Construction of Beams from Glued Wood with Combined Reinforcement
Authors: Sobczak-Piąstka Justyna , Polishchuk Mykola , Gomon Svyatoslav S. , Karavan Bohdan , Homon Sviatoslav , Gomon Petro
Published: December 2021

Structures of glued wood have significant advantages in comparison with structures made of metal or reinforced concrete (less mass, better resistance to the action of chemically aggressive environments, high fire resistance, aesthetic attractiveness, eco-friendliness). However, at the same time, scientists are looking for new ways to improve the characteristics of such wood. We also proposed a new construction of combined reinforcement of glued beams in which the steel bar reinforcement of the periodic profile was arranged in the grooves of the compressed zone, and in the stretched zone reinforcement was carried out with the external composite tape made of carbon fiber. This combination increases both rigidity and bearing capacity of the elements that we are testing from glued wood for work on transverse bending. The method of experimental research on the transverse bend of a new construction of glued beam beams with combined reinforcement was developed. The proposed method fully allows us to examine and experimentally investigate the stress-strain state under load of glued beams from combined reinforcement at different stages of their work.
Estimation of Seismic Economic Loss and Downtime of Precast Concrete Frames with “Dry” Connections
Authors: Wu Chenhao
Published: December 2021

The seismic loss of buildings comes not only from the damaged structural components. Much more loss may be induced by non-structural components, the demolition loss and social impacts associated with excessive downtime. One of the main characteristics of a resilient city is that the buildings in the city should be able to recover to their pre-earthquake functionalities with minimized economic loss and downtime. For this purpose, a comparative study regarding seismic economic loss and downtime is conducted between the conventional cast-in-situ reinforced concrete frames (RCFs) and precast concrete frames (PCFs) with "dry" connections. The results show that the PCFs with prestressed tendons (PTs) can effectively reduce demolition loss given their extraordinary self-centering capacity provided by PTs. By adding web friction devices at the beam ends, the economic loss of structural components and drift-sensitive non-structural components can be effectively reduced. The downtime of PCFs is reduced at given hazard levels compared with RCF given their rapid repair speed and easy assemblage. In view of the rapid post-earthquake repair and lower earthquake loss, the PCFs are worth further investigation and application to develop resilient cities.
A structured method to define goals when developing a building energy performance assessment method in a legislative framework
Authors: Brande Kjartan Van den , Delghust Marc , Laverge Jelle , Jannsens Arnold
Published: December 2021

To boost the energy performance of buildings, the EU has established a legislative framework including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Through this document, EU state members are incentivized to set up a Building Energy performance Assessment Method (BEAM), tailored to the specific needs of the country. There is no standard definition for the energy performance of a building. Since the options are numerous, it is important for the policymaker to define the goals of their specific BEAM first, before developing the BEAM itself. The definition of these goals is a subjective matter and can differ when asked to different organizations in the building sector. To comprehend the desires and perspectives from each different group, a structured overview of the goals that are important for the specific region is needed. For this paper, a method was developed to provide this structured overview and was tested on the legislative energy performance of buildings (EPB) framework of Flanders, Belgium. The Flemish framework was initiated in 2006 and is still in action today. The method consists of two steps. In the first step, a multi-level tree structure for goal mapping based on the Goal Breakdown Structure (GBS) was developed. The main goal, reducing global warming, is on top of the tree structure, which then subdivides into many sub-goals on different levels. An example of a goal on the lowest level of the structure could be the insulation level of the walls. In the second step, prominent stakeholders in the Flemish building industry, including policymakers, researchers, manufacturers, contractors and building owners, were surveyed to capture their expectations from a BEAM and to query whether the current BEAM corresponds with those expectations. The goal of this survey was to receive qualitative, not quantitative input from the stakeholders. In total, 33 respondents completed the survey. The survey results showed that, in general, the desired goals have not changed substantially compared to the pre-set goals in 2006. Trias Energetica is still the preferred guideline for the decision-making process of the building owner, although its absolute power has decreased slightly and seems to be more prone to the conditions. The current indicator for the overall energy needs (E level) is still strongly preferred, while the recently introduced S level (assessment of the envelope) attracts mixed feelings in terms of usefulness to the entire EPB framework. The overheating indicator receives the most critique for not being accurate enough due to the simplified, single zone BEAM
Photovoltaic Facade Performance Evaluation
Authors: Hirš Jiří , Mohelníková Jitka
Published: December 2021

A high-rise building façade with integrated photovoltaic panels, located in the Central European region with temperate climatic conditions was tested. The PV façade was monitored for three years. Results of the PV system monitoring show that the façade positively influence the energy efficiency and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the building operation.
Systems for intelligent parking of trucks at motorway rest areas as part of Construction 4.0
Authors: Krupík Pavel
Published: December 2021

The Road and Motorway Directorate of the Czech Republic is introducing a system of smart truck parking at motorway rest areas. Thanks to the use of detection technologies in the place of rest and connection with NDIC, where traffic information is collected and processed, it is possible to include this technology in the Construction 4.0 concept. The subject of this article is a brief description of these systems, including examples of use. With the help of SWOT analysis, the strengths and weaknesses, respectively opportunities and threats of these systems will be identified with the help of experts.
Defining Focus Areas for Digitization to Reduce Construction Industry Generated CO2 Emissions
Authors: Máder Patrik Márk , Bakai Nándor , Horkai András , Etlinger József , Zagorácz Márk Balázs , Rák Olivér
Published: December 2021

The amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by the construction industry is significant, therefore it should be addressed to protect our environment in the 21st century. The present research is the starting point for a more complex analysis in bioengineering science. It examines the possibilities of implementing digital technologies and the gains that their application can achieve. The research provides an overview of CO2 emissions from construction processes and identifies areas that may focus on future detailed analysis. The study consists of two main parts: a literature review and an interview with digitization experts focused on the issues identified. The present research guides future development focus areas comparing interviews by market and scientific studies. It is essential to determine how significant results can be achieved by using modern digital tools and methodologies. In this way, the extent to which they affect global emissions can be examined, and their impact can be quantified. In the research, the full spectrum of the construction industry was explored, hence we comprehensively analyzed the impact and problems of the processes belonging to each phase of the lifecycle. Although the environmental impact of raw material extraction and processing is significant, its techniques can be improved primarily through innovative solutions that require organizational or governmental intervention. By examining the building phase and post-building phases of the lifecycle, significant reductions in emissions can be achieved through more detailed design, optimized construction, and well-thought-out operation and demolition processes. As a result, immediate interventions are needed in existing methods and procedures. Sustainable construction can be supported by applying new, more accurate, innovative, and higher quality design, construction, operation, and demolition methods. These changes will facilitate the implementation of digitization processes in the construction industry at a higher level and prepare proposals for the solution of environmental problems in the construction industry.
Analysis of Information Technology Used in Construction Enterprises
Authors: Mandičák Tomáš , Mésároš Peter , Spišáková Marcela
Published: December 2021

Information technology represents an increase in use in every sector. The construction industry is a sector that produces large volumes of data. Their processing requires automation and systematization. Information technology is an essential tool for data processing. Relevant information is an important advantage in the digital economy. However, working with data and information is time-consuming, economically demanding. Based on this, the use of information technology is critical to implement in construction. This paper addresses the issue of using information technology in smelting companies. The research aims to analyse the use of information technology in construction companies. Information technology can save information processing time. They also have a positive impact on reducing costs in the long run. They also have a positive effect on productivity. The research seeks to quantify the use of information technology and to look for dependencies between research groups. The research works on the assumption that the use of information technology will be different between research groups. The size of the construction company, the use of foreign know-how and capital, and the construction activity, or the definition of the participant in the construction project, can be important in the results and determine differences in use. Differences and identify potential differences between individual research samples are based on the use of statistical tests. The Kruskal-Wallis test verifies the significance of the findings. The research sample includes 55 construction companies operating in Slovakia. These are mostly contractors, developers, designers and sub-constructors. The research involved large construction companies, as well as SMEs and micro-enterprises.
Tessellation in Architecture from Past to Present
Authors: Kizilörenli Ecenur , Maden Feray
Published: December 2021

Tessellation, which has examples of use in art and architecture, is the covering of a surface using one or more geometric shapes without overlapping or gaps. Based on Roman mosaics, the tessellation has an important place in architecture since the ancient times. Through the history, different patterns have been used by many cultures for various applications ranging from decorative covering elements to multi-functional latticework screens. The tessellation has still been used in contemporary architecture since it not only allows creating the geometrical surface in an order but also provides multi-functionality to the surface when applied as shading elements. The tessellation can be reviewed under three categories such as regular, semi-regular and demi-regular tessellations. Two- and three-dimensional examples of the tessellations can be seen in contemporary architecture either as façade elements or patterns used for structural elements. Because the tessellation plays a significant role in architecture in terms of geometrical or structural design, the interest on this topic has been increased in recent years. Due to their great potentials, more studies should be conducted on the tessellations. For this reason, within the scope of this paper, the applied examples of the tessellations in buildings from past to present are examined which include both static and kinetic ones. In this paper, the geometric design principles, combination methods and iteration processes of the examples are also presented. As well as providing a deeper understanding of such tessellation methods, this study will serve as a basis of reference for future studies in this field.
Sustainable City Forms
Authors: Stokmane Ilze
Published: December 2021

Twenty first century characterises with approach of sustainability in different scales of spatial planning. During the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 more and more attention has been paid on health and well-being of population. Remembering that two thirds of all European population live in cities the theme of sustainability of living environment became even more important following SDG 11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. People in the cities more often seek for possibility to spend time outdoors, preferably in nature. It has become the important issue not only for individuals but also for governors of local municipalities and big cities providing such opportunity for their inhabitants. In order to find the best possible solution for development of urban environment it is important to know what are the choices available and best practise realized in spatial planning sustainability context. During the last five decades and even earlier different researchers and city planners have been defining possible city forms to ensure sustainability and well-being of todays and next generations. The purpose of research paper is to show the variety of sustainable city forms outlined in research papers and formed by collaboration of progressive cities. To strengthen the importance of new approaches in city planning, there are examples of the best practise of some European counties following SDGs in spatial planning of their territories showed. The analysis of situation in different countries clarifies that development of green infrastructure, use of local resources and support of local initiatives are the best approaches for any place to reach the sustainability because fulfilling the needs of local inhabitants for qualitative outdoors results in better life not only for locals, it plays also important role for forming good image of municipality and country increasing sense of proud of such place. City municipalities need to put more effort for developing sustainable communities providing healthy and attractive living environment for local and even new inhabitants in place where living, work and recreation are in balance with nature.
Data organization issues in civil engineering
Authors: Smutný Marian , Kaiser Jiří
Published: December 2021

In today's organization of data in civil engineering there remains ambiguity, diversity of terminology and consequent lack of clarity. The daily reality is to work with hybrid data sources in a variety of software programs. In CAD programs it is possible to import and convert elements from GIS, but they will be classified only into layers. Or, attach external references from CAD files in BIM, but there still remains the problem of finding your way around the confusing list of layers, and their abbreviations. Also broadly used filesystems as place for store and organise data on disk into files (entities) and hierarchical structure of folders (categories) is limited by reductionist categorization approach. Another problem shows with absence of multilingual approach. The limits are in the methods of data organization, and so only partially portable. Therefore, if there is a common denominator to all problems, it is the absence of a unifying organizational environment. In current computer applications used in civil engineering, methods of data classification are implemented that do not allow multiplicative or faceted categorization and thus inevitably create an antagonistic environment with any previous or future classification system. Unfortunately, even if a software tool implements a modern multiplicative categorization or domain ontology, it will not significantly solve the overall situation, because it will still not be possible to use such a method of categorization in other applications. Therefore, if there should exist a solution that would significantly facilitate cooperation and orientation in the data, it must inevitably work independently, across diverse software applications, with the ability to link the functions of the application with such a separate categorization system.
Finite Element Analysis of Overlapped Z-Purlins Restrained by Sheeting
Authors: Gîrbacea Ioan Andrei , Ungureanu Viorel
Published: December 2021

Cold-formed steel Z-purlins with overlapping at the intermediate supports ensures the continuity of the bending moment. A continuous beam with two equal spans of 6 m is investigated under gravity loading using the finite element method. The numerical model includes the beneficial interaction between the Z-purlins and the trapezoidal sheeting. Finite element results show that the screw spacing and sheeting thickness has a limited influence on the resistance of the member. The effect of the overlapping length and detailing of the connection is studied through a parametric study. Six overlaps varying from 100mm to 1200mm (1.6% to 20% of one span) capture the change of the failure mode from the overlap edge to the support region of the purlin. The connection detailing is studied considering multiple bolt/screw patterns. The detailing and length of the overlap connection has a major influence on the moment distribution and consequently on the failure mode. The detailed finite element analysis shows that assuming the beam connection as continuous in 1D beam models lead to an unrealistic bending moment distribution and failure mode. Connecting the bottom flange using screws improves the overall load carrying capacity of the beam especially for short overlap lengths. The increase in resistance is attributed to the restraining effect on the free flange which fails due to distortional buckling.
Innovative Lightweight Cold-Formed Steel-Concrete Composite Floor System – LWT-FLOOR project
Authors: Lukačević Ivan , Ćurković Ivan , Rajić Andrea , Čudina Ivan
Published: December 2021

To provide the foundations for economic and social prosperity, countries worldwide need to be making a term investment in their building assets. However, there is a lack of a systematic approach, such as manufacturing innovations, to maximize the values of building components and materials in its entire lifecycle. Steel-concrete composite floor systems are one of the most cost-effective construction systems for multi-storey steel buildings because they combine structural efficiency with the speed of construction. These advantages depend on the efficiency of combining steel and concrete structural elements to avoid their inherent disadvantages. This paper presents a solution that integrates state-of-the-art knowledge in new, fast and productive spot-welding technology and innovative cold-formed steel-concrete composite solutions. The solution proposes a new construction method as a combination of built- up cold-formed steel members and cast-in-place concrete slab. The proposed floor system offers key benefits in terms of a high degree of prefabrication, reusability and long spanning capability.
Iterative Optimal Design of Special Moment Resisting Devices for Steel Frames
Authors: Palizzolo Luigi , Vazzano Santo
Published: December 2021

The present paper proposes an iterative procedure devoted to reaching the optimal design of an innovative, recently proposed, moment resisting device. This special device, called Limited Resistance Plastic Device (LRPD), can be utilized, as an example, to equip a steel frame when it is required that the frame must be designed to substitute a masonry panel, i.e., it must be characterized by a structural behaviour as close as possible to the one of the replaced masonry wall. This purpose can be reached by designing the relevant frame imposing appropriate constraints on the elastic stiffness and on the limit resistance. The result can be obtained just by ensuring that the elastic stiffness and the limit resistance be independent of each other. To this aim it is necessary to suitably equip the steel frame by the previously cited LRPD. In particular, these moment resisting connections ensure that in a prefixed portion of the given beam element, the limit bending moment reduces without any variation of the global elastic stiffness. In order to reach this goal, the LRPD is substantially constituted by an inner portion, devoted to exhibit the desired reduced limit bending strength and to receive the plastic deformations, and two outer portions, devoted to guarantee the invariance of the elastic bending stiffness. The proposed iterative procedure allows to design a device respecting all the required features avoiding the presence of any dangerous local instability phenomenon. To this aim, the design will contain appropriate constraints ensuring that the device cross sections appertain to class 1 or class 2 I-cross section, as prescribed in the more recent standard codes. Some examples, validated by 3D solid tetrahedral elements analysis in ABAQUS environment, prove the good reliability of the proposed procedure and show the easy applicability of the computational approach.
Push-Out Test and FEM Analysis of Continuous Shear Connector
Authors: Vanova Patricia , Dubecky Daniel , Kvocak Vincent
Published: December 2021

Composite steel concrete bridges with embedded continuous shear connectors are one of the newer popular options for short span (up to 20 m) bridges. They can be used for both road and railway bridges and due to their low structural height, nowadays, they are also a welcome alternative for bridge reconstructions – the concrete part serves as the bridge deck as well as the main structure. Unfortunately, In the Slovak Republic, no such bridges have been built as of yet (2020). At Technical University of Kosice, Department of Steel and Timber Structures, an extensive research regarding the steel shear connectors have been launched. Its goals are to bring new, easier for construction (due to prefabrication process), more resistant with even lower structural height, and more economical (due to lesser usage of materials and quick construction) geometrical solutions for composite steel concrete bridges as well as to open and popularize this solution for developers in the Slovak Republic. In this article, one of the new types is presented. It has a cross-section in a shape of a trapezoid, with holes in all its sides, except the bottom flange. Their purpose is to create concrete studs and secure full shear transmission with higher shear resistance, but they also serve to create space for transverse reinforcing bars. Its geometrical and material characteristics are closely specified. Results and process of push-out tests performed in Laboratory of Excellent Research onto three specimens are described and compared to results of finite element analysis simulation performed in Abaqus software.