Architecture, Structures and Construction最新文献

Automation, including the use of robots, is increasingly presented as a potential solution to the lagging efficiency of the construction industry. Buildings designed for robotic construction may be different than traditional buildings, and computation can help reveal these differences. In response, the goal of this research is to assess the challenges, opportunities, and potential of robotic construction to be incorporated into early-stage design exploration and multi-objective optimization. It evaluates robotic capabilities for performing construction tasks, determines how designs with varying structural systems can leverage robotic constructability assessment, and shows which tasks and design types offer good venues for evaluating construction metrics during design optimization. The first part reviews literature in design, fabrication, and construction, covering design-based robotic research in which robots are replacing traditionally human tasks in standard construction, as well as research in which a custom design can only be built with a novel construction approach. The role of robots in construction is then examined through a task-based review, which maps existing robots and their capabilities to potential subtasks during sequential construction phases, from initial offsite preparation to completion. Finally, a case study built on insights from the literature review introduces an initial construction metric tied to cumulative discrete material delivery time. This metric helps distinguish between high and low-quality designs in terms of constructability, showcasing how considering robotics can enhance early-stage design assessment. A trade-off between embodied carbon and a robotic construction score emerged in the design options, with the number of elements affecting both factors. The case study suggests that adjustments to the building massing can lower embodied carbon without negatively impacting the construction score. Similar relationships could be uncovered by incorporating the objectives and constraints identified in this paper in future optimization workflows.

This research investigates the nonlinear mechanical properties and post-yield deformation mechanisms of hyperbolic paraboloid (hypar) shells inspired by the architecture of Félix Candela for the first time. 3D-printed tubular structures derived from non-Euclidean hypar umbrellas with 3, 4, and 6 edges (capable of forming regular tessellations) across three rise-to-area ratios were benchmarked against Euclidean thin-walled prismatic and pyramidal geometries under uniaxial quasi-static compression. For the same relative density, hypar structures exhibited markedly improved stiffness, strength, and energy absorption over their Euclidean counterparts. 6-edged hexagonal umbrellas were also observed to be more efficient than 3- and 4-edged hypars for a constant shell thickness, with their mechanical performance being positively correlated with the extent of hypar warping. Moreover, the relative stiffness and strength exhibited by tubular structures based on hexagonal hypar umbrellas compared favorably with alternative lattice and honeycomb metamaterials across the relative densities considered within this study. These findings highlight the attractiveness of hypars as novel (micro)architectures and provides further impetus towards the utilization of non-Euclidean geometries for ultra-light and ultra-stiff applications.

A significant portion of the environmental impact of a building’s superstructure lies in its structural flooring. By leveraging funicular forms such as thin concrete shells, a materially and carbon-efficient alternative to bending-active flooring systems can be attained. In addition, through segmentation and the use of dry jointed interfaces, a segmented concrete shell allows for ease of disassembly compatible with circular economy principles for the built environment. This paper presents a novel segmented concrete shell flooring system that leverages the symmetry of revolution of the classical fan vault form to facilitate future design flexibility through increased reconfigurability. The design and form-finding of the segmented fan concrete shell are detailed through the use of an evolutionary algorithm and finite element analysis. Quarter-scale prototypes were digitally fabricated using a robotic concrete spraying process which were then assembled and tested to assess its structural potential, evaluate the limitations, and identify areas of future work. An embodied carbon analysis demonstrates that the system provides a mass and embodied carbon saving compared to conventional flooring systems while adding approximately a 20% embodied carbon premium over a comparable non-reconfigurable segmented shell flooring system. Rephrased, the proposed system provides a positive embodied carbon saving if enabling design flexibility through reconfiguration increases the life-span of the system by at least 20%. Through this work, it is shown that a segmented fan concrete shell presents a viable lightweight and carbon-efficient flooring system which has the potential to become a sustainable alternative that enables disassembly, reuse, and even reconfigurability for circular construction provided further research and development to address its current limitations for adoption in industry practices.

This paper discusses the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology in the planning and executing of construction projects, aiming to optimize construction processes, add value, and maximize project returns. The research was based on a practical case that involved three-dimensional modeling and the integration of various technologies, such as AutoCAD, Revit, Excel, and Microsoft Project. It highlights how BIM can improve cost management accuracy, increase efficiency, and facilitate team communication, minimizing errors during execution. Despite limitations related to software interoperability and the lack of material libraries, the results demonstrate that BIM is an effective tool for construction projects, promoting schedule optimization and adding value to ventures. The study reinforces the relevance of BIM as a fundamental strategy to enhance productivity and quality in the construction industry, making it essential for professionals seeking to elevate efficiency and quality through innovative solutions.

The rising demand of food grains and its wastage due to prolonged storage during any unforeseen conditions such as Covid 19 pandemic shows the necessity of sustainable and efficient food grain godowns in India. Sustainable design approach towards the foodgrain godown reduces the wastage of food grains as well as lowers the environmental footprints and energy consumptions. Such approaches include appropriate architectural planning, rainwater harvesting, building orientation/envelope, day lighting and improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ), can increase the productivity of the godown and minimize the rotting/wastage. Considering these factors, a ‘L-shaped’ steel intensive food grain godown is proposed to store wheat which includes sustainable strategies like - site selection & sustainable site planning, sustainable landscape design, water conservation through rainwater harvesting with the site, organic waste management, sustainable building envelope design for the optimization of indoor environment quality – to enhance passive lighting, ventilation; and to regulate temperature and humidity. The structure is analyzed using Tekla Software and designed following the Indian Standard codes Parallel flange sections which show high strength and flexibility are used for the design. Implementing sustainable design approaches in foodgrain godowns significantly enhances the indoor environmental quality, thereby reducing foodgrain wastage during storage.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is rapidly evolving in the EU and around the world, and it is used to calculate and assess the environmental impact of buildings throughout their life cycle. Many EU countries have decided to add new embodied carbon regulations in their building codes, and thus, the calculation of environmental impact is becoming mandatory. We present a decision support system based on Building Information Modelling (BIM) that provides architects and engineers with streamlined LCA information on highly uncertain designs at an early stage. The system is designed to be extremely simple and easy to comprehend, and it executes LCA calculations fast enough for real-time use. Our key contribution is to elaborate, comprehensively implement, and evaluate the new sustainability opportunity metric (SOM) that we had briefly introduced in our earlier work. Assigned to BIM model components, the metric intends to identify sustainability opportunities and risks by quickly evaluating numerous independent building elements despite early-stage design uncertainty. In this paper, we demonstrate the first fully integrated toolchain and tools prototypes as a plug-in for Revit. We develop the tool to conduct visualisation and usability experiments, and empirically evaluate it on five complex BIM-based high-rise projects.

Over time, electrical fires have been recurring disasters around the world. As a common preventive strategy, the use of a standard checklist has become a traditional technique widely adopted today. However, this procedure might not capture the full spectrum of risk levels or address interconnected issues, thus potentially compromising effective risk management. Conversely, allowing for prioritization and immediate remediation of fire hazards, the incorporation of expert knowledge and data-driven insights to gauge risk factors is noteworthy. In this context, the approach proposed, rooted in fuzzy Petri nets, optimizes resource allocation by focusing on the highest-risk elements, leading to a more substantial risk reduction. An enhanced methodology was implemented, considering the pre-fire conditions at the Brazilian National Museum. Simulation results indicate that simple corrections in the electrical installation could have significantly reduced the fire risk, possibly preventing the tragedy. These findings underscore the method's effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of thorough electrical risk management. It suggests that the catastrophe might have been avoided had the risks been appropriately addressed. The model emerges as an essential instrument for enhancing risk assessment and strategic resource allocation, especially vital in resource-constrained environments characteristic of developing countries like Brazil. However, it is important to clarify that the proposed methodology is based on expert systems, offering an alternative approach to risk quantification when statistical data and deterministic methods are unavailable. This methodology integrates expert judgment and fuzzy logic for qualitative risk assessments, enabling the identification and prioritization of risk factors despite the lack of quantitative data. While sensitivity analysis is not applicable in this context, validation can be achieved through consensus among expert groups who evaluate the model's assumptions and outcomes.

This work explores the integration of technologies in the practice of architectural design in Brazil. The objective is to contribute to the debate on the use of these resources in architectural offices, investigating the perception of professionals and end users regarding the adoption of these technologies. An experiment was conducted using digital technologies, BIM and Virtual Reality, during the creation of an architectural project for a single-family residence to evaluate the collaboration between the disciplines involved and, simultaneously, the construction monitoring. The experiment was carried out by the researchers themselves in the laboratories of the School of Engineering and the School of Architecture at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG, in a controlled environment for both the development of the architectural project stages using BIM technologies and the immersion in the virtual reality environment. The results indicate how the use of these technologies can assist architects, engineers, and users in making better design decisions and contribute to the implementation of digital technologies in professional environments.

Reevaluating the materials that shape our built environment holds significant importance for sustainable construction. This research introduces newly developed natural fibre pultruded profiles, composed of flax fibres and bio-resin, customised for specific properties and targeted applications. Engineered to withstand both bending and compression loads, these profiles have been subjected to rigorous mechanical testing to demonstrate their compression and flexural strength, as well as flexibility. The emphasis lies on the bottom-up design approach, guiding the creation of applications suitable for this innovative material in various lightweight structures. The paper presents a series of case studies showcasing the use of biocomposite profiles in diverse design and structural contexts. The initial focus was on active-bending structures, highlighting the material’s flexibility, showcased at a ten-metre span structure, the first large-scale demonstrator. However, given the material’s versatile properties, it is suitable for a wide range of other applications. Key case studies discussed include reciprocal, tensegrity and deployable structures, as well as modular planar or space frame systems. These profiles offer a sustainable and versatile alternative to traditional materials and composites, providing innovative and eco-friendly construction solutions while contributing to industry sustainability goals.

‘Mass housing’ has a very controversial heritage, often associated with policies of transformation that do not pay respect to characteristics or value. Additionally, they are frequently under market pressures that promote its demolition. This paper aims to highlight mass housing as having a special heritage that represents new visions and cultural values to be preserved. Mass housing could represent an explorative field for innovation and sustainability, leading cities towards energy transition. The topic is addressed through theoretical and critical observations on mass housing and its legacy in the contemporary, and through comments on project solutions concerning transformation strategies. In conclusion, the research showed an urban design solution utilizing the transformation of open spaces in a mass housing neighborhood near Naples (south Italy). The project converts empty and abandoned areas within the neighborhood into a new agro-urban landscape crossed by pedestrian and bicycle paths and surrounded by small rest areas where people can sit and enjoy the landscape and panoramic views. The project combines paths of innovation and sustainability to increase the urban quality of the district with the aim of supporting the recognition of mass housing as having a special heritage, including material integrity and inherent value, involved in the process of transformation that needs to be preserved.