Pub Date : 2024-01-09DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1336280
Danny Murguia, Alonso Urbina, Jianyu Zhao, Kwadwo Oti-Sarpong, Olli Seppänen, X. Brioso
Automated real-time data collection is becoming more prevalent in construction, with workers’ location data being a pivotal component in detecting poor logistics and inefficient construction flows. However, the collection of location data for productivity monitoring raises significant concerns about privacy and wellbeing implications for workers. Implementing such technological solutions requires an understanding of how humans may respond to sensor-based automated data collection, making this a socio-technical issue. This study identifies the drivers of construction workers’ acceptance of radio-based location tracking technology for productivity measurement using a modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and offers a sociotechnical understanding of technology acceptance with implications for managing how new technologies are introduced on construction projects. Using a large residential project in Lima, Peru as a case study, construction workers were monitored using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, and data were gathered using mixed methods. A k-means clustering analysis showed two forms of acceptance among workers: supporters (37%) and acceptance with reservations (63%). Partial least squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) results showed that perceived usefulness and perceived stress underpinned workers’ attitudes and intention to accept the technology. Perceived privacy risk, however, emerged as the sole most significant predictor at the end of the monitoring process. Findings further suggest that workers’ acceptance of the technology is influenced by the perception that it is also beneficial for safety management. Building on the preceding, the paper highlights the need for employee orientation focused on addressing perceived privacy concerns by leveraging positive perceptions about using monitoring technologies for improving onsite safety, logistics and productivity. This requires management of construction firms to develop narratives that reflect their goals for rolling out technologies in ways that ensure workers’ buy-in, and a re-focus on problem framing and collective approaches to identifying functional and less intrusive forms of monitoring technologies.
{"title":"A case study on the implementation of location tracking technologies for productivity monitoring: understanding workers’ acceptance and socio-technical implications","authors":"Danny Murguia, Alonso Urbina, Jianyu Zhao, Kwadwo Oti-Sarpong, Olli Seppänen, X. Brioso","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1336280","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1336280","url":null,"abstract":"Automated real-time data collection is becoming more prevalent in construction, with workers’ location data being a pivotal component in detecting poor logistics and inefficient construction flows. However, the collection of location data for productivity monitoring raises significant concerns about privacy and wellbeing implications for workers. Implementing such technological solutions requires an understanding of how humans may respond to sensor-based automated data collection, making this a socio-technical issue. This study identifies the drivers of construction workers’ acceptance of radio-based location tracking technology for productivity measurement using a modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and offers a sociotechnical understanding of technology acceptance with implications for managing how new technologies are introduced on construction projects. Using a large residential project in Lima, Peru as a case study, construction workers were monitored using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, and data were gathered using mixed methods. A k-means clustering analysis showed two forms of acceptance among workers: supporters (37%) and acceptance with reservations (63%). Partial least squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) results showed that perceived usefulness and perceived stress underpinned workers’ attitudes and intention to accept the technology. Perceived privacy risk, however, emerged as the sole most significant predictor at the end of the monitoring process. Findings further suggest that workers’ acceptance of the technology is influenced by the perception that it is also beneficial for safety management. Building on the preceding, the paper highlights the need for employee orientation focused on addressing perceived privacy concerns by leveraging positive perceptions about using monitoring technologies for improving onsite safety, logistics and productivity. This requires management of construction firms to develop narratives that reflect their goals for rolling out technologies in ways that ensure workers’ buy-in, and a re-focus on problem framing and collective approaches to identifying functional and less intrusive forms of monitoring technologies.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"2 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139443919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-09DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1216888
Hsiao-Hui Chen, Olaf Mumm, V. Carlow
Street classification is fundamental to transportation planning and design. Urban transportation planning is mostly based on function-based classification schemes (FCS), which classifies streets according to their respective requirements in the pre-defined hierarchy of the urban street network (USN). This study proposes a computational approach for a network-based categorization of street segments (NSC). The main objectives are, first, to identify and describe NSC categories, second, to examine the spatial distribution of street segments from FCS and NSC within a city, and third, to compare FCS and NSC to identify similarities and differences between the two. Centrality measures derived from network science are computed for each street segment and then clustered based on their topological importance. The adaption of clustering, which is a numerical categorization technique, potentially facilitates the integration with other analytical processes in planning and design. The quantitative description of street characteristics obtained by this method is suitable for development of new knowledge-based planning approaches. When extensive data or knowledge of the real performance of streets are not available or costly, this method provides an objective categorization from those data sets that are readily available. The method can also assign the segments that are categorized as “unclassified” in FCS to the categories in the NSC scheme. Since centrality metrics are associated with the functioning of USNs, the comparison between FCS and NSC not only contributes to the understanding and description of the fine variations in topological properties of the segments within each FCS class but also supports the identification of the mismatched segments, where reassessment and adjustment is required, for example, in terms of planning and design.
{"title":"A computational approach for categorizing street segments in urban street networks based on topological properties","authors":"Hsiao-Hui Chen, Olaf Mumm, V. Carlow","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1216888","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1216888","url":null,"abstract":"Street classification is fundamental to transportation planning and design. Urban transportation planning is mostly based on function-based classification schemes (FCS), which classifies streets according to their respective requirements in the pre-defined hierarchy of the urban street network (USN). This study proposes a computational approach for a network-based categorization of street segments (NSC). The main objectives are, first, to identify and describe NSC categories, second, to examine the spatial distribution of street segments from FCS and NSC within a city, and third, to compare FCS and NSC to identify similarities and differences between the two. Centrality measures derived from network science are computed for each street segment and then clustered based on their topological importance. The adaption of clustering, which is a numerical categorization technique, potentially facilitates the integration with other analytical processes in planning and design. The quantitative description of street characteristics obtained by this method is suitable for development of new knowledge-based planning approaches. When extensive data or knowledge of the real performance of streets are not available or costly, this method provides an objective categorization from those data sets that are readily available. The method can also assign the segments that are categorized as “unclassified” in FCS to the categories in the NSC scheme. Since centrality metrics are associated with the functioning of USNs, the comparison between FCS and NSC not only contributes to the understanding and description of the fine variations in topological properties of the segments within each FCS class but also supports the identification of the mismatched segments, where reassessment and adjustment is required, for example, in terms of planning and design.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"62 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139445152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-08DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1305003
T. K. Nawarathna, Jin Sakai, K. Nakashima, Tetsuya Kawabe, Miki Shikama, Chikara Takano, S. Kawasaki
Biomineralization occurring in living organisms is mostly controlled by organic macromolecules such as polysaccharides and proteins. Recently, biomineralization has been attracting much attention as a green and sustainable cementation technique including enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP), where CaCO3 is formed by hydrolysis of urea by urease in the presence of calcium ions. In this study, we have developed a novel hybrid biocementation method combining CaCO3 and cellulose nanofiber (CNF). In nature, matrix proteins work as a binder at the interface of organic and inorganic materials to form hybrid biomaterials. By mimicking the natural system, we designed an artificial fusion protein to facilitate the deposition of CaCO3 on CNF. Calcite-binding peptide (CaBP) and carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) were introduced in the artificial fusion protein CaBP-CBM to connect CaCO3 and cellulose. The addition of CNF in the EICP system resulted in the formation of a number of small particles of CaCO3 compared to a non-additive system. The addition of the fusion protein CaBP-CBM to CNF led to an increase in the size of CaCO3 particles. Furthermore, the combination of CaBP-CBM and CNF provides higher strength of samples in sand solidification. Therefore, introduction of CNF and the fusion protein would be promising for novel biocementation techniques.
{"title":"Combination of cellulose nanofiber and artificial fusion protein for biocementation","authors":"T. K. Nawarathna, Jin Sakai, K. Nakashima, Tetsuya Kawabe, Miki Shikama, Chikara Takano, S. Kawasaki","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1305003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1305003","url":null,"abstract":"Biomineralization occurring in living organisms is mostly controlled by organic macromolecules such as polysaccharides and proteins. Recently, biomineralization has been attracting much attention as a green and sustainable cementation technique including enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP), where CaCO3 is formed by hydrolysis of urea by urease in the presence of calcium ions. In this study, we have developed a novel hybrid biocementation method combining CaCO3 and cellulose nanofiber (CNF). In nature, matrix proteins work as a binder at the interface of organic and inorganic materials to form hybrid biomaterials. By mimicking the natural system, we designed an artificial fusion protein to facilitate the deposition of CaCO3 on CNF. Calcite-binding peptide (CaBP) and carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) were introduced in the artificial fusion protein CaBP-CBM to connect CaCO3 and cellulose. The addition of CNF in the EICP system resulted in the formation of a number of small particles of CaCO3 compared to a non-additive system. The addition of the fusion protein CaBP-CBM to CNF led to an increase in the size of CaCO3 particles. Furthermore, the combination of CaBP-CBM and CNF provides higher strength of samples in sand solidification. Therefore, introduction of CNF and the fusion protein would be promising for novel biocementation techniques.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"47 21","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139448181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-08DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1308401
Vanessa Saback, J. Gonzalez-Libreros, Cosmin Al Daescu, C. Popescu, A. H. S. Garmabaki, Gabriel Sas
The snow galleries along the Iron Ore railway line in northern Sweden have faced problems in recent years due to increasingly large snow loads, and several galleries have been damaged. These incidents motivated an evaluation of the maximum load supported by the galleries before collapse, which is presented in this study. In 2021, a monitoring system was installed in one of the main frames of two snow galleries built in the 1950s to follow up with temperature and displacements, including a trigger that sends out a warning message when a critical load is reached. A literature review on snow loads was performed, followed by calculations on snow distribution on the galleries based on the Eurocodes and National Swedish Standards. Finite element 2D and 3D models were created using AxisVM to accurately assess the efforts in the structural elements. Analysis and discussion are complemented by observations from site visits. It was concluded that the critical loads supported by the galleries are lower than the requirements of today’s standards, but since secondary construction elements were damaged before the main frames reached their full capacity, no major collapse has yet taken place. The cobweb effect (load re-distribution between the neighboring elements in a 3D structure) influenced the behavior of the galleries in the 3D analysis and the capacity of the main frames proved to be significantly increased compared to the 2D assessment.
{"title":"Adapting to climate change: snow load assessment of snow galleries on the Iron Ore Line in Northern Sweden","authors":"Vanessa Saback, J. Gonzalez-Libreros, Cosmin Al Daescu, C. Popescu, A. H. S. Garmabaki, Gabriel Sas","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1308401","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1308401","url":null,"abstract":"The snow galleries along the Iron Ore railway line in northern Sweden have faced problems in recent years due to increasingly large snow loads, and several galleries have been damaged. These incidents motivated an evaluation of the maximum load supported by the galleries before collapse, which is presented in this study. In 2021, a monitoring system was installed in one of the main frames of two snow galleries built in the 1950s to follow up with temperature and displacements, including a trigger that sends out a warning message when a critical load is reached. A literature review on snow loads was performed, followed by calculations on snow distribution on the galleries based on the Eurocodes and National Swedish Standards. Finite element 2D and 3D models were created using AxisVM to accurately assess the efforts in the structural elements. Analysis and discussion are complemented by observations from site visits. It was concluded that the critical loads supported by the galleries are lower than the requirements of today’s standards, but since secondary construction elements were damaged before the main frames reached their full capacity, no major collapse has yet taken place. The cobweb effect (load re-distribution between the neighboring elements in a 3D structure) influenced the behavior of the galleries in the 3D analysis and the capacity of the main frames proved to be significantly increased compared to the 2D assessment.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"8 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139446887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-08DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1334090
A. Bradley, M. Jaksa, Y. L. Kuo
Rolling dynamic compaction (RDC) technology utilises a heavy non-circular module (impact roller) to compact the underlying soil dynamically. The stresses imparted to the soil through this technique and the resulting vibrations, have been the subject of investigation in the field. A finite element (FE) model predicting the settlement and densification of a coarse-grained fill material subject to RDC with a BH-1300 4-sided 8 tonne impact roller has been shown to provide good agreement with that observed in the field. This paper presents estimates using the developed FE model for the peak particle velocity and acceleration, and the maximum stresses applied through each impact upon a coarse-grained soil. Distributions of the results and their empirical formulae are presented herein.
{"title":"Ground response of rolling dynamic compaction—a finite element modelling approach","authors":"A. Bradley, M. Jaksa, Y. L. Kuo","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1334090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1334090","url":null,"abstract":"Rolling dynamic compaction (RDC) technology utilises a heavy non-circular module (impact roller) to compact the underlying soil dynamically. The stresses imparted to the soil through this technique and the resulting vibrations, have been the subject of investigation in the field. A finite element (FE) model predicting the settlement and densification of a coarse-grained fill material subject to RDC with a BH-1300 4-sided 8 tonne impact roller has been shown to provide good agreement with that observed in the field. This paper presents estimates using the developed FE model for the peak particle velocity and acceleration, and the maximum stresses applied through each impact upon a coarse-grained soil. Distributions of the results and their empirical formulae are presented herein.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"32 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139444854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-21DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1307650
S. Gowthaman, Moeka Yamamoto, Meiqi Chen, K. Nakashima, S. Kawasaki
Introduction: Bio-cementation processes [namely, microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP)] have recently become promising techniques for solidifying loose sands. However, these methods release gaseous ammonia to the atmosphere, which is not desirable for real-scale applications. This study aims to propose an enzyme induced calcium phosphate precipitation (EICPP) method as a sustainable direction for the solidification of sand.Methods: Precipitation of calcium phosphate compound (CPC) was driven through pH-dependent mechanism regulated by enzymatic hydrolysis of urea. The baseline study was designed to consist of a series of precipitation tests and sand column tests, evaluating the influence of various recipes of cementation media (CM) on treatment efficiency. The evaluation program consisted of Unconfined compression tests, precipitation content measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction.Results: The observations showed that the content of urea had an important role in proposed EICPP treatment, which determined the extent of the pH increase. This increase had a great influence on 1) utilization of soluble calcium, 2) precipitation content of calcium phosphate, and 3) the morphology of the precipitates. Results of sand column test suggested that injecting CM that consisted of acid-dissolved bone meal, urea and urease enzyme could result in the deposition of insoluble CPC that enabled the solidification of sand particles.Discussion: The precipitation quantity was found to increase with the increase in urea content; however, the treatment media with high urea content resulted amorphous-like crystals. The plate-like crystals were evidenced in CM with [Ca]/[urea] molar ratio between 1.5–2.0. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that irrespective of the urea contents, the formed crystals were identified as brushite. Since the final pH of proposed EICPP method could be controllable within acidic-neutral conditions, the emission of ammonia gas would be eliminated.
导言：生物固化过程[即微生物诱导碳酸盐沉淀（MICP）和酶诱导碳酸盐沉淀（EICP）]最近已成为固化松散砂土的有前途的技术。然而，这些方法会向大气释放气态氨，不利于实际应用。本研究旨在提出一种酶诱导磷酸钙沉淀法（EICPP），作为砂固化的可持续发展方向：方法：磷酸钙化合物（CPC）的沉淀是通过尿素酶水解的 pH 依赖性机制来驱动的。基线研究的设计包括一系列沉淀试验和砂柱试验，以评估不同配方的固结介质（CM）对处理效率的影响。评估项目包括非密实压缩试验、沉淀含量测量、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、能量色散 X 射线光谱（EDS）和 X 射线衍射：观察结果表明，尿素含量在拟议的 EICPP 处理中起着重要作用，它决定了 pH 值的升高程度。pH 值的升高对 1）可溶性钙的利用率；2）磷酸钙的沉淀含量；3）沉淀物的形态都有很大影响。沙柱试验结果表明，注入由酸性溶解骨粉、尿素和脲酶组成的 CM 可导致不溶性 CPC 的沉淀，从而使沙粒凝固：析出量随尿素含量的增加而增加，但尿素含量高的处理介质会产生无定形晶体。在[钙]/[尿素]摩尔比介于 1.5-2.0 之间的 CM 中，出现了板状晶体。X 射线衍射（XRD）分析表明，无论尿素含量如何，所形成的晶体都是刷石。由于拟议的 EICPP 方法的最终 pH 值可控制在酸性-中性条件内，因此可消除氨气的排放。
{"title":"Baseline investigation on enzyme induced calcium phosphate precipitation for solidification of sand","authors":"S. Gowthaman, Moeka Yamamoto, Meiqi Chen, K. Nakashima, S. Kawasaki","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1307650","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1307650","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Bio-cementation processes [namely, microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP)] have recently become promising techniques for solidifying loose sands. However, these methods release gaseous ammonia to the atmosphere, which is not desirable for real-scale applications. This study aims to propose an enzyme induced calcium phosphate precipitation (EICPP) method as a sustainable direction for the solidification of sand.Methods: Precipitation of calcium phosphate compound (CPC) was driven through pH-dependent mechanism regulated by enzymatic hydrolysis of urea. The baseline study was designed to consist of a series of precipitation tests and sand column tests, evaluating the influence of various recipes of cementation media (CM) on treatment efficiency. The evaluation program consisted of Unconfined compression tests, precipitation content measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction.Results: The observations showed that the content of urea had an important role in proposed EICPP treatment, which determined the extent of the pH increase. This increase had a great influence on 1) utilization of soluble calcium, 2) precipitation content of calcium phosphate, and 3) the morphology of the precipitates. Results of sand column test suggested that injecting CM that consisted of acid-dissolved bone meal, urea and urease enzyme could result in the deposition of insoluble CPC that enabled the solidification of sand particles.Discussion: The precipitation quantity was found to increase with the increase in urea content; however, the treatment media with high urea content resulted amorphous-like crystals. The plate-like crystals were evidenced in CM with [Ca]/[urea] molar ratio between 1.5–2.0. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that irrespective of the urea contents, the formed crystals were identified as brushite. Since the final pH of proposed EICPP method could be controllable within acidic-neutral conditions, the emission of ammonia gas would be eliminated.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"41 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138950049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-21DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1292531
Chuloh Jung, Naglaa Sami Abdelaziz Mahmoud, Nahla Alqassimi
This research paper examines Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) conditions in newly constructed apartments in Dubai to be more sustainable for residents to have healthier lifestyles. Enhanced airtightness and chemical-laden materials contribute to IAQ pollution in these buildings. The study aims to assess pollutant concentrations and variations based on building height. Measurements were conducted in 12 apartment units using the WHO’s IAQ assessment methodology. Most pollutants were within limits, but TVOC exceeded the Dubai Municipality’s standard, measuring at 2634.4 μg/m³, approximately nine times higher than the standard. HCHO (163.4 μg/m³) and toluene (551.4 μg/m³) were identified as significant pollutants with potential health effects. Analysis of pollutant concentrations based on building height revealed higher TVOC levels in upper areas, with 2,828 μg/m³ in the upper area compared to 2,443 μg/m³ in the lower area, indicating more severe indoor air pollution in Ethylbenzene and styrene also highest in upper areas, with ethylbenzene at 122 μg/m³ and styrene at 82 μg/m³ in the upper area, potentially due to elevated sources. Toluene and xylene concentrations were elevated in the middle area, with toluene at 574 μg/m³ and xylene at 321 μg/m³, likely influenced by materials and occupant activities. Benzene concentrations were consistent across all heights at 2.94 μg/m³, suggesting a common source. HCHO concentrations were relatively consistent but slightly higher in the middle and upper areas, with 171 μg/m³ in both, likely influenced by ventilation and emissions. While average pollutant concentrations met WHO standards, many units exceeded recommended limits, requiring targeted interventions. The study highlights the importance of addressing IAQ concerns and implementing strategies to reduce indoor air pollutants and improve ventilation. These findings contribute to IAQ knowledge in Dubai’s residential buildings, guiding policymakers, architects, and developers in effective policies and guidelines. Further research on seasonal variations and other IAQ factors is recommended for better understanding and long-term monitoring. Prioritizing IAQ in newly constructed apartments is crucial for healthier living in Dubai. The residential building sector can protect residents’ health by implementing appropriate measures while delivering upscale living experiences.
{"title":"Enhancing indoor air quality and sustainable living in newly constructed apartments: insights from Dubai","authors":"Chuloh Jung, Naglaa Sami Abdelaziz Mahmoud, Nahla Alqassimi","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1292531","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1292531","url":null,"abstract":"This research paper examines Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) conditions in newly constructed apartments in Dubai to be more sustainable for residents to have healthier lifestyles. Enhanced airtightness and chemical-laden materials contribute to IAQ pollution in these buildings. The study aims to assess pollutant concentrations and variations based on building height. Measurements were conducted in 12 apartment units using the WHO’s IAQ assessment methodology. Most pollutants were within limits, but TVOC exceeded the Dubai Municipality’s standard, measuring at 2634.4 μg/m³, approximately nine times higher than the standard. HCHO (163.4 μg/m³) and toluene (551.4 μg/m³) were identified as significant pollutants with potential health effects. Analysis of pollutant concentrations based on building height revealed higher TVOC levels in upper areas, with 2,828 μg/m³ in the upper area compared to 2,443 μg/m³ in the lower area, indicating more severe indoor air pollution in Ethylbenzene and styrene also highest in upper areas, with ethylbenzene at 122 μg/m³ and styrene at 82 μg/m³ in the upper area, potentially due to elevated sources. Toluene and xylene concentrations were elevated in the middle area, with toluene at 574 μg/m³ and xylene at 321 μg/m³, likely influenced by materials and occupant activities. Benzene concentrations were consistent across all heights at 2.94 μg/m³, suggesting a common source. HCHO concentrations were relatively consistent but slightly higher in the middle and upper areas, with 171 μg/m³ in both, likely influenced by ventilation and emissions. While average pollutant concentrations met WHO standards, many units exceeded recommended limits, requiring targeted interventions. The study highlights the importance of addressing IAQ concerns and implementing strategies to reduce indoor air pollutants and improve ventilation. These findings contribute to IAQ knowledge in Dubai’s residential buildings, guiding policymakers, architects, and developers in effective policies and guidelines. Further research on seasonal variations and other IAQ factors is recommended for better understanding and long-term monitoring. Prioritizing IAQ in newly constructed apartments is crucial for healthier living in Dubai. The residential building sector can protect residents’ health by implementing appropriate measures while delivering upscale living experiences.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"62 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138950477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In recent decades, a new generation of “green indoor” spaces has fulfilled the latest regulations and guidelines for a carbon-neutral society. Their targets are reachable through certifications embracing sets of measures and the adverse effects on occupants. Notwithstanding this, it has constituted a significant step forward in building design. However, the challenges given by climate change and the ecological crises lead to the need for new disruptive approaches to indoor design and function, enhancing human health and adopting regenerative design” at the forefront of buildings’ conception. Besides the positive energy-performance attributes, the creation of a Regenerative Indoor Environment utilizes appropriate construction technologies and systems, to reinforce human health, and enhance users’ experience. This regenerative paradigm shift foresees putting ecosystems at the centre and the users’ psycho-physiological wellbeing, thus magnifying their collaboration. Despite regenerative design gaining some attention, a framework towards its implementation promoting the actual performances of the indoor environment is still missing, and designers do navigate among guidelines with no apparent performance indicators to be achieved, technologies to be implemented, or methodologies for post-occupancy evaluations. These three levels, constituting a stepwise methodology, are addressed by the authors within the sections of this paper, and validated as an example of the office buildings’ typology. i) What characterizes a Regenerative Indoor Environment? ii) What technical solutions underpin the realization of a Regenerative Indoor Environment? iii) What methods or standards are crucial for its evaluation? With these premises, the paper contributes to supporting the creation of a regenerative indoor’ design, by sampling and outlining regenerative indoor performances to be obtained, describing the adequate tools to implement them, as well as by displaying approaches and solutions for their final verification.
{"title":"A framework to support the design of a regenerative indoor environment","authors":"Lorenza Pistore, Thaleia Konstantinou, Wilmer Pasut, Emanuele Naboni","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1225024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1225024","url":null,"abstract":"In recent decades, a new generation of “green indoor” spaces has fulfilled the latest regulations and guidelines for a carbon-neutral society. Their targets are reachable through certifications embracing sets of measures and the adverse effects on occupants. Notwithstanding this, it has constituted a significant step forward in building design. However, the challenges given by climate change and the ecological crises lead to the need for new disruptive approaches to indoor design and function, enhancing human health and adopting regenerative design” at the forefront of buildings’ conception. Besides the positive energy-performance attributes, the creation of a Regenerative Indoor Environment utilizes appropriate construction technologies and systems, to reinforce human health, and enhance users’ experience. This regenerative paradigm shift foresees putting ecosystems at the centre and the users’ psycho-physiological wellbeing, thus magnifying their collaboration. Despite regenerative design gaining some attention, a framework towards its implementation promoting the actual performances of the indoor environment is still missing, and designers do navigate among guidelines with no apparent performance indicators to be achieved, technologies to be implemented, or methodologies for post-occupancy evaluations. These three levels, constituting a stepwise methodology, are addressed by the authors within the sections of this paper, and validated as an example of the office buildings’ typology. i) What characterizes a Regenerative Indoor Environment? ii) What technical solutions underpin the realization of a Regenerative Indoor Environment? iii) What methods or standards are crucial for its evaluation? With these premises, the paper contributes to supporting the creation of a regenerative indoor’ design, by sampling and outlining regenerative indoor performances to be obtained, describing the adequate tools to implement them, as well as by displaying approaches and solutions for their final verification.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"86 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138954324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-20DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1255845
Roberto Nonato De Arruda, Karoline V. Figueiredo, Diego A. Vasco, A. Haddad, Mohammad K. Najjar
Introduction: The construction sector plays a pivotal role in global natural resource consumption, underscoring the urgency of promoting energy efficiency in buildings. With the escalating demand for renewable energy, solar power has gained significant traction. This study focuses on conducting a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of solar energy integration in residential buildings.Methods: The approach involves a novel comparison between photovoltaic panels and Solar Heating Systems (SHS) based on both environmental and financial considerations. To evaluate the practical implications, a case study was undertaken on an affordable housing complex in Brazil. Three distinct models were simulated for analysis: Model 1, featuring a grid-connected photovoltaic project with zero energy balance; Model 2, incorporating a grid-connected photovoltaic project with two solar panels generating 340 W each; and Model 3, integrating an SHS.Results: The findings reveal the technical and economic feasibility of all proposed models. Model 1 stands out with superior performance in terms of estimated energy generation, energy savings, and annual reduction of CO2 emissions. On the other hand, Model 3 excels in the financial analysis, indicating its viability from a cost perspective.Discussion: This research contributes to informed decision-making processes regarding the utilization of photovoltaic panels and SHS, thereby fostering energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. The nuanced comparison of environmental and financial aspects provides valuable insights for stakeholders in the construction and renewable energy sectors. The identified strengths and trade-offs of each model enable a more holistic understanding of the implications of solar energy integration in residential buildings.
{"title":"Cost-benefit analysis of solar energy integration in buildings: a case study of affordable housing in Brazil","authors":"Roberto Nonato De Arruda, Karoline V. Figueiredo, Diego A. Vasco, A. Haddad, Mohammad K. Najjar","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1255845","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1255845","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The construction sector plays a pivotal role in global natural resource consumption, underscoring the urgency of promoting energy efficiency in buildings. With the escalating demand for renewable energy, solar power has gained significant traction. This study focuses on conducting a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of solar energy integration in residential buildings.Methods: The approach involves a novel comparison between photovoltaic panels and Solar Heating Systems (SHS) based on both environmental and financial considerations. To evaluate the practical implications, a case study was undertaken on an affordable housing complex in Brazil. Three distinct models were simulated for analysis: Model 1, featuring a grid-connected photovoltaic project with zero energy balance; Model 2, incorporating a grid-connected photovoltaic project with two solar panels generating 340 W each; and Model 3, integrating an SHS.Results: The findings reveal the technical and economic feasibility of all proposed models. Model 1 stands out with superior performance in terms of estimated energy generation, energy savings, and annual reduction of CO2 emissions. On the other hand, Model 3 excels in the financial analysis, indicating its viability from a cost perspective.Discussion: This research contributes to informed decision-making processes regarding the utilization of photovoltaic panels and SHS, thereby fostering energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. The nuanced comparison of environmental and financial aspects provides valuable insights for stakeholders in the construction and renewable energy sectors. The identified strengths and trade-offs of each model enable a more holistic understanding of the implications of solar energy integration in residential buildings.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"2 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138956560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-19DOI: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1306072
Joshua C. Agar, Julius Rhoan T. Lustro, Percival Magpantay, John Richard E. Hizon, Joseph Gerard T. Reyes
With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, there is a need to ensure that people are not subjected to the risk of getting infected with the disease. Since COVID-19 is airborne, engineering controls must be provided to monitor and mitigate the spread of the disease in the air. One of the measures is to ensure proper ventilation within indoor spaces where superspreader events were previously documented in poorly ventilated spaces. CO2 levels reflect the rate at which the used air within is replaced and, therefore, can be used as a proxy for COVID-19 risk. This study developed economical CO2 monitors which are deployed across indoor spaces and public transportation, such as air-conditioned jeepneys, to communicate the risk. Using the least squares method on the first-order ODE of mass balance, a multivariate method is devised for deriving the occupancy and the ventilation rate from the recorded CO2 levels. Using the multivariate method, the ventilation rates of different indoor spaces are determined and used for the subsequent computations using the Wells–Riley model to derive the respective infection risk, particularly of COVID-19.
{"title":"Ventilation and disease monitoring of indoor spaces and public transportation using an NDIR sensor network","authors":"Joshua C. Agar, Julius Rhoan T. Lustro, Percival Magpantay, John Richard E. Hizon, Joseph Gerard T. Reyes","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1306072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1306072","url":null,"abstract":"With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, there is a need to ensure that people are not subjected to the risk of getting infected with the disease. Since COVID-19 is airborne, engineering controls must be provided to monitor and mitigate the spread of the disease in the air. One of the measures is to ensure proper ventilation within indoor spaces where superspreader events were previously documented in poorly ventilated spaces. CO2 levels reflect the rate at which the used air within is replaced and, therefore, can be used as a proxy for COVID-19 risk. This study developed economical CO2 monitors which are deployed across indoor spaces and public transportation, such as air-conditioned jeepneys, to communicate the risk. Using the least squares method on the first-order ODE of mass balance, a multivariate method is devised for deriving the occupancy and the ventilation rate from the recorded CO2 levels. Using the multivariate method, the ventilation rates of different indoor spaces are determined and used for the subsequent computations using the Wells–Riley model to derive the respective infection risk, particularly of COVID-19.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":" 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138962775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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