The structural response of reinforced concrete dapped‐end beams is simulated through finite element analysis. The case study consists in experimental tests performed in the framework of an Italian research project on bridges. The study assesses both the local and global behavior of the beam and characterizes the damage patterns. A blind prediction is initially performed inputting the main basic material

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This paper investigates the shear properties of the interfaces between sand and short-staple nonwoven geotextile (GT1), long-staple nonwoven geotextile (GT2), and geomembrane (GM) under varying conditions of testing temperature, sand moisture content, and normal stress through temperature-controlled direct shear tests. The results reveal that the shear stress-shear displacement curves for the sand-GT1

A novel coupled mechanical and mass transport lattice discrete particle model is developed to quantitatively assess the impact of cracks on the mass transport properties in concrete members subjected to short‐ and long‐term loading conditions. In the developed approach, two sets of dual lattice networks are generated: one to resolve the mechanical response and another for mass transport analysis. The

Cracks are a prevalent disease on pavement concrete materials. Timely assessment and repair of concrete materials can significantly extend their service life. However, accurate segmentation has always been difficult due to their random distribution, tortuous geometry, and varying degrees of severity. To address these challenges, a Multi-stage Supervised Dual-encoder network for Crack segmentation on

Achieving seismic resilience in building structures is essential to prevent significant functional losses during earthquakes and prolonged recovery periods in modern cities. Over time, corrosion compromises the structural integrity of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, thereby increasing their functional vulnerability to seismic actions. This study proposes a three-dimensional quantitative assessment

To solve the problems of corrosion and explosive spalling of traditional steel fiber ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) in practical applications, this study prepared UHPC by replacing steel fibers with plastic steel fibers (UHP-PRSC) and the static and dynamic mechanical behaviors had been investigated by carrying out the static tests and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests. The results

Deep work shaft excavations have become increasingly common as a preliminary step of tunnel construction. Deep excavation above a multi-aquifer-aquitard system (MAAS) complicates the flow field and stress field surrounding the excavation, inevitably affecting the performance of excavations. However, previous studies with drained or undrained analyses ignored the effects of dewatering-induced groundwater

Rockburst is a phenomenon characterized by spalling or ejection of rock. Severe rockbursts can lead to casualties and equipment damage. The literature review shows that previous research has focused on rockburst in tunnels with burial depths greater than 200 m. However, the formation mechanism of rockburst in tunnels with shallow burial depths (<200 m) within gully environments remains unclear. Researching

The widespread distribution of sandstone and slate interbedded strata in southwestern China makes tunnels within these formations highly susceptible to water and mud inrush disasters due to engineering disturbances and water-pressure coupling effects. Taking the Xinping Tunnel project as an example, this study analyzes and summarizes tunnels’ geological structure, rock mass structure, and water storage

Raise Boring Machines (RBMs) are mechanical miners that are preferred over conventional drilling and blasting methods for drilling / excavating vertical or inclined shafts in mining and construction projects. The use of RBMs not only reduces overall operational costs but also increases profitability. This review paper aims to present empirical, deterministic, and numerical models that are used to predict

This paper investigates the role of masonry elastoplastic constitutive models on tunnelling-induced damage in buildings. A two-stage analysis method (TSAM) is adopted, incorporating input greenfield displacements, 3D masonry walls, and an elastic model for the soil. The paper focuses on four masonry constitutive models that can be readily adopted for routine analysis in industry. Comparison of in-plane

Occupational health risks such as falls from height, electrocution, object strikes, mechanical injuries, and collapses have plagued the construction industry. Deep learning algorithms are exploding due to their outstanding analytical capabilities and are believed to improve safety management significantly. Therefore, this paper systematically reviewed the literature on DL algorithms from 2015 to 2024

New sustainable technologies, such as additive manufacturing (AM), have recently been adopted in the construction industry, significantly reducing construction completion times and effectively repairing and remanufacturing components. While AM's implementation in construction is still diffuse, this review contributes to a better understanding of how this technology is interpreted and utilized, exploring

Aero‐structural shape design and optimization of bridge decks rely on accurately estimating their self‐excited aeroelastic forces within the design domain. The inherent nonlinear features of bluff body aerodynamics and the high cost of wind tunnel tests and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations make their emulation as a function of deck shape and reduced velocity challenging. State‐of‐the‐art

Expanded perlite (EP) is a microbial carrier used in microbial self-healing concrete (MSHC). However, the type of EP microbial self-healing agent (EPMSA) affects MSHC performance, especially with coupled carbonation and microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP). In this study, two EPMSAs were prepared (one coated and one uncoated by magnesium potassium phosphate cement (MKPC)) and two MSHC specimens

Halloysite is an affordable natural mineral clay with a nanotubular structure and surface reactivity, giving it strong industrialization potential. This study investigated how the calcination temperature (0°C-850 °C) affected the properties of halloysite and geopolymers derived from calcined halloysite, then as a modified material, the performances of a slag/fly-ash geopolymer with halloysite calcined

Using alkaline waste materials as biomass ash (BA), Recycled Concrete Fines (RCF) from constructions and demolition waste (CDW) and ladle furnace slags (LFS), as CO2 massive sinks worldwide through the generation of new potential SCM by Accelerated Carbonation Technologies to reduce the cement industry's carbon footprint is increasingly attracting attention for its environmental benefits and the materials'

Anchoring rock masses is a commonly applied measure to prevent rockburst, whereas many deep tunnels still encountered rockburst after anchoring with rockbolts. Currently, the absence of suitable evaluation methods impedes the timely grasp and improvement of the rockburst prevention effect. This paper first investigates the alterations of rockburst pit depths before and after anchoring in three deep

The excavation of large-diameter shield tunnels in soft soils inevitably impacts adjacent high-speed railway infrastructure. This study investigates the effects of constructing a 14.02 m large-diameter shield tunnel on the deformation of a nearby high-speed railway subgrade in soft soils of Shanghai, and evaluates the effectiveness of various protective measures. A numerical model was developed to

The deep layered clastic-rock roadways (LCRRs) of the gold mines in southwestern Guizhou, China, are adversely affected by dynamic disturbances such as blasting and mechanical operations, yielding poor roadway stability and unsatisfactory control effectiveness. This study investigates the deformation failure mechanism of a deep LCRR under dynamic disturbance and proposes and validates an optimised

Over recent years, rigid porous plates with higher wind resistance coefficients have become more frequent in construction projects, replacing flexible dense mesh safety nets. This change has resulted in a substantial increase in the load on the surface of the clad scaffolding. The paper is centered on the characteristics of wind load on the cantilever construction scaffolding of a high-rise building

Advanced energy benchmarking in residential buildings, using data-driven modeling, provides a fast, accurate, and systematic approach to assessing energy performance and comparing it with reference standards or targets. This process is essential for identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency and for shaping effective energy retrofit strategies. However, building professionals often face

Solar energy stands out among renewable energy sources due to its efficiency and ease of application, making it a preferred option. It can be utilized through both active and passive systems, significantly reducing heating costs. Sunspaces, a type of passive heating system, not only provide additional usable spaces but also decrease the heating load of buildings. However, studies and market applications

The precise prediction of thermal load has consistently garnered attention owing to its significant impact on energy conservation in buildings. The methodologies employed primarily concentrate on modeling within steady-state conditions, utilizing time-series data or mechanism model on fixed parameters. However, given the pronounced time-varying and multifaceted disturbance characteristics associated

Much has been exhorted to pursue participatory building design (PBD) but little has been done to enhance it owing to difficulties such as participant inclusion and clarity of expression. An opportunity is enabled by metaverse and generative AI technologies. This paper aims to explore this by developing a framework that integrates metaverse and generative AI. To start, a desktop study is conducted to

As a high-performance building material, fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has attracted garnered significant interest in practical engineering construction. However, the effect of coupled static-dynamic loading on the dynamic response of FRC remains far from understood, which seriously limits its wide application. In this study, a series of coupled static-dynamic loading tests are conducted on four

Repairing seismic-damaged members is an important way to improve the seismic performance of seismic-damaged structures. To effectively improve the seismic performance of seismic-damaged members, this study adopted fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and carbon textile for repair. Considering the influences of repair methods, axial compression ratio, and pre-damage degree, six reinforced concrete (RC) columns

As the demand for sustainable construction materials grows, one-part geopolymers present a viable alternative due to their potential for enhancing strength while minimizing carbon emissions and costs. However, accurately predicting the compressive strength of these materials poses significant challenges. Traditional predictive methods, including empirical equations and basic regression techniques,

Applying interface binder is a common method to enhance the bonding performance between new and old concrete. Traditional cement mortar interface binders face issues such as inadequate bonding strength and poor crack resistance, which may limit their effectiveness in practical applications. Hence, in this study, the effects of the water-binder ratio, sand-binder ratio, and NMK dosage of the interface

This study focuses on quantifying the impact of implementing a recently proposed seismic classification procedure for acceleration-sensitive non-structural elements on the seismic economic losses of a three-storey case-study building in Italy. The seismic classification procedure for acceleration-sensitive non-structural elements is based on the performance observed during qualification shake table

The utilization of recycled fine powder as the replacement for cement clinker can reduce the production pollution of cementitious materials to the environment thus recycling resources. In this work, recycled fine powders of sintered brick (SBP), brick-concrete aggregate (BAP), and aerated concrete (ACP) were ground and considered as replacements for cement clinker for new cementitious materials. The

An increasing number of critical infrastructures are built in cold and perma-frost regions, resulting in higher susceptibility to damage due to freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. This paper assesses the mechanical properties and F-T damage evolution of compression-cast fiber-reinforced concrete (CCFRC) through rapid F-T cycling tests. Nine types of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) are experimentally investigated

The short air supply distance of the row-based cooling system improved the cooling efficiency. However, the row-based coolers are closer to the racks, resulting in high-speed airflow and airflow mixing problem in the aisles. The internal structure of a row-cooled cluster is closely related to the cooling effect, and existing studies neglect the synergistic effect of multiple factors on the thermal

This study validated a 2D dynamic anisotropic hygrothermal simulation model for Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), focusing on vertical water uptake and moisture dry-out processes. The simulations, compared against experimental data, showed a root mean square deviation of ≤3.3 across all locations. Variations in material properties necessitated the use of multiple material definitions. Moisture storage

Due to the emergence of low-carbon concrete, a deeper understanding of the role of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and environmental conditions on the shrinkage properties and models capable of estimating the shrinkage amplitude are desirable. This study offers one of the first comprehensive applications of interpretable machine learning to predict the total shrinkage amplitude of modern

This study developed the multifunctional ultra-lightweight engineered cementitious composite (ULW-ECC) by integrating conductive fillers to achieve effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capabilities, outstanding mechanical properties and thermal insulation. The mechanical performance, electrical conductivity, EMI shielding effectiveness (SE), and microstructure were analysed. Initially

The aim of the present study is to assess if recycled gypsum from plasterboard waste can be added to earth plastering mortars instead of raw calcium sulphate hemihydrate when a mineral binder addition is foreseen to improve durability. Earth mortars with additions of 0 %, 5 %, 10 % and 20 % vol. of raw hemihydrate, gypsum milled from plasterboards with and without thermal treatment were produced and

Super high-rise structures frequently employ concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) column-steel beam joints with stiffening ring because of its superior performance. This study examined the structural behavior of high axial compression ratio stiffening ring joints with stirrups in the column. Three 1/2-scaled joints with different stirrup arrangements and axial compression ratios were designed and tested

To improve traffic safety at the entrance of highway tunnels, a comparative analysis of the traffic environment inside and outside the tunnel was conducted, and an improvement scheme based on “linear visual guiding” was developed by considering the human factors. Before and after the improvement of nine experimental tunnels, two batches of vehicle experiments were conducted to analyze the improvement

Most shield tunnels in urban soft clay or mudstone strata are constructed by Earth Pressure Balance shield (EPB shield). When tunneling in similar strata, the clay soils may clog easily in the cutter head, soil chamber or screw conveyor. In mudstone stratum, assessing a reasonable conditioning state of clay soil is key to ensuring improved shield tunnelling efficiency. The fluidity and adhesion of

Two types of pavement material, including concrete and asphalt, have been utilized in road tunnel. Due to the distinct color and reflection characteristics of concrete and asphalt pavements, the lighting effect on the two types of pavements and the visual characteristics of the driver during driving are distinct. However, the impact of pavement types on lighting quality, energy consumption, and drivers’

This paper presents the findings of a field evacuation experiment conducted in an underwater shield tunnel, which involved a random sample of 188 participants of various ages and genders. The experiment utilized an evacuation staircase, and the study employed both the field experiment and a questionnaire to obtain data. The participants’ behavior in the driveway, evacuation staircase, and secure channel

In recent years, the construction of bifurcated tunnels has increased in cities to facilitate the interconnection of urban transportation systems but posing significant fire risks at the same time. In this study, the effect of the ventilation condition and heat release rate (HRR) on flame behavior and temperature distribution in tunnel traffic merging section is studied with scale-model experiments

Subway construction is one of the effective means to boost economic and social development, as well as relieve urban traffic pressure. However, the surface deformation in the process of its operation and maintenance has become one of the most intractable problems faced by urban construction, planning and management departments. This study delved into the surface deformation evolution and underlying

Many existing and aging buildings were in urgent need of upgrades and renovations, but lack accurate geometric and energy consumption information. This study introduced an unmanned aerial vehicles-based (UAV-based) automated platform for building information modellings (BIM) to generate builidng energy modellings (BEM), which was called the UAV-BIM-BEM platform. The platform enabled the creation of

A sustainable future in the built environment is contingent on the reduction of energy consumption. Thermal insulation has been widely used as a means of reducing the operational energy usage of buildings, however current products dominating the market are non-renewable, fossil-based, and utilize energy intensive production methods. Wood fiber insulation (WFI), the most successfully commercialized

Thermal manikins enable a detailed, reproducible evaluation of the human body heat exchange with clothing and the surrounding environment. Conventional control of thermal manikins limits their use to steady-state conditions, but several studies have reported successful coupling of thermal manikins and human thermoregulatory models to expand their applicability to transient conditions. This study reports

Identifying the leakage source in industrial factories as soon as an incident happens is crucial for controlling the leak in time and safeguarding lives and property. This study developed a rapid source identification method for factories, aiming to identify the characteristics of leakage sources at the early stage of the leakage event. The approach integrates pollutant diffusion theory, sliding window

To reduce emissions from residential buildings, Germany uses incentive-based policies, such as renewable energy requirements, subsidies, and CO2 pricing. We analyze how these policies influence household decision-making regarding decentralized building energy technology and the resulting costs. We use a building-level mixed integer linear programming model to determine optimal investments and operation

Building energy modeling (BEM) is a complex process that demands significant time and expertise, limiting its broader application in building design and operations. While Large Language Models (LLMs) agentic workflow have facilitated complex engineering processes, their application in BEM has not been specifically explored. This paper investigates the feasibility of automating BEM using LLM agentic

To examine the hydro-mechanical behavior of Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Walls (GRSW) backfilled with locally available marginal lateritic soils, physical model tests were conducted during construction, surcharge loading, and rainfall infiltration. Various reinforcements were tested, including a conventional geogrid (GG) and two types of composite geosynthetic reinforcements (CGR) with equivalent stiffness

Long-span suspension bridges are significantly susceptible to windstorm-induced vibrations, leading to critical challenges of field measurements along with multicollinearity and nonlinearity between wind features and bridge dynamic responses. To address these issues, this article proposes an innovative machine learning-assisted predictive method by integrating a predictor selector developed from regularized

Despite progress in automated bridge point cloud segmentation based on deep learning, challenges persist. For instance, the absence of a public point cloud dataset specifically designed for bridge instances, and the existing bridge point cloud datasets display a lack of diversity in bridge types and inconsistency in component labeling. These factors may hinder the further improvement of accuracy in

This study devised the design blast load on the basis of the return period for a performance-based blast-resistant design. Existing performance-based design methods for various loads and current blast-resistant design guidelines were reviewed. A stochastic processing technique was used for the release data and ignition probability to express the blast load based on the return period. The feasibility

This research investigates the design, fabrication, and structural performance of triply periodic minimal surface concrete units. The main goal is to design a unit with the least amount of concrete to be used as a building block for high-performance, low-carbon and efficient structures. Three dimensional graphic statics was used as a design tool along with robotic hot wire cutter and computer vision

Laboratory model tests and numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the control effect of different arrangements of isolation piles on the additional deformation and stress of tunnels adjacent to pit excavation. Four different arrangements of isolation piles were discussed in this work: arched, curved, double-row, and single-row. The results indicated that considering the burial depth, the