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Advancing Ergonomic Solutions: Lessons from Lower-Body Exoskeleton Trials in Construction
Get PDFWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) present significant challenges in the construction industry, where workers are at high risk of lower back and other injuries. Exoskeletons (EXOs) offer a promising ergonomic solution, but their adoption in construction remains underexplored, particularly regarding user perceptions, usability, and real-time feedback. This study evaluated the experiences of 16 construction workers who used a prototype passive lower-body EXO during a three-hour trial on active worksites. Feedback was analyzed thematically, revealing critical factors influencing EXO usability, including comfort, fit, tool compatibility, performance, and durability. Participants reported benefits such as reduced lower-back strain and improved posture, but discomfort from straps, heat retention, and sizing issues posed barriers to acceptance. Limited tool accessibility and mobility constraints further highlighted the need for design modifications. Comfort and fit emerged as essential for user acceptance, requiring ergonomic adjustments to suit diverse body types and work tasks. While some discomfort was noted, it did not significantly impact performance during the trial. This study underscores the importance of incorporating user feedback into EXO design to meet the dynamic demands of construction work, contributing to advancements in ergonomic solutions for the industry
Experimental Study of Adhesive and Metal-Free Laminated Timber Products Made of Uruguayan Pine
Get PDFThis study presents the experimental results of adhesive and metal-free laminated timber products made of Uruguayan pine. Dowel laminated timber (DLT) and wooden nail laminated timber (WNLT) were prepared using C22 pine lamellas and joined by wooden dowels or nails with diameters of 20 mm and 5.3 mm, respectively. For comparison, laminated timber products joined with 3.2 mm steel nails (NLT) were manufactured. Two nailing patterns, straight horizontal and zigzag, and three spacing between fasteners, 300, 250 and 150 mm were analysed. Shear tests on timber connections and four-point bending tests on structural size panels were performed, and the slip modulus and bending properties, respectively, were obtained. DLT connections showed significantly higher slip modulus values compared to WNLT and NLT connections. The bending stiffness (9.7 - 11.5 kN/mm2) and strength (35.4 – 57.4 N/mm2) of the DLT, WNLT and NLT panels did not show significant differences, suggesting that the connector material (wood or steel) and the diameter did not influence the load-carrying capacity of the panel. In general, the failure mode in the panels was in tension, probably attributed to pronounced fibre deviations and the presence of knots near the load application area. These findings suggest that adhesive and metal-free laminated timber products made of Uruguayan pine have structural properties that allow their use in residential floors, advancing towards more sustainable construction systems
Benchmarking International Best Practices for Circular Skills Training: Lessons for Australia
Get PDFManaging construction and demolition waste poses a persistent challenge necessitating effective management strategies. Circular economy principles have been acknowledged as pivotal for addressing this challenge, demanding a profound reassessment of design, construction, and maintenance practices, particularly focusing on material utilisation. Consequently, it is crucial to implement targeted training programs tailored for construction professionals. Furthermore, there exists a compelling rationale for integrating circular design thinking principles into academic curricula, acknowledging a critical skills gap in Australia. However, effective strategies to address this challenge remain an ongoing pursuit. This study aims to identify global best practices for advancing circular skills by conducting a systematic review of extant literature, specifically focusing on circular economies. Notably, the review emphasised practices observed in the Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, United Kingdon, United States, Finland, and Canada. The analysis delved into the types of CE skills and the different modes of delivery. The study’s findings serve to identify successful approaches and extract valuable insights from international contexts, which could be pertinent to Australia. Ultimately, this study provides evidence and recommendations to inform the development of Australia’s national circular skills strategy, retraining initiatives, and the seamless integration of circular principles into vocational and higher education curricula. Additionally, it contributes significantly to the global understanding of optimal practices for facilitating workforce transitions
A Discussion on Sustainability in Terms of Building Production and Use for Smart Urbanization
Get PDFTechnological developments and population growth have caused many effects in the construction sector and triggered developments in the construction of cities. Effects such as energy use, construction conditions, building economy draw attention as a war of technology and naturalness within the framework of the concept of sustainability. Constraints such as the need for building production and capacity increase needed by the population, labor and resource use are effective in decision-making. While technology enables the building sector to produce rapidly, it causes negative effects on the balance of nature. Production factors should be evaluated with a holistic approach and systems that can save energy use should be created. In this respect, it is estimated that the smart city approach can be an important tool. Thanks to smart city systems in the formation of cities and the use of buildings, planned construction can systematically ensure energy use and conservation. With smart building systems, it is possible to provide ease of management and ease of use with fast and systematic solutions such as maintenance, repair, renewal, construction, reconstruction and transformation that buildings may need. In the solution of the problems in buildings and urban areas, smart urbanization and construction conditions were evaluated together in terms of digitalization, technological developments, and opportunities for the future were discussed by addressing the existing problems, and evaluations were put forward in terms of energy conservation with a focus on sustainability
Library Publishing Research Agenda (2nd ed.)
Get PDFThis second edition of the Library Publishing Research Agenda builds on the foundation laid by the original 2020 publication, continuing to explore critical areas where research is needed to inform and strengthen practice in the field of library publishing. It offers updated and expanded exploratory overviews of six key topics (assessment, labor, accessibility, non-traditional research outputs, peer review, and partnerships), each including a contextual summary, refreshed or newly proposed research questions, and updated resources for further reading. This edition reflects new developments in the field and ongoing conversations within the community. It is intended to support current and future researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to advancing knowledge and practice in library publishing. The Research Agenda was developed by LPC’s Research Committee with input from the LPC community
The Devil’s in the Details: Opposition to Demonology in Early Modern Europe
Get PDFCommon assumptions that believers of witchcraft in the early modern period were uneducated fanatics overgeneralize the complex interplay of early modern science and theology. The study of demons, known as demonology, was considered a science. It was a respected field that was studied and debated. Theologians scrutinized, defended, and revised demonological theories. Thinkers turned over foundational concepts and split hairs over the fine details of theology. Since educated scholars were considered authorities on demonology, they repeatedly wrote, talked, and theorized about the topic in a similar fashion to other ideologies of the early modern era. Due to this, authors of demonological texts had to overcome objections to their writings made by scholars who disagreed with the field. Disputes were numerous, multi-faceted, and overlapping, so this article will consolidate and examine common objections concerning demons, God, and natural magic. Some naysayers rejected the incorporeality of demons and their ability to interact with humankind, while others argued that God would not allow witchcraft to exist, often looking to canon law to justify their claims. More intricately, natural magic was of significant concern when attempting to make determinations about demonic interference. Each of these arguments could benefit from a close individual analysis, but they will be condensed for the purposes of this paper in exchange for a more comprehensive view of the ideological landscape of early modern studies of witchcraft
Stormwater Treatment Practices - Guidance for Maintenance and Targeting Pollutants
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Expand Your Programs Through Collaboration
Get PDFIt is possible to expand the reach of programming by collaborating with other libraries and community partners. Many business/finance/career development programs tend to pull small audiences. By working with other partners it is possible to offer more programs, typically virtual programs, with less effort for each library, and get a higher turnout at the same time. The Northbrook Library has engaged in 3 different partnerships since the pandemic began on a variety of topics and seen attendance reach numbers impossible for individual libraries to attain. This will look at these three partnerships and the results they have had