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Examining the Risk-Responsiveness Levels of the US Building Codes for Healthier and Safer Future Building Practices
Get PDFThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced the design and operation of office buildings, prompting a heightened awareness of the need for adaptive building practices to mitigate transmission risks of airborne diseases. Recent studies suggest that improved building codes can promote safer and healthier practices, enhancing occupants\u27 well-being and productivity. However, the current understanding of the status and adaptability of building codes to address such risks remains largely limited. In response, this study aims to comprehensively examine the US building codes concerning factors crucial for mitigating airborne transmission risks, specifically focusing on COVID-19. Utilizing the Delphi method, this research systematically identified key factors to perform building codes examination. Subsequently, an in-depth analysis of building codes was performed, using a dataset comprising thirty states and thirty cities as case studies. This examination revealed that four states—Washington, California, Nevada, and Wisconsin—and four cities—Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston—demonstrated a relatively higher degree of risk-responsiveness than others. The study’s findings will offer valuable insights and contribute to efforts to enhance the adaptability of building codes to airborne transmission risks in the future
Into the workers\u27 domain: witnessing a construction site accident
No full textConstruction site safety campaigns, for example ‘zero accidents’, pursue a goal, either genuinely or fantastically, for the way construction sites should perform. Critics accuse the advocates of these lofty goals as being unrealistic to the everyday working nature of construction which will always have inherent and irremovable hazards. When construction site accidents do occur the moment of harm is invariably instantaneous. Witnessing these events first hand, especially as a researcher, is a rare occurrence. While undertaking a short-term ethnography on a building site the author observed a minor accident unfold and captured it with a video camera. The data collected at the time allows an analysis of the way the workers accepted the accident, entirely avoidable as it was, as a mundane and accepted dimension of everyday site practice. Prior to the accident there were no control measures, physical or managerial, to the obvious hazard. Workers managed it through their wit and site sense. The injured worker, an apprentice, was lacking both. Post-accident there was no aftermath. The worker dusted themselves down and carried on. This highly skilled group of construction workers had a domain of influence that was both spatial and knowledge-based giving them autonomy over their work. Freedom from management control will continue to frustrate safety campaigns as workers accept the everyday hazards of construction work. A secondary finding is the way ethnographic fieldwork is open to surprise from the unpredictable nature of construction activity which reveals an accident such as this in empirical form
Bridging Conflicting Sustainable Goals: AI-Empowered Analysis of Biodiversity Commitments and Impacts in Renewable Energy Projects
Get PDFThe development of renewable energy projects, while essential for mitigating climate change, poses significant challenges to biodiversity conservation due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and species displacement. Aligning these projects with global sustainability goals, such as SDG 15, requires addressing the often-overlooked gap between biodiversity commitments and actual impacts.
To tackle this challenge, a conceptual framework is proposed in this study that illustrates the relationship between biodiversity commitments and impacts through four hierarchical levels. The framework distinguishes between predicted and actual impacts, as well as compliance-driven and proactive commitments. It incorporates alternative data sources, such as compliance documents, ESG reports, and social media, and emphasizes the transformation cycle through which commitments are translated into actions, highlighting gaps that may emerge during implementation.
A preliminary application of this framework was conducted using five large-scale wind energy projects in Australia. Methodologies included large language models (LLMs) for analyzing biodiversity commitments and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for assessing biodiversity impacts. This combined approach offers a novel integration of qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate commitment-impact alignment.
Findings indicate a general alignment between commitments and biodiversity impacts across the projects, as visualized in a Commitment-Impact Matrix. While commitments were proportional to observed impacts, limitations in data scope—such as the exclusion of proactive commitments—underline the need for more comprehensive analyses. These results suggest the potential for enhancing biodiversity conservation by improving the operationalization and monitoring of commitments.
This study contributes a replicable framework for analyzing the commitment-impact gap, integrating advanced technologies, and providing actionable insights for project developers and policymakers. It lays the groundwork for future research to better align renewable energy projects with global biodiversity goals, advancing both theoretical understanding and practical application
Integrating Vegetation into Urban Design in Cape Town: The Status Quo
Get PDFThe City of Cape Town has a rapid urbanization rate leading to environmental challenges and a pressing need to incorporate vegetation into buildings. The objectives are to determine the challenges associated with the integration of vegetation into building design, the policies relate to it and the current practices used. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six experts in green buildings, followed by a thematic analysis. Challenges to implement vegetation into buildings include the need for water, a proper irrigation system, production of pollen, the risk for non-native plants being introduced, invasive pests, fire, road view restrictions due to trees, regulations, community mind set, higher costs, lack of experienced experts or contractors, lack in education and research, low marked demand, Cape Town climate, maintenance, and security. Green buildings are feasible in the long term. The City of Cape Town have identified seven activities in the short- medium term, that focus on sustainability and green buildings. While these goals are in place, there is a prominent lack of detailed regulations and design practices that could be followed to implement vegetation in buildings. The implementation of vegetation in buildings in Cape Town are limited. There have also been failures in the attempt to do so. Cape Town boasts with greenery at the Cape Town Station, The Fynbos building is under construction and the professional members have experience in living boundary walls. The way forward is to focus on getting regulations, policies, guides, and education in place to assist the industry
Research on the adaptive design of commercial farmhouses from the perspective of rural revitalization: A case study of Yanqing District, Beijing
Get PDFSince the implementation of the Rural Revitalization Strategy, the quality of life of rural residents in China has improved significantly. At the same timeSimultaneously, the villagers\u27 demand for housing functions has also undergone a huge change. With the continuous advancement of agricultural and rural modernization, the villagers\u27 desire to use their own farmhouses to openset up shops with their own houses has become an increasingly prominent contradiction with the reality of the lack of complex commercial farmhouse design and construction. This paper introduces the concept of adaptive design, and analyzes the key influencing factors in the design and construction of commercial farmhouses from five aspects: top-level policy planning, natural and cultural environment, homestead form and surrounding environment, living and operation needs, and economic and technological level. Taking Yanqing District of Beijing as the research area, this paper systematically sorts out the common types and spatial characteristics of local commercial farmhouses, and combines t. The actual situation of farmhouse construction in Yanqing District and the research results of relevant theories at home and abroad were combined, and proposes a three-in-one adaptive design strategy of spatial function, formal modeling and structural technology were put forward, which. All play a role of filling the gap in the current research in this direction and provides a reference for adaptive design in the design and construction direction of commercial farmhouses
USING RECYCLED MATERIALS FOR ASPHALT ROAD PAVEMENT POTHOLE REPAIR TO REDUCE CARBON IN CONSTRUCTION
No full textThe physical condition of motorways and trunk roads in Scotland is monitored by specialist contractors on behalf of Transport Scotland by annual condition survey to provide information about the structural, surface and safety condition of the road surface or pavements. Flexible asphalt pavement is subjected to continuous vehicular and environmental loading causing potholes that needs to be reinstated to maintain functional requirements. However, traditional pothole repair materials have sustainability concerns and can deteriorate quickly after installation. The longevity and durability of pothole repairs is important as repeat treatments incite additional costs. Innovation can enhance sustainable development and for road transport infrastructure, the challenge is to utilise innovations without affecting the performance of the product. The action research focused on an ongoing road maintenance project and evaluated if sustainable innovative materials provided durability and longevity in comparison to traditional pothole repair materials and methods. The research was based on a trial of three sustainable materials. The findings suggest that creating a durable and long-lasting repair using cut and fill method that is excavated to the depth of the sound pavement is imperative. ‘G’, with reclaimed asphalt pavement performed well in comparison with existing baseline cold mix asphalt Viafix which also provides equivalent durability. The methyl methacrylate resin-based innovative materials ‘D and P’ provided strong resistance to dishing comparable with the baseline products. ‘D’ provided repairs that bonded well with the existing pavement and resisted ravelling whilst ‘P’ resisted polishing failures. All the innovative materials provided enhanced polishing resistance in comparison to the existing baseline cold mix asphalt Sandcarpet
A systematic literature review on the thermal behaviour of building elements constructed through 3D concrete printing (3DCP)
No full text3D concrete printing (3DCP) is increasingly used in construction due to its high speed, low waste, and geometric freedom capabilities. Researchers have signaled that 3DCP can help achieve long desired sustainability in the construction industry. Understanding the thermal behaviour of 3DCP based building elements could play a crucial role in attaining an energy efficient envelope, yet research on assessing the thermal behaviour of printed elements remains limited. This systematic literature review of records published between 2013 to 2023, provides a comprehensive overview of the thermal behaviour of several 3DCP-based materials and the important factors affecting heat transfer properties. The most common 3DCP materials with optimal thermal, mechanical and structural properties are geopolymers, phase change materials, fiber reinforced composites, polymer lattices, lightweight and foam concrete.
Experimental analysis of heat transfer characteristics shows that 3DCP elements exhibit anisotropic tendencies due to a layered design and a specific fiber orientation. Thermal behaviour is expressed in terms of thermal conductivity (K value, W/mK) and overall heat transfer co-efficient (U value, W/m). Infill rate and pattern, relative density, printing speed, additive infusion, cavity fillers, geometric configurations, mix composition, surface irregularities, material fillers, and structural inhomogeneities are the main factors affecting the thermal behaviour of building elements. Effective control of the printing parameters, geometric optimization, and the correct balance of additives and fillers in the mix have the potential to lower thermal conductivity, providing an effective insulation blanket. Moreover, future research efforts could use standard techniques to interpret the thermal behaviour and the underlying factors
COLLABORATIVE KNOWLAGE IN WATER WEF NEXUS IN AND CONSERVATION: A SPATIAL COLABORATIVE APROACH IN WATHERSHEDS
Get PDFRural water supply systems provide ES, which is essential for community well-being, supported by the WEF nexus. Local communities play a crucial role in the provision and protection of water resources. However, water management plans often do not adequately integrate the WEF nexus and ecosystem conservation relationships. This study emphasizes the necessity for inclusive approaches that promote local community participation in decision-making processes, environmental conservation efforts, and informal learning mechanisms. Strategic resource management centered on the water nexus necessitates an informed and engaged population, which is critical to ensure appropriate environmental management scenarios for the territory
Louisville viaSmart Over-Height and Flood Driver Prevention and Protection Systems
Get PDFThis exciting project is a federal grant project that deploys and uses the latest advancements on transportation technology to prevent over-height truck from striking tunnel/bridge overpasses and viaducts and to prevent all drivers from entering dangerous flooded roadways. These systems use the latest cyber-security and connected/automated vehicle (CAV V2X & X2V), Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Language solutions. The system also deploys new experimental technology assured to enhance all existing traveler notification systems currently in use. This project was specifically called out by then acting transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the 2024 ITS America Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. He called out the importance of the project related to safety for the travelling public and the use of the latest technology