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An intelligent agent-based method for model updating of structures with multiple uncertain parameters via deep reinforcement learning
No full textThe paper presents a new method for performing model updating (MU) of structures characterized by uncertain multiple parameters, based on a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach. In particular, the idea behind the proposed approach, named DRUM-A (acronym of Deep Reinforcement learning for Updating Model Approach), consists of defining an intelligent agent that can support analysts in performing fine-tuning of the numerical model to update to match numerical and experimental data, by searching correct values of uncertain parameters with high accuracy. DRUM-A was idealized and organized in five consecutive steps. Given data of the monitoring campaign, the definition of the target variables of interest, and a numerical model of the structure in an externally accessible environment, the proposed approach defines a DRL-engine, in which a strategy for tuning the structural control parameters was defined. Contextually, training/test phases of the intelligent agent were performed, to derive the correct solution according to a statistical-based evaluation of results. The paper provides a detailed description of DRUM-A and subsequently reports the application on a dummy structure (and the related comparison with the output provided by a deterministic and a probabilistic approach), and a real-life structure, accounting for multiple uncertain parameters and variables in different scenarios. DRUM-A represents a paradigm shift toward current MU approaches, since it allows managing an increasing number of unknown variables without requiring strict engineering assumptions. In addition, DRUM-A allows performing an online MU, providing accurate estimates of uncertain parameters, with reasonable time and computational efforts
Chemical kinetic insights and numerical analysis of gasoline combustion with ozone as an additive
No full textThis work deals with a comprehensive 1-D numerical analysis to assess ozone-assisted combustion of Toluene Reference Fuel/air flames. Ozone, O3, represents a promising oxidizer that enhances the laminar flame speed of alkanes through its decomposition into atomic oxygen. Simulations have been carried out by using two different chemical kinetic mechanisms with the addition of an ozone sub-mechanism. Results show that ozone increases the laminar flame speed across all thermodynamic conditions for ozone concentrations ranging from 0 to 7000 ppm. At a reactants temperature of 358 K and ambient pressure, the highest enhancement occurred under lean conditions with a lower enhancement near stoichiometric conditions. Above 500 K, a cool flame occurred under both lean and stoichiometric conditions, as fast ozone decomposition favors both OH production and a sharp increase in temperature. Moreover, with an increase of the reactants pressure, the hydrogen diffusivity becomes less important leading to an enhancement of the laminar flame speed under stoichiometric mixture condition. Sensitivity analysis has shown that at high pressure and in the presence of ozone, the reaction pathway is drastically modified. This suggests that reactions involving OH radicals prevail and lead to the formation of cool flames
Circular building practices: An analysis of environmental impacts, challenges, and opportunities
No full textThe construction sector is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation. In response to these environmental challenges, this research explores the integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Circular Economy (CE) principles to promote more sustainable and circular construction practices, with a particular focus on building materials and modular housing systems in South Asian countries, especially Pakistan.
The primary objectives of this work were to: (1) review the state of the art in LCA and Circular Building Design (CBD) integration in South Asia; (2) experimentally verify optimal compositions for earth-based printable construction materials; (3) develop a combined CE-LCA framework for assessing the environmental and circular performance of conventional, commercial, and 3D-printed building blocks; (4) conduct a cradle-to-grave LCA of modular house wall panels using primary data and sensitivity analysis; and (5) identify barriers to Circular Building Practices (CBP) adoption in South Asia and propose an evidence-based implementation framework.
The study conducted the first cradle-to-grave LCA of a modular house wall assembly in Pakistan, providing a detailed comparison between imported and locally sourced materials. Additionally, developed a CE-LCA model that evaluated building blocks using the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) and Circularity Indicator (CI), highlighting the important circularity advantages of 3D-printed bio-based blocks over conventional concrete. The 3D-printed organic bio-based block, with its high MCI and CI values (MCI: 0.87, CI: 0.62), proves to be the most circular, while conventional concrete blocks remain the least circular (MCI: 0.48, CI: 0.24) due to their reliance on virgin materials and energy-intensive production processes The research highlights the importance of material selection, processing efficiency, and transportation logistics in determining the overall sustainability of construction materials. Experimental testing demonstrated the viability of earth-based printable materials incorporating natural fibers, offering locally sourced, low-impact alternatives for additive manufacturing in construction. Furthermore, a comprehensive survey of professional architects identified critical barriers to CBP in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, and an empirical framework was proposed to facilitate broader adoption of circular practices.
This work contributes to the continually expanding amount of research on sustainable construction by providing practical methodologies for integrating LCA and CE, developing new circular materials, and informing policy and industry strategies. It lays a foundation for future research and practice aimed at achieving a more reformative and environmentally responsible built environment in emerging economies
Enhancing Efficiency in Buck Converters Through Dynamic Switched Inductor and Switching Frequency Control
No full textIn power system design, particularly for battery-operated systems, the efficiency of DC/DC converters is a critical consideration. High-efficiency converters minimize power losses, which can significantly reduce the necessary battery size. This is especially advantageous in standardized platforms such as CubeSats, where stringent constraints on space and weight prevail. This paper proposes a flexible converter architecture based on switched inductors, which aims to achieve optimal efficiency across various operating conditions. Our approach demonstrates a potential efficiency improvement exceeding 25%, offering substantial benefits for compact and weight-sensitive applications
GreenHouse. La natura entra in casa
Get PDFLa ricerca di dottorato "GreenHouse. La natura entra in casa" nasce da una domanda radicale: è possibile trasformare l’edilizia esistente senza demolire, senza cancellare, senza dimenticare? È possibile leggere nel costruito un potenziale nascosto, una promessa di spazio, luce, libertà? In questo interrogarsi risiede l’anima della tesi: una riflessione teorica e critica sul patrimonio edilizio ordinario e sulla possibilità di riattivarlo attraverso un dispositivo minimo ma potente — la loggia — capace di ridefinire la soglia tra interno ed esterno come spazio abitabile, climatico, vivo.
Negli ultimi decenni, il concetto di patrimonio ha subito un allargamento semantico profondo: da bene da conservare a risorsa da trasformare, fino a includere l’architettura ordinaria, seriale, prodotta nella seconda metà del Novecento. In particolare, la ricerca si concentra sull’edilizia residenziale pubblica e sulle sue forme insediative più controverse che popolano le periferie delle città. Questo patrimonio “minore” rappresenta oggi una sfida decisiva per il progetto contemporaneo: non un vuoto da colmare, ma una materia viva da ascoltare e riattivare.
GreenHouse si innesta in un filone di pensiero che, dalla modernità in avanti, ha messo in discussione la chiusura della stanza e il muro cieco, promuovendo aperture, plan libre e fluidità spaziali. Ma come ricorda Jacques Lucan, le intuizioni della villa moderna — a partire dalla Farnsworth — non sono mai state pienamente tradotte nell’edilizia collettiva. È in questa frattura che si colloca la tesi: tra il sogno dell’architettura unifamiliare e la realtà della residenza impilata, tra i grandi gesti dei maestri e la ripetizione anonima della produzione seriale. Proprio in questo spazio interstiziale, la loggia — fragile, leggera, reversibile — viene assunta come chiave critica e progettuale per una trasformazione rispettosa ma incisiva.
La ricerca si articola in tre sezioni complementari.
La prima costruisce una genealogia della loggia nella modernità, distinguendo due linee critiche: la loggia come casa — uno spazio primario, compreso tra due piani orizzontali, che si apre direttamente al paesaggio; e la loggia come soglia — luogo di passaggio, di gradazione, che media tra interno ed esterno, tra privato e pubblico, tra abitare e attraversare.
La seconda parte analizza la parabola dell’edilizia collettiva in Francia, ripercorrendo la storia dei Grands Ensembles e le strategie di rigenerazione urbana sviluppate a partire dagli anni Duemila. In questo contesto si inserisce la ricerca Plus di Druot, Lacaton & Vassal (2006), che ha inaugurato un vero e proprio cambio di paradigma: trasformare invece di demolire, aggiungere invece di sostituire. La nozione di Transformation, fondata su dispositivi leggeri, strutture indipendenti e una nuova alleanza tra architettura e clima, ha offerto una visione radicale ma concreta dell’abitare.
La terza parte si concentra sui due casi studio emblematici della Tour Bois-le-Prêtre a Parigi e dei blocchi GHI della Cité du Grand Parc a Bordeaux, approfondendo il funzionamento costruttivo e spaziale delle logge giustapposte: strutture modulari, prefabbricate, climaticamente attive, capaci di estendere lo spazio domestico, amplificandone la qualità e le possibilità d’uso. L’analisi si muove su tre scale — edificio, alloggio, campata strutturale — e porta alla definizione di una tassonomia del dispositivo-loggia come architettura di precisione.
Ma GreenHouse non si limita a celebrare un modello. Al contrario, la ricerca ne interroga la trasferibilità nel contesto mediterraneo, dove la luce è più intensa, l’aria più secca, e il clima impone un diverso equilibrio tra trasparenza e ombra. I dispositivi di captazione e accumulo tipici del clima atlantico potrebbero rivelarsi inadeguati se trasposti senza mediazioni. Da qui nasce una riflessione più profonda: la Transformation non è una prescrizione, ma un principio. Non una forma, ma un metodo. Ogni progetto è risposta a un luogo, a un tempo, a un’esistenza.
In questo passaggio — dall’imitazione all’interpretazione, dalla tecnica all’etica — si svela il cuore teorico della tesi. Trasformare significa prendersi cura, ascoltare, aggiungere con precisione e misura. In questa prospettiva, la loggia diventa simbolo e strumento: un gesto minimo che genera una mutazione massima. Un’aggiunta silenziosa che ripara, dilata, connette. Un margine attivo che si fa progetto di vita.
GreenHouse è dunque un esercizio di attenzione. Non un manifesto, ma una postura. Non una soluzione, ma una domanda che resta aperta: come abitare il già costruito, senza cancellarne la memoria? Come progettare con il clima, non contro di esso? Come fare del tempo, dell’aria, della luce — non solo cornici, ma materiali dell’architettura?
In questa ricerca si intravede, forse, una possibile fertilità futura: un progetto per l’abitare mediterraneo che sappia nascere non dall’eccezione, ma dall’ordinario; non dall’eroismo, ma dalla cura.The doctoral research project "GreenHouse. Bringing nature inside" stems from a radical question: is it possible to transform existing buildings without demolishing, erasing or forgetting? Is it possible to see hidden potential in existing buildings, a promise of space, light and freedom? This question lies at the heart of the thesis: a theoretical and critical reflection on ordinary building heritage and the possibility of reactivating it through a minimal but powerful device — the loggia — capable of redefining the threshold between inside and outside as a living, climatic and living space.
In recent decades, the concept of heritage has undergone a profound semantic expansion: from something to be preserved to a resource to be transformed, to include ordinary, serial architecture produced in the second half of the 20th century. In particular, the research focuses on public housing and its most controversial forms of settlement in city suburbs. This “minor” heritage now represents a decisive challenge for contemporary design: not a void to be filled, but a living material to be listened to and reactivated.
GreenHouse is part of a line of thinking that, from modernity onwards, has questioned the closure of rooms and blind walls, promoting openings, open plans and spatial fluidity. But as Jacques Lucan points out, the insights of the modern villa — starting with the Farnsworth House — have never been fully translated into collective housing. It is in this fracture that the thesis is situated: between the dream of single-family architecture and the reality of stacked residences, between the grand gestures of the masters and the anonymous repetition of serial production. It is precisely in this interstitial space that the loggia — fragile, light, reversible — is taken as a critical and design key for a respectful but incisive transformation.
The research is divided into three complementary sections.
The first constructs a genealogy of the loggia in modernity, distinguishing two critical lines: the loggia as a house — a primary space, between two horizontal floors, which opens directly onto the landscape; and the loggia as a threshold — a place of passage, of gradation, which mediates between interior and exterior, between private and public, between living and passing through.
The second part analyses the trajectory of collective housing in France, retracing the history of the Grands Ensembles and the urban regeneration strategies developed since the 2000s. This is the context for the Plus research by Druot, Lacaton & Vassal (2006), which ushered in a real paradigm shift: transforming instead of demolishing, adding instead of replacing. The notion of “Transformation”, based on lightweight devices, independent structures and a new alliance between architecture and climate, offered a radical but concrete vision of living.
The third part focuses on two emblematic case studies, the Tour Bois-le-Prêtre in Paris and the GHI blocks of the Cité du Grand Parc in Bordeaux, exploring the constructive and spatial functioning of juxtaposed loggias: modular, prefabricated, climatically active structures capable of extending domestic space, amplifying its quality and possibilities of use. The analysis moves on three scales — building, dwelling, structural span — and leads to the definition of a taxonomy of the loggia device as precision architecture.
But GreenHouse does not merely celebrate a model. On the contrary, the research questions its transferability to the Mediterranean context, where light is more intense, the air drier, and the climate requires a different balance between transparency and shade. The capture and storage devices typical of the Atlantic climate could prove inadequate if transposed without mediation. This gives rise to a deeper reflection: Transformation is not a prescription, but a principle. Not a form, but a method. Each project is a response to a place, a time, an existence.
In this transition — from imitation to interpretation, from technique to ethics — the theoretical heart of the thesis is revealed. To transform means to care, to listen, to add with precision and measure. In this perspective, the loggia becomes a symbol and a tool: a minimal gesture that generates maximum change. A silent addition that shelters, expands, connects. An active margin that becomes a life project.
GreenHouse is therefore an exercise in attention. Not a manifesto, but a stance. Not a solution, but a question that remains open: how can we inhabit what has already been built without erasing its memory? How can we design with the climate, not against it? How can we make time, air and light not just frames, but materials of architecture?
In this research, we can perhaps glimpse a possible future fertility: a project for Mediterranean living that arises not from the exceptional, but from the ordinary; not from heroism, but from care
New Frontiers of Stereotomic Lithic Architecture
No full textThe use of Artificial Intelligence is getting the more and more important within every scientific field and as a matter of fact Architecture is one of those disciplines which are getting strongly influenced by the creation of images and concepts even if this material is often linked to the visualization sector.
For this reason a new step has been tried, moving from an AI suggestion to a real project, trying also to build a new design process that comprehends new technologies and techniques such as Virtual Reality simulations, 3D printing and fiber weaving. An architectural space full of lithic columns similar to marble trees has been made using Midjourney AI and then this picture has been used as a reference for the 3D modeling phase, which has been followed by: the creation of a VR application to check dimensions and try different architectural features in real time; a 3D printing process to make a prototype and to move from virtuality to reality in order to better understand the project; a design phase in which a full scale “lithic tree” has been prototyped using glass and carbon fibers
Digitization of Built Heritage. Approaches and Methods for Data Acquisition, Analysis, and Intervention
No full textMapping Natural and Activity-Induced Hazards for Water Heritage in Italian Seaports
No full textHazard mapping for built heritage in seaports is essential due to the coexistence of natural events and anthropogenic activity-based. Hydro-geomorphological features and human-induced effects are diversely distributed, and both affect the preservation of valuable architectural, archaeological, industrial and infrastructural assets in administrative seaport boundaries. However, in the Italian context, the ongoing process of cataloguing heritage may limit the effectiveness of assessment and preservation strategies.
This paper presents the first findings of hazard identification in Italian seaports as part of the national research project RE3WORK. The study focuses on the assessment of seaports’ susceptibility to natural and anthropogenic hazards to support the safe and sustainable reuse of their built heritage. By combining data on geographical location, port activities and systematic built heritage inventory, recurrences in natural and activity-induced hazards are identified at national scale, also thanks to national hazard maps and an international database of industrial-based hazards classification. As the main outcomes, flooding and explosion caused by industrial and civil navigation are identified as dominant hazards in seaports. A more detailed investigation is conducted at the regional scale, focusing on Apulia, South Italy, to examine site-specific hazard interactions. The analysis links the spatial distribution of built heritage with flood vulnerability and port activities, revealing local variations in hazard proneness. Findings highlight the predominant role of ship-related activities as explosion source, while also demonstrating the limitations of regional flood vulnerability mapping in effectively assessing built heritage exposure to natural hazards
Correction: Kumar et al. Fostering Green Finance for Sustainable Development: A Focus on Textile and Leather Small Medium Enterprises in Pakistan. Sustainability 2022, 14, 11908
No full textThere were two errors in the original publication [1]. The authors would like to change one sentence in the Introduction section and write the conference name correctly. In Section 1, the text “In the year 2015, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC), 195 countries endorsed the Paris agreement to work jointly to keep the temperature well below 2 °C over pre-industrial stages [5,6].” should be replaced by the following sentence: “In the year 2015, at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 195 countries endorsed the Paris agreement to work jointly to keep the temperature well below 2 °C over pre-industrial stages [5,6].”. The authors wish to replace the original reference [5] which was added by mistake with the reference originally mentioned in the main text. In the Reference section, reference [5] “Zhong, X.Z.; Wang, G.C.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, X.Q.; Ye, W.C. Monomeric indole alkaloids from the aerial parts of Catharanthus roseus. Yaoxue Xuebao 2010, 45, 471–474.” should be replaced with “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Paris Agreement (2015). Available online: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement (accessed on 26 July 2022).”. The authors state that the scientific conclusions are unaffected. This correction was approved by the Academic Editor. The original publication has also been updated