Teaching construction sciences with the integration of BIM to undergraduate architecture students

This study aims to test two hypotheses: teaching building information modeling (BIM) in relation to construction science provides students with a remarkable understanding of the nature of construction science (Hypothesis 1), and if the student has positive attitude toward the use of the BIM program, then efficiency by which construction science is taught by its means is improved (Hypothesis 2). Results and process of a case study with a novel teaching methodology were discussed in terms of the benefits of the students. A questionnaire study was conducted on the student group with which the case study was performed to test each student's attitude. Results were evaluated statistically. When BIM is integrated with the teaching of basic construction courses within architecture degree programs, the students understood the building system principles simply and effectively. As a result of the statistical analysis, the students find the applied method effective. Moreover, their attitude toward BIM affects the process.     

An effective method of bulk materials moisture measurement using capacitive sensors

When we speak about capacitance moisture meters for bulk materials we have to face with different values of dielectric permittivity for different bulk materials in dehydrated state, what causes a method error that can be named ‘type uncertainty’. Besides, different varieties of the same material have different values of dielectric permittivity, which depend from geographical origin, processing conditions etc. It can be hardly predicted automatically and type uncertainty can be compensated only in separate situations with the help of preliminary calibration. Main tasks of the research are to develop new comparison principle of moisture measurement with better accuracy due to effective compensation of physical, chemical and granulometric composition influence on the result of moisture measurement, develop new primary and secondary instrument transducers. Moisture sensor consists of four measuring capacitors. Two of them should be filled with a sample, which moisture content should be determined, and other pair of measuring capacitors should be filled with a same substance, but previously dehydrated. Mathematical models, developed to take into account granulometric composition of a bulk material were used to carry out a comparison analysis for three types of instrument measuring transducers. Obtained results proved that suggested principle of moisture measurement provides effective compensation of granulometric composition influence. Developed measuring principle had been experimentally tested what helped to confirm that it provides two times better compensation of different physical and chemical composition for different materials in comparison with the direct comparison method.     

Preliminary results of hand arm vibration (HAV) exposures of chipping hammer operators in tropical weather: Analysis of exposures and protective gloves

Objectives of this study are to analyze the HAV exposures of chipping hammer operators from field measurements and to investigate the potential of various types of gloves in reducing the exposures. HAV exposures of twelve male operators were measured at four different operating conditions: bare hand, wearing normal workman gloves, wearing heavy workman gloves and wearing vibration reducing gloves. From the measurements, 8 h exposure values were determined and assessed against standards. The total vibration values were determined and effectiveness in vibration attenuation by gloves was compared. It was found that all most all operators, HAV exposure levels exceeded the exposure action value (EAV) and about 83% of the operators exceeded the exposure limit values (ELV). A reduction in the total vibration magnitude was observed with protective gloves: 8.3% with normal workman gloves, 14.6% with heavy workman gloves and 40% with vibration-reducing gloves. To confirm the effectiveness of the vibration reducing gloves, further field investigations are required with simultaneous measurements by considering parameters affecting HAV (i.e., hand forces and postures).     

频率域电磁法在采空区探测中的应用

隐伏采空区的探测已成为近年来研究课题,采用无人机搭载发射装置,高空平面布置探测线和测点,克服在陡峭的山坡难以布置探测工作,消除地形地貌及其它条件对探测工作带的误差。对已知空区的探测和分析,验证了该方法的有效性和精确程度,为后续其它探测提供了频率域区间和参数校正。研究表明:此方法具有适用性强、工作效率高和精确度高优点,是一种可用于隐伏空区的探测方法,分析过程中可以辨别采空区变形情况。     

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 and safety parameters on energy project performance with an analytical hierarchy process

COVID-19 has destabilized the global economy, disrupted the lives of billions of people globally, and caused the workforce to suffer. Furthermore, the spread of this disease has caused most nations to impose strict lockdown regulations and shutdown most industries. This study aimed to highlight the key issues of energy project performance alongside construction activities that were halted during the COVID-19 outbreak to follow social distancing, lockdown, and public safety parameters. A questionnaire survey was administered to accomplish the purpose of this study. The responses of 42 energy project professionals and experts were evaluated using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for group decision-making. AHP shows that the biggest influences on project performance during COVID-19 pandemic were government measures and personal factors. The findings provide insight to support energy project planning and management during and after the pandemic, including prioritization of labor force health and safety.     

5429双马来酰亚胺树脂的固化动力学研究

通过差示扫描量热法(DSC)研究了5429双马树脂的固化过程。分别使用Kissinger模型和Flynn-Wall-Ozawa模型计算得到了5429双马树脂动力学参数。结果表明Kissinger模型与FWO模型计算得到的动力学参数较为接近,验证了两个动力学模型的有效性。由于5429双马树脂的固化反应为一级反应,因此代入相应的固化动力学参数可得到其固化动力学方程。此外,通过T-β外推法可计算得到5429双马树脂凝胶化温度、固化温度和后处理温度等特征温度。     

Anchor plate bearing capacity in flexible mesh facings

This work addresses the problem of the loading capacity of an anchor plate coupled with a steel wire mesh in soil retaining applications. The interaction mechanism between the flexible mesh facing, the underlying soil layer and the plate is studied starting from the results of several laboratory punch tests involving both the plate and the mesh only, and the whole soil-mesh-plate system. The experimental tests have been reproduced by adopting a 3D discrete element model where also the wire mesh is discretized as an assembly of interconnected nodal particles. The interaction between these particles is ruled by elasto-plastic tensile force–displacement laws in which a distortion is introduced in a stochastic manner to account for the wires’ geometrical irregularities. The mesh model is then validated with reference to a set of punch tests in which the shape and size of the punching element as well as the nominal wire diameter were varied. Subsequently, the model is extended to a punch against soil test configuration permitting an insight into the nontrivial local mechanism between the mesh facing and the underlying granular layer. The good agreement between the numerical predictions and the experimental observations at the laboratory scale allowed us to extend the model towards more realistic field conditions for which the role of the mesh panel boundary conditions, the mesh mechanical properties, the soil mechanical properties and the anchor plate geometry is investigated.     

Current condition and future directions for lean construction in highways projects: A small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) perspective

The aim of this study is to identify the parameters defining how Lean Construction (LC) is being implemented (current condition) and how LC can be further promoted (future direction) from a Small-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) perspective. Although SMEs constitute the largest group in construction supply chains, LC, as an emerging phenomenon in civil construction project management, has been rarely investigated from an SMEs perspective. Also, overlooking the more macro factors like project governance and supply chain management, LC deployments have been mainly discussed from a production process perspective to date. After a review of the extant literature and 20 interviews with managers from the highways sector, a list of 31 current condition and 40 future direction statements were produced, classified under the delivery, process, training, project governance and supply chain related headings and used in a questionnaire survey with 110 responses. The current condition highlights problems like a short-term relations structure, competitive tendering mechanisms, fragmentation, problems in engaging with SMEs for LC, unstandardised LC techniques, and issues with convincing SMEs to deploy LC by demonstrating the business case on mutual benefits. Action items relating to the current project delivery structure were given the highest importance by the supply chain, alongside the LC training and project governance issues for the future of LC at highways SMEs. Additionally, a statistically significant correlation was identified among many future action items.     

用于矿山等极端环境中的高精度定位算法

高精度室内定位技术在矿山、建筑、施工等多种极端环境下都有需求。基于超宽带通信(Ultra Wideband,UWB)的室内定位技术能够提供较高的定位精度,但超宽带信号易受到障碍物的干扰,并且在类似矿山等极端环境中,障碍物不可避免。因此,超宽带非视线传输(Non-Line-of-Sight,NLoS)测距成为当前的一个研究热点。当前研究大多集中在识别和消除非视线传输对超宽带测距的影响上,实际应用中,大多数情形下超宽带信号根本无法穿透障碍物,会导致定位标签只能够与2个或1个信标节点通信,但完成三边定位至少需要3个信标节点。为此,提出了一种基于目标行为分析的定位算法,该算法能够在短时间内仅剩余一个信标节点与标签通信时,也可实现高精度定位。该算法以超宽带通信为基础,使用信号飞行时间(Time of Flight,TOF)算法测距并定位。通过分析信号正常时的目标运动轨迹来判断其速度和方向,当信号不正常时(可通信的信标节点减少),可利用预测的速度和方向参数来实现辅助定位。将该算法部署在一个基于超宽带定位的系统中进行了测试,结果表明:当能够与标签通信并完成TOF算法的信标节点数量少于3个时,基于NLoS传输识别和消除的算法无法完成定位,而基于目标行为分析的定位算法依然能够实现定位,在单信标节点区域的平均定位误差为0.93 m,最大误差为1.41 m,在2个信标节点测距的区域,平均定位误差为0.64 m,最大误差为1.2 m。     

建筑工程中常用塑料管材的性能对比与应用研究

介绍了目前建筑工程中塑料管材的发展和应用现状,对建筑工程中常用的几种塑料管材的性能特点及安装特点进行了对比分析,对建筑工程选用塑料管材的一般原则进行了总结,并对塑料管材市场的未来发展方向及重点进行了探讨。