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AbstractThis study aims to develop new ternary blend (TB) cement-free binder materials as an alternative to conventional cement by using Paper Sludge Ash (PSA) waste as the base material. During this research, the combined application of mechanical activation (grinding) and chemical activation by blending with pozzolanic: (silica fume; SF) and (rice husk ash; RHA), and high al-kalinity: (poultry litter fly ash; PLFA) and (cement kiln dust; CKD) materials were investigated. The research plan included four stages in which PSA was activated and replaced with the above-mentioned materials until reaching a ternary blend binder with the best performance (depending on the mortar compressive strength). Thereafter, the performance of this ternary blend binder was compared with the conventional cement by conducting compressive strength (at the ages of 3, 7 and 28 days) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests. The findings indicated that a cement-free binder material was developed by using a combination of 60% PSA that was blended with 20% RHA and 20% PLFA. The new binder has shown higher compressive strength than the conventional cement by about 12% after 28 days of curing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the growing prominence of nature-inspired design philosophies in the context of sustainability and human well-being within the built environment and focuses on their application within laboratory buildings. Biomimicry and biophilic design are highlighted as key nature-inspired design approaches, with biomimicry drawing inspiration from nature for innovations and biophilic design promoting human health through enhancing the connection with the surrounding natural elements. This paper further discusses living building strategy as an emerging method for creating dynamic and adaptable spaces by prioritizing user experience through co-creation and focusing on sustainable and regenerative structures. The potential of integrating these approaches is emphasized using laboratory buildings as an example, with nature-inspired and living laboratories serving as models for future built environments that promote both environmental responsibility and a positive human experience. Accordingly, this work aims to investigate the design and construction of laboratory buildings based on nature-inspired design strategies and the living building concept. Moreover, the paper discusses the application of biomimicry and living building concepts within laboratory buildings as a novel contribution to the body of knowledge, and concludes by proposing the Nature-inspired & Living Laboratory (NILL 1.0)TM Building Assessment index to serve as a guideline for the design and construction of laboratory buildings using nature as an inspiration and the analogy of human body systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at Chinese construction projects in Angola, Nigeria and Ethiopia—the three countries that registered the highest cumulative value of construction projects completed by Chinese firms in sub-Saharan Africa between 1998 and 2019. This paper firstly shows that Chinese construction projects were an important catalyst for structural transformation. Beyond providing critical infrastructure for productive sector activities, the construction boom has induced domestic manufacturing of building materials and second-round demand multipliers. This paper secondly shows that the transformative potential of construction activities is not necessarily fully realised nor stable over time due to the nature of the emerging accumulation processes. In the case of Angola and to a lesser extent in Nigeria, the government failed to adequately support demand and supply structures through complementary industrial and redistributive policies. The Ethiopian case shows that even where there were extensive efforts to support supply capacity, distributional conflicts can derail accumulation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Study: Virtual reality (VR) is becoming a popular technology for safety training in construction. Several VR training prototypes have been designed and tested, which show they can perform better than traditional training tools. However, most of these existing tools are not underpinned by clear pedagogical theory, and studies assessing the impact of pedagogical theories on the effectiveness of VR prototypes are still rare in the literature. Objectives: This study aims to investigate if and how the productive failure theory and the directive instruction theory have an impact on the effectiveness of VR safety training for confined space workers. Methods: The study used a randomized controlled method involving 74 participants. The effectiveness of these two training methods was assessed in terms of knowledge acquisition and retention. Results and Conclusions: The results illustrate that the productive failure training design performed better in terms of knowledge acquisition and retention. This paper introduces the Productive Failure Theory and shows the great potential of this approach for self‐service VR safety training in the field of construction. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: PF has been proven effective in classroom‐based teaching practice.PF has been proven effective in non‐immersive virtual training.DI is a commonly used pedagogical method for VR training. What this paper adds: The present paper investigates the feasibility of applying PF theory in VR safety training.The present paper examines the pedagogical impacts of the two pedagogical approaches within VR serious games. Implications for practice and/or policy: PF can be applied to self‐help VR safety training, reducing the demand for resources such as teaching staff and venues.PF training design performed better in terms of knowledge acquisition and retention.PF has great potential for self‐help VR safety training in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is characterized by its fragmented nature, which introduces numerous uncertainties and challenges for project management. Analyzing project impact factors is crucial for federal agencies to mitigate risks, make informed decisions, and ensure successful project outcomes. Although many previous studies explored critical project impact factors for various project types, this paper's primary objective is to identify and categorize the impact factors critical to projects' success in federal facilities. Additionally, the study ranked impact factors based on their significance and relevance to project management teams in federal facilities. The study surveyed federal agencies to identify the top-ranking factors within and across categories based on their impact. The research methodology encompassed a thorough literature review, data mapping, survey development, and analysis to identify, classify, and rank impact factors for federal projects. Spearman's rank-order correlations were computed for correlations between the impact factor categories. The impact factors were ranked based on their relevance and importance for the federal facilities based on frequency distributions of survey results—aligning with the data mapping and correlations exercises. The study's findings indicate that the top five factors with a maximum negative impact on the federal capital facility project belong to the early project life cycle phases, classified within the Governance and Stakeholders and Planning and Execution categories. The paper's findings aim to emphasize the optimization of stakeholder engagement and strategic planning to address critical risks for federal capital facilities projects early in the project life cycle—particularly the detailed engineering and procurement stages. The study's findings contribute to a better understanding of project management in the federal sector and offer beneficial guidance for future project planning and execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an example of how paper folding can be used in a geometry class to support conceptual understanding. Specifically, it explains an activity that constructs a rhombus and explores its attributes by using paper folding. The steps of constructing a rhombus are described and some discussion questions are given to consolidate understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2014–2022, the Ukrainian-American non-profits took a leading role in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. While before Russia's full-scale invasion, these organizations were focused primarily on humanitarian projects, since 2022, they took up the challenge to launch advocacy initiatives, fundraising campaigns, and rallies, provide military and medical assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces, and deliver humanitarian aid to all parts of Ukraine. The paper reveals the key narratives of the Ukrainian-American non-profits, which represent the diasporic Ukrainian identity in the USA. These narratives focus on the Ukrainian-American diaspora agency, Ukrainians and Ukraine, Ukrainian local and global subjectivity, and critical geopolitical issues. Articulated in interactions with local and global online and offline communities, the narratives become multifunctional representations serving to inform, report, inspire, consolidate, and engage the audience. The paper shows how these non-profits are making efforts to narrate a shared past, engage in the present, and visualize the future. Despite the heterogeneity of the Ukrainian diaspora members, represented by different migration waves, their narratives unveil a distinct identity on the individual, institutional, community, and national levels. The discursively constructed diasporic Ukrainian identity is dynamic, heterogeneous, and performative, and it combines ethnic and civic identifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which discusses several articles in the issue on topics including self-governing individual; intersection between religion and business in twentieth and twenty-first century North America; and religion in popular culture.

In shallow water off the coast of West Sussex in England lies the wreck of a French built, English warship, lost in 1706. The remains represent a hybrid of French construction and armament with English organisation and adaption. This paper brings the site's investigations up to date, discussing new records relating to the structure and internal layout of the main site, as well as the discovery of several new areas, rich in guns and other artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction methods have barely changed since the last industrial revolution, but new project requirements are subject to change every day. Including sustainability and new technologies that produce user and environmentally friendly projects is now a requirement in almost every country. Big data (BD) are mainly characterised by improving the decision making process through data analysis. Adopting BD in the construction industry is expected to impact efficiency positively in design and construction activities. However, it requires a change in the industry's culture and the adoption of digital approaches to be implemented fully. This paper addresses the key drivers for the adoption of BD in the construction industry of the Dominican Republic. Qualitative research was implemented to explore the topic due to the scarce information available. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. In some cases, the participants provided their points of view based on their experience with similar technologies such as building information modelling and 'Internet of things'. The data analysis identified nine critical drivers, classified as internal and external. The internal drivers are knowledge of BD benefits to the organisation, impact on competitiveness, technology awareness, solution to company's needs, organisation's technology-driven culture and client's requirements. Similarly, the internal drivers are industry motivation, regulatory framework and technology change adaptability. This paper sheds light on the motivations behind adopting BD and helps understand the industry's needs. It also delivers evidence on the need for improved training for present and future professionals focused on developing digital skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction organizations are project-based organizations in which both competencies and performance develop through project execution. A competency measure is a combination of knowledge, skill, processes, practices, and/or technology possessed by a construction organization. Performance measures are used to assess an organization's competitiveness within its industry. An organization can analyze competencies to predict and improve performance. Previous studies investigated project- and organization-level competencies with respect to performance measures. However, multilevel assessment is needed, although it is challenging because the nature of construction competency and performance measures is complex, dynamic, and subjectively uncertain. To address these challenges, this paper presents a methodology for developing a fuzzy agent–based model (FABM) of competency and performance that models a set of organizational- and project-level competency measures as decision-making entities (i.e., agents) and predicts multiple performance measures as their emergent behavior. A case study was implemented to demonstrate, verify, and validate the proposed FABM model, with encouraging results in performance prediction. The academic contribution of this paper is providing a novel systematic, bottom-up modeling approach for measuring and assessing competencies at the project and organization levels and mapping these multilevel competencies to construction performance measures. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study are expected to support construction practitioners by providing a set of comprehensive hierarchical competency and performance metrics at the project and organization levels for managerial actions taken to identify, construct, and develop competency models to assess performance at both levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inclusive workforce leads to higher productivity and creativity, increased job satisfaction, and decreased turnover. Though few studies have identified factors affecting inclusion in construction, there is a need for a measurement index to enable organizations to assess their progress in inclusion. Therefore, this study aimed to compute the share percentage of each attribute contributing to inclusion in the construction industry, specifically for women and transgender individuals. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used as the multiattribute decision-making tool to transform the judgments of five experts, three practitioners and two academicians, into a list of weighted attributes. Fourteen attributes emerged from AHP, which were grouped into eight unique gender inclusion factors: endorsement of inclusion, external collaboration, quality of work–life, career development, equitable work environment, effective communication, worker health and welfare, and safe work environment. The results underscored the predominance of endorsement-related attributes such as commitment from top management and inclusion at the top management level for enhancing gender inclusion on sites. External collaboration emerged as a prominent factor, whereas communication with management was the least weighted attribute. The findings have threefold implications. The hierarchy structure will enable practitioners to map the various attributes in their organization and suggest actions based on the requirements of the workforce. Second, the ranked list will enable practitioners to focus on the limited resources available to enhance the inclusion of the attributes with higher weightage. Third, the attribute weight will help researchers develop a quantitative index for computing the level of gender inclusion on construction sites. Apart from the general limitations of an AHP-based evaluation, the findings of this paper cannot be used to assess the presence of an attribute onsite; instead, they can indicate the extent to which an attribute contributes to inclusion in the construction industry. Practical Applications: Existing studies have made it abundantly clear that diversity and inclusion are essential practices for the sustenance and progress of the global economy. However, there is limited practical evidence to back up these studies. For example, research that suggests an increase in inclusion in construction sites increases worker productivity cannot be proven quantitatively. This is because although productivity data can be measured, the level of inclusion at a site or that a person feels cannot be measured. To facilitate such research directions about inclusion, especially in construction, it is of the utmost importance to come up with an index that will enable practitioners to assess the inclusion at a site. Developing such an index is a complex task involving many stages. This study endeavored to address one of the stages—weighting of attributes—in detail and explore the results and applications therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy is widely deployed and will likely grow in service of reducing the world's dependency on fossil fuels. The first generation of wind turbines are now coming to the end of their service lives, and there are limited options for the reuse or recycling of the composite materials they are made of. Current literature has verified that there is no existing recycling pathway (i.e., mechanical, chemical, thermal methods of recovery, etc.) for end-of-life materials in wind blades that can meet cost parity with landfilling in the US. However, to the authors' knowledge there is no study to date that uncovers the cost structures associated with repurposing wind turbine blades in the US. Repurposing could offer a cost-competitive advantage through displacement of higher-value products, rather than materials or chemical constituents alone. This study implements life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCC) to assess the environmental and financial implications at each stage of repurposing wind turbine blades as the primary load-carrying elements for high-voltage transmission line structures in the United States. This case study contribution to knowledge is based on the successful management of construction waste by analyzing an application for repurposing construction demolition waste. Specifically, this study presents an environmental and financial analysis of repurposing wind turbine blades as transmission line poles. Under this case study, our results show that BladePoles have lower greenhouse gas emissions than steel poles, and we anticipate BladePoles will be less costly than steel poles. Overall emissions are most sensitive to combustion emissions, driven primarily by transportation distance and hours of required crane operations during the installation process. Compared to other evaluated recycling methods, repurposing wind blades as BladePoles has the least overall global warming potential. As renewable energy production grows, managing infrastructure at its end-of-life is increasingly relevant—for example, wind turbine blades. This case study presents a financial and environmental analysis of repurposing decommissioned wind turbine blades as transmission poles, called BladePoles. This paper presents the cost and associated greenhouse gas emissions at each stage of the process. The case study also compares this reuse application to typical steel pole deployment, finding that for the same 60-year life span and 161 kV, 230 kV, and 345 kV transmission line poles, the BladePole cost is lower than the steel pole. Greenhouse gas emissions are most sensitive to transportation distance from the wind farm to the transmission project and the time of crane use for installation are key parameters in this case study and reducing them directly reduces the total greenhouse emissions overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethics in the construction industry has emerged as a critical topic of concern due to the industry's complex and multifaceted nature and susceptibility to corruption and unethical practices. However, there is more to ethics than corruption, and the existing literature lacks a state-of-the-art review of ethical discourse in construction. Due to this limitation, it could be challenging for construction management scholars to understand the advances made in the realm of construction ethics, grasp a holistic understanding, and chart future research. Therefore, our study aims to examine ethical discourse in construction comprehensively. This study uses a mixed-method literature review (MMLR), combining bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review. We analyzed 328 articles published between 1990 and 2023. First, through a bibliometric analysis conducted on the data sets obtained from Scopus and Web of Science, we identified publication trends, influential authors, prolific journals, impactful institutions, and countries in the field of construction ethics. Second, through a systematic literature review of 125 journal articles, we mapped the qualitative aspects of ethical discourse in construction. The meticulous review process elucidated the critical theoretical paradigms (economics, institutional, strategic stakeholder management, psychology, sociology, and ethics), emerging research themes (culture, corruption, professional development, welfare, leadership, technology, compliance, environment, social and governance (ESG), practices, project procurement, and stakeholder), and prominent analytical approaches used to study ethics-related issues in construction. The present study also mapped the ethical discourse on a multilevel (macro, meso, and micro) ethical governance framework and explored the geographical contexts and spread of ethics and ethical discourse. Finally, we presented potential future research trajectories by employing the theory-characteristics-context-methods (TCCM) framework that could encourage scholarly investigation in this domain. This review study provides several implications for research scholars and practitioners in the construction sector. This study provides fertile grounds for construction management scholars to begin by exploring the theoretical paradigms that are the foundation for research. Researchers should carefully select research methodologies to explore the ethical issues. This research highlights the most influential articles, authors, countries, institutions, and journals, helping the researchers explore the opportunities to collaborate with these entities. The paper has significant implications for various stakeholders, including construction companies, regulatory bodies, workers, clients, and broader society. It has highlighted the key thematic areas that help shed light on the multidimensional nature of ethics in the construction sector and encourage construction companies to adopt responsible practices. This can enhance the industry's reputation and credibility, making it more attractive to investors and clients. We also discussed the ethical governance framework at the macro, meso, and micro levels that will help the stakeholders understand various aspects of ethical compliance across these levels within the construction industry. Further to chart the future research directions, we employed the TCCM (theory, context, characteristics, methods) framework with which the construction management practitioners and researchers may broaden their understanding of construction ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethics in the construction industry has emerged as a critical topic of concern due to the industry's complex and multifaceted nature and susceptibility to corruption and unethical practices. However, there is more to ethics than corruption, and the existing literature lacks a state-of-the-art review of ethical discourse in construction. Due to this limitation, it could be challenging for construction management scholars to understand the advances made in the realm of construction ethics, grasp a holistic understanding, and chart future research. Therefore, our study aims to examine ethical discourse in construction comprehensively. This study uses a mixed-method literature review (MMLR), combining bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review. We analyzed 328 articles published between 1990 and 2023. First, through a bibliometric analysis conducted on the data sets obtained from Scopus and Web of Science, we identified publication trends, influential authors, prolific journals, impactful institutions, and countries in the field of construction ethics. Second, through a systematic literature review of 125 journal articles, we mapped the qualitative aspects of ethical discourse in construction. The meticulous review process elucidated the critical theoretical paradigms (economics, institutional, strategic stakeholder management, psychology, sociology, and ethics), emerging research themes (culture, corruption, professional development, welfare, leadership, technology, compliance, environment, social and governance (ESG), practices, project procurement, and stakeholder), and prominent analytical approaches used to study ethics-related issues in construction. The present study also mapped the ethical discourse on a multilevel (macro, meso, and micro) ethical governance framework and explored the geographical contexts and spread of ethics and ethical discourse. Finally, we presented potential future research trajectories by employing the theory-characteristics-context-methods (TCCM) framework that could encourage scholarly investigation in this domain. This review study provides several implications for research scholars and practitioners in the construction sector. This study provides fertile grounds for construction management scholars to begin by exploring the theoretical paradigms that are the foundation for research. Researchers should carefully select research methodologies to explore the ethical issues. This research highlights the most influential articles, authors, countries, institutions, and journals, helping the researchers explore the opportunities to collaborate with these entities. The paper has significant implications for various stakeholders, including construction companies, regulatory bodies, workers, clients, and broader society. It has highlighted the key thematic areas that help shed light on the multidimensional nature of ethics in the construction sector and encourage construction companies to adopt responsible practices. This can enhance the industry's reputation and credibility, making it more attractive to investors and clients. We also discussed the ethical governance framework at the macro, meso, and micro levels that will help the stakeholders understand various aspects of ethical compliance across these levels within the construction industry. Further to chart the future research directions, we employed the TCCM (theory, context, characteristics, methods) framework with which the construction management practitioners and researchers may broaden their understanding of construction ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to determine the criteria and sub-criteria for evaluating the contractor's performance and finalize a master list of the criteria and sub-criteria to be used for evaluating contractor's performance with their respective weights. The method is incorporated in the framework proposed for the evaluation of the contractor's performance during the execution phase. An exploratory study has been opted, using a structured, close-ended multiple-choice questionnaire survey approach. The questionnaire survey was conducted in two phases, i.e. validation survey, and reliability survey. Fifteen experts responded to the validation survey, and thirty experts to the reliability survey. The experts were from Government and public sectors in India, working at various senior levels. The weights of criteria and sub-criteria were calculated from data collected in the survey, relative importance was calculated through the relative importance index and criteria were ranked. The paper provides criteria and subcriteria which were finalized through a questionnaire survey by classification of criteria identified in literature and tender review. The respective weights were finalized, which can be measured while evaluating contractors' performance. The weights assigned to criteria through the survey are; health and safety is 13.19%, followed by finance 11.93%, time 11.93%, quality 13.38%, client satisfaction 12.42%, environmental safety 12.32%, productivity 12.51% and regulation 12.32%. The paper provides the criteria and sub-criteria with their weights needed for evaluating the performance of contractors during the project execution phase. This research can lead to a culture of continuous measurement of performance for the satisfactory completion of projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper benchmarks the challenges involved with major sea, or fixed link, bridge crossings from their planning to final construction. An overview of existing major fixed link crossings globally, including statistical information such as length and inflation-adjusted project costs, is given. Data for well-known links such as the Øresund Crossing in Europe and the more recent Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge are included. The construction methods required to surmount the challenges of bridging such crossings and how advancements are making long-mooted crossings more feasible are discussed. Statistics on the construction durations of these crossings are presented and links between construction time, cost aspects and carbon dioxide emissions are considered. Finally, the paper looks to the future and considers how the data can be used to better bound estimates of time, costs, and emissions for fixed link projects. The viability of some of the more notable future fixed link projects is also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Small mobile robots are becoming increasingly popular in construction. • Small mobile robots raise novel occupational safety issues that need to be evaluated. • No previous research examined the impact of small mobile robots on workers' safety. • This conceptual paper identifies and categorizes various risk posed by small mobile robots. • Study outcomes can be used in creating guidelines for safe operations of small mobile robots. Introduction: Small mobile robots have become increasingly popular in the construction domain over the last few years. They are stable on rough terrains, can walk over small obstacles, climb stairs, and carry various sensors or arms to perform diverse functions and sub-tasks required to complete construction-related tasks. Saving time, improving accessibility to difficult or unsafe spaces, and reducing costs while accomplishing construction tasks are some of the benefits of using small, mobile robots in construction. However, serious concerns about new workplace hazards could arise from having mobile robots on the jobsite. Unfortunately, no study has attempted to evaluate these risks, especially in the construction domain. Therefore, there was a significant need to develop a holistic understanding of the direct and indirect risks of mobile robot applications in construction. Method: In this paper, we used inferential and Virtual Reality (VR) visualization techniques to: (1) construct conceptual visualizations of proximal and distant human-robot interaction within the construction context; and (2) identify potential safety challenges of robots, which were categorized into three groups: (a) physical risks, (b) attentional costs, and (c) psychological impacts. These identified safety challenges were then validated and ranked by a group of construction safety and robotic experts who had knowledge and experience using such robots in construction. Practical Applications: The outcomes of the study provided a detailed understanding of how robots might adversely affect workers' safety and health. The study outcomes could also be ultimately used in creating regulatory and administrative guidelines for the safe operations of small mobile robots in construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neville Chamberlain's significance in the history of twentieth-century planning is well known. One key episode, however, has been overlooked: his role in the 1925 expansion and transfer to permanent premises of the Building Research Station (BRS), later known as the Building Research Establishment (BRE). The BRS had been established originally in 1921 but with temporary staff in temporary premises. In its post-1925 form, the BRS was to have a world-wide impact, both as a model for similar organizations in other countries and in the development of building science as a discipline. The paper shows how the espousal of new methods of construction formed a key part of the new approach to housing developed by Chamberlain as part of the 'New Conservatism' in 1924; how the promotion of new methods was inserted by Chamberlain into the 1924 Housing Act (Wheatley Act) introduced by the minority Labour government in 1924; and how, following the Conservatives' return to power in November 1924, the BRS was transformed into something much larger in order to deliver 'the Chamberlain programme' of research for municipal housing. As such, the paper suggests that state-funded building research formed the talisman of the social-democratic confluence over state housing that emerged for the first time in Britain in the mid-1920s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the purpose of guiding professionals in conducting improvement projects in industry, several quality improvement strategies have been proposed which strongly rely on statistical methods. Examples are the Six Sigma programme, the Shainin System and Taguchi's methods. This paper seeks to make a rational reconstruction of these types of improvement strategies, which results in a methodological framework. The paper gives a demarcation of the subject of study and proposes a reconstruction research approach. Thereupon, the elements of the methodological framework are listed and briefly discussed. Finally, the effectiveness of the framework is illustrated by showing to what extent it reconstructs Six Sigma's Breakthrough Cookbook. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Buildings consume a vast amount of energy during the life cycle stages of construction, use and demolition. Total life cycle energy use in a building consists of two components: embodied and operational energy. Embodied energy is expended in the processes of building material production, on-site delivery, construction, maintenance, renovation and final demolition. Operational energy is consumed in operating the buildings. Studies have revealed the growing significance of embodied energy inherent in buildings and have demonstrated its relationship to carbon emissions. Current interpretations of embodied energy are quite unclear and vary greatly, and embodied energy databases suffer from the problems of variation and incomparability. Parameters differ and cause significant variation in reported embodied energy figures. Studies either followed the international Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standards or did not mention compliance with any standard. Literature states that the current LCA standards fail to provide complete guidance and do not address some important issues. It also recommends developing a set of standards to streamline the embodied energy calculation process. This paper discusses parameters causing problems in embodied energy data and identifies unresolved issues in current LCA standards. We also recommend an approach to derive guidelines that could be developed into a globally accepted protocol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

One of the most important challenges when building road infrastructure is the selection of appropriate mechanization, on which the efficiency of construction and the life of exploitation depends largely. As construction machinery, pavers occupy a significant place in civil engineering projects, so their selection, depending on a road category, is a very important activity. The objective of this paper is to develop an intelligent Fuzzy MCDM (Multi-Criteria Decision-Making) model, which consists of the integration of D and Z numbers for the selection of construction machinery. The IMF D-SWARA (Improved Fuzzy D Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) method was used to determine weighting coefficients. A novel Fuzzy ARAS-Z (Additive Ratio Assessment) method has been developed to determine an adequate paver for a lower category of roads (asphalt width up to 5 m), which represents an important contribution and novelty of the paper. A total of 10 alternatives were evaluated based on 16 criteria which were classified into 4 main groups. The results have shown that the alternative A8—SUPER 1300-3 represents a paver with the best characteristics for the considered set of parameters. After that, verification tests were calculated, and they include a comparative analysis with four other MCDM methods based on Z numbers, a change in the normalization procedure, and the impact of changing the size of an initial fuzzy matrix. The tests showed the stability of the developed model with negligible deviations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In places where deicing salts are used to keep roads free of ice, the bridge components most prone to corrosion are concrete deck slabs, which can be made corrosion-free by replacing the steel reinforcement by bars made of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP). Recent experimental investigation has shown that only the transverse bars at the bottom of the deck slab confine the slab for full arching action. The rest of the reinforcement in the two assemblies only controls the widths of environmental and fatigue-induced cracks. An experimental fatigue study on full-scale models of deck slabs showed that slabs with steel bars have the poorest fatigue resistance and slabs with glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars the best. ISIS Canada conducted field studies in 2005 to show that the GFRP is not attacked by alkaline reaction in concrete. Because of this finding the Canadian Bridge Highway Bridge Design Code (CSA S06-06) permits GFRP as a primary reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study semiconic idempotent commutative residuated lattices. After giving some properties of such residuated lattices, we obtain a structure theorem for semiconic idempotent commutative residuated lattices. As an application, we make use of the structure theorem to prove that the variety of strongly semiconic idempotent commutative residuated lattices has the amalgamation property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of traffic, scenic byways can meet tourists' tourism and leisure, catering, accommodation, social, activities, resource protection and so on. In this paper, the concept, functions, characteristics and domestic and foreign research situation of scenic byways were summarized, and the necessity and feasibility of the construction of the national scenic byway around Mount Tai were analyzed. Besides, the route selection, function orientation, construction of supporting facilities, marketing management and construction projects were discussed. Finally, it is pointed out that the construction experience of the national scenic byway around Mount Tai will be used for the construction of national scenic byways in other provinces and autonomous regions, and the national scenic byway around Mount Tai and other national scenic byways will be connected to form the national scenic byway network. It is proposed that relevant departments of the state should formulate national standards, laws and regulations for scenic byways to regulate the construction and development of scenic byways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smell is often regarded as an ancillary perception in primates, who seem so dominated by their sense of vision. In this paper, we will portray some aspects of the significance of olfaction to human life and speculate on what evolutionary factors contribute to keeping it alive. We then outline the functional architecture of olfactory sensory neurons and their signal transduction pathways, which are the primary detectors that render olfactory perception possible. Throughout the phylogenetic tree, olfactory neurons, at their apical tip, are either decorated with cilia or with microvilli. The significance of this dichotomy is unknown. It is generally assumed that mammalian olfactory neurons are of the ciliary type only. The existance of so-called olfactory microvillar cells in mammals, however, is well documented, but their nature remains unclear and their function orphaned. This paper discusses the possibility, that in the main olfactory epithelium of mammals ciliated and microvillar sensory cells exist concurrently. We review evidence related to this hypothesis and ask, what function olfactory microvillar cells might have and what signalling mechanisms they use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate how and when different dimensions of trust and contracts interact to influence the development to negotiation strategies. Specifically, it explores how different dimensions of trust and contracts are combined to influence dispute negotiation strategies when cooperation parties have or do not have expectations of continuity. Design/methodology/approach: This paper theoretically identified and empirically examined the interaction effect of trust and contract on dispute negotiation strategies in contractor–subcontractor relationships, by developing a conceptual framework and conducting a questionnaire survey comprising more than 300 disputes in the Chinese construction industry. Hierarchical regression analysis was mainly used to test the hypotheses. Findings: This paper finds that contractual control may weaken the effect of goodwill trust in fostering interest-based strategies in the presence of expectations of continuity, while it may strengthen the effect in the absence of expectations of continuity. Contractual coordination negatively moderates the relationship between goodwill trust and interest-based strategies only when parties have little expectations of continuity. Moreover, contractual control enhances the effectiveness of competence trust on fostering interest-based strategies. Practical implications: This paper provides insights for practitioners to wisely use different governance mechanisms to manage negotiation strategies and generate desired outcomes of dispute resolution. Originality/value: This paper provides a nuanced understanding of how the two types of governance mechanisms interact, by considering trust and contract as multi-dimensional constructs. It explicit the boundary conditions of both the substitute and complementary relationship between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing economies need to supply housing and ensure resource efficiency in the process. Industrialised construction, which increases productivity in construction, can be one means to deliver the needed housing. However, the resource efficiency of industrialised construction in developing economies is under-researched. This paper studies factors influencing resource efficiency in industrialised housing products from the perspective of value chain and environmental impact in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Nairobi, Kenya; and Cape Town, South Africa. Specifically, wall systems with varying degrees of industrialised construction implementation are studied. The study uncovers four main insights – first, the choice of materials influences the resource efficiency of industrialised wall systems; however, the current value chain does not promote the adoption of new materials. Second, products used for industrialised wall systems are imported and incur added transportation-related impacts and more. Third, industrialised construction wall systems often use lightweight materials and have the potential for disassembly; however, end users have reservations about such design strategies. Fourth, controlled production of wall systems reduces construction waste and increases the quality of products. Nevertheless, governments are currently promoting labour-intensive construction methods. Based on these insights, the paper concludes with recommendations, levers and action points for stakeholders to promote resource efficiency in industrialised construction adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Construction of sustainable, energy efficient buildings, infrastructure and transportation systems is a worthwhile and necessary goal to address critical worldwide environmental and energy concerns. However, as societies move toward this goal, it is the position of the International Forum of Fire Research Directors that the safety of the public and the protection of property against losses due to fire should not, and need not, be compromised in its pursuit. Fire safety consideration should form an unrenouncable part of any new product or technology developed to promote sustainable construction, and acceptable solutions to acute fire safety concerns must not pose a threat to the long term health of workers, fire fighters or the general public. This paper concentrates primarily on fire safety performance of new products, materials and technologies associated with the move toward sustainable communities, while recognizing that there are also issues confronting the fire safe design of buildings and infrastructure with features such as natural daylighting, natural ventilation, “smart facade” technologies, intelligent building controls, and water reduction strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, rural tourism has gradually become an important industry to promote rural economic development and increase farmers’ income. At the same time, the development and utilization of cultural and tourism resources have also received attention. There are rich cultural tourism resources in Xima Village, Jixi County, Anhui Province, but the level of development and utilization is not high. Guided by the “point axis” Development theory, this paper comprehensively considered the cultural and tourism resources stock, landscape spatial layout, and regional economic and social development of Xima Village, explored and determined the important tourism nodes and development axis in the village, proposed the “Four enhancements” action model, and constructed the tourism landscape spatial structure of “one core, two axes, and three areas”, in order to optimize the development path of rural cultural and tourism resources activation, inheritance, and utilization, Bringing development opportunities to rural tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the internal architecture of Asian hornet nests (AHNs) using advanced imaging techniques, such as CT scanning and X-ray radiography, to understand their construction and function. The primary objective and significance of this study centre on drawing inspiration from the creative way Asian hornets construct their nests, with a particular focus on the architecture, design, functionality, and building materials of these nests. The architectural principles governing the construction of these nests, such as the arrangement of hexagonal cells, pedicels for load bearing, and adhesive materials, serve as a source of inspiration for innovative and sustainable design practices. The pedicels in Asian hornet nests play a crucial role in transferring load and ensuring stability. Additionally, AHNs' adhesion to tree branches is essential for preventing collapse, and the pedicels provide necessary structural support. The knowledge gained from studying AHNs' internal architecture could be applied directly to the architecture and civil engineering fields to improve structure stability and durability. The microstructure analysis of the paper-like material that hornets produce to build their nests indicates a complex and heterogeneous structure, composed of various plant fragments and fibres. This unique composition creates intricate grooves and pores, which are essential for regulating temperature and humidity levels within the outer envelope of the nest. The study of Asian hornet nests' internal structure demonstrated that nature's engineering principles inspire the design of durable and resilient structures in the construction industry. Civil engineers can incorporate similar principles into their designs to enhance the structural integrity and performance of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1915Çanakkale Bridge spans the Dardanelles at the western end of the Sea of Marmara. Part of the Kinali–Balikesir motorway in the northwest of Turkey, it is the longest suspension bridge in the world. The 2023 m long main span leaves a 1600 × 70 m navigation channel. Two 318 m steel towers support the main suspension cables at 38 m separation. The deck comprises a pair of 14.5 m wide, 3.5 m deep aerofoil steel box girders connected at intervals by transverse box girders. Eight 450 t capacity lifting gantries were required for deck erection, two for each side span and four for the main span. There were 153 deck segments to be erected, of which 143 were erected with the gantries. The gantries were self-erected onto the main cables. Environmental conditions and maritime traffic in the strait were key factors in the development and choice of construction methods for the bridge. This paper describes deck erection with the lifting gantries and focuses on the development, design, testing and operation of the self-erection system – an innovative solution which maximises pre-assembly off the critical path, minimises disruption to shipping and allows installation of the gantries without floating cranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temburong Bridge is a 27 km long crossing linking the two parts of Brunei across Brunei Bay. It includes 13 km of marine viaduct, split into two sections by a cable-stayed bridge. Construction of its twin road decks in the shortest possible time called for a new type of lifting gantry that could lift and place both decks simultaneously. Each pair of 50 m full-span precast concrete box girders was delivered by barge to both sides of the piers, lifted, tracked sideways and then lowered onto their bearings, all by the gantry, which then launched itself to the next span. This cycle was repeated 267 times. The gantry had an overall length of 130 m, a 'wingspan' of 59 m and could lift the 870 t deck sections 26 m from its centreline. Having completed the first 165 spans, the gantry was relocated to the other side of the cable-stayed spans in one piece by floating crane. This paper describes the engineering challenges posed by this unique method and their solutions. One such challenge was catering for the dynamic out-of-balance loading on the gantry's cantilever 'wings' generated when lifting simultaneously off independent barges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite of the remarkable improvement in terms of health and safety in the construction sector through the implementation of a variety of regulations across the world, till health and safety issues are increasing rapidly. Meanwhile, Health and safety issues on construction sites are still significant in terms of a consistent high number of work-related illnesses and injuries in the construction to recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Interest is growing on to support the designer to take care of health and safety from the design stage in building construction with regards to techno-commercial aspect. This is a fact that, design influences to a great extent the nature of these hazards that are in building construction. Meaning that the hazards need to be eliminated or minimized at the designing stage. "Safe design" denotesthat in the hazard be identified and risks are assessed early in the design process to minimize or eliminate the injury risks during the lifecycle of the project. Based on an extensive review of the causes of work-related illnesses and injuries in building construction including mining production, this paper identifies a set of technical issues relating to building design. By presenting a new evidence-based health and safety analysis, abbreviated to EHSA approach for designers (architects and engineers) to use towards safer design for construction thereby, reducing work-related injuries and illnesses on site and decrease the economic losses. The research into EHSA is intended to evaluate an innovative way to facilitate evidence-based learning in building design with the collection and use of data and information accumulated from professional knowledge about fatalities and accidents along with best practices and innovations in field of health safety management that have proven to be effective for the construction industry. Through an experimental case study, this conference paper will demonstrate how the EHSA approach can help in effectively supporting health and safety improvement at the design stage. The paper is anticipated to contribute significantly to existing body of knowledge by introducing a new framework in safer building design by providing an innovative approach with an evidence-based experimental case study to innovate future practice while also leveraging the findings for improvement in health and safety management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the construction, renovation, and demolition sectors are increasingly responsible for growing resource demand and structural waste, even given progress in energy efficient technologies, 'green' building design, and local planning regulations. In response, the Circular Economy has become a popular agenda in the construction, renovation, and demolition sector as it offers a new model that not only maximizes materials reuse and recovery but also reframes urban systems and the built environment in a closed-loop (cradle-to-cradle) paradigm. In particular, popular visions of the Circular Economy promote, among other actions, 'optimizing' the end-of-the-life of buildings and their materials. Deconstruction (i.e. piece-by-piece demolition) is one key optimization strategy that has received increasing, yet limited, attention by researchers. This paper traces the development of an incipient deconstruction sector in Vancouver, focusing on the possibilities and challenges of deconstruction and material recovery practices as viable strategies for a transformative Circular Economy. I investigate two related aspects: first, the emerging policy landscape surrounding green demolition, and second, the development of 'unbuilding' practices and more formal 'Deconstruction Hubs'. Overall, the paper finds that while these developments represent fundamental steps towards a more sustainable built environment, there remain a number of significant social, political and economic limitations that must be confronted if we are to meet the growing demands for more radical sustainability and 'circularity' not only in Canadian construction, renovation, and demolition sectors, but across Canadian cities and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the twenty-first century, the RDP (redispersible powder) has become the critical ingredient in various sectors and has numerous applications in day to day life. RDP is a free-flowing, white powder obtained by spray drying of an aqueous dispersion. Commercially available polymeric admixtures are classified into polymer dispersion, redispersible polymer powder (RDPP), water-soluble polymers, and liquid polymers. RDPP is a polymer emulsion that is converted to RDP by high temperature and pressure followed by spray drying and surface treatment to powdered thermoplastic resin material. Today, the demand for RDP is increasing in various fields due to their desirable change in properties after their addition with different products. High-grade RDP is manufactured via the various monomers so that the efficiency of RDP increases for the application purpose. RDPP is synthesized via polymerization and spray drying technique which has applications in concrete–polymer composite/polymer-modified mortar and concrete. The different types of latex-based RDP known are a copolymer of ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA), a terpolymer of ethylene/vinyl chloride/vinyl laurate (E/VC/VL), terpolymer of vinyl acetate/ethylene/vinyl ester of versatic acid (VAc/E/VeoVa), acrylate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) polymer, styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), etc. The current paper audits the standards process technology for RDP, the past significant importance and historical backgrounds, recent and future developments and advancement of concrete–polymer composite, and normalization work on concrete–polymer composites. The core–shell morphology of RDP in polymer cement waterproof mortar is also discussed in this paper. In the construction field, polymer-modified cement (hydraulic) mixtures are used due to their unique properties. As new inventions have been done in the area of RDPP, it is investigated that polymer film formation in cement mortars modified with water-soluble RDPP also occurs. The effect of RDPP concentration on the initial and final setting time of cement mortars plays a significant role in this field. Furthermore, the amalgamation of nanotechnology with RDP synthesis has boosted the applications of RDP in various other fields. RDP has played a vital role in the field of medicine, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In the food industry, RDP is used to increase storage ability, durability, and product properties. The review paper covers all the stages in RDP/RDPP synthesis from the year 1999 to 2021. The different techniques for synthesizing high-quality and efficient RDP have been reviewed here. The paper gives a complete overlook of trends in applications of RDP over the period. This paper discusses all the past and future applications, recent trends, development of RDP in the various fields and shows its bright prospective in the upcoming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genuine multipartite entanglement is of great importance in quantum information, especially from the experimental point of view. Nevertheless, it is difficult to characterize genuine multipartite entangled states, because the genuine multipartite entanglement is unruly. There are scattered results on the criteria for genuine multipartite entangled states. We propose another product based on the Kronecker product in this paper. The Kronecker product is a common product in quantum information with good physical interpretation. We mainly investigate whether the proposed product of two genuine multipartite entangled states is still a genuine entangled one. We understand the entanglement of the proposed product better by characterizing the entanglement of the Kronecker product. Then we show the proposed product is a genuine multipartite entangled state in two cases. The results develop nontrivial criteria for a class of genuine multipartite entangled states. One can use such criteria to systematically construct genuine multipartite entangled states of more parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Systematic review of 33 papers on participation in construction. • Knowledge framework for the design of participatory practices. • 7 design meta-principles, 7 design principles, and 17 design prescriptions. • Participation's contribution to safe and resilient construction projects. • Participatory practices can contribute to both Safety-I and Safety-II. Workers' participation has long been acknowledged as a means for the harmonization of the technical and social components of socio-technical systems. However, guidance to designers of participatory practices is often implicit in the literature, which also does not jointly address safety and resilient performance, two key business aspects in construction projects. This paper addresses these gaps by proposing a knowledge framework for the design of participatory practices that contribute to safe and resilient construction projects. To this end, a systematic literature review of 33 papers on participation in construction was carried out. Based on a thematic analysis, this review gave rise to a framework composed of seven design meta-principles, seven design principles, and 17 design prescriptions. The seven principles mediate the relationships between the more abstract meta-principles and the more operational prescriptions. The framework encompasses dimensions of participatory practices that can contribute for the design of resilient systems and for the operationalization of both safety-I and safety-II in construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proper way in which limit-problems [Grenzprobleme]—birth, death, dreamless sleep, the “prior to birth” [das vor der Geburt], the “after death” [das nach dem Tod], etc.—can be accessed according to Husserl is by means of so-called “construction” [Konstruktion] or “reconstruction” [Rekonstruktion]. Contrary to what is usually claimed with respect to this method, and therefore the acts it is composed of, this paper will attempt to prove that they do not consist in non-intuitive acts, but rather in intuitive, but non-sensible acts. In other words, the aforementioned acts of construction consist in categorial acts. More specifically, they represent acts akin to the ones involved in the constitution of exact material essences of a qualitative (the “pure” red, the “pure” blue …) or of a geometrical kind (a triangle, a chiliagon …): both the acts involved in the constitution of elementary exact essences, or acts of idealization, and the acts involved in the constitution of derived exact essences, or acts of deriving. However, the acceptance of such acts of construction suggests a serious reconsideration of some of the basic tenets of Husserlian phenomenology. Indeed, it challenges the idea that phenomenology is an eidetic science of inexact—morphological, descriptive …—material essences, namely the essence of a subjective sphere (the essence of consciousness, the essence of ego …); in fact, it turns phenomenology, at least partially, into something Husserl explicitly repudiates on multiple occasions: a “geometry” of lived experience. It is thus important to determine whether these acts of construction should be integrated into Husserlian phenomenology, and, if yes, how they should be integrated into it. Providing an indication of this will be the ultimate goal of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to investigate welded joints of high-strength steel S960 QL manufactured by using three different welding technologies, namely the electron beam, the laser beam, and the metal active gas (MAG) technologies. The experimental part included tensile strength evaluation, microstructural analysis of welded joints, and hardness measurement. Welded joints (WJ) have consisted of the identical steels and the identical thickness (10 mm). Destructive tests confirmed that welded joints are characterized by the tensile strength similar to the base material. Upon further observation, we can conclude that microhardness was characterized by the lowest value in the softening zone (SZ) and the highest value in the hardening zone (HZ). The degree of softening was 11% for the electron welding, 13% for the laser welding, and up to 27% for the conventional MAG welding. This also corresponds with the size of the SZ, which was the widest in welds made with the MAG technology. The laser beam weld produced up to 50% lower heat-affected zone (HAZ) compared to the conventional MAG technology. In case of the electron beam, this number is even higher. On the contrary, highest hardness was observed for the electron beam technology, where the hardness in the hardening zone increased by up to 40% when compared with the base material. Tests show the possibility of production of reliable welded joints, which meet the complex requirements for lifetime and quality (according to the standard EN 6520–1 focusing on defects categorization and EN 5817 dealing with defects tolerance). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a basic industry in Tibet Autonomous Region, the development of agriculture and animal husbandry circular economy is of great practical significance, which is actively reflected in national high-quality development and new agriculture and animal husbandry circular model. The development direction and future trend directly determine the promotion and enhancement of regional agriculture and animal husbandry economy, which is highly valued and welcomed by academic circles. This paper mainly expounds the development connotation of agriculture and animal husbandry circular economy system from the perspective of Tibet's agriculture and animal husbandry economic development. It focuses on sorting out the construction and future direction of circular economy development system, effectively puts forward ideas and comprehensive understanding of the circular economy development system of agriculture and animal husbandry in Tibet, effectively promotes the promotion and basic change of circular economy of agriculture and animal husbandry, and effectively changes the traditional development model and new innovation model of agriculture and animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate dynamical models are imperative to the development of accurate monitoring and control systems, which are foundational to safety in construction and infrastructure projects. However, the highly coupled non-linear dynamics of crane systems requires the application of many simplifying assumptions to the dynamical crane model. To achieve accurate control, simplifications should yield minimal error in modelled behaviour for maximal reduction in model complexity. However, limited information is available on the situational suitability of different combinations of simplifications to construction tower crane models. This paper informs designers of the optimal dynamical models to represent boom tower cranes, with respect to the crane characteristics and selection criteria. The optimal models are determined though the comparison of ten 2D and 3D dynamical models in representation of three variations of boom tower crane that are commonly deployed on construction sites. The comparison includes analysis of over 100 simulations and experimentation. The value of the presented optimal model selection framework is in facilitating systems designers to develop accurate crane monitoring and control systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an experimental study about the use of innovative bio-based pultruded carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates for structural strengthening. The bio-based laminates were produced in the framework of an applied research project (BioLam) using a resin system with 50% (wt.%) bio-based content, obtained from renewable resources. In the first part of the study, their tensile and interlaminar shear properties were characterized and compared with those of conventional oil-based CFRP laminates. In the second part of the study, the bond behavior to concrete of both types of CFRP laminates applied according to the externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) technique was assessed by means of single-lap shear tests performed on CFRP-strengthened concrete blocks; the experimental results obtained from these tests were then used in a numerical procedure to calibrate local bond vs. slip laws for both types of laminates. The final part of this study comprised four-point bending tests on full-scale EBR-CFRP-strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) beams to assess the structural efficacy of the bio-based laminates; these were benchmarked with tests performed on similar RC beams strengthened with conventional CFRP laminates. The results obtained in this study show that the (i) material properties, (ii) the bond behavior to concrete, and (iii) the structural efficacy of the developed bio-based CFRP laminates are comparable to those of their conventional counterparts, confirming their potential to be used in the strengthening of RC structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decades, numerous automated compliance checking (ACC) systems have been developed. However, ACC is still not broadly used in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry today; little is known as to how ACC can be better accepted by the end users. This paper reports on a multicase study to learn valuable lessons from recent attempts to adopt ACC systems worldwide. Firstly, 18 semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 experts from eight countries, and supplementary data (e.g., documents, product information, and literature) related to each case were collected. Secondly, the interview and supplementary data were then coded to develop prominent themes. Thirdly, through a cross-case analysis, the 12 most determining variables that could influence the ACC adoption were identified. Three path models that explain the interrelationships between these variables and 10 propositions that can guide future ACC adoption were deduced. The results indicate that the government should play an important role to facilitate ACC adoption through funding, policies, and incentives. This study also provides valuable information to software vendors for delivering ACC systems that meet the needs of the industry, and for innovation managers in the industry to develop appropriate adoption plans for the ACC technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of the prevention through design (PtD) approach to the management of health and safety (H&S) risks on construction sites is widely acknowledged. This approach underlies the construction, design, and management (CDM) Regulations in the United Kingdom that provide for a Principal Designer (PD) role with a statutory duty to plan, manage, and monitor the preconstruction phase of projects and to coordinate matters of H&S during that phase. Although there is a growing body of research literature on PtD practice, there is a gap in the general issue of the practical implementation of the CDM Regulations in general and the performance of the PD in particular. The purpose of this paper is to report research undertaken with the aim of plugging this gap. The part examined concerns the challenges that beset the performance of the PD role and the drivers behind such barriers. A qualitative research design was adopted using, for data collection, 14 focus group discussion sessions involving 89 participants with direct experience of practical implementation of the regulations. The research uncovered three broad categories of barriers to the performance of the PD role: inadequacies in the client's general approach to its duties; supply chain fragmentation and insurance challenges; and performance-related challenges stemming from limitations in PD technical competence and interpersonal skills. The research is the first study focused on the H&S risk management processes and the organizational and operational barriers to effective management and coordination of H&S matters by PDs. The research outcomes are of obvious relevance to H&S management practice in not only the United Kingdom but also European Union countries and other countries with similar regulations. As management of design H&S risks at the preconstruction stage is an inherent feature of the PtD concept, they could also inform PtD practice with respect to coordination of the work of the different design specialisms involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]