Recent Advances in Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Buildings

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2021) | Viewed by 25587

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
Interests: supporting decisions in construction; delays in construction projects; risk assessment in construction; project cost estimation; tendering and bidding in construction; using artificial neural networks in construction management; building procurement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
Interests: construction cost estimation; building information modelling technology; design and build and integrated project delivery; activity of developer companies; evaluation of investment efficiency; sustainable construction and using case-based reasoning and fuzzy logic in construction management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Poland
Interests: work safety in construction; construction work technologies; material and technological solutions; planning of construction works: cost, time, quality; time analyses of construction projects; construction cost estimates; sustainable construction; renewable energy sources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Construction is a dynamically developing field of economy around the world, evidence for which is provided by constantly evolving construction techniques, development of building materials, modern technologies, the use of specialized construction equipment, the latest software supporting all phases of the investment process, and the use of modern management methods. Constant development is also observed in the housing and non-residential construction sectors, in renovation, modernization, and expansion of road and rail infrastructure.

Contemporary construction is still searching for new solutions characterized by high technological advancement and lower labor consumption. The solutions are hoped to be more ecological and energy-saving, yet inevitably involving digitization and automation. Therefore, the search for new trends in construction is necessary at all stages of the investment process.

This Special Issue intends to provide a platform for exploration of the state-of-the-art knowledge, the recent advances and innovations, as well as current practices in the all phases of the life cycle of the building, including design, construction, maintenance, and withdrawal phases.

Surveys and theoretical articles, as well as application papers, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Agnieszka Leśniak
Dr. Krzysztof Zima
Dr. Wojciech Drozd
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Design, construction, and maintenance of buildings
  • Concrete structures
  • Metal structures
  • Hydrotechnical construction and geotechnics
  • Mechanics of structures and materials
  • Construction management
  • Building physics
  • Building materials engineering
  • Transportation engineering (bridges and railways)

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 769 KiB  
Article
Post Occupancy Evaluation of School Refurbishment Projects: Multiple Case Study in the UK
by Hamad Ahmed, David J. Edwards, Joseph H. K. Lai, Chris Roberts, Caleb Debrah, De-Graft Owusu-Manu and Wellington Didibhuku Thwala
Buildings 2021, 11(4), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11040169 - 16 Apr 2021
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 7752
Abstract
Buildings inevitably deteriorate with time. Schools buildings are no exception and require refurbishment at times. Despite the UK Government announcing the £1 billion funding for rebuilding 50 schools over 10 years starting 2010–2021, it is common practice for builders and designers to, upon [...] Read more.
Buildings inevitably deteriorate with time. Schools buildings are no exception and require refurbishment at times. Despite the UK Government announcing the £1 billion funding for rebuilding 50 schools over 10 years starting 2010–2021, it is common practice for builders and designers to, upon completion of a building project, move on to the next development without considering how the completed building performs. This research undertakes a post occupancy evaluation (POE) of three schools in the West Midlands, UK with specific focus on building services, viz., heating, lighting, and air conditioning and ventilation. The research adopted a mixed philosophical approach of interpretivism and post-positivism to conduct inductive reasoning. A questionnaire that collected both quantitative and qualitative primary data was distributed to the end-users of the schools. Data was analysed using the Cronbach’s alpha, one sample t-test and Kruskal–Wallis test to identify any differences between the questionnaire responses. Findings revealed that building users demanded greater control of the internal environment thus contradicting the current trend for automated ‘intelligent systems’ approaches. This research represents the first work to consider the contractor’s perspective towards developing a better understanding of client satisfaction with the school buildings. Moreover, the POE result represents a notable pragmatic advancement to knowledge that will influence the contractor’s knowledge and understanding of client satisfaction, and where to improve upon these. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Buildings)
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27 pages, 13953 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation and Numerical Simulation of a Levy Hinged-Beam Cable Dome
by Mingmin Ding, Bin Luo, Shuyao Ding, Yuzhou Shen and Lifan Huang
Buildings 2021, 11(3), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11030110 - 10 Mar 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2611
Abstract
According to existing rigid roofing projects, a new structure called the Levy hinged-beam cable dome is proposed. By replacing the upper flexible cables with hinged beams, rigid plates can be installed overhead. To fulfill the requirements of integral tow-lifting construction, the setting criteria [...] Read more.
According to existing rigid roofing projects, a new structure called the Levy hinged-beam cable dome is proposed. By replacing the upper flexible cables with hinged beams, rigid plates can be installed overhead. To fulfill the requirements of integral tow-lifting construction, the setting criteria for the temporary hinged joints on ridge beams were presented. An 8-m diameter specimen was manufactured and monitored to investigate the structural configurations during the accumulative traction-hoisting construction process. Finally, the specimen was tested under full-span and half-span loading conditions, while a numerical model was built to verify the experimental values. The results show that in the early stages of traction-hoisting, the structure establishes the overall prestress and finds its internal force balance, while the entire structure is in a shape of “ω”. As the component’s internal force increases during the construction steps, and the local deformations of the hinged beams gradually decrease, with the entire structure changing from “ω” to “m”, and finally reach their designed states. Under full-span loads, large local deformations occurred at the HB-3 hinges, while the bending stresses of these hinged beams were relatively small. Under half-span loads, the loading part exhibits a downward appearance, while the unloading part exhibits upward deflection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Buildings)
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16 pages, 7892 KiB  
Article
Influence of the Thermal Conductivity and Ambient Temperature Uncertainty on the Heat Losses through the External Wall
by Marcin Koniorczyk and Witold Grymin
Buildings 2021, 11(3), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11030084 - 26 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2143
Abstract
Numerous parameters assumed in the calculations of the buildings’ energy demand are uncertain. Therefore, calculations should be accompanied by determination of propagation of such uncertainties in the mathematical model. In the article, the influence of uncertainty of thermal conductivity and ambient temperature has [...] Read more.
Numerous parameters assumed in the calculations of the buildings’ energy demand are uncertain. Therefore, calculations should be accompanied by determination of propagation of such uncertainties in the mathematical model. In the article, the influence of uncertainty of thermal conductivity and ambient temperature has been studied by means of the generalized perturbation stochastic finite element method and compared against the Monte Carlo results, indicating good accordance. Expected value and variance of heat flux on the internal side of the wall have been investigated. The perturbation stochastic finite element method is much more efficient than the Monte Carlo method for the analysed problem. The largest variance of temperature is noted in the node between the constructive layer and insulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Buildings)
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28 pages, 17553 KiB  
Article
Design for Maintainability of Basements and Wet Areas
by Michael Yit Lin Chew
Buildings 2021, 11(2), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11020075 - 20 Feb 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 6607
Abstract
With the motto of “doing it right the first time”, this study focuses on spearheading the integration of designers, constructors, and facility mangers, at the outset of the planning/design stage, by providing easy-to-read tables summarising (1) knowledge learnt from past mistakes and (2) [...] Read more.
With the motto of “doing it right the first time”, this study focuses on spearheading the integration of designers, constructors, and facility mangers, at the outset of the planning/design stage, by providing easy-to-read tables summarising (1) knowledge learnt from past mistakes and (2) maintainability benchmarks, to ensure high maintainability for Basements and Wet Areas. The commonly occurring problems in Basements and Wet Areas of a total of 110 buildings comprising of commercial, hotels, industrial, institutions, healthcare facilities, and residential facilities were evaluated using case and field studies. Face-to-face interviews and workshops with the respective professionals involved in the design, construction, operation and maintenance (O&M) of the buildings were conducted for detailed investigation on each problem for their (a) problem types, (b) extent of problem, (c) failure mechanism, (d) good practices in design/construction/O&M/facilities management (FM), and (e) environmental issues. Easy-to-read tables of checklists based on a preventive/predictive performance-based approach, which defines acceptable standards in design, construction and O&M/FM practices, were derived. The checklists help enhance the integration of designers, constructors, and facilities managers (FM), ensuring high maintainability and productivity right at the outset of the planning/design stage. They also help professionals derive, customise, and validate their own Maintainable Design Appraisal System (MDAS) according to their own needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Buildings)
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13 pages, 3754 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Impact of Hydraulic Binder on the Properties of the Cold Recycled Mixture with Foamed Bitumen and Bitumen Emulsion: Field Tests
by Przemysław Buczyński, Marek Iwański and Jakub Krasowski
Buildings 2020, 10(12), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10120223 - 30 Nov 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2253
Abstract
The paper presents the results of tests of the impact of hydraulic and bituminous binders on the properties of the cold-recycled mixture (CRM). The composition of the cold-recycled mixture includes two types of different binders, i.e., bituminous binder in the form of foamed [...] Read more.
The paper presents the results of tests of the impact of hydraulic and bituminous binders on the properties of the cold-recycled mixture (CRM). The composition of the cold-recycled mixture includes two types of different binders, i.e., bituminous binder in the form of foamed bitumen and bitumen emulsion, as well as Portland cement (CEM I 32.5R) and hydraulic binder. The hydraulic binder was produced by mixing three base ingredients in the following ratio: 40% CEM I 32.5R; 20% Ca(OH)2 and 40% CBD (cement bypass dust). The cold-recycled mixtures were produced under industrial conditions on a test section. The prepared CRM with bitumen emulsion (MCE) and foamed bitumen (MCAS) was collected from the test section and compacted under laboratory conditions. The impact of the type and kind of the binder was assessed in terms of physical properties, mechanical properties and deformation modulus (bearing capacity of subbase) of the recycled base course after 1, 7 and 28 days. It was found that the use of hydraulic binder in the recycled base course, regardless of the type of bituminous binder, reduced cohesion without reducing the remaining parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Buildings)
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26 pages, 6377 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Effect of Wind Load on the Load Capacity of a Single-Layer Bar Dome
by Dominika Opatowicz, Urszula Radoń and Paweł Zabojszcza
Buildings 2020, 10(10), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10100179 - 13 Oct 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2997
Abstract
The main purpose of the paper was the assessment of the effect of wind load on the load capacity of a single-layer bar dome. Additionally, which numerical method is appropriate for low-rise single-layer bar domes was checked. In order to explain the effect [...] Read more.
The main purpose of the paper was the assessment of the effect of wind load on the load capacity of a single-layer bar dome. Additionally, which numerical method is appropriate for low-rise single-layer bar domes was checked. In order to explain the effect of the height-to-span ratio on the selection of the appropriate calculation model and method of analysis of the bar dome, an example of the known von Mises truss was proposed. Two cases of von Mises truss differing in the height-to-span ratio were considered. For the shallow structure, a significant change in the value of the stiffness matrix determinant and the current stiffness parameter was observed. A similar tendency in the behavior of the structure can be observed on fragments of larger structures, including shallow single-layer steel domes. These problems are described on the basis of the dome, which is located on top of the building housing the restaurant. This structure is subjected to large displacement gradients and the actual configuration is taken into account in analysis. The analysis showed that there is a change in stiffness for these structures, and, therefore, that such structures should be designed according to geometric nonlinear analysis (GNA). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Buildings)
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