Articles tagged with Building Construction
University of Warwick engineers led an international committee to update Eurocode 4, a standard for composite steel and concrete structures used in buildings and bridges. The updated standard introduces new guidance for modern construction techniques and advances the design of shear connections.
Researchers are developing sustainable alternative cements that can bind CO₂ permanently, making concrete a climate-friendly material. By using CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases, these new cements can reduce emissions and create a carbon sink.
The CEBE program aims to develop new knowledge and solutions to reduce the climate impact of construction. The program will focus on seven research fields, including assessing and measuring sustainability, and collaborate with international partners.
As climates become more extreme, traditional building designs are failing to keep people safe and comfortable. A new generation of architects is creating climate-ready buildings that can maintain comfortable temperatures independently from the grid, using local natural resources like sun, wind, and ground-sourced energy.
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences has launched ClimateDataForBuildings, an open platform providing energy and climate modelling data for over 3,600 European locations. The platform delivers high-resolution CERRA reanalysis data for building performance and HVAC design.
The University of East London and STRABAG UK have developed a pioneering low-carbon grout that replaces traditional cement-heavy annulus grout, reducing embodied carbon by over 61%. The innovation uses repurposed construction waste and agricultural by-products to create a sustainable alternative.
A new window technology shields buildings from EMP threats while maintaining transparency. The innovative design offers broadband EMP protection with high optical transparency, suitable for practical architectural applications.
A new study has found that living walls can significantly enhance urban biodiversity by attracting pollinators and other wildlife. The research revealed that soil-based living walls with plants in soil attracted more wildlife than those with artificial substrates, and specific plant species like ivy and honeysuckle were most effective.
Researchers developed a new way of measuring indoor air pollution by analyzing human movement, showing elevated levels of pollutants during occupied periods. The study provides a new approach to designing healthier indoor spaces, combining Birmingham's air-pollution expertise with radar-based sensing and optimization techniques.
Researchers from Hanbat National University develop switchable thermochromic transparent woods for smart windows, blocking UV radiation and reducing thermal conductivity. The material enables energy-autonomous light regulation and protects skin without sacrificing visible light.
Researchers identified key building code features that impact hazard resilience, including prioritizing structural elements like lateral support. Smarter regulation and stronger structures can work together to create safer homes, but local expertise is crucial in places with independent-minded populations.
A collaboration of bacteria, including Sporosarcina pasteurii and Chroococcidiopsis, produces natural cement-like materials that can turn Martian regolith into solid concrete. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize construction on Mars and provide benefits for habitat integrity and life-support systems.
Two new studies from Schneider Electric and Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability identify 95 sociotechnical barriers and 50 risks hindering progress in the high-stakes buildings sector. The research highlights complex interplay between economic, political, social, and behavioral factors driving inefficiencies and costs.
Two UBC Okanagan engineering students created a framework to evaluate wildfire resilience and sustainability in home design. The Wildfire-Resilient and Sustainable Evaluation Framework for British Columbia (WiSE-BC) applies analytical hierarchy process, suitable for single-family builds and community-scale planning.
The smart bamboo glass exhibits record tensile strength, flexibility, and impact toughness while retaining high visible-light transmission. Annual HVAC savings range from 1.6% to 5.58%, reducing global-warming potential by 35% and human-toxicity indicators by 40-60%.
Researchers warn of structural weakening in urban areas as a result of groundwater overexploitation, posing risks to millions of people. Satellite radar data reveals nearly 1.9 million people exposed to subsidence rates greater than 4 millimeters per year.
Professor Dan M. Frangopol, Lehigh University's inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair, was recognized for his work on life-cycle civil engineering at the 21st International Probabilistic Workshop in Germany. He is widely credited with establishing this field and has authored over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Aarhus University researchers have developed a transparent layer with silver nanorings that adapts to sunlight intensity, controlling heat entry through glass without dimming the view. The thermoplasmonic effect reduces near-infrared transmission, lowering cooling demand and CO₂ emissions in energy-efficient buildings.
A study by Penn State researchers found that using electricity for space heating can significantly reduce on-site household energy consumption. The team also identified other factors, such as the use of electric water heaters and construction methods, that contribute to energy savings.
Build up Nepal's eco-brick technology reduces CO2 emissions and makes homes safer while cutting construction costs. The company will use the prize to scale up its innovative solution.
The authors argue that energy availability has driven architectural design throughout history, with fossil fuels transforming buildings in the 17th century. They challenge conventional wisdom on sustainability, highlighting the high energy costs of modern minimalist designs like the Seagram Building.
Researchers create digital twin facility management system for relocatable modular buildings, improving asset management and decision making. The DT-FMS enhances the lifecycle management of RMBs, minimizing waste and maximizing value through reuse and reconfiguration.
Researchers investigated the sustainability of ancient Roman concrete, finding that reproducing its recipe would require comparable energy and water, emitting similar CO2. However, Roman concrete's heightened durability might make it a more sustainable option due to reduced maintenance needs, potentially reducing environmental impact.
Researchers at Notre Dame's School of Architecture and the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society developed EcoSphere, an AI-powered platform that visualizes embodied carbon emissions. The tool helps city planners identify strategies to reduce carbon emissions through renovation and extended building life.
A team of Penn engineers and materials scientists have developed a biomineral-infused concrete that captures up to 142% more CO2 than conventional mixes while using less cement. The new material is stronger, lighter, and uses fewer materials like cement.
The book examines how architects can better serve society by changing their approach to the building process. Staub discusses three components of sustainability: ecological, economic, and social, highlighting social sustainability as an under-discussed aspect in architecture.
Dan M. Frangopol, a pioneer in life-cycle civil engineering, has been recognized by the International Association of Structural Safety and Reliability (IASSAR) for his sustained service to the organization. He is the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, established in 2013.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have created a living material that can absorb CO2 from the air through photosynthesis and store it in a stable mineral form. The material, made with cyanobacteria, can be shaped using 3D printing and requires sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow.
Researchers developed FLAT, a digital tool assessing laser scans to locate uneven areas on concrete slabs. The AI-assisted algorithm reduces foundation measurement time by over 90%, enabling faster building construction with minimal human involvement.
A new thesis on Uppsala University's Main Building delves into its architectural design, exploring how the building deviated from original plans. The study reveals the significance of antiquity-inspired themes, including a dragon mural and plaster casts of statues.
The Stuttgart Cluster of Excellence IntCDC will continue to develop innovative construction methods that reduce resource consumption and CO2 emissions through computational design and engineering methods. The cluster aims to evolve its Co-Design approach into a Co-Agency approach, focusing on bio-based building materials, AI technologi...
Researchers from Linköping University provide a severe impacts approach to guide property owners in preventing flooding by identifying design weaknesses, prioritizing worst-case scenarios, and promoting proactive measures such as installing backflow valves and raising entrance thresholds.
University of Missouri researchers create digital sentiment map using AI to analyze public Instagram posts, linking emotional tone to real-life features. The tool aims to improve city services, identify areas of concern, and inform emergency response decisions.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University has developed a simple but effective method for detecting early wood coating deterioration, which can extend the life of wooden structures and improve sustainability. The approach combines mid-infrared spectroscopy with machine learning to predict the extent of deterioration, allowing for early...
Researchers propose darkening cities to improve biodiversity, human health, and reduce energy waste by embracing nocturnal living. Professor Nick Dunn's 'Dark Futures: When the Lights Go Down' presents a vision for an alternative future that reconnects humans with nature's rhythms.
A Rice University researcher is working to fortify buildings in Haiti against future earthquakes with cost-effective retrofitting solutions. The study, recently published in Earthquake Spectra, explores five techniques to improve seismic performance, including steel braces and reinforced concrete jacketing.
The University of Arizona College of Engineering is expanding its Student Design and Innovation Center with a $2 million gift from Raytheon, named the Raytheon Student Leadership Suite. The center will accommodate the college's considerable growth and provide resources for experiential learning, makerspaces, and student clubs.
A novel carbon-neutral grout, CSRGF, has been developed by recycling waste fluids from geothermal energy harvesting plants, addressing environmental challenges in traditional grouting methods. The new material shows remarkable performance, with a 50% increase in liquefaction resistance and superior water-sealing properties.
A new study reveals that downtown Houston skyscrapers designed to withstand hurricanes are actually more vulnerable to intense, localized wind forces called downbursts. The research found that these strong winds can cause significant damage to facade panels, cladding, and windows on lower floors.
Researchers at Newcastle University have developed a new environmentally-friendly mortar made from recycled plastic and silica aerogel, which improves insulation and reduces plastic waste. The new mortar mix reduced heat loss by up to 55% while maintaining the required strength for masonry construction.
Researchers from the University of Houston have confirmed alarming rates of subsidence in Miami's barrier islands, with 35 skyscrapers sinking up to three inches into the ground since 2016. The study used InSAR technology to detect changes in the earth's surface and found that construction-induced stresses extend beyond building footpr...
A new hybrid machine learning model predicts ultimate axial strength of CFRP-strengthened CFST columns with high accuracy, enabling safer and more efficient designs. The model can be used to optimize construction processes and enhance the safety of structures at a lower cost.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction found that US homeowners take proactive steps to protect their properties before and after hurricanes, but often fall short due to inadequate regulations. The study's methodology provides a framework for future research on incentivizing comprehensive prote...
A new study by civil engineers and earth systems scientists at the University of California, Davis and Stanford University suggests that storing carbon in buildings could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers calculated that using carbonated aggregates to make concrete could absorb a gigaton of CO2 annually.
The Graz University of Technology has developed a modular timber high-rise building system that combines prefabricated 3D timber modules with open load-bearing structures. This allows for flexible adaptations, extended operating life, and reduced resource consumption. The system enables targeted repairs and replacements of individual m...
Researchers have developed a 3D concrete printing system that captures and stores carbon dioxide, offering a promising alternative to traditional cement-based construction methods. The innovation improves printability, increases strength, and enhances mechanical properties, resulting in stronger and more eco-friendly buildings.
The authors introduce advanced methodologies for integrating maintenance strategies and structural health monitoring to extend infrastructure service life. Topics include data-driven decision-making, multi-objective optimization, cost-benefit analysis, and the role of data analytics in managing uncertainties.
Researchers at Drexel University investigated natural ventilation strategies in historic homes to understand how their inherent energy-efficient features can inform modern energy conservation efforts. The study found that passive cooling and cross-ventilation can achieve energy savings and improve thermal comfort, particularly in hot a...
A multidisciplinary team of engineers and architects applied origami techniques to create living buildings that respond to environmental factors. The researchers combined human design creativity with computational intelligence to increase the effectiveness of designs for environmentally responsive building technologies.
Researchers developed a more sustainable 3D-printed concrete material combining graphene with limestone and calcined clay cement. The new material offers enhanced strength and durability while significantly reducing carbon emissions, making it a powerful solution for addressing environmental challenges in 3D printed construction.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Wavelogix a two-year, $999,910 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant. The funding will help the company develop a complete solution for scaling up production of its REBEL concrete strength sensors, enabling faster and data-driven decisions in construction engineering.
Engineers at RMIT University have designed a self-locking tubular structural system inspired by curved-crease origami that can be packed flat for easier transport. The system transforms into strong building materials, suitable for large-scale use, with capabilities to support heavy loads.
A new study suggests that using state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies can enable Europe's construction sector to almost eliminate its carbon emissions by 2060. Employing technologies like solar energy and heat pumps can reduce total energy used for heating and cooling buildings by up to 97%.
Researchers create interlocking glass bricks that can withstand pressures similar to concrete blocks, aiming to reduce embodied carbon in construction. The 3D-printed bricks are designed to be reused and repurposed, promoting a circular construction method.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University reveals that the Crystal Palace was constructed using a standard screw thread, allowing for rapid completion in just 190 days. This innovation played a significant role in the building's success and had far-reaching implications for engineering and construction.
Notre Dame researchers have created a new tool to analyze embodied carbon in over 1 million buildings in Chicago, providing policymakers with actionable data to inform urban development decisions. The study found that extending the lifespan of buildings and reducing their size can decrease carbon emissions by two-thirds.
Heat-related mortality rates in the US rose between 1999 and 2023, reversing a previous trend. Climate change projections suggest continued increases, highlighting the need for access to hydration centers and cooling centers.
The University of Stuttgart's UniversalTimberSlab project has developed a resource-saving building system for wood floor slabs with full design freedom. The ArchiBioFoam joint project aims to reduce CO2 emissions by replacing concrete, steel, and glass with sustainable biofoams.
Researchers at UMD developed a method to produce high-performance, structural wood without chemicals or energy-intensive processing. The engineered wood can resist deterioration, storing carbon for longer periods and reducing emissions.
A new mechanism uses common building materials to absorb or radiate heat, reducing the need for air conditioning and heaters. This passive approach can save energy and is particularly beneficial for low-income communities with limited access to cooling and heating systems.