Articles tagged with Building Construction
Researchers from Imperial College London and Arup have developed a new approach to designing tall buildings that uses the building's own mass to reduce movement in high winds and earthquakes. The system, which separates usable floors from the central core, reduces peak accelerations by up to 71% and base moments by more than 50%.
A EU research project has found that reducing average living space per person can lead to significant CO2 emission reductions in the European building sector. By minimizing living spaces, emissions can be reduced by up to 90%, meeting the EU's 2.0-degree climate target by 2050.
The partnership aims to bridge the gap between university learning and real-world practice, equipping students with in-demand digital skills. Through the Octave NextGen Builders Program, students will gain practical experience using professional tools used across industry projects.
Researchers develop a comprehensive framework to predict drilling instability in backfilled ground, considering strength differences and asymmetry. The proposed design criterion aims to reduce inclined drilling deviations by at least 10 millimeters per meter of depth.
Researchers developed a two-step simulation framework to assess vibration transmitted through tracks, stations, buildings, and soil near Changsha Huanghua Airport. They found that floor responses were stronger than structural columns at the same floor, with high-speed trains causing perceptible vibrations.
The study finds that increasing money spent on energy efficiency across Europe can achieve low energy demand and help reduce emissions. Optimally-targeted renovations may increase the gap between high- and low-energy-intensity areas, but complementary measures can offset this effect.
The Building Envelope Alliance brings together research institutions, universities, and innovation accelerators to provide integrated access to consulting services, testing, and training. This network aims to simplify innovation tools for designers and industry professionals, bridging the gap between technological development and pract...
MIT researchers developed a framework that allows users to apply constraints to algorithmically generated structures, making them more buildable. The approach has the potential to reduce carbon emissions in construction by up to 90% by designing structures with multiple materials and taking into account materials' properties.
Aalto University researchers have developed a simple calculation method to predict the load-bearing capacity of non-straight and organically shaped roundwood logs used as columns. This study aims to reduce material wastage and promote the use of overlooked materials in construction.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new bio-based material using yeast, cellulose, alginate, glycerol, and water. The material can be 3D printed, has customizable properties, and is biodegradable, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials.
A new study warns that the UK's failure to protect the most vulnerable people from extreme heat is becoming a public health threat. The research highlights gaps in building regulations, weak enforcement, and low public awareness as key factors contributing to the problem.
A team from Graz University of Technology has developed a prefabricated brick wall system that can be dismantled and re-used without being destroyed. The system reduces CO2 emissions by up to 60% compared to conventional construction methods, offering significant environmental benefits.
A new design system for seismic performance offers distinct advantages over conventional designs, reducing internal forces and maintaining structural integrity. The integration of tuned mass dampers achieves significant vibration reduction rates.
The University of Hong Kong has developed an AI system called eCheckGo, which can perform rapid and scalable building inspections. The system uses a proprietary Large Defect Model (LdM) to identify defects such as cracks and spalling in buildings, allowing for more frequent and proactive monitoring.
The new 21-bed ICU will increase access to advanced care and enable more Queens residents to receive care locally. Construction is expected to take approximately 16 months and will be funded in part by New York City and State as well as through Mount Sinai’s capital resources.
The joint laboratory will leverage AI to enhance urban health assessments, integrate big data, and develop integrated governance solutions. The research will focus on six core areas, including national strategic priorities and technical bottlenecks in AI and digital twins.
A mild chemical strategy enhances interfacial bonding and pore structure in biomass-based magnesium cement materials, leading to improved mechanical strength and thermal insulation. The approach promotes more uniform pore distribution, stabilizes the foam structure within the composite, and reduces environmental burden.
Elif and Alp Tural teach interior designers to consider how spaces affect users every day, emphasizing trauma-informed design and visual accessibility. Their approach aims to create legible and comfortable environments that respond to users' needs.
The Hong Kong Housing Bureau and the University of Hong Kong have signed an MOU to leverage research prowess in advancing construction technologies for public housing projects. The partnership aims to bring world-class innovations to local construction practices, prioritizing quality, sustainability, and efficiency.
Frangopol and his team develop a framework to optimize seismic retrofit strategies for deteriorating bridge columns, balancing risk and cost. The approach integrates time-dependent risk assessment, economic evaluation, and real options analysis to identify optimal intervention timing under uncertainty.
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.