Current Issue : July-September Volume : 2025 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 5 Articles
A 3D visual presentation provides a wide spectrum of interpretive and collaborative possibilities. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is becoming increasingly popular in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) sector. However, it mainly applies to cubic (building structures) and infrastructure projects. BIM is rarely used in the digitization of aboveground or underground networks. The purpose of this article is to fill this research gap and to demonstrate, through a case study, the real benefits of processing integrated 3D data covering civil structures, technical infrastructure and networks. The methodology of this paper included all steps towards the creation of an integrated model of a district heating network and the infrastructure located in its vicinity. The results show that integrated BIM models can help minimize or prevent design and execution collisions. This article undertakes critical inquiry and presents a unique approach to modeling urban spaces. The integrated BIM model enables management of the life cycle of a district heating network using a wide range of applications depending on the nature of the data, analysis and simulation. This article contributes to the discussion on modeling transmission infrastructure and integrating it with existing spatial models and databases. This paper presents innovative and significant interdisciplinary research....
To analyze the impact of capacity uncertainty on the seismic collapse fragility of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures, a fragility analysis framework based on seismic reliability methods is proposed. First, incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) curves are plotted by IDA under a group of natural seismic waves. Subsequently, collapse points are identified based on recommendations from relevant standards, yielding the probability distribution of the maximum inter-story drift ratios (MIDRs) at collapse points. Then, the distribution of the MIDRs under various intensity measures (IMs) of artificial seismic waves is calculated by using the fractional exponential moments-based maximum entropy method (FEM-MEM). Next, the structural failure probability is determined based on the combined performance index (CPI), and a seismic collapse fragility curve is plotted using the four-parameter shifted generalized lognormal distribution (SGLD) model. The results indicate that the collapse probability is lower considering the capacity uncertainty. Compared to deterministic MIDR limits of 1/25 and 1/50, the median values of the structure’s collapse resistance increased by 13.2% and 87.3%, respectively. Additionally, the failure probability obtained by considering the capacity uncertainty is lower than the results based on deterministic limits alone. These findings highlight the importance of considering capacity uncertainty in seismic risk assessments of RC frame structures....
The use of thermal insulation materials in the production of masonry is one of the most effective ways of using green building technology. An evaluation of key design and wall parameters which affect the performance of the selfinsulating concrete masonry shear walls (SCMSW) is presented. Numerical models using simplified micro modeling techniques were developed to predict the behavior of the building. Performance is evaluated with respect to predicted load capacities, drift, displacement ductility, plastic hinge length, amount of energy dissipation and value of equivalent hysteretic damping. The FE results by using ABAQUS were also compared to results obtained by an experimental program to gain a better understanding of how the parameters influence wall behavior, and the results were in accordance. It was concluded that the proposed models can be used to deduct the general behavior of grouted specimens. Finally, an example of an eighteen-story building under an earthquake excitation was provided to provide a practical application of self-insulating concrete masonry shear walls....
Capacity curves are essential in the evaluation of seismic fragility of structures and especially in seismic risk assessments. The most widely used approach for evaluating capacity curves is based on static nonlinear analyses performed in dedicated software. However, a validation of such curves is necessary considering the uncertainties associated with the analyses. Overall, 18% of the population of Romania that lives in reinforced concrete buildings inhabits high-rise structures. In Bucharest, the percentage of people living in the same category of structures is more than 40%. A large part of these structures was built before the Vrancea 1977 earthquake. In this context, this paper presents a review of existing capacity curves for this category of high-rise reinforced concrete structures in Romania. Next, an analysis of relevant ground motions recorded on buildings during various Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes (1986 and 1990) is performed. In addition, results from various ambient vibration measurements are also used for a more thorough understanding of the dynamic characteristics of the buildings and of their stiffness. A comparison between the analytical capacity curves and the data from ground motion recordings is presented, highlighting significant differences, especially for reinforced concrete frame structures. Finally, updated capacity curves for high-rise residential structures constructed before 1977 are proposed by combining the analytical results with the earthquake data....
The traditional timber architecture of Qiandongnan represents a rich cultural heritage. However, urbanization has led to the replacement of these structures with concrete and brick buildings, resulting in the loss of both functionality and cultural identity. To bridge the gap between traditional architecture and modern building needs, this study conducted field surveys to extract key design parameters from local structures, enabling the development of a modular framework for Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) based on the dimensions of traditional dwellings. Four types of SIPs were developed using Chinese fir, OSB, EPS, and XPS, and their thermal performance and heat stability were evaluated through theoretical analysis and hot box testing. The results show that all specimens met the required heat transfer coefficient. The combination of OSB and XPS showed a slightly lower heat transfer coefficient of 0.60 compared to Chinese fir, which had a coefficient of 0.62. However, the Chinese fir–XPS combination provided the longest time lag of 6.34 h, indicating superior thermal stability. Due to the widespread use of Chinese fir in local construction and its compatibility with the landscape, this combination is ideal for both energy efficiency and cultural preservation....
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