Structural modelling investigation of reciprocally supported element lattice honeycomb domes

Reciprocally supported element (RSE) lattice honeycomb dome structures have the ability to support considerable loading via their composition of interconnected closed circuits of elements. Distinctively, these dome structures use only three elements in each circuit. To understand the structural behaviour of these RSE lattice domes, a structural modelling investigation was carried out. Global linear elas- tic analysis was considered where the behaviour of the structure under the application of loading on selected elements was monitored. The aim of the modelling was to investigate the influencing factors to monitor for model calibration as well as to compare predicted structural behaviour output with future monitored behaviour in laboratory experiments involving the manufacture and construction of an RSE lattice honeycomb dome structure. The creation of the selected RSE honeycomb lattice structures together with the structural modelling findings are presented and discussed. Predicted displacements and stresses were compared under varying boundary support conditions. The von Mises ductile material failure criterion showing the onset of local yielding is considered

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Joseph Rizzuto and Indira Chauhan explain that fostering positive relations between industry and academia can provide valuable learning opportunities for built environment students

Experimental investigation of reciprocally supported element (RSE) lattice honeycomb domes structural behaviour

The honeycomb configuration of the many Diamatic dome patterns available is particularly convenient for reciprocally supported element (RSE) transformation. This is due to there being only three lattice bar elements intersecting at any apex, irrespective of the number of the bar elements used to form the crown polygon. RSE transformation effort therefore is both reduced and simplified compared to some RSE forms. To inform the understanding of the structural behaviour of honeycomb RSE lattice domes, a study comparing structural modelling predicted behaviour with monitored behaviour in the laboratory was carried out. This investigation focused on the structural behaviour of a RSE lattice honeycomb dome structure under applied static loading. The first part of the study included configuration processing, structural modelling and analysis. The second part involved manufacture, construction and monitored behaviour of the dome in the laboratory. The creation of the selected RSE honeycomb lattice structure together with the structural modelling and experimental outputs are presented and discussed. Predicted displacements and stresses are compared under varying applied loading, boundary support conditions and connection stiffnesses. The locations of the onset of local yielding is considered and discussed. The applied loading did not exceed the tube yield stress according to the von Mises ductile material failure criterion indicating that the dome behaviour observed was elastic

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Peer reviewe

Understanding feedback and feed-forward: insights drawn from project-based learning

Feedback plays an integral role in the success of Project-based learning (PBL). It is very important that students recognise when feedback is being provided and that it is constructive; not just backward-looking, and includes explanations on aspects of the work which are relevant to subsequent assessments (HEA, 2013; Doughney, 2014). Focusing on particular factors therefore helps feedback to function as feed-forward for future work (Nicol and Macfarlane-Dick, 2006). PBL is an active and dynamic pedagogy where students learn by enacting and solving real case scenarios involving, in this case, the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure. Project-based design modules mostly involve group work which leads to enhanced communication and the development of inter-personal skills (HEA, 2103). Assessment in PBL is often via group and individual submissions with the individual submission set to determine each student’s overall contribution. This normally requires reflection on group interaction and is based on gained experience of how concept and final designs, procedures and time management are developed (Choi and Kim, 2016; Royalty, 2017). The student output expected in PBL requires thinking and creativity focussed on seeking satisfactory solutions which are usually balanced against client needs (Adams et.al., 2011). Assessment tasks in PBL need to be carefully defined to ensure they allow for personal decision making and also cover learning outcomes (Saidani and Rizzuto, 2000; May, 2009). Students rely on good quality, effective and timely feedback to identify areas in which they are doing well and areas in need of development (QAA, 2018). Students’ understanding of the feedback they receive is therefore very important. This is seen as an activity that helps accelerate student learning as continual discourse creates a positive educational environment which enhances student performance and outcome. The presentation of this Abstract will highlight how feedback and feed-forward is implemented to benefit student learning in PBL. References Adams, R.S., Daly, S.R, & Mann, L.M (2011) Being a professional: Three lenses into design thinking, acting and being. Design Studies 32(6) November 2011. Choi, H.H. & Kim, M.J. (2016) The effects of analogical and metaphorical reasoning on design thinking. Thinking skills and Creativity 23: 29-41. Doughney, L. (2014) Providing effective feedback to students. Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Melbourne. Available at: https://arts.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1722397/providing-effective-feedback-to-students.pdf Higher Education Academy. (2013) HEA Feedback toolkit. Available at: ttps://www.heacademy.ac.uk/system/files/resources/feedback_toolkit_whole1.pdf Higher Education Academy (2014) Assessment and feedback. Teaching International Students Project. Available at: https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/system/files/resources/assessment_and_feedback.pdf May, I.M (2009) What should we teach in structural engineering design. ICE Proceedings, Civil Engineering, 162:187-191. Nicol, D.J & Macfarlane-Dick (2006) Formative assessment and self-regulated learning; a model and seven principles of good feedback practice. Studies in Higher Education, 3(2):199-218. Quality Assurance Agency - QAA (2018). UK quality code for higher education. Advice and Guidance; Assessment. UK Standing Committee for higher education. Royalty, A. (2017) Design based pedagogy; Investigating an emerging approach to teaching design to non-designers. Mechanism and Machine theory 125. Saidani, M. & Rizzuto, J.P. (2000) Engineering Design Assisted by physical Models, Proc. Int. Colloquium on Structural Morphology Delft, The Netherlands, The International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures: 422-426

Reciprocally Supported Elements (RSE) Space Structure Configurations

Creative, imaginative and inventive engineered architectural forms can be achieved when using multiple circuit arrangements of reciprocally supported elements (RSE). The appearance of the resulting family of space structures can often be similar to woven basket assemblies. Structural elements of various cross-sections and materials can be used for RSE circuit construction. When a circuit of RSEs is formed, only pairs of the reciprocally supported elements are required to be connected to one another as they rely on one another for mutual support. Potential applications of the MSE system range from the construction sector to aid work as these can be mobile and rapidly assembled structures. This potentially results in an economic advantage over the more traditional connection systems used in space structures where, for example, machined cast ball-joints connectors are employed. By comparison, the connection between RSE pairs can be considerably simplified, in many cases, to the use of single bolts. When carrying out numerical modelling of RSE space structures, the connection stiffness of the joints is found to be an important factor in the resulting design. The joint connection stiffness associated with the use of cylindrical elements is investigated and reviewed with practical aspects of assembly discussed

Perceptions and Reuse of Concrete Building Structures

Concrete has gone through significant changes in popularity in the United Kingdom. This paper explores factors associated with shifts in the perception, and reuse of concrete buildings. and how these changes have influenced the use of concrete in Architecture and Design in the UK. The popularity of concrete has fluctuated over the past few decades. This is driven by a combination of cultural, aesthetic and sustainability factors. In the 1980’s and 90’s fairfaced, textured, bush-hammered concrete acquired a reputation which took some three decades to reverse. UK public opinion on concrete ‘Brutalist’ buildings of these decades is mixed, but tends to often be negative, where terms used include ‘Depressing’, ‘Hideous’, ‘Monstrosities’, ‘Eyesores’. There is currently a growing appreciation for the history and cultural significance of concrete and specifically ‘Brutalist’ architecture. Although these buildings were previously despised, they are now recognised as part of the UK’s architectural heritage and efforts are made to preserve them for future generations. Buildings and complexes, which were once run-down urban environments, are now changed into more desirable housing complexes often leading to drastic social changes in the area. Concrete has been generally seen as a material that has significant environmental impact, especially in terms of carbon emissions. Concrete’s durability, thermal mass and fire protection properties paired with advances in technology that can improve the appearance and consistency of finishes, have all improved the popularity of concrete. Strides are also being made to improve the sustainability of concrete constituent materials. The positioning of concrete as a sustainable, energy efficient building material that can also have an aesthetic appeal, combined with its versatility and durability, make concrete once again a popular choice for contemporary architecture and Interior design. Keywords: architecture, concrete buildings, aesthetics, sustainabilit

Real-time flood overflow forecasting in Urban Drainage Systems by using time-series multi-stacking of data mining techniques

© 2023 The Author(s).Overflow forecasting in early warning systems is acknowledged as an essential task for devastating urban flood risk management. Although many machine learning models have been developed recently to forecast water levels in urban drainage systems (UDS), they usually require big and accurate data resources [1]. Alternatively, ensemble data mining models are becoming more popular, in which time-series numerical data are turned into the categorised features that classify wet weather conditions as two classes of overflow and non-overflow conditions [2]. However, the concept of time-series ensemble modelling i.e., blending different data mining techniques for predictions with different timesteps is still new [3]. Furthermore, the application of more advanced models, particularly multi-blending in these types of ensemble modelling requires more investigation. This study aims to introduce a novel multi-stacking model that integrates different decision tree frameworks by developing various base weak learner data mining techniques and associated base model performance indicators in the process of time-series blending of pre-trained stacked ensemble models. The performance of this new approach is compared by several previously developed ensemble models [2] through confusion matrix performance criteria, including hit rate, overestimation, and underestimation. This method is demonstrated by its application to a real case study of UDS located in the northwest of London for performance assessment up to 5hr ahead (i.e., 20 timesteps with 15-min intervals). In total, 140 base-models and 20 stacked models were developed that are stored in the data warehouse to use as real-time early-warning flood overflow forecasting for this case study. These developed models were used through introduced decision three framework that specified stacking blending methodology. Results show that while base models and stacked models suffer from high miss rate, especially for forecasting more than 3hrs ahead (more than 50%), the proposed multi-stacking model could perfectly maintain the miss rate (i.e., sum of over- and under-estimations) of up to 4hr-ahead predictions less than 10%, but this rate dropped to nearly 30% for 5hr-ahead predictions. However, the rate of overflow forecasting remained acceptably near 80% whereas it is recorded to less than 58% for other benchmark models. Using different decision frameworks for determining importance of each stacked model in blending mode of multi-stacking method shows could reduce errors in forecasting rate and take advantage of each model in real-time early warning urban flood forecasting.Peer reviewe

Enhancing urban flood forecasting in drainage systems using dynamic ensemble-based data mining

This study presents a novel approach for urban flood forecasting in drainage systems using a dynamic ensemble-based data mining model which has yet to be utilised properly in this context. The proposed method incorporates an event identification technique and rainfall feature extraction to develop weak learner data mining models. These models are then stacked to create a time-series ensemble model using a decision tree algorithm and confusion matrix-based blending method. The proposed model was compared to other commonly used ensemble models in a real-world urban drainage system in the UK. The results show that the proposed model achieves a higher hit rate compared to other benchmark models, with a hit rate of around 85% vs 70 % for the next 3 h of forecasting. Additionally, the proposed smart model can accurately classify various timesteps of flood or non-flood events without significant lag times, resulting in fewer false alarms, reduced unnecessary risk management actions, and lower costs in real-time early warning applications. The findings also demonstrate that two features, "antecedent precipitation history" and "seasonal time occurrence of rainfall," significantly enhance the accuracy of flood forecasting with a hit rate accuracy ranging from 60 % to 10 % for a lead time of 15 min to 3 h

Perceptions and Reuse of Concrete Building Structures

Concrete has gone through significant changes in popularity in the United Kingdom. This paper explores factors associated with shifts in the perception, and reuse of concrete buildings. and how these changes have influenced the use of concrete in Architecture and Design in the UK. The popularity of concrete has fluctuated over the past few decades. This is driven by a combination of cultural, aesthetic and sustainability factors. In the 1980’s and 90’s fairfaced, textured, bush-hammered concrete acquired a reputation which took some three decades to reverse. UK public opinion on concrete ‘Brutalist’ buildings of these decades is mixed, but tends to often be negative, where terms used include ‘Depressing’, ‘Hideous’, ‘Monstrosities’, ‘Eyesores’. There is currently a growing appreciation for the history and cultural significance of concrete and specifically ‘Brutalist’ architecture. Although these buildings were previously despised, they are now recognised as part of the UK’s architectural heritage and efforts are made to preserve them for future generations. Buildings and complexes, which were once run-down urban environments, are now changed into more desirable housing complexes often leading to drastic social changes in the area. Concrete has been generally seen as a material that has significant environmental impact, especially in terms of carbon emissions. Concrete’s durability, thermal mass and fire protection properties paired with advances in technology that can improve the appearance and consistency of finishes, have all improved the popularity of concrete. Strides are also being made to improve the sustainability of concrete constituent materials. The positioning of concrete as a sustainable, energy efficient building material that can also have an aesthetic appeal, combined with its versatility and durability, make concrete once again a popular choice for contemporary architecture and Interior design