95 research outputs found
Biomimicry and the built environment, learning from nature’s solutions
The growing interest in biomimicry in built environments highlights the awareness raised among designers on the potentials nature offers to human and system function improvements. Biomimicry has been widely utilized in advanced material technology. However, its potential in sustainable architecture and construction has yet to be discussed in depth. Thus, this study offers a comprehensive review of the use of biomimicry in architecture and structural engineering. It also reviews the methods in which biomimicry assists in achieving efficient, sustainable built environments. The first part of this review paper introduces the concept of biomimicry historically and practically, discusses the use of biomimicry in design and architecture, provides a comprehensive overview of the potential and benefits of biomimicry in architecture, and explores how biomimicry can be utilized in building envelops. Then, in the second part, the integration of biomimicry in structural engineering and construction is thoroughly explained through several case studies. Finally, biomimicry in architectural and structural design of built environments in creating climate-sensitive and energy-efficient design is explained
Environmental sustainability in infrastructure construction—a review study on Australian higher education program offerings
Infrastructure advancement is a key attribute that defines the development and effective growth of a city or region. Since the introduction of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (UN SDGs), more construction companies are focusing on adopting sustainable construction practices. However, a lack of relevant competencies among employees at various infrastructure construction organizations often hinders the successful implementation of sustainable practices. Education that facilitates systematic professional development and contemporary competencies’ acquisition is a key to overcoming this barrier. Thus, the current study adopts a three-stage review to identify current research trends and inform future research directions for the enhancement of the environmental sustainability competencies base for infrastructure professionals. A bibliometric assessment was first conducted followed by a focused literature review on sustainability education. Subsequently, two engineering and construction higher education curricula were assessed for infrastructure sustainability content. The results from the three-step analysis indicate that the growing interest in sustainability concepts in the construction industry is driven by policy changes. A lack of financial incentives, the unavailability of resources, a lack of motivation amongst graduates, and limited time in the infrastructure construction sector were identified as some of the major impediments for developing the environmental sustainability competencies base. The requirement for integrated and structured Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs to facilitate ongoing knowledge acquisition and structured evaluation of professional knowledge in addition to effective undergraduate program development are highlighted. The necessity for a digitally personalised platform that can graphically represent current progress and future milestones and enable peer interaction and collaboration was also identified as critical for improving the uptake of such programs. The findings from this study could be useful for government agencies and infrastructure construction organizations keen to enhance the environmental sustainability knowledge of their employees. Future studies are required to assess sustainability education across the globe and to develop new learning components of infrastructure sustainability that are validated through stakeholder participation
Current Sustainable Trends of Using Waste Materials in Concrete—A decade Review
Concrete is the most used construction material in the world. Consequently, the mass extraction of virgin materials required for concrete production causes major environmental impacts. With a focus on promoting sustainability, numerous research studies on incorporating waste materials to replace virgin substances in concrete were undertaken. Despite this vast volume of published literature, systematic research studies on these sustainable concrete mixes that inform various stakeholders on current research trends, future research directions, and marketability options products are seldom conducted. This paper presents a decade review on sustainable concrete with a focus on virgin materials being replaced with waste materials. It aims to inform researchers of current research trends and gaps in the research area of waste material use in concrete. The review also identifies key parameters that restrict the marketability of these sustainable concrete products. The three-step research methodology involves a bibliometric assessment, a key review of selected waste materials, and an interview with a panel of experts focusing on impediments towards the transition of sustainable concrete products into the industry market. Bibliometric assessment was based on 1465 research publications in which five key materials (plastic, glass, fly ash, slag) and construction and demolition waste were selected for the review. The interview was conducted with ten industry experts to discuss the industry limitations in the commercial establishment of materials. The review of existing knowledge and the findings on sustainable concrete presented in this paper provide directions for both research academics and industry stakeholders to systematically focus on sustainable concrete products that are market-ready
Understanding the street layout of Melbourne’s Chinatown as an urban heritage precinct in a grid system using space syntax methods and field observation
Melbourne’s Chinatown is the oldest in Australia. A large amount of research on this unique ethnic enclave has been conducted to elucidate its formation history, heritage significance, cultural influence and architectural features. However, the discussion of the precinct’s spatial characteristics remains mostly marginalised. As a heritage precinct in the centre of an urban grid form, the precinct offers a unique spatial experience to its visitors. To better fathom the street layout of the area, three objectives are addressed in this study, including understanding: (1) the precinct’s street network in the grid system, (2) the visibility relationship within the precinct and (3) the relationship between buildings and streets. A joint methodology framework is established to fulfil the research objectives by incorporating space syntax methods and field observation. The findings facilitate policymakers and planners in understanding the precinct’s unique street layout and making relevant preservation decisions. Further studies are encouraged to scrutinise other spatial and urban characteristics of the precinct and test the proposed methodology
Unpacking Shifts of Spatial Attributes and Typologies of Urban Identity in Heritage Assessment Post COVID-19 Using Chinatown, Melbourne, as a Case Study
Many studies acknowledge the significance of assessment frameworks for urban heritage
sites in preserving their identities. Due to the pandemic and its impact on heritage sites and visitors,
the spatial features and identities of many heritage sites have undergone inevitable shifts, challenging
the current assessment frameworks. As numerous urban heritage sites are being revitalised post
COVID-19, this study aims to explore how heritage-assessment frameworks can be adapted during
the pandemic to sustainably capture the identity of urban heritage sites, particularly from a spatial
perspective. Methodologically, the study first examines existing urban-heritage-assessment frameworks,
including typologies, embedded spatial attributes, and analysis methods, through a literature
review. The research adopts the methodology framework for collecting and assessing evidence to
demonstrate the cultural significance outlined in the ‘Guidance on identifying place and object of
state-level social value in Victoria’ under Criterion G by the Heritage Council of Victoria. Chinatown,
Melbourne, serves as the case study to address the research questions, utilising qualitative
data from archival review and field observation. The results highlight the shortcomings of current
heritage assessments, particularly in urban contexts, emphasising the overlooked importance of
spatial attributes for understanding urban identity. This is exemplified by the exacerbated identity
crisis in Chinatown, Melbourne, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the study recommends
future heritage assessments incorporate spatial attributes with a thematic approach tailored to diverse
cultural-heritage backgrounds in the post-pandemic era. The study acknowledges the sample size
and encourages future studies to test the framework with case studies of varied backgrounds
Thermal characterizations of waste cardboard kraft fibres in the context of their use as a partial cement substitute within concrete composites
The building and construction industry consumes a significant amount of virgin resources and minimizing the demand with alternative waste materials can provide a contemporary solution. In this study, thermal components of kraft fibres (KFs) derived from waste cardboard are investigated. The mechanical properties containing KFs within concrete composites are evaluated. Metakaolin (MK) and KFs were integrated into concrete samples as a partial substitute for cement. Silica Fume (SF) was applied to the KF (SFKFs) with a view to enhancing the fibre durability. The results indicated that there was a reduction in compressive strength of 44 and 56% when 10% raw and modified KFs were integrated, respectively. Raw, fibre and matrix-modified samples demonstrated a 35, 4 and 24% flexural strength reduction, respectively; however, the tensile strength improved by 8% when the matrix was modified using MK and SFKF. The morphology of the fibres was illustrated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), with an energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) provision and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) employed to gain insights into their chemical nature. The thermal, calorimetric and combustion attributes of the fibres were measured using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry (PCFC). SFKFs showed a lower heat release capacity (HRC), demonstrating a lower combustion propensity compared to raw KFs. Furthermore, the 45% decreased peak heat release rate (pHRR) of SFKFs highlighted the overall reduction in the fire hazards associated with these materials. TGA results also confirmed a lower mass weight loss of SFKFs at elevated temperatures, thus corroborating the results from the PCFC runs
Behaviour and Design of Steel Square Hollow Sections filled with High Strength Concrete
Concrete filled steel columns in multistorey buildings provide outstanding
constructability and economy when compared to traditional steel sections. However, minimal
research work and insufficient design guidance is available throughout the world, particularly
concerning slender composite columns, although they are becoming increasingly used in
multistorey buildings. This paper is concerned with the behaviour and design of high strength
concrete filled slender box columns. A series of tests were carried out which included four slender
composite columns, four slender steel columns, four short composite columns and additional
material property tests. Two different steel hollow section types were chosen for this study together
with two nominal concrete strengths of 60 and 80 MPa. The columns were tested under concentric
axial force and the experimental results are presented and discussed. The results of these
experiments, and of experiments conducted elsewhere, have been calibrated successfully with the
numerical solution developed herein. Furthermore, comparisons have been carried out between
predicted column strengths, as provided by Eurocode 4, BS5400, AS4100 and experimental test
results. Recommendations are then made which may be amenable for the designs of slender
composite columns when using high strength concrete
Gender differences in student attitudes toward engineering and academic careers
Past research has attributed many reasons for the under-representation of women in engineering and academic careers, which start from childhood and progress all the way to professional levels in adulthood. The focus of this research is on understanding barriers to further education experienced by female students in order to encourage them into postgraduate study and an academic career. A pilot study, an extensive survey of current studies, both undergraduate and postgraduate, and focus group meetings were undertaken to identify the ways female students at present feel supported in pursuing a civil engineering degree and the forms of further support that could be provided. The surveys sought answers on how best to address the obstacles that discourage women from pursuing and completeing graduate degrees
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