A Building Information Modeling-Life Cycle Cost Analysis Integrated Model to Enhance Decisions Related to the Selection of Construction Methods at the Conceptual Design Stage of Buildings

Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) provides a systematic approach to assess the total cost associated with owning, operating, and maintaining assets throughout their entire life. BIM empowers architects and designers to perform real-time evaluations to explore various design options. However, when integrated with LCCA, BIM provides a comprehensive economic perspective that helps stakeholders understand the long-term financial implications of design decisions. This study presents a methodology for developing a model that seamlessly integrates BIM and LCCA during the conceptual design stage of buildings. This integration allows for a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the design process, ensuring that the development aligns with the principles of low carbon emissions by employing modular construction, 3D concrete printing methods, and different building design alternatives. The model considers the initial construction costs in addition to all the long-term operational, maintenance, and salvage values. It combines various tools and data through different modules, including energy analysis, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to execute a comprehensive assessment of the financial implications of a specific design option throughout the lifecycle of building projects. The development of the said model and its implementation involves the creation of a new plug-in for the BIM tool (i.e., Autodesk Revit) to enhance its functionalities and capabilities in forecasting the life-cycle costs of buildings in addition to generating associated cash flows, creating scenarios, and sensitivity analyses in an automatic manner. This model empowers designers to evaluate and justify their initial investments while designing and selecting potential construction methods for buildings, and enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions by assessing different design alternatives based on long-term financial considerations during the early stages of design.

Whole-Process Project Cost Management Based on Building Information Modeling (BIM)

The whole-process project cost management based on building information modeling(BIM)is a new management method,aiming to realize the comprehensive optimization and improvement of project cost management through the application of BIM technology.This paper summarizes and analyzes the whole-process project cost management based on BIM,aiming to explore its application and development prospects in the construction industry.Firstly,this paper introduces the role and advantages of BIM technology in engineering cost management,including information integration,data sharing,and collaborative work.Secondly,the paper analyzes the key technologies and methods of the whole-process project cost management based on BIM,including model construction,data management,and cost control.In addition,the paper also discusses the challenges and limitations of the whole-process BIM project cost management,such as the inconsistency of technical standards,personnel training,and consciousness change.Finally,the paper summarizes the advantages and development prospects of the whole-process project cost management based on BIM and puts forward the direction and suggestions for future research.Through the research of this paper,it can provide a reference for construction cost management and promote innovation and development in the construction industry.

Modeling the Prospects of Plug-In Electric Buses to Reduce GHG Emissions and Cost While Meeting Route Demands: A Case Study of the “Unitrans” Bus Fleet Serving the Davis, California Urbanized Area

As university campuses look to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions, plug-in electric buses may provide a low carbon alternative to conventionally fossil-powered buses. This study investigates the viability for Unitrans, the bus service for the greater Davis area and the university campus, to replace current compressed natural gas buses with plug-in electric versions. This study presents an inventory of market available electric buses, their associated costs, incentives, and infrastructure concerns, and compares projected energy use, net present cost, and greenhouse gas emissions with their CNG counterparts. ADVISOR vehicle simulation software is used to estimate the energy use of a typical electric bus (New Flyer Xcelsior XE40 300 kW) and compare to the current CNG model (Orion V) along an actual Unitrans route. The model estimates that the selected bus can travel 146 miles on a single charge, with a fuel economy of 1.75 kWh per mile, which meets the service requirements. Results for bus replacement schedules between 5 and 49 in the 12-year analysis period indicate that between 1600 and 22,000 MT of carbon can be avoided. The net present cost analysis indicates that the potential savings from the replacement of a single CNG bus with an electric bus (with available incentives) ranges from $146,000 - $211,000 per bus over its lifetime, depending on infrastructure costs.

基于24Model-D-ISM的地铁站火灾疏散影响因素研究

为预防地铁站火灾事故,深入了解地铁站火灾人员疏散影响因素间的内在联系与层次结构,基于第6版“2-4”模型(24Model)分析63起地铁站火灾疏散事故,充分考虑各个因素之间的交互作用,提取19个影响地铁站人员疏散的关键因素,建立地铁站火灾人员疏散影响因素指标体系;采用算子客观赋权法(C-OWA)改进决策试验与评价实验法(DEMATEL),确定地铁站火灾人员疏散的重要影响因素;在此基础上,采用解释结构模型(ISM)分析各个因素间的层次结构及相互作用路径,构建地铁站火灾人员疏散影响因素的多级递阶结构模型。研究结果表明:疏散引导、恐慌从众行为、人员拥挤为地铁站火灾人员疏散的关键影响因素;地铁站火灾人员疏散受表层因素、中间层因素、深层因素共同作用的影响,其中,疏散教育与培训、设施维护与检查、疏散预案等因素是根源影响因素,重视根源影响因素的改善有利于从本质上预防和控制事故的发生。

CGE model-based analysis of the neutralized hybrid carbon policy and its decomposed effects on economic growth,carbon reduction,and energy utilization costs

The hybrid policy is a flexible policy tool that combines features of carbon trading and carbon taxation.Its economic and environmental effects under China's background are still not studied in detail.Given the exogenous carbon reduction targets,carbon prices,and carbon tax-rates,by computable general equilibrium modeling methods and factor decomposition methods,this article investigates direct and cascaded effects of the hybrid policy on economic growth,energy utilization,and carbon emission on the national level and the sector level,with China's national input-output data-set.Stepwisely,policy scenarios with irrational estimated results are selectively excluded based on comprehensive evaluation among economic,carbon reduction and other policy targets.As a result,against national economic conditions in 2007,the hybrid policy,with a carbon reduction target of -10%,a carbon tax-rate of around $10,and a ceiling carbon price of $40,is highly recommended,because of its significant lower economic loss,lower energy utilization cost,and practical robustness against fluctuation of energy market and carbon market.Furthermore,by decomposition analysis,carbon reduction-related costs are decomposed into a direct part that includes carbon allowance price and carbon tax,and an indirect part as the energy price incremental induced by direct carbon costs.Gross carbon reduction may be decomposed into three parts such as energy intensity,economic scale,and technical progress.And,carbon taxation is the main policy tool that stimulates to improve the energy efficiency.

The Impact of the Digital Economy on Financial Regulatory Costs: An Empirical Analysis Based on the Solow Growth Model

As a novel economic form,the digital economy is reshaping the financial regulatory landscape and significantly impacting regulatory costs.This paper incorporates the digital economy and financial regulatory costs into the classic Solow growth model,uncovering an inverted U-shaped relationship between them.A subsequent mechanism analysis explains the rationale behind this relationship.To empirically examine this relationship in China,the paper utilizes inter-provincial panel data from 2013 to 2021 and employs methodologies such as the two-way fixed effects and moderating effects models.These analyses have important implications for the sound and sustainable development of China’s financial industry.The findings indicate:(a)As China’s digital economy develops,its impact on financial regulatory costs follows an inverted U-shaped pattern,initially increasing and then declining.This conclusion remains valid after robustness tests.(b)The influence of the digital economy on regulatory costs depends on favorable external conditions.Specifically,the impact is more pronounced in regions and periods with better digital infrastructure and more abundant human capital.(c)Additionally,redundant resources moderate this impact,which can weaken the inverted U-shaped relationship.Our findings not only provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the impact of the digital economy on financial regulatory costs but also offer valuable policy insights for optimizing financial regulation in China.

Modeling Anthrax with Optimal Control and Cost Effectiveness Analysis

Anthrax is an infection caused by bacteria and it affects both human and animal populations. The disease can be categorized under zoonotic diseases and humans can contract infections through contact with infected animals, ingest contaminated dairy and animal products. In this paper, we developed a mathematical model for anthrax transmission dynamics in both human and animal populations with optimal control. The qualitative solution of the model behaviour was analyzed by determining Rhv, equilibrium points and sensitivity analysis. A vaccination class was incorporated into the model with waning immunity. Local and global stability of the model’s equilibria was found to be locally asymptotically stable whenever Rhv Rhv. It was revealed that reducing animal and human interaction rate, would decrease Rhv. We extended the model to optimal control in order to find the best control strategy in reducing anthrax infections. It showed that the effective strategy in combating the anthrax epidemics is vaccination of animals and prevention of humans.

A Review of Energy-Related Cost Issues and Prediction Models in Cloud Computing Environments

With the expansion of cloud computing,optimizing the energy efficiency and cost of the cloud paradigm is considered significantly important,since it directly affects providers’revenue and customers’payment.Thus,providing prediction information of the cloud services can be very beneficial for the service providers,as they need to carefully predict their business growths and efficiently manage their resources.To optimize the use of cloud services,predictive mechanisms can be applied to improve resource utilization and reduce energy-related costs.However,such mechanisms need to be provided with energy awareness not only at the level of the Physical Machine(PM)but also at the level of the Virtual Machine(VM)in order to make improved cost decisions.Therefore,this paper presents a comprehensive literature review on the subject of energy-related cost issues and prediction models in cloud computing environments,along with an overall discussion of the closely related works.The outcomes of this research can be used and incorporated by predictive resource management techniques to make improved cost decisions assisted with energy awareness and leverage cloud resources efficiently.

A Heuristics-Based Cost Model for Scientic Workow Scheduling in Clou

Scientic Workow Applications(SWFAs)can deliver collaborative tools useful to researchers in executing large and complex scientic processes.Particularly,Scientic Workow Scheduling(SWFS)accelerates the computational procedures between the available computational resources and the dependent workow jobs based on the researchers’requirements.However,cost optimization is one of the SWFS challenges in handling massive and complicated tasks and requires determining an approximate(near-optimal)solution within polynomial computational time.Motivated by this,current work proposes a novel SWFS cost optimization model effective in solving this challenge.The proposed model contains three main stages:(i)scientic workow application,(ii)targeted computational environment,and(iii)cost optimization criteria.The model has been used to optimize completion time(makespan)and overall computational cost of SWFS in cloud computing for all considered scenarios in this research context.This will ultimately reduce the cost for service consumers.At the same time,reducing the cost has a positive impact on the protability of service providers towards utilizing all computational resources to achieve a competitive advantage over other cloud service providers.To evaluate the effectiveness of this proposed model,an empirical comparison was conducted by employing three core types of heuristic approaches,including Single-based(i.e.,Genetic Algorithm(GA),Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO),and Invasive Weed Optimization(IWO)),Hybrid-based(i.e.,Hybrid-based Heuristics Algorithms(HIWO)),and Hyper-based(i.e.,Dynamic Hyper-Heuristic Algorithm(DHHA)).Additionally,a simulation-based implementation was used for SIPHT SWFA by considering three different sizes of datasets.The proposed model provides an efcient platform to optimally schedule workow tasks by handing data-intensiveness and computational-intensiveness of SWFAs.The results reveal that the proposed cost optimization model attained an optimal Job completion time(makespan)and total computational cost for small and large sizes of the considered dataset.In contrast,hybrid and hyper-based approaches consistently achieved better results for the medium-sized dataset.

Periodic Packing Mode for Trickle-Bed Reactors: Experiments and Modeling

A periodic packing mode of trickle-bed reactor (TBR) for the gas limited reaction was proposed. Hy-drogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone over Pd/Al2O3 in a laboratory-scale TBR was taken as a test reaction for determining whether the periodic packing mode is advantageous. The effects of operating conditions and packing type on TBR performance were experimentally examined to demonstrate the cause-effect relationships. A mathe-matic model of TBR considering axial dispersion and fractional wetting was developed to quantitatively illuminate the reason of performance enhancement.

Roll System and Stock's Multi-parameter Coupling Dynamic Modeling Based on the Shape Control of Steel Strip

The existence of rolling deformation area in the rolling mill system is the main characteristic which dis- tinguishes the other machinery. In order to analyze the dynamic property of roll system＇s flexural deformation, it is necessary to consider the transverse periodic movement of stock in the rolling deformation area which is caused by the flexural deformation movement of roll system simul- taneously. Therefore, the displacement field of roll system and flow of metal in the deformation area is described by kinematic analysis in the dynamic system. Through intro- ducing the lateral displacement function of metal in the deformation area, the dynamic variation of per unit width rolling force can be determined at the same time. Then the coupling law caused by the co-effect of rigid movement and flexural deformation of the system structural elements is determined. Furthermore, a multi-parameter coupling dynamic model of the roll system and stock is established by the principle of virtual work. More explicitly, the cou- pled motion modal analysis was made for the roll system. Meanwhile, the analytical solutions for the flexural defor- mation movement＇s mode shape functions of rolls are discussed. In addition, the dynamic characteristic of the lateral flow of metal in the rolling deformation area has been analyzed at the same time. The establishment ofdynamic lateral displacement function of metal in the deformation area makes the foundation for analyzing the coupling law between roll system and rolling deformation area, and provides a theoretical basis for the realization of the dynamic shape control of steel strip.

Guaranteed Cost Control for Uncertain Nonlinear Time-Delay Neutral Systems Based on T-S Fuzzy Model

The problem of guaranteed cost fuzzy controller is studied for a class of nonlinear time-delay neutral sys-tems with norm-bounded uncertainty based on T-S model. The sufficient conditions are first derived for the existenceof guaranteed cost fuzzy controllers. These sufficient conditions are equivalent to a kind of linear matrix inequalities.Furthermore, a convex optimization problem with LMI constraints is formulated to design the optimal guaranteedcost controller.

Kinetic Modeling the Formation of Low-mature Gases and Analysis of the Possibility to Be Accumulated

At present, shallow gases have received much attention due to low cost in exploration and production. Low-mature gases, as one significant origin to shallow gas, turns to be an important research topic. The present understanding of low-mature gases is confined within some geological cases, and few laboratory studies have been reported. Therefore, the potential and characters of low- mature gases are not clear up to now. Here, two premature samples （one coal and the other shale） were pyrolyzed in a gold confined system. The gaseous components including hydrocarbon gases and non-hydrocarbon gases were analyzed. Based on kinetic modeling, the formation of low-mature gases was modeled. The results showed that during low mature stage, about 178 mL/gTOC gas was generated from the shale and 100 mL/gTOC from the coal. Two third to three fourth of the generated gases are non-hydrocarbon gases such as H2S and CO2. The total yields of C1-5 for the two samples are almost the same, 30-40 mL/gTOC, but individual gaseous hydrocarbon is different. The shale has much lower C1 but higher C2-5, whereas the coal has higher C1 but lower C2-5. Hydrocarbon gases formed during low-mature stage are very wet. The stable carbon isotope ratios of methane range from -40‰ to -50‰ （PDB）, in good consistence with empiric criterion for low-mature gases summed up by the previous researchers. The generation characters suggest that the low-mature gases could be accumulated to form an economic gas reservoir, but most of them occur only as associated gases.

Thermodynamic modeling and phase diagram prediction of salt lake brine systemsⅡ.Aqueous Li^(+)-Na^(+)-K^(+)-SO_(4)^(2-) and its subsystems

It is still a challenging task to accurately and temperature-continuously express the thermodynamic properties and phase equilibrium behaviors of the salt-lake brine with multi-component,multitemperature and high concentration.The essential subsystem of sulfate type brine,aqueous Li^(+)-Na^(+)-K^(+)-SO_(4)^(2-) and its subsystems across a temperature range from 250 K to 643 K are investigated with the improved comprehensive thermodynamic model.Liquid parameters(Δg_(IJ),Δh_(IJ),and ΔC_(p,IJ))associated with the contributions of Gibbs energy,enthalpy,and heat capacity to the binary interaction parameters,i.e.the temperature coefficients of eNRTL parameters formulated with a Gibbs Helmholtz expression,are determined via multi-objective optimization method.The solid constantsΔ_(f)G_(k)°^((298.15))andΔ_(f)H_(k)°^((298.15))of11 solid species occurred in the quaternary system are rebuilt from multi-temperature solubilities.The modeling results show the accurate representation of(1)solution properties and binary phase diagram at temperature ranges from eutectic points to 643 K;(2)isothermal phase diagrams for Li_(2)SO_(4)-Na_(2)SO_(4)-H_(2)O,Li_(2)SO_(4)-K_(2)SO_(4)-H_(2)O and Na_(2)SO_(4)-K_(2)SO_(4)-H_(2)O ternary systems.The predicted results of complete structure and polythermal phase diagram of ternary systems and the isothermal phase diagrams of quaternary system excellently match with the experimental data.

Charging Ahead with E-Buses: Benefits, Costs, and Transition Roadmap

This paper reaches a recommendation for the 10-year e-bus transition roadmap for New York City. The lifecycle model of emission reduction demonstrates the ecological and financial impacts of a complete transition from the current diesel bus fleet to an all-electric bus fleet in New York City by 2033. This study focuses on the NOx pollution, which is the highest among all major cities by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and greenhouse gases (GHG) with annual emissions of over five million tons. Our model predicts that switching to an all-electric bus fleet will cut GHG emissions by over 390,000 tons and NOx emissions by over 1300 tons annually, in addition to other pollutants such as VOCs and PM 2.5. yielding an annual economic benefit of over 75.94 million USD. This aligns with the city mayor office’s initiative of achieving total carbon neutrality. We further model an optimized transition roadmap that balances ecological and long-term benefits against the costs of the transition, emphasizing feasibility and alignment with the natural replacement cycle of existing buses, ensuring a steady budgeting pattern to minimize interruptions and resistance. Finally, we advocate for collaboration between government agencies, public transportation authorities, and private sectors, including electric buses and charging facility manufacturers, which is essential for fostering innovation and reducing the costs associated with the transition to e-buses.

Aeroelastic modeling of wind loading on a cable-net supported glass wall

Wind loading study on a cable-net supported glass wall is conducted by means of wind tunnel tests. An equiva- lent aeroelastic model is designed and constructed. Response of displacements of the wall is measured and analyzed. In order to design a glass wall under wind loading, the ＂wind- vibration factor＂ is estimated and discussed. In fact, the mech- anism of wind acting on the wall is commonly known not only as positive pressure, but also as negative pressure caused by the flow separation on the corners of the building. Due to the diffidence in the mechanism of wind acting, two typi- cal response cases are classified. The results show that the dynamic response of the structure caused by the negative pressure is stronger than that of the positive pressure case. To determine the aerodynamic wind loading on a flexible part of structure on a building, wind tunnel study may be useful and play an important role.

Lumped parameter analytic modeling and behavioral simulation of a 3-DOF MEMS gyro-accelerometer

A new analytical model of a 3-degree-of-freedom （3-DOF） gyro-accelerometer system consisting of a 1-DOF drive and 2-DOF sense modes is presented. The model constructs lumped differential equations associated with each DOFof the system by vector analysis. The coupled differential equations thus established are solved analytically for their responses in both the time and frequency domains. Considering these frequency response equations, novel device design concepts are derived by forcing the sense phase to zero, which leads to a certain relationship between the structural frequencies, thereby causing minimization of the damping effect on the performance of the system. Furthermore, the feasibility of the present gyro-accelerometer structure is studied using a unique discriminatory scheme for the detection of both gyro action and linear acceleration at their events. This scheme combines the formulated settled transient solution of the gyro-accelerometer with the processes of synchronous demodulation and filtration, which leads to the in-phase and quadrature components of the system＇s output signal. These two components can be utilized in the detection of angular motion and linear acceleration. The obtained analytical results are validated by simulation in a MATLAB/Simulink environment, and it is found that the results are in excellent agreement with each other.

Analysis of Satisfaction with Business Cost in Shanghai Using Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Tracing the origins of business cost, to define the satisfaction assessment factors on the business cost in Shanghai was investigated in this paper. Arguing that these effects: a single low cost is not only the criterion determining satisfaction. Other important factors, such as enterprise internal cognitive attitude,stability of the external environment,the quality of perceptions of government services can affect satisfaction. Within structural equation modeling( SEM) approach, six sets of hypotheses are drawn up and tested with a sample of 338 enterprises using questionnaires. Additionally,the analyses of findings introduce the crucial importance of these features in the assessment of satisfaction with business cost in Shanghai. Finally, the results show that internal cognitive has a positive impact on satisfaction. Stability of the external environment has a significant relationship with the effectiveness of government services. Stability of the external environmeat and the effectiveness of government servises have a positive effect on satisfaction.

基于COST-DEA指数法对某三甲医院临床病区成本效率分析

目的测量某三甲医院各临床病区的成本效率、技术效率和配置效率,为实现医院高质量发展和精细化管理提供数据参考。方法利用数据包络法中的CCR、BCC和COST-DEA模型,测量该三甲医院各临床病区的相关效率值。结果2019年该三甲医院各临床病区的成本效率均值为0.675,配置效率均值为0.782,技术效率均值为0.853,纯技术效率均值为0.902,规模效率均值为0.944。51个临床病区中,7个处于规模报酬递增状态,占比13.73%;23个处于规模报酬不变状态,占比45.10%;21个处于规模报酬递减状态,占比41.17%。结论该三甲医院各临床病区成本效率主要受到配置效率的影响,需要合理配置医疗资源;部分临床病区需要提高内部精细化管理水平实现产出增加。

A software cost model with maintenance and risk costs for safety-critical systems

According to the consequences of software failures, software faults remaining in safety-critical systems can be classified into two sets： common faults and fatal faults. Common faults cause slight loss when they are activated. A fatal fault can lead to significant loss, and even damage the safety-crltical system entirely when it is activated. A software reliability growth model for safety-critical systems is developed based on G - 0 model. And a software cost model is proposed too. The cost model considers maintenance and risk costs due to software failures. The optimal release policies are discussed to minimize the total software cost. A numerical exampie is provided to illustrate how to use the results we obtained.