An Integrated Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Circular Economy (CE) Model for the Management of Construction and Deconstruction Waste Based on Construction Methods

As the climate change signs become more noticeable, the concern to prioritize sustainability within the AEC industry intensifies. This particularly pertained to issues related to the demand of resources, the excessive consumption of raw materials, and the associated generated waste. Presently, the construction industry is ranked among the industries that are accountable for the global generation of solid waste and energy consumption, leading to detrimental environmental effects. Nonetheless, over the years, construction methods, technological innovations, and building practices have made considerable progress, influenced by a growing emphasis on sustainability, especially in energy conservation and in adopting the Industrialized Production layer of Construction 4.0 (i.e., modular prefabrication, 3D concrete printing, and BIM). The concept of Circular Economy (CE) has been identified as a potential solution to achieve sustainability in building construction through the design, construction, and end-of-life deconstruction processes that enhance the management of waste based on the framework that is related to reducing, reusing, and recycling. Moreover, information and data related to geolocation complement advanced digital technologies by providing a collaborative platform that supports the application of CE as a practical approach to sustainability. Thus, this study will provide a straightforward methodology for developing a model that integrates BIM and sustainable design with Circular Economy’s concept to enhance the sustainability of construction projects to minimize their waste based on various construction methods (i.e., conventional, modular, and 3D concrete printing). The proposed model interrelates tools and data for the evaluation and planning strategies for the construction and deconstruction waste (CDW) management at the design stage, including estimating the quantities of the wasted materials, quantifying the production rates of selected equipment for the waste handling (loading and hauling) at the various stages of a project as well their associated cost. The proposed model will help users to calculate the quantity of construction and deconstruction waste (CDW) during the design of buildings based on their different construction methods at the early stage by using the concept of Design for Deconstruction (DfD);sustainable construction methods;and deconstruction process for waste management, which will lead to the suitable construction method.

Exploration of Construction Organization for Maintenance of Steam Turbine Equipment in Thermal Power Plants

The continuous development of the power industry has had a positive impact on thermal power plants,helping them maintain a good production form.In the use of steam turbine equipment in thermal power plants,to prolong its lifespan and avoid safety hazards,it is necessary to pay attention to strengthening maintenance and construction organization,better implementing effective organizational work,and effectively applying steam turbine equipment to ensure the sustainable development of thermal power plants.This article discusses the concept of equipment maintenance from the perspective of steam turbine equipment in thermal power plants,analyzes the current situation of equipment maintenance,and proposes a specific construction organization to provide a reference for steam turbine equipment maintenance.

Analysis of the Forming Process of Construction Enterprise Culture Based on the QFD Theory

In order to clarify the direction and way of construction enterprise culture,the method of construction enterprise culture based on quality function deployment(QFD)theory is put forward.Firstly,the paper analyzes the QFD theory and the forming process of construction enterprise culture and considers that the two have strong adaptability in the aspects of basic characteristics,implementation process,and logical relationship.Secondly,based on QFD,the basic framework of construction enterprise culture is established,which is divided into three stages:cultural planning,process planning,and implementation planning.Finally,the paper expounds on each link of the cultural planning matrix in detail.

Evaluation of Economical and Intensive Use of Construction Land in a County Town:A case study of Wan’an County,Ji’an City

Taking the changes of construction land in Wan’an County over the years as the research object,the quantity and spatial characteristics of construction land in Wan’an County were analyzed,and the overall situation and regional differences of construction land utilization in Wan’an County were revealed.From the aspects of main influencing factors such as land use structure,land use intensity,land input intensity and output benefit,an evaluation indicator system was established to evaluate the economical and intensive use level of construction land in Wan’an County.The results show that the score of the economical and intensive use level of construction land in Wan’an County was 56.92,which was the lowest among all the districts and counties in Ji’an City.Based on the evaluation results,the corresponding economizing and intensive strategies were put forward,and the safeguard measures for its implementation were explored.The purpose is to provide some support for the preparation of territorial spatial planning,the delineation of urban development boundaries,and the potential exploitation of construction land stock,hoping to improve the utilization efficiency and benefit of construction land in Wan’an County,and promote the economic growth of Wan’an County to the stage of high-quality development.

Classification and Spatial Pattern of Rural Multifunction from the Diversify of Construction Land Use:Taking Tongshan District of Jiangsu Province as a Case Study

The development of rural area in suburban(RAS)is comprehensively influenced by the mixed processes of non-farming,local urbanization and rural industrialization and has distinctive multifunctional features on the socioeconomic and resource utilization.Multifunctional reconstruction in the RAS is mainly manifested by changes in the quantity and structure of the construction land use(CLU).We took Tongshan District of Jiangsu Province as the study case.Following the logic of identifying,clustering,and diagnosing,we assessed the functional features of CLU and analyzed the differentiation of the scale and structure of CLU in RAS,with the aim of identifying the types and characteristics of multifunctional development in these regions.This study found that:1)typical RAS were experiencing multifunctional space reconstruction,and their multifunctional value was emerging and highlighted.The CLU was rapidly expanding,and the types of CLU were evolving from single to multiple uses;2)based on the dominant function of diverse rural CLU,we classified RAS into five types,dominated by the following functions,respectively:commercial services,industrial production,residential living,basic support and public service;3)according to the dominant function and spatial pattern,the development types of RAS were classified into agricultural service,comprehensive services,and integrated industries service,showing a circular spatial pattern from the suburbs to distant suburbs.The results can provide policy implication by creating new development impetus from rural multifunction perspective to promote the RAS revitalization.

Review of Arbitral Award of Network Loan and Analysis of Construction of Implementation Review Rules

The network arbitration cases arising from the network lending disputes are pouring into the courts in large numbers.It is reported that the network arbitration system of some arbitration institutions even“can accept more than 10,000 cases every day,”while online lending is booming,it has also caused a lot of contradictions and disputes,and traditional dispute resolution methods have failed to effectively respond to the need for efficient and convenient resolution of online lending disputes.This paper tries to study the arbitral award of online loans and proposes the construction of implementation review rules.

Causes,Effects,and Control Measures of Construction Change Orders in the U.S.

Change orders have a significant impact on many aspects of construction projects.They are known to be the primary cause of litigation in the construction industry.Change orders are almost inevitable due to the uniqueness of each project from many perspectives,such as the type of building,complexity of the design,human factors,and the available resources.Change orders are the formal mechanism to implement design changes during the execution phase.These changes are usually the outcome of lack of visualization by the owner,misunderstanding,miscommunication between different parties involved in the project,shortage in resources,and other factors.This research aims to investigate and rank causes,effects,and control measures of change orders in the construction industry in the U.S.This research presents the results of a questionnaire surveying owners,contractors,and consultants.A total of 123 industry professionals in the Architecture,Engineering,and Construction(AEC)field,with either significant or final decision-making authority on reviewing,issuing,and approving change orders responded to the survey.Results indicated that owners are the primary source followed by consultants and contractors,respectively.Some of the more important control measures identified in this research are collaboration and visualization technologies.

Research on the Application of Construction Robots in the Context of Construction Industrialization

Based on the original construction technology,construction robots are realized by integrating industrial information technology,and construction robots are used to replace manual labor in completing construction projects.China’s research on construction robots is still in its early stages.Research efforts need to be increased in order to promote better applications of construction robots.To this end,by analyzing the application of modern construction robots,we conduct a comprehensive study on the development of construction robots to ensure that construction robots can be widely used in the future.

The Importance of Construction Project Archives Management and Ways to Strengthen it

China’s economy has been developing rapidly in recent years,leading to an acceleration of urbanization,which in turn caused the number of construction projects in various regions to increase significantly.Archives are important information for construction projects.The quality of archives management can have a great impact on the quality and economic benefits of construction projects.For this reason,it is necessary to increase the emphasis on archives management of construction projects and take effective management measures.This article introduces the concept of construction project archives,highlights the significance of effective management in construction project archives,and examines prevalent issues along with practical measures to enhance construction project archives management,with the goal of offering valuable insights for archive managers.

A NOVEL METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING THE WHOLE PROCESS OF POLYMER GELATION

A novel method was established to investigate the gelation process of polymers. The change of refractive index of a polymer system during gelation was determined in situ in a prismatic cell. It can give reliable information on the whole gelation process. The apparatus and the execution of this technique are illustrated and the error is also discussed.

A Study on the Control Technique of Construction Project Process

The construction process control of large-scale projects is one of the difficulties and keys in the owner’s project management. Based on generalization process index, this paper proposes an approach to construction project process control. The paper elaborates on the concept and calculation of generalization process index, which, on analysis, possesses Markov property. Monthly generalization process index is regarded as a state of Markov chain, and the transition between different states is realized by computer simulation. According to the Markov process forecasting model and by means of MATLAB program, the project process forecast is realized, and the completion probability in contract period is obtained. From practical instances, it is concluded that this approach has good applicability and operability and that the obtained results can reflect the degree of project risks.

Physical and Biomechanical Bases of Construction of a Training and Training Process When Preparing Wrestlers of the Greek-Roman Style

The article outlines the growing competition in the world in sports,especially in the Olympic types of programs,describes the fundamental importance of success in the sports arenas of the planet-the organization of educational and training and competitive process in Greco-Roman wrestling.The content of the weekly cycle of the training camp is presented.Individual cards for accounting the effectiveness of attacking and defensive technical and tactical actions in the ground have been developed and tested.Concrete conclusions are made and proposals are made to wrestling Federations and sports organizations.

Prediction of Total Output Value of Construction Industry in Jiangxi Province Based on Grey Prediction Model

In order to realize the accurate prediction of the total output value of construction industry in the future,the grey prediction model is used to compare the measured value with the predicted value from 2012 to 2021,and based on the existing data,the total output value of construction industry in Jiangxi Province in the next five years is predicted.The results show that the grey prediction model has a good prediction effect,and the error between the predicted value and the measured value is within 14%,which provides a basis for policy adjustment and resource optimization.

Emerging Challenges in the Completion of Construction Projects through Public Private Partnerships: Empirical Literature Review

The process of engaging private sector in the provision of public infrastructure can improve economic value in service delivery and enable the government to utilize the capabilities and expertise held by private sector. This has a positive impact on the public in terms of improving their well-being. This literature review attempts to compare the challenges encountered in implementation of PPP projects across the world, with a view to determining cross cutting challenges and recommendations for developing countries. A literature review was conducted for empirical studies focusing on construction projects. The studies are reviewed by analyzing the methodology used and conclusions made to identify the geographical study area, Public Private Partnership project financing model, emerging challenges and recommendation for future project management. The literature search was based on four keywords: construction projects, completion of construction projects, public private partnership, challenges in construction projects. Thus, a total of 11 empirical studies were identified for review in Europe, Asia and Africa. The review revealed that most risk factors affecting project completion can be categorized as human and organizational factors and unknown geotechnical conditions that were not known beforehand. Specifically, project owners’ interference was also attributable to delays with the delays having significant implications for project execution. Risks have great impact on the performance of construction projects because they affect their quality, time and cost. The general remedy to such potential risk factors is adoption of reliable prediction mechanisms which would estimate those factors using a probabilistic model that does not rely on expert judgments as they tend to be unreliable.

OSH star enterprise pilot scheme——a partnership approach to improve the safety performance of construction industry in Hong Kong SAR

Background: The Occupational Safety and Health Council(OSHC) is committed to improve the safety performance of the high risk construction industry.In the past three years,about 40% of the fatal accidents in the construction industry were related to Renovation,Maintenance,Alteration and Addition(RMAA).Due to the poor safety record,some of the RMAA contractors have difficulty in obtaining the Employees' Compensation Insurance(ECI) cover in the market,or if they could obtain the ECI,the premium rate would be exceedingly high.In view of this,the OSHC,the Labour Department jointly launched"OSH Star Enterprise-Pilot Scheme on Safety Accreditation for the RMAA Industry",which prompts the industry to take practicable safety measures to improve the safety of working environment and reduce occupational injuries.The program also helps the stakeholders and insurers to identify safety-conscious contractors and thereby provide them with a favourable premium rate under the Employees' Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme(ECIRS).Objectives: The OSHC launches the Pilot Scheme to improve the safety performance of the RMAA industry through providing safety training,subsidizing enterprise to purchase safety equipment and providing safety audit.We also use financial incentive to encourage RMAA enterprises to join the Pilot Scheme-for those who are accredited as "OSH Star Enterprise"could receive a premium discount from the ERIRS when obtaining the ECI.The scheme also differentiates those safety-conscious and law-abiding enterprises from the poor performers,which helps the industry and public identifying the RMAA contractors who pay attention to work safety.Methods: The Pilot Scheme targets RMAA enterprises that employ less than 50 employees in Hong Kong.A three-pronged approach is used to improve the safety performance of the RMAA industry: the Pilot Scheme provides(1) financial support for the RMAA contractors to buy a transportable temporary anchor device and full body safety harness and its anchor system;(2) safety training on RMAA work safety and safety & health supervisor course;and(3) safety audit.Results: Enterprises that successfully pass the safety audit and satisfied the Scheme requirements will be accredited as"OSH Star Enterprise",which will be valid for two years.These enterprises can also be upgraded to"OSH Gold Star Enterprise"based on their continuous improvement in safety performance.OSHC will set up a register of OSH-accredited enterprises in RMAA works for reference of the public to facilitate their choosing of accredited contractors.The Employees' Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme Bureau will provide privileged premium rate for enterprises with OSH accreditation."OSH Star Enterprise"could enjoy 40% discounts when joining their insurance scheme.For example,a skilled worker's annual premium can be reduced by about HK $ 36,000.While,the "OSH Gold Star Enterprise"could enjoy 50% discounts when joining their insurance scheme,which means a skilled worker's annual premium can be reduced up to HK $ 45,000.Achievements: This Pilot Scheme offers practical assistance as well as attractive financial incentives for the RMAA industry to improve their safety performance.The Employees'Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme provides premium discounts for enterprises that have a good safety record.It provides incentive for RMAA contractors to actively participate in the Pilot Scheme.The Scheme demonstrates that by providing a safe working environment and appropriate personal protective equipment to workers,the enterprise not only helps to reduce the accident rate of the industry but also receive an economic return.The Pilot Scheme bridges stakeholders of RMAA industry,the government and the insurance industry creating an "all-win"situation.This partnership approach to prevent injuries and accidents in the construction industry could be an effective model for other industries.

The Oxford Handbook of Construction Grammar述评

构式语法研究的新趋势很多,涉及构式的建构过程、构式从词素到分句到更大单位的拓展路径、构式视角下的语言习得与认知,以及构式的历史比较研究等。这些关于构式研究的新问题在牛津大学出版社出版的The Oxford Handbook of Construction Grammar一书中得到了充分关注。本文将从内容结构、理论特色、研究局限三个方面详细阐述构式语法研究的新发展。

Exploring Personal Factors That Might Influence the Vulnerability of Construction Employees to Occupational Psychological Disorders

Personal factors could act as intervening variables between the causes and effects of psychological health conditions of employees. This study focused on six personal intervening factors that were associated with the risks of occupational psychological disorders namely: low self-esteem, negative personality trait, unproductive core beliefs, poor self-concept evaluation on performance, poor relationship with others and poor time management skills. An investigation on the level of severity of these personal intervening factors was conducted involving 150 construction professionals and 150 construction trade workers, who were purposively selected in Ghana. The personal factors that were found to be prevalent among the construction employees were low self-esteem and poor time management skills. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to determine the relationships between the personal intervening factors and demographic factors such as the age, educational levels and marital status of the research participants. The results of the study indicated that the age and marital status of the respondents had no significant relationship with any of the personal intervening factors. Personal factors such as personality trait and relationship with others also had no relation with any of the demographic factors analyzed. The educational level of the respondents, however, had a significant relationship with the factors of self-esteem, productive core beliefs, self-evaluation on performance and time management skills. An independent two-sample T-test was used to compare the means of the factors with significant relations. This study revealed that construction employees who were highly educated had better self-esteem and time management skills than those who were less educated. The findings from this study broaden the view of moderators on influential sources of psychological health conditions of employees.

Discussion on the Problems and Developing Trend of Construction of Sewage Treatment Plants in Small Towns

Existing problems of sewage treatment plants in small towns were summarized firstly,and then the developing trend of construction of sewage treatment plants in small towns was discussed from the aspects of project decision,site selection,design,processing technology and construction financing models. Finally,outlooks for its future development were proposed to provide reference for the construction of sewage treatment plants in small towns in future.

Automatic Recognition of Construction Worker Activities Using Deep Learning Approaches and Wearable Inertial Sensors

The automated evaluation and analysis of employee behavior in an Industry 4.0-compliant manufacturingfirm are vital for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of work performance,particularly during the training of a new worker.Various techniques for identifying and detecting worker performance in industrial applications are based on computer vision techniques.Despite widespread com-puter vision-based approaches,it is challenging to develop technologies that assist the automated monitoring of worker actions at external working sites where cam-era deployment is problematic.Through the use of wearable inertial sensors,we propose a deep learning method for automatically recognizing the activities of construction workers.The suggested method incorporates a convolutional neural network,residual connection blocks,and multi-branch aggregate transformation modules for high-performance recognition of complicated activities such as con-struction worker tasks.The proposed approach has been evaluated using standard performance measures,such as precision,F1-score,and AUC,using a publicly available benchmark dataset known as VTT-ConIoT,which contains genuine con-struction work activities.In addition,standard deep learning models(CNNs,RNNs,and hybrid models)were developed in different empirical circumstances to compare them to the proposed model.With an average accuracy of 99.71%and an average F1-score of 99.71%,the experimentalfindings revealed that the suggested model could accurately recognize the actions of construction workers.Furthermore,we examined the impact of window size and sensor position on the identification efficiency of the proposed method.

Plant-based meat substitutes by high-moisture extrusion:Visualizing the whole process in data systematically from raw material to the products

High-moisture extrusion technology should be considered one of the best choices for producing plant-based meat substitutes with the rich fibrous structure offered by real animal meat products.Unfortunately,the extrusion process has been seen as a“black box”with limited information about what occurs inside,causing serious obstacles in developing meat substitutes.This study designed a high-moisture extrusion process and developed 10 new plant-based meat substitutes comparable to the fibrous structure of real animal meat.The study used the Feature-Augmented Principal Component Analysis(FA-PCA)method to visualize and understand the whole extrusion process in three ways systematically and accurately.It established six sets of mathematical models of the high-moisture extrusion process based on 8000 pieces of data,including five types of parameters.The FA-PCA method improved the R^(2) values significantly compared with the PCA method.The Way 3 was the best to predict product quality(Z),demonstrating that the gradually molecular conformational changes(Y^(n'))were critical in controlling the final quality of the plant-based meat substitutes.Moreover,the first visualization platform software for the high-moisture extrusion process has been established to clearly show the“black box”by combining the virtual simulation technology.Through the software,some practice work such as equipment installation,parameter adjustment,equipment disassembly,and data prediction can be easily achieved.