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The study is focused on the use of nanofluids in a micro-open tall cavity, which is a type of micro heat exchanger (MHE). The cavity is heated from the bottom sidewall in a sinusoidal pattern, and the effects of four input parameters (Ra, Ha, Kn, and Vf) on heat transfer and irreversibility are investigated using numerical simulations based on Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The findings of the study suggest that the local heat transfer on the bottom sidewall is strongly influenced by Ra and Ha, while the surface distribution of entropy generation is mainly dependent on Kn. The study also shows that the optimization of the magnitude and wavelength of the sinusoidal temperature can improve both local heat transfer and surface distribution of entropy generation. The results of the study provide valuable insights into the design of micro heat exchangers and suggest that the optimization of micro-porous geometries using DOE could lead to increased energy efficiency. The study contributes to our understanding of the complex interactions between input parameters in micro heat exchangers and highlights the importance of considering multiple parameters in the design process.

Accurate and reliable load forecasting is crucial for ensuring the security and stability of the power grid. This paper proposes a combined prediction method based on Empirical Wavelet Transform (EWT) and Autoformer time series prediction model for the non-stationary and non-linear time series of electric load. The original sequence is first decomposed by EWT to obtain a set of stable subsequences, and then the Autoformer time series prediction model is used to predict each subsequence. Finally, the prediction results of each subsequence are combined to obtain the final prediction results. The proposed EWT-Autoformer prediction model is applied to an electric load example, and the experimental results are compared with the Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) method, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) method, and Informer method under the same conditions. The experimental results indicate that compared to LSTM, the method proposed in the paper has an R2 improvement of 9–20 percentage points, an improvement of 6–8 percentage points compared to RNN, an improvement of 3–7 percentage points compared to Informer, and an improvement of 2–3 percentage points compared to Autoformer. In addition, the RMSE and MAE are also significantly lower than other models.

As part of a broad strategy to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming, many countries are requiring all new buildings to have net-zero energy use. This requires that on-site energy use not exceed on-site generation of renewable energy (taken here to be solar energy), or equivalently, that the building Energy Use Intensity (EUI, kWh/m2a) not exceed the supply of on-site solar energy (electricity and heat) per m2 of floor area per year. On this basis, we find that achieving net-zero energy performance in an archetype 40-story square building in 16 different cities of North America requires EUI of 17–24 kWh/m2a using PV panels, and 19–28 kWh/m2a using PVT collectors. Changing building orientation to a non-square floor shape can improve maximum permitted EUI by up to 50% in PV and 60% in PVT case. Conversely, the best-performing residential and commercial buildings have EUIs of 50–75 kWh/m2a. Only if building heights are limited to 5–10 floors does the available solar energy, and thus the permitted EUI, reach 50–75 kWh/m2a. Therefore, we recommend that policymakers not require high-rise buildings to be net-zero energy, unless they are prepared to limit building heights to 5–10 floors.

This paper presents a comparative study on the thermal comfort of traditional and contemporary houses in Byblos, Lebanon. With climate change affecting indoor environments and potentially leading to increased energy consumption, achieving optimal thermal comfort is a crucial issue for building research. The study analyzes several environmental parameters and conducts an occupancy survey to assess thermal comfort in both types of houses. The questionnaire used in the survey consists of 46 questions divided into three parts: “Who are you?”, “The environment of your house?”, and “Architectural characteristics of the house.” The results show that traditional houses perform better than contemporary ones in terms of thermal comfort, due to their use of natural and passive methods. However, both types of houses have room for improvement in terms of energy efficiency. This study provides insights into potential solutions for improving indoor thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption in traditional and contemporary houses.

The building stock is responsible for a large share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, therefore, it is critical to promote building retrofit to achieve the proposed carbon and energy neutrality goals. One of the policies implemented in recent years was the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) policy, which proposes building stock benchmarking to identify buildings that require rehabilitation. However, research shows that these mechanisms fail to engage stakeholders in the retrofit process because it is widely seen as a mandatory and complex bureaucracy. This study makes use of an EPC database to integrate machine learning techniques with multi-objective optimization and develop an interface capable of (1) predicting a building’s, or household’s, energy needs; and (2) providing the user with optimum retrofit solutions, costs, and return on investment. The goal is to provide an open-source, easy-to-use interface that guides the user in the building retrofit process. The energy and EPC prediction models show a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.84 and 0.79, and the optimization results for one case study EPC with a 2000€ budget limit in Évora, Portugal, show decreases of up to 60% in energy needs and return on investments of up to 7 in 3 years.

The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has wrecked havoc in our society, with short and long-term consequences to people's lives and livelihoods - over 651 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed with the number of deaths exceeding 6.66 million. As people stay indoors most of the time, how to operate the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems as well as building facilities to reduce airborne infections have become hot research topics. This paper presents a systematic review on COVID-19 related research in HVAC systems and the indoor environment. Firstly, it reviews the research on the improvement of ventilation, filtration, heating and air-conditioning systems since the onset of COVID-19. Secondly, various indoor environment improvement measures to minimize airborne spread, such as building envelope design, physical barriers and vent position arrangement, and the possible impact of COVID-19 on building energy consumption are examined. Thirdly, it provides comparisons on the building operation guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus from different countries. Finally, recommendations for future studies are provided.

输电塔是典型的风敏感结构，易受下击暴流极端强风的影响，导致输电塔倒塌、线路受损等风害故障频发，造成巨大的经济损失。为分析下击暴流作用下输电塔倒塌破坏的原因，根据马鞍山地区一次下击暴流事故中的实测气象数据，以事故中整体倒塌破坏的羊角型直线塔为典例，建立“一塔两线”有限元分析模型，分析下击暴流0°、45°、60°、90°风向角作用下输电塔体系的动力响应，探究下击暴流不同风向角作用下羊角型直线塔-线体系的受力特点、薄弱部位及破坏机理。研究结果表明：90°风向角是直线塔-线体系抗下击暴流作用的最不利工况，是导致直线塔-线体系倒塌破坏的主要原因。下击暴流作用下羊角型直线塔-线结构体系的倒塌破坏是塔腿主、斜材失稳所引起，在抗下击暴流设计时应加强塔腿部位。

以某奥体中心体育场钢结构屋盖为研究对象，对其加固及施工方案进行了分析。首先进行模型反建，并对该屋盖在施加新增荷载后的内力及变形进行分析，明确了需要加固的杆件范围。在此基础上，采用有限元软件对结构开展精细化分析，确定了包含加强节点、杆件和结构的加固方案，有效地改善了结构的传力体系，提高了结构的承载能力并降低了结构在使用荷载下的应力和变形。针对钢屋盖的不同部位，分别通过预应力锚索、增大截面和设置刚性圆管等方式进行加固，保证结构安全且满足建筑要求。除此之外，还对该加固方案对应的施工过程进行了有限元模拟，可为实际施工提供参考。经省运会工程实践验证，本项目的加固方法简单有效。

泰安体育场作为山东省泰安市的新地标，其钢结构屋盖采用轮辐式索承网格结构，通过68榀径向索和1道中央环索形成张拉结构体系，最大悬挑跨度为45 m。通过数值分析对施工过程进行了精细化稳定性分析，针对不规则构件吊装的工程技术难点，进行了吊装方案的设计与优化；考虑到成本控制与施工周期，极具创新性地采用了径向单道胎架作为屋盖施工过程中的临时支撑，结合工程实际情况设计了胎架转换结构，并对单道胎架整体在多种可能的荷载组合作用下进行验算与校核。通过对体育场屋盖施工全过程的模拟以及对安装过程中的重难点进行优化分析，为现场施工的安全顺利开展提供了技术保障，可为其他类似采用单道胎架施工方法的工程提供施工方案设计的新思路。

连体结构建造技术中，整体提升是一种经济、高效的施工方法，其在工程中应用广泛。然而实际提升施工中，连体与塔楼对接精度低，其中一个关键原因是提升荷载会使塔楼产生显著的水平变形。就此类问题，提出采用塔楼复位的方法解决，并详细介绍了塔楼复位的实施方案与设计优化分析方法。塔楼复位方法的核心思想为通过对塔楼施加水平荷载，消除塔楼附加水平变形从而使其回复至接近设计状态。此后，以杭州云门钢结构项目为例，结合结构形式与施工方案提出两种塔楼复位方案，完整分析塔楼复位的可行性、有效性并给出复位方案的优化方法。最后给出了实际实施后的塔楼复位效果。

鼓蜂窝四撑杆型索穹顶抛弃传统概念，结合了多撑杆构思，是构形最为丰富的一类索穹顶结构。为研究新型鼓蜂窝四撑杆Ⅲ型索穹顶结构静力性能，选取下弦节点布置方案1，建立跨度为120 m的有限元数值分析模型，研究该结构在不同荷载水平及分布方式下的变形和内力变化。并进一步对结构进行参数化分析，研究包括初始预应力水平、矢跨比、撑杆高度（厚跨比）及下弦节点布置方案等不同参数对于结构整体刚度与承载力的影响及变化规律。分析结果表明鼓蜂窝四撑杆Ⅲ型索穹顶具有良好的结构性能，各索杆均不容易发生破坏，结构整体刚度大。研究中给出了初始预应力水平与相关几何参数的合理取值范围，可为该结构索穹顶的实际工程设计与应用提供参考。

在万向减震球型钢支座的基础上对其弹簧元件进行耗能设计，提出了一种新型耗能减震球型钢支座，采用钢板弹簧叠加耗能钢作为耗能减震元件。通过单调拉伸加载试验和循环拉伸加载试验，研究了Q295钢材的耗能能力，采用拟静力试验和数值分析相结合的方法，分析了支座耗能减震元件的滞回性能和自复位性能；将该新型球型钢支座应用于网架结构中，考察其耗能减震能力。研究结果表明，Q295钢材的滞回曲线饱满，具有一定的耗能能力；减震元件的耗能减震性能较好，并且具有一定的复位能力；相较于一般的弹性减震支座，新型球型钢支座可以吸收部分地震能量，从而进一步降低结构的动力响应。

采用有限元模型研究内置型钢的圆形不锈钢管混凝土构件的纯弯力学性能，有限元计算结果与试验结果吻合良好。该类典型构件的抗弯承载力比不锈钢管混凝土对比构件的相应值高111.33%；混凝土承担的弯矩也比对比构件的相应值高23.31%，受压区混凝土的抗压承载力约提高了20%，原因是钢管和型钢翼缘对受压区混凝土形成了良好的约束作用。该类构件的抗弯刚度与抗弯承载力随着混凝土强度、不锈钢含钢率、型钢含钢率和回转半径比的增大而提高；其抗弯承载力随着不锈钢屈服强度或型钢屈服强度的增大而提高。最终给出了该类构件的抗弯刚度和抗弯承载力的简化计算方法。

为研究钢管高强混凝土叠合柱偏心受压性能，以混凝土类型和偏心距为参数，完成了6根叠合柱偏心受压试验，研究了不同参数对钢管高强混凝土叠合柱损伤发展过程、破坏特征、承载力和延性的影响，并基于《钢管混凝土叠合柱结构技术规程》（T/CECS 188—2019）和相关学者提出的公式对16根钢管混凝土叠合柱的偏压承载力进行了计算。研究结果表明：再生混凝土叠合柱与普通混凝土叠合柱的受力过程均经历了弹性、带裂缝工作和破坏3个阶段，表现出外围混凝土保护层被压碎脱落、纵筋鼓曲和箍筋外鼓等破坏特征；与普通混凝土叠合柱相比，再生混凝土叠合柱的初始刚度和变形能力有所降低，但承载力略高；随着偏心距的增加，钢管混凝土叠合柱的初始刚度和承载力迅速降低，而位移延性系数迅速增大，中和轴逐渐向受压区移动，与平截面假定的吻合度有所降低；钢管混凝土叠合柱偏压承载力计算应考虑钢管自身承载力以及钢管对核心混凝土约束效应的影响。

为研究薄壁型钢混凝土（thin-walled steel reinforced concrete，TSRC）梁试件的抗弯性能，设计制作了5根TSRC梁并进行四点弯曲试验，探究不同抗剪螺杆布置方式、截面形式、剪跨比以及混凝土保护层厚度对TSRC梁试件抗弯性能的影响。研究结果表明：TSRC梁的失效模式为薄壁钢管加载点处发生局部屈曲，外围混凝土保护层出现贯通斜裂缝，混凝土保护层沿抗剪螺杆开裂；TSRC梁试件在加载过程中未发生脆性破坏，表现出较好的延性；TSRC梁开裂荷载较小，在0.11Pu ~ 0.15Pu之间，裂缝总数较少，稳定在6~10条；满跨布置螺杆、增大钢管截面尺寸、减小剪跨比以及增加保护层厚度均可提高TSRC梁试件的承载力。基于试验结果，建立适用于TSRC梁的极限抗弯承载力和抗弯刚度计算公式，可为该构件在实际工程中的应用提供参考。

建立Levy型索穹顶结构有限元分析模型，给出有限元结果合理性的判定准则，提出冲击失效准则。进行大量冲击工况下的动力响应全过程分析，给出杆件破坏分布规律和失效模式，揭示结构在竖向冲击荷载作用下的失效机理。依据冲击失效机理及参数分析，提出抗冲击措施。研究结果表明：所有冲击工况均符合冲击判定准则，在所选竖向冲击荷载范围内，Levy型索穹顶结构的失效模式可分为4种，即结构轻度损伤、结构局部1级失效、结构局部2级失效和结构整体破坏。随着冲击动能的增加，结构的动力响应模式逐渐呈模式1→模式2→模式3→模式4的发展趋势。通过分析可知，结构的动力响应模式由结构的能量吸收值及构件两端速度差决定。

基于复合钢本构模型，明确了复合比β对不锈钢复合钢应力-应变性能的影响。通过试验结果的承载曲线和破坏模式验证了数值模拟方法的准确性，进而以β、腹板宽高比a/hw和腹板高厚比hw/tw为变量开展300个数值模型的参数分析，系统分析了各变量对不锈钢复合钢H形截面钢梁受剪承载曲线和极限承载力的影响。研究结果表明：随着β的增加，不锈钢复合钢应力-应变曲线中的屈服平台逐渐消失，复合钢应力-应变性能逐渐由碳钢转变为不锈钢。当β较小时，不锈钢复合钢应力-应变曲线存在明显的屈服平台，这削弱了复合钢的应变强化对H形截面钢梁受剪承载性能的有利影响。随着β的增加，不锈钢复合钢的非线性应变强化性能逐渐增强，导致H形截面钢梁的延性性能逐渐提高，强度性能逐渐降低。经过验证，既有的欧洲规范设计公式对不锈钢复合钢H形截面钢梁受剪极限承载力的预测过于保守。基于参数分析结果，建立了考虑β影响的腹板贡献系数计算方法。研究结论有助于推广不锈钢复合钢的工程应用。

索塔锚固区的受力分析通常采用实体有限元单元进行，然而由于其结构复杂、种类繁多，不易被一般工程设计人员使用。为此，结合某斜拉桥的实际工程案例，分析了内置式钢锚箱锚固体系的传力特点，提出了一种基于平面框架理论的简化计算方法，并利用非线性的分析方法建立了锚固区ANSYS有限元模型以修正公式。结果表明修正前简化公式计算结果与有限元模型计算结果之间的误差在10%左右；考虑到塔壁厚度、索塔计算高度以及锚箱侧板厚度的影响，使用折减混凝土弹性模量的方法来补偿和修正桥塔应力分布，具体的混凝土折减系数使用非线性回归的方法确定。最终将修正公计算式结果与有限元模型计算结果重新进行对比，结果表明，修正后的计算公式与有限元模型计算结果的误差在2%以内，可以较好地分析索塔锚固区的索力分配情况，具有实际工程意义。

La construcción de estructuras ligeras de acero (LSF) es uno de los métodos constructivos más eficientes actualmente en uso. Debido a la rápida velocidad de este sistema, la calidad superior de la construcción y la adecuada resistencia a los terremotos desde la década de 1950, ahora incluye países como Japón, Estados Unidos y Canadá. Las secciones de acero con paredes delgadas son el componente principal de las estructuras de acero ligeras (LSF). Debido a las características de los perfiles utilizados en este sistema, como la laminación en frío del acero y la ausencia de tensiones residuales en los perfiles, la capacidad de crear perfiles con diversas formas y con alta resistencia y dureza, y precisión y rapidez en la ejecución e instalación de la estructura en comparación con los métodos convencionales. En comparación con los edificios convencionales, la construcción se ejecutó e instaló con mayor precisión y rapidez, al menor costo posible. El empleo de este enfoque de construcción es un método industrial alternativo en proyectos de construcción, así como en viviendas masivas, para disminuir y prevenir el desperdicio de recursos y materiales típicamente presentes en las construcciones tradicionales. En general, el uso de esta estructura es apropiado en todos los sentidos y se ha logrado el objetivo de desarrollo urbano sostenible. Abstract The construction of light steel structures (LSF) is one of the most efficient construction methods currently in use. Due to this system's fast speed, superior building quality, and adequate earthquake resilience since the 1950s, it now includes countries like Japan, America, and Canada. Steel sections with thin walls are the primary component of light steel structures (LSF). Due to the features of the sections used in this system, such as cold rolling of the steel and the absence of residual stresses in the sections. The ability to create sections with various shapes and with high resistance and hardness, and accuracy and speed in the execution and installation of the structure compared to conventional methods. Compared to typical buildings, the construction was executed and installed with greater precision and speed, at the lowest possible cost. The employment of this construction approach is an alternative industrial method in construction projects as well as mass housing to lessen and prevent the waste of resources and materials typically present in traditional building. this structure's use is appropriate in every way, and the goal of sustainable urban development has been accomplished.

El programa docente de Proyectos Arquitectónicos en la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad Europea de Canarias está integrado desde 2º hasta 6º curso, y se estructura mediante una metodología progresiva que aborda la enseñanza del diseño arquitectónico desde una perspectiva integral. A lo largo de los cursos, los estudiantes exploran diversas escalas y tipologías arquitectónicas, comenzando con proyectos de pequeña escala en el segundo año, como refugios de montaña y viviendas unifamiliares, hasta intervenciones urbanas complejas y edificios institucionales en el sexto año. Esta evolución permite a los estudiantes adquirir un dominio exhaustivo de la disciplina, adaptándose a los diferentes contextos urbanos y programas arquitectónicos. El enfoque pedagógico se basa en cuatro condiciones fundamentales: la escala, la complejidad programática, la intensidad urbana y la tecnología. Los estudiantes desarrollan proyectos que integran estos aspectos, abordando la relación entre diseño arquitectónico y normativa urbanística. Se promueve el uso de herramientas digitales avanzadas y técnicas sostenibles, lo que fortalece sus competencias para enfrentar los desafíos profesionales. El resultado es una preparación sólida que asegura que los estudiantes comprendan profundamente la interacción entre arquitectura, entorno y sociedad. La metodología, aplicada con éxito en los cursos 2021-22 y 2022-23, ha mejorado notablemente la percepción estudiantil de su seguridad personal y la evaluación de proyectos finales. Esto demuestra que los egresados están capacitados para desempeñarse con eficacia en el ámbito profesional, gestionando proyectos de diversas escalas y complejidades con seguridad pre-profesional. Abstract Architectural Design teaching program at the School of Architecture of the European University of the Canary Islands is integrated from the 2nd to the 6th year and is structured through a progressive methodology that approaches the teaching of architectural design from a comprehensive perspective. Throughout the courses, students explore various architectural scales and typologies, starting with small-scale projects in the second year, such as mountain refuges and single-family homes, up to complex urban interventions and institutional buildings in the sixth year. This progression allows students to gain an in-depth understanding of the discipline, adapting to different urban contexts and architectural programs. Our pedagogical approach is based on four fundamental conditions: scale, programmatic complexity, urban intensity, and technology. Students develop projects that integrate these aspects, addressing the relationship between architectural design and urban planning regulations. The use of advanced digital tools and sustainable techniques is promoted, which strengthens their competencies to face professional challenges. The result is a solid preparation that ensures students deeply understand the interaction between architecture, environment, and society. The methodology, successfully applied during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years, has significantly improved students' perception of their personal confidence and the evaluation of final projects. This demonstrates that graduates are well-equipped to perform effectively in the professional field, managing projects of various scales and complexities with pre-professional confidence.

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El aprendizaje basado en problemas (ABP) es un método de enseñanza que se utiliza cada vez más en la enseñanza técnica. Tanto en la enseñanza de la ingeniería como en la de la arquitectura, el ABP se ha evaluado y ha demostrado su eficacia para mejorar el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes. La necesidad de trabajar en grupo y la limitación del número de alumnos por sesión de ABP requieren el uso de técnicas estadísticas robustas en la evaluación estadística correspondiente. En el presente trabajo se aplicaron dos pruebas estadísticas robustas: la prueba de la mediana y la prueba de Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (WMW). Utilizando una muestra de 35 estudiantes del Máster en Ingeniería Industrial de la Universidad de Huelva, distribuidos en tres cursos académicos (2021-22, 2022-23 y 2023-24), se aplicaron dichas pruebas en relación con el rendimiento académico. Hubo un grupo experimental (19 alumnos) y un grupo control (16 alumnos). Se han aclarado los detalles de la aplicación de cada prueba, incluyendo las hipótesis nula y alternativa, los estadísticos respectivos de cada prueba, y se ha resuelto el caso utilizando R. Se demuestra que existe una diferencia significativa en el aprendizaje entre el grupo experimental y el grupo de control, basándose en las pruebas de la mediana y de Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (WMW). Problem Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method that is increasingly being used in technical education. In both engineering and architecture education, PBL has been evaluated and shown to be effective in improving students' academic performance. The need to work in groups and the limitation of the number of students per PBL session require the use of robust statistical techniques in the corresponding statistical evaluation. In the present work, two robust statistical tests were applied: the median test and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (WMW) test. Using a sample of 35 students of the Master in Industrial Engineering at the University of Huelva, distributed over three academic years (2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24), the said tests were applied in relation to academic performance. There was an experimental group (19 students) and a control group (16 students). The details of the application of each test have been clarified, including the null and alternative hypotheses, the respective statistics of each test, and the case has been solved using R. It is shown that there is a significant difference in learning between the experimental group and the control group, based on median and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (WMW) tests.

La incorporación de actividades de trabajo en equipo en los programas de formación universitaria es esencial, ya que es una de las habilidades más valoradas para los profesionales en el campo de la ingeniería. La selección de los grupos de trabajo por parte del profesor es una estrategia que puede conducir a un mejor desempeño en las tareas colaborativas. Este estudio presenta los resultados de una investigación sobre los criterios conscientes para la selección de grupos de trabajo basados en los roles de los estudiantes. La investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar las dinámicas de trabajo en equipo entre estudiantes de diversas disciplinas dentro de los cursos de ingeniería. Se examinaron las opiniones de más de 600 estudiantes matriculados en 10 programas de grado y posgrado. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes de cursos avanzados se sienten más cómodos asumiendo el papel de líder, mientras que los estudiantes de primer año no tienen un perfil claramente definido. La evaluación de los estudiantes con esta metodología también muestra ciertas variaciones dependiendo del año y el tipo de actividad. En general, en los grupos con mejor rendimiento, la mayoría de los miembros reciben evaluaciones similares de sus compañeros. Abstract The incorporation of teamwork activities in university training programs is essential, as it is one of the most valued skills for professionals in the field of engineering. The selection of working groups by the teacher is a strategy that can lead to better performance in collaborative tasks. This study presents the results of research on the conscious selection criteria for group work based on students’ roles. The research aimed to analyze teamwork dynamics among students from various disciplines within engineering courses. The opinions of over 600 students enrolled in 10 undergraduate and postgraduate programs were examined. The results indicate that students in advanced courses feel more comfortable taking on the role of leader, while first-year students do not have a well-defined profile. The evaluation of students using this methodology also shows certain variations depending on the year and type of activity. Overall, in the highest-performing groups, most members receive similar evaluations from their peers.

La legislación es el eje vertebrador de la política educativa. En función de lo que estipule la normativa educativa se aplicarán unos principios u otros. Este trabajo de investigación emplea un diseño cualitativo, basado en el análisis de contenido de la normativa vigente en España, en materia educativa. Para ello se han seleccionado todas las leyes orgánicas, ordinarias, decretos legislativos, decretos-ley y órdenes ministeriales que afecten total o parcialmente al sistema educativo español. Los principales hallazgos de esta investigación ponen de relieve, por un lado, que el sistema de evaluación educativa ha evolucionado de una evaluación centrada en los conocimientos teóricos a una evaluación centrada en las competencias que el alumnado ha de adquirir en cada etapa educativa; y, por otro lado, que existe una excesiva producción normativa en el campo educativo español, lo que provoca alteraciones en los diferentes subsistemas que conforman el sistema educativo Abstract Legislation is the backbone of education policy. Depending on what the educational regulations stipulate, certain principles will be applied. This research work uses a qualitative design, based on a content analysis of the current legislation in force in Spain in the field of education. For this purpose, all the organic and ordinary laws, legislative decrees, decree-laws and ministerial orders that totally or partially affect the Spanish education system have been selected. The main findings of this research highlight, on the one hand, that the educational assessment system has evolved from an assessment centred on theoretical knowledge to an assessment centred on the competences that students must acquire at each educational stage; and, on the other hand, that there is an excessive production of regulations in the Spanish educational field, which causes alterations in the different subsystems that make up the educational system

This study investigates the prediction of the thermal conductivity of lightweight earth and raw earth blocks incorporating plant aggregates. Given the high variability of raw materials, it is not currently possible to predict the thermal performance of this type of material before sample production. This is a major obstacle to using these eco-materials, although their use is widely encouraged to improve building performance under evolving regulatory frameworks such as The French RE2020 standard. The incorporation of plant aggregates into earth-based materials offers improved insulation properties without compromising their mechanical integrity, positioning them as promising sustainable alternatives. Mean-field homogenization techniques, including the Mori-Tanaka as well as double inclusion models, are used to develop predictive tools for thermal behavior, using rigorously selected experimental data. The selected methods are particularly relevant. The Mori-Tanaka model appears to be better suited when the proportion of aggregates is limited, whereas the double inclusion scheme proves its worth when a higher proportion of aggregates is incorporated. This study emphasizes the influence of aggregate types and processing methods on thermal conductivity, highlighting the need for precise formulation and processing techniques to optimize performance. This paper demonstrates the relevance of the applied homogenization techniques applied. It enables the real morphology of the materials studied, such as aggregate shape and intrinsic cracking, to be taken into account. It contributes to the advancement of eco-material modeling toward predictive digital twins, with the goal of simulating and optimizing complex material behavior under various environmental conditions.

The simple for dead load and continuous for live load (SDCL) steel bridge system offers an accelerated construction solution for steel bridges. The available details for the SDCL steel bridge system consist of a cast-in-place normal strength concrete (NSC) diaphragm. This paper presents a study on developing a continuity detail SDCL system in seismic areas using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) as the diaphragm to simplify construction, improve durability, and increase tolerances. This paper is part of a large study on the non-seismic and seismic application of the SDCL steel bridge system using the UHPC diaphragm. The numerical investigation and validated modeling techniques developed in the study were used in this paper to focus on the detail required for the seismic areas. A series of numerical models were developed and subjected to types of loadings that would occur in the bridge under earthquake excitations. Based on the analysis results, a set of design recommendations was developed. The UHPC connection includes simple girder-end detail, the straight development of deck reinforcement in the diaphragm, and partial use of UHPC in the diaphragm. The developed detail can improve the on-site construction time, durability, and constructability of SDCL steel bridge systems.

This study’s aim is to fully characterize ferronickel slag from New Caledonia, considered a multiphase mineral containing amorphous material. The methodology consisted of combining chemical, mineral, and morphological characterization techniques, such as ICP-AES, TGA, Q-XRD, microscopy, spectroscopy, etc. The ferronickel slag consisted of 44 wt. % forsterite, with the inclusion of iron as a substitution for magnesium (Mg1.8Fe0.2SiO4), 1.7 wt. % chromite and 54 wt. % amorphous phase containing iron, magnesium, aluminum, and silica (Mg/Si = 0.4; Fe/Si = 0.2; Al/Si = 0.1). This material was slightly reactive in a cementitious medium, thus limiting its use as an SCM in the construction sector. The ferronickel slag was then subjected to an attrition-leaching carbonation process at 180 °C and a partial pressure of CO2 of 20 bar. The obtained product, carbonated at 80% of its capacity, was also characterized. It was composed of carbonates (37% of magnesite and 4% of siderite), remaining forsterite (7 wt. %), chromite (1 wt. %), and 50% of an amorphous phase, mainly composed of silica and aluminum. The complete characterization of those products helped in understanding the chemistry of the carbonation process and finding valorization paths for the carbonated products in the construction sector. The carbonated product may be used either as an SCM in blended cement or as a precursor of magnesium–silicate binders.

Introduction. For handling the problem of mixtures design for additive construction technologies, the paper presents the results of experimental studies of rheological behavior and production characteristics (plasticity and shape stability) of cement mixtures based on various types of fillers with different size, shape, and grade. Methods and materials. Rheological properties of 3Dprintable mixtures were investigated using squeezing rheometry methods. The constant strain rate mode of 5 mm/s was used to evaluate plasticity and the constant load rate of 5 N/s was used to evaluate form stability. Scanning electron microscopy method (Phenom XL) was used to evaluate the size-geometry characteristics of cement and filler particles. Image processing to determine particle length and width was performed using ParticleMetric software. The size and gradation of the cement and filler particles were evaluated using a laser particle size analyser “Analyzette 22”. Results and discussion. It was found that a necessary condition for the plasticity and stability of mixtures is the creation of dense spatial packing of disperse phase particles. The values of the plasticity limit rational for extrusion are ensured if the filler particles have a size comparable to cement particles and multi-size gradation. The characteristics of the fillers are not decisive for the shape stability of the mixtures. Conclusion. The numerical criteria of fillers for design of 3D-printable mixtures have been substantiated, including mean average particle diameter, particle shape factor, particle distribution constant as a characteristic of the particle size gradation.

Introduction. The article presents the results of studies of structural and heat-insulating cement-based foam concrete for monolithic individual housing construction using porous aggregates sand and superplasticizers. The relevance of the study is to improve the technological properties of foam concrete mixtures to enhance their transportation and laying in formwork, as well as to increase the strength and thermal insulation parameters of wall materials used in individual housing construction. A synergistic effect is ensured and increased stability of the foam concrete mixture is achieved, resulting in an increase in the grade of compressive strength of foam concrete and a decrease in thermal conductivity by partially replacing quartz sand with expanded clay or slag sand in the amount of 25% by volume and introducing the superplasticizer “Steinberg MP-4”. Materials and methods. The study of foam concrete mixture and foam concrete was carried out in the accredited laboratory of TSUAB in accordance with the requirements of national standards. Results. The use of combined additives, including a superplasticizer and a mineral porous aggregate, leads to increase the grade of compressive strength of foam concrete from B1 to B2 while maintaining the average density grade D600, and also allows reducing the thermal conductivity coefficient of foam concrete to 17% compared to the basic composition. Conclusion. The developed compositions for the production of monolithic structural and heat-insulating foam concrete of natural hardening with a combined additive, including mineral porous aggregate and current plasticizers, are recommended for individual housing construction of low-rise buildings.

Introduction. The active development of construction technologies entails the need to improve the properties of traditional materials, including giving them specific functional characteristics such as photocatalytic activity. One of the promising methods for solving this problem is the introduction of specialized additives into standard building mixes, which include photocatalytic composite materials. Within the framework of this article, the influence of various methods of fiber activation on the surface properties of a photocatalytic composite material created on its basis is considered. Materials and research methods. The effect of pre-activation of basalt (BF), glass (GF) and glass alkali-resistant (GAF) fibers on the surface properties of photocatalytic composite materials (PCM) based on them has been studied. The activation of the fiber surface consisted in thermal (T) and chemical (AA) treatment. The research methodology included: analysis of changes in the concentration of active centers of Brensted acids on the fiber surface before and after activation of their surface, after direct deposition of titanium dioxide on the obtained samples of various types of fibers, followed by an assessment of morphological changes. Results and discussions. The following growth trend has been established for the total number of active centers for PCM: PCM(BF+Т) → PCM(GF+AA) → PCM(BF+AA) → PCM(GAF+AA) →PCM(GF) → PCM(GAF+Т) → PCM(GAF) → PCM(GF+Т) → PCM(BF). According to the results of scanning electron microscopy, it was found that PCM(GF) and PCM(GAF+T) are characterized by a more uniform distribution of titanium dioxide particles over the entire surface of the fiber, creating a film-like appearance, unlike samples of PCM(BF) and PCM(GF), as well as PCM(GAF+AA), on which titanium dioxide particles are unevenly distributed, forming growths or aggregates. The analysis showed that sol-gel deposition of titanium dioxide has a significant effect on the properties of the fiber surface, which may affect the physical and mechanical characteristics of composites and their ability to self-clean, and should be taken into account when developing new functional materials with photocatalytic properties. Conclusion. The results obtained made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of activation of the fiber surface for subsequent use as a substrate in the composition of photocatalytic composite materials

Introduction. The development of Kazakhstan's megacities has led the construction sites to the territories with weak, macroporous soils. Construction on such soils requires a set of measures to strengthen and improve their mechanical properties. Methods and Materials. The article discusses the development of a method of surface hardening by replacing weak soil. This development is associated with the use of different types geosynthetics. The principles of operation of a soil foundation reinforced with various geosynthetic materials are considered. The mechanical properties of geotextiles, geogrids and geogrids used to harden embankment soils have been studied. A new test procedure for geosynthetic materials has been developed. This procedure differs from the traditional method specified in GOST 32491 with a constant deformation rate. Results and Discussion. Tests of geosynthetic materials in kinematic mode have shown that a decrease in tensile strength is observed for all materials. The reduction ranges from 28% to 42% for different types of geogrids. The elongation at break decreased for the hexagonal and biaxial geogrid by 8.6% and 30%, respectively. An increase in relative elongation was noted for a uniaxial geogrid. According to geotextile, the tensile strength decreased by 15.7%, and the elongation increased by 26.5%. Conclusion. Research results have shown the effectiveness of the recommended reinforcement methods to increase the bearing capacity of the bases and the possibility of their application in various regions of Kazakhstan.

Introduction. The article considers the issue of modifying the initial chrysotile fiber and its bundles by the action of hydration products of Portland cement and various acidity value of the treated medium. A brief justification of the relevance of the research topic is provided. It is noted that recently, issues of production of composite materials based on natural and man-made raw materials, which are a promising area of modern economics, have aroused great scientific and practical interest. The availability and low cost of raw materials, as well as low energy, transportation, and overhead costs, contribute to reducing the cost of composite materials. At the same time, the high contractual prices and strong demand in both domestic and foreign markets provide incentives for increasing production volumes. The aim of the research is to study the behavior of the initial chrysotile fibers and their aggregates in the composition of the cement component under the influence of different acidity of the treated medium. Research objective: to investigate the behavior of chrysotile cement dust components under an aggressive environmental condition with electron microscopy examination; calculation of the number and dimensional characteristics of nanofibers and dust particles under the influence of various exposure times of the aggressive factor; microdifraction studies of the nanostructure of the studied samples after exposure to acidic media. Materials and methods. The materials used in the research and their characteristics are given, in particular, chrysotile cement dust containing fibers of commercial chrysotile, acidity of the medium, exposure time, micro- and nanofibers obtained after exposure to aggressive medium. Samples of chrysotile cement dust were taken at the slate production No.1 of JSC “BelACI” and collected at the place of sawing of chrysotile cement products, underwent the stage of dispersion using a centrifugal separator. In the work chrysotile cement dust was used as an object of environmental pollution and its further use in the production of composite chrysotile cement products. Results. The results of studies on the influence of aggressive environment on the components of chrysotile-cement dust, their size characteristics, and structural nano-changes are presented. The studied samples have been examined in a scanning ion-electron microscope at magnifications of 200x, 500x, 5000x, 10000x, and their chemical composition have been analyzed. Discussion. The results of analysis of the obtained experimental data are given. Quantitative composition of fibers and aggregates of fibers in chrysotile cement dust changes after its exposure in acidic medium in comparison with their quantity in initial chrysotile cement dust, and the quantity of separate thin fibers increases, it is explained by the fact that in acidic medium there is not only destruction of cement stone, but also splitting of bundles of chrysotile fibers into micro- and nanofibers. Conclusions. Electron microscopic examination of initial commercial chrysotile fibers and their bundles in cement dust have shown changes in their dimensional and quantitative characteristics, including the products of Portland cement hydration under the influence of the factor of aggressiveness of the environment

Introduction. Clay soil is a multiphase, multicomponent aluminosilicate dispersed system with specific properties determined not only by its composition but also by the formation of coagulative and transition contacts (binds) between the soil particles. One of the methods of changing soil properties is the introduction of active mineral additives that promote the formation of phase contacts (binds) between soil particles as a result of the pozzolanic reaction. The effectiveness of using carbide sludge, which is a multi-tonnage lime-containing waste (the content of active calcium oxide reaches 56%) as an additive, has been proved. However, to date, the proposed mechanism of interaction in the «clay soil – carbide sludge» system is based only on the literature data and has not been experimentally verified. The purpose of this research is to study the mechanism of structure formation in the «clay soil – carbide sludge» dispersed system. Methods and materials. A soil model has been created by mixing saponite-containing material with sand, which corresponds to the composition and properties of sandy loam. The carbide sludge in the form of a suspension was selected from the sludge collector, dried to a constant mass and sieved. Microstructural analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), and X-ray phase analysis were used to study the mechanism of structure formation. Results and discussions. Based the results of the differential thermal analysis, there is a decrease in the intensity of the endothermic effect in the range of 460 to 470°C associated with the decomposition of calcium hydroxide in the treated sample. Additionally, an endothermic effect is observed at 750°C, which indicating the decomposition of calcium silicate hydrate. The results of differential thermal analysis are confirmed by X-ray phase analysis, which shows the presence of tobermorite group hydrosilicates in the reaction medium. The study of the microstructure of the analyzed mixtures revealed a decrease in the specific volume of pores with a diameter of 4–5 nm in the modified clay soil. This is associated with gelling from particles of new hydrate formations. Besides that, the volume of pores with a diameter of more than 6 nm increased, which indicates the process of

The West introduced Citywalk to China; since then, the concept has undergone a significant transformation from mere walking or hiking activities, impacting people’s choices in transportation and urban spatial experiences. However, the defining characteristics of Citywalk remain unclear. To address this gap, this study considers representative cities in China as examples and employs a comprehensive approach including website information retrieval, SPSS software, and word frequency analysis to collect and analyze data on 611 Citywalk routes in 48 cities. The study objective is to examine the regional characteristics of Citywalk routes and elucidate the factors that shape Citywalk characteristics. Descriptive statistics are used to describe the regional characteristics of Citywalk routes, and three indicators – urban attributes, route features, and node types – are identified. Subsequently, correlation analysis is applied within and between groups. The results indicate a significant correlation among urban attributes, route features, and certain node types with high reliability. This study provides bottom-up data support for the design of linear spatial experiences in Chinese cities and the improvement of tourist route planning, thus offering valuable references for future endeavors in this field.

From the 1950s to the 1970s, China exported 16 foreign aid stadiums, which occupied a considerable proportion of China’s foreign aid construction and stood out due to their unique qualities. This study aims to explore the historical development of these stadiums in the initial period to clarify the development trends of early China’s stadium aid and the main factors influencing it. According to an exploration based on a series of historical studies, qualitative comparative analyses, interviews and case studies, this study reveals that China’s foreign stadium aid transitioned from labour support to design support under the influence of governmental, architectural and additional factors. This study fills a gap in the academic literature, provides new perspectives for current research into China’s foreign aid construction, and provides indispensable supplements for Chinese sports architecture and modern architecture.

In the global context of climate change and frequent occurrence of extreme temperature variations, the impact of harsh climates on the outdoor thermal environment in remote, cold, mountainous villages is particularly pronounced, leading to many negative effects. The geoorphology of the village sites and their building layouts are important factors affecting the outdoor thermal environment. Therefore, exploring the spatiotemporal characteristics of these factors is significant for optimizing village construction and improving living environments. In this study, taking Fangjialiang Village in a cold mountainous area as an example, we analysed the outdoor thermal environment from a spatiotemporal perspective through comprehensive field investigations and measurements. The findings obtained are summarized as follows: (1) Landform elements were limited by boundary and azimuth constraints (difference in time temperature decay rate between the valley interior and valley edge area: ΔK = 0.48°C/m). (2) The temperature inversion phenomenon in the valley was significant (the average rate of temperature increase with elevation was 0.037°C/m). (3) The vertical distribution of the temperature was more susceptible to the influence of the difference in elevation inside the village (ρ≈–0.48). The average rate of temperature decrease with elevation is 0.489°C/m. (4) A compact building layout could sustainably weaken the effects of topographic elements (e.g. the average temperature sequenced as: closed internal courtyard (Avg = 14.60°C)> semi-open horizontal village street (Avg = 13.58°C)> fully open space (Avg = 13.11°C)). Therefore, the results of the study further revealed the coordinated relationship between the natural environment and rural settlements, proved the integrated effects of village siting and building layout, and provided useful insights for the construction and living environment optimization of mountain villages.

Effective project management is crucial for the successful delivery of construction projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards. Project scope definition is at the heart of project management, which forms the basis for project planning, execution, and control. However, despite its importance, there is a lack of comprehensive investigation into project scope definition compared to other areas of management knowledge. This research paper identifies the key enablers and elements of project scope definition, as well as their relative importance. Moreover, this study develops an assessment model using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate the completeness of the project scope definition. Data was gathered through a questionnaire survey deployed to subject matter experts specialized in building projects in Saudi Arabia. The results highlight the significance of understanding the direct impact of scope definition on project success, which emerged as the most influential enabler in facilitating scope definition. Among the top ten elements of scope definition are project financial requirements, regulatory requirements, and building site location and geotechnical data. The findings and AHP assessment model can assist project stakeholders and managers in effectively defining project scope, potentially leading to efficient management of building projects.

Traditional Chinese villages, as rural settlements shaped over extensive historical evolution in agrarian societies, have lacked a systematic method for quantitatively analysing and understanding the historical spatial forms. This study takes a morphological research perspective, using Lohong Village, Su’er Village, and Shangyue Village in Guangdong Province as case studies of typical Cantonese traditional villages. It focuses on three key spatial texture elements: roads, plots, and architecture, employing parametric modelling techniques to investigate their combination patterns and quantitative characteristics. The findings indicate that: (1) Parametric analysis techniques can comprehensively, quantitatively, and accurately reveal the patterns of village spatial texture; (2) Comparing optimized parametric simulation results with original villages shows high similarity in spatial texture, demonstrating the method’s high fidelity and practical value; (3) The study explores a research approach suitable for the computer era – “data collection – parametric feature extraction and optimization – simulation and data calibration” – to study the spatial texture of traditional villages. Furthermore, it establishes a parametric-based platform for rural planning and construction management, providing a digital design pathway and management basis to preserve and inherit the historical village aesthetics.

The adoption of Western planning ideas has significantly shaped China’s Central Business Districts (CBDs) and spurred economic growth. This article goes beyond existing research by exploring the “provincialization” of Western planning concepts, resulting in unique CBD landscapes in Chinese cities. Through a study of the Guangzhou CBD, it reveals how introduced ideas and local agents mutually adjust and respond to each other’s needs during the provincialization process. Under the “Reforms and Opening-up” policy, Chinese authorities drew from Hong Kong’s experiences to introduce the CBD concept, adapting it to underdeveloped land in Guangzhou and blending it with American downtown design. To meet urban space demands, industrial growth, and land economy needs, urban authorities reorganized local resources to create a discourse of the “central axis” to integrate the CBD concept into the urban layout. Consequently, both introduced ideas and local agents are intertwined to address challenges posed by each other, resulting in Guangzhou’s CBD framing a hybrid urban landscape.

Our study analyzes the spatial pattern and structural characteristics of cities in late feudal China based on multiple correlation and geographic information system spatial analysis, using 58 local Chinese chronicle maps of Jiangsu in the Qing Dynasty as research material. The elements in the city map were dominated by the types of official buildings, transportation facilities, and religious buildings. The urban spatial pattern can be classified into four types, such as extraverted and introverted, with each type having an aggregated spatial distribution and a gradual introverted orientation in time. The urban spatial structure can also be divided into four types: traditional, axial, random, and composite. Spatial distribution of each type is relatively stable, with little change over time. The geographic environment and the traditional concept of city building are the basic reasons for the formation of the spatial pattern and structure. The flood disaster, commercial and military factors contribute to the diverse structures. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of quantifying the ancient Chinese chronicles’ city maps. The findings have important value for contemporary ancient city restoration and shaping urban characteristics.

This study explores the influence of digital technologies on public life and evaluates spatial design professionals’ perceptions of these impacts. The research involved surveying architects, urban planners, and landscape architects to comprehend the ramifications of digital technology on public life. In total, 356 spatial design experts participated in the study. The analysis utilised descriptive statistical methods, t-tests and ANOVA tests for independent samples. The findings reveal that social isolation was rated highest among the spatial design experts’ scale, whereas social anxiety scored lowest among the elements comprising the spatial design experts’ scale. A comparison between participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and their scores on the impact of digital technologies in public life showed variances in gender, employment status, profession, and daily usage of digital technology, but found no significant differences in marital status, level of education, or professional experience. Consequently, this research sheds light on the repercussions of digital technology usage in public life, offering invaluable insights for all stakeholders, particularly spatial design professionals and social scientists. By understanding these impacts, the study highlights the importance of adopting more informed and conscious approaches to fostering positive social interactions and enhancing community well-being in public life.

The residential architecture atlases, chronicling the design motifs and craftsmanship of residences in Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing dynasties, serves as a cornerstone in deciphering the cultural metamorphosis and unearthing the subtle architectural essence specific to the region. With the advent of modern digital paradigms, this atlas has undergone a regeneration, evolving into a digital, real-time, and interactive embodiment of architectural lore. This study delves into the contents and characteristics of traditional and informational architectural atlases in Jiangnan during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It includes detailed surveys and mappings of the Mingyue Bay village in Suzhou, focusing on its geographic location, historical culture, and residential architectures. Utilizing AutoCAD and Photoshop, the study delineates the architectural plan atlas, elevation atlas, wooden frame atlas, and decoration atlas. It suggests regenerative design strategies for these traditional atlases. Furthermore, through MasterGo and SketchUp, this study elaborated on the regenerative design strategies of residential architecture information atlases in the Mingyue Bay village, including spatial-temporal information atlas, cultural tourism service atlas, scene experience atlas, model simulation atlas, and game interaction atlas. These atlases are integrated into a service platform of rural intelligent tourism, aimed at fostering the global inheritance of residential architecture culture and the revitalization of rural intelligent tourism.

This paper presents a new spatial visualization technique to redesign indoor spaces that reflect individual physical requirements. Designing safe and convenient environments necessitates differentiated facility installations based on factors such as age, gender, and disability status, emphasizing the need for customized spatial configurations. The study specifically focuses on elderly users, visualizing appropriate safety equipment placement to address physical aging challenges and proposing tailored space redesigns. High-Level of detail (LoD) Building Information Modeling (BIM) components were developed for the training model and utilized in the data processing workflow. The training data consists of images paired with explanatory text, and additional training was completed by optimizing the training hyperparameters. The resulting trained model generates high-quality images that accurately reflect the provided contextual prompts. Furthermore, this study showcases a practical application through the development of a user-friendly mobile web/application interface. This tool allows non-professional users to capture images using their smartphones and visualize potential redesign alternatives tailored to their specific physical requirements. By bridging the gap between spatial visualization techniques and users, this study contributes to making more inclusive and adaptable indoor environments for diverse users, particularly the elderly.

Neighborhood commercial areas in cities densely populated with small stores serve as crucial social, economic, and cultural hubs. However, the emergence of large discount stores and online shopping and urban decline have challenged these commercial areas. In response, South Korea introduced urban regeneration policies in 2014, known as urban regeneration leading areas (URLAs), with related projects carried out between 2017 and 2019. This study explored how urban regeneration projects impacted neighborhood commercial areas. It specifically examined the relationship between store survival rates – a key indicator of revitalization – and influencing factors (e.g. characteristics of urban regeneration projects, store characteristics, and regional features). The results, derived from a survival analysis model, indicated that revitalized areas, such as artificially specialized streets, negatively impacted store survival rates. Moreover, stores established at the commencement or midpoint of regeneration projects demonstrated lower survival rates, indicating temporary gentrification. Contrarily, stores linked to convenience facilities integral to residents’ lives and those existing before regeneration projects exhibited higher survival rates. These results suggest the need for a shift in urban regeneration projects and policies, such as increasing support for established local stores rather than creating new commercial zones and setting reasonable rents to sustain newly established stores.

Abstract Condensed tannins exhibit diverse bioactivities that render them promising for applications in the food and medical fields. For the analysis and monitoring of condensed tannins, 13C-labeled derivatives would provide a useful tool. In this study, condensed tannin polymers regioselectively labeled with a stable isotope were synthesized using 13C-labeled acetic acid or 13C-labeled dimethylformamide as the starting material. The resulting synthetic polymers were labeled with 13C at the C-4 or C-2 positions. A GPC analysis revealed that all model polymers comprised mainly tetramer to hexamer structures. According to the 13C-NMR data of the synthetic tannin models and natural condensed tannin obtained from sugi bark, the chemical structure of both compounds was very similar. Furthermore, compared with the natural condensed tannin and unlabeled synthetic polymer, the labeled compound showed more intense C-4 and C-2 13C signals, indicating that the 13C labeling proceeded regioselectively. These compounds are useful for analyzing the chemical reactions of condensed tannins and monitoring structural transformation processes in vivo.

Abstract Hardwood has become widespread in European forests. The strongest factor is climate change and damage to conifers by the bark beetle. The effort to study hardwoods grows with increasing volume of applications. Therefore, European beech wood was investigated under two impact loads in two material directions, resulting in four unique combinations supplemented by the measurement of the friction coefficient. Then, it was computationally simulated to reproduce the cracking, while the material model reflected the orthotropic behaviour in elasticity, plasticity and failure. The model was coded using the user subroutine in Abaqus to initiate and propagate the crack using the element deletion. The resulting reaction forces were in good agreement with those from the experiments. Cracking was numerically simulated in three of four cases as experimentally observed, however, upon larger deflections. Therefore, the model is applicable for further investigations.

Using games as educational tools has been a captivating subject in the academic domain. There is an increasing number of digital games designed to support architectural education. This paper introduces a serious game aimed at enhancing basic design knowledge for first-year architecture students. The game focuses on teaching and testing visual design principles such as emphasis, balance, and rhythm. Based on these principles, it allows students to create 2D compositions on a grid pattern by placing and manipulating simple shapes in terms of color, shape, and size. The final composition is evaluated by an artificial intelligence (AI) tool integrated into the game. This AI tool predicts the design principles present in the composition, providing three possible outcomes with associated percentages. The game, currently in the testing phase, has been played by 126 first-year students, and user experience has been assessed through questionnaires, surveys, and basic game metrics. The use of this game to teach visual design principles has proven to be an effective method for engaging students in active learning and enhancing their understanding and application of design concepts. The innovative use of AI to provide real-time feedback and the interactive nature of the game have fostered a deeper, experiential learning process. Additionally, students have proposed various innovative ideas to improve the gaming experience, suggesting potential enhancements that could lead to a more refined and enjoyable gameplay. These insights highlight the potential of digital game-based learning (DGBL) and AI-enhanced tools in creating an engaging and effective educational environment.

Architecture quality is complex due to a number of factors. Some of these factors implicitly engage in deep reflection on architectural space, then they end up having a significant impact on the user’s architectural experience. For the purposes of this paper, experience is considered as any contact between the user and the built environment through the architectural space, where the impact will be the result of both objective and subjective factors. Among these subjective aspects, we focus on the emotional dimension of the user's experience. This theoretical article will address this issue using an inductive approach. The main purpose is to examine the role of each of the following elements: firstly, the architect's perception of architectural space, in particular in relation to the traditional duel between form/space or geometry/architecture; secondly, the impact of emotion which is thought to be most closely related to human nature in promoting architectural quality; and finally, we will attempt to define the methodology that will enable the architect to address this emotional dimension in such a technical practice. The desired and appropriate methodological frame is intended to provide a scientific solution to the potential conflict between subjective and objective factors from the disciplines and participants involved. To do so, it should represent the first level (level-0 methodological framework) where the user-centered approach takes precedence and coordinates between architects, environmental psychologists and neuroscientists to prepare the quantitative and qualitative data needed to support the next level (level-1: architectural design), which is primarily the responsibility of the architect.

This research employs remote sensing techniques to map agricultural drought in the Constantine region of Algeria during the years 2021 to 2023. Using Landsat images processed through the Google Earth Engine platform, three indices (NDVI, VHI, and SPI) were calculated. The findings indicate deterioration in both climatic conditions and vegetation health. Specifically, NDVI and SPI exhibit decreases, while VHI shows an increase, signaling heightened water stress. The inverse relationship between NDVI and VHI underscores the connection between water availability and vegetation health. Additionally, a detailed analysis reveals severe drought conditions in the Southwestern part of the region. This study showcases the value of utilizing remote sensing technology on the Google Earth Engine platform for monitoring climate and vegetation patterns over space and time. These insights can help in forecasting the effects of climate change on agriculture and inform the adoption of suitable strategies to ensure food security.

This study explores the impact of landscape design, which has gained importance alongside architectural changes in shopping centers, and investigates preferences in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Although e-commerce has increased during the pandemic, research and societal behaviors suggest that shopping centers will continue to serve as contemporary agoras due to their socialization and leisure functions. However, in response to the pandemic, it is anticipated that newly designed shopping centers will be architecturally conceived as semi-outdoor or outdoor spaces, regardless of climate conditions. This transformation will involve the softening of rigid appearances through landscape elements, making them both ecologically and psychologically sustainable. The number of studies on this subject is limited. To address this knowledge gap, an online survey was conducted with 586 randomly selected users across nine shopping centers located in three major cities of Turkey: Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, with three shopping centers in each city. The survey investigated users' preferences for architectural styles (indoor, semi-outdoor, or outdoor) and landscape design in shopping centers. The findings of the study indicate that post-pandemic, outdoor and semi-outdoor shopping centers are likely to be preferred more frequently. An emphasis is likely to be placed on natural landscape elements such as plants and water features in landscape design. Furthermore, shopping center designs are likely to become simpler, offering comfortable and spacious navigation areas while optimizing parking and transportation conditions. This study is expected to shed light on decision-making processes for future shopping centers. By incorporating consumer preferences, architects can enhance the sustainability of shopping center investments through next-generation design.