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Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 36548

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Agnieszka Leśniak

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
Interests: supporting decisions in construction; delays in construction projects; risk assessment in construction; project cost estimation; tendering and bidding in construction; using artificial neural networks in construction management; building procurement
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Krzysztof Zima

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Kraków, Poland
Interests: construction cost estimation; building information modelling technology; design and build and integrated project delivery; activity of developer companies; evaluation of investment efficiency; sustainable construction and using case-based reasoning and fuzzy logic in construction management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of sustainable development is one of the most commonly used but also the least understood terms, often equated with ecological, green, or intelligent rhetoric. However, for those in the construction sector, sustainable development should include the environment and its long-term sustainability for the sake of all humanity.

The construction sector can significantly contribute to achieving these goals, especially given the huge amount of material and energy resources required to build various structures. The problem should be considered in the aspect of the entire life cycle of the structure, starting from the concept and design phase, through all aspects of planning, construction, and use.

New trends and ideas are necessary in many areas of construction, such as hydroengineering, general building design, building physics, geotechnics, building materials engineering, engineering of building enterprises, transportation engineering (bridges and railways), concrete structures, metal structures, and mechanics of structures and materials in various types of construction projects in all phases.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform to explore the state-of-the-art knowledge, practical implementation, and cutting-edge innovations in the area of construction design and sustainability. Survey and theoretical articles, as well as application papers, are welcome.

Assoc. Prof. Agnieszka Leśniak
Assoc. Prof. Krzysztof Zima
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sustainable construction
sustainable design
hydro engineering
general building design
building physics
geotechnics: building materials engineering
engineering of building enterprises
transportation engineering (bridges and railways)
concrete structures
metal structures
mechanics of structures and materials

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 6320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strength Variation of Rocks Surrounding Road Tunnel Entrance/Exit in High–Altitude Mountain Areas under Freeze–Thaw Cycles

by Zezhou Guo, Zizhao Zhang, Yanyang Zhang and Guangming Shi

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9305; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159305 - 29 Jul 2022

Viewed by 1399

Abstract

The Duku Highway in the study area is located in the high-altitude mountainous region of Xinjiang, China, and it is affected by various environmental factors during construction, among which the influence of freeze–thaw cycles cannot be ignored. In order to study the effect of freeze–thaw cycles on the strength of tuff surrounding rock at high-altitude mountainous areas, uniaxial compressive strength and shear wave velocity tests with different numbers of freeze–thaw cycles were conducted on dry and saturated rock samples from the tunnel entrance of the Duku Highway. The test results showed that the tuff specimens condensed a thin layer of ice on the surface with raised freezing points during the freezing stage, but the thickness of the thin ice and the density of the freezing points did not change with the increase of the number of freeze–thaw cycles. Analysis of the test data showed that the wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, breaking strain, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson’s ratio of the rock decreased as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increased. We believe that the freeze–thaw cycles caused the deterioration of the rock strength. The reason for this phenomenon is that we believe that the freeze–thaw cycling action changed the rock internally and affected its density, which, in turn, caused the attenuation of strength, etc. However, there is a limit to the effect of freeze–thaw cycling on the strength of the surrounding rock. After exceeding the limit of the effect of freeze–thaw cycling, the strength parameters of the surrounding rock will no longer change with the increase of the number of freeze–thaw cycles. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of the stability of tuff surroundings at high-altitude mountain tunnel openings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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15 pages, 1987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Approach to Predicting Soil Permeability Coefficient Using Gaussian Process Regression

by Mahmood Ahmad, Suraparb Keawsawasvong, Mohd Rasdan Bin Ibrahim, Muhammad Waseem, Kazem Reza Kashyzadeh and Mohanad Muayad Sabri Sabri

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8781; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148781 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2675

Abstract

In the design stage of construction projects, determining the soil permeability coefficient is one of the most important steps in assessing groundwater, infiltration, runoff, and drainage. In this study, various kernel-function-based Gaussian process regression models were developed to estimate the soil permeability coefficient, based on six input parameters such as liquid limit, plastic limit, clay content, void ratio, natural water content, and specific density. In this study, a total of 84 soil samples data reported in the literature from the detailed design-stage investigations of the Da Nang–Quang Ngai national road project in Vietnam were used for developing and validating the models. The models’ performance was evaluated and compared using statistical error indicators such as root mean square error and mean absolute error, as well as the determination coefficient and correlation coefficient. The analysis of performance measures demonstrates that the Gaussian process regression model based on Pearson universal kernel achieved comparatively better and reliable results and, thus, should be encouraged in further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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14 pages, 5146 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Environmental Impact of Concrete Structures

by Daniel Wałach

Sustainability 2021, 13(1), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010204 - 28 Dec 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6887

Abstract

Concrete is the one of the most important construction materials not only in terms of its global consumption but also environmental impact. However, there are many possibilities to reduce the environmental impact of concrete structures. This paper presents a set of factors determining the environmental impact of subsequent stages in the life cycles of concrete objects. In the research, the method of deduction and mathematical logic was applied to identify the parameters. Using the DEMATEL method, the significance of the identified factors was determined. An influential relation map allowed to specify a set of important parameters (causes) that affect the impact of the structure on the environment. The most important causes include: Concrete class, structural loads, static of the structure, materials used, and their suppliers as well as the volume of structural elements. The results of the analysis both confirmed the previous findings, as well as shows a set of indicators not previously highlighted. The cause-and-effect relationships between the parameters, and its significance was also determined. The results enable to indicate further directions of reducing the environmental impact of the concrete structure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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13 pages, 5173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Impact of Atmospheric Corrosivity on the Cement Concrete Airfield Pavement’s Operation Process

by Mariusz Wesolowski, Aleksandra Rumak, Pawel Iwanowski and Adam Poswiata

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9560; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229560 - 17 Nov 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1936

Abstract

The aim of this research is to assess corrosion in natural atmospheric conditions, based on exposure of material samples and periodic monitoring, and to determine the size of corrosion losses, their form and appearance, as well as changes in physical properties at regular time intervals. Atmospheric corrosion tests were ultimately carried out in order to determine the corrosion resistance of a cement concrete airfield pavement, as well as to assess the type of corrosion and research data in order to determine and estimate the corrosivity of the atmosphere. Atmospheric corrosivity is one of the parameters characterizing the technical condition of airfield pavement functional elements; it makes it possible to estimate a suitable frequency of airfield periodic inspections. Assessments of concrete corrosion and atmospheric corrosivity enable appropriate countermeasures to be taken in order to maintain the airport functional elements in a constant state of technical readiness. In the following study, the prepared samples were exposed to atmospheric conditions in designated places located at selected military airport facilities. Corrosion samples in the form of 50 mm × 100 mm standard samples, 1 mm to 3 mm in thickness, were placed on special frames located within fenced corrosion stations. The corrosion rate r_corr of a specific metal, expressed as a corrosion loss, depends on the environmental conditions. This article presents an atmosphere corrosivity category assessment for low-carbon steel, zinc, copper and aluminum reference samples, taking into account weight or thickness loss after one year of exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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15 pages, 18317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Cost Overrun Risk in Construction Projects

by Edyta Plebankiewicz and Damian Wieczorek

Sustainability 2020, 12(22), 9341; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229341 - 10 Nov 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4627

Abstract

The paper proposes a cost overrun risks prediction model, the structure of which is based on the fuzzy inference model of Mamdani. The model consists of numerous inputs and one output (MISO, multi-input-single-output), based on processes running consecutively in three blocks (the fuzzy block, the interference block, and the block of sharpening the representative output value). The input variables of the model include the share of element costs in the building costs (SE), predicted changes in the number of works (WC), and expected changes in the unit price (PC). The developed rule base makes it possible to determine the risk of cost overruns in the following categories: “very low”, “quite low”, “average”, “quite high”, and “very high”. Twenty-seven rules were assumed in the interference block. The operation of the model was illustrated by the example of selected elements of a road object and was validated by checking the correctness of the assumptions made at the design stage of the inference block rule base. It has been proven that with the increase of the share of element costs in the building costs (SE), predicted changes in the number of works (WC), and expected changes in the unit price (PC), the value of the risk exceeding the costs of a given element of the construction project (R) increases naturally and smoothly. It was emphasized in the conclusions that the cost overrun risks prediction model is intended for general contractors who subcontract many stages of works to their subcontractors in accordance with the agreed division into work elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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23 pages, 3418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Communication and Information Flow in Polish Construction Projects

by Ewelina Kania, Elżbieta Radziszewska-Zielina and Grzegorz Śladowski

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9182; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219182 - 4 Nov 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5681

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyse communication and information flow within construction projects on the basis of a survey study and a review of the literature. The subject of communication and its impact on carrying out a construction project is widely discussed in global academic literature. Many scholars point to problems with communication and information flow while also reporting that it directly affects construction project time and cost. In the literature, communication is also presented as an essential factor that improves safety and partnering in construction projects. There is also a group of studies that points to the lack of effective communication as the cause of delays and modifications. The authors, in reference to global studies, present the results of a survey study performed in Poland on a group of 160 construction industry practitioners. Information about five research areas was collected. These areas included: general information about communication and information flow between construction project participants, problems in carrying out construction projects in relation to the lack of effective communication, the impact of communication on the success of carrying out a construction project, communication costs, and the need to develop a tool (a digital system) that would support construction project managers in the optimal control over communication between project participants. On the basis of the obtained research results and the literature study, it was found that effective communication and information flow within a construction project can improve the construction process and that there exists a need to develop a comprehensive approach that would aid construction project managers in ensuring a more effective information flow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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14 pages, 21172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Consequences of Abandoning Renovation: Case Study—Neglected Industrial Heritage Building

by Beata Nowogońska

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6441; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166441 - 10 Aug 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5077

Abstract

The abandonment of renovation works is an extremely important factor causing degradation of the building. Omission of repairs may lead to a threat to the stability of the building’s structure, threaten the lives of users, further damage to the building by damaging further elements. The aim of this article is to analyze the consequences of abandoning renovation works in order to minimize the occurrence of construction failures in the future. The article presents problems related to the abandonment of repair works of damaged elements. A classification of the effects of abandonment of repairs for historic buildings has been worked out. Industrial heritage buildings were often not used for a long time, and the lack of maintenance very often caused their partial or even complete destruction. The progressive degradation of buildings is mainly the result of human negligence, lack of effective, and continuous maintenance. The problem of abandonment of repairs is presented on the example of the granary in Krosno Odrzańskie. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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12 pages, 4204 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Validation and Simplification of Timber-Frame Structure Design Stage with PU-Foam Insulation

by Marcin Szczepański and Wojciech Migda

Sustainability 2020, 12(15), 5990; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12155990 - 25 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2748

Abstract

The transition from experimental studies to the realm of numerical simulations is often necessary for further studies, but very difficult at the same time. This is especially the case for extended seismic analysis and earthquake-resistant design. This paper describes an approach to moving from the experimental testing of an elementary part of a wood-frame building structure to a numerical model, with the use of a commercial engineering analysis software. In the presented approach, a timber-frame structure with polyurethane (PU)-foam insulation and OSB (oriented strand board) sheathing was exposed to dynamic excitation. The results were then used to generate a numerical 3D model of the wooden frame element. The process of creating the 3D model is explained with the necessary steps to reach validation. The details of the model, material properties, boundary conditions, and used elements are presented. Furthermore, the authors explain the technical possibilities for simplifying the numerical model in used software. Simplifying the model leads to a substantial reduction of calculation time without the loss of accuracy of results. Such a simplification is especially useful when conducting advanced numerical calculations in the field of seismic and dynamic resistant object design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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25 pages, 4863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geotechnical Properties of Anthropogenic Soils in Road Engineering

by Andrzej Głuchowski, Katarzyna Gabryś, Emil Soból, Raimondas Šadzevičius and Wojciech Sas

Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 4843; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124843 - 13 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3461

Abstract

The construction of a roads network consumes high amounts of materials. The road materials are required to fulfill high standards like bearing capacity and low settlement susceptibility due to cyclic loading. Therefore, crushed aggregates are the primary subbase construction material. The material-intensity of road engineering leads to depletion of natural resources, and to avoid it, the alternative recycled materials are required to be applied to achieve sustainable development. The anthropogenic soils (AS), which are defined as man-made unbound aggregates, are the response to these requirements. For the successful application of the AS, a series of geotechnical laboratory and field tests were conducted. In this article, we present the set of 58 test results, including California Bearing Ratio (CBR) bearing capacity tests, oedometric tests, and cyclic CBR tests, to characterize the behavior of three AS types and to compare its reaction with natural aggregate (NA). The AS tested in this study are recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), fly ash and bottom ash mix (BS), and blast furnace slag (BFS). The results of the tests show that the AS has similar characteristics to NA, and in some cases, like compression characteristic, RCA and BFS behave a stiffer response to cyclic loading. The test results and analysis presented here extend the knowledge about AS compressibility and AS response to cyclic loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Construction of Civil Engineering Structures Appropriate for Sustainable Development)

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