Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1653

Effects of structural irregularities on the seismic response of a steel structure

by Joshua Omer, Zoe Almazan

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Steel structures are commonly used for buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure, due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and versatility. However, the dynamic response of steel structures can be affected by irregularities such as variation in mass, elevation, stiffness, and plan geometry. Therefore, analysis of structural irregularities is important and allows the structural designer to maximize the efficiency of structures in resisting seismic and other dynamic actions. This paper presents a review of the existing methods of analysis of the effects of structural irregularities on the dynamic response of low to medium-high-rise steel buildings. Methods that are used with Eurocode 8 (BS EN 1998:2004) design procedure are discussed. Also, reviewed are the provisions of Eurocode 8, regarding structural irregularity in design, including discussion of the effects of irregularity in mass, elevation, stiffness, and plan. To quantify and compare the effects of different irregularities, SCIA finite element program is used to analyze dynamic response of hypothetical structures with and without irregularities. The computed results of salient deformations and stresses in the structures are compared and discussed, including reference to other researchers’ findings. Finally, the implications of various structural irregularities on analysis and design of steel structures are also discussed. The novelty of this research is that it analyses the dynamic response of a predefined structural model, for four types of structural irregularity simultaneously, based on the same control parameters and computational method. Also, even though the use of a building may change at some time, current literature on seismic vulnerability does not adequately address the impact of unexpected changes in mass distribution, but this research does. The findings may help engineers in optimizing design of irregular structures to enhance seismic performance, mitigate risks of seismic damage and promote consistency in design and construction of earthquake resistant structures.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2207

CFD-based comparative simulation analysis of flow field under different natural ventilation boundary conditions in the room

by Yuanyuan Fu, Bin Zhao

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

In order to achieve reasonable indoor layout design, reduce building energy consumption and better meet human body thermal comfort requirements, flow fields under different natural ventilation conditions are compared based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in this paper. Firstly, a theoretical model of the indoor flow field under six different ventilation conditions is constructed, and boundary conditions, wall functions and meshing structure are confirmed. Simulation analysis is carried out for six different working conditions. Through comparative analysis, it is concluded the window opening location should be located in the center, and the direct airflow through the convection field is evenly distributed, and the direct airflow is conducive to the improvement of indoor cleanliness. In addition, when organizing natural ventilation, the window orientation is inclined to the dominant wind direction in summer by about 45° angles, it can improve the ventilation effect. And by analyzing temperature contours, 45° angles can better meet people’s needs about temperature: 18 ℃–26 ℃. When temperature contours’ temperature is above people’s comfortable temperature in specific rooms or places, mechanical ventilation and evaporative cooling can be combined. Research results can not only significantly improve the quality of living and working environments, but also help promote the development of green buildings and achieve energy-saving and emission reduction goals.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 1703

Impact of activity time stochasticity on critical paths and their completion probabilities in construction projects

by Saurabh Gupta, Riya Catherine George, Deepu Philip, Syam Nair

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Accurate planning and project control activities are essential in ensuring the timely completion of construction projects. Even though the classical scheduling techniques like Gantt charts, critical path method (CPM), program evaluation and review technique (PERT), etc., are well-designed and can effectively support construction scheduling functions, they do not account for the variability in activity times arising out of the random/stochastic nature of the activities involved. The study utilizes a simulation-based approach to identify the impact of variability in activity time durations on critical paths and on the probability of timely completion of construction projects. The effectiveness of four different probability distribution functions, namely uniform, triangular, bound exponential, and unbound exponential, in capturing the stochasticity of activity times in construction projects was also evaluated as part of the study. A MATLAB-based simulation framework was developed to sample random durations of project activities and compute various project scheduling parameters based on PERT assumptions. Activity time variability was introduced in the network by extending pessimistic time (t_p) by up to 50%. Observation in the study suggests that for projects that experience delays during execution, allocating additional resources to the preassigned critical path may not always be effective in addressing these delays. Instead, dynamic corrective measures (time extensions, resource allocation, etc.) that consider all possible scenarios of project completion and can account for any possible changes in critical path due to the incurred delay may be adopted to ensure a higher probability of project completion within the revised schedule. Exponential bounded distribution was found to provide a more realistic estimate of project completion time with a high probability of timely completion of construction projects. The study also suggests exponential unbound distribution to be effective in simulating worst-case scenarios encountered in construction projects. Future research could validate this approach on real projects and use machine learning to automate scheduling adjustments for delays.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2105

Digital poverty in quantity surveying practice

by Iyanu Simeon Michael, Olusola Festus Akinradewo, Taiwo Fadeke Adegbembo

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Background: Digitalization has profoundly impacted the construction sector, offering tools and technologies that promise increased efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration. Nevertheless, the integration of these digital solutions, notably Building Information Modeling (BIM), can be impeded by a set of fundamental barriers known as enablers of digital poverty. These enablers encompass a range of challenges that quantity surveyors face in Lagos State when attempting to embrace BIM and other digital tools. Objective: The objective of this study is to pinpoint, classify, and assess the factors that enable digital poverty when it comes to implementing BIM within the community of quantity surveyors in Lagos State, Nigeria. By understanding these enablers, stakeholders can develop targeted strategies to alleviate digital poverty and promote digital inclusion in the field of quantity surveying. Methods: A quantitative research method was utilized, employing a questionnaire survey to collect information from quantity surveyors in Lagos State. The questionnaire used in the study was designed to collect demographic data and evaluate the factors contributing to digital poverty. The collected data were analyzed using the mean item score and subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to uncover hidden groups or patterns among these contributing factors. Results: The EFA exposed five distinct clusters of enablers of digital poverty: Exploration Enablers—Factors related to creating an enabling environment for digital adoption, including limited financial resources, inadequate institutional arrangements, and lack of awareness; Incognizant Enablers—Factors reflecting a lack of knowledge and awareness, such as erratic power supply and insufficient government support; Compliance Enablers—Factors associated with the challenges of complying with new digital practices, including resistance to change from traditional methods and the scarcity of BIM specialists; Infrastructural Enablers—Challenges linked to infrastructure, including high costs of investment and software/hardware upgrades; and Automation Enablers—Factors related to the adoption of automated processes, such as an unsupportive organizational culture, lack of experience and knowledge, and inadequate support from senior management. Conclusion: This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the enablers of digital poverty in BIM implementation among quantity surveyors in Lagos State. It highlights the multifaceted characteristics of these challenges and underscores the importance of addressing them to promote digital inclusion and leverage the advantages of digital technologies within the construction sector. The identified enablers can serve as a foundation for policymakers, organizations, and communities to develop targeted interventions aimed at reducing digital poverty and fostering a digitally inclusive environment for quantity surveyors in Lagos State.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2598

Effect of chemical treatments on the mechanical and physical performance of corn straw fibers in cement mortar

by Bo Peng , Zulhazmee Bin Bakri

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

This study investigates the effects of water, acetic acid (CH₃COOH), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatments on the physical and mechanical properties of corn straw fibers in cement mortar. The use of natural fibers in cement composites offers a promising approach to reducing reliance on synthetic materials and utilizing agricultural byproducts. Chemical treatments like NaOH and CH₃COOH improve fiber-matrix bonding, which is critical for enhancing the mechanical properties of the composites. NaOH treatment resulted in the most significant improvements, with surface roughness increasing by 104.8% and compressive strength reaching 52.8 MPa at 1.5% fiber content after 28 days. CH₃COOH treatment boosted early-stage flexural strength, achieving 6.75 MPa at 7 days, but its long-term effect was limited. Water treatment showed minimal impact on fiber performance. These results indicate the potential for NaOH-treated fibers to enhance the strength and durability of cement-based materials.

Open Access

Review

Article ID: 2100

A review on significance of thermal comfort in educational facilities

by Huda Riaz, Ahmad Riaz, Amna Iqbal, Norheen Amina, Sunera Imtiaz

Building Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Climate change and the urgency of decarbonizing the built environment drive technological innovation in delivering thermal comfort to occupants. Studies have shown that thermal discomfort can lead to a decline in students’ cognitive function, motivation, absenteeism, and a decrease in instructors’ work performance. This article reviews significant changes, developments, and trends in thermal comfort research for educational facilities classrooms. This study summarizes research regarding the importance of environmental comfort in education facilities, different climatic regions, and various parameters that play a vital role in determining thermal comfort. The investigation of the current literature showed that researchers focused on different issues, adopting diverse models and indices to investigate thermal comfort in classrooms. Indeed, even if the environmental conditions comply with standards, in several cases, a prolonged stay indoors affects the health and productivity of students. However, it is important to focus on students’ preferences in different regions, climates, and educational stages to create healthy and human-centered buildings. It is also clear that current research trends mainly focus on cold regions of Europe, while, by educational level, secondary-stage classrooms are the least investigated; thus, further investigation is needed. Therefore, an integrated approach that considers both the positive and negative effects of indoor exposure is needed, including the individual preferences and needs of occupants in the least researched regions, such as Asia and Africa.