Modular construction is a rapidly growing sector of the construction industry in recent years. This paper presents information on modular construction technology, including its characteristic features and the positive aspects resulting from its use. It discusses the scope of application, completion time, quality of workmanship and ways to minimise losses during the module production process, along with the possibility of reusing both the modules and the materials from which they are made. The comparative analysis covered technological and economic aspects as well as completion time, using the example of a single-family residential building for two technological variants: modular and traditional construction. Both technologies were discussed in detail. The economic analysis was based on market research of offers from companies specialising in the construction of buildings using the technology in question. The cost estimate for traditional construction was prepared using the BIMestiMate programme. A comparative analysis of the construction time for buildings using both technologies was also carried out.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been the hottest topic in the construction sector over the last decade. The evolution from CAD to BIM systems has been going on for over 40 years. The current periodization indicates that we are now in the third era of BIM development, the era of open standards, which was initiated by the idea of openBIM in 2012. Earlier evolutionary periods included the model federation (second era) and CAD3D (first era). Since 2022, there has been extremely dynamic development of artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI. AI tools automate some of the tasks that were previously performed by humans. Thus, the research question is: are we entering the next, fourth era of BIM development? The era of artificial intelligence? This chapter attempts to answer this reflective question. During an in-depth literature review, the directions of current and future research on BIM development are discussed.
The paper presents the findings of a study on the influence of fibers derived from recycled geogrids on the stiffness modulus of asphalt concrete. The preliminary stage of the research involved a survey, which confirmed the escalating issue of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) contamination with glass and carbon geogrid fibers, as well as the limited existing knowledge regarding their impact on asphalt concrete properties. The experimental program encompassed AC16W and AC22W mixtures modified with fibers ranging from 1 cm to 5 cm in length and at concentrations of 0.2% to 1.0% by weight. Analysis of the test results revealed that the application of carbon geogrid fibers did not lead to a significant increase in the stiffness modulus compared to the reference mixtures; conversely, glass fibers exhibited a tendency to reduce it. It was established that excessive fiber length and content lead to a reduction in the stiffness modulus. Based on the analyses, optimal parameters for maintaining high stiffness modulus values were determined: a fiber content of <0.2% and a length of <1 cm, regardless of the mixture’s aggregate grading. The results indicate that geogrid recycling may represent an effective and rational approach supporting the circular economy and the development of sustainable asphalt technologies.
Vegetal cover change is a threat globally, a phenomenon with less attention concerning charcoal production. This study investigates vegetal cover loss and commercial charcoal production by analyzing three major charcoal depots in Niger south, Nigeria: Tatabu, Badeggi, and Batati. Utilizing a quantitative approach, primary data were collected through 663 questionnaires and secondary data via Landsat satellite imagery of 2010, 2015, and 2020 within a five-kilometer radius of the depots. Relative importance index (RII) was used to analyse primary data, while satellite imageries were processed using ArcGIS 10.8 software. Findings indicate a decrease in vegetative cover in Badeggi from 472.65 ha in 2010 to 269.92 ha in 2020. Key drivers of vegetation loss include deforestation (0.763 RII), farming (0.700 RII), and construction (0.690 RII). The region produces an average of 132 bags of charcoal weekly and ten truckloads monthly. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable environmental management and alternative energy sources.
The study investigated the influence of correlations between random variables on the reliability index of selected structural systems. The structural design parameters were defined as deterministic quantities and random variables, and the correlation between them was modeled using four correlation-matrix variants. The ultimate limit state was adopted as the safety criterion, and appropriate limit state functions were formulated to identify structural failure. A sensitivity analysis of the reliability index with respect to the random variables was carried out using the Hasofer-Lind reliability index as the performance measure. The First-Order Reliability Method served as the primary computational approach, with Monte Carlo simulation as the reference method. All calculations were performed using the NUMPRESS Explore. The analyses demonstrated that increasing the correlation coefficient leads to higher values of the reliability index. The results confirm that the correlation coefficient significantly affects the reliability assessment and should not be neglected in structural safety evaluations.
One of the cognitive and practical challenges of the 21st century is unraveling the mystery of the structure and functioning of the most important and the most complicated organ of the human body, which is the brain. Therefore, it is the subject of research by representatives of many fields of science (e.g., medicine, biology, genetics, psychology, and biochemistry). The objective of this study was to evaluate the cognitive functions of school-age children in Poland. The results of research based on tests that diagnose concentration of attention and memory, including short-term and long-term memory, are described. The research was carried out among students from nine primary schools, including a total of 243 children, their parents, and teachers.
Using fiber in the concrete is one of the methods to improve its capacity for the load resisting especially for the bending and tensile loading, but this process has two challenges, the first one is the energy usage, the waste gas emission which produced in these fiber’s industry, while the second challenge is the increase in the solid waste materials in the land which is include natural plant fiber. The usage of natural fiber instead of these industrial fibers will have a double advantage. This article deals with investigating the effect of using jute fiber on the properties of concrete, also proposing statistical models to predict the compressive strength of concrete by collecting the experimental data from previous experimental work. By using three different models, including the quadrant support vector machine, Integration Linear, and squared exponential Gaussian, and using 80 experimental data points. Based on the obtained results between the proposed models to predict the compressive strength of concrete, SVM provides higher accuracy and efficiency compared to the other proposed models, when the value of the coefficient of determination is higher than the IL, and SEG by 10.98%, and 1.09% respectively.
The article presents an analysis of research results on bitumens modified with waste polymers polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The bitumens were modified under conditions consistent with the Plackett-Burman experimental design by appropriately selecting the mixing process variables. The results of basic tests are presented. The microstructure of bitumens modified with waste polymers was compared with two commercially available bitumens modified with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer. The analysis of test results revealed certain similarities between laboratory-prepared bitumens and PmB 45/80-55. Modification of road bitumens 20/30 and 70/100 resulted in improvement particularly in the softening point temperature range. Furthermore, modification of certain binder parameters without changing its consistency proved possible. The possibility of polymer particle coagulation at higher homogenizer rotational speeds was also demonstrated.
Amager Bakke (CopenHill) is an example of a modern architectural solution for a technical facility serving the city. Thanks to its additional recreational and educational functions (ski slope, climbing wall, green terraces, etc.), it constitutes a significant element of the urban fabric, enhancing its attractiveness. Accessibility studies of the facility demonstrated its good integration with the city’s public transport system (20/30 points). A strength is its good accessibility thanks to a network of bicycle paths (within 10 minutes of the city center), which is crucial to Copenhagen’s mobility plans. A weakness, however, is the lack of efficient multimodality due to the lack of a nearby metro station, which is problematic in such an intensively revitalized area as the district where Amager Bakke is located. From a circular economy perspective, CopenHill is the final element of waste neutralization coupled with energy recovery, which raises questions about the environmental sustainability of the incineration process and the need for its technical support in the absence of waste.
Geopolymers have been shown to exhibit a significantly higher degree of resistance to corrosive environments when compared with cement concrete. The present paper expounds on the impact of sulphuric, hydrochloric and acetic acid solutions on the durability of mortars with geopolymer binders composed of metahalloysite and alkali activators. An activator with sodium water glass to NaOH solution ratios of 1, 2 and 3 and NaOH solution concentrations of 4, 8 and 12 mol/dm3 was used. It was found that when increasing sodium water glass content from 1 to 3 in relation to the 8M or 12M NaOH solution in the activator, a significant reduction in the compressive strength of the mortar with this geopolymer binder was obtained after 28 days of exposure to the acid solutions. A smaller decrease in strength occurred with the acetic acid solution than with the sulphuric or hydrochloric acid solutions.
The governance of sustainable energy represents one of the principal concerns in the current era. The escalation of global warming and the depletion of natural resources have become progressively pertinent issues, underscoring the crucial role of sustainable architecture in addressing these pressing concerns. In the context of advancing sustainable development and environmental preservation, contemporary construction processes hold significant importance. Sustainable design in architectural practices plays a crucial role in strategizing the construction of buildings to curtail their energy consumption and utilization of natural resources. In the context of escalating standards for energy conservation, twin-layered façades are gaining significant traction. This paper aims to substantiate that incorporating a double façade in structures is not just a trend, but a critical component in the execution of sustainable growth. These façades play a key role in improving energy management and enhancing the quality of urban life, by yielding quantifiable ecological and energy outcomes.
The revitalisation of degraded areas is a multi-stage process that requires the involvement of the public, local authorities and often large financial resources. In Poland’s large cities, the revitalisation process mainly focuses on revitalising deserted inner cities and the city’s main representative spaces, while other smaller spaces, marginalised areas or spaces in housing estates remain forgotten. The problem of revitalisation is shaping up similarly in smaller urban centres. The paper shows a selected student revitalisation project, carried out as part of the Revitalisation of the Urbanised Environment course by students of Architecture at the Kielce University of Technology.
Modern design takes place in systems that use solid geometry. There, you receive ready-made geometric models of complex architectural and construction elements. This is not always accompanied by the engineers full understanding of the spatial relationship between the elements creating a complex geometric object. The authors propose the use of central collineation in the creation and analysis of the correctness of spatial geometric structures.
Soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects were investigated on structural responses of wind turbine. Force versus deformation (i.e., p-y curves) was simulated by multilinear elastic springs. The whole system, including the structure, control vibration system and soil nonlinear effects are simulated within a single three-dimensional finite element model. Modeling accuracy was verified using available results related to a 65 kW wind turbine discussed in the literature. Pushover analysis results indicated a fixed-base assumption ends up with overestimation of stiffness compared to the case where SSI effects are considered. Moreover, it is observed that the performance of tuned mass damper (TMD) is highly dependent on its tuned frequency domain, and its efficiency decreases significantly after SSI effects are considered. Lateral deformations of a wind turbine are much higher compared to the fixed-base condition. Therefore, SSI effects play a crucial part in designing wind turbines and should not be neglected in practice.
The outbreak of the war with Russia in Ukraine has caused an increase in the number of refugees arriving in Poland and other European countries. From the early days of the conflict, support and integration centers began to emerge in many cities, changing the landscape of public and cultural spaces and creating new opportunities to address the migration crisis. Lublin quickly responded to this crisis at the start of the conflict. After more than two years, the city has gained about 20.000 new residents. Their presence is evident socially and through new places and functions for integration, assistance, and humanitarian support. The organization of these places has ignificantly changed, initially relying on temporary solutions and later developing permanent informational and integration centers. A notable example of successful integration is the Baobab. Multicultural Integration Center in central Lublin, which serves as a high-quality, inclusive space for building connections, and integrating residents.
This article presents the history of identifying the causes of emergency threats and the repair of a section of the railway line within the Wolin National Park. The author focuses on issues related to the legal aspects of environmental protection in a specially protected area that arose during the design and execution of repair works on the railway infrastructure. Numerous meetings between the Management of the Railway Line Department in Szczecin and the Management of the Wolin National Park, with both sides fully understanding the essence of technical and environmental problems of the project, led to a consensus. The scope and method of repair were established, allowing the minimization of the negative impact of the investment process on the park’s natural and environmental values while ensuring the safety of train traffic. Despite the typical and straightforward nature of the repair task, due to environmental protection constraints, non-standard construction problems were encountered, which consequently increased costs and extended the construction time.
The study explores the feasibility of incorporating poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) plastomer into processed asphalt through chemical degradation. The depolymerization process involved subjecting the PET plastomer to aminolysis reaction with ethylenediamine. Consequently, the resultant monomer exhibited reduced rigidity and increased machinability. Enhancing its degree of fragmentation facilitated improved homogenization with bitumen. The resulting blend of bitumen and degraded plastomer underwent evaluation for creep resistance in accordance with the Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) methodology at a temperature of 64°C. Moreover, fundamental standard tests were conducted, including penetration, softening point, and Fraass breaking point. The incorporation of additional amino groups in the form of degraded PET into the bitumen reduced its susceptibility (Jnr3200 < 0.5 kPa-1) to the creep process and lowered the brittle temperature (approximately –3°C) in comparison to 50/70 neat bitumen. Furthermore, the proposed depolymerization technology for PET and its application to bitumen represents a viable approach for the utilization of PET plastomer.
The article analyzes the application of BIM (Building Information Modeling) systems in intelligent design, focusing on process and cost optimization in construction. The authors discuss the benefits of implementing BIM throughout the entire life cycle of a building, from the pre-design phase to operation. BIM enables rapid concept analysis, supports interdisciplinary collaboration, streamlines cost estimation, and improves construction management. During the operational phase, BIM supports efficient facility management through real-time data collection and updates. The authors emphasize that the future of construction lies in integrating BIM with technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. Despite the low level of BIM adoption in Polish companies, the trend of digitalization in construction is inevitable, and firms effectively implementing these technologies will gain a competitive advantage.
In these times of sustainability, the purification and regeneration of used solvents is attracting a lot of interest for environmental reasons and to reduce production costs. The article presents research on the separation of organic solvents such as acetonitrile, methanol, acetone, and toluene from a multicomponent mixture of liquid organic waste. This is an element of the circular economy and prevents the emission of volatile organic compounds into the environment. In order to separate the mixture and recover the solvents, fractional distillation and vacuum distillation were used together with pre-treatment of the waste using sorption on silica gel and calcium oxide. The analysis of the waste composition and the mixture after the separation was performed by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). As a result of the research, the acetonitrile concentration increased to 90.7% after fractional distillation.
The article presents the requirements of the EU EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) for counting the carbon footprint (especially in Scope 3) and including it in construction projects from 2030. The obligation to count the carbon footprint will burden mainly designers, who are increasingly using BIM (Building Information Modelling) in the design process. Performing analysis and calculation of the carbon footprint in BIM models is hampered by the lack of nongraphical information on the subject in library components. The paper explains the concept of CO2 in 3 scope, also discusses currently available tools for counting the carbon footprint, and examines how many components available on the Internet already contain non-graphical information on emissions, as well as ideas for implementing this directive. The advantages and disadvantages of these approaches were presented from the perspective of various stakeholders in the planning and investment and construction processes. The aim of the paper was to present possible solutions, ensuring compliance with the EU directive by proposing specific techniques, enabling the calculation of the Scope 3 carbon footprint, using BIM. In addition to a review of existing ideas, an authorial proposal for a national repository of carbon footprint information taking into account all stakeholders was presented.
