Yanhui Sun

Bio: Yanhui Sun is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Modular design & Risk analysis (engineering). The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 35 citations.

Constraints hindering the development of high-rise modular buildings

Abstract: Off-site construction has been increasingly employed due to its advantages, for instance, improved quality control, reduced skills labour, faster construction time, decreased material wastage and safe working environment. As the most cutting-edge off-site construction, modular buildings have been utilised for residential building, student accommodation, and hotel projects. However, because of existing and underlying constraints, the adoption of modular buildings is still relatively low. To reveal factors hindering the development of high-rise modular buildings, a comprehensive literature review, coupled with a focus group study, were conducted. A questionnaire survey inquiring about all stakeholders was implemented to quantify constraints. The results were further examined according to a real-life case study. This paper manifested that “Lack of coordination and communication among stakeholders”, “Higher cost”, “Lack of government support”, “Lack of experience and expertise”, “Lack of building codes and standards”, “Poor supply chain integration”, and “Complexity of connection” are the top barriers curbing the uptake of modular buildings. The findings should provide a valuable reference for stakeholders adopting modular buildings, whilst mitigating risks amid modular construction. Future research is expected to exploit building information modelling and design for manufacture and assembly to alleviate these existing constraints and promote the performance of modular construction as well.

A review of integrated applications of BIM and related technologies in whole building life cycle

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current applications of BIM, the integration of related technologies and the tendencies and challenges systematically.,Using quantitative and qualitative bibliometric statistical methods, the current mode of interaction between BIM and other related technologies is summarized.,This paper identified 24 different BIM applications in the life cycle. From two perspectives, the implementation status of BIM applications and integrated technologies are respectively studied. The future industry development framework is drawn comprehensively. We summarized the challenges of BIM applications from the perspectives of management, technology and promotion, and confirmed that most of the challenges come from the two driving factors of promotion and management.,The technical challenges reviewed in this paper are from the collected literature we have extracted, which is only a part of the practical challenges and not comprehensive enough.,We summarized the current mode of interactive use of BIM and sorted out the challenges faced by BIM applications to provide reference for the risks and challenges faced by the future industry.,There is little literature to integrate BIM applications and to establish BIM related challenges and risk frameworks. In this paper, we provide a review of the current implementation level of BIM and the risks and challenges of stakeholders through three aspects of management, technology and promotion.

Utility of BIM-CFD Integration in the Design and Performance Analysis for Buildings and Infrastructures of Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry

Abstract: To scrutinize the current application of building information modelling (BIM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) integration in research as well as industrial fields, the present study conducted a holistic review including a bibliometric exploration for existing articles, specific content analysis in different sectors, and follow-up qualitative discussion for the potential of this integrated technology. The bibliometric exploration is focused on analyzing main journals, keywords, and chronological change in representative research content by selecting 115 relevant studies. In content analysis, the representative integrated BIM and CFD application cases are divided into three different sectors. The functionality, interoperability, and sustainability of such integration in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects are described in detail. Furthermore, the future research based on the applications of BIM and CFD integration is discussed. Specifically, the more advanced hazard analysis is proposed reflecting the strength of such an integration. Comprehensive information for the possible hazards in AEC projects is digitized and quantified to make a more sensitive hazard recognition tool which can formalize reduction strategies and measures of potential hazards. As a result, the present review study contributes to relevant research by identifying representative application parts and practical requirements for BIM and CFD integration in whole design aspects, reviewing the current research trends and future direction in detail, and analyzing the major issues, such as an interoperability in BIM-compatible CFD for sustainable built environments.

Automatic Scaffolding Workface Assessment for Activity Analysis through Machine Learning

Abstract: Scaffolding serves as one construction trade with high importance. However, scaffolding suffers from low productivity and high cost in Australia. Activity Analysis is a continuous procedure of assessing and improving the amount of time that craft workers spend on one single construction trade, which is a functional method for monitoring onsite operation and analyzing conditions causing delays or productivity decline. Workface assessment is an initial step for activity analysis to manually record the time that workers spend on each activity category. This paper proposes a method of automatic scaffolding workface assessment using a 2D video camera to capture scaffolding activities and the model of key joints and skeleton extraction, as well as machine learning classifiers, were used for activity classification. Additionally, a case study was conducted and showed that the proposed method is a feasible and practical way for automatic scaffolding workface assessment.

A Critical Review of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-Based Explosion Numerical Analysis of Offshore Facilities

Abstract: Abstract In oil and gas industries, the explosive hazards receive lots of attention to achieve a safety design of relevant facilities. As a part of the robust design for offshore structures, an explosion risk analysis is normally conducted to examine the potential hazards and the influence of them on structural members in a real explosion situation. Explosion accidents in the oil and gas industries are related to lots of parameters through complex interaction. Hence, lots of research and industrial projects have been carried out to understand physical mechanism of explosion accidents. Computational fluid dynamics-based explosion risk analysis method is frequently used to identify contributing factors and their interactions to understand such accidents. It is an effective method when modelled explosion phenomena including detailed geometrical features. This study presents a detailed review and analysis of Computational Fluid Dynamics-based explosion risk analysis that used in the offshore industries. The underlying issues of this method and current limitation are identified and analysed. This study also reviewed potential preventative measures to eliminate such limitation. Additionally, this study proposes the prospective research topic regarding computational fluid dynamics-based explosion risk analysis.

Nano Biosensors: Properties, applications and electrochemical techniques

Abstract: A sensor is a tool used to directly measure the test compound (analyte) in a sample. Ideally, such a device is capable of continuous and reversible response and should not damage the sample. Nanosensor refers to a system in which at least one of the nanostructures is used to detect gases, chemicals, biological agents, electric fields, light, heat, etc. in its construction. The use of nanomaterials significantly increases the sensitivity of the system. In biosensors, the part of the system used to attach to the analyte and specifically detect it is a biological element (such as a DNA strand, antibody, enzyme, whole cell). The “Nano Biosensors” series reviews various types of biosensors and biochips (including an array of biosensors), emphasizing the role of nanostructures, developed for medical and biological applications. Nano Biosensors Electrochemical sensors are sensors that use the biological element as a diagnostic component and the electrode as a transducer. The use of nanostructures in these systems is usually done to fill the gap between the converter and the bioreceptor, which is at the nanoscale. Given the nature of the biomaterial detection process, electrochemical biosensors are divided into catalytic and propulsion. Common electrochemical techniques common in sensors include potentiometric, chronometry, voltammetry, impedance measurement, and field effect transistor (FET). Simultaneous use of the advantages of nanostructures and electrochemical techniques has led to the emergence of sensors with high sensitivity and decomposition power. The use of nanostructures in these sensors is usually done to fill the gap between the converter and the bioreceptor, which is at the nanoscale. Various types of nanostructures including nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanowires, nanopores, self-adhesive monolayers and nanocomposites can be used to improve the performance and efficiency of sensors in their structure. Simultaneous use of the advantages of nanostructures and electrochemical techniques has led to the emergence of sensors with high sensitivity and decomposition power.

Polymeric membranes on base of PolyMethyl methacrylate for air separation: a review

Abstract: Widespread applications of O2 and N2 especially in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries have put air separation process into the center of attention among researchers and artisans more than before. Hence, in this paper, the air separation process by use of polymeric membrane has investigated. Poly methyl methacrylate (PM MA) has selected as a base polymer because of its good separation performance. The use of membrane technology is more attractive due to the low energy consumption, relatively low volume of equipment, as well as ease of transportation compared to other conventional methods such as Cryogenic distillation and Pressure Swing Adsorption. Due to the good properties of Poly methyl methacrylate (PM MA) polymer, such as good chemical resistance and stability, and has a dense structure, as a result, it shows a good molecular sizing of gases with a very small molecular diameter. The types of membrane made from this polymer are discussed in this article.

An Innovative Metaheuristic Strategy for Solar Energy Management through a Neural Networks Framework

Abstract: Proper management of solar energy as an effective renewable source is of high importance toward sustainable energy harvesting. This paper offers a novel sophisticated method for predicting solar irradiance (SIr) from environmental conditions. To this end, an efficient metaheuristic technique, namely electromagnetic field optimization (EFO), is employed for optimizing a neural network. This algorithm quickly mines a publicly available dataset for nonlinearly tuning the network parameters. To suggest an optimal configuration, five influential parameters of the EFO are optimized by an extensive trial and error practice. Analyzing the results showed that the proposed model can learn the SIr pattern and predict it for unseen conditions with high accuracy. Furthermore, it provided about 10% and 16% higher accuracy compared to two benchmark optimizers, namely shuffled complex evolution and shuffled frog leaping algorithm. Hence, the EFO-supervised neural network can be a promising tool for the early prediction of SIr in practice. The findings of this research may shed light on the use of advanced intelligent models for efficient energy development.