Constraints hindering the development of high-rise modular buildings
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive literature review, coupled with a focus group study, were conducted to reveal factors hindering the development of high-rise modular buildings, and a questionnaire survey was implemented to quantify constraints.
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.
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TL;DR: Nano Biosensors as mentioned in this paper is a class of sensors that use the biological element as a diagnostic component and the electrode as a transducer, such as a DNA strand, antibody, enzyme, whole cell.
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.
104 citations
TL;DR: This research summarises key technical issues related to the structural stability and robust performance of multi-storey prefabricated volumetric modular steel construction (PFVMSC).
38 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the air separation process by use of polymeric membrane has been investigated and poly methyl methacrylate (PM MA) has been selected as a base polymer because of its good separation performance.
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.
37 citations
TL;DR: Analyzing the results showed that the proposed model can learn the SIr pattern and predict it for unseen conditions with high accuracy, and can be a promising tool for the early prediction of SIr in practice.
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.
31 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive method for optimizing the design of a regular architectural space to improve building performance and to provide architects with robust and accurate design references when conducting design tasks is developed.
28 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors attend to snowball sampling via constructivist and feminist hermeneutics, suggesting that when viewed critically, this popular sampling method can generate a unique type of social knowledge which is emergent, political and interactional.
Abstract: During the past two decades we have witnessed a rather impressive growth of theoretical innovations and conceptual revisions of epistemological and methodological approaches within constructivist‐qualitative quarters of the social sciences. Methodological discussions have commonly addressed a variety of methods for collecting and analyzing empirical material, yet the critical grounds upon which these were reformulated have rarely been extended to embrace sampling concepts and procedures. The latter have been overlooked, qualifying only as a ‘technical’ research stage. This article attends to snowball sampling via constructivist and feminist hermeneutics, suggesting that when viewed critically, this popular sampling method can generate a unique type of social knowledge—knowledge which is emergent, political and interactional. The article reflects upon researches about backpacker tourists and marginalized men, where snowball sampling was successfully employed in investigating these groups' organic social ne...
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