Evaluation of virtual tour in an online museum: Exhibition of Architecture of the Forbidden City.

Online virtual museum tours combine museum authority and an academic approach with the diversity and interactivity of online resources; such tours have become an essential resource for online scientific research and education. Many important museums around the world are developing this type of online service. Comprehensive evaluation of such tours is, however, urgently needed to ensure effectiveness. This paper establishes a heuristic evaluation scale based on the literature. Taking the online virtual tour of the Exhibition of Architecture of the Forbidden City as a case study, confirmatory factor analysis was then carried out to improve the scale. Interviews were conducted to discuss and analyze the research results. The developed evaluation scale has four dimensions: authenticity, interaction, navigation, and learning. The results from the case study showed, first, that the exhibition had visual authenticity, but the behavioral authenticity was insufficient; second, the exhibition was generally interactive, but this aspect could be improved by enriching the links; third, the lack of effective navigation design for the exhibit was the main factor affecting experience quality. Fourth, the exhibition was informative and supported learning, but needs further improvement to the quantity and quality of information provided. Finally, the interviews revealed that the online exhibition did not entirely support people of different ages and abilities, so it needs further improvement to be wholly inclusive.

Optimization method of fatigue maintenance for cable-beam anchorage zone of suspension bridge.

The cable-beam anchorage zone is the vital load-bearing component in suspension bridge. For maintenance of such structure, a method of probabilistic optimization was proposed by combining linear elastic fracture mechanics, structural reliability and life cycle cost analysis. In this method, the optimal maintenance time is obtained by determining the relative proportion between the costs under the condition that the structural reliability is higher than the minimum allowable reliability. While, the minimum total maintenance cost is obtained by determining the maintenance interval. Then, an example is presented to verify this method, with the following conclusions: the reliability index is inversely proportional to the failure probability, the change of maintenance cost and failure cost affects the optimal maintenance time, the optimal maintenance time will be ahead of time when consider the risk cost. And finally, when the maintenance time interval is determined, the optimal maintenance cost is affected by the maintenance probability and the failure probability.

Documentary analysis in the study of architectural designs of a hospital in the city of São Paulo.

OBJECTIVES: to report the experience of using architectural designs of a hospital for a historical documentary research. METHODS: report of the experience of the methodological route of using architectural designs of a model hospital from 1974 to 2002. RESULTS: after being spread on a worksheet, the projects of interest were selected, enabling the data arrangement, where the analytical chart was applied, containing: context; authorship; authenticity/ reliability; nature of the text and preliminary analysis. The findings were grouped by pertinence and similarity, resulting in the construction of categories of analysis. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: architectural design is a challenging source, both for its pursuit, since it took two and a half years until it was legally licensed, as well as for involving specific terminologies and symbology of its own. A special attention should be given to the selection criteria, organization and analysis of the document, and sharing the access of unusual sources with the health area, like this one, so as to stimulate the development of research.

Documentary analysis in the study of architectural designs of a hospital in the city of São Paulo / El análisis documental en el estudio de proyectos arquitectónicos de un hospital de la ciudad de São Paulo / A análise documental no estudo de projetos arquitetônicos de um hospital paulistano

ABSTRACT Objectives: to report the experience of using architectural designs of a hospital for a historical documentary research. Methods: report of the experience of the methodological route of using architectural designs of a model hospital from 1974 to 2002. Results: after being spread on a worksheet, the projects of interest were selected, enabling the data arrangement, where the analytical chart was applied, containing: context; authorship; authenticity/ reliability; nature of the text and preliminary analysis. The findings were grouped by pertinence and similarity, resulting in the construction of categories of analysis. Final Considerations: architectural design is a challenging source, both for its pursuit, since it took two and a half years until it was legally licensed, as well as for involving specific terminologies and symbology of its own. A special attention should be given to the selection criteria, organization and analysis of the document, and sharing the access of unusual sources with the health area, like this one, so as to stimulate the development of research.

RESUMEN Objetivos: informar la experiencia del uso de proyectos arquitectónicos de un hospital, en una investigación histórica y documental. Métodos: reporte de experiencia del recorrido metodológico del uso de proyectos arquitectónicos de 1974 a 2002 de un hospital modelar. Resultados: después de insertar los proyectos en planillas, se seleccionaron los proyectos de interés, creando un arreglo de datos en que se aplicó la ficha analítica que contenía: contexto; autoría; autenticidad/fiabilidad; naturaleza del texto y análisis preliminar. Los hallazgos fueron agrupados por pertinencia y semejanza, resultando en la construcción de categorías de análisis. Consideraciones Finales: el proyecto arquitectónico es una fuente desafiante, tanto para su búsqueda, ya que fueron necesarios dos años y medio hasta que recibieron la licencia legal, como por involucrar terminologías específicas y simbologías propias. Se debe prestar atención a los criterios de selección, organización y análisis del documento y compartir el manejo de fuentes inusuales en el área de la salud, como ésta, a fin de favorecer el desarrollo de la investigación.

RESUMO Objetivos: relatar a experiência do uso de projetos arquitetônicos de um hospital para uma pesquisa histórico-documental. Métodos: relato de experiência do percurso metodológico do uso de projetos arquitetônicos de 1974 a 2002 de um hospital modelar. Resultados: após planilhados, os projetos de interesse foram selecionados, criando um arranjo de dados em que foi aplicada a ficha analítica contendo: contexto; autoria; autenticidade/confiabilidade; natureza do texto e análise preliminar. Os achados foram agrupados por pertinência e similaridade, resultando na construção de categorias de análise. Considerações Finais: o projeto arquitetônico é uma fonte desafiadora, tanto em sua busca, visto que foram necessários dois anos e meio até que fossem licenciados legalmente, como por envolver terminologias específicas e simbologias próprias. Deve-se ter atenção aos critérios de seleção, à organização e à análise do documento, e compartilhar o manejo de fontes incomuns na área da saúde, como esta, a fim de favorecer o desenvolvimento da pesquisa.

The influence of wind speed on airflow and fine particle transport within different building layouts of an industrial city.

In atmospheric environment, the layout difference of urban buildings has a powerful influence on accelerating or inhibiting the dispersion of particle matters (PM). In industrial cities, buildings of variable heights can obstruct the diffusion of PM from industrial stacks. In this study, PM dispersed within building groups was simulated by Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations coupled Lagrangian approach. Four typical street building arrangements were used: (a) a low-rise building block with Height/base H/b = 1 (b = 20 m); (b) step-up building layout (H/b = 1, 2, 3, 4); (c) step-down building layout (H/b = 4, 3, 2, 1); (d) high-rise building block (H/b = 5). Profiles of stream functions and turbulence intensity were used to examine the effect of various building layouts on atmospheric airflow. Here, concepts of particle suspension fraction and concentration distribution were used to evaluate the effect of wind speed on fine particle transport. These parameters showed that step-up building layouts accelerated top airflow and diffused more particles into street canyons, likely having adverse effects on resident health. In renewal old industry areas, the step-down building arrangement which can hinder PM dispersion from high-level stacks should be constructed preferentially. High turbulent intensity results in formation of a strong vortex that hinders particles into the street canyons. It is found that an increase in wind speed enhanced particle transport and reduced local particle concentrations, however, it did not affect the relative location of high particle concentration zones, which are related to building height and layout. IMPLICATIONS: This study has demonstrated the height variation and layout of urban architecture affect the local concentration distribution of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere and for the first time that wind velocity has particular effects on PM transport in various building groups. The findings may have general implications in optimization the building layout based on particle transport characteristics during the renewal of industrial cities. For city planners, the results and conclusions are useful for improving the local air quality. The study method also can be used to calculate the explosion risk of industrial dust for people who live in industrial cities.

Do active design buildings change health behaviour and workplace perceptions?

BACKGROUND: Occupying new, active design office buildings designed for health promotion and connectivity provides an opportunity to evaluate indoor environment effects on healthy behaviour, sedentariness and workplace perceptions. AIMS: To determine if moving to a health-promoting building changed workplace physical activity, sedentary behaviour, workplace perceptions and productivity. METHODS: Participants from four locations at the University of Sydney, Australia, relocated into a new active design building. After consent, participants completed an online questionnaire 2 months before moving and 2 months after. Questions related to health behaviours (physical activity and sitting time), musculoskeletal issues, perceptions of the office environment, productivity and engagement. RESULTS: There were 34 participants (60% aged 25-45, 78% female, 84% employed full-time); 21 participants provided complete data. Results showed that after the move participants spent less work time sitting (83-70%; P < 0.01) and more time standing (9-21%; P < 0.01), while walking time remained unchanged. Participants reported less low back pain (P < 0.01). Sixty per cent of participants in the new workplace were in an open-plan office, compared to 16% before moving. Participants perceived the new work environment as more stimulating, better lit and ventilated, but noisier and providing less storage. No difference was reported in daily physical activity, number of stairs climbed or productivity. CONCLUSIONS: Moving to an active design building appeared to have physical health-promoting effects on workers, but workers' perceptions about the new work environment varied. These results will inform future studies in other new buildings.

Ductility enhancement of post-Northridge connections by multilongitudinal voids in the beam web.

Since the earthquakes in Northridge and Kobe in 1994 and 1995, respectively, many investigations have been carried out towards improving the strength and ductility of steel beam to column pre- and post-Northridge connections. In order to achieve these objectives, recent researches are mainly focused on three principles: reducing the beam section to improve the beam ductility, adding different kinds of slit damper to beam and column flanges to absorb and dissipate the input earthquake energy in the connection and strengthening the connection area using additional elements such as rib plates, cover plates, and flange plates to keep the plastic hinges away from the column face. This paper presents a reduced beam section approach via the introduction of multilongitudinal voids (MLV) in the beam web for various beam depths varying from 450 mm to 912 mm. ANSYS finite element program was used to simulate the three different sizes of SAC sections: SAC3, SAC5, and SAC7. Results showed an improvement in the connection ductility since the input energy was dissipated uniformly along the beam length and the total rotation of the connection was over four percent radian.

How can clients improve the quality of transport infrastructure projects? The role of knowledge management and incentives.

The aim of this paper is to argue for a number of statements about what is important for a client to do in order to improve quality in new infrastructure projects, with a focus on procurement and organizational issues. The paper synthesizes theoretical and empirical results concerning organizational performance, especially the role of the client for the quality of a project. The theoretical framework used is contract theory and transaction cost theory, where assumptions about rationality and self-interest are made and where incentive problems, asymmetric information, and moral hazard are central concepts. It is argued that choice of procurement type will not be a crucial factor. There is no procurement method that guarantees a better quality than another. We argue that given the right conditions all procurement methods can give good results, and given the wrong conditions, all of them can lead to low quality. What is crucial is how the client organization manages knowledge and the incentives for the members of the organization. This can be summarized as "organizational culture." One way to improve knowledge and create incentives is to use independent second opinions in a systematic way.

Structural health monitoring of a reinforced concrete building during the severe typhoon Vicente in 2012.

The goal of this study is to investigate the structural performance of reinforced concrete building under the influence of severe typhoon. For this purpose, full-scale monitoring of a 22-story reinforced concrete building was conducted during the entire passage process of a severe typhoon "Vicente." Vicente was the eighth tropical storm developed in the Western North Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea in 2012. Moreover, it was the strongest and most devastating typhoon that struck Macao since 1999. The overall duration of the typhoon affected period that lasted more than 70 hours and the typhoon eye region covered Macao for around one hour. The wind and structural response measurements were acquired throughout the entire typhoon affected period. The wind characteristics were analyzed using the measured wind data including the wind speed and wind direction time histories. Besides, the structural response measurements of the monitored building were utilized for modal identification using the Bayesian spectral density approach. Detailed analysis of the field data and the typhoon generated effects on the structural performance are discussed.

Incorporating waste into an experimental school prototype: lessons regarding materials reclamation opportunities.

This article presents lessons learned from a design project that explored the possibility of incorporating waste into the design of a school prototype. The authors worked with professional architects, a waste artist, environmental scientists and local waste operators to uncover new uses and applications for discarded items. As a result, bottles, aluminium cans, reclaimed doors, crushed concrete and second-hand bricks, etc. were identified, explored and integrated into the architectural design. This article serves as a catalyst that advocates the use of reclaimed materials in the field of design and planning. In particular, it highlights the challenges and issues that need to be addressed in carrying out design work with waste. Designers and practitioners interested in minimizing waste generation by proposing the use of reclaimed materials will find this article useful.

Community mobility in the context of universal design: inter-professional collaboration and education.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The design of built environments is a critical factor in facilitating participation for all community members. This study aimed to explore key stakeholders' views on the role and collaboration of occupational therapists and architects in relation to universal design and the built environment. This study is currently the only research to focus on the needs and practices of both occupational therapy and architecture in universal design. The results have implications for both clinical practice and professional education, and highlight an area of developing interest in occupational therapy. METHODS: Focus groups and semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with key stakeholders involved in the design of built environments. Data from these interviews were analysed qualitatively, using codes of interpreted meaning which were then organised into themes. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged in relation to inter-professional collaboration around universal design: 'form vs. function', 'the earlier the better' and 'universal design as a specialist area'. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Although there are areas of synergy between occupational therapy and architecture in universal design, each profession has its own strengths and skills to bring to the design process. Given the multidisciplinary nature of ensuring designs support participation in occupations and roles, both professions could benefit from opportunities to meaningfully collaborate during professional education and in the workplace.

Pervasive monitoring--an intelligent sensor pod approach for standardised measurement infrastructures.

Geo-sensor networks have traditionally been built up in closed monolithic systems, thus limiting trans-domain usage of real-time measurements. This paper presents the technical infrastructure of a standardised embedded sensing device, which has been developed in the course of the Live Geography approach. The sensor pod implements data provision standards of the Sensor Web Enablement initiative, including an event-based alerting mechanism and location-aware Complex Event Processing functionality for detection of threshold transgression and quality assurance. The goal of this research is that the resultant highly flexible sensing architecture will bring sensor network applications one step further towards the realisation of the vision of a "digital skin for planet earth". The developed infrastructure can potentially have far-reaching impacts on sensor-based monitoring systems through the deployment of ubiquitous and fine-grained sensor networks. This in turn allows for the straight-forward use of live sensor data in existing spatial decision support systems to enable better-informed decision-making.

An investigation of ADA compliance of aquatic facilities in the North Texas area.

PURPOSE: The study expands research on accessibility, comparing compliance scores of aquatic facilities in North Texas built before the 1991 Title III Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) with facilities built after the 1991 ADAAG and the proposed 2002 supplement. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design directed the selection of 52 facilities where measurements were taken to determine compliance with ADAAG and the supplement. A focus group provided insight into interpreting which features functioned as barriers or constraints to participation. SETTING: Metropolitan statistical area in North Texas. SUBJECTS: A total of 52 aquatic facilities and 12 focus group participants (University of North Texas institutional review board 07-283). MEASURE: ADA aquatic facility compliance instrument. ANALYSIS: Frequency, ratios. RESULTS: No facilities were 100% ADA compliant overall, although some facilities were 100% compliant with specific structural domains. Women's restrooms rated lowest (average = 55%), and men's restrooms received the second lowest rating (average = 64%). Focus group results indicated that improperly designed restrooms and pool entries are primary barriers to participation. CONCLUSION: The findings support a need for stronger enforcement of policies that improve accessibility of facilities. Architectural reviews and construction practices need to be improved. The structural barriers and constraints identified can be limiting factors in efforts aimed at increasing physical activity among individuals with disabilities and individuals with physical limitations.