The Integrated Kinetic Energy Recoup Drive (i-KERD): An Optimized Powertrain for EVs, HEVs and FCEVs

In this paper, a particular form of flywheel hybrid powertrain, namely, the Integrated Kinetic Energy Recoup Drive (i-KERD) is fully explored and its applications for EVs, HEVs and FCEVs in recent years to show the energy-savings and performance enhancement potential of this innovative powertrain technology. It is shown that the i-KERD is a small highspeed flywheel integrated into an e-CVT, or power-split hybrid drive. Under NEDC or WLTC, typically it can achieve some 40% energy savings and >50% gain in 0–100 kph acceleration due to effective regenerative braking mechanism of the integrated flywheel power system. In addition to its “peak-shaving” capability, the highly-efficient, long-life flywheel power on-board, is able to keep the kinetic energy of the vehicle fully recycled, rather than dissipated during braking. The i-KERD technology has also been applied to urban railway transportation (i.e., underground railway) and off-road heavy construction equipment, where regenerative braking plays a great role on energy efficiency.

PROPOSALS OF SOLUTIONS OF THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENTS OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT GEO-HOUSES IN UKRAINE

One of the new approaches in civil engineering is geodetic domed houses. These are quite economical buildings that most fully reflect the idea of energy saving and the concept of environmentally friendly housing. The symmetry of the sphere allows the most efficient placement of solar panels and solar collectors. The structures of the house are assembled quickly and do not require heavy construction equipment. By reducing the volume of the heating room, we save on heat resources, so the heating of the domed house in the winter requires 20 – 30% less energy in comparison to the rectangular buildings. The purpose of the article is to offer solutions for the development of projects of energy-efficient geo-houses in Ukraine. To search for the most rational design and technological solutions; to analyze the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of energy efficient geo-house buildings in order to build them in Ukraine. The geodesic dome is made of polyurethane foam, reinforced concrete, wood, fiberglass concrete. Frame structures of the geo-house are made of metal or timber, the "skeleton" is lined with plywood or special OSB-boards. This method provides lightness and strength of the building. The dome must have the optimal size of the ribs, not more than 2.5 m in length, which allows you to erect a frame without the use of technology, with a force of 2 ÷ 3 people. Two installation methods of the frame are considered: connector and non-connector. The proposed solutions for the development of energy-efficient geo-houses' projects in Ukraine will allow in the near future to solve the problems of ecology, energy saving, natural resources saving in the country. Energy-efficient geo-house is the best option for any region of Ukraine, thanks to the undeniable advantages: rigidity and stability of the frame, geometric symmetry of shapes and strength, energy efficiency, high seismic stability, erection speed and originality.

Urban blue space: An Architectural exploration into Sea-Level-Rise Resilience and the future of South Dunedin

<p>Due to anthropogenic climate change, sea level rise (SLR) will cause low-lying coastal areas such as South Dunedin, New Zealand, to be permanently flooded, jeopardizing future viability as a commercial and residential community. Using South Dunedin as a case study to test built environment issues, this thesis carried out design research into adaptation strategies for continued on-site occupation with SLR. Exploring the extreme scenario of a transition to a floating suburb, the research examines: retrofitting light-weight buildings with buoyant foundations, adapting larger heavy construction buildings to flood, and explores wider urban design strategies for the transition to a resilient floating suburb. Design interventions had to respond to changing conditions from present day Dry Land, to an Urban Wetland (0-500mm standing water), to the eventual Urban Blue Space (500mm+ water depth). The project proposal has three design objectives: • ZC, Zero-Carbon – While climate change is inevitable, mitigation to reduce the severity is possible through lowered emissions, improved building technologies and changes in human lifestyle. • SLR, Sea Level Rise Adaption – Preparing for and adjusting successfully to the consequences of SLR, which will require radical lifestyle and architectural changes. • HR, Holistic Resilience – For a community to be holistically resilient it must be able to consistently provide for all 5 human needs (Carmona et al 2010, 134) despite changing conditions. This meant addressing both existing and future challenges. Adaption and continued on-site habitation is possible if significant lifestyle and architectural changes are embraced. SLR requires a site-specific design response. Successful adaptation requires a holistic multi-disciplinary long-term commitment to a resilient future.</p>

Urban blue space: An Architectural exploration into Sea-Level-Rise Resilience and the future of South Dunedin

<p>Due to anthropogenic climate change, sea level rise (SLR) will cause low-lying coastal areas such as South Dunedin, New Zealand, to be permanently flooded, jeopardizing future viability as a commercial and residential community. Using South Dunedin as a case study to test built environment issues, this thesis carried out design research into adaptation strategies for continued on-site occupation with SLR. Exploring the extreme scenario of a transition to a floating suburb, the research examines: retrofitting light-weight buildings with buoyant foundations, adapting larger heavy construction buildings to flood, and explores wider urban design strategies for the transition to a resilient floating suburb. Design interventions had to respond to changing conditions from present day Dry Land, to an Urban Wetland (0-500mm standing water), to the eventual Urban Blue Space (500mm+ water depth). The project proposal has three design objectives: • ZC, Zero-Carbon – While climate change is inevitable, mitigation to reduce the severity is possible through lowered emissions, improved building technologies and changes in human lifestyle. • SLR, Sea Level Rise Adaption – Preparing for and adjusting successfully to the consequences of SLR, which will require radical lifestyle and architectural changes. • HR, Holistic Resilience – For a community to be holistically resilient it must be able to consistently provide for all 5 human needs (Carmona et al 2010, 134) despite changing conditions. This meant addressing both existing and future challenges. Adaption and continued on-site habitation is possible if significant lifestyle and architectural changes are embraced. SLR requires a site-specific design response. Successful adaptation requires a holistic multi-disciplinary long-term commitment to a resilient future.</p>

Deep and machine learning approaches for forecasting the residual value of heavy construction equipment: a management decision support model

PurposeHeavy equipment residual value forecasting is dynamic as it relies on the age, type, brand and model of the equipment, ranking condition, place of sale, operating hours and other macroeconomic gauges. The main objective of this study is to predict the residual value of the main types of heavy construction equipment. The residual value of heavy construction equipment is predicted via deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) approaches.Design/methodology/approachBased on deep and machine learning regression network integrated with data mining, random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), deep neural network (DNN) and linear regression (LR)-based modeling decision support models are developed. This research aims to forecast the residual value for different types of heavy construction equipment. A comprehensive investigation of publicly accessible auction data related to various types and categories of construction equipment was utilized to generate the model's training and testing datasets. In total, four performance metrics (i.e. the mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and coefficient of determination (R2)) were used to measure and compare the developed algorithms' accuracy.FindingsThe developed algorithm's efficiency has been demonstrated by comparing the deep and machine learning predictions with real residual value. The accuracy of the results obtained by different proposed modeling techniques was comparable based on the performance evaluation metrics. DT shows the highest accuracy of 0.9111 versus RF with an accuracy of 0.8123, followed by DNN with an accuracy of 0.7755 and the linear regression with an accuracy of 0.5967.Originality/valueThe proposed novel model is designed as a supportive tool for construction project managers for equipment selling, purchasing, overhauling, repairing, disposing and replacing decisions.

Pressure Drop Mechanisms Generated in a Cooling System Enclosure of Construction Machinery

A potential way to reduce cooling system noises generated by heavy construction machines is to generate the required cooling airflow with a low fan speed, and one way to accomplish this is to optimize the ventilation path through which the airflow generated by the cooling fan must travel. However, while the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach would be effective for modeling the three-dimensional (3D) pressure drop characteristic of such systems, there have been few reports aimed at clarifying the loss generation mechanisms or suggesting minimization methods based on flow field viewpoints. Accordingly, in this study, we visualize the 3D flow field characteristics of an electric cooling fan system installed within the cooling enclosure of a heavy construction machine and investigate the details of the system’s pressure drop mechanisms. Our results confirm that airflow pressure declines in areas other than the radiator account for more than half of the reduced pressure experienced by the whole system. Additionally, we found that, in the exhaust side enclosure, pressure drops increased because the exhaust port outlet shapes were not optimized to the annular airflow of the cooling fan. Most notably, we found that in the region before reaching the exhaust port outlets, the airflow from the fan repeatedly collides with obstacles within the enclosure, thus producing stagnation and turbulence that exacerbates pressure drops before being expelled into the outside environment.

A Review of Heat Stress Impact Towards Construction Workers Productivities and Health Based on Several Heat Stress Model

Global average temperature has increase 0.2°C in the past 10 years. Furthermore, several studies have predicted that the temperature will keep increasing due to lack of effort in restricting carbon emission. Therefore, the objective of this review is to examine the impact of heat stress towards construction workers productivities and health and also assess the risk of exposure. Literature review was done through scoping method on major journal database and Google Scholar. Major heat stress models are Heat Index, Wet bulb globe temperature and Thermal Work Limit. On the other hands, there are more complex heat stress model that incorporate complex data measurement, such as Predicted Heat Strain endorsed by ISO 7933:2004. Several studies have been conducted based on these heat stress model. Findings of these studies shown that hot and humid countries, such India, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and Australia WBGT level are at least 28°C, which is beyond safe level for medium and heavy construction work. Productivities were estimated to decline up to 2% for every 1°C increase in temperature above safe WBGT level. In extremely high temperature environment, productivities can decrease in the range of 48% - 94%. Heat stress negative side effect on health include minor heat related illness such as thirst, fatigue, headache, dehydration, vertigo, nausea and muscle pain.

ANALISIS PENEMPATAN DAN PENENTUAN JUMLAH TOWER CRANE (TC)

In the construction of Cable Stayed Bridge, the use of heavy construction equipment is absolutely necessary, especially required for positioning and selecting the type of Tower Crane in order to improve construction performance. Therefore, human resources and heavy equipment used in the construction process will significantly affect the period of project implementation. Proper planning of the location for various construction equipment is believed to be the key of efficiency and productivity. Tower Crane as the target optimization is one of the equipment that has a big role in transporting the materials for the construction of a multi- storey building so that it requires proper planning to be able to serve all points of demand from its position.