A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge, working in partnership with industry, has helped to develop the first piece of 3D-printed concrete infrastructure to be used on a National Highways project. The structure – a type of retaining wall known as a headwall – has been installed on the A30 in Cornwall, where it’s providing real-time information thanks to … [Read more...] about Researchers create 3D-printed smart wall for National Highways project
Construction
Termite mounds offer tips for creating living, breathing buildings that use less energy
Scientists studying termite mounds in Namibia have suggested that elements of the mounds’ design could be copied by architects to create a comfortable climate in human buildings with little energy. The scientists investigated the ‘egress complex’ of Macrotermes michaelseni termites, which appears to promote moisture regulation and gas exchange. They showed that the layout of … [Read more...] about Termite mounds offer tips for creating living, breathing buildings that use less energy
Designing oyster-based shoreline protection
A University of Central Florida (UCF) engineering scientist is part of an international team of experts working to design and build oyster-based shoreline protection for US coastlines. The research is being conducted as part of a US$12.6 million Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency-funded initiative to develop self-repairing, biological and human-engineered … [Read more...] about Designing oyster-based shoreline protection
New construction guides aim to reduce risk of future tragedies
Engineers Australia has launched two new publications aimed at assisting built-environment professionals in maintaining a building throughout its life cycle. According to Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew, the two publications – Guide for design engineers and building certifiers, and Managing building defects: roles, responsibilities and collaboration among owners, … [Read more...] about New construction guides aim to reduce risk of future tragedies
Earthquake testing underway on ten-storey mass timber building
Practical testing is underway at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) on a ten-storey building made of cross-laminated timber, the tallest full-scale building ever to be constructed and tested on an earthquake simulator, or shake table. The shake table will simulate earthquake motions recorded during prior earthquakes covering a range of earthquake magnitudes from … [Read more...] about Earthquake testing underway on ten-storey mass timber building