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        <title>Frontiers in Built Environment | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/built-environment</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Built Environment | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-04-27T17:58:05.702+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1766409</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1766409</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Energy and sustainability performance of building-integrated PV façades in hot-arid urban environments: insights from Riyadh]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Zeinab Abdallah Mohammed Elhassan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe integration of renewable energy systems into building envelopes has become a vital strategy for enhancing urban sustainability and reducing operational energy consumption, particularly in regions characterized by extreme climatic conditions. Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) façades offer a multifunctional solution by serving both as architectural envelope components and on-site renewable energy generators, which is especially relevant in hot-arid environments with high solar radiation and cooling demands.MethodsThis study evaluates the energy and sustainability performance of a façade-integrated photovoltaic system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A 5.6 kWp BIPV façade system was analyzed using a simulation-based methodology implemented in PVsyst, incorporating site-specific climatic data, three-dimensional shading analysis, thermal modeling, and system loss assessment.ResultsSimulation results indicate that the system produces approximately 8,200 kWh of electricity annually, achieving a performance ratio between 0.78 and 0.83 despite challenging thermal conditions. The ventilated façade configuration reduces temperature-related efficiency losses, while the near-vertical installation minimizes dust accumulation compared with conventional rooftop PV systems.DiscussionThe findings demonstrate that façade-integrated BIPV systems represent a technically viable and environmentally beneficial renewable energy solution for hot-arid urban environments. The system contributes to reducing cooling demand, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting climate-responsive architecture aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 sustainability objectives.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1769414</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1769414</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Assessment of global warming potential from on-site construction processes (module A5): a pilot building case study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Abhishek Singh Kushwaha</author><author>Amit B. Mahindrakar</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The building construction industry is under tremendous pressure to cut down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as upfront embodied carbon emissions are substantial contributors to the carbon footprint of the built environment. The embodied carbon emissions generated at the construction and installation stages of buildings driven by major and ancillary material flows as well as heavy equipment remain insufficiently examined at the micro levels of the construction process. To fill this gap, we integrated whole-building life cycle assessment (WBLCA) with building information modeling (BIM) using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard; then, we evaluated the global warming potential (GWP) for a building case study at various construction levels in alignment with the framework of the level 2 life cycle carbon standard (EN 15804+A1/+A2) from the cradle-to-gate (option module) perspective. The WBLCA was performed using the One Click LCA tool, where the data were calculated from the structural scope of the work and material-related inputs were obtained from verified environmental product declarations. The results indicate that the total emissions from the building case study account for a total GWP of 11,41,970 kg of CO2e, of which the production stage of building materials (modules A1–A3) accounts for 83.98%, construction and installation stages (module A5) contribute to 11.43%, and transportation (module A4) accounts for approximately 3%. Moreover, at different construction levels, the contributions of modules A1–A3 vary from 84.9% to 90.4%, while those of the construction phase (module A5) vary from 7% to 11%, in which the machinery hours have the highest impact on the GWP. Hence, the proposed methodology can effectively help quantify the environmental impacts of various construction processes and can potentially serve as a tool for contractors to reduce material wastage while enabling selection of appropriate equipment as per the site scenario and scope of work.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1795619</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1795619</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Building information modelling in developing countries: a scientometric, thematic, and research gap analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Mohammad Alhusban</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Building information modelling (BIM) innovation has gained significant traction worldwide in the construction industry. Although BIM has become a popular trend in developing countries, its adoption remains low compared to developed countries and is perceived as being unequal in the construction industry worldwide. Despite the increased number of conducted empirical studies examining BIM adoption, barriers and applications in various developing countries, there is still a lack of integrated, analytically rigorous synthesis mapping the intellectual structure, theoretical foundations and knowledge gaps in the field. This gap is addressed by this study through conducting comprehensive scientometric, thematic, and research gap analysis of BIM research in developing countries. Drawing on Ninety-Eight peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, this study has systematically mapping co-citation networks, keyword co-occurrence patterns, bibliographic coupling relationships, and thematic clusters. The results identified four dominant knowledge domains: (1) BIM adoption and implementation, (2) implementation barriers, (3) BIM processes and construction management integration, and (4) BIM for sustainable construction. The results was interpreted through Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework and institutional theory finding that in developing countries, BIM adoption is more embraced by organisational readiness, regulatory structures, procurement systems, and institutional pressures rather than technological capability. Furthermore, the study exposes three structural limitations in the current body of knowledge: limitations of cross-country comparative analysis, over-reliance on perception-based survey studies and insufficient empirical validation of claimed BIM benefits. Therefore, this review using synthesizing intellectual patterns and systematically identifying conceptual, methodological, and contextual gaps, has reframed the BIM adoption and implementation in developing country as institutional and socio-technical transformation. Lastly, a consolidated conceptual framework has been contributed by this study linking current research problems and limitations with recommended future directions for BIM implementation in developing countries, offering a roadmap for researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking context based scalable BIM adoption and implementation strategies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1763749</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1763749</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Risk analysis of the causes of time and cost overruns in the Lebanese precast industry]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Nabil Semaan</author><author>Samer El Zahab</author><author>Robert Nini</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe purpose of this article is to analyse the causes and risk behind time and cost overruns in the Lebanese precast sector, mainly hollow core slabs, precast beams and column.MethodsThe methodology includes the following steps: (i) a review of the time and cost overrun causes in the global construction industry; (ii) the use of questionnaires to identify causes specific to the Lebanese precast industry; (iii) an examination of the significance, frequency, and impact of the causes; (iv) the ranking of the causes; and (v) the performance of quantitative risk analysis.DiscussionThe most significant time overrun cause, according to research, is “Lack or delay of delivery of materials in markets”, while the most significant cost overrun cause is “Fluctuations in the cost of building materials”. The ranking results reveal a clear pattern: “financial management, contractual stability, and early design coordination” are the dominant determinants of both time and cost overruns in the Lebanese precast industry. According to the risk analysis study results, a project with a 50% risk level has a 37% time overrun potential and a 29% cost overrun potential. These findings imply that targeted interventions addressing the highest-probability causes can substantially reduce schedule risk, whereas cost control requires systemic and integrated strategies spanning design management, financial planning, contractual clarity, and market risk allocation.ConclusionsThe primary causes of time and expense overruns in the Lebanese precast sector can be identified, ranked, and evaluated for risk by owners, project managers, and engineers thanks to this study. This study is the first to examine the causes that contribute to time and cost overruns in the precast concrete sector in Lebanon.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1816240</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1816240</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Surrogate impulse ground motion for practical simulation of critical nonlinear structural responses]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Hiroki Akehashi</author><author>Mao Kinoshita</author><author>Fumiya Ueno</author><author>Koji Yamato</author><author>Yusuke Ehara</author><author>Tatsuhiko Maeda</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Impulse-based representations of earthquake ground motions provide an efficient framework for evaluating critical nonlinear structural responses. However, the direct use of ideal impulse ground motions expressed by Dirac’s delta function may excite all eigenmodes with identical amplitude and phase, thereby producing unrealistically amplified floor acceleration and velocity responses and leading to numerical difficulties in nonlinear time-history response analyses. This paper proposes a surrogate impulse ground motion with finite duration for the practical simulation of critical elastic–plastic responses. The surrogate impulse is constructed as a weighted sum of Chebyshev polynomials, and its coefficients are determined by minimizing response discrepancies at the termination of excitation for many models with diverse dynamic characteristics. The proposed formulation preserves the essential characteristics of impulse-based critical excitation while suppressing super-high-frequency components. Numerical investigations demonstrate that the surrogate impulse accurately reproduces displacement responses obtained from conventional impulse inputs while substantially reducing unrealistic acceleration and velocity amplification. Applications to a multi-story elastic–plastic building model under surrogate double and multi impulse inputs confirm that maximum displacement responses are well captured without inducing excessive floor responses. The proposed method provides a practical and robust framework for critical nonlinear response evaluation under pulse-type and long-duration ground motions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1700501</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1700501</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evaluating the factors contributing to unsafe working conditions in the construction industry within conflict-affected Afghanistan]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Parvez Ahmad Hashmat</author><author>Abdullah Ansari</author><author>Abdul Habib Zaray</author><author>Mohammad Shahid Hamkar</author><author>Kumar Neeraj Jha</author><author>Pranjal Mandhaniya</author><author>Ayed E. Alluqmani</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Workplace safety is one of the persistent challenges in the construction industry. When an international contractor performs construction in a war-affected region, this challenge becomes manifold in its magnitude. The international contractors follow standard operating procedures for safety on construction sites, however, the execution largely remains with the local workforce. Poor skills, lack of professionalism, and paucity of ethical behavior among the workforce bring challenges to the international contractors to keep the construction sites safe in war-affected regions. This is associated with frequent accidents and injuries at sites which hamper the credibility and image of the international contractors to obtain future contracts. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors affecting safe working conditions in war-affected regions. A total of twenty-four safety attributes were identified through a literature review. The identified attributes were ranked using the response of 114 Afghan construction experts through a questionnaire survey approach. Subsequently, factor analysis was used to categorize the identified attributes into four factors. Through the use of factor analysis, the result identified four factors responsible for poor safety of Afghanistan construction sites: (i) poor safety culture; (ii) resource shortages; (iii) poor stakeholder management; and (iv) unfavorable project conditions. The results of this study will be helpful to governments and international contractors in formulating strategies for providing a safe working environment at construction sites in war affected regions. In addition, the results will also help in reducing the fatalities of the war affected workforce on construction sites.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1760529</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1760529</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Vernacular earth construction adoption: a socio-technical systems analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Tayyab Ahmad</author><author>Muhammad Tayyab Ejaz</author><author>Muhammad Usman Hassan</author><author>Reeja Faizan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Traditional earth construction represents significant architectural heritage, yet adoption patterns remain poorly understood despite documented environmental and cultural benefits. This study employs Socio-Technical Systems Theory to examine how technical subsystems (performance attributes), social subsystems (community structures, knowledge systems, perceptions), and their interactions shape earth construction adoption. Using sequential mixed-methods research combining semi-structured interviews (n = 12) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (n = 121) in Punjab, Pakistan, we investigate relationships between socio-technical system elements and adoption commitment. Results demonstrate that Maintenance Requirements, Social Perception, and Thermal Performance significantly influence adoption commitment, while Economic Benefits, Functional Versatility, and Structural Reliability show non-significant direct effects. Notably, Maintenance Requirements exhibited positive rather than hypothesized negative relationships with adoption, suggesting maintenance acceptance reflects system commitment rather than deterrence. The model explains substantial variance in adoption commitment (R2 = 0.588). Knowledge Accessibility emerges as critical, significantly influencing both Innovation Adaptability and maintenance understanding. Community Support shapes both knowledge systems and social perceptions. Innovation Adaptability bridges technical attributes and social acceptance, confirming socio-technical co-evolution. Findings suggest that adoption emerges from socio-technical system alignment rather than technical superiority alone, providing evidence-based guidance for integrating vernacular earth construction within contemporary architectural practice while preserving traditional architectural heritage.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1751322</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1751322</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Integration of river flow and satellite rainfall for hydrological models: Swat + application]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author> Ruslan</author><author>Rita Tahir Lopa</author><author>Achmad Syarifudin</author><author>Bambang Bakri</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study aims to assess water availability in the Kelekar River Basin. Various water resource issues are increasingly complex, driven by increasing water demand in line with population growth and socio-economic growth. Furthermore, mismanagement of water resources has led to overexploitation of water resources, resulting in a decline in the environmental carrying capacity of water resources, which in turn reduces water supply capacity. The NRECA model and SWAT+ application is used as mathematical model for rainfall-runoff simulation. From the discharge modeling results obtained, a reliable discharge can be determined as a basis for determining the service area to be irrigated. Result of study is the reliability of discharge in the Kelekar River Ogan Ilir Basin for the 50% dependable discharge (Q50) is a maximum of 350 m3/sec while for the 80% dependable discharge (Q80) it is 255 m3/sec. It is quite ideal to fulfill water availability with a watershed area of 2463.61 km2 and the Q80 dependable flow is small enough to meet raw water and irrigation water needs. Under actual conditions, the raw water value could be reduced, given that irrigation must continue. This could also be achieved by constructing a reservoir to store water during surplus months and releasing it during months with a water deficit.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1763372</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1763372</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evaluation of recycled asphalt concrete pavement reinforced with hemp fiber as a sustainable pavement surface]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Apichat Suddeepong</author><author>Kongsak Akkharawongwhatthana</author><author>Lin-Shuang Zhao</author><author>Suksun Horpibulsuk</author><author>Teerasak Yaowarat</author><author>Apinun Buritatum</author><author>Nantipat Pongsri</author><author>Menglim Hoy</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and natural fibers in asphalt concrete (AC) has gained increasing attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional mixtures that use virgin materials. However, comprehensive evaluations of laboratory performance, production feasibility, field implementation, and environmental impact remain limited. This study evaluates AC mixtures that incorporate RAP as coarse aggregate with hemp fiber (HF) reinforcement. Mixture design was conducted using the Marshall method in accordance with the Department of Highways, Thailand, specifications, followed by laboratory testing, asphalt plant trials, field construction, carbon footprint, and cost analyses. The RAP-HF mixture, reinforced with 24-mm-long HF at 0.10% by aggregate weight, satisfied all specification requirements and exhibited superior performance to conventional AC, including 36% higher stability, 80% greater indirect tensile strength, and 40% higher indirect tensile resilient modulus. Plant and field trials confirmed production feasibility and consistent performance. Carbon footprint analysis indicated a 13.7% reduction in CO2 emissions per production batch. Meanwhile, cost analysis showed that the total production cost of the RAP-HF mixture was 2.7% lower than that of conventional AC. The combined improvements in mechanical performance, environmental impact, and cost demonstrate the potential of incorporating RAP and HF as a practical and sustainable solution for asphalt pavement construction.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1798096</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1798096</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Unpacking trends in artificial intelligence research in the construction industry: a bibliographic review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Nathaniel Ayinde Olatunde</author><author>Iruka Chijindu Anugwo</author><author>Imoleayo Abraham Awodele</author><author>Molusiwa Stephan Ramabodu</author><author>Bolanle Felicia Adegoke</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionThe study examines the evolution, intellectual structure and global distribution of artificial intelligence (AI) research within the construction industry, with the aim of systematically mapping scholarly trends and identifying future research directions in a rapidly maturing field.MethodsA Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guided bibliographic review was conducted using the Scopus database. An initial dataset of 1,489 publications was systematically screened, resulting in 764 journal articles and conference papers published between 2015 and 2025. Bibliometric techniques, including productivity analysis, citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence network mapping using VOSviewer, were applied to examine research growth patterns, influential contributors, and dominant thematic clusters.ResultsThe results reveal sustained and accelerated growth in AI-related construction research, particularly after 2020, indicating increasing conceptual consolidation. High-impact journals and a small group of leading authors and institutions dominate knowledge production. Four major thematic clusters emerge: AI-enabled safety and automation, predictive modelling and optimisation, digital life-cycle integration, and AI-based decision support. While the United States, United Kingdom and China lead global output and citation impact, several developing countries also demonstrate substantial research participation. However, citation influence and global visibility remain concentrated within established research systems.DiscussionThe findings demonstrate that AI research aligns closely with core industry challenges, particularly safety management, performance prediction, and data-driven decision-making. Construction organisations are likely to derive the greatest value from AI when it is embedded within integrated digital information environments such as BIM and digital twins. The study is limited to English-language, Scopus-indexed publications and does not assess real-world implementation outcomes. Future studies should incorporate multiple databases and empirical case analyses, particularly in underrepresented regions. The study provides one of the most comprehensive, PRISMA-compliant bibliographic syntheses of AI research in construction, offering a structured intellectual map of a rapidly maturing field.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1801730</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1801730</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evaluating interior lighting as an indoor environmental quality component using virtual reality]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Mehdi Ghiai</author><author>Fariha Rashid</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Recent advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) in investigating indoor environmental quality (IEQ) research have established a critical approach to evaluate the impact of four environmental domains, such as indoor lighting, thermal comfort, air quality, and acoustic, on user experience and built environment performance. IEQ refers to the overall quality of the indoor environment as experienced by occupants. Virtual Reality (VR) as a powerful methodological tool for IEQ allows precise, repeatable manipulation of environmental variables in fully controlled immersive settings. These analyses, although informative, do not facilitate the comparison of the consequences of multiple design elements. Grounded in environmental theoretical frameworks, this research examines how VR facilitates replicable manipulation of environmental parameters while preserving perceptual realism. A structured search of Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar (2010–2025) identified 35 studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria on VR, interior lighting, and IEQ. Findings demonstrate that lighting simulations in a VR setting reliably reproduce effectiveness, productivity, performance, and behavioral responses observed in physical environments, validating VR as an ecologically credible platform for design and occupant research. Results typically show that higher illuminance levels (ILL) and specific correlated color temperature (CCT) have a significant interaction effect on attention. Despite rapid progress, VR-based IEQ research is constrained by limitations like sampling error, diversity, and transferability of the findings to real-world settings. The study concludes that VR-based IEQ research not only enhances experimental precision but also expands theoretical insight into human–environment interaction and offers a transformative path for design studies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1798611</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1798611</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Optimal placement of seismic barriers for enhancing the performance of steel moment-resisting frames against earthquakes]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Masoomeh Asadzadeh Sardehaei</author><author>Mohammadreza Mashayekhi</author><author>Ataallah Sadeghi-Movahhed</author><author>Ali Majdi</author><author>Majid Movahedi Rad</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionDespite extensive research on vibration isolation systems for dissipating seismic waves, most studies have focused on the performance of seismic barriers against surface waves (e.g., those from train movement). Therefore, there has been limited investigation into how filled seismic barriers perform against earthquake forces originating from deep sources, or how different barrier configurations influence the seismic response of structures. This gap underscores the need to design and optimize vibration barriers to mitigate the effects of earthquake effects on structures and enhance structural safety in seismic zones. Therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of vibration barriers and identify the optimal model.MethodsTo achieve this goal, a 2D finite element model was used to simulate the propagation of seismic waves in a single-layer soil and investigate the effect of barriers on a five-story steel moment-resisting frame structure resting on a concrete foundation. A parametric study was conducted on 33 models (a base model without a barrier and 32 barrier models across six scenarios), covering variations in geometrical parameters (width, depth, distance), material types (concrete and geofoam), and barrier layouts.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that using two horizontal layers of geofoam under the foundation leads to optimal structural responses. Although the results indicated that geofoam barriers are superior for reducing superstructure responses, concrete barriers are more effective for controlling foundation acceleration.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1756465</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1756465</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Development of an integrated digital design process for the façade design of the adaptive building D1244]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jonathan Hernandez Lopez</author><author>Katrin Chwalek</author><author>Lucio Blandini</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Adaptive façades (AF) can reduce resource use and enable climate-responsive building envelopes. However, their development typically involves heterogeneous software environments that hinder interoperability and consistent information exchange. This paper develops and validates an Integrated Digital Design Process (IDDP) framework using the adaptive high-rise building D1244 ground-floor adaptive façade systems (FiberSKIN, MagneticSKIN, and the Canopy) as case studies. The workflows were systematically mapped across lifecycle phases, stakeholder roles, component interfaces, and digital methods to identify phases with intensified coordination demand and recurring data-exchange breakdowns. The results show that, without predefined exchange interfaces or a shared collaborative model, interdisciplinary coordination relies on non-standardized data transformations between discipline-specific tools. This leads to inefficiencies and communication gaps, particularly during early design stages and detailed design coordination. Based on these findings, the IDDP framework introduces the early definition of digital exchange interfaces, structured handover points, and a project-wide Integrated Digital Design Process Manager (IDDPM) role to govern responsibilities, interoperability decisions, and information management across project phases. The framework provides an actionable basis for improving digital collaboration in complex AF projects.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1745681</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1745681</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Application of the random finite element method to assess traditional techniques used to analyse free-field ground response and liquefaction triggering]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>J. León González Acosta</author><author>Abraham P. van den Eijnden</author><author>Michael A. Hicks</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Traditional one-dimensional (1D) techniques for analysing free-field ground response and liquefaction triggering rely on the assumption of ideal, homogeneous soil deposits, which are hardly ever encountered. This paper highlights the inaccuracies and limitations of 1D schemes and the motivation for two-dimensional (2D) strategies using the random finite element method (RFEM). Through Monte Carlo simulations, the 2D dynamic response of various soil domains, considering the impact of spatial variability of void ratio on liquefaction potential, is analysed. Each 2D realisation has been re-examined by splitting the domain into 1D soil columns while preserving similar variability attributes. The results reveal significant differences. While 2D schemes show a reduced variability in the ground surface responses and more realistic liquefaction spreading compared to 1D simulations, 2D schemes indicate more severe impacts on ground surface accelerations, response spectra peak values, and energy released. For site response analysis using a homogeneous soil profile, a characteristic void ratio value based on the mean minus 2 standard deviations is suitable for high PGA potential scenarios. However, the differences in responses between 1D and 2D schemes diminish if the input earthquake acceleration is not strong enough to cause liquefaction.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1778867</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1778867</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Probabilistic tsunami risk assessment of cultural heritage in the Mediterranean Sea based on GIS and advanced computational models]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Paraskevi Modé</author><author>Marcos Julien Alexopoulos</author><author>Raouf Sobhani</author><author>Constantine Spyrakos</author><author>Denis Istrati</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Cultural heritage (CH) sites along the Mediterranean coast are exposed to tsunami hazards that remain insufficiently quantified in current risk assessment frameworks. This study presents a probabilistic tsunami risk assessment methodology for coastal cultural heritage, integrating offshore tsunami hazard predictions, GIS-based inundation modelling, analytical tsunami load formulations, and advanced structural damage models. Offshore tsunami hazard and coastal inundation are evaluated for the archaeological site of Kolona at Aegina in Greece, for five Average Return Periods (ARPs), allowing spatially explicit estimation of flow depth and hydrodynamic demand at the site scale. Tsunami-induced loads are derived following established analytical approaches, with special consideration given to the vulnerability of heritage elements and the absence of comprehensive tsunami guidelines specifically for CH typologies. Structural response is simulated using detailed material and three-dimensional finite elements to estimate stresses, strains, and displacements in key components. The results indicated that drag-related forces primarily govern the structural response, especially under higher return-period events. The distributions of stress, strain, and displacement at the direction of the tsunami showed pronounced spatial variability, influenced by local geometry, construction characteristics, and flow exposure. The results also include inundation maps for both the surrounding coastal area and the Kolona site, sensitivity analysis with respect to spatial resolution, and cumulative damage indicators across all five considered ARPs. Damage maps are further developed to identify spatial patterns of risk across the entire site. The proposed framework provides a robust basis for prioritising conservation efforts, informing mitigation strategies, and supporting long-term tsunami adaptation planning in the Mediterranean region.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1755769</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1755769</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Indigenous knowledge-informed HVAC design for reserve health facilities: a mixed-method case study on Prairie reserves]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Akinola Ogbeyemi</author><author>Lori Bradford</author><author>Wenjun Chris Zhang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundHealth facility construction on Canadian reserves takes place within complex environmental, social, and cultural contexts. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems influence indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and the ability of buildings to support cultural practices such as smudging, gathering, and flexible use of interior spaces. Conventional engineering design processes often follow linear technical decision pathways that give limited attention to Indigenous knowledge or community patterns of building use. This can contribute to mismatches between installed systems and the ways facilities are used and experienced in practice.MethodsThis study uses a community-engaged mixed-method case study on HVAC design considerations in reserve health facilities on the Canadian Prairies. A scoping review of HVAC design and building performance was combined with semi-structured interviews with Indigenous knowledge holders, facility managers, engineers, and building users. Findings from both were examined together to identify recurring design challenges and community-defined priorities. These findings were organized using a Function–Context–Behaviour–Principle–State–Structure analytical framework and used to develop a preliminary Indigenous Knowledge Informed Design (IKID) decision-support framework for HVAC planning.ResultsThe analysis identified areas of misalignment between standard HVAC configurations and community priorities in reserve facilities. These included limited accommodation for ceremonial ventilation, uneven thermal comfort across activity spaces, and operational constraints related to climate conditions and building management capacity. The combined findings informed design considerations for HVAC planning, including ceremony-responsive ventilation strategies and localized thermal comfort zones that reflect patterns of use.Contributions and implicationsThis study presents a preliminary IKID-informed design framework that places community-identified priorities alongside engineering considerations in HVAC planning. The framework is intended as a decision-support concept rather than a validated engineering tool. It highlights how community-engaged research can inform culturally responsive infrastructure design and identifies areas for further testing, co-development with communities, and application in future health facility planning.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1773879</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1773879</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Cultural narratives and spatial configuration in Mosuo traditional villages: integrating grounded theory and space syntax analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Meng Yanjun</author><author>Xu Yuhong</author><author>Zhai Hui</author><author>Robert Lee Kong Tiong</author><author>Bak Koon Teoh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionTraditional villages are culturally embedded spatial systems in which social narratives shape configurational logic. Focusing on Mosuo traditional villages in Southwest China, this study examines whether their configurational logic can maintain functional continuity under the pressures of modernization and tourism.MethodsAn integrated framework combining Grounded Theory and Space Syntax was developed to formalize the relationship between cultural narratives and spatial configuration. Using multi-temporal spatial data from 2004 to 2023, five spatial ontological narratives were identified and examined through global integration (Rn), local integration (R3), and intelligibility (R2).ResultsThe results indicate persistent configurational resilience: despite morphological expansion, cultural cores remained aligned with spatial cores. Low intelligibility was found to reflect a culturally embedded strategy of controlled spatial ambiguity rather than a planning deficiency.DiscussionThese findings show that Mosuo village morphology continues to encode and mediate cultural narratives amid social change. The study supports a shift from form-centric preservation to narrative-driven governance, with implications for heritage conservation and sustainable tourism.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1779234</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1779234</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evaluation of slope stability along NH-7 in India based on Hoek–Brown failure criterion using physics-informed neural networks]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Pratyusha Bandaru</author><author>Hemaraju Pollayi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This article deals with modeling the slope stability along the NH-7 in India based on the Hoek–Brown failure criterion using physics-informed neural networks within a Python framework. The geodynamic nature of the Himalayan region makes the terrain prone to slope failure. In the present work, eight debris slopes (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, and L8) in Uttarakhand are considered between Rishikesh and Kaudiyala. The engineering parameters (Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, cohesion, friction angle, and unit weight) of the slope-forming materials are used for the stability analysis. Field photographs of the slopes are used to develop sliding surfaces. The surfaces are meshed with the finite element generator in Gmsh. A CSV file is generated with the mesh considering the defined boundary conditions. The Hoek–Brown failure criterion is implemented for assessing the slope stability, and physics-informed neural networks are used to incorporate the physical laws directly into the training process with the Adam optimizer (epochs = 1,000) to improve the accuracy and efficiency. The displacements, stresses, strains, principal stresses, principal strains, and shear strengths are calculated with this model for each slope, and the status is plotted (1: elastic, 2: plastic/failure). OriginPro (2025b) is used for visualizing the displacements, stresses, and other relevant parameters through the contour plots. The results showed that the slope materials are mainly comprised of well-graded sands, gravelly sands, with little or no plasticity and display no clay activity along with moderate cohesion (19.5–31.6 kPa) and internal friction angle (26.240 to 38.450). The slopes with the highest height and dip angle (L4 and L6) are critically stable with a strength reduction factor less than 1.0. Based on the above results, it is evident that the slope geometry has a more significant effect on the stability conditions of the slopes than the activity of swelling clay minerals. Finally, to increase the stability of the slopes, it is suggested that the installation of retaining/gabion walls along the toe, planting grass on the slope surface, and excavation at the crown part of the slope are possible stabilization measures.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1799062</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1799062</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Bond and flexural strength of industrial cast UHPFRC-NC deck in Norway]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Malena Thomassen</author><author>Ingrid Lande</author>
        <description><![CDATA[A large portion of Norway’s aging bridge infrastructure requires rehabilitation due to environmental exposure. Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) overlays have emerged as a promising solution; however, their large-scale application using locally available materials remains limited. This study investigates the mechanical performance and bond behaviour of an industrially cast, locally produced UHPFRC overlay applied to a low-strength C20/25 concrete substrate. Composite bridge deck specimens consisting of a 50 mm UHPFRC overlay on a 100 mm conventional concrete layer were produced at industrial scale and tested using four-point bending combined with digital image correlation (DIC) to evaluate flexural behaviour, crack initiation, and crack development. Pull-off teste was conducted to evaluate the bond strength of the composite material. The results showed continuous load–displacement responses without delamination, confirming monolithic behaviour, with crack initiation consistently occurring in the UHPFRC layer at an average flexural tensile strength of 5.7 MPa and reaching 13.3 MPa at maximum load. A multi-cracking phase was observed in most specimens, though strain-hardening behaviour was limited and peak load occurred shortly after the quasi-elastic domain, while failure was governed by interaction between ductile microcracking in the UHPFRC layer and localized shear cracking in the substrate. All pull-off tests resulted in substrate failure, with bond strengths ranging from 2.1 to 2.4 MPa, indicating strong interfacial performance. Overall, the findings demonstrate that locally produced, industrially cast UHPFRC can achieve robust bonding and satisfactory flexural performance, supporting its feasibility for large-scale bridge rehabilitation, although layer thickness and substrate properties influence the structural response.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1725499</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2026.1725499</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Hybrid intelligent modeling of excavation-tunnel interaction: integrating finite element analysis with optimized machine learning]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mo Miaoxing</author><author>Li Zehua</author><author>Gu Wenchao</author><author>Liu Jiajun</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionFoundation pit excavation can induce deformation in adjacent existing tunnels and threaten their operational safety, especially in soft-clay strata. To address this issue, this study develops a hybrid intelligent framework for predicting excavation-induced tunnel displacements.MethodsUsing a deep excavation project in Hangzhou as a case study, finite element (FE) analyses were conducted to investigate tunnel deformation under different spatial configurations and to generate a displacement database in a dimensionless coordinate system. The sparrow search algorithm (SSA) was then used to optimize three machine-learning models, namely backpropagation neural network (BPNN), generalized regression neural network (GRNN), and random forest (RF). Model performance was evaluated using multiple statistical indices and k-fold cross-validation. Kernel density estimation (KDE) was further adopted to quantify prediction uncertainty.ResultsThe FE results showed that excavation-induced tunnel deformation depends strongly on tunnel position relative to the excavation. For laterally adjacent tunnels, both horizontal distance and burial depth significantly influenced deformation, while for underlying tunnels the response was dominated by vertical deformation caused by unloading-induced rebound. Among the three models, the SSA-BPNN model achieved the best predictive performance. For horizontal displacement (Dx), it achieved test-set R2 = 0.95 with RMSE = 0.199 mm; for vertical displacement (Dy), it achieved test-set R2 = 0.98 with RMSE = 0.363 mm. Compared with the other SSA-optimized models, the SSA-BPNN model reduced RMSE by 23% for Dx and 59% for Dy. Cross-validation results also confirmed its strong generalization ability.DiscussionThe proposed FE-ML framework provides an efficient and reliable tool for evaluating excavation-induced tunnel deformation under similar geotechnical and support conditions. The results also highlight the importance of considering both spatial tunnel location and uncertainty quantification in predictive modeling for excavation-tunnel interaction.]]></description>
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