Advanced Materials Research Vol. 831

Abstract: In Malaysia itself, the construction industry has well governed the economic trend and providing the pathway towards modernization. Construction industry is a huge process that involves many activities in different phases and participation of various professions. The complexity of this industry has made it closely linked to disputes. There are always possibilities of dispute occurrence even when almost all projects are governed by their respective contracts. This study is initiated to find the relationship of standard forms of contract with construction disputes. The focus of this study will be on the construction disputes litigation cases in Malaysia reported to the Current Law Journal (CLJ) between year 1999-2009. The secondary data for this study is obtained from questionnaire survey distributed throughout Malaysia, which looks into construction dispute cases that were not referred to formal law journals. Research findings identified that all projects are governed by standard forms and even though the parameters causing construction dispute are actually monitored by the standard form itself, disputes are not declining or effectively resolved, and hence, making the standard forms as one of the the major causes of construction disputes.

Abstract: This study started from interests in the diverse expressions of the skin and the structure of contemporary architecture. Lately, there have been some trends in contemporary architecture in which combinations create the structural system. In other words, some projects have expressed the integration of structure and skin. In these new trials of unifying the structure and skin, spatial effectiveness is something different from other projects. Some of the experimental projects of Toyo Ito, Herzog & de Meuron, FOA, Rem Koolhaas, PTW Architect are exampled. By analyzing those works through sketches, drawings, 3d modelings, field investigations, articles and reports which are recorded in various journals, the 3 integration types of structure-skin and their spatial effectiveness can be found. According to these analyzing projects, some architects have their own individual ideas and strategies in proceeding with their own process. These trials exert influence on the construction method of structures and the expression of the skin in contemporary architecture.

Abstract: In this study, by using network analysis method, the change of chronological main subject, co-authorship network characteristics (e.g., sets of key players, closeness degree centrality, closeness centrality etc.) were evaluated in Asian architecture research domains. The total 1,772 authors information (co-authorship, country, year and keywords) from 668 papers from the Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering (JAABE) (from volume 1 No.1, issued in 2002 to volume 11 no.2 in 2012) were collected and evaluated. As a result, the research communities are conducting their researches very separately. That means the collaboration between authors in this domain is not well conducted. Also, Weijun Gao (22 papers), Toshio Ojima (21 papers), Shuji Funo (15 papers) and Junzo Munemoto (15 papers) are the most published authors. Total 29 countries are contributing for JAABE. The ranking of nationality is led by Japan (53%) followed by Korea (24%) and China (9%).

Abstract: Unreasonable settings of bus stops widely exist in Chinas satellite cities, which restrict the traffic capacity and hold up the public traffic efficiency. This paper takes Yanjiao as an example to summarize the common problems existed in setting up bus stops and present improving proposals through the analysis of the current situation.

Abstract: The protection of historical street plays an irreplaceable role in historic continuity of ancient city. This article takes Center Street of Dingzhou city in Hebei Province as an example, the evolution process of Center Street is analyzed, and the value of historical and cultural characteristics is summarized. The major problems and reasons of historical style are discussed from aspects of street scale, land functions and landscape style, etc. Planning thoughts on relocating Center Street, continuing the historical style of Song Dynasty and constructing vigorous commercial streets are proposed. Historic styles remediation goals of Center Street are determined. Specific planning ideas are proposed, including taking streets as axis to form five important historical nodes from south to north, including South Gate, South Street guhuai, Kaiyuan Temple, Dingzhou Museum and Temple, and updating the constructions on streets, continuing historic features of Song Dynasty, enhancing landscape and environmental construction and improving street traffic conditions.

Abstract: Article by investigations on the representative city endowment facilities of the main regions of China, Chinese urban pension facility size, nature and the facilities of the main problems, and analyze and summarize in view of the present situation and problems, so that to improve and solve them in the design.

Abstract: This research applied environment-behavior study to the design of gymnasium natural light environment, explored the inner link among natural light, gymnasium competition hall and the users behavior in a subjective-objective combined perspective. The research broke the misunderstanding of quantity-oriented design concept, and explained the dynamic characteristics of natural light in competition hall. The research made an overall judgment to the gymnasium natural light environment, and put forward the optimized design of gymnasium natural light environment by analyzing the elements of different users activities, needs and psychological characteristics in the gymnasium.

Abstract: Before a lot of old cities were planned and built, fault zones were not been taken into account. However it must be paid more attention in new urban planning because destructive earthquakes due to the activities of a fault may result in immeasurable losses. Therefore, the location of buried faults, especially in the near surface, is of considerable importance with respect to the new urban planning and disaster reduction. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), which can have an effective depth of investigation of several hundred meters, has been applied to the detection of buried faults in urban areas on the China mainland since 2001, and has proven to be one of the most powerful geophysical tools for this application. Here we inferred the presence, location and width of Pudu River fault zone in Yuxi basin using ERT, and then proposed our suggestions on the new urban planning of Yuxi city.

Abstract: From the angle of urban leisure space users and through the selection of urban leisure space influence factors, then based on a questionnaire survey and statistical analysis software, this article use the analytic hierarchy process and expert-scored method, and built a quantitative urban leisure space evaluation system to provide the basis for the strategy of construction and development of urban leisure space and pleasant harmonious modern city.

Abstract: Energy, CO₂ and Water are most important issues that environmental impact in buildings and cities. These are related each other very closely. This study has attempted to analyze CO₂ emission by water usages, sewage wastes and also water saving strategies like installation water saving devices, rainwater harvesting and gray water system in office buildings. To assess from the early design stage, should be developed regional water amount and regional CO₂ emission factor by water. Consequently, estimated one sample office project in Korea and suggested effective CO₂ emission reduction plan in the water sector. Total amount of CO₂ emission in the water sector in sample office building is 188.25 t·CO₂eq/yr.