This study examined the decline of traditional villages due to urbanization, focusing on their spatial patterns and architectural characteristics in China, particularly in the Guanzhong region. Using ArcGIS tools, kernel density and nearest-neighbor analyses quantitatively assessed the spatial distribution of these villages at macro- and micro-levels. Additionally, 3D laser scanning was employed to qualitatively analyze architectural features. The study demonstrated that (1) traditional villages are unevenly clustered nationwide, primarily in the southeast and southwest, creating a “three cores and multiple points” spatial pattern. (2) In the Guanzhong region, traditional village distribution also shows clustering with diverse patterns, including regiment, belt, and point formations. Higher densities are found in the eastern and northern regions, while the west and south are sparsely populated. Most villages are located at altitudes of 501–700 m, on slopes of 6–15°, and near water sources. (3) The basic residential structures in Guanzhong included the single, vertical multi-entry, and horizontal coupled courtyards, as well as the vertical and horizontal interleaved layouts; these buildings typically featured the foundations and walls made of earth, stone, and brick, combined with various wooden frames and single- or double-sloped roofs. This study overcomes the limitations of the traditional literature and field surveys by quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing the spatial patterns of traditional villages and the architectural forms of residential buildings from an architectural perspective. It graphically presents the data to provide an efficient and practical theoretical basis for the heritage preservation and development of traditional villages.

This paper presents an experimental study on the dynamic strength of concrete by using a split Hopkinson pressure bar. The stress–strain relationship and fragmentation degree of concrete were analyzed. The change process of the incident energy, reflection energy, transmission energy and consumption energy of concrete was calculated. The corresponding relationship between the variation of each energy and the stress state of concrete was studied. The law of energy evolution during the concrete fracture process was determined and the mechanism of concrete dynamic strength increase was revealed from the perspective of energy. The results show that the higher the strain rate, the higher the fragmentation degree of concrete, the smaller the grain diameter of fragments, the easier cracks are to pass directly through the aggregate, and the more regular the fragment shape. The change process of increasing amplitude of concrete consumption energy can reflect four mechanical states of concrete: stress increase, stress slow releasing, stress rapid releasing, and return-to-zero stress. Since the increase in reflected energy does not increase immediately with the increase in strain rate, it leads to the hysteresis of energy release in concrete, resulting in an increase in the dynamic strength of concrete.

Traditional villages, protected as cultural heritage in our country, are rich in historical information, cultural landscapes, and traditional domestic architecture. This article explores the spatial distribution of traditional villages and proposes a new paradigm for the sustainable development of traditional dwellings. It addresses the challenges these villages face, such as natural, social, and inherent issues, arising from rapid socioeconomic development and urbanization. This study analyzes the spatial distribution and architectural features of traditional villages and dwellings in Northern Shaanxi based on 179 national and provincial villages. Using ArcGIS 10.1, the geographic concentration index, kernel density analysis, and the analytic hierarchy process, this study applied both macro and micro level perspectives. The research shows that: (1) The traditional villages in northern Shaanxi exhibit a spatial distribution pattern of “overall aggregation, local dispersion, and uneven distribution.” This pattern is influenced by interactions between natural and human factors. (2) Traditional dwellings in these villages are primarily cave dwellings and courtyard buildings, each reflecting unique architectural features in terms of floor plan layout, facade form, structure, materials, and decoration. (3) Traditional village dwellings in northern Shaanxi face practical challenges related to protection, development, and governance. The top three challenges, based on weighted indicators, are issues related to inheritance, an imperfect protection mechanism, and inherent shortcomings of the buildings. Based on these findings, this study proposes three practical suggestions for the sustainable development of traditional village dwellings in Northern Shaanxi. These suggestions aim to enhance the comprehensive and multi-dimensional sustainable development of traditional village dwellings.

Guomari fortress in eastern Qinghai Province exemplifies vernacular architecture shaped by multiethnic interaction, environmental adaptation, and localized defense strategies. Originally a Ming Dynasty military-agricultural outpost, it evolved into a Tu ethnic settlement. Fieldwork, including architectural surveys and spatial analysis, identified a three-tiered defensive system: (1) strategic use of terrain and rammed-earth walls; (2) labyrinthine alleys with L-, T-, and cross-shaped intersections; and (3) interconnected rooftops forming elevated circulation routes. Courtyards are categorized into single-line, L-shaped, U-shaped, and fully enclosed layouts, reflecting adaptations to terrain, ritual functions, and thermal needs. Architectural features such as thick loam-coated walls and flat roofs demonstrate climatic adaptation, while the integration of Han timber frameworks, Tibetan prayer halls, and Tu decorative elements reveals cultural convergence. Traditional craftsmanship, including carved wooden scripture blocks and tsampa-based murals, is embedded within domestic and ritual spaces. The fortress’s circulation patterns mirror Tibetan Buddhist cosmology, with mandala-like alleys and rooftop circumambulation routes. These findings offer insights into vernacular resilience and inform conservation strategies for multiethnic fortified settlements.

In engineering projects, the coordination and management of multiple objectives is an important part of project management, which has a direct impact on the realization of objectives in terms of project duration, cost, and quality. The current engineering project investment presents the characteristics of large scale, long period, and many risks, which puts forward higher requirements for the multiobjective coordinated management of the project. Therefore, the analysis and optimization of the various objectives of the engineering project is the basis for achieving multiobjective balance and coordination. The comprehensive consideration of the risks faced by the engineering project and the dynamics of the environment in which it is located can make the objective optimization more realistic. On the basis of risk identification and risk evaluation, this paper is committed to considering multiple objective factors that affect the outcome of risk decision-making to achieve the optimization of decision-making schemes and applies multiobjective genetic algorithm to the optimization of decision-making schemes, thus finding a way to optimize the decision-making scheme. This paper analyzes the research progress and status of construction project risk management decision and multiobjective evolutionary algorithm and points out the imperfections of the current research. Then it introduces the related theory of construction project risk management decision, the related terminology of multiobjective optimization problem and the method used in this paper the principle, process, and characteristics of genetic algorithm and prepares for the following problem solving. In this paper, a mathematical model for multiobjective decision-making of engineering project risk management is established, and the multiobjective genetic algorithm is used to solve the model. Through the analysis of examples, a series of Pareto optimal solutions with good convergence and diversity are obtained, the best combination of various risk control measures is found, and three goals of risk evaluation value, management cost, and risk loss are achieved. The two models with or without risk correlation present certain differences, the model with correlation considered is more accurate and applicable than the model without correlation considered in the existing research.

Architectural heritage conservation and development (AHCD) increasingly require social approaches that connect material remains with emotions, memories, and meanings. Sense of place offers a theoretical lens for understanding these connections, yet its operational role in AHCD remains unclear. This study draws on a bibliometric analysis and narrative synthesis of 79 publications to classify these publications into four architectural heritage contexts: urban residential, rural residential, public, and religious and ritual. The results show that the physical form of architectural heritage fundamentally shapes sense of place, while the pathways through which sense of place supports conservation and development vary across heritage types. The review further identifies emerging research trends, conceptual gaps, and practical limitations in applying sense of place to AHCD. This study proposes an implementation framework for integrating sense of place into AHCD. The framework connects heritage attributes and place meanings with stakeholder engagement and strategies for conservation and development. The framework offers a reference for research, policy-making, and practice in architectural heritage conservation and sustainable development from a social perspective.