Digital technologies (DTs) are proven helpful in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry due to their varied benefits to project stakeholders, such as enhanced visualization, better data sharing, reduction in building waste, increased productivity, sustainable performance and safety improvement. Therefore, researchers have conducted various studies on DTs in the AEC industry over the year; however, this study explores the state-of-the-art research on DTs in the AEC industry by means of a bibliometric-qualitative review method. This research would uncover new knowledge gaps and practical needs in the domain of DTs in the AEC industry. In addition, bibliometric analysis was carried out by utilizing academic publications from Scopus (i.e., 11,047 publications for the AEC industry, 1956 for DTs and 1778 for DTs in the AEC industry). Furthermore, a qualitative review was further conducted on 200 screened selected research publications in the domain of DTs. This study brings attention to the body of knowledge by envisioning trends and patterns by defining key research interests, journals, countries, new advancements, challenges, negative attitudes and future directions towards DTs in the AEC industry. However, this study is the first in its vital importance and uniqueness by providing a broad updated review of DTs in the AEC literature. Furthermore, this research laid a foundation for future researchers, policy makers and practitioners to explore the limitations in future research.

Thermomechanically treated (TMT) carbon steel bars, often known as "TempCore" bars, are commonly used as reinforcements in concrete structures. TMT causes the formation of a martensite case in the outer surface of the bars, increasing their hardness, while the remaining ferritic-perlitic core maintains the typical ductility of hot rolled bars. In this work, the effect of this TMT induced microstructure on the development of pitting attacks in chloride media has been analyzed in depth. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements and polarization curves have been carried out in simulated pore solutions to understand the effect of the presence of different phases in the microstructure and to quantify the strength of the galvanic couple that the outer martensite can form with the inner core. Moreover, accelerated corrosion tests in chloride contaminated concrete slabs have also been performed. Bars from six different slabs where corrosive attack has been forced for different times have been studied. The shape of the main pits in the bars corroded in concrete has been analyzed through optoelectronic microscopy and the results obtained prove that the depth of the attack is related to the microstructure of the TMT bars.

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Tens of thousands of fall-from-height accidents take place at construction sites every year. These types of accidents range from minor to fatal, causing a significant financial burden to enterprises, personal and family traumatic experiences, high medical costs, as well as hard compensation claim settlements. It makes sense then, that some sort of effective personal protective equipment (PPE) be devised to stop these types of accidents from happening. This article aims to explain how PPE can be used to minimize personal injury and the costs implied. The main contribution of this study is that the prototypes made with dynamic ropes and terminals knotted-without an energy absorber-could safely retain falls. Results show that standards EN 354 and EN 364 need to incorporate dynamic test requirements, for the reason that a high loading rate significantly reduces the resistance in static tests that manufacturing companies claim they have. Surprisingly, more than 90 percent of work at heights use PPE without any absorber. Finally, this study calls for the need to accurately determine the dynamic response of PPE in order to further advance in improvements of these fall arrest systems with no energy absorber.

This research analyzes the solution of reinforced concrete joints reinforced with steel sections, known as steel reinforced concrete (SRC). The aim is to verify the improvement of the ductile characteristics of steel reinforced concrete structures compared to conventional reinforced concrete structures. Another objective is to better understand the experimental behavior and thus be able to perform numerical simulations adjusted with the experimental ones. In addition, the behavior of reinforced concrete structures in all the bars with steel sections is compared with others in which only the joints are reinforced to obtain more efficient and economical structures. All these objectives have the main purpose of improving the behavior of structures against seismic loads. Five specimens of concrete joints with reinforced with steel were tested with cyclic loads to analyze their behavior. The strength superposition method can predict the shear strength. The results obtained confirm the greater capacity of absorption of energy of the structures with sections of steel embedded compared with the structures of conventional reinforced concrete, with greater ductility when facing large displacements.