Journal of Architectural and Engineering Research

Development of the Methodology for Creating a Database of Multi-Apartment Residential Building Data Based on the Example of a Separate Residential Section in the Republic of Armenia

Mesrop Sahakyan — 2026-03-30

This article analyzes the existing challenges in the management and data coordination of multi-apartment residential buildings in Armenia. Special emphasis is placed on the absence of a comprehensive, digital, unified database on multi-apartment buildings, which creates significant obstacles to urban planning, socio-economic development, and the improvement of quality of life. The seismic resistance of buildings is a primary concern, a fact underscored by the 1988 Spitak earthquake. Yet, no information source exists in Armenia that documents the seismic resilience of each building. The lack of technical monitoring of the housing stock, as well as insufficient cooperation and fragmented data among relevant authorities, further complicates the effective management of the housing sector. Under these circumstances, the collection and centralization of comprehensive digital information in a single repository has become especially urgent. The primary aim of this research is to develop a scientifically grounded methodology for the creation of an architectural and technical database of multi-apartment buildings in Armenia. To achieve this, the study examines international experience and synthesizes both local and global approaches to collecting spatial and technical data on multi-apartment buildings. The current state of residential buildings is analyzed, unique challenges are identified and classified, and principles and patterns for architectural and technical analysis in the database are proposed. The methodology is further elaborated through the modeling of the database based on a case study of a distinct residential segment. The article employs methods such as the collection and summarization of archival materials and documents, systemic and situational analyses, and the study of government decisions related to the topic. The proposed methodology can serve as a foundation for creating a unified and digital repository of architectural and technical data on multi-apartment buildings in Armenia, with wide application in urban planning, technical assessment of the building stock, and the enhancement of public safety.

Interdisciplinary Analysis of Fortresses in the Context Of Folklore And Architecture

Davit Nahatakyan — 2026-07-19

The ‘fortress’ or ‘castle’ of the Armenian Highlands (the terms are used interchangeably here) has not been comprehensively studied from the interdisciplinary perspectives of folklore and architecture. Historically, among humanity’s most significant achievements, fortresses and fortification systems encompass both tangible and intangible dimensions. While the fortresses of the Armenian Highland have been extensively studied from architectural and design perspectives, their intangible aspects remain relatively underexplored. This article proposes an interdisciplinary approach integrating material analysis with intangible cultural data. It does so by drawing together studies from the province of Tayk, where well-preserved fortifications enable spatial and typological analysis, and from the Shirak region, which is rich in folklore and ethnographic material but has only a limited number of surviving structures. By combining these complementary datasets, the research interprets Tayk’s material heritage through Shirak’s intangible traditions and reconstructs Shirak’s fragmented fortification systems by comparing them with Tayk's. This reciprocal model offers a more comprehensive understanding of Armenian fortification heritage, linking physical remains with symbolic and cultural meanings and viewing fortresses as carriers of collective memory. The approach taken is: a) To analyze Tayk’s fortification systems using typological and spatial classification; b) To collect and present folklore and ethnographic materials from Shirak related to fortifications, supplemented with written and scholarly sources; and c) To examine interactions between fortification realities and their representation in folklore, and the influence of intangible culture on perception of the material environment. The study used a combined methodology, including fieldwork, comparative analysis, and analytical synthesis. Field research in the Shirak region involved collecting folkloric data through interviews, oral histories, and ethnographic observations, which were later thematically classified with a focus on fortifications. These data were supplemented by scholarly literature, historical sources, and written traditions, including religious texts.

Iron-Decorated Graphene Nanoplatelets Produced by Atmospheric-Pressure Ferrocene Pyrolysis as Nano-Additives for Cement Mortars

Harutyun Gyulasaryan — 2026-07-25

This study examines iron-based graphene nanoplatelets (Fe-GNPs), synthesized through a modified ferrocene pyrolysis route, as hybrid nano-additives for cement mortars. The nanomaterial was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis, confirming a graphitic carbon network decorated with crystalline α-Fe nanoparticles. Mortars containing 0.001, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 wt.% Fe-GNPs, with and without surfactant-assisted ultrasonication, were tested in flexure and compression after 7 and 28 days of curing. The results showed a clear concentration-dependent response, with 0.01 wt.% yielding the highest strength gains. At 28 days, this dosage increased flexural strength by 14.5% without surfactant and by 21.2% with surfactant, while compressive strength rose by 17.8% and 22.5%, respectively, relative to the control mortar. Higher dosages reduced the reinforcing effect, mainly because agglomeration limited efficient stress transfer and matrix densification. The findings indicate that Fe-GNPs synthesized by a continuous atmospheric-pressure route are promising hybrid nano-additives for improving the mechanical performance of cement mortars, provided that dosage and dispersion are carefully controlled.

Sustainable Planning Indicators: North Kazakhstan Case

Nailya Appassova — 2026-07-30

This study develops and tests a quantitative indicator system to assess sustainable development in small urban districts in Kazakhstan. The research addresses the lack of measurable tools for small settlements, although they are important for sustainable territorial planning. Its novelty lies in using official socio-economic passport data to build a reproducible system of 18 indicators grouped into demographic, economic and resource-pressure, social-infrastructure, and spatial blocks. The study applied a quantitative case study method using the Bulaevo Urban District in the North Kazakhstan Region as of January 1, 2025. Standardized indicators were compared with regulatory benchmarks, and block and integrated sustainability indices were calculated. The integrated index was 0.19, indicating a low level of sustainability. The main deficits concerned preschool education, employment structure, and agricultural land use. The proposed system can support local authorities in monitoring sustainability, setting planning priorities, expanding preschool infrastructure, diversifying employment, and reducing pressure on agricultural land.

Using of Fiber Reinforced Plastics in Bridge Construction in Russia

Aleksey Nerovnykh — 2026-08-12

Research of composite materials for using in bridge structures was started at Siberian Bridge Research Institute (SBRI) of STU in 2007. Over the past time, a large number of laboratory, field and theoretical studies have been conducted on composite materials of various types, fiberglass structures, as well as reinforced concrete elements reinforced with carbon fiber. In 2014, with the participation of specialists of SBRI, the first road bridge in Russia with supporting structures made of fiberglass was designed and built. The research results presented in the article formed the basis for a many regulatory documents on the design of composite superstructures, as well as external reinforcement systems for strengthening of spans and supports with insufficient load-bearing capacity.

Passive Ventilation Systems in Historic Togh

Manushak Titanyan — 2026-08-12

This study investigates the natural ventilation systems integrated into the historical architectural structures of Togh village in the historical province of Dizak in Artsakh. The village is situated on the eastern slope of Mount Togh and has been inhabited since ancient times. At its center stands the eighteenth-century Melik Yegan Palace. The study aims to identify the design principles of the natural ventilation systems, analyze their spatial and structural characteristics, and evaluate their functional significance. The relevance of the research is driven by the need to study and preserve traditional engineering solutions in historical architecture, while its scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive analysis of the ventilation systems preserved in Togh’s historical buildings. The research employs architectural analysis, field observations, and comparative methods. The results demonstrate that passive ventilation operated not only in residential spaces but also in basements, including rooms without direct external openings. The study identifies the structural characteristics and spatial organization of these systems and highlights their role in regulating the indoor microclimate. The findings have practical significance for the conservation and restoration of historical buildings and may also contribute to the development of contemporary sustainable architectural design.