VNUHCM Journal of Engineering and Technology

DIRECT METHOD FOR ANALYSIS OF PRESSTRESSED CONCRETESTRUCTURE

Pham Thanh Cong — 2026-05-13

One of significant progress of construction industry is prestressed concrete. The range of applications is very wide in the high-rise buildings, large-span buildings and the bridges. Prestressed concrete has been successfully used for small as well as large projects over the last sixty years. The efficiency stems from being able to use high strength materials, to structurally utilize the entire cross section, to vary the force and location of the reinforcing to best resist applied loads, and to control the timing of when the prestressing force is applied to the structure. In prestressed concrete structures, load balancing is an indirect and familiar method for analyzing prestressed members through equivalent load. The frame being subjected to equivalent load produces balanced moment or prestressing moment (it is taken into account in serviceability limit state) and reactions; then, secondary moment (it is taken into account in ultimate limit state) is produced by reactions. The paper presents a direct method for analyzing prestressed members by solving the differential equations of the elastic line. These differential equations consider the equilibrium of the reactions and eccentricity of the prestressing force. After solving these equations, the engineers can directly obtain the reactions; and subsequently, determine the prestressing moment, secondary moment and shear force. The direct method also finds out the precise effect resulting from large tendon sag in transfer or deep beam. Effect of large tendon sag is the same as small tendon sag, the differences are very small. Besides, in this paper, the equivalent load models associated with any complicated tendon profiles which are formularized deal with and expand the unconventional tendon profile in the future of construction industry.

ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN VIET NAM

Tran Hoc Duc — 2026-05-21

In construction projects, three core objectives, including quality, cost, and schedule, are considered key criteria for project success. However, in Vietnam, project delays remain prevalent, significantly affecting investment efficiency and construction quality. This study aims to analyze the factors affecting construction project schedules and to evaluate the impact of delays on project cost and quality. The research methodology involves a synthesis of domestic and international studies, combined with surveys of experts and experienced professionals in the construction field. Data were collected from 173 valid responses and analyzed using statistical techniques, including Cronbach’s Alpha, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicate that the measurement scales are reliable and valid, with statistically significant observed variables and a well-fitted research model. The findings reveal that contractor-related factors have the greatest impact on project schedules, followed by factors related to equipment and materials; project owners and project characteristics; design units; external factors; and consulting units. Notably, the “decision-making speed of the project owner” is identified as the most influential factor. The SEM results demonstrate that project delays have direct effects on cost (coefficient = 0.41) and quality (coefficient = 0.38). This study provides empirical evidence on the relationships among schedule, cost, and quality, while supporting stakeholders in identifying and managing risk factors. Accordingly, the findings contribute to a scientific basis for improving schedule management efficiency and enhancing the success rate of construction projects in Vietnam.

Molecular docking, DFT study of some modified curcumins as potential anticancer agents on CXCR2 receptor

Thu Hanh Tran Thi — 2026-05-07

Natural compounds with potential applications in treating complex diseases such as cancer are increasingly garnering attention in medical research. The utilization of computational modeling methods is becoming more prevalent in studying these compounds, facilitating the selection of promising molecular frameworks for therapeutic purposes. Curcumin, a molecule with numerous modified and analogous structures, is used to anticipate potential pharmaceutical compounds using computational calculation methods. This study aims to employ several structures, including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), dihydrocurcumin (DHC), and notably tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), to forecast the potential inhibition of the CXCR2 receptor through the DFT and molecular docking methodologies. Molecular docking and DFT calculations play crucial roles in predicting activity stability and electron properties, aiding in better understanding the compounds' structures. In this article, the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method will be employed to optimize the structure and calculate various quantum parameters. Subsequently, the optimized structure will undergo 1H NMR spectroscopy computation and comparison with experimental data to evaluate the proximity to experimental reality. The Ligands will then be subjected to docking with the CXCR2 protein to assess their impact on this protein. The research delineates the noteworthy inhibitory efficacy of THC on CXCR2, facilitated by the formation of pi-sigma bonds within the receptor's binding pocket. These findings are expected to guide forthcoming investigations aimed at advancing THC as a prospective pharmaceutical candidate in the future. This article comprises the following sections: an introduction section providing an overview of the natural molecules which are called the ligands, and target protein; the computational methods section outlining the computational techniques to be utilized in the study that include DFT and molecular docking with Autodock Vina software; and a results section presenting the findings obtained during the research process.