bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using bus service subsidy to develop the network
Authors: Bentley R. , Lynch J.
Published: November 2009

This paper looks at the effects of using bus service subsidy to develop the local bus network through tendering, specifically within the city of Plymouth. However, much of this may be applicable to other urban areas. The authors argue that while tendered rural bus services may never cover their marginal costs and hence become commercially sustainable, within the urban context seed-corn funding can frequently be used to pump prime services, which then go on to become commercial operations, as has been demonstrated in Plymouth. By so doing, this releases that subsidy to be used elsewhere within the network, to develop a further section of that network. For Plymouth, the average time that this takes is approximately five years. The issue of operators ceasing to cross-subsidise services which may cover their marginal costs and contribute to overheads, but instead require external subsidy, is examined. A further question is posed regarding whether the remaining municipal bus companies (which still includes Plymouth Citybus) deliver better value for money than the publicly listed operators. Finally, although Best Value is supposedly designed to test value for money, a note of caution is sounded about its use in this context.
How do we make transport interchanges work?
Authors: Mulroy T. M.
Published: November 2009

An important element of the UK Government's 1998 White Paper on transport was the encouragement of travellers away from car use in favour of public transport. Such a modal shift can only be successfully achieved if the alternatives to the car are made as user-friendly as possible. One of the main improvements in this regard would be to make transport interchanges work more effectively for the traveller. This paper outlines the current problems perceived for each transport mode and explains what is required to resolve or improve them.
Involving the community in local government
Authors: Huskinson R.
Published: November 2009

This paper considers the problem of how to involve the community in local government in a way that is of value and not merely paying lip service to the entreaties of central government. It looks at the reasons for trying to involve the community and the outcomes. It goes on to describe some of the more common ways of engaging with the community and offers comments on each. It refers to the benefits of community involvement, difficulties likely to be encountered and the dangers inherent in the approach.
Consulting on local authority engineering schemes
Authors: Chick C.
Published: November 2009

If a local authority engineer is to meet the principles of the Royal Charter of 1828, and the Government's social inclusion agenda, he or she can only do so by direct involvement of the community affected. This paper looks first at the mistakes of the past, and moves on to discuss how the new local authority consultation schemes can address these problems. By taking the residents of the community with them, municipal engineers can not only achieve the best solutions for community schemes, but also improve the standing of the engineer in society.
Local authorities achieve best value through partnering and demonstration
Authors: Crane A.
Published: November 2009

Put together, local and central government spending on construction accounts for 40% of all construction in the UK, making the public sector the construction industry's single most important client group. Bearing in mind that a third of construction time and money is wasted in the construction process, cost-savings of ten percent could produce annual savings of more than £1·5 billion for local authorities. Improving the value of the construction product is the premise behind Rethinking Construction. Its principles of partnership, respect for people and an emphasis on quality rather than lowest cost, dovetail with those of best value—a Government initiative to encourage local authorities to take account of whole-life costs, rather than cheapest initial costs. Rethinking Construction also supports local authority objectives such as regeneration, improving skills of local people and improving the quality and sustainability of the urban environment. With the help of the Local Government Task Force (LGTF) which champions Rethinking Construction at local government level, local authorities are increasingly adopting Rethinking Construction practices, evidenced in the increase in Movement for Innovation (M4I) demonstration projects put forward by local authorities in recent months. To illustrate how Rethinking Construction principles work in action, the LGTF actively seeks projects that demonstrate some form of innovative approach to construction, whether they be new build, refurbishment, maintenance or repair. This is just the beginning. As the Audit Commission looks for evidence that local authorities are applying best value in their construction procurement processes, examples of Rethinking Construction in practice will become increasingly widespread within local government.
Briefing: Community participation in road maintenance
Authors: Symington R.
Published: November 2009

By employing the innovative approach of community participation, road building and maintenance can more successfully meet the needs of the target population. To this end, WSP International Management Consulting has pioneered new and practical ways of involving local communities by promoting their ‘ownership’ at each stage of the project cycle—planning, design, construction and maintenance. This paper describes how, in Uganda, this innovation has proved itself, taken root and entered the mainstream.
TravelSmart—large-scale cost-effective mobility management. Experiences from Perth, Western Australia
Authors: James B.
Published: November 2009

Travel demand management or mobility management is growing in interest as political decision-makers realise that it is not financially and socially feasible to attempt to build enough roads to satisfy growing car use. In reaching this conclusion, political decision-makers confront a dilemma. Car users want quicker travel times for their car trips but they are not prepared to suffer the negative impacts of excessive car use. The solution lies in changing the travel behaviour of individuals but not through measures that are seen to constrain current car use. Therefore low-cost voluntary behaviour change programmes that deliver change are very appealing. The implementation of the Western Australian large scale TravelSmart programme proves that it is possible to motivate people to use their cars less without constraining access to their destinations. The outcome is a very cost-effective alternative to building expensive road infrastructure solutions and provides better use of public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure. The programme has been able to achieve a modal split which parallels that of the early 1980s and the planned programme will be implemented on a large scale reaching over 300 000 people. This programme provides a way forward in a field of transport that has been bereft of effective techniques acceptable to political decision-makers. The winning of resources for the programme has been undertaken within a ‘campaign’ framework comprising proof of public value, developing a capacity to deliver, and winning community support. TravelSmart has developed from an extensive knowledge of travel behaviour and applied within a leadership and community learning paradigm.
Aesthetics and the urban road environment
Authors: Wright C. , Curtis B.
Published: November 2009

Traffic planning involves aesthetic issues that impinge on people's daily lives. Roads and traffic have an appreciable effect on the environment, not just through noise and pollution but also through their visual impact on users and non-users alike. So far, it is the tangible effects of transport on the environment—noise, pollution and severance—that have occupied the attention of researchers in the transport field. In this paper, the authors explore some of the less tangible aspects that cannot be expressed in quantitative terms. They focus on two main issues: the role of aesthetics in traffic furniture and vehicle design (does their appearance matter?), and aesthetic principles that might enable vehicles and traffic furniture to relate more closely to the urban landscape. The paper begins with a discussion of what might be termed the aesthetic disruption generated by traffic hardware within the visual environment: street clutter and the aggressive shapes of vehicles accentuated by light reflections from hard metallic surfaces. The authors then attempt to draw out some basic principles that might be applied to the design of vehicles, highways, and street furniture in order to ease the visual clash between transport hardware and the urban landscape. Some suggestions are made for improvement, including the ‘internalisation’ of traffic signs and signals so that drivers receive information via head-up displays rather than on-street hardware, an innovative approach to car body design, partial de-regulation of traffic signs regulations together with ‘aesthetic audits’, and the use of geographical information systems and virtual reality as management tools in order to curb the proliferation of street furniture.
Rural routes and networks—50 years out of date?
Authors: Thackray J.
Published: November 2009

The national priority of the 1950s, namely to rebuild, improve and expand highways to make up wartime losses and provide a golden future of road transport, has by and large been achieved. As a result society has been able to increase motor traffic by roughly 1000%, mostly travelling faster, further and safer. All this growth and change has brought major public and private benefits. However, there has been a high price to pay, especially in rural areas along the walking, cycling and horse-riding routes we once used to follow in safety and tranquility. This paper looks at the problems that have accrued over the past 50 years on our rural routes and networks and discusses the various means for resolving them.
Flood and coastal defence and municipal engineers
Authors: Oakes T.
Published: November 2009

The impact of floods is devastating. The Easter 1998 floods in the UK caused five deaths, £400 million damage and resulted in 1500 people being evacuated from their homes. Autumn 2000 saw some of the worst floods in living memory with floods occurring in over 700 locations, over 10 000 homes and businesses flooded and a further 300 000 properties at risk. English and Welsh local authority powers to undertake flood and coastal defence works are permissive. Subject to meeting certain criteria laid down by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the National Assembly of Wales, local authority expenditure can attract grant aid. This paper reviews the current approach to flood defence in England and Wales. It presents an overview of the service and outlines some of the issues facing those responsible for service delivery. Particular reference is made to DEFRA's high level targets for flood and coastal defence and the elaboration of the supervisory role of the Environment Agency which places obligations on local authorities to make annual returns about the service they provide.
Water and sanitation for the disabled in low-income countries
Authors: Jones H. E. , Reed R. A. , Bevan J. E.
Published: November 2009

As many as one in five of the world's poorest people are disabled. For the majority who live in developing countries, access to the basics of life, such as food, water and shelter, is a daily struggle. An analysis of available information and opinion has found that disabled people in low-income communities are routinely excluded by water and sanitation projects, due primarily to external barriers—in the environment, infrastructure and institutional practices—rather than to disabled peoples' own limitations. There is a lack of awareness and understanding about disability among the majority of service providers, which is compounded by an absence of appropriate and available information that would enable them to take practical steps to improve access for disabled people. This paper argues that water and sanitation service providers have a key role to play in reducing barriers to disabled people's participation in daily activities, and thus relieving their poverty and isolation. Planners and service providers therefore need to consult and include disabled people at all stages of the project cycle.
Engineering a safe event: Edinburgh's International Festival fireworks
Authors: O'Brien T.
Published: November 2009

Outdoor events throughout Britain are increasing in number and complexity. It is now common to have street-based events for crowds in excess of 100000 spectators and it is essential that public safety issues be addressed. Edinburgh's annual International Festival and Fringe has for the past 21 years ended with a bang. The month-long festival concludes with a spectacular classical concert and fireworks display with thousands of fireworks launched from Edinburgh Castle over the heads of 100000 spectators and into the night sky. This paper describes how the engineering of a major street-based event such as the Festival Fireworks can be achieved by professional multi-agency planning, a designed infrastructure, and by acting on the issues raised by previously identified points in the debrief report.
Project start-up phase: the weakest link
Authors: Hamilton A.
Published: November 2009

A project is normally undertaken to produce a product or facility that has been deemed necessary to satisfy a need. Within the total life cycle of a project, from start to finish, the period that often receives less than the attention and effort it deserves is the initial start-up phase. The start-up or concept phase is defined as that period prior to identifying that a project exists, and before the allocation of substantial funds, and when all options including the no-go option have been investigated. Yet it is during this phase when decisions are taken that can have maximum impact on the outcomes during the later phases of a project. Should appropriate problem solving and decision making be neglected in the early stages (a stage being part of a phase) of a project then the very reasons for creating the final product for which the project was initiated would be highly questionable. In this paper the normal decision-making process is examined for completeness and in particular with regard to how obtaining value should be integrated within the start-up process. Value here is defined as the maximisation of project functionality while concurrently minimising the total life-cycle cost. The paper concludes with the author's recent experiential view of a practical guide that all clients, sponsors, project managers, and other project stakeholders should consider as the process and the associated deliverables for the start-up phase for capital works projects.
Briefing: The CIVIS optically-guided urban transport system
Authors: Boucheret Jean-Marc
Published: November 2009

Since the late 1990s, many of the larger French cities have been showing keen interest in tramway systems, partly because the public have a much better perception of trams than buses. Therefore one of the challenges for the Irisbus design team was to develop a vehicle which had the on-road flexibility of a bus but the style and image of a tram. It would offer a high quality of ride at a lower capital cost. The outcome was the CIVIS transport system which is based on a totally new vehicle fitted with the Siemens Transportation Systems optical guidance. A transport system with the new vehicles can be installed for a third of the cost of a tramway of comparable capacity. There is minimal disruption to streets while necessary infrastructure, such as raised kerbs and the guidance marking on the road surface, are installed. This paper describes the design of the new optically guided vehicles, the associated infrastructure, manufacturing details, and current and future scenario for their operation.
Innovation in education transport: developments in West Yorkshire
Authors: Parkin J. , McCorquodale F. , Pickersgill S.
Published: November 2009

Education transport has been the Cinderella service of the bus industry. High peak costs and behaviour problems have consorted to make the carriage of school children a low priority for bus operators. On the other hand, education authorities have a duty to provide free transport to children that live further than 3 miles from secondary school and have extensively used contract services to meet their obligations. A two-tier system of service provision is evident in some areas. The West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority's overall vision for planning for the next 20 years is to secure, in partnership with others, the development of high-quality integrated public transport. The vision includes an ambitious programme of development for education transport provision and is based around the concept of dedicated education transport vehicles, with trained drivers and designated seats for children. The aim is to convert more school children to bus travel and so reduce car traffic on West Yorkshire roads associated with the school run and to create future citizens used to and comfortable with bus travel. The paper describes the background to education transport, the consultation exercise on the educational transport aspects of the vision, results from pilots and the initial results from the cost—benefit analysis of the vision and immediate operational issues being addressed. The consultation has included focus groups of parents and children, both users and non-users, and development of the concept through discussion with bus operators, education authorities and others responsible for transport coordination in district authorities. Pilots in Hebden Bridge and Ilkley are described and the operational issues, including capital and operating costs, and benefits are outlined.
Improving public transport ticketing through smart cards
Authors: Blythe P. T.
Published: November 2009

The use of an electronic smart card as an alternative means for users to access and pay for transport services is now emerging as a viable option for many operators. With the recent introduction of the Oyster smart card by Transport for London and the plans by a number of passenger transport executives and transport operators to launch smart-card ticketing, the UK is on the verge of an influx of transport and local authority-led smart-card schemes. Interoperability between schemes is being tackled by ITSO (the Integrated Transport Smart-card Organisation) which will deliver a final version of a national specification for transport smart cards in early 2004. This paper examines what smart cards are, why smart cards are now being widely adopted, and finally will consider their benefits and impact on the public transport industry.
Public access and private ownership
Authors: Clough B. J.
Published: November 2009

New rights of access are due to come into force over the next few years both in Scotland and in England and Wales. This paper discusses the new legislation for Scotland and its likely impact and makes some comparisons with the new legislation for England and Wales. It examines the very different history of access both north and south of the border. In relation to Scotland it explodes the myth of freedom to roam and explains why the option of right of way reform and improvements of access to open country were not seen as the way forward. Finally, it considers what issues will be raised by the implementation of the new legislation in Scotland.
New approaches to sustainable tourism in Devon
Authors: Chorlton E.
Published: November 2009

Devon can lay claim to being one of England's favourite counties. It possesses an outstanding environment, and also serves as a year-round premier tourism destination. Devon County Council (DCC) is adopting innovative approaches to providing high-quality sustainable tourism. These approaches promote year-round sustainable tourism through initiatives such as a new customer-focused tourism web portal, managing England's first natural World Heritage Site and integrating tourism and economic development in a remote rural area. Devon is also enhancing opportunities for people to enjoy access to the countryside. Linked to DCC's status as a Centre of Excellence for Transport Planning, the county council's sustainable travel initiatives include improving facilities for walking, cycling and leisure travel by public transport. This paper assesses the successes and challenges of strategic approaches to sustainable tourism with particular emphasis on transport networks.
Artificial reef in Newquay, UK
Authors: Weight A.
Published: November 2009

A proposal to build an artificial reef has been put together for Newquay in Cornwall. The aim is to enhance surfing conditions for local surfers, to attract visiting surfers and to provide a spectacle for other tourists, particularly during the autumn, winter and spring months. The message nowadays is that engineers should play a wider role in meeting the needs of society, that they must become key practitioners of sustainable development and that they should gain greater recognition for the role they play. It is considered that this proposal goes some way to delivering these goals. This paper discusses the project in the context of sustainable development.
Using multimedia communications to modify travel behaviour
Authors: Davies G. A.
Published: November 2009

Interactive multimedia is a powerful form of communication with the ability to educate and inform the user while at the same time delight their senses. The cost of computers has plummeted in recent years, making them widely available in the majority of homes. The London Borough of Bromley has embraced this new technology to develop cost-effective promotional materials and has developed four interesting multimedia resource toolkits to date as part of a communication strategy to modify travel behaviour. This paper details the benefits of video and interactive multimedia as part of a communications strategy to promote healthy alternatives to the use of single-occupancy cars. The paper focuses on the development of an interactive multimedia CD-ROM to promote the concept of a Walking Bus. The strategy for increasing the number of Walking Bus routes is outlined and an analysis of the uptake of the parents and children using the buses is made to determine if the multimedia production has helped to meet its objectives. The need to build in flexibility in order to respond to external influences is explained and how the strategy was adapted to cope with some unforeseen public safety concerns that impacted on the rollout programme.
Automated surveys for the provision of pedestrian crossings
Authors: Strydom W. , Mavroulidou M.
Published: November 2009

Quality data are fundamental to modern traffic control and management. Automatic traffic detection systems provide a major source of such information. Most of the current systems in place are in large cities, where traffic is a major problem and sufficient money is available for their implementation. It is, however, a common mis-perception that such systems are outside the budgets of local authorities. A study was set out to demonstrate the scope of using automated detection systems on smaller projects and the consequent benefits for practising traffic engineers and local government. The study focused on the potential of using automated vehicle and pedestrian detection technology for the provision of pedestrian crossing facilities. Two separate sets of surveys were carried out in the UK—the first was based on automatic counters and the second used conventional (manual) counts. The results were used individually to determine if and what type of pedestrian crossing was required. A software tool was developed to convert information from the automatic counters into spreadsheet format and to automate the subsequent calculations related to pedestrian crossing selection. According to the findings of this study, the use of automatic rather than manual counters to perform surveys could result in significant time savings. It was also found that, although their initial cost is substantially higher than manual surveys, automatic counters become more cost-effective after several surveys due to their relatively low running costs.
Welded aluminium alloy connections: a simplified plastic model
Authors: Chan Toong Khuan , Porter Goff R. F. D.
Published: November 2009

The heat from welding reduces the strength of heat-treatable aluminium alloy connections in the vicinity of the welds. This paper describes a model for the behaviour of welded cruciform connections with a reduced-strength zone and introduces a notional critical load based on a limiting strain to predict the ultimate loads. The model shows that a large proportion of the load is transferred through the transverse fillet weld at the end of the finger as compared with the longitudinal fillet welds along the finger. It also illustrates that the characteristic dish-like necking mode of failure is due to local straining at the reduced-strength zone. A parametric study shows that the single most important factor affecting the ultimate strength of these connections is the material strength in the over-aged zone.
The Amsterdam Arena: a multi-functional stadium
Authors: Mans Ir. D. G. , Rodenburg J.
Published: November 2009

After a brief description of the Amsterdam Arena stadium project this article describes some of the remarkable aspects of the structural design of the stadium. These are the retractable roof construction, the large distance between the expansion joints, the innovative way of making floors, the span and the shape of the stand elements and last but not least the design-and-construct contract and organization.
Cyclic biaxial stress–strain curves of masonry: a generalised approach
Authors: AlShebani M. M. , Sinha S. N.
Published: November 2009

Deformation characteristics of brick masonry under cyclic compression can provide vital information regarding material ductility, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity. Cyclic biaxial compressions of five principal stress ratios were applied to half-scale sand plast brick masonry square models and the stress–strain curves of envelope, common point and stability point were established. The peak (failure) stresses of these curves were used to obtain a family of failure interaction curves which can be expressed in terms of principal stress invariant. A general formula was proposed to obtain the cyclic stress–strain envelope, common point and stability point curves. The envelope, the common point and the stability point curves can be drawn on the absolute stress–strain coordinate system for any principal stress ratio using an interaction curve and a relation between principal stress ratio and strain at peak stress. The study allows the determination of peak stresses of envelope, common point, and stability point curves of brick masonry under any combination of cyclic biaxial compressive stress, provided that cyclic uniaxial strength is known. Fifty-two half-scale brick panels were tested for the principal stress ratios considered.
The behaviour of reinforced concrete elements subject to bending and twisting moments
Authors: May I. M. , Montague P. , Samad A. A. A. , Lodi S. H. , Fraser A. S.
Published: November 2009

This paper describes tests carried out on fourteen 1·6 m × 1·6 m × 150 mm reinforced concrete slab elements loaded with uniform bending moments applied about either or both orthogonal axes and with or without uniform twisting moments using a purpose-built test rig. Results are given up to and beyond the maximum load for the tests. The results obtained from the tests have been compared with an incremental non-linear analysis which is also described. The results have also been compared with the Wood–Armer equations and it is shown that these can be unconservative if the twisting moment is significant.
An experimental rig to test the behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs subjected to bending and torsion
Authors: Montague P. , May I. M. , Samad A. A. A. , Tye C.
Published: November 2009

This paper describes the design, construction and operation of a large rig to apply bending and torsional moments to full-scale reinforced concrete slabs and to measure the resulting strains and deformations of the slabs. The rig can subject slabs to uniaxial or biaxial bending moments and/or torsion, using a computer-based control system operating on 37 high-quality, double-acting hydraulic jacks. The control system can conduct tests using either the magnitude of the applied loads or the magnitude of the slab deformations as the governing variable. The instrumentation carried on the rig allows the measurement of strains on the surfaces of the slabs and on the reinforcement, together with slab deformations and changes of curvature. The rig is capable of accommodating additional jacks for the application of in-plane loading.
Strengthening of reinforced concrete members under compression and bending
Authors: Sirju K. , Sharma A. K.
Published: November 2009

Data describing the strength and deformation characteristics of repaired concrete members is very limited. Various repair techniques are used in practice. The paper, based on an experimental study, compares some of the repair methods that can be used to strengthen existing structural members subjected to axial compression and bending.
Effect of relative humidity and air permeability on prediction of the rate of carbonation of concrete
Authors: Russell D. , Basheer P. A. M. , Rankin G. I. B. , Long A. E.
Published: November 2009

The effect of relative humidity on both air permeability and rate of carbonation is investigated. Descriptive models, based on data from an accelerated carbonation test, were developed to quantify the effects of the relative humidity and the air permeability on the rate of carbonation. The relationships between the rate of carbonation and physical properties, such as the permeation properties and compressive strength were established. It was found that the permeation measurements should only be used to estimate the likely rate of carbonation when the relative humidity of the concrete specimen is known.
Composite construction for columns in high-rise buildings in China
Authors: Zhong S.-T. , Goode C. D.
Published: November 2009

This paper outlines the growth in the use of concrete-filled steel tubes for columns in high-rise buildings in China during the last 20 years. Four buildings are described as examples. An outline design is given for one column of the SEG Plaza building in Shenzhen using the Chinese Code DL/T5085-1999 and this is compared to the design by Eurocode 4; the two codes give a similar design for this column. The economic advantages of using this form of construction are presented.
Damage to structures and buildings from the Chi-Chi (Taiwan) earthquake
Authors: Su N. , Lin T. D. , Chai H. W.
Published: November 2009

In the early morning hours of 21 September 1999, a devastating earthquake struck the central region of Taiwan. This earthquake became known as the 921 earthquake or the Chi-Chi (Taiwan) earthquake. The magnitude of the Chi-Chi (Taiwan) earthquake was Ms = 7·6 magnitude of surface wave (US Geological Survey (USGS)) or ML = 7·3 Richter magnitude (Central Weather Bureau (CWB) of Taiwan) and the main shock lasted for about 40 s. The epicentre of the earthquake was located at 120·82° east and 23·85° north near the town of Chi-Chi, Nantou County. The focal depth was 8·5 km. A surface rupture along the Chelungpu fault with a length of about 105 km was observed, with the largest measured vertical offset reaching more than 9 m. After the main shock there were over ten aftershocks with magnitudes greater than 6. The powerful thrust forces moved mountains, cut off rivers, caused liquefaction, damaged bridges, cracked highways as well as concrete dams, and toppled buildings. As a direct result of this earthquake, 2469 lives were lost, 10 002 people were injured, there were 17 484 totally/partially collapsed buildings, and an estimated property loss of US$ 10 billion. The post-quake investigations concluded that most of the collapsed buildings were designed in accordance with the Taiwan Building Codes but were constructed with serious deviations. The improper lap splices of rebars, column tie hooks without 135° bend, and poor concrete quality control at job sites have been cited as the main reasons for most of the damage to buildings.
Modal testing and FE model correlation and updating of a long-span prestressed concrete floor
Authors: Pavic A. , Reynolds P. , Waldron P.
Published: November 2009

There is a lack of information on as-built vibration properties and performance of slender prestressed post-tensioned (PT) concrete floors in buildings. To improve this situation, this paper describes modal testing, finite element (FE) modelling, and model correlation and updating of one such prototype floor. Advanced testing, correlation and updating technologies demonstrated in this paper were successfully transferred from mechanical and aerospace engineering disciplines where they are nowadays used as a standard design tool. Two structural configurations of the full-scale floor were examined: the bare floor in the unclad building, and the same bare floor but in the clad building with services attached underneath. Modal testing showed a considerable increase in stiffness in the latter case. The FE model correlation and updating exercise quantified this contribution and also demonstrated that bending of in situ cast concrete columns supporting the in situ cast concrete floor contributed significantly to the floor bending stiffness and, therefore, should not be modelled as pin-supports. Finally, wide and shallow band-beams, which often feature in PT floors, were shown to have considerable lateral stiffness. This feature has the potential to improve the floor's vibration performance, and was successfully modelled using orthotropic shell elements.
Environmental impact of brick arch bridge management
Authors: Steele K. , Cole G. , Parke G. , Clarke B. , Harding J.
Published: November 2009

Historically the management of infrastructure assets has been governed by social, economic and technical constraints. However, in the latter part of the twentieth century, with the advent and growth of the sustainability agenda, it became increasingly apparent that a fourth issue, environment, must also be included in decision-making. Surrey County Council (SCC), as the principal owner of highway assets within its boundaries, is directly responsible for over 1000 road bridges. To meet the authority's own environmental and sustainability objectives, it is clear that there is a need for knowledge on ways in which the organisation can reduce the environmental impact of its activities. The addressing of this need has called for an entirely new approach to assessing structure management activities. With the adoption of life-cycle thinking, a methodology has been developed to enable environmental comparison of alternative structure management strategies. In the context of brick arch highway bridges, the scope of this paper is to present this method and the findings it can produce. The development of the approach is important for SCC objectives, but also provides insight for the wider civil engineering industry, and gives perspectives on how it may tackle the issue of environment.
Design of slab–column junctions in flat slabs
Authors: Subedi N. K. , Baglin P. S.
Published: November 2009

In a flat-slab type construction the most vulnerable areas from the point of view of safety of the structure are the junctions between the slabs and the columns. As architects and engineers strive to achieve increasingly slender forms of construction the vulnerability of the slabs to punching increases. The existing methods of detailing for punching shear, which range from stirrups, proprietary prefabricated systems of shear ladders and shear hoops to stud rails, do not provide absolute guarantees of safety. In this paper a new concept for the design of slab–column junctions in flat slabs is put forward. The new system, which utilises solid steel sections and plate and is described as the NUUL system, aims to eliminate the possibility of punching altogether. The preliminary study shows that the new composite system is robust and has the potential for developing into a practical method of detailing against punching forces in flat slabs.
Cracking analysis of fibre-reinforced polymer-reinforced concrete tension members
Authors: Aiello M. , Leone M. , Ombrse L.
Published: November 2009

The paper is devoted to the analysis of crack evolution of fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) reinforced concrete tension members and, as a consequence, their deformability in terms of load-elongation relationships. Such analysis permits the determination of tension stiffening effects. The stiffness of the reinforced tension members, in fact, can be evaluated and compared to rebars whilst the scatter gives a measure of the reduced deformability due to the contribution of the tensile concrete. Results of an experimental investigation, carried out on cylindrical concrete specimens in order to analyse the influence of geometrical properties on cracking and deformability of the members, are reported in the paper. Comparisons with results obtained from a theoretical analysis and from code relationships are also made, aiming to give useful information from a design point of view.
A macro model of shear walls for push-over analysis
Authors: Qian J. , Chen Q.
Published: November 2009

Reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls are the main components of high-rise building structures to resist lateral loads. A finite-element-based macro model of shear walls has been developed for push-over analysis of RC high-rise building structures. The model consists of two types of element: an RC column element, used to model boundary zones, and an RC membrane element, used to model webs. The stiffness matrices of both elements have been derived. The validity of the newly developed model has been verified by experimental results for nine shear wall specimens. The flexural behaviour of shear walls subjected to axial and lateral loads has been studied by performing push-over analysis adopting the new model. The results show that axial load ratio, boundary zone length ratio and boundary zone confinement index have the most significant influence on the load-carrying capacity and deformation capacity of shear walls. It is concluded that a shear wall with a specified axial load ratio should have a minimum boundary zone length ratio and a minimum boundary zone confinement index in order to develop a target deformation capacity.
Uptake swelling and thermal expansion of CFRP tendons
Authors: Scott P. , Lees J. M.
Published: November 2009

Carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) tendons can be used as a corrosion-resistant alternative to steel for reinforcing or prestressing concrete in aggressive marine environments. The design lives of many civil marine structures often span decades and so the long-term durability of the internal reinforcement is important. One significant, yet overlooked, aspect of CFRP tendon durability is its susceptibility to swell on absorption of aqueous solutions including water and salt water. This paper reviews uptake-induced swelling in CFRP materials and draws comparisons with studies of swelling caused by thermal effects. The diffusion of aqueous solutions and their interaction with the polymer matrix are identified as the primary mechanisms responsible for the swelling. Experimental details are presented that correlate the uptake of water and salt water to swelling observed in CFRP tendons. The results are contrasted with both uptake- and thermal-driven behaviour cited in the literature. Lamé's equations are used to estimate the magnitude of the resulting stresses induced in the surrounding concrete. The practical significance of the findings is discussed, including the potential for cracking in the surrounding concrete cover and the implications for the tendon–concrete bond.
New A557, Widnes—alternative embankment foundations
Authors: Osbaldeston S. , Phear A.
Published: November 2009

The new 1·8 km long A557 Widnes eastern bypass (southern section) is the last link in a length of continuous dual carriageway between the M62 motorway and the Runcorn bridge over the River Mersey. The area through which the route passes is flat and has been occupied by industrial development since the middle of the nineteenth century. Most of this new length of road is on embankments up to 8 m high over soft and contaminated ground. This paper is a case history of a project which, in respect of earthworks, was constructed adopting an alternative design proposed by the contractor. By using vibro-replacement stone columns, driven precast concrete piles and an alternative pavement foundation, this avoided the need to excavate, and remove to licensed tips, a large volume of soft and contaminated material. This alternative approach resulted in a reduced cost to the Highways Agency compared with the conforming design and produced a solution with equivalent or better performance. The construction of this alternative was completed several months ahead of programme. Several other alternatives also proposed by the contractor further minimized the environmental impact of the construction works. The paper addresses the development of the alternative scheme from conceptual design through to completion. It examines the ways in which the environmental impact of the project was minimized, and the successful management methods adopted by the contractor to minimize the unforeseen risks. The benefits that can be secured by clients in permitting alternative tenders and a cooperative approach, by all parties, are also be considered.
Failure probabilities for plastic utility ducts in roadway trench reinstatements
Authors: Hounsome I. W. S. , Fairfield C. A.
Published: November 2009

Wavin Industrial Products Limited arranged access in conjunction with Balfour Beatty Construction Limited and Bovis Construction Limited to the Braehead construction site, near Glasgow, to test a mixture of smooth bore and corrugated utility ducts in situ. Samples of all ducts were then parallel plate compression tested to BS EN 50086. Results of all site tests are presented with cumulative frequency charts showing the likelihood of a duct failing. Detailed analysis and discussion of the test results from site then follow. Key points arising from the field deformation measurements were: the stiffest ducts performed well; at no point did the vertical diametral strain exceed 5·3%. This indicated both good-quality duct and good-quality installation. Comparisons are drawn with other types of duct and the cumulative frequency plots revealed that duct stiffness played a major role in ensuring satisfactory performance. The vertical diametral strains are categorized with pass/fail decisions attached to each category. This paper casts doubt on the 450 N limiting force at 5% vertical diametral strain; the authors feel it is too low and that 700 kPa is a more suitable minimum specific stiffness. This was supported by a plot of failure probability against average specific stiffness from four different ducts tested in situ over the last five years.
The role of Manchester Airport
Authors: Twigg J.
Published: November 2009

This paper reviews the role of Manchester Airport in the transport network of the North West. The airport is now more than just a transport interchange, but affects the economy and environment over a wide area. A second runway was opened in February 2001, one of the largest civil engineering projects in the region. Increasingly attention is focused on how airports will manage the growth in road traffic and the pressure on surface access connections. At the same time, there is increasing concern about the effect on the environment of the forecast growth in air and road traffic.
New trackbed investigation techniques
Authors: Grainger P.
Published: November 2009

This paper describes the author's research into the relationship between poor track quality and trackbed condition. This has involved the development and application of three investigative techniques, namely Ground Penetrating Radar, the Automatic Ballast Sampler and the Falling Weight Deflectometer. When combined, the techniques yield sufficient information to enable optimisation of renewals and development of a maintenance strategy for a ten-year period.
A supervisory control system for ATIS/ATMS integration. Part 2: neuro-fuzzy calibration and analyses
Authors: Hawas Y. E.
Published: November 2009

This paper addresses the problem of integrating advanced traveller information systems (ATIS) and advanced traffic management systems (ATMS). A fuzzy-logic structure that allows the integration of existing successful ATIS/ATMS control implementations is presented. Part 1 of this paper addressed the formulation of the three operational schemes: ATIS stand-alone system, ATMS stand-alone control system, and a supervisory dual non-cooperative ATIS/ATMS control. Approximate simulation-based optimisation algorithms are devised as representations of the existing control logic operating these schemes. In Part 2 of the paper, the supervisory dual non-cooperative scheme is represented by a fuzzy-logic system. The structures of the fuzzy logics for the stand-alone systems are presented. A neural nets algorithm is then utilised to develop the knowledge base of the supervisory fuzzy system and to calibrate its parameters. The neural nets’ algorithm utilises data replicates generated by the approximate optimisation algorithms (presented in Part 1). The details of the fuzzy system's training are briefly presented. The results of the fuzzy system's calibration and effectiveness are discussed.
Segmentation algorithms for road marking digital image analysis
Authors: Burrow M. P. N. , Evdorides H. T. , Snaith M. S.
Published: November 2009

The road user costs accruing on road networks due to the poor quality of road markings are significant. There is therefore a need for an automated process to provide an objective assessment of the performance characteristics of road marking, such as wear and both day- and night-time visibility. Digital analysis of road surface images seems to be a versatile approach that may enable road agencies to evaluate the state of markings in an objective manner with increased accuracy. The analysis is effected by a series of processes that include image acquisition and digitisation, storage, segmentation, enhancement and feature description. This paper focuses on image segmentation, the process by which the road markings are identified from their background. The paper presents a number of techniques used for image segmentation that have been considered for inclusion in a prototype road marking analysis system. The techniques presented are the variance method, moment preserving thresholding, minimum error thresholding, relaxation thresholding, and a technique known as sub-image thresholding, which combines minimum error thresholding with a method suggested for the analysis of images of the heart. Each of the techniques is presented, discussed and evaluated for its ability to segment images containing road markings. By considering a set of appropriate test data, an investigation was carried out that indicated that the sub-image thresholding method performed satisfactorily on all images analysed in terms of accuracy and speed of computation.