bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty sources in the structural assessment of masonry arch bridges: a case study of a single-span stone arch bridge
Authors: Conde Borja , Riveiro Belén , Cabaleiro Manuel , Caamaño Jose Carlos , Stavroulakis Georgios E.
Published: February 2021

In this work, the evaluation of some of the most common uncertain parameters present in the structural assessment procedure of masonry arch bridges is addressed. The Xuño Bridge, a single- span stone arch bridge located in Galicia (Spain) is considered as a case study. This structure presents the particularity that after hundreds of years, all its constructive elements have disappeared except the arch barrel. Thus, the typical scattering in the thickness of this element can be measured and quantified. For that purpose, an in-situ terrestrial laser scanner survey was conducted, acquiring its exact geometry. An uncertainty analysis, considering geometrical and material parameters, was then conducted with the aim of estimating the impact of the uncertainty sources in the prediction of the collapse load of the arch. Two different numerical modeling strategies were employed, the limit analysis approach and the finite element method. A sensitivity analysis was finally performed to identify the critical parameters on the response of the structure.
Use of BIM in rehabilitation and assessment of the built heritage: from the visible to the intangible
Authors: Sousa Hélder S. , Sguazzo Carmen , Cabaleiro Manuel
Published: February 2021

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been increasingly expanding its application to different fields of civil engineering and Historic building information modelling (HBIM) is an example of that. Although, the concept has already drawn the attention of several researchers, there are still many limitations to a full and holistic process that may take HBIM to the same level of applicability that BIM used for new construction has.

Traditionally, assessment of existing structures, specially heritage structures, begin with the documentation of all important information dealing with the history, characteristics, type, material, uses and applied techniques, among other relevant information that may be retrieved by different sources. Further on, a geometrical survey accompanied with visual inspection and non or semi destructive testing leads to the geometry definition of the structure and to its condition (damage/defects) mapping. All of this information, must be analysed for consequent structural assessment and after stored in a proper database in order to monitor the condition change of the structure along time.

This paper, presents a framework for use of BIM in rehabilitation and assessment of the built heritage, based on the review of recent works, as to allow a better understanding of the potential for the management of important and significant structures. The paper deals with the dilemma of bringing what a “traditional” assessment can see to how intangible information may be applied.
3-D-Printing with Steel: Additive Manufacturing of Connection Elements and Beam Reinforcements
Authors: Lange Jörg , Feucht Thilo
Published: February 2021

Automated steel construction manufacturing with robots is no longer just a dream of the future but a reality. The Institute for Steel Structures and Materials Mechanics of the Technical University (TU) of Darmstadt/Germany has two welding robots. These robots are being used to assess various application for Additive Manufacturing. For the construction of steel, Wire + Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is suitable, which is similar to Gas-Shielded Metal Arc Welding. The wire electrode serves as printing material. With this method we can produce components in layers and achieve deposition rates of 5 kg/h. The components studied in this research project are connection elements such as simply supported girder connections and head plates and reinforcing elements such as stiffeners and beam reinforcements. In this paper topology-optimized structures are presented, which can be printed with the WAAM directly on steel beams.
Malaysian Highways Infrastructure – Vision 2050 & Challenges Ahead in Coming Decades
Authors: Salleh Ismail Md
Published: February 2021

Malaysia has achieved a significant economic and social progress over the past several decades through the implementation of First Malaysia Plan (1966-1970) to Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010). Further the Government of Malaysia aims at achieving high income nation status by 2020 (VISION 2020).

With the global economy becoming more competitive and challenging, in the year 2010, Government of Malaysia has embarked on comprehensive economic agenda known as Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) that builds on the directions outlined in Tenth Malaysia Plan to transform the Malaysian Economy. ETP focusses on 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) which are key growth engines that are expected to contribute substantially to Malaysian economic performance. ETP also compliments the existing programmes with similar objectives viz., 1Malaysia (People First-Performance Now), Government Transformation Programme (GTP), New Economic Model (NEM) and 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015).

The initiation of Greater Kuala Lumpur / Klang Valley under economic transformation programme by Government of Malaysia has resulted in rapid growth in urbanisation, transportation, infrastructure, and construction industry sectors beside others. Availability of Space in the urban environments is very scarce and hence the need for integration of infrastructure facilities and their coexistence.

Malaysian infrastructure development especially the transportation sector is going through rapid changes in terms of adapting state of the art construction technology, adjusting to industry evaluation, and use of intelligent transportation system to achieve the set goals under National Transformation Programme (TN 50) by Government of Malaysia and equip the nation to brace the Industry Revolution (Industry 4.0).

The Malaysian highway infrastructure will surely surge in progress by implementing sustainable measures both in economic & environmental terms and state of the art technology in meeting the present needs and without compromising those of future generations.
Case study on comparison between Chinese and American design of high-rise RC frame-core-tube structure
Authors: Xiao Congzhen
Published: February 2021

Two identical high-rise reinforced concrete (RC) frame-core-tube structures, located in Beijing China and San Francisco America, respectively, are designed using the Chinese and the American codes. Methods to determine load, seismic action, and material strength for seismic design in the Chinese and American codes are presents in this paper, and the major differences of design results are compared. Elastic response of the two structures are calculated by the mode-superposition response spectrum method, and the member dimension, dynamic characteristics, displacement, and reinforcement are compared. Furthermore, the dynamic elastic-plastic behavior is conducted using 10 sets of earthquake waves to analyze the collapse probability. Results reveal that the two structures designed by the Chinese and American codes show some differences in the dynamic behavior, displacement and reinforcement in the boundary restraint elements of shear walls due to the different design methods in the Chinese and American codes.
Technical risks to major infrastructure development
Authors: Ancich Eric , Chirgwin Gordon
Published: February 2021

There are a number of different classes of risk that must be addressed in the development, execution and operation of any major infrastructure project. Should the proponent fail to address all of these risks, the project may be a failure.

In this paper, the Authors discuss technical risks, highlighting cases where the initial formation and composition of the Project Team provided the conditions for failure to occur, sometimes with loss of life.

The Authors will discuss several Australian examples, including the Royal Canberra Hospital demolition, Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge collapse, and also the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge construction. In each case, the Authors show that organisational design of the Project Team played a significant part in the technical failures and the consequences. In Canberra Hospital demolition case, that the technical failure resulted in a death, is largely attributable to the design of the Project Team and political interference.

The Authors compare these failures to the successful completion of the Øresund Bridge, identifying those aspects of the Project Team design that ensured a high likelihood of success.
Seismic behavior of Skew RC Bridges with CFRP piers
Authors: Shiravand Mahmoud Reza , Mahboubi Shima
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to investigate the effect of retrofitting piers with CFRP on seismic damage in skew reinforced concrete bridges. To this end, damage limit states of bridge piers in terms of drift ratio are used. Finite element models of a whole bridge are developed for skew angles of 00, 100, 200and 300 and nonlinear time history analysis of the bridges with/without CFRP is performed, using a series of selected ground motion records. Compressive and tensile damage of concrete and drift ratio of bridge piers are estimated, and the results are compared with five damage limit states to specify bridge damage levels under seismic loads. The results show that CFRP strips decrease the compressive damage, the tensile damage, and drift ratio of bridge piers. Moreover, retrofitting piers with CFRP decreases the level of seismic damage of bridge piers.
Research on the automatic tension control and management integrated system of railway prestressed concrete beam
Authors: Zhuo Yi
Published: February 2021

Pre-stressed tension construction is the key link of the production process of pre-stressed concrete precast beams. The traditional manual operation has many disadvantages, such as low precision, low efficiency, complex operation, and poor synchronization, high frequency of calibration and uncontrollable authenticity of results. In view of the problems existing in the traditional pre-stressed tensioning of railway bridges at present. In this paper, based on big data, cloud technology and radio frequency identification technology, the Railway Pre-Stressed Concrete Beam Intelligent Tensioning Control and Management Integration System (BPS) was developed. The current BPS system includes intelligent tensioning pump station, intelligent tensioning jack equipment, intelligent software platform and intelligent handheld device. Furtherly, the BPS system has been tested and applied in Shijiazhuang-Jinan passenger dedicated line girder yard. The test verification results show that the tension control accuracy, construction quality and work efficiency has been improved due to the realization of automation, informatization, remote and real-time operation of the tensioning process. The BPS system has been developed according to the specifications and processes of the pre-stressed tensioning of railway bridges, the applicability of the railway beam field is strong. And the validity of the system is verified through automatic and manual tension test. Moreover, the system has been successfully applied to large beam fields of Shijiazhuang-Jinan, Jinan-Qingdao and other passenger dedicated line, the effect is good. Therefore, a solid foundation for the popularization of the Internet of things technology in the railway field in China has been laid through research and development of BPS system.
Economy and Elegance in Bridge Design: The Beauty of Practical Objects that Do Their Job Well
Authors: Gauvreau Paul
Published: February 2021

The vast majority of bridges are works for which owners have allocated no funds specifically for aesthetics. The visual impression created by these “practical bridges” is nonetheless important. Designers find it difficult to create bridges of high visual quality when no aesthetic premium is available. The key to designing bridges that are both economical and aesthetically significant is to incorporate new ideas into the design that enable the bridge to perform its practical function better than what had previously been possible. These new ideas can be a source of new and pleasing visible forms and can also take on aesthetic significance simply by virtue of their newness.
Architecture of Roman Catholic Cathedrals and Basilicas in Developing Countries
Authors: Vertatova Eva
Published: February 2021

This article reflects the forms and shapes of the Roman Catholic cathedrals built in the 20th and 21st century in the Third World countries and the approach to its ideal design. Selected examples from the different developing countries all over the world are expounded on the background of the interference of the former colonizers countries architecture (e.g. Sacred Hearts Cathedral, Casablanca, Morocco), inspiration from the traditional architecture and materials (e.g. Basilica of Uganda Martyrs, Namugongo, Uganda), creating the own style (e.g. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire) or following world trends (e.g. Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kericho, Kenya). The question of the life cycle of the architecture, its subsequently costs and well considered choice of the proper material as well as the shape and resulting form is discussed.
Hybrid Launching Gantry for the Construction of Span by Span Precast Segmental Bridge
Authors: Ooi Shu Tat
Published: February 2021

Unlike balance cantilever construction of precast segmental bridge, span-by-span construction method requires temporary shoring to support the segments before they are fully post-tensioned to a self-sustained structure. In most cases launching gantries are being used for the purpose. Launching gantries are custom made equipment fabricated according to the design requirements to overcome various site restrictions. They are made to contractor’s preferences and other special specification pertinent to the specific site requirements within the budgeted cost. It can be an overhead type or an under-slung type with respective advantages and dis-advantages. In Package- A of Kelana-Jaya Line Extension project for Light Rail Transit System (LRT) in Kuala Lumpur, a set of requirements was set by the bridge designer. With these limitations, both the conventional over- head and under-slung types were not feasible to be used. A new Hybrid Launching Gantry was therefore developed to handle the precast concrete segments for the elevated bridge structure of the project. Five hybrid launching gantries were successfully used to install span-by span bridges for this Package-A. These new launching gantries were supported on the brackets, secured directly to the sides of piers. Instead of having the main truss under the precast segments as in the under-slung launching gantry case, the main truss was designed to stay above the precast segments to gain the advantages of an over-head launching gantry system. This innovative design has several distinctive advantages over other conventional type of launching gantries. This paper presents the design and development processes to meet the project requirements, complete with descriptions of technical detail of this unique equipment. The challenges of fabrication and installation are also highlighted.
Efficient and Economical Structural System in the form of Inverted-T Pier Crosshead and Deck Slab Continuity for Beam and Slab Bridges As Adopted in DUKE 2 Project in Malaysia
Authors: Anbarasan G. Irusan
Published: February 2021

An elevated urban highway with beam and slab type bridges can be designed economically and efficiently by using inverted-T shaped pier crossheads and providing deck slab continuity over the pier crossheads. An Inverted-T pier crosshead which has its crosshead stem lies in between the superstructure beams can be used effectively to reduce the structural depth of superstructure and pier crosshead. This added with column height equivalent to the required minimum headroom clearance from the ground is what make the full height of the bridge. Thus, this type of crosshead can be used to lower down an elevated highway profile. While, simply supported beam and slab type superstructure with deck slab continuity can effectively share the longitudinal forces among the piers in a bridge module. This will lead to economical substructure and foundation design. These 2 aspects were considered in the design of DUKE 2 Highway in Malaysia.
Bridges to Prosperity Llapallapani Suspension Pedestrian Bridge, Llapallapani, Bolivia
Authors: Cooper Thomas , Montenegro Juan Diego , Tilleman Kirsten
Published: February 2021

This paper discusses the conceptualization, design and locally-appropriate construction, and development of the Llapallapani Pedestrian Bridge. At 128-meters, the suspension footbridge is located in the Andes Mountains, in the central Bolivian municipality of Llapallapani. The bridge was completed in 2015 and provides safe access for children up and down the valley to go to school without having to wade through the Anquioma River, which flows very high during the snow melt runoff season. It also provides safe, year-round access for residents to transport produce and other goods across the river, to and from markets in nearby communities.
Precast Segmental Aerial Guideway for Honolulu Rail Transit Corridor Project
Authors: Lee Hohsing
Published: February 2021

The Honolulu Rail Transit Project (HRTP) includes the design, construction and operation of a 20- mile grade-separated fixed guideway transit system in Honolulu, Hawaii. The alignment of the project will travel through densely developed areas, over Interstate highways, streams, or existing streets. The majority of the guideway will be elevated to avoid any conflicts with the existing facilities and utilities. Honolulu Authority Regional Transit (HART) retained AECOM to perform the design of the 5.2-mile Airport Segment and 3.9-mile the City Center Segment of HRTP. Precast concrete segmental box girders erected using span-by-span with an overhead launching gantry were proposed to accommodate a 30.6-ft-wide dual track. The paper describes the background and status of the project and provides an insight of key design considerations and approaches, cost-effective structural arrangement for the precast concrete segmental elevated guideway.
Future applications in Carbon reinforced concrete (CRC)
Authors: Tietze Matthias Rolf , Schladitz Frank , Curbach Manfred , Kahnt Alexander , Zobel Robert
Published: February 2021

The world of construction becomes smarter. New building processes, such as building information modeling (BIM), automated manufacturing (Industry 4.0) and sustainable building are an integral part of today’s industry. Also, new material combinations, like carbon reinforced concrete, capture more and more construction applications. The number of practical examples of carbon reinforced concrete has increased. However, this is only the beginning, as the development goals have not been reached yet. After the first approved systems, further questions arise, including high-temperature-resistant reinforcement, economic production processes and the vision of an integral planned, automatically produced, and sustainable smart building. In this vision, the embedded carbon reinforcement is part of the infrastructure that enables smart-home applications and pushes the research ahead. For example, pre-pregs of carbon reinforced concrete are being developed, based on well-known carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) applications. The curing process can be controlled and brought to an end at the construction side, days, or even weeks after the pre-fab production has taken place. Automated robots are capable of placing the carbon yarn in the pre-fabricated formwork. So, the typical manufacturing (value) chain is becoming outdated, as the usual rebar or grid manufacturing is omitted

– these are also part of the current developments. Also, mineral coatings for the high-temperature- resistant reinforcement are also under development, and it is showing promising results. Another niche industry revolves around multifunctional pre-cast components with integrated heating and energy storage and load-bearing functions, which are already cheaper than the classic separated components. We lead the C³ carbon concrete composite R & D project and have an overview of the latest forward- looking and visionary development approaches in carbon reinforced concrete.
Crack width calculation methods for large-scale concrete structures for the Ferry-Free E39
Authors: Tan Reignard , Kanstad Terje , Geiker Mette R. , Hendriks Max A. N.
Published: February 2021

Motivated by the establishment of a Ferry-Free E39 coastal highway route, crack width calculation methods for design of large-scale concrete structures are discussed. It is argued that the current semi-empirical formulas recommended by Eurocode 2 is inconsistent and overly conservative for cross sections with large bar diameters and covers. A suggestion to formulating a more consistent crack width calculation method is given.
Review of the Most Common Repair Techniques for Reinforced Concrete Structures in Coastal Areas
Authors: Ancich Eric , Rashidi Maria , Buckley Peter , Ghodrat Maryam
Published: February 2021

Asset managers are faced with the challenge of maintaining concrete structures in coastal environment, within the financial constraints of maintenance budget allocations, such that they remain functionally and structurally safe for the remainder of their design lives. For these reasons concrete remediation is fast becoming an important component of asset management in coastal areas. This research describes remediation techniques and practice currently being employed by prominent public and private organisations responsible for maintaining concrete structures in the Illawarra region (New South Wales, Australia). These common remediation techniques range from conventional restoration, cathodic protection and structural strengthening. The research also considers the underlying factors used to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques and practices. A model of good practice for concrete remediation in the Illawarra is developed from the literature and industry research undertaken. This model is developed for concrete suffering deterioration caused by the corrosion of steel reinforcement and is aimed to provide intelligent concrete remediation options based on sound principles and industry knowledge.
Configuration Design of Viaduct Pier in Urban Highway
Authors: Jin Yanjun , Xiao Keli , Li Lin , Zou Aijia , Duan Xinglong , He Wei , Yuan Chongwei
Published: February 2021

Urban highway viaduct plays an indispensable role in reducing the pressure of the urban traffic. The configuration design of the pier is very necessary which need to meet both the structural safety and aesthetic logic, especially in rapidly developing economies. Some valid principles of the pier configuration design were summarized. Based on the characteristics of urban highway viaduct pier, the reasons why the piers aesthetic design is more difficult was analysed and some methods for the configuration design was given. Based on a bridge project that is located in Chengdu, China, three configuration design schemes of piers were analysed and compared from different aspects, which reflect some emphases of the pier configuration design. The configuration design of urban viaduct pier is significant to increasing aesthetic perception and shaping the urban culture, and should be adopted by the designer
The Seismic Performance Evaluation of RC High-rise Buildings Designed to Various Building Codes
Authors: Hassan Waqar , Anwar Naveed , Norachan Pramin , Najam Fawad A.
Published: February 2021

This study evaluates and compares the expected seismic performance of a high-rise building when designed according to various international building codes. Using a 40-story reinforced concrete (RC) case study building, the comparison among the three most widely used building codes (ACI 318/ASCE 7-10, BS 8110 and EC-2/EC-8) is presented in terms of structural design and seismic performance. The case study building has a dual structural system (moment-resisting frame and shear walls) and is assumed to be located in a highly active seismic region. First, its linear elastic model was created and analysed to perform the code-based design for gravity and seismic loads. The building is designed separately for three codes following their prescribed load combinations, cracked stiffness modifiers and seismic design factors. Then, the detailed performance evaluation of case study building (separately designed for each building code) was carried out using the nonlinear response history analysis (NLRHA) under different input ground motions. Based on obtained results, a comparison of three building codes is presented in terms of the design, seismic performance and economic considerations.
Innovative Upgrading of Heritage Buildings: Structural Case Studies
Authors: Gurusamy Naidu Kribanandan
Published: February 2021

The challenge of integrating old and new in the development of urban spaces is constrained by commercial realities and an ignorance of the value of maintaining historical relevance as society develops. Malaysia has had its fair share of such historical gems being destroyed without much consideration for heritage but there also exists significant projects where proper design and engineering have been applied for conservation and adaptive reuse.

In this paper innovative options for structural upgrading of masonry buildings is considered using techniques which provide a basis for achieving structural integrity without compromising the visual appearance and historical value. This includes examples of a shop house upgraded following significant settlement due to adjacent construction and an adaptive reuse of a school which was converted into a theatre.
Structural Feasibility of ISO Shipping Containers for Core-dwelling Housing
Authors: Tan Cher Siang , Nussbaumer Alain
Published: February 2021

The increment of the magnitude and frequency of natural disasters and mass human migration activities around the world has pushed the needs of rapid construction for post-disaster reconstruction and re-urbanization. Reusing ISO shipping container for building architecture stand a chance to maximize rapid shelter solution and minimize carbon footprint at the same time. Modifications on the ISO shipping containers to suit to core-dwelling housing needs, such as door and window openings, will generate further stability issues on the container in resisting building loads. A research aims to investigate the feasibility and structural integrity of modified ISO shipping containers into core-dwelling house was carried out, collaborated between Swiss Federal Institution of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This paper reports on the outcomes from workshop, field trip and experimental investigation.
Deformation Capacity of Web Perforated H-Shaped Beams
Authors: Inaba Toru , Usami Tetsu , Yamazaki Kenji , Ushiwata Fumi , Odajima Nobuyuki , Jun Okamoto
Published: February 2021

When designing web perforated H-shaped beams, it is common to reinforce the holes due to the deficit in section’s area. However, previous studies revealed that non-reinforced web-perforated H-Shaped beams had similar performances as non-perforated H-shaped beams without holes when the position and shape of holes were designed considering the relationship between the acting stress for beams and the strength at the reduced sections. While this design method of non-reinforced web perforated H-shaped beams assumes a stress state of beams in the elastic state, it cannot always guarantee an appropriate performance in the ultimate stage similarly to non-perforated H-shaped beams. So the purpose of this study is to confirm the ultimate behavior of perforated H-shaped beams by experiment and FEM.
Design and Construction of Beipanjiang Bridge
Authors: Liu Bo , Peng Yundong , Houman  , Zhou Daqing
Published: February 2021

Beipanjiang Bridge is located above the Beipanjiang gorge of depth 565m on the border of Guizhou and Yunan Province, Southwest China. The Bridge main span length 720m is currently the second longest span steel truss girder cable stayed bridge in the world. After the bridge opened to traffic at the end of 2016, the journey time from one side to another is substantially reduced from the original 3 hours to 5 minutes. In the light of the characteristics of the steep terrain variation, karst geology and complicated local wind environment, corresponding studies and investigations were carried out which included the bridge type scheming, main deck structural system, deck erection method as well as freeze alarming technology of stay cable during operation period. This paper describes the salient features, key design and construction technology innovations of this project.
Partial cable-stayed bridge in the application of heavy haul railway
Authors: Li Guilin , Shi Di , Zhang Xiaojiang
Published: February 2021

Taking the partial cable-stayed bridge with main span of 248 meters which used on the railway coal corridor from western Inner Mongolia to central China as an example. the adaptability and particularity of partial cable-stayed bridge in the span range are analyzed based on structural static analysis theory. Pylon and girder rigid fixity, pier and beam separation system is applied, H- shaped bridge towers, the double cell concrete box girder and the monofilament epoxy coating prestress strand is used in this bridge. The results indicate that stay-cables contribution to the overall stiffness value of 33%. In order to improve the structure performance of the controlling area such as cross section, bridge tower adopt the high tower type system, depth-span ratio is determined to be 1/4.35, C60 high performance concrete is applied. The main pier bearing adopts double 190000 kN large tonnage steel spherical bearings because of the heavy dead loads and the heavy live loads, using the high-performance materials and Partial sealing technique to ensure the bearing durability, stability and long service life. The structure of the bridge meets the requirements of heavy haul railway according to the analysis.
Application status and developing foreground of CRTS Ⅲ ballastless track
Authors: Jing-Yuan Bai , Yan Bin
Published: February 2021

The technology of high-speed railway is one of the central driving forces in national economic growth. To increase the speed of high-speed trains and ensure their safety, the research and development of brand-new ballastless track techniques are of vital significance. This article simply talked about China's domestically designed CRTS III ballastless track. This technique is famous for some technical characteristics: it replaced CA mortar with self-compacting concrete as adjustment layer, which not only simplified the structure but also reduced the cost; 2-D scalable steel mould was adopted to materialize the track slab with high precision shoulder post-tensioned prestressed spatial curved space, which simplified the construction craft a lot; it adopted flexible longitudinal coupled structure of the subgrade as bridge-tunnel unit structure, which weakened the influence of temperature stress; unit-separated structure and flexible-separated structure were widely used, which made the maintainability of all unit structure. This article was based on the analysis of these technical characteristics and discussed the application status and developing foreground of this technique in some way.
Integration of SHM at an early stage in the design and construction of long-span bridges
Authors: Islami Kleidi , Savioz Pascal , Malekzadeh Masoud
Published: February 2021

Automated monitoring systems are being increasingly used on long-span bridges to address a wide range of challenges, such as those encountered during the construction stage or those associated with maintenance and life-cycle optimization. Bridge designers are now more prepared than in the past to consider the use of SHM systems in their work from an early stage, and to support contractors in implementing such systems during the construction stage. Close coordination between bridge designers, contractors and SHM specialists enables the appropriate equipment to be integrated wisely in the construction process, and ensures that full advantage may be taken of the benefits that can be gained from the use of an SHM system, right from the start of the bridge’s life cycle. This can be particularly important, for example, where components of the SHM system require to be embedded in a structure’s concrete during the construction stage, or where the system will play a significant data measurement and assessment role in the construction process as a whole. This is illustrated with reference to current bridge construction projects in India and Canada.
Lateral Behaviour of PT Segmental Bridge Columns with Ultra High Strength Concrete (UHSC)
Authors: Nikbakht Ehsan , Al-Nini Ahmed , Dahi Saleh Mohammed , Mahzabin Mst Sadia
Published: February 2021

In recent years, application of precast post-tensioned (PT) segmental columns consisting of a number of precast segments and footing foundation aligned and connected altogether by post tensioning strands, has shown increasing focus in seismic regions due to their advantages over traditional columns including self-centering capability with low residual displacement and permanent deformation under severe lateral seismic loading. Recently, there have been an emerge of interest to use ultra-high strength concrete (UHSC) due to their great tensile and compressive strengths. In this study, a three dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element model for PT segmental columns are developed and the results are validated with the experimental test conducted. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the influence of UHCS with different compressive strengths of 126 MPa, 150 MPa and 193 MPa; and tensile strengths of 6.0, 8.9 and 12.3 MPa on lateral response of PT segmental columns. In this study, PT segmental columns with normal strength; High strength concrete fully replaced with normal strength concrete throughout the columns; and UHSC as jacketing around the first segment are investigated. The influence of compressive strength and tensile strength on stiffness, lateral load capacity and ductility of the segmental columns with different concrete strengths are discussed. Also, strengthening of PT segmental columns with UHSC jacketing were examined and the results are compared.
Descending Order Reversely Constrained Optimal Design Method for Tall Building Structures under Wind Loading and Earthquake action
Authors: Zhao Xin , Zhao Jianzhe , Zhuang Ma
Published: February 2021

Optimal design of tall buildings is attracting increasing interests due to huge material consumption and structural costs. Design constraints are related with the design criteria of structural optimal design, and can be divided into several grades, say global constraints, assembly constraints, component constraints, sectional constraints and detailing constraints. Forwardly constrained optimal design (FCOD) method is widely applied in engineering practices. FCOD method begins with conserved initial structural member sizes after the selection of structural system and member layouts. FCOD method releases design constraints gradually with the descending order design procedure from global constraints to detailing constraints, and the structural material fat of final structural design is commonly high due to tight design schedule and limited resource input. Descending order reversely constrained optimal design method (DO-RCOD) tightens design constraints gradually in descending order, say global, assembly, sectional and detailing constraint grades. The constant incremental sensitivity analysis (CISA) method is applied in structural design of each constraint grade to compensate the under constrained design criteria with minimum material premium, and thus the structural material wastes are effectively reduced with enough structural safety required by the codes. A 10-storeys steel frame structure will be employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the DO-RCOD method under wind loading and earthquake action. The advantages of DO-RCOD method will be shown by comparing study between DO-RCOD results and DO-FCOD results.
Utilization of Existing Metro Rail Viaduct for Emergency and Personal Rapid Transit
Authors: Raja Prabu , Kumar Naresh
Published: February 2021

In the present decade, urban transportation need to satify the requirement of the commuter to move faster and at the same time to achieve its affordability goal to the end user. In pursuit of this exploration, infrastructure built to cater the existing transportation modes & network should be utilised to provide a sustainable solution. Accordingly, it has been discussed a new ideology of utilizing the emergency walkway of the existing metro rail elevated viaduct for providing services named Emergency Rapid Transit (ERT) and Personal Rapid transit (PRT). This paper describes about the requirements, pros and cons of implementing this ideology.
Statistical Investigation of Design Live Load by Applying WIM Data with Different Degree of Compliance with Truck Weight Limit
Authors: Paik Inyeol , Jeong Kilhwan
Published: February 2021

The live load model applied to the design of the bridge should be defined so that a target safety level can be secured in the actual traffic environment. In this paper, it is presented that the live load could be greatly affected by the measurement data used for the statistical estimation process. For this purpose, a statistical analysis is performed on WIM (weigh-in-motion) data measured during different periods in terms of the overload control at the same spot of an expressway in Korea. The effects by a single vehicle, the back-to-back series vehicles and the side-by-side parallel vehicles are obtained and compared.
The Vertical and Horizontal Displacements of Cross-river Twin-tunnels Surroundings Induced by Tunneling
Authors: Wu Lin , Zhang Zhihua , Zhang Xiedong , Lin FaJin
Published: February 2021

Twin-tunnels are widely constructed in large cities because of their many advantages. The first tunnel (named tunnel_1) constructed before a period time than the second tunnel (named tunnel_2) which is to reduce the disturbance between twin-tunnels. In this paper, a three-dimensional scale model of twin-tunnels is established utilizing the discrete element method (DEM) with PFC3D, this model aims to investigate the difference of the vertical displacements and the horizontal displacements of the surroundings in construction process. The numerical results indicate that the peak vertical and horizontal displacements of the surroundings around tunnel_2 are larger than those around tunnel_1. The vertical and horizontal displacements of particles decrease with the distance from the out edge of the twin-tunnels shield lining increases. The existence and evolution of soil arching during tunneling process exert great influence on the stress state and deformation of twin-tunnels surroundings. The peak horizontal displacements are larger in the lateral points of twin-tunnels, while the peak vertical displacements are larger in the vault and bottom points, the tunnel excavation leads the particles around the twin-tunnels move to new location to achieve new equilibrium state. The peak vertical and horizontal displacements occur in own tunnel excavation process, whereas the adjacent tunnel construction affects the displacements as well. The excavation and existence of tunnel_1 have magnified effect on the vertical and horizontal displacements of tunnel_2.
The application of steel-concrete-steel composite structures in immersed tunnels
Authors: Guo Yutao , Fan Jiansheng , Nie Jian-Guo , Xu Guo-ping , Tang Liang , Song Shen-you
Published: February 2021

The compartment steel-concrete-steel (CSCS) composite structures with longitudinal and transverse diaphragms and ribs own superiorities over traditional structural types and becomes a trend for mega immersed tunnels in the future. However, the investigations on the mechanisms of the out- of-plane performances of CSCS composite structures are rather limited. 3 bending tests and 3 shear tests were conducted and it is found that the current design method of bending has enough accuracy but the restrictions of rib spacing due to local buckling could be further relaxed. However, the current design method of shear cannot predict the shear resistance satisfactorily. Through theoretical analysis, a shear design method considering the combination of steel-concrete composite anti-shear mechanism and steel web anti-shear mechanism is proposed and verified, this method agrees well with the test and is suggested to be used in application.
Hong Kong Underground Space Development and its Enlightenment for the Mainland
Authors: Zhang Dexiang
Published: February 2021

First, introduce the background of Hong Kong’s underground development and utilization, then, illustrate the ways on planning and utilizing underground space to meet the increasing demand in transit, commercial and pedestrian activities on the one hand, and the accommodation of environmentally-unfriendly public utilities on the other, specifically focusing on such aspects as cavern development, mass transit railway, tunnels, underground pedestrian walkways, shopping malls, new urban structure, special-purpose underground facilities (refuse transfer station, sewage treatment plant, explosives magazines). Also, highlight the planning issues and challenges faced in crowded and compact urban environment, including, e.g., adverse effect on environment, construction constraints, interference to existing underground facilities, limitations on construction methods, search for a consensus or compromise, planning and construction procedures, geotechnical engineer’s risk. Finally, sum up some points of enlightenment for the mainland to develop and utilize underground space as per Hong Kong experiences, namely, developing rock cavern with reference to Hong Kong experience; achieving sustainable development by initiating planning first; enhancing integrated development by making two good drawings; building combined utility gallery to satisfy development demands; the last but not the least, applying state-of-the-art technology to guide the planning and development.
Precast Industry Contributed toward Green Construction
Authors: Limsuwan Ekasit , Jongvivatsakul Pticha
Published: February 2021

Current construction industries have developed toward sustainable development as which the technologies are intended to optimum use of natural resources, minimize energy consumption, reduce waste and enchorage possible recycle. Precast construction would be an alternative for civil infrastructure projects this paper will introduce the building process for project execution in planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance. Some examples of precast construction of elevated highways and highrise buildings in Thailand will be presented. Some aspects toward green technologies to demonstrate improvement in quality control to accelerate speed of construction, to reduce energy consumption and to minimize environment impact assessment. The life cycle management will also be synthesized for green rating as far as the low carbon strategy can be implemented toward sustainable engineering.
Photobioreactor Facade Elements - From Concept to Prototype
Authors: Aßmus Elisabeth , Weller Bernhard , Walter Frank
Published: February 2021

The research project FABIG pursues a comprehensive approach in developing facades with photobioreactors made of glass. The story-high reactor elements generate biomass that can either be processed for the pharmaceutical and food industry or used for the building energy supply. In consequence, the joint project partners Technische Universität Dresden, ADCO Technik GmbH, Arup Deutschland GmbH und SSC GmbH contribute their expertise in facade systems, adhesives, technical building systems and manufacturing.

This paper introduces microalgae, their industrial applications and different production plants for cultivation. The main section traces the development starting from the constructive concept to the realization of a prime prototype in operation. This development includes composition and function of essential constructive elements and specific load assumptions in a photobioreactor. The researchers gave significant attention to load-bearing adhesives inside the reactor exceeding current state of technology. Previous experimental tests on the adhesive and a study on the inner joint composition are presented. The study considers two joint variations and rates them according to their mechanical behavior, processing and assembly characteristics. Finally, the paper concludes with a future façade concept as flexible modular system.
Way Forward for Construction Industry with Active Participation in Carbon Footprint Reduction for Sustainable Development using Geosynthetics
Authors: Mariappan Saravanan , Hood Fauziah Hanis
Published: February 2021

Building green and sustainable for buildings and cities have become an important aspect to safe guard the environment and future generation. Opening up new land for townships with road and railway networks are vital for the nation along with government commitment for development and well being of ever growing population. In the past, mother nature’s well balanced ecosystem were compromised due to rapid industrialization and world wide development. Today, we are facing serious environmental deterioration with rising global temperature, sea levels, lost of rain forest, natural resources, extinction of species all at unprecedented levels, never seen before world wide. As we are heading towards uncharted environmental impact with mega scale of flooding, rainfall, typhoon wind velocity, prolong drought, early seasonal changes, it has become an immediate need for every citizen of the planet to safe guard the environment by reducing their carbon footprint. As the first step for carbon foot print reduction, we need to reduce carbon consumption in every aspect of our daily life starting with the building that houses us, cities that we works and live in and reduction in construction industries especially areas related to infrastructure and highway construction works. This paper will discuss the usage of alternative materials in construction industry, which can reduce carbon footprints and at the same time blend with the nature. New changes with adoption of technologies can be in cooperated as Green Highway and Infrastructure Index (GHII).
Evaluation of the innovative Bridge Concepts for the Extreme Norwegian Fjord Crossings
Authors: Jena Parthasarathi , Eidem Mathias Egeland , Villoria Bruno
Published: February 2021

Since the ferry free E39 project was initiated, the feasibility of different Long-Span Bridge concepts have been investigated for some of the most challenging fjord crossings (Bjørnafjorden, Sulafjorden, Halsafjorden). All studied concepts exceed 2 km in length and are faced with depths of the seabed ranging from 400 m to 1200 m, rendering conventional support solutions inadequate. The bridge concepts referred to in the present paper are Single Span Suspension Bridges, Multi-Span Suspension Bridges on floating foundations, Submerged Floating Tube Bridges (SFTB), Side Anchored Floating Bridges and End Anchored Floating Bridges.

The purpose of the present paper is to highlight the main alternatives that have been studied at the time of writing and to provide the reader with an overview of the realm of application of the different concepts.