bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Ultra High Performance Cementitious For Rapid Urbanization and Carbon Neutral Mega Construction Projects
Authors: Lai Fook Chuan
Published: February 2021

The cement concrete industries globally produced about 4.2 billion tons (required processing energy 1,400kWh/ton) and produce 30 billion tons concrete and contribute about 7%global warming effects. Global rapid urbanization, energy demand in buildings will increase 50%, while existing global building floor area 220 billion m2 is expected to double by 2050, driving energy demand and related GHG emissions for construction. Thus, the shortcoming of innovative and sustainable cement concrete to bring together the building and construction industry to facilitate the global transition towards for low-emission, energy-efficient buildings to achieving the common objective of limiting global warming to well-below 2 Celsius (2°C). The objective in this study is to use the biomass and industrial waste to produce the Sustainable Ultra High Performance Cementitious (SUHPC) for Carbon Neutral Cement Concrete (CNCC). SUHPC was produced by biohybrid- mechano-chemical activation method. SUHPC performance was evaluated in OPC mortar by replace the OPC from dosage 5% to 100% Mortar prism strength with SUHPC at low dosage series increased the early strength but at high dosage series enhanced the early and ultimate strength of OPC. The produced SUHPC concrete quality strength is performed at high performance concrete (HPC) upto ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) level. The innovative SUHPC has proven here to be useful sustainable technology, increased productivity, durability and social economy benefits for Malaysian and abroad cement concrete plants for some rapid urbanization mega infrastructure projects such as Mega Railway Sleeper KV-Double Track MRT Project, Mega Tunnelling Pahang Water Transfer Projects (PWTP), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Project, Sarawak Hydropower Murum Dam and general construction projects. Embodied energy and CO2 emission reduced > 85% and reduced non-renewable materials approaching carbon neutral cement concrete. SUHPC is suitable for rapid urbanization and carbon neutral mega construction projects to provide the innovative sustainable construction materials development and future resilient construction.
Method of Designing a Plate-like Ultra High-rise Building
Authors: Okamura Shoko , Muto Kei
Published: February 2021

This paper describes the method of structural design of a plate-like ultra high-rise building, taking the Shinjuku Toho Building as an example. In particular the major problems in the structural design of this building are described, namely ensuring safety during earthquakes, ensuring habitability during strong winds, and ensuring the load resistance of the columns that are subject to large axial forces. Also, the test results and performance of an "improved non-scallop method" for beam- column joint are described. Finally the method of structural designing "Godzilla’s Head" is described.
Intermediate seismic isolation ultra high－rise office building integrated with historical building
Authors: Hamada Yuki
Published: February 2021

This project was a redevelopment of the Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation Edobashi Warehouse Building, which was constructed in 1930. The following is a description of the requirements, an outline of the design, and the response analysis results, from the detailed design of this project.
Klang Valley MRT Viaduct Structural Design Development
Authors: Hewson Nigel , Teh Tzyy Wooi
Published: February 2021

The Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) rail system is a central part of the development of the Kuala Lumpur public transportation network with MRTC the project owner and MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP SSP) the Project Delivery Partner. The first MRT line stretches from Sungai Buloh to Kajang (SBK) with a length of 51km, while the second line from Sungai Buloh to Serdang to Putrajaya (SSP) has a length of 52km. The majority of both lines is supported on viaducts which weave their way through the urban environment. This paper presents the development of the viaduct design for the SBK Line and the lessons learnt that were incorporated into the SSP Line viaduct design. The process of optimising the design to meet the requirements for both the SBK and SSP Lines will be discussed while some key technical aspects of the viaduct design will be highlighted.
Making the world’s longest subsea tunnel sustainable
Authors: Søyland Ketil , Wolden Christer , Garmann Christopher , Harrison Debbie
Published: February 2021

How can large-scale infrastructure projects be sustainable? The purpose of this paper is to discuss how engineering practices were changed in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the E39 Rogfast project, the world’s longest roadway sub-sea tunnel. The project will generate greenhouse gas (GHG)-emissions exceeding 1% of Norway’s total annual GHG-emissions. The paper covers the project process, including some of the challenges to be overcome.
Bridging the gap: enabling lower carbon footprint and creating economic value from application of modern high strength niobium steels
Authors: Patel Jitendra
Published: February 2021

This paper presents examples from a bridge and tall-building structure to demonstrate how important it is from the outset that engineers select the correct type of steels (beyond just grade selection), its alloy design and manufacturing route is in bringing about a combination of environmental (savings of >1,000t of CO2) and economic value (savings of >$100,000s) that is felt throughout the supply chain. It will discuss the advantages niobium micro-alloyed steel systems bring and highlights how to extract maximum contribution from them. Attention is given to the individual and distinct metallurgical role it plays and how judicious additions, only costing a few dollars per tonne of steel, can leverage significant value.

The paper concludes, that in today’s market driven environment it is of growing necessity that engineers do take in consideration the advantages that modern niobium micro-alloyed high strength steels can bring through their correct selection at the very start of the design process.
Large Bridges Recently Built in Poland
Authors: Toczkiewicz Robert , Biliszczuk Jan , Teichgraeber Marco
Published: February 2021

The road and railway infrastructure in Poland has been intensively developed and modernized for the last years. Around 300 new bridges are built annually. Among the new structures there is a group of modern long span bridges.

This paper presents examples of selected, most interesting large road bridges built in recent years in Poland. The following structures are described:

two largest extradosed bridges in Europe – with spans exceeding 200 m;

the largest arch bridge in Poland with 270 m long fixed arches and an expressway bridge with 200 m long arch span;

two cable-stayed bridges.

Structural configuration and construction technology of the above mentioned bridges are described.
Kampala Flyovers – Structural Technical Review
Authors: Wojnarski Lukasz , Rayat Kulvinder
Published: February 2021

The Kampala Flyovers Project is a major infrastructural scheme in Uganda, which will relieve congestion in the City’s Metropolitan Area, allowing for the ease of traffic flow through the International Corridor linking Kenya with the land-locked central African countries. The conceptual and detailed structural design for the Project is independently reviewed and checked to assure the quality, feasibility and maintenance objectives are achieved. The value of the independent technical review and check is presented in this publication.
The Scheme Design of ‘Bi-Speed Bicycle Viaduct’ Demonstration Line
Authors: Xiao Keli , Jin Yanjun , Zou Aijia , Li Lin , He Wei
Published: February 2021

The bicycle viaduct is an effective method to solve the contradiction between the rapid development of urbanization and low carbon. In this paper, a 4.8km long viaduct was designed between the Happy Valley and Phoenix Peak park of Chengdu, China. The standard sections of the whole viaduct adopt steel box girder and Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) precast beam with 30m spans and 5.5m widths of bridge deck (single). And the UHPC connection plate is used to replace the traditional mechanical telescopic device to realize the continuous bridge deck between the ends of the simple beam, which embodies the concept of ‘green bridge’. This line focuses on the design of three nodes, which includes the five towers cable-stayed bridge, the double deck arch bridge across the Fu River and the continuous beam bridge in leisure area. The three bridges enrich the bridge modelling, reflecting the application of aesthetics in the bridge. The whole traffic is based on bicycle, which adopts separation traffic with double speed of fast and slow speed and can be used for sightseeing and travel. This design highlights the people-oriented, can ensure traffic safety and achieve a ‘safe travel, green travel’. Therefore, the viaduct is an effective means to solve the disharmony between the urban development and the environment.
Lancang River Railway Arch Bridge with stiffened skeleton of Concrete-filled Steel Tubes
Authors: Jin Fei
Published: February 2021

The Lancang River railway arch bridge, a key project, is located on Dali~Ruili Railway with a design speed of 140 km/h. The bridge spans over the Lancang River, with the max slope angle of the mountain body on both sides of the river being more than 80 degrees. The distance between the bridge deck and the river surface exceeds 270 m. The whole bridge is 528.1 m long and the main span is 342 m. The x-style arch rib is a deck-type concrete-filled steel tube stiffened skeleton, which becomes the main arch structure of single-box single-cell box section after swing erection, by means of filling the inner space and covering the outer face with concrete.
Bach Dang cable-stayed bridge – Underslung form traveller
Authors: Dupleix Joakim
Published: February 2021

The Bach Dang Bridge forms part of the Ha Long – Hai Phong Highway in Vietnam. It will help cut 50km from the journey between Hanoi and the Ha Long Bay UNESCO world heritage site. The focal cable-stayed section of the bridge will consist of two main spans of 240 m. The tallest of the three towers will reach a height of almost 100 m.

The construction technique used for the cable-stayed section is to cast 9.6 m-long and 28 m-wide concrete segments in situ, using an underslung form traveller (FT) which is launched to the next position once the segment is cast.

The FT has been designed by the Technical Centre of specialist contractor VSL. Its weight is minimised by using the stay cable as a support at the front of the traveller. The stay cable is connected to the FT by precasting the anchor block and securing it to the FT. This innovation was previously, successfully used by VSL on the Ironton-Russell project in the USA. Besides, the formwork system has been mechanised to be easily collapsed from one segment to the next.

This paper discusses the design of this innovative construction technique and how it was used on this major bridge project in Vietnam.
Structural topology optimization of bridge girders in cable supported bridges
Authors: Baandrup Mads , Sigmund Ole , Aage Niels
Published: February 2021

This work applies a ultra large scale topology optimization method to study the optimal structure of bridge girders in cable supported bridges.

The current classic orthotropic box girder designs are limited in further development and optimiza­ tion, and suffer from substantial fatigue issues. A great disadvantage of the orthotropic girder is the loads being carried one direction at a time, thus creating stress hot spots and fatigue problems. Hence, a new design concept has the potential to solve many of the limitations in the current state­ of-the-art.

We present a design method based on ultra large scale topology optimization. The highly detailed structures and fine mesh-discretization permitted by ultra large scale topology optimization reveal new design features and previously unseen eff ects. The results demonstrate the potential of gener­ ating completely different design solutions for bridge girders in cable supported bridges, which dif­ fer significantly from the classic orthotropic box girders.

The overall goal of the presented work is to identify new and innovative, but at the same time con­ structible and economically reasonable, solutions tobe implemented into the design of future cable supported bridges.
Study on A New Type of Deck Applied to Four-lines Railway Cable- stayed Bridge with Wide Truss Stiffening Girder
Authors: Wen Wangqing , Xia Zheng-chun , Qu Guo-zhao , Shi Zhou
Published: February 2021

A cable-stayed bridge, whose main span is 230 m, is a four-line railway steel truss bridge. It is the first time to use only two main trusses in four-line railway truss bridge. In order to solve the transfer problem of wide truss-deck system and the design of the horizontal deck-beam, auxiliary longitudinal beams and horizontal K-bars are installed near lower chords of main truss. This is an innovative deck system, and we need to research on the structure performance. In this paper, the comparative analysis between the new type of deck system with horizontal K-bars and the traditional deck system with multi-crossbeam were carried out by FEM which focus on the deck structural characteristics, system stiffness, local deformation, etc. Also, in order to carry out the model test, a scale segmental experimental model of deck structure with horizontal K-bars was designed and manufactured. The FEM results show that: the bridge deck system with horizontal K- shaped braces is better than the multi-crossbeam deck system in structural stiffness, local deformation, participating rate of longitudinal force. And, the experimental results were in good agreement with the results of FEM analysis, which verified the correctness of FEM results and the rationality of design. The working condition of the bridge is good since opened on December 26, 2014.
A semi-analytical method for dynamic responses of cantilever plates under moving loads
Authors: Wu Qi , Li Qi
Published: February 2021

In this paper a semi-analytical method is proposed to calculate dynamic responses of cantilever plates subjected to moving loads. Rayleigh-Ritz method is used to obtain free vibration characteristics of the cantilever plate by using assumed mode shapes that fulfil the boundary conditions of the plate. The motion equations of the cantilever plate are decoupled by the mode superposition method to obtain a series of equations represented by the generalized coordinates. The generalized forces are then expanded to Fourier series of discrete harmonic loading components. The dynamic responses of the plate are thus obtained by superimposing the analytical responses of many single degree of freedom systems induced by harmonic loads. Finally, this method is verified by comparing the results with those obtained from pure numerical simulation.
A Review on Prestressed Transfer Plate Analysis and Design
Authors: Low Hin Foo , Kong Sih Ying , Kong Daniel
Published: February 2021

Prestressed transfer plate consists of a thick cast in-situ post-tensioned concrete slab supporting multi-storey shear walls at building transition level. Compared to conventional reinforced concrete transfer beams, it offers savings in concrete volume of 10-15%, cuts steel reinforcement content by 35-50% and significantly reduces formwork usage which eventually helps to achieve lower carbon footprint for a more sustainable transfer floor construction. The design of prestressed transfer plates is complicated owing to its two-way bending behaviour and irregular load path from reactions of numerous shear walls. This paper elaborates the analysis of prestressed transfer plates and discusses their interaction effect with shear walls. It also explains the design of interfacing shear for thick plate construction with multi-layer casting in addition to various design considerations including flexural and punching shear design based on relevant codes of practice.
Application of Aerogel in Building Energy-saving
Authors: Hao Shuo , Yan Bin , Zhou Min
Published: February 2021

Each year, China consumes more than 1.4×108t coal for supplying heat. However, an urgent problem is that a large percent of the heat is not fully used but lost to external through the windows, walls and roofs. The paper mainly talks about how to improve the thermal insulation property of the buildings by adopting aerogel in order to reduce the unnecessary consumption of coal. Aerogel is a solid-state material with a density lower than that of the air and extraordinary performances in heat insulation and fire resistance which can be seen in the fact that the temperature it can withstand is more than ten times than other common materials. This paper aims at studying the application of particle aerogels, plate aerogels, and glass aerogels in the construction industry. And some application methods of aerogel are put forward connected with CRTS slab, architectural glass and non-bearing structure.
Massive wood elements and modular housing technology as innovative building concept of sustainable urban planning
Authors: Avellan Kari Christer , Belopotocanova Erika , Ghobakhlou Mojtaba
Published: February 2021

A growing need for better performing materials and developing sustainable building solutions with less environmental impact has become indispensable. Renewable resources such as wood provide a natural way to design and build innovative structural systems. The industrialized processes and cutting-edge concepts make wooden buildings a highly competitive and sustainable alternative. Using massive wood elements and housing modules constructed of engineered wood products such as CLT and LVL is an example of building innovation. With today's climate challenges and ongoing sustainability demands it is important to make urban planning and policy development as environmentally friendly as possible. Using wood as construction material is an environmentally conscious choice leading to a solution meeting the needs of population growth and urbanization.
The New Coastal Road in La Réunion Island (France): From the Design Process to Construction
Authors: Tanis Jean Marc , Outteryck Christophe , Danan Guillaume , Jacquot Jimmy , Bailly Cyril
Published: February 2021

Rock fall was blocking La Réunion main road. The proposed project had four major challenges: collecting geotechnical and geological data; defining foundations; choosing the structure; environmental issues. The design process is explained and the challenges are discussed. An extensive and reliable data base interpreted by experts is essential to the design and the construction needs highly developed industrial methods.
Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Shear Properties of Rubber Bearing Supports with Parameters of Axial Stress
Authors: Choi Joon-Ho , Hara Nobuhiko , Imai Takashi , Ueda Kensuke , Sung Hyunwoo
Published: February 2021

In this study, in order to investigate the shear properties of the Rubber Bearing supports (RB) with a tensile axial force, cyclic loading tests varied with axial forces of RB test specimens were conducted. In the tests, using 4 test specimens with same specification, 6MPa compressive stress, 0MPa, 1MPa tensile stress and 2MPa tensile stress as the axial stress were loaded on each test specimen. As shear loadings, 175%, 250% and 300% shear strain were loaded by a displacement control loading method. As further investigation, in order to examine the local internal stress of the rubber bearing supports subjected to a tensile axial force and a shear force, FE analyses taken into account the hyperelastic and viscoelastic properties of a rubber material were conducted. After verifying the reproducibility for the experiments by the analyses, the local stress states of the rubber bearing supports were investigated.
The Quick-Exchange Expansion Joints of the Köhlbrand Bridge in Hamburg
Authors: Adam Stefan , Moor Gianni , Hoffmann Simon
Published: February 2021

A method of renewing modular expansion joints in bridge structures with minimal effort on site and minimal impact on traffic or on the bridge structure has been recently optimised. This approach is described with reference to a project to replace the existing expansion joints of Hamburg’s Köhlbrand Bridge, installing so-called “Quick-Ex” modular joints in their place, which will enable future renewal works to be carried out much more easily and quickly. These joints were specially designed for easy replaceability of the mechanical part of a modular joint of this kind, primarily consisting of the centerbeams that form its driving surface and the cross beams that support them, without the need for breaking out or pouring concrete, or cutting or welding steel – greatly reducing the costs of future renewal work and the impact this work will have on traffic.
Chernobyl New Safe Confinement project – Steel arch permanent bearing
Authors: Vitale Roberta , Salmon Philippe
Published: February 2021

The New Safe Confinement (NSC) is a design and build project, first of its kind in the nuclear field engineering. Never before such an important structure has been constructed in severe and difficult site conditions with high risk of radiation. The NSC is a steel arch, under construction by NOVARKA (JV Vinci Construction and Bouygues Construction), destined to contain the remains of the No. 4 unit at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, Ukraine, which was destroyed during the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986. The steel arch is linked to a concrete foundation with 31 spherical bearings (TETRON SB®) designed and supplied by Freyssinet. These bearing have been designed under the European Standard, however, the Ukrainian Standard has also been covered.

This paper describes the design, fabrication and tests of the spherical bearings, focusing on the main aspects related to the exceptional service environment (such as radiation and temperature), the impact on the constitutive materials and the bearing capacity.
Railway Megaprojects: a Semi-probabilistic Approach to Windblown Sand Action
Authors: Raffaele Lorenzo , Bruno Luca
Published: February 2021

New ultra-long transnational railway megaprojects are currently being planned or under construction. Along their route, they increasingly cross arid and desert regions. In these regions, railways are vulnerable to windblown sand. Several failure cases recently occurred, e.g. along the Linhai-Ceke railway in China, or the Aus-Lüderitz railway in Namibia. We consider windblown sand as an environmental action, analogously to wind or snow actions. We categorize its effects into Sand Ultimate Limit States and Sand Serviceability Limit States. In the design perspective, the quantitative prediction of the windblown sand sedimented along the railway is mandatory. We propose a semi-probabilistic approach to windblown sand action because of the inborn variability of the phenomenon. The proposed method allows evaluating the design value of the windblown sand action for a given site.
Megastructures for a Long Marine Bridge in Kuwait
Authors: Akraa Mohamed , Mauris Georges , Vivier Aurélie , Duong Trinh , Challant Delphine , Faivre Elodie , Montens Serge , Vollery Jean-Charles
Published: February 2021

One of the longest marine bridges in the world will be in service this year. The total length is 48,5km including Main and Doha links. The construction was started on beginning of 2013, the inauguration is planned on November 2018. This bridge is named after the late Emir "Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah", in power between 1977 and 2006.

For this project, Systra has proposed and designed innovative solutions: (i) using whole prefabricated prestressed 60m spans, transported and installed by floating crane or by launching gantry, (ii) using pre-tensioning prestressing in both directions; longitudinally in the bottom slab and webs and transversally in the top slab, and (iii) using monopile system which reduces the impact on marine fauna and improves the safety and the construction schedule.
Additive Construction of Martian Habitats
Authors: Carrato Peter , Ellis Anne , Román Monserrate , Kim Tony
Published: February 2021

NASA is stimulating development of the technology needed to build permanent Martian facilities, by providing cash prizes for competitors in a challenge to demonstrate appropriate means and methods of construction. Transportation costs and planetary atmospheric conditions exclude use of traditional terrestrial construction materials and human laborers. Using an additive construction process with indigenous and mission recycled materials, teams compete to design and construct a habitat. A detailed discussion of the various levels of material development and demonstration of construction methodology required by this contest is provided. Various potential concrete mix designs that maximize the use of indigenous Martian materials, and 3D printing techniques are described. Results of the early phases of the Challenge are presented and requirements for the final phases are provided.
The New Large Space Frame - TAMA-SUDARE
Authors: Sasaki Junichi , Yamada Tatsuya
Published: February 2021

The authors propose a Tama-Sudare Frame as a new type of structural system that can attain a flexible configuration. This frame consists only of thin bars (main members), tension rods and pin joints, just like the sticks, threads and knots of Tama-Sudare, a tool used for traditional Japanese performance.

Tama-Sudare Frames complement one another and can form a huge space like the roof structure of stadium. Moreover, single frames made of repetitions of several types of small members facilitate construction and transportation. Tama-Sudare Frames can create structures of various scales not only stadiums by changing the member size.
The Construction of a New Icon in Düsseldorf
Authors: Müllers Ingo , Tesch Ralf , Stahl Michael , Hulbert Guido
Published: February 2021

In the city centre of Düsseldorf, Germany, a new shopping destination with an extraordinary design and an impressive structure is currently realized. The site delivers all possible boundary conditions a structural engineer needs for sleepless nights. The project will be located between a listed high-rise building, the popular listed theatre of Düsseldorf, a road tunnel and a metro station. The main building consists of 5 floors above ground and up to 5 floors below ground. The load bearing structure will be made of reinforced concrete. As a consequence of the different usages the column grid is quite irregular with spans up to 15 m. Significant challenges are double curved, inclined walls and a bracing system on the existing road tunnel to carry a column force of 15 MN. In order to minimize construction time, the structural engineers proposed the dig-and-cast construction method in which the building is growing up and down simultaneously.
High Rigidity Suspension Bridges
Authors: Novarin Marco , Erdogan Julien , Fabry Nicolas , Ambor Michal , Petit Sébastien
Published: February 2021

High rigidity suspension bridges, with hybrid suspension system, made of parabolic cables and stay cables, have been widely used in the nineteenth century, at the beginning of modern suspension bridges history. The Brooklyn Bridge is an outstanding example of this kind of structures. At the present time, high rigidity suspension bridges are less successful than in the past, as cable stayed bridges are usually considered as the most efficient typology for crossing up to about 1100 meters, and suspended bridges for wider spans, up to 2,000 meters or more. Recently, the construction of Third Bosphorus Bridge has proven that the hybrid suspension system is still a competitive solution. The aim of this paper is to show the interest of high rigidity suspension bridges for 2000 meters crossing in comparison with traditional suspension bridges.
Cable Stays – Asset Protection and Enhancement
Authors: Schwarz Andreas , Egger Philipp , Annan Rachid
Published: February 2021

Cable stayed bridges are critical components of our infrastructure and carry ever increasing traffic flows connecting locations and people. These landmarks do not just have to be safe and function reliably, but in the modern world of connected objects they can become a powerful tool to enhance the public experience and even be used as a screen to display visual content. New solutions exist to improve the resilience of stay cable bridges. An innovative solution to mitigate the risk of snow and ice accretion on stay cables and a novel protection system withstanding severe fire loading from hydrocarbon pool fires has been developed. In addition an integrated LED lighting system is proposed to add new functionalities by embedding durable, waterproof, replaceable and low maintenance LED modules into the HDPE stay pipe. The resulting array of LEDs can be used to display varying visual content from simple color schemes to animated sequences.
Analytical Study on Safety Level of Stay Cables of Cable-stayed Bridge and Extradosed Bridge under Fatigue and Ultimate Limit States
Authors: Ali Khawaja , Katsuchi Hiroshi , Yamada Hitoshi , Kim Haeyoung
Published: February 2021

Cable-stayed bridges and extradosed bridges are thought to be similar kinds of structures because both bridges use stay cables for reinforcement. However, the safety factors of stay cables of both bridge types are stipulated differently in many international standards i.e. Japanese specifications suggest the safety factors of 2.5 and 1.67 for the design of cable-stayed bridges and extradosed bridges respectively. In this paper, an analytical study is carried out for the investigation of the safety level of stay cables of both bridge types at fatigue and ultimate limit states. Subsequently, the Mean Value First Order Second Moment (MVFOSM) reliability method is also performed for the verification of safety factors of stay cables. Finally, it is found that the safety factors of stay cables in the range of 2.3 to 2.5 and 1.67 are essential to satisfy the fatigue and ultimate limit states and target reliability index of 4.0 of cable-stayed bridges and extradosed bridges respectively.
Crossing the Ganges: The World’s Longest Extradosed Bridge
Authors: Robazza Brook R. , Trowland Morgan T.
Published: February 2021

Many of tomorrow’s megastructures will be built in India as the nation’s transformative economic growth continues. Today the 117 million people of the north-eastern state of Bihar are benefiting from a new link provided by the Veer Kunwar Singh Bridge across the Ganges River. Prior to the bridge completion, this region, a vast and populous river plane with India’s lowest per capita income, had just six year-round road lanes on three bridges over this 400km stretch of river. Upon inauguration in 2017, this four-lane bridge became the world’s longest extradosed bridge, while also representing an evolution of bridge technology and construction processes in Bihar.

This case study describes the design and construction of the 4.35km bridge, which comprises central extradosed spans covering a 1920m-wide navigational channel. For the 16 extradosed pier units, a stay cable system was used to carry the superstructure self-weight, permitting the use of a relatively shallow 3.4m constant-depth superstructure for the 120m-long spans. This allowed the box girder to be composed of precast segments, which could be erected much more rapidly and easily than the typical in-situ concrete construction used on previous Ganges bridges. Historically, major bridges in India have taken over a decade to complete, but the Veer Kunwar Singh was completed in only five years thanks to both the design-build procurement process and the extradosed design, which was optimised for accelerated construction through collaboration between the constructor and design engineer.
The Longest Axially Supported Cable-stayed Bridge in India: Chambal River Bridge
Authors: Calatozzo Erica , Montens Serge , Muls Mathieu , Vollery Jean-Charles
Published: February 2021

For the bypass of the city of Kota (Rajasthan), NHAI has planned to make the NH-76 cross the Chambal River. Since this crossing was falling in the “National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary”, it was decided to cross the 300 m wide river with a single span, and hence reduce crocodile wild life disturbance by avoiding any pier in the river bed. After tender, the turnkey contract was awarded to the construction JV Hyundai-Gammon, on the basis of the solution proposed by Systra.

The proposed solution to achieve this goal, was a cable-stayed bridge with a 350 m main span and axial suspension.
One Single Model: a New Parametric Approach to Megastructures
Authors: Maffeis Massimo , Biasi Andrea , Ceccato Fabio , Mazzarolo Enrico , Michelini Luca
Published: February 2021

Maffeis Engineering proposes an innovative approach for the design of Megastructures:One Single Model. This new and challenging approach allows designer, architects and engineers to work together, sharing information, data and a 3D model between different departments with a reduction in cost, time, effort and loss of data and information.
Innovative Developments of Steel and Concrete Composite Plates for two Recent Bridges in France, St Lazare Bridge and Viaduct of Guerville
Authors: Guth Didier , Remy Claude , Fabre Boris , Boutes Régis
Published: February 2021

Arcadis recently designed and completed two complex bridges using the concept of composite plates (see EN 1994-2, section 9). The first bridge using this method, the Saint Lazare Bridge, crosses the busiest railway network in the city of Paris. The bridge consists of a 125 m long steel box deck with a deck width of 17,5 m resting on V-shaped piers. The thickness of the concrete slab is 120 mm. The second bridge, currently under construction, is the viaduct of Guerville. This viaduct is a 360 m long concrete-steel composite bridge with two I-shaped girders linked together by floor beams. The design of the central part of the deck, which is governed by the central span length of 116,5 m, required a lighter and thinner slab than the typical reinforced concrete top slab. This led to the use of a composite plate, 160 mm thick for the 157 m central part of the bridge. This paper presents the general design of both bridges along with the specific methodologies and calculations used for the composite deck plate designs.
Condition Assessment and Maintenance Strategies for Bridges at Individual and Network Level
Authors: Xia Ye , Wang Peng , Kang Bin , He Yonghai
Published: February 2021

Bridges degenerate due to severe environment, over loading, initial structural defects, disasters or some other factors. How to evaluate and ensure the safety of these structures, at individual level as well as network level, is a question attracting enough attention. At individual level, this paper proposes the Neutral Axis Indicator (NA) based on strain measurements, to evaluate the performance of an individual bridge and to investigate challenges associated with the neutral axis for structural health monitoring purpose. At network level, a framework is proposed to evaluate bridge groups and to compute the optimal maintenance plan applied to the bridges at a given network. The proposed framework is applied to the bridge network located in Hebei province, China. Results are performed through the data collected from hundreds of bridges over a few years, and the effectiveness and advantages are finally validated.
Large scale locks (9,000 tons) in Lanaye, Ivoz-Ramet and Ampsin (Belgium)
Authors: Bonivers Michaël , Goblet Yannis , Monfort David
Published: February 2021

Since 2011, three locks on the Walloon part of river Meuse, (Lanaye, Ivoz-Ramet, Ampsin in Belgium) are being calibrated for convoys of 9,000 tons (internal dimensions of 25x225m). Two of them (Lanaye and Ivoz-Ramet) were inaugurated in 2015; works on the Ampsin site will start in 2018 and will be achieved within 5 years. The presentation will provide information about the structural differences and similarities between these three locks.
Case Study Analysis of Wharf Repair Projects
Authors: Hallopeau Xavier , Critchley Nick , Lesieutre Olivier
Published: February 2021

This paper will review the project life cycle of two concrete wharf rehabilitation projects completed in the past 4 years. A particular focus will be made on challenging technical aspects, particularly on the implementation of impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems, as well as the preferred methods that were adopted to achieve requirements. These requirements will also be discussed in the context of applicable warranties, maintenance and achieving the desired design life.
Structural challenges of Transit Oriented Developments above or in proximity to existing underground Metro Stations and Tunnels
Authors: Astreinidis Evangelos , Tsatsanifos Christos , Patsioras Paraskevas , Chronopoulos Petros
Published: February 2021

Transit Oriented Developments’ (TOD) smooth integration with existing metro networks is a key aspect of their design, as they are located above, very close or even directly connected to existing underground metro structures. This poses a significant challenge to their structural and geotechnical design, which needs to consider and address a number of different issues, e.g. current condition of the existing metro stations & tunnels, station structural system, metro-to- TOD connection, use of transfer systems, induced displacements to stations, tunnels & movement joints, impact to the tracks, etc., as well as induced vibrations in the TOD buildings because of the metro operation. In this paper, the most significant aspects of these issues are shortly presented and discussed. The most common and effective ways to address them are also reviewed.
Numerical Analysis of Wired Connections of the Reinforcement Bars of Steel Cages: the Slash-tying Technique
Authors: Kalfas Konstantinos N. , Camara Alfredo , McKinley Brett
Published: February 2021

The steel reinforcement cages are the core of the reinforced concrete elements such as columns, walls, beams and slabs. They are comprised of the longitudinal and transverse reinforcement bars, as well as of the wires that hold them in position and secure the cage stability prior to concreting. The strength and the behaviour of the steel cages at their final condition is well understood. Nonetheless, their behaviour during assembly, handling and lifting operations has not been thoroughly studied yet despite the reports of severe failures in these structures. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a numerical study of one of the most conventional tying techniques in steel cages: the slash connection. Furthermore, this paper illustrates the difficulties in the numerical analyses of the connections using advance finite element models. The validation of the numerical results is attempted via load – displacement curves compared to existing experimental testing. This is the first step of an ongoing project in which the stability and strengthening of the steel reinforcement cages is studied.
New Accelerated Prefab Bridge Scheme – the NRW Bridge Modules
Authors: Fakhouri Abdalla , Baumann Katrin , Gabler Markus
Published: February 2021

Arup had been commissioned with the design of a new modular bridge system by Straßen.NRW, the road authority of Germany’s biggest state North Rhine-Westphalia. This article describes the background of this pilot project, the design concept, as well as the structural design and construction sequence of two new bridges, which can be erected within 8-10 weeks. The design is characterized by a high degree of prefabrication, modularity as well as the use of high performance concrete to ensure an excellent durability. The bridges are designed as integral frames – spanning about up to 30 m. The use of in-situ concrete had been kept to a minimum. The structures contain no bearings, no expansion joints and no separate parapets, which significantly reduces lifecycle costs. The use of high performance concrete made an additional waterproofing layer obsolete, which also saves construction time. The bridges are designed for replacement of deficient structures. To minimize demolition time, the foundations were designed so the existing foundations could remain in place.
Volgograd Arena Stadium Roof Lifting, Volgograd, Russia
Authors: Waechter Lucie , Scotto Giulio Maria , Kizildere Gökce
Published: February 2021

The Volgograd stadium is located nearby the Volga River, just in front of the motherland statue, representing the bloody battle of Stalingrad and the glory of Russia. With 45 000 seats, this is one of the 12 new stadiums constructed for the FIFA World Cup.

The roof structure, is composed of two levels of full locked cables, linked together by 44 steel columns. The flexible roof, preliminary assembled at ground level, is erected using the big lift method. After lifting the upper level by pulling on 88 strand jacks connected to the cables, the steel columns are assembled between the ground level and the upper level. Finally, the whole structure is lifted 48 meter high by pulling jacks, with a total pulling force of 15 000t. This final level is reached due to the pre-tension add in the structure during the big lift operation.

A strict control procedure and geodetic checks were necessary to coordinate the 88 lifting points. The main issue was to guarantee the geometry of this super flexible structure in order to allow the installation the columns quickly, safely, and with small cranes. The difficulty was overcome by implementing a special lifting sequence and control process, with continuous cooperation between the design team, the survey team and construction team.

The paper describes the general design approach and the specific construction methods in detail from both a calculation and an operational point of view.
Cable Stays – Queensferry Crossing
Authors: Ruas Simon , Annan Rachid
Published: February 2021

The Queensferry Crossing is a new cable stay bridge with a total length of 2700m with two continuous spans of 650 m. The bridge is designed by a joint venture composed of Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner, Rambøll and Sweco UK.

The Queensferry crossing is composed of 144 pairs of stay cables and the last 10 pairs overlap each other in the middle of the main spans. This particular arrangement brought stiffness to the structure but also created challenges where stay cables required de-stressing during construction up to 600mm. Concept and resolution of this challenge will be detailed.

The slenderness of its structure and its location in severe environmental conditions has brought dynamic issues for the stay cables system with important cable service rotation. VSL friction damper has been selected thanks to its ability to address important cable displacements.

Integration of the VSL Vibratest system in the bridge erection sequence to measure stay cable force and damper performance and will be presented in the last section.
The Third Bosphorus Bridge – Erection Sequences of the Main Span
Authors: de Ville de Goyet V. , Propson A. , Peigneux C. , Duchêne Y.
Published: February 2021

Located at the North of Istanbul near the Black Sea, the Third Bosphorus Bridge, also called Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, has a main span length of 1408 m and a total length of 2260 m.

As for the Brooklyn Bridge (New York), the main span is supported on one side by main cables through hangers and on the other side by stay cables. The concrete towers reach 320 m height and the deck, 5.50 m high and 58.50 m wide, supports twice four traffic lanes for international road traffic, two railway tracks and two lateral sidewalks for pedestrians.

This specific bridge typology as well as the transversal position of the cable and the large width of the deck leads to particular behaviour during the erection of the main span. This paper aims to present the main alternatives studied and their advantages/disadvantages.
The Extraordinary Noise-reduced Modular Expansion Joints of the Queensferry Bridge
Authors: Leegwater Arno , Meng Niculin , Brüninghold Max
Published: February 2021

The recent construction of the spectacular Queensferry Crossing across the Firth of Forth in Scotland required the use of some extraordinary components, such as the modular expansion joints which accommodate the long deck’s exceptionally large longitudinal movements of up to 2300 mm. To minimise noise from vehicles as they cross the joints, they are equipped with noise-reducing surface plates at the driving interface, and flexible noise-absorbing membranes to tackle noise emanating from the underside of the joints. The largest joints, each with a length of over 17 m, a width of over 5 m and a weight of 55,000 kg, are among the largest-movement modular expansion joints ever manufactured, and the largest that feature noise-reducing surface plates. The design, supply and installation of the joints is described.
A Critical Assessment of the Fatigue Verification Concept of Stud Shear Connectors in Steel-Concrete-Composite Structures
Authors: Brehm Eric , Hertle Robert
Published: February 2021

Stud shear connectors in steel-concrete-composite structures transfer the stresses from one composite layer to the adjacent one and thus represent vital elements for the load-bearing capacity of the structural member under consideration. In bridge structures, the fatigue strength of the stud shear connectors, which are welded onto a steel member, is especially important. Verification concepts for the fatigue strength have been developed and implemented in design codes, such as EN 1994 [1]. These design concepts generally focus on the verification of the steel while the interaction of steel and concrete, resulting in flexure of the stud shear connector and in extreme, locally confined concrete pressure, is considered only by indirect means, if at all. Studies (see [2] and [3]) showed this influence to be substantial. The verification concepts provided by design codes focus on the shear-stress-range and the corresponding number of load cycles until fatigue failure occurs. These procedures neglect the amplitude and mean stress level of the concrete, which have been proven to have significant influence on the fatigue strength [4]. This paper will analyse and explain available verification concepts. Shortcomings will be discussed and an improved approach to the S-N curve for the verification of the stud shear connectors will be presented.
Experimental Studies on the Cooperative Performance of Steel- concrete Composite Large-span Bridge Tower
Authors: Zhu Yaoyu , Fan Jiansheng , Nie Xin , Cui Bing , Huang Liji
Published: February 2021

Composite megastructure would be more used in bridge construction because of its higher performance and less material cost. Experimental studies were conducted to investigate the cooperative performance of double steel plate concrete composite tower and compare the behaviour of composite tower and reinforced concrete tower. The specimens were based on the megastructure – the composite tower of the Nanjing No.5 Yangtze River Bridge, which was the first large-span cable-stayed bridge using double steel plate concrete composite tower. By designing full- scale four-point bending tests, the size effect was eliminated. The cooperative performance between steel and concrete in tension and compression areas was investigated. After the loading process, two composite specimens showed typical bending failure mode, and the RC beam showed the mid-span bending failure mode after the shearing span slipped. The steel-concrete composite specimen showed higher initial stiffness and ultimate bearing capacity than the RC specimen by 51% and 49% respectively in the load-displacement curves. Increasing the thickness of composite steel plate from 14mm to 20mm could improve the initial stiffness of composite specimen by 9% and the ultimate bearing capacity by 11%, but would reduce the ductility by 28%. Therefore, the stiffness, strength and ductility of the structure should be weighed in the composite tower design, and there existed optimal steel plate thickness. The slip between steel plate and concrete did not exceed 0.3mm before the specimen yielding. The composite tower of Nanjing No.5 Bridge had a good cooperative performance between the steel and the concrete. In addition, the composite tower had better structural performance than the RC tower, which was worth promotion.