bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dostoevsky, Confession, and the Evolutionary Origins of Conscience
Authors: Dolack Tom
Published: February 2021

Fyodor Dostoevsky is renowned as one of the greatest psychologists in world literature, but what we know about the origins and the workings of the human mind has changed drasti­cally since the late nineteenth century. If Dostoevsky was such a sensitive reader of the human condition, do his insights hold up to modern research? To judge just by the issue of the psychology of confession, the answer appears to be: yes. The work of Michael Tomasel­lo indicates that the human conscience evolved in order to make people obey group norms. From this I draw the proposition that confession should be best directed to the group as a whole, and not to an individual. Judging by Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment and an assortment of characters in The Brothers Karamazov, this appears to be exactly how confes­sion works in Dostoevsky’s novels: sin is against all, so forgiveness must be from all.
White Skin Privilege: Modern Myth, Forgotten Past
Authors: Frost Peter
Published: February 2021

European women dominate images of beauty, presumably because Europe has dominated the world for the past few centuries. Yet this presumed cause poorly explains “white slavery”-the commodification of European women for export at a time when their continent was much less dominant. Actually, there has long been a cross-cultural preference for lighter-skinned women, with the notable exception of modern Western culture. This cultural norm mirrors a physical norm: skin sexually differentiates at puberty, becoming fairer in girls, and browner and ruddier in boys. Europeans are also distinguished by a palette of hair and eye colors that likewise differs between the sexes, with women more often having the brighter hues. In general, the European phenotype, especially its brightly colored features, seems to be due to a selection pressure that targeted women, apparently sexual selection. Female beauty is thus a product of social relations, but not solely those of recent times.
The Old Tune: English Professors on Science and Literature
Authors: Jonsson Emelie
Published: February 2021

Ian Duncan’s Human Forms and Devin Griffiths’s Age of Analogy attempt to illuminate inter­actions between evolutionary theories and literature from the late eighteenth century up through the nineteenth century. They do not advance knowledge about this subject. Both authors treat evolution as a semi-fictional construction that owes more to literary inspiration than to the scientific method, and they reduce literature to a battleground for ideological forces. They write using dense terminology, shifting rhetoric, and flights of verbal performance that obscure their claims. In all these respects, they are representative of the field “science and literature”-and particularly of the subfield that studies evolution and literature. I analyze the history of this subfield of literary scholarship and attempt to explain how it developed into its present form. The subfield was founded in the 1980s on the basis of poststructuralist theory and has never escaped the core assumptions of that theory: our minds cannot reach outside culture; our thoughts, behaviors, and ideas about the world are primarily the result of our culture; some cultural traditions are oppressive while others are liberating; and the meaning of texts cannot be determined. Though Duncan and Griffiths represent the highest level of schol­arship on evolution and literature, I argue that they fail their fascinating subject by offering very little that is new within their own field, and nothing that is of value to other fields.
Behavioral Endocrinology: Integrating Mind and Body
Authors: Ellison Peter T.
Published: February 2021

The nervous system and the endocrine system interact to integrate behavior and physiolo­gy. Hormones play an important role in this interaction, particularly steroid hormones. Other molecules, notably oxytocin, can serve both as hormones in the soma and neuro­modulators in the central nervous system. Understanding the influence of the endocrine system on human behavior, both individual and social, has been a primary focus of behav­ioral endocrinology for many decades, though technical and methodological challenges have been formidable. The recent enthusiasm for enzyme-linked immunoassay kits for measuring steroid hormones in saliva has been found to be largely unsound, for example. Despite these difficulties, advances in many areas have been made and new areas, such as the endocrinology of paternal behavior and the role of oxytocin in social interactions, have emerged. Reproductive ecology provides a theoretical framework for integrating the di­verse content of human behavioral ecology.
Divergent Perspectives on Musical Knowledge, Expertise, and Science
Authors: Trehub Sandra E.
Published: February 2021

I review two recent books on music, both inspired by cognitive neuroscience but differing in most other respects. Isabelle Peretz, an expert in the cognitive neuroscience of music, describes how we perceive and produce music, as reflected in neural and behavioral re­sponsiveness. Her book is intended for general readers who are interested in music and curious about the science behind our musical nature-brains that are prepared for music and changed by active musical engagement. Lynn Helding, an expert in vocal perfor­mance and pedagogy, draws on findings from psychology and neuroscience to inform her approach to music learning and teaching. Aimed at musicians, aspiring musicians, and those who teach them, her book focuses largely on the means of optimizing learning and skilled performance.
Antibacterial properties of Tualang, Acacia and Yemeni Sumur honey against selected food spoilage bacteria and foodborne pathogens
Authors: Yousof K. , M.A.R. Nor-Khaizura , Z.A. Nur Hanani , M.R. Ismail-Fitry
Published: February 2021

The antibacterial activity of honey is mainly credited to its acidity, osmolarity and
enzymatic generation of hydrogen peroxide via glucose oxidase. Additional honey
components, such as aromatic acids or phenolic compounds, also contribute to the overall
antibacterial activity. The level of antibacterial activities found in honey varies with
different types of honey, due to mainly the composition, percentage as well as the nature
of the sugars present in the honey. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity
of four types of honey, namely Tualang honey (TH1), Tualang honey (TH2), Acacia honey
(AH) and Yemeni Sumur honey (YSH). Nine bacterial strains were used. Disc diffusion,
well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Minimum bactericidal
concentration (MBC), and time-kill methods were performed to reveal the antibacterial
potential of the selected honey. The MIC values ranged between 12.5 to 50% for both TH1
and YSH while for TH2, and AH it ranged between 25 to 50%. For MBC, it ranged from
25 to 50%. The time-kill in TH1 Staphylococcus aureus (food isolate) showed total
inhibition at 6 hrs in 2 X MIC, and for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29737 was 3.84 log
CFU/g at the 6 hrs. Physicochemical quality of honey resulted as follows: the pH of the
honey samples was acidic in nature ranging between 3.69 to 3.94, and the aw of the honey
samples were between 0.53 to 0.69. For colour analysis, YSH was observed to has the
maximum lightness and yellowness, and TH1 has the maximum redness. While, AH had a
minimum lightness, redness, and yellowness.
Effects of mangrove apple (Sonneratia caseolaris) fruit extract on oxidative stability of palm olein under accelerated storage
Authors: Yoong M.H. , Tengku Rozaina T.M.
Published: February 2021

Palm olein is commonly used in cooking and food processing, however, it is susceptible to
oxidation due to its high unsaturated fatty acids content. An antioxidant is added to the oil
by oil manufacturer to inhibit lipid oxidation and increase the shelf life of the oil.
However, most of the antioxidants are synthetic antioxidants that may not be safe for
consumption and decomposed at high temperature during frying or processing. In this
study, the antioxidant properties of mangrove apple fruit extract (MAFE), as well as the
oxidative stability of palm olein with and without MAFE, were investigated. Palm olein
added with MAFE (100 and 200 ppm) and without MAFE were kept at 65°C in an oven
for 24 days under accelerated storage. The results showed that MAFE contained high total
flavonoid compound (26.06±0.30 mg QCE/g extract) and total phenolic compound
(12.21±1.31 mg GAE/g extract). The IC50 values of antioxidant activities of MAFE
calculated by DPPH and ABTS•+ were 31.16±0.76 µg/mL and 97.32±3.27 µg/mL,
respectively. The palm olein samples added with MAFE showed significantly lower
peroxide value, p-anisidine value, TOTOX value, conjugated dienes and conjugated
trienes after 24 days of storage compared to the palm olein without MAFE (control
sample). The oxidative stability of palm olein added with 200 ppm MAFE was higher
compared to the palm olein added with 100 ppm MAFE and control sample. Therefore,
MAFE has the potential to be used as a source of natural antioxidant to reduce the lipid
oxidation and prolong the shelf life of food products.
Polysaccharides as wound healing agent: a mini review
Authors: Rohini J. , Wan Ezumi M.F. , Rabeta M.S.
Published: February 2021

Medicinal eukaryotes, such as plants and fungi, have prompted researchers to conduct
extensive studies on their medicinal values for drug discovery. Current trends focus on
bioactive compounds of medicinal plants to produce inventions in the medical and health
fields. Among many bioactive compounds, polysaccharides attract attention because they
are non-toxic and have no side effects. Polysaccharides have been widely used in food and
pharmaceutical industries as a secondary ingredient for several decades. This paper
reviewed the applications of polysaccharides as wound healing agents. Wounds can affect
the patient’s well-being, self-image, working capacity and independence. Research studies
on different sources of polysaccharides by in vitro and in vivo model have been
investigated. Based on the scientific evidence related to polysaccharides, this work will be
a baseline study for future investigations in different fields. All literature was accessed
through available electronic databases
Tribute to the Remaining Makyong Performers of Yala, South Thailand | Sanjungan Untuk Para Penggiat Makyong di Yala, Selatan Thailand
Authors: Tan Sooi Beng , Shafii A.S. Hardy
Published: February 2021

Makyong is a form of Malay dance-theatre that combines dance, music, drama and comedy. It is said to have originated in the kingdom of Patani and later spread to Kelantan, Perlis, northern Sumatra and the Riau Islands. In the past, Makyong was performed to give thanks for a good harvest and for ritual healing. While there were more than ten active groups in the twentieth century, there is no permanent group left in South Thailand today. This essay honours the remaining performers who still come together to perform Makyong when there is an invitation. Based on oral interviews, we document the lives of the veteran performers, particularly the female actresses who played the leading roles. Through observations of their performances, we show how the Makyong performers in south Thailand have adapted some elements of Thai theatre.

Makyong merupakan sebuah bentuk teater tradisional Melayu yang menggabungkan tarian, muzik, drama dan komedi. Persembahan ini dipercayai berasal dari kesultanan Patani dan kemudian berkembang ke negeri Kelantan, Perlis, Sumatera Utara dan kepulauan Riau. Pada masa dahulu, Makyong dipersembahkan sebagai tanda kesyukuran di atas penuaian padi yang baik serta untuk ritual perubatan. Terdapat lebih dari sepuluh kumpulan Makyong yang aktif pada abad kedua puluh, namun kini tiada lagi kumpulan tetap Makyong yang bergiat di selatan Thailand. Esei ini merupakan satu tanda sanjungan kepada para penggiat Makyong yang masih lagi tegar dan bersemangat untuk berkumpul dalam melestarikan Makyong apabila dijemput untuk menjayakan persembahan ini. Berlandaskan beberapa temubual lisan, kami mendokumentasikan kehidupan penggiat veteran Makyong, terutamanya pemain wanita yang memegang watak utama. Melalui pemerhatian terhadap beberapa persembahan tersebut, kami menceritakan bagaimana penggiat Makyong di selatan Thailand memancarkan beberapa pengaruh Thai ke dalam persembahan ini.
Nutritional Interventions to Reduce Stunting in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors:   Masters Program in Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Sinaga Lasrika S , Candi Ciciilya ,   Masters Program in Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Nadjib Mardiati ,   Masters Program in Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT Background: Childhood stunting remains a major malnutritional problem in developing countries. Stunting occurred the adverse effects on children’s health in the short and long term, including failure to thrive, impairment of cognitive and motor development, stunted stature, metabolic disorders, and decreased intellectual capacity. Integrated nutritional intervention is important to prevent stunting. This study aimed to identify the nutritional interventions to reduce stunting in developing countries. Subjects and Method: A systematic review was conducted by searching from Wiley Online Library, and ProQuest databases. The research question was formulated in PICO-S format: (1) Population, (2) Intervention, (3) Comparison, (4) Outcome, and (5) Study design. The next step was identification, screening, and checking the eligibility of the studies. The keywords were nutrition intervention and stunting reduction. The inclusion criteria were openly accessed and English-language articles published between 2019 to 2020. The searched articles were conducted identification, screening, and eligibility. The data were reported by PRISMA flow chart. Results: Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Integrated efforts to reduce stunting incidence were carried out through sensitive and specific nutritional interventions. A holistic approach involving the non-health sectors had significant impacts. Some limitations had still occurred in the capacity of implementing qualified nutritional interventions and their utilization. Conclusion: Implementation of nutritional interventions have been focused in developing countries with different approaches to reduce stunting incidence. Keyword: nutritional intervention, stunting, developing countries Correspondence: Lasrika S Sinaga. Masters Program in Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia. Jl. Margonda Raya, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, 16424, East Java. Email: lasrikass20@gmail.com. Mobile: +62 81382375618. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.03.78
New trends and requirements in bridge and structural engineering
Authors: Ostenfeld Klaus H.
Published: February 2021

Traffic infrastructure and buildings represent the biggest investments in the modern society, and life expectancy is expected to be several hundreds of years. At the same time traffic and housing needs increase and mode of use changes faster than ever - a trend that is expected to increase. Also the societal requirements for safety increase and to complicate matters the technologies and ma- terials available are increasing and new technologies appear at short intervals. Further, the future developments are expected by society to meet rapidly increasing sustainability requirements and limitation on use of resources, all with minimal climatic footprint.

These trends will change the role of the structural engineer and the way he/she adresses this much more complicated and demanding environment in close cooperation with specialists in other do- maines.

The lecture will address these subjects and hopefully create a basis for debates and meaningful discussions with innovative solutions in our various structural engineering fora including IABSE.
A Hybrid UKF-MAG Algorithm for Finite Element Model Updating of Historical Constructions
Authors: Naranjo-Pérez Javier , Sáez Andrés , Jiménez-Alonso Javier F. , Pachón Pablo , Compán Víctor
Published: February 2021

The finite element model (FE) updating is a calibration method that allows minimizing the discrepancies between the numerical and experimental modal parameters. As result, a more accurate FE model is obtained and the structural analysis can represent the real behaviour of the structure. However, it is a high computational cost process. To overcome this issue, alternative techniques have been developed. This study focuses on the use of the unscented Kalman filter (UKF), which is a local optimization algorithm based on statistical estimation of parameters taken into account the measurements. The dome of a real chapel is considered as benchmark structure. A FE model is updated applying two different algorithms: (i) the multi-objective genetic algorithm and (ii) a hybrid unscented Kalman filter-multi-objective genetic algorithm (UKF-MGA). Finally, a discussion of the results will be presented to compare the performance of both algorithms.
A low-cost retrofitting technique for masonry arch bridges: experi- mental validation
Authors: Brencich Antonio , Pera Davide
Published: February 2021

Retrofitting of masonry bridges often applies the basic concepts of r.c. to masonry bridges, such as in the case of shotcreting the intrados of the arch and transversal tendons through the thickness of the barrel. The result is that retrofitting works often fail in their goals, may be harmful for the bridge and almost always make the historical value of the bridge to be lost to some extent due to invasive works.

The actual load carrying structure of a masonry bridge is an arch with a span that is shorter than its geometric appearance due to the interaction between the arch and the backfill. Staring from this observation, a new retrofitting technique for increasing the load carrying capacity of a masonry bridges can be identified in the selective injection of the fill. Since injection can be performed from outside, by means of cores through the spandrels, this procedure does not need the traffic on the bridge to be stopped and turns out to be rather cheap. A series of experimental tests on reduced scale models, performed in the Civil Engineering Labs of the DICCA Labs of the University of Genoa, show that this technique may almost double the l.c.c. of a masonry bridge. The similarity conditions for reduced scale models to be tested are discussed in advance.

Besides, the results of the tests show that the distribution of the load through the fill is not as wide as usually assumed. On the contrary, it is shown that the load is transferred to the arch by means of a kind of “ground column” mechanism activated just below the applied load, i.e. the sleeper for railways and the vehicle wheel for road bridges.
A novel loading arrangement to evaluate EB-FRP strengthening schemes
Authors: Katakalos Konstantinos , Manos George C.
Published: February 2021

The present study investigates the force transfer mechanisms for external bonded (EB) FRP layers/strips attached on Reinforced Concrete (R/C) members with or without anchorage systems. The EB-FRP open hoop strips are utilized to upgrade either the shear or the flexural capacity of R/C structural elements. This type of retrofitting is necessary for R/C structures designed with less stringent seismic loading conditions than those currently required. The combination of anchoring systems together with EB-FRP strips is mandatory in those cases that the debonding mode of failure has to be avoided. This research is proposing a loading arrangement, utilizing specimens with realistic geometry, for the evaluation of the efficiency of the strengthening scheme, a combination of EB-FRP strips with or without the use of an anchoring system. In all codes and norms, the use of anchoring system is proposed and allowed for driving the mode of failure to the fracture of the FRP strip. Despite this fact the code provisions are not proposing a specific anchoring system, they are not proposing a methodology to prove that the anchoring system is efficient and transfers safely the loads form the FRP to the R/C element. The proposed, novel loading arrangement is allowing the application of the demanded, imposed by the design, forces onto the prototype R/C prismatic specimen, where the desired instrumentation can be placed for capturing in detail the overall behaviour of the strengthening scheme (FRP strips combined with anchorage) up to failure. Finally, typical applications are also presented.
A qualitative prioritization of the risks imposed on bridges due to climate change
Authors: Nasr Amro , Björnsson Ivar , Ivanov Oskar Larsson , Johansson Jonas , Kjellström Erik
Published: February 2021

Climate change and its impacts on infrastructures may seriously affect the functionality of societies. Despite the alarming potential consequences climate change pose, not enough effort has been directed towards averting these impacts or managing them in some other way (e.g. mitigation, reduction, etc.). Well-functioning infrastructure networks play a key role in societies’ resilience and their ability to cope with climate-induced hazards. Therefore, ensuring the efficient performance of infrastructure networks, even during climate related emergencies, is central to the resilience of societies in the face of climate change. At the heart of a resilient transportation infrastructure network lays robust bridge structures. This paper builds on previous work where the potential risks from climate change on bridges were surveyed. Here, a qualitative risk prioritization scheme for bridges to rank these risks is presented. The aim of this work is hence to provide a tool for determining which of these risks are more worthy of closer investigation. The suggested framework is based on the basic elements of risk; i.e. hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and consequences. Several indices reflecting these four components and their different characteristics are introduced. Subsequently, a method for ranking the different risks based on these indices is presented. This framework can be used to optimize investments in adapting bridges to climate change.
A study on efficiency improvement of diagnosis in maintenance of highway bridge deck
Authors: Yokoyama Hiroshi , Maki Yuji , Masuya Hiroshi , Kakuma Ko
Published: February 2021

In order to improve the maintenance and management of the highway bridge deck, a test equipment was developed for grasping the rigidity of the deteriorated deck using the deformation of the deck obtained by the impact load. A soundness evaluation system of the bridge deck using the impact test result has been constructed, and this evaluation system utilizes the curvature of the neighbourhood of the load application point. The degradation degree was evaluated from the relationship between curvature and Young’s modulus calculated using deflection. When any abnormality is observed in the periodic inspection of the highway bridge deck, load bearing performance can be evaluated at an early stage by applying this system.
Aligning technical and financial management of public school buildings
Authors: Salvado Filipa , Almeida Nuno , Vale e Azevedo Alvaro
Published: February 2021

The Life Cycle Cost concept enables costs prediction throughout the life cycle of building projects. The scientific community and the practitioners of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector have been developing this concept for the past decades and seeking the development of dedicated public databases with the adequate quantity and quality of economic information. These databases are needed to support both the technical and financial management of public construction projects.

Besides the present problems with these types of databases, such as those of inadequate data granularity, incompleteness and inaccuracy of the information, there is also the need to align the technical and financial perspectives throughout the entire lifecycle of the building project. A relevant example in this regard is the financial depreciation rates which are seldom aligned with the technical depreciation of the building and its assets and components.

In this paper, public school buildings constructed in Portugal since the 1940s are used as a case study to discuss the alignment of technical and financial management. Historical data show the relevance of considering technical and functional characteristics of the building portfolio, as well as the operation and maintenance requirements in the long-term, in order to establish depreciation rates.
An infrastructure management system for railway bridges: overview and application to a case study
Authors: Fernandes João , Santamaria Monica , Matos José C. , Oliveira Daniel V. , Costa Lino , António  , Henriques Abel
Published: February 2021

A management system is a decision-making tool that uses mathematical models to predict the future condition of the infrastructures as well as to make recommendations to the project managers. Generally, an infrastructure management system shall include a system for processing and analysing data, predicting deterioration, proposing maintenance actions, forecasting costs, obtaining optimal solutions and defining strategies that considers the political and economic constraints. The focus on this paper will be the module regarding the definition of cost-models.

During its life cycle, bridges are exposed to several issues that can compromise their functionality. In this way, performing maintenance and rehabilitation actions and establishing cost models are very important tasks to keep the bridge functions according to the demands of the society. In the field of bridge engineering, the cost models can be used for different purposes such as the definition of optimum maintenance policies and project investment alternatives. Also, they are very important for the decision-making process once they cover several aspects related to the decisions about the system’s performance and decisions that are influenced by social-economic aspects. Hence, the idea of this paper is to discuss different approaches of how the cost-models are evaluated over a life cycle of a bridge due different scenarios of maintenance and rehabilitation with an application to a case study.
Application of a Model-free ANN Approach for SHM of the Old Lidingö Bridge
Authors: Neves Ana C. , Leander John , Gonzalez Ignacio , Karoumi Raid
Published: February 2021

This paper explores the decision making problem in SHM regarding the maintenance of civil engineering structures. The aim is to assess the present condition of a bridge based exclusively on measurements using the suggested method in this paper, such that action is taken coherently with the information made available by the monitoring system.

Artificial Neural Networks are trained and their ability to predict structural behaviour is evaluated in the light of a case study where acceleration measurements are acquired from a bridge located in Stockholm, Sweden. This relatively old bridge is presently still in operation despite experiencing obvious problems already reported in previous inspections. The prediction errors provide a measure of the accuracy of the algorithm and are subjected to further investigation, which comprises concepts like clustering analysis and statistical hypothesis testing. These enable to interpret the obtained prediction errors, draw conclusions about the state of the structure and thus support decision making regarding its maintenance.
Assessment and identification of concrete box-girder bridges
Authors: Baron Edward A.
Published: February 2021

This work consists in identify and assess the properties related to material, geometry and physic sources, in a pre-stressed concrete bridge through a surrogate model. The use of this mathematical model allows to generate a relationship between bridge properties and its dynamic response, with the purpose to develop a tool to predict the analytical values of the studied properties from measured eigenfrequencies. Therefore, it is introduced the identification of damage scenarios, giving the application for validate the generated metamodel (Artificial Neural Network). A FE model is developed to simulate the studied structure, a Colombian bridge called "El Tablazo", one of the higher in the country of this type (box-girder bridge). Once the damage scenarios are defined, this work allows to indicate the basis for futures plans of structural health monitoring.
Assessment of current design guidelines for vertical ties in relation to progressive collapse of RC structures
Authors: Droogné Didier , Botte Wouter , Caspeele Robby
Published: February 2021

Despite the recent amount of theoretical and technological developments, structural robustness is still an issue of controversy being underlined by several structural failures in the past. Current design codes point out different strategies, among which strategies to limit damages due to the collapse of a load-bearing member by applying prescriptive design and detailing rules. For example for consequence class 2 structures EN1991-1-7 defines a risk class CC2b for which also vertical ties are required. However, the background of the design values of vertical ties in current codes is not clear and their adequacy should be validated. Moreover effects such as membrane action and Vierendeel action are important to consider when assessing structural robustness and are difficult to incorporate when applying only traditional design methodologies. To this extent a set of numerical simulations have been executed in this contribution in order to verify the progressive collapse behaviour of RC frames including the response of the vertical ties in the columns.
Bond behaviour of chemically prestressed textile reinforced concrete
Authors: Zdanowicz Katarzyna , Schmidt Boso , Naraniecki Hubert , Marx Steffen
Published: February 2021

The bond behaviour of concrete specimens with carbon textile reinforcement was investigated in the presented research programme. Pull-out specimens were cast from self-compacting concrete with expansive admixtures and in this way chemical prestress was introduced. The aim of the research was to compare bond behaviour between prestressed specimens and non-prestressed control specimens. During pull-out tests, the pull-out force and notch opening were measured with a load cell and laser sensors. Further, bond - slip and pull-out force - crack width relationships were drawn and compared for prestressed and non-prestressed specimens. Chemically prestressed specimens reached 24% higher bond strength than non-prestressed ones. It can be therefore concluded, that chemical prestressing positively influences the bond behaviour of concrete with textile reinforcement and thus better utilisation of its properties can be provided.
Bridge Health Monitoring Using Accelerometer Responses to Passing Traffic
Authors: Obrien Eugene , McCrum Daniel , Khan Muhammad Arslan
Published: February 2021

This paper develops a method of bridge structure health monitoring using bridge midspan acceleration response and the concept of Bridge Weigh-in-Motion (BWIM). This method does not require any traffic control and works solely with the responses to regular passing truck traffic. Traditional BWIM systems use bridge strain responses to infer vehicle axle weights, but the strain responses are not damage sensitive. Bridge accelerations, on the other hand, vary with the change in the bridge condition at any location. Therefore, this paper focuses on a statistical analysis of the acceleration-based BWIM results to monitor bridge condition. The acceleration-based BWIM system has been found to be very effective in detection change in the bridge condition by showing significant change in the statistical properties of the BWIM results with different damage percentage of the bridge.
Brisa Experience – Risk Assessment and Capital Investment Planning at Brisa
Authors: Santiago Sónia Santos
Published: February 2021

This topic addresses the model developed by Brisa to assess risk and to prioritize actions on assets, aiming to enable informed decisions on the setup, maintenance, decommissioning and disposal of assets, providing awareness on the level of risk vs profitability and the capability to identify the optimum mix of capital investment and operations & maintenance strategies, along the asset lifecycle.
Brisa's model for life cycle performance monitoring and decision- making process
Authors: de Oliveira Carlos Biscaia
Published: February 2021

The asset management model must allow for visibility across the asset portfolio, enabling a more coherent and informed decision-making process. This topic addresses how the need to improve analytic capabilities and decision support techniques leads to the guidelines of Brisa’s Information System Dashboard, covering asset’s availability and condition indexes (Asset Monitoring), risk levels and relevant costs key performance indicators.
Case studies for quantifying the value of structural health monitoring information: lessons learnt
Authors: Thöns Sebastian , Klerk Wouter Jan , Köhler Jochen
Published: February 2021

This paper provides an overview, insights, results and a classification related to development and analyses of case studies within the scientific networking project COST Action TU1402 on the value of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) information. With an outline of the framework and approaches, a procedure on how to quantify the value of SHM information on the basis of the Bayesian decision theory is described. Various case studies with different types of structures (e.g. stadium roof, timber structures, offshore wind parks), several types of SHM systems (e.g. structural measurements, damage detection) and with diverse decision scenarios (e.g. structural system properties, SHM system properties, different SHM systems for structural service life extension) are outlined. Approaches for value of SHM information analyses visualisation and classification, both for the purposes of development of decision scenarios and for the comparison of case study results are introduced and described. Whereas the development of value of SHM information analyses is focussed on the establishment of a decision scenario, the comparison of analyses should also include the identification of optimal SHM information acquirement strategies, actions and decision rules beside an indication on which methodological and technological readiness level the analyses has been performed. The paper concludes with open fields identified when applying the visualisation and classification tools.
CFRP Strengthening of RC tensile members with stiff and soft adhesives
Authors: Sedlmair Roman , Stempniewski Lothar
Published: February 2021

Single lap shear tests with externally bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) laminates are carried out to examine the effect of differing adhesives on the load-slip behaviour. Displacement of the surface are measured with digital image correlation (DIC) to establish the cohesive material response for the interface. Due to the changed material properties (softer adhesive) larger effective bond lengths (from the textile to concrete) are examined. The determined cohesive laws are implemented in a numerical simulation of externally strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) tensile members to show the potential usability of softer adhesives for the strengthening technique. A change in the overall behaviour of strengthened systems and a more compatible system (plain strain distribution) could be in sight.
Changeability as an alternative to traditional design
Authors: Villarraga Daniel F. , Torres Rincón Samuel , Sánchez Silva Mauricio
Published: February 2021

The built environment is subject to multiple uncertainties, therefore, any investment in building assets is risky at a financial, economic and/or physical level. Traditionally, engineers deal with this problem by designing and constructing systems capable to accommodate expected long-term demands without any significant modification to their structure. However, this strategy comes at a significant cost and implies that the system is overdesign during most of its lifetime. An alternative to this approach is conceiving systems that can change over time, so they are capable to overcome adverse conditions and take benefit from emerging opportunities. In this paper we describe how enabling change improves systems’ economic performance. In the paper, the consequences of changeability are evaluated with respect to the systems’ expected net present value and its variance; this is compared with the traditional financial evaluation of traditional alternatives. This work is a step forward towards understanding of changeability and its advantages over traditional design alternatives.
Chelsea Bridge - The assessment of a 1937 self-anchored suspension bridge
Authors: Loewenthal Lucy , Collings David
Published: February 2021

Chelsea Bridge is a self-anchored suspension road bridge spanning 212m over the River Thames in London, UK. It is Grade II listed and was opened in 1937. Arcadis carried out an inspection and assessment this demonstrated that Chelsea Bridge was in good condition and that it has a load carrying capacity of full 40t assessment live loading, despite having had no major intervention works since construction. The structural evaluation and assessment techniques were informed by the original calculations and publications. This information, together with the bridge’s good condition and lack of alteration, has enabled a direct comparison to be made between the design and the assessment calculations. The similarities and differences are identified between the design and assessment techniques in this paper to: firstly, determine the vehicular live loading; secondly, undertake the structural analysis; and thirdly review the factors of safety.
Chilean Performance Indicator by region applied to road bridges
Authors: Valenzuela Matías A. , Márquez Marcelo , Acuña Leonardo , Zuñiga Karen , Barraza Constanza
Published: February 2021

Chile has a special climatically and geographical environmental condition including the seismicity and scour process on riverbed. This condition produces a particular provision for design and maintenance program on bridges, in order to reduce the vulnerability of the structure avoiding risk of collapse condition on the critical road network Following the international experience related with the standardization of performance indicators on road bridges, the Ministry of Public Work of Chile and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso are developing a program for applied these performance indicators an inspection protocols in order to match with the current Chilean maintenance program and reduce the uncertainties on technical decision of rehabilitation activities. This paper proposes performance indicators applied on Chile using a collection of inspection activities carried out by the Technical Teams of the Ministry. The proposed performance indicators are divided by region of the Chile in order to match with the main hazard and damages detected in each zone (North, central and Austral) and it is defining the importance for the inspections and maintenance program per each case, following the categories of Performance Indicator or Key Performance Indicator. Finally, these results are discussed compared with the result provided by European experience.
Conceptual Definition of a Megaproject Feasibility Analysis Method
Authors: Mylonas Chrysostomos , Xenidis Yiannis
Published: February 2021

Infrastructure systems and assets are, worldwide, facing challenges due to aging and increased requirements to serve the growing social and environmental needs. In addition, various frameworks supporting asset replacement decisions have been proposed but they mainly consider dimensions such as structural performance and life-cycle costs. This paper confronts infrastructure renewal problem at a higher level by shedding light to its interface with megaproject development. Through the brief review of two discrete research areas, namely ‘methods for infrastructure project feasibility analysis’ and ‘integrated infrastructure systems modelling’, it seeks to conceptualise a new method that is able to appraise megaproject investments by simulating and measuring the performance of the whole infrastructure network, into which a megaproject is about to be incorporated.
Conceptual Design of Bridges and Sustainability
Authors: Romo José
Published: February 2021

During the design of a bridge, the conceptual design phase is the most critical in relation to the sustainability of the work. The three pillars of sustainability are the economic, social, and environmental. Therefore a good design has to give the right answer to those three critical aspects of sustainability. It is evident that a rigorously conceptual design has to study the context in detail, including both social and environmental aspects. The project has to look for the optimal use of resources.

This way of making the conceptual design of a bridge is not new at all. If one studies the way of working of the great masters of engineering such as Maillart, Fernandez Casado or Cardoso, one could recognize that these three aspects were always present in their designs.

Nevertheless, the current approach to sustainability refers mainly to the use of materials, energy consumption and to CO2 emissions. These factors are of great influence in other disciplines such as industry or building construction, however, there are other factors that fundamentally influence the present and future impact that results from the construction of a bridge.

It is therefore considered necessary to move forward in this more holistic vision, similar to that which high-quality structural engineering has employed in the past. An integral approach to the conceptual design already used by the great masters of engineering and in which attention always goes beyond the merely structural. In this paper all these aspects are discussed.
Contributions for experimental and numerical characterization of the structural behaviour of stone arch bridges
Authors: Costa Cristina , Arêde António , Costa Aníbal , Calçada Rui
Published: February 2021

This paper reports on methodologies for experimental and numerical characterization of the structural behaviour of stone arch bridges based on several studies of bridges existing in the Portuguese network. The main contributions are focused on results of technical inspections, experimental testing and numerical simulation. The objectives and achievements of the selected case studies are presented and discussed aiming for a general overview of the methodologies carried out to assess the bridge structural behaviour.
Cost-benefit analysis of liquefaction mitigation strategies
Authors: Jones Keith , Morga Mariantonietta , Wanigarathna Nadeeshani , Pascale Federica , Yarovaya Larisa
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a cost-benefit model as part of the options appraisal process to evaluate alternative ground mitigation interventions to reduce vulnerability and/or improve resilience of built assets to earthquake induced liquefaction disaster (EILD) events. The paper presents a review of alternative approaches to cost-benefit analysis and develops forward looking (risk based) and backward looking (impact based) cost-benefit models that can be used by practitioners and policy makers to improve community resilience through better contingency and disaster management planning. The paper customises the models against EILD scenarios and identifies the cost and benefit attributes that need to be assessed if the models are to be effectively integrated into a resilience assessment and improvement framework for improved community resilience to EILD events.
Decision analysis and scenarios for the assessment of existing timber structures
Authors: Stepinac Mislav , Rajčić Vlatka , Honfi Dániel
Published: February 2021

Condition assessment of existing timber structures is typically followed by a decision about intervention options, and consequently comparing various possible scenarios. These decisions are based on the updated knowledge obtained through the assessment. Condition assessments, however, can be done in multiple ways, e.g. basic visual assessment of a structure, assessment with various destructive, non-destructive and semi-destructive testing methods, interpretation of a data from structural health monitoring, various levels of structural modelling and safety verification formats. The present paper discusses how pre-posterior decision analysis can guide decisions concerning the condition assessment of timber structures by selecting appropriate assessment procedures and subsequent maintenance actions.
Development of Fragility Curves for Multi-Span RC Bridges using Generalized Pushover Analysis
Authors: Perdomo Camilo , Monteiro Ricardo , Sucuoğlu Halûk
Published: February 2021

Over the past few decades, fragility curves became a powerful tool for the seismic vulnerability assessment of structures. There are several available analytical procedures for calculating fragility curves, using both static and dynamic nonlinear analyses. In this study, a nonlinear static method, based on Generalized Pushover Analysis (GPA), is implemented for the development of analytical fragility curves of reinforced concrete (RC) bridges. The relative accuracy of the GPA algorithm, when applied to a large number of existing bridges, is evaluated through the comparison with the results from Nonlinear Time History Analysis (NTHA). Results indicate that GPA provides a good estimation of the fragility curves with respect to NTHA. The added computational demand of the GPA algorithm in terms of the number of analyses pays off in terms of accuracy while keeping the simplicity of a non-adaptive conventional pushover algorithm, which is desirable in engineering practice.
Digital workflows vs. spatial structures design
Authors: Luczkowski Marcin , Dyvik Steinar Hillersøy , Mork John Haddal , Rønnquist Anders Nils
Published: February 2021

Digital workflows are already widely used by the designers (architects and engineers) in creating a better Building Information Modelling (BIM) data flow. In the core of this design method is a para- metric model, which thanks to open source software can be easily customized according to the pro- ject or user needs. Shell or gridshell structures are very sensitive on the external loads, due to the low weight and big span. The accuracy and reliability are therefore a crucial point in design. More and more architects are using parametrical models, based on visual programing (like Grasshopper or Dynamo) to develop form of spatial structure. The parametric model in shell design gives a high precision in creating BIM model and is the starting point for the structural analysis. In this paper we will present a design method, in which the parametric model is not only the starting point for struc- tural analysis. Thanks to a well-established digital workflow it can occur, that structural analysis is made simultaneously with architectural form finding of the shell. The digital workflow, developed by our research group is based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). The design methodology is to create two kind of structural analyses. The first one, called global, is using beam elements to inves- tigate the general forces and deformations. The second one, called local, is using solid/volume ele- ments to investigate the connection solution. Thanks to fast information transfer between this two analysis and automation of this process, the architect can achieve information about feasibility of the whole designed structure in real time. To validate our approach the timber gridshell was de- signed. The structure with nontrivial shape and customized each of the 61 nodes, was build in 2016 in Trondheim. The nodes were manufactured with usage of the 3D printing technology.