bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards a Code of Practice for the use of bio-based materials in construction
Authors: Farrar Stephen J.
Published: February 2021

The wide scale use of bio-based materials, especially those that come from crop by-products have the potential to considerably reduce the embodied energy of construction materials. Traditional codes of practice are not well suited to the use of these materials nor do they embody circular economy principals.

The gaps with current codes of practice will be outlined, and a new ‘Framework’ for a code of practice is proposed that would better suit the use of these materials.
Using a fully autonomous MSS to build the two largest High-Speed Railway arch bridges
Authors: Póvoas António , Delgado Joana
Published: February 2021

In this article we will present the utilization of overhead Movable Scaffolding Systems in building the largest High-Speed Train arch bridges in the world – Almonte River Viaduct (Spain) with a central span of 384 m and Tagus River Viaduct (Spain) with a central span of 324 m. The decks of access viaducts and the decks of central spans were built using overhead MSS without requiring any assistance from cranes or other types of auxiliary construction equipments.
Value of Information in Resilience Management of Infrastructure Systems
Authors: Qin Jianjun , Havbro Faber Michael , Liu Min , Zhang Weiheng , Lu Dagang
Published: February 2021

Resilience management is introduced in the context of life cycle integrity management of infrastructure systems such as traffic systems, energy production and distribution systems and the built environment in general. The framework allows for the joint consideration of life cycle benefits, vulnerability, risks, robustness and resilience of systems comprised by interlinked spatially distributed sub-systems evolving over time; including governance, regulatory, social, infrastructure, environmental, geo-hazard and anthropological hazard subsystems. Based on the framework, Value of Information analysis is introduced as a means for resilience management.

The proposed framework for resilience modelling and the suggested scheme for Value of Information (VoI) analysis are illustrated considering an example addressing resilience modelling and management of a wind turbine park. The example clearly shows how the resilience of a wind turbine park depends on the chosen strategies for design, governance and financing and also illustrates how VoI analysis facilitates the quantification of potential benefits of Structural Health Monitoring as a means to increase service life benefits from power production.
3D Discrete Macro-Modelling Approach for Masonry Arch Bridges
Authors: Caddemi Salvatore , Caliò Ivo , Cannizzaro Francesco , D'Urso Domenico , Pantò Bartolomeo , Rapicavoli Davide , Occhipinti Giuseppe
Published: February 2021

Masonry multi-span arch bridges are historical structures still playing a key role in many transportation networks of numerous countries. Most of these bridges are several decades old and have been subjected to continuous dynamic loadings, due to the vehicular traffic, and in many cases their maintenance required structural modifications. The currently adopted health monitoring strategies are based on in situ inspections as well as structural assessments based on numerical models characterised by different levels of reliability according to the required purpose. Simplified approaches are generally adopted for fast structural evaluation, on the other hand more rigorous approaches are fundamental for a reliable structural assessment of these particular structures, often characterized by very complex geometrical layouts and structural alterations not always sufficiently documented. This paper presents an original Discrete Macro-Element Method (DMEM) that allows a reliable simulation of the linear and nonlinear response of masonry structures and masonry bridges characterised by a lower computational burden, compared to classical nonlinear FEM analyses, although maintaining a good accuracy. The method is applied to a real masonry bridges and the results are compared with those obtained from a more sophisticated three- dimensional nonlinear FEM model both in linear and nonlinear context.
Do Structural Codes Stifle Creativity?
Authors: Nethercot David A.
Published: February 2021

It is an often heard contention: 'Structural Codes stifle creativity, they have become too prescriptive, we don't need them etc'. Is this true? Where is the evidence? Do these views have an objective and authoritative basis? Or are they part of the folk law, gaining a degree of credibility simply through repeated stating? What is the alternative?

By examining the true role of Structural Design Codes, including the sort of material that is and is not provided by them and the processes employed for their production, an attempt will be made to set their position properly in context. This will be based on the author's experience - gained over nearly half a century - as a researcher developing new design rules and procedures, as a teacher to both students and practitioners explaining the basis of Code rules, as a user providing direct input into projects, as an 'expert' responsible for advising on the appropriateness and implementation of Codes and as a member and chairman of committees responsible for the actual writing of Design Codes.
Bridge Design for India - from Kolkata to New Delhi
Authors: Schlaich Mike , Burkhardt Uwe
Published: February 2021

This paper is about cable-stayed bridges built in India during the last forty years. The common ground for these bridges not only is their location and that most are made with composite decks, also their stories touch many of the themes of this conference. They are large scale infrastructure projects in a rapidly developing country where old and new need to learn to coexist at a fast pace and they certainly illustrate the issue of aesthetic design.

Several cable-stayed bridges from the author´s office and the issue of composite decks for this bridge type serve as examples to illustrate how bridge design has evolved in India from the 1970s until today.
Mega Challenge for Mega Project : Stakeholder’s Perspective.
Authors: AlSanad Shaikha
Published: February 2021

The mega project are large, complex project, and unique in their construction venture into the authorities of many other utilities and disciplines. The purpose of this paper attempt aims to identify, prioritize and categorize assess the likelihood of occurrence and level of impact of the risks perceived factors in construction mega project with the Kuwait Construction industry. A structure questionnaire of random selected sample produced from different group of stakeholders that are employed in both private and public sector, within the Kuwait construction industry. The literature review and semi-structure interview used to identify 54 risk factors which are grouped and categories into six group have been identified and prioritized on the basis of criticality in the construction mega project, and then incorporated into the design of the survey instrument. Survey respond data subject to descriptive statistics analysis and inferential statistics. A significant difference observed in the perception of stakeholder’s professionals from the type of organization and their experience on the criticality of these factors. This study will assist the construction stockholders practitioners to develop plans to achieve their goals and improve the megaproject process based on these outlined concepts. The study contributes by exploring the degree of risk occurrence and its impact on construction mega projects. Moreover, the study imparts insights on the perception of risk ranking among different group of stakeholders in Kuwait and it’s also provides some insights on the current level of risk.
System of combined foundation as base for mega-structures
Authors: Rebielak Janusz
Published: February 2021

The paper presents structural concept of innovative structural system of combined foundation, which makes possible to construct foundations for buildings, including heavily loaded objects, located on subsoil of very small load capacity. It consists of component parts having different forms and playing various structural roles. Some of these components can be designed as huge waterproof boxes having substantial uplift pressure, that is why they could be component parts of structures of artificial islands. The proposed foundation system, due to its inner build, is able to absorb significant part of the energy caused by an earthquake. There are presented some proposals of its possible applications as the base for high-rise buildings and for mega-structures.
Structure and Performance Characteristics of Curved Box Girders with Corrugated Steel Webs
Authors: Wang Kangjian , Zhang Peiwei , Chen Jinxiang , Zhou Man
Published: February 2021

Many advantages of curved box girders with corrugated steel webs (CSWs) are given in this paper, they have a lot of advantages such as light weight, high efficiency, engineering economics, assembly construction and aesthetic appearance. This type of structure combines steel and concrete materi- als properly, which improves the structural strength, stability and utilization efficiency of materials, and can effectively resist earthquakes, and realize assembly. The unique structural features of CSWs in curved box girders are pointed out, that is, the difference between the inside and outside folded angles. Based on cosine theorem and sum of angles, formulas of two different angles are proposed. Moreover, mechanics characteristics are given, which include three types of shear buckling modes, section distortion and longitudinal warping. Thus, the design of CSWs dimensions can be carried out through the buckling of CSWs in curved box girders, and the arrangement of intermediate dia- phragms of curved box girders with CSWs should be considered. Additionally, the transverse char- acteristics regularities of curved box girders with CSWs under different cases and different radius of curvature are obtained, respectively. Among them, two kinds of cases are the most unfavorable.
Experimental study on shear behavior of curved box girders with corrugated steel webs
Authors: Liu Sumei , Ding Hanshan
Published: February 2021

Curved girder bridges with corrugated steel webs have already been constructed around the world; however, few works have been done on their shear behavior. To investigate the shear behavior of corrugated steel webs in curved girders, a curved box girder with corrugated steel webs was investigated and tested in current study. The method of three-point loading was used in the test. Test results indicate that the girder failed due to nonlinear shear buckling of the webs and the shear yield stress of the material was less than the elastic shear buckling stress of the corrugated steel webs. Failure of the corrugated steel webs was initiated by the local shear buckling of one of the corrugation panels, which propagated to other panels. In the failure stage, the interactive shear buckling occurred in outboard and inboard corrugated steel webs. In addition, many cracks appeared in the concrete top flange nearby the top supports and the concrete bottom flange between the 1/4 span to 3/4 span. The girder with corrugated steel webs can continue to resist the load after the occurrence of shear buckling. For the design of this type of curved box girder, it is necessary to consider the shear buckling of the corrugated steel webs.
Experimental Study on Hybrid Masonry Structure with RC Frame under Lateral Reversed Cyclic Loading
Authors: Zhang Fei , Ma Jianxun
Published: February 2021

As a new type of structural system, hybrid masonry (HM) structure with reinforced concrete (RC) frame is constructed of reinforced block masonry wall and reinforced concrete frame. This structural system combines the advantages of reinforced concrete frame structure and reinforced concrete block masonry structure, also overcomes some limitations of them. In order to study the seismic performance of the structural system, the lateral reversed cyclic loading experiment on the HM structure with RC frame was conducted. In the experiment, two specimens that were constructed with different connecting type were designed and tested, in one of them the masonry blocks was separated from the RC frame and only connected with steel keys at the top part of the specimen, while in the other there was no spacing between the RC frame and the masonry blocks. According to the data of the experiment, the paper analyzed the failure process and patterns, hysteretic characteristic, skeleton curve, stiffness degradation and displacement ductility of the structural system, and compared the results of the two specimens. The experimental study indicated that the HM structure with RC frame showed extraordinary good seismic performance during testing, and this form of construction had fairly good displacement ductility and energy dissipation, which would provide a basis for further theoretical analysis and design method.
Performance of modular expansion joints under strong ground motions
Authors: Savioz Pascal , Imam Moustafa
Published: February 2021

A state-of-the-art testing system was developed for studying the behaviour of modular expansion joints under seismic conditions, with a full-scale 18-gap specimen subjected to large, rapid movements in a series of seven individual tests. The first of these tests was based on the prominent testing protocol of the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), and the remaining tests were based on a series of six seismic event records from around the world. This paper describes the developed testing system and presents results and findings – in particular, the conclusion that the regular, sinusoidal movements of the established, internationally-used protocol applied were observed to be considerably less demanding on an expansion joint than the erratic, non-sinusoidal movements of actual earthquakes, prompting development of a more realistic testing protocol based on earthquake-like movements.
Challenges in Design & Construction of Elevated Grade Separators with Wide Deck & Single Central Pier, in urban areas.
Authors: Bhowmick Alok , Jain Sanjay
Published: February 2021

India’s transport sector is large and diverse; it caters to the needs of 1.25 billion people. Roads are the dominant mode of transportation in India today. They carry almost 90 percent of the country’s passenger traffic and 65 percent of its freight. Cognizant of the need to create an adequate road network to cater to the increased traffic and movement of goods, Government of India has recently allotted Rs 640 billion (US$ 9.55 billion) to National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for roads and highways and Rs 270 billion (US$ 4.03 billion) for rural roads under PMGSY scheme (as on 20th April 2017). One of the impediment in the fast progress of road infrastructure is acquisition of land & related regulatory hurdles. Completion of as many as 112 projects of NHAI is delayed on account of such factors. There is a restriction of the available width and to spread the road horizontally. Therefore, present trend in urban areas is to go for elevated grade separators, wherein both surface level as well as elevated road can be fully utilised for traffic movement. By avoiding costly land acquisition, it results in reduction in cost of the project and certainly segregate local and fast moving traffic, thereby further increasing speed of movement. Design and Construction of such elevated corridors however poses many challenges to structural engineers. Restricted work space during construction adds to the challenge and brings out many innovative solutions to the problems. This paper discusses case studies of number of such projects for which the authors are presently associated in design and construction planning. These projects are in various stages of construction.
Helping Gasiza have a bridge for generations to come
Authors: Dean Sean
Published: February 2021

Gasiza Bridge provides safe access for approximately 6,000 people who live in communities adjacent to the new footbridge, over the River Cyacika in the north of Rwanda. Previously, the nearest safe crossing was 3.5km away. The new footbridge is owned by the local government and will be maintained by the local community.

As with all development work, the long term success of the bridge is dependent on local community taking ownership of it. Through various methods, the UK Team of Bridges equipped the local community with the necessary knowledge and skills.

The team conveyed safety, quality and maintenance best practices from the UK experience to the local community with the intention that the community will take ownership of the bridge, thus ensuring that this safe access will be maintained for many years to come.
B2P Rutaka Footbridge – Improving Safety using Innovative Deck Pull Method
Authors: Towler Ian , Mills Ben , Lofts Matthew , Mills Brandon , Benson William
Published: February 2021

In developing nations, rural communities often lack year-round safe access to local markets, farms, schools, health clinics and other critical services. Bridges to Prosperity has developed standard footbridge designs and construction methodologies to successfully construct over 200 footbridges.

This paper presents a case study of the 40m long suspended footbridge constructed in the community of Rutaka in Rwanda in 2017. The normal deck construction method required the operatives to spend a significant amount of time working at height. The industry team set themselves a challenge to reduce this.

The team successfully developed and trialled a methodology for launching the deck from a platform on the river bank, improving safety and quality control. It is a significant step forward in the development of safety and construction methods for Bridges to Prosperity.
Integrated Engagement for Considered Infrastructure: Harmonising New with Old
Authors: Stroyman Molly
Published: February 2021

Rural isolation limits communication, resulting in already vulnerable communities being less informed and underrepresented regarding infrastructure changes which directly affect them. Amplifying this gap are the project teams who don't know how to engage them.

Illustrated through the Tubungo build and the Local Perspectives photovoice project, the need to integrate engagement into engineering to deliver better infrastructure to those who need it most is discussed.
Planning, Design and Construction of Elevated Guideway of Kelana Jaya (KLJ LRT) Extension Project and Challenges & Lessons Learnt
Authors: Ganendra Dennis , Embi Azmar Bin , Biswas Pradip Kumar
Published: February 2021

Building a transportation infrastructure for fast growing city like Petaling Jaya (considered twin city with Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia is always challenging and difficult works. One of the major infrastructure projects, the 17 km long elevated guideway which form the extension of Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (KLJ LRT) i.e Putra line is opened for service since 30th June 2016. The elevated viaduct was designed to build extensively using precast technique. The time efficient proven technique of span by span precast segmental construction along with some crossings with precast balanced cantilever construction was implemented for the project. Cast-in-situ box girder and precast U-beams with in-situ deck were also used for bifurcation and pocket track areas. Majority of the stations (9 out of 12) for KLJ LRT Extension are island platform stations and this has major impacts on interface in constructions, time and cost. The requirement of island platform station was one of the main criteria for the operator i.e RapidKL which is part of Prasarana.

Curved and skewed alignment over major 6 lanes highways and commuter lines necessitates a span as large as 100 m with 3 span balanced cantilever structure. Prestressed pier column were introduced due to space constraint. Precast split segments were also introduced to overcome difficulties in handling and delivery of deeper segments.

This paper describes the design scheme and contractual set up of guideway structures and presents an overview of construction and also related issues, incidents etc.
Mumbai Metro Line 2A – Challenges in Design and Execution
Authors: Shaikh Mohammed Adil , Sawant Mangesh , Tank Ajay , Mody Nirav , Pandey Amit
Published: February 2021

Mumbai Metro line 2A is part of the major Infrastructure overhaul being carried out in Mumbai under Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This line is planned from Dahisar in the northern boundary of the suburban city to Andheri in the heart of the suburbs. The overall length of the elevated corridor is about 20,6km with 17 stations, each of 185m length. The proposed metro line shall provide interconnectivity among the existing Western Express Highway, Western Railway, other existing and proposed metro lines. It is expected to reduce the traffic on highly congested suburban road network as well as the Western Express Highway. It is also expected to reduce the passenger load on the western line of the suburban railway network. This paper presents the various aspects of planning, design and construction considered for this project keeping in view its complexity with respect to location, space and time constraints.
A Rational Approach to Life Cycle Design for Infrastructure Developments in Malaysia
Authors: Gurusamy Naidu Kribanandan
Published: February 2021

Infrastructure projects are increasingly becoming more sophisticated and ambitious and Malaysia has its fair share of these including such iconic projects such as the Smart Tunnel, The Penang Second Bridge, The light Rail Transit Project and the Mass Transit Development currently ongoing. Increasingly these projects are bound by sophisticated project specifications which provide a basis to achieve significant design life well in access of 100 years.

The key elements for the life cycle provisions include appropriate design (e.g. concrete quality, cover, detailing etc) and the basic materials and concrete mix designs to withstand the external exposure conditions to achieve the minimum design life provisions. Besides the prescriptive requirement for minimum grade of concrete, maximum w/c ratio and the use of a triple blend concrete, there are also often provisions for performance targets associated with the Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (RCPT) and Initial Surface Absorption Test (ISAT).

This paper explores what is appropriate in achieving design life provisions and why there is an urgent need to reconsider project specifications in the Malaysian context so that design provisions are fit for purpose.
Viaduct in the Highway Siervo de la Nación
Authors: Santos Carlos , Matos José , Barbosa José Luís , Leite Ricardo
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to present a real case study regarding the long multi-span viaducts. Briefly, the authors show the global structural concept used in Mexico City´s long viaduct to ensure a good behavior to accommodate differential settlements that can occur. It is important to highlight that the design was developed by GEG.
Carbon reinforced concrete in construction practice
Authors: Schladitz Frank , Tietze Matthias , Lieboldt Matthias , Schumann Alexander , Garibaldi Maria Patricia , Curbach Manfred
Published: February 2021

One of the world's largest R & D projects within the construction industry focuses on carbon reinforced concrete technology. Civil engineering is an old-fashioned industry with very slow innovation strength. Despite this difficulty, a new method of construction, planning and industrial production shall be established to solve most pressing foreseen problems. The new composite material made of carbon and concrete is leading the way to establish a new durable, lightweight and resource efficient building method. Furthermore, the use of carbon reinforced concrete in single construction projects has increased in the last years. The purpose of this paper is to show the range of application that is already possible in carbon reinforced concrete.
The Harbour Passage Bridge in Hamburg
Authors: Reintjes Karl-Heinz
Published: February 2021

The Harbour Passage Bridge in Hamburg is an outstanding motorway bridge project in Germany today. The bridge, with a total length of 5.7 km, is the key structure in the extension of the federal motorway A 26. Three parts of the bridge can be defined. First, the crossing of the Süderelbe, a cable-stayed structure is projected with a main span of 350 m. The second main feature is a bridge circle that functions as an intersection. The third feature is the eastern part of the bridge. A modular system is projected setting values on simple construction and erection methods.
Standardized Manufacturable Steel Orthotropic Decks for Urban Bridges
Authors: Sougata Roy
Published: February 2021

Prefabricated modular steel orthotropic deck panels can provide effective solution for accelerated construction of bridges in constrained urban landscape. These welded steel decks are ideal manufacturable products incorporating repeated details that are amenable to automated fabrication. Based on the lessons learnt from service performance of these decks and the knowledgebase from significant research performed over the years, a standard deck design is proposed, which can be easily integrated as a prefabricated modular deck for rapid and economic construction of short and medium span steel girder and stringer bridges both for new construction and rehabilitation. This deck design effectively addresses the challenges to wide spread implementation of steel orthotropic decks for medium and short span bridges, providing a life-cycle cost-effective solution for urban bridge infrastructure.
Experimental Investigation of the Punching Shear Behaviour of RC Slab-Column Connections Under Seismic Loading
Authors: Abdelkhalik Amr , Elafandy Tamer , Abdelrahman Amr , Sherif Alaa
Published: February 2021

Reinforced concrete flat slab-column structures are widely used because of their practicality. However, this type of structures can be subjected to punching-shear failure with in the slab-column connections. Without shear reinforcement, the slab-column connection can undergo brittle punching failure, especially when the structure is subjected to lateral loading in seismic zones. This research is a part of an extensive investigation about the punching shear behavior of interior RC slab-column connections under seismic loading. The current paper represents only the results of the first two tested specimens. The main objective is to discuss the nature and mechanism of effect seismic loading on punching shear behaviour. Finally, the experimental results are analyzed and compared to international codes such as American Code ACI318-14[1] and Euro Code EC2-2004[2]. In light of these results, some preliminary conclusions are presented.

papers will be distributed in the electronic conference proceedings.
Seismic Behaviour of Six-Storied RC Residential Structure with Existing LLRS
Authors: Purushothama Chaithra , Bai H. Sharada , Ambrish G.
Published: February 2021

Using an appropriate structural system is critical to good seismic performance of buildings. While moment- frame is the most commonly used lateral load resisting structural system, addition of other structural systems like structural walls, frame-wall system improve the seismic resistance. Structural system chosen should be suitable for good earthquake performance, with vertical and horizontal members of lateral load resisting system (LLRS) that can carry earthquake effects safely during strong earthquake shaking. Studies on real structures, practically adopted are negligible. Present work deals with the comparison of seismic performance of the structural system under consideration with existing features (Lift core RC wall & Infill effect along the boundary walls) as LLRS in the building using response spectrum and time history method..
Transitioning to Seismic Design
Authors: Tiong Timothy
Published: February 2021

Malaysia is currently in the process of transitioning from non-seismic to seismic design. Existing Malaysian building codes do not require seismic loads to be considered. However, with recent seismic activity in Malaysia and nearby region, Malaysia is spurred into action to consider seismic loads. Seismic design brings with it unique considerations and challenges. This paper will examine the effects of seismic activity on structures and how they can be considered in design. Discussed in this paper are the considerations required for structures complying with Malaysian National Annex (MS EN 1998-1) which includes the response spectrum, modal analysis, modal combination, accidental eccentricity, load combinations and seismic design. Computer methods using the Esteem Structural Software will be presented.
Shear Resistance Mechanisms on High-Panelized Steel Sheet Walls with Burring Holes
Authors: Kawai Yoshimichi , Fujihashi Kazunori , Tohnai Shigeaki , Sato Atsushi , Ono Tetsuro
Published: February 2021

High-panelized shear walls containing 3.53–4.53 m long steel sheets with burring holes aligned vertically are applied to large space flat buildings in seismic regions. A configuration with burrs on the inside enables the construction of thinner walls and simplified attachment of finishing. Machining of equipment piping holes can be omitted. The wall that receives the in-plane shear force allows shear stress to concentrate in the intervals between the holes. Finite element analyses and in-plane shear experiments revealed that all intervals between the holes were simultaneously deformed, and buckling areas in the intervals were restricted by the use of ring- shaped ribs of the holes. Post-buckling behavior depended on the shapes of tension field on the intervals. The allowable design strength and indices of strength after buckling were developed.
Development of retrofitting method against fatigue cracks in orthotropic steel deck stiffened by trough ribs
Authors: Shinno Takahiro , Mizokami Yoshiaki , Moriyama Akir , Kishi Yuki , Sakano Masahiro
Published: February 2021

Orthotropic steel deck is suitable for a long span bridge because of its light weight. And closed section ribs, we call “trough ribs”, are used for orthotropic steel deck in Honshu-Shikoku Bridges because of excellent bending capacity with less number of weld lines and less areas of anti- corrosion.

In orthotropic steel decks stiffened by trough ribs, fatigue cracks resulting from large vehicles have been observed with the increase of the service years. The cracks found in trough-deck welds are bead-penetrating type. Several retrofitting methods have been studied for these bead-penetrating cracks so far. However, effective method that is applicable from the underside of the deck is still under development.

In this paper, development of a retrofitting method using Thread Rolling Screw from the underside of the deck, fatigue test results and application test in an in-service bridge are described.
Proposal for New Beam-End Connection with Rib Plates inside Steel Panel zone of Beam-to-Column Joints
Authors: Yamazaki Kenji , Inaba Toru , Usami Tetsu , Takuma Kawakami , Saburi Kazuhiro
Published: February 2021

This paper presents the results of cyclic load tests for some beam-to-column joint specimens. Each of the specimens consisted of a cantilever beam and columns. While one specimen contained a reinforcing rib plate, the others did not. The results indicated that the way of reinforcement did improve the ultimate bending strength, owing to the increase of bending moment at web plate in of the beam-end connection.

Moreover, to facilitate the structural design of beams connected to columns of large width- thickness ratio, a way of evaluating the strength of the reinforced beam-end connection using a simple formula was proposed.
Design and Development of the Msikaba and Mtentu River Bridges
Authors: Anderson John Robert Beveridge
Published: February 2021

The story of the Msikaba and Mtentu River Bridges is a story about the Transkei Region in South Africa. The area’s unfenced rural landscape is considered unique and is characterised by steep gorges and rivers that run down to the Wild Coast. The civil engineers of the past avoided the area and the main highway connecting the ports of Durban and East London runs 200 km inland. This is now changing with the South African National Roads Agency’s SOC Ltd (SANRAL’s) procurement of the new N2 Wild Coast Road that will realign the highway within 30 km of the coast. The project includes two new crossings, one a 580 m span cable-stayed bridge, the other a 1.1 km long viaduct with a 260 m central balanced cantilever span, across the deepest gorges on the route. Their design and procurement is however driven not only by their physical environment but the need to create jobs, business opportunities for small local enterprises and community development projects that will leave a legacy and a long term economic benefit.
Key Techniques Introduction to Maputo Bridge Steel Box Girders Construction
Authors: Qiang Yaofeng , Guo Changrui , Zhao Congming
Published: February 2021

Maputo Bridge in Mozambique is the largest suspension bridge under construction in Africa, which adopts a double-pylon single-span steel box girder structure with a main span of 680m.

The superstructure steel box girder construction faces a series of obstacles. By researching and applying the key construction techniques, such as whole-section factory manufacturing, all girders one-time ocean shipping, complex environment wharfing and lifting, new rotating cable crane erection and site connection, and etc., the project achieved the purpose of period guarantee, quality control, environmental impact reduction and suspension bridge construction technology promotion. Furthermore, it is expected to provide a reference and engineering example for similar large-scale bridge projects in the future.
Study on correction of linear and internal force of steel box girder bridge based on Zero moment method
Authors: Tian Wei , Weng Fangwen , Huang Can
Published: February 2021

In actual engineering, the assembly error of the beam in the construction process may cause the system linearity not to meet the design requirements. In this paper, the zero-moment method is proposed to study the construction of continuous large span steel box girder bridge. Firstly, find the position of the zero moment of the girder beam, secondly, cut the girder beam at the position of zero moment to make the beam become three-span simply supported structure, then re-weld the girder beam after the linear adjusted. The results demonstrate that the design requirements of system linearity and internal force of the beam can be meet by using the Zero moment method.
Thermal Simulation on the Flat Steel Box Girder of the Maputo Bridge under Solar Radiation
Authors: Liu Cheng , Fan Jiansheng , Zhuang Liangdong , Gao JinYang
Published: February 2021

Bridges may undergo significant temperature variation under the combined influence of solar radiation and daily ambient temperature. In some circumstances, thermal stresses due to temperature gradient or external constraint can be significant in comparison to dead or live load stresses. This paper investigates the solar temperature distribution and effect on the Maputo Bridge, a super-long suspension bridge in Mozambique. Thermal finite element model is established considering the local seasonal and daily variation of solar radiation and ambient temperature. Then the temperature distribution of the outer plates of the girder is extracted to quantify the temperature effect. Parametric analysis is also carried out to identify the key parameters. It is found that the modelling details have minor influences, whereas a smaller film coefficient and thinner asphalt pavement tend to enlarge the temperature gradient. By comparing the simulated temperature distribution with the thermal gradient load in the codes, it’s found that the temperature distribution in the studied flat steel box girder doesn’t follow any thermal gradient load in the current bridge codes and therefore a novel thermal gradient load is suggested.
5 Martin Place Sydney
Authors: Webb John , Lavorato Tony
Published: February 2021

The 5 Martin Place development transformed a 1916 heritage building in Sydney’s CBD into an iconic 20-level premium grade office building. Development constraints prohibited any modification of heritage building, structure and any extra permanent loading on the heritage structures. This posed what was considered to be an impossible challenge through being either ‘unbuildable’ or ‘un- fundable’. An innovative architectural design and believed world-first structural solution unlocked the site’s potential. To use all available development area, the proposal was to cantilever 10-levels of tower 22 metres over the heritage building. The outcome exceeded expectations and created benchmarks for design and construction methodology that could be adopted for much taller buildings.
Loading steps in analyzing the interaction between the tied arch continuous bridge and multiple tracks
Authors: Yan Bin , Han Zhongshu , Zhou Min
Published: February 2021

Because of the nonlinear interaction that exists between the bridge and the track, the conventional algorithm of calculating each longitudinal force separately and adding them up could cause certain error.

In this paper, the iterative formula of longitudinal resistance considering the loading history and loading order was derived, and one particular (77+3×156.8+77)m tied arch continuous bridge with four tracks was taken as an example to build an integrated model of large span continuous bridge with tied arch including the concrete-filled steel tube arch, suspender, beam, pier, pile foundation, multiple tracks and the rail expansion devices, and the influence that the loading history would have on the system of tied arch continuous bridge and the track was analyzed.

The study shows that while calculating the temperature effect, the temperature load should be applied on the rail, beam and arch at the same time. While loading to double tracks in opposite directions, the torque that pier top bears can be over 4000kN•m. When examining the substructure, various kinds of live load conditions should be considered. The result of rail stress acquired through the conventional algorithm will be 7% larger than the actualities while the horizontal force of pier top will be 8~21% larger.

In many cases, the torque of pier top acquired through the conventional algorithm has a rather large error compared with the actualities, so the loading steps considering the loading history was highly recommended to calculate the force condition of the substructure in this kind of bridge.
Experimental Study on the Dynamic Deformation of Simply Supported Beam in Chinese High-speed Railway
Authors: Dai Gonglian , Wang Meng , Zhao Tianliang , Liu Wenshuo
Published: February 2021

At present, Chinese high-speed railway operating mileage has exceeded 20 thousand km, and the proportion of the bridge is nearly 50%. Moreover, high-speed railway design speed is constantly improving. Therefore, controlling the deformation of the bridge structure strictly is particularly important to train speed-up as well as to ensure the smoothness of the line. This paper, based on the field test, shows the vertical and transverse absolute displacements of bridge structure by field collection. What’s more, resonance speed and dynamic coefficient of bridge were studied. The results show that: the horizontal and vertical stiffness of the bridge can meet the requirements ofChinese “high-speed railway design specification” (HRDS), and the structure design can be optimized. However, the dynamic coefficient may be greater than the specification suggested value. And the simply supported beam with CRTSII ballastless track has second-order vertical resonance velocity 306km/h and third-order transverse resonance velocity 312km/h by test results, which are all coincide with the theoretical resonance velocity.
The realisation of the 6.2km long Padma Multipurpose Road and Rail Bridge in Bangladesh
Authors: Jones V. , Halliday R. , King M. , Islam Shafiqul
Published: February 2021

The Padma is one of the world’s mightiest rivers, being a distributary of the Ganges and the Jamuna rivers, winding its way through Bangladesh to the Bay of Bengal. It is a major division between the country’s south-west region and the capital city and economic centre of Dhaka. During the monsoon season, the Padma River becomes fast flowing and capable of causing deep scour. Crossing the Padma with a 6.2km long steel truss bridge, carrying road and rail, presents technical challenges to the client, consultants and contractors, including significant river training work and deep foundations in an alluvial flood plain, where the rock formation lies several km below the river bed, and in an area subject to considerable seismic activity leading to possible liquefaction of the soil. Other challenges include major vessel traffic and ship impact. Once these technical challenges are overcome, the construction of the bridge will bring considerable social, political and economic advantages to Bangladesh and development to the south-west region, giving greater access to the country’s second port at Mongla and to the proposed Payra Port, which is currently under construction. This paper describes some of the technical challenges faced and overcome in bringing this landmark multipurpose crossing to fruition.
Opportunities and Challenges of Traffic Dispersal Structures in KL and the Periphery
Authors: Baskaran S. , Onn ChanSooi
Published: February 2021

Kuala Lumpur’s (KL) Traffic Dispersal Schemes offer the bridge designer and builder opportunities and challenges. Bridge and approach ramps fight for space to avoid structures, existing bridges, services, private land, roads and waterways. As a result of this, the geometry of the bridges have steep gradients, high super elevations, tight radii, irregular support positions and are multi-level. In addition, there is the constant increasing flow of traffic to cope with. As these bridges are significant to the City’s landscape, aesthetics is an important consideration whilst keeping cost under control.
Large Scale Infrastructure Project Implementation in Malaysia. A Case Study – Metropolitan Highways in Klang Valley: Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Highway (DASH)
Authors: Eusofe Zarulazam , Harun Sazali
Published: February 2021

The rapid socioeconomic development in the Klang Valley has resulted in a surge of freight and passenger transport movements and an increase in demand for better quality of roads, road networks, and transport systems. Hence, the construction of the Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Highway (DASH) project was proposed to ease traffic congestion, by efficiently dispersing the traffic coming from the surrounding townships, and by providing connectivity between the Puncak Alam catchment and the Damansara North area. The case study, namely the DASH project, will be a 16.3 km expressway traversing from Puncak Perdana in the west to Damansara Perdana in the east. The DASH project has been chosen to illustrate the various processes and challenges involved in its planning and design and in the fulfillment of its pre-construction requirements. Currently, this project is at its early stage of construction and is scheduled to be completed by August 2020.
Next-generation flexible plug expansion joints
Authors: Savioz Pascal , Gallai Gustav , Mettner Knut
Published: February 2021

A much-improved type of flexible plug expansion joint has been developed, with a polyurethane surface, which offers a number of substantial advantages over the traditional bituminous type. ThePolyflex®Advanced PUexpansion joint offers all the benefits of the asphaltic plug joint, including smooth, safe, low-noise surface, great adaptability and easy installation. However, it overcomes numerous disadvantages and challenges that have always plagued asphaltic plug joints. It offers greatly improved strength, elasticity and durability, resulting in much less maintenance and far more reliable watertightness. The joint’s material offers consistent behaviour at both high and low temperatures, and excellent resistance against rutting. And installation is also far easier and less prone to error, with the two-component compound being mixed at ambient temperatures. For these reasons and others, this joint should be considered for use in bridge construction and, in particular, in bridge maintenance – as demonstrated by successful experience around the world in very varying climates and environments. This paper covers the extensive testing conducted at several independent testing institutes and the significant features and benefits of the system, and presents sample installations.
Bridge Deck Waterproofing on Concrete
Authors: Stoll Philippe
Published: February 2021

Bridges are critical elements for infrastructure projects. Bitumen based state of the art systems cannot fulfil the increasing requirements for modern bridges when it comes to minimum service life and resistance to severe stresses, so developing new resin based systems which can provide a longer service life, shorter down times in case of maintenance works and reduced repair costs are the main target for system manufacturers.

New spray-applied solutions offer rapid application and curing, and form a tough, elastic and seamless waterproofing layer. The key element is the increased tensile bond (> 0.4 N/mm2) and shear strength to the asphalt overlay, which is substantially higher compared with traditional bitumen tack coats.

The worldwide recognised standards for liquid applied waterproofing systems on concrete bridge decks are BBA/HAPAS and ETAG 033.
Retrofitting and Strengthening Interventions of RC Members Using Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC)
Authors: Teo Wee , Shirai Kazutaka , Hor Yin
Published: February 2021

Two test series with various UHPC strengthening interventions were conducted in this study to investigate the behaviour of composite reinforced concrete (RC) slabs strengthened with UHPC. The first, RE series is a retrofit interventions, tested UHPC as patch material for repairing deteriorated concrete structures. As for the second, OV series is a UHPC overlay interventions, was used to strengthen soffit of RC slab members. The results showed that, in RE series, UHPC safeguard against diagonal cracking compare to conventional RC slab. The UHPC exhibited excellent energy absorption with extensive deflection hardening and ductility during the post cracking range. In OV series, all slabs showed formation of diagonal shear cracks and sign of debonding modes. The UHPC overlay delayed the development of shear cracking. The ultimate load carrying capacity and tendency of flexural failure increase with the overlay thickness.
Prefabricated Box Girder with Ultra High Performance Concrete
Authors: Xiao Keli , Jin Yanjun , Li Lin , He Wei , Xinlong Duan
Published: February 2021

In order to solve traffic difficulty brought by the bridge construction in the city, and difficult transportation of beams, this paper puts forward the prefabricated-box-girder bicycle viaduct with ultra - high performance concrete (UHPC) through which will achieve light and thin beams, easy transportation and rapid construction. Based on the bicycle viaduct with 5.5m in width, this paper not only designs a prefabricated ribbed thin-walled box girder with 30m in span, including the detailed design of prefabricated segment stiffeners, shear connectors and external prestressing but also compares the UHPC box girder with ordinary concrete box girder and steel box girder. The research shows that with the application of UHPC in prefabricated viaduct in city, the ratio of height to span of beams and the slab thickness decrease to 1/30 and 10cm respectively, the dead weight is 50% lower than that of the ordinary concrete beams and the 3m long lifting weight is only 10 tons. Light and thin beams are suitable for transportation in city because of their low requirements for transportation and hoisting equipment. UHPC beams have no steel bars and own the advantages of dense texture, good durability, low maintenance costs, reflecting the concept of low carbon environmental protection and green bridge.