bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Condition Assessment of Timber Structures – Quantifying the Value of Information
Authors: Stepinac Mislav , Rajčić Vlatka , Honfi Dániel
Published: February 2021

Advanced inspection techniques, non-destructive (NDT) and semi-destructive (SDT) testing methods and structural health monitoring (SHM) are increasingly important for the preservation of both old and new timber structures. However, e.g. the application of SHM within the context of timber structures is not adequately represented in strategic documents. COST Action TU1402 is trying enhance the benefit of SHM by novel utilization of applied decision analysis on how to assess the value of SHM – even before it is implemented. The present paper illustrates how pre-posterior decision analysis can help quantifying the Value of Information (VoI) obtained by the condition assessment of timber structures and thus help select appropriate assessment procedures and subsequent maintenance actions. As a case study a timber exhibition hall in Zagreb, Croatia is investigated in the context of VoI analysis.
Roof of the Lille Stadium: Instability Phenomenon in Cover-plates of Tensed-plate
Authors: Goyet Vincent , Seret Sébastien , Propson Arnaud , Havelange Charles
Published: February 2021

The steel roof of the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille (France) is supported by two 200-meter-long and 16-meter-high mega-trusses. The main challenge of the design was to propose to the constructor, a technique to assemble the elements of the mega-trusses with minimum welding on site to save time, and with a limited number of bolts, for aesthetic reasons. The members of the compression chords were assembled by using full contact and those of the tension ones were joined with cover-plates and a single pin instead of multiple bolts.

The cover-plates are 25 to 70 mm thick and the tension forces to transmit are between 15 000 kN and 69 000 kN (ULS). During the erection of the mega-trusses, an unknown instability phenomenon appeared on the cover-plates used only to transmit tension forces. Immediately, the lifting operations of the structure were stopped to maintain the safety. After verifications, the conclusion was that the final design based on the Eurocodes was correct as well for the service conditions as for the construction stages.

Large parametric studies with nonlinear behaviour were realized to understand the origin of this type of behaviour. Of course, in tension cover-plates, the main solicitation is a tension, but the tension fields are equilibrated by one compression field, the origin of the observed instability. The numerical simulations have demonstrated it.

To ignore this phenomenon was impossible even if, for the service life, the tension (and compression) forces would be smaller. Then, new design rules were defined to consider this unknown phenomenon and for the some cover-plates a little reinforcement has been added to secure definitively the structure.
Lightweight Megastructure: Design and Construction of a 100m Span Dome in Manila
Authors: Poirriez Catherine , Bouzida Yacine
Published: February 2021

Shell structures are usually classified in two categories: Single layer shells, where the structural elements are included along one surface or double layer shells, where the structural elements are organized in space frames. As the spans of the structures get longer and longer, towards becoming megastructures, the exploration of new structural systems enables to discover innovative solutions for lightweight shells that take into account strength, transparency, cost, buildability and schedule. The Cove Manila Dome is a 100m span and 30m high steel and glass dome covering a beach and night club. Using a comparison of the linear buckling load of different structural options considered during the design phase and of their constructability enabled converging to the solution chosen of a hybrid shell, a structurally stable and architecturally lightweight and transparent structure which is easier to erect than a more typical shell.
Technical Issues on Construction of Cable-stayed Bridge using UHPC
Authors: Lim Jihoon , Lee Minjae , Lee Jun-ho , Kim Jungin , Yoon Jahgeol
Published: February 2021

Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is one of the innovative technologies which facilitate building durable and effective structures. It also shows outstanding properties in terms of strengths (both of compressive and tensile) and ductility compare with ordinary concrete. For these reasons, many researchers in the world are interested in development of UHPC and already have their own techniques. As a result of the researches, many bridges for pedestrians and roadways have been already constructed in the world using UHPC.

Especially, in Korea, the construction of the world’s first cable-stayed bridge (CSB) for roadway using UHPC was completed in 2018. Total length of the bridge is 966m including 766m of the approach bridges and 200m of the main span with cable stayed bridge. The main span is composed of 47 precast segments with 180MPa UHPC and circular shaped steel pylon.

While constructing the bridge, various technical issues were generated in the field due to the material properties of UHPC such as autogenous shrinkage, hydration heat, high fluidity, and etc. These issues are mainly caused by low water-cement(W/C) ratio which is inevitable retribution of UHPC for high strength. In this paper, the basic scheme of design and construction progress of the Legoland Access Bridge and key technical issues in the field to fabricate UHPC girder are presented.
Success of Dam Engineering Industry Projects in Australia: Literature Review and Theoretical Framework
Authors: Amirsayafi Pouya , Jin Xiaohua , Senaratne Sepani
Published: February 2021

This research paper shows that despite huge amount of research outputs and diversity of the project management topics, it lacks a well-stablished research on success of projects suggesting working on project success models and improving project performance for specific fields. Performance of dam engineering projects over the life-cycle including strategic planning, design, construction and operation has not been studied even though these structures have significant economic, social and environmental impacts. Improving dam engineering projects performance is the area that is unknown to researchers and project managers and hence, the unique aspect of this paper is that it establishes the theoretical framework and discusses Success Criteria and Critical Success Factors as main components for success of dam engineering projects.
Pont de l’Espace Grotte in Lourdes, Movable Footbridge upon the Gave de Pau (France)
Authors: Peigneux Christophe , Servais Vincent
Published: February 2021

The footbridge in Lourdes Sanctuary is a movable bridge upon the Gave de Pau. The approach of the design is modest and sober. The structure has a really high slenderness (around 1/100) with a simple design, as well geometrical as on material. Duplex stainless steel is used for the structure and also the deck, for its good mechanical qualities and its durability. The deck has nor coating, nor surfacing.
Numerical Analysis and Theoretical Studies on Progressive Collapse of Suspend Dome Structures
Authors: Xu Zhenyu , Zhao Xianzhong , Yan Shen
Published: February 2021

Progressive collapse occurs when an initial local failure spreads progressively, resulting in collapse of an entire structure or a disproportionately large part of it. Suspend dome structures have the characteristics of large space volume, large open areas but low redundancy, thus in the event of unexpected loading suspend dome structures may develop catastrophic progressive collapse, causing a large number of casualties and substantial losses. This raises the demand for studies on anti-collapse capacity of suspend dome structures. This paper presents numerical and theoretical studies on progressive collapse behaviour of suspend dome structures. Numerical analysis was carried out via explicit dynamic nonlinear program LS-DYNA. A model of suspend dome was established for progressive collapse research. Based on the concept of alternative load path method, different dynamic responses were summarized when removing a cable segment in middle hoop cable or outer hoop cable from original structure. The results showed that the initial failure of hoop cable usually caused a significant reduction in both the stiffness and bearing capacity, leading to a total collapse. The collapse mechanism of suspend dome structures was summarized which based on the numerical analysis results. In addition, the sensitiveness judge method of the structural member is presented.
AQUATIS – Museum and Aquarium in Lausanne above a Car Park with Metro Connection
Authors: Pierret Verena , Porcelli Michel , Bosso Marco
Published: February 2021

The aim of this article is to describe the structural concept of the building complex formed of the Aquatis museum and a hotel above an existing P+R car park platform directly connected to the metro system. The museum is a new cultural and scientific centre dedicated to fresh water ecosystems and environmental protection. It is the largest fresh water museum in Europe. This challenging project’s complexity and development over time are explained in order to understand its structural singularity.
Comparative Study of Quasi-static and Dynamic Behaviours of a Reduced Model of ASM4 Rockfall Barriers
Authors: Boulaud Romain , Douthe Cyril
Published: February 2021

ASM4 rockfall barriers is a protection device against the risk of rocks falls. These structures undergo large deformation and due to high geometrical and material non-linearities, the development and the use of computational tools are essential to carry out predictive approaches and optimise their design at reduced cost. In order to reduce considerably computation times, this paper presents an original approach, which consists of considering a reduced model of rockfall barrier comprising only few degrees of freedom rather than many thousands for a complete structure. The model is developed from the numerical simulations results carried out from a quasi- static experiment. After the accuracy of the model is verified with this first experiment, its potential to reproduce the real dynamic behaviour of a barrier is studied.
Complementary Zinc Coatings
Authors: Gagné Martin , Goodwin Frank E. , van Leeuwen Martin
Published: February 2021

Metallic zinc coatings are well established and recognized as the most cost-effective corrosion protection available for steel structures. Zinc coatings protect steel from atmospheric, marine and in-soil exposure conditions, and can be applied either by hot dip galvanizing or by thermal spraying. Hot dip galvanizing involves the full immersion of the steel into a bath of molten zinc, ensuring complete coverage over all surfaces. However, some structures can be too large to be galvanized. Zinc thermal spray involves projecting drops of liquid zinc onto the surface of the steel using compressed air. With thermal sprayed zinc coatings, there is no size limitation to the part to be coated, and the technology is fully portable, allowing easy field applications. Whether applied by galvanizing or thermal spraying, zinc coatings are fully compatible and steels coated by either method can be incorporated into one structure with no concerns. Zinc coatings provide decades of maintenance free service and case studies of hot dip galvanized and zinc thermal sprayed steel structures will be presented.
An innovative Fabrication Process from Rolled Helicoidal Steel Strips
Authors: Leduc Nicolas , Caron Jean-François , Douthe Cyril , Vaudeville Bernard , Aubry Simon
Published: February 2021

“Metal Euplectella Folie” is a prototype which explores an innovative design and manufacturing method for free-form architecture. Four 40m long by 0.4m wide by 1.5mm thick steel sheets, each cut to a unique pattern and then spiral-wrapped, form a sculptural tube assembled without the need for any adjustment, plans or jigs.

This experimental construction is inspired both by the structural concept of the deep-sea sponge “Euplectella Aspergillum” - a thin-walled shell stiffened by helicoidal fins - and by the industrial process for fabricating helicoidal pipes - manufactured by wrapping a continuous strip of constant width. By adopting a strip of variable width, a new range of potential forms may be explored.

This shaping process takes advantage of the property of developable surfaces that allows complex three-dimensional objects to be formed from flat cut shapes by simple bending.
Experimental Investigation of Shear Behavior of Cantilevered Non- Prismatic Box Girder with Corrugated Steel Webs
Authors: Yuan Siqi , Liu Zhao , Wang Chao , He Zhiqi
Published: February 2021

The non-prismatic box girder with corrugated steel webs is an alternative for long-span girder bridge. However, the shear stress analysis methods for uniform box girder are usually adopted for non-prismatic box girder. More rational approaches for shear stress distribution and shear buckling evaluation regarding to non-prismatic box girder needs to be experimentally investigated.

In this study, a balanced cantilever loading test on a non-prismatic box girder with corrugated steel web was conducted. The experimental results show that, under vertical loading near the cantilever tip, the shear stress has a uniform distribution along beam depth with a slightly larger shear stress at the middle. In addition, this paper presents the shear stress formula for non- prismatic box girder with CSW in the elastic phase, which agrees well with the experimental data. Based on other researchers’ investigation on the shear buckling, this paper discussed the accuracy of the inelastic buckling strength prediction method. From the results of this study, the proposed shear stress evaluation method can provide good predictions for the shear strength of the corrugated steel webs(CSW).
Newest High Performance Heavy Plates for Steel Bridges and Structures
Authors: Merlin-Manuelli Cécile , Lehnert Tobias
Published: February 2021

Being highly cost efficient while maintaining the necessary quality and safety can be considered as the main challenge in modern steel construction. Quality steel producers invest consequently in research and development to further improve the high performance steels. Thermomechanical (TM) steel plates, which have gained more and more ground in the steel construction sector due to their superior processing properties, are now available up to 150 mm thickness. The steel construction fabricators can nowadays benefit from their excellent weldability, especially for the strength class S460, even at highest thicknesses. Other newest developments are the combination of thermomechanical rolling with weathering properties to overcome the existing problem of worse weldability for higher strength weathering steel or the so-called longitudinally profiled plates, which allow a varying plate thickness along the length, and the extremely diverse range of profile types now available.
Fatigue and Corrosion as a Threat for Steel Heritage Bridges
Authors: Macho Martin , Ryjáček Pavel , Campos e Matos José
Published: February 2021

The combined effects of corrosion and fatigue have become a topic issue in recent times. Decades- old steel bridges that are still in service need to be reassessed. However, there is no relevant background information that can be used in assessment of this phenomenon. For this reason the aim of the research presented in this paper was preparation and execution of laboratory tests on real bridge components that were deteriorated by corrosion. Experimental tests were performed to find out how corrosion weakening affects the fatigue strength of members. The evaluation of the tests indicates that the service life of members may be significantly reduced due to fatigue. The paper ends with recommendations on how the loss of material due to corrosion could be taken into account for an assessment the residual lifetime of members.
Estimation of Prestress Losses in Concrete Structures over a Long time
Authors: Biswal Suryakantha , Ramaswamy Ananth
Published: February 2021

Existing models for shrinkage and creep predictions in the codal provisions and in the standard recommendations do not agree in a best possible way with the available experimental results reported in the literature, as the existing models have been developed based on an arbitrary selection of experimental data sets among all the available data sets. Statistical variations are present in the creep and shrinkage models, in the parameters of these models, in the shrinkage and creep mechanisms, in the environmental conditions, and in the in-situ measurements. In this study a single best model out of all the available deformation models is obtained through uncertainty based model averaging, when uncertainties are present in the models, in the measurements and in the parameters of each models. The long-time deformations from the single best model using the measurements up to the short time period proposed in this study is verified with reported test data.
Linear Regression Analysis of the Eurocode 2 Creep Model with Bayesian Update
Authors: Zgheib Elise , Raphael Wassim , Faddoul Rafic
Published: February 2021

The important evolution in the construction field nowadays call for an accurate prediction of creep deformations which have an important impact on the long-term behaviour of structures. To evaluate the accuracy of the Eurocode 2 creep model, a comparison between the predicted creep compliance and experimental results is performed using the CEB statistical methods. The large database used in this study is established from international laboratories and research centres. This comparison shows that the Eurocode 2 creep compliance is inaccurately estimated. To overcome this difference, the Eurocode 2 equations are calibrated by adding corrective coefficients using the Bayesian linear regression method. Using these corrective coefficients will help to predict accurately the creep deformations in the design stage and the long-term deflection. Then, the required precautions can be applied to avoid excessive deflections after construction.
Multifunctional Inhomogeneous Lightweight Concrete Elements – Outline and Structural Behaviour
Authors: Lösch Claudia , Richter Arno , Schlaich Mike
Published: February 2021

Innovations in construction, such as the development of high-performance materials, are needed to address energy and resource consumption in the building sector. The research project “MultiLC” (Multifunctional Lightweight Concrete Elements with inhomogeneous properties) works on high- performance infra-lightweight concrete elements with adaptable properties over the cross section which correspond to the required tasks. Further functions are added to provide warming, cooling and vapor-permeability and to improve air quality by photocatalytic air purification. The paper gives an outline of the project and presents the current state of work regarding the structural behavior of inhomogeneous lightweight concrete beams and wall elements. The chosen design approach for inhomogeneous beams showed conservative results compared to the experimental tests. The predicted load-bearing capacity of the inhomogeneous walls could not be reached, further research is being carried out.
Yield Design Based Numerical Analysis of Three-dimensional Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Vincent Hugues , Arquier Mathieu , Bleyer Jeremy , de Buhan Patrick
Published: February 2021

The present contribution aims at evaluating the load bearing capacity of massive reinforced concrete structures using a finite element implementation of the lower bound static approach and the upper bound kinematic approach. The concrete is modelled using the three-dimensional Rankine criterion while rebars are modelled using a homogenization procedure by modelling the strength of each individual reinforcement with its surrounding concrete volume as an isotropic continuum accounting for the axial strength of the reinforcing inclusion. Both static and kinematic approaches are written as optimization problems which are solved using Semi-Definite Programming (SDP) techniques. The whole design method will be illustrated on the typical example of evaluating the ultimate bearing capacity of a reinforced concrete bridge pile cap, leading to a fairly narrow bracketing of the exact failure load of this kind of structure.
Modelling of the Long Term Behaviour of Prestressed Concrete Structures: the Case of Nuclear Power Plants.
Authors: Torrenti Jean Michel , Aili Abdushalamu
Published: February 2021

The prediction of the long term behaviour of prestressed concrete structures is important in order to assess and/or extend the service life of such structures. In the case of nuclear power plants (NPPs) where the internal vessel is a biaxially prestressed structure, the prediction of the delayed deformations is also a safety concern. Indeed, in these structures, the prestressing is there to avoid tensile stresses and cracking in case of a severe accident where internal pressure and temperature could be generated. An experimental mock-up of a reactor containment building at 1/3 scale has been built near Paris by EDF in order to follow the evolution of the delayed strains and of leak tightness of the containment under aging. This mock-up named VeRCoRs (VErification Réaliste du COnfinement des RéacteurS) is highly instrumented so that its behaviour is monitored from the beginning of the construction. In this paper a modelling of the delayed strains (creep and shrinkage of concrete and relaxation of steel) based on the MC2010 is used to predict the behaviour of the mock-up. This modelling takes into account the influence of the temperature and of the relative humidity (varying under service conditions). Finally, the predicted delayed strains are compared with the measurements.
Hybrid CLT-Based Modular Construction Systems for Prefabricated Buildings
Authors: Loss Cristiano , Tannert Thomas
Published: February 2021

Contemporary structures are required to be earthquake-resistant, sustainable and flexible to changing occupancy needs over time. Hybrid wood-based construction systems are promising solutions for modern buildings and research for cost-efficient systems is underway to compete with more traditional and widely spread non-wood building systems. This paper presents an innovative modular and prefabricated wood-based hybrid construction technology. It is a dry solution obtained by fastening on-site steel frames and composite CLT-steel members using only bolts and screws. The main results obtained from a comprehensive experimental programme with focus on the in-plane and out-of-plane behaviour of floors are reviewed. The influence of connections on the response of floors is discussed. The findings are of practical relevance with direct impacts on other applications.
Possibilities of Bamboo Construction: From Vernacular Techniques to Industrialized Solutions
Authors: Sousa Hélder S. , Sharma Bhavna
Published: February 2021

Bamboo based materials are opening new construction possibilities, being used as structural materials for large scale buildings. In this work, vernacular construction using bamboo is analysed as to understand what are the design principles that may be applied for different scenarios, whereas industrialized bamboo materials are studied as to propose solutions for the limits that vernacular construction poses. With this information a set of properties of bamboo as a natural and transformed material is obtained and a hierarchical matrix with different scales is proposed to allow designers to associate a product to its potential uses. Therefore, the main result of this work is a state-of-the-art where it is promoted the elaboration of an array of possibilities that includes a hierarchical database and allows the search for future solutions anticipating probable human and technical constraints on today’s and tomorrow’s structures.
Feasibility Study of Mass-Timber Cores for the UBC Brock Commons Tallwood Building
Authors: Connolly Thomas , Loss Cristiano , Iqbal Asif , Tannert Thomas
Published: February 2021

Recent progress in construction technologies has allowed establishing new records for mass- timber buildings, as for instance the height of the Brock Commons Tall Wood Building (TWB) of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. TWB consists of a 53 meters tall timber- concrete hybrid structure; it has 17 stories of mass-timber superstructure erected on a concrete podium and is braced by two concrete cores that act as lateral force-resisting system against earthquake and wind loads. The objective of this work was to evaluate the possibility of designing the TWB using mass-timber cores. The feasibility of using cross-laminated timber or laminated veneer lumber cores was assessed by carrying out numerical analyses. The results included herein show that the seismic and wind performance criteria provided by the Canadian code can be satisfied only designing cores with continuous panels and rigid joints, and adopting a proper core layout.
Re-Evaluation of Aerodynamic Stability of Suspension Bridges in Seto- Ohashi Bridges
Authors: Machida Akira , Takeguchi Masahiro , Hanai Taku , Katsuchi Hiroshi
Published: February 2021

The Shimotsui-Seto Bridge, Kita Bisan-Seto Bridge and Minami Bisan-Seto Bridge are highway- railway combined suspension bridges in the Seto-Ohashi Bridges, which connect Honshu Island and Shikoku Island in Japan. Cross sections of stiffening truss girders of the bridges are identical and have two levels for transportation. Upper level and lower level are for highway and railway, respectively. In order to satisfy the aerodynamic stability, open gratings are installed at the center divider and both sides of road deck. However, since small objects may drop through them and endanger railway operation, it is disadvantageous to use them in terms of maintenance.

In order to minimize range that requires open gratings, aerodynamic stability of the bridges was re-evaluated by three-dimensional flutter analysis. This analysis method was developed after the completion of the Seto-Ohashi Bridges. From the analysis, it was found to be possible to minimize the range that requires center gratings. Also, it was found to be possible to close all center gratings by installing center barrier.
Wind Loading of Legacy Infrastructure: Recent Experience from France
Authors: Knapp Graham , Barré Christian
Published: February 2021

Engineers in developed nations are increasingly turning their attention to preserving, adapting and extending the operating life of existing structures; this is particularly true of France which has an important historic, post-war and recent building and infrastructure stock. Environmental and financial concerns mean that adaptation and maintenance are often preferred to demolition and rebuilding. Meanwhile urban development may mean that wind conditions on site are now very different from those during the original design and construction and new major structures can have a significant impact on wind loading on neighbouring structures.

Codes and standards have also evolved over the years as more wind data becomes available and climate change may lead to increased frequency and/or strength of winds. In France, the adoption of the Eurocodes and a series of strong winter storms led to significant changes in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

This paper illustrates the resulting challenges and opportunities for structural engineers via case studies regarding historic structures and bridges upon which the authors have worked. These include many of the most important bridge, tall building and infrastructure projects in France. The La Défense business district in particular presents an example of good practice in evaluating the effect of a new structure on its neighbours whilst the Gare d’Austerlitz demonstrates the utility of the method for the preservation of historic structures. The Pont Albert Louppe demonstrates how relatively small aerodynamic improvements to existing structures can greatly reduce their impact on neighbouring structures.
Super-Long Span Bridge Aerodynamics: First Results of the Numerical Benchmark Tests from Task Group 10
Authors: Aas-Jakobsen Ketil , Allsop Andrew , Kavrakov Igor , Larsen Allan , Øiseth Ole , Argentini Tommaso , Diana Giorgio , Omarini Simone , Rocchi Daniele , Svendsen Martin , Larose Guy , Stoyanoff Stoyan , Kim Ho-Kyung , Wu Teng , Andersen Michael , Katsuchi Hiroshi
Published: February 2021

The IABSE Task Group 10 (super-long span bridge aerodynamics) has the mandate to create a standard procedure for validation of methodology and software programs applied for stability and buffeting response analyses of super-long span bridges. Precise estimations of structural stability and response to strong winds are critical for the successful design of long-span bridges.

Task Group 10 covers several important problems related to its mandate including: review and verification of methods developed and adopted by researchers and bridge designers; the definition of guidelines and sample tests for verification and calibration of analytical procedures; identification of fundamental problems of the computation methods; relevant input and output data.

Since the beginning of its work, this working group has developed a 3-step benchmark, with multiple sub-steps of fundamental problems to resolve. The first step of this benchmark has been a numerical comparison of the results obtained using different models adopted across the workgroup members. Using the same inputs: flutter stability and the buffeting response of both a deck sectional model and a full bridge are studied. Step 2 will be the comparison of predicted

results and experimental tests in wind tunnels, and Step 3 will be of validation against full scale measurements.
In this paper, the results of Step 1 will be presented, highlighting critical issues and differences found during the comparison of results. The response of a 3-degrees of freedom bridge deck will be presented both in terms of aeroelastic stability and buffeting response. The results presented are intended to be a reference for the validation of methodologies and software programs that solve for wind response of bridges.
Response Prediction of Passive Controlled Building with Viscous Dampers Considering its Performance Decrement under Long-Period Ground Motion
Authors: Sato Daiki , Kasai Kazuhiko , Sho Nagayama , Matuda Kazuhiro
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a response evaluation of a Passive controlled building with viscous dampers considering its performance decrement under long-period ground motion. From the long-time sinusoidal wave test results using a full-scale viscous damper, it was shown that the performance decrement of the viscous damper was based on energetic density. An analytical model of the viscous damper considering the performance decrement caused by long-period cyclic loading was proposed, and its accuracy was confirmed by comparing with test results. The time history response analysis using a 20-story model with the proposed viscous dampers was performed. It was verified that the response of the passive controlled building with viscous dampers increases under certain long-period ground motions. Especially, for vibration control of a building designed with insufficient dampers, it was found that the response increased with the influence of the performance decrement of the damper when the long-period ground motion was received.
Seismic Isolation of Greater Jakarta LRT
Authors: Cynober Charles , Suryadi Tri , Sartori Mauro
Published: February 2021

The Greater Jakarta Light Rail Transit phase 1, is a network of 3 elevated lines that will totalize 43 km and include 18 stations. The contractor PT Adhi Karya, was appointed in 2015 by Indonesian government to build the project in a very tight schedule.

The project is challenging because Jakarta is in a high seismic zone, soil conditions are bad, and operability must be maintained after an earthquake.

In order to meet the tight schedule and reduce construction costs, Adhi Karya selected the U shaped viaduct solution developed by Systra and the seismic base isolation with Lead Rubber Bearings (LRB) developed by Freyssinet.

To reduce earthquake loads, a breakthrough isolation system has been introduced: LRB were designed to restrain bridge displacement in service condition, and dissipate energy during earthquake to efficiently reduce piers and piles dimensions. These LRBs will be provided by Freyssinet.

On the Greater Jakarta LRT, the base isolation with LRBs lead to lower the concrete and reinforcement quantities for substructures, eventually saving 20 % on the total project’s cost. The other benefit of using LRBs is that it will drastically reduce repair works in case of seismic occurrence.
Design and Construction of the New “La Unidad” Bridge, Mexico
Authors: Montalvo Edilberto Buenfil , Bermudez Alvaro Buenfil , Samuel Vásquez José Antonio Pinto Elías , Martínez Manuel , Patrón Alberto , Reyes Eduardo , Morales Ernesto , Ibarra Miguel , Martinez Fabian
Published: February 2021

La Unidad Bridge is located in the south of the Gulf of Mexico, in the state of Campeche, Mexico. The new La Unidad Bridge will replace the existing bridge which was built in the 1980´s and presents several pathologies. The bridge is placed in a very important road parallel to the coast, in the heart of the Mexico´s oil industry, and allows the connection between the “El Carmen” Island and the continent. The new “La Unidad” bridge has a total length of 3285 m, and crosses over the sea with water heights comprised between 4 and 15 m. The bridge has 73 spans of 45 m; the deck is formed by 6 “I” beams of prestressed concrete, with concrete slab. The piers are composed by battered piles formed by steel pipes filled with reinforced concrete. The pile cap is placed directly over the piles. The design and construction of the bridge presented several challenges: the area where the bridge is located is prone to hurricanes and earthquakes, and the soil of the bridge site is relatively soft (formed by sands and clays) and an amplification of the seismic response occurs due to site effects. This paper presents the main aspects of the design and the construction of the New “La Unidad” Bridge. The bridge is now under construction and will be finished at the end of 2018.
Parametric, adaptive Design and Analysis of standardized Steel Composite Bridges
Authors: Giebat Semjon , Bach Andreas , Nöldgen Markus , Lim James
Published: February 2021

Currently, new processes are being developed for the model-driven design of structures which make use of the upcoming means of digitalization, such as object-oriented-modelling, interconnecting Web-based Server-Architecture, fabrication procedures and other innovations. Relevant Building Information is modelled over the lifecycle which means that data is available and disposable and no longer “hidden” in documents (i.e. design is no longer document driven). New processes focus on the optimization of engineering tasks in the design of structures, such as definition of initial requirements, construction and simulation (optimize geometry and material consumption), time scheduling and cost estimation. BIM principle: Information should be assigned and used without any redundancies in all phases and processes of the product life-cycle. This contribution picks up the idea of comprehensive parametric product templates in combination with an implicit design technology as it is widely used in the production industry for an automated but still strongly adaptive design.
A 3D Modelling for Transversal Analysis and Local Effects
Authors: Meyer Jocelyn , Bailly Laurent , Chebbi Fahed , Scaramozzino Anthony
Published: February 2021

The 12,5 km long New Coastal Road at La Réunion Island is being built at sea. Half part of this project is a precast cantilever viaduct of 5.4 km along the seashore, supporting significant loads during construction and operation such as cyclonic events (wind and swells), seismic event, collision loads… The all road is separated into 7 viaducts of equal length to allow the displacements under temperature, creep and shrinkage per viaduct.

Dimensions of the segments brings to specific and precise modelling to tackle the different issues of the detailed design.
Numerical Analysis of Pre-fabricated Reinforced Concrete Beams with Longitudinal Cavities
Authors: Vilke Tor Gunnar , Samarakoon Samindi
Published: February 2021

Pre-fabricated reinforced concrete beams are widely used within the construction industry, due to the method of construction being rational, time-saving and economical. However, the beams become very large and heavy when the span length exceeds 9m. The weight of the beam is a much more important factor for the pre-fabricated structural elements than that in in-situ casted, due to challenges in transportation and assembly. In addition, the weight reduction intuitively lowers the load on the structure itself. However, the weight reduction measures tend to reduce the structural capacity, so it is important to thoroughly study the structural performance of the modified design. Therefore, to reduce the weight of reinforced concrete beams with cross-shaped cross-sections, the possibility of introducing longitudinal circular cavities along the beams is studied. An existing beam with a cross-shaped cross-section was modified by the proposed longitudinal cavities, achieving 9% weight reduction. The cavities were proposed at a distance of the effective depth of the beam from the face of the supports, to maintain the required shear capacity of the cross-section. A numerical analysis of both the initial and the modified designs was then carried out, using non-linear finite element software (i.e. ATENA), to study the structural performance of the new modified design and compare it with the original design.
An Initialization Model with Reference to Finite Number of Failures
Authors: Kajima Atsukuni , Kobayashi Kiyoshi , Obama Kengo , Kaito Kiyoyuki
Published: February 2021

In order to manage the expressway assets, it is important to properly predict the scale of failures occurring in infrastructures in future. In this paper, the authors propose an initialization time model to predict the scale of failures. Specifically, the number of latent failure places where there are possibility of failure occurrence is assumed to be followed to Poisson distribution. Furthermore, a time-dependent probability of a failure occurrence in latent failure places is expressed by using Weibull deterioration hazard model. In consequence, an initialization time model is formulated as a mixed probability model. Lastly, the authors discuss the usefulness of the model in this study through the empirical analysis of actual expressway assets.
A Novel Method for Assessing the Critical Excitation Direction of Curved Bridges
Authors: Feng Ruiwei , Lao Tianpeng , Yuan Wancheng , Deng Tongfa
Published: February 2021

This study proposes a resultant force-based (RFB) method to directly assess the critical excitation direction of curved bridges. A numerical model for a typical curved bridge is built and multiple factors associated with structural and ground motion characteristics, including horizontal girder curvature, column height and frequency characteristics of ground motions are evaluated to identify the sensitivity of the critical excitation direction to these factors. Results indicate that the RFB method can capture the critical excitation direction of curved bridges with sufficient precision (no more than 2.5% for this study) and minor computational efforts (only requiring 0° and 90° as the incidence angles) compared with the response history analyses at multiple ground motion orientations, which can be easily applied in computing software to guide the seismic design of bridges. Among the factors studied, horizontal girder curvature tends to be the most influential factor affecting the critical excitation direction of curved bridges.
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Shear Performance of RC Shear Walls Confined with Welded Reinforcement Grids
Authors: Cui Mingzhe , Fan Jiansheng , Nie Jianguo , Liufu Jun , Li Shengyong , Huang Zhonghai
Published: February 2021

The prefabricated Welded Reinforcement Grids (WRG) is an alternative to the conventional hoops and cross-tie reinforcement in RC structures. Its advantages include high precision, customizability, and economization of construction time, labour and material. However, its performance as shear reinforcement of concrete shear walls has not been thoroughly studied. This paper presents an experimental investigation on the static and seismic behaviour of RC shear walls with WRG as shear reinforcement and confinement of the boundary element. For the reinforcement of long shear walls, a detailing of overlapped WRG is proposed and also tested in specimens. The stiffness, shear capacity, failure mode and the development of strain in reinforcement were instrumented and compared. The test results showed that the shear capacity of WRG confined shear walls exceeded the value predicted by the formula of Chinese code GB50010-2010, Eurocode 2 and the US code ACI 318-14. For the shear wall with overlapped WRG, no major difference was observed on its stiffness, shear capacity and failure mode. The contribution of integral WRG and overlapped WRG to the total capacity of specimens was close. The overlapped WRG was able to develop significant strain, even attain its yielding strain. The capacity of reinforcement was fully exploited and tensile force was effectively transferred. A finite element model based on MSC.Marc was established to simulate the behaviour of test specimens. The results of numerical simulation corresponded with test results with a reasonable level of accuracy.
The Arched Strut – a Tool for Modelling Column-Slab Connections
Authors: Alexander Scott , Lantsoght Eva
Published: February 2021

The arched strut is an addition to the strut-and-tie (STM) tool kit. It models the combination of disturbed behavior in one direction with slender behavior in the perpendicular direction. Common applications for the arched strut are in the design of connections between a reinforced concrete slab and its supporting columns or punching of bridge decks.

The arched strut can be applied to any combination of shear and moment at a column-slab connection. The designer is given clear guidance on anchorage requirements for the flexural reinforcement and the expected ductility of the connection. The method does not model a particular failure criterion; rather, it defines an acceptable load path that meets design objectives.

The paper outlines the basis for the arched strut and presents examples illustrating its use in design.
Innovative Method for the Production of Deck Slabs of Steel-concrete- Composite Bridges
Authors: Kollegger Johann , Fuchs Kerstin
Published: February 2021

Different methods have been developed for the production of deck slabs of large steel-concrete- composite bridges. Often such deck slabs are cast with in-situ concrete with the aid of a formwork carriage. In order to speed up the construction, construction methods with pre-past partial-depth or full-depth elements have been employed. Usually a crane is needed for the placing of the pre- fabricated elements.

A patent for a new construction method for deck slabs of steel-concrete-composite bridges was recently granted to TU Wien. The innovative feature of this novel method consists in the combination of the advantages of in-situ construction using a formwork carriage with partial-depth elements. First, pre-fabricated elements for a section of the deck slab with a chosen length of for example 25m are placed at the assembly area. Reinforcement is placed on top of the pre-fabricated elements and a first concrete layer is cast on top of the pre-fabricated elements. Then a carriage, which can travel along the whole length of the bridge like in the case of a formwork carriage, moves the precast elements to their final location by lifting them approximately 400 mm and then transporting them where ever they need to go. Finally an in-situ concrete layer is added on top of the elements. When the in-situ concrete has gained enough strength, the prefabricated elements, which serve as a lost formwork but also become a load carrying part of the deck slab, are detached from the carriage. This construction process is repeated until the entire bridge carriageway is constructed.

The essential advantage of this innovative construction method for the production of slabs for bridges is the reduction of construction time and the production of a deck slab with the same quality as an in-situ concrete slab.
Increasing Planning Quality for a Project
Authors: Seitz Peter
Published: February 2021

Complex and large construction projects are a major challenge both for the planner as well as the owner. All participants must have clearly understood the task at hand, and the specific boundary conditions must be defined or determined. Planning has a considerable influence on the success of the construction project. This not only means that the design must be buildable but that other aspects of the project must be considered in planning so that the construction task can be achieved successfully.

So, what does “Planning Quality” mean and how can quality be achieved or improved upon? It is not sufficient to simply implement a typical quality management system according to EN ISO 9000, but several different steps must be taken and preparations made for good-quality planning. This paper illustrates certain points on how the planning process must be organized, which steps must be executed and in which order and which tools can be used to monitor and improve the quality for each project.
Parametric Non-linear Models for Buried Structures with Full Soil- structure Interaction
Authors: Bulkowski Marcin , Ogonowski Pawel , Sánchez Marcos
Published: February 2021

Normally, structural analysis of a bridge or civil structure is done with a different software than that used for geotechnical analysis of its foundation. This yields to the need of numerous cycles of approximation, repetition and conservative assumptions. In order to optimize the process of exchanging information between designers, an automation tool has been developed within Sofistik Talpa environment. It has been applied on a number of projects for efficient information exchange between involved disciplines, shortening the time spent on design and in the end increasing quality significantly. The tool has been tested and benchmarked against commonly used solutions like Excel Calculation Sheets or Plaxis 2D. This paper presents the functionality of the tool, discusses the parameters compared by benchmarking and shows the examples where it has been successfully applied.
Form Dynamics at Concrete Overpass Bridges
Authors: Kleiser Michael
Published: February 2021

Beyond an indispensableform logic, where the visible form comprehensibly represents the inherent structural system, further form refinements are possible in order to significantly enhance the external appearance. The approach ofform dynamicsis herein introduced, which shows strong and perplexing correlations between the work of engineers and the principles ofgestalt psychology. Terms used in the field of gestalt psychology like (perception) forces, tensions, and balance of forces, which were mainly proposed by the psychologist Rudolf Arnheim, are also used in the field of structural mechanics.

Recommendations based on gestalt psychology are presented to encourage engineers to improve the outer expression of bridge structures in order to aim for a moredynamicappearance. Special attention is paid to concrete bridges, which cross highways and expressways, since they are exposed to extraordinarily high numbers of observers. An integral overpass bridge along the route A5 of the ASFINAG network, north of Vienna, Austria, which follows the above mentioned principles is introduced as an example.