bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pedestrian Arch Bridge with a Span of 230 m
Authors: Strobl Wolfgang , Häberle Uwe
Published: October 2011

In the border triangle in the southwest of Germany, a new pedestrian bridge across the river Rhine near Basel was opened by March, 2007. The bridge will improve the infrastructure of the region and cross-community relations.

The paper deals with following items:

Basic design concepts and constructional implementation of a great number of complex construction details

Extracts of load cases “wind” and “traffic on half span” considering geometric nonlinearity, camber and construction stages

Assembly: The entire main bridge with a length of 248 m was pre-assembled at a preconstruction site a few 100 m to the north of the final location, then shifted on pontoons and floated.
Seismic Design of Elevated Traffic Systems
Authors: Empelmann Martin
Published: October 2011

For the seismic design of elevated bridge structures the arrangement of plastic hinges, their design and construction, as well as their ductility requirements in case of an earthquake is of great importance. In this paper the deformation behaviour of plastic hinges will be investigated, using different design and calculation approaches for the deformation behaviour of the confined concrete as well as for the bonding behaviour of the reinforcement steel. The plastic rotation and ductility capacity is determined numerically and compared with the ductility requirements of different international codes. Finally, the investigation results are tested and proved on practical construction examples, such as the Taiwan High Speed Rail Project, where this concept was applied in full, in order to secure a save operation during the intended life time of the system.
Use of Duplex Stainless Steel Plate for Durable Bridge Construction
Authors: Gedge Graham
Published: October 2011

The paper considers the use of alternative materials for bridge construction to provide owners with long term durable structures requiring minimum maintenance. The materials considered are a family of stainless steels referred to as duplex stainless steels. The paper considers the history of development of duplex steels and reports on the latest generation of steels with lean alloy contents that provide good levels of corrosion resistance without the excessive cost premium often associated with stainless steels. The paper includes examples of recent uses of these steels on bridge structures and outlines where further research is required to provide the greater confidence needed to encourage owners and designers to adopt the steels more widely
Separation of structural and practical functionalities for wearing courses on steel box girders
Authors: De Backer Hans , Outtier Amelie , Van Bogaert Philippe
Published: October 2011

Steel box girders are frequently used for road bridges. They are an economical solution and are easily built using modern construction techniques. During the day, a box section is subjected to the influence of the diurnal solar radiation cycle. This paper describes a new research project which focuses on the quantification of the thermal behaviour of these steel boxes. The objective of the research is to reach a new and fundamental insight in the problem and the behaviour of closed steel box girders, subjected to a variable thermal load, and the repercussions of such a loading combined with the live load on the stability of the box section, be it as the main arch of the bridge or as a part of the deck structure. This paper reports on the initial results of the finite element modelling of such thermal loading and its consequences for future wearing courses, which would benefit from a separation of the structural and practical functionalities.
The Development of Cable-Stayed Bridges since John Röbling
Authors: Svensson Holger
Published: October 2011

John Roebling was one of the most visionary bridge engineers of the 19th Century. He started the fabrication of bridge cables and pioneered the design of suspension bridges for which he initiated the use of stay cables to stiffen them. After WW2 the use of stay cables was re-discovered and the new type of cable-stayed bridges became very successful. The developments Roebling started 150 years ago are still in progress today.
The effect of wave passage on immersed tube tunnels Busan Geoje Fixed Link in South Korea
Authors: Heijmans Ronald , Jackson Peter , Kasper Thomas , Meinhardt Guido , Schmitt Jean , Voortman Hessel
Published: October 2011

A special feature of the Busan-Geoje Fixed Link in South Korea is the foundation of an immersed tube tunnel in a trench of soft marine clay. The tunnel is subject to wave loads due to 9.2 meter high hurricane waves which jeopardize the stability of the tunnel. Analytical analyses, scale model tests and numerical analyses have been made to investigate this problem. This paper gives an overview of the analyses, performed from schematization of the non-linear waves to pressure variations at seabed, modelling of the wave induced groundwater flow and its effects on the tunnel buried in the seabed. This is followed by a discussion of the results and consequences for the design of the tunnel.
Vertical Microtunnelling technology developed for retaining wall Amsterdam
Authors: Bosma Carlos , Obladen Bas
Published: October 2011

The municipality of Amsterdam is currently constructing the new metro line, the North/South-line. This metro line passes through Amsterdam’s Central Station. The contractor must therefore construct an immersed tunnel under the station platforms, the 15 tracks and the historical station building. It must be avoided that the historical building that consists of brickwork from 1890 is damaged. Rail traffic and rail passengers cannot be inconvenienced during construction and safety must be guaranteed.

The realization of the retaining wall under Amsterdam Central Station is achieved by a newly developed innovative method for installing watertight interlocked tubular steel piles to a depth of - 66 metres NAP.
Innovative Technique for the Construction of Luntou Tunnel – Casting IMT on Submersible Barge
Authors: Yang W. W. , Lo Joseph Y. C. , Ng Fred H. Y. , Yang Wenjun , Luo Guangzhai
Published: October 2011

The Guangzhou government has decided to build a new university city and academic campus on a rural island surrounded by the Pearl River for further progressing higher education and economic developments. A number of fixed links crossing the River are urgently needed as part of the trunk roads towards the university city. The preference of tunnel options to the bridges is for avoiding large-scale relocations of facilities and to protect the scenery of the river banks. Luntou tunnel being constructed by immersed tube method becomes the second tunnel crossing the Pearl River. As the area required for casting basin would be quite large and such land space is not available near the site of built-up area, fabrication of tunnel units on submersible barges is adopted. This innovative technique is discussed in this paper.
Beijing Airport Terminal 3
Authors: Falter Holger , Manning Martin , Henley Richard
Published: October 2011

Between October 2003 and July 2004, Arup, the Dutch airport planners NACO and Foster and Partners designed the new Terminal 3 for Beijing Airport and a railway station connecting the airport with the City. The large number of docking stations and optimization of passenger travel between gates were the preliminary influences shaping the footprint of the airport. The decision to subdivide the terminal into national and international arrivals and departures lead to two terminal areas (T3A and T3B) arranged on the longitudinal axis and connected to each other by a public transport system. Their symmetrical arrangement to the longitudinal axis of the terminals allowed for a double curved roof along the main axis. The load bearing behaviour of the two terminal roofs was highly influenced by lateral forces due to wind and seismic loading. The down stand beams together with the reinforced concrete columns stabilized the structure by moment frame action only. As a consequence, the roof had to be stabilized by the cantilevered steel columns alone. This allowed that seismically introduced lateral forces could be submitted to the columns proportional to the column bending stiffness and not concentrated at a limited number of braced columns locations. The double curved roof for Beijing Airport is a modular space truss system. The enormous size of the two roofs for Beijing airport and the construction grid of 4.5m resulted in 18,262 connection points and 76,924 connecting members.
Crack widths close the reinforcement
Authors: Tammo Kristian , Lundgren Karin , Thelandersson Sven
Published: October 2011

Currently used design methods predict that the crack widths at the concrete surface increase significantly with concrete cover. Requirements concerning limitation of crack widths therefore makes it difficult to use large concrete covers, which otherwise is desirable to reduce the corrosion of reinforcement. For this reason it would be more relevant to limit the crack width in the vicinity of the reinforcement bars. In this paper experimental studies to investigate how concrete cover affects the crack width at the reinforcement level are presented. Axially loaded concrete prisms with central reinforcement bars and beams loaded with bending moment are tested with a method making it possible to measure crack widths near the reinforcement. Concrete cover, bar diameter and concrete quality are varied. The test results show that the crack width close to the bar is only to a limited extent affected by concrete cover, bar diameter and concrete quality. Three-dimensional, non-linear FE-calculations are also performed to understand the mechanisms determining the properties of a crack.
New approaches for the determination of the cable factor in post-tensioning tendons
Authors: Weiher Hermann , Specht E. , Pfeiffer B. , Klamroth K. , Zilch Konrad
Published: October 2011

Within this article it will be shown how the cable factor of deviated bundle tendons and accordingly the pressure between prestressing steel elements and duct can be determined exactly. The knowledge of the maximum pressure between strand/wire to the duct of a bundle tendon is important both to estimate the danger of fatigue fracture of the prestressing steel due to fretting corrosion when using corrugated steel ducts and to estimate the imprints into polyethylene ducts of bondless tendons. Polyethylene ducts serve as corrosion protection hulls for tendons. Especially for bondless tendons, it is necessary to limit the wear of the ducts to ensure the corrosion protection of the steel, the durability of the tendon and the tensioned structure.

In the past, graphical methods had been applied as well as costly and time-consuming simulations of the arrangement of strands or wires in a duct with the help of small-scale models. For configurations other than the tested ones or for a higher number of wires in a duct these results cannot be used. That is why the authors developed two numerical approaches of how to arrange strands/wires in a duct (approach A: “Nonlinear Optimization”, approach B: “M-PDS-algorithm”). After finding an optimal arrangement it is possible to determine the cable factors and thus the maximum pressure by he help of a two-dimensional truss calculation.

Finally, two approaches for estimating the maximum cable factor are presented. They are reducing the calculation effort to different extents. The first approach is based on hydrostatic analogy. The second one is a simplified method that allows the quick estimation with the help of the relevant parameters in a short formula. In contrast to the exact solutions only the maximum value of the cable factors can be found, but not the pressures between strands/wires or the remaining pressures between strands/wires and duct, [1].

Nevertheless, with the help of the tools which are presented herein, the curvature design of deviated tendons can be reconsidered. In addition to that, they can contribute to a qualified assessment of the durability and efficiency of existing post-tensioning systems or to their development.
Holistic Design Methods for Hybrid Arch Bridges
Authors: Weissbach Matthias
Published: October 2011

The entire analysis of arch bridges on various consideration-levels linked with the historical knowledge of the art of vaulting and the modern principles of light-weight structures and composite construction lead to hybrid arched structures and suitable construction methods. This opens up new qualities for arch bridge design and construction caused by synergetic effects.

Statical and functional advantages as well as aesthetical and economical advantages prove, that hybrid arches of steel and concrete make a fundamental contribution to a quantum leap in the development of arch bridges.
Compression members with slender Class 4 box sections susceptible to combined local and global buckling for use in steel arch bridges
Authors: Degée Hervé , Maquoi René , Detzel Annette , Kuhlmann Ulrike
Published: October 2011

This paper presents the results of a research project analysing some aspects of stability failure of thin-walled compression members likely to exhibit combined global and local buckling. In particular, the influence of various imperfections (namely residual stresses due to welding and local as well as global geometrical defects) on the load-carrying capacity was subject to detailed experimental and numerical investigations. The insight into the structural behaviour lead to a modification of the non-dimensional slenderness used in the global buckling verification and to the recommendation of a shift from the currently applied European buckling curve to a more favourable one in the case of non-stiffened members with welded box sections subjected to pure compression.
A Survey on Patch Loading Models for Bridge Launching
Authors: Kuhlmann Ulrike , Johansson Bernt , Raoul Joël , Braun Benjamin , Gozzi Jonas , Davaine Laurence , Martin Pierre-Olivier , Clarin Mattias
Published: October 2011

During the incremental launching of steel and composite bridges high support reactions have to be introduced into the slender steel webs of the bridge girder. In the past, the specific characteristics of bridge launching such as long loading lengths and longitudinal stiffeners were not covered appropriately by existing design formulae for patch loading. In the frame of the research project “Competitive Steel and Composite Bridges by Improved Steel Plated Structures (COMBRI)” a clear improvement of the patch loading resistances for I-girders and box sections could be derived leading to more economic solutions for this type of loading. The paper introduces the basic concepts of the developed models for both unstiffened girders and girders with open-section and closed-section longitudinal stiffeners as well as a software tool for the advanced determination of elastic critical buckling loads and modes. A comparison of the main area of application and the resulting economic advantages concludes the survey.
Structural Assessment and Rehabilitation of Concrete Bridges
Authors: Furlanetto Guido , Torricelli Lucio Ferretti , Marchiondelli Alessandra
Published: October 2011

The Italian infrastructural network presents some thousand bridges, many of which more than 50 years old and often situated in unfavourable environmental conditions. Transportation agencies are faced with continuous challenge of keeping bridges in good service conditions despite the unavoidable sources of damage leading during time to a deterioration of the structural performance. The need of upgrading the civil infrastructures might arise from many factors, like normal aging, damage induced by particular strong environmental conditions, absence of periodic maintenance interventions, wrong design choices or construction defects, upgrade of the structural safety demand required by codes, some exceptional situations like accidents or earthquakes, and others.

In this context, the problem of structural rehabilitation is receiving a growing attention. Recently, besides the traditional methods using conventional materials, some new rehabilitation techniques using fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) are emerging.

This paper shows the efforts spent by SPEA Ingegneria Europea and Autostrade per l’Italia companies in developing rehabilitation interventions of existing bridges affected by different kinds of deficiencies and problems. To this aim, some applications to structural rehabilitation of bridges using both traditional and innovative techniques are presented.
Design and Construction of Metsovitikos Bridge, Greece
Authors: Ahmadi-Kashani Kamran , Papanikolas Panagiotis , Rentzeperis Ioannis
Published: October 2011

Metosvitikos Bridge is one of the land mark structures of the Egnatia Motorway project in northern Greece. A pier-less suspension bridge scheme was originally selected for this structure through an international design competition. However, due to geotechnical uncertainties, this scheme was replaced by a balanced cantilever bridge with the main span of 235m which is considered to be the longest span for this of construction in the Balkans. This paper outlines the suspension bridge scheme, and describes the design and construction of the balanced cantilever bridge.
Steel railway bridge deck design for noise emmission and maintenance cost reduction
Authors: Hesselink Bert , Snijder Bert H. H.
Published: October 2011

Recently, new developments in steel railway bridge deck design have been induced by noise emission and maintenance cost reduction. The tendency is towards simple and smooth deck designs because they need less maintenance to prevent corrosion. In addition, composite and concrete deck systems are designed for minimum noise emission and lower (track) maintenance costs. Traditional deck designs, consisting of cross and longitudinal steel beams with bridge sleepers on top of them, frequently give problems with respect to fatigue. Therefore, the bridge sleepers were replaced by new special silent longitudinal deck sections enhancing the lifetime of these bridges. In this paper, the developments in steel railway bridge deck design to meet noise emission and maintenance requirements for new and existing steel railway bridges are illustrated. These developments bring new opportunities for the use of steel as a construction material for railway bridges.
Benefits of post-weld treatment to improve tubular bridge fatigue performance
Authors: Walbridge Scott , Nussbaumer Alain
Published: October 2011

In looking for ways of improving the fatigue performance of tubular bridge structures, the use of residual stress based post-weld treatment methods, such as needle peening, has been suggested. To study this possibility, a number of large-scale fatigue tests were performed on untreated and treated tubular bridge joints. Following these tests, a probabilistic fracture mechanics-based treatment model was developed and used to perform a number of studies. In examining the results of these studies, the mean applied stress level was seen to strongly influence the treatment benefit at the various potential crack sites in a typical tubular bridge structure. Based on this observation, the possibility of post-weld treatment in the field (i.e. after the dead load stresses are introduced) is examined herein, and seen to result in a significant increase in the treatment benefit.
Wedge Anchor For Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP)
Authors: Burtscher Stefan
Published: October 2011

Anchoring of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) is a difficult task, because of the high axial and low lateral strength. Most anchorages found in literature use epoxy resin to establish the interface between the FRP-tendon and the anchorage itself. The anchoring process is time consuming and often multiple steps are necessary. Wedge anchorages were used with great success for anchorages for steel strands. To achieve an efficient, economic and easily applicable anchoring system special wedges were developed for FRP. The special design of the wedges provides an evenly distributed lateral pressure and shear stress along the wedge FRP – interface. Therefore high anchoring loads are possible. Experiments were performed on strips and rods made of CFRP and GFRP using epoxy bonded and friction only interfaces. The tests showed a high efficiency in terms of ultimate load and that the economic friction only interface transfers higher loads than the epoxy bonded one.
Self-compacting concrete in bridge construction on federal trunk roads
Authors: Tauscher Franka
Published: October 2011

Several structures already built demonstrate the advantages of self-compacting concrete in constructing bridges. However, this can only be achieved by fulfilling the special requirements posed by this building material. The technological, logistical and economic expenditure involved in the production and processing of self-compacting concrete is pronounced compared to conventional vibrated concrete. Important criteria when estimating costs and benefits are the expected high quality of workmanship, elimination of noise and vibrations resulting from compaction, and selfacting consolidation and deaeration during the flow of self-compacting concrete over lengths of up to several metres, also through poorly accessible cavities.
Monitoring of bridges by advanced methods of experimental-mechanical symbiosis
Authors: Brandes Klaus , Daum Werner , Buchhardt Frank
Published: October 2011

Long-term monitoring is becoming a common tool of condition evaluation of bridges. The task is characterised by the application of a huge number of sensors of different types at the structure on the one hand, and on the other hand with the development of an adaptive structural model for the bridge to interprete all the measured data and provide a basis for their coupling. Although this task is of fundamental importance for the planning and monitoring as well as for the evaluation and interpretation of the experimental results, only small attention has been focussed on this subject as far as a systematic coupling in mathematical terms is considered. For the concrete bridges of the new main railway station of Berlin ("Lehrter Bahnhof"), a monitoring system has been developed in order to observe the deformations of the bridges due to settlement and heaving of the foundation during construction works in the direct neighbourhood with deep excavations and large new buildings.
The Balsberg viaduct of the new light rail network to Zurich-airport
Authors: Zwicky Daia , Lüthi Thomas
Published: October 2011

This paper reports on the key structure for the new light rail network in the area of Zurich-Airport – the Balsberg Viaduct. The project was published for total contractor submission in October 2005 based on a highly detailed preliminary project. The contract was awarded to a local joint venture team comprising two contractors (Marti AG / Stutz AG) and two civil engineering consultancies (Synaxis AG / Henauer Gugler AG). The paper comments on the several optimizations to the preliminary project made by the winning team. The challenges presented by the local soil conditions and the particularly restraining construction site conditions are also described. The Balsberg Viaduct is currently the major bridge project under construction in Switzerland. The viaduct will play a key role in bringing people closer to Zurich Airport – and thereby bringing Zurich and Swiss people closer to the world.
Monitoring of railway-bridges – an advanced component of maintenance and sustainability
Authors: Marx Steffen , Geißler Karsten , Bolle Guido
Published: October 2011

A lot of the older German railway bridges are made of steel and have reached or exceeded the planed duration of use. Because it’s impossible to renew all these bridges at once, concepts for extension of duration of use without a decrease of safety are necessary. The paper shows the determination of load capacity of railway bridges using a combination of measurement and calculation procedures, that includes the detection of bearing reserves. Special procedures of short and long time measurements, which are contained in the standard of German Railway, will be explained.

Based on a current project, the structural monitoring of a railway bridge in Chemnitz, the use of measurement procedures in combination with statically calculations is demonstrated. Particularly the concept for realistic determination of remaining life is explained and significant results are presented.
Preliminary estimation of seismic vulnerability of a database of bridges located at the Mexican Pacific Coast
Authors: Gómez-Soberón Consuelo , Barrera Bautista Luis A.
Published: October 2011

The Mexican Secretary for Communications and Transports (SCT) periodically applies an evaluation procedure to define maintenance politics of highway bridges, named SIPUMEX. This is a very general method which does not consider some important parameters needed to characterize the seismic behavior in bridges. A modification of the SIPUMEX process is presented in this paper, considering the addition of new evaluation parameters, based on the results of surveys made with Mexican experts in this theme, or by eliminating some parameters used in the original methodology that do not provide information about the bridges seismic vulnerability. The proposed procedure was applied to a database of 79 highway bridges located next to the Mexican Pacific Coast. The obtained results were compared with the ones calculated with a procedure available in the literature.
Monitoring of a bridge with integral abutment
Authors: Nilsson Martin , Husson Wylliam , Petursson Hans , Veljkovic Milan , Collin Peter
Published: October 2011

Preliminary results obtained from short term test-loading are used to illustrate possibilities of FEM used to calibrate complex interaction characteristics between a pile and soil in a bridge with integral abutments. The measurements are obtained during the winter season on the bridge over Ledån, Northern Sweden. The bridge is built in 2006 and used for long term monitoring within the international project supported by RFCS. The main objective of the on-going research project is to proposed recommendations for rational analysis and design of bridges with integral abutments.
Earthquake resistant post-tensioned concrete bridges in Egnatia Motorway
Authors: Tzaveas Theodoros , Paraschos Kimon , Gavaise Evgenia
Published: October 2011

The Egnatia motorway running across northern Greece is an impressive project. Not only is it currently one of the most ambitious highway projects anywhere in the world, but also carving its way through Greece’s mountainous backbone has brought many design and constructional challenges. In this paper the bridge inventory, the design philosophy from the feasibility stage to the detailed design, the procurement methods, and the technological advances implemented for earthquake resistant structures are presented. Case studies are also discussed stating the design details, which lead to more durable low maintenance structures, structural concepts in reference to demanding ground conditions and site-specific requirements.
Evaluation on remaining bearing capacity and service life for parallel wire cable
Authors: Chen Weizhen , Liu Xue , Xu Jun
Published: October 2011

Since 1980s China has forged more than one hundred cable-stayed bridges. With the passage of time, the stay cables of many bridges have been gravely corroded and some of them were broken causing collapses. In the grim situation, apprehensions about the safety of these cable-stayed bridges arise. This paper advances a series of pragmatic methods to attack inspection and evaluation of parallel wire cables.

First of all, a grading contrast standard for corrosive wires is established for the convenience of visual inspection. Inspections are then carried out on cables dismantled from cable-stayed bridges to find out the distributing rule of internal corrosion. Furthermore, a single wire modelling is built
based on wire deterioration mechanism. It is required that the modelling should consider the dual influences of corrosion (including homogenous corrosion and rust pit etc.) and fatigue, which can be adjusted through testing. On the basis of the single wire modelling, a parallel cable model can be applied to figuring out remaining bearing capacity and forecasting remaining service lives of the cables. Finally, the experimental values of the discarded cables are compared with theoretical ones to verify the precision of the theoretical analysis.

The method proposed in the paper was once applied to the inspection and evaluation of Shimen Bridge to determine the first replacement of stay cables. In the evaluation, the remaining service lives of the remaining cables were successfully estimated.
Risk assessment of a long span unsymmetrical extroversion arch bridge
Authors: Ruan Xin , Chen Ai-Rong
Published: October 2011

Nanning Bridge is the first long span unsymmetrical extroversion arch bridge with a curve steel gird in the world. The main span of the bridge is 300m, and the incline angles of two main arch ribs are 69.7°and 66.5°. Construction technology, nature hazards and some accidents which may happen during the construction process have to be considered. A two stages risk assessment method is proposed. At the first stage, an expert investigation which is based on analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is carried out, cable supported construction scheme and hybrid supported construction scheme are compared, and cable supported schemes is recommended due to its low risks. At the second stage, 21 main risk events which may occur in the cable supported construction scheme are assessed in detail, based on a qualitative and quantitative combined assessment method, and appropriate countermeasures for those risk factors are also recommended. The risk assessment method proposed in the paper can be applied in similar bridges.
Uniform concept for structural stability and fire protection
Authors: Dressel Bernd , Andrä Hans-Peter
Published: October 2011

The paper presents the development of a modern, risk-based safety concept for structural stability and fire protection. A risk analysis initiated by the increased numbers of collapses and fires in recent years revealed that it is imperative to adapt state measures for pre-emptive risk management more specifically than in the past to the safety risks arising during the planning, erection and use of a building. On the basis of parameters defining the level of risk, the intensity of state inspection and monitoring measures should in future be graduated in accordance with the consequences of failure as characterised by the Eurocode consequence classes CC1 to CC3 in EN 1990, as well as the probability of such an occurrence, i.e. according to the complexity of the supporting structures in case of structural stability or the evacuation conditions for fire protection. A concrete proposal for a risk-based safety concept is presented within the framework of the German regulations. The independent role and qualification of the check engineers is here of particular importance.
Incheon Bridge Project – The role of the Contractor's Checking Engineer
Authors: Flett Innes D. , Carter Matt , Hussain Naeem , Yeoward Andrew
Published: October 2011

A 12.3 km long sea crossing is currently under construction at Incheon in South Korea. At a cost of US$1.4 billion, the crossing will link the new Incheon International Airport on Yeongjong island to Songdo (New City) and the new International Free Enterprise Zone (IFEZ) which are both currently under construction. A cable stayed bridge will cross the 625.5m wide by 74m high navigation channel leading to the Port of Incheon. With an 800m long main span, this will be the longest spanning bridge in South Korea and will form part of one of the longest sea crossings in the world. A joint venture team comprising Halcrow, Arup and local consultant Dasan was appointed by design and construct contractor Samsung Construction JV (SCJV) as the Contractor’s Checking Engineer (CCE) in March 2005.
Comparison of European building control systems
Authors: Mikulits Rainer , Tiedemann Manfred
Published: October 2011

The purpose of the comparison is to provide information about building control systems in Europe. This information may be required by architects, developers and contractors, no longer working in national markets, but in the common market for services and for construction products, in which cross border activities will increase.

The comparison shows that building control in responding countries is less different than expected. While building control originally used to be only performed by authorities, private control elements can today be found in nearly all the responding countries, at least by means of delegation of tasks to independent private experts. In some countries there are also full private building control systems which are often related to insurance systems.

The development of the common market for services and products in the construction sector in Europe will further increase the importance of private building control which can, different to authorities, extend its activities across national borders.
Traffic infrastructure innovation by integration of the traffic and parking facilities
Authors: Angelmaier Volkhard
Published: October 2011

A new trade fair area for the State of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, the “Neue Messe Stuttgart”, is planned nearby Stuttgart Airport with a construction for parking decks across the autobahn A8 and the new high-speed railway Stuttgart – Ulm. The vision of parking over extremely large traffic lines (80.000 cars per day on the autobahn A8) becomes reality.
Towards Sustainable Development of Bridge Engineering: Chinese Lessons and Experiences
Authors: Ge Yao Jun , Xiang Hai Fan
Published: October 2011

The concept of sustainability is described in this paper by single sustainable principle, two goals of sustainable development, three dimensions of sustainable engineering, four sustainable requirements and five phases of sustainable construction. Four sustainable requirements and their practice in China are particularly discussed. Safe reliability of bridges is firstly compared with the events of bridge failure in China and in the rest of the world, and followed by structural durability including cracking of concrete cable-stayed bridges, deflection of concrete girder bridges and fatigue cracks of orthotropic steel deck. Referred to functional adaptability, lateral wind action on vehicles and its improvement are introduced with a sea-crossing bridge located in typhoon prone area. The Chinese practice of two double main span suspension bridges and a twin parallel deck cable-stayed bridge are delivered as the last sustainable requirement, capacity extensibility.
ACMC – Performance Based Code for Design, Construction and Maintenance
Authors: Ueda Tamon
Published: October 2011

Asian Concrete Model Code (ACMC) is the first international code in the region as a performance based code, whose first version appeared in 2001. ACMC consists of design, construction and maintenance parts, which deal with concrete structures from birth to death. The required performance, whose verification method is provided, is safety, serviceability and reparability.

ACMC introduces the multi-level document structure. Level 1 and Level 2 documents are the common code, while Level 3 document is the local/specific code. Since its birth ACMC has been serving to not only to Asia but also the whole world through ISO activities. It is believed that ACMC would be a good model for sustainable international model code because of its performance based nature and multi-level document structure. A way to make the sustainable international codes is also presented.
Shear Connectors in Steel Fiber Reinforced Ultra High Performance Concrete
Authors: Rauscher Sabine , Hegger Josef
Published: October 2011

The present paper summarizes the results of a research program involving the testing of push-out specimens and composite beams with an innovative continuous shear connector in ultra-high performance concrete. In the push-out tests the load-slip behavior of the shear connectors was evaluated and compared for various parameters. For steel failure of the shear connectors a design model is proposed. The beam tests are focused on the moment carrying capacity and the transition of the shear forces across the joint between steel and concrete. Two beam tests are presented and discussed.
Optimal Design of Reinforced Concrete Frames Considering Seismic Provisions Using Genetic Algorithms with Modified Leader Reproduction
Authors: Balili Alden Paul D. , Oreta Andres Winston C.
Published: October 2011

This paper discusses the application of Genetic Algorithms (GA) in the design optimization of concrete frames that are resistant against seismic loads. The application of GA to the optimization of concrete frames is discussed. After this, the Concrete Optimization Program (COP) and its 4 main components are discussed briefly. The performance of the COP using different GA constants and improved operators were tested on a 2-storey frame. From the initial results, it can be observed that using simple GA with enhancements is insufficient to provide a practical and efficient means of optimizing a concrete frame. In light of this situation, the modified leader reproduction (MLR) was conceived to improve the overall performance of the COP. The performance of the COP with MLR was tested on both a 2-storey and 4-storey frame. From the results, it was confirmed that using MLR enhanced the efficiency and capability of the COP to yield economical and feasible results.
Earthquake Damage Mitigation of Seismically Isolated Curved Viaducts
Authors: Mendez Carlos , Hayashikawa Toshiro
Published: October 2011

This paper investigates the effectiveness of the use of seismic isolation devices on the overall 3D seismic response of curved highway viaducts with an emphasis on expansion joints. Furthermore, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of cable restrainers is presented. For this purpose, the bridge seismic performance has been evaluated on four different radii of curvature, considering two cases: restrained and unrestrained curved viaducts. Depending on the radius of curvature, three- dimensional non-linear dynamic analysis shows the vulnerability of curved viaducts to deck unseating and joint residual damage. In this study, the efficiency of using LRB supports combined with cable restrainers on curved viaducts is demonstrated, not only by reducing in all cases the possible damage, but also by providing a similar behavior in the viaducts despite of curvature radius.
Fatigue Reinforcement With Attaching UFC Panels On Orthotropic Steel Deck
Authors: Suganuma Hisatada , Miki Chitoshi , Kawaguchi Tetsuo
Published: October 2011

Many cases of fatigue damage on the orthotropic steel deck structure have been reported [1] [2]. There is a pressing need to identify the causes and to retrofit these bridges for realizing the sustainable structures. This damage is caused by the complex deformation of the deck, which is directly subjected to vehicle loads. This paper discusses our investigation of the mechanism of fatigue damage. The investigation was performed by comparing field measurement results with the analytical results. This paper also discusses the retrofit method for the fatigue cracks on weld bead between the deck plate and trough rib. We addressed the stress reduction by attaching UFC(Ultra- high-strength Fiber-reinforced Concrete: Ex. Ductal) panels onto deck plate. We evaluated its effectiveness by FEM and static load test. Our method could reduce stress at scallop of transverse rib up to 30%.
Sensitivity Analysis for Deteriorating Bridges using Bus Acceleration Sensors
Authors: Yabe Nagai Akito , Yang Kejian , Miyamoto Ayaho
Published: October 2011

Because many infrastructures such as bridges will entrance their last stage of designed durability in Japan, it becomes much more important to judge whether replace them or use them continously over their designed durability while doing maintenance. An old bridge should be inspected much exactly by expert engineers rather than at its initial stage of lifetime. Now, the structural health monitoring (SHM) technique makes it possible to gather more and more useful data to investigate dameges.Whether inspection by expert engineers or SHM, the cost problems for sustainable bridge maintenance should be solved first. In this paper, a concept of detecting damage signs in long-term service bridges using acceleration response of running bus on the bridges. The conclusions of this paper will give good references to develop a creative useful method for sustainable bridge maintenance.
The TISB and the TMF Concepts: Application on a Proposal for a Roadway Tunnel Crossing the Tagus River in Lisbon
Authors: Santos S. Pompeu
Published: October 2011

The paper presents two innovative and cost-effective concepts for the construction of tunnels using the tunnel boring machine (TBM) technique: the TISB concept to be used when the referred tunnels are executed in soft soils (e.g., alluviums), in seismic areas; and the TMF concept, which allows for the use of a single tunnel that provides the capabilities usually obtained with two parallel roadway tunnels. The paper also presents a proposal for a roadway tunnel, now under study, crossing the Tagus river, in Lisbon, in which these concepts are applied.
Stonecutters Bridge – Project Summary
Authors: Kite Steve , Yeung Ngai , Hussain Naeem
Published: October 2011

Stonecutters Bridge is a large cable stayed road bridge spanning the Rambler Channel in Hong Kong above a busy shipping channel. The concept was procured through an international design competition in 2000. Design challenges included quantifying the effects of a turbulent wind climate on the flexible structure, as well as many other detailed investigations, tests and analyses.

Construction commenced in early 2004. Site activities have all been large scale, including deep piling, large concrete pours, massive temporary works, high level working, and heavy lifting operations. Geometry of steelwork fabrication and erection had to be carefully controlled. The final main span segment was lifted into place in March 2009. Opening is scheduled for November.
Damage to bridge engineering during Ms 8.0 earthquake in Wenchuan
Authors: Wu Du , Li Zhenxin
Published: October 2011

Among highway systems, bridge is the most vulnerable component to the earthquake hazard, so the bridge seismic design is considered to be an important part of the bridge design. On may 12, 2008, a Ms.8.0 earthquake occurred in Wenchuan China, which was the one of biggest earthquake China has suffered from 1950s. In this big earthquake, with different distance from the epicenter, a great deal of bridges suffered varying degrees of damage, i.e. bridge collapse completely, girders fall down, bearing damage, and so on. According to analyze these phenomena of damage, more in- depth understanding of the bridge performance in the actual of the earthquake will be got. This paper introduces and analyzes the representative damage of bridges during the earthquake. In the end, some of the recommendations will be given to improve the bridge seismic design.
Structural Lessons from Wenchuan 5-12 for Disaster Risk Reduction
Authors: Grundy Paul
Published: October 2011

The immediate response to a disaster is emergency rescue and relief, followed by rebuilding
communities and physical infrastructure to a standard sufficiently robust to survive a similar event
in the future with little loss. The building of resilience into neighbouring communities which did
not suffer the disaster in order to achieve a similar robustness is equally important but it is often
delayed, perhaps indefinitely, during the recovery process. Retrofitting deficient structures is a
more sophisticated task than rebuilding to modern standards. There is insufficient research and
training of structural engineers in structural risk assessment and methods of retrofitting. Wenchuan
5-12 provided a valuable field laboratory (at horrendous cost) for identifying good and bad features
of common structures. These features will be discussed for the dominant forms of reinforced
concrete and load bearing masonry construction. The implementation of a comprehensive risk
reduction program will require cooperative engagement of local communities, government,
professionals and contractors which presents yet more challenges to the structural engineer.
Shake Table Response of RC Bridge Piers to Near-Fault Earthquake
Authors: Chung Young Soo , Yang Dong Wook , Lim Hyun Sik , Hong Hyun Ki
Published: October 2011

Near fault ground motion (NFGM) is a single long period velocity pulse of large magnitude. These earthquakes have caused severe and impulsive damage on various infrastructures because the epicentre is close to the urban area. These characteristics are unique compared to the far-fault ground motion (FFGM), upon which nearly all seismic design criteria are based. The objective of this study is to explore the shake table response of reinforced concrete bridge piers and to investigate near-fault ground motion effects on reinforced concrete bridge piers compared to those by the far fault ground motion. The seismic performance of two RC bridge piers under near-fault and far fault ground motions was investigated on the shake table. In addition, comparative tests were made for RC bridge piers subjected to Pseudo-dynamic loadings and Quasi-Static loadings. Test results showed that NFGM generally induced worse seismic performance than FFGM.
Urban Building Damages in Sichuan Earthquake and Seismic Design Countermeasures in Reconstruction
Authors: Lu Xilin , Zhou Ying
Published: October 2011

The May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China was a mega earthquake with a magnitude of MW 8.0. This paper firstly presents a summary of the observations of building damages in the event. The causes inducing eight types of building damages are analyzed. The main reason lies that the earthquake ground motion is extremely larger than expected and most of the collapsed building did not have minimum seismic capacity. By now, the post-quake reconstruction of the region has been performed over one year. The seismic countermeasures in the reconstruction are proposed herein and have been applied into two engineering cases. One seriously-damaged primary school in Dujiangyan City was retrofitted by applying structural control concept. The analytical results shows, it is convenient to avoid heavy strengthening work and easy to meet performance objectives of reconstruction. The sustainable material (timber) was used to build another primary school in the city, which will be put into use in the fall semester of 2009.
Design for Sustainability – Demands for the Integrated Performance of Buildings
Authors: Maydl Peter
Published: October 2011

Since a few years sustainable construction is a main topic in civil engineering. Including the operation phase the construction sector is the biggest consumer of natural resources, i.e. material, energy and soil surface. Whereas energy consumption for heating and cooling is now part of nearly all planning guidelines developers, architects and structural engineers do not consider resource efficiency, maintenance, dismantling and recycling with adequate significance. Life cycle design is growing driven by economic aspects. Recently real estate consultants have discovered the added value of certificates for sustainable buildings. But an assessment in platin or gold (LEED, DGNB) has to be planned beginning with the project development stage. The pre-condition for it is the declared intention of owners and developers and the early forming of an integrated planning team (architect, structural engineer, consulting engineers, FM etc.). A brief survey of the basic demands for sustainable design of buildings is presented.