This article presents an innovative method of bio-mediated soil improvement for increasing the shear strength of loose sand.The improvement is realized by mixing the loose sand with the inoculum of Rhizopus oligosporu...This article presents an innovative method of bio-mediated soil improvement for increasing the shear strength of loose sand.The improvement is realized by mixing the loose sand with the inoculum of Rhizopus oligosporus,a kind of fungus widely used in food industry for making Indonesian tempeh.The objective of this article is to investigate the performance and mechanism of mixing tempeh inoculum as a binding agent of loose sand particles.The inoculum dosage,water content of loose sand,and curing time were examined for identifying the increment of unconfined compressive strength(q_u)of the samples.The results showed that q_u of the treated samples increased when the inoculum dosage was elevated.It shows that 5.24%inoculum could yield 68 kPa of q_u,and 5%water content and 3 d curing time produced the maximum q_u.Moreover,the mechanism of hypha and mycelium in binding the soil particles was clearly observed using a digital microscope and scanning electron microscope.展开更多
Building Information Models (BIM) have revealed themselves as a good tool to support construction actions, due to their ability to store all the information in one digital model and to promote collaboration between al...Building Information Models (BIM) have revealed themselves as a good tool to support construction actions, due to their ability to store all the information in one digital model and to promote collaboration between all participants in a project. Teaching Civil Engineering requires a permanent updating of knowledge concerning procedures and technologies used in the construction industry. In this sense, the school should seek to adapt its curriculum to include innovative issues to support new technologies. So, in an educational context, the aim of the present work is to disseminate knowledge concerning the benefits provided when implementing BIM in several aspects within the construction activity. In a Civil Engineering school some topics of BIM application were developed by students within MSc researches. The text describes in detail some of the main topics, showing distinct use of BIM: Generation and use of a 4D/BIM model to support construction planning;coordination of construction project based on BIM methodology;conflict analysis based in an architectural 3D/BIM model. Several study cases were modelled and analyzed, confronting the BIM use with the traditional way when performing the same tasks, and consequently recommendations were carried out. This work contributed to demonstrate the advantages of employing BIM for building tasks purposes when compared with the traditional process, and in a didactic context the main objective is to add competitive skills in the training of future civil engineers.展开更多
Using the knowledge obtained from previous courses such as:soil mechanics,structural analysis,steel design,etc.,a team of seven students at California State University,Northridge(CSUN)designed a two-story residential ...Using the knowledge obtained from previous courses such as:soil mechanics,structural analysis,steel design,etc.,a team of seven students at California State University,Northridge(CSUN)designed a two-story residential steel house for their senior design course.The home was chosen to be located in the city of Pacific Palisades,California.The following paper outlines the design of the home ranging from the architectural plans to the beam,column,and foundation design.California is known to be seismically active,therefore,seismic loading played a large factor into the design of the house.Once the design of the house was completed,a cost estimate of the house was prepared using the estimating platform RSMeans.Additionally,a second estimate of the home was also completed with the addition of LEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)features such as solar panels,LED lighting,and energy star appliances that make the home environmentally friendly and will give the owner a greater return on their investment in the future.展开更多
The present researched topic was conceived from a senior design course for Civil Engineering students at CSUN (California State University), Northridge. In this work, experimental trials were performed and compared to...The present researched topic was conceived from a senior design course for Civil Engineering students at CSUN (California State University), Northridge. In this work, experimental trials were performed and compared to establish theoretical values of the discharge coefficient. The discharge coefficient is a dimensionless number used to characterize the flow and pressure loss behavior of nozzles and orifices in fluid systems. A group of low-income undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds designed multiple 3D printed orifices where each 3D printed orifice had a specific shape. Utilizing the methods of technical problem solving, the undergraduates found experimental discharge coefficient values for the following orifices: borda, short-tubed, and sharp-edged. Implementing ethics of engineering practice and utilizing university resources, this study is a representation of the collaborative work of minorities and females that want to expand their knowledge within their respective discipline of Civil Engineering.展开更多
This paper presents the partial results of a project in progress that aims to improve the teaching and learning of Graphic Geometry modules taught in Engineering and Civil Engineering courses at the Federal University...This paper presents the partial results of a project in progress that aims to improve the teaching and learning of Graphic Geometry modules taught in Engineering and Civil Engineering courses at the Federal University of Pernambuco through the development of education methodologies and content integration of these disciplines using computational technologies. This study covers and analyzes the contents of Tridimensional Graphic Geometry, Technical Drawing 3 and Descriptive Geometry in the BSc course in Civil Engineering, in order to create an integrated assessment model across these disciplines from the use of specific computer graphic softwares. It is proposed to use computer graphic for： （i） concept formation, （ii） completing and/or reviewing the content, （iii） creation of a database with virtual geometric models and their applications in Engineering and for the studies of their representations, geometric properties, etc., providing digital images of everyday forms and objects. In order to begin the diagnosis of the current situation, we gave an open questionnaire to 65 students from the 16 groups of three-dimensional graphical geometry, 20 students from the two courses in Technical Drawing 3 and 35 students from the three Descriptive Geometry classes. The analysis of the data suggests that students better understand the two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional models through their modeling with the computer graphics software used, and the association of abstract concepts with concrete content. From the analysis of the data we can verify that when our students enter the foundation Engineering courses, the main difficulty in the disciplines of drawing is the three-dimensional visualization. The hypothesis is that the student will better understand the two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional models through their modeling with the computer graphic software used and the association of abstract concepts with concrete content.展开更多
Construction engineering and management(CEM)has become increasingly complicated with the increasing size of engineering projects under different construction environments,motivating the digital transformation of CEM.T...Construction engineering and management(CEM)has become increasingly complicated with the increasing size of engineering projects under different construction environments,motivating the digital transformation of CEM.To contribute to a better understanding of the state of the art of smart techniques for engineering projects,this paper provides a comprehensive review of multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM)techniques,intelligent techniques,and their applications in CEM.First,a comprehensive framework detailing smart technologies for construction projects is developed.Next,the characteristics of CEM are summarized.A bibliometric review is then conducted to investigate the keywords,journals,and clusters related to the application of smart techniques in CEM during 2000-2022.Recent advancements in intelligent techniques are also discussed under the following six topics:①big data technology;②computer vision;③speech recognition;④natural language processing;⑤machine learning;and⑥knowledge representation,understanding,and reasoning.The applications of smart techniques are then illustrated via underground space exploitation.Finally,future research directions for the sustainable development of smart construction are highlighted.展开更多
Kinked rebar is a special type of steel material,which is installed in beam column nodes and frame beams.It effectively enhances the blast resilience,seismic collapse resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of ...Kinked rebar is a special type of steel material,which is installed in beam column nodes and frame beams.It effectively enhances the blast resilience,seismic collapse resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete(RC)structures without imposing substantial cost burdens,thereby emerging as a focal point of recent research endeavors.On the basis of explaining the working principle of kinked rebars,this paper reviews the research status of kinked rebars at home and abroad from three core domains:the tensile mechanical properties of kinked rebars,beam column nodes with kinked rebars,and concrete frame structures with kinked rebars.The analysis underscores that the straightening process of kinked rebars does not compromise their ultimate strength but significantly bolsters structural ductility and enhances energy dissipation capabilities.In beam-column joints,the incorporation of kinked rebars facilitates the seamless transfer of plastic hinges,adhering to the design principle of“strong columns and weak beams.”In addition,kinked rebars can greatly improve the resistance of the beam;The seismic resistance,internal explosion resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete frame structures with kinked rebar have significantly improved.Beyond its primary application,the principle of kinked rebar was extended to other applications of kinked materials such as corrugated steel plates and origami structures,and the stress characteristics of related components and structures were studied.Intriguingly,this paper also proposes the application of kinked rebars in bridge engineering,aiming to address the challenges of localized damage concentration and excessive residual displacement in RC bridge piers.The introduction of kinked rebars in piers is envisioned to mitigate these issues,with the paper outlining its advantages and feasibility,thereby offering valuable insights for future research on kinked reinforcement and seismic design strategies for bridges.展开更多
Purpose-This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the Brazilian freight railway system,examining the efficacy of the current concession renewal model in light of persistent structural problems such as market con...Purpose-This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the Brazilian freight railway system,examining the efficacy of the current concession renewal model in light of persistent structural problems such as market concentration,cargo dependence on export commodities and underutilization of the network.Situating Brazil within the broader international debate on railway reforms,the paper evaluates whether the ongoing early renewal of concessions can deliver a more diversified and competitive freight system.Design/methodology/approach-The study adopts a sequential mixed-methods research design that integrates longitudinal quantitative analysis with qualitative institutional and policy evaluation.The quantitative component examines time-series indicators published by ANTT,DNIT and INFRA S.A.from 1999 to 2023 to identify structural patterns in traffic growth,investment,safety and market concentration.The qualitative component employs a process-tracing logic to reconstruct the evolution of concession renewals and the implementation of Railway Law 14.273/2021,drawing on concepts from regulatory economics,institutional theory and industrial organization.These empirical streams are synthesized through an analytical framework that connects three dimensions-regulatory design,market structure and system performance-allowing for a systematic assessment of how Brazil’s institutional configuration shapes incentives,competitive dynamics and network utilization.Findings-The analysis confirms that the early renewal of concessions has successfully secured substantial private investment for capacity expansion on existing trunk lines.However,it has perpetuated the vertically integrated model,reinforcing the market power of incumbent operators and failing to significantly promote intramodal competition or cargo diversification.The system remains dominated by iron ore and agricultural commodities,with general cargo representing a minuscule share.The new authorization regime and short-line railway policies present a viable pathway for market opening but face significant operational and institutional barriers to implementation.Originality/value-This research offers a timely and critical assessment of a pivotal moment in Brazilian railway policy.It moves beyond a simplistic evaluation of volume growth to a structural analysis of market failures and the interplay between concession renewal and regulatory innovation.The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers in Brazil and other emerging economies seeking to balance private investment with public interest goals in railway infrastructure,highlighting the necessity of complementary,pro-competitive measures alongside financial investment.展开更多
As underground mining advances to greater depths,cemented paste backfill(CPB)is increasingly subjected to complex thermo-mechanical loading conditions,including multiaxial stress states and elevated temperatures.This ...As underground mining advances to greater depths,cemented paste backfill(CPB)is increasingly subjected to complex thermo-mechanical loading conditions,including multiaxial stress states and elevated temperatures.This study investigates the coupled effects of field-representative vertical self-weight and horizontal rockwall closure stresses,along with in-situ temperatures,on the mechanical behavior and pore water pressure(PWP)evolution of CPB.Experiments were conducted using a novel apparatus capable of controlling multiaxial stress and temperature during curing,replicating in-situ stress paths and thermal profiles typical of deep mine environments.Results show that multiaxial stress enhances CPB strength and stiffness by promoting denser particle packing,reducing porosity,and increasing frictional resistance.Elevated temperatures independently accelerate early-age cement hydration,further improving bond strength and stiffness.When combined,multiaxial stress and elevated temperature produce a synergistic enhancement in unconfined compressive strength(UCS)and elastic modulus,as confirmed by two-way ANOVA and synergy index analysis.PWP responses were also highly sensitive to thermo-mechanical conditions.The evolution of positive and negative PWP was governed by the interplay of thermal expansion,hydration-induced desaturation,and mechanical compaction.Multiaxial stress amplified early positive PWP and delayed its dissipation,whereas elevated temperature accelerated hydration and reduced pore pressure,leading to enhanced suction at later ages.A transient“stress-induced resaturation”effect was observed under late-stage excessive horizontal stress but was mitigated by elevated temperatures.These findings provide critical insights into the coupled mechanical and hydraulic behavior of CPB under realistic field conditions and offer guidance for optimizing backfill design,binder content,and barricade stability in deep mining applications.展开更多
Advanced intensity measures(IMs)based on an inelastic deformation spectrum improved the evaluation of the median engineering demand parameters(EDPs)and reduced dispersion.In this regard,an optimized two-degreefreedom(...Advanced intensity measures(IMs)based on an inelastic deformation spectrum improved the evaluation of the median engineering demand parameters(EDPs)and reduced dispersion.In this regard,an optimized two-degreefreedom(2DOF)modal pushover-based scaling procedure(2DMPS)has been developed for a nonlinear dynamic analysis of asymmetric in-plan buildings.The 2DMPS procedure scales ground motions to approach close enough to a target value of the inelastic displacement of the first-mode inelastic 2DOF modal stick,extended for structures with significant contributions of higher modes.Further,4-,6-and 13-story RC SMRF buildings were selected for analyses using ground motion records scaled by the 2DMPS procedure,the modal pushover-based scaling method(MPS),and ASCE/SEI 7-16 scaling procedures.The median values of EDPs on scaled records closely matched the benchmark results.The bias in the EDP values due to the scaled records in every group regarding their median value was lower than the dispersion of the 21 unscaled records.These results generally demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the 2DMPS method.Additionally,the 2DOF modal stick’s inelastic response spectra are better suited for calculating seismic demands for one-way asymmetric-plan structures than the SDOF inelastic response spectra.展开更多
This study presents a multi-physical modeling approach to analyze the dynamics of moisture potential and stress-deformation features near deep desiccation cracks in clayey soils under three consecutive years’climate ...This study presents a multi-physical modeling approach to analyze the dynamics of moisture potential and stress-deformation features near deep desiccation cracks in clayey soils under three consecutive years’climate variability in an arid region.A triple research approach of statistical analysis,analytical framework,and numerical modeling was used to investigate the complex thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of desiccation-cracked soil,incorporating realistic climatic data of Qom,Iran.The results revealed the interplay between stress,strain,and pore water pressure over time,demonstrating that soil experiences significant swelling and shrinkage due to cyclic wetting and drying.The horizontal stress distribution shows compressive stress concentration at crack tips during wetting,transitioning to tensile stresses uniformly across the soil surface during drying paths.Similarly,vertical stress distributions exhibit localized compressive stresses along crack boundaries during wetting and tensile stresses during drying,highlighting the critical stress conditions at crack tips.The model differentiates between microstructural and macrostructural changes in porosity.Annual trends in micro-porosity revealed cyclic-dependent behavior,with significant volumetric changes occurring in the first year,stabilizing with successive cycles.The results also indicated that part of the volumetric changes are irreversible,with volumetric plastic strain increasing exponentially but at a decreasing rate over three years.Principal stress analysis indicates a shift from compressive to tensile stress states around cracks,driven by climate-induced wetting and drying cycles.These findings underscore the critical role of climate variability in shaping cracked soil behavior in arid regions,providing insights into the heterogeneous behavior of cracked soil surfFicial layers.展开更多
This study examines the dynamic response of two adjacent 9-and 20-story benchmark steel buildings subjected to six near-fault earthquake records.Two-dimensional numerical models were employed to account for the comple...This study examines the dynamic response of two adjacent 9-and 20-story benchmark steel buildings subjected to six near-fault earthquake records.Two-dimensional numerical models were employed to account for the complexities of structure-soil-structure interaction(SSSI).The research focuses on the separation gap between the buildings and the effects of pounding while considering Fixed Base(FB)and SSSI models,evaluated according to UBC 94 and ASCE 7-16 seismic codes.Key findings reveal that pounding occurs with the UBC 94 separation gap when earthquake frequency aligns with system frequency,leading to increased column stresses in the 9-story building.In contrast,the ASCE 7-16 standard effectively prevents pounding in both the FB and SSSI models.Additionally,drifts and displacements of lower floors in SSSI models exceed the allowable limits of ASCE 7-16,underscoring the impact of soil-structure interaction on seismic response.展开更多
Wellbore drilling disturbs the equilibrium stress state in the rock mass,resulting in stress redistribution around the opening.Wellbore stability in the altered stress state is vital for engineering applications,as th...Wellbore drilling disturbs the equilibrium stress state in the rock mass,resulting in stress redistribution around the opening.Wellbore stability in the altered stress state is vital for engineering applications,as the wellbore instability results in cost overrun.Accurate estimation of rock mechanical properties,in-situ stresses,and required mud pressure is crucial for safe drilling.If the mud pressure is lower than required,the shear failure of the rock takes place,and conversely,if the mud pressure is higher than the upper limit,tensile failure occurs.A strength criterion that can accurately predict the mud pressure may help significantly reduce nonproductive time and cost in well drilling.The commonly used Mogi-Coulomb(MGC)failure criterion for estimating critical mud pressure neglects the few fundamental aspects of rock failure characteristics observed in the laboratory,such as nonlinear strength response in major-minor principal stress space and prediction of multiple failure stress values near the triaxial axial extension boundary.The present study uses the Modified Mohr-Coulomb true-triaxial failure criterion(MMC_TT),which predicts the strength of rock better than the MGC in laboratory true-triaxial tests to overcome the limitations.Moreover,based on the data from previously published five vertical wells in the Krishna-Godavari basin(K-G basin),an empirical relationship is proposed to obtain the strength parameters for the MMC_TT criterion for shaley sedimentary rocks as the existing correlations do not cater for the parameters required for MMC_TT criterion.The comparative study of the MMC_TT with MGC,Modified Mohr-Coulomb triaxial,and Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria,showed that for most of the K-G basin wells,the MMC_TT criterion predicted close to the MGC.However,for well-13,the MMC_TT criterion results are closer to the mud pressure used in actual drilling than the MGC.展开更多
Nonlinear static procedures are widely adopted in structural engineering practice for seismic performance assessment due to their simplicity and computational efficiency.However,their reliability depends heavily on ho...Nonlinear static procedures are widely adopted in structural engineering practice for seismic performance assessment due to their simplicity and computational efficiency.However,their reliability depends heavily on how the nonlinear behaviour of structural components is represented.The recent earthquakes in Albania(2019)and Türkiye(2023)have underscored the need for accurate assessment techniques,particularly for older reinforced concrete buildings with poor detailing.This study quantifies the discrepancies between default and user-defined component modelling in pushover analysis of pre-modern reinforced concrete structures,analysing two representative low-and mid-rise reinforced concrete frame buildings.The lumped plasticity approach incorporates moment-rotation relationships derived from actual member properties and reinforcement configurations,while the distributed plasticity approach uses software-generated default properties based on modern codes.Results show that the distributed plasticity models systematically overestimate both the strength and the deformation capacity by up to 35%compared to lumped plasticity models,especially in buildings with poor detailing and low concrete strength.These findings demonstrate that default software procedures,widely used in practice but not validated for pre-modern structures,produce dangerously unconservative seismic performance estimates.The study provides quantitative evidence of the critical need for tailored modelling strategies that reflect the actual conditions of the existing building stock.展开更多
This study aims to develop an accurate and robust machine learning model to predict the carbonation depth of fly ash concrete,overcoming the limitations of traditional predictive methods.Five ensemble-based models,suc...This study aims to develop an accurate and robust machine learning model to predict the carbonation depth of fly ash concrete,overcoming the limitations of traditional predictive methods.Five ensemble-based models,such as adaptive boosting(AdaBoost),categorical boosting(CatBoost),gradient boosting regressor(GBR),hist gradient boosting regressor(HistGBR),and extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost),were developed and optimized using 729 high-quality dataset points incorporating seven input parameters,including cement,CO_(2),exposure time,water-binder ratio,fly ash,curing time,and compressive strength.Several performance evaluation metrics were used to compare the models.The GBR model emerged as the best-performing model,based on high coefficient of determination(R^(2))values and balanced error metrics across both validation and testing datasets.While all models performed exceptionally well on the training data,GBR demonstrated superior generalization capability,with R^(2) values of 0.9438 on the validation set and 0.9310 on the testing set.Furthermore,its low mean squared error(MSE),root mean square error(RMSE),mean absolute error(MAE),and median absolute error(MdAE)confirmed its robustness and accuracy.Moreover,shapley additive explanations(SHAP)analysis enhanced the interpretability of predictions,highlighting the curing time and exposure time as the most critical drivers of carbonation depth.展开更多
The Nelder-Mead simplex method is a well-known algorithm enabling the minimization of functions that are not available in closed-form and that need not be differentiable or convex.Furthermore,it is particularly parsim...The Nelder-Mead simplex method is a well-known algorithm enabling the minimization of functions that are not available in closed-form and that need not be differentiable or convex.Furthermore,it is particularly parsimonious on the number of function evaluations,thus making it preferable to convex optimization paradigms in the case,common when dealing with control design problems,that the objective function of the optimization problem is non-differentiable,non-convex,and its closed-form is not available or difficult to be computed analytically.The main goal of this paper is to show how the joint use of the Nelder-Mead simplex method and the Morrison algorithm can be successfully used to solve relevant and challenging control problems that cannot be easily solved using analytic methods.In particular,it is shown how the problems of strong stabilization,static output feedback stabilization,and design of robust controllers having fixed structure can be framed as optimization problems,which,in turn,can be efficiently solved by coupling the two above mentioned algorithms.The performance of this procedure is compared with state-of-the-art techniques on dozens of static output feedback benchmark case studies,and its effectiveness is demonstrated by several examples.展开更多
Urban geochemical alteration and transformation are complex processes that affect air,water,and soil,potentially posing serious health risks to the residents.Our health is determined by where we live now,and where we ...Urban geochemical alteration and transformation are complex processes that affect air,water,and soil,potentially posing serious health risks to the residents.Our health is determined by where we live now,and where we have previously lived and how long we have been there.This review explores patterns of urban environmental pollution and public health risks associated with potentially harmful elements.Academic databases including Scopus,Web of Science,and Google Scholar were used to find pertinent peer-reviewed papers,reports,and case studies.It discusses urban environmental and medical geochemistry,focusing on toxic heavy metals of public health concern and their urban sources.Case studies on geochemical anomalies in street dust,atmospheric,lithochemical,and hydrochemical contexts are critically examined.The review evaluates the effectiveness of geochemical indices in assessing pollution and health risk patterns in road dust,soil,air,and water,emphasizing the importance of geochemical background in urban geochemistry and medical geology.Strategies to reduce toxic heavy metal pollution in urban areas are also reviewed to protect public health.Finally,it offers conclusions and recommendations for future research.It is obvious that the environmental geochemistry of soil,street dust,water,and air contain a wealth of information about the state of urban environments.The outcomes of this study will help to raise public awareness of urban pollution and associated health risks,promoting environmental preservation and health protection in urban settings.展开更多
In response to the demand for seismic-resilient structures,various innovative solutions have emerged to reduce local damage and residual deformations,facilitating repair operations in the aftermath of high-intensity e...In response to the demand for seismic-resilient structures,various innovative solutions have emerged to reduce local damage and residual deformations,facilitating repair operations in the aftermath of high-intensity earth-quakes.This paper examines the seismic performance of a steel-concrete hybrid wall system equipped with a selfcentering solution to mitigate earthquake-induced residual deformations.The considered hybrid system includes a Reinforced Concrete(RC)shear wall with two steel side columns connected by coupling steel beams.In this study,a novel type of coupling beams featuring a friction-damped self-centering system is implemented.The system is referred to as Self-Centering Hybrid Single-Pier Coupled Wall(SC-SP-HCW)and aims to minimize damage and residual deformations after earthquakes,which in turn facilitates repairs and enhances seismic resilience.Unlike conventional self-centering coupling beams with post-tensioned tendons,the self-centering configuration in this system does not rely on a gap-opening mechanism at the wall-beam connection interface,eliminating frame expansion effects.The proposed self-centering devices can also be implemented as preassembled links,which facilitates installation and reduces uncertainties associated with the on-site posttensioning procedure.The seismic performance of SC-SP-HCWs is investigated through nonlinear static and incremental dynamic analyses on case study SC-SP-HCWs designed as the lateral load-resisting systems of an eight-story building.The seismic response of the case study SC-SP-HCWs is investigated,considering both local and global engineering demand parameters(EDPs).The results demonstrate the ability of the SC-SP-HCWs to significantly reduce earthquake-induced residual deformations without exacerbating damage to structural ele-ments typically observed in conventional coupled walls.展开更多
We investigated the effects of fly ash(FA)content on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)and its regeneration potential under freeze and thaw(F-T)cycles.The physical properties of second-gener...We investigated the effects of fly ash(FA)content on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)and its regeneration potential under freeze and thaw(F-T)cycles.The physical properties of second-generation recycled concrete aggregates(RCA)were used to analyze the regeneration potential of RAC after F-T cycles.Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the interfacial transition zone microstructure of RAC after F-T cycles.Results showed that adding 20%FA to RAC significantly enhanced its mechanical properties and frost resistance.Before the F-T cycles,the compressive strength of RAC with 20%FA reached 48.3 MPa,exceeding research strength target of 40 MPa.A majority of second-generation RCA with FA had been verified to attain class Ⅲ,which enabled their practical application in non-structural projects such as backfill trenches and road pavement.However,the second-generation RCA with 20%FA can achieve class Ⅱ,making it ideal for 40 MPa structural concrete.展开更多
基金the research funding provided by Ikatan Alumni Teknik Sipil(IATS)UnparUniversitas Katolik Parahyangan.
文摘This article presents an innovative method of bio-mediated soil improvement for increasing the shear strength of loose sand.The improvement is realized by mixing the loose sand with the inoculum of Rhizopus oligosporus,a kind of fungus widely used in food industry for making Indonesian tempeh.The objective of this article is to investigate the performance and mechanism of mixing tempeh inoculum as a binding agent of loose sand particles.The inoculum dosage,water content of loose sand,and curing time were examined for identifying the increment of unconfined compressive strength(q_u)of the samples.The results showed that q_u of the treated samples increased when the inoculum dosage was elevated.It shows that 5.24%inoculum could yield 68 kPa of q_u,and 5%water content and 3 d curing time produced the maximum q_u.Moreover,the mechanism of hypha and mycelium in binding the soil particles was clearly observed using a digital microscope and scanning electron microscope.
文摘Building Information Models (BIM) have revealed themselves as a good tool to support construction actions, due to their ability to store all the information in one digital model and to promote collaboration between all participants in a project. Teaching Civil Engineering requires a permanent updating of knowledge concerning procedures and technologies used in the construction industry. In this sense, the school should seek to adapt its curriculum to include innovative issues to support new technologies. So, in an educational context, the aim of the present work is to disseminate knowledge concerning the benefits provided when implementing BIM in several aspects within the construction activity. In a Civil Engineering school some topics of BIM application were developed by students within MSc researches. The text describes in detail some of the main topics, showing distinct use of BIM: Generation and use of a 4D/BIM model to support construction planning;coordination of construction project based on BIM methodology;conflict analysis based in an architectural 3D/BIM model. Several study cases were modelled and analyzed, confronting the BIM use with the traditional way when performing the same tasks, and consequently recommendations were carried out. This work contributed to demonstrate the advantages of employing BIM for building tasks purposes when compared with the traditional process, and in a didactic context the main objective is to add competitive skills in the training of future civil engineers.
文摘Using the knowledge obtained from previous courses such as:soil mechanics,structural analysis,steel design,etc.,a team of seven students at California State University,Northridge(CSUN)designed a two-story residential steel house for their senior design course.The home was chosen to be located in the city of Pacific Palisades,California.The following paper outlines the design of the home ranging from the architectural plans to the beam,column,and foundation design.California is known to be seismically active,therefore,seismic loading played a large factor into the design of the house.Once the design of the house was completed,a cost estimate of the house was prepared using the estimating platform RSMeans.Additionally,a second estimate of the home was also completed with the addition of LEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)features such as solar panels,LED lighting,and energy star appliances that make the home environmentally friendly and will give the owner a greater return on their investment in the future.
文摘The present researched topic was conceived from a senior design course for Civil Engineering students at CSUN (California State University), Northridge. In this work, experimental trials were performed and compared to establish theoretical values of the discharge coefficient. The discharge coefficient is a dimensionless number used to characterize the flow and pressure loss behavior of nozzles and orifices in fluid systems. A group of low-income undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds designed multiple 3D printed orifices where each 3D printed orifice had a specific shape. Utilizing the methods of technical problem solving, the undergraduates found experimental discharge coefficient values for the following orifices: borda, short-tubed, and sharp-edged. Implementing ethics of engineering practice and utilizing university resources, this study is a representation of the collaborative work of minorities and females that want to expand their knowledge within their respective discipline of Civil Engineering.
文摘This paper presents the partial results of a project in progress that aims to improve the teaching and learning of Graphic Geometry modules taught in Engineering and Civil Engineering courses at the Federal University of Pernambuco through the development of education methodologies and content integration of these disciplines using computational technologies. This study covers and analyzes the contents of Tridimensional Graphic Geometry, Technical Drawing 3 and Descriptive Geometry in the BSc course in Civil Engineering, in order to create an integrated assessment model across these disciplines from the use of specific computer graphic softwares. It is proposed to use computer graphic for： （i） concept formation, （ii） completing and/or reviewing the content, （iii） creation of a database with virtual geometric models and their applications in Engineering and for the studies of their representations, geometric properties, etc., providing digital images of everyday forms and objects. In order to begin the diagnosis of the current situation, we gave an open questionnaire to 65 students from the 16 groups of three-dimensional graphical geometry, 20 students from the two courses in Technical Drawing 3 and 35 students from the three Descriptive Geometry classes. The analysis of the data suggests that students better understand the two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional models through their modeling with the computer graphics software used, and the association of abstract concepts with concrete content. From the analysis of the data we can verify that when our students enter the foundation Engineering courses, the main difficulty in the disciplines of drawing is the three-dimensional visualization. The hypothesis is that the student will better understand the two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional models through their modeling with the computer graphic software used and the association of abstract concepts with concrete content.
基金funded by the project of Guangdong Provincial Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund Committee(2022A1515240073)the Pearl River Talent Recruitment Program(2019CX01G338),Guangdong Province.
文摘Construction engineering and management(CEM)has become increasingly complicated with the increasing size of engineering projects under different construction environments,motivating the digital transformation of CEM.To contribute to a better understanding of the state of the art of smart techniques for engineering projects,this paper provides a comprehensive review of multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM)techniques,intelligent techniques,and their applications in CEM.First,a comprehensive framework detailing smart technologies for construction projects is developed.Next,the characteristics of CEM are summarized.A bibliometric review is then conducted to investigate the keywords,journals,and clusters related to the application of smart techniques in CEM during 2000-2022.Recent advancements in intelligent techniques are also discussed under the following six topics:①big data technology;②computer vision;③speech recognition;④natural language processing;⑤machine learning;and⑥knowledge representation,understanding,and reasoning.The applications of smart techniques are then illustrated via underground space exploitation.Finally,future research directions for the sustainable development of smart construction are highlighted.
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.LTGG23E080001Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Urban Infrastructure under Grant No.IUI2022-ZD-01.
文摘Kinked rebar is a special type of steel material,which is installed in beam column nodes and frame beams.It effectively enhances the blast resilience,seismic collapse resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete(RC)structures without imposing substantial cost burdens,thereby emerging as a focal point of recent research endeavors.On the basis of explaining the working principle of kinked rebars,this paper reviews the research status of kinked rebars at home and abroad from three core domains:the tensile mechanical properties of kinked rebars,beam column nodes with kinked rebars,and concrete frame structures with kinked rebars.The analysis underscores that the straightening process of kinked rebars does not compromise their ultimate strength but significantly bolsters structural ductility and enhances energy dissipation capabilities.In beam-column joints,the incorporation of kinked rebars facilitates the seamless transfer of plastic hinges,adhering to the design principle of“strong columns and weak beams.”In addition,kinked rebars can greatly improve the resistance of the beam;The seismic resistance,internal explosion resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete frame structures with kinked rebar have significantly improved.Beyond its primary application,the principle of kinked rebar was extended to other applications of kinked materials such as corrugated steel plates and origami structures,and the stress characteristics of related components and structures were studied.Intriguingly,this paper also proposes the application of kinked rebars in bridge engineering,aiming to address the challenges of localized damage concentration and excessive residual displacement in RC bridge piers.The introduction of kinked rebars in piers is envisioned to mitigate these issues,with the paper outlining its advantages and feasibility,thereby offering valuable insights for future research on kinked reinforcement and seismic design strategies for bridges.
文摘Purpose-This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the Brazilian freight railway system,examining the efficacy of the current concession renewal model in light of persistent structural problems such as market concentration,cargo dependence on export commodities and underutilization of the network.Situating Brazil within the broader international debate on railway reforms,the paper evaluates whether the ongoing early renewal of concessions can deliver a more diversified and competitive freight system.Design/methodology/approach-The study adopts a sequential mixed-methods research design that integrates longitudinal quantitative analysis with qualitative institutional and policy evaluation.The quantitative component examines time-series indicators published by ANTT,DNIT and INFRA S.A.from 1999 to 2023 to identify structural patterns in traffic growth,investment,safety and market concentration.The qualitative component employs a process-tracing logic to reconstruct the evolution of concession renewals and the implementation of Railway Law 14.273/2021,drawing on concepts from regulatory economics,institutional theory and industrial organization.These empirical streams are synthesized through an analytical framework that connects three dimensions-regulatory design,market structure and system performance-allowing for a systematic assessment of how Brazil’s institutional configuration shapes incentives,competitive dynamics and network utilization.Findings-The analysis confirms that the early renewal of concessions has successfully secured substantial private investment for capacity expansion on existing trunk lines.However,it has perpetuated the vertically integrated model,reinforcing the market power of incumbent operators and failing to significantly promote intramodal competition or cargo diversification.The system remains dominated by iron ore and agricultural commodities,with general cargo representing a minuscule share.The new authorization regime and short-line railway policies present a viable pathway for market opening but face significant operational and institutional barriers to implementation.Originality/value-This research offers a timely and critical assessment of a pivotal moment in Brazilian railway policy.It moves beyond a simplistic evaluation of volume growth to a structural analysis of market failures and the interplay between concession renewal and regulatory innovation.The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers in Brazil and other emerging economies seeking to balance private investment with public interest goals in railway infrastructure,highlighting the necessity of complementary,pro-competitive measures alongside financial investment.
基金the University of Ottawa, the China Scholarship Council and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for their financial support.
文摘As underground mining advances to greater depths,cemented paste backfill(CPB)is increasingly subjected to complex thermo-mechanical loading conditions,including multiaxial stress states and elevated temperatures.This study investigates the coupled effects of field-representative vertical self-weight and horizontal rockwall closure stresses,along with in-situ temperatures,on the mechanical behavior and pore water pressure(PWP)evolution of CPB.Experiments were conducted using a novel apparatus capable of controlling multiaxial stress and temperature during curing,replicating in-situ stress paths and thermal profiles typical of deep mine environments.Results show that multiaxial stress enhances CPB strength and stiffness by promoting denser particle packing,reducing porosity,and increasing frictional resistance.Elevated temperatures independently accelerate early-age cement hydration,further improving bond strength and stiffness.When combined,multiaxial stress and elevated temperature produce a synergistic enhancement in unconfined compressive strength(UCS)and elastic modulus,as confirmed by two-way ANOVA and synergy index analysis.PWP responses were also highly sensitive to thermo-mechanical conditions.The evolution of positive and negative PWP was governed by the interplay of thermal expansion,hydration-induced desaturation,and mechanical compaction.Multiaxial stress amplified early positive PWP and delayed its dissipation,whereas elevated temperature accelerated hydration and reduced pore pressure,leading to enhanced suction at later ages.A transient“stress-induced resaturation”effect was observed under late-stage excessive horizontal stress but was mitigated by elevated temperatures.These findings provide critical insights into the coupled mechanical and hydraulic behavior of CPB under realistic field conditions and offer guidance for optimizing backfill design,binder content,and barricade stability in deep mining applications.
文摘Advanced intensity measures(IMs)based on an inelastic deformation spectrum improved the evaluation of the median engineering demand parameters(EDPs)and reduced dispersion.In this regard,an optimized two-degreefreedom(2DOF)modal pushover-based scaling procedure(2DMPS)has been developed for a nonlinear dynamic analysis of asymmetric in-plan buildings.The 2DMPS procedure scales ground motions to approach close enough to a target value of the inelastic displacement of the first-mode inelastic 2DOF modal stick,extended for structures with significant contributions of higher modes.Further,4-,6-and 13-story RC SMRF buildings were selected for analyses using ground motion records scaled by the 2DMPS procedure,the modal pushover-based scaling method(MPS),and ASCE/SEI 7-16 scaling procedures.The median values of EDPs on scaled records closely matched the benchmark results.The bias in the EDP values due to the scaled records in every group regarding their median value was lower than the dispersion of the 21 unscaled records.These results generally demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the 2DMPS method.Additionally,the 2DOF modal stick’s inelastic response spectra are better suited for calculating seismic demands for one-way asymmetric-plan structures than the SDOF inelastic response spectra.
基金support provided by the Research Grant Office at Sharif University Technology by way of grants G4010902 and QB020105 is gratefully acknowledged.
文摘This study presents a multi-physical modeling approach to analyze the dynamics of moisture potential and stress-deformation features near deep desiccation cracks in clayey soils under three consecutive years’climate variability in an arid region.A triple research approach of statistical analysis,analytical framework,and numerical modeling was used to investigate the complex thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of desiccation-cracked soil,incorporating realistic climatic data of Qom,Iran.The results revealed the interplay between stress,strain,and pore water pressure over time,demonstrating that soil experiences significant swelling and shrinkage due to cyclic wetting and drying.The horizontal stress distribution shows compressive stress concentration at crack tips during wetting,transitioning to tensile stresses uniformly across the soil surface during drying paths.Similarly,vertical stress distributions exhibit localized compressive stresses along crack boundaries during wetting and tensile stresses during drying,highlighting the critical stress conditions at crack tips.The model differentiates between microstructural and macrostructural changes in porosity.Annual trends in micro-porosity revealed cyclic-dependent behavior,with significant volumetric changes occurring in the first year,stabilizing with successive cycles.The results also indicated that part of the volumetric changes are irreversible,with volumetric plastic strain increasing exponentially but at a decreasing rate over three years.Principal stress analysis indicates a shift from compressive to tensile stress states around cracks,driven by climate-induced wetting and drying cycles.These findings underscore the critical role of climate variability in shaping cracked soil behavior in arid regions,providing insights into the heterogeneous behavior of cracked soil surfFicial layers.
文摘This study examines the dynamic response of two adjacent 9-and 20-story benchmark steel buildings subjected to six near-fault earthquake records.Two-dimensional numerical models were employed to account for the complexities of structure-soil-structure interaction(SSSI).The research focuses on the separation gap between the buildings and the effects of pounding while considering Fixed Base(FB)and SSSI models,evaluated according to UBC 94 and ASCE 7-16 seismic codes.Key findings reveal that pounding occurs with the UBC 94 separation gap when earthquake frequency aligns with system frequency,leading to increased column stresses in the 9-story building.In contrast,the ASCE 7-16 standard effectively prevents pounding in both the FB and SSSI models.Additionally,drifts and displacements of lower floors in SSSI models exceed the allowable limits of ASCE 7-16,underscoring the impact of soil-structure interaction on seismic response.
文摘Wellbore drilling disturbs the equilibrium stress state in the rock mass,resulting in stress redistribution around the opening.Wellbore stability in the altered stress state is vital for engineering applications,as the wellbore instability results in cost overrun.Accurate estimation of rock mechanical properties,in-situ stresses,and required mud pressure is crucial for safe drilling.If the mud pressure is lower than required,the shear failure of the rock takes place,and conversely,if the mud pressure is higher than the upper limit,tensile failure occurs.A strength criterion that can accurately predict the mud pressure may help significantly reduce nonproductive time and cost in well drilling.The commonly used Mogi-Coulomb(MGC)failure criterion for estimating critical mud pressure neglects the few fundamental aspects of rock failure characteristics observed in the laboratory,such as nonlinear strength response in major-minor principal stress space and prediction of multiple failure stress values near the triaxial axial extension boundary.The present study uses the Modified Mohr-Coulomb true-triaxial failure criterion(MMC_TT),which predicts the strength of rock better than the MGC in laboratory true-triaxial tests to overcome the limitations.Moreover,based on the data from previously published five vertical wells in the Krishna-Godavari basin(K-G basin),an empirical relationship is proposed to obtain the strength parameters for the MMC_TT criterion for shaley sedimentary rocks as the existing correlations do not cater for the parameters required for MMC_TT criterion.The comparative study of the MMC_TT with MGC,Modified Mohr-Coulomb triaxial,and Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria,showed that for most of the K-G basin wells,the MMC_TT criterion predicted close to the MGC.However,for well-13,the MMC_TT criterion results are closer to the mud pressure used in actual drilling than the MGC.
文摘Nonlinear static procedures are widely adopted in structural engineering practice for seismic performance assessment due to their simplicity and computational efficiency.However,their reliability depends heavily on how the nonlinear behaviour of structural components is represented.The recent earthquakes in Albania(2019)and Türkiye(2023)have underscored the need for accurate assessment techniques,particularly for older reinforced concrete buildings with poor detailing.This study quantifies the discrepancies between default and user-defined component modelling in pushover analysis of pre-modern reinforced concrete structures,analysing two representative low-and mid-rise reinforced concrete frame buildings.The lumped plasticity approach incorporates moment-rotation relationships derived from actual member properties and reinforcement configurations,while the distributed plasticity approach uses software-generated default properties based on modern codes.Results show that the distributed plasticity models systematically overestimate both the strength and the deformation capacity by up to 35%compared to lumped plasticity models,especially in buildings with poor detailing and low concrete strength.These findings demonstrate that default software procedures,widely used in practice but not validated for pre-modern structures,produce dangerously unconservative seismic performance estimates.The study provides quantitative evidence of the critical need for tailored modelling strategies that reflect the actual conditions of the existing building stock.
文摘This study aims to develop an accurate and robust machine learning model to predict the carbonation depth of fly ash concrete,overcoming the limitations of traditional predictive methods.Five ensemble-based models,such as adaptive boosting(AdaBoost),categorical boosting(CatBoost),gradient boosting regressor(GBR),hist gradient boosting regressor(HistGBR),and extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost),were developed and optimized using 729 high-quality dataset points incorporating seven input parameters,including cement,CO_(2),exposure time,water-binder ratio,fly ash,curing time,and compressive strength.Several performance evaluation metrics were used to compare the models.The GBR model emerged as the best-performing model,based on high coefficient of determination(R^(2))values and balanced error metrics across both validation and testing datasets.While all models performed exceptionally well on the training data,GBR demonstrated superior generalization capability,with R^(2) values of 0.9438 on the validation set and 0.9310 on the testing set.Furthermore,its low mean squared error(MSE),root mean square error(RMSE),mean absolute error(MAE),and median absolute error(MdAE)confirmed its robustness and accuracy.Moreover,shapley additive explanations(SHAP)analysis enhanced the interpretability of predictions,highlighting the curing time and exposure time as the most critical drivers of carbonation depth.
基金partially supported by the Italian Ministry for Research in the framework of the 2020 Program for Research Projects of National Interest(2020RTWES4)。
文摘The Nelder-Mead simplex method is a well-known algorithm enabling the minimization of functions that are not available in closed-form and that need not be differentiable or convex.Furthermore,it is particularly parsimonious on the number of function evaluations,thus making it preferable to convex optimization paradigms in the case,common when dealing with control design problems,that the objective function of the optimization problem is non-differentiable,non-convex,and its closed-form is not available or difficult to be computed analytically.The main goal of this paper is to show how the joint use of the Nelder-Mead simplex method and the Morrison algorithm can be successfully used to solve relevant and challenging control problems that cannot be easily solved using analytic methods.In particular,it is shown how the problems of strong stabilization,static output feedback stabilization,and design of robust controllers having fixed structure can be framed as optimization problems,which,in turn,can be efficiently solved by coupling the two above mentioned algorithms.The performance of this procedure is compared with state-of-the-art techniques on dozens of static output feedback benchmark case studies,and its effectiveness is demonstrated by several examples.
基金funded by the Central University of Technology,Free State’s University Research Grants and Scholarships Committee(RGSC).
文摘Urban geochemical alteration and transformation are complex processes that affect air,water,and soil,potentially posing serious health risks to the residents.Our health is determined by where we live now,and where we have previously lived and how long we have been there.This review explores patterns of urban environmental pollution and public health risks associated with potentially harmful elements.Academic databases including Scopus,Web of Science,and Google Scholar were used to find pertinent peer-reviewed papers,reports,and case studies.It discusses urban environmental and medical geochemistry,focusing on toxic heavy metals of public health concern and their urban sources.Case studies on geochemical anomalies in street dust,atmospheric,lithochemical,and hydrochemical contexts are critically examined.The review evaluates the effectiveness of geochemical indices in assessing pollution and health risk patterns in road dust,soil,air,and water,emphasizing the importance of geochemical background in urban geochemistry and medical geology.Strategies to reduce toxic heavy metal pollution in urban areas are also reviewed to protect public health.Finally,it offers conclusions and recommendations for future research.It is obvious that the environmental geochemistry of soil,street dust,water,and air contain a wealth of information about the state of urban environments.The outcomes of this study will help to raise public awareness of urban pollution and associated health risks,promoting environmental preservation and health protection in urban settings.
基金supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No.101027745(Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Grant Scheme H2020-MSCA-IF-2020:Self-Centering Earthquake-Resilient Hybrid Steel-Concrete Shear Walls with Rocking Beams-SC-HYBWalls)the support from the Royal Society-Interna-tional Exchange programme under the grant agreement IES\R3\213175.
文摘In response to the demand for seismic-resilient structures,various innovative solutions have emerged to reduce local damage and residual deformations,facilitating repair operations in the aftermath of high-intensity earth-quakes.This paper examines the seismic performance of a steel-concrete hybrid wall system equipped with a selfcentering solution to mitigate earthquake-induced residual deformations.The considered hybrid system includes a Reinforced Concrete(RC)shear wall with two steel side columns connected by coupling steel beams.In this study,a novel type of coupling beams featuring a friction-damped self-centering system is implemented.The system is referred to as Self-Centering Hybrid Single-Pier Coupled Wall(SC-SP-HCW)and aims to minimize damage and residual deformations after earthquakes,which in turn facilitates repairs and enhances seismic resilience.Unlike conventional self-centering coupling beams with post-tensioned tendons,the self-centering configuration in this system does not rely on a gap-opening mechanism at the wall-beam connection interface,eliminating frame expansion effects.The proposed self-centering devices can also be implemented as preassembled links,which facilitates installation and reduces uncertainties associated with the on-site posttensioning procedure.The seismic performance of SC-SP-HCWs is investigated through nonlinear static and incremental dynamic analyses on case study SC-SP-HCWs designed as the lateral load-resisting systems of an eight-story building.The seismic response of the case study SC-SP-HCWs is investigated,considering both local and global engineering demand parameters(EDPs).The results demonstrate the ability of the SC-SP-HCWs to significantly reduce earthquake-induced residual deformations without exacerbating damage to structural ele-ments typically observed in conventional coupled walls.
基金Funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20220626)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52078068)+2 种基金Science and Technology Innovation Foundation of NIT(No.KCTD006)Jiangsu Marine Structure Service Performance Improvement Engineering Research CenterKey Laboratory of Jiangsu"Marine Floating Wind Power Technology and Equipment"。
文摘We investigated the effects of fly ash(FA)content on the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)and its regeneration potential under freeze and thaw(F-T)cycles.The physical properties of second-generation recycled concrete aggregates(RCA)were used to analyze the regeneration potential of RAC after F-T cycles.Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the interfacial transition zone microstructure of RAC after F-T cycles.Results showed that adding 20%FA to RAC significantly enhanced its mechanical properties and frost resistance.Before the F-T cycles,the compressive strength of RAC with 20%FA reached 48.3 MPa,exceeding research strength target of 40 MPa.A majority of second-generation RCA with FA had been verified to attain class Ⅲ,which enabled their practical application in non-structural projects such as backfill trenches and road pavement.However,the second-generation RCA with 20%FA can achieve class Ⅱ,making it ideal for 40 MPa structural concrete.
