On systematic approaches for interpreted information transfer of inspection data from bridge models to structural analysis

In conjunction with the improved methods of monitoring damage and degradation processes, the interest in reliability assessment of reinforced concrete bridges is increasing in recent years. Automated imagebased inspections of the structural surface provide valuable data to extract quantitative information about deteriorations, such as crack patterns. However, the knowledge gain results from processing this information in a structural context, i.e. relating the damage artifacts to building components. This way, transformation to structural analysis is enabled. This approach sets two further requirements: availability of structural bridge information and a standardized storage for interoperability with subsequent analysis tools. Since the involved large datasets are only efficiently processed in an automated manner, the implementation of the complete workflow from damage and building data to structural analysis is targeted in this work. First, domain concepts are derived from the back-end tasks: structural analysis, damage modeling, and life-cycle assessment. The common interoperability format, the Industry Foundation Class (IFC), and processes in these domains are further assessed. The need for usercontrolled interpretation steps is identified and the developed prototype thus allows interaction at subsequent model stages. The latter has the advantage that interpretation steps can be individually separated into either a structural analysis or a damage information model or a combination of both. This approach to damage information processing from the perspective of structural analysis is then validated in different case studies

Numerical analysis of structural behavior of welded wire reinforcement in reinforced concrete beams

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2016Modernization and industrialization have paved the way for the construction industry of India to expand. On the other hand the Indian construction industry is set to face an acute workforce shortage. The shortage of construction workers has in fact slowed down the growth of this industry in major cities across the country and escalated its cost by 40 percent. An alternative way to replace the labor force is by automation techniques. This study is a numerical analysis to evaluate structural behavior of simply supported concrete beams reinforced with welded wires in comparison with mild steel reinforced concrete beams. Welding conventional steel bars (60 ksi) reduces their shear strength by 50 percent. Welded Wire Reinforcement (80 ksi), with its greater strength, higher durability, significantly lower placing and overall cost, provides an alternative and perhaps a better substitution for mild steel bars. The commercial finite element analysis program, ABAQUS, was used to model the non-linear behavior of reinforced concrete beams. In order to evaluate the structural behavior of welded wire reinforced concrete beams, different configurations of longitudinal and transverse wires have been considered. First, different types of stirrup configurations in a rectangular reinforced concrete beam are compared with a conventional reinforced beam. Second, a structurally performing welded wire configuration is compared with a Mexican chair styled reinforcement configuration. This part of the analysis is evaluated for a T–beam, used for building roof applications.Chapter 1 Introduction -- Welded Wire Reinforcement -- Traditional Rebar versus Welded Wire Reinforcement (WWR) -- Potential Gains through Welded Wire Reinforcement (WWR) -- Welded Wire Reinforcement Specifications and Nomenclature -- Welded Wire Reinforcement Manufacturing, Handling and Placing -- Aim and Scope -- Outline of Thesis -- Chapter 2 Literature Review -- Impact of Welded Wire Reinforcement in Structural Members -- Welded Wire Reinforcements in Columns -- Welded Wire Reinforcements in Beams and Girders -- Welded Wire Reinforcements in Structural Walls -- Summary -- Chapter 3 Finite Element Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Beams -- ABAQUS Modeling -- Non-linear Behavior of Concrete -- Uniaxial and Biaxial Behavior -- Non-linear Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Beam -- Material Model Properties -- Concrete Damage Plasticity Parameters -- Reinforcement Properties -- Convergence Analysis -- Chapter 4 Numerical Analysis of Concrete Beams Reinforced with Traditional and Welded Wire Reinforcement -- Introduction -- Initial Validation and Mesh Convergence -- Analysis of Welded Wire Reinforcement Grids in Reinforced Concrete Beams -- Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Four Point Loading Condition -- Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Beams Subjected to Uniformly Distributed Loading Condition -- T - Beams Subjected to Four Point Loading Condition -- Chapter 5 Conclusion and Recommendation -- Conclusion -- Recommendation -- References

Structural asessment and strengthening of Atatürk's mausoleum, Anitkabir

Anıtkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the commander of Turkish War of Independence and the founder of Republic of Turkey. Rather than a work of architecture, Anıtkabir has been a symbol and a focal center of Atatürk’s principles, republican revolutions and modern Turkey

Smart FRP Composite Sandwich Bridge Decks in Cold Regions

INE/AUTC 12.0

Developing people capabilities for the promotion of sustainability in facility management practices

Sustainability is becoming an integral part of the life-cycle development of built facilities. It is increasingly highlighted during the post construction phase, as facility management personnel can have major influence to the sustainability agenda through operational and strategic management functions. Sustainable practices in facility management can bring substantial benefits such as reducing energy consumption and waste, while increasing productivity, financial return and corporate standing in the community. Despite the potential, facility managers have yet to embrace sustainability ideas holistically and implement them in their operation. The lack of capabilities and skills coupled with knowledge gaps are among the barriers. In the developmental context, capabilities are vital to foster the competency of an organisation. Facility managers need to be empowered with the necessary knowledge, capabilities and skills to support sustainability. This research investigates the potential people capabilities factors that can assist in the implementation of sustainability agenda in facility management practices. Through questionnaire survey, twenty three critical people capability factors were identified and encapsulated into a conceptual framework. The critical factors were separated into four categories of strategic capabilities, anticipatory capabilities, interpersonal capabilities and system thinking capabilities. Pair-wise comparison and Interpretive Structural Modelling techniques were then used to further explore the interrelationship and influence of each critical factor. An interpretive structural model for people capability was developed to identify the priority of critical factors and provide a hierarchical structure to guide facility managers for appropriate actions. The research concludes with three case-studies of professional facility management practices to finalise the developed people capabilities framework and interpretive structural model. Through the identification and integration of different perceptions and priority needs of the stakeholders, a set of guidelines for action and potential effects of each people capability factor were brought forward for the industry to promote sustainability endeavour in facility management practices

Assessment of dynamic and long-term performance of an innovative multi-story timber building via structural monitoring and dynamic testing

Peer reviewedPostprin

Failure-mode-hierarchy-based design for reinforced concrete structures

Innovations in concrete construction can be held back by the inability of codes of practice to accommodate new materials. The current design and safety philosophy (DSP) of reinforced concrete relies heavily on the properties of steel reinforcement. The need to embrace new materials, such as fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement, led to an in-depth examination of the DSP of European concrete codes of practice and resulted in a new philosophy, presented in this paper. The basis of the new philosophy remains the limit-state design and achievement of target notional structural reliability levels, but aims at the attainment of a desired failure mode hierarchy. The implementation of the philosophy, through a proposed framework, utilises the concept of average measure of closeness for the determination of appropriate material partial safety factors. An example of the application of the proposed framework is presented for FRP reinforcement. © 2005 Thomas Telford and fib