Visualization of crowd synchronization on footbridges

This paper proposes a framework for the visualization of crowd walking synchronization on footbridges. The bridge is modeled as a mass-spring system, which is a weakly damped and driven harmonic oscillator. Both the bridge and the pedestrians walking on the bridge are affected by the movement of each other. The crowd acts according to local behavioral rules. Each pedestrian is provided with a kinematic walking system. We extend a current mathematical model of crowd synchronization on footbridges to include human walking model and crowd simulation techniques. We run experiments to evaluate the influence of these extensions on synchronization. © The Visualization Society of Japan 2009

Emergent Collective Dynamics with Applications in Bridge Engineering and Social Networks

This thesis presents several novel results on the nonlinear and emergent collective dynamics of crowds and populations in complex systems. Though, historically, the list of suspension bridges destabilized by pedestrian collective motion is long, the phenomenon still needs to be fully understood, especially regarding the effect of human-to-human interactions on the structure, and often incorrectly explained using synchronization theory. We present a simple general formula that quantifies the effect of pedestrian effective damping of a suspension bridge and illustrate it by simulating three mathematical models, including one with a strong propensity for synchronization. Despite the subtle effects of gait strategies in determining precise instability thresholds, our results show that average negative damping is always the trigger of pedestrian-induced high-amplitude lateral vibration of suspension bridges. Furthermore, we show that human-to-human interactions of heterogeneous pedestrians can trigger the instability of a bridge more effectively than crowds of identical pedestrians. We will also discuss the role of crowd heterogeneity in possible phase pulling between pedestrians and bridge motion. We also develop a model for the evolution of toxic memes on 4chan and report a significant influence on Twitter’s anti-vaccine conspiracy discourse over a nine-year period. We show that 4chan topics evolve according to an emergent process mathematically similar to classic reinforcement learning methods, tending to maximize the expected toxicity of future discourse. We demonstrate that these topics can invade Twitter and persist in an endemic state corresponding to the associated spreading rate and initial distribution of post rates and coexisting with a higher-traffic regime of dynamics. We discuss the implication of this result for preventing large-scale disinformation campaigns

Aeroelastic Phenomena and Pedestrian-Structure Dynamic Interaction on Non-Conventional Bridges and Footbridges

Fluid-structure and pedestrian-structure interaction phenomena are extremely important for non-conventional bridges. The results presented in this volume concern: simplified formulas for flutter assessment; innovative structural solutions to increase the aeroelastic stability of long-span bridges; numerical simulations of the flow around a benchmark rectangular cylinder; examples of designs of large structures assisted by wind-tunnel tests; analytical, computational and experimental investigation of the synchronisation mechanisms between pedestrians and footbridge structures. The present book is addressed to a wide audience including professionals, doctoral students and researchers, aiming to increase their know-how in the field of wind engineering, bluff-body aerodynamics and bridge dynamics

Load Estimation, Structural Identification and Human Comfort Assessment of Flexible Structures

Stadiums, pedestrian bridges, dance floors, and concert halls are distinct from other civil engineering structures due to several challenges in their design and dynamic behavior. These challenges originate from the flexible inherent nature of these structures coupled with human interactions in the form of loading. The investigations in past literature on this topic clearly state that the design of flexible structures can be improved with better load modeling strategies acquired with reliable load quantification, a deeper understanding of structural response, generation of simple and efficient human-structure interaction models and new measurement and assessment criteria for acceptable vibration levels. In contribution to these possible improvements, this dissertation taps into three specific areas: the load quantification of lively individuals or crowds, the structural identification under non-stationary and narrowband disturbances and the measurement of excessive vibration levels for human comfort. For load quantification, a computer vision based approach capable of tracking both individual and crowd motion is used. For structural identification, a noise-assisted Multivariate Empirical Mode Decomposition (MEMD) algorithm is incorporated into the operational modal analysis. The measurement of excessive vibration levels and the assessment of human comfort are accomplished through computer vision based human and object tracking, which provides a more convenient means for measurement and computation. All the proposed methods are tested in the laboratory environment utilizing a grandstand simulator and in the field on a pedestrian bridge and on a football stadium. Findings and interpretations from the experimental results are presented. The dissertation is concluded by highlighting the critical findings and the possible future work that may be conducted

6th International Conference on Mechanical Models in Structural Engineering

Producción CientíficaThis ebook contains the 37 full papers submitted to the 6th International Conference on Mechanical Models in Structural Engineering (CMMOST 2021) held in Valladolid on December 2021

Design of a new cycle and pedestrian cable-stayed bridge over river Arno: challenges in geometric and structural concept.

La tesi ha riguardato la progettazione di un nuovo ponte ciclo-pedonale sul Fiume Arno. La sezione idraulica interessata dall'attraversamento si colloca nel tratto di fiume che bagna i Comuni di Cascina e Vicopisano, nel territorio della Provincia di Pisa. Ad una prima fase di concezione geometrico-architettonica è seguito un processo di ottimizzazione strutturale degli elementi principali di cui si compone la struttura. La scelta dello specifico schema statico ha comportato l'introduzione di complessità aggiuntive a quelle legate alla natura dei ponti strallati, che hanno richiesto accurate e complesse analisi (sia statiche che dinamiche). Opportune scelte progettuali hanno consentito di risolvere le criticità derivate dall'ardito concept geometrico della struttura. Infine è stato condotto uno studio approfondito concernente il comportamento dinamico della stessa soggetta al traffico ciclo-pedonale, che ha permesso di completare il design in maniera soddisfacente

Development of low-cost sensors for structural health monitoring applications

(English) There is increasing interest in developing low-cost sensors for economical structural health monitoring of civil engineering infrastructures. In addition to their price, they have the additional benefit of being easily connected to low-cost microcontrollers such as Arduino. A reliable data acquisition system based on Arduino technology can further lower the cost of data collection and monitoring, enabling long-term monitoring at an affordable cost. This thesis proposes the following four high-precision low-cost monitoring systems.Firstly, to correctly measure structural responses, a Cost Hyper-Efficient Arduino Product (CHEAP) has been developed. CHEAP is a system made up of five synchronized accelerometers connected to an Arduino microcontroller that works as a data collecting device. CHEAP is a uniaxial MEMS accelerometer with a sampling frequency of 85 Hz. To validate its performance, laboratory experiments were carried out and the results were compared with those of two high-precision accelerometers (PCB393A03 and PCB 356B18).Secondly, a unique low-cost inclinometer is presented, the Low-cost Adaptable Reliable Angle-meter (LARA), which measures inclination through the fusion of different sensors: five gyroscopes and five accelerometers. LARA combines a microcontroller based on Internet of Things technology (NODEMCU), allows wireless data transmission, and free commercial software for data collection (SerialPlot). To confirm the precision and resolution of this device, its measurements under laboratory conditions were compared with the theoretical ones and with those of a commercial inclinometer (HI-INC). Laboratory results of a load test on a beam demonstrate LARA's remarkable accuracy. It is concluded that the accuracy of LARA is sufficient for its application in detecting bridge damage.Thirdly, the effect of combining similar range sensors to investigate the increase of the accuracy and mitigation of the ambiental noises, is also elucidated. To investigate the sensor combination theory, a measuring equipment composed of 75 contactless ranging sensors controlled by only two microcontrollers (Arduinos), was built. The 75 sensors are 25 HC-SR04 (analog), 25 VL53L0X (digital), and 25 VL53L1X. (digital). In addition, the impact of various environmental conditions on the standard deviation, distribution functions, and error level of these sensors (HC-SR04, VL53L0X, and VL53L1X) is determined.Finally, a novel remote versatile data acquisition system is presented that allows the recording of time with microsecond resolution for the subsequent synchronization of the acquired data of the wireless sensors located at various points of a structure. This functionality is what would allow its application to static or quasi-static load tests or to the modal analysis of structures. The system developed has a noise density of 51 g/Hz and a sampling frequency of 333 Hz. This device was used to identify the eigenfrequencies and modal analysis of several structures (polvorín footbridges in Barcelona and Andoain Bridge, Donostia-San Sebastian). The comparison of the modal analysis of the Andoain Bridge using the acquired data of the developed accelerometer and data acquisition equipment with those of commercial accelerometers (PCB 607A61) were satisfactory.The low-cost accelerometer, inclinometer and data acquisition system developed and validated in this thesis can make SHM and infrastructure damage detection a reality at low cost, long term and remotely.(Español) Cada vez hay más interés en desarrollar sensores baratos para conocer de manera económica el estado de las infraestructuras civiles. Además de su precio, estos sensores tienen la ventaja añadida de poder conectarse fácilmente a microcontroladores de bajo coste como Arduino. Un sistema fiable de adquisición de datos basado en la tecnología Arduino puede disminuir aún más el coste de la recogida de datos y la monitorización, lo que permitiría una monitorización a largo plazo a un coste asequible. Esta tesis propone los cuatro siguientes sistemas de monitorización de alta precisión y bajo coste.En primer lugar, para medir correctamente las respuestas estructurales, se ha desarrollado el Cost Hyper-Efficient Arduino Product (CHEAP). CHEAP es un sistema compuesto por cinco acelerómetros sincronizados de bajo coste conectados a un microcontrolador Arduino que hace el papel de dispositivo de recogida de datos. CHEAP es un acelerómetro MEMS uniaxial con una frecuencia de muestreo de 85 Hz. Para validar su rendimiento, se efectuaron unos experimentos de laboratorio y sus resultados se compararon con los de dos acelerómetros de alta precisión (PCB393A03 y PCB 356B18). En segundo lugar, se presenta un inclinómetro de bajo coste, un Low-cost Adaptable Reliable Angle-meter (LARA), que mide la inclinación mediante la fusión de distintos sensores: cinco giroscopios y cinco acelerómetros. LARA combina un microcontrolador basado en la tecnología del Internet de las Cosas (NODEMCU), que permite la transmisión inalámbrica de datos, y un software comercial gratuito para la recogida de datos (SerialPlot). Para confirmar la precisión y resolución de este dispositivo, se compararon sus mediciones en condiciones de laboratorio con las teóricas y con las de un inclinómetro comercial (HI-INC). Los resultados de laboratorio de una prueba de carga en una viga demuestran la notable precisión de LARA. Se concluye que la precisión de LARA es suficiente para su aplicación en la detección de daños en puentes.En tercer lugar, también se dilucida el efecto de la combinación de sensores de rango similar para investigar el aumento de la precisión y la mitigación de los ruidos ambientales. Para investigar la teoría de la combinación de sensores, se construyó un equipo de medición compuesto por 75 sensores para la medición de distancias acoplados a dos microcontroladores de Arduino. Los 75 sensores son 25 HC-SR04 (analógicos), 25 VL53L0X (digitales) y 25 VL53L1X (digitales). Además, se determina el impacto de diversas condiciones ambientales en la desviación estándar, las funciones de distribución y el nivel de error de estos sensores.Por último, se presenta un novedoso y versátil sistema de adquisición de datos a distancia que permite el registro del tiempo con una resolución de microsegundos para la sincronización posterior de las lecturas de los sensores inalámbricos situados en diversos puntos de una estructura. Esta funcionalidad es lo que permitiría su aplicación a pruebas de carga estáticas o quasi-estaticas o al análisis modal de las estructuras. El sistema desarrollado tiene una densidad de ruido de 51 g/Hz y una frecuencia de muestreo de 333 Hz. Este dispositivo se utilizó para identificar las frecuencias propias y los modos de vibración de varias estructuras (pasarelas polvorín en Barcelona y Puente de Andoain, Donostia-San Sebastian). Los modos calculados en una de ellas, el Puente de Andoain, a partir de los datos obtenidos con el acelerómetro y sistema de adquisición de datos desarrollado se comparan satisfactoriamente con los de sensores comerciales (PCB 607A61). El acelerómetro, el inclinómetro y el sistema de adquisición de datos de bajo coste desarrollados y validados en esta tesis pueden hacer realidad la SHM y la detección de daños en infraestructuras a bajo coste, a largo plazo y de forma remota.Postprint (published version

Kinetic Theory and Swarming Tools to Modeling Complex Systems—Symmetry problems in the Science of Living Systems

This MPDI book comprises a number of selected contributions to a Special Issue devoted to the modeling and simulation of living systems based on developments in kinetic mathematical tools. The focus is on a fascinating research field which cannot be tackled by the approach of the so-called hard sciences—specifically mathematics—without the invention of new methods in view of a new mathematical theory. The contents proposed by eight contributions witness the growing interest of scientists this field. The first contribution is an editorial paper which presents the motivations for studying the mathematics and physics of living systems within the framework an interdisciplinary approach, where mathematics and physics interact with specific fields of the class of systems object of modeling and simulations. The different contributions refer to economy, collective learning, cell motion, vehicular traffic, crowd dynamics, and social swarms. The key problem towards modeling consists in capturing the complexity features of living systems. All articles refer to large systems of interaction living entities and follow, towards modeling, a common rationale which consists firstly in representing the system by a probability distribution over the microscopic state of the said entities, secondly, in deriving a general mathematical structure deemed to provide the conceptual basis for the derivation of models and, finally, in implementing the said structure by models of interactions at the microscopic scale. Therefore, the modeling approach transfers the dynamics at the low scale to collective behaviors. Interactions are modeled by theoretical tools of stochastic game theory. Overall, the interested reader will find, in the contents, a forward look comprising various research perspectives and issues, followed by hints on to tackle these

Innovative Methods and Materials in Structural Health Monitoring of Civil Infrastructures

In the past, when elements in sructures were composed of perishable materials, such as wood, the maintenance of houses, bridges, etc., was considered of vital importance for their safe use and to preserve their efficiency. With the advent of materials such as reinforced concrete and steel, given their relatively long useful life, periodic and constant maintenance has often been considered a secondary concern. When it was realized that even for structures fabricated with these materials that the useful life has an end and that it was being approached, planning maintenance became an important and non-negligible aspect. Thus, the concept of structural health monitoring (SHM) was introduced, designed, and implemented as a multidisciplinary method. Computational mechanics, static and dynamic analysis of structures, electronics, sensors, and, recently, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are required, but it is also important to consider new materials, especially those with intrinsic self-diagnosis characteristics, and to use measurement and survey methods typical of modern geomatics, such as satellite surveys and highly sophisticated laser tools