conceiving meta structures for civil engineering applications

Abstract The concept of meta-structure is well established in the literature, and its implementations by 3D printing are typically discussed. Attempts to extend their applications to the civil engineering field found an obstacle in the significant masses that such applications would require. This contribution investigates the feasibility and the potential of a meta-structure design, which is consistent with the civil engineering requirements

Tension estimates in cable stayed bridges

A benchmark problem on an existing cable-stayed bridge was recently proposed. Recorded signals are available for standard working conditions and for special events (typhoons!). In this contribution, the authors report their attempt to detect significant variations in the cable tension during these extreme events

validation of a data fusion based solution in view of the real time monitoring of cable stayed bridges

Abstract A precise assessment of the displacements induced by external actions on cables-stayed bridges may be currently challenging and costly when conventional structural health monitoring (SHM) solutions are applied. In order to bypass the drawbacks of wired solutions and the use of expensive equipment, a novel approach is proposed. A Kalman filter-based data fusion of multiple responses is adopted. A GPS receiver and a three-axial accelerometer are used as sensors. The GPS accuracy is enhanced exploiting the satellite corrections provided by a single reference station. The proposed system is validated in situ on the "Tesa" timber footbridge

Comparing the efficiency of different structural skeleton for base isolated domes

The structural concept of the dome dates back to the Pantheon in Rome. It is used as the cover of many churches and mosques all around the world. Light solutions, with a well-visible dome-shaped truss skeleton, are often preferred in modern architecture. Base isolation techniques can be adopted to mitigate the seismic effects. This paper aims to investigate the efficiency of different designs for the truss skeleton. To solve the problem, one has to assign the constraints, the materials and the geometry of the dome, its supporting structure and the isolation devices (number, locations, and type). The screening of the effects of different scheme assumptions on structural behaviour provides a better insight into the problem

Local effects induced by dynamic load self-heating in NiTi wires of shape memory alloys

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External temperature effects on the hysteresis of NiTi wires in dampers for stay-cables

The use of NiTi wires, one of the Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) materials that permits efficient damping in stayed cables for bridges, requires an appropriate behavior when exposed to the external temperature effects. The Clausius-Clapeyron thermodynamic equation establishes a shift of the hysteretic cycle in the stress-temperature representation of about 6 MPa/K for the used wires of diameter 2.46 mm. Hence, an adequate experimental study is necessary to characterize the temperature effects in working conditions. The conducted analysis is twofold. First, the practical evolution of the hysteresis cycle is investigated. The results suggest that the wire permits a completely satisfactory use for temperatures as low as 253 K (i.e., -20 oC). Second, the focus is placed on the effects of extreme winter actions (i.e., as low as 233 K or -40 oC). A preliminary stress aging process at 373K seems adequate to this requirement. Indeed, after the stress aging, the SMA wire increases their working domain by 300 or 400 MPa and the temperature domain is expanded by 30 – 50 K. Measurements visualizing recoverable dynamical actions in the SMA alloys are also outlined.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Framing a satellite based asset tracking (SPARTACUS) within smart city technology

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Structural health monitoring of in-service tunnels

This work presents an overview of some of the most promising technologies for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of in-service tunnels. The common goal of damage or unusual behaviour detection is best pursued by an integrated approach based on the concurrent deployment of multiple technologies. Typically, traditional SHM systems are installed in problematic or special areas of the tunnels, giving information on conditions and helping manage maintenance. However, these methodologies often have the drawbacks of forcing the interruption of traffic for SHM system installation and monitoring only selected portions. Alternative solutions that would make it possible to keep the tunnel in normal operation and/or to analyse the entire infrastructure development through successive and continuous scanning stages, would be beneficial. In this paper, the authors will briefly review some traditional monitoring technologies for tunnels. Furthermore, the work is aimed at identifying alternative solutions, limiting or avoiding traffic interruptions

Amelioration and retrofitting of educational buildings

Following a seismic event that occurred years ago in Central Italy, the public opinion was growing and growing a concern on the adequacy of educational buildings all across Italy. This activated several political decisions and a consequent technical effort is in progress. Technically speaking one has to manage the classical problem of retrofitting existing buildings. However, the legal environment goes across national codes, targeted guidelines and the professional need of achieving pragmatic solutions based on ethical and social acceptation schemes.This paper introduces the topic in its worldwide exception and focuses then on some operative aspects in the Italian situation. It outlines the consolidated steps along this technical process and emphasizes the weak aspects one meets when going across the designers' reports

CONTROL LAW ON ROM

Summary The design of a control law requires two preliminary actions: to introduce a numerical model of the system to be controlled, together with its reduced-order approximation, and to fix the number and positions of the actuators, together with those of the sensors providing the feedback. The link between measured acceleration quantities and model variables was successfully demanded to the Kalman filter in seismic applications. When moving to wind excitation, the standard approach is no longer viable, and one meets several options, which are discussed in the paper. A timber footbridge is studied to provide a numerical example. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd