Damage identification in bridge structures : review of available methods and case studies

Bridges are integral parts of the infrastructure and play a major role in civil engineering. Bridge health monitoring is necessary to extend the life of a bridge and retain safety. Periodic monitoring contributes significantly in keeping these structures operational and extends structural integrity. Different researchers have proposed different methods for identifying bridge damages based on different theories and laboratory tests. Several review papers have been published in the literature on the identification of damage and crack in bridge structures in the last few decades. In this paper, a review of literature on damage identification in bridge structures based on different methods and theories is carried out. The aim of this paper is to critically evaluate different methods that have been proposed to detect damages in different bridges. Different papers have been carefully reviewed, and the gaps, limitations, and superiority of the methods used are identified. Furthermore, in most of the reviews, future applications and several sustainable methods which are necessary for bridge monitoring are covered. This study significantly contributes to the literature by critically examining different methods, giving guidelines on the methods that identify the damages in bridge structures more accurately, and serving as a good reference for other researchers and future works

Urban Living Futures and Society: People, Culture, Economy & The Built Environment: Research Theme Report: 2020-2022

The research theme Urban Living Futures and Society: People, Culture, Economy and the Built Environment is proud to present a summary of its activities for the years 2020-2022. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Urban Living Futures and Society has funded twenty pilot research projects and has been a key driver of the new Western Sydney University Urban Transformations Research Centre. This report focuses on the seven different areas of thematic interest for Urban Living Futures and Society, highlighting key issues, future challenges and research projects being undertaken

Experimental investigation of retrofitting techniques for steel bridge girders subject to fatigue failure

Fatigue failure is major concern for infrastructure due to the increasing number of steel structures reaching the end of their design life each year. Increased loadings, deterioration due to weathering, climate change and human error also negatively impact the design life. Rehabilitating steel bridge girders rather than replacing the existing structure can provide an option for an economical and sustainable future. This paper presents the results of an experimental study which implements a simple retrofitting technique to combat fatigue failure. The retrofitting technique is applied to girders which have incurred fatigue cracking within the bottom flange. Experimental tests are performed on a riveted tapered 120-year-old girder and a new prefabricated hot rolled girder. The results from the experimental tests showed that fatigue cracking within the bottom flange of girders can be easily rehabilitated to increase the girder’s capacity to that of their original design. By utilising this simple designed retrofitting technique, existing structures do not need to be replaced. The technique shown herein is a viable method for increasing the service life of steel girders providing for a sustainable future

The Unconventional Strength Towards STEM Cohort

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) play a critically important role in Australia’s ability to innovate, expand and remain a competitive force globally. Indeed, ensuring that the workforce has the relevant skills in sufficient quantities through a reliable educational pipeline is quite challenging and requires an understanding of how these skills are and will be used within the Australian economy. Moreover, successfully delivering these skills for a knowledge economy will depend not only on producing the correct number of graduates but also on the education system supplying graduates from under-utilised groups (i.e. women & indigenous people) and diverse backgrounds. Currently, millions of children and young people are not developing the required skills to participate effectively in STEM environments. Young indigenous and female groups, in particular, are deprived of the opportunities to build their skills, including STEM literacy that is valued towards career progression in traditionally male-dominated fields (i.e. engineering and construction). As this white paper outlines, the challenges are drawn from recent literature, and a comprehensive review of existing initiatives is presented based on the observations of key partners, including Western Sydney University, the Australian government, research sector, industry, policymakers and communities. However, to build the STEM capacity of graduates with the right knowledge, competencies and qualities, two-way collaboration between the communities, educational institutions (from an early age), Australian workplaces and the government is essential, as no single sector can entirely solve the current STEM skills shortage. Western Sydney University is well-positioned within the high-density indigenous areas to respond to these issues, particularly by monitoring, engaging and promoting all graduates with STEM qualifications to meet the demand from the economy. In fact, by supporting equity and diversity throughout the STEM cohorts, educational institutions not only drive innovation but also establish a thriving STEM-skilled workforce that is fit for the future

Greener concrete reinforcement for improved concrete sleeper applications

Nowadays, Australia’s population is over 25 million having increased by almost five times over the last century. As such, huge planning and investment are being made in the infrastructure to further overcome congestion and capacity issues. Accordingly, the railway connectivity will be an important factor towards the integration of regional and metropolitan economies for their mutual benefit. By 2075, the population is forecast to double putting huge constraints on the railway network which will be required to keep pace with such growing demand. For instance, by 2026 there is already a forecast growth of 19% and 26% in the passenger and freight operations respectively. Therefore, increasingly railway operational conditions characterise faster average speeds and frequency of services requiring the Australian railway infrastructure to be properly maintained towards ensuring the safety, reliability and efficiency in connecting regions and cities

Parametric studies of behaviour of composite beam-column flush end plate connections subjected to low probability, high consequence loading

In Australia, the design for both reinforced concrete and steel structures caters well for gravity, wind and seismic loading. The seismic loading only make available for 500 year return period. Currently, many discussions about structures should be design for low-probability, high-consequence event such as 2500 year return period. This paper reports the results of experimental studies of the structural performance of composite beam-column flush end plate connection under various loading. Experiments consisting in the application for both static and cyclic load to composite steel and concrete slab, focusing on the effect of end plate connection, the effect of headed stud shear connectors and the influence of loading hysteresis. The experimental results are compared with the three dimensional finite element model using ABAQUS followed by a series of parametric studies. The analyses showed that the specimens with static loading offer sufficient strength and ductility without prominent damage compared with the specimens subjected to seismic loading

Gender equality in Australian engineering and the recommendation for progressive industrial change to represent and retain women in the industry

This study uses existing research to discuss gender equality, in both the Australian workplace as a whole and then the engineering industry specifically, to support the recommendation for progressive industrial change. The purpose of this paper is to provide five key areas of focus to enable the industry to commence and then sustain progressive industrial change and therefore retain and represent women at all levels

Numerical modelling of short and long term behaviour of headed stud shear connector in composite steel-concrete beams

Composite steel-concrete construction has achieved a high market share around the world. This is mainly due to a reduction in depth, saving in steel weight and rapid construction program. Composite action enhances structural efficiency by combining the structural elements to create a single composite member. More recently, trapezoidal profiled slabs are becoming increasingly more popular for high-rise buildings when compared with solid slabs because they can achieve large spans with little or no propping and they require less concrete and plywood formwork. However, the profiles used to achieve these savings can have a detrimental effect on the shear connector behaviour. This paper consists of modelling long term behaviour for composite steel-concrete beams using commercial software known as ABAQUS

Blended learning in engineering education : students' and lecturers' perceptions and achieving learning outcomes

In this chapter, blended learning initiatives put forward by the Western Sydney University for engineering units are discussed emphasizing students’ and lecturers’ perceptions. One aim of this initiative is to provide a flexible student-centered learning environment for those who may not be able to attend lectures regularly due to work commitments, utilizing the technology in terms of recorded lectures and tutorials. Based on the feedback from students and lecturers, this research investigates how far we can move away from traditional face-to-face teacher-centered education, while meeting professional competencies set out by Engineers Australia and achieving unit learning outcomes

Experimental studies of behaviour of composite beam-column flush end plate connections subjected to seismic loading

Steel-concrete composite systems have seen extensive use in recent decades because of the benefits of combining the two construction materials. Reinforced concrete is inexpensive, massive and stiff, while steel members are strong, lightweight and easy to assemble. The object of this paper is to provide deeper insight into the nonlinear seismic response on the behaviour of composite structures and how they are influenced by various loading conditions. The results of the experimental study enable the authors herein to develop a new and improved shear connectors and beam-column connection for composite steel-concrete structures under seismic loading. The experimental results showed a notable strength and ductile behaviour. An optimised and economic shear connector and blind bolts was obtained. The failure patterns, failure mechanism, ductility and stiffness degradation are discussed. Furthermore, the finite element analyses are in good agreement with the experimental study