Serena Gambarelli, R. Noé Fararoni Platas, Arvinth Shankar, Spasena Dakova, Michael Böhm, Oliver Sawodny, Markus Nitzlader, Lucio Blandini
{"title":"Failure behavior of an adaptive concrete beam with integrated fluidic actuators: non-linear three-dimensional finite element analysis","authors":"Serena Gambarelli, R. Noé Fararoni Platas, Arvinth Shankar, Spasena Dakova, Michael Böhm, Oliver Sawodny, Markus Nitzlader, Lucio Blandini","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1272785","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1272785","url":null,"abstract":"In the present study, the adaptive behavior of a concrete beam with integrated fluidic actuators was numerically investigated through three-dimensional (3D) non-linear finite element (FE) analysis. The employed numerical approach for the mechanical behavior of concrete is based on the microplane theory, implemented in the in-house software MAcroscopic Space Analysis (MASA). Different cases were analyzed and the results compared with experimental tests available in the literature. First, a reference concrete beam without actuators was numerically analyzed in order to calibrate and validate the employed non-linear microplane material model. Thereafter, the validated model was used for the non-linear analysis of the concrete beam with integrated fluidic actuators, with respect to different load cases. The obtained results confirm the capability of the model to reproduce the deformational behavior of the beam for all analyzed cases. A fundamental aspect is the realistic modeling of the actuators and related applied pressure. The use of a non-linear material model allows to realistically capture the possible cracking and consequent failure of the beam. It is worth mentioning that a full model validation should be extended to the long-term behavior of actuated structural elements. In future perspective, the well-established numerical framework for concrete, based on coupled 3D hygro-thermo-mechanical model, can be used to 1) investigate the performance of adaptive structural components, with respect to more complex loading conditions, e.g., cyclic; 2) perform durability analysis under exposure to different combinations of mechanical and/or environmental loading conditions.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136295457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Machine learning approach for predicting bridge components’ condition ratings","authors":"Md. Manik Mia, Sabarethinam Kameshwar","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1254269","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1254269","url":null,"abstract":"Information on bridge condition rating is critical to make decisions regarding rehabilitation or replacement of bridges. Currently, bridge components’ condition ratings are evaluated manually using inspection reports. Markov chain and Petri net models are most commonly used for predicting future values of bridge parameters, however, applicability of these models for a regional or statewide portfolio of bridges may be limited. The existing data based models have low prediction accuracy. Hence, a data and machine learning based approach is presented herein for predicting the future condition values of major components—deck, superstructure and substructure—in a portfolio of bridges with an objective to develop a more accurate approach. National Bridge Inventory (NBI) was used to get information on current and past bridge components’ condition from year 1992–2019 along with other parameters such as ownership, maintenance responsibility and age. After selecting important parameters, this data was used to train three RUSBoost based random forest models for predicting future values of deck, superstructure, and substructure conditions, respectively. The prediction accuracy of the developed models were found above 93%, thereby addressing the limitation of poor prediction accuracy of the existing studies. Additionally, the uncertainties associated with the random forest based predictions were quantified at the regional level and for individual bridges. On-system concrete pre-cast slab units and steel I-beam bridges in Louisiana were selected to demonstrate the proposed approach and predict bridge components condition ratings for years 2020 and 2021.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"51 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135044927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of different flexible technologies in the Spain NECP for 2030","authors":"Andres Ramos, Sébastien Huclin, José Pablo Chaves","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1065998","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1065998","url":null,"abstract":"This paper proposes three dimensions relevant to the flexibility assessment: power gradient (i.e., ramps), power during critical hours, and energy available at different timescales. A two-phase procedure analyzes an electric system’s flexibility to cope with renewables’ integration. The first step determines the margin on the three flexibility metrics. The second one runs a cost-based operation model to determine how these dimensions are covered. The ramp margin computed shows that a critical net demand ramp happens when solar power reduces its generation, but the projected Spanish system in 2030 can still cope with this upward ramp. Different flexible technologies cover the weekly energy variation of the net demand (demand minus non-dispatchable generation). This shows the high contribution of storage hydro and open-loop pumped-hydro storage to this variation. Flexible technologies supply upward and downward ramps of the net demand. Batteries and new closed-loop pumped-hydro storage are the storage technologies that contribute the most to these net-demand ramps. We also show that existing and new closed-loop pump-hydro storage generate more in the critical net-demand hours, having a high capacity factor, almost double the batteries.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"96 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135095832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inelastic response spectra for an integrated displacement and energy-based seismic design (DEBD) of structures","authors":"Giulio Proietti, Livio Pedone, Simone D'Amore, Stefano Pampanin","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1264033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1264033","url":null,"abstract":"The severe socio-economic impact of recent earthquakes has further highlighted the crucial need for a paradigm shift in performance-based design criteria and objectives towards a low-damage design philosophy, in order to reduce losses in terms of human lives, repair/reconstruction costs, and recovery time (deaths, dollars and downtime). Currently, displacement-based parameters are typically adopted to design/assess the seismic performance of the structures, by limiting the maximum displacement or the maximum interstorey drift ratio (IDR) reached by the structure under different earthquake intensities. However and arguably, displacement-based quantities are characterized by inherent weaknesses, since, for instance, they are not cumulated parameters, thus not able to capture directly the effects of multiple cycles, deterioration and damage cumulation. Therefore, in the last decades, energy-based approaches were investigated and developed in order to establish alternative engineering demand parameters for the assessment of post-event damage through a dynamic energy balance. Towards the main goal of developing an integrated Displacement and Energy-Based Design/assessment procedure (DEBD) for actual use in practice, this research work proposes an innovative approach based on the use of inelastic spectra correlating the energy components with the corresponding maximum displacement response parameters of the structure. In practical terms, the proposal is to further integrate and develop the well-known Direct Displacement-Based Design, by directly adopting the hysteretic energy as an additional design parameter. The energy inelastic spectra are developed through an extensive parametric analysis of Single-Degree-of-Freedom (SDoF) systems, with different nonlinear hysteretic models. In such an approach, the maximum seismic energy demand imparted to a structure can be directly predicted and controlled, whilst distinguishing the various components of the energy balance, including the hysteretic one. The effects of near-field and far-field earthquakes are also investigated. Results show that in the first case the seismic demand is concentrated in the peak of a few large cycles that absorb the demand energy induced by the high component in peak ground velocity in the second case the higher equivalent number of plastic cycles tends to become critical for structures with inadequate structural details and prone to suffer by cumulative cycles and overall plastic fatigue mechanisms.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"60 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135350732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
María Eugenia Maciá-Torregrosa, Javier Camacho-Diez, Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano
{"title":"Strategies for integral rehabilitation and improvement of the energy efficiency of Lagos Park building in Madrid","authors":"María Eugenia Maciá-Torregrosa, Javier Camacho-Diez, Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1264368","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1264368","url":null,"abstract":"As a primary goal, Inadequate energy consumption and outdated construction systems are causing financial losses for homeowners. Spain’s failure to meet European guidelines on CO 2 emissions highlights the urgent need to address the energy inefficiency of buildings, responsible for 40% of such emissions. This article presents a comprehensive refurbishment project undertaken in the Lagos Park residential building in Madrid. The paper offers a detailed analysis of common building issues related to excessive humidity in the surrounding areas and deficiencies in the energy performance of the building envelope, including facades and roofs. Precise measures for achieving compliance with the Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE), as well as enhancing energy efficiency and functionality, are explained through the renovation of the building envelopes. The study also encompasses improvements made to the domestic hot water supply systems and the air-conditioning system, which contribute to the building’s attainment of an optimal energy rating (energy Class A). The extensive renovation undertaken in the complex has transformed Lagos Park homes into “zero energy consumption” residences. The strategies employed, ranging from electrical appliances to the house’s structural design, are all geared towards maximizing energy usage efficiency, resulting in significantly reduced monthly electricity bills by 65%–75%.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135739472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chunguang Li, Hubin Yan, Minhao Zou, Yan Han, C. S. Cai, Long Wang
{"title":"Experimental study on the influence of maintenance track position on vortex-induced vibration performance of a box girder suspension bridge","authors":"Chunguang Li, Hubin Yan, Minhao Zou, Yan Han, C. S. Cai, Long Wang","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1264996","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1264996","url":null,"abstract":"To study the influence of maintenance track on the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) performance of main girder, the VIV response and time history of surface pressure data of a section model were obtained by wind tunnel vibration and pressure measurements for a large-span steel box girder suspension bridge. The VIV performance of the main girder was tested at ±5° attack angles of various maintenance track positions, including 1, 2.5, and 5 m away from the outer edge of the girder bottom plate. The mean values, root variances and amplitude spectra of vortex-induced force and the correlation and contribution coefficients of local aerodynamic force to overall aerodynamic force were analyzed. The results show that when the maintenance track is 1 m away from the outer edge of the bottom plate, the main girder exhibits the worst VIV performance with a maximum amplitude of 0.457 m, far beyond the allowable value of the specification. The VIV performance of the main girder was greatly improved by moving the maintenance track inward. The pressure analysis indicates that the large pressure fluctuation at the front and rear parts of the upper surface is attributed to the strong VIV of the main girder. In this sense, the improved VIV performance is mainly contributed by the weakening of pressure fluctuation in these two areas and the reduced local aerodynamic force. When the distance between the maintenance track and bottom plate is adjusted to 2.5 m, a 3.5 m wind barrier with a ventilation rate of 30% effectively inhibits the VIV of the box girder. The main reason for the suppression is that the elimination of pressure fluctuation on the upper surface of the girder disturbs the correlation between local aerodynamic force and overall aerodynamic force, consequently diminishing the contribution of local aerodynamic force to the vortex-induced force.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"84 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135696449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of the impact of climate change and flooding on bridges and surrounding area","authors":"Bassel Habeeb, Emilio Bastidas-Arteaga","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1268304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1268304","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change has the potential to significantly impact transportation infrastructure performance. Bridges crossing rivers are designed to withstand a maximum flood level (design flood) considering the expected frequencies and magnitudes of floods in the area. The design flood level ensures the safety of the bridge without being damaged against historical flooding levels. However, flood magnitude and/or frequency are expected to increase in some regions due to climate change, and therefore, bridges may not be able to maintain their serviceability and safety, resulting in significant risk to users and economic losses. This problem is approached in this paper by investigating the effects of flooding and climate change on bridges crossing rivers and surrounding areas. The input of the proposed methodology is the river flow for various climate change scenarios as well as the topography and bridge characteristics. Flood frequency analysis is used to provide information about the magnitude and frequency of annual maximum river discharges under a changing climate. Afterwards, several risk assessment indicators are computed for the bridge and its surrounding area. In addition, stochastic Poisson process is integrated to account for the randomness of floods arrivals and to investigate stochastically the probability of exceeding the design flood level. The proposed methodology is illustrated with a case study in the United Kingdom. The results indicate that the risk of flooding, and associated consequences, would increase for the case study when considering more pessimistic climate change scenarios. Findings from this study can be used to inform decision making for improving bridges’ resilience.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"47 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135246890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mattia Manni, Jacowb Krum Thorning, Sami Jouttijärvi, Kati Miettunen, Marisa Di Sabatino, Gabriele Lobaccaro
{"title":"Horizontal-to-tilt irradiance conversion for high-latitude regions: a review and meta-analysis","authors":"Mattia Manni, Jacowb Krum Thorning, Sami Jouttijärvi, Kati Miettunen, Marisa Di Sabatino, Gabriele Lobaccaro","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1245223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1245223","url":null,"abstract":"This review focuses on the solar irradiance model chain for horizontal-to-tilted irradiance conversion at high latitudes. The main goals of the work are 1) to assess the extent to which the literature accounts for decomposition and transposition models specifically developed for high-latitude application; 2) to evaluate existing validation studies for these particular conditions; 3) to identify research gaps in the optimal solar irradiance model chain for high-latitude application (i.e., latitude ≥60°). In total, 112 publications are reviewed according to their publication year, country, climate, method, and keywords: 78 publications deal with decomposition models and 34 deal with transposition models. Only a few models (6) have been parameterized using data from Nordic countries. Here, we compare 57 decomposition models in terms of their performance in Nordic climate zones and analyze the geographical distribution of the data used to parametrize these models. By comparing the Normalized Root Mean Square Deviation coefficients for direct normal irradiation, the decomposition models Skartveit1 and Mondol1 are most effective on one-hour scale and Yang4 on one-minute scale. Recent studies on the empirical transposition models estimating the global tilted irradiation on vertical surfaces show the best performance for Perez4 and Muneer models. In addition, innovative methods such as artificial neural networks have been identified to further enhance the model chain. This review reveals that a validated model chain for estimating global tilted irradiation at high latitudes is missing from the literature. Moreover, there is a need for a universal validation protocol to ease the comparison of different studies.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135387680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Feiyang Sun, Jan Whittington, Siman Ning, Gundula Proksch, Qing Shen, Sofia Dermisi
{"title":"Economic resilience during COVID-19: the case of food retail businesses in Seattle, Washington","authors":"Feiyang Sun, Jan Whittington, Siman Ning, Gundula Proksch, Qing Shen, Sofia Dermisi","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1212244","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1212244","url":null,"abstract":"The first year of COVID-19 tested the economic resilience of cities, calling into question the viability of density and the essential nature of certain types of services. This study examines built environment and socio-economic factors associated with the closure of customer-facing food businesses across urban areas of Seattle, Washington. The study covers 16 neighborhoods (44 census block groups), with two field audits of businesses included in cross-sectional studies conducted during the peak periods of the pandemic in 2020. Variables describing businesses and their built environments were selected and classified using regression tree methods, with relationships to business continuity estimated in a binomial regression model, using business type and neighborhood socio-demographic characteristics as controlled covariates. Results show that the economic impact of the pandemic was not evenly distributed across the built environment. Compared to grocery stores, the odds of a restaurant staying open during May and June were 24%, only improving 10% by the end of 2020. Density played a role in business closure, though this role differed over time. In May and June, food retail businesses were 82% less likely to remain open if located within a quarter-mile radius of the office-rich areas of the city, where pre-pandemic job density was greater than 95 per acre. In November and December, food retail businesses were 66% less likely to remain open if located in areas of residential density greater than 23.6 persons per acre. In contrast, median household income and percentage of non-Asian persons of color were positively and significantly associated with business continuity. Altogether, these findings provide more detailed and accurate profiles of food retail businesses and a more complete impression of the spatial heterogeneity of urban economic resilience during the pandemic, with implications for future urban planning and real estate development in the post-pandemic era.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"116 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135425977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluating the influence of old and new rental systems on the physical condition of historic mixed-use buildings: a case study of Lebanon","authors":"Ali Sedki","doi":"10.3389/fbuil.2023.1190374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1190374","url":null,"abstract":"This article investigates the link between the physical condition of built heritage and official local authorities’ legislation in Lebanon. The research analyzed the impact of occupation on the physical condition of dwellings under the prevailing official inherited rental legislation, identifying the scale of the problem and the factors leading to it. The responsibilities of the Lebanese official bodies for rental legislation regarding historical buildings were thoroughly discussed. Moreover, a field survey for the condition of historical dwellings was conducted. To accomplish its objectives, the study employed a three-stage methodology. The first stage involved reviewing archival records, current legislation, and relevant literature to gain a comprehensive understanding of historical dwellings laws and regulations in Lebanon. The second stage was divided into two parts. First, the case study area of the Yacob Al Labban historical square in Tripoli, Lebanon, was selected and justified. This area was examined to understand the impact of local authorities’ legislation and rental regulations on the physical condition of its historical dwellings. Second, a field survey was conducted to gather specific information on building typology, physical condition, and building defects. This data will help establish a connection between legislation and buildings’ physical conditions. In the third stage, the findings were analyzed, interpreted, and compared with the existing literature to draw meaningful conclusions about the relationship between legislation and the condition of historical buildings in Lebanon. The research results revealed a strong relationship between the deterioration of historical dwellings and rental legislation. Additionally, the study found that low rental fees were directly associated with a lack of maintenance across all types of rentals.","PeriodicalId":37112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Built Environment","volume":"36 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135718797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}