Bridge Technology Research Articles

Information assistance systems as preventive mediators between increasing customization and mental workload.

The future of work in Germany is shaped by megatrends like globalization, automatization, digitization, and the demographic change. Furthermore, mass customization and the increasing usage of AI even in manual assembly offers new opportunities as well as it creates new challenges. The trend towards mass customization in turn leads to increased complexity in production, which results in additional mental workload. This effect will continue in the foreseeable future. Especially for small and medium sized companies, the backbone of Germany's economy, automatization and Human-Robot-Collaboration will take time to develop. Information assistance systems are and will be a bridging technology to help organizations to manage increasing complexity and the mental workload of their employees to not only boost productivity but also keep their workforce healthy. The ongoing demographic change further underlines the need to use information assistance systems to compensate possible age-associated deficits, but also keep older employees committed to their work and avoid effects of disengagement or disenfranchisement through participatory ergonomics. Information assistance systems can only develop their inherent potential if they are designed to support employees of varying age, competence levels, and affinity for technology. Participatory development and early engagement are key factors for an increased acceptance and usage of the systems as well as the individualization to make it suitable for each individual employee. Expanding the functionalities to an adaptive assistance system, using physiological correlates of mental workload as an input, is conceivable in the future.

Challenges and opportunities in carbon capture, utilization and storage: A process systems engineering perspective

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a promising pathway to decarbonize fossil-based power and industrial sectors and is a bridging technology for a sustainable transition to a net-zero emission energy future. This work provides an overview of process systems engineering (PSE) research challenges, advances, and opportunities for CCUS applications. We review PSE methods, tools, and techniques in process modeling, simulation, optimization, control, material screening, strategic planning, and supply chain network design for CO2 management. We also attempt to give a PSE perspective on emerging CCUS research interests in molecular and materials systems engineering, multiscale modeling and optimization, systems design and integration under uncertainty, and the application of intelligent systems. The purpose is not to cover all aspects of PSE research for CCUS but rather to foster discussion by presenting some plausible future directions and ideas.

The expansion of natural gas infrastructure puts energy transitions at risk

Whether additional natural gas infrastructure is needed or would be detrimental to achieving climate protection goals is currently highly controversial. Here we combine five perspectives to argue why expansion of the natural gas infrastructure hinders a renewable energy future and is no bridge technology. We highlight that natural gas is a fossil fuel with a significantly underestimated climate impact that hinders decarbonization through carbon lock-in and stranded assets. We propose five ways to avoid common shortcomings for countries that are developing strategies for greenhouse gas reduction: manage methane emissions of the entire natural gas value chain, revise assumptions of scenario analyses with new research insights on greenhouse gas emissions related to natural gas, replace the ‘bridge’ narrative with unambiguous decarbonization criteria, avoid additional natural gas lock-ins and methane leakage, and take climate-related risks in energy infrastructure planning seriously. Often presented as a bridge technology to a future zero-carbon energy system, natural gas infrastructure expansion remains hotly debated. Here Kemfert et al. discuss recent research to argue how such expansion hinders climate targets and energy transitions and suggest how research can support better planning.

Is blue hydrogen a bridging technology? - The limits of a CO2 price and the role of state-induced price components for green hydrogen production in Germany

The European Commission aims to establish green hydrogen produced through electrolysis using renewable electricity and, in a transition phase, hydrogen produced in a low-carbon process, or blue hydrogen. In an extensive cost analysis for Germany up to 2050, based on scenario data and a component-based learning rate approach, we find that blue hydrogen is likely to establish itself as the most cost-effective option, and not only as a medium-term low-carbon alternative. We find that expected CO2 prices below €480/tCO2 have a limited impact on the economic feasibility of electrolysis and show that substantial increases in excise tax on natural gas could lead blue hydrogen to reach a sufficient cost level for electrolysed hydrogen. Unless alternatives for green hydrogen supply through infrastructure and imports become available at lower cost, electrolysed hydrogen may require long-term subsidies. As blue hydrogen comprises fugitive methane emissions and financing needs for green hydrogen support have implications for society and competition in the internal market, we suggest that policymakers rely on hydrogen for decarbonising only essential energy applications. We recommend further investigations into the cost of hydrogen infrastructure and import options as well as efficient subsidy frameworks.

Artificial Intelligence: A Universal Virtual Tool to Augment Tutoring in Higher Education.

Artificial intelligence is an emerging technology that revolutionizes human lives. Despite the fact that this technology is used in higher education, many professors are unaware of it. In this current scenario, there is a huge need to arise, implement information bridge technology, and enhance communication in the classroom. Through this paper, the authors try to predict the future of higher education with the help of artificial intelligence. This research article throws light on the current education system the problems faced by the subject faculties, students, changing government rules, and regulations in the educational sector. Various arguments and challenges on the implementation of artificial intelligence are prevailing in the educational sector. In this concern, we have built a use case model by using a student assessment data of our students and then built a synthesized using generative adversarial network (GAN). The dataset analyzed, visualized, and fed to different machine learning algorithms such as logistic Regression (LR), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), classification and regression trees (CART), naive Bayes (NB), support vector machines (SVM), and finally random forest (RF) algorithm and achieved a maximum accuracy of 58%. This article aims to bridge the gap between human lecturers and the machine. We are also concerned about the psychological emotions of the faculty and the students when artificial intelligence takes control.

Discussion on Construction Technology and Quality Control of Municipal Roads and Bridges

Discussion on Construction Technology and Quality Control of Municipal Roads and Bridges

A Dilemma for Respecting Autonomy: Bridge Technologies and the Hazards of Sequential Decision-Making.

Respect for patient autonomy can apply at two levels: ensuring that patient care reflects their considered values and wishes and honoring patient preferences about how to make momentous decisions. Caregivers who seek to respect patient autonomy in the context of some end-of-life decisions face a dilemma. Because these decisions are fraught, patients may prefer to approach them sequentially, only making decisions at the time they arise. However, respecting patients' preferences for a sequential approach can increase the likelihood that surrogates and care teams wind up in situations in which they lack information needed to ensure patients receive care that conforms to their considered values after they are no longer competent to make decisions for themselves. Sequential decision-making can thus conflict with the goal of ensuring care reflects the wishes of patients. After illustrating how this dilemma can arise in the use of life-sustaining "bridge" technologies, we argue that care teams may be warranted in requiring patients to articulate their wishes in an advance care plan before treatment begins. In some cases, care teams may even be permitted to refuse to undertake certain courses of care, unless patients articulate their wishes in an advance care plan.

Systematic and efficient optimisation-based design of a process for CO2 removal from natural gas

Natural gas is an important resource for bridging technology on the way to mostly renewable power. A significant number of natural gas sources with high CO2 contents have not been exploited yet due to high cost of CO2 separation. Growth in global natural gas demand, however, has lead to re-evaluation of unconventional natural gas reserves. In this contribution, different hybrid processes for CO2 removal from natural gas are optimised with regard to minimum process energy requirements. Considered separation operations are cryogenic distillation, membrane separation, and physical absorption with methanol. The influence of a wide range of CO2 contents in the natural gas feed (40mol-% to 80mol-%) on different process alternatives is investigated. This is combined with limits for CO2 contents in the natural gas product varying from pipeline transport (2–3 mol-%) to LNG specification (50ppm). As a result, we provide an overview over which process topology is optimal for which combination of natural gas feed and natural gas product specifications. Process optimisation is performed using a framework for systematic optimisation-based process design which includes robust and computationally efficient reduced models for unit operations and hence enables automated performance of a large number of optimisation calculations.

Low-emission hydrogen production via the thermo-catalytic decomposition of methane for the decarbonisation of iron ore mines in Western Australia

The Pilbara, located in Western Australia is one of the largest iron ore-mining regions in the world and will need to achieve significant emission reductions in the short term to conserve the limited carbon budget and abide by the Paris Agreement targets. Green hydrogen has been communicated as the desired solution, however, the high production cost limits the deployment of these systems. The thermo-catalytic methane decomposition (TCMD) process is an alternative solution, which could be implemented as a bridge technology to produce low-emission hydrogen at a potentially lower cost. This is especially attractive for iron ore mines due to the utilisation of iron ore as a process catalyst, which reduces the catalyst turnover costs and can increase the grade of spent iron ore catalyst. In this study, a preliminary techno-economic assessment was carried out in comparison with green hydrogen to determine the feasibility of the TCMD process for the decarbonisation of iron ore mine sites in the Pilbara. The results show that the TCMD process had a CO2 abatement cost between 25 and 40% less than green hydrogen, however, the magnitude of these costs was lowest for mining operations >60 Mt/yr at approximately $150 and $200 USD/t CO2 respectively. Since green hydrogen is expected to have significant cost reductions in the future, integrating renewables already into the mine could reduce emissions in the short term, which could then be extended for green hydrogen production once it becomes viable. The TCMD process, therefore, only has a narrow window of opportunity, although considering the uncertainty of the process and that green hydrogen is a proven technology with greater emission-reduction potential, green hydrogen may be the most suitable solution despite the model results presented in this work.

FPGA Delay-Oriented Process Mapping Algorithm of Xiangxi Minority Based on LUT

At present, FPGA (field-programmable gate array) architecture has made great progress in the requirements of hardware volume, which can meet common needs. However, for the increasing number of resources, it is difficult to significantly reduce the delay of process mapping. Therefore, this paper proposes FDMAP (fit descending map) algorithm from the perspective of the LUT number to reduce the delay. This paper proposes a method of FPGA mapping and debugging for heterogeneous multicore high-performance processors based on isomorphic symmetric FPGA architecture, which effectively utilizes the architectural features of heterogeneous multicore processors and the symmetric features of isomorphic FPGA, divides FPGA functions from top to bottom in a hierarchical way, and constructs FPGA architecture from bottom to top. Using differential bridge and adaptive delay adjustment sampling technology, combined with the embedded virtual logic analyzer debugging tool, FPGA architecture can be lightened and deployed quickly. Multicore complementary core-to-core replacement simulation mapping methods such as debug shells can be used to effectively complete the mapping of the target’s high-performance heterogeneous multicore processor to the entire SOC (system on-ship) chip system-level FPGA. In the aspect of algorithm, the fdmap algorithm is mainly implemented, and the low latency mapping of resources is realized with FPGA architecture. In order to verify the effectiveness of mapping the fdmap algorithm, this paper compares the fdmap algorithm with the vector VM algorithm. The research shows that when the wavelength resolution is 7 pm and the temperature error is less than 1°C, the shell is debugged, and 10 mapping examples are simulated with the fdmap algorithm. In the experiment, the LUT with the most critical 20% is selected, and the closed value of the LUT search type is set to 0.86. Compared with the original data, the number of LUTs increased by 15.2%, and the criticality decreased by 35.21%. Compared with the vector VM algorithm with the biggest gap, the number of LUTs decreased by 14.25%, the criticality improved by 14.21%, and the overall delay decreased by 65%. Therefore, the isomorphic symmetric FPGA architecture proposed in this paper can improve the structural criticality and significantly reduce the latency while reducing the number of LUTs.

A Review Paper on Lithely Arch Bridge

Abstract: In this we are studying modern technology of arch bridges i.e “Lithely Arch technology”. In this technology the blocks are precasted, blocks are jointed with screed concrete and lifted to a location by transporting them on site and again lifted to form arch bridge and then working towards the finishing. It also includes the study of reading the drawing, Bearing capacity, prepared all over detailed estimate and stability checks. Various IRC codes, IS codes is studied. The masonry arch is one of the oldest structural elements. Brick masonry arches have been used for hundreds of years. This technical note is an introduction to brick masonry arches. Many of the different types of brick masonry arches are discussed and a glossary of arch terms is provided. Material selection, proper construction methods, detailing and arch construction recommendations are discussed to ensure proper structural support, durability and weather resistance of the brick masonry arch. Lithely arch method is innovative, modern, economic and fastest method of construction of arch bridges. This method is invented in Maharashtra, India. Bridges constructed using this method are purely compressive in nature. This method utilizes precast units for construction of arch bridges. This method can be utilized for rehabilitation of old arch bridges in India very economically and with less time. The lithely arch is India's only Precast, Unreinforced Bridge solution and is developed on the lines of the conventional stonemason built arch bridges. Arch bridges are the most reliable and time tested solution for medium span (5m to 20m) bridges. These bridges have been standing strong for centuries and while they were initially designed for 8-10 tons of load are carrying modern vehicular load without any distress. Keywords: Lithely Arch, Wire Rope, Concrete, Spandrel Wall, Sockets, Screed, Moulds, Strip .

Image Link Through Adaptive Encoding Data Base and Optimized GPU Algorithm for Real-time Image Processing of Artificial Intelligence

This paper presents the latest Ethernet standardization of in-vehicle network and the future trends of automotive ethernet technology. The proposed system provides a design and optimization algorithm of in-vehicle networking technologies related Ethernet Audio Video Bridge (AVB) technology. We present a design of in-vehicle network system as well as the optimization of AVB for automotive. A proposal of Reduced Latency of Machin to Machine (RLMM) plays a significant role in reducing the latency between devices. The approach of RLMM on realistic test cases indicated that there was a latency reduction about 30.41% It is expected that the optimized settings for the actual automotive network environment can greatly shorten the time period in the development and design process. The results achieved from the experiments on the latency present in each function are trustworthy since average values are obtained via repeated tests for several months. It would considerably benefit the industry because analyzing the delay between each function in a short period of time is tremendously significant. In addition, through the proposed real-time camera and video streaming via optimized settings of AVB system, it is expected that AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms in autonomous driving will be of great help in understanding and analyzing images in real time.

Hazard Reduction in Deep Excavations Execution

In this article, the authors consider a completely new approach in design, which is related to the use of previously un-adapted technologies known to bridge engineering in geotechnical issues for prestressing of diaphragm wall during deep excavations execution. The bridge technology described here is the prestressing of concrete structures. Hazards related to deep excavations and methods of digging them, such as the ceiling method and top&down method, are presented. Current problems in supporting deep excavation slopes are related to the use of extensive quantities of materials (such as steel struts, ground anchors, or concrete and reinforcement steel). The authors’ method helps to achieve a higher level of sustainability, which is important in a modern approach to geotechnical engineering. The non-linear arrangements of the cables according to the occurrence of the prestressing moments for a given phase are presented. Results related to numerical analysis—showing the correctness of the method and cost optimization results, showing possible savings are presented. The article is a part of the set. In the second (already published) article titled “Modern Methods of Diaphragm Walls Design”, the authors present the concept of the calculation methodology for diaphragm wall design.

Perbandingan Metode Pelaksanaan Standar Konstruksi Jembatan Bailey dengan Pelaksanaan di Lapangan

Bailey Bridge is a steel frame bridge that is generally used as a temporary emergency bridge. Although this type of bridge hasbeen widely used, one of them is at the location of the Pesaguan-Kendawangan Road, but there are still some obstacles in thesteel frame assembly process. Therefore, the researcher wants to make a comparison between the standard method ofimplementing the Bailey Bridge in the Temporary Bridge Technology book and the method implemented in the location. Thepurpose of this study was to determine the implementation method of bridge assembly at the location of Jalan PesaguanKendawangan and compare it with the standard method. The research was carried out using observation and interviewmethods with informants to obtain information about the assembly of the Bailey bridge at the location. The results ofobservations and interviews were analyzed by comparison with the standard Bailey Bridge. The data obtained shows thatthere are nine steps of implementing the assembly of Bailey Bridge components at the location of the PesaguanKendawangan Road Section, starting from the assembly of base plate components, panel components, panel post Icomponents, transom components, pin components, bracing components, raker components, panel post II components, andfinally the deck plate component. The comparison results show that 6 out of 10 bridge assembly parameters have met existingstandards.

Hydroprocessing and Blending of a Biomass-Based DTG-Gasoline

The number of annually registered internal-combustion vehicles still exceeds electric-driven ones in most regions, e.g., Germany. Ambitious goals are disclosed with the European Green Deal, which calls for new technical approaches and greenhouse gas neutral transition technologies. Such bridging technologies are synthetic fuels for the transportation sector, e.g., using the bioliq® process for a CO2-neutral gasoline supply. Fuels must meet the applicable national standards to be used in existing engines. Petrochemical parameters can be variably adapted to their requirements by hydroprocessing. In this work, we considered the upgrading of aromatic-rich DTG gasoline from the bioliq® process. The heavy gasoline was therefore separated from the light one by rectification. We investigated how to selectively modify the petrochemical parameters of the heavy gasoline, especially the boiling characteristics, to make the product suitable as a high-quality blending component. Three commercially available Pt/zeolite catalysts were tested over a wide range of temperature and space velocity. We achieved high gasoline yields, while the content of light end compounds up to a boiling temperature of 150°C could be increased significantly. In contrast to the high naphthenic content of the gasoline, the obtained octane numbers were satisfactory. Especially the Motor Octane Number turned out unexpectedly high and showed a dependency on the isomerization of the naphthenic rings. By blending the upgraded heavy gasoline with the previously separated light gasoline, we could finally show that hydroprocessing is suitable for adjusting petrochemical parameters. The aromatic concentration was 37.5% lower than that in the original raw gasoline, while the boiling characteristics improved significantly. Additionally, the final boiling point was 82°C lower, which is beneficial for the emission behavior.

Flexible Fuel Operation of a Dry-Low-NOx Micromix Combustor with Variable Hydrogen Methane Mixtures

The role of hydrogen (H2) as a carbon-free energy carrier is discussed since decades for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As bridge technology towards a hydrogen-based energy supply, fuel mixtures of natural gas or methane (CH4) and hydrogen are possible. The paper presents the first test results of a low-emission Micromix combustor designed for flexible-fuel operation with variable H2/CH4 mixtures. The numerical and experimental approach for considering variable fuel mixtures instead of recently investigated pure hydrogen is described. In the experimental studies, a first generation FuelFlex Micromix combustor geometry is tested at atmospheric pressure at gas turbine operating conditions corresponding to part- and full-load. The H2/CH4 fuel mixture composition is varied between 57 and 100 vol.% hydrogen content. Despite the challenges flexible-fuel operation poses onto the design of a combustion system, the evaluated FuelFlex Micromix prototype shows a significant low NOx performance and high combustion efficiency over a wide fuel range.

Sustainable transition of the primary steel production: Carbon footprint studies of hot-rolled coil according to ISO 14067

A shift away from traditional carbon-based towards a hydrogen-based steel production has to be stepwise so that technological challenges can be solved simultaneously to various other challenges like the evolution of green markets, political framework as well as the creation of hydrogen supply. First bridge technologies towards hydrogen-based steelmaking are crucial to generate a stable demand for hydrogen so that hydrogen supply can follow. Injection of hydrogen into existing blast furnaces is a prominent example to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions without the ambition to reach complete carbon neutrality. A subsequent next step on the way towards climate neutrality are modern Direct reduction units. This technology is able to reduce Iron oxides by natural gas and hydrogen, respectively. Within the existing plants Direct reduction units can be incorporated in various ways over time, thus offering a gradual and in the end complete transition to hydrogen and electricity based production. Since LCA studies provide crucial input for political and market-economy decision-making, the LCA community is of great importance for giving direction of transformation processes. Like other industries, the steel industry needs an allocation approach for greenhouse gas emission savings to evolve green markets, of which the methodology shall be discussed within the life cycle community. The current study presents carbon footprint assessments (ISO 14067) of hot-rolled coil for different future production scenarios. The following production routes are investigated: - Conventional blast furnace – basic oxygen furnace route - Injection of H2 into a blast furnace - Input of H2-based direct reduced iron (DRI) into a blast furnace - H2-based direct reduction combined with electrically melting from renewable energy.

Application of knockdown technology for wooden bow arch bridges

The use of wood as a construction material for simple bridges has begun to be abandoned and switch to concrete or steel bridges with considerations of durability and structural strength. However, from an ecological perspective, wood is still the most renewable material by nature itself. Returning to ecologic natural materials is an issue of the United Nation that needs to be supported by educational institutions. This community service begins with determining the span and height of the bridge, followed by planning and calculating the strength of the material. The parts of the bridge are manufactured in the workshop of the Civil Engineering Department, Samarinda State Polytechnic. The assembly and erection processes are carried out in the field. The uniqueness of this program is in the application of the wooden arc bridge model with a raft unloading system by presenting an attractive aesthetic, so that it is hoped that it can again become an option in determining the type of bridge for users.

Practical lessons from a general dentist of more than 50 years private practice plus 2 years of United States Air Force practice

Having practiced over 54 years the art and science of general dentistry, many changes in philosophy and performance have occurred. Some are minor while others very major. This series of observations will treat some in detail while others very briefly. The physical locations have been in the Dallas, Texas area of the USA. Definitions of terms set the stage for discussion of the basis of dentistry. Support for the scientific as well as evidence-based approaches is laid forth. Filling materials have transitioned from amalgam to composite being most prevalent. Fluoride added to local water supplies has decreased the number of decayed/sensitive teeth, the timing of initial decay, and the prognosis for remediation. pH is a major player in the deterioration of tooth structure. New understandings of tooth brushing and oral hygiene have significantly improved the future for continuing dental health. Absence of fluoride in bottled water has taken a front-center stage for helping/hurting chances of keeping teeth free of decay. Fluoride varnishes have widespread acceptance in America. Failure to seek routine dental care has influenced the outcomes for many younger patients, especially those who have graduated high school, gone off to college or into the workforce. Such lack of routine preventive influence raises the costs of care when it is received, often leading to complaints from patients about the high costs of repair. The alternative is prevention with ongoing consistent 6-month recalls/repairs when problems initiate, rather than allowing problems of long duration. The USA dental insurance industry adverse impact on practicing dentists is a vital monologue. Revealing the dental insurance industry as a number one concern of many surveys of practicing dentists is a way of preparing international countries for learning from the flawed USA models. Recent Congressional law, HR 1418, the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act, will address some of the most critical wrongs by placing the dental insurance industry into antitrust restraints. Current concerns about digital X-ray’s diagnostic potential are revealed. Conservative dentistry is promoted. Results of conservative practice from nearly 50 years are documented with photos and X-rays. Bonded bridge technology is highlighted for its valued impact.

An Industrial Archaeological Study of bridges built during the British period in Kandy and Suburbs (Based on Selected sites)

As a result of the Industrial Revolution during British Colonial rule, during the period 1815 – 1947 many bridges were built in Kandy and surrounding areas. With the commencement of the plantation Industry in the Upcountry, a highway was built from Colombo to Kandy in 1820 to transport the plantation produce to the Port of Colombo. The British built several Civil engineering structures, including bridges and culverts, along the highway and other roads. Sir Edward Barnes, then Governor of Sri Lanka, paid special attention to the construction of bridges and culverts in Kandy and surrounding areas. The craftsmanship and construction materials used in contemporary bridge technology varied from brick-arched bridges to iron bridges. There have been many examples of such erections in Kandy and surrounding areas. Major Thomas Skinner, John Fresher, Captain Gordon, and Captain A. Brown were at the forefront of the design and construction of bridges during the period under the supervision of the Royal Department of Engineering. At present, due to public negligence and various development projects, many bridges in Kandy and its Suburbs are being destroyed without any investigation into their values. In this regard, field, and non–field study methods were used to uncover information. The main objective of this research is to identify bridges built during the British era and around Kandy and its Suburbs.