Flexible Construction Research Articles

Pedestrian Trajectory Prediction Based on an Intention Randomness Influence Strategy

Pedestrian trajectory prediction is a key technical prerequisite for autonomous vehicle trajectory planning. However, a pedestrian is a changeable individual, and their intentions exhibit certain degrees of randomness and uncertainty, which leads to the issue that modeling only past trajectories does not enable the effective description of the random intentions and future trajectory directions of the pedestrian. Therefore, this paper proposes a flexible and embeddable stochastic intention vector construction strategy for modeling sudden pedestrian intention changes in real scenes and for better fitting the stochastic properties of pedestrian behaviors. First, we dynamically fuse historical trajectory information with random factors and construct an intention change probability based on the historical trajectory fitting errors of pedestrians, aiming to explicitly model the associated direction and velocity changes caused by random pedestrian intentions. Second, a new intention loss function is designed to guide the model to adaptively learn the probability of intention changes, which is used to dynamically describe pedestrian intention changes. Our proposed method is generalizable and can be applied as an embeddable module to any baseline pedestrian trajectory prediction method. The experimental results obtained on multiple large-scale public pedestrian trajectory prediction datasets demonstrate that our strategy achieves consistent performance improvements over different baselines.

Anisotropic V-Groove/Wrinkle Hierarchical Arrays for Multidirectional Strain Sensors with High Sensitivity and Exceptional Selectivity.

Flexible strain sensors have been continuously optimized and widely used in various fields such as health monitoring, motion detection, and human-machine interfaces. There is a higher demand for sensors that can sensitively identify both the strain amplitude and direction in real-time to adapt to complex human movements. This study proposes a flexible strain sensor construction strategy based on V-groove/wrinkle hierarchical structures via a facile and scalable prestretching approach. A gold film is sputtered on a V-groove structure soft substrate under a vertical biaxial prestrain. When the strain is released, a variety of wondrous V-groove/wrinkle hierarchical structures are formed. The microstructure and the properties of the resulting sensor can be controlled by adjusting the prestrain, which has obvious anisotropic response characteristics and exhibits high sensitivity (maximum gauge factor up to 20,727.46) and a wide sensing range (up to 51%). In addition, the resulting multidirectional sensor based on double-sided microstructures has an exceptional directional selectivity of 67.39, at an advanced level among all stretchable multidirectional strain sensors reported so far. The sensor can detect human motion signals and distinguish motion patterns, proving its great potential in the field of human motion detection and laying a foundation for high-performance wearable devices.

Visible-Light-Induced Radical Sulfonylative-Cyclization Cascade of 1,6-Enynol Derivatives with Sulfinic Acids: A Sustainable Approach for the Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Benzoheteroles.

Benzoheteroles are promising structural scaffolds in the realm of medicinal chemistry, but sustainable synthesis of 2,3-difunctionalized benzoheterole derivatives is still in high demand. Indeed, we have conceptually rationalized the intrinsic reactivity of propargylic-enyne systems for the flexible construction of 2,3-disubstituted benzoheteroles through radical sulfonylative-cyclization cascade under organophotoredox catalysis. We hereby report an efficient visible-light-induced sulfonyl radical-triggered cyclization of 1,6-enynols with sulfinic acids under the dual catalytic influence of 4CzIPN and NiBr2⋅DME, which led to the formation of 2,3-disubstituted benzoheteroles in good to high yields. Additionally, the Rose Bengal (RB)-catalyzed radical sulfonylative-cycloannulation of acetyl-derived 1,6-enynols with sulfinic acids under blue LED irradiation allowed to access 3-(E-styryl)-derived benzofurans and benzothiophenes in moderate to good yields. The scope and limitations of the present strategies were successfully established using different classes of 1,6-enynols and sulfinic acids bearing various sensitive functional groups, yielding the desired products in a highly stereoselective fashion. Plausible mechanistic pathways were also proposed based on the current experimental and control experiments.

UrduAspectNet: Fusing Transformers and Dual GCN for Urdu Aspect-Based Sentiment Detection

Urdu, characterized by its intricate morphological structure and linguistic nuances, presents distinct challenges in computational sentiment analysis. Addressing these, we introduce ”UrduAspectNet” – a dedicated model tailored for Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA) in Urdu. Central to our approach is a rigorous preprocessing phase. Leveraging the Stanza library, we extract Part-of-Speech (POS) tags and lemmas, ensuring Urdu’s linguistic intricacies are aptly represented. To probe the effectiveness of different embeddings, we trained our model using both mBERT and XLM-R embeddings, comparing their performances to identify the most effective representation for Urdu ABSA. Recognizing the nuanced inter-relationships between words, especially in Urdu’s flexible syntactic constructs, our model incorporates a dual Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) layer.Addressing the challenge of the absence of a dedicated Urdu ABSA dataset, we curated our own, collecting over 4,603 news headlines from various domains, such as politics, entertainment, business, and sports. These headlines, sourced from diverse news platforms, not only identify prevalent aspects but also pinpoints their sentiment polarities, categorized as positive, negative, or neutral. Despite the inherent complexities of Urdu, such as its colloquial expressions and idioms, ”UrduAspectNet” showcases remarkable efficacy. Initial comparisons between mBERT and XLM-R embeddings integrated with dual GCN provide valuable insights into their respective strengths in the context of Urdu ABSA. With broad applications spanning media analytics, business insights, and socio-cultural analysis, ”UrduAspectNet” is positioned as a pivotal benchmark in Urdu ABSA research.

Effects of oil palm mesocarp fibers on the physical and mechanical properties of expansive soils

Palm fiber is one of the favorable materials used in stabilization of soft soil in geotechnical engineering projects, nowadays due to its sustainability, less damage of environment, biodegradability, availability and cost-effectiveness in a context of widespread appeal to the world for return to nature by protecting the earth. On the other hand, expansive soils are renowned for their swelling-shrinkage property and these volumetric changes resultantly cause huge damage to civil infrastructures. Likewise, subgrades consisting of expansive soils instigate serviceability failures in pavements across various regions worldwide. This paper presents results of the laboratory evaluation of expansive soils stabilized with oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF), with a view to determine its suitability as flexible pavement construction material. The mixtures were subjected to British Standard heavy (modified Proctor) compaction energy to determine their strength characteristics. The samples were subjected to different tests to ascertain their index properties. Varying proportions of OPMF from 1% to 4% were incorporated into the soil samples and the effects were observed based on compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) results. The control samples without inclusion of OPMF achieved the highest Maximum Dry Densities (MDD), the MDDs reduced linearly as the OPMF content increased. Consequently, the CBR values decreased with increase in OPMF. The reduction in MDD ranged from 20.28g/cm3, 18.5 g/cm3, 15.65 g/cm3, 12.53 g/cm3 as the OPMF increased from 1%, 2% to 3%, 4%. and the optimum moisture content remained almost unaffected due to high-absorbent nature of the fibers. With the inclusion of the OPMF, the CBR value under soaked conditions dropped from 5% to 1.8% rendering them very unsuitable for pavement subgrade. It was concluded that the presence of fiber depreciated the engineering properties of the earth materials. Direct application of OPMF in any part of road pavement has been dissuaded.

Recycling and reusing potential of disposable low-density polyethylene plastic waste for flexible paver tile construction for outdoor application

Plastic waste disposal has escalated into a serious global concern due to the non-biodegradable nature of plastics, which are composed of high-molecular-mass organic polymers along with other ingredients. Therefore, this study focuses on reusing and recycling LDPE plastic waste as a binding agent in paver tile production. This aligns with global sustainability goals by promoting resource efficiency and reducing waste generation. The investigation aims to address the environmental impact of plastic waste by finding sustainable solutions for its management. This includes exploring the feasibility and viability of using LDPE plastic waste in paver tile production as a means of recycling and reusing locally collected waste. The LDPE waste plastic collection, identification, milling, and melting at 170 °C. Subsequently, the sampled sand, sieved to a size of ≤0.75 mm, was blended with molten plastic in a specified proportion and then molded to create paving tiles using a hydraulic press machine. The researchers utilized response surface methodology (RSM) combined with Box-Benken designs (BBD) to optimize three key experimental parameters (plastic-to-sand ratio: 10 %, 25 %, 40 %; time: 2, 5, 8 min, pressure: 1, 3, 5 MPa) influencing mechanical properties of paver tiles, including water absorption (WA), flexural strength (FS), and compressive strength (CS). The result revealed that the optimal combination of 25 % waste plastic, 5 min, and 3 MPa of pressure resulted in a maximum flexural strength (FS) of 3.689 MPa and compressive strength (CS) of 4.141 MPa, with an average water absorption (WA) of 0.322 %. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the developed tiles met the desired standard. In conclusion, the mechanical qualities of the tiles were promising, indicating that reusing waste LDPE plastic to create paver tiles presents an appealing option for plastic waste disposal. The composite paver tiles exhibited promising attributes for outdoor applications, such as park pavement and outdoor public spaces, owing to their favorable mechanical properties and low water absorption.

Analysis and design of pre-engineered industrial warehouse using IS: 800 and AISC

Pre-engineered construction is one of the new trend-setting technology globally, because of its suitability to the current era demands of fast and flexible construction, economical, sustainable, and ecofriendly construction. The analysis and design of pre-engineering buildings are also attracting the attention of design engineers. In this context, the design of an efficient and economical design is of prime concern. The present paper is an analytical study on the design and analysis of Industrial warehouses as per IS: 800-2007, and AISC design specifications. The analysis is executed under two different cases, out of which in one case optimal cross-sectional details are provided based on critical loading combinations of each code of practice. In other case, similar cross-sections were considered for both codes of practice. The critical load combinations and the locations of the maximum design forces in each case and the relative comparison of these between the two codal practices of IS:800 and AISC are discussed.

Soft computing-based optimization of plastic waste utilization in flexible pavement construction

Soft computing-based optimization of plastic waste utilization in flexible pavement construction

High-Performance Ni3(HHTP)2 Film-Based Flexible Field-Effect Transistor Gas Sensors.

Conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have received increasing attention in recent years and present high application potential as sensing elements in electronic sensors. In this study, flexible field-effect transistor (FET) sensors based on conductive MOF, i.e., Ni3(HHTP)2, have been constructed. This Ni3(HHTP)2 sensor has high sensitivity (detection limit of 56 ppb) as well as superior selectivity for NO2 detection at room temperature, which is demonstrated by accurate gas detection in a mixed gas atmosphere. Moreover, by employing six flexible substrates, i.e., polyimide (PI), tape (PET), facemask, paper cup, tablecloth, and take-out bag (textile), we successfully demonstrate the universality of the flexible sensor construction with conductive MOF as sensing film on various substrates. This study of conductive MOF-based flexible electronic sensors offers a new opportunity for a wide range of sensing applications with wearable and portable electronic devices.

Squid-inspired and wirelessly controllable display for active camouflage in aquatic-environment

Achieving optimal camouflage in an aquatic environment necessitates the ability to modulate transmittance in response to the surrounding obscurity and potential threats. This adaptation involves a dynamic transition from transparency to a deep-blue color, especially in low-light or dark situations. Such a strategy promotes a seamless assimilation with the surroundings, enabling the absorption of searchlights and, subsequently, diminishing the risk of detection by predators. Therefore, the presence of sophisticated mechanisms that facilitates stable and efficient control of transmittance is imperative, enabling smooth transition between transparent and deep-blue hues within the aquatic environment. This study presents nature-inspired programmable camouflage system that integrates an electrochromic display as the primary transmittance change element and a wireless base module for power and data transmission. Such technology offers a robust and flexible construction, ensuring stable operation as demonstrated through mechanical-fatigue experiments and quantitative simulation. A custom circuit and a power-control software package enable active control of multiple electrochromic displays while submerged in water.

Abstract B032: Designing arrays for the mouse head to facilitate in vivo studies of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) treatment of glioblastoma

Abstract Background: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is a noninvasive, anticancer treatment delivered by two pairs of arrays placed on the skin surrounding the tumor location. Based on efficacy and safety data from phase 3 global clinical studies, TTFields therapy is FDA-approved and CE marked for treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), the most common malignant brain tumor. In vivo studies of TTFields in GBM models, which are mostly based on mice, are complicated by the relatively small size of the mouse head and corresponding limited surface area to apply the arrays. This challenge has thus far limited in vivo research on TTFields treatment in GBM. Materials and Methods: To identify a method for efficient delivery of TTFields to the mouse brain, we examined the ability of different array layouts to accommodate the geometries of the mouse head while minimally impacting head movement, taking into account that it may not be feasible to place two pairs of arrays on the head. The properties of different adhesive tapes, specifically their ability to attach to the skin, was also investigated. Finally, the ability of array layouts to deliver therapeutic intensities to the desired region was validated using simulations and direct electric field measurements. Results: Assessments showed an optimal layout consisted of arrays such that one of the pair was on the mouse head, and the other on the mouse torso; and the arrays for placement on the head divided into two smaller disks, A thin, transparent adhesive tape was identified that allowed the arrays to be securely attached to the skin, but was easily removed without leaving residues. Validation studies using simulations demonstrated that the array layout met the minimum treatment requirements (field intensity ≥1 V/cm RMS; current ≥50 mA), and facilitated TTFields usage for ≥75% of each day. Conclusions: These data show that TTFields treatment can be effectively delivered to the heads of mice by utilizing carefully designed arrays. Our newly developed mouse head arrays are a flexible construct, that adheres strongly to the skin, and enables efficient electric field delivery to the mouse brain. These improvements in the delivery of TTFields treatment to mice will facilitate research of TTFields as a therapy for GBM. Citation Format: Sewar Zbidat, Roni Blatt, Mariell Sellevoll, Martin Gabay, Inbar Schlachet, Shay Cahal, Shiri Davidi, Itai Tzchori, Amal El-Mabhouh, Adi Haber, Moshe Giladi, Yoram Palti. Designing arrays for the mouse head to facilitate in vivo studies of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) treatment of glioblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr B032.

Flexible construction of heteroatom-free g-C3N4/g-C3N4 homojunction with switching charge dynamics toward efficient photo-piezocatalytic performance

Photo-piezocatalysis based on homojunction emerges as an auspicious approach for the environmental crisis, while it is still in early stage with limited strategies and ambiguous reaction mechanisms. Herein, a heteroatom-free homojunction of ultrathin g-C3N4 with N vacancies/pristine g-C3N4 has been innovatively constructed through surface coupling effect. It achieves higher performance on both photo-piezocatalytic RhB degradation and H2O2 production than solely piezocatalysis or photocatalysis. The underlying causes lie in the synergistic effects of the internal electric field constructed in the type II homojunction and the polarized electric field stimulated by the non-centrosymmetric structure, which cooperatively facilitate the driving force of the charge carriers. Notably, due to the unfixed polarization direction, the charge transfer pathways undergo transitions between type-II and Z-scheme mechanisms, which both promote the spatial separation and migration dynamics of electrons and holes. This work provides new insights into structural design and mechanism exploration for highly efficient photo-piezocatalytic applications.

Modeling of self-oscillating flexible circuits based on liquid crystal elastomers

Deformable and movable flexible circuits are characterized by simple construction, precise control, flexible and versatile morphology, and various functional forms, which can be used to build dynamic circuit systems, achieve the integration of drivers and controllers, and automated control of circuits, etc. Limited to conventional materials, challenges remain in designing novel self-oscillating flexible circuit. In this paper, a concept for a self-oscillating flexible circuit based on electrothermally responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is presented, which is capable of generating periodic continuous oscillation under steady applied voltage. The governing equation of the self-oscillating LCE-based flexible circuit is formulated, and numerically calculated by fourth-order Runge-Kutta method with Matlab software. The numerical calculations reveal that the self-oscillating flexible circuit involves two motion patterns, i.e., static pattern and self-oscillation pattern. The self-oscillation arises from the coupling between the electrothermally driven deformation of the LCE film and its motion, and the electrothermal input compensates for the damping dissipation. Moreover, it is found that system parameters affect the self-oscillation of flexible circuit and that there are critical values of these parameters that trigger self-oscillation. Based on the self-oscillating flexible circuit, we conceptualized an automatic control device and a disturbance monitoring device, realizing automatic control of electrical appliances without human intervention and automatic monitoring of external disturbances. The proposed self-oscillating LCE-based flexible circuit features convenient operation, simple construction, flexibility, lightweight, and noiseless operation, rendering it suitable for constructing dynamic circuit systems, achieving actuator-controller integration, and facilitating circuit automation applications.

Creativity and Innovation in Civic Spaces Supported by Cognitive Flexibility When Learning with AI Chatbots in Smart Cities

The purpose of this study is to advance conceptual understandings of the cognitive flexibility construct, in support of creativity and innovation in smart city civic spaces, employing the use of large language model artificial intelligence chatbots such as ChatGPT. Based on a review of the research and practice literature, this study formulates a conceptual framework for cognitive flexibility in support of creativity and innovation in AI environments, adaptable to smart cities. A research design is used that employs AI as a design material, in combination with a topical inquiry involving boundary setting and perspective taking, to co-pilot an exploration with ChatGPT-3.5/4. This study operationalizes the framework for applications to learning approaches, addressing flexibility and inclusivity in smart city spaces and regions. With the rapid evolving of chatbot technologies, ChatGPT-4 is used in the exploration of a speculative real-world urban example. This work is significant in that AI chatbots are explored for application in urban spaces involving creative ideation, iteration, engagement, and cognitive flexibility; future directions for exploration are identified pertaining to ethical and civil discourse in smart cities and learning cities, as well as the notion that AI chatbots and GPTs (generative pre-trained transformers) may become a zeitgeist for understanding and learning in smart cities.

한국판 심리적 유연성 척도의 타당화

Objectives The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the Korean version of the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index(PPFI) developed by Todd B. Kashdan(2020).
 Methods An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on 300 adults, suggesting that the same three-factor model structure as the original scale was supported. As a result of conducting a confirmatory factor analysis on 228 adults, the model fit was good, confirming the structure of the three factors of the Korean version of psycho-logical flexibility scale.
 Results The Korean version of the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index was positively correlated with psy-chological well-being, satisfaction with life, and meaning in life, and was negatively correlated with depression, anxiety and stress, verifying construct validity. In addition, a hierarchical regression analysis showed the in-cremental validity of the index, suggesting that the construct of psychological flexibility is well discriminated from the K-AAQ-Ⅱ.
 Conclusions These findings indicated that the Korean version of the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index is a reliable and valid tool for measuring the concept of psychological flexibility. This study ends with a discussion of the implications, limitations and directions for future research.

Flexible Construction of a Partially Coherent Optical Array

In this article, we introduce a flexible and programmable method to construct a multi-parameter optical array to meet urgent and personalized needs, such as multi-particle capture and manipulation and material processing, and enrich the degree of freedom when constructing an optical array. As an example, uniform and nonuniform spiral coherent lattices (SCLs) and their propagation properties are investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Various intensity distributions, e.g., a uniform and nonuniform spiral light field, can be achieved by manipulating the diverse parameters. Additionally, the complex degree of coherence exhibits phase singularities in the source plane, which can be used for constructing optical vortex beams.

Experimental study of improving hot mix asphalt reinforced with carbon fibers

Abstract Using hot asphalt mixtures (HMAs) is very common in flexible pavement construction due to its mechanical properties of durability, water resistance, and riding comfort. It proved to substantially reduce the applied stresses from vehicular traffic to subgrade. However, these types of pavements can undergo different types of distress such as cracks and rutting, which could be the result of weak mixing of the asphalt mixture and/or increasing traffic volumes. Therefore, the need to improve the mechanical properties of hot mix asphalt mixtures using different additives and modifiers was raised. Different materials have been recently used to reinforce asphalt concrete. For the construction of road pavements, using fibers in a HMA has emerged as a significantly more appealing option due to their strengthening properties. The alteration of asphalt binder is expected to benefit from carbon fibers (CFs) more than other types of fiber. In this study, an experimental study is carried out to investigate the effects of adding CFs to the asphalt mixtures with grades of (40–50) which comply with the Iraqi specifications. Twelve Marshall specimens were tested for stability and flow, 24 specimens for moisture failure testing, and two specimens for the rutting resistance of the asphalt mixture. The optimum bitumen content of 5.0% was used to prepare all the specimens. Different percentages of CFs by weight of asphalt (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6%) were implemented to study the performance of paving mixtures. The way to mix the disperse the CFs homogeneously is by dry state (after separating the fibers manually) for 10 min, and then the asphalt was added; the mixture was heated to 165°C and mixed for at least 20 min. The results showed that the optimum properties of the HMA were reached by adding 0.4% CF to the HMA. Marshall stability was increased by 48%, the flow was decreased by 23%, and in addition, rut depth was reduced by 50%. The unit weight and the percentage of air voids in the mix were maintained and, along with other mix properties, are preserved within acceptable limits. Moreover, the indirect tensile strength has increased by 88.6%. Furthermore, moisture susceptibility reached 88%. Therefore, the addition of 0.4% CFs improved the performance of HMA at a high temperature of 60°C, which is close to the paving temperature in Iraq, by reducing the rutting of the asphalt mixture, which is considered the most dangerous tiling problem in Iraq. By improving the performance characteristics of asphalt mixture, the durability of the pavement will increase, and the riding will be more comfortable.

Study on Drone Handover Methods Suitable for Multipath Interference Due to Obstacles

Networks constructed in the sky are known as non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). As an example of an NTN, relay transmission using drones as radio stations enables flexible network construction in the air by performing handovers with ground stations. However, the presence of structures or obstacles in the flight path causes multipath interference; consequently, the propagation environment fluctuates significantly based on the flight. In such a communication environment, it is difficult for a drone to select an optimal ground station for a handover. Moreover, unlike a terrestrial network, the propagation environment of a flying drone is affected by structures and other factors that cause multipaths based on the flight speed and altitude, making the conditions of the propagation environment even more complex. To solve these problems, we propose handover schemes between drones and the ground that consider the multipath interference caused by obstacles. The proposed methods are used to perform handovers based on an optimal threshold of received power considering interference and avoid unnecessary handovers based on the moving speed, which makes the handover seamless. Finally, we develop a simulator that evaluates the cross layer from propagation to upper network protocols in a virtual space, including buildings, evaluate the communication quality of a drone flying in a three-dimensional space, and confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methods as well as the evaluation of the real environment.

Flexible construction of three-dimensional continuous conductive structure by hollow carbon sphere and CNT for promoted ions transport in flow-electrode capacitive deionization

Flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) emerges as a promising desalination technique, characterized by its unlimited desalination capacity, seamless operation, and easy scalability. However, challenges such as discontinuous electronic network, inadequate dispersion of suspended carbon particles, and hindered electron/ion transport pathways have impeded the full potential of FCDI. This study addresses the above issues by synergistically leveraging the advantage of hollow carbon sphere (HCS) and CNT to construct a flexible, continuous three-dimensional conductive network (HCS@CNT) as the flow-electrode for FCDI. The incorporation of HCS substantially improves the fluidity and effective collision of the flow-electrode slurry. Simultaneously, the bridging effect of CNT facilitates smooth ion transport routes and rapid electron/ion transfer. Moreover, the spherical structure of HCS as a node can effectively alleviate the agglomeration of CNT due to its inherent good fluidity. As a result, the meticulously designed HCS@CNT flow-electrode demonstrates outstanding rheological behavior with excellent hydrophilicity, a large specific capacitance, and low ion diffusion resistance. During desalination tests, the HCS@CNT flow-electrode exhibited a high average salt removal rate (0.56 µmol min−1 cm−2), appropriate energy-normalized removal salt (15 µmol J−1), and notable charge efficiency (89 %) in a 1 g L-1 NaCl solution. Impressively, it maintained good stability and continuity over a continuous 10-hour desalination process, showcasing substantial potential for treating highly concentrated saline water. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided additional insights, confirming that the construction of HCS@CNT facilitated interfacial charge transfer and electron transport from HCS to CNT. This innovative approach sheds light on enhancing electron/ion transfer by harnessing the unique structural characteristics of the flow-electrode.

Impacts on Embankments, Rigid and Flexible Barriers Against Rockslides: Model Experiments vs. DEM Simulations

AbstractAs a result of climate change, rockfalls and rock avalanches as well as landslides lead to an increasing hazard for settlement areas and infrastructures. The hazards of such mass movements mean that numerous protective structures must be planned and built. In addition to building such constructions, the refurbishment of existing protective structures is also playing an increasingly important role. Some of these protective structures are rigid structures consisting of concrete and/or steel elements. Due to the difficult accessibility, flexible net constructions are often considered. Embankment constructions are normally erected to protect against large mass movements. The choice of the right type of construction is based not only on geotechnical and geographical conditions, but also on the occurring energies and the impact of rockslides on the protective structure. In this study, small-scale laboratory experiments with different protective structures are presented. Rigid and flexible structures as well as reinforced embankments are investigated. Based on the results of the experiments, the impacts and deformations are recalculated numerically using the discrete element method (DEM). From the small-scale laboratory experiments and numerical simulations, the differences regarding the construction type of the protective structure can be investigated. An essential main point concerns the relationship between the flexibility of the barrier and the total impact load. The presented work is limited to the investigation of strongly fragmented gravitational mass movements such as rock avalanches.