Structural Engineering Research Research Articles

Systematic literature review on the application of machine learning for the prediction of properties of different types of concrete

Background Concrete, a fundamental construction material, stands as a significant consumer of virgin resources, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, and fresh water. It exerts an immense demand, accounting for approximately 1.6 billion metric tons of Portland and modified Portland cement annually. Moreover, addressing extreme conditions with exceptionally nonlinear behavior necessitates a laborious calibration procedure in structural analysis and design methodologies. These methods are also difficult to execute in practice. To reduce time and effort, ML might be a viable option. Material and Methods A set of keywords are designed to perform the search PubMed search engine with filters to not search the studies below the year 2015. Furthermore, using PRISMA guidelines, studies were selected and after screening, a total of 42 studies were summarized. The PRISMA guidelines provide a structured framework to ensure transparency, accuracy, and completeness in reporting the methods and results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The ability to methodically and accurately connect disparate parts of the literature is often lacking in review research. Some of the trickiest parts of original research include knowledge mapping, co-citation, and co-occurrence. Using this data, we were able to determine which locations were most active in researching machine learning applications for concrete, where the most influential authors were in terms of both output and citations and which articles garnered the most citations overall. Conclusion ML has become a viable prediction method for a wide variety of structural industrial applications, and hence it may serve as a potential successor for routinely used empirical model in the design of concrete structures. The non-ML structural engineering community may use this overview of ML methods, fundamental principles, access codes, ML libraries, and gathered datasets to construct their own ML models for useful uses. Structural engineering practitioners and researchers may benefit from this article’s incorporation of concrete ML studies as well as structural engineering datasets. The construction industry stands to benefit from the use of machine learning in terms of cost savings, time savings, and labor intensity. The statistical and graphical representation of contributing authors and participants in this work might facilitate future collaborations and the sharing of novel ideas and approaches among researchers and industry professionals. The limitation of this systematic review is that it is only PubMed based which means it includes studies included in the PubMed database.

Concrete touchdown: new technology influences industrial buildings in Norway, 1912–1920

Construction technology developed quickly during the first decades of the twentieth century. This influenced the construction of industrial buildings at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage site of Rjukan and Notodden in Norway. Behind the construction was Hydro, a company founded in 1905 to produce synthetic nitrogen fertiliser to increase the world’s food production. This industrial development demanded large structures such as hydropower stations and production facilities. Concrete was introduced for the first time during this period, and systems are characterised by heavy concrete bearing walls and mixed bearing walls where concrete and steel were combined. Such systems demanded significant material resources and resulted in the development of steel and concrete skeleton frames. The development of viable systems was achieved through research in materials science and structural engineering, in both the USA and Europe. This paper discusses how concrete influenced construction and building systems at this site. Similarities to industrial buildings and other building typologies are evident and connect the site to the international context of architecture and engineering history. Understanding the characteristics of individual buildings and presenting them in an order of a construction systems will support the work of architects and engineers in future conservation schemes.

Computational modeling of oligothiophenes‐based donor molecules to boost optoelectronic attributes of organic solar cells

AbstractThe computational modeling of seven oligothiophene‐based donor molecules (TZ1–TZ7) designed by acceptor modification at the terminal position of the literature molecule (TZR) were discussed for organic solar cells (OSCs). DFT simulations using B3LYP/def2svp levels were performed to study the optoelectronic, and PV properties of TZ1–TZ7. A range of essential aspects for efficient small donor molecules like open circuit voltages (VOC), excitation energy (Ex), dipole moment (μ), density of state (DOS), absorption maxima (λmax), transition density matrix (TDM), binding energy (Eb), and frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) of TZ1–TZ7 and TZR have also been investigated. DOS and FMOs analysis revealed a reduced energy gap (Eg) and effective charge transfer (CT) in the TZ1–TZ7 molecules. The absorption spectra were examined using TD‐DFT. Due to smaller Eg, Eb, Ex, and higher λmax, μ, the TZ1–TZ7 molecules exhibit remarkable optoelectronic properties. The computed VOC (0.969–1.189) and fill factor (0.886–0.897) for TZ1–TZ7 lead to improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) ranging from 14.05% to 17.60%. All compounds are strongly recommended for fabricating efficient OSCs with excellent PV properties. The current work is a step towards environmentally friendly organic PV and will pave the way for future structural engineering research for the efficient material design of OSCs.

A novel resilient system of self-centering precast reinforced concrete walls with external dampers

The seismic vulnerability of concrete structures has prompted the development of innovative approaches to enhance earthquake resistance. Recent earthquakes have demonstrated the challenges of repairing concrete buildings damaged beyond feasible restoration. In response, research in structural engineering has increasingly focused on damage-resisting reinforced concrete walls, offering improved self-centering behavior and damage mitigation compared to traditional counterparts. Self-centering walls, employing a rocking mechanism, exhibit effective damage minimization and residual deformation reduction. This study introduces a robust approach to precast reinforced concrete walls, comprising a precast reinforced concrete shear wall integrated with an external energy dissipation component. The energy dissipation element, a reinforced concrete column attached externally on both sides of the wall, acts as a new damage-limiting component with enhanced energy dissipation capacity. Utilizing the general-purpose Finite Element (FE) software ABAQUS, a three-dimensional simulation of experimentally investigated self-centering precast reinforced concrete walls was developed. The finite element model was validated and subsequently employed to assess the performance of the proposed system under cyclic loading. Various design parameters of the reinforced concrete energy dissipation element, including cross-sectional area, wall height proportion, concrete strength, primary reinforcement yield strength, and reinforcement ratio, were investigated. Additionally, the suggested system underwent cyclic loading in multiple scenarios simulating subsequent earthquakes. The finite element analysis results indicate that the proposed method, with a well-designed energy dissipation element, ensures minimal damage, a controlled increase in lateral resistance, sufficient energy dissipation capacity, and the required resilience following successive seismic events.

Mono-objective Optimization of Retaining Wall Using Genetic Algorithm

Abstract This paper examines the importance of geotechnical optimization techniques for soil engineering applications, with a particular emphasis on evaluating geotechnical structures. Due to its prevalence in civil engineering, the complex interplay of geotechnical, structural, and financial considerations necessitates a trial and error approach. The study focuses on design elements, geometric dimensions, and volume considerations in order to highlight the economic viability of reinforced concrete retaining walls. Three code files are created using MATLAB to analyze their impact on active and passive thrusts and, as a result, the structure’s volume. The slope angle, backfill overload, and friction angle are varied. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of using evolutionary algorithms to precisely optimize a single goal and demonstrate that this approach can enhance the design of retaining walls in reinforced concrete. This method demonstrates the ability to improve design procedures in this crucial area, which makes it an invaluable resource for structural engineering researchers and civil engineers.

Structural form for inherent seismic safety: Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad, India

Seismic safety evaluation and performance assessment of existing structures provides an avenue to explore the value of the uniqueness of the structural design of many distinctive historic monuments, which thereby becomes a critical aspect of structural engineering research. Many historic structures have good seismic performance intrinsically incorporated through a careful choice of structural form, orientation of principal load-carrying elements and robustness of their structural design. The Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium situated in the city of Ahmedabad is a uniquely designed iconic structure of twentieth-century India. Designed by the architect Charles Correa and structural engineer Mahendra Raj, this historic structure is the first stadium in India to have a cantilevered roof structure. The stadium has been included in the ‘2020 World Monuments Watch’, which includes structures that have significant historical significance and contemporary social impact. Accordingly, the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) has included this structure among 13 significant twentieth-century buildings that receive the ‘Keeping It Modern’ grants as part of the Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative by GCI. This work looks at presenting a structural appraisal of this iconic stadium and performing a seismic assessment of the structure to explore the fundamental load paths and investigate their adequacy in ensuring seismic safety.

On the structural behaviour of existing RC bridges subjected to corrosion effects: Numerical insight

The evaluation of the structural behaviour of existing reinforced concrete (RC) bridges represents one of the most current structural engineering research topics due to their strategic importance, especially if they are subjected to corrosion effects which can lead to a significant reduction of load-bearing capacity of the main structural elements (e.g., the piers). In the last decades, different types of numerical approaches have been proposed for the evaluation of the structural behaviour of these strategic infrastructures, especially after the recent collapses that have affected this type of structures during last years. In this paper, the structural behaviour of an existing RC bridge subjected to corrosion effects due to carbonation is analysed by means of an efficient procedure based on the implementation of a Finite Element Model (FEM) where the main structural elements are implemented using only Timoshenko beam elements. The safety level of the bridge has been evaluated considering different load conditions (e.g. traffic load, seismic action, etc.) calculated according to the Italian Design Code (NTC2018). Finally, a retrofitting intervention is proposed in order to guarantee and adequate safety level of the bridge under the considered different load combinations.

Machine learning models in structural engineering research and a secured framework for structural health monitoring

Machine learning models in structural engineering research and a secured framework for structural health monitoring

Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation for Lateral Distortional Buckling Behaviour of Steel-Concrete Composite Beams

Lateral Distortional Buckling (LDB) is a mode of instability in Steel-Concrete Composite (SCC) beams that is yet to be fully understood by the structural engineering research and design community. This work investigated numerical methods to understand the LDB behavior of SCC beams under negative moments that exhibit nonlinear behavior. Focus of the study was to develop and validate 3-Dimensional finite element (FE) models which capture the LDB behavior of SCC beams precisely. Detailed 3-Dimensional FE models of the SCC beams were developed using ABAQUS. For modeling concrete, a nonlinear damage plasticity model was considered. A quad-linear curve was used to describe the stress-stain relationship for the steel beam. The stress-stain relationship for the rebar was described using a bi-linear curve while an elastic perfectly plastic model was assigned to the headed stud shear connectors. Steel hardening behavior was simulated using an isotropic hardening model. The interaction between the concrete slab, steel beam, and studs was described using appropriate interface elements combined under suitable constraints. The FE model’s accuracy was validated by results obtained from previous experiments found in literature together with a brief description of the experiments done by previous researchers to ensure completeness. Validation of the model was done by comparing Moment-Rotation curves obtained from the experimental tests, lateral displacements of the bottom flange along the axial direction and comparison of the failure modes between the numerical model and experimental test specimens. It was observed that the maximum relative error for the ultimate moment capacity of the composite beams from FE analysis and the experimental tests was less than 2% which shows that the FE model was in strong agreement with the experimental results. Accordingly, the numerical model developed herein proves to be capable of accurately representing the LDB phenomenon.

Site-Specific Response Spectra and Accelerograms on Bedrock and Soil Surface

This paper is aimed at serving the needs of structural engineering researchers who are seeking accelerograms that realistically represent the time histories of earthquake ground in support of their own investigations. Every record is identified with a specific earthquake scenario defined by the magnitude–distance combination and site conditions; the intensity of the presented records is consistent with ultimate limit state design requirements for important structures in an intraplate region. Presented in this article are accelerograms that were generated on the soil surface of two example class Ce sites and two example class De sites based on site response analyses of the respective soil column models utilizing bedrock excitations as derived from the conditional mean spectrum (CMS) methodology. The CMS that were developed on rock sites were based on matching with the code spectrum model stipulated by the Australian standard for seismic actions for class Be sites at reference periods of 0.2, 0.5, 1 and 2 s for return periods ranging from 500 to 2500 years. The reference to Australian regulatory documents does not preclude the adoption of the presented materials for engineering applications outside Australia. To reduce modeling uncertainties, the simulation of the soil surface ground motion is specific to the site of interest and is based on information provided by the borelogs. The site-specific simulation of the strong motion is separate to the CMS-based accelerogram selection–scaling for obtaining the bedrock accelerograms (utilizing strong motion data provided by the PEER). The decoupling of the two processes is a departure from the use of the code site response spectrum models and has the merit of reducing modeling uncertainties and achieving more realistic representation of the seismic actions.

Design for Robustness: Bio-Inspired Perspectives in Structural Engineering.

Bio-inspired solutions are widely adopted in different engineering disciplines. However, in structural engineering, these solutions are mainly limited to bio-inspired forms, shapes, and materials. Nature is almost completely neglected as a source of structural design philosophy. This study lists and discusses several bio-inspired solutions classified into two main classes, i.e., compartmentalization and complexity, for structural robustness design. Different examples are provided and mechanisms are categorized and discussed in detail. Some provided ideas are already used in the current structural engineering research and practice, usually without focus on their bio-analogy. These solutions are revisited and scrutinized from a bio-inspired point of view, and new aspects and possible improvements are suggested. Moreover, novel bio-inspired concepts including delayed compartmentalization, active compartmentalization, compartmentalization in intact parts, and structural complexity are also propounded for structural design under extreme loading conditions.

Preface: 2022 International Conference on Architecture, Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Technology (AGECT 2022)

Due to the outbreak of the global pandemic, 2022 International Conference on Building, Geotechnical and Building Technology (AGECT 2022) was held virtually online from December 10-11, 2022 in Suzhou, China. The conference brings together innovative scholars and industry experts in the fields of structural, civil engineering, architecture, geotechnical engineering and construction technology into a common forum.
 The main objective of AGECT 2022 was to promote research and development activities in structural and civil engineering research. Another goal is to promote the exchange of scientific information between researchers, engineers, PHDs, students and practitioners working in the conference and workshop. The conference will be held annually, making it an ideal platform for sharing ideas and experiences in structural and civil engineering research and related fields.
 During the conference, the conference model was divided into three sessions, including oral presentations, keynote speeches, and online Q&A discussion. In the first part, some scholars, whose submissions were selected as the excellent papers, were given about 7-10 minutes to perform their oral presentations one by one. Then in the second part, keynote speakers were each allocated 30-40 minutes to hold their speeches.
 We would like to acknowledge all of those who supported AGECT 2022. The help and contribution of each individual and institution was instrumental in the success of the conference. In particular, we would like to thank the organizing committee for its valuable inputs in shaping the conference program and reviewing the submitted papers.
 We are sure that the proceedings will serve as an important research source of references and knowledge, which will lead to not only scientific and engineering findings but also new products and technologies.
 With best regards,
 Conference Organizing Chair
 Suzhou, China

Retraction statement: A Comparative Study between Pseudo-static and Dynamic Analyses of Keddara Dam

Retraction statement: This article has been retracted. The above authors were identified and corrected for alleged falsification of research, data fabrication and other misconduct.JAESER editorial team takes the issue of integrity seriously and does not allow any tampering with scientific articles. We apologize for any inconvenience this retraction may cause to JAESER readers.Refers to :We, the Editors and Publisher of Journal of Architectural Environment & Structural Engineering Research, have retracted the following article:Article title: A Comparative Study between Pseudo-static and Dynamic Analysesof Keddara DamAuthor: Manish SharmaJournal: Journal of Architectural Environment & Structural Engineering ResearchBibiliometrics: Volume 5, Number 2, pages 16-24.DOI: https://doi.org/10.30564/jaeser.v5i2.4675

Analysis of Large Vehicle Interference on Transiting Test for Measuring Building Wind Pressure Coefficient

As a new method for structural wind engineering research, the transiting test has good application prospects. However, in the road environment, the experimental results will inevitably be influenced by other vehicles (especially larger vehicles). In this paper, a large vehicle was set as an interference vehicle to drive in specific conditions, and the symmetrical CAARC standard model was used to investigate the large vehicle’s interference on the transiting test method for measuring building wind pressure coefficient. The results indicate that the wind pressure coefficient time history will appear as a clear up and down undulation phenomenon during the overtaking interference period instead of the single convex phenomenon. The mean wind pressure coefficient in the negative pressure area during the overtaking interference period is lower than that in the no-interference situation. The overtaking interference features are clear and easy to distinguish, and the interference duration is long (more than 6 s). In contrast, the overtaking interference when the test vehicle is overtaken is greater. For following driving, the wake of the large vehicle no longer interferes with the transiting test results after the vehicle spacing exceeds 70 m.

Tensile Performance of Headed Anchors in Steel Fiber Reinforced and Conventional Concrete in Uncracked and Cracked State.

Steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) is currently the material of choice for a broad range of structural components. Through the use of SFRC, the entire, or a large portion of, conventional rebar reinforcement can be replaced, in order to improve the load-bearing behavior but also the serviceability and durability characteristics of engineering structures. The use of fiber reinforcement therefore plays a vital role in acute current and future construction industry objectives, these being a simultaneous increase in the service life of structures and the reduction of their environmental impact, in addition to resilience to extreme loads and environmental actions. Next to the extended use of SFRC, modern construction relies heavily on structural connections and assembly technologies, typically by use of bolt-type cast-in and post-installed concrete anchors. This paper addresses the influence of fiber reinforcement on the structural performance of such anchors in SFRC and, particularly, the load bearing behavior of single headed anchors under axial static loads in uncracked and cracked concrete. Along with a presentation of background information on previous studies of SFRC with a focus on anchor concrete breakout failure, the experimental investigations are described, and their results are presented and elaborated on by consideration of various research parameters. A comparison with current design approaches is also provided. The conclusions are deemed useful for structural engineering research and practice.

Steel Structures Research Update: Structural Fire Engineering

Across the United States, researchers are making exciting discoveries and advances in structural fire engineering. Eleven of the leading scholars in the field are featured. Brief research highlights are organized by the topic areas of behavior and design of steel and composite structures for fire, fire following earthquakes, and performance-based fire engineering. For each individual, related steel and fire research is also noted. Meanwhile, due to timing and circumstances, there are structural fire engineering researchers who do not appear in this article. You may find some of their structural steel research in past articles or perhaps a future research update.

The twenty-first century of structural engineering research: A topic modeling approach

Aiming at disclosing a general research landscape of structural engineering in the twenty-first century, this study applies the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), a topic modeling approach, to analyze 51,346 article abstracts from 23 prestigious journals in structural engineering with a publication period from 2000 to 2020. The LDA analyzes the literature inventory by extracting 50 distinguishable wordclouds, each centered around one distinct research theme and assigned a unique topic name. Subsequently, various measures have been proposed to integrate the posterior distributions of these research topics with article information such as publication year, journal name, and correspondence address. The increase index identifies five cold and hot topics, which reflect the shift of research interests in the community. Emerging research topics such as seismic risk assessment and composite material have received much more attention in recent years. Moreover, advanced metrics have been proposed to analyze the research similarity and evolution across different journals and countries/regions. As discussed in the paper, analysis findings would enable community stakeholders (e.g., students, engineers, researchers, conference organizers, journal editors, funding agencies) to explore the state of the research and develop viable strategies to further foster the healthy growth of the community. Such strategies can be (1) researchers submitting a paper to the most appropriate journal; (2) journal editors adjusting the journal focus to enhance its impact; and (3) funding agencies prioritizing research supports that best fit regional needs and circumstances, among others.

Yüksek Performanslı Hafif Betonlarda Donatı Çapı ile Aderans Gerilmesi Arasındaki İlişki

High performance lightweight concrete (HPLC) is a new and original research in structural engineering. Due to the high risk of earthquakes, which is one of the biggest disasters today, the need for HPLCs has increased. The purpose of this study is to experimentally research concrete-reinforcement bond for the change parameters such as different reinforcement diameters and different embedded lengths. For this purpose, HPLCs with different mix ratios and different concrete components were prepared by using pumice aggregates. Within this scope, HPLC beam specimens of 100×180×800 mm dimensions were prepared and produced specimens were subjected to the Standard Belgium Hinged Beam (SBHB) test. There are limited studies in the literature on the investigation of the bond properties of HPLC beams with this test. The mentioned study draws attention with this aspect. In the present study, ribbed steel reinforcement bars with different diameters were used. The beam specimens were produced considering the different embedded lengths for each reinforcement diameter. The bond tests were performed. Using the load applied vertically and read with the help of the load cell in the experiment, the bond stress occurring in the reinforcement was calculated with the help of the force in the reinforcement indirectly found. As a result of the experiments, it has been determined that there is a significant relationship between bond stress and reinforcement diameter and embedded length. It has been determined that the bond stress decreases with the increase of reinforcement diameter and embedded length.

Dr. Nathan M. Newmark

Nathan M. Newmark fue un educador e ingeniero de fama internacional. Fue ampliamente reconocido por sus investigaciones en la ingeniería estructural y en la dinámica estructural en la University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), y por sus contribuciones al diseño de estructuras resistentes a sismos, incluida la Torre Latinoamericana en la Ciudad de México y por su trabajo en el diseño del oleoducto trans-Alaska. Sus importantes contribuciones al diseño sismo resistente de estructuras lo han llevado ser considerado como el padre fundador de la ingeniería sísmica.

Framework to optimise two-dimensional DIC measurements at different orders of accuracy for concrete structures

Despite the widespread application of digital image correlation (DIC) method in concrete structures, there is no standard procedure to systematically optimising the parameters of DIC. A framework is thus proposed in this paper to optimise two-dimensional (2D) measurements with DIC at different orders of accuracy required in concrete structure models. An accuracy analysis method acting as the core of the framework is introduced and illustrated through specific case studies on reinforcement corrosion, concrete crack and seismic performance of concrete structures, as well as an example of a specific subset size. The parameters presented in the case studies and the example can act as a sound reference for selections of parameters in using DIC for concrete structures. The framework can be used as a guideline for structural engineering researchers who use DIC to measure displacement and strain at different orders of accuracy required for concrete structures.