Role Of Civil Engineers Research Articles

Prediction method of rock deformation in slope under construction disturbance

Slope engineering plays a crucial role in civil engineering, and its stability directly affects the safety, reliability, and economy of the entire project. During construction, the rock layers of slopes are prone to deformation due to construction activities, which not only affect the progress and quality of construction but also pose potential safety hazards to the surrounding environment and structures. Therefore, accurately predicting the deformation of rock layers in slopes under construction disturbance is of paramount importance. This paper analyzes the traditional and modern methods of slope rock deformation analysis and discusses the prediction method of rock deformation in slopes under construction disturbance. Based on this, a comparison and evaluation of prediction methods for rock deformation in slopes under construction disturbance are conducted, aiming to provide theoretical support and guidance for engineering practice.

Bayesian Updating for Random Tensile Force Identification of Ancient Tie Rods Using Modal Data

Tie rods play a crucial role in civil engineering, particularly in controlling lateral thrusts in arches and vaults, and enhancing the structural integrity of masonry buildings, both historic and contemporary. Accurately assessing the tensile axial forces in tie rods is challenging due to the limitations of existing methodologies. These methodologies often rely on indirect measurements, computational models, and optimization procedures, resulting in single-point solutions and neglecting both modeling and measurement uncertainties. This study introduces a novel Bayesian updating framework to effectively address these limitations. The framework aims to accurately identify the structural parameters influencing tie rod behavior and estimate uncertainties using natural frequencies as references. A key innovation lies in the mathematical formulation of Bayesian updating, which is founded upon the definition of computational models integrating uncertain updating parameters and latent random variables derived from a rigorous sensitivity analysis aimed at quantifying the impact of the updating parameters on the natural frequencies. Notably, the application of Bayesian updating to the structural identification problem of ancient tie rods represents a significant advancement. The framework provides a comprehensive description of the uncertainties associated with computational models, offering valuable insights for practitioners and researchers alike. Moreover, the results of the sensitivity analysis serve as a valuable tool for setting up inverse problems geared towards accurately identifying tensile axial forces.

The role of civil engineers in large-scale hydropower projects

The role of civil engineers in large-scale hydropower projects

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

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

Optimization application of particle swarm algorithm in civil engineering

In the construction and development of modern society, civil engineering as the basis of promoting the steady development of the industry economy and ensuring the stability of urban residents' lives, with the continuous innovation of social economy and science and technology, is now facing severe challenges and rich opportunities. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), as a simulation of bird predation process, can obtain the optimal solution of searching space, and its application in civil engineering structure optimization and damage detection can help workers find the existing problems faster, and put forward effective solutions. Therefore, on the basis of understanding the development status of modern civil engineering technology, according to particle swarm optimization algorithm and improved scheme, this paper deeply discusses how to apply particle swarm optimization algorithm in the damage detection of civil engineering structures. The final experimental results show that the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm has unique application advantages and plays an important role in civil engineering.

Global Scientific Research and Trends Regarding Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation: A Bibliometric Network Analysis

Microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP) offers a host of interesting features, from both theoretical and practical standpoints. This process was firstly investigated as a geo-biological mechanism involved in carbonate mineral formation in both rocks and soil. The interest in its practical use has significantly increased in recent years, as MICP has been used in different fields, such as oil recovery, the improvement of soil geotechnical characteristics, and concrete healing. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first attempt to carry out a bibliometric descriptive study of publications concerning MICP. We analyzed data from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), which provides comprehensive information for bibliometric analysis, including the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) and the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). The bibliometric analysis was carried out on 1580 publications, from 2000 to August 2022, and included publication output; author; institution; country; collaborations between authors, institutes, and countries; and citation frequency. We created visualization maps, including research collaborations, using the VOSviewer program. MICP, carbonate precipitation, cementation, and soil improvement in terms of geotechnical properties are frequently used keywords. Although in the year 2000, only two papers were published on MICP, the number of publications has increased rapidly since 2014. In 2021, 333 papers were published. China leads the pack as the most productive country, followed by the USA and Australia. According to our results, the number of research papers has dramatically increased in the last 5 years. MICP use for concrete healing/cementation and soil geotechnical improvement, as well as the low environmental impact of such a technique, are becoming very popular topics among researchers. With the aging of concrete buildings, as well as with the worsening of environmental pollution and soil alterations, the research regarding MICP will play an ever increasing and crucial role in civil engineering and geotechnical fields, as well as in soil science. MICP also address Sustainable Development Goal 11, “building sustainable cities and communities.” Nevertheless, our study pointed out a concentration of the MICP studies in just a few countries. Russia and Brazil, for instance, seem to poorly contribute to MICP research. Greater cooperation among countries, along with the extension of the research network on this topic, would foster more rapid progress in MICP studies, from both practical and speculative standpoints.

Centrifugal-Granulation-Assisted thermal energy recovery towards low-carbon blast furnace slag treatment: State of the art and future challenges

• Global status of blast furnace slag including production and end uses was detailed. • Working principle of CGATER and hierarchical structure of its R & D were overviewed. • Advances in CGATER practices were included and analyzed at laboratory and pilot scale. • Future challenges and possible solutions were pointed out. The iron and steel industry (ISI) is pursuing technology breakthroughs to accelerate the transition towards carbon neutrality. Deep cut of CO 2 emission involves with not only technological revolution of producing iron and steel, but also exploiting energy in byproducts and off-process wastes. Molten blast furnace slag (BFS), one of the largest high-temperature byproducts, remains the last untapped waste heat source in ISI. Of ever-increasing interest is the centrifugal-granulation-assisted thermal energy recovery (CGATER) from high-temperature BFS. This technique features waste energy harvest and vitreous slag utilization. Such striking merit opens up new possibilities of enabling more sustainable and greener iron and steel production, and makes CGATER one of the most promising technologies in the portfolio of ISI CO 2 mitigation. Despite the rapid development of CGATER in last decade, most previous efforts were dedicated to understanding the CGATER physics and its closely allied matters. To date, large-scale implementation of CGATER has been little explored beyond the laboratory or pilot scale. It is imperative to provide a critical, timely review on the status of CGATER and most importantly, the challenges in its further deployment at industrial scale. This article first provides an inclusive figure of global BFS production and its versatile role in civil engineering. The working principle and research status of CGATER are detailed to highlight its strength and weakness. Future challenges towards the CGATER industrialization have been scrutinized. Other new-emerging technologies or concepts are also included.

Elastic bending analysis exact solution of plate using alternative I refined plate theory

Plate materials play a significant role in civil engineering and its application is found in building, bridges, marine, nuclear and structural engineering. Plates are three-dimensional (3-D) structural elements and normal practice in its analysis as two-dimensional (2-D) element has produced unreliable design which is a major problem in the construction industry. In this paper, a 3-D exact elastic plate theory (alternative I refined plate theory) is developed and applied to the bending analysis of an isotropic rectangular plate with free support at the third edge and the other edges clamped (CCFC) under uniformly distributed transverse load. The energy equation is formulated using the three-dimensional constitutive relations thereafter, the compatibility equation was obtained through general variation. The solution of the compatibility equation gave an exact deflection function of the plate as presented in the trigonometric form. This deflection function which is a product of the coefficient of deflection and shape function of the plate are substituted back into the energy equation, and simplified through minimization with respect to the coefficients of deflection and shear deformation to get a realistic formula for calculating the deflection, rotations and stresses of thick rectangular plate. The results of deflections and stresses obtained at aspect ratio of 2 were compared with those of previous studies available in the literature. It was observed that the present theory varied more with those of 2-D refined plate theory (RPT) with an assumed deflection function by 6.2% whereas it varied with exact 2-D RPT by 3.1%. This shows the inefficiency of assuming the deflection function in the analysis of thick plate. Meanwhile, the recorded total percentage differences showed that 2-D RPT over predicted the bending characteristics of the plate with 4.7%. This finding provides in-depth insight about the coarseness of 2-D RPT in the thick plate analysis.

Factors affecting steel structure erection in developing countries: A case study of Nigerian Construction Industry

Steel structure plays a significant role in civil engineering. However, there are many factors affecting steel erectors and contractors to have a successful erection of steel structures. Thus, this study seeks to examine the factors affecting steel structure erection in construction projects within the context of a developing country. The study adopted a survey research method; a questionnaire to identify 47 factors, were assessed. A purposive sampling approach was used to identify 20 construction companies specialising in steel structures erections in Lagos, Nigeria. Sixty-three (63) questionnaires were distributed to the targeted population, which included 32 project managers, 14 project engineers and 17 site engineers of current and past steel structure projects carried out by the selected companies in Lagos. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed skills and experience, job site planning, availability of electrical power for tools, insufficient supervision and method of construction as the top most five factors affecting steel structure erection in construction project in Nigeria. The findings provide in-depth insight of the factors affecting steel structure erection in construction project that can help project managers in development of strategies for improving the erection of steel structure in the construction industry.

Mode shape prediction based on convolutional neural network and autoencoder

Mode shape is a dynamic characteristic that plays an important role in civil engineering. In this paper, an approach to predict the mode shape of a bridge is proposed using a convolutional neural network (CNN) and an autoencoder. First, a large mode shape database of a bridge is established by the finite element method for training networks. Second, a mode shape tensor is formed based on the mode-shape results. Then, an autoencoder is trained to encode the tensor to a three-dimensional latent-space representation and restore it from the representations. The CNN can output the representation directly rather than the mode shape to reduce the training difficulty and improve the accuracy. The CNN takes 18 bridge design parameters and an original shape tensor, which is constructed based on 16 geometric parameters. An evaluation of the test set shows that the approach can predict the first three order mode shapes well, with the accuracy of 0.92, 0.83 and 0.79, while performs poorly in the fourth and fifth orders, with the accuracy of 0.68 and 0.63. In addition, the spatial distribution of the latent space representation is explored. The necessity of an autoencoder and the original shape tensor is demonstrated.

Bond Tests on Clay Bricks and Natural Stone Masonry Externally Bonded with FRP.

Nowadays, the solution of durability problems of existing buildings has a key role in civil engineering, in which there is an ever-increasing need for building restorations. Over the past 50 years, there is a growing interest in a new composite material, fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP), suitable for increasing the resistance and the stability of existing buildings and, consequently, for extending their service life. In this context, the effectiveness of the strengthening system is related to the bond behaviour that is influenced by several parameters such as bond length, the stiffness of the reinforcement, the mechanical properties of the substrate, environmental conditions, etc. This paper aims to analyse the main experimental results from shear tests performed on two kinds of masonry substrates and different types of FRP reinforcements. The purpose is to highlight the role played by many parameters to the bond behaviour of these systems: the mechanical properties of substrates; the stiffness of reinforcements; the type of supports (i.e., unit or masonry unit). The obtained experimental results underlined that the specimens realised with masonry unit show an increase in debonding load and different stress transfer mechanisms along the bonded length with respect to the specimens with a unit substrate. The analysis of the data revealed that the presence of mortar joints cannot be neglected because it influences the interface global performance.

Managing climate change transition risks: another potential role for civil engineers

In addition to the physical risks of climate change, civil engineers also need to consider the transition risks involved in moving towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions. These include enhanced reporting obligations, stigmatisation of polluting industries and shifts in consumer preferences. This paper reports on a study into the potential role of civil engineers in mitigating transition risks, using London’s Heathrow airport expansion project as a case study. It concludes that while transition to a net zero economy will create a window of opportunity for civil engineers, additional skills will be needed for them to play a major role.

Electrospun SiO<sub>2</sub> Nanotextiles for Preservation of a Tangible Cultural Heritage

The developing nanotechnology is getting infiltrated into a wide area of industries. A variety of nanotextiles can be produced from different materials (e.g. polymers, SiO2). Their applications are possible in many industrial branches as well as civil engineering. Silica-based nanotextiles can play a fundamental role in civil engineering. The potential utilization of nanotextiles in civil engineering is promising as surface protective layers. Wettability of SiO2 nanotextiles was studied on different thicknesses of samples and were tested under static conditions by determination of the water contact angle. Their water contact angle, which indicates the degree of wetting, was measured using an optical tensiometer.

Optimal Sensors Placement in Dynamic Damage Detection of Beams Using a Statistical Approach

Structural monitoring plays a central role in civil engineering; in particular, optimal sensor positioning is essential for correct monitoring both in terms of usable data and for optimizing the cost of the setup sensors. In this context, we focus our attention on the identification of the dynamic response of beam-like structures with uncertain damages. In particular, the non-localized damage is described using a Gaussian distributed random damage parameter. Furthermore, a procedure for selecting an optimal number of sensor placements has been presented based on the comparison among the probability of damage occurrence and the probability to detect the damage, where the former can be evaluated from the known distribution of the random parameter, whereas the latter is evaluated exploiting the closed-form asymptotic solution provided by a perturbation approach. The presented case study shows the capability and reliability of the proposed procedure for detecting the minimum number of sensors such that the monitoring accuracy (estimated by an error function measuring the differences among the two probabilities) is not greater than a control small value.

Collaboration among Professionals: The Role of Civil Engineers in Public Health

Collaboration among Professionals: The Role of Civil Engineers in Public Health

Сооружения газовых заводов в Санкт-Петербурге - образцы «кирпичного стиля» и конструктивных решений XIX - начала ХХ в.

This article regards the development stages and construction-style features of the gasholders in Saint-Petersburg in XIX - early XX century. The role of civil engineers in the construction of these structures is highlighted. The current condition of these structures is characterized.

Prognostics for structural health monitoring of historic masonry structures with a novel LL-GPR model

Structural health monitoring plays a significant role in civil engineering. To achieve more accurate prognostic evaluation of historic masonry structures, this paper presents a novel local linearization-based Gaussian process regression (LL-GPR) model. Local linearization is used to characterize the state of health (SOH) values of adjacent data points. Gaussian process regression is employed to predict the approximate linear relations. The proposed model is validated through a case study. The results demonstrate that the prediction results of LL-GPR can well reflect the degradation trend of SOH. Moreover, compared with the published methods, more accurate SOH prediction results can be obtained under this model

The Impact of Vibration on the Accuracy of Digital Surveying Instruments

A digital surveying instrument has a crucial and effective role in civil engineering. These digital surveying instruments have contributed to providing quick and simplified solutions to solve many surveying problems: particularly accuracy, saving time, and effort .Therefore, the main objective of this research is the study of the vibrations effect on digital devices efficiency during the observation process, which occur frequently especially when the devices occupy the bridges during observation or when the occupation of the device is set nearby the railways, as well as in construction sites with heavy equipment movement. Although most digital surveying instruments contain a compensator device, this research find out through the experimental test that the effect of vibration on the accuracy of observation results and the noticed errors may extend to many centimeters. In case of using the digital level devices (SOKKIA SDL-30) under exposure to vibration (up to 20 KHZ/Sec), the average error of elevation was 36.9 mm in 80 m distance and the maximum standard deviation elevation error was 18.26 mm. But in the case of using the reflector-less total station (SOKKIA SET330RK) under exposure to vibration (from 7.5 to 15 KHZ/Sec), the average error of positioning was 79.95 mm in 85 m distance and the maximum standard deviation positioning error was 43.41 mm.

Finite element simulation of prevention thermal cracking in mass concrete

The mass concrete structures play a very important role in civil engineering. The cracking of concrete is regarded as one of the biggest engineering problems. Therefore, it is very necessary for the cracking of mass concrete to do the control analysis. Some factors should be considered in mass concrete crack control analysis, mainly including the heat releases model of concrete, the mechanical model to the concrete, the process of temperature control in the pipe model. Differential evolution algorithm and equivalent algorithm are adopted to solve the coefficient of adiabatic temperature and cool water effect. In the paper, stress field calculation, back analysis calculations, and cooling pipe processing create secondary development based on the ABAQUS software platform. The second development of the code is used to reasonably solve the problem with one actual aqueduct in hydraulic engineering.

Monitoring and structural analysis of a rehabilitated box girder bridge based on long-gauge strain sensors

Structural rehabilitation is playing an increasingly important role in civil engineering owing to issues with aging infrastructure. In this context, a feasible inspection and monitoring system is needed to draw up effective structural rehabilitation projects. This article presents a case study of a real box girder bridge strengthened via external post-tensioning. With the aim of evaluating the strengthening project and the structural behavior changes, a large-scale strain sensing system containing four sensing areas was installed on the bridge before strengthening, and the static and dynamic strain distribution changes were recorded during annual inspections. The text focuses on discussing and comparing the variations of strain distribution across the bridge before and after strengthening, as well as the yearly changes the rehabilitated bridge has undergone. From the measured strain responses, we accurately determined that the rehabilitated bridge had undergone an unexpected reduction in its flexural stiffness as well as a torsion action. Moreover, finite element analysis results of three different damage models are discussed to understand the detailed cause for this.