Exploring the Applications of Digital Twin Technology in Enhancing Sustainability in Civil Engineering:A Review

With the advent of the big data era and the rise of Industrial Revolution 4.0,digital twins(DTs)have gained sig-nificant attention in various industries.DTs offer the opportunity to combine the physical and digital worlds and aid the digital transformation of the civil engineering industry.In this paper,605 documents obtained from the search werefirst analysed using CiteSpace for literature visualisation,and an author co-occurrence network,a keyword co-occurrence network,and a keyword clustering set were obtained.Next,through a literature review of 86 papers,this paper summarises the current status of DT application in civil engineering based on a review of the origins,concepts,and implementation techniques of DTs,and it introduces the application of DTs in the full project lifecycle.This study shows that DTs have great potential to address many of the challenges faced by civil engineering.In this regard,the paper also presents some thoughts on the future directions of DT research.

Predictive maintenance and its applications in civil engineering structures:A review

Structural health monitoring and performance prediction are crucial for smart disaster mitigation and intelligent management of structures throughout their lifespan.Recent advancements in predictive maintenance strategies within the industrial manufacturing industry have inspired similar innovations in civil engineering,aiming to improve structural performance evaluation,damage diagnosis,and capacity prediction.This review delves into the framework of predictive maintenance and examines various existing solutions,focusing on critical areas such as data acquisition,condition monitoring,damage prognosis,and maintenance planning.Results from real-world applications of predictive maintenance in civil engineering,covering high-rise structures,deep foundation pits,and other infrastructure,are presented.The challenges of implementing predictive maintenance in civil engineering structures under current technology,such as model interpretability of data-driven methods and standards for predictive maintenance,are explored.Future research prospects within this area are also discussed.

Exploration and Practice of the Digital Transformation and Upgrading Paths for Civil Engineering Majors

This article examines the pathway to digital transformation and upgrading in undergraduate institutions,using the civil engineering program at Chongqing Three Gorges University as a case study,focusing on six key areas:developing a high-quality digital talent training program for civil engineering;assembling diverse resources to create a digital,multi-scenario open learning environment that encompasses teaching,research,and practical training for civil engineering undergraduates;piloting innovative digital teaching models for civil engineering undergraduates;crafting a new model for digital resource provision,utilizing self-developed and specialized resources;devising assessment methods and ongoing improvement strategies based on the achievement of students’digital competencies;and devising a new,three-dimensional,multi-modal teaching evaluation system through intelligent data capture and analysis.

Sustainable Construction --An International Comparison of Civil Engineering Students

Sustainable construction in the future will be influenced significantly by the beliefs and actions of civil engineering students studying at university today. A comparative investigation of the appreciation and attitudes regarding sustainable construction of civil engineering students at The NUCE （National University of Civil Engineering） in Vietnam, and the Universities of Loughborough and Liverpool in the UK were therefore conducted. Results indicate that students at all three universities appreciate the importance of the development of sustainable construction and have positive attitudes with regards to sustainability. Construction design and appropriate use of materials were two issues generally considered the most important with regards to sustainability, but were also thought to be adequately covered on the courses in all three institutions.

Usage of GIS Technology in Civil Engineering

Geographic Information System （GIS） technology is more and more used even in the technical practice of a construction industry. In the preparatory phase of the construction, the problems of a spatial positioning （location） of the construction have to be solved jointly with the checking of the feasibility and purposefulness, the traffic projects are worked out, and the alternative, more detailed solutions of technical problems are designed. At project development there are used various forms of initial documents, results of the actual data gathering and surveys, map sheets, photographs, previous documents referring to the problems solved, and appropriate legal and technical standards. The article presents the experience with the issue of GIS in construction in preparation of buildings, in the implementation phase of the construction in GIS. It presents a model of information system construction and technology of mobile GIS for data collection and use of mobile GIS in water management.

Application of Time and Space Thinking in Civil Engineering

Time and Space Thinking that is composed of time and space thinking is brought up in civil engineering. This paper makes a detailed analysis on application and role of time and space thinking in knowledge system and learning method of civil engineering and put forward time and space thinking to be similar with philosophical view of time and space. Time and space thinking is a scientific method, therefore, it is suggested to make students active in having such idea and strengthen students＇ understanding on time and space thinking, which will helping students recognize knowledge system and stimulate innovative abilities.

Department of Civil Engineering, Universitas Katolik Parahyangan, Bandung, 40141, Indonesiaof loose sand with fungus

This article presents an innovative method of bio-mediated soil improvement for increasing the shear strength of loose sand.The improvement is realized by mixing the loose sand with the inoculum of Rhizopus oligosporus,a kind of fungus widely used in food industry for making Indonesian tempeh.The objective of this article is to investigate the performance and mechanism of mixing tempeh inoculum as a binding agent of loose sand particles.The inoculum dosage,water content of loose sand,and curing time were examined for identifying the increment of unconfined compressive strength(q_u)of the samples.The results showed that q_u of the treated samples increased when the inoculum dosage was elevated.It shows that 5.24%inoculum could yield 68 kPa of q_u,and 5%water content and 3 d curing time produced the maximum q_u.Moreover,the mechanism of hypha and mycelium in binding the soil particles was clearly observed using a digital microscope and scanning electron microscope.

Statistical analysis of nondestructive testing results of cast steel joints in civil engineering structures

To study the distribution law and random characteristics of casting defects in steel castings,24 civil engineering structural cast steel joints were divided into two groups:simple cast steel joints and complex cast steel joints.Three kinds of nondestructive testing(NDT)methods,namely,visual,magnetic particle,and ultrasonic inspections,were used to detect the macroscopic defects in joints.The NDT results were then statistically analyzed.The results show that the unfused core support is a common defect of complex cast steel joints,and the defect can be seen visually,so excavation and repair welding should be carried out before castings leave factories.Casting cracks are extremely likely to occur in the intersection area of tubes,which is called the ultrasonic inspection blind zone.The occurrence probability of gas pores on simple cast steel joints is the largest,and the occurrence probability of core support incomplete fusions on complex cast steel joints is the largest.However,when cast steel joints are counted as a whole sample,the occurrence probability of gas pores is larger than that of core support incomplete fusions.Therefore,it is the most common defect in cast steel joints.

Biological process of soil improvement in civil engineering:A review

The concept of using biological process in soil improvement which is known as bio-mediated soil improvement technique has shown greater potential in geotechnical engineering applications in terms of performance and environmental sustainability. This paper presents a review on the soil microorganisms responsible for this process, and factors that affect their metabolic activities and geometric compatibility with the soil particle sizes. Two mechanisms of biomineralization, i.e. biologically controlled and biologically induced mineralization, were also discussed. Environmental and other factors that may be encountered in situ during microbially induced calcite precipitation （MICP） and their influences on the process were identified and presented. Improvements in the engineering properties of soil such as strength/stiffness and permeability as evaluated in some studies were explored. Potential applications of the process in geotechnical engineering and the challenges of field application of the process were identified.

Integration of Peridynamic Theory and OpenSees for Solving Problems in Civil Engineering

Peridynamics(PD)is a powerful method to simulate the discontinuous problems in civil engineering.However,it may take a lot of effort to implement the material constitutive models into PD program for solving a broad range of problems.OpenSees is an open source software which includes a versatile material library and has been widely used by researchers and engineers in civil engineering.In this context,the paper presents a simple but effective approach to integrate PD with OpenSees by using a Client-Server(CS)software integration technique,such that the existing material constitutive models in OpenSees can be directly used by PD.Two applications are presented to verify the new PD-OpenSees platform.The first one is a plate with a pre-crack subject to horizontal load simulated using a three-dimension(3D)multi-yield-surfaces plasticity model,and the second one is a concrete block with a rectangular hole subject to a uniaxial loading condition simulated using a 3D Cap plasticity model.It shows that the generation/propagation of cracks of the elastoplastic materials(e.g.,concrete and soil)can be analyzed by combing PD and three-dimensional plasticity constitutive models without compiling/linking these complex material models into PD program.Thus,the integrated PDOpenSees platform presented herein is potentially capable to solve a wide range of complex problems in civil engineering.

Progress and trend on near-field problems in civil engineering

In the last twenty years, near-field problems became an important topic for both seismologists and civil engineers. The one aspect is to illuminate mechanisms of earthquakes and explain new phenomena. The another aspect is the ground motions, which are usually assigned by engineers as a type of input load for seismic design of structures, sometimes can control the final design results. The experiments, performance evaluations and other related aspects are all based on the specified type of load. As a result, many aspects related to civil engineering will be influenced by changes of the type of load, Hence, the characteristics of the load and the corresponding response of structures are desired for studying. In this paper, the state-of-the-art of near-field problems in civil engineering is comprehensively reviewed, which include inherent characteristics of near-field ground motions and influences of these ground motions on civil structures. The existing problems are pointed out and work needed to be further investigated in the future is suggested. It is believed that the information in this paper can be useful to advance the state of investigation on near-field problems.

Research and development of seismic base isolation technique for civil engineering structures

Base isolation is one of the most promising alternatives among the structure control methods. In recent decades, base isolation has been seriously considered for civil structures, such as buildings and bridges, subjected to ground motion. The research achievements and development of seismic base isolation technique for civil structures in Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) are introduced. The achievements include project applications, experimental research results and theoretical innovation.

BIM as a Computer-Aided Design Methodology in Civil Engineering

Building Information Models (BIM) have revealed themselves as a good tool to support construction actions, due to their ability to store all the information in one digital model and to promote collaboration between all participants in a project. Teaching Civil Engineering requires a permanent updating of knowledge concerning procedures and technologies used in the construction industry. In this sense, the school should seek to adapt its curriculum to include innovative issues to support new technologies. So, in an educational context, the aim of the present work is to disseminate knowledge concerning the benefits provided when implementing BIM in several aspects within the construction activity. In a Civil Engineering school some topics of BIM application were developed by students within MSc researches. The text describes in detail some of the main topics, showing distinct use of BIM: Generation and use of a 4D/BIM model to support construction planning;coordination of construction project based on BIM methodology;conflict analysis based in an architectural 3D/BIM model. Several study cases were modelled and analyzed, confronting the BIM use with the traditional way when performing the same tasks, and consequently recommendations were carried out. This work contributed to demonstrate the advantages of employing BIM for building tasks purposes when compared with the traditional process, and in a didactic context the main objective is to add competitive skills in the training of future civil engineers.

Current State of Numerical Simulations and Testing for the Blast and Impact Protection of the Build Civil Engineering Infrastructure

The identification of the critical infrastructure has shown that the build civil engineering infrastructure is almost involved everywhere, even with the IT-infrastructure. Therefore, the passive safety of structures is demanded. Security associations have analysed that most assaults came along with explosion and impact scenarios, which amount in 80% of assaults. Consequently, these are the extraordinary loads the structures have to be planned and designed for. To carry out such an engineering job, the engineer has to be educated in multiple disciplines as physics, material science , continuum mechanics, numerical mechanics, testing, structural engineering and related specific fields as wave propagation etc. In this paper we will concentrate on the subjects of numerical simulation and testing.

A Civil Engineering Capstone Research Project on theDesign of a Green Building

Using the knowledge obtained from previous courses such as:soil mechanics,structural analysis,steel design,etc.,a team of seven students at California State University,Northridge(CSUN)designed a two-story residential steel house for their senior design course.The home was chosen to be located in the city of Pacific Palisades,California.The following paper outlines the design of the home ranging from the architectural plans to the beam,column,and foundation design.California is known to be seismically active,therefore,seismic loading played a large factor into the design of the house.Once the design of the house was completed,a cost estimate of the house was prepared using the estimating platform RSMeans.Additionally,a second estimate of the home was also completed with the addition of LEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)features such as solar panels,LED lighting,and energy star appliances that make the home environmentally friendly and will give the owner a greater return on their investment in the future.

A Civil Engineering Senior Design Research Effort to Ascertain Discharge Coefficients of Different Orifice Geometries

The present researched topic was conceived from a senior design course for Civil Engineering students at CSUN (California State University), Northridge. In this work, experimental trials were performed and compared to establish theoretical values of the discharge coefficient. The discharge coefficient is a dimensionless number used to characterize the flow and pressure loss behavior of nozzles and orifices in fluid systems. A group of low-income undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds designed multiple 3D printed orifices where each 3D printed orifice had a specific shape. Utilizing the methods of technical problem solving, the undergraduates found experimental discharge coefficient values for the following orifices: borda, short-tubed, and sharp-edged. Implementing ethics of engineering practice and utilizing university resources, this study is a representation of the collaborative work of minorities and females that want to expand their knowledge within their respective discipline of Civil Engineering.

Preface: Advances in OpenSees Applications to Civil Engineering

This special issue is dedicated to the memory of a world-renowned expert in earthquake engineering,Professor Stephen A.Mahin(October 16,1946-February 10,2018),for his educational efforts and visionary research contributions that spanned theory,numerical modeling,computer simulation,laboratory experiments,field testing,and design code development.His decades of prolific,enthusiastic,and selfless service to the academia,profession and industry as well as his friendship will be remembered forever.In his capacity as the Director of the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research(PEER)Center(2009-2015),Professor Mahin was steadfast in supporting the development and application of OpenSees(i.e.,Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation).To recognize his great efforts,this special issue is about the applications of OpenSees in civil engineering,and Computer Modeling in Engineering&Sciences(CMES)is a suitable journal for this special issue.

Integrating ACAD with GIS for Civil Engineering Applications

GIS is a computerized database management system that provides geographic access (capture, storage, retrieval, analysis and display) to spatial data. Civil Engineering projects involve the management, analysis and integration of large amounts of geographic information to ensure success. This can include a wide range of information such as detailed design drawings originating from CAD solutions, detailed mapping, air photography, geological investigations, population information, traffic flows and environmental models. Although there are some similarities between CAD and GIS there are many differences. The most fundamental difference is that GIS mode is the world as it exists, whereas CAD models artifacts yet to be produced. As a result the data manipulated by a GIS is an order of magnitude larger and more complex than CAD systems have to deal with, and the nature of the data, its sources and its uses are quite different. In this paper, the selected area was Nahrain University. Many data were saved on the site map as a transparence layers built by using AutoCAD (2006). Then a digital library was built for the selected area and many data were saved on the site map as a themes built by using ArcView software.

The Integration of Graphic Disciplines in Civil Engineering Courses through Computer Graphics

This paper presents the partial results of a project in progress that aims to improve the teaching and learning of Graphic Geometry modules taught in Engineering and Civil Engineering courses at the Federal University of Pernambuco through the development of education methodologies and content integration of these disciplines using computational technologies. This study covers and analyzes the contents of Tridimensional Graphic Geometry, Technical Drawing 3 and Descriptive Geometry in the BSc course in Civil Engineering, in order to create an integrated assessment model across these disciplines from the use of specific computer graphic softwares. It is proposed to use computer graphic for： （i） concept formation, （ii） completing and/or reviewing the content, （iii） creation of a database with virtual geometric models and their applications in Engineering and for the studies of their representations, geometric properties, etc., providing digital images of everyday forms and objects. In order to begin the diagnosis of the current situation, we gave an open questionnaire to 65 students from the 16 groups of three-dimensional graphical geometry, 20 students from the two courses in Technical Drawing 3 and 35 students from the three Descriptive Geometry classes. The analysis of the data suggests that students better understand the two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional models through their modeling with the computer graphics software used, and the association of abstract concepts with concrete content. From the analysis of the data we can verify that when our students enter the foundation Engineering courses, the main difficulty in the disciplines of drawing is the three-dimensional visualization. The hypothesis is that the student will better understand the two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional models through their modeling with the computer graphic software used and the association of abstract concepts with concrete content.