Structural Capacity Assessment of Cultural Bridges Key Study Dragoti Bridge

In this presentation,we have shown the methodology for the structural assessment of bridges that belong to the inventory of cultural heritage.Due to the significant number of“sub-standard”bridges,it is impossible for interventions in these bridges to be simultaneous and immediate,so certain criteria and priorities must be established in the ways of interventions for their rehabilitation.Bridges that are most at risk and need to be rehabilitated as soon as possible should be determined,and bridges that can be rehabilitated at a later stage should be identified.The prioritization scheme should include a number of aspects beyond the“pure engineering”ones.Main in this process are:seismicity of the area and the probability of the seismic event,vulnerability of the structure.Different structural systems may be considered to be more vulnerable in the event of an earthquake than others,and therefore may need attention as soon as possible.To make this preliminary assessment,we used the methodology of the US Highway Federation,then we proceed with the in-depth assessment of the carrying capacity using the well-known“time history”or“push over”methods,according to the specific case.As an example for the application of this methodology,we have taken the Dragoti Bridge,a category II cultural monument,the bridge with the largest span of light in Albania of 108 m.

AN EFFICIENT ASSESSMENT METHOD FOR INTELLIGENT DESIGN RESULTS OF SHEAR WALL STRUCTURE BASED ON MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE,MATERIAL CONSUMPTION,AND EMPIRICAL RULES

Efficient methods for incorporating engineering experience into the intelligent generation and optimization of shear wall structures are lacking,hindering intelligent design performance assessment and enhancement.This study introduces an assessment method used in the intelligent design and optimization of shear wall structures that effectively combines mechanical analysis and formulaic encoding of empirical rules.First,the critical information about the structure was extracted through data structuring.Second,an empirical rule assessment method was developed based on the engineer's experience and design standards to complete a preliminary assessment and screening of the structure.Subsequently,an assessment method based on mechanical performance and material consumption was used to compare different structural schemes comprehensively.Finally,the assessment effectiveness was demonstrated using a typical case.Compared to traditional assessment methods,the proposed method is more comprehensive and significantly more efficient,promoting the intelligent transformation of structural design.

Research and Implementations of Structural Monitoring for Bridges and Buildings in Japan

This paper provides a review on the development of structural monitoring in Japan, with an emphasis on the type, strategy, and utilization of monitoring systems. The review focuses on bridge and building structures using vibration-based techniques. Structural monitoring systems in Japan historically started with the objective of evaluating structural responses against extreme events. In the development of structural monitoring, monitoring systems and collected data were used to verify design assumptions, update speci cations, and facilitate the ef cacy of vibration control systems. Strategies and case studies on monitoring for the design veri cation of long-span bridges and tall buildings, the performance of seismic isolation systems in building and bridges, the veri cation of structural retro t, the veri cation of structural control systems (passive, semi-active, and active), structural assessment, and damage detec- tion are described. More recently, the application of monitoring systems has been extended to facilitate ef cient operation and effective maintenance through the rationalization of risk and asset management using monitoring data. This paper also summarizes the lessons learned and feedback obtained from case studies on the structural monitoring of bridges and buildings in Japan.

APPLICATION OF SINTAP TO THE SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF X65 PIPELINE STEEL

The recently developed European flaw assessment procedure, structural integrity assessment procedure（SiNTAP） is applied to assessment for welded joints of the API 5L X65 pipeline steel with an assumed embedded flaw and surface flaw at the weld toe. As one of the basic input data, fracture toughness crack tip opening displacement （CTOD） tests are conducted at 0℃ and performed according to the requirements of the standard of BS7448. For the heat affected zone （HAZ） specimens, the microstructure observation is performed to insure that the tip of the crack is located in the coarse grain zone. The result explains the dispersity of the test values. In structural integrity assessment procedure-fracture assessment diagram（SINTAP FAD） method, the failure curves of welded joints at level 1 and 3 are derived from the tensile test results. The results of the assessment show that all assessment points are located within the failure lines of analysis level 1 and 3. So the welded joint of the pipeline is safe. This study laid the foundation of application of SINTAP to pipeline structure assessment.

System Identification of Heritage Structures Through AVT and OMA:A Review

In this review article,the past investigations carried out on heritage structures using Ambient Vibration Test(AVT)and Operational Modal Analysis(OMA)for system identification(determination of dynamic properties like frequency,mode shape and damping ratios)and associated applications are summarized.A total of 68 major research studies on heritage structures around the world that are available in literature are surveyed for this purpose.At first,field investigations carried out on heritage structures prior to conducting AVT are explained in detail.Next,specifications of accelerometers,location of accelerometers and optimization of accelerometer networks have been elaborated with respect to the geometry of the heritage structures.In addition to this,ambient vibration loads and data acquisition procedures are also discussed.Further,the state of art of performing OMA techniques for heritage structures is explained briefly.Furthermore,various applications of system identification for heritage structures are documented.Finally,conclusions are made towards errorless system identification of heritage structures through AVT and OMA.

Shear assessment of compression flanges of structural concrete T-beams

In T-beams the force transfer from the web into the flange has to be studied. The general design procedure is based on a strut-and-tie （or a stress field） model which comprises spreading compressive and transverse tensile forces. As is known, strut-and-tie models represent the force flow within a structural member at ultimate. This procedure is sufficient for design purposes and in general, leads to safe results. For the assessment of a structure it may be worthwhile to improve the accuracy. For this purpose both web and flange have to be looked at more in detail. An advanced method for the analysis of webs in shear is the Generalized Stress Field Approach [1]. This approach can be utilized for treating flanges, where the classical assumptions have to be adapted; in particular by considering the strain dependence of the concrete compressive strength and thus, defining a representative strain value. In the present contribution background and details of these aspects are given, and the corresponding calculation procedure is described. Theoretical results are compared with experimental data and show a reasonably good agreement. However, as the number of sufficiently documented tests is very limited no concluding findings are attained.

Strengthening and Restoration of Historical Structures Mirahor Ilyas Beg Mosque in Korca

The Mirahor Ilyas Beg Mosque, built in 1496 in Korea, is one of a few Ottoman mosques still existing in Albania and the only Ottoman monument in the city. The mosque was built using cut stone and brick. It has a strong image a cubic mass rising over a square plan. Inside there are found pictures of the mosque in the past and different famous mosques. During its existence, it was damaged from many earthquakes occurring at this area. Due to amortization, the mosque＇s structural properties were weakened and architectural values were dimmed. Proper strengthening methods need to be applied, not only to improve structural conditions, but also to preserve architectural features of the mosque. In this paper assessment of existing conditions of the structure is carried out Based on the obtained results, solutions for the structural problems are investigated. As for restoration, the repair methods to be applied were examined taking into consideration at what extent the historical values of the building will be preserved. The proposed strengthening methods are the ones which would affect the least the mosque＇s historical values.

Recent, development in low-constraint fracture toughness testing for structural integrity assessment of pipelines

Fracture toughness measurement is an integral part of structural integrity assessment of pipelines. Traditionally, a single-edge-notched bend （SE（B）） specimen with a deep crack is recommended in many existing pipeline structural integrity assessment procedures. Such a test provides high constraint and therefore conservative fracture toughness results. However, for girth welds in service, defects are usually subjected to primarily tensile loading where the constraint is usually much lower than in the three-point bend case. Moreover, there is increasing use of strain-based design of pipelines that allows applied strains above yield. Low-constraint toughness tests represent more realistic loading conditions for girth weld defects, and the corresponding increased toughness can minimize unnecessary conservatism in assessments. In this review, we present recent developments in low-constraint fracture toughness testing, specifically using single-edge- notched tension specimens, SENT or SE（T）. We focus our review on the test procedure development and automation, round-robin test results and some common concerns such as the effect of crack tip, crack size monitoring techniques, and testing at low temperatures. Examples are also given of the integration of fracture toughness data from SE（T） tests into structural integrity assessment.

Approach for Obtaining Material Mechanical Properties in Local Region of Structure Based on Accurate Analysis of Micro-indentation Test

The hot or cold processing would induce the change and the inhomogeneous of the material mechanical properties in the local processing region of the structure,and it is difficult to obtain the specific mechanical properties in these regions by using the traditional material tensile test.To accurately get actual material mechanical properties in the local region of structure,a micro-indentation test system incorporated by an electronic universal material test device has been established.An indenter displacement sensor and a group of special micro-indenter assemblies are estab-lished.A numerical indentation inversion analysis method by using ABAQUS software is also proposed in this study.Based on the above test system and analysis platform,an approach to obtaining material mechanical properties in the local region of structures is proposed and established.The ball indentation test is performed and combined with the energy method by using various changed mechanical properties of 316L austenitic stainless steel under differ-ent elongations.The investigated results indicate that the material mechanical properties and the micro-indentation morphological changes have evidently relevance.Compared with the tensile test results,the deviations of material mechanical parameters,such as hardness H,the hardening exponent n,the yield strength σy and others are within 5%obtained through the indentation test and the finite element analysis.It provides an effective and convenient method for obtaining the actual material mechanical properties in the local processing region of the structure.

Environmental analysis of innovative sustainable composites with potential use in aviation sector -A life cycle assessment review

The forecast of growing air transport in the upcoming decades faces the challenge of an increasing environmental impact.Aviation industry is working on promising technologies to mitigate this environmental impact.Lightweight design is a strong lever to lower the fuel consumption and,consequently,with it the emissions of aviation.High performance composites are a key technology to help achieve these aims thanks to their favourable combination of mechanical properties and low weight in primary structures.However,mainly synthetic materials such as petrol based carbon fibres and epoxy resins are used nowadays to produce composite in aviation.Renewable materials like bio-based fibres and resin systems offer potential environmental advantages.However,they have not found their way into aviation,yet.The reasons are reduced mechanical properties and,especially for the use of natural fibres,their flammability.Improvements of these shortcomings are under investigation.Therefore the application of bio-based and recycled materials in certain areas of the aircraft could be possible in the future.Good examples for applications are furnishings and secondary structures.The motivation for this paper is to give an overview of potential environmental properties by using such eco-materials in aviation.Life cycle assessment(LCA) is a tool to calculate environmental impacts during all life stages of a product.The main focus is laid on the bio-fibres flax and ramie,recycled carbon fibres and bio-based thermoset resin systems.Furthermore an overview of environmental aspects of existing composite materials used in aviation is given.Generally,a lack of LCA results for the substitution of synthetic materials by bio-based/recycled composite materials in aviation applications has been identified.Therefore,available information from other transport areas,such as automotive,has been summarized.More detailed LCA data for eco-composite materials and technologies to improve their properties is important to understand potential environmental effects in aviation.

The comparison study of Chinese and American secondary school students’knowledge structure—an experimental research based on concept map assessment technique

A concept map is a schematic device for representing a set of concept meanings embedded in a framework of propositions.It can be used to evaluate students’knowledge structure.This article introduces the comparative study of Chinese and American secondary school students’knowledge structure.They are compared quantitatively and qualitatively in terms of mean score,individual proposition scores,proposition choice and map structure.The results indicate that students’knowledge structures in the two countries are remarkably different.Compared with American students,Chinese students’ability to take an exam is stronger and their mean score is higher.However,Chinese students need to improve their general knowledge and creativity although their basic knowledge is solid and they are better in mastering discipline knowledge and knowledge application.

A New Hidden Markov Model for Protein Quality Assessment Using Compatibility Between Protein Sequence and Structure

Protein structure Quality Assessment（QA） is an essential component in protein structure prediction and analysis. The relationship between protein sequence and structure often serves as a basis for protein structure QA.In this work, we developed a new Hidden Markov Model（HMM） to assess the compatibility of protein sequence and structure for capturing their complex relationship. More specifically, the emission of the HMM consists of protein local structures in angular space, secondary structures, and sequence profiles. This model has two capabilities：（1） encoding local structure of each position by jointly considering sequence and structure information, and（2）assigning a global score to estimate the overall quality of a predicted structure, as well as local scores to assess the quality of specific regions of a structure, which provides useful guidance for targeted structure refinement. We compared the HMM model to state-of-art single structure quality assessment methods OPUSCA, DFIRE, GOAP,and RW in protein structure selection. Computational results showed our new score HMM.Z can achieve better overall selection performance on the benchmark datasets.