Civil Engineering

Book

This book offers an in-depth investigation into the complexities of long-term structural health monitoring (SHM) in civil structures, specifically focusing on the challenges posed by small data and environmental and operational changes (EOCs). Traditional contact-based sensor networks in SHM produce large amounts of data, complicating big data management. In contrast, synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-aided SHM often faces challenges with small datasets and limited displacement data. Additionally, EOCs can mimic the structural damage, resulting in false errors that can critically affect economic and safety issues. Addressing these challenges, this book introduces seven advanced unsupervised learning methods for SHM, combining AI, data sampling, and statistical analysis. These include techniques for managing datasets and addressing EOCs. Methods range from nearest neighbor searching and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling to innovative offline and online learning frameworks, focusing on data augmentation and normalization. Key approaches involve deep autoencoders for data processing and novel algorithms for damage detection. Validated using simulated data from the I-40 Bridge, USA, and real-world data from the Tadcaster Bridge, UK, these methods show promise in addressing SAR-aided SHM challenges, offering practical tools for real-world applications. The book, thereby, presents a comprehensive suite of innovative strategies to advance the field of SHM.

This open access book provides a complete probabilistic analysis method and a performance-based seismic safety evaluation for high concrete faced rockfill dam (CFRD). Combined with random sample generation and reliability analysis methods, the dynamic response characteristics and reliability level of CFRD under various random factors are comprehensively described. In Chapter 2, a random ground motion model based on spectral representation-random function and a high-dimensional random variable generation method based on GF- discrepancy are established. Combined with probability density evolution method (PDEM) and the random sample generation methods to verify its effectiveness and reliability for nonlinear complex geotechnical engineering. In Chapter 3, the dynamic response and probabilistic characteristics of high CFRD under random ground motion are revealed based on the elastoplastic analysis. A performance-based seismic safety evaluation method is established. In Chapter 4, the influence of material parameter randomness on dynamic response and seismic safety of high CFRD is studied from the perspective of stochastic dynamics and probability. In Chapter 5, the stochastic dynamic response and probability distribution of high CFRD under the coupled random action of ground motion and material parameters are systematically studied, and the performance-based seismic safety evaluation framework is improved. In Chapter 6, The stochastic dynamic response of 3D high CFRD is studied, and the failure performance index and performance level based on overstress volume ratio combined with overstress accumulation time are discussed. The performance-based seismic safety evaluation framework is further improved. In Chapter 7, combined with the finite element dynamic time-history analysis method considering the softening effect of rockfill, a performance-based seismic safety evaluation framework for dam slope stability of high CFRD under multiple random factors is systematically explored from the perspective of stochastic dynamics and probability. In Chapter 8, The performance indexes of seismic safety evaluation for high CFRDs are suggested and the corresponding performance level with probability assurance is put forward. The multi-seismic intensity - multi-performance target - failure probability performance relationship is established, and a performance-based seismic safety evaluation framework is initially formed. This book can be used as a reference for scholars studying random vibration and reliability analysis, as well as for scholars studying dam safety evaluation.

This book provides readers with peer-reviewed research papers presented at the 6th International Conference on Clean Energy and Electrical Systems held in Kyoto, Japan, from April 5 to 7, 2024. This proceedings mainly covers theoretical, technical, and practical methods and practices on clean energy and electrical systems. And it includes nuclear energy and "renewable energy." With the continuous growth of energy demand and the increasing awareness of environmental protection in countries around the world, it is urgent and imperative to establish a clean energy innovation research and development, promotion, and application system. The book also covers electricity, fuel, thermal, transportation, and water infrastructures and their development and deployment in different regions around the world. The book includes future development trends with analysis of lifecycle and economical models for successful implementation projects.

This book provides an overview of advances in experimental, numerical modelling, and theoretical aspects of environmental hydraulics. By highlighting the latest findings on processes in natural aquatic systems, solutions for civil engineering and water resources management, with a special focus on interdisciplinary cooperation between Earth scientists, ecologists, biologists and hydraulic engineers that have helped to mitigate the impacts of anthropopressure on river habitats, it provides both researchers and practitioners with first-hand information about the latest trends in hydraulic research. The book combines peer-reviewed versions of invited lectures and regular presentations at the 40th International School of Hydraulics, held May 23-26, 2023, in K¿ty Rybackie, Poland. With contributions from world-leading experts and young researchers, many areas of environmental hydraulics are addressed here, including recent findings in numerical modelling and laboratory and field studies related to sediment and pollutant transport processes in rivers, fluvial morphodynamics, flow in vegetated channels, hydraulic structures in rivers and estuaries, and freshwater fish protection.

This book highlights the basic properties of round bamboo and bamboo strips of various species worldwide. Processing and properties enhancing treatment of bamboo strips and round bamboo are discussed. It presents the structural applications of round and engineered bamboo and provides an insight on the potential applications as construction and building materials. Bamboo as multipurpose plant in various fields such as chemical feedstocks, energy sources, furniture, fabric, pulp and paper, and their recent developments are also discussed in detail. The book also includes the economic, social, and environmental assessment of bamboo products.

This book discusses human reliability programs (HRPs) and their various elements, including safety and security case studies. The topics covered include significance and vulnerability aspects of human reliability and sustainable HRP, including case studies and lessons learned, methodologies used for human reliability analysis, and good practices of HRPs from various industries. Human reliability is widely used in fields requiring high standards of safety, such as the aviation, petroleum and chemical process, and nuclear industries. The book showcases contributions on the topic from experts in the field of technology, design, aviation, and nuclear industries. The book can be a valuable reference for researchers and professionals interested in HRP to ensure safety and security in industries.

The author has published many papers and books on topological transformations for optimal analysis of structures, where many methods and algorithms are developed. However, the framework of this book generalizes many concepts and makes the previously developed methods conceptually more attractive. The aim of the present work is two folds. On the one hand, it shows to mathematicians how the apparently pure mathematical concepts can be applied to the efficient solution of problems in structural mechanics. On the other hand, it illustrates to engineers the important role of mathematical concepts for the solution of engineering problems. The present framework provides efficient means for looking at problems and developing ideas by transforming the models (structures, networks, systems) to other spaces (higher dimension, lower dimension, or identical dimension) to simplify the problems.This book is attractive for those who look at the deeper aspects of concepts and helps the readerto develop his/her own ideas. In general, it opens a new horizon for improving the existing methods in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.

Dürren, Überschwemmungen, Tornados - in den letzten Jahren häufen sich extreme Wetterlagen und sind doch nur ein Punkt auf einer langen Liste von grundstürzenden Veränderungen, mit denen die Menschheit zu kämpfen hat. Längst geht es nicht mehr nur darum, was wir tun können, um die Folgen des Klimawandels zu verhindern, sondern darum, was wir tun können, um ihnen zu begegnen. In einem aufrüttelnden Essay, der in den Niederlanden bereits 2020 erschien, ruft der Bestseller-Autor Rutger Bregman dazu auf, die Augen nicht länger vor dem Unvermeidlichen zu verschließen: der Meeresspiegel steigt, Sturmfluten werden häufiger, die Küstenregionen Europas, ganze Länder, das Zuhause von Millionen Menschen ist bedroht. Visionär hält Bregman der Menschheit ihre Katastrophenvergessenheit vor Augen und zeigt, dass oft erst das Schlimmste eintreffen muss, damit umwälzende Maßnahmen ergriffen werden. Die jüngste Vergangenheit bestätigt seine Gedanken.Die promovierte Historikerin und Journalistin Susanne Götze hat den Essay um die deutsche Perspektive erweitert und ein Nachwort zur aktuellen Lage verfasst.

This book presents innovative research and its applications in the development of transportation infrastructure, and discusses the latest trends, challenges and unsolved problems in the field of transport technology. The book also presents a range of solutions to problems faced by the rapidly growing economies of the developing world. Core challenges confronting policymakers in the field of transport technology include traffic congestion, air pollution, traffic fatalities and injuries, and petroleum dependence. At the same time, the increased use of hybrid and electric vehicles is changing consumer needs and behaviors. The solutions discussed in this book will encourage and inspire researchers, industry professionals and policymakers alike to put these methods into practice.

This book addresses the failures of structural elements, i.e. those components whose primary mission is to withstand mechanical loads. The book is intended as a self-contained source for those with different technical grades, engineers and scientists but also technicians in the field can benefit from its reading.