Infrastructures, Volume 8, Issue 6 (June 2023) – 9 articles

Damage accumulation due to multiple seismic impacts over time has a significant effect on the residual service life of the bridge. A reliability-based framework was developed to make decisions in bridge maintenance activities. The feature of the framework enables quantifying the time-dependent probability of failure of bridges due to the impact of multiple earthquakes and progressive deterioration. To estimate the reliability of the bridge systems, the probability of failure of the bridge was used. Two case studies were utilised to demonstrate how the method can be applied to the real world. Results show that the accumulated damage caused by multiple earthquakes and progressive deterioration significantly impact the remaining useful life of the bridge. Furthermore, the soil conditions predominantly influence the progressive deterioration and reduce the service life of the bridge. Overall, the proposed framework enables the sustainable decision-making process for bridge maintenance activities. The results reveal the necessity of including the combined impact in the bridge maintenance system and that there is a more than 40% increase in the probability of failure, due to the combined effect of progressive deterioration and earthquake impacts, compared to the impact only due to seismic loads for the considered case study bridge. Full article

BIM (building information modelling) has led to substantial improvements in all design steps. Applied mainly as an information management system in the digital design of structures and buildings, only in recent years has the use of BIM also extended to the construction of road infrastructure. The so-called I-BIM (infrastructure building information modelling) methodology supports the designer in the phases of construction and execution of the design considering all aspects related to the project, including sustainability. Through the software “Roads” of “SierraSoft S.r.l.”, in this article, the I-BIM approach has been used to design a 35 km cycle path as sustainable as possible. From an operational point of view, the design of a cycle path section begins with the modelling of the infrastructure in all its aspects: a study of the route, analysis of interference, modelling of the infrastructure (floor plan, profile and sections) and an intersection study. Creating an infrastructure that increases soft mobility vehicles through a comprehensive design, attracting as many users as possible, is the real innovative challenge. Full article

When accompanied by a rigorous in-depth risk assessment and management, the introduction of innovative technologies in underground construction activities can substantially contribute to the overall quality and the health and safety of workers. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential improvements resulting from the use of emerging systems within this challenging environment, in the current context of technological development. The results, obtained through an analysis of the available literature on the topic, are divided based on their characteristics into support in design, Industry 4.0 context, management phase, and personal systems. Next, we discuss the results of some field tests of different emerging technologies drawn from experience gained in TELT—Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin SAS construction sites. The literature review and the feedback from practical applications in some case histories provide an overview of the main technologies and trends for the improvement of Occupational Safety and Health, although a fully integrated system still seems a distant prospect in underground construction sites. This study can contribute to the dissemination of the culture of safety and stimulate further research on the topic. Full article

BIM (Building Information Modelling) is used to create and manage data during design, construction, and operation. It helps to effectively manage resources and optimize processes in the construction industry. Geotechnical engineering is one of the complex disciplines that may require BIM integration. Various data types must be provided in a timely manner and require real-time feedback, fast processing, and construction guidance. The first problem presented in the paper is the use of the traditional 2D-based method used by engineers for a particular task. It seems to be impractical when some adjustments are included. Another issue is the lack of communication between the workers. It poses the problem of information exchange and misunderstanding during the interpretation of technical data. This paper aims to find different integration techniques and steps for integrating geotechnical data into the BIM process. Methods used to examine the topic are qualitative research, literature review, and case studies. These methods were useful for studying the problems and introducing the soil information into the BIM application. Firstly, a case study with I-BIM was considered, and the BIM–FEM–BIM interaction was applied to introduce geotechnical information with Plaxis 3D. The results have shown that further development of BIM in infrastructure is needed. Another case study explored the present state of the geotechnical design in BIM and potential solutions. The new frameworks were recreated: many boreholes were imported to the BIM, and a 3D geometric model of the entire hill was created for the hill fortification structure with soil clogging. The last two studies in Malaysia modeled a 3D subsurface and used two geotechnical formats, AGS and CVS. The first includes more information than the second; however, the second can be used for a more generalized model. Overall, BIM–FEM interaction can be used as a geometric model for data transfer. However, the open data format of the Industry Foundation Class (IFC) or geotechnical data format of the AGS and CVS were suggested to be used for greater flexibility. It was also found that excessive information makes the model loaded and complex. Therefore, it was recommended that big data be summarized properly with minimal loss of necessary data. Further research is needed to understand data transmission schemes of geotechnical information better. Moreover, it is recommended to put all the strategies directly into practice to create a geotechnical design. Full article

This study focused on the unbalanced relationships that can arise in current public–private partnership (PPP) risk management frameworks, especially in developing countries’ water sectors. Different stakeholders’ perceptions of risk management were examined by analyzing 15 interviews in Portugal and Mozambique. The hybrid method included semantic, descriptive statistic, content, and narrative analyses. To achieve the research objectives, the semi-structured interview transcripts were processed using quantitative and qualitative techniques to collate relevant actors’ opinions of risk management in PPP water projects. Five risk categories were identified. The interviewed experts ranked the financial risk category as the most crucial, followed by infrastructure, commercial, technical and operational, and context risks. However, when the transcripts were evaluated from a risk factor perspective, the context risk category unexpectedly jumped to first place. Twenty-five high-impact risk factors were isolated in the semi-structured interview contents. The top five most critical risk factors were political interference, no performance measurement baselines, an unfavorable private investment climate, nonpayment of bills, and water assets uncertain condition. The results comprise a fresh contribution to the existing knowledge about experts’ perceptions of PPP contract risks, including that prior research and specialists categorize financial risks as the most important. The findings further reveal that experts consider managing context risks to be the key factor in PPPs success in developing countries, as well as highlighting the need to explore these risks more fully in emerging economies’ water sectors. In addition, a complete risk management cycle is proposed based on the interviewed professionals’ opinions, in which risk assessment and risk treatment or mitigation measures are dealt with simultaneously. Full article

Highway railway level crossings, also widely recognized as HRLCs, present a significant threat to the safety of everyone who uses a roadway, including pedestrians who are attempting to cross an HRLC. More studies with new, proposed solutions are needed due to the global rise in HRLC accidents. Research is required to comprehend driver behaviours, user perceptions, and potential conflicts at level crossings, as well as for the accomplishment of preventative measures. The purpose of this study is to conduct an in-depth investigation of the HRLCs involved in accidents that are located in the northern zone of the Indian railway system. The accident information maintained by the distinct divisional and zonal offices in the northern railways of India is used for this study. The accident data revealed that at least 225 crossings experienced at least one incident between 2006 and 2021. In this study, the logistic regression and multilayer perception (MLP) methods are used to develop an accident prediction model, with the assistance of various factors from the incidents at HRLCs. Both the models were compared with each other, and it was discovered that MLP supplied the best results for accident predictions compared to the logistic regression method. According to the sensitivity analysis, the relative importance of train speed is the most important, and weekday traffic is the least important. Full article

Vibrations are an issue of increasing importance in current footbridge design practice. More sophisticated footbridges with increasing spans and more effective construction materials result in lightweight structures and a high ratio of live load to dead load. As a result of this trend, many footbridges have become more susceptible to vibrations when subjected to dynamic loads. The most common dynamic loads on footbridges, other than wind loading, are pedestrian-induced footfall forces due to the movement of people. This paper concerns the experimental and numerical dynamic characterization of a newly built steel and wooden cable-stayed footbridge. The footbridge was dynamically tested in situ under ambient vibration, and the results allowed the real dynamic behavior of the footbridge to be captured. The dynamic response under pedestrian dynamic loads was also investigated and compared with the limitations provided by the main international codes and guidelines for footbridge serviceability assessment. A numerical model of the footbridge was also developed and updated based on the experimental outcomes. Then, the calibrated model was used to numerically assess the footbridge’s serviceability following the guideline prescriptions for pedestrian load simulation, and the design accuracy was also validated. This paper aims to increase the state-of-the-art knowledge about footbridge dynamic testing so as to support the design of new and futuristic structures as well as prove the effectiveness of using the requirements of codes and guidelines for footbridge serviceability assessment by adopting a calibrated numerical model. Full article

Cyprus is the third largest and populated island in the Mediterranean Sea, and is still rapidly expanding. Significant infrastructures, such as hotels, educational institutions, and large residential complexes, are being built. Historically, 15 destructive earthquakes were reported on Cyprus from 1896 to 2019 that caused structural damages and casualties. In this study, the liquefaction potential of Tuzla and Long Beach on the east coast of Cyprus is estimated using the standard penetration test (SPT) data from more than 200 boreholes at different locations at the sites. The overall results are presented in a liquefaction potential index obtained from the factor of safety (F.S.) coefficient. Both study areas are susceptible to liquefaction. Thus, liquefaction potential maps are prepared to identify hazards in Tuzla and Long Beach. Additionally, the average factor of the safety line was introduced for both sites to create a correlation between the liquefaction area and F.S. values of every borehole. The adopted approach precisely provides the liquefiable regions when compared with historical evidence, CPT measurements, surface geology aspects, and geospatial data. Additionally, the results prove that the liquefaction potential must be considered during the design stage of new infrastructure in these areas. Full article

Researchers have been driven to investigate sustainable alternatives to cement production, such as geopolymers, due to the impact of global warming and climate change resulting from greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, they are exploring different methods and waste materials to enhance the mechanical and physical properties of geopolymer and expand its application range. This review paper offers a thorough analysis of the utilization of various waste materials in geopolymer manufacturing and shows the creative contribution of this research to the development of environmentally friendly cement substitutes. The article covers the properties, durability, and practical applications of geopolymer composites made from various waste binders. It includes a microstructure and chemical analysis. The research findings indicate that geopolymers are an effective cementitious binder substitute for cement in various applications. Additionally, the ecological and carbon footprint analysis highlights the sustainability of geopolymers compared to cement. Full article