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Article
Publication date: 9 February 2022

Farzaneh Moshtaghian and Esmatullah Noorzai

This research has been conducted with a view to creating a framework to integrate risk management based on building information modeling (BIM) information.

Abstract

Purpose

This research has been conducted with a view to creating a framework to integrate risk management based on building information modeling (BIM) information.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, all the information related to the construction of a residential project including 3D, 4D and 5D BIM models and the execution and control phases information was collected, and the risk list was determined for each activity accordingly.

Findings

The present study has suggested a framework for risk management in order to optimize project changes.

Originality/value

The lack of integration between 3D, 4D and 5D modeling besides execution information is a fundamental problem in many projects. The gap between these two groups of information will lead to improper management and late decisions, eventually imposing unforeseen delays and cost overruns. Risk management by the means of adopting a new approach has been addressed in recent studies using new methods, such as BIM and its associated technologies, some of which were mentioned in the review of theoretical literature in this research.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 October 2023

Wenchao Zhang, Peixin Shi, Zhansheng Wang, Huajing Zhao, Xiaoqi Zhou and Pengjiao Jia

An accurate prediction of the deformation of retaining structures is critical for ensuring the stability and safety of braced deep excavations, while the high nonlinear and…

Abstract

Purpose

An accurate prediction of the deformation of retaining structures is critical for ensuring the stability and safety of braced deep excavations, while the high nonlinear and complex nature of the deformation makes the prediction challenging. This paper proposes an explainable boosted combining global and local feature multivariate regression (EB-GLFMR) model with high accuracy, robustness and interpretability to predict the deformation of retaining structures during braced deep excavations.

Design/methodology/approach

During the model development, the time series of deformation data is decomposed using a locally weighted scatterplot smoothing technique into trend and residual terms. The trend terms are analyzed through multiple adaptive spline regressions. The residual terms are reconstructed in phase space to extract both global and local features, which are then fed into a gradient-boosting model for prediction.

Findings

The proposed model outperforms other established approaches in terms of accuracy and robustness, as demonstrated through analyzing two cases of braced deep excavations.

Research limitations/implications

The model is designed for the prediction of the deformation of deep excavations with stepped, chaotic and fluctuating features. Further research needs to be conducted to expand the model applicability to other time series deformation data.

Practical implications

The model provides an efficient, robust and transparent approach to predict deformation during braced deep excavations. It serves as an effective decision support tool for engineers to ensure the stability and safety of deep excavations.

Originality/value

The model captures the global and local features of time series deformation of retaining structures and provides explicit expressions and feature importance for deformation trends and residuals, making it an efficient and transparent approach for deformation prediction.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 40 no. 9/10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 August 2021

Massimo Coli, Marco Tanganelli, Michele Baldi and Stefania Viti

The paper is aimed at assessing the safety of the Giotto's Bell Tower, with special attention to its foundation system, i.e. the foundation works and soil. The tower, well known…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper is aimed at assessing the safety of the Giotto's Bell Tower, with special attention to its foundation system, i.e. the foundation works and soil. The tower, well known all over the world, has a squared plan, with sides of 14.45 m each, and a total height equal to 84.7 m. The structural response of the tower is assessed with reference to the gravitational load and to the expected seismic action, quantified according to the seismic hazard of the site and the foundation soil.

Design/methodology/approach

A simplified analysis has been performed to check the safety level of the tower to seismic actions. Special attention has been paid to quantify the horizontal actions representing the seismic loads. Such quantification, indeed, has been made both through the elastic spectrum of the tower and by performing a site response analysis on the foundation soil, represented as a one-dimensional stratification of soil layers, described on the basis of experimental investigations. After defining the loading actions, a simplified assessment of the foundation safety has been made by considering the action over foundation, the geotechnical data and the safety factor.

Findings

The findings of the paper concern the assessment of the safety of the tower's foundation system. A lot of experimental data on the foundation soil, provided by various geological investigations, have been provided and used for the assessment. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the materials used for the structure have been collected and shown in the paper.

Originality/value

The paper collects a lot of technical information regarding the Giotto's Bell Tower, both regarding its foundation soil and the constituting materials. On the basis of the collected information, a structural analysis has been made to assess the seismic safety of the tower, and the results of such assessment are provided and discussed.

Details

Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 March 2022

Maher Taha El-Nimr, Ali Mohamed Basha, Mohamed Mohamed Abo-Raya and Mohamed Hamed Zakaria

To predict the real behavior of the full-scale model using a scale model, optimized simulation should be achieved. In reinforced concrete (RC) models, scaling can be substantially…

Abstract

Purpose

To predict the real behavior of the full-scale model using a scale model, optimized simulation should be achieved. In reinforced concrete (RC) models, scaling can be substantially more critical than in single-material models because of multiple reasons such as insufficient bonding strength between small-diameter steel bars and concrete, and excessive aggregate size. Overall, there is a shortfall of laboratory and field-testing studies on the behavior of secant pile walls under lateral and axial loads. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to investigate the validity and the performance of the 1/10th scaled RC secant pile wall under the influence of different types of loading.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural performance of the examined models was evaluated using two types of tests: bending and axial compression. A self-compacting concrete mix was suggested, which provided the best concrete mix workability and appropriate compressive strength.

Findings

Under axial and bending loads, the failure modes were typical. Where the plain and reinforced concrete piles worked in tandem to support the load throughout the loading process, even when they failed. The experimental results were relatively consistent with some empirical equations for calculating the modulus of elasticity and critical buckling load. This confirmed the validity of the proposed model.

Originality/value

According to the analysis and verification of experimental tests, the proposed 1/10th scaled RC secant pile model can be used for future laboratory purposes, especially in the field of geotechnical engineering.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 February 2023

Chiara Bertolin and Elena Sesana

The overall objective of this study is envisaged to provide decision makers with actionable insights and access to multi-risk maps for the most in-danger stave churches (SCs…

1214

Abstract

Purpose

The overall objective of this study is envisaged to provide decision makers with actionable insights and access to multi-risk maps for the most in-danger stave churches (SCs) among the existing 28 churches at high spatial resolution to better understand, reduce and mitigate single- and multi-risk. In addition, the present contribution aims to provide decision makers with some information to face the exacerbation of the risk caused by the expected climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

Material and data collection started with the consultation of the available literature related to: (1) SCs' conservation status, (2) available methodologies suitable in multi-hazard approach and (3) vulnerability leading indicators to consider when dealing with the impact of natural hazards specifically on immovable cultural heritage.

Findings

The paper contributes to a better understanding of place-based vulnerability with local mapping dimension also considering future threats posed by climate change. The results highlight the danger at which the SCs of Røldal, in case of floods, and of Ringebu, Torpo and Øye, in case of landslide, may face and stress the urgency of increasing awareness and preparedness on these potential hazards.

Originality/value

The contribution for the first time aims to homogeneously collect and report all together existing spread information on architectural features, conservation status and geographical attributes for the whole group of SCs by accompanying this information with as much as possible complete 2D sections collection from existing drawings and novel 3D drawn sketches created for this contribution. Then the paper contributes to a better understanding of place-based vulnerability with local mapping dimension also considering future threats posed by climate change. Then it highlights the danger of floods and landslides at which the 28 SCs are subjected. Finally it reports how these risks will change under the ongoing impact of climate change.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2022

Eldana Ayka Anka, Defaru Katise Dasho, Democracy Dilla Dirate and Tarun Kumar Lohani

This paper aims to present physical and geotechnical study in terms of experimental field and laboratory investigations of the subgrade soils in severely damaged and highly…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present physical and geotechnical study in terms of experimental field and laboratory investigations of the subgrade soils in severely damaged and highly degraded road section with numerous potholes between Chencha to Ezo towns of Ethiopia needs to be addressed for a robust pavement.

Design/methodology/approach

Eighteen soil samples were collected from 18 km road stretch at a kilometer interval by considering variation and composition of soils along the road alignment. The field density with dry density, natural moisture content, consistency limit, compaction and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) were determined.

Findings

Soils were classified predominantly as silty-clay that replicates its expansive nature, characterized as bad to medium subgrade. The average optimum moisture content and maximum dry density are 17.18% and 1.83 g/cc, whereas the average CBR and swell as 8.40% and 1.49%, respectively. The investigated results indicated that the indispensable way for a stable and durable road subgrade in the existing silty clayey soil requires a capping layer. The results were uploaded into ArcGIS platform to create interactive maps for spatial distribution, composition and strength of the subgrade properties.

Originality/value

Experimental investigation of subgrade soils by scientific procedures and presenting important properties through integrated approach using ArcGIS Mapping for the road pavement design and construction purpose of under developed areas like Chencha-Ezo. ArcGIS-based mapping of all required and numerical subgrade properties with a single click using ArcGIS tool is the main significance and contribution of this study. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is original, and all the references are properly cited.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 29 September 2022

Mónica Moreno, Rocío Ortiz and Pilar Ortiz

Heavy rainfall is one of the main causes of the degradation of historic rammed Earth architecture. For this reason, ensuring the conservation thereof entails understanding the…

1369

Abstract

Purpose

Heavy rainfall is one of the main causes of the degradation of historic rammed Earth architecture. For this reason, ensuring the conservation thereof entails understanding the factors involved in these risk situations. The purpose of this study is to research three past events in which rainfall caused damage and collapse to historic rammed Earth fortifications in Andalusia in order to analyse whether it is possible to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The three case studies analysed are located in the south of Spain and occurred between 2017 and 2021. The hazard presented by rainfall within this context has been obtained from Art-Risk 3.0 (Registration No. 201999906530090). The vulnerability of the structures has been assessed with the Art-Risk 1 model. To characterise the strength, duration, and intensity of precipitation events, a workflow for the statistical use of GPM and GSMaP satellite resources has been designed, validated, and tested. The strength of the winds has been evaluated from data from ground-based weather stations.

Findings

GSMaP precipitation data is very similar to data from ground-based weather stations. Regarding the three risk events analysed, although they occurred in areas with a torrential rainfall hazard, the damage was caused by non-intense rainfall that did not exceed 5 mm/hour. The continuation of the rainfall for several days and the poor state of conservation of the walls seem to be the factors that triggered the collapses that fundamentally affected the restoration mortars.

Originality/value

A workflow applied to vulnerability and hazard analysis is presented, which validates the large-scale use of satellite images for past and present monitoring of heritage structure risk situations due to rain.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 June 2023

Xiang Hu, Eliza Nor and Chee-Wooi Hooy

This study aims to investigate the relationship between political connections and the over-indebtedness of firms in the construction industry. Furthermore, this study explores the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between political connections and the over-indebtedness of firms in the construction industry. Furthermore, this study explores the moderating effect of corporate governance mechanisms with monitoring intent on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the data from China’s listed construction firms for the years 2010–2019 to run the fixed-effect regression. This study constructs the optimal capital structure mathematical model by following the trade-off approach.

Findings

The research results show that most of China’s listed construction firms are surprisingly over-indebted in the long run. This study affirms that political connections positively impact the over-indebtedness of China’s listed construction firms. However, corporate governance can alleviate the impact of political connections on the over-indebtedness of China’s listed construction firms.

Originality/value

There were limited studies to discuss the relationship between political connections and the over-indebtedness of construction firms, and no particular attention has been given to the moderating effect of corporate governance mechanisms on the relationship between political connections and over-indebtedness. Moreover, in calculating the over-indebtedness of China’s listed construction firms, this study considers the financial characteristics of China’s construction firms when building the mathematical model of optimal capital structure, which makes the calculation results of over-indebtedness closer to reality.

Details

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction , vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-4387

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2022

Mohamed Nabil Houhou, Tamir Amari and Abderahim Belounar

This paper aims to investigate the responses of single piles and pile groups due to tunneling-induced ground movements in a two-layered soil system. The analyses mainly focus on…

136

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the responses of single piles and pile groups due to tunneling-induced ground movements in a two-layered soil system. The analyses mainly focus on the additional single pile responses in terms of bending moment, lateral deflection, axial force, shaft resistance and pile settlement. Subsequently, a series of parametric studies were carried out to better understand the responses of single piles induced by tunneling. To give further understanding regarding the pile groups, a 2 × 2 pile group with two different pile head conditions, namely, free and capped, was considered.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the PLAXIS three-dimensional (3D) software, a full 3D numerical modeling is performed to investigate the effects of ground movements caused by tunneling on adjacent pile foundations. The numerical model was validated using centrifuge test data found in the literature. The relevance of the 3D model is also judged by comparison with the 2D plane strain model using the PLAXIS 2D code.

Findings

The numerical test results reveal that tunneling induces significant displacements and internal forces in nearby piles. The magnitude and distribution of internal forces depend mainly on the position of the pile toe relative to the tunnel depth and the distance between the pile and the vertical axis of the tunnel. As the volume loss increases from 1% to 3%, the apparent loss of pile capacity increases from 11% to 20%. By increasing the pile length from 0.5 to 1.5 times, the tunnel depth, the maximum pile settlement and lateral deflection decrease by about 63% and 18%, respectively. On the other hand, the maximum bending moment and axial load increase by about 7 and 13 times, respectively. When the pile is located at a distance of 2.5 times the tunnel diameter (Dt), the additional pile responses become insignificant. It was found that an increase in tunnel depth from 1.5Dt to 2.5Dt (with a pile length of 3Dt) increases the maximum lateral deflection by about 420%. Regarding the interaction between tunneling and group of piles, a positive group effect was observed with a significant reduction of the internal forces in rear piles. The maximum bending moment of the front piles was found to be higher than that of the rear piles by about 47%.

Originality/value

Soil is a complex material that shows differently in primary loading, unloading and reloading with stress-dependent stiffness. This general behavior was not possibly being accounted for in simple elastic perfectly plastic Mohr–Coulomb model which is often used to predict the behavior of soils. Thus, in the present study, the more advanced hardening soil model with small-strain stiffness (HSsmall) is used to model the non-linear stress–strain soil behavior. Moreover, unlike previous studies THAT are usually based on the assumption that the soil is homogeneous and using numerical methods by decoupled loadings under plane strain conditions; in this study, the pile responses have been exhaustively investigated in a two-layered soil system using a fully coupled 3D numerical analysis that takes into account the real interactions between tunneling and pile foundations. The paper presents a distinctive set of findings and insights that provide valuable guidance for the design and construction of shield tunnels passing through pile foundations.

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2023

Chao Zhang, Jianxin Fu and Yu Wang

The interaction between rock mass structural planes and dynamic stress levels is important to determine the stability of rock mass structures in underground geotechnical…

Abstract

Purpose

The interaction between rock mass structural planes and dynamic stress levels is important to determine the stability of rock mass structures in underground geotechnical engineering. In this work, the authors aim to focus on the degradation effects of fracture geometric parameters and unloading stress paths on rock mechanical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional Particle Flow Code (PFC3D) was used for a systematic numerical simulation of the strength failure and cracking behavior of granite specimens containing prefabricated cracks under conventional triaxial compression and triaxial unilateral unloading. The authors demonstrated the unique mechanical response of prefabricated fractured rock under two conditions. The crack initiation, propagation, and coalescence process of pre-fissured specimens were analyzed in detail.

Findings

The authors show that the prefabricated cracks and unilateral unloading conditions not only deteriorate the mechanical strength but also have significant differences in failure modes. The degrading effect of cracks on model strength increases linearly with the decrease of the dip angle. Under the condition of true triaxial unilateral unloading, the deterioration effect of peak strength of rock is very significant, and unloading plays a role in promoting the instability failure of rock after peak, making the rock earlier instability failure. Associating with the particle vector diagram and crack coalescence process, the authors find that model failure mode under unilateral loading conditions is obviously distinct from that in triaxial loading. The peak strain in the unloading direction increases sharply, resulting in a new shear slip.

Originality/value

This study is expected to improve the understanding of the strength failure and cracking behavior of fractured rock under unilateral unloading.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 40 no. 9/10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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