Journal of Civil Engineering and Management

The roles of partnering and boundary activities on project resilience under disruptions

2024-05-22T18:25:50+03:00

Construction projects inevitably encounter adversities that threaten their functionality and performance. Understanding the enhancement of project resilience, especially in extreme situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial. This study introduces a theoretical model to explore how partnering and boundary activities among project stakeholders influence project resilience, and in turn, impact project performance. Based on data gathered from a questionnaire survey involving 172 construction projects in China, the results indicate that project resilience directly and positively affects project performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnering and boundary activities emerge as primary determinants of project resilience. They not only directly impact project resilience and performance, but their impact on project resilience also indirectly influences project performance. The findings offer valuable theoretical and practical insights into the improvement of project resilience through effective boundary activities and partnering.

Structural parameters and comparative analysis of the performance of four beetle elytron plate walls

2024-06-10T10:55:28+03:00

This article presents the characteristics of four straw-filled beetle elytron plate (BEPsc) nonload-bearing walls, with their thermal and mechanical properties ascertained by the finite element method, focusing on structural parameters reported in previous studies and further optimized in this paper. The results are as follows: 1) The sequence of the four models’ mechanical and thermal insulation properties with the reported structural parameters is given. The mechanical properties are mainly affected by the core layer’s out-of-plane bending moment of inertia Ix. The insulation capability is mainly governed by the minimum cross section of the core concrete. Based on this result, a BEP with nonuniform cross-sectional honeycomb walls is proposed. 2) Further optimization is conducted on the two models with the weakest mechanical and thermal properties. The I-beam beetle elytron plate (IBEPsc) is proven most suitable for nonload-bearing walls. The potential for end-trabecular beetle elytron plate (EBEPsc) in hollow floors is expected. 3) As biomimetic models emerge constantly, it is of great significance to conduct parallel comparisons between new and old models to determine their performance levels and advantages. This paper provides an example for selecting suitable BEPs for applications and an inspiration for more work on screening outstanding biomimetic models.

Forecasting mechanical properties of steel structures through dynamic metaheuristic optimization for adaptive machine learning

2024-05-27T18:25:56+03:00

Machine learning (ML) presents a promising method for predicting mechanical properties in structural engineering, particularly within complex nonlinear structures under extreme conditions. Despite its potential, research has shown a disproportionate focus on concrete structures, leaving steel structures less explored. Furthermore, the prevalent combination of metaheuristic optimization (MO) and ML in existing studies is often subjective, pointing to a significant gap in identifying and leveraging more effective hybrid models. To bridge these gaps, this study introduces a novel system named the Multiple Metaheuristic Optimizers – Multiple Machine Learners (MMOMML) system, designed for predicting mechanical strength in steel structures. The MMOMML system amalgamates 17 MO algorithms with 15 ML techniques, generating 255 hybrid models, including numerous novel configurations not previously examined. With a user-friendly interface, MMOMML enables structural engineers to tackle inference challenges efficiently, regardless of their coding proficiency. This capability is convincingly demonstrated through two practical applications: steel beams’ shear strength and steel cellular beams’ elastic buckling. By offering a versatile and robust tool, the MMOMML system meets construction engineers’ and researchers’ practical and research needs, marking a significant advancement in the field.

Fragility assessment of installation defects in industrial standing seam metal roof subjected to wind loads

2024-05-30T18:26:01+03:00

In industrial structures in which standing seam metal roofs (SSMRs) are commonly used, heat insulation and waterproofing have emerged as crucial requirements for the protection of internal equipment. However, in newly developed SSMRs, the structural systems have become increasingly complex. The installation of insulation layers between the upper and lower panels poses challenges during roof panel installations, resulting in defects owing to the carelessness of the installer. These clip defects can significantly affect the wind-resistance performance of the SSMR structure during testing. In this study, we employed finite element method (FEM) modeling and verification, utilizing the wind resistance test results of SSMRs. In addition, we conducted a variable analysis as well as a fragility assessment focusing on the location and number of clip defects in the SSMRs. The results of this study indicate that the wind performance of the roof was significantly degraded owing to SSMR clip defects. Moreover, the wind resistance performance can be quantitatively evaluated by considering the roof zone and the exposed environment under a wind load.

Analytical discussion on applicability of frequency domain decomposition method to systems excited by an impulse force

2024-06-06T12:00:54+03:00

This paper focuses on the use of vibration measurements for the purpose of cost-effective performance evaluation for the safety management and maintenance of Japan’s social infrastructure like bridges. Since modal properties are often used to diagnose damage of structures by analysing their changes, various modal identification methods have been developed in the past few decades. Among these, the FDD method has still attractive attention because of its simplicity and practicality. It is also highly applicable to simultaneous observation at multiple points and even complex modes can be identified instantly. On the other hand, the applicability of this method to impact tests applied to evaluate the condition of structures has not been sufficiently discussed to date. In this study, we will clarify the applicability to impact tests by reconstructing the theoretical background of the FDD method. Furthermore, we will show from theory that when there is a correlation between inputs, higher-order singular values, which should be noted when applied to impact tests, will be affected. The conclusions obtained from the reconstruction of the theoretical background will be verified based on numerical experiments and actual observation records.

A review of multi-criteria decision-making methods for building assessment, selection, and retrofit

2024-06-05T18:26:05+03:00

Multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) has experienced significant growth in recent years, owing to its capacity to integrate even contradictory criteria. This study conducted a comprehensive literature review of MCDM for assessing, selecting, and retrofitting buildings. The bibliometric search used a search algorithm in specialized databases. A filtering and expansion process was done by reviewing references, and 91 relevant articles were selected. The analysis revealed that in a group of studies, socioeconomic criteria were used to assess the vulnerability of buildings. On the other hand, some research integrated the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental) along with safety considerations when identifying optimal retrofit alternatives. Classic MCDMs are prevalent in research within this field. Among the most used methods, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed for criteria weighting, Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) for constructing vulnerability indices, and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for building retrofitting. This literature review contributes to the path toward a holistic renovation of the existing building stock, providing recommendations for future research to improve decision-making solutions for integrating the safety and sustainability of existing buildings.