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The recent bridge collapses worldwide underscored the perilous state of the global bridge infrastructure. Structural health monitoring (SHM) methods, particularly vibration-based techniques, offer a non-destructive approach to evaluate bridge conditions. However, installing dedicated SHM systems on each of the millions of bridges worldwide is prohibitively expensive. Vehicle scanning methods (VSM) have emerged as a cost-effective alternative, leveraging vehicle-mounted sensors for bridge assessment. Previous VSM research has primarily focused on frequency and mode shape identification through accelerations derived from numerical models. A smaller subset has explored damage detection, either based on modal properties or direct analysis of vehicle accelerations. This study proposes a new damage index that distinguishes itself by establishing a physical connection between the accelerations recorded on the vehicle and the instantaneous curvature of the bridge. This analytical connection provides a straightforward and effective means for damage detection and localization in bridges using VSM, offering the advantage of efficiency and accuracy. As such, the proposed damage index avoids the use of modal properties for damage detection, which are known to be prone to several factors and are not necessarily accurate enough when used in VSM applications, and the over-fitting problems associated with data driven methods. Numerical investigations indicate that the proposed damage index is robust against the potentially adverse effects of several parameters including road roughness, measurement noise, bridge frequency, damage location, variations in boundary conditions, and vehicle speeds., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

En l'àmbit de l'enginyeria estructural, el disseny i càlcul d'estructures d'acer s'enfronta a reptes a causa de la complexitat del seu comportament. En aquest context, el progrés en les eines d'anàlisi i modelització possibilita una predicció més exacta d'aquestes complexitats, permetent així el disseny d'estructures més eficients i sostenibles a partir d’eines i metodologies avançades de càlcul. No obstant això, en el panorama actual, l'aplicació real d'aquests avanços en l'enginyeria estructural continua sent un repte, a causa del seu estat de desenvolupament, adopció limitada per part de la professió i la falta d’adaptació a les normatives existents. El present treball se centra en la comparació de dues metodologies de càlcul en el disseny d'estructures d'acer: el mètode tradicional de càlcul basat en elements (two-step method) i el mètode avançat basat en sistemes (one-step method o advanced method). Utilitzant el cas d'estudi concret d’una estructura porticada, s'analitzen i comparen ambdues metodologies en funció de diversos criteris com l'eficiència material, el cost, la complexitat tècnica, el temps d'execució i la petjada de carboni a partir d’una anàlisi multicriteri robusta. Mitjançant tots els escenaris contemplats en la comparativa, es conclou que el mètode one-step és més adequat en termes d'eficiència, sostenibilitat i innovació. La metodologia implementada inclou el dimensionament tradicional fent servir el software ConSteel, i el dimensionament avançat amb ABAQUS. És important ressaltar que les conclusions d'aquest estudi són independents de les eines de software específiques emprades per a cada metodologia de càlcul, donat que el treball se centra a comparar les metodologies de càlcul, i no les eines., En el ámbito de la ingeniería estructural, el diseño y cálculo de estructuras de acero se enfrenta a desafíos debido a la complejidad de su comportamiento. En este contexto, el avance en las herramientas de análisis y modelización permite una predicción más exacta de estas complejidades, posibilitando así el diseño de estructuras más eficientes y sostenibles a partir de herramientas y metodologías avanzadas de cálculo. No obstante, en el panorama actual, la aplicación real de estos avances en la ingeniería estructural sigue siendo un desafío, debido a su estado de desarrollo, limitada adopción por parte de la profesión y la falta de adaptación en las normativas existentes. El presente trabajo se enfoca en la comparación de dos metodologías de cálculo en el diseño de estructuras de acero: el método tradicional de cálculo basado en elementos (two-step method) y el método avanzado basado en sistemas (one-step method o advanced method). Utilizando el caso de estudio concreto de una estructura metálica aporticada, se analizan y comparan ambas metodologías en función de diversos criterios como la eficiencia material, el coste, la complejidad técnica, el tiempo de ejecución y la huella de carbono a partir de un robusto análisis multicriterio. A través de todos los escenarios contemplados en la comparativa, se concluye que el método one-step es más adecuado en términos de eficiencia, sostenibilidad e innovación. La metodología implementada incluye el dimensionamiento tradicional utilizando el software ConSteel, y el avanzado con ABAQUS. Cabe destacar que las conclusiones de este estudio son independientes de las herramientas de software específicas empleadas para cada metodología de cálculo, puesto que el trabajo se centra en comparar las metodologías de cálculo, y no las herramientas., In the field of structural engineering, the design and calculation of steel structures faces challenges due to the complexity of their behavior. In this context, advancements in analysis and modelling tools enable more accurate predictions of these complexities and, thus, enabling the design of more efficient and sustainable structures. This is accomplished through the application of advanced calculation tools and methodologies. However, in the current situation, the real-world application of these advances remains a challenge due to their developmental stage, limited adoption within the profession, as well as the lack of adaptation in existing regulations. This study focuses on comparing two calculation methodologies in the design of steel structures: the traditional element-based calculation method (two-step method) and the advanced system-based method (one-step method or advanced method). Using the specific case study of a framed steel structure, both methodologies are analyzed and compared. Key criteria considered include material efficiency, cost, technical complexity, execution time, and carbon footprint, all evaluated through a robust multicriteria analysis. Across all the scenarios considered in the comparison, it is concluded that the one-step method is more suitable in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. The methodology adopted in this research includes a conventional design process using ConSteel software, along with an advanced approach using ABAQUS. It is important to note that the outcomes of this study are not reliant on the specific software chosen for each calculation approach. The emphasis of this work lies in the comparative analysis of the calculation methodologies themselves, rather than the particular software tools used.

There is a limited understanding of the impact that passive human occupants have on a dynamic structural system, referred to as Human-Structure Interaction (HSI). Cantilevers are naturally prone to excessive vibrations due to their long unsupported spans, and cantilevered structures such as those commonly found in the seating area of a stadium facility or concert hall are designed to support a high density of occupancy. This study determined that HSI in cantilevered structures can be modeled using a simple two-degree-of-freedom system. The results of the model were validated by data that was collected on a small-scale laboratory structure intentionally designed to replicate the typical frequency range of cantilever stadium structures. The simplified model identified the dynamic properties of a passive, standing crowd to be 7.7 Hz and 22% critical damping. Additionally, this study identified that the spatial distribution of a crowd occupying a cantilever has a large impact on the change in the dynamic response. Occupants that are closer to the tip of the cantilever reduce the first mode of natural frequency in a system much more than occupants that are located further away from the tip of the cantilever. Thus, a method was proposed in order to approximate the impact of a large, distributed crowd with occupants spaced along all parts of the cantilever by considering the center of mass of the lumped crowd and the mass participation ratio of the empty structure. Finally, results were presented that show the decrease in frequency in cantilevers occupied by large crowds. It was determined that some cantilevers can experience a reduction in the first mode of frequency by as much as 30% when heavily occupied. This reduction in frequency should be considered in the design of cantilevered structures in order to avoid excessive vibrations that could cause discomfort for the occupants or difficulty operating equipment and machinery.

Producción Científica, This research presents a novel approach to modeling fracture propagation using a discrete lattice element model with embedded strong discontinuities. The focus is on enhancing the linear elastic response within the model followed by propagation of fractures until total failure. To achieve this, a generalized beam lattice element with an embedded strong discontinuity based on the kinematics of a rigid-body spring model is formulated. The linear elastic regime is refined by correcting the stress tensor at nodes within the domain based on the internal forces present in lattice elements, which is achieved by introducing fictitious forces into the standard internal force vectors to predict the right elastic response of the model related to Poisson’s effect. Upon initiation of the first fractures, the procedure for the computation of the fictitious stress tensor is terminated, and the embedded strong discontinuities are activated in the lattice elements for obtaining an objective fracture and failure response. This transition ensures a shift from the elastic phase to the fracture propagation phase, enhancing the predictive capabilities in capturing the full fracture processes., Fundación Croata para la Ciencia - (project HRZZ-UIP-2020-02-6693), Gobierno de Croacia y Unión Europea, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) - (project KK.01.1.1.02.0027), Unión Europea, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)/10.13039/501100011033 - (project PID2022-140117NB-I00)

Steel is a widely used material in construction because of its availability, high strength-to-weight ratio, and recyclability. However, steel manufacturing consumes a lot of energy, and there is an increasing demand for more environmentally friendly building materials. Consequently, high-strength steel is becoming more popular as it reduces the mass of a structure. Although high-strength steel has been available for many years, its use in offshore topsides is limited due to stability and deflection issues. This research aimed to assess the feasibility of utilizing high-strength structural steel in offshore topsides, and investigated how the use of high-strength steel can be optimized in topside design. Two different screening tools were constructed to assess the feasibility of high-strength steel within an entire topside. It was concluded that the length of a particular beam can tell an engineer if it is worth further investigating the potential of high-strength steel, while columns showed potential in all cases. The methods were tested with a case study in which an topside was assessed for its feasibility of utilizing high-strength steel beams and columns. Only hot-rolled primary and secondary beams combined with the columns and bracings were considered for this topside. When S460M steel was used for strength-governing beams and seamless tubulars, in combination with S690Q steel for welded tubular columns, the highest benefits were found and a maximum steel weight reduction of 15% was found for the considered components. At the same time, the material costs were reduced by 10%, the welding costs by 13% and the embodied carbon savings equalled 14%. When comparing these results with the total topside steel weight, 5% of the topside steel weight was reduced by using a combination of S460 and S690 steels. It was concluded that high-strength steel is feasible for offshore topsides and is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, providing a promising a, Offshore and Dredging Engineering

A case study has been chosen to impart a better understanding of the sustainable multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach for the selection of sustainable construction materials described in Chapter 4. The timber–concrete composite (TCC) floor system is a competent floor system that can take full advantage of the mechanical properties of both concrete and timber. Designing sustainable TCC floors involves several conflicting design criteria that must be considered simultaneously. The case study demonstrates an MCDM approach for weighting and ranking alternative TCC floors at the design stage. To set the criteria weights, a short survey was conducted on technical and production managers at industrialized house-building companies in both the Swedish and European markets. According to the MCDM results, the TCC floor with a 7.3m span length belonging to comfort class A has the highest ranking and was chosen for the detail design stage as the results of the case study.

The offshore renewable energy market is rapidly growing, particularly in wind and solar sectors. The intermittent nature of these energy sources underscores the necessity for offshore energy storage solutions. Among the techniques being explored, Marine Pumped Hydro-Energy Storage (MPHES) emerges as a promising option. This innovative concept operates similarly to artificial lakes, where water is stored and released to generate electricity. In the MPHES system, a seabed-based reservoir is established, in which water flows, driving turbines to generate electricity. During periods of energy surplus, the system is charged by pumping water out of the reservoir..., Civil Engineering | Structural Engineering | Concrete Structures

This article presents a novel methodology to extract the bridge frequencies from the vibrations recorded on train-mounted sensors. Continuous wavelet transform is used to distinguish the bridge frequencies from the other peaks that are visible in the Fourier amplitude spectrum of the accelerations recorded on train bogies. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical case studies. For this, a detailed three-dimensional finite element model that can capture the vibration characteristics of the bridge, track, and train is created, and each component of the model is separately validated. The train model used is a three-dimensional multi-degree-of-freedom system that can simulate the pitching and rolling behavior. The train was then virtually driven over the bridge at different speeds and under varying track irregularities to evaluate the robustness of the proposed method in extracting bridge frequencies from train-mounted sensors under different conditions. The proposed methodology is shown to be capable of identifying bridge modal frequencies even for aggressive track irregularity profiles and relatively high speeds of trains., Peer Reviewed, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i Infraestructura, Postprint (published version)

En aquesta investigació s'avalua l'eficiència de diferents sistemes estructurals utilitzats en edificis de gran altura davant de l'acció de sol·licitacions horitzontals. L'anàlisi es va efectuar comparant la resposta estructural en paràmetres de rigidesa lateral i resistència, a més de paràmetres no estructurals com són els costos, els criteris arquitectònics i els factors mediambientals. Amb aquest propòsit s'han establert 3 alçades de control fixades en 25 pisos, 40 pisos i 60 pisos, adequant l'anàlisi a les tipologies habituals a cadascuna. L'anàlisi es realitza comparant models estructurals parametritzats, mantenint constants les seves dimensions en funció d'una esveltesa entre 4 i 5. Els models hauran de satisfer els límits de desplaçaments, derives, períodes fonamentals, acceleració màxima a pisos i aprofitament de les seccions. Això en funció dels criteris recopilats de l'Euro Codi, Normativa Espanyola, Normativa dels Estats Units, comitès de recerca (PEER, TBI i FIB) i bibliografia especialitzada. Amb els models estructurals optimitzats s'avaluen els costos de construcció, els factors mediambientals i els paràmetres arquitectònics. Els resultats obtinguts són comparats entre els models que pertanyen a un mateix grup, assignant puntuacions en funció de la condició més favorable. S'utilitzen els resultats individuals de cada criteri juntament amb resultats agrupats en 7 categories que són arquitectura, resposta estructural, resposta a sol·licitacions del vent, resposta a sol·licitacions del sisme, aprofitament de seccions, factors mediambientals i costos; Amb què s'analitza els avantatges i els desavantatges de cada cas., En la presente investigación se evalúa la eficiencia de distintos sistemas estructurales utilizados en edificios de gran altura ante la acción de solicitaciones horizontales. El análisis se efectuó comparando la respuesta estructural en parámetros de rigidez lateral y resistencia, además de parámetros no estructurales como son los costos, criterios arquitectónicos y factores medio ambientales. Con este propósito se han establecido 3 alturas de control fijadas en 25 pisos, 40 pisos y 60 pisos, adecuando el análisis a las tipologías habituales a cada una de ellas. El análisis se realiza comparando modelos estructurales parametrizados, manteniendo constantes sus dimensiones en función a una esbeltez entre 4 y 5. Los modelos tendrán que satisfacer los límites de desplazamientos, derivas, periodos fundamentales, aceleración máxima en pisos y aprovechamiento de las secciones. Esto en función a los criterios recopilados del Euro Código, Normativa Española, Normativa de Estados Unidos, comités de investigación (PEER, TBI y FIB) y bibliografía especializada. Con los modelos estructurales optimizados se evalúan los costos de construcción, factores medio ambientales y parámetros arquitectónicos. Los resultados obtenidos son comparados entre los modelos que pertenecen a un mismo grupo, asignando puntajes en función a la condición más favorable. Se utilizan los resultados individuales de cada criterio junto con resultados agrupados en 7 categorías que son arquitectura, respuesta estructural, respuesta a solicitaciones del viento, respuesta a solicitaciones del sismo, aprovechamiento de secciones, factores medio ambientales y costos; Con los que se analiza las ventajas y desventajas de cada caso., In the present investigation, the efficiency of different structural systems used in high-rise buildings under the action of horizontal efforts is evaluated. The analysis was carried out by comparing the structural response in parameters of lateral stiffness and resistance, in addition to non-structural parameters such as costs, architectural criteria, and environmental factors. For this purpose, 3 control heights have been established, set at 25 floors, 40 floors, and 60 floors, adapting the analysis to the usual typologies for each of them. The analysis is developed by comparing parameterized structural models, keeping their dimensions constant based on slenderness between 4 and 5. The models will have to satisfy the limits of displacements, drifts, fundamental periods, maximum acceleration in stories, and the capacity ratio of sections. This is based on the criteria compiled from the Euro Code, Spanish Regulations, United States Regulations, investigation committees (PEER, TBI, and FIB), and specialized bibliography. With the optimized structural models, construction costs, environmental factors, and architectural parameters are evaluated. The results obtained are compared between the models that belong to the same group, assigning scores based on the most favorable condition. The individual effects of each criterion are used together with results grouped into 7 categories that are architecture, structural response, response to wind solicitations, response to seismic solicitations, the capacity ratio of sections, environmental factors, and costs; With which the advantages and disadvantages of each case are analyzed.

Mitjançant un model de tridimensional de convecció tèrmica basat en dues carcasses esfèriques en rotació, sota l’efecte de la gravetat, baix número de Prandtl, variacions en el número de Rayleigh i considerant les simplificacions físiques del fluid degudes a una aproximació de Boussinesq, s’extreuen dades generades per simulacions amb el llenguatge de programació Fortran. Posteriorment i amb l’ajuda del programa pySPOD de Python, es realitza una descomposició ortogonal per extreure les estructures coherents o modes existents a dins de dades de flux corresponents a la temperatura en una malla tridimensional de longituds, latituds i radis en diferents temps d’observació, aquesta informació s’analitza mitjançant snapshots en els diferents valors del número adimensional de Rayleigh. Gràcies a aquestes captures es poden analitzar i predir fenòmens geofísics i astrofísics tals com el comportament dels fluids presents a l'atmosfera o al nucli extern de la Terra, aquestes eines també poden ser emprades en àmbits tan diversos com els de l’economia. Tot i que el treball es centra en un anàlisi del tipus espectral i ortogonal SPOD, es presentaran altres alternatives i es compararà amb mètodes com el POD o el DMD, també es definiran amb detall altres maneres d’extracció de les estructures coherents com, per exemple, el SVD., Mediante un modelo de tridimensional de convección térmica basado en dos carcasas esféricas en rotación, bajo el efecto de la gravedad, bajo número de Prandtl, variaciones en el número de Rayleigh y considerando las simplificaciones físicas del fluido debidas a una aproximación de Boussinesq, se extraen datos generados por simulaciones con el lenguaje de programación Fortran. Posteriormente y con la ayuda del programa pySPOD de Python, se realiza una descomposición ortogonal para extraer las estructuras coherentes o modos existentes dentro de datos de flujo correspondientes a la temperatura en una malla tridimensional de longitudes, latitudes y radios en diferentes tiempos de observación, esta información se analiza mediante snapshots en los diferentes valores del número adimensional de Rayleigh. Gracias a estas capturas se pueden analizar y predecir fenómenos geofísicos y astrofísicos tales como el comportamiento de los fluidos presentes en la atmósfera o en el núcleo externo de la Tierra, estas herramientas también pueden ser empleadas en ámbitos tan diversos como los de la economía. Aunque el trabajo se centra en un análisis del tipo espectral y ortogonal SPOD, se presentarán otras alternativas y se comparará con métodos como el POD o el DMD, también se definirán con detalle otros modos de extracción de las estructuras coherentes como, por ejemplo, el SVD., By means of a three-dimensional model of thermal convection based on two spherical shells in rotation, under the effect of gravity, low Prandtl number, variations in the Rayleigh number and considering the physical simplifications of the fluid due to a Boussinesq approximation, data generated by simulations are extracted with the Fortran programming language. Subsequently and with the help of the Python pySPOD program, an orthogonal decomposition is performed to extract the coherent structures or existing modes within flow data corresponding to temperature in a three-dimensional mesh of longitudes, latitudes and radii at different observation times, this information is analyzed by snapshots in the different values of the dimensionless Rayleigh number. Thanks to these captures, geophysical and astrophysical phenomena such as the behavior of fluids present in the atmosphere or the Earth's outer core can be analyzed and predicted, these tools can also be used in areas as diverse as those of economics. Although the work focuses on an analysis of the spectral and orthogonal type SPOD, other alternatives will be presented and compared with methods such as POD or DMD, other modes of extraction of coherent structures such as SVD will also be defined in detail.

Field failures of wind turbine main bearings cause unwanted downtime and significant maintenance costs. Currently, this industry seeks to increase its reliability, for which condition monitoring and predictive maintenance systems have been adopted. In most industrial wind farms, the integrated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system provides data that is stored averaged every 10 minutes that can be used to quantify the health of a wind turbine (WT). This research presents a framework for the analysis of data collected from the SCADA system of an operating wind farm, aiming to early detect the main bearing failure using a Long-Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network. For prediction, SCADA variables of the temperature of turbine components near the main bearing, rotor speed, ambient temperature, and generated power are taken into account. The results show that the proposed methodology can detect the target failure up to 4 months in advance of the fatal breakdown. The results obtained confirm the applicability of the proposed model in real scenarios that can help the operator with enough time to make more informed maintenance decisions., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

The Specifications for Aluminum Structures (2020) provides the standards that structural engineers follow for aluminum design. Included in these specifications are limit state equations that use strength properties to calculate a member’s initial yield, full yield, and rupture values. One limit state that the standards currently neglect is the torsional failure of solid bars. Torsion is the act of rotation caused by a twisting force, otherwise known as torque. Future installments of the specifications hope to include torsional yielding and rupture equations, so this study investigates the validity of these proposed equations. Two different aluminum alloys were investigated for this research: 6061-T6 and 5052-H32. Both alloys are common structural material. In order to employ the proposed limit state equations, these alloys underwent torsion and tension testing. The results of the tension tests are displayed first, followed by the results of the torsion tests. Furthermore, each section divides the results according to the alloy of interest. The experimental strength properties determined from tension testing and the strength properties listed in the specifications were used to evaluate the torsional limit states. The yielding predictions, initial and full, were plotted with the torsion results in order to assess the legitimacy of the equations. The rupture predictions used table comparisons to assess the accuracy of the equations. Statistical analyses were conducted on the results to support the experimental findings. The results of both alloys confirmed that the proposed limit state equations for torsion are accurate. However, concerns were raised because the Specifications for Aluminum Structures appeared to overestimate the strength properties of the 5052-H32 alloy. Therefore, it was concluded that the equations are accurate, but the yield and ultimate strength values listed in the Aluminum Design Manual (2020) require further investigation. Recommendations for fu

Introducing the Aquatics & Recreation Center (ARC) in Stanton, CA* - a cutting-edge project spanning 17,000 square feet that responds to the needs of the community and reflects their culture. This impressive facility boasts a range of amenities, including a double pool rooftop deck and an intervarsity gym at ground level. What's more, the ARC is constructed atop a subterranean parking garage, designed to accommodate foundation loads with ease. The ARC's stunning interior is designed around an atrium layout providing panoramic views of the gym floor from offices and activity rooms at intermediate levels between the rooftop deck and gym floor. The Olympic-sized and recreational pools are located above a column-free atrium, supported by a state-of-the-art mega-truss system that ensures optimal stability and safety of the ARC's patrons. At the hear of the ARC's design is a deep understanding of the community it serves. The facility has been thoughtfully crafted to reflect the culture and unique needs of Stanton residents, providing a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just looking to try something new, the ARC has something for you.

Una Estructura Recíproca (ER) és un sistema constructiu on els elements estructurals es recolzen mútuament, formant un circuit de forces tancat. Aquestes estructures són una opció innovadora i sostenible per a la construcció d'edificis que combina la funcionalitat amb la bellesa i el disseny. En aquest treball s'estudien dues estructures recíproques de fusta de circuit tancat: l’Exhibition Hall del Bunraku Puppet Theatre, dissenyada per Kazuhiro Ishii, i la Deborah Gunn Residence, concebuda per Fred Oesch. Aquesta anàlisi comparativa s'enfoca en aspectes essencials que defineixen la singularitat i funcionalitat de cada estructura, a partir de l’estudi de la sostenibilitat, el procés constructiu i el comportament estructural de cadascuna. Per fer-ho, es duu a terme una extensa recerca bibliogràfica, un redibuixat per la comprensió tècnica amb AutoCAD, un modelatge 3D amb SketchUp i un càlcul estructural amb CYPE 3D. En examinar aquests elements, es revela que ambdós arquitectes van prestar atenció a la sostenibilitat, utilitzant materials i mà d'obra locals i implementant mètodes innovadors per generar i utilitzar energia. Les característiques tècniques del procés constructiu van ser diferents en cada cas: Kazuhiro Ishii va emprar una estructura més densa i articulada, mentre que Fred Oesch va optar per una estructura més senzilla. Finalment, es demostra que els diàmetres dels polígons interiors i exteriors i la inclinació de les bigues principals influeixen en la distribució de les càrregues. Les diferencies entre el comportament estructural de cada projecte han estat mínimes, posicionant l’obra d’Oesch com a estructura recíproca més optimitzada. Es conclou que tots dos projectes van utilitzar amb eficiència els elements estructurals de les estructures recíproques, seguint la seva filosofia arquitectònica., Una Estructura Recíproca (ER) es un sistema constructivo donde los elementos estructurales se apoyan mutuamente, formando un circuito de fuerzas cerrado. Estas estructuras son una opción innovadora y sostenible para la construcción de edificios que combina la funcionalidad con la belleza y el diseño. En este trabajo se estudian dos estructuras recíprocas de madera de circuito cerrado: el Exhibition Hall del Bunraku Puppet Theatre, diseñada por Kazuhiro Ishii, y la Deborah Gunn Residence, concebida por Fred Oesch. Este análisis comparativo se enfoca en aspectos esenciales que definen la singularidad y funcionalidad de cada estructura, a partir del estudio de la sostenibilidad, el proceso constructivo y el comportamiento estructural de cada una. Para hacerlo, se lleva a cabo una extensa investigación bibliográfica, un redibujado por la comprensión técnica con AutoCAD, un modelado 3D con SketchUp y un cálculo estructural con CYPE 3D. Al examinar estos elementos, se revela que ambos arquitectos prestaron atención a la sostenibilidad, utilizando materiales y mano de obra locales e implementando métodos innovadores para generar y utilizar energía. Las características técnicas del proceso constructivo fueron diferentes en cada caso: Kazuhiro Ishii empleó una estructura más densa y articulada, mientras que Fred Oesch optó por una estructura más sencilla. Finalmente, se demuestra que los diámetros de los polígonos interiores y exteriores y la inclinación de las vigas principales influyen en la distribución de las cargas. Las diferencias entre el comportamiento estructural de cada proyecto han sido mínimas, posicionando la obra de Oesch como estructura recíproca más optimizada. Se concluye que ambos proyectos utilizaron con eficiencia los elementos estructurales de las estructuras recíprocas, siguiendo su filosofía arquitectónica., A reciprocal frame (ER) is a construction system in which the structural elements mutually support each other, forming a closed circuit of forces. These structures are an innovative and sustainable option for building construction that combines functionality with beauty and design. This paper focuses on the comparative study of two closed circuit reciprocal wooden structures: the Exhibition Hall of the Bunraku Puppet Theatre, designed by Kazuhiro Ishii, and the Deborah Gunn Residence, conceived by Fred Oesch. This comparative analysis examines essential aspects that define the singularity and functionality of each structure, based on sustainability, the construction process, and the structural behavior of each. To do this, extensive bibliographic research is carried out, along with technical comprehension through AutoCAD redrawing, 3D modeling with SketchUp, and structural calculation with CYPE 3D. By examining these elements, it is revealed that both architects paid attention to sustainability, using local materials and labor and implementing innovative methods to generate and use energy. The technical characteristics of the construction process were different in each case: Kazuhiro Ishii used a more dense and articulated structure, while Fred Oesch opted for a simpler structure. Finally, it is demonstrated that the diameters of the interior and exterior polygons and the inclination of the main beams influence the distribution of loads. The differences between the structural behavior of each project were minimal, positioning Oesch's work as the most optimized reciprocal structure. It is concluded that both projects efficiently used the structural elements of reciprocal structures, following their architectural philosophy.

The Specifications for Aluminum Structures (2020) provides the standards that structural engineers follow for aluminum design. Included in these specifications are limit state equations that use strength properties to calculate a member’s initial yield, full yield, and rupture values. One limit state that the standards currently neglect is the torsional failure of solid bars. Torsion is the act of rotation caused by a twisting force, otherwise known as torque. Future installments of the specifications hope to include torsional yielding and rupture equations, so this study investigates the validity of these proposed equations. Two different aluminum alloys were investigated for this research: 6061-T6 and 5052-H32. Both alloys are common structural material. In order to employ the proposed limit state equations, these alloys underwent torsion and tension testing. The results of the tension tests are displayed first, followed by the results of the torsion tests. Furthermore, each section divides the results according to the alloy of interest. The experimental strength properties determined from tension testing and the strength properties listed in the specifications were used to evaluate the torsional limit states. The yielding predictions, initial and full, were plotted with the torsion results in order to assess the legitimacy of the equations. The rupture predictions used table comparisons to assess the accuracy of the equations. Statistical analyses were conducted on the results to support the experimental findings. The results of both alloys confirmed that the proposed limit state equations for torsion are accurate. However, concerns were raised because the Specifications for Aluminum Structures appeared to overestimate the strength properties of the 5052-H32 alloy. Therefore, it was concluded that the equations are accurate, but the yield and ultimate strength values listed in the Aluminum Design Manual (2020) require further investigation. Recommendations for fu

In recent years, digital manufacturing techniques in the architecture and construction industry have rapidly gained attention, especially with 3D printing, also called additive manufacturing. The use of cement has been common in modern construction and is now being explored for 3D printing. However, due to cement's contribution to approximately 7 percent of global carbon emissions and its high cost, research on sustainable and greener materials has gained attention. Previous studies on alternative construction have examined the mechanical and rheological properties of soil mixes, but not much attention has been given to printability evaluation, shrinkage, and cracking, which can affect the serviceability of 3D-printed components in the long term. This thesis focuses on studying the mix-design of earthen material to address some of the issues concerning printability, shrinkage, and mechanical properties. Firstly, the collected soil from six different locations in Albuquerque was characterized according to Atterberg’s limit (plasticity tests), and the most suitable soil with a high level of clay content was selected. The amount and type of clay were determined by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) for the specific soil, which passed the preliminary tests. It was found that the soil was rich in silica and aluminum oxide (63% of SiO2 and 15.5% of Al2O3) with the clay minerals kaolinite, nontronite, and Illite. Other than soil, the designed earthen mixes include locally available materials in New Mexico, such as natural stabilizers (i.e., hydraulic lime), natural pozzolana (Tephra Natural pozzolana), biological waste and degradable natural fibers( wheat straw fiber) to achieve carbon-zero construction. Thus, the rheological characteristics (i.e., viscosity, yield stress, and flow table test), hardened properties (i.e., shrinkage, compressive strength, and flexural strength), and printability assessment (i

One of the critical factors in the development of additive manufacturing in the construction industry is designing suitable materials for 3D printing applications. 3D concrete printing (3DCP) has gained significant attention due to the abundance and availability of concrete. However, concrete is a brittle material and, without proper reinforcement, cannot meet the requirements for structural purposes. Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC), known for high ductility, and strain-hardening with low fiber contents, can potentially eliminate the need for steel reinforcement in 3D printing without any need for manual placement of reinforcement. A set of systematic tests on ECC mix designs' fresh and hardened properties was conducted to achieve the desirable ECC for 3DCP applications. In the preliminary stage, the cement was replaced with various contents of fly ash, slag, and silica fume, in two replacement levels, 50%, and 75%. The compressive, flow table, and setting time tests were conducted to evaluate the v primary mix designs. In the fresh state, the flow table test was set in a constant range of 18-20 cm to ensure the flowability of mixes.

A new utilization of entropy in the context of buckling is presented. The novel concept of connecting the strain energy and entropy for a pin-ended strut is derived. The entropy of the buckling mode is extracted through a surrogate model by decomposing the strain energy into entropy and virtual temperature. This concept rationalizes the ranking of buckling modes based on their strain energy under the assumption of given entropy. By assigning identical entropy to all buckling modes, they can be ranked according to their deformation energy. Conversely, with identical strain energy assigned to all the modes, ranking according to entropy is possible. Decreasing entropy was found to represent the scaling factors of the buckling modes that coincide with the measurement of the initial out-of-straightness imperfections in IPE160 beams. Applied to steel plane frames, scaled buckling modes can be used to model initial imperfections. It is demonstrated that the entropy (scale factor) for a given energy roughly decreases with the inverse square of the mode index. For practical engineering, this study presents the possibility of using scaled buckling modes of steel plane frames to model initial geometric imperfections. Entropy proves to be a valuable complement to strain energy in structural mechanics., Je představeno nové využití entropie v kontextu vzpěru. Je odvozen nový koncept spojení deformační energie a entropie pro vzpěru s kolíkovým koncem. Entropie režimu vzpěru je extrahována pomocí náhradního modelu rozkladem deformační energie na entropii a virtuální teplotu. Tento koncept racionalizuje řazení módů vzpěru na základě jejich deformační energie za předpokladu dané entropie. Přiřazením stejné entropie všem režimům vzpěru je lze seřadit podle jejich deformační energie. Naopak s identickou deformační energií přiřazenou všem módům je možné klasifikaci podle entropie. Bylo zjištěno, že klesající entropie představuje faktory měřítek režimů vzpěru, které se shodují s měřením počátečních imperfekcí mimo přímost u nosníků IPE160. Při aplikaci na ocelové rámy lze k modelování počátečních imperfekcí použít zmenšené režimy vzpěru. Je ukázáno, že entropie (měřítko) pro danou energii zhruba klesá s inverzní druhou mocninou indexu modu. Pro praktické inženýrství tato studie představuje možnost použití měřítek režimů vzpěru ocelových rovinných rámů k modelování počátečních geometrických imperfekcí. Entropie se ukazuje jako cenný doplněk deformační energie ve strukturální mechanice.

An analysis of trends in the interaction of elements of the Periodic Table was carried out and the results obtained were compared with a model material (namely with a TiN coating); predictions were made for structure formation in vacuum-arc nitride coatings and modeling of the properties of the final coating depending on the composition and deposition conditions This made it possible to explain changes in structural characteristics and mechanical properties in the presence of weaker and/or stronger nitride-forming elements in nitride coatings. Under all deposition conditions and different elemental compositions, single-phase crystalline coatings were obtained. The addition of Mo to the coating increases the lattice period of TiMoN. It was es-tablished that the high-entropy coatings (TiVZrNbHf)N and (TiVZrNbHfTa)N are single-phase with an fcc lattice. The high entropy of the system prevents the formation of intermetallic com-pounds. The coatings are polycrystalline with a crystallite size of 20-23 nm. It has been estab-lished that high-entropy coatings obtained at a nitrogen atmosphere pressure of 0.26 Pa and a constant bias potential of -200 V have the highest hardness value of 53-55 GPa. The theoretical model used to analyze the characteristics of high-entropy alloys and nitride coatings based on them has been confirmed experimentally., 10.15407/fm30.04.597

The Airborne Wind Energy industry is evolving rapidly, aiming to establish its position among the major players in the conventional renewable energy sector. Since this industry is relatively young, it faces various challenges with scaling and integration into society. One aspect that can be improved is the design process of soft-wing kites. The aim is to shift from design iterations based on experience-based hardware modifications and experimental testing to design iterations based on optimization strategies using computational simulations. For optimization-based design to be a feasible option, it requires computationally efficient underlying models. This report presents the results of thesis research that aimed to develop a fast and reasonably accurate framework for structural modeling of soft-wing kites and connected tethers. Deformation of leading-edge inflatable kites is essential for steering and controlling aerodynamic loads. Modeling of deformation is therefore indispensable, resulting in a highly non-linear fluid-structure interaction problem. Currently, a particle system model (PSM) is the preferred choice for modeling soft-wing kites because it can simulate deformations while converging faster than other methods. The existing PSM code in Java is outdated and the current academic preference has switched to developing in Python. This led to the central research question: “Can the PSM be implemented in Python, using a mix of Object-Oriented (OO) and non-OO programming techniques, to efficiently predict deformation?”. While a framework was implemented based on the original Java code, it was also investigated whether it is possible to modify the solution-finding method for the structural model to improve convergence times without loss of accuracy. The aeroelastic problem can be simplified into a series of form-finding problems by assuming a quasi-steady flow. Three main families of form-finding methodologies are presented that are capable, https://github.com/awegroup/Msc_Alexander_Batchelor Repository link PS framework repository, Aerospace Engineering

FRP is increasingly utilised in the built environment, following successful implementations in the aerospace and marine industry. However, it exhibits poor stiffness and stability compared to conventional materials such as steel, making it challenging to satisfy serviceability and comfort requirements. Optimising FRP to address these challenges will allow for lightweight solutions with long service lives which could contribute to a cost-efficient reduction of carbon footprint. To this end, an optimisation tool for the preliminary design of bridges using FRP is presented in this thesis report. The research explores the feasibility of adopting FRP in the main load-carrying system of pedestrian bridges and develops a framework for the concurrent geometry and material architectural optimisation of said structures. The study aims to achieve significant cost- and carbon footprint reductions in monocoque FRP bridges by employing a numerical optimisation approach. The optimisation tool utilizes the computer-aided geometric design (CAGD) software Rhino® and its parametric interface, Grasshopper®, to concurrently optimise the shape and material architecture of the bridges. Through the use of genetic algorithms, the framework overcomes FRP’s poor stiffness and stability, and maximizes its unique advantages, including lightweight and high-strength properties, enabling free-form designs. This feat is achieved by implementing hybrid sandwich panels, comprising glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) and carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) face sheets. Satisfactory stiffness is ensured by defining deflection constraints, whereas constraints on the fundamental frequency and critical buckling load factor ensure adequate stability. The research demonstrates promising results, showing potential cost reductions of up to 17% and carbon footprint reductions of up to 27.4% compared to a real case design carried out by FiReCo. However, certain limita, Civil Engineering | Structural Engineering

Aquest projecte neix a partir d’una proposta de millora del mètode del càlcul que s’utilitza actualment a l’empresa Adelte SLU, lloc on he realitzat les pràctiques curriculars de la universitat. L’objectiu principal és determinar si el càlcul actual és massa conservador, o per contra, no contempla altres casos més realistes però que poden donar resultats més restrictius. El treball s’ha dividit en dues parts ja que a part de l’estudi del càlcul de l’estructura, s’ha volgut també conèixer les opinions dels usuaris i s’han realitzat entrevistes per a veure si calia fer una millora en el disseny de la passarel·la aeroportuària estudiada. Finalment, al no rebre ninguna aportació d’interès en aquest aspecte, s’ha centrat el projecte en l’apartat del càlcul. Primerament, s’ha realitzat un estudi teòric sobre les passarel·les aeroportuàries per aprendre aspectes importants com les normatives, limitacions de les barres de l’estructura, les diferents tipologies de passarel·les que existeixen i un estudi de competència de les diferents empreses relacionades amb aquest sector. En quant al càlcul, s’ha hagut de fer un estudi i una preparació d’autoaprenentatge del programa de càlcul utilitzat, el Tricalc. En la realització del cas pràctic, s’ha realitzat un anàlisi detallat d’una de les passarel·les prèviament calculada per l'empresa, fet que ha permès comprendre tots els aspectes rellevants del disseny i càlcul de l'estructura. S’ha explicat pas a pas el procés dut a terme, des de l'anàlisi estructural fins al càlcul de càrregues per a obtenir els resultats finals. Posteriorment, s’ha fet un anàlisi de la mateixa passarel·la tenint en compte una modificació de l’arxiu de combinacions de càrregues. En aquest model de càlcul realitzat, no s’ha tingut en compte la càrrega del vent. Aquest fet, permetrà comparar els resultats i extreure'n conclusions importants sobre les modificacions proposades i el seu efecte sobre la capacitat del disseny estructural per suportar diferents càrr, Este proyecto nace a partir de una propuesta de mejora del método del cálculo que se utiliza actualmente en la empresa Adelte SLU, lugar en el que he realizado las prácticas curriculares de la universidad. El principal objetivo es determinar si el cálculo actual es demasiado conservador o, por el contrario, no contempla otros casos más realistas pero que pueden dar resultados más restrictivos. El trabajo se ha dividido en dos partes ya que aparte del estudio del cálculo de la estructura, se ha querido también conocer las opiniones de los usuarios y se han realizado entrevistas para ver si era necesario realizar una implementación de diseño en una pasarela aeroportuaria. Por último, al no recibir ninguna aportación de interés en este aspecto, se ha centrado el proyecto en el apartado del cálculo. En primer lugar, se ha realizado un estudio teórico sobre las pasarelas aeroportuarias para aprender aspectos importantes como las normativas, limitaciones de las barras de la estructura, las diferentes tipologías de pasarelas que existen y un estudio de competencia de las diferentes empresas relacionadas con este sector. En cuanto al cálculo, se ha tenido que realizar un estudio y una preparación de autoaprendizaje del programa de cálculo utilizado, el Tricalc. En la realización del caso práctico, se ha realizado un análisis detallado de una de las pasarelas previamente calculada por la empresa, lo que ha permitido comprender todos los aspectos relevantes del diseño y cálculo de la estructura. Se ha explicado paso a paso el proceso realizado, desde el análisis estructural hasta el cálculo de cargas para obtener los resultados finales. Posteriormente, se ha realizado un análisis de la misma pasarela teniendo en cuenta una modificación del archivo de combinaciones de cargas. En este modelo de cálculo realizado, no se ha tenido en cuenta la carga del viento. Este hecho permitirá comparar los resultados y extraer conclusiones importantes sobre las modificaciones propuestas y su, This project stems from a proposal to improve the calculation method currently used in the company Adelte SLU, where I did my university internship. The main objective is to determine whether the current calculation is too conservative or, on the contrary, does not take into account other more realistic cases that may give more restrictive results. The work has been divided into two parts since, apart from the study of the calculation of the structure, I also wanted to know the opinions of the users and interviews were carried out to see if it was necessary to carry out a design implementation in a passenger boarding bridge. Finally, as we did not receive any contributions of interest in this aspect, the project focused on the calculation section. Firstly, a theoretical study was carried out on passenger boarding bridges to learn about important aspects such as regulations, limitations of the structure's bars, the different types of walkways that exist and a study of the competence of the different companies related to this sector. In terms of calculation, a study and self-learning preparation of the calculation programme used, Tricalc, had to be carried out. In the practical case, a detailed analysis of one of the passenger boarding bri previously calculated by the company was carried out, which allowed all the relevant aspects of the design and calculation of the structure to be understood. The process was explained step by step, from the structural analysis to the calculation of loads to obtain the final results. Subsequently, an analysis of the same footbridge has been carried out, taking into account a modification of the load combination file. In this calculation model, the wind load has not been taken into account. This will make it possible to compare the results and draw important conclusions about the proposed modifications and their effect on the capacity of the structural design to withstand different loads and situations of use. Finally, the conclusions

El present projecte està dividit en dues parts, una part teòrica i una part pràctica. La part teòrica comença per descriure el marc teòric on es posarà en context l’estat actual de la indústria així com els beneficis i inconvenients que suposa. Seguidament s’endinsa dins la Indústria 4.0 i en les tecnologies i processos que aquesta aporta, donant especial èmfasi a aquelles que seran utilitzades al llarg del projecte per tal de poder entendre el seu funcionament. Un altre aspecte rellevant que queda descrit dins d’aquesta primera part és l’anàlisi d’estructures, aquest conté els punts bàsics necessaris per adoptar els coneixementssense els quals no seria possible comprendre els resultats obtinguts. A la part pràctica s’ha exposat el procediment emprat detalladament, començant per la descripció de l’estructura que es troba al laboratori, exposant a continuació tots els programes utilitzats i acabant amb l’exposició del model virtual creat. Per tal d’aconseguir una comprensió més fàcil i visual durant el transcurs d’aquest projecte s’han adjuntat una gran quantitat de figures. Per últim s’ha realitzat una comparació dels resultats obtinguts de cadascuna de les estructures estudiades que han permès extreure’n una sèrie de conclusions que posen punt i final al present informe., El presente proyecto está dividido en dos partes, una parte teórica y una parte práctica. La parte teórica comienza por describir el marco teórico donde se pondrá en contexto el estado actual de la industria, así como los beneficios e inconvenientes que supone. Seguidamente se profundiza dentro de la industria 4.0 y en las tecnologías y procesos que aporta, dando especial énfasis en aquellas que serán utilizadas a lo largo del proyecto para poder entender su funcionamiento. Otro aspecto relevante que queda descrito en la primera parte, es el análisis de las estructuras, este contiene los puntos básicos necesarios para alcanzar los conocimientos, sin los cuales no sería posible entender los resultados obtenidos. En la parte práctica se ha expuesto el procedimiento utilizado detalladamente, empezando por la descripción de la estructura que se encuentra en el laboratorio, indicando a continuación todos los programas utilizados y acabando con la exposición del modelo virtual creado. Para conseguir una comprensión más fácil y visual en el transcurso de este proyecto se han adjuntado un gran número de figuras. Por último,se ha realizado una comparación de los resultados obtenidos de cada una de las estructuras estudiadas que nos han permitido obtener una serie de conclusiones que ponen punto y final al presente informe., The present project is divided into two parts, a theoretical part and a practical part. The theoretical part begins by describing the theoretical framework where the current state of the industry will be put into context, as well as the benefits and drawbacks it entails. It then goes into Industry 4.0 and the technologies and processes it provides, focusing specially in those that will be used throughout the project in order to understand how it works. Another relevant aspect that is described in this first part is the analysis of structures that contains the bases necessary to achieve the knowledge without which it would not be possible to understand the results obtained. In the practical part, the procedure used has been described in detail, starting with the description of the structure of the laboratory, then showing all the programs used and ending with the presentation of the virtual model created. or an easier and more visual understanding in the course of this project, a large number of figures have been attached. Finally, comparison of the results obtained for each of the structures studied has been carried out, which has allowed to reach a series of conclusions that bring this report to a close.

In this work-in-progress, we explore the use of prompt engineering and image generation to elicit student understanding of different concepts discussed in structural engineering courses. In the context of image generation, prompt engineering refers to the process of providing a text or image prompt to a machine learning model to generate an image that meets certain criteria. The quality of the prompt can significantly impact the quality of the generated image. Hence, prompt engineering is an important part of the image generation process. By providing a well-crafted prompt that accurately describes the desired image, the generative model will more likely produce an image that meets the desired criteria. In the context of this study, students created prompts that were converted into images using Text-to-image Generative Models. When adequately prompted, these images are meant to visually describe their understanding of the concepts we have discussed during traditional lectures. The participants were presented with their own image as well as others’ images to elicit both agreements or concerns at two levels: their understanding of the concepts and their understanding of the importance of prompting in the foreseeable future of AI-based systems. Hitherto, we have tried to use the generation of images using natural language for answering these research questions: i) for students, to which extent the crafting prompts may elicit thinking about the structural engineering phenomena? and ii) for instructors, to which extent these represent the level of understanding of the students on these topics?, The First Author acknowledges the financial support provided by 2021 SGR 01163 and the Technical University of Catalonia with the grant AGRUPS., Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::4 - Educació de Qualitat, Postprint (published version)

The global focus on climate change and the transition away from fossil fuels has highlighted the importance of renewable energy sources. Offshore wind turbines are being optimized and are therefore growing in size and power. This research focuses on bolted ring-flange connections, a connection type that plays a crucial role in the design of offshore wind turbines, as they transfer the external force between parts of a turbine. The objective of this thesis is to analyze how the increasing dimensions from current to future offshore wind turbines and geometric imperfections impact the reliability of analytical approaches for load transfer functions (LTFs) for these connections. Two components of this objective are considered: examining the influence of different dimensions of ring-flange connections and analyzing the impact of various gaps between flanges on LTFs for 'current generation' and 'next generation' turbines. Analytical calculations are compared to results obtained with finite element analyses, which are assumed to represent an actual connection. Based on the research findings, the following conclusions are made. Firstly, the widely used tri-linear approach by Schmidt/Neuper [18] for obtaining the LTF in bolted ring-flange connections is found to be unreliable for current and future turbine sizes. This method highly underestimates the forces in the bolts when initial gaps are present between the flanges. Calculations performed with this approach could lead to an overestimation of the turbine's lifetime compared to reality by multiple years, possibly causing more maintenance or early failure. Alternative approaches, such as a very new and not yet approved polynomial approach, show reliable results, providing accurate estimations of bolt forces for large connection diameters. Additionally, currently verified tolerances for gaps between flanges (1 mm over 30° and 2 mm over entire circumference) are outdated, and larger gap heights or smaller g, Civil Engineering | Structural Engineering

Internal design reviews serve as a major quality control measure in structural engineering firms. The process differs among firms and may be formal (documented) or informal (undocumented). The motivation of this project was to understand the design review process as it typically exists in structural engineering firms. Topics included the review process, time spent on review, common errors caught during reviews, and improvements suggested by study participants. Interviews were performed with 22 individuals from 16 structural engineering firms across the country. The study concluded that approximately 70% of firms have a formal internal design review process. A baseline process was established to occur before each submission to a client while each firm added their own unique practices to the process. Some practices, such as process scalability and the inclusion of design charrettes were mentioned by employees of multiple firms. Firms completing building design typically spent 5% of project hours on design review, however most employee suggestions related to expanding the time allowed for review or using it more efficiently. These factors alone cannot be used to indicate the quality of a design review, but the results of this paper may inform on different design review practices across the industry and aid firms in evaluating and improving their individual processes.

The condition monitoring of offshore wind power plants is an important topic that remains open. This monitoring search to lower the maintenance cost of these plants. One of the main components of the wind power plant is the wind turbine foundation. This study describes a data driven structural damage classification methodology applied in a wind turbine foundation. A vibration-response was captured in the structure using an accelerometer network. After arranged the obtained data, a feature vector of 58, 008 features was obtained. An ensemble approach of feature extraction methods was applied to obtain a new set of features. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Laplacian eigenmaps were used as dimensionality reduction methods, each one separately. The union of these new features is used to create a reduced feature matrix. The reduced feature matrix is used as input to train an Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) machine learning-based classification model. Four different damage scenarios were applied in the structure. Therefore, considering the healthy structure, there were 5 classes in total that were correctly classified. Five-fold cross validation is used to obtain a final classification accuracy. As a result, 100% of classification accuracy was obtained after applying the developed damage classification methodology in a wind-turbine offshore jacket-type foundation benchmark structure., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (author's final draft)

This thesis studies the vibration pattern synthesis in structures using the Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) method. This numerical model is used for one degree of freedom, to know the axial response, according to x. Firstly the effectiveness of the DMD method is evaluated and give good results to reconstruct the signal, applying to initial conditions of the structure's vibration to extract the shape and temporal characteristics of the DMD modes, which were then used to synthesize the desired vibration pattern in the structure. Next, QR factorization is used in order to find sensor placement. Results showed that the DMD method, combined with QR factorization, can effectively synthesize the desired vibration pattern in structures. However, conditions about spacing of the sensors is necessary to optimize the interpolation. Regarding further research, it’s needed to study the method's limitations and potential application in more complex systems or when dealing with high-frequency data., Incoming

A reinforced carbon composite can include a carbon sub­strate and a metal organic framework bonded to the carbon substrate. For example, a reinforced carbon composite can include a first layer, a second layer, and a resin adhered to the first layer and the second layer. The first layer can include a carbon substrate and a metal organic framework bonded to the carbon substrate. The second layer can include a carbon substrate and a metal organic framework bonded to the carbon substrate.

This book provides guidance on the design of timber buildings for fire safety, developed within the global network Fire Safe Use of Wood (FSUW) and with reference to Eurocode 5 and other international codes. It introduces the behaviour of fires in timber buildings and describes strategies for providing safety if unwanted fires occur. It provides guidance on building design to prevent any fires from spreading while maintaining the load-bearing capacity of structural timber elements, connections and compartmentation. Also included is information on the reaction-to-fire of wood products according to different classification systems, as well as active measures of fire protection, and quality of workmanship and inspection as means of fulfilling fire safety objectives. Presents global guidance on fire safety in timber buildings Provides a wide perspective, covering the whole field of fire safety design Uses the latest scientific knowledge, based on recent analytical and experimental research results Gives practical examples illustrating the importance of good detailing in building design Fire Safe Use of Wood in Buildings is ideal for all involved in the fire safety of buildings, including architects, engineers, firefighters, educators, regulatory authorities, insurance companies and professionals in the building industry.

October 17, 2022 presentation on historic and contemporary U.S. Army Corps of Engineers information resources. These resources cover subjects such as dredging, navigation, exploration, history, military construction, the environmental impact of Army Corps projects, waterborne commerce, and many other topics.

The usage of fiber-reinforced polymer composites in various fields has increased significantly due to their advantageous physical and mechanical properties. However, the sustainability of composite parts has not been fully solved for a long time. Most end-of-life (EOL) composite parts have been landfilled without recycling due to the recycling cost and lack of application of recycled composites. Mechanical composite recycling that shred the EOL composite part and reuse it for downgraded applications is one of the most commonly used recycling processes for the EOL composite part. In this research, mechanical composite recycling process was demonstrated for the construction application. The recycled carbon fiber reinforced composite part was mixed with cement and its mechanical properties were investigated. The size of the recycled composite additives was 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm. The flexural test specimens with different surface treated recycled composite additives and different additive contents were fabricated and tested.

Acoustic emission (AE) technology is used to monitor the whole process of reinforced concrete rust expanding and cracking, and the accuracy of AE technology to distinguish the location and type of cracks in concrete rust expanding and cracking is studied and verified. The results show that the protective layer is accompanied by a large number of acoustic emission signals in the process of rust expansion and cracking, Moment tensor inversion can more accurately identify crack sources such as shear source, tensile source and mixed source; In the process of corrosion-induced expansion cracking, shear source cracks appear before tensile source cracks and mixed source cracks. It is feasible to use acoustic emission technology to locate and identify cracks.

October 17, 2022 presentation on historic and contemporary U.S. Army Corps of Engineers information resources. These resources cover subjects such as dredging, navigation, exploration, history, military construction, the environmental impact of Army Corps projects, waterborne commerce, and many other topics.

[ES] El presente proyecto se centra en la construcción en madera de un refugio de alta montaña a una cota de 1800 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Se sitúa en el canal Roya, dentro del término municipal de Canfranc estación (Huesca). El refugio prestará servicio a toda la comunidad de usuarios de la montaña, centrándose en los alpinistas, debido a las condiciones extremas en que se practica esta modalidad y, de este modo, poder dotar el área de un lugar seguro y de descanso. La construcción con un material sostenible como la madera maciza se compone de un cobertizo cerrado de una sola planta, que presenta una forma rectangular con una anchura de 25 metros y una luz de 9 m (presentando una superficie de 225 m²). La cubierta está formada por dos aguas simétricas con una pendiente de 30 grados. La altura de la fachada es de 2,25 metros con una altura de coronación de 4,85 metros. Toda la estructura de la cubierta está construida en madera maciza de Pinus sylvestris, clase resistente C27 y se apoya sobre unos pilares de sección rectangular del mismo material. Se realiza el dimensionado resistente según las normativas de obligado cumplimiento (DB SE-A y DB SE-M). El proyecto está formado por cuatro documentos: la memoria, que se complementa y detalla cada uno de los aspectos de diseño en sus en respectivos anejos; cálculo y dimensionado de la estructura en madera, las cimentaciones, la instalación eléctrica, el saneamiento y la red de agua potable; los planos, el pliego de condiciones y el presupuesto., [EN] This project focuses on the timber construction of a high mountain refuge at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level. It is located on the Roya canal, within the municipality of Canfranc station (Huesca). The refuge will serve the entire community of alpine users, focusing on mountaineers, due to the extreme conditions in which this sport is practiced; to be able to provide the area with a safe rest place. The construction, with a sustainable material such as solid wood, is composed of a closed shed of a single rectangular floor; with a length of 25 meters and a width of 9 m (an area of 225 m²). The cabin has a gable roof with a 30-degree pitch. The height of the façade is 2.25 meters and with a crowning height of 4.85 meters. The entire roof structure is constructed of solid wood of Pinus sylvestris, sturdy class C27 wood and rests on rectangular section pillars of the same material. The dimensions will be made to comply with existing regulatory standards (DB SE-A and DB SE-M). The project consists of four documents: the report, which complements and details each of the design aspects in their respective annexes; calculation and dimensioning of the wooden structure, the foundations, the electrical installation, the sanitation and the drinking water network; the plans, the specifications and the budget.

[ES] El presente proyecto se centra en la construcción en madera de un refugio de alta montaña a una cota de 1800 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Se sitúa en el canal Roya, dentro del término municipal de Canfranc estación (Huesca). El refugio prestará servicio a toda la comunidad de usuarios de la montaña, centrándose en los alpinistas, debido a las condiciones extremas en que se practica esta modalidad y, de este modo, poder dotar el área de un lugar seguro y de descanso. La construcción con un material sostenible como la madera maciza se compone de un cobertizo cerrado de una sola planta, que presenta una forma rectangular con una anchura de 25 metros y una luz de 9 m (presentando una superficie de 225 m²). La cubierta está formada por dos aguas simétricas con una pendiente de 30 grados. La altura de la fachada es de 2,25 metros con una altura de coronación de 4,85 metros. Toda la estructura de la cubierta está construida en madera maciza de Pinus sylvestris, clase resistente C27 y se apoya sobre unos pilares de sección rectangular del mismo material. Se realiza el dimensionado resistente según las normativas de obligado cumplimiento (DB SE-A y DB SE-M). El proyecto está formado por cuatro documentos: la memoria, que se complementa y detalla cada uno de los aspectos de diseño en sus en respectivos anejos; cálculo y dimensionado de la estructura en madera, las cimentaciones, la instalación eléctrica, el saneamiento y la red de agua potable; los planos, el pliego de condiciones y el presupuesto., [EN] This project focuses on the timber construction of a high mountain refuge at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level. It is located on the Roya canal, within the municipality of Canfranc station (Huesca). The refuge will serve the entire community of alpine users, focusing on mountaineers, due to the extreme conditions in which this sport is practiced; to be able to provide the area with a safe rest place. The construction, with a sustainable material such as solid wood, is composed of a closed shed of a single rectangular floor; with a length of 25 meters and a width of 9 m (an area of 225 m²). The cabin has a gable roof with a 30-degree pitch. The height of the façade is 2.25 meters and with a crowning height of 4.85 meters. The entire roof structure is constructed of solid wood of Pinus sylvestris, sturdy class C27 wood and rests on rectangular section pillars of the same material. The dimensions will be made to comply with existing regulatory standards (DB SE-A and DB SE-M). The project consists of four documents: the report, which complements and details each of the design aspects in their respective annexes; calculation and dimensioning of the wooden structure, the foundations, the electrical installation, the sanitation and the drinking water network; the plans, the specifications and the budget.

[ES] El presente proyecto se centra en la construcción en madera de un refugio de alta montaña a una cota de 1800 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Se sitúa en el canal Roya, dentro del término municipal de Canfranc estación (Huesca). El refugio prestará servicio a toda la comunidad de usuarios de la montaña, centrándose en los alpinistas, debido a las condiciones extremas en que se practica esta modalidad y, de este modo, poder dotar el área de un lugar seguro y de descanso. La construcción con un material sostenible como la madera maciza se compone de un cobertizo cerrado de una sola planta, que presenta una forma rectangular con una anchura de 25 metros y una luz de 9 m (presentando una superficie de 225 m²). La cubierta está formada por dos aguas simétricas con una pendiente de 30 grados. La altura de la fachada es de 2,25 metros con una altura de coronación de 4,85 metros. Toda la estructura de la cubierta está construida en madera maciza de Pinus sylvestris, clase resistente C27 y se apoya sobre unos pilares de sección rectangular del mismo material. Se realiza el dimensionado resistente según las normativas de obligado cumplimiento (DB SE-A y DB SE-M). El proyecto está formado por cuatro documentos: la memoria, que se complementa y detalla cada uno de los aspectos de diseño en sus en respectivos anejos; cálculo y dimensionado de la estructura en madera, las cimentaciones, la instalación eléctrica, el saneamiento y la red de agua potable; los planos, el pliego de condiciones y el presupuesto., [EN] This project focuses on the timber construction of a high mountain refuge at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level. It is located on the Roya canal, within the municipality of Canfranc station (Huesca). The refuge will serve the entire community of alpine users, focusing on mountaineers, due to the extreme conditions in which this sport is practiced; to be able to provide the area with a safe rest place. The construction, with a sustainable material such as solid wood, is composed of a closed shed of a single rectangular floor; with a length of 25 meters and a width of 9 m (an area of 225 m²). The cabin has a gable roof with a 30-degree pitch. The height of the façade is 2.25 meters and with a crowning height of 4.85 meters. The entire roof structure is constructed of solid wood of Pinus sylvestris, sturdy class C27 wood and rests on rectangular section pillars of the same material. The dimensions will be made to comply with existing regulatory standards (DB SE-A and DB SE-M). The project consists of four documents: the report, which complements and details each of the design aspects in their respective annexes; calculation and dimensioning of the wooden structure, the foundations, the electrical installation, the sanitation and the drinking water network; the plans, the specifications and the budget.

[ES] El presente proyecto se centra en la construcción en madera de un refugio de alta montaña a una cota de 1800 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Se sitúa en el canal Roya, dentro del término municipal de Canfranc estación (Huesca). El refugio prestará servicio a toda la comunidad de usuarios de la montaña, centrándose en los alpinistas, debido a las condiciones extremas en que se practica esta modalidad y, de este modo, poder dotar el área de un lugar seguro y de descanso. La construcción con un material sostenible como la madera maciza se compone de un cobertizo cerrado de una sola planta, que presenta una forma rectangular con una anchura de 25 metros y una luz de 9 m (presentando una superficie de 225 m²). La cubierta está formada por dos aguas simétricas con una pendiente de 30 grados. La altura de la fachada es de 2,25 metros con una altura de coronación de 4,85 metros. Toda la estructura de la cubierta está construida en madera maciza de Pinus sylvestris, clase resistente C27 y se apoya sobre unos pilares de sección rectangular del mismo material. Se realiza el dimensionado resistente según las normativas de obligado cumplimiento (DB SE-A y DB SE-M). El proyecto está formado por cuatro documentos: la memoria, que se complementa y detalla cada uno de los aspectos de diseño en sus en respectivos anejos; cálculo y dimensionado de la estructura en madera, las cimentaciones, la instalación eléctrica, el saneamiento y la red de agua potable; los planos, el pliego de condiciones y el presupuesto., [EN] This project focuses on the timber construction of a high mountain refuge at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level. It is located on the Roya canal, within the municipality of Canfranc station (Huesca). The refuge will serve the entire community of alpine users, focusing on mountaineers, due to the extreme conditions in which this sport is practiced; to be able to provide the area with a safe rest place. The construction, with a sustainable material such as solid wood, is composed of a closed shed of a single rectangular floor; with a length of 25 meters and a width of 9 m (an area of 225 m²). The cabin has a gable roof with a 30-degree pitch. The height of the façade is 2.25 meters and with a crowning height of 4.85 meters. The entire roof structure is constructed of solid wood of Pinus sylvestris, sturdy class C27 wood and rests on rectangular section pillars of the same material. The dimensions will be made to comply with existing regulatory standards (DB SE-A and DB SE-M). The project consists of four documents: the report, which complements and details each of the design aspects in their respective annexes; calculation and dimensioning of the wooden structure, the foundations, the electrical installation, the sanitation and the drinking water network; the plans, the specifications and the budget.

Bridge inspection and infrastructure inspection are critical steps in the lifecycle of the built environment. Emerging technologies and data are driving factors which are disrupting the traditional processes for conducting these inspections. Because inspections are mainly conducted visually by human inspectors, this paper focuses on improving the visual inspection process with data-driven approaches. Data driven approaches, however, require significant data, which was sparse in the existing literature. Therefore, this research first examined the present state of the existing data in the research domain. We reviewed hundreds of image-based visual inspection papers which used machine learning to augment the inspection process and from this, we compiled a comprehensive catalog of over forty available datasets in the literature and identified promising, emerging techniques and trends in the field. Based on our findings in our review we contributed six significant datasets to target gaps in data in the field. The six datasets comprised of structural material segmentation, corrosion condition state segmentation, crack detection, structural detail detection, and bearing condition state classification. The contributed datasets used novel annotation guidelines and benefitted from a novel semi-automated annotation process for both object detection and pixel-level detection models. Using the data obtained from our collected sources, task-appropriate deep learning models were trained. From these datasets and models, we developed a change detection algorithm to monitor damage evolution between two inspection videos and trained a GAN-Inversion model which generated hyper-realistic synthetic bridge inspection image data and could forecast a future deterioration state of an existing bridge element. While the application of machine learning techniques in civil engineering is not wide-spread yet, this research provides impactful contribution which demonstrates the advantages that dat

This research investigated the stability and strength behaviour of cold-formed steel built-up columns. The stability behaviour was investigated by developing a compound spline finite strip based computational tool, while experiments and finite element studies were performed to investigate the strength behaviour. The results highlighted the shortcomings of the current design standards, including North American and Australian/New Zealand Standards, and led to simplified design procedures and strength equations for cold-formed steel built-up columns. Overall, this research has significantly improved the knowledge of cold-formed steel built-up columns, enabling structurally efficient and safer designs.

This article presents an investigation of the structural behavior of a masonry arch bridge in Turkey. An analytical study has been conducted to provide the geometry of the structure, using laser scanning. A point cloud describing the geometry was obtained and properly transformed into a format that is appropriate for structural analysis software (CAE). Then, nonlinear finite-element models were developed to simulate structural responses of the bridge. The goal of the article is to highlight the influence of both continuum and discrete approaches and related constitutive laws on the responses of the bridge. Thus, continuum damage laws and a discrete model consisting of unilateral contact–friction interfaces were developed. Different load cases were tested and a comparison between the results obtained from the different approaches was considered. The failure mechanisms and the ultimate strengths were derived, and core points of the models were highlighted. The output of this work shows how the different failure models predict the behavior of the masonry arches. It also shows that the three-hinge mechanism, which has been depicted in classical studies for single-span arch masonry bridges under a horizontal settlement of supports, may also be obtained for multiarch bridges. Similarly, downward, vertical settlement of supports may result in the development of two hinges, as in single-span arches. Finally, the beneficial influence of the backfill in limiting the failure in the arch is addressed.

This article presents an investigation of the structural behavior of a masonry arch bridge in Turkey. An analytical study has been conducted to provide the geometry of the structure, using laser scanning. A point cloud describing the geometry was obtained and properly transformed into a format that is appropriate for structural analysis software (CAE). Then, nonlinear finite-element models were developed to simulate structural responses of the bridge. The goal of the article is to highlight the influence of both continuum and discrete approaches and related constitutive laws on the responses of the bridge. Thus, continuum damage laws and a discrete model consisting of unilateral contact–friction interfaces were developed. Different load cases were tested and a comparison between the results obtained from the different approaches was considered. The failure mechanisms and the ultimate strengths were derived, and core points of the models were highlighted. The output of this work shows how the different failure models predict the behavior of the masonry arches. It also shows that the three-hinge mechanism, which has been depicted in classical studies for single-span arch masonry bridges under a horizontal settlement of supports, may also be obtained for multiarch bridges. Similarly, downward, vertical settlement of supports may result in the development of two hinges, as in single-span arches. Finally, the beneficial influence of the backfill in limiting the failure in the arch is addressed.

This article presents an investigation of the structural behavior of a masonry arch bridge in Turkey. An analytical study has been conducted to provide the geometry of the structure, using laser scanning. A point cloud describing the geometry was obtained and properly transformed into a format that is appropriate for structural analysis software (CAE). Then, nonlinear finite-element models were developed to simulate structural responses of the bridge. The goal of the article is to highlight the influence of both continuum and discrete approaches and related constitutive laws on the responses of the bridge. Thus, continuum damage laws and a discrete model consisting of unilateral contact–friction interfaces were developed. Different load cases were tested and a comparison between the results obtained from the different approaches was considered. The failure mechanisms and the ultimate strengths were derived, and core points of the models were highlighted. The output of this work shows how the different failure models predict the behavior of the masonry arches. It also shows that the three-hinge mechanism, which has been depicted in classical studies for single-span arch masonry bridges under a horizontal settlement of supports, may also be obtained for multiarch bridges. Similarly, downward, vertical settlement of supports may result in the development of two hinges, as in single-span arches. Finally, the beneficial influence of the backfill in limiting the failure in the arch is addressed.

Within the civil structural community, nonlinear time history analysis has become a ubiquitous tool to evaluate the structural performance of steel structures when subjected to extreme loadings such as earthquakes, blast, and strong winds. Extreme limit states such as structural instability, local bulking, plastic stress/strain localization in critical regions and structural components can be reliably simulated using current available analysis methods. However, the existing methods cannot reliably model fracture—an extreme limit state which may precipitate structural failure and collapse. Henceforth, on both the structural component and system level, researchers and engineers typically implement a capacity check evaluation approach in which a fracture toughness demand index, calculated based on the predicted continuum stress and strain fields, is checked against a material toughness parameter. Conservatively equating end-of-life (e.g., ultimate failure) to fracture initiation rather than to the onset of unstable crack propagation (e.g., cleavage), such approach disregards the remaining inherit capacity of the steel structure or components—as evident in recent large-scale experimental studies in which the steel components often sustained significant amount of stable ductile crack growth prior to ultimate failure. Clearly, a holistic framework or tool to reliably simulate crack propagation in concert with the global analysis of steel components enables a more realistic assessment of the structural performance of steel structures and designs because it captures the complex interactions between the overall structural response and advancing crack front. Depending on many factors such as the existing numerical tools and associated computational cost, nature of the crack propagation, and the size scale, some numerical frameworks may be more appropriate than others for modeling crack propagation in steel structures. Motivated by this, the scope of this project entails model

Elastomeric materials are extensively used in energy dissipation applications to mitigate large lateral displacements and attenuate vibrations. One way of exploiting the capabilities of elastomeric materials is using shear-damping mechanisms such as viscoelastic damping devices (VEDs). In this research the freedom of design offered by additive manufacturing technology is utilized to produce 3D printed elastomeric parts that act as the viscoelastic layer in an energy damping device. A mechanically interlocked viscoelastic damper (MIVED) with a jigsaw-like interlocking mechanism was designed and manufactured. MIVED is composed of a rigid and soft phase. It operates in two modes, modes I and II, that depend on the stiffnesses of the rigid and soft phases as well as the stiffness of the connection used to fix it to the testing machine or structural element. The modes are illustrated through changing the rigid and soft phase materials. For that purpose, two devices were fabricated MIVED-1 and MIVED-2 to observe modes I and II, respectively. The rigid phase of MIVED-1 was made of steel, while the soft phase is 3D printed using vi thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). MIVED-2 had a rigid phase made from 3D printed fiber reinforced nylon, and 3D printed TPU injected with silicone rubber for the soft phase. The devices were cyclically tested under different amplitudes and frequencies, and the response was examined. 3D printed TPU was mechanically characterized using uniaxial cyclic tension tests under different rates and different printing processing parameters. Stress relaxation tests were also conducted to obtain the viscoelastic behavior of the TPU material. Material characterization of TPU was used to develop a finite element (FE) model that is used to simulate the mechanically interlocked damper. The FE model was validated with the experimental observations of TPU specimens and MIVED-1 and was then used to examine the significance of damper geometry and mat

Inspection of infrastructure under construction has become an active research topic in the past few decades. Due to rising costs and safety concerns of current inspection methods, automated inspection methods are proposed. In this context, this dissertation has developed a framework that uses 3D point cloud data from the bridge under construction and evaluates the design specifications and the strength capacity of the structure while is being built. This study presents a slicing algorithm for automatically evaluating rebar placement using 3D point cloud data. The outcomes of this research provide structural engineering with (i) automatic inspection of reinforcement during construction; (ii) objective quantification of bridge quality with a new strength index associated with the quality of rebar in the field. The broader impact of this research enhances construction safety, lowers economic costs, and reduces ambiguity and subjectivity in the field by providing an objective assessment during construction.

This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on seismic tests of adjustable pallet rack systems: on particular components of racks, subassemblies, full racks and stored goods. The tested particular components are the most critical connections: beams-to-uprights, braces-to-uprights, and floor-to-uprights; subassemblies also include beam-to-upright connections, among other components. Tests on full racks can be static (pushover), pseudo-dynamic, or dynamic (pullout and shaking table). Finally, tests on stored goods are sliding (aimed to identify the friction coefficient with the supporting members) and tilting (to check their confinement). The examination of the discussed experiments provides relevant conclusions and allows identifying research needs., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

Cobalt-based hydroxide are ideal candidates for the oxygen evolution reaction. Herein, we use molybdenum oxide nanorods as sacrificial templates to construct a self-supporting molybdenum-doped cobalt hydroxide nanosheet hierarchical microtubule structure based on a structural engineering strategy to improve the active area of the catalyst. X-ray-based spectroscopic tests revealed that Mo (VI) with tetrahedral coordination intercalated into the interlayer of cobalt hydroxide, promoting interlayer separation. At the same time, Mo is connected with Co through oxygen bonds, which promotes the transfer of Co charges to Mo and reduces the electron cloud density of Co ions. In 1 M KOH, optimized molybdenum-doped cobalt hydroxide nanosheet microtubules only needs an overpotential of 288 mV to drive a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², which is significantly better than that of pure Co(OH)₂ nanosheets and RuO2. Structural engineering and electronic state regulation can effectively improve the oxygen evolution activity of cobalt-based hydroxide, which provides a design idea for the development of efficient oxygen evolution catalysts.

This article presents an investigation of the structural behavior of a masonry arch bridge in Turkey. An analytical study has been conducted to provide the geometry of the structure, using laser scanning. A point cloud describing the geometry was obtained and properly transformed into a format that is appropriate for structural analysis software (CAE). Then, nonlinear finite-element models were developed to simulate structural responses of the bridge. The goal of the article is to highlight the influence of both continuum and discrete approaches and related constitutive laws on the responses of the bridge. Thus, continuum damage laws and a discrete model consisting of unilateral contact–friction interfaces were developed. Different load cases were tested and a comparison between the results obtained from the different approaches was considered. The failure mechanisms and the ultimate strengths were derived, and core points of the models were highlighted. The output of this work shows how the different failure models predict the behavior of the masonry arches. It also shows that the three-hinge mechanism, which has been depicted in classical studies for single-span arch masonry bridges under a horizontal settlement of supports, may also be obtained for multiarch bridges. Similarly, downward, vertical settlement of supports may result in the development of two hinges, as in single-span arches. Finally, the beneficial influence of the backfill in limiting the failure in the arch is addressed.