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Extreme-oriented sensitivity analysis using sparse polynomial chaos expansion: Application to train–track–bridge systems

Shang, Y. (author), Nogal Macho, M. (author), Teixeira, Rui (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

The use of sensitivity analysis is essential in model development for the purposes of calibration, verification, factor prioritization, and mechanism reduction. While most contributions to sensitivity methods focus on the average model response, this paper proposes a new sensitivity method focusing on the extreme response and structural limit...

journal article 2023

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Risk-based maintenance and inspection of riverine flood defence systems

Klerk, W.J. (author), van Bergeijk, Vera (author), Kanning, W. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author), Kok, M. (author)

The condition of flood defence revetments is influenced by many different degradation processes such as animal burrowing, rutting and growth of weeds. Many of these processes are shock-based rather than progressive continuous. As shocks can cause a drop in performance, this means that the condition of a revetment can suddenly decrease,...

journal article 2023

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Optimal design of rail level crossings and associated transition zones using adaptive surrogate-assisted optimization

Shang, Y. (author), Nogal Macho, M. (author), Teixeira, Rui (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Transition zones such as level crossing and bridge approaches are critical links in railway networks due to higher degradation rates and maintenance needs. In this context, parametric optimization has been applied to improve the design in transition zones; however, it requires a more computationally efficient tool to support repetitive...

journal article 2023

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Best Fit for Common Purpose: A Multi-Stakeholder Design Optimization Methodology for Construction Management

Zhilyaev, D. (author), Binnekamp, R. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Within traditional design processes, decisions are often made based on individualistic values and late-stage assessments conducted on a predefined set of design alternatives potentially leading to suboptimal design decisions and conflicts. The issues are further amplified by the growing complexity of construction project management where an...

journal article 2022

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Fit for Purpose Building Information Modelling and Systems Integration (bimsi) for Better Construction Projects Management

Wolfert, A.R.M. (author), van Nederveen, G.A. (author), Binnekamp, R. (author)

Building Information Models (BIM) should reflect all aspects and phases of the construction projects life cycle. However, in current contractor practices, a proliferation of different information systems has arisen, each of which in turn illuminates a different information model dimension (nD) for usually only one construction project management...

journal article 2022

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Dynamic control for construction project scheduling on-the-run

Kammouh, O. (author), Nogal Macho, M. (author), Binnekamp, R. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Construction project management requires dynamic mitigation control to ensure a project's timely completion. Current mitigation approaches are usually performed by an iterative Monte Carlo (MC) analysis which does not reflect (1) the project manager's goal-oriented behavior, (2) contractual project completion performance schemes, and (3)...

journal article 2022

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MitC: Open-source software for construction project control and delay mitigation

Kammouh, O. (author), Kok, M.W.A. (author), Nogal Macho, M. (author), Binnekamp, R. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Changes in a construction project schedule can impact the project's planned duration, resulting in penalties. A manual trial-and-error probabilistic approach is usually conducted to find an appropriate set of corrective measures to mitigate delays of the overall project. However, this approach does not capture the actual goal-oriented...

journal article 2022

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Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of host defense peptides against Staphylococcus aureus

Cecotto, Leonardo (author), van Kessel, Kok (author), Wolfert, Margreet A. (author), Vogely, Charles (author), van der Wal, Bart (author), Weinans, Harrie (author), van Strijp, Jos (author), Amin Yavari, S. (author)

Cationic host defense peptides (HDPs) are a promising alternative to antibiotics in the fight against Staphylococcus aureus infections. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties of three HDPs namely IDR-1018, CATH-2, and LL-37. Although all three HDPs significantly inhibited LPS-induced activation of...

journal article 2022

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Optimal planning of flood defence system reinforcements using a greedy search algorithm

Klerk, W.J. (author), Kanning, W. (author), Kok, M. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Climate change and deterioration require a continuous effort to reinforce flood defences and meet reliability requirements. To efficiently upgrade flood defence systems, insight in costs and benefits of measures at a system level is required throughout the process of planning and design. Due to the size of flood defence systems the number of...

journal article 2021

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Accuracy of visual inspection of flood defences

Klerk, W.J. (author), Kanning, W. (author), Kok, M. (author), Bronsveld, J. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Prioritisation of flood defence maintenance is typically based on visual inspection. However, literature shows that the Probability of Detection (PoD) of visual inspection can vary significantly. Here we investigate the PoD for visual inspections of flood defence structures, the consistency of damage classification, and the influence of...

journal article 2021

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Mitigation Controller: Adaptive Simulation Approach for Planning Control Measures in Large Construction Projects

Kammouh, O. (author), Nogal Macho, M. (author), Binnekamp, R. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Probabilistic Monte Carlo simulations are often used to determine a project's completion time given a required probability level. During project execution, schedule changes negatively affect the probability of meeting the project's completion time. A manual trial and error approach is then conducted to find a set of mitigation measures to...

journal article 2021

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Systems thinking approach for improving maintenance management of discrete rail assets: a review and future perspectives

Shang, Y. (author), Nogal Macho, M. (author), Wang, Haoyu (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Performance evaluation and maintenance planning are gaining importance with ageing rail infrastructure and increasing demand on track safety and continuous availability. The discrete/point railway assets (e.g. bridges, level crossings) together with extended track sections constitute the main railway network infrastructure. The former has...

journal article 2021

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Multi-system intervention optimization for interdependent infrastructure

Kammouh, O. (author), Nogal Macho, M. (author), Binnekamp, R. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

The wellbeing of modern societies is dependent upon the functioning of their infrastructure networks. This paper introduces the 3C concept, an integrative multi-system and multi-stakeholder optimization approach for managing infrastructure interventions (e.g., maintenance, renovation, etc.). The proposed approach takes advantage of the...

journal article 2021

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Improving Subsurface Asset Failure Predictions for Utility Operators: A Unique Case Study on Cable and Pipe Failures Resulting from Excavation Work

Wijs, R. J.A. (author), Nane, G.F. (author), Leontaris, G. (author), Van Manen, T. R.W. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Utility operators must rely on predictive analyses regarding the availability of their subsurface assets, which highly depend on damage by increasing amounts of excavation work. However, straightforward use of standard statistical techniques, such as logistic regression or Bayesian logistic regression, does not allow for accurate predictions...

journal article 2020

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Infrastructure maintenance and replacement optimization under multiple uncertainties and managerial flexibility

van den Boomen, M. (author), Spaan, M.T.J. (author), Shang, Y. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Infrastructure maintenance and replacement decisions are subject to uncertainties such as regular asset degradation, structural failure, and price uncertainty. In the engineering domain, Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) typically focus on uncertainties regarding asset degradation and structural failure. While the literature in the engineering...

journal article 2020

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Multivariate simulation modelling for adaptive long-term infrastructure planning

Havelaar, M. (author), Jaspers, W. (author), van Nederveen, G.A. (author), Auping, Willem L. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Infrastructure asset managers are challenged by rapid changes around the world such as urbanisation and climate change. They have to deal with multiple complex and dynamic infrastructure systems that can influence each other and that can be influenced by various uncertain factors. Traditional planning methods are not well suited to complex and...

journal article 2019

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Untangling decision tree and real options analyses: a public infrastructure case study dealing with political decisions, structural integrity and price uncertainty

van den Boomen, M. (author), Spaan, M.T.J. (author), Schoenmaker, R. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Managerial flexibility in infrastructure investment and replacement decisions adds value. Real options analysis (ROA) captures this value under uncertain market prices. The concept of ROA is that future unfavourable payoffs can be deferred as soon as more information about market prices becomes available. The popularity of ROA is seen in a...

journal article 2019

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Replacement optimization of ageing infrastructure under differential inflation

van den Boomen, M. (author), Leontaris, G. (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Ageing public infrastructure assets necessitate economic replacement analysis. A common replacement problem concerns an existing asset challenged by a replacement option. Classic techniques obtained from the domain of engineering economics are the mainstream approach to replacement optimization in practice. However, the validity of these classic...

journal article 2019

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Decision support for offshore asset construction using expert judgments for supply disruptions risk

Leontaris, G. (author), Morales Napoles, O. (author), Dewan, Ashish (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Offshore asset construction is a complex and costly process that is subject to various uncertainties within the entire supply chain. Hence, both the construction management optimization and the reduction of deployment expenditures should be supported by automated decision support models which include proper representations of predominant...

journal article 2019

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Reliability-based life cycle costing analysis for embedded rails in level crossings

Shang, Y. (author), van den Boomen, M. (author), de Man, Amy (author), Wolfert, A.R.M. (author)

Reliability-based life cycle costing analysis (LCCA) supports optimized decisions on capital and operational expenditures for engineering asset management. In addition, it allows investigation of the impact of maintenance decisions on designing the service life of assets. The application of reliability-based LCCA in railway practice is...

journal article 2019