Proof Load Testing Method by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and Suggestions for Improvement

Because of the aging of infrastructure, methods are explored by which the reliability of existing bridges and viaducts can be assessed. In cases in which limited information of the structure is available or its condition is of concern, proof load testing may be used to demonstrate sufficient live load carrying capacity. Proof load tests in...

The Neuromorphic Element: A Data-Driven Finite Element Formulation Using Self-Designing Neural Networks: Proof of Concept on Nonlinear Trusses

In this thesis, a new data-driven finite element is developed, which is referred to as a neuromorphic element (designated as NmT2). Its goal is to reduce the computational expense of FEA models with- out compromising solution accuracy by embedding a neural network, trained on an element level. The neural network is developed such that the...

Validation of Sequentially Linear Analysis for Quasi-Brittle Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Structures under Proportional and Non-Proportional Loading

The aim of this thesis was to objectively and quantitatively assess the accuracy and robustness of two-dimensional sequentially linear analysis (SLA) in comparison to nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA), for a range of experiments of reinforced concrete structures with proportional and non-proportional loading schemes. Non-proportional...

Constructed Tidal Marshes: An analysis on how model configurations influence accretion

Along river banks, on the transition zone between the river and see, tidal marshes can develop. The tidal marshes accommodate multiple plant and fish species. As a result of the stressful conditions in tidal marshes, unique intertidal ecology develops. However, due to the densifying of the river banks, tidal marshes are disappearing. <br/...

Plastic Discharge in Bali’s Rivers

Indonesia is one of the largest ocean pollutants in the world in terms of plastic emissions. The country has many tourist areas, including the island of Bali, which is the main tourist hub. The plastic problem is large around and on Bali, which has negative consequences for both the environment and the tourism sector. NGOs and the government are...

Two-scale modelling of composite 'steel-reinforced resin' interaction (INTERMOD): Towards reusable and demountable structures & infrastructure

Steel-concrete composite beams are widely used in practice because of the simple construction sequence and the economic cross-section design. The application of welded headed studs in composite beams prevents the non-destructive separation of the composite beam, which leads to a very low scoring in the sustainability assessment in terms of the...

Overhead sign structures - gantry: Structural response to truck induced wind loads by measurements and analysis

The standard sign gantries at the highways in the Netherlands have different geometrical and structural characteristics than sign gantries in other countries. The sign gantries have in total four oblique columns instead of two straight columns and have a triangular shaped spatial truss beam. The design loads that are currently taken into account...

Deployable Space Telescope: Optimal Boom Design for High Precision Deployment of the Secondary Mirror

The use of deployable structures for space telescopes has the advantage of enabling options to improve their optical performance and reducing the launch volume. The Deployable Space Telescope (DST), which is currently developed by the Space Systems Engineering (SSE) department, will make use of a high precision deployable structure to extend the...

Bounds for decoupled design and analysis discretizations in topology optimization

Topology optimization formulations using multiple design variables per finite element have been proposed to improve the design resolution. This paper discusses the relation between the number of design variables per element and the order of the elements used for analysis. We derive that beyond a maximum number of design variables, certain sets...

Uncertainties in Redesigning an Existing Quay Wall

A feasibility study was carried out on the redesigning of an existing quay wall of a core harbor in the Netherlands, which was more than 45 years old. The geotechnical behavior of the existing quay wall, especially because of its age, as a response to the maximum load change is undoubtedly the uncertain parameter here. The design and redesign...

Reframing Structures: Construction of parametric design in architectural education

This paper aims at the discussion of opportunities and challenges of using specific construction sub-problems as active parameters in the physical construction of digital parametric design models. To create an overview, a taxonomy of sub-problems for construction is introduced. By using prototypes as a physical interface for the digital model,...

Reframing Structures: Construction of parametric design in architectural education

This paper aims at the discussion of opportunities and challenges of using specific construction sub-problems as active parameters in the physical construction of digital parametric design models. To create an overview, a taxonomy of sub-problems for construction is introduced. By using prototypes as a physical interface for the digital model,...

Framework for a risk informed maintenance strategy for deteriorating hydraulic structures

Civil structures, especially hydraulic structures, are subject to influences from the environment around the structure. As a result of these influences the structure degrades, which lowers the strength of the structure. Several actions are available to lower the speed of degradation and/or restore the structure to a certain condition. Within the...

Large–eddy simulations of wall heat transfer and coherent structures in mixed convection over a wavy wall

In this numerical study the mixed convective flow of water over a heated wavy surface over a range of Reynolds and Richardson numbers, including transitional and turbulent flow regimes (20 ? Re ? 2000 and 0.5 ? Ri ? 5000) is investigated. A dynamic Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approach is applied where the thermal buoyancy effects are represented...

Design and Construction of Rubble Mound Structures: An Introduction

The design and construction of structures for the coast lines of the world must consider numerous forces and factors. These include the purpose of the structure, the design waves, the design wave climate, the material of which the structure is to be built, foundation conditions, earthquakes, tsunamis, availability of construction and maintenance...

Equivalent flexibility modelling: A novel approach towards recursive simulation of flexible spacecraft-manipulator dynamics

For the simulation of rigid spacecraft manipulator dynamics there exists efficient recursive software. Extension of this software for the simulation of flexible spacecraft-manipulator dynamics would have important advantages. In this paper the method of Equivalent Flexibility Modelling (EFM) is outlined. Each flexible body is re-modelled as a...