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

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...

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

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...

The role of multi-fidelity modelling in adaptation and recovery of engineering systems

Significant research has been conducted in identifying optimal recovery and adaptation decisions in disruptive scenarios using engineering models. In this context, an aspect that has been target of limited research is that of response times. Modelling is expected to grow progressively more complex as it becomes more accurate. Such complexity...

Identifying critical and vulnerable links: A new approach using the Fisher information matrix

In traffic networks, some elements are more prone to suffer or to create disruptive situations, and the identification of these elements becomes a challenge due to the large number of possible threats. The following paper presents two new methodologies to identify and rank vulnerable and critical links of traffic networks. These methodologies...

Metamodel-based metaheuristics in optimal responsive adaptation and recovery of traffic networks

Different emerging threats highlighted the relevance of recovery and adaptation modelling in the functioning of societal systems. However, as modelling of systems becomes more complex, its effort increases challenging the practicality of the engineering analyses required for efficient recovery and adaptation. In the present work, metamodels...

Adaptive approaches in metamodel-based reliability analysis: A review

The present work reviews the implementation of adaptive metamodeling for reliability analysis with emphasis in four main types of metamodels: response surfaces, polynomial chaos expansions, support vector machines, and Kriging models. The discussion presented is motivated by the identified spread and little interaction between metamodeling...

Reliability analysis using a multi-metamodel complement-basis approach

The present work discusses an innovative approach to metamodeling in reliability that uses a field-transversal rationale. Adaptive metamodeling in reliability is characterized by its large spectra of models and techniques with different assumptions. As a result, the reliability engineer is frequently faced with the highly challenging task of...

Reliability assessment with density scanned adaptive Kriging

Reliability assessment with adaptive Kriging has gained notoriety due to the Kriging capability of accurately replacing the performance function while performing as a self-improving function for learning procedures. Recent works on adaptive Kriging pursued to improve the efficiency of the active learning through the application of distinct...