Towards more credible models in catchment hydrology to enhance hydrological process understanding: Preface

Catchment modelling has undergone tremendous developments during the past decades. In the 1970s, the focus was on simulation of catchment runoff with process descriptions and data inputs being lumped to the catchment scale. Later developments included spatially distributed models allowing data inputs and hydrological processes to be simulated at...

Replacement optimisation for public infrastructure assets: Quantitative optimisation modelling taking typical public infrastructure related features into account

Ageing infrastructures and shortage of financing induce the need for optimising public infrastructure replacements. From an economic perspective, classical net present value comparison is traditionally the method of choice to decide on investments and replacements. The current research observes that typical infrastructure related features make...

Challenges in Delivering Green Building Projects: Unearthing the Transaction Costs (TCs)

Delivering green building (GB) projects involve some activities that are atypical in comparison with conventional buildings. Such new activities are characterized by uncertainty, and they incur hidden costs that have not been expected nor are they readily appreciated among the stakeholders. This paper develops a typology and chronology to...

Sequential robust optimization of a V-bending process using numerical simulations

The coupling of finite element simulations to mathematical optimization techniques has contributed significantly to product improvements and cost reductions in the metal forming industries. The next challenge is to bridge the gap between deterministic optimization techniques and the industrial need for robustness. This paper introduces a...

An Empirical Analysis of Stakeholders’ Influence on Policy Development: The Role of Uncertainty Handling

Stakeholder participation is advocated widely, but there is little structured, empirical research into its influence on policy development. We aim to further the insight into the characteristics of participatory policy development by comparing it to expert-based policy development for the same case. We describe the process of problem framing and...

Markov processes for maintenance optimization of civil infrastructure in the Netherlands

The Netherlands, like many countries in this world, face a challenging task in managing civil infrastructures. The management of vital infrastructures, like road bridges, is necessary to ensure their safe and reliable functioning. The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management in the Netherlands manages the structures in the...