Temperature effect on static and quasi-static bridge measurements

in Life-Cycle of Structures and Infrastructure Systems (2023)

The performance of bridge damage assessment based on model updating ap-proaches relies on correctly identifying the structural responses in the undamaged state. However, environmental uncertainties, such ... [more ▼]

The performance of bridge damage assessment based on model updating ap-proaches relies on correctly identifying the structural responses in the undamaged state. However, environmental uncertainties, such as temperature changes, influence structural responses in the same order of magnitude as damages. Therefore, a prestressed concrete bridge beam is studied in this paper. Temperature influences on static experiments in 2 test periods are minimized with physical temperature compensation technique. Displacement fluctuations decrease at least 60% after temperature compensation, making the summer and winter measurements comparable. Next, temperature-compensated Influence Lines (ILs), static flexibility and stiffness matrices are ob-tained. Comparing the results reveal the importance of performing measurements only on cloudy days. This paper contributes to differentiating between temperature effects and damages, which is crucial for a successful damage assessment. [less ▲]

Digitalization in Construction, Computer-based Design for Structural Elements - BIM and structural engineering - Part 1: Impact of digitalization on structural engineering in the future

Learning material (2021)

To better understand the background and complexity of BIM and digitalization within structural engineering, the theoretical approach will highlight the underlying basics first. To draw the line from this ... [more ▼]

To better understand the background and complexity of BIM and digitalization within structural engineering, the theoretical approach will highlight the underlying basics first. To draw the line from this theory driven basics to real live application, the thesis will give multiple examples of how BIM is currently used in practice. In addition to the detailed explanation, these examples will serve as a base to analyze the current situation and problems which still need to be overcome. As far as possible for the respective research scope, potential areas of improvements will be outlined. To gain a better understanding of the current importance of BIM and digitalization within the German construction industry, engineers and companies will be surveyed. [less ▲]

Verringerung des Temperatureinflusses bei der Überwachung von Brücken am Beispiel von Messdaten aus Luxemburg

Conference given outside the academic context (2021)

A rising number of concrete bridges are showing increasing damage due to corrosion and fatigue. In addition to the regular standard visual inspection, the bridge’s condition can also be recorded using ... [more ▼]

A rising number of concrete bridges are showing increasing damage due to corrosion and fatigue. In addition to the regular standard visual inspection, the bridge’s condition can also be recorded using additional tests with repeated static loading and/or dynamic tests. To determine any damage to a structure and to check its structural stability, it is crucial to know the exact system properties of the bridge in its undamaged reference state. The system behavior is influenced by damage and bearing conditions and environmental influences, such as the structure’s temperature. The influence of temperature can even cause larger changes in the measured quantities (bending line or modal parameters) than real damage. Therefore, temperature effects should be compensated before any condition analysis. The present work aims to demonstrate the influence of different bearing types and temperature on a real bridge beam. For this purpose, various static and dynamic tests were performed in the undamaged reference state. [less ▲]

AVEC BNT - Analysis and Comparison of European and Chinese Design Codes - B. Script & Examples

Book published by BNT (2018)

In recent years, half of the newly constructed building floor areas in the world are built in China, thus it is important and interesting to know the Chinese design codes for buildings and compare them ... [more ▼]

In recent years, half of the newly constructed building floor areas in the world are built in China, thus it is important and interesting to know the Chinese design codes for buildings and compare them with Eurocodes, which are one of the most advanced design codes in the world. Funded by “Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships” the project “AVEC BNT” was started in 2016 to compare the design codes mainly related to concrete structures and composite structures. This script is the main intellectual outputs from this project. It comprises codes background analysis, direct codes terms comparison and design examples. The script covers most of the design topics related to design of concrete structures and composite structure for building design as well as the design basics such as safety concept. It is a common achievements of students, researchers and professors from different universities and instructions of different countries. The main work is done at University of Luxembourg especially for the design basics part and the design of composite structure of steel and concrete. For design of concrete structure part, University of Applied Science Trier (Germany) and Thei (Hong Kong, China) has offered great helps and contributed many parts. To conform with the goals of Erasmus+ to promote the cooperation and mobility with the EU’ partner countries and to promote the sustainable development of its partners in the field of higher education and contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy, the script involves many student’s work. The students could participate in the project through either joining special courses offered by the project partners, as well as, doing a student project, bachelor or master thesis related to this project. Further more the students participated within the transnational teaching activity weeks. With the guidance, the students were able to learn and compare difference design methods by EuroCodes and Chinese design codes and to cooperate with their colleges from different countries. To achieve good quality of the final script, which can be used as additional information and learn material for other students and engineers to learn about Eurocodes and Chinese codes for structural design. Also the work was edited into a uniform formatting to make it constant in style and easy to read. Although, besides the contribution from students, many other topics were added to make the documents complete, it was not possible to cover every topic in the codes due to the limited time and resources. Thus, topics such as fire design, seismic design, bridge design, pre-stressed structures and others are not within the scope of the work. The scripts are divided into 7 sub chapters and many small topics. Each topic has two main documents for Eurocodes and Chinese codes. The main documents have same list of contents, which allows readers to compare the design aspects from the two codes systems easily side by side. Besides that, each topic is also provided with a general summary of comparison, which points out the most important difference and general overview of the design. In the documents not only the content of the codes but also the background information is discussed, which will help students and engineers to understand not only the difference of design but also the reasons behind it. [less ▲]