Refine
Has Fulltext
- yes (484) (remove)
Document Type
- Conference Proceeding (336)
- Article (130)
- Doctoral Thesis (12)
- Master's Thesis (2)
- Working Paper (2)
- Preprint (1)
- Study Thesis (1)
Institute
- Professur Informatik im Bauwesen (484) (remove)
Keywords
- Modellierung (62)
- Bauwerk (48)
- Finite-Elemente-Methode (41)
- CAD (40)
- Verteiltes System (38)
- Bautechnik (30)
- Computerunterstütztes Verfahren (24)
- Produktmodell (24)
- Architektur (23)
- Simulation (22)
The paper is about model based parameter identification and damage localization of elastomechanical systems using input and output measurements in the frequency domain. An adaptation of the Projective Input Residual Method to subsystem damage identification is presented. For this purpose the projected residuals were adapted with respect to a given subsystem to be analysed. Based on the gradients of these projected subsystem residuals a damage indicator was introduced which is sensitive to parameter changes and structural damages in this subsystem. Since the computations are done w.r.t. the smaller dimension of a subsystem this indicator shows a computational performance gain compared to the non-subsystem approach. This gain in efficiency makes the indicator applicable in online-monitoring and online-damage-diagnosis where continuous and fast data processing is required. The presented application of the indicator to a gantry robot could illustrate the ability of the indicator to indicate and locate real damage of a complex structure. Since in civil engineering applications the system input is often unknown, further investigations will focus on the output-only case since the generalization of the presented methods to this case will broaden its application spectrum.
The truss model for predicting shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams has usually been criticized because of its underestimation of the concrete shear strength especially for beams with low shear reinforcement. Two challengers are commonly encountered in any truss model and are responsible for its inaccurate shear strength prediction. First: the cracking angle is usually assumed empirically and second the shear contribution of the arching action is usually neglected. This research introduces a nouvelle approach, by using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for accurately evaluating the shear cracking angle of reinforced and prestressed concrete beams. The model inputs include the beam geometry, concrete strength, the shear reinforcement ratio and the prestressing stress if any. ...
In many engineering applications two or more different interacting systems require the numer-ical solution of so-called multifield problems. In civil engineering the interaction of fluid and structures plays an important role, i.e. for fabric tensile structures of light and flexible materials often used for large roof systems, capacious umbrellas or canopies. Whereas powerful numerical simulation techniques have been established in structural engineering as well as in fluid mechan-ics, only relatively few approaches to simulate the interaction of fluids with civil engineering constructions have been presented. To determine the wind loads on complex structures, it is still state-of-the-art to apply semi-empirical, strongly simplifying methods or to perform expensive ex-periments in wind tunnels. In this paper an approach of a coupled fluid-structure simulation will be presented for membrane and thin shell structures. The interaction is described by the struc-tural deformation as response to wind forces, resulting in a modification of the fluid flow domain. Besides a realistic determination of the wind loads, information on the structural stability can be obtained. The so-called partitioned solution is based on an iterative frame algorithm, integrating different codes for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and for Computational Structural Dy-namics (CSD) in an explicit or an implicit time-stepping procedure. All data exchange between the two different applications is performed via a neutral geometric model provided by a coupling interface. A conservative interpolation method is used for the interpolation of the nodal loads. The time-dependent motion of the structure requires a dynamic modification of the different grids and a redefinition of the Navier-Stokes equations in an Arbitrary Langrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulation. As an example for the present implementation, results of a coupled fluid-structure simulation for a textile membrane canopy will be presented.
The contribution introduces a method for the distributed process modelling in order to support the process orientation in Structural Engineering, i.e., the modelling, analysis and management of planning processes. The approach is based on the Petri Net theory for the modelling of planning processes and workflows in Structural Engineering. Firstly, a central and coarse process model serves as a pre-structuring system for the detailed modelling of the technical planning activities. Secondly, the involved planning participants generate distributed process models with detailed technical workflow information. Finally, these distributed process models will be combined in the central workflow net. The final net is of great importance for the process orientation in Structural Engineering, i.e., the identification, publication, analysis, optimization and finally the management of planning processes.
Increasing complexity of today's buildings requires a high level of integration in the planning process. Common planning strategies, where individual project partners cooperate mainly to exchange results, are not suitable to jointly develop project goals and objectives. Integrated planning, a more holistic approach to deal with complex problems, is based on a high degree of communication amoung team members and leads to a goal oriented cooperation. Current approaches in the reasearch area of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) poorly meet the requirements in planning. A planning process model, based on the principles of integrated planning will be introduced, aimed to provide the background for the implementation of a CSCW-platform.
The displacements and stresses in arch dams and their abutments are frequently determined with 20-node brick elements. The elements are distorted near the contact plane between the wall and the abutment. A cantilever beam testbed has been developed to investigate the consequences of this distortion. It is shown that the deterioration of the accuracy in the computed stresses is significant. A compatible 18-node wedge element with linear stress variation is developed as an alternative to the brick element. The shape of this element type is readily adapted to the shape of the contact plane. It is shown that the accuracy of the computed stresses in the vicinity of the contact plane is improved significantly by the use of wedge elements.
We present a software prototype for fluid flow problems in civil engineering, which combines essential features of Computational Steering approaches with efficient methods for model transfer and high performance computing. The main components of the system are described: - The modeler with a focus on the data management of the product model - The pre-processing and the post-processing toolkit - The simulation kernel based on the Lattice Boltzmann method - The required hardware for real-time computing
A Product Model of a Road
(1997)
Many errors and delays frequently appear when data is exchanged between particular tasks in the lifecycle of the road. Inter-task connections are therefore of great importance for the quality of the final product. The article describes a product model of a road wich is the kernel of an integrated information system intended to support all important stages of the road lifecycle: design, evaluation (through different analysis procedures), construction, and maintainance. Since particular tasks are often executed at different places and in different companies, the interconnections are supported by a special metafile which contains all specific data of the product model. The concept of the integrated system is object and component oriented. Additionally, existing conventional program packages are included to support some common tasks (methods). A conventional relational database system as well as an open spatial database system with the relevant GIS functionality are included to support the data structures of the model.
In recent years, the survey is performed for repair, such as a bridge and a building built in past, spending great expense. And it is anxious for the survey technique that doesn’t need cost and time more. Then, we made an idea of the technique of precise 3D model creation by 2D pictures. However, the technique of performing the improvement in accuracy of convergent photographing and automatic acquisition of corresponding points was not established. Therefore, in this research, we try to obtain a semi-automation of corresponding points acquisition from initial corresponding points and the improvement in accuracy of convergent photographing. Moreover, we applied the research to the used house of Japanese real estate, and the applicable field was selected as the high needs of the residence of 3D model. And we developed the system that everyone could create Web / 3D model house by VRML easily without requiring expensive apparatuses or expertise.
To fulfil safety requirements the changes in the static and/or dynamic behaviour of the structure must be analysed with great care. These changes are often caused by local reduction of the stiffness of the structure caused by the irregularities in the structure, as for example cracks. In simple structures such analysis can be performed directly, by solving equations of motion, but for more complex structures a different approach, usually numerical, must be applied. The problem of crack implementation into the structure behaviour has been studied by many authors who have usually modelled the crack as a massless rotational spring of suitable stiffness placed at the beam at the location where the crack occurs. Recently, the numerical procedure for the computation of the stiffness matrix for a beam element with a single transverse crack has been replaced with the element stiffness matrix written in fully symbolic form. A detailed comparison of the results obtained by using 200 2D finite elements with those obtained with a single cracked beam element has confirmed the usefulness of such element.
As computer programs become ever more complex, software development has shifted from focusing on programming towards focusing on integration. This paper describes a simulation access language (SimAL) that can be used to access and compose software applications over the Internet. Specifically, the framework is developed for the integration of tools for project management applications. The infrastructure allows users to specify and to use existing heterogeneous tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, Primavera Project Planner, and AutoCAD) for simulation of project scenarios. This paper describes the components of the SimAL language and the implementation efforts required in the development of the SimAL framework. An illustration example bringing on-line weather forecasting service for project scheduling and management applications is provided to demonstrate the use of the simulation language and the infrastructure framework.
This paper presents a new design environment based on Multi-Agents and Virtual Reality (VR). In this research, a design system with a virtual reality function was developed. The virtual world was realized by using GL4Java, liquid crystal shutter glasses, sensor systems, etc. And the Multi-Agent CAD system with product models, which had been developed before, was integrated with the VR design system. A prototype system was developed for highway steel plate girder bridges, and was applied to a design problem. The application verified the effectiveness of the developed system.
In this Paper, we explored the relation between the electricity consumption in residential sector and the automobile energy consumption in transportation sector in accordance with the location of city by employing Geographic Information System (GIS). We found in the study that the electricity consumption per capita has a tendency that is higher in city center and lower in suburbs in Utsunomiya city. It is also noted that there is little difference among total consumption between city center and suburbs, despite the fact that the density of electric appliances tends to increase in a small size house of city center and the amount of automobile energy consumption from residence is lower in city center than in suburbs.
The construction industry is a supportive industry in China. IT (information technolgy), including computer technology and communication technology, as a whole is regarded as the most important means to upgrade the construction industry so that research projects were organized by Chinese government to further the application of IT in the construction industry. This study originated from one of the projects and is aimed at grasping the general situation on the application of IT in the construction industry. A questionnaire was designed for the survey, which used stratified proportional sampling method, and was carried out under the help of a government agency. This study can not only provide sound foundation for the government to make relative policies, but also reveal references for the firms in construction industry to apply IT in their business. This paper presents the preliminary result of the survey.
The development of a life cycle structured cooperation platform is described, which is based on an integrated process and goal-oriented project model. Furthermore the structure of a life cycle oriented object structure model and its implementation in the platform are documented. The complete conceptual model is described, which represents the basis of a lifecycle -oriented structuring of the planning object and supports the thematic classification of the object and project management data.
The paper describes a concept for the step-by-step computer-aided capture and representation of geometric building data in the context of planning-oriented building surveying. Selected aspects of the concept have been implemented and tested as prototypes. The process of step-by-step capture and representation is determined by the order in which the user experiences the building. Only the information that the user knows (can see) or can reasonably deduce is represented. In addition approaches to the flexible combination of different measuring techniques and geometric abstractions are described which are based upon geodetic computational adjustment.
This paper is concerned with the numerical treatment of quasilinear elliptic partial differential equations. In order to solve the given equation we propose to use a Galerkin approach, but, in contrast to conventional finite element discretizations, we work with trial spaces that, not only exhibit the usual approximation and good localization properties, but, in addition, lead to expansions of any element in the underlying Hilbert spaces in terms in multiscale or wavelet bases with certain stability properties. Specifically, we select as trial spaces a nested sequence of spaces from an appropriate biorthogonal multiscale analysis. This gives rise to a nonlinear discretized system. To overcome the problems of nonlinearity, we make use of the machinery of interpolating wavelets to obtain knot oriented quadrature rules. Finally, Newton's method is applied to approximate the solution in the given ansatz space. The results of some numerical experiments with different biorthogonal systems, confirming the applicability of our scheme, are presented.
Objektorientierte Anwendungen aus dem Ingenieurwesen bestehen aus strukturierten Mengen, deren Elemente Objekte sind. Zwischen den Objekten bestehen vielfältige Abhängigkeiten. Die Beziehungen sind zur Zeit der Entwicklung einer Anwendung nur teilweise bekannt. Beziehungen zwischen Objekten müssen deshalb auch zur Laufzeit der Anwendung erzeugt und gelöscht werden können. Aufgrund des hohen Rechenaufwandes wird die Objektbasis einer Anwendung verzögert aktualisiert. Eine objektorientierte Anwendung wird auf Grundlage der Systemtheorie als System formal beschrieben. Als Elemente des Systems werden Attribute, Objekte und Objektmengen eingeführt. Die in den Methoden der Objekte implementierten Algorithmen bestimmen die Bindungsrelation des Systems. Auf Grundlage der Graphentheorie wird die Reihenfolge der Aktualisierung der Objektbasis berechnet. ...
The AEC industry is conscious of the potentials arising from the usage of mobile computer systems to increase productivity by streamlining their business processes. Discussions are no longer on whether or not to use a mobile computer solution, but rather, on how it should be used. However, the implantation process of this new technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) and Facility Management (FM) practise is very slow and should be improved. One way to encourage and ease the usage of mobile computer systems in AEC is a more process-oriented usability and context appropriateness of mobile computer solutions. Context-sensitivity is defined as a crucial feature to be taken into account for further research in the area of Mobile Computing. Context-sensitive, mobile IT-solutions depend on two features: (1) flexible definitions of (construction) processes describing the context and (2) tools for flexible, multi-dimensional information management representing the context. It is on this premise that the authors propose the n-dimensional data management approach for the implementation of mobile computing solutions. In this paper, we analyse working scenarios in the AEC and FM sector, defining context aspects which are transformed and formalized as dimension hierarchies of the envisaged context model.
An architecture of a distributed planning system for the building industry has been developed. The emphasis is on highly collaborative environments in steelwork, timber construction etc. where designers concurrently handle 3D models. The overall system connects local design systems by the so-called Design Framework DFW. This framework consists of the definition of distributed components and protocols which make the collaborative design work. The process of collaborative design has been formalized on an abstract level. This paper describes how this has been done. A sample is given to illustrate the mapping of concrete scenarios of the ‘real design world’ to an abstract scenario level. This work is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG as part of the project SPP1103 (Meißner et al. 2003).
The paper presents the abstraction of process relevant information in order to enable the workflow management based on semantic data. It is shown for three examples, how the standards define the information needed to perform a certain planning activity. Abstraction of process relevant information is discussed for different granularities of the underlying processmodel. As one possible application ProMiSE is introduced, which uses process relevant data in individual tokens in a petri-net based process-model.
Der Beitrag basiert auf den Ansätzen und Ergebnissen des Forschungsprojekts >Prozessorientierte Vernetzung von Ingenieurplanungen am Beispiel der Geotechnik<, das im Rahmen des Schwerpunktprogramms 1103 >Vernetzt-kooperative Planungsprozesse im Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau< von der DFG gefördert wird. Ziel des gemeinsam mit dem Institut für Numerische Methoden und Informatik im Bauwesen an der TU Darmstadt durchgeführten Forschungsprojekts ist die Entwicklung einer netzwerkbasierten Kooperationsplattform zur Unterstützung von geotechnischen Ingenieurplanungen. Daher konzentriert sich das Forschungsprojekt auf die Abbildung und Koordination der Planungsprozesse für Projekte des Konstruktiven Ingenieurbaus vor dem Hintergrund der stark arbeitsteiligen Projektbearbeitung in einer verteilten Rechnerumgebung. Der Beitrag stellt die Abstraktion von Prozessmustern im Bauplanungsprozess als Basis für die dynamische Prozessmodellierung in einem Kooperationsmodell dar. Ziel ist es, durch die Identifikation der mit dem Entwurf und der Dimensionierung eines Bauteils verbundenen Planungs- und Abstimmungsprozesse einen bauteilbezogenen Katalog von Prozessmustern zu abstrahieren. Die einzelnen Prozessmuster werden in jedem Bauplanungsprozess dynamisch über geeignete Kopplungsmechanismen in das aktuelle Prozessmodell integriert, so dass die für den Bauplanungsprozess typischen Veränderungen der Konstruktion und der Zusammensetzung des Planungsteams im Prozessmodell berücksichtigt werden können. Dazu werden im Beitrag die bisherigen Ergebnisse der Analyse des Planungsprozesses eines großen innerstädtischen Bauvorhabens, das als Referenzobjekt dient, sowie typischer Planungsszenarien in der Geotechnik vorgestellt. Anschließend werden Grundlagen und methodische Ansätze zur Modellierung von Prozessen mit der Methode der farbigen Petri-Netze mit individuellen Marken vorgestellt. Anhand von Beispielen für bauteilorientierte Prozessmuster wird die Funktionalität der Prozessmuster in sich und im gegenseitigen Zusammenspiel erläutert
Expert systems integrating fuzzy reasoning techniques represent a powerful tool to support practicing engineers during the early stages of structural design. In this context fuzzy models have proved themselves to be very suitable for the representation of complex design knowledge. However their definition is a laborious task. This paper introduces an approach for the design and the optimization of fuzzy systems based upon Genetic Programming. To keep the emerging fuzzy systems transparent a new framework for the definition of linguistic variables is also introduced.
Framed-tube system with multiple internal tubes is analysed using an orthotropic box beam analogy approach in which each tube is individually modelled by a box beam that accounts for the flexural and shear deformations, as well as the shear-lag effects. A simple numerical modeling technique is proposed for estimating the shear-lag phenomenon in tube structures with multiple internal tubes. The proposed method idealizes the framed-tube structures with multiple internal tubes as equivalent multiple tubes, each composed of four equivalent orthotropic plate panels. The numerical analysis is based on the minimum potential energy principle in conjunction with the variational approach. The shear-lag phenomenon of such structures is studied taking into account the additional bending moments in the tubes. A detailed work is carried out through the numerical analysis of the additional bending moment. The moment factor is further introduced to identify the shear lag phenomenon along with the additional moment.
Seit die Datenverarbeitung in ihrer Komplexität sich der Thematik des Computer Integrated Manufacturing widmet gehört die Produktionsplanung und Steuerung zu jenen Bereichen, in denen eine Computerunterstützung am vordringlichsten erschien. Später sind betriebswirtschaftliche Gesamtlösungen entstanden, die (bis heute recht unpräzise) als Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)-Systeme bezeichnet werden und in ihren Logistik-Modulen auch Funktionen der Produktionsplanung abdecken. Alle bekannten MRP-, PPS- und auch ERP-Systeme beruhen auf einer Sukzessivplanung. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Systems finden seit etwa 1995 zunehmend Interesse. Neben Demand Planning, Production Planning and Scheduling, Distribution Planning, Transportation Planning und Supply Chain Planning werden Lösungen für Anzahl und Standorte von Produktionsstätten und Auslieferungslagern, Zuordnung zu Produktionsstätten, Kapazitätsbestimmung für Arbeitskräfte und Betriebsmittel je Standort, Lagerhaltung je Teil und Lager, Bestimmung benötigter Transportmittel und Häufigkeit ihres Einsatzes, Zuordnung von Lagern zu Produktionsstätten von Märkten zu Lagern u.a.m. von APS-Systemen erwartet. D.h. APS-Systeme ergänzen ERP-Lösungen, nutzen die bereits durch das ERP-System vorhandenen Daten und benötigen neuartige Algorithmen und (Meta-) Heuristiken. Im Rahmen des Vortrages werden Modelle und Echtzeitalgorithmen zur Optimierung der Logistik für Prozesse mit kurzfristigen Anforderungen, geographisch verteilter Produktion, Lagerhaltung der Ausgangs-, Zwischen- und Endprodukte und wechselnden Transport-Bedingungen aus der Sicht der praktischen Umsetzung und Anwendung in Form einer ASP-Lösung aufgezeigt und diskutiert.
This ethnographic study reports on emerging work processes and practices observed in the AEC (Architecture/Engineering/Construction) Global Teamwork program, i.e., what people experience when interacting with and through collaboration technologies, why people practice in the way they do, how the practice fits into the environment and changes the work patterns. It presents the experience of two high-performance typical but extreme AEC teamwork cases adopting and adapting to collaboration technologies and how these technologies in practice impact their work processes. The findings illustrate the importance of collaboration technologies in cross-disciplinary, global teamwork. Observations indicate that high performance teams that use the collaboration technologies effectively exhibit collaboration readiness at an early stage and manage to define a “third way” to meet the demands of the cross-disciplinary, multi cultural and geographically distributed AEC workspace. The observations and implications represent the blueprint for yearly innovations and improvements to the design of the AEC Global Teamwork program.
Die heutige Situation in der Tragwerksplanung ist durch das kooperative Zusammenwirken einer größeren Anzahl von Fachleuten verschiedener Disziplinen (Architektur, Tragwerksplanung, etc.) in zeitlich befristeten Projektgemeinschaften gekennzeichnet. Bei der Abstimmung der hierdurch bedingten komplexen, dynamischen und vernetzten Planungsprozesse kommt es dabei häufig zu Planungsmängeln und Qualitätseinbußen. Dieser Artikel zeigt auf, wie mit Hilfe der Agententechnologie Lösungsansätze zur Verbesserung der Planungssituation erreicht werden können. Hierzu wird ein Agentenmodell für die vernetzt-kooperative Tragwerksplanung vorgestellt und anhand der Planung einer Fußgängerbogenbrücke anschaulich demonstriert. Das Agentenmodell erfasst (1) die beteiligten Fachplaner und Organisationen, (2) die tragwerksspezifischen Planungsprozesse, (3) die zugehörigen (Teil-)Produktmodelle und (4) die genutzte (Ingenieur-)Software. Hieraus leiten sich die drei Teilmodelle (1) agentenbasiertes Kooperationsmodell, (2) agentenbasierte Produktmodellintegration und (3) Modell zur agentenbasierten Software-Integration ab. Der Fokus des Artikels liegt auf der Darstellung des agentenbasierten Kooperationsmodells.
Im Rahmen des Sonderforschungsbereiches 524 <Werkstoffe und Konstruktionen für die Revitalisierung von Bauwerken 1> ist das primäre Anliegen des Teilprojektes D2 <Bauplanungsrelevantes digitales Gebäudeaufnahme- und Informationssystem> die Entwicklung von Methoden und Techniken zur Aufnahme von Bestandsdaten vor Ort oder durch Auswertung vorhandener Dokumentationen und deren direkte Integration in ein Bauwerksmodell. [15] Das Vorhaben erarbeitet Grundlagen zu Aspekten der fachplanerischen Nutzung und der wissenschaftlichen Auswertungen arbeitsmethodischer Vorgehensweisen in der Bestandsaufnahme unter Einbeziehung softwaretechnischer Methoden. Dabei finden Sachverhalte der Strukturierung, die Herausarbeitung von Systematiken der wesentlichen Informations-/Datenmengen, die Ableitung von Methoden zur zerstörungsfreien Erfassung und die Darstellung planungsrelevanter Gebäudeinformationen in digitalen Systemen Berücksichtigung. Beim Bauaufmaß werden neben traditionellen Methoden und Techniken längst geodätische Verfahren wie die Tachymetrie, die Photogrammetrie und die Handlaserentfernungsmessung einbezogen. In der Praxis des Bestandsaufmaßes repräsentiert gegenwärtig die Tachymetrie, das am häufigsten zur Innen- und Außenaufnahme von Gebäuden eingesetzte geodätische Vermessungsverfahren. [9] [3] Ausgehend von der heutigen Situation in der Bestandsaufnahme wird aufgezeigt, inwieweit es nach dem gegenwärtigen Stand der Technik möglich ist, die in der Geodäsie verwendeten Tachymeter direkt in der Bestandsaufnahme einzusetzen. In einem weiteren Schwerpunkt wird die Konzeption eines rechnergestützten Bauaufnahmesystems basierend auf reflektorlos messenden tachymetrischen Geräten beschrieben. Das Konzept berücksichtigt nicht nur das Bauaufmaß, sondern unterstützt adäquat den gesamten Prozeß der Bauaufnahme – von der Erstbegehung bis hin zur konstruktiven Gliederung. Abschließend werden tendenzielle Möglichkeiten in der Bauaufnahme diskutiert.
In the field of engineering, surrogate models are commonly used for approximating the behavior of a physical phenomenon in order to reduce the computational costs. Generally, a surrogate model is created based on a set of training data, where a typical method for the statistical design is the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS). Even though a space filling distribution of the training data is reached, the sampling process takes no information on the underlying behavior of the physical phenomenon into account and new data cannot be sampled in the same distribution if the approximation quality is not sufficient. Therefore, in this study we present a novel adaptive sampling method based on a specific surrogate model, the least-squares support vector regresson. The adaptive sampling method generates training data based on the uncertainty in local prognosis capabilities of the surrogate model - areas of higher uncertainty require more sample data. The approach offers a cost efficient calculation due to the properties of the least-squares support vector regression. The opportunities of the adaptive sampling method are proven in comparison with the LHS on different analytical examples. Furthermore, the adaptive sampling method is applied to the calculation of global sensitivity values according to Sobol, where it shows faster convergence than the LHS method. With the applications in this paper it is shown that the presented adaptive sampling method improves the estimation of global sensitivity values, hence reducing the overall computational costs visibly.
Authors' own research in applied unicriterial and multicriterial optimisation of bar structures, and also an analysis of accessible bibliography on structural synthesis allows to present herein an attempt to define a general algorithm for proceeding in formulation of a structural optimisation problem. A practical aspect of such an algorithm consists, in author's opinion, in enabling a designer a correct creation of a mathematical model of synthesis problems, independently of known mathematical methods employed to looking for an unconditional extremum of function of several variables. A proposed algorithm is not a ready-for-use tool for solving all the optimisation problems, but it constitutes an easy-to-expand theoretical basis. This basis should allow a designer to create a proper set of compromises on the way to construct a mathematical model of a specific optimisation problem. The algorithm, presented in the paper, is constructed as a sequence of the one-after-another problem questions, on which the designer answers: yes or no, and a set of selections from the knowledge base consisting of the elements of an optimisation problem components. The order of making questions adopted by the authors in the algorithm is subjective, however it is supported by their experience, both in applied optimisation and in designing of structures like trusses or frames.
The conceptual structure of an application that can support the structural analysis task in a distributed collaboratory is described in (van Rooyen and Olivier 2004). The application described there has a standalone component for executing the finite element method on a local workstation in the absence of network access. This application is comparable to current, local workstation based finite element packages. However, it differs fundamentally from standard packages since the application itself, and its objects, are adapted to support distributed execution of the analysis task. Basic aspects of an object-oriented framework for the development of applications which can be used in similar distributed collaboratories are described in this paper. An important feature of this framework is its application-centred design. This means that an application can contain any number of engineering models, where the models are formed by the collection of objects according to semantic views within the application. This is achieved through very flexible classes Application and Model, which are described in detail. The advantages of the application-centred design approach is demonstrated with reference to the design of steel structures, where the finite element analysis model, member design model and connection design model interact to provide the required functionality.
The promise of lower costs for sensors that can be used for construction inspection means that inspectors will continue to have new choices to consider in creating inspection plans. However, these emerging inspection methods can require different activities, resources, and decisions such that it can be difficult to compare the emerging methods with other methods that satisfy the same inspection needs. Furthermore, the context in which inspection is performed can significantly influence how well certain inspection methods are suited for a given set of goals for inspection. Context information, such as weather, security, and the regulatory environment, can be used to understand what information about a component should be collected and how an inspection should be performed. The research described in this paper is aimed at developing an approach for comparing and selecting inspection plans. This approach consists of (1) refinement of given goals for inspection, if necessary, in order to address any additional information needs due to a given context and in order to reach a level of detail that can be addressed by an inspection activity; (2) development of constraints to describe how an inspection should be achieved; (3) matching of goals to available inspection methods, and generation of activities and resource plans in order to address the goals; and (4) selection of an inspection plan from among the possible plans that have been identified. The authors illustrate this approach with observations made at a local construction site.
Recent research shows that current learning strategies in construction industry have not been effective in implementing lean principles in construction. With that in mind the researchers set to investigate an alternative learning strategy in order to promote learning at the international level. A web-based environment, was developed for this project with the intent of promoting learning and knowledge exchange on the theory and practice of "process transparency" across different countries.
There are many construction projects in China and mass documents are exchanged among the multi-party, including the owner, the contractor and the engineer in the projects. Based on previous studies, an approach to the utilization of the exchanged documents is established by using data warehouse technology and a prototype system called EXPLYZER is developed. The approach and the prototype system are verified through their application in a construction project. It is concluded that the approach can support the decision-making in project management.
This paper examines the impact of information technology (IT) utilization on construction firm performance. Based on empirical data collected from 74 US construction firms, the analyses provide evidence that IT has a positive impact on overall firm performance, schedule performance, and cost performance. Firm performance is a composite score of several metrics of performance: schedule performance, cost performance, customer satisfaction, safety performance, and profit. No relationship is found between IT utilization and customer satisfaction, safety, or profit, although this may be due to limitations of the study given strong correlations between IT utilization and cost and schedule performnance. The empirical evidence of positive association between performance and IT use provided by this research is significant to both construction practice and research literature. This evidence should encourage firms to adopt and invest in IT tools.
This paper presents an evaluation system for steel structures of hydroelectric power stations, including hydraulic gates and penstocks, based on Fault Tree Analyasis (FTA) and performance maps. This system consists of fault tree diagrams of FTA, performance maps, design and analysis systems, and engineerin databases. These four modules are integrated by appropriate hyperlinks so that the user of this system can use it easily and seamlessly. A well developed system was applied to some illustrative example cases, and they showed that the developed methodology and system worked well and the users found the system useful and effective for their maintenance tasks at powerstations.
This paper describes a research project that addresses the difficulties in dealing with regulatory documents such as national and regional codes. These documents tend to be voluminous, heavily cross-referenced, possibly ambiguous and even conflicting at times. There are often multiple documents that need to be consulted and satisfied; however it is a difficult task to locate all of the relevant provisions. In addition, sections dealing with the same or similar conceptual ideas sometimes lay down conflicting requirements. We propose a framework for regulation representation, analysis and comparison with emphasis on the extraction of similarities between provisions. We focus on accessibility regulations, whose intent is to provide the same or equivalent access to a building and its facilities for disabled persons. An XML regulatory repository is developed to extract structural as well as non-structural features from government regulations to help user understanding and computational analysis. A similarity analysis is performed between different sources of regulations. In order to achieve a better comparison between provisions, we employ a combination of feature matching and structural analysis. Results are shown on comparisons between American and European codes, as well as on the domain of electronic-rulemaking.
The general motivation of this research is to develop software to support the handling of the increased complexity of architectural design. In this paper we describe a system providing general support during the whole process. Instead of only developing design tools we are also addressing the problem of the operating environment of these tools. We conclude that design tools have to be integrated in an open, modular, distributed, user friendly and efficient environment. Two major fields have to be addressed - the development of design tools and the realisation of an integrated system as their operation environment. We will briefly focus on the latter by discussing known technologies in the field of information technology and other design disciplines that can be used to realise such an environment. Regarding the first subject we have to state the need of a detailed tool specification. As a solution we suggest a strategy where the tool functions are specified on the basis of a transformation, where a hierarchical process model is mapped into specifications of different design tools realising appropriate support for all sub-processes of architectural design. Using this strategy the main steps to develop such a support system are: implementation of a framework as basis for the integrated design system decision whether the tool specification are already implemented in available tools in this case these tools can be integrated using known methods for tool coupling otherwise new design tools have to be developed according to the framework
The paper gives a general overview and concerns with a specified set of computer-aided analysis modules for hybrid structures loaded by extreme excitations. All problems are solved by methods of linear, quadratic or nonlinear mathematical optimization, that leads to very effective and economic design solutions. All approaches are derived from general optimization problem that can be easily altered to conform to specific design tasks. Some advantages and possibilities of hybrid structural modeling (single or mixed model-supported) are discussed. The methods will be illustrated by an example structure and optimization schemes.
The steel structure design codes require to check up the member strength when evaluating plastic deformations. The model of perfectly plastic material is accepted. The strength criteria for simple cross-sections (I section, etc.) of steel members are given in design codes. The analytical strength criteria for steel cross-sections and numerical approaches based on stepwise procedure are investigated in many articles. Another way for checking the carrying capacity of cross-sections is the use of methods that are applied for defining strain-deformed state of elastic perfectly plastic systems. In this paper non-iterative methods are suggested for checking strength of cross-sections. Carrying capacity of cross section is verified according to extremum principle of plastic fail under monotonically loading and the strain-deformed state of cross-section is defined according to extremum energy principals of elastic potential of residual stresses and complementary work of residual displacements. The mathematical expressions of these principals for discrete cross-section are formulated as problems of convex mathematical programming. The cross-section of steel member using finite element method is divided into free form plane elements. The constant distribution of stresses along the finite element is accepted. The relationships of finite elements for static formulation of the problem are formed so, that kinematics formulation relationships could be obtained in a formal way using the theory of duality. Numerical examples of determination of cross-section strength, composition of interactive curves and composition of moment-curvature curves for different axial force levels are presented.
Individual views on a building product of people involved in the design process imply different models for planning and calculation. In order to interpret these geometrical, topological and semantical data of a building model we identify a structural component graph, a graph of room faces, a room graph and a relational object graph as aids and we explain algorithms to derive these relations. The application of the technique presented is demonstrated by the analysis and discretization of a sample model in the scope of building energy simulation.
Petri-Netze und deren Erweiterungen stellen ein leistungsfähiges Instrument zur Model-lierung, Simulation und Animation von Systemen bzw. Prozessen dar. Mathematische Methoden die sowohl analytisch beschreibbar als auch graphisch darstellbar sind, wie z. B. Warteschlangenprobleme, Netzpläne, Suche optimaler Wege in Netzen bzw. Dynamische Optimierung, können mit Hilfe von Petri-Netzen modelliert werden. Werden Petri-Netze zur graphischen Darstellung gewählt, so können die Stellen (passive Knoten) mit Markenverweilzeiten sowie die Transitionen (aktive Knoten) mit Schaltzeiten belegt werden. Für die Zeiten sind deterministische bzw. stochastische Größen einsetzbar. Wird dem Gesamtnetz eine zentrale Uhr und den einzelnen zeitbehafteten Knoten jeweils eine lokale Uhr zugeordnet, so lassen sich die Prozeßabläufe mittels Animation sichtbar machen. Ein an der Professur Computergestützte Techniken entwickeltes Programmsystem dient zur Demonstration der einzelnen Probleme. In anschaulicher Weise kann damit das Ver-ständnis für die genannten Methoden sowie die mit ihrer Hilfe dargestellten Prozesse erleichtert werden.
Die technische Entwicklung, insbesondere auf dem Gebiet der Digitaltechnik eröffnet heute neue und sehr weitreichende Möglichkeiten für die Automatisierung in Zweck- und Wohnbauten. Die zur Verfügung stehenden technischen Komponenten (intelligente Sensoren und Aktoren sowie ein hausinternes Netz für die Datenübertragung -Feldbus-) unterscheiden sich für diese Einsatzfälle kaum. Die Zielstellungen sind jedoch gänzlich andere. Intelligenz im Wohnbau bedeutet vor allem intelligente Alltagsbewältigung (z.B. Zeiteinsparung), Komfort und Wohlbefinden. Daß im Heimbereich nichtfunktionale Faktoren (Human Interface, Ästhetik, Preis, Attraktivität) eine große Rolle spielen, ist in das Problembewußtsein der Gerätehersteller und Käufer getreten. Im Bereich der Heimautomatisierung werden zunehmend moderne, die Möglichkeiten der konventioellen Steuerungs- und Regelungstechnik ergänzende Technologien wie Fuzzy- Steuerungen zur Optimierung der internen Arbeitsweise von Geräten eingesetzt. Die informatorische Vernetzung im Wohnbau unterstützt darüberhinaus wichtige Anliegen des Gebäudemanagements (energetische, ergonomische und ökologische Betrachtungen der Gebäudenutzung unter wirtschaftlichen Gesichtspunkten).
In den zurückliegenden Jahren wurden an der Professur Massivbau I umfangreiche Untersuchungen zur Modellbildung und rechnerischen Erfassung des Tragverhaltens von Tragwerken und Tragwerkselementen aus Stahlbeton und Spannbeton unter Berücksichtigung von Rißbildungen und Plastizierungen durchgeführt. Diesen Untersuchungen liegt als einheitliches methodisches Konzept der mathematischen Problembeschreibung und Problemlösung die mathematische Optimierung zugrunde. Bereits anläßlich des IKM 1994 [1] hatte der Verfasser Gelegenheit, zusammenfassend über Ergebnisse bei der Anwendung der mathematischen Optimierung im Bereich der nichtlinearen Tragwerksanalyse zu berichten. Der vorliegende Beitrag, soll einen Überblick über seitdem untersuchte Problemkreise und dabei gewonnene Ergebnisse und Erfahrungen vermitteln. Bei der Anwendung der linearen und quadratischen Optimierung sind wegen der geforderten Linearität der Nebenbedingungen Vereinfachungen bei der Modellbildung des stahlbetonspezifischen Tragverhaltens unumgänglich. Besonders betroffen sind die Ansätze zur Beschreibungen des Materialverhaltens. Durch den Einsatz allgemeiner nichtlinearer mathematischer Optimierungsmethoden lässt sich eine methodisch bedingte Linearisierung des Berechnungsmodells umgehen....
Moderne Bemessungskonzepte für seismisch beanspruchte Hochbauten, wie die Methode der Kapazitäts-bemessung, planen inelastisches Verhalten einzelner Bereiche der Konstruktion beim Entwurf bewußt ein, um so einen Teil der durch das Beben eingetragenen Energie als inelastische Formänderungsarbeit zu absorbieren. Wird bei Akzeptanz inelastischen Verhaltens eine bestimmte Belastungsintensität, die als adaptive Grenzlast oder Einspiellast bezeichnet wird, überschritten, kann es infolge zyklischer Einwirkungen zu einer unbe-grenzten Akkumulation inelastischer Deformationen kommen. Die adaptive Grenzlast stellt damit für zyklische Einwirkungen eine geeignete Kenngröße zur Bewertung der Tragwerksqualität dar, bei der neben der Sicherung des Gleichgewichts ein bestimmtes Schädigungsniveau nicht überschritten wird. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Grundzüge eines Bemessungs- und Nachweiskonzeptes für seismisch beanspruchte Stahlbetontragwerke, das unter Einbeziehung der Grundprinzipe der Kapazitätsbemessung von einem einheitlichen Kriterium zur Beschreibung des Grenzzustandes der Tragfähigkeit auf der Basis der adaptive Grenzlast ausgeht, vorgestellt. Dabei ist die Abschätzung der Verformungen notwendiger Bestandteil des Nachweis- bzw. Bemessungskonzeptes. Bei Druckgliedern ist die Berücksichtigung des Einflusses der Verformungen notwendiger Bestandteil des Bemessungskonzeptes. Entsprechende Erweiterungen der Berechnungsmodelle zur Berücksichtigung des Einflusses geometrisch nichtlinearer Effekte im Sinne einer Theorie II. Ordnung werden vorgestellt.
Die d - Dirac - Funktion d(x-xi) und Heviside - Funktion wurden vor allem zur Beschreibung diskontinuierlicher Belastungsfunktionen von gebogenen Balken angewendet. Im Referat werden die mathematischen Operationen auf den erwähnten Funktionen dargestellt. Darüber hinaus wird die Möglichkeit eindeutiger Aufschreibung von belibigen Belestungsfunktionen vorgeschlagen, die fast alle Fälle der in der Ingenieurpraxis auftretenden Belastungen umfassen. Die vorgeschlagenen Lösungen geben die Möglichkeit leichter Aufschreibung im Form eines Algorithmus, das die Ausnutzung von Komputertechnik in statischen Berechnungen ermöglicht. Am Ende des Referates werden die Zahlebeispiele dargestellt, die die Möglichkeiten praktischer Anwendungen der besprochenen Funktionen darstellen.
Die Einführung von neuen Informations- und Kommunikationstechniken in Klein- und Mittelständische Unternehmen (hier: kleine und mittlere Planungsbüros im Bauwesen) ist mit speziellen Problemen behaftet. Erfahrungswerte liegen nur in größeren und zumeist fachfremden Firmen vor. Neben den eigentlichen Sicherheitsrisiken (Thematik Internet), Verständnisschwierigkeiten und daraus resultierenden Akzeptanzproblemen fehlt beim Einsatz dieser neuen Techniken die Verbindung zum Ablauf in projektbasiert arbeitenden Unternehmen. Der Begeisterung und Euphorie durch den Einsatz neuer Technik stehen Änderungen des eigenen Arbeitsstiles und ein anfänglicher Mehraufwand entgegen. Ein Schwerpunktthema der eigenen Forschungsarbeiten sind die Ermittlung und Validierung von Kriterien für die Einführung neuer IuK-Techniken speziell in kleineren und mittleren Planungsbüros. In einer fortschreitenden Reihe von Arbeiten am Fachbereich wurden und werden nacheinander die genannten Problematiken und Aspekte in Angriff genommen. Dabei werden neben der Kategorisierung von Anwendungsszenarien und Vorstellung der einzelnen, empfehlenswerten Techniken einzelne Konzepte am Fachbereich und in Zusammenarbeit mit Ingenieurbüros überprüft. Der Beitrag möchte in Ergänzung zu bereits gelaufenen Arbeiten als Empfehlung oder Leitfaden für Planungsbüros auf die Machbarkeit neuer Techniken und einige nötige Randbedingungen eingehen.
This paper presents an agent-based software, Virtual Administrator System (VAS) for the smallscale maintenance of school buildings. VAS is capable of handling a heavy load of routine, lowtech maintenance jobs. It assigns a different priority to each job application according to its significance and urgency, and automatically adjusts schedules for maintenance engineers when on-site supervision is needed. The system can help ease off the burden of routine small-scale maintenance work, making it more cost-effective and efficient in the overall management of school building maintenance. VAS posts jobs on the Web in a multi-media format and classified all applications into four categories: the on-call maintenance contract, the term maintenance contract, the guaranty maintenance contract, and the regular maintenance contract. It then estimates their urgency level and passes the information to maintenance engineers who will decide whether on-site inspection is needed. Based on the engineers’ feedback, VAS automatically implements the scheduling for inspection as well as sends out real-time or batch notifications to contractors. All these activities are recorded in a database to allow continuous research and data mining and the analysis and diagnosis of specific jobs for followup maintenance plans.
This paper presents the combination of two different parallelization environments, OpenMP and MPI, in one numerical simulation tool. The computation of the system matrices and vectors is parallelized with OpenMP and the solution of the system of equations is done with the MPIbased solver MUMPS. The efficiency of both algorithms is shown on several linear and nonlinear examples using the Finite Element Method and a meshless discretization technique.
All construction project are constrained by their schedules, budgets and specifications, and safety and environmental regulations. These constraints made construction management more complex and difficult. At the same time, many historical data that can support the decisions in the future are kept in construction enterprises,. To use the historical data effectively and efficiently, it is essential to apply the data warehouse and data mining technologies. This paper introduces a research which aims to develop a data warehouse system according to the requirements of construction enterprises and use data mining technology to learn useful information and knowledge from the data warehouse system. The design, the development and the application of this system are detailedly introduced in this paper.