Assessing artificial neural network performance for predicting interlayer conditions and layer modulus of multi-layered flexible pavement

The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the artificial neural network (ANN) approach for predicting interlayer conditions and layer modulus of a multi-layered flexible pavement structure. To achieve this goal, two ANN based back-calculation models were proposed to predict the interlayer conditions and layer modulus of the pavement structure. The corresponding database built with ANSYS based finite element method computations for four types of a structure subjected to falling weight deflectometer load. In addition, two proposed ANN models were verified by comparing the results of ANN models with the results of PADAL and double multiple regression models. The measured pavement deflection basin data was used for the verifications. The comparing results concluded that there are no significant differences between the results estimated by ANN and double multiple regression models. PADAL modeling results were not accurate due to the inability to reflect the real pavement structure because pavement structure was not completely continuous. The prediction and verification results concluded that the proposed back-calculation model developed with ANN could be used to accurately predict layer modulus and interlayer conditions. In addition, the back-calculation model avoided the back-calculation errors by considering the interlayer condition, which was barely considered by former models reported in the published studies.     

Accident assessment of vehicles on long-span bridges in windy environments

Currently, there are very few systematic analyses of vehicle performance on bridges in windy environments. There are thus no scientific data to support bridge management in this regard, such as when to close traffic on bridges. This paper presents a framework of vehicle accident analysis model on long-span bridges in windy environments. In the accompanying paper, a three-dimensional analysis of the coupled bridge-vehicle-wind system is developed. Each vehicle is modeled as a combination of several rigid bodies, axle mass blocks, springs, and dampers. Dynamic interaction analysis is then conducted on the vehicle-bridge system to predict the “global” bridge and vehicle dynamic responses without considering accident occurrences. The results of the global bridge-vehicle vibrations serve as the basis for the present accident analysis of the “local” vehicle vibrations. With the global vibrations as inputs of the accident model, the lateral response, yaw response of the vehicle, and the reaction forces of each individual wheel are obtained and the stability condition of the vehicles are analyzed. The vehicle accidents on long-span bridges are then identified with given accident criteria. The developed framework can be used in not only analyzing the vehicle performance on highways and on bridges, but also in predicting useful information for emergency preparedness agencies in developing evacuation plans.     

Dynamic Analysis of Low-Rise Buildings on Microcomputers

An analytical model for dynamic response analysis of low-rise steel frame buildings on microcomputers is described. The model consists of an assemblage of planar frames with either braced or moment resisting connections. All but the frame lateral degrees of freedom are removed using static condensation prior to assemblage of the overall model. Floor diaphragms are modeled as either flexible or completely rigid in their own planes. Linear elastic behavior is assumed in the model and time-history dynamic analysis is performed using the mode-acceleration method. A FORTRAN computer program was written to implement the model on a microcomputer and a sample analysis of an actual building is presented to illustrate its use. The program was envisioned as a simplified analysis and design tool which could aid a designer in investigating a proposed structure or in rehabilitating an existing one for lateral forces.     

二元地质条件下内支撑与土钉墙支护设计问题

结合某基坑工程的设计实践,对在基坑开挖深度内有土层和岩层、且岩层内存在软弱夹层的二元地质条件下采用内支撑和复合土钉墙组合形式支护时存在的问题进行了详细分析,主要包括土压力的计算模式、钢管桩下局部地基承载力的验算、刚-揉性组合支护型式的交接处刚度协调、内撑立柱的约束状态对内支撑稳定性的影响等问题,通过对这些问题的分析,得到在设计类似基坑支护形式时需要注意的问题,并提出解决问题的措施,为同类工程提供参考。     

承台刚度对受荷群桩基础承载性状的影响研究

既有建筑下挖增层改造将引起群桩基础产生附加沉降。笔者引入双曲线模型来模拟桩端和桩侧阻力的发挥机理;考虑到群桩基础之间存在复杂的桩-桩、桩-土相互作用,结合剪切位移法导得双曲线模型参数的计算方法;通过荷载传递法建立群桩基础刚性承台条件下的控制方程,并结合Plaxis 3D数值分析软件验证了该计算方法的可行性。最后,研究了既有建筑下挖增层改造对刚性和柔性承台群桩基础承载性状的影响因素。结果显示:刚性和柔性承台顶部沉降比随着开挖深度的增加大致呈线性增加;在同一开挖深度时,沉降比随着顶部荷载的增加而有所增大,且柔性承台的沉降比大于刚性承台的沉降比;群桩基础中的桩间距对承台顶部沉降比会有一定的影响;在既有建筑下挖增层改造过程中,群桩基础承台应做成刚性承台。     

Kernel Smoothing Method Applicable to the Dynamic Calibration of Traffic Flow Models

Abstract: Real time traffic flow simulation models are used to provide traffic information for dynamic traffic management systems. Those simulation models are supplied by traffic data in order to estimate and predict traffic conditions in unobserved sections of a traffic network. In general, most of recent real time traffic simulators are based on the macroscopic model because the macroscopic model replicates the average traffic behavior in terms of observable variables such as (time–space) flow and speed at a relatively fast computational time. Like other simulation models, an important aspect of the real time macroscopic simulator is to calibrate the model parameters online. The most conventional way of the online calibration is to add a random walk to the parameters to constitute an augmentation of the traffic variables and the model parameters to be estimated. Actually, this method allows the parameters to vary at every time step and, therefore, describes the adaptation of the model to the prevailing traffic conditions. However, it has been reported that the use of the random walk results in a loss of information and an increase of the covariance of parameters, which consequently leads to posteriors that are far more diffuse than the theoretical posteriors for the true parameters. To this end, this article puts forward a Kernel density estimation technique in the calibration process to handle the covariance issue and to avoid the information loss. The Kernel density estimation technique is embedded in the particle filter algorithm, which is extended to the calibration problems. The proposed framework is investigated using real‐life data collected in a freeway in England.     

复杂应力状态下抗剪连接件应力在组合梁桥的实验研究

为了研究组合梁在复杂应力状态下抗剪连接件的力学性能,进行了两个布置有不同类型的抗剪连接件的小规模模型测试。这些模型的设计都是基于广州的一座组合梁桥。详细地研究了在相同边界条件下的刚性抗剪连接件模型和弹性抗剪连接件模型的钢筋混凝土交界面的相对滑移的比较分析。在三种不同类型的荷载形式作用下的两种抗剪连接件的反应也进行了比较。模型测试结果表明混凝土的极限承载能力是决定钢筋混凝土交界面上的相对滑移的关键因素而且刚性抗剪连接件和弹性抗剪连接件的区别是非常明显的。这份报告对于组合梁的抗剪连接件的未来研究和设计很有参考价值。     

横观各向同性层状地基上埋置刚性条带基础动力刚度矩阵求解

提出了求解横观各向同性层状地基埋置刚性条带基础动力刚度矩阵的精确算法。算法利用空间变换方法求解得到了横观各向同性层状地基表面或内部任意点的动力位移响应,针对开挖基础求解开挖区域内节点群的动力柔度矩阵,最后利用容积算法求解埋置刚性条带基础动力刚度矩阵。此算法采用精细积分算法求解频率–波数域内层状地基的动力柔度系数,对层状地基的层数和厚度均没有任何限制。此外,算法基于维数较小的矩阵(2×2)运算,数值计算稳定,求解效率较高,数值算例验证了所提算法的精确性及对横观各向同性多层地基的广泛适用性。     

曲线轨道空间振动响应特性研究

曲线轨道空间振动存在平面内振动、平面外弯扭耦合振动,通过建立曲线轨道空间振动频域解析模型,对曲线轨道动力响应特性进行研究。将曲线轨道视为圆形结构的一部分,利用圆形结构周期性的特性,在一个基本元之内求解曲线轨道的动力响应。通过引入移动谐振荷载作用下轨梁动力响应的频域数学模态,得出曲线轨道轨梁频域响应的级数表达。在频域内采用数学模态叠加法表示曲线轨梁的纵向、横向、垂向及扭转振动,进而求解得到基本元内轨梁的频域动力响应。经计算表明,文中提出的频域解析模型能够得到精确的曲线轨道频域响应。通过分析速度、半径、超高等因素,得到以下结论：准静态激励下单个移动轴荷载对曲线轨梁的垂向、横向及扭转振动的影响范围在作用点两侧±5m左右;轴荷载移动速度对曲线轨梁横向位移、扭转变形具有显著的影响,随着速度的增加,曲线轨道由过超高状态逐渐过渡到理想超高状态,最终进入欠超高状态,轨梁横向位移、扭转变形方向发生改变,响应幅值先减小后增加;半径、超高和速度对曲线轨梁垂向位移、横向位移及扭转变形影响较大;随着半径的增加,速度对位移响应的影响程度降低;准静态移动轴荷载列作用下曲线轨梁垂向、横向及扭转频域响应主要集中在40Hz以内的频段;横向振动、扭转振动频谱分布范围较宽。     

Numerical evaluation of effects of nonlinear lateral pile vibrations on nonlinear axial response of pile shaft

Axial and lateral dynamic pile analyses are generally handled separately; and consequently, dynamic soil reactions are assumed to be uncoupled. However, pure loading is rarely encountered as combined loading occurs in many situations (offshore piles, pile driving as well as pile groups and pile rafts). In this study, the effects of nonlinear lateral pile vibrations on the in-phase nonlinear axial pile response of a pile shaft are studied. New approximate nonlinear solutions for both axial and lateral pile behavior, developed from general elastodynamic equations, are presented. The solutions are obtained by extending the elastodynamic solution for plane strain cases with a view to model soil nonlinearity. Since axial soil resistance depends on the confining stress around the pile shaft, the effect of the lateral soil behavior on the confining pressure of the pile circumference is investigated and the axial soil reaction from coupled in-phase vibrations is derived. It is concluded that the axial unit shear strength significantly increases when lateral soil vibrations involve plasticity, which in turn results in an increase in the axial dynamic resistance of the pile shaft.     

Study of ground vibrations induced by railway traffic in a 3D FEM model formulated in the time domain: experimental validation

In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical model is applied for studying railway vibrations. The numerical model is based on finite element method formulated in the time domain with an implicit scheme of integration. In the first part of the paper the numerical approach is briefly described. An uncoupled scheme is applied: (i) firstly the train loads are calculated taking into account dynamic excitation with a 2D vehicle-track model; (ii) the computed loads on each sleeper are introduced into a 3D numerical model, developed in the commercial code Plaxis, which is used to simulate the wave propagation in the ground. In the second part of the paper a real case study, located in Portugal, is presented, being used for the experimental validation of the proposed model. The numerical results of ground vibrations show an acceptable agreement with real measurements. Therefore, the proposed approach can be used as a reliable prediction tool based on PLAXIS software, which allows simulating railway vibrations in some specific cases such as soft soils, inhomogeneous geometries in the longitudinal direction of the track and transition zones.     

Seismic response of building structures with flexible inelastic diaphragm

The inelastic response of one-storey buildings subjected to lateral loads is analysed, making allowance for the real in-plane rigidity and strength of the floors. The structural model consists of a floor diaphragm supported by seven vertical resisting elements with degrading stiffness properties. The elastic design analysis is carried out by modelling the floor diaphragm as a rigid or, alternatively, as a flexible beam. The actual nonlinear response of 240 structures is studied via numerical simulations. Different stiffness and strength distributions in the lateral resisting systems and in the diaphragm are considered. The results of the investigation emphasize the need for an adequate design of the floor diaphragm as a structural element. Also, the results show that the deformability of the diaphragms plays an important role only if the lateral-force resisting system has a markedly non-uniform stiffness distribution; even in such cases, however, adopting the rigid diaphragm hypothesis leads to a more conservative design.     

柔性均布压力加载装置的研制及试验分析

 为真实模拟应力边界条件,保证结果的准确性,岩土材料及地质力学模型试验均需进行柔性边界加载。研制一种新型柔性均布压力加载装置,该装置由液压油缸、刚性推力器、超柔性调整橡胶和柔性传力橡胶等组成。采用数值方法分析和验证柔性加载的效果及传力性能,并结合配比试验,研制出适合岩土试验的特种柔性橡胶。将该加载装置与刚性加载的加载效果进行试验对比,结果表明,柔性均布压力加载相对于刚性加载效果显著,对于表面不平整的模型,柔性橡胶能更好地传递均布压力,并且模型内应力场均匀程度随着橡胶传力垫块的邵氏硬度的降低以及加载压力和距表面深度的增大而提高。带有超柔性调整橡胶和柔性传力橡胶组合垫层的加载装置具有很好的空间转动和变形传力性能,可更好地满足对具有不平整及倾斜表面模型进行柔性加载的要求。研究表明,柔性均布压力加载装置能真实地模拟应力边界条件,有利于提高岩土试验结果的准确性。     

有侧移刚架弹性屈曲的简化分析

结构变形后以几何关系为基础,从轴向荷载对结构侧移刚度降低的角度出发,推导出有侧移刚架弹性屈曲的简化计算方法．该法计算简便、精度好,又有清晰的物理意义．     

层状饱和地基上刚性条形基础的动力刚度

利用饱和土层的精确动力刚度矩阵求解了动力Green函数,将基础和场地交界面离散,根据交界面上的位移边界条件得到层状饱和场地上刚性条形基础的动力刚度。对工程中常用的四种场地(饱和均匀半空间、基岩上单一饱和土层、饱和半空间上单一饱和土层、层状饱和场地)上刚性条形基础的动力刚度进行了对比和分析。研究表明:层状场地结果与其他场地结果有着明显的不同;当上覆土层较厚时,其他三种模型结果基本一致。本文方法可进一步推广到层状饱和场地中任意埋置基础动力刚度的计算中。     

Analytical algorithm for longitudinal deformation profile of a deep tunnel

To investigate the longitudinal deformation profile(LDP) of a deep tunnel in non-hydrostatic condition,an analytical model is proposed in our study.In this model,the problem is considered as a superposition of two partial models,and the displacement field of the second partial model is the same as that of the concerned problem.Therefore,the problem can be solved by a model with simple boundary conditions.We obtain the solutions for the stress and displacement fields of an infinite body caused by arbitrary surface tractions on the boundary of the coming tunnel(zone inside the tunnel before excavation) by integrating the extended Kelvin solution over the boundary.The obtained stress solution is used to solve the specific surface tractions,which can satisfy the boundary conditions of the second partial model,on the boundary of the coming tunnel in an infinite body.Then,the specific surface tractions are substituted into the obtained displacement solution to solve the displacement on the wall and face of the tunnel.Therefore,the LDP can also be calculated.The proposed solution is verified by both numerical simulation and the LDP functions recommended by other researchers.The major advantage of our analytical model is that it can consider the effects of the axial and horizontal lateral pressure coefficients.It is revealed that the horizontal lateral pressure coefficient majorly affects the LDP behind the tunnel face,while the axial lateral pressure coefficient dominates the LDP ahead of the tunnel face.Furthermore,the deformation characteristics of the LDPs ahead of the face and the unexcavated core are investigated.The axial displacements of the excavation face can be used to predict the crown displacements ahead of the face.     

Evaluation of liquefaction-induced lateral displacement using Bayesian belief networks

Liquefaction-induced lateral displacement is responsible for considerable damage to engineered structures during major earthquakes. Therefore, an accurate estimation of lateral displacement in liquefaction-prone regions is an essential task for geotechnical experts for sustainable development. This paper presents a novel probabilistic framework for evaluating liquefaction-induced lateral displacement using the Bayesian belief network (BBN) approach based on an interpretive structural modeling technique. The BBN models are trained and tested using a wide-range case-history records database. The two BBN models are proposed to predict lateral displacements for free-face and sloping ground conditions. The predictive performance results of the proposed BBN models are compared with those of frequently used multiple linear regression and genetic programming models. The results reveal that the BBN models are able to learn complex relationships between lateral displacement and its influencing factors as cause–effect relationships, with reasonable precision. This study also presents a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impacts of input factors on the lateral displacement.     

Bemessungskonzept für fußgängerinduzierte Brückenschwingungen

Design concept for the analysis of pedestrian‐induced bridge vibration. Unexpected vibrations of footbridges, e.g. during inauguration of Millennium Bridge in London and Passerelle Solferino in Paris, have drawn engineers' attention to more accurate forecast models to determine pedestrian‐induced vibrations and especially pedestrian‐structure‐interaction of light and slightly damped footbridges in the design phase. This contribution presents a programme to simulate bridge vibrations with realistic ‘numerical pedestrians’, which is calibrated against measured response under real pedestrian loading. By means of this simulation tool observed vibrations and pedestrian‐structure‐interaction phenomena can be analysed. In a second step an engineering model based on a spectral approach is derived, which enables to determine characteristic pedestrian‐induced structural response. Hence, if necessary the design of the footbridge can be adjusted or damping measures can be planned to fulfill serviceability requirements. A design concept for the dynamic analysis of the reversible serviceability limit state, which fulfills the Eurocode requirements, is described and an innovative consideration and definition of comfort criteria are proposed.     

Seismic response of irregular multi-storey buildings with flexible inelastic diaphragms

The effectiveness of rigid floor modelling in the seismic design of multi-storey building structures as well as the influence of some structural parameters are deeply investigated through an extensive parametric study. The nonlinear behaviour of 216 structures has been simulated. The basic structural model consists of a symmetrical two-storey system which is supported by seven lateral load-resisting vertical elements with degrading stiffness properties. Different stiffness and strength distributions in the lateral load resisting system and in the floors are considered. The elastic design analysis is carried out by modelling floors as rigid diaphragms or, alternatively, as flexible beams, while the seismic inelastic analyses take into account the real in-plane stiffness and strength of floors. Diagrams show the behaviour of the most important structural element in detail, while statistical techniques are used to identify the most important structural parameters. The results of this study show that the rigid floor hypothesis generally leads to a conservative design for multi-storey buildings, thus confirming the findings of some previous studies on single-storey building structures. Moreover floors need to be adequately designed for strength when they have re-entrances and the stiffness distributions of the lateral-force resisting system is markedly non-uniform. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.