scholarly journals Technological developments as an answer to bridge management challenges

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Orcesi ◽  
Bruno Godart ◽  
Laurent Gaillet ◽  
Franziska Schmidt ◽  
Nicolas Bardou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Bridge Management ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Bridge Monitoring ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Integrated Cost ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Shifts ◽  
Non Destructive

<p>Bridge management is a challenge as owners have to deal with limited financial resources to maintain the functionalities and safety of ageing structures. Demands on transportation networks change, due to regulatory developments, society's evolution and shifts with high expectations on the operational performance of roadway bridges with reduced congestion, delay, and accidents. To minimize intrusion in the transport flow, inspection and monitoring methods should be non-destructive, minimally invasive. They should be capable of yielding rapid and accurate inspection results allowing an adequate response from the asset manager. Research aims at including autonomously operating equipment (e.g. robotics), non-intrusive (remote or proximity) observation techniques, or other methods that ensure quality and performance control of the roadway bridges in time, more safely, more quickly and/or to a higher degree of accuracy and precision.The innovation subgroup in COST action TU1406 investigates novel condition monitoring and sensing technologies for the assessment of structural serviceability and safety. Advanced, integrated, cost-effective and reliable instrumentation solutions, techniques and concepts are looked at with the aim to provide data, that will be used to compute innovative performance indicators. In this context, this paper briefly reminds some significant challenges associated with bridge management and presents three examples of innovation in bridge monitoring and NDT investigation techniques.</p>

scholarly journals Sustainability Issues of Functionally Obsolete Bridges

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel N Farhey
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Structural Condition ◽  
Bridge Management ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Congestion Cost ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Transportation Agencies ◽  
Cost Components

Interest in long-term durability and sustainability of bridges has challenged the development of modern bridge management. The structural condition and performance of bridges have drawn much economic and engineering attention. In comparison, the effective functionality of bridges is another major sustainability concern, affecting their safety, mobility, and life span. To reach cost-effective planning and systematic management, consideration of functionally obsolete bridges is essential. This article discusses the critical aspects of evaluation, traffic mobility, and congestion cost of functionally obsolete bridges. A methodology was developed for bridge functional obsolescence evaluation. Actual bridge inventory and conditions databases were studied to compile practical data that generates focused insight for decision-making. A forecast was developed to predict the number of functionally obsolete bridges in the future. Practical cost components of traffic congestion were discussed to facilitate consideration of better original design and construction versus reassignment design and work. The resulting study is practical for transportation agencies, officials, and researchers to support sustainable bridges by planning financial resources, management policies and strategies, design methods, and implementation practices.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Conventional Methods and Electrochemical Aptasensors for Mycotoxin Detection

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1437
Author(s):  
Jing Yi Ong ◽  
Andrew Pike ◽  
Ling Ling Tan
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Recognition Elements ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
And Performance

The presence of mycotoxins in foodstuffs and feedstuffs is a serious concern for human health. The detection of mycotoxins is therefore necessary as a preventive action to avoid the harmful contamination of foodstuffs and animal feed. In comparison with the considerable expense of treating contaminated foodstuffs, early detection is a cost-effective way to ensure food safety. The high affinity of bio-recognition molecules to mycotoxins has led to the development of affinity columns for sample pre-treatment and the development of biosensors for the quantitative analysis of mycotoxins. Aptamers are a very attractive class of biological receptors that are currently in great demand for the development of new biosensors. In this review, the improvement in the materials and methodology, and the working principles and performance of both conventional and recently developed methods are discussed. The key features and applications of the fundamental recognition elements, such as antibodies and aptamers are addressed. Recent advances in aptasensors that are based on different electrochemical (EC) transducers are reviewed in detail, especially from the perspective of the diagnostic mechanism; in addition, a brief introduction of some commercially available mycotoxin detection kits is provided.

scholarly journals Using Aerial and Vehicular NFV Infrastructures to Agilely Create Vertical Services

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1342
Author(s):  
Borja Nogales ◽  
Miguel Silva ◽  
Ivan Vidal ◽  
Miguel Luís ◽  
Francisco Valera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc Network ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Network Services ◽  
Network Function Virtualization ◽  
Mobile Environments ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
The Public ◽  
Network Function ◽  
And Performance

5G communications have become an enabler for the creation of new and more complex networking scenarios, bringing together different vertical ecosystems. Such behavior has been fostered by the network function virtualization (NFV) concept, where the orchestration and virtualization capabilities allow the possibility of dynamically supplying network resources according to its needs. Nevertheless, the integration and performance of heterogeneous network environments, each one supported by a different provider, and with specific characteristics and requirements, in a single NFV framework is not straightforward. In this work we propose an NFV-based framework capable of supporting the flexible, cost-effective deployment of vertical services, through the integration of two distinguished mobile environments and their networks: small sized unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs), supporting a flying ad hoc network (FANET) and vehicles, promoting a vehicular ad hoc network (VANET). In this context, a use case involving the public safety vertical will be used as an illustrative example to showcase the potential of this framework. This work also includes the technical implementation details of the framework proposed, allowing to analyse and discuss the delays on the network services deployment process. The results show that the deployment times can be significantly reduced through a distributed VNF configuration function based on the publish–subscribe model.

Duplex DNA barcoding allows accurate species determination of morphologically similar limpets (Patella spp.) from non-destructive sampling

2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (7) ◽  
pp. 1479-1482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Ashton ◽  
Meriem Kayoueche-Reeve ◽  
Andrew J. Blight ◽  
Jon Moore ◽  
David M. Paterson
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Species Determination ◽  
Destructive Sampling ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Non Destructive

Accurate discrimination of two morphologically similar species of Patella limpets has been facilitated by using qPCR amplification of species-specific mitochondrial genomic regions. Cost-effective and non-destructive sampling is achieved using a mucus swab and simple sample lysis and dilution to create a PCR template. Results show 100% concurrence with dissection and microscopic analysis, and the technique has been employed successfully in field studies. The use of highly sensitive DNA barcoding techniques such as this hold great potential for improving previously challenging field assessments of species abundance.

Raman Characterization of Protocrystalline Silicon Films

2009 ◽  
Vol 1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Syllaios ◽  
S. K. Ajmera ◽  
G. S. Tyber ◽  
C. L. Littler ◽  
R. E. Hollingworth
Keyword(s):  
Substrate Temperature ◽  
Dopant Concentration ◽  
Hydrogen Dilution ◽  
Spectral Peaks ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Shifts ◽  
P Type ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous ◽  
Raman Spectral

AbstractAn increasingly important application of thin film hydrogenated amorphous silicon (α-Si:H) is in infrared detection for microbolometer thermal imaging arrays. Such arrays consist of thin α-Si:H films that are integrated into a floating thermally isolated membrane structure. Among the α-Si:H material properties affecting the design and performance of microbolometers is the microstructure. In this work, Raman spectroscopy is used to study changes in the microstructure of protocrystalline p-type α-Si:H films grown by PECVD as substrate temperature, dopant concentration, and hydrogen dilution are varied. The films exhibit the four Raman spectral peaks corresponding to the TO, LO, LA, and TA modes. It is found that the TO Raman peak becomes increasingly well defined (decreasing line width and increasing intensity), and shifts towards the crystalline TO energy as substrate temperature is increased, H dilution of the reactants is increased, or as dopant concentration is decreased.

Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping to Alleviate Drought in Remote Locations

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kala Meah ◽  
Steven Fletcher ◽  
Yu Wan ◽  
Sadrul Ula
Keyword(s):  
Performance Monitoring ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Solar Water ◽  
Small Water ◽  
Water Pumping ◽  
Western Us ◽  
Water Right ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The University

Many parts of the western US is rural in nature and consequently do not have electrical distribution lines in many parts of farms and ranches. Distribution line extension costs can run from $15,000 to $25,000 per mile, thereby making availability of electricity to small water pumping projects economically unattractive. Solar photo-voltaic (PV) powered water pumping is more cost effective in these small scale applications. Many western states including Wyoming are passing through fifth year of drought with the consequent shortages of water for many applications. Wyoming State Climatologist is predicting a possible 5–10 years of drought. Drought impacts the surface water right away, while it takes much longer to impact the underground aquifers. To mitigate the effect on the livestock and wildlife, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal initiated a solar water pumping initiative in cooperation with the University of Wyoming, County Conservation Districts, Rural Electric Cooperatives, and ranching organizations. Solar water pumping has several advantages over traditional systems; for example, diesel or propane engines require not only expensive fuels, they also create noise and air pollution in many remote pristine areas. Solar systems are environment friendly, low maintenance and have no fuel cost. In this paper the design, installation and performance monitoring of the solar system for small scale remote water pumping will be presented.

Powder Metallurgy Aluminum Alloys: Structure and Porosity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Will Judge ◽  
Georges Kipouros
Keyword(s):  
Powder Metallurgy ◽  
Aluminum Alloys ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Reactivity ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Processing Conditions ◽  
Near Net Shape ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Production Conditions

The production of aluminum alloys through powder metallurgy (PM) processes allows for the manufacture of net- or near-net-shape components in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. The high reactivity of aluminum metal, however, complicates PM processing, and special attention must be given to certain steps during production, particularly sintering. PM processing conditions strongly affect the structure and porosity of aluminum PM alloys, which ultimately determine their material properties and performance. In this article, the fundamental aspects of the commercial production of aluminum PM alloys are presented, along with the effects of production conditions on the structure and porosity of aluminum PM alloys. The properties and performance of aluminum PM alloys are then analyzed and interpreted with respect to their structure and porosity.

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