Structural Assessment of RC Constructions and Fuzzy Expert Systems

2011 ◽  
pp. 1599-1635
Author(s):  
Mauro Mezzina ◽  
Giuseppina Uva ◽  
Rita Greco ◽  
Giuseppe Acciani ◽  
Giuseppe Cascella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Structural Assessment ◽  
Fuzzy Expert Systems ◽  
Fuzzy Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Seismic Risk Mitigation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Fuzzy Genetic

The chapter deals with the structural assessment of existing constructions, with a particular attention to seismic risk mitigation. Two aspects are involved: the appraisal of the actual conditions of the structure (material deterioration, preexisting damages) and the evaluation of the structural “vulnerability,” that is, the propensity to suffer damage because of the intrinsic geometric and structural arrangement, boundary conditions, specific structural details. Attention is first focused on the investigation protocol, which is organized through a multilevel, hierarchical scheme: the procedure includes visual inspections, surveys, experimental testing on site and in laboratory, and gradually proceeds into the details of the problem, progressively refining and verifying hypotheses and preliminary judgments. In a second part, the definition of effective tools for uncertainty management and decision making is performed, by presenting a genetic-fuzzy expert system which handles the procedure of the assessment properly accounting for uncertainty and errors, and is able to tune the parameters involved on the basis of experts’ knowledge, “training” the system. Finally, a case study is presented, applying the whole assessment procedure and the fuzzy genetic algorithm.

Structural Assessment of RC Constructions and Fuzzy Expert Systems

2007 ◽  
pp. 188-230
Author(s):  
Mauro Mezzina ◽  
Giuseppina Uva ◽  
Rita Greco ◽  
Giuseppe Acciani ◽  
Giuseppe Cascella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Structural Assessment ◽  
Fuzzy Expert Systems ◽  
Fuzzy Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Seismic Risk Mitigation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Fuzzy Genetic

The chapter deals with the structural assessment of existing constructions, with a particular attention to seismic risk mitigation. Two aspects are involved: the appraisal of the actual conditions of the structure (material deterioration, preexisting damages) and the evaluation of the structural “vulnerability,” that is, the propensity to suffer damage because of the intrinsic geometric and structural arrangement, boundary conditions, specific structural details. Attention is first focused on the investigation protocol, which is organized through a multilevel, hierarchical scheme: the procedure includes visual inspections, surveys, experimental testing on site and in laboratory, and gradually proceeds into the details of the problem, progressively refining and verifying hypotheses and preliminary judgments. In a second part, the definition of effective tools for uncertainty management and decision making is performed, by presenting a genetic-fuzzy expert system which handles the procedure of the assessment properly accounting for uncertainty and errors, and is able to tune the parameters involved on the basis of experts’ knowledge, “training” the system. Finally, a case study is presented, applying the whole assessment procedure and the fuzzy genetic algorithm.

scholarly journals A Hybrid Fuzzy Genetic Algorithm for an Adaptive Traffic Signal System

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Odeh ◽  
A. M. Mora ◽  
M. N. Moreno ◽  
J. J. Merelo
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Hybrid Algorithm ◽  
Fuzzy Logic Controller ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Traffic Signal ◽  
Signal System ◽  
Fuzzy Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Fuzzy Genetic

This paper presents a hybrid algorithm that combines Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) and Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and its application on a traffic signal system. FLCs have been widely used in many applications in diverse areas, such as control system, pattern recognition, signal processing, and forecasting. They are, essentially, rule-based systems, in which the definition of these rules and fuzzy membership functions is generally based on verbally formulated rules that overlap through the parameter space. They have a great influence over the performance of the system. On the other hand, the Genetic Algorithm is a metaheuristic that provides a robust search in complex spaces. In this work, it has been used to adapt the decision rules of FLCs that define an intelligent traffic signal system, obtaining a higher performance than a classical FLC-based control. The simulation results yielded by the hybrid algorithm show an improvement of up to 34% in the performance with respect to a standard traffic signal controller, Conventional Traffic Signal Controller (CTC), and up to 31% in the comparison with a traditional logic controller, FLC.

Uncertainty sources in the structural assessment of masonry arch bridges: a case study of a single-span stone arch bridge

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Borja Conde ◽  
Belén Riveiro ◽  
Manuel Cabaleiro ◽  
Jose Carlos Caamaño ◽  
Georgios E. Stavroulakis
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Critical Parameters ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Masonry Arch ◽  
Structural Assessment ◽  
Arch Bridge ◽  
Uncertainty Sources ◽  
Arch Bridges ◽  
The Impact

<p>In this work, the evaluation of some of the most common uncertain parameters present in the structural assessment procedure of masonry arch bridges is addressed. The Xuño Bridge, a single- span stone arch bridge located in Galicia (Spain) is considered as a case study. This structure presents the particularity that after hundreds of years, all its constructive elements have disappeared except the arch barrel. Thus, the typical scattering in the thickness of this element can be measured and quantified. For that purpose, an in-situ terrestrial laser scanner survey was conducted, acquiring its exact geometry. An uncertainty analysis, considering geometrical and material parameters, was then conducted with the aim of estimating the impact of the uncertainty sources in the prediction of the collapse load of the arch. Two different numerical modeling strategies were employed, the limit analysis approach and the finite element method. A sensitivity analysis was finally performed to identify the critical parameters on the response of the structure.</p>

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Microfinance - A Case of Rural Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Saida Parvin
Keyword(s):  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Donor Agencies ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.

Proactive Actions Based on a Resilient Approach to Urban Seismic Risk Mitigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-335
Author(s):  
Marco Vona
Keyword(s):  
Urban Planning ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Natural Risk ◽  
Seismic Risk Mitigation

Background: Seismic risk mitigation is an important issue in earthquake-prone countries, and needs to be solved in those complex communities governed by complex processes, where urban planning, socioeconomic dynamics, and, often, the need to preserve cultural assets are present simultaneously. In recent years, due to limited financial resources, mitigation activities have often been limited to post-earthquake events, and only a few in periods of inactivity, particularly in urban planning. At this point, a significant change in point of view is necessary. Methods: The seismic risk mitigation (and more generally, natural risk mitigation) must be considered as the main topic in urban planning and in the governance of communities. In fact, in several recent earthquakes, significant socioeconomic losses have been caused by the low or lack of resilience of the communities. This is mainly due to the high vulnerability of private buildings, in particular, housing units. Results: Therefore, in recent years, several studies have been conducted on the seismic resilience of communities. However, significant improvements are still needed for the resilience assessment of the housing stock, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study, which is applied to the housing system, a proposal regarding a change in urban planning and emergency management tools based on the concept of resilience is reported. As a first application, a case study in Italy is considered. Conclusion: The proposal is focused on defining and quantifying the improvement of the resilience of the communities and this must be obtained by modifying the current Civil Protection plan. New tools are based on a new resilience community plan by encompassing urban planning tools, resilient mitigation strategies, and consequently, emergency management planning.

The Rapid Iterative Test and Evaluation Method (RITE)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Medlock
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Test And Evaluation ◽  
Original Case ◽  
Definition Of

This chapter begins with a discussion of the philosophy and then definition of the RITE method. It then delves into the benefits of this method and provides practical notes on running RITE tests effectively. The chapter concludes with an overview of the original case study behind the 2002 article documenting this method.

Poe and His Global Advocates

2018 ◽  
pp. 596-617
Author(s):  
Emron Esplin
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
South America ◽  
Rio De La Plata ◽  
Río De La Plata ◽  
Literary Traditions ◽  
La Plata ◽  
Original Works ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Global Reputation

This essay explores Edgar Allan Poe’s extraordinary relationships with various literary traditions across the globe, posits that Poe is the most influential US writer on the global literary scene, and argues that Poe’s current global reputation relies at least as much on the radiance of the work of Poe’s literary advocates—many of whom are literary stars in their own right—as it does on the brilliance of Poe’s original works. The article briefly examines Poe’s most famous French advocates (Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Valéry); glosses the work of his advocates throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas; and offers a concise case study of Poe’s influence on and advocacy from three twentieth-century writers from the Río de la Plata region of South America (Quiroga, Borges, and Cortázar). The essay concludes by reading the relationships between Poe and his advocates through the ancient definition of astral or stellar influence.

scholarly journals Sustainability and Stakeholder Awareness: A Case Study of a Scottish University

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4186
Author(s):  
Abdulhakeem Raji ◽  
Abeer Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Theory ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Voluntary Exercise ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The University

This paper adopted a case study approach to investigate the sustainability practices of a Scottish university in order to understand if sustainability forms part of its central policy agenda. As such, the paper focuses on the levels of awareness and disclosure of their sustainable practices, measuring the impacts and effectiveness of those initiatives. This paper introduces signaling theory to explore the idea that appropriate communication via integrated thinking can close the gap between the organization and its stakeholders. We believe that the provision of this relevant information will lead to better communication between the organization and its stakeholders, supporting a signaling theory interpretation. Therefore, we are suggesting that integrated thinking is an internal process that organizations can follow to increase the level of disclosure as a communication tool with stakeholders. From the literature reviewed, four themes were identified (definition of university sustainability, sustainability awareness, disclosure framework within universities, and level of accountability). The research adopted a pragmatic view and conducted individual interviews with participants belonging to three stakeholder groups (members of the university’s senior management, the governing council, and the student union executive). Although this study focused on just one Scottish university, it should still provide some insight for the better understanding of the underpinning issues surrounding the sustainability accountability practices of Scottish universities in general. The research findings indicated that the university prioritized only two sustainability dimensions—economic and environmental—and that the university still perceived sustainability as a voluntary exercise. Additionally, it is evident that the university had no framework in place for measuring its sustainability delivery—and therefore had no established medium of communicating these activities to its stakeholders. Moreover, research findings showed that the social and educational context of sustainability was lacking at the university. The university has done little or nothing to educate its stakeholders on sustainability.

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