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Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring...
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Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring of Existing Structures—2nd Edition

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 5667

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Egidio Lofrano

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Guest Editor
Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, University “La Sapienza”, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: thin-walled beams; structural stability; dynamic identification; structural monitoring; damage detection; perturbative approaches; optimal sensor placement; civil engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Paolo Di Re

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: finite element analysis; computational mechanics; structural analysis; nonlinear modelling; thin-walled beams; masonry structures; monitoring systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

It is a pleasure to announce the 2nd edition of this Special Issue “Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring of Existing Structures”. Both methodologies and technological advancements are welcome, as well as specific laboratory or in situ experimental studies or validations. The contributions can focus on the scale of material or structural modelling. 

The topics of applications will include (but are not limited to): 

  • Damage Detection;
  • Modelling of Damages, Fractures, Defects and Cracks;
  • Dynamic Identification;
  • Inverse Problems in Structural Engineering;
  • Structural Modelling and Model Updating;
  • Machine learning in SHM;
  • Sensor Network, Optimal Sensor Placement and Instrumentation Design;
  • Sensor Technologies;
  • Remote Monitoring.

Dr. Egidio Lofrano
Dr. Paolo Di Re
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • structural health monitoring
  • dynamic identification
  • damage detection
  • inverse problem
  • machine learning in SHM
  • sensor network
  • optimal sensor placement
  • sensor technologies
  • remote monitoring
  • model updating

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

44 pages, 12874 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Data Collection Time Intervals and Modeling the Structural Behavior of Bridges in Response to Temperature Variations
by Adrian Traian Rădulescu, Gheorghe M. T. Rădulescu, Sanda Mărioara Naș, Virgil Mihai Rădulescu and Corina M. Rădulescu
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030418 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1135
Abstract
The impact of temperature on bridges represents one of the main long-term challenges of structural health monitoring (SHM). Temperature is an environmental variable that changes both throughout the day and between different seasons, and its variations can induce thermal loads on bridges, potentially [...] Read more.
The impact of temperature on bridges represents one of the main long-term challenges of structural health monitoring (SHM). Temperature is an environmental variable that changes both throughout the day and between different seasons, and its variations can induce thermal loads on bridges, potentially resulting in considerable displacements and deformations. Therefore, it is essential to obtain current data on the impact of daily and seasonal temperature variations on bridge displacements. Unfortunately, the maintenance costs associated with using precise estimates of thermal loads in a bridge design are quite high. The introduction of more accessible structural monitoring services is imperative to increase the number of observed structures. Viable solutions to make SHM more efficient include minimizing the costs of equipment, sensors, data loggers, data transmission systems, or monitoring data processing software. This research aims to improve the time intervals for collecting data on external temperature variations measured on a bridge structure through a sensor-based detection system and the integration of results into a regression analysis model. The paper aims to determine the appropriate interval for capturing and transmitting the structural response influenced by temperature variations over a year and to develop a behavioral mathematical model for the concrete structural components of a monitored bridge. The structural behavior was modeled using the statistical software TableCurve 2D, v.5.01. The results indicate that extending the data collection periods from 15 min to 4 h, in a static regime, maintains the accuracy of the regression model; instead, the effects of this integration are a significant reduction in the costs of data collection, transmission, and processing. The practical implications of this study consist of improving the monitoring of the structural behavior of bridges and the prediction under thermal stress, aiding in the design of more resilient structures, and enabling the implementation of efficient maintenance strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring of Existing Structures—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 6503 KiB  
Article
Influence of the Objective Function in the Dynamic Model Updating of Girder Bridge Structures
by Paolo Di Re, Iacopo Vangelisti and Egidio Lofrano
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030341 - 23 Jan 2025
Viewed by 555
Abstract
In the context of model updating of bridge structures, dynamic approaches are currently dominant. This is mainly due to the opportunity of performing dynamic tests under environmental and traffic loadings, without putting the bridges out of service. Several techniques have been proposed in [...] Read more.
In the context of model updating of bridge structures, dynamic approaches are currently dominant. This is mainly due to the opportunity of performing dynamic tests under environmental and traffic loadings, without putting the bridges out of service. Several techniques have been proposed in the literature to control and address the relevant model updating workflow. These methods typically consider the structural frequencies, or a combination of frequencies with vibration modes. Dissipative properties are, on the contrary, more rarely considered in updating procedures, given their strong dependence on the amplitude of the vibrations and on the type of forcing load. In this work, six ruling objective functions are considered for the dynamic model updating of girder bridge structures. The first one, taken from the literature, is a widely used function based on discrepancies among numerical and experimental frequencies. Two additional functions, also derived from the existing literature, are subsequently considered: one focuses on vibration modes, utilizing the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC), and the other incorporates both structural frequencies and mode shapes, deploying the Modal Flexibility Matrix (MFM). Three novel objective functions are introduced, which are adaptations of the previously mentioned ones, with alternative applications of MAC and MFM. These six functions are analyzed and discussed through two comprehensive experimental case studies, in which the relative weights of the specific function terms are also investigated. A quantitative selection criterion is proposed and examined in order to choose the most suitable objective function based on identifiability. The method implementation, leveraging second-order derivatives, is executed via a finite difference scheme. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring of Existing Structures—2nd Edition)
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23 pages, 9112 KiB  
Article
Seismic Damage Quantification of RC Short Columns from Crack Images Using the Enhanced U-Net
by Zixiao Chen, Qian Chen, Zexu Dai, Chenghao Song and Xiaobin Hu
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030322 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 707
Abstract
It is of great importance to quantify the seismic damage of reinforced concrete (RC) short columns since they often experience severe damage due to likely excessive shear deformation. In this paper, the seismic damage quantification method of RC short columns under earthquakes is [...] Read more.
It is of great importance to quantify the seismic damage of reinforced concrete (RC) short columns since they often experience severe damage due to likely excessive shear deformation. In this paper, the seismic damage quantification method of RC short columns under earthquakes is proposed based on crack images and the enhanced U-Net. To this end, RC short-column specimens were prepared and tested under cyclic loading. The force-displacement hysteresis curves were obtained to quantitatively calculate the damage indicator of the RC short column based on the energy criterion. At the same time, crack images of the column surfaces were taken by smartphones using the partition photographing scheme and image stitching algorithm. The widely used U-Net was enhanced by adding a double attention mechanism to segment the cracks in the images. The results demonstrate that it has better accuracy in terms of recognizing tiny cracks compared to the original U-Net. By image analysis, the crack information was further extracted from the crack images to investigate the damage development of RC short columns. Finally, correlations between the damage indicator based on the energy criterion and crack information of the RC short columns under cyclic loading were analyzed, showing that the highest correlation exists between the damage indicator and the total crack area. Finally, the normalized total crack area, i.e., the ratio between the total crack area and the corresponding monitored area of the surface, is defined to quantify the seismic damage of RC short columns when utilizing crack images for damage assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring of Existing Structures—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 14665 KiB  
Article
Finite Element Model Updating Technique for Super High-Rise Building Based on Response Surface Method
by Yancan Wang, Dongfu Zhao and Hao Li
Buildings 2025, 15(1), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010126 - 3 Jan 2025
Viewed by 863
Abstract
To establish a finite element model that accurately represents the dynamic characteristics of actual super high-rise building and improve the accuracy of the finite element simulation results, a finite element model updating method for super high-rise building is proposed based on the response [...] Read more.
To establish a finite element model that accurately represents the dynamic characteristics of actual super high-rise building and improve the accuracy of the finite element simulation results, a finite element model updating method for super high-rise building is proposed based on the response surface method (RSM). Taking a 120 m super high-rise building as the research object, a refined initial finite element model is firstly established, and the elastic modulus and density of the main concrete and steel components in the model are set as the parameters to be updated. A significance analysis was conducted on 16 parameters to be updated including E1–E8, D1–D8, and the first 10 natural frequencies of the structure, and 6 updating parameters are ultimately selected. A sample set of updating parameters was generated using central composite design (CCD) and then applied to the finite element model for calculation. The response surface equations for the first ten natural frequencies were obtained through quadratic polynomial fitting, and the optimal solution of the objective function was determined using a genetic algorithm. The results of the engineering case study indicate that the errors in the first ten natural frequencies of the updated finite element model are all within 5%. The updated model accurately reflects the current situation of the super high-rise building and provides a basis for super high-rise building health monitoring, damage detection, and reliability assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring of Existing Structures—2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 5447 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Prestressing Loss Influence in Prefabricated Concrete Bridges Based on a Drop Weight Impact Method
by Jilei He, Wenqi Wu, Zikang Tan, Dongyuan Li, Yingchun Cai and Pan Guo
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3961; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123961 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 772
Abstract
The prestress loss of prefabricated continuous beam bridges directly affects their stress state and operating conditions. Excessive prestress loss can lead to increased mid span deflection of the main beam, cracking of the web and bottom plates, reduced bearing capacity, and even affect [...] Read more.
The prestress loss of prefabricated continuous beam bridges directly affects their stress state and operating conditions. Excessive prestress loss can lead to increased mid span deflection of the main beam, cracking of the web and bottom plates, reduced bearing capacity, and even affect the safety of the structure. This study focuses on urban highway overpasses and measures the deflection of the bridge deck using the drop hammer impact method. The impact test of prefabricated segmental beam bridges was simulated using a finite element model, and the influence of prestress loss at different positions on the deflection basin of the bridge deck during operation was studied. The research results indicate that the factor causing the greatest damage to bridge stiffness is the loss of prestress in the bottom plate. When the prestress loss reaches 30%, the maximum response value increases by 33.6%. In contrast, the prestress loss of the roof has a smaller impact on deflection, with a maximum response value increase of 18.7%. This study provides important reference for evaluating prestress loss through impact testing methods in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring of Existing Structures—2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 9714 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Acoustic Emissions from Concrete Based on Energy Activity Coefficient
by Lei Liu, Yongfeng Xu, Yang Liu, Runqing Wang, Zijie Zhang and Ruiqi Ma
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 2109; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072109 - 9 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 953
Abstract
Single-stage compression loading experiments were carried out on concrete specimens of various strengths to explore the characteristic parameters of the acoustic emission signal and its damage evolution law in the concrete damage process. These specimens were monitored in real time with acoustic emission [...] Read more.
Single-stage compression loading experiments were carried out on concrete specimens of various strengths to explore the characteristic parameters of the acoustic emission signal and its damage evolution law in the concrete damage process. These specimens were monitored in real time with acoustic emission and DIC instruments during the loading process, and internal pores and slices were scanned with CT scanning instruments after compression. The acoustic emission phenomenon was expressed using the energy activity coefficient, and the law relating to the phenomenon was summarized. The results show that when the peak and mean values in the first adjacent time domain grow rapidly, the specimen produces a large crack and enters the stage of rapid crack development, which can be taken as an indication of the impending damage to the specimen. The energy activity coefficient reflects the damage development intensity as follows: the smaller the energy activity coefficient, the more the cracks developed; the faster the speed, the larger the deformation. With an increase in the load level, the energy activity coefficient gradually tends to stabilize, and the specimen enters the stage of rapid crack development. However, when the energy activity coefficient suddenly increases again, the specimen is destabilized and destroyed. Therefore, the energy activity coefficient responds to the degree of congenital defects in the specimen. As the load increases, the energy activity coefficient is more stable, and the defects are smaller; in contrast, the energy activity coefficient drastically oscillating indicates that the material is very defective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Structural Modelling, Identification and Monitoring of Existing Structures—2nd Edition)
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