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Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance
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Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance

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 6620

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Junyong Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: structural loadings; structural health monitoring; computer vision; vibration-based damage detection; AI-based structural analysis
Dr. Zeren Jin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Intelligent InFrastructure Technology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
Interests: structural health monitoring; bridge loadings; multi-agent simulation and modelling; anomaly detection; AI-based structural analytics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advancements in next-generation information technologies, including big data, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), and cloud computing, have spurred significant opportunities in structural engineering. Novel technologies are continually emerging and being actively explored, such as AI-based generative design, intelligent sensing devices, multi-source data fusion, and digital twin (DT)-based management. These emerging technologies are exerting profound impacts on the lifecycle aspects of buildings, including their design, inspection, and management. AI-based generative design is revolutionizing the way engineers approach structures by sketching prototypes, optimizing layouts, and aiding in drafting and reviewing drawings. Intelligent sensing devices are transforming the means by which engineers identify structural conditions, including smart sensing materials and the intelligent inspection equipment of unmanned aerial vehicles and movable robots. IoT technology provides platforms for integrating multi-modal and multi-source inspection and monitoring data from structures, whereas DTs, in combination with big-data processing technologies and deep learning algorithms, are revolutionizing the way engineers manage structures like never before.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together original research and review articles discussing emerging technologies for structural design, inspection, and maintenance. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. The AI-based design and optimization of structures;
  2. Innovative inspection technologies with smart sensing materials and intelligent equipment in unmanned aerial vehicles and movable robots;
  3. Advanced testing techniques for precast structures and composite structures;
  4. Data fusion technologies and applications using multi-sensor or multi-source information from inspection and monitoring;
  5. The DT-based intelligent construction and maintenance of structures for improved management.

Dr. Junyong Zhou
Dr. Zeren Jin
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

  • artificial intelligence intelligent design and optimization smart sensing material
  • intelligent inspection equipment
  • advanced testing technique
  • multi-sensor and multi-source data fusion
  • digital twins for management
  • inspection and monitoring

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

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 15897 KiB  
Article
Numerical Investigation and Factorial Analysis of Residual Displacement in Rocking Self-Centering Bridge Columns Under Cyclic Loading
by Hongguo Qin, Jinfeng Fang, Zhengwu Zhong, Yu Ding and Yan Shi
Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081220 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 198
Abstract
Well-designed rocking self-centering (RSC) columns are capable of achieving small residual displacement. However, quantitative assessments of residual displacement mechanisms in RSC columns remain understudied. The residual displacement is the product of the struggle between the self-centering (SC) capacity and the energy dissipation (ED) [...] Read more.
Well-designed rocking self-centering (RSC) columns are capable of achieving small residual displacement. However, quantitative assessments of residual displacement mechanisms in RSC columns remain understudied. The residual displacement is the product of the struggle between the self-centering (SC) capacity and the energy dissipation (ED) capacity. In this study, an SC factor and an ED parameter were defined to reflect the SC and ED capacity of the RSC column, respectively. The hysteretic behavior of an RSC pier under quasi-static load was studied. Based on the finite element model, the factorial analysis of two types of RSC piers was carried out, and the influence of eight common design parameters on the SC factor and ED parameters was discussed. Parametric analysis was performed to investigate the effect of the SC factor and the ED parameter with an increase in maximum displacement. According to the results of the parametric analysis, the effect of the SC factor and the ED parameter on the distribution of the residual displacement was statistically researched. A simplified formula was proposed to calculate the upper limit of the residual displacement. Furthermore, a set of predictive regression formulas was established to estimate the actual residual displacement. These regression formulas have an applicable condition that the ED parameter should be larger than 0.75. When the ED parameter is less than 0.75, the residual displacement is approximately zero. The hysteretic performance of an RSC pier is mainly determined by a single-factor effect, and the residual displacement distribution under a quasi-static load is mainly controlled by the SC factor and ED parameter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance)
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18 pages, 2713 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Crack Segmentation Network with Multiple Selective Fusion Mechanisms
by Yang Chen, Tao Yang, Shuai Dong, Like Wang, Bida Pei and Yunlong Wang
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1088; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071088 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Automated crack detection is vital for structural maintenance in areas such as construction, roads, and bridges. Accurate crack detection allows for the timely identification and repair of cracks, reducing safety risks and extending the service life of structures. However, traditional methods struggle with [...] Read more.
Automated crack detection is vital for structural maintenance in areas such as construction, roads, and bridges. Accurate crack detection allows for the timely identification and repair of cracks, reducing safety risks and extending the service life of structures. However, traditional methods struggle with fine cracks, complex backgrounds, and image noise. In recent years, although deep learning techniques excel in pixel-level crack segmentation, challenges like inadequate local feature processing, information loss, and class imbalance persist. To address these challenges, we propose an encoder–decoder network based on multiple selective fusion mechanisms. Initially, a star feature enhancement module is designed to resolve the issues of insufficient local feature processing and feature redundancy during the feature extraction process. Then, a multi-scale adaptive fusion module is developed to selective capture both global and local contextual information, mitigating the information loss. Finally, to tackle class imbalance, a multi-scale monitoring and selective output module is introduced to enhance the model’s focus on crack features and suppress the interference from background and irrelevant information. Extensive experiments are conducted on three publicly available crack datasets: SCD, CFD, and DeepCrack. The results demonstrate that the proposed segmentation network achieves superior performance in pixel-level crack segmentation, with Dice scores of 66.2%, 54.2%, and 86.8% and mIoU values of 74.4%, 67.5%, and 87.9% on the SCD, CFD, and DeepCrack datasets, respectively. These results outperform those of existing models, such as U-Net, DeepLabv3+, and Attention UNet, particularly in handling complex backgrounds, fine cracks, and low-contrast images. Furthermore, the proposed MSF-CrackNet also significantly reduces computational complexity, with only 2.39 million parameters and 8.58 GFLOPs, making it a practical and efficient solution for real-world crack detection tasks, especially in scenarios with limited computational resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance)
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31 pages, 12250 KiB  
Article
Local Full-Scale Model Test on Mechanical Performance of the Integral Splicing Composite Structure of Adjacent Existing Box Girder Bridges
by Guoqiang Zeng, Xinyu Wang, Xuefei Shi, Chaoyu Zhu and Jun Song
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030411 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 610
Abstract
Adjacent existing box girder bridges should be spliced in the long-span bridge expansion project. A type of integral splicing composite structure for connecting the adjacent flange plates is designed herein. The mechanical characteristic of the integral splicing composite structure is tested using a [...] Read more.
Adjacent existing box girder bridges should be spliced in the long-span bridge expansion project. A type of integral splicing composite structure for connecting the adjacent flange plates is designed herein. The mechanical characteristic of the integral splicing composite structure is tested using a local full-scale model, and a refined simulation model is also proposed for the optimization of the integral splicing composite structure. The loop bar in the joint connection segment and the application of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) material can guarantee the effective connection between the existing flange plate and the splicing structure. The embedded angled bar can delay the interface debonding failure and interface slip. The UHPC composite segment below the flange plate (segment CF) can bend together with the existing flange plate. In this study, an innovative integral splicing composite structure for a long-span bridge extension project is proposed and verified using both a local full-scale model test and finite element simulation. The adaptation of UHPC material and loop bar joint connection form can meet the cracking loading requirements of the splicing box girder structure. By proposing a refined simulation model and comparing the calculation result with the test result, it is found that the flexural performance of the integral splicing composite structure depends on the size of the composite segment below the flange plate (segment CF). Increasing the width of segment CF is beneficial to delay the interface debonding failure, and increasing its thickness can effectively delay the cracking load of the flange plate. Finally, the scheme of segment CF with one side width of 200 cm and a minimum thickness of 15 cm can improve the flexural resistance of the spliced structure and avoid the shear effect caused by the lane layout scheme and the location of the segment CF end. Through the research in this paper, the reasonable splicing form of a long-span old bridge is innovated and verified, which can be used as a reference for other long-span bridge splicing projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance)
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20 pages, 15613 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Seismic Behavior of CFST Self-Centering Rocking Bridge Piers
by Wei Lu, Yu Zou, Xingyu Luo, Jun Song and Haiqing Li
Buildings 2025, 15(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020267 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 850
Abstract
Compared to conventional reinforced concrete (RC) piers, self-centering rocking piers exhibit better seismic resilience and sustain minor damage. However, their construction typically relies on prefabrication. Moving large, prefabricated components can be challenging in mountainous areas with limited transportation access. Therefore, using concrete-filled steel [...] Read more.
Compared to conventional reinforced concrete (RC) piers, self-centering rocking piers exhibit better seismic resilience and sustain minor damage. However, their construction typically relies on prefabrication. Moving large, prefabricated components can be challenging in mountainous areas with limited transportation access. Therefore, using concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) piers is a practical alternative. The steel tube both serves as a construction permanent formwork and enhances the compressive performance of concrete through confinement effects. To apply CFST self-centering rocking piers in mountainous regions with high seismic intensity, a fast construction system was designed and a 1:4 scale specimen was developed for testing. Lateral cyclic loading tests revealed that the specimen exhibited good deformation and self-centering capabilities, with a residual drift ratio of only 0.17% at a drift ratio of 7.7%. Most of the horizontal displacement was contributed through a rocking gap opening, resulting in minimal damage to the pier itself. The damage was concentrated primarily in the energy-dissipating rebars, while the prestress strands remained elastic, though prestress loss was observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance)
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21 pages, 8866 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on Fatigue Characteristics and Life Prediction of Rotating Restricted Short Suspender in Suspension Bridge
by Lei Zhao, Zhili Yang, Xianneng Tong, Yang Zhang and Ruifeng Nie
Buildings 2025, 15(2), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020254 - 16 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 738
Abstract
The corrosion of the rotating axis pins of the short suspender will lead to the rotating restriction of its end, which will lead to the corrosion of the parallel wires and affect the performance of the short suspender. In this study, the technical [...] Read more.
The corrosion of the rotating axis pins of the short suspender will lead to the rotating restriction of its end, which will lead to the corrosion of the parallel wires and affect the performance of the short suspender. In this study, the technical condition of the rotating restricted short suspender unfixed from the suspension bridge was carefully detected. An axial tensile performance test was carried out on these short suspenders, and the subsequent availability of the rotating restricted suspender was evaluated based on the size of the fracture gap. The rotationally limited working conditions of these short suspenders were skillfully simulated by the specially designed tooling, and the fatigue performance test of the rotating restricted short suspender was carried out. A simplified simulation method was proposed based on the random traffic theory. By introducing traffic data obtained from the WIM system, the stress response of the short suspenders caused by vehicles on each lane was simulated, and the simulation results were converted by the rain flow counting method. The residual life of the rotating restricted short suspender was predicted by the comparison between the fatigue test results and the fitting curve of the simulation results. From this study, several of the following conclusions can be summarized: The measured fracture gap size is negatively correlated with the effective area of the suspender, and the gap size of 8mm is a key value. When the fatigue load cycle reaches 345,000 times, the suspender is already in a dangerous state. Additionally, the fractured gap size is considered as the judgment basis for the usability of rotating restricted short suspenders. When the gap size is less than 8 mm, the suspender can be continually used after maintenance and should be updated after 6 years. Otherwise, the suspender needs to be replaced immediately. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance)
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24 pages, 5273 KiB  
Article
Design Optimization of an Innovative Instrumental Single-Sided Formwork Supporting System for Retaining Walls Using Physics-Constrained Generative Adversarial Network
by Wei Liu, Lin He, Jikai Liu, Xiangyang Xie, Ning Hao, Cheng Shen and Junyong Zhou
Buildings 2025, 15(1), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15010132 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1249
Abstract
Single-sided formwork supporting systems (SFSSs) play a crucial role in the urban construction of retaining walls using cast-in-place concrete. By supporting the formwork from one side, an SFSS can minimize its spatial footprint, enabling its closer placement to boundary lines without compromising structural [...] Read more.
Single-sided formwork supporting systems (SFSSs) play a crucial role in the urban construction of retaining walls using cast-in-place concrete. By supporting the formwork from one side, an SFSS can minimize its spatial footprint, enabling its closer placement to boundary lines without compromising structural integrity. However, existing SFSS designs struggle to achieve a balance between mechanical performance and lightweight construction. To address these limitations, an innovative instrumented SFSS was proposed. It is composed of a panel structure made of a panel, vertical braces, and cross braces and a supporting structure comprising an L-shaped frame, steel tubes, and anchor bolts. These components are conducive to modular manufacturing, lightweight installation, and convenient connections. To facilitate the optimal design of this instrumented SFSS, a physics-constrained generative adversarial network (PC-GAN) approach was proposed. This approach incorporates three objective functions: minimizing material usage, adhering to deformation criteria, and ensuring structural safety. An example application is presented to demonstrate the superiority of the instrumented SFSS and validate the proposed PC-GAN approach. The instrumented SFSS enables individual components to be easily and rapidly prefabricated, assembled, and disassembled, requiring only two workers for installation or removal without the need for additional hoisting equipment. The optimized instrumented SFSS, designed using the PC-GAN approach, achieves comparable deformation performance (from 2.49 mm to 2.48 mm in maxima) and slightly improved component stress levels (from 97 MPa to 115 MPa in maxima) while reducing the total weight by 20.85%, through optimizing panel thickness, the dimensions and spacings of vertical and lateral braces, and the spacings of steel tubes. This optimized design of the instrumented SFSS using PC-GAN shows better performance than the current scheme, combining significant weight reduction with enhanced mechanical efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance)
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Review

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38 pages, 33809 KiB  
Review
Global Research Trends in Performance-Based Structural Design: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis
by Mistreselasie S. Abate, Ana Catarina Jorge Evangelista and Vivian W. Y. Tam
Buildings 2025, 15(3), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030363 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1521
Abstract
In the context of seismic hazard assessment and engineering design, a comprehensive understanding of local geological and geophysical factors is essential. However, previous studies have lacked crucial components such as local soil condition, ground response analysis, topographic influences, active fault characteristics, slip rates, [...] Read more.
In the context of seismic hazard assessment and engineering design, a comprehensive understanding of local geological and geophysical factors is essential. However, previous studies have lacked crucial components such as local soil condition, ground response analysis, topographic influences, active fault characteristics, slip rates, groundwater behaviour, and slope considerations. To ensure the accuracy of the seismic hazard map of a country for the safe and cost-effective design of engineering structures in urban areas, a detailed analysis of these factors is imperative. Moreover, multidisciplinary investigations, such as logic-tree considerations, are needed to enhance seismic hazard maps. As a result, adopting a performance-based approach in structural design has become an essential priority. A performance-based approach allows engineers to design buildings to specified performance levels (IO, LS, CP) even without a reliable seismic hazard map. This approach is akin to a miracle for countries that do not have a reliable seismic hazard map. This study presents a systematic and comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the academic literature pertaining to performance-based design (PBD). By fostering collaborative efforts and expanding research networks, we aim to facilitate the development of coordinated initiatives within the field. Preferred journals, leading countries, leading organisations, and international institutions were identified utilizing the Scopus database. This study examined 3456 PBD-related publications spanning from 1969 to 2023 using VOSviewer version 1.6.19, a bibliometric mapping and visualization software tool. The analysis of co-citations revealed that performance-based design serves as the primary theoretical foundation for structural design and analysis. Furthermore, through a co-word analysis, we tracked the evolution of research topics within the PBD domain over time. This investigation uncovered noteworthy trends, including the steady growth of research output, the increasing prominence of the term “PBD”, and a focus on various types of performance-based analyses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Emerging Technologies for Structural Design, Inspection, and Maintenance)
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