Search Results (5)

Representation and modeling using the building information modeling (BIM) methodology of civil works have become the subject of increasing attention in recent years, thanks to the potential offered by Open Infrastructure BIM (I-BIM). However, the complexity of infrastructure works, i.e., the variety of construction and technological systems, makes Open I-BIM very complex and challenging. The lack of systemic knowledge on the subject is another challenging factor. The aim of the following research work is to provide a synoptic overview of the existing scientific research, accompanied by the most recent studies in the field of computer modeling, its applications, and the main opportunities that Open I-BIM offers to the infrastructure sector. After a thorough review of 198 scientific articles published between 2013 and 2023, this study systematically presents a holistic review and critical reflection on the current status of the use of Open BIM in the infrastructure sector, with a focus on the development of the tools and methods used. The outcome of this work constitutes a systematic review of the literature with a bibliometric analysis on Open I-BIM, which is able to provide a knowledge base for identifying research trends, common problems, and the potential of developed methods. Full article

The transition from Building Information Modelling (BIM) to Heritage Building Information Modelling (H-BIM) is intended to pursue an adequate knowledge of the artefact that is to be preserved, progressively replacing the traditional methods of restoration and structural reinforcement projects with new tools for the management of both existing information and new interventions. The aim of the paper is to show the application of the H-BIM method to a stone pavement road located in the Archaeological Site of Pompeii. In detail, starting from a laser scanner-based survey, juxtaposed with coordinated points georeferenced through a total station, point clouds were handled by means of several BIM-based tools to perform the road design process, starting from the digital elevation model (DEM) and proceeding to the corridor representation. Subsequently, a visual programming application based on Python language was adopted to update the corridor information by means of the object property set. As preliminary results, a tool, complete with graphical and non-graphical information, is proposed to be used in conservation, maintenance and restoration projects. Full article

The increasing need for railway planning and design to connect growing cities in inland mountainous areas has pushed engineering efforts toward the research of railway tracks that must comply with more restrictive constraints. In this study, a multiobjective alignment optimization (HAO), commonly used for highway projects, was carried out to identify a better solution for constructing a high-speed railway track considering technical and economic feasibilities. Then, two different and innovative scenarios were investigated: an unconventional ballastless superstructure, which is more environment-friendly than a gravel superstructure, and a reduced cross-section in a tunnel, which enables a slower design speed and then, less restrictive geometric constraints and earthmoving. The results showed that the first solution obtained a better performance with a slight increase in cost. Moreover, both scenarios improved the preliminary alignment optimization, reducing the overall cost by 11% for the first scenario and 20% for the second one. Full article

The pursuit of sustainability in the field of road asphalt pavements calls for effective decision-making strategies, referring to both the technical and environmental sustainability of the solutions. This study aims to compare the life cycle impacts of several pavement solution alternatives involving, in the binder and base layers, some eco-designed, hot- and cold-produced asphalt mixtures made up of recycled aggregates in substitution for natural filler and commercial recycled polymer pellets for dry mixture modification. The first step focused on the technical and environmental compatibility assessment of the construction and demolition waste (CDW), jet grouting waste (JGW), fly ash (FA), and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Then, three non-traditional mixtures were designed for the binder layer and three for the base layer and characterized in terms of the stiffness modulus. Asphalt pavement design allowed for the definition of the functional units of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which was applied to all of the pavement configurations under analysis in a “from cradle to grave” approach. The LCA results showed that the best performance was reached for the solutions involving a cold, in-place recycled mixture made up of RAP and JGW in the base layer, which lowered all the impact category indicators by 31% on average compared to those of the traditional pavement solution. Further considerations highlighted that the combination of a cold base layer with a hot asphalt mixture made up of CDW or FA in the binder layer also maximized the service life of the pavement solution, providing the best synergistic effect. Full article

The evaluation of friction is a key factor in monitoring and controlling runway surface characteristics. For this reason, specific airport management and maintenance are required to continuously monitor the performance characteristics needed to guarantee an adequate level of safety and functionality. In this regard, the authors conducted years of experimental surveys at airports including Lamezia Terme International Airport. The surveys aimed to monitor air traffic, features of geometric infrastructure, the typological and physical/mechanical characteristics of pavement layers, and runway maintenance planning. The main objective of this study was to calibrate specific models to examine the evolution of friction decay on runways in relation to traffic loads. The reliability of the models was demonstrated in the light of the significance of the friction measurement patterns by learning algorithms and considering the traffic data by varying the geometric and performance characteristics of the aircraft. The calibrated models can be implemented into pavement management systems to predict runway friction degradation, based on aircraft loads during the lifetime of the surface layers of the pavement. It is thus possible to schedule the maintenance activities necessary to ensure the safety of landing and takeoff maneuvers. Full article