Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications

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    Last-Mile logistics with on-premises parcel Lockers: Who are the real Beneficiaries?
    Sina Mohri, S ; Nassir, N ; Thompson, RG ; Ghaderi, H (Elsevier, 2024-03)
    Researchers have investigated various planning aspects of public Parcel Lockers (PLs), but little is known about the wider benefits of on-premises parcel lockers (OPLs). More recently OPLs have received attention as a solution to address the problem of failed deliveries, as well as to provide a safe and secure delivery experience to customers. Although OPLs provide enhanced convenience for residents, a major impediment towards their adoption is the high capital and ongoing costs. Currently, suppliers of OPLs require individual buildings to fully cover the costs, leading to low uptake among building managers and residents. This study is the first to ruminate that the benefits of such systems expand beyond residents, with carriers and local governments being key beneficiaries. Using a real-world case study and in-field observations, this study provides analytical estimates of the value of OPLs for buildings, as well as carriers and local governments in terms of operational and external cost savings. A probabilistic algorithm is developed to simulate the delivery time components to buildings and measure the benefits for individual stakeholders. We further applied the model to a case study in the City of Melbourne, to evaluate how a carrier's market share, and building size and practices for managing failed delivery could determine the value of OPLs. The simulation results reveal that the direct benefits of OPLs are first characterized for the buildings, followed by carriers and local governments. We further describe how appropriate funding and pricing mechanisms, involving both carriers and buildings, could further facilitate commercial viability of OPLs for smaller buildings.
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    Investigations into the Uplift of Skirted Foundations on Clay at Varying Rates
    Peng, M ; Tian, Y ; Gaudin, C (American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2024-02-01)
    This paper presents finite-element simulations to reinterpret a series of full-model and particle image velocimetry (PIV) (half model) centrifuge tests to study the uplift of skirted foundations. The focus is on the influence of uplift rate on the uplift capacity and the mechanism of breakaway (i.e., the phenomenon of sudden loss of uplift resistance). A backbone curve, quantifying the uplift rate-capacity relationship, is established for uplift based on the numerical and experimental results. The dimensionless velocities V=6 and 130 are found to be the boundaries for drained, partially drained, and undrained conditions. The breakaway is found related to ambient water infiltration. In the numerical modeling, the remaining length of the skirt inside soil is used as an indicator for breakaway, i.e., breakaway happens when this length is smaller than a critical value. This hypothesis is demonstrated to be effective by comparing the numerical modeling with the experimental results.
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    Current Operational Battery Energy Storage Systems in Australia and Their Intended Project Objectives on Grid Operational Issues: A Literature Review
    Hui, KP ; Yap, L (IEOM Society International, 2024-02-12)
    As energy companies look to diversify their portfolio in renewable energy, the demand for electrification will continue to increase. There will be increasing demands on the electrical grid infrastructure. Distributed energy resources (DER) such as solar photovoltaic (PV) on rooftops and electric vehicles will experience a host of operational issues such as hosting capacities, overloads, reverse flow, phase balance, frequency drift and voltage variation. Battery energy storage systems can help mitigate some of these problems. In this paper, the literature and public available information on operational battery storage systems in Australia are reviewed and discussed. It is found that both small batteries and large batteries both fundamentally address grid operational issues. As Australia moves towards high DER penetration and high renewable energy generation, there will be a need for more battery energy storage systems to offset operational issues. The lack of private funding especially for smaller batteries may possibly cause PV DER to lag the overall demand for electrification.
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    Exploring the Impact of Social Media Use on Team Feedback and Team Performance in Construction Projects: A Systematic Literature Review
    Karimi, R ; Baghalzadeh Shishehgarkhaneh, MB ; Moehler, RC ; Fang, Y (MDPI AG, 2024)
    This systematic literature review examines the effects of social media use (SMU) and practices (SMPs) on team feedback (TF) and performance (TP) within the context of construction project management. It explores the complex interactions between SMU and SMPs and their impact on communication, collaboration, and stakeholder involvement in construction projects. The study investigates how these digital practices transform traditional methods of team interaction, feedback processes, and overall team performance amidst the challenging and diverse backdrop of construction sites. The goal of the review is to offer a detailed insight into the contribution of social media to contemporary construction project management, underscoring its value in boosting team communication, coordination, and effectiveness. This research is pivotal for decoding the changing dynamics of construction management, where digital tools and platforms play a crucial role in achieving project success. The anticipated outcomes are poised to provide significant implications for construction industry professionals, guiding them in harnessing social media for enhanced project management and team cooperation.
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    Life-cycle performance of aluminium cladding panels in resisting hailstorms
    Shi, S ; Lam, N ; Cui, Y ; Lu, G ; Gad, E ; Zhang, L (Elsevier, 2024-05)
    This paper delves into cumulative damage on aluminium cladding panels attributed to hailstorms throughout the lifespan of the installations. 40 gas gun tests subjecting the cladding panel to repeated impact were undertaken for the purpose of studying cumulative damage behaviour. Insights from these tests were integrated into a hail size distribution model to characterise the probabilistic distribution of permanent indentation resulted from multiple hailstorm events. A life-cycle analysis framework was subsequently introduced, incorporating the natural variability of hailstone sizes and dynamic response of claddings to repeated ice impact. Intervention criterion can be established based on knowledge of the accumulation of permanent indentation into the cladding panels. Proactive actions are recommended should the indentations become visible to prevent worsening damage. Randomness of hailstorm occurrences was considered using hazard function which can be inferred from historical observations. Practical application of the proposed model is illustrated through case studies of two Australian states, coupled with comparative analyses highlighting key factors influencing cladding performance. The ability to account for stochasticity distinguishes the presented framework from existing deterministic approaches.
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    How to improve the effects of knowledge governance on individual learning across projects: From the perspective of relational capital
    Zhang, X ; Shen, W ; Tang, W ; Duffield, CF ; Hui, FKP ; Zhang, L ; Lou, C (Elsevier BV, 2024-01)
    Supportive knowledge management and good relationships are both important aspects for enhancing individual learning across projects, however little research has presented a systematic theory on the cause-effect relationships between the above themes. With support of data collected from the industry survey, this study has established and validated a conceptual model that maps individual learning outcomes on knowledge governance, learning intention and relational capital from a holistic view. The results reveal that a supportive knowledge governance system could significantly promote individual learning across projects, and this effect is mainly achieved by inspiring individuals’ learning intention. This study also demonstrates that the relational capital can enhance the relationship between knowledge governance and individual's learning intention. The outcomes advance the theory of knowledge management by presenting the conceptual model that helps answer the question: "How can knowledge governance and relational capital improve individual learning across projects?" The results can also guide participants to have superior project performance with assistance of experience and knowledge from different projects in practice.
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    Running the Codification Gauntlet: Why Intent Alone Cannot Afford the Codification of Project Learnings
    Ferres, GM ; Moehler, R (SAGE Publications, 2024-02-01)
    This article presents a first synthesis of the ability to codify challenges that constrain project learning codification and, in turn, limit the sharing of learnings between projects at scale. An improved understanding of these challenges supports the externalized sharing of project learnings, between communities of practice, that can scale beyond the temporal, geographical, and organizational barriers that constrain personalized sharing. Through an integrative cross-domain literature review, a learning codification gauntlet of seven key ability to codify challenges is reconceptualized, and significant new research gaps are identified for further investigation, including: the operation of identified challenges in practice, challenge interrelationships, and challenge-cumulative effects on project-to-project learning outcomes.
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    Effects of mat composition and pressing time on citric acid-bonded ultra-low-density hemp hurd particleboard
    Fehrmann, J ; Belleville, B ; Ozarska, B ; Ismayati, M ; Dwianto, W (Elsevier, 2024-04-01)
    This study investigated the feasibility of using citric acid (CA) as a biobased and formaldehyde-free binder for producing ultra-low-density (320 to 338 kg/m3) hemp hurd particleboard (ULHPB). Mechanically decorticated hemp hurd chips were milled and then separated into fine (F), medium (M), and coarse (C) particle sizes. Three particle size mixes (PSM) were used to fabricate the panels: 100% C, 100% M, and a 50/50% mixture of CM. Each PSM was combined with low and high CA contents (20 and 30 wt%) and subjected to short and long pressing times (8 and 12 min) at 200 °C. Physico-mechanical characteristics were evaluated following Australian standard AS/NZS 1859.1 (2017) for reconstituted wood-based panels. Thermo-chemical analyses were performed to understand the properties of the raw hurd and to investigate the binding mechanisms in CA-ULHPB. The PSM had a significant impact on panel expansion (springback), internal bond strength (IB), water absorption (WA), and thickness swelling (TS) in most CA-ULHPB variants. PSM-C panels exhibited superior IB when pressed with 30 wt% CA for 12 min. The effect of PSMs diminished for WA and TS but CA content and pressing time remained highly significant. Py-GC/MS, FTIR spectroscopy and TGA indicated the formation of ester linkages with carbohydrate-derived OH-groups and the involvement of lignin moieties in the CA-ULHPB. This research identified optimal panel compositions and processing parameters for fabricating environmentally friendly composite panels using CA as a natural adhesive and hemp hurd as an agricultural by-product. The panels exhibited excellent properties and would be well suited as core layers in lightweight sandwich composites given their ultra-low-density range.
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    Application of a fish habitat model to assess habitat fragmentation using high flow and sediment transport in the Rumei Dam in Lancang River (China)
    Yang, G ; Bao, M ; Cong, N ; Kattel, G ; Li, Y ; Xi, Y ; Wang, Y ; Wang, Q ; Yao, W (Wiley, 2023)
    Dam construction and operation can result in serious disturbances to the downstream flow regime and fluvial process, river morphology and the river's ecological condition worldwide. To understand the effects of discharge and sedimentation on fish habitats and ecosystems, an ecohydraulic approach was applied to one of the mega hydropower schemes in the downstream Lancang River (Tibet). The approach comprised a dam operation module with high flow and sediment transport and the application of a dynamic fish habitat model for assessing habitat fragmentation of two targeted fish species: Schizothorax prenanti (S. prenanti) and Schizothorax davidi (S. davidi). The hydrodynamics of the river system and the assessed fish habitat show a significant impact of dam construction and operation on the downstream riverine ecosystem, in which fish habitats were found rapidly deteriorated with the destruction of feeding and reproductive grounds. To improve fish habitat after dam construction, the sediment supplement was applied to the river and shown to be a useful restoration strategy, which recovers the habitat fragmentation of target fish. Our model not only is useful to predict dam operation impacts on the Lancang River's ecological status but also shows great potential in mitigating hydropower-induced environmental impacts and developing river conservation guidelines worldwide.
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    Complexity of hydrology, sewage and industries in distribution and migration pathways of heavy metals at spatial scale of China's brownfields
    Yu, JY ; Wang, JJ ; Zhang, W ; Kattel, GR ; Kumar, A ; Yu, ZG (Wiley, 2023)
    Hydrologic dynamics, sewage and industries determine the distribution and migration pathways of heavy metals in the natural environments including soils across the urbanized area. In this study, 323 stratified soil samples from a brownfield in Jiangsu Province, China, were collected to assess the heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, As and Hg) contaminations. Contamination factor (Cfi), Nemerow pollution index (PIN) and enrichment factor (EFi) were evaluated to assess the heavy metal pollution, while sources of pollution were identified in combination with geo-statistical, correlations and principal components analysis. Moreover, transport of Ni in soil profiles over the next 30 years was simulated using HYDRUS. The vertical distribution revealed that the soil surface (0–10 cm) had the highest concentration of heavy metal contamination. ICP-MS measurements showed that the soil in the brownfield was enriched with Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, As and Hg, where Ni was the most severe and prevalent contaminant. The results of source apportionment analysis showed that Ni, Cd, Pb and Cu were mainly derived from building materials and sewage discharge, while As and Hg may come from fossil fuel combustion and agricultural discharges from upstream river catchment. The migration of Ni was largely driven by the combination of hydrological variability including the flow and solute contaminant gradients in soils. Our work highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of hydrology, and sewage discharge in heavy metal dynamics and migration pathways in China's brownfield soil at regional and national scales.