Higher Institute on Territorial Systems for Innovation
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Automated multi-category tunnel damage detection and report generation from ultra-high-resolution panoramic laser images
Get PDFchallenge due to the inherent subjectivity and time demands of manual inspections. Although reality capture
technology allows for digital representation of as-is condition of assets, converting these rich data sources
into actionable risk assessments demands still requires innovative solutions. In this paper, we introduce
a comprehensive, web-based automated framework that uses ultra-high-resolution (UHR) panoramic tunnel
images to automatically generate detailed damage records and risk assessment reports. A significant challenge
in this domain is the observation that damage regions often lack sharply defined boundaries; instead, they
exhibit gradual, blurred transitions, which is not well-suited to conventional segmentation evaluation. To
address this, we formally define the challenge of inconsistency of damage annotation in complex real-world
scenarios and propose a novel evaluation metric: Intersection over Union with buffer zone (IoUb). This
metric relaxes the rigid boundary precision requirements of traditional evaluation methods, focusing more
on capturing the overall damage. We evaluated several instance segmentation algorithms and recommend
adopting a lower confidence threshold, as it reduces missed detections without significantly increasing false
positives. We introduce post-processing methods that aggregate the predictions from multiple inferences to
meet the demands of processing UHR panoramic images, resulting in a 3% improvement in Macro IoU and
IoUb, along with a 90% damage recall. Experimental results on Italian road tunnels demonstrate that our
framework enhances automated damage detection. We then categorize damage severity using a statistically
grounded methodology, enable natural language queries of statistical damage results, and handle visualization
and report export, all within a single end-to-end web-based platform. The proposed framework significantly
enhances the efficiency of professionals in planning and monitoring ageing tunnel assets. Our code is available at https://github.com/zxy239/Auto-damage-report-generatio
Poland as an arena of tensions between the implementation of spatial planning objectives and the influence of market forces
No full textThe article refers to the existing literature on the classification of European spatial governance and planning (henceforth spatial planning) systems, with particular emphasis on the role of the state in shaping spatial development. Drawing on earlier comparative contributions, the authors aim to provide a more in-depth analysis of
the Polish system as a case study. In this system, the state theoretically possesses legal instruments enabling it to influence spatial development; however, in practice, market forces exert a significantly stronger impact. The article offers a broader characterization of this case, also referring to the most recent amendments to planning legislation. On the basis of this analysis, wider conclusions may be drawn for comparative debates on planning systems. In this context, diverse factors shaping the interpretation of planning law play an important role, including political traditions, societal attitudes towards property rights and the prevailing planning culture
Laser-assisted copper oxidation to enhance electrochemical performances of lithium-metal anode-less batteries
Get PDFAnode-less lithium metal batteries (ALLMBs) have been considered promising candidates for future energy
storage applications because of their high energy density and simplified manufacturing. However, issues in
lithium dendrite formation and capacity degradation prevent their practical application. This study introduces a
novel, reagent-free approach for enhancing ALLMBs performance through laser-induced copper oxidation under
ambient conditions to create precisely controlled CuOx surface layers on the copper current collector (CC). The
oxidized surface converts to Li2O in the first charge, forming a stable artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI),
that enables uniform lithium deposition with reduced nucleation overpotential.
Electrochemical tests show Cu_LS1000 optimally balances conductivity and oxide for better Coulombic efficiency (CE) and cycling stability. Specifically, the Cu_LS1000 exhibited higher CE in half-cells and higher capacity retention compared to unprocessed copper. Full-cell testing with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes
validated improved rate capability at low to moderate current densities. Excessive oxidation (Cu_LS300)
compromised cycling stability due to higher polarization and lithium consumption during initial activation. This
work proves that laser-assisted copper oxidation is a scalable and environmentally friendly technique to address
the critical limitations of ALLMBs. The approach underlines the potential of laser-engineered CCs, enabling safer
and more efficient anode-less battery technologies
Ipotesi di rigenerazione fra permanenza e innovazione: il caso dell'ex Centro di smistamento postale di Via Monteverdi a Torino
Get PDFStarting from the analyses and project proposals developed during university workshops, the aim of this
contribution is to explore hypotheses for the transformation of the former post office building in Via Monteverdi, Turin.
This presents an opportunity for the regeneration of spaces and services within this part of the city. The building, decommissioned in 2009, is an example of an innovative industrial and service system from the 1970s. In its current material state, characterized by an impressive metal structure, it represents an important testimony to our recent past. It raises questions about the potential relationship between conservation and innovation, between the original purpose and opportunities for adaptive reuse, and also considers the interests and feelings of the residents.
The prevalent experimental interventions have envisioned:
- At the building level, particular attention to its historical and emotional value;
- At the urban-territorial level, different degrees of openness and porosity.
The strategic location of the area within a post-industrial context enables the enhancement of large green spaces, with an emphasis on a network of ecosystem services
A Multi-Criteria Rating Model for Evaluating the Attractiveness of Medium-Sized Italian Cities
No full textMedium-sized cities in Italy are becoming more attractive to private investors. This is due to their stable economic growth, less saturated markets, and improving infrastructure. However, to understand their real investment potential, a structured method is needed, one that considers economic, social, and governance aspects together. Most existing urban rankings are not designed for investors. They often do not include flexible weighting systems or clear criteria that reflect investment needs. In addition, they rarely offer a multi-criteria approach that allows a fair comparison between different cities. This study presents a Multi-Criteria Rating Model based on the Multi-Attribute Value Theory (MAVT), developed to evaluate the attractiveness of medium-sized Italian cities for private investors. The method follows a structured process that considers different points of view, including economic performance, infrastructure, education, welfare, demography, real estate, and tourism. These aspects are measured with indicators and weighted using expert opinions to reflect investor preferences. The data is then normalized through value functions to allow comparisons between cities. Finally, a City Attractiveness Index (CAI) is calculated by combining the weighted scores. By including several important issues related to attractiveness in one transparent framework, this tool helps investors compare cities and make better decisions based on their investment goals
Evaluation of the Dimensional Accuracy of 3D-Printed Aligners: An In Vitro Study Using Reverse Engineering Analysis
Get PDFBackground: This study aimed to investigate the dimensional deformation that can occur during the fabrication of a 3D-printed aligner made with the TC-85 DAC resin (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea) and determine if the manual removal of the print supports before final aligner curing affects the dimensional accuracy. Methods: 10 subjects with permanent dentition were selected, and a set of aligners was digitally designed using the uDesign Direct Aligner beta software (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea). Each aligner was 3D-printed using TC-85 DAC resin (Graphy Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea) twice: one copy was produced removing the print supports before final curing, whereas the other was cured with the supports still attached. The aligners were digitized and compared to the original design of the digitally designed aligner using RMS and Inter-second molar distance data to identify variations between 3D-produced aligners and their respective digital design. Results: the comparison between aligners produced in two different ways was statistically significant with a p-value < 0.0001 for both the records used. Conclusions: the manual removal of the print supports before final curing affects the dimensional accuracy of aligners made by direct 3D printing, permanently altering the aligner’s internal geometry, confirming that post-processing conditions significantly affect dimensional stability
Mine4Race: A user-friendly toolset for enhancing racing telemetry analysis and visualization
Get PDFIn motorsports, from amateur racers to professional teams, optimizing performance is essential, whether it is by reducing lap times or maximizing power efficiency. Identifying potential driving improvements and understanding vehicle limitations are key factors in this pursuit. Even the smallest details can make a difference, making on-track data analysis critical. Engineers must rapidly interpret and communicate insights to drivers and teams, often under intense pressure. In collaboration with a motorcycle racing team, we identified key priorities and challenges in track-side data analysis to develop Mine4Race, a visual analytics system designed to help engineers in exploring telemetry data with riders. The system offers specialized charts and performance comparisons across laps, allowing users to highlight critical aspects of driving behavior and vehicle dynamics. In addition, Mine4Race features a simulation module based on configurable motorbike parameters and integrates external data sources, such as maps and weather conditions, to provide a comprehensive analytical framework. With its web-based design, it ensures optimal accessibility and usability, even in the fast-paced environment of the racetrack. We assessed the system’s effectiveness through a case study conducted during a real-world racing competition, where domain experts actively utilized it for in-depth performance analysis
A non-parametric regularization framework for surrogate learning based on deep encoding
Get PDFMany engineering applications rely on numerical methods to simulate complex physical systems, which often entail prohibitive
computational costs. Additionally, problems involving parametrized domains require the generation of a computational mesh for each
configuration, which is an expensive and error-prone process. Surrogates based on proper orthogonal decomposition can alleviate this burden
providing rapid predictions of partial differential equations (PDEs) solutions, but they rely on explicit geometric parametrizations and shared
reference meshes, requirements rarely satisfied in practice. In this paper, we present a machine-learning-based workflow for predicting PDEs
solutions and derived quantities in the context of geometric parametrization, without explicit knowledge of the geometric parameters or a
common discretization of the geometries. The workflow is composed of two encoding blocks that independently encode the geometries and
the associated outputs, and a mapping block that learns the relationship between the two encodings. The main contribution of this work is
the introduction of a regularization method for INR-based encoders, designed to preserve the structure of the encoded spaces in the learned
latent space. The workflow was tested on two problems. The prediction of one-dimensional signals (radial and thrust force) on a vertical axis
turbine blade with varying thickness and curvature, and the prediction of the two-dimensional pressure coefficient fields associated with geometric variations of the Royal Aircraft Establishment airfoil 2822 (RAE2822). The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed regularization substantially enhances the overall predictive accuracy, reducing the prediction error of unseen configurations by one order of
magnitude compared to more standard approaches
Continuous Quality Improvement in Human–Robot Collaboration: A Quality 4.0 Methodological Approach
No full textHuman-robot collaboration (HRC) is increasingly prevalent across various industries, necessitating an in-depth exploration of the factors that enhance its quality. Evaluating HRC is not trivial, as it involves several disciplines, including engineering, computer science, and social sciences. A major problem in the literature is to find a comprehensive framework that can support the continuous enhancement of HRC. High-quality HRC requires a balanced integration of technological advancements and human-centered design principles. This chapter provides a methodology to support the implementation of continuous quality improvement strategy in HRC by including a previously presented HRC evaluation framework. This methodology is applied to a case study to better illustrate how it works and its advantages. The proposed methodology can provide insights to practitioners, supporting the analysis and implementation of HRC, as well as highlighting the areas for improvement
Pre-chamber ignition systems for high-speed large-bore gas engine: technology investigation through 3D-CFD analysis
Get PDFNowadays large bore gas engines are gaining popularity in the market for power generation and marine applications. Methane is preferred over conventional diesel because of its favourable H/C ratio and lower soot emissions. Furthermore, the global transition to renewable energy sees eMethane as one of the most promising options for clean energy storage. Consequently, the enhancement of the efficiency of large bore gas engines through innovative combustion strategies, such as pre-chamber ignition, is of growing importance. This technology increases ignition energy, shortens combustion duration, and achieves higher thermal efficiency compared with conventional ignition systems due to extended lean operation. However, it remains unclear which factors fundamentally limit the achievable lean operation of passive and active pre-chamber ignition systems, thereby influencing their combustion behaviour and pollutant emission.
In this context, this paper presents a 3D-CFD numerical investigation of a large bore gas engine (∼4 L/cyl.) equipped with both passive and active pre-chamber systems, operating under lean air/methane mixtures at high load. The study aims to evaluate the influence of calibration and geometric parameters, define and optimize the lean limit of each system, and assess the resulting impact on engine thermal efficiency and pollutant emissions.
A comprehensive comparison between the two systems is provided. Finally, the results of the optimization process demonstrate that both passive and active pre-chamber systems can be effectively tailored through geometry and calibration to address the dual challenge of high efficiency and low NOx emissions in large bore methane engines