209 research outputs found
Bridge damage assessment by AI and static measurements
No full textDetection, localization and quantification of structural damage and the
subsequent development of a maintenance plan is a challenging task for structural engineers
and infrastructure owners. Both genetic algorithms and influence lines or surfaces can be
suitable for structural damage assessment. In this contribution, a genetic algorithm, based on
static properties, and displacement influence lines are combined for estimating location and
severity of hypothesized damage scenarios in a girder bridge. A simply supported, prestressed
concrete railway bridge, located in the northern Italy, was selected as a benchmark. The
implemented algorithm solves the inverse problem for estimating damage location and severity
based on static deflections and rotations measured at few points. The results look promising
and encourage further developments
PEO/LAGP hybrid solid polymer electrolytes for ambient temperature lithium batteries by solvent-free, “one pot” preparation
No full textHere, we report hybrid solid polymer electrolytes (HSPE) obtained by rapid, truly solvent-free, thus scalable preparation process. HSPE composition is very simple: a LiTFSI added poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymer matrix encompassing NASICON-type Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3 (LAGP) super Li+ ion conducting ceramic. Homogeneous, self-standing, mechanically robust solid electrolyte films are obtained by simply mixing in “one pot” and hot pressing the solid mixture of dry powders at moderate temperature. Noteworthy, unlike several other super ionic conductors used for composite electrolytes, LAGP is relatively stable in air atmosphere and can be processed in a dry-room, which is more favorable, cheap and scalable than Ar-filled dry glove box for industrial fabrication of safe lithium batteries. The proper, homogeneous mixing of LAGP powder, PEO and LiTFSI leads to HSPE with interesting electrochemical behavior in lab-scale lithium cells, especially under high current regimes, and even at ambient temperature. HSPE-based cells outperform the PEO-LiTFSI-based counterpart, in terms of specific capacity output (about 70% of the theoretical value retained at very high 2C rate), limited fading and excellent Coulombic efficiency (>99.5%) even at low rate. Interfacial stability issues remain to be solved, chiefly linked to the reactivity of LAGP in contact with lithium metal, but results here proposed represent a step further toward truly all-solid-state batteries conceived for high energy/power technologies, assuring safety and performance in a wide range of operating conditions
Genetic algorithm supported by influence lines and neural network for bridge health monitoring
No full textThe paper proposes a hybrid technique to solve the inverse problem of damage localization and severity estimation in beam structures. The first phase of the method involves the use of influence lines (IL) to extract information about the damage location. Then, a genetic algorithm (GA), representing the core of the whole procedure, utilizes static parameters as displacements and rotations at few points to evaluate the bending stiffness along the structure by updating a finite element model. The information obtained in the first phase is used in the second phase for: (i) reducing the number of design variables of the GA and the consequent computational time; (ii) improving the accuracy of GA solutions because it allows a suitably trained neural network to select proper values for the coefficients of the proposed cost function inside the genetic algorithm. The procedure is applied to a test problem, namely a simply supported, prestressed concrete railway bridge, located in northern Italy. Numerical experiments are also conducted to test the procedure when the beam length and geometric properties vary
LA GENESI DEI SISTEMI TERRITORIALI VITALI. L’ACCORDO DI RECIPROCITÀ “PIANA DEL SELE-PAESTUM”*
No full textThe purpose of the paper is to identify and define the conditions and modalities for the
genesis of a SLoT, as well as defining the role that the different (public or private) actors
can have in the process of said genesis. The paper is divided into two parts which deal
with theoretical analysis and empirical research.
Theoretical part compares the design and analytical elements of SLoT with components
that distinguish the conceptual paradigm of vital systems. The analysis focusses on the
process of development of a SLoT, making reference to the possible different evolution
stages of systemic entities.
Empirical part mapped out prospective SLoTs in Campania detecting the conditions,
modalities and actors that took part in the genesis of the SLoTs and focussed on the
case study Accordo di Reciprocità “Piana del Sele-Paestum”. Data is gathered directly
in the field through the realisation of semi-structured interviews given to the various
(public and private) project partners.
The conclusions, arrived at by combining the theoretical-conceptual systemisation and
the empirical verification, cover different modalities for the evolution of SLoTs,
detecting conditions that permit local territorial associations to qualify for vital systems being carried out. Finally, we highlight the implications for the development of further
studies and research, as well as for governance within the field of local institutional territorial associations
Analisi sulla qualità dell'aria e valutazione dello stato di salute dei cittadini della Piana di Lucca nel periodo 2013-2018
No full textL’inquinamento dell’aria rappresenta una problematica caratteristica della Piana Lucchese, nella quale ogni anno si verificano sforamenti del valore di PM10 e di PM2.5 ben al di sopra dei limiti di legge imposti dalle normative Europee e dalle linee guida dell’Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità (OMS).
L’obiettivo del seguente lavoro di tesi consta quindi in una prima valutazione sulla salute dei cittadini della Piana Lucchese, volta a valutare una possibile criticità sanitaria.
Abbiamo effettuato un’analisi descrittiva osservazionale dei cittadini residenti nei comuni di Lucca, Capannori, Altopascio, Montecarlo e Porcari nel periodo 2013-2018, differenziandoli in base a sesso, età e comune di residenza. Le patologie prese in esame sono state il tumore dei bronchi e dei polmoni, le malattie del sistema respiratorio, le malattie croniche delle basse vie aeree e le malattie del sistema cardiovascolare. Per ogni patologia abbiamo analizzato la mortalità per gli anni 2013-2015, i ricoveri e gli accessi in pronto soccorso per gli anni 2016-2018. Con l’ausilio del programma di calcolo SPSS abbiamo estratto i dati ed effettuato una standardizzazione diretta utilizzando come popolazione di riferimento quelle europea, italiana e toscana al 01/01/2012. Abbiamo confrontato i vari comuni tra di loro, in base alla localizzazione delle centraline ARPAT sul territorio, e la totalità della Piana di Lucca con la Regione Toscana e l’Italia. I risultati mostrano che, sia nel sesso maschile che nel sesso femminile, i tassi di mortalità, ricovero e accesso in pronto soccorso della Piana Lucchese sono, quasi nella totalità dei casi, maggiori dei tassi della Toscana e dell’Italia.
Un limite del progetto è stato proprio la mancanza dell’anamnesi completa dei cittadini e dell’indirizzo di residenza. Andando a geolocalizzare i casi di malattia e venendo a conoscenza dei fattori di rischio, dello stile di vita e dell’attività lavorativa svolta dal paziente riusciremmo ad avere un quadro maggiormente chiaro su quali possano essere le cause alla base di questi risultati, e su quale possa essere l’effettivo contributo dell’inquinamento atmosferico della Piana Lucchese
Quali norme per costruire fiducia? Una bussola per la governance del ciclo scienza-salute-diritti del cittadino
No full textAt the aftermath of the pandemic laypeople and policy makers experience a common challenge. How to integrate scientific knowledge and technological advances into the decision-making processes that impact on the quality of life of everyone combining scientific soundness and public accountability. Social responsiveness of choices that lay at the basis of highly impacting policies today must be ensured. This article traces a critical path to raise some concerns and to put forth a proposal as to the governance of the science/democracy connubium. The argument herein touches upon the different levels where digital transformation disrupts the interactions between citizens (and their rights) and the healthcare sector, the interaction between medical doctors and healthcare professions on the one hand and the automation on the other hand, the interaction between efficiency and inclusiveness under the waves of technological and scientific transformation. The author ends by suggesting a model where a learning cycle is integrated at the individual as well as at the macro level
Building capacities abroad to solve conflicts at home. Preliminary remarks on the European policy of legal education and judicial training in CEECs
No full textA triadic structure is key to ensure the legitimacy of the judge, that is, a prototype of the mechanism of
dispute settlement adopted in complex and advanced societies. In order to promote the enforcement of
the rule of law in the new member States, the European Union and the Council of Europe enacted several
policy instruments, all of them aiming at providing judges and prosecutors with new arenas where they
may socialize, exchange views and information, share ideas. Lawyers and private attorneys are almost
absent from the targets addressed by the European policy of rule of law promotion. Therefore, knowhow
and capacities are strengthened on one side of the bench – the side of the judicial actors – whereas
the private side – the lawyers – seemed to be neglected. Relying on an innovative data set constructed
alongside a five years of research conducted by the author, this paper addresses the issue whether or
not these policy instruments will prove able to positively influence the legitimacy of the adjudication in
the new members. In the last section, some hypotheses are suggested to set down a tentative research
agenda for the very next future
Frantumazione e armonia:dinamiche della "diluizione" urbana nella Piana dei Colli di Palermo
No full textLa piana dei Colli di Palermo è un territorio ordito da molteplici valori storici e culturali che nel tempo hanno intessuto relazioni espressive con la natura, rispecchiando forme differenti di organizzazione fisica e sociale, ora degradate e annegate nello sprawl dilagante. Residui di giardini, improntati all’utilità e dediti alla bellezza, sono diluiti in una dimensione urbana che frantuma equilibri ecologici e sociali. Piani e programmi, in evidente conflitto d’interessi pubblici, perseguendo avversi principi, disegnano difformi strategie di rigenerazione, mostrando la necessità d’interazioni creative e armoniose con gli abitanti, al fine di ristabilire etiche connessioni con la natura e restituire al processo di pianificazione la dimensione politica di maieutico apprendimento sociale
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