Networked infrastructure systems — including energy, transportation, water, and wastewater systems — provide essential services to society. Globally, these services are undergoing major ...transformative processes such as digitalization, decentralization, or integrated management. Such processes not only depend on technical changes in infrastructure systems but also include important social and socio-technical dimensions. In this article, we propose a socio-technical network perspective to study the ensemble of social actors and technical elements involved in an infrastructure system, and their complex relations. We conceptualize structurally explicit socio-technical networks of networked infrastructure systems based on methodological considerations from network analysis and draw on concepts from socio-technical system theories and social-ecological network studies. Based on these considerations, we suggest analytical methods to study basic network concepts such as density, reciprocity, and centrality in a socio-technical network. We illustrate socio-technical motifs, i.e., meaningful sub-structures in socio-technical networks of infrastructure management. Drawing on these, we describe how infrastructure systems can be analyzed in terms of digitalization, decentralization, and integrated management from a socio-technical network perspective. Using the example of urban wastewater systems, we illustrate an empirical application of our approach. The results of an empirical case study in Switzerland demonstrate the potential of socio-technical networks to promote a deeper understanding of complex socio-technical relations in networked infrastructure systems. We contend that such a deeper understanding could improve management practices of infrastructure systems and is becoming even more important for enabling future data-driven, decentralized, and more integrated infrastructure management.
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•Digitalization, decentralization, or integrated management transform infrastructures.•Transformations require a socio-technical understanding of infrastructure management.•A socio-technical network (STN) perspective combines social and technical levels.•STN include infrastructure elements and social actors managing these elements.•Analyzing STN provides deeper insights into socio-technical infrastructure systems.
This current study aimed to analyze and comprehend the management of the madrasa's facilities and infrastructure to hold face-to-face learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study was conducted ...at MI Soebono Mantofani, which is located in Ciputat, South Tangerang. The study employed a descriptive approach with qualitative methods. Data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. The data analysis technique in this study followed the procedures: data reduction, data presentation, conclusion drawing, and verification. The study results highlighted the importance of needs analysis before preparing facilities and infrastructure planning policy to procure facilities and infrastructure by available safety procedures. Besides, the school management system also endorsed the principal's critical role in preparing the recipes, organizing the facilities during face-to-face learning, and holding the maintenance process accountable. This study also provided implications for managing the facilities and infrastructure amidst pandemics and hopefully shed some light on other relevant stakeholders in facing the upcoming face-to-face learning in the middle of the pandemic.
The civil engineering industry is notorious for being slow in the adoption of digital technology and research has shown that the industry suffers from poor asset management processes as a result. ...Digital Twin is one of the emerging technologies being adopted to address this challenge. This study conducted a systematic literature review of digital twin for asset management using social network analysis. Salient topics in studies were identified and centrality metrics including degree, betweenness, and eigenvector centralities were used to analyze the importance of topics. The analysis involved global analyses of the combined studies and local analysis within identified clusters. The result showed that some topics such as real-time data and decision making have received more attention from scholars. Topics that had low centrality scores were also identified as less studied in the research space. The study was also able to cross-compare the clusters with the global analyses.
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•Deeper research insights achieved from a multi-level social network analysis.•Facility, infrastructure, and disaster management are digital twin focal areas.•Real-time data and decision-making are focal topics across all research areas.•Future digital twin research directions identified at local and global levels.
Tertiary studies are conducted to offer a comprehensive perspective on a subject by compiling secondary literature at a meta-level. This study appraises secondary studies in computer vision ...applications for infrastructure management using drone-captured imagery to investigate different dimensions, trends and quality of secondary studies. This tertiary study uses three databases to select studies published from 2018 to 2023. A total of 57 secondary studies are analyzed. Various demographic and temporal patterns are examined by assessing the prevalence of secondary studies concerning the year of publication, publishing platforms, and the nature of the synthesis carried out. The quality of the secondary studies is evaluated using the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) criteria. The thematic analysis identifies six major application areas in infrastructure management, with miscellaneous applications categorized separately. The findings of the study offer a comprehensive overview of technological advancements, challenges, and potential applications in infrastructure management using drone imagery.
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•Tertiary review on image processing and computer vision for drone imagery in infrastructure management.•Synthesize 51 studies for in-depth analysis of existing literature.•Synthesizes secondary studies to uncover drone image technology trends and common approaches.•Analysis uncovers domain gaps and research opportunities.
Given the potential hazards and risks that potholes pose to road users, this study introduces an image-based system that utilizes a combination of a camera and GPS for real-time detection, ...georeferencing, and area estimation of potholes. The captured system data is processed in real-time using YOLOv8, a deep learning model proficient in object detection and segmentation. To enhance the precision and reduce the occurrence of false detections, the system is specifically trained to detect potholes, manholes, and patches. Additionally, the camera is calibrated to accurately estimate the area of identified potholes. The proposed system achieved a mean average precision of 91% in detecting potholes, 98% in detecting manholes, and 90% for detecting patches. A salient feature of this system is its capability to localize potholes with reference to pavement line lane markings. This ability could facilitate proactive lane closure planning by maintenance crews, further enhancing road safety measures. The study findings suggest that the system holds significant potential for practical implementation. Its deployment could assist transportation agencies in the prioritization of road repairs, resource allocation, and advance planning for lane closures, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of their maintenance workflows.
Chip seal is a pavement surface treatment, consisting of a combination of asphalt binder or emulsion and a layer of aggregate compacted on top of a pavement substrate. Raveling and bleeding are the ...two major distresses that affect the performance of chip seals. Studies have shown that these distresses can be related to the embedment depth, among a few factors. Embedment depth is the depth that rock is lodged into binder and is a key parameter that significantly affects the performance of chip seals. Currently, embedment depth is evaluated by pulling out the rock from the binder (often by a plier) and visually estimating the percentage of embedment. However, this method is subjective and does not provide accurate and reliable results. This study evaluated the use of laser texture scanner as quality control of chip seal construction. The mean profile depth (MPD), which is inversely related to percent embedment in the field, was measured and used to correlate with chip seal performance for raveling and bleeding. It was found that MPD is sensitive to compaction efforts of chip seals. The shoulder MPD value of chip seals after sweeping should be at a minimum of 0.150 in. to prevent bleeding from happening for the traffic volume experienced by the selected field project. When MPD in the wheelpath drops below 0.05 in., bleeding has occurred. More field experiments are needed to cover different construction practices and conditions to validate the findings from this study.
The compatibility of asphalt emulsion and aggregate plays a significant role in the aggregate retention performance of chip seals. There are several, similar standardized test methods available for ...assessing the compatibility of emulsion–aggregate blends, including AASHTO T 59, ASTM D244, and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) A-24. In all methods, a sample of aggregate and emulsion is mixed and rinsed. Subsequently, the compatibility of the rinsed sample is reported as “good,”“fair,” or “poor” based on visual inspection of asphalt coating the aggregate surface area. These visual inferences are subjective, making them susceptible to potential operator bias. The aim of this study is to develop an objective means to quantify emulsion–aggregate compatibility by using the Asphalt Compatibility Tester to obtain color-based measures in lieu of the visual assessment procedures. Multiple aggregate sources (granite, limestone, and lightweight), emulsion types (CRS-2L, CRS-2, and SS-1h), and sources were evaluated. In total, 25 emulsion–aggregate blends were analyzed. The results were used to establish color index thresholds to capture good- versus fair- or poor-performance emulsions. Additionally, chip seal samples from five construction projects were subjected to the Vialit test to measure aggregate retention performance. The Vialit test results were compared with the compatibility test results as a preliminary evaluation of the color-based criteria proposed here. The results indicated that the NCDOT A-24 procedure coupled with color measurements is effective at capturing the compatibility of emulsion–aggregate blends, providing a potential means to remove the subjectivity of the current visual rating procedures.
Joint sealants play an important role in maintaining concrete pavement. They reduce or prevent numerous distresses, including spalling, faulting, and subbase erosion damage. The successful ...maintenance of such joint sealants is closely linked to a satisfactory lifespan for rigid pavement. However, it has been found that many sealants often fail in the early stages, as a result of inadequate or insufficient joint preparation. This study examined the effects of moisture content on bond strength, the main cause of joint sealant failure. Sealant use in various climatic regions throughout the United States was examined and Departments of Transportation were surveyed with regard to how they handled moisture. The survey showed that in cold-freeze areas, hot-pour sealants were preferred over silicone, and most states visually inspected the moisture condition of joint reservoirs. This research evaluated the effects of surface moisture on the tensile bond strength between a joint sealant and reservoir. In addition, an indirect measurement method was applied to estimate the reduction in bond strength in response to excessive moisture on the reservoir wall at the allowable strain. The causes of degradation in adhesion strength were evaluated by measuring the sealant wetting angle. Finally, it was determined that, while the choice of sealant may depend on the climate, those not currently preferred in wet-freeze regions could be used if accompanied by proper pretreatment and moisture control, contributing to the stable lifespan of joint sealants and concrete pavement alike.
Mill and thin asphalt overlays are a popular preservation treatment for asphalt and composite pavements owing to their ability to address a variety of distresses. Their effectiveness depends on ...different factors such as traffic, climate, and condition of the pavement at the time of treatment, with typical treatment lives ranging from 5 to 12 years. In cold regions, performance in relation to roughness is of particular interest, as factors like frost action and thermal cracking tend to accelerate roughness progression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of thin asphalt overlays on pavement roughness in cold climate locations using a set of field performance data from the Pavement Preservation Group Study, a broader research study conducted by the National Center for Asphalt Technology and the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Road Research Facility. The findings indicated that treatment application resulted in both short- and long-term benefits. Following construction, a performance jump was obtained, which was greater for pavement sections with higher International Roughness Index (IRI) IRIpre values. This can be interpreted as rougher sections benefiting more in the short term than smoother sections, where the IRI is already low. Conversely, pavements with lower roughness at the time of treatment obtained greater life-extending benefits. This is interpreted as smoother pavements obtaining a greater benefit over time, and reinforces the concept of preserving pavements while in good condition to maximize pavement life. The magnitude of the benefits was also dependent on the type of milling machine used.
Multispan bridges with simply-supported girders are straightforward to construct and economical but have historically utilized expansion joints between the spans. The negative long-term impacts of ...expansion joints are well-documented in the literature: eventual leaking causes damage to the girder ends and substructures. To avoid this deterioration associated with the use of expansion joints, link slabs may be used instead. This paper presents the results of a study examining the performance of existing link slabs on Texas bridges. Although these link slab details have been used for over four decades in Texas, their performance had not been widely studied. To understand the performance of these details, the design characteristics and damage conditions of 468 Texas bridges were recorded using as-built drawings and inspection reports. A damage rating was developed to evaluate the performance of the link slabs on each bridge. Using this information, an analysis was conducted to determine how different bridge design characteristics correlate with the performance of link slabs. The results showed that attributes such as continuous deck length and mean span length correlated with link slab performance. Certain loading characteristics such as average daily traffic, average daily truck traffic, link slab rotational demand, and the ratio of link slab moment capacity to -demand were found to have an age-dependent correlation with link slab performance. The performance of different deck detail types and skewed decks was also investigated.
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