Environmental awareness has strongly increased these last years, especially in the developed countries where societies have become increasingly preoccupied by the natural resource depletion and environmental degradation. At the same time, the increasing mass transportation demand throughout the European Union requires the development of new infrastructures. Life Cycle Assessment is increasingly used to provide environmental information for decision-makers, when a choice is to be made about the transportation mode to be implemented on a given route. In a life-cycle perspective, not only the environmental pressure of the operation of vehicles but also the burden from the infrastructure, in particular bridges as key links of the road and railway networks, has to be assessed when comparing transportation modes. Based on an extensive literature review, a simplified quantitative LCA is implemented in order to compare the environmental performance of two railway bridge designs. It is meant to be useful at an early stage in the design process, when no detailed information about the bridge is available, and when rough environmental estimations are needed. The Excel based model covers the entire life-cycle of the bridge, from raw material extraction to construction materials recycling and disposal. Various assumptions and omissions are made to narrow the scope of the analysis. For instance, processes that are found insignificant in the literature are omitted, and only a limited set of relevant emissions and impacts to the environment is considered. The model provides fully transparent results at the inventory and impact assessment level. The streamlined approach is tested by comparing the environmental burden throughout the life-cycle of a steel-concrete composite railway bridge on a single span, equipped with either a ballasted or a fixed concrete single track. The results show that the environmental impacts of the fixed track alternative are lower than that of the ballasted track alternative, for every impact categories. In a sustainable development perspective, it would thus have been preferable to install a fixed track over the bridge to reduce its overall impact on the environment by about 77%. The raw material phase is found decisive in the life-cycle of both alternatives. The frequency of the replacement of the track is identified as a key environmental parameter, since the road traffic emissions during bridge closure nearly overwhelmed the other life-cycle stages.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:09:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4344.pdf: 5594245 bytes, checksum: fab6be00771107162007269bd0d0a554 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-01 / Even the metal bridges known for overcoming large spans, designed and implemented by large offices, this paper wishes to present concepts that can be applied in practical design of Steel-Concrete composite bridges of short and medium span, because those are the most common in national highways, and there is also a lack of professionals to design them into steel in Brazil. In the few studies dedicated to this subject, there is no specific normalization in steel bridges, and there is a lack of bridges on local roads throughout the country. The steel bridge or the Steel- Concrete composite bridges provides a construction that is both quick and of easy recovery. At first it discusses the main structural systems, features and behaviors of composite steel bridges and concrete. It also describes the analysis procedures to actions on bridges according to the U.S. standards (AASHTO:2002 & 2005), European (EC-1:1991) and Brazilian (NBR 7188:1984). It is also an objective of this study to understand the design philosophy of AASHTO:2002, regarding the definition of actions, analysis models, ensuring the joint behavior of steel beam and concrete deck, ultimate limit states and of service and resistance of the mixed system deck, verifying the possibilities / needs of adaptation to the national reality, standard frequently used by Brazilian designers. This study aims to enrich the national literature regarding to Steel-Concrete composite bridges and according to comparisons made to the design and scaling guide, set rules for a calculated script for these mixed systems, bridges, viewing adjustments for the development of those directed to Brazilian realities. / Mesmo as pontes metálicas tendo fama de vencer grandes vãos, projetadas e executadas por grandes escritórios de projetos, este trabalho tem o objetivo de apresentar conceitos que possam ser aplicados na prática de projeto de pontes mistas de aço e concreto de pequenos e médios vãos, pois são as mais frequentes nas rodovias nacionais, e também há uma carência dos profissionais para projetá-las em aço, no Brasil. Além de poucos trabalhos voltados a este assunto, não existe normalização específica para pontes em aço, sendo que há carência de pontes em estradas vicinais em todo o país. A ponte em aço ou mista de aço e concreto possibilita uma construção rápida e de fácil recuperação. Inicialmente discute-se sobre os principais sistemas estruturais, características e comportamentos de pontes mistas de aço e concreto, descrevendo também os procedimentos de análise para ações móveis em pontes segundo as norma americana (AASHTO:2002 e 2005), européia (EC-1:1991) e brasileira (NBR 7188:1984). Também está entre os objetivos deste trabalho compreender a filosofia de projeto da AASHTO:2002 no que se refere à definição das ações, modelos de análise, garantia do comportamento conjunto viga de aço e tabuleiro de concreto, estados limites últimos e de serviço e resistência do sistema de tabuleiro misto, verificando as possibilidades/necessidades de adaptação para a realidade nacional, norma esta comumente utilizada pelos projetistas brasileiros. Espera-se com este trabalho, enriquecer a bibliografia nacional no que se refere às pontes mistas de aço e concreto e de acordo com as comparações realizadas ao projeto e dimensionamento traçar diretrizes para um roteiro de cálculo para estes sistemas de pontes mistas, visando às adaptações para o desenvolvimento destas voltadas às realidades brasileiras.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] El diseño de infraestructuras está fuertemente influido por la búsqueda de soluciones que tengan en cuenta el impacto en la economía, el medio ambiente y la sociedad. Estos criterios están muy relacionados con la definición de sostenibilidad que hizo la Comisión Brundtland en 1987. Este hito supuso un reto para técnicos, científicos y legisladores. Este reto consistía en generar métodos, criterios, herramientas y normativas que permitieran incluir el concepto de sostenibilidad en el desarrollo y diseño de nuevas infraestructuras. Desde entonces, se han producido pequeños avances en la búsqueda de la sostenibilidad, pero se necesitan más a corto plazo. Como plan de acción, las Naciones Unidas establecieron los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, fijando el año 2030 como meta para alcanzarlos. Dentro de estos objetivos, las infraestructuras se postulan como un punto crítico. Tradicionalmente, se han desarrollado métodos para obtener diseños óptimos desde el punto de vista del impacto económico. Sin embargo, aunque en los últimos tiempos se ha avanzado en la aplicación y utilización de métodos de análisis del ciclo de vida completo, aún falta un consenso claro, especialmente en el pilar social de la sostenibilidad. Dado que la sostenibilidad engloba diferentes criterios, que en principio no van necesariamente de la mano, el problema de la búsqueda de la sostenibilidad se plantea no sólo como un problema de optimización, sino también como un problema de toma de decisiones multi-criterio. El objetivo principal de esta tesis doctoral es proponer diferentes metodologías para la obtención de diseños óptimos que introduzcan los pilares de la sostenibilidad en el diseño de puentes mixtos acero-hormigón. Como problema estructural representativo se propone un puente viga en cajón de tres vanos mixto. Dada la complejidad de la estructura, en la que intervienen 34 variables discretas, la optimización con métodos matemáticos resulta inabordable. Por ello, se propone el uso de algoritmos metaheurísticos. Esta complejidad también se traduce en un alto coste computacional para el modelo, por lo que se implementa un modelo de redes neuronales profundas que permite la validación del diseño sin necesidad de computación. Dada la naturaleza discreta del problema, se proponen técnicas de discretización para adaptar los algoritmos al problema de optimización estructural. Además, para mejorar las soluciones obtenidas a partir de estos algoritmos discretos, se introducen métodos de hibridación basados en la técnica K-means y operadores de mutación en función del tipo de algoritmo. Los algoritmos utilizados se clasifican en dos ramas. La primera son los basados en trayectorias como el Simulated Annealing, Threshold Accepting y el Algoritmo del Solterón. Por otra parte, se utilizan algoritmos de inteligencia de enjambre como Jaya, Sine Cosine Algorithm y Cuckoo Search. La metodología de Análisis del Ciclo de Vida definida en la norma ISO 14040 se utiliza para evaluar el impacto social y medioambiental de los diseños propuestos. La aplicación de esta metodología permite evaluar el impacto y compararlo con otros diseños. La evaluación mono-objetivo de los diferentes criterios lleva a la conclusión de que la optimización de costes está asociada a una reducción del impacto medioambiental y social de la estructura. Sin embargo, la optimización de los criterios medioambientales y sociales no reduce necesariamente los costes. Por ello, para realizar una optimización multi-objetivo y encontrar una solución de compromiso, se implementa una técnica basada en la Teoría de Juegos, proponiendo una estrategia de juego cooperativo. La técnica multi-criterio utilizada es la Teoría de la Entropía para asignar pesos a los criterios para la función objetivo agregada. Los criterios considerados son los tres pilares de la sostenibilidad y la facilidad constructiva de la losa superior. Aplicando esta técnica se obtiene un diseño óptimo relativo a los tres pilares de la soste / [CAT] El disseny d'infraestructures està fortament influït per la cerca de solucions que tinguen en compte l'impacte en l'economia, el medi ambient i la societat. Aquests criteris estan molt relacionats amb la definició de sostenibilitat que va fer la Comissió Brundtland en 1987. Aquesta fita va suposar un repte per a tècnics, científics i legisladors. Aquest repte consistia a generar mètodes, criteris, eines i normatives que permeteren incloure el concepte de sostenibilitat en el desenvolupament i disseny de noves infraestructures. Des de llavors, s'han produït xicotets avanços en la cerca de la sostenibilitat, però es necessiten més a curt termini. Com a pla d'acció, les Nacions Unides van establir els Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible, fixant l'any 2030 com a meta per aconseguir-los. Dins d'aquests objectius, les infraestructures es postulen com un punt crític. Tradicionalment, s'han desenvolupat mètodes per a obtindre dissenys òptims des del punt de vista de l'impacte econòmic. No obstant això, encara que en els últims temps s'ha avançat en l'aplicació i utilització de mètodes d'anàlisis del cicle de vida complet, encara falta un consens clar, especialment en el pilar social de la sostenibilitat. Atés que la sostenibilitat engloba diferents criteris, que en principi no van necessàriament de la mà, el problema de la cerca de la sostenibilitat es planteja no sols com un problema d'optimització, sinó també com un problema de presa de decisions multi-criteri. L'objectiu principal d'aquesta tesi doctoral és proposar diferents metodologies per a l'obtenció de dissenys òptims que introduïsquen els pilars de la sostenibilitat en el disseny de ponts mixtos. Com a problema estructural representatiu es proposa un pont viga en calaix de tres vans mixt. Donada la complexitat de l'estructura, en la qual intervenen 34 variables discretes, l'optimització amb mètodes matemàtics resulta inabordable. Per això, es proposa l'ús d'algorismes metaheurísticos. Aquesta complexitat també es tradueix en un alt cost computacional per al model, per la qual cosa s'implementa un model de xarxes neuronals profundes que permet la validació del disseny sense necessitat de computació. Donada la naturalesa discreta del problema, es proposen tècniques de discretització per a adaptar els algorismes al problema d'optimització estructural. A més, per a millorar les solucions obtingudes a partir d'aquests algorismes discrets, s'introdueixen mètodes d'hibridació basats en la tècnica K-*means i operadors de mutació en funció del tipus d'algorisme. Els algorismes utilitzats es classifiquen en dues branques. La primera són els basats en trajectòries com la Simulated Annealing, Threshold Accepting i el Old Bachelor Acceptance. D'altra banda, s'utilitzen algorismes d'intel·ligència d'eixam com Jaya, Sine Cosine Algorithm i Cuckoo Search. La metodologia d'Anàlisi del Cicle de Vida definida en la norma ISO 14040 s'utilitza per a avaluar l'impacte social i mediambiental dels dissenys proposats. L'aplicació d'aquesta metodologia permet avaluar l'impacte i comparar-lo amb altres dissenys. L'avaluació mono-objectiu dels diferents criteris porta a la conclusió que l'optimització de costos està associada a una reducció de l'impacte mediambiental i social de l'estructura. No obstant això, l'optimització dels criteris mediambientals i socials no redueix necessàriament els costos. Per això, per a realitzar una optimització multi-objectiu i trobar una solució de compromís, s'implementa una tècnica basada en la Teoria de Jocs, proposant una estratègia de joc cooperatiu. La tècnica multi-criteri utilitzada és la Teoria de l'Entropia per a assignar pesos als criteris per a la funció objectiu agregada. Els criteris considerats són els tres pilars de la sostenibilitat i la facilitat constructiva de la llosa superior. Aplicant aquesta tècnica s'obté un disseny òptim relatiu als tres pilars de la sostenibilitat i a partir del qual es millora la facilitat constructiva. / [EN] Infrastructure design is strongly influenced by the search for solutions considering the impact on the economy, the environment, and society. These criteria were strongly related to the definition of sustainability by the Brundtland Commission in 1987. This milestone posed a challenge for technicians, scientists, and legislators alike. This challenge consisted of generating methods, criteria, tools, and regulations that would allow the inclusion of the concept of sustainability in developing and designing new infrastructures. Since then, small advances have been made in the search for sustainability, but they need more in the short term. As an action plan, the United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals, setting the year 2030 as the target for achieving them. Within these goals, infrastructure is postulated as a critical point. Traditionally, methods have been developed to obtain optimal designs from the point of view of economic impact. However, although recent advances have been made in implementing and using complete life cycle analysis methods, there still needs to be a clear consensus, especially in the social pillar of sustainability. Given that sustainability encompasses different criteria, which in principle do not necessarily go hand in hand, the problem of finding sustainability is posed not only as an optimization problem but also as a multi-criteria decision-making problem. The main objective of this doctoral thesis is to propose different methodologies for obtaining optimal designs that introduce the pillars of sustainability in the design of steel-concrete composite bridges. A three-span box-girder bridge is proposed as a representative structural problem. Given the complexity of the structure, which involves 34 discrete variables, optimization with mathematical methods is unaffordable. Therefore, the use of metaheuristic algorithms is proposed. This complexity also translates into a high computational cost for the model, so a deep neural networks model is implemented to allow the validation of the design without the need for computation. Given the problem's discrete nature, discretization techniques are proposed to adapt the algorithms to the structural optimization problem. In addition, to improve the solutions obtained from these discrete algorithms, hybridization methods based on the K-means technique and mutation operators are introduced depending on the type of algorithm. The algorithms used are classified into two branches. The first are those based on trajectories such as Simulated Annealing, Threshold Accepting, and Old Bachelor Acceptance. Moreover, swarm intelligence algorithms such as Jaya, Sine Cosine Algorithm, and Cuckoo Search are used. The Life Cycle Assessment methodology defined in the ISO 14040 standard is used to evaluate the social and environmental impact of the proposed designs. The application of this methodology allows the evaluation of the impact and comparison with other designs. The single-objective evaluation of the different criteria leads to the conclusion that cost optimization is associated with a reduction of the environmental and social impact of the structure. However, optimizing environmental and social criteria does not necessarily reduce costs. Therefore, to perform a multi-objective optimization and find a compromise solution, a technique based on Game Theory is implemented, proposing a cooperative game strategy. The multi-criteria technique used is the Entropy Theory to assign criteria weights for the aggregate objective function. The criteria considered are the three pillars of sustainability and the constructive ease of the top slab. Applying this technique results in an optimal design concerning the three pillars of sustainability and from which the constructive ease is improved. / I would like to thank the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. This research would not have been possible without the support of grant FPU-18/01592, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, "ESF invests in your future", as well as the financial assistance provided by DIMALIFE (BIA2017-85098-R) and HYDELIFE (PID2020-117056RB-I00), both funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/5011-00011033, and "ERDF A way of making Europe". / Martínez Muñoz, D. (2023). Optimal Deep Learning Assisted Design of Socially and Environmentally Efficient Steel Concrete Composite Bridges under Constrained Budgets [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/195967 / Compendio