BURA Community:

CRFPA: A Novel Rock Fracture Process Analysis Method Coupled with Cohesive Zone Model

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: CRFPA: A Novel Rock Fracture Process Analysis Method Coupled with Cohesive Zone Model Authors: Yu, Jiang; Gong, Bin; Wang, Tingting; Tang, Chun’an Abstract: To enhance the effectiveness of fracture process simulation within the Rock Fracture Process Analysis (RFPA) framework, this study proposes a cohesive-enhanced RFPA (CRFPA) method. Cohesive elements are pre-inserted along potential fracture interfaces, either globally or locally, providing modeling flexibility tailored to different simulation objectives. A dual constitutive strategy is employed: cohesive elements adopt both brittle and quasi-brittle constitutive models to accommodate a wider range of material behaviors while solid elements retain the brittle damage model of conventional RFPA. This allows accurate distinction between matrix cracking and interfacial degradation. The method is formulated within a variational framework that ensures thermodynamic consistency, guaranteeing proper energy dissipation and irreversible damage evolution throughout the entire loading history. Leveraging RFPA’s full-step iteration scheme, CRFPA achieves stable convergence while capturing progressive interface and matrix failure. Three benchmark examples, a masonry wallette shear test, a Brazilian disc splitting test, and flaw-driven crack propagation, are used to validate CRFPA method. Simulation results show strong agreement with experimental and analytical references, highlighting improvements in crack path realism, stress field resolution, and failure mode prediction compared to traditional RFPA. This study establishes CRFPA as a robust and versatile numerical framework for multi-scale fracture analysis in quasi-brittle materials. Description: Data Availability: The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

White Paper on Cross-border resilience of critical transport infrastructure in Ukraine and impact on the economy and society

Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Title: White Paper on Cross-border resilience of critical transport infrastructure in Ukraine and impact on the economy and society Authors: Mitoulis, Stergios-Aristoteles; Argyroudis, Sotirios; Mamchur, Olga; Veklyn, Oleh; Cousins, Dave; Kopiika, Nadiia; Rudakevych, Ivan; Hudzelyak, Iryna; Kotyk, Liubov; Vanda, Iryna; Borsuk, Yuriy; Dolan, Tom; Slyvka, Roman; Zakutynska, Iryna; Lushchyk, Mariya; Mamchur, Olga; Yaroshevych, Maryana; Polianskyy, Yuriy; Login, Zlata Abstract: In the framework of the TwinForHope capacity building, the University of Birmingham (UoB) twined and stood with their counterparts to support Ukraine’s Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (IFNUL) and co-organised a workshop to strengthen the resilience of the war-torn country. The workshop: Cross-border resilience of critical transport infrastructure in Ukraine and impact on the economy and society, took place in Warsaw, Poland on the 28th of July 2023. The workshop was attended in-person and online by 29 academics from the University of Birmingham and the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, as well as decision makers and consultants from the UK and Ukraine and representatives from the local government of the city of Lviv. The theme of the TwinForHope capacity building is on ‘Identify, Sovereignty and Resilience’, and this workshop is part of a broader series of academic development workshops that directly contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and development. The workshop achieved its aim which was to bring IFNUL and UoB academics and researchers together with NGOs and community organisations to build capacity for addressing post-conflict reconstruction. This White Paper includes the facts and opinions expressed during the workshop. For each summary there is a visualisation representative of the position paper of the workshop. The White Paper also includes the main outcome of the workshop: Ukraine's post-war recovery journey necessitates resilience, sustainability, and digitalisation. The Lviv region, with its strategic location and connections to the EU, holds a significant role in the nation's rebuilt and progress. Particular emphasis should be given on the railway sector, roads and bridge in the area as well as incentives for strengthening IT services and software engineering.

Application of a Dynamic Clustered Bayesian Model Averaging (DCBA) Algorithm for Merging Multisatellite Precipitation Products over Pakistan

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Application of a Dynamic Clustered Bayesian Model Averaging (DCBA) Algorithm for Merging Multisatellite Precipitation Products over Pakistan Authors: Rahman, Khalil Ur; Shang, Songhao; Shahid, Muhammad; Wen, Yeqiang; Khan, Zeeshan Abstract: Merged multisatellite precipitation datasets (MMPDs) combine the advantages of individual satellite precipitation products (SPPs), have a tendency to reduce uncertainties, and provide higher potentials to hydrological applications. This study applied a dynamic clustered Bayesian model averaging (DCBA) algorithm to merge four SPPs across Pakistan. The DCBA algorithm produced dynamic weights to different SPPs varying both spatially and temporally to accommodate the spatiotemporal differences of SPP performances. The MMPD is developed at daily temporal scale from 2000 to 2015 with spatial resolution of 0.25° using extensively evaluated SPPs and a global atmospheric reanalysis–precipitation dataset: Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B42V7, Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information Using Artificial Neural Networks–Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR), Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH), and ERA-Interim. The DCBA algorithm is evaluated across four distinct climate regions of Pakistan over 102 ground precipitation gauges (GPGs). DCBA forecasting outperformed all four SPPs with average Theil’s 𝑈 of 0.49, 0.38, 0.37, and 0.36 in glacial, humid, arid, and hyperarid regions, respectively. The average mean bias error (MBE), mean error (MAE), root-mean-square error (RMSE), correlation coefficient (CC), and standard deviation (SD) of DCBA over all of Pakistan are 0.54, 1.40, 4.94, 0.77, and 5.17 mm day⁻¹, respectively. Seasonal evaluation revealed a dependency of DCBA performance on precipitation magnitude/intensity and elevation. Relatively poor DCBA performance is observed in premonsoon/monsoon seasons and at high/mild elevated regions. Average improvements of DCBA in comparison with TMPA are 59.56% (MBE), 49.37% (MAE), 45.89% (RMSE), 19.48% (CC), 46.7% (SD), and 18.66% (Theil’s U). Furthermore, DCBA efficiently captured extreme precipitation trends (premonsoon/monsoon seasons).

Toward alleviating anisotropy of 3D printed cementitious composites through rheological regulation and interfacial modification

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Toward alleviating anisotropy of 3D printed cementitious composites through rheological regulation and interfacial modification Authors: Jin, Yuan; Sun, Zhaoyang; Chen, Mingxu; Sun, Ming; Zhou, Xiangming; Chen, Binmeng Abstract: The inherent anisotropy generated by interlayer defects and weak interfaces between printed filaments remains a critical challenge for the structural application of 3D printed concrete (3DPC). This study presents a physicochemical strategy to alleviate anisotropy in 3D printed white cementitious materials (3DP-WCMs) by leveraging the combined effects of needle-shaped wollastonite (WL) and spherical silica fume (SF). Oscillatory shear tests indicated that the addition of WL and SF significantly broadened the linear viscoelastic region (LVR) and delayed the onset of structural flow, suggesting the formation of a rigid physical network in the fresh state. Considering both fresh viscoelastic behavior and hardened mechanical properties, C80W12S8 was identified as the optimal mixture. At 28 days (28 d), the compressive strength of C80W12S8 reached 43.10 MPa in the A direction, while its flexural strength increased by 46.4% relative to C100 in the weakest C direction. Importantly, the proposed strategy substantially reduced mechanical anisotropy while simultaneously lowering the embodied carbon through partial replacement of WPC by WL and SF. The embodied carbon was reduced by 15.6% for C80W12S8 and 45.9% for C50W30S20 compared with C100. Meanwhile, the flexural anisotropy coefficient (𝐼_f) of C80W12S8 at 28 d decreased from 0.29 to 0.13, while its compressive anisotropy coefficient (𝐼꜀) dropped from 0.52 to 0.40 relative to C100. In addition, separate-hydration analyses supported a possible mechanism in which Ca²⁺-mediated electrostatic interactions may promote the association of SF with WL surfaces, while SF provided nucleation sites for the formation of a denser and more continuous C-S-H network. Description: Data availability: Data will be made available on request.