Search

Up to now, there is no equivalent to the smart city concept for rural areas. Such a concept can draw on the findings and experiences from the urban context, but must adequately take into account the characteristics and structures of rural areas. This is where the enrolment of a concept for smart countryside in this paper starts as an action-oriented framework. Through an integrative consideration of current trends and tendencies, normative debates about equality and justice as well as possibilities in various fields of action, it includes development options that become possible through digitalisation and 'smart' implementation. Their realisation should be strongly demanddriven. The concept includes also governance processes and knowledgemanagement, and the application of co-design approaches. Development potentials of digitalisation are seen beyond simple technology orientation. The concept of digitalisation presented here can contribute to a more comprehensive transformation of rural areas towards sustainability. It formulates a joint design mandate for politics, society and science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses digital neighbourhood communication in rural areas and its effects on local communal life. Therefore, survey data as well as guided interviews of residents in Metelen, county Steinfurt (Germany), are analysed. The results indicate that using digital neighbourhood platforms in rural communities intensifies contacts and further strengthens the feeling of social participation.However, digital neighbourhood contacts do not facilitate relationships concerning analogous material exchange, such as lending items. Furthermore, the analysis of the qualitative interviews shows that digital neighbourhood communication is used in the organisation of community life, presents local activities, and simplifies the organisation of local customs. All in all, those digital structures are mainly used for information purposes. Consequently, digital neighbourhood relations must be regarded when developing and organising future public services, although a functional usage is required to achieve a successful outcome. As digital contact emerges from analogous contact, occasions and infrastructure to actually ensure direct contact are inevitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the public debate, plant protection is often reduced to the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and their possible consequences, especially for the environment. In fact, the protection of our cultivated plants is almost inherent in the system, because many of the cultivated plants have been deprived of their own defence mechanisms in the course of their cultivation in order to make them digestible for us or even edible in the first place. The instruments of sustainable plant protection consist of a multitude of options for action which, due to the progressive loss of important active substances in the future and the demands of society, are increasingly needed in their interplay to protect plants from pests, competition and diseases. In addition to low-risk or selective crop protection products and breeding efforts, technical innovations in equipment technology, forecasting, and farm and machinery management are particularly important for comprehensive crop protection. In addition to the conservation of natural resources, the focus must be on the production of safe, regional and high-quality food as well as the economic livelihood of the predominantly family-owned farms. Existing conflicting goals must be resolved in an open and consensus-oriented dialog in order to achieve social acceptance for the protection of our crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for the measurement of morphological features of horses that is suitable for mobile applications and requires only a smartphone camera to perform measurements with a short preparation time. This study compares, various body lengths of 46 warmblood horses. The 3D-coordinates were determined photogrammetrically i.e.), using overlapping photographs and video recordings. To measure the relevant points, 12 markers were affixed at significant points to the left body side of the horses. A local coordinate system was defined by using a mobile reference frame to ensure that the measurements can be collected independently of local conditions and still are directly comparable. The measurements were repeated three times and analyzed for their accuracy by various statistical methods. With an average standard deviation of 1.75 cm for the three repeated body length measurements, the method is very reliable. The repetitions of the body length measurements showed that body parts with a high mobility, especially the measurements from the neck to the withers, have a significant impact on the attainable accuracy. To determine the absolute accuracy of the photogrammetric measurement method, a single horse was also measured with a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). The standard deviation of the two measurements was between 0.24 cm and 1.79 cm, which demonstrates the high absolute accuracy of the measurement method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big data and artificial intelligence are buzzwords that everyone is talking about and yet always provide a touch of science fiction to the scenery. What is the status of these topics in anesthesia? Are the first robots already rolling through the corridors while doctors are getting bored as all the work has been done? Spoiler alert! We are still far away from achieving this. Initially, paper charts and analogue notes stand in the way of comprehensive digitization. Source systems need to be merged and data standardized, harmonized and validated. Therefore, the friendly android that is rolling towards us, waving and holding a freshly brewed cup of coffee in our thoughts will have to wait; however, a glimpse of the future is already evident in some clinics and the first promising developments are already showing what could be the standard tomorrow. Learning algorithms calculate the length of stay individually for each patient in the intensive care unit (ICU), reducing negative consequences such as readmission and mortality. The field of ultrasound technology for regional anesthesia and closed-loop anesthesia systems is also demonstrating the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies in practice. The efforts are diverse and ambitious but they repeatedly collide with privacy challenges and significant capital expenditure, which weigh heavily on an already financially strained healthcare system; however, anyone who listens carefully to the medical staff knows that robots are not what they would expect and the buzzwords big data and artificial intelligence might be less science fiction than initially assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image‐based quality control – part 2: granulometric properties The changes in concrete technology necessary to achieve the climate protection targets will lead to a significant change in the concrete mixtures typically used. The raw materials used are becoming more diverse and complex. The use of recycled raw materials will also significantly increase the fluctuations in the properties of the raw materials. An Accurate and time‐efficient determination of the granulometric properties of the aggregate is of crucial importance, especially for "eco‐concretes", in order to ensure consistent quality characteristics. As a natural raw material, the aggregate is subject to certain fluctuations to which such optimized concrete compositions can react relatively sensitively. In the future, it will be necessary to determine possible quality deviations of the fresh concrete resulting from fluctuations in the raw materials in a time‐efficient manner in order to be able to make appropriate adjustments in the production process as quickly as possible. This paper presents an image‐based quality control for the digital evaluation of granulometric properties of the aggregate as a part oft he flow table test. Accordingly, the range of properties of the image‐based method already presented in Part 1 of this paper is extended to a fully comprehensive digital quality control. This paper presents the image‐based determination of the granulometric properties of the aggregate as a part oft he flow table test. The determination is based on the image‐based quality control described in part 1 of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die Öffnung ihrer digitalen Sammlungen für die Nachnutzung ist ein wichtiges strategisches Ziel der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit Fragen der Digitalisierung und der Öffnung digitaler Sammlungen und diskutiert, wie diese am besten als Daten für die Forschung zugänglich gemacht werden können. Ein Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf historischen Zeitungen im Forschungskontext. Weiters wird auf das Konzept von „Collections as Data" und die Rolle von GLAM Labs eingegangen, die in jüngster Zeit in vielen Bibliotheken, darunter auch in der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, eingerichtet wurden. Opening its digital collections for reuse is an important strategic goal of the Austrian National Library. This paper deals with questions of digitisation and opening digital collections and discusses how these can best be made accessible as data for research. One focus is on historical newspapers in a research context. This paper also discusses the concept of "Collections as Data" and the role of GLAM Labs, which have recently been established in many libraries, including the Austrian National Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning for design and analysis of steel frame halls The use of digital tools in design and construction processes increases efficiency, especially for recurring tasks and processes, such as the dimensioning of components or structures, which follow similar patterns. This paper develops an artificial intelligence (AI)‐based assistant for use in the pre‐design and design of steel frame halls as a prototypical co‐pilot. For this purpose, the necessary database of steel frame halls is first compiled from project archives of TRAGRAUM Partnerschaft Beratender Ingenieure mbB. This will be examined in the context of data analyses according to the decisive description parameters and similarities, so that finally suitable AI surrogate models for the prediction of the hall parameters are trained by means of regression analyses. Furthermore, an interface to the finite element program SOFiSTiK is implemented, which passes the predictions of the AI regarding the parameters of the steel frame halls to a parameterized input file and triggers the calculation and design. In the course of the calibration of the AI substitute models, in addition to the approximation qualities, possible safety margins to be provided are also discussed in the context of this article. This article shows that the prototypical co‐pilot for the preliminary design of steel frame halls could be successfully implemented. Furthermore the AI newly generated hall frames can be classified as stable with respect to the validation considerations. An outlook on future further developments of this approach as well as the transfer to other applications complete this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free‐form reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and composite components: Calculation of cross‐section values A resource‐efficient use of concrete as a construction material can be achieved by adapting the individual shape of a component under consideration to the stresses that occur and by arranging composite construction materials (e. g. reinforcing steel, prestressing steel or structural steel) in suitable areas of the component. Due to the advancing digitalisation in the construction industry, for example in the context of Building Information Modeling, computer‐aided 3D modelling methods are increasingly being used in the planning of structures. These allow engineers to design components in free form. In reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and composite construction, the design of such components is currently still associated with great effort. In the context of the development of a practical method for the calculation of free‐form concrete components, this paper presents a CAD‐integrated method for the calculation of cross‐section values. Cross‐section values are required as an essential calculation basis when real, three‐dimensional structural components are treated using simplified calculation theories, such as the beam theory. In this paper, the mathematical and numerical fundamentals of a method for the calculation of cross‐section values of free‐form concrete, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete and compound components are presented. The calculation method is based on flat geometric regions described by Non‐uniform rational B‐Spline tensor product surfaces, which can be extracted from solid models, for example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of an overview of articles in Info DaF in the 2010 s, this paper aims at tracing the development of research on the education and training of GFL teachers outside of Germany within this decade. It emphasizes the potential of international cooperation in facilitating progress in practice and research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The city of Bonn has been a Learning City since 2020 and has committed itself to education for sustainable development through its application. This paper presents the first practical projects of the Bonn Learning City Network. In addition, initial approaches outline the transformative challenges that exist for educational institutions that intend to position themselves sustainably in terms of organization and content in the longer term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick zum Stand der Besucherforschung in Museen ausgehend vom physischen hin zum digitalen Publikum. Dabei werden einige Problemfelder der aktuellen Forschung aufgezeigt. Im Mittelpunkt stehen das digitale Museumspublikum und sein Informationssuchverhalten. Ausgehend von verschiedenen, sehr heterogenen Studien wird versucht allgemeingültige Erkenntnisse zum Suchverhalten des Online-Publikums zu gewinnen. Die daraus entwickelten Kategorien sollen Hinweise für die praktische Anwendung liefern, um Suchvorgänge zu unterstützen und erfolgreicher zu machen. Darauf aufbauend wird ein vereinfachtes, praxisorientiertes Kategorisierungsschema für Online-Besucher vorgeschlagen und auf Alternativen zur feldbasierten Suche eingegangen. The paper provides an overview of the state of the art of visitor research in museums, both traditional and virtual visitors followed by highlighting some problematic issues of current audience research. The paper focuses on digital museum audiences and how they search for information. Based on an analysis of a number of quite heterogeneous studies, both a generalising synopsis of search behaviour and a simplified model of online visitor classification are developed. In addition, alternatives to fielded searching are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of the DiWenkLa project (Digital value chains for sustainable small-scale agriculture) are the analysis, development and knowledge, and practice transfer of the use of digital technologies in small-scale regions. In this paper, the application potentials for decision support and farm management are investigated for animal husbandry based on two typical regional examples (automation in horse husbandry and individual animal sensor technology in pasture-based dairy cattle husbandry). It is being demonstrated for horse husbandry that automated feeding of roughage and concentrate feed can reduce signs of stress in horses and significantly reduce feeding labor time. In pasture-based dairy cattle management, sensor technologies enable animal-specific representation of activity data (eating, ruminating, walking) in a temporal-spatial context. The individual animal-related data are an important key area in a holistic approach of feeding, grazing and herd management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic Monitoring on a Highway Bridge – Data collection on local traffic characteristics as a basis for site‐specific traffic load models Developing site‐specific traffic load models for individual bridge structures based on local traffic data represents a potentially effective tool for existing road bridges with remaining calculative deficits when assessed according to current codes (guideline for assessment of existing structures, "Nachrechnungsrichtlinie"). A robust data basis to represent the local traffic characteristics is essential for this purpose. This paper presents investigations carried out during a long‐term monitoring campaign to comprehensively describe the traffic load on a selected bridge structure along Federal Highway A 92 over a period of one year. For the campaign, a measurement unit consisting of a laser scanner and a webcam, and structural monitoring with the application of bridge weigh‐in‐motion (BWIM), are used. Suitable strategies and concepts for collecting, processing, and evaluating all available measurement data enable a comprehensive collection of all parameters relevant for traffic load modeling and thus provide a data basis for detailed and realistic modeling of local traffic characteristics. Initial evaluations of the monitoring data for selected parameters and the comparison with otherwise typical assumptions from the literature in case of missing parameter information show partly significant differences to the extreme traffic characteristics underlying the load models in codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast‐charging station Leipzig – the floating roof on a computer‐generated endless support For a fast‐charging station at the production site of a sports car manufacturer, a roof was to be developed that would transport the image of the brand in addition to I function as weather protection. The existing technical infrastructure, i. e., power lines that could not be built over and movement and maintenance spaces for the charging columns, only allowed for a few and, above all, irregular support points and support positions. The design process results in a seemingly floating roof whose cladding is modelled on an aerofoil supported on a single endless column. The infinite support Spline, iconographically analogous to an initially simple appearing bent‐up paper clip, ensures both the clamping of the cantilevered roof and the global reinforcement through the spatial support positions and inclinations. The geometry was developed using an evolutionary optimisation algorithm with the most outstanding efficiency while complying with the given geometric restrictions. Within the parametric structural model, in addition to the control and analysis of the static performance, the geometric implementation of the milled circular arcs at the head and foot points was also carried out. The entire process, from the development and variant study to the analysis and documentation to the production, thus took place in a closed digital process chain. Therefore, it was possible to achieve the design goal of contrasting a flat roof and a filigree support structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New perspectives on the load bearing behavior of RC‐structures without shear reinforcement The shear behavior of structural members has been an integral part of research in concrete structures for more than 100 years. In recent years, various mechanical shear models have been developed that deliver important insights into the background of shear behavior and are able to provide physical explanations for shear failure in RC members without shear reinforcement. However, these models require further experimental validation. New measurement techniques (e.g. digital image correlation or fiber‐optic strain measurement) play a decisive role in this context, allowing deeper insights into the load‐bearing behavior of reinforced concrete components subjected to shear loads. Based on experimental investigations with modern measurement techniques, software has been developed that performs an automated crack detection based on the finite element method with detailed evaluation of the kinematics and the stresses transferred in the crack. In this paper an overview of different evaluation methods of experimental investigations with modern measurement techniques is given, on the basis of which an in‐depth evaluation of new model approaches can be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image‐based quality conctrol – part 1: consistency and paste content Today, only very simple empirical test methods are available for quality conctrol of fresh concrete on the construction site or in the production plant. Corrective actions in the case of quality deviations are based on a subjective visual inspection and thus on the experience of the inspector. The standard test method in Europe is the flow table test. The consistency of the concrete is derived from the diameter of the spread out fresh concrete. In order to overcome the deficiencies of this subjective fresh concrete testing, an image‐based method for determining (fresh) concrete properties was developed and validated. In addition to the diameter, extensive information can be derived from the surface properties of fresh conrete. In this paper, the image‐based determination of the consistency and the paste content is explained. The image‐based determination of granulometric properties (part 2) and the homogeneity of fresh concrete (part 3) will be presented in planned follow‐up articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital learning and self-assessment tools have gained importance in medical education over the last years and are pushing back print media more and more. They enable flexible learning that is aligned with current state exams and the latest scientific findings. Embedded videos, interactive graphics and practice questions offer a more diverse learning experience than using books alone. While the commercial learning tools cover the state examinations' content well, they often lack what is additionally taught in different faculties. At the same time, the dominance of a few providers is tied to rising costs for students or to provide campus licenses. Faculties may thus offer literature and learning platforms of less variety, and an intensive and broad examination of subjects and problems is made more difficult. The promotion and nationwide availability of locally initiated non-commercial learning and examination tools can counteract this development. Electronic learning platforms enable efficient exam preparation with the presentation of exam questions. Paper-based preparatory exams have already been almost completely replaced by their electronic counterparts. Digital exams offer decisive advantages over paper-based exams, for example with the embedding of video sequences and increased feasibility of sequential questions, and should become standard not only in exam preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An online platform for the management of digital visual data for the condition monitoring of protective coatings on marine steel structures The paper presents an online platform for the annotation and management of visual digital data, which allows for the condition monitoring and maintenance modelling of protective coatings of marine steel structures by means of digital image data only. A 10‐step procedure is introduced which includes the data acquisition, transfer of the data into the online platform, the annotation and management of the data by means of special tools and methods, and the modelling for condition monitoring and maintenance purposes. Some special applications of the platform are exemplary illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KI/ML‐based Analysis and Interpretation of the IABSE‐Bridge Collapse Database Statistical analyses of bridge collapse data show that concrete bridges collapse significantly less frequently than bridges made of steel or wood. Since the main causes of bridge collapses worldwide are floods and associated fluvial processes, such as scouring, debris flows, etc. and impacts, it is reasonable to assume that the high dead load of concrete bridges leads to an overall more robust behavior in these events. This paper will examine whether the IABSE collapse database confirms this hypothesis and whether indications of further causes can be identified. For this purpose, the IABSE collapse database is examined using artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) methods. However, the AI/ML analysis does not confirm the previous thesis. The reasons for the rejection of the thesis, such as the representativeness of the data, are also discussed. An extension of the database for events with large numbers of collapses is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ductility‐increasing reinforcement systems for fabricated column elements made of UHFB In order to build faster, lighter and more precisely with concrete, a new modular construction concept based on ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC) was investigated, which has a highly advantageous ratio of axial compression load‐bearing capacity and dead weight [1]. In order to enable proper manufacturing of this column element, which is referred to as a winding‐reinforced UHFB hybrid tube, in an automated extrusion process, a novel reinforcement concept has to be developed without the usual steel reinforcement. In an extrusion process, a supporting inner steel tube is encased with UHPC and advanced together with the UHPC. Subsequently, a ductility‐enhancing confinement reinforcement is applied to the surface of the components from the outside in a process that can be automated. As UHPC fragments damage the CFRP reinforcement in case of failure, this paper investigates which protective layer/reinforcement system can be used to achieve ductile component behavior for beam structures subjected to axial compression. For this purpose, different textile reinforcement layers were applied to UHPC specimens and their influence on the load‐bearing behavior of the components was determined with special consideration of ductility and residual load‐bearing capacity after exceeding the maximum load. A combination of aramide fabric and carbon fiber textile showed favorable load‐bearing behavior with enhanced quasi‐ductility in experimental investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated Damage Classification on Concrete Bridges Using Convolutional Neural Networks Against the background of an ageing structure stock and the constant increase in heavy traffic, frequent structural inspections of high quality are indispensable. In accomplishing this task, the use of digital methods within the framework of digitized inspections (DIs) offers great potential for improvement in terms of cost‐effectiveness and quality. An essential component of DIs is the automated detection of damage with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). As part of the research project "Model‐Based Digital Structural Inspection – MoBaP", CNNs are being trained at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich for the classification of defects occurring on concrete bridges. On this domain's currently largest open‐source dataset (CODEBRIM), the best CNN achieves an exact match ratio of 74 % and thus currently defines a strong baseline. In order to also train neural networks for object detection and semantic segmentation in this domain, a separate dataset is created. This enables not only the classification but also the localisation of damage on images. In this paper, the authors discuss the procedure of training neural networks for the classification of defects on concrete bridges and show a detailed analysis of test results. In addition, the development and current status of their own dataset is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explainable Domain‐Specific Artificial Intelligence for Bridge Engineering and Design The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is currently being discussed and evaluated across the board in research and practice in all industries. This paper first provides the necessary background knowledge on general AI and then elaborates the necessity of developing domain‐specific AI as well as explainable AI (XAI) for the calculation and design practice in civil engineering. The role of the civil engineering domain at the interface with AI in terms of data and modeling and design philosophy is discussed. The three examples of (i) computation of Kirchhoff slabs with physics‐informed neural networks, (ii) calibration of prior models for parametric bridge design from databases, and (iii) AI‐assisted conceptual design of bridges illustrate the application of domain‐specific machine and deep learning and XAI with special focus on concrete and bridge design. In particular, physics‐informed AI (piKI) represents an alternative to established numerical methods with special consideration of available simulation and experimental data and becomes explainable and comprehensible via the use of XAI. This paves the way for the use of piKI models in civil engineering as digital twins of a structure over its life cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the transformation and finitude of bodies in the lifelong aging process and the social conditions that predispose them focussing on close relationships in a pandemic context. The material was generated during virtually conducted group discussions with people between the ages of 60 and 80. The virtual space formed both a boundary and a space of possibility to (re)read bodies retrospectively. The narrated »body biographies« represent negotiations of the subject in the context of the pandemic situatedness and agency. Participants reflected on the ambivalence of the restrictions imposed by regulations and lockdowns, the construction as a risk group, and the resulting perception of corporeality. The data points to the lack of physical closeness relationships and the possibilities of closeness in virtual spaces. The reflexive, intra-biographical encounters oscillate between self-assurance and transformative processes of self-formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]