The subject of this textbook is a methodical approach on the complex problem-solving process of conceptual structural design, leading to a controlled build-up of insight into the behaviour of the structure and supporting the actual successive design decisions during the conceptual design phase on the basis of a coherent set of solution components.
Objective: To prepare a set of statements for randomised clinical trials (RCT) integrity through an international multi-stakeholder consensus. Methods: The consensus was developed via: multi-country multidisciplinary stakeholder group composition and engagement; evidence synthesis of 55 systematic reviews concerning RCT integrity; anonymised two-round modified Delphi survey with consensus threshold based on the average percentage of majority opinions; and, a final consensus development meeting. Prospective registrations: (https://osf.io/bhncy, https://osf.io/3ursn). Results: There were 30 stakeholders representing 15 countries from five continents including triallists, ethicists, methodologists, statisticians, consumer representatives, industry representatives, systematic reviewers, funding body panel members, regulatory experts, authors, journal editors, peer-reviewers and advisors for resolving integrity concerns. Delphi survey response rate was 86.7% (26/30 stakeholders). There were 111 statements (73 stakeholder-provided, 46 systematic review-generated, 8 supported by both) in the initial long list, with eight additional statements provided during the consensus rounds. Through consensus the final set consolidated 81 statements (49 stakeholder-provided, 41 systematic review-generated, 9 supported by both). The entire RCT life cycle was covered by the set of statements including general aspects (n = 6), design and approval (n = 11), conduct and monitoring (n = 19), reporting of protocols and findings (n = 20), post-publication concerns (n = 12), and future research and development (n = 13). Conclusion: Implementation of this multi-stakeholder consensus statement is expected to enhance RCT integrity.
MULTIFILE
Abstract: The key challenge of managing Floating Production Storage and Offloading assets (FPSOs) for offshore hydrocarbon production lies in maximizing the economic value and productivity, while minimizing the Total Cost of Ownership and operational risk. This is a comprehensive task, considering the increasing demands of performance contracting, (down)time reduction, safety and sustainability while coping with high levels of phenomenological complexity and relatively low product maturity due to the limited amount of units deployed in varying operating conditions. Presently, design, construction and operational practices are largely influenced by high-cycle fatigue as a primary degradation parameter. Empirical (inspection) practices are deployed as the key instrument to identify and mitigate system anomalies and unanticipated defects, inherently a reactive measure. This paper describes a paradigm-shift from predominant singular methods into a more holistic and pro-active system approach to safeguard structural longevity. This is done through a short review of several synergetic Joint Industry Projects (JIP’s) from different angles of incidence on enhanced design and operations through coherent a-priori fatigue prediction and posteriori anomaly detection and -monitoring.
In recent years, frequent earthquakes have been reported in the Groningen region due to gas extraction. The building stock of the region mainly consists of brick masonry structures which were built without any seismic design taken into consideration. Therefore, these structures are extremely vulnerable to the loads coming from the earthquakes hitting the Groningen area on a regular basis. Numerous damage claims for damages on structures arise after every earthquake. In order to protect and reassure the structural integrity of the numerous brick masonry structures (more than 14.000 lay in the seismic zone), innovative solutions need to be developed. One of the approaches is to strengthen these houses extensively, up to a level that earthquake forces do not affect the original structure. This approach results in heavy and most of the times ugly strengthening solutions. A promising technology seems to be the installation of a vibration isolating concrete at the foundation level in order to decrease the vibration demands to the structures during the earthquake events. This latter method has been developed by the partner of this project, Nederboom, and will be investigated further for its advantages over the conventional techniques in terms of efficacy, applicability and cost. The aim of the proposed project is to carry out an experimental campaign to provide the essential experimental background to introduce and validate the effectiveness of this technology when repeated earthquake loads are applied several times on a brick masonry structural component. The experiments will be performed at the testing facilities of BuildinG, partner of the project, and will be supervised by members of the Earthquake Research Group of Hanze University of Applied Sciences.
In recent years, frequent earthquakes have been reported in the Groningen region due to gas extraction. The building stock of the region mainly consists of brick masonry structures which were built without any seismic design taken into consideration. Therefore, these structures are extremely vulnerable to the loads coming from the earthquakes hitting the Groningen area on a regular basis. Numerous damage claims for damages on structures arise after every earthquake. In order to protect and reassure the structural integrity of the numerous brick masonry structures (more than 14.000 lay in the seismic zone), innovative solutions need to be developed. One of the approaches is to strengthen these houses extensively, up to a level that earthquake forces do not affect the original structure. This approach results in heavy and most of the times ugly strengthening solutions. A promising technology seems to be the installation of a vibration isolating concrete at the foundation level in order to decrease the vibration demands to the structures during the earthquake events. This latter method has been developed by the partner of this project, Nederboom, and will be investigated further for its advantages over the conventional techniques in terms of efficacy, applicability and cost. The aim of the proposed project is to carry out an experimental campaign to provide the essential experimental background to introduce and validate the effectiveness of this technology when repeated earthquake loads are applied several times on a brick masonry structural component. The experiments will be performed at the testing facilities of BuildinG, partner of the project, and will be supervised by members of the Earthquake Research Group of Hanze University of Applied Sciences.
