861. Tailoring the crystalline and amorphous phase ratios of TiO2 through the use of organic additives during hydrothermal synthesisNejc Rozman, Andrijana Sever Škapin, David Maria Tobaldi, Goran Dražić, Peter Nadrah, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The photocatalytic properties of TiO2 are primarily determined by its crystallinity and crystalline phase ratios. To improve the photocatalytic properties of TiO2, greater control over the formation of crystalline and amorphous phases during synthesis is therefore required. In this study, we demonstrate how the addition of minute amounts of three organic compounds (isopropanol, acetone and acetic acid) during hydrothermal treatment affects the amorphous and crystalline phase ratios: the addition of isopropanol or acetone accelerates the phase transition from anatase and brookite to rutile, whereas the addition of acetic acid inhibits the transformation of anatase to rutile, increasing the content of amorphous phase compared to samples where no organic compound was added. We show that the combination of the organic compound added, along with the duration of the hydrothermal treatment, can be used to tailor the phase composition of TiO2, so as to obtain either: i) TiO2 with a high content of both rutile and amorphous phase, ii) TiO2 with a high rutile content and iii) TiO2 with different ratios of all four phases, when the duration of synthesis is short (2–4 h). The materials synthesized exhibited high photocatalytic activity (in most cases higher than P25), which is attributed to the beneficial phase composition and high specific surface area.
Keywords: sol-gel processes, X-ray methods, chemical properties, TiO2, photocatalysis
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 341; Downloads: 319
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862. Scoring system for technical evaluation of technologies for remote monitoring of bridgesMogens Saberi, Kevin McPherson, Fengqiao Zhang, Anna Arvidsson, Simon Fjendbo, Carl van Geem, Maja Kreslin, Andrej Anžlin, 2024, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Transportation infrastructure demands reliable, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and safe solutions. It is, therefore, crucial to leverage both the knowledge gained from current practices and the potential offered by emerging technologies. This paper uses the scoring system approached in the INFRACOMS project to offer a framework for asset managers and technology providers to identify areas of improvement and make informed decisions regarding selecting and implementing remote condition monitoring solutions. We focus on two technologies for bridges, like bridge weigh-in-motion and digital inspection and centre around four areas: data analysis, visualisation and integration and potential for practical decision-making. Technologies are evaluated based on their intended use, acknowledging that some may have multiple applications due to novel sensor installations or data interpretation/visualisation methods. Consequently, a technology may undergo multiple appraisals within this system. We showcase the benefits of the scoring system, alignment with specific use cases, and potential for broad applicability.
Keywords: bridge, remote monitoring, scoring system
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 450; Downloads: 210
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863. Challenges of implementing bridge weigh-in-motion on a century-old steel-riveted railway bridgeDoron Hekič, Mirko Kosič, Jan Kalin, Aleš Žnidarič, Andrej Anžlin, 2024, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: This study explores the challenges and methodologies involved in implementing bridge weigh-in-motion (B-WIM) system on a century-old steel riveted railway bridge. A unique aspect of this study, funded by the EU H2020 Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking, was the adaptation of B-WIM systems to the specific constraints of railway bridges since, traditionally, this technology is used to collect heavy gross vehicle loading data on road bridges. The paper details the experimental setup on an old steel-riveted railway bridge, including sensor placement and calibration processes. It highlights the complexities encountered, such as differences in bridge response due to passenger and other type of trains. It introduces the system calibration strategy using known axle loads from passenger locomotives. The study provides insights into the structural response of old steel bridges under traffic loads, contributing valuable data to the field of railway bridge monitoring and maintenance.
Keywords: bridge, B-WIM, bridge Weigh-in-Motion system, numerical model updating, bridge response measurements, railways
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 346; Downloads: 242
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864. Load testing of the first stress ribbon bridge in SloveniaĐorđe Đukić, Doron Hekič, Mirko Kosič, Rok Vezočnik, Andrej Anžlin, Andrej Štrukelj, Marjan Pipenbaher, Tomaž Weingerl, 2024, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Paper presents selected results of the diagnostic load testing of a newly-built footbridge in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. The bridge is significant as the first bridge in Slovenia being built with the stress ribbon technology. The diagnostic load testing took place in March 2023 and comprised of three-stage static load testing, dynamic testing with a light truck driving over artificial obstacles, and measurement of ambient vibrations. The consistency between the actual response of the bridge and the response of the finite element (FE) model, used in the design, was evaluated by comparing vertical displacements from the static load testing, natural frequencies and mode shapes. The comparison of the results indicates a satisfactory agreement between the measurements and the response of the FE model, confirming the appropriateness of the employed FE model.
Keywords: bridge, bridge response measurements, stress ribon, load test
Published in DiRROS: 14.08.2024; Views: 301; Downloads: 197
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865. High-resolution Pan-European forest structure maps : an integration of earth observation and national forest inventory dataJukka Miettinen, Patricia Adame, Radim Adolt, Iciar Alberdi, Oleg Antropov, Ólafur Arnarsson, Rasmus Astrup, Ambros Berger, Jón Bogason, Gherardo Chirici, Luka Krajnc, Mitja Skudnik, 2024, complete scientific database of research data Keywords: uneven-aged forest, lidar data, canopy height model, voxels, canopy height diversity
Published in DiRROS: 13.08.2024; Views: 457; Downloads: 689
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866. Identifying even- and uneven-aged forest stands using low-resolution nationwide lidar dataAnže Martin Pintar, Mitja Skudnik, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: In uneven-aged forests, trees of different diameters, heights, and ages are located in a small area, which is due to the felling of individual trees or groups of trees, as well as small-scale natural disturbances. In this article, we present an objective method for classifying forest stands into even- and uneven-aged stands based on freely available low-resolution (with an average recording density of 5 points/m2) national lidar data. The canopy closure, dominant height, and canopy height diversity from the canopy height model and the voxels derived from lidar data were used to classify the forest stands. Both approaches for determining forest structural diversity (canopy height diversity—CHDCHM and CHDV) yielded similar results, namely two clusters of even- and uneven-aged stands, although the differences in vertical diversity between even- and uneven-aged stands were greater when using CHM. The first analysis, using CHM for the CHD assessment, estimated the uneven-aged forest area as 49.3%, whereas the second analysis using voxels estimated it as 34.3%. We concluded that in areas with low laser scanner density, CHM analysis is a more appropriate method for assessing forest stand height heterogeneity. The advantage of detecting uneven-aged structures with voxels is that we were able to detect shade-tolerant species of varying age classes beneath a dense canopy of mature, dominant trees. The CHDCHM values were estimated to be 1.83 and 1.86 for uneven-aged forests, whereas they were 1.57 and 1.58 for mature even-aged forests. The CHDV values were estimated as 1.50 and 1.62 for uneven-aged forests, while they were 1.33 and 1.48 for mature even-aged forests. The classification of stands based on lidar data was validated with data from measurements on permanent sample plots. Statistically significantly lower average values of the homogeneity index and higher values of the Shannon–Wiener index from field measurements confirm the success of the classification of stands based on lidar data as uneven-aged forests.
Keywords: uneven-aged forest, lidar data, canopy height model, voxels, canopy height diversity
Published in DiRROS: 13.08.2024; Views: 322; Downloads: 693
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867. The ongoing range expansion of the invasive oak lace bug across Europe : current occurrence and potential distribution under climate changeAlbert Ciceu, Flavius Balacenoiu, Maarten De Groot, Debojyoti Chakraborty, Dimitrios N. Avtzis, Marek Barta, Simon Blaser, Matteo Bracalini, Bastien Castagneyrol, Ulyana A. Chernova, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: In recent years, the oak lace bug, Corythucha arcuata, has emerged as a significant threat to European oak forests. This species, native to North America, has in the last two decades rapidly extended its range in Europe, raising concerns about its potential impact on the continent's invaluable oak populations. To address this growing concern, we conducted an extensive study to assess the distribution, colonization patterns, and potential ecological niche of the oak lace bug in Europe. We gathered 1792 unique presence coordinates from 21 Eurasian countries, utilizing diverse sources such as research observations, citizen science initiatives, GBIF database, and social media reports. To delineate the realized niche and future distribution, we employed an ensemble species distribution modelling (SDM) framework. Two future greenhouse gas scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) were considered across three-time intervals (2021–2040, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100) to project and evaluate the species' potential distribution in the future. Our analysis revealed that significant hotspots rich in host species occurrence for this invasive insect remain uninvaded so far, even within its suitable habitat. Furthermore, the native ranges of Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) and Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto L.) species offer entirely suitable environments for the oak lace bug. In contrast, the pedunculate oak and sessile oak distribution ranges currently show only 40 % and 50 % suitability for colonization, respectively. However, our predictive models indicate a significant transformation in the habitat suitability of the oak lace bug, with suitability for these two oak species increasing by up to 90 %. This shift underlines an evolving landscape where the oak lace bug may exploit more of its available habitats than initially expected. It emphasises the pressing need for proactive measures to manage and stop its expanding presence, which may lead to a harmful impact on the oak population across the European landscape.
Keywords: biological invasion, invasive species, species distribution model, Oak pest, biodiversity impact, European oak forest, Europe, oak forest
Published in DiRROS: 13.08.2024; Views: 328; Downloads: 996
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868. Dehydration with microwave irradiationAnže Tesovnik, Barbara Horvat, 2024, complete scientific database of research data Abstract: The dataset supports the results shown in the tables and figures in the article entitled “Rapid immobilisation of chemical reactions in alkali-activated materials using solely microwave irradiation” (doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/min14121219). It contains measurements of mechanical and structural evaluation, as well as chemical and mineralogical analysis.
Keywords: measurments, alkali-activated materials, geopolymers, slag, fly ash, rock wool, glass wool, metakaolin, microwave irradiation, dehydration, stopping of chemical reactions, efflorescence
Published in DiRROS: 12.08.2024; Views: 114; Downloads: 11406
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869. Stabilization of fish protein‐based adhesive by reduction of its hygroscopicityBranka Mušič, Jaka Gašper Pečnik, Andreja Pondelak, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Protein-based fish adhesives have historically been used in various bonding applications; however, due to the protein’s high affinity for water absorption, these adhesives become destabilized in high-moisture environments, resulting in reduced bondline strength and early failure. This limitation makes them unsuitable for industrial applications with higher demands. To address this issue, water-insoluble raw powder materials such as iron, copper, or zeolite were incorporated into natural fish adhesives. In this study, the hygroscopicity, dry matter content, thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), FT-IR spectroscopy, surface tension measurements, vapour permeability, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the modified adhesives were determined. In addition, the bonding properties of the modified adhesives were evaluated by the tensile shear strength of the lap joints, and mould growth was visually inspected. The resulting modified protein-based adhesives demonstrated improved stability in high humidity environments. Enhancing the hygroscopic properties of protein-based fish adhesives has the potential to unlock new opportunities and applications, providing a healthier and more environmentally sustainable alternative to petroleum-based adhesives.
Keywords: protein‐based adhesive, polymer stabilization, hygroscopicity, fish adhesive modification, fish industry waste, circular economy, bonding properties
Published in DiRROS: 12.08.2024; Views: 409; Downloads: 359
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