Arup Group (Canada)

The rapid adoption of foundation models (e.g., large language models) has given rise to promptware, i.e., software built using natural language prompts. Effective management of prompts, such as organization and quality assurance, is essential yet challenging. In this study, we perform an empirical analysis of 24,800 open-source prompts from 92 GitHub repositories to investigate prompt management practices and quality attributes. Our findings reveal critical challenges such as considerable inconsistencies in prompt formatting, substantial internal and external prompt duplication, and frequent readability and spelling issues. Based on these findings, we provide actionable recommendations for developers to enhance the usability and maintainability of open-source prompts within the rapidly evolving promptware ecosystem.

All‐glass systems such as mobile glass partition walls and all‐glass doors set high requirements for transparency, lightness and durability. The interconnection between the panels is conventionally performed by eye‐catching fittings and clamping details. Hence, innovative glass‐plastic‐composite panels, consisting of a systematic combination of a polymer Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) interlayer core and cover layers of thin glass, are currently under development. The units show high‐performance load‐bearing behaviour and exhibit full transparency at low panel self‐weight. Additionally, the novel composite allows for the implementation of a direct connection with the supporting structure into the PMMA interlayer core. These novel construction types will allow for small as well as unobtrusive connection details, which lead to the desired maximum transparency of all‐glass systems. Different connection joints such as fastened and bonded types were developed and tested with a focus on applications in all‐glass systems for the building industry. In this paper, the development process, and experimental results for different connection joints with glass and stainless‐steel substrates, tested under tensile and shear loading, are presented and evaluated in detail. For bonded joints, three transparent structural adhesives are included in the experimental program: UV acrylate, 2‐C epoxy resin and 2‐C polyurethane. Furthermore, the investigations consider detachable fastened connections. The results from form the basis for further investigations and an advanced design of connection details for the edge of glass‐plastic‐composites. A short outlook on the upcoming design of an ultra‐lightweight segmented glass arch adopting novel glass‐plastic‐composite panels and associated connections for the demonstration of the development in all‐glass applications completes the paper.

Previous studies have shown that earthquake repair costs can be minimised by using large levels of supplemental damping and uniform damper placement. However, it is not always feasible to achieve this damping due to structural or financial restraints. Iterative damper placement methods may be able to achieve higher levels of damping than simple methods such as uniform damping for the same total damper cost. In this work, six damper placement methods were assessed based on structural and non-structural repair costs. The total damper cost was constrained to be the same in each case. The scope of work was limited to linear fluid viscous dampers, concentric braced frames and regular structures. The iterative methods were found to provide a greater total damping coefficient to the structures than the simple methods. This resulted in a higher supplemental damping ratio and lower repair costs. If upfront funds are limited, or if architectural constraints prevent the placement of dampers in lower storeys, then iterative methods provide the most favourable total-building seismic performance. However, the conclusions should be extended cautiously. Although iterative methods are favourable when the upfront damper investment is strictly limited, in terms of total-building seismic performance, it is advantageous to provide a large damping ratio using uniform damping.

Transformative transportation programs often comprise discrete complex projects to deliver an overall vision. Even with substantial benefits, the cost, complexity, and risk of the entire program often creates a “sticker-shock” reaction that dominates public discussion. When escalation is factored into the program, costs can appear unreasonable or not financeable. In this scenario, benefits and costs are never discussed in a parallel (and equal) basis. If this leads to more delay, escalation creates an ever-more expensive output, leading to ever less support for the transformative program. Aviation and highway industries often deliver their programs as discrete projects of independent utility (for example, an additional lane of highway, or a new airport terminal). Rail and bus transit infrastructure projects, in contrast, are usually presented as the entire program (new vehicles, infrastructure, stations, facilities) even if some aspects of the program could be presented as a discrete project. By focusing on the program, rather than projects, transit proposals present stretch delivery dates and feature mountains of escalated costs. This paper uses the recent Boston North-South Rail Link (NSRL) Reassessment (Massachusetts, U.S.) as a case study. An examination is made of the potential benefits of packaging the program to advance independent but complementary projects. The expectation is that this approach reduces escalation, resulting in overall program cost savings in real dollars. While further research to validate this premise is suggested, the concepts of the paper can be used to reassess traditional megaproject schedule and delivery assumptions, reducing the identified cost escalation over the years.

This project represents the outputs of a working group set up to explore the technical and environmental considerations associated with on-shore wind repowering, particularly foundation reuse. The documents are files are the final reports of this group, although an academic paper is planned which builds on this. Please use the report and diagrams but cite the source as per the citation guidance.

Many challenges arise when designing offshore structures for iceberg loads in arctic and subarctic regions. To help the designer, the ISO 19906:2010 standard provides guidance for the calculation of design ice loads using both deterministic and probabilistic approaches. In determining design loads for different environmental factors, both principal and companion actions must be taken into account; an example is iceberg actions and companion wave actions. ISO 19906 allows the designer to calculate the companion wave action as a specified fraction (combination factor) of the extreme level (EL) design wave load. Alternatively, the designer can calculate appropriate companion wave loads explicitly. A methodology has been developed at C-CORE in which representative iceberg actions are determined using a software package, the Iceberg Load Software (ILS). This is a probabilistic tool which uses Monte Carlo simulation to obtain a distribution of global impact forces based on the expected range of iceberg and environmental conditions that a structure would likely encounter. The software provides a reasonably accurate representation of the iceberg loading situation, following the provisions of ISO 19906:2010, without introducing unnecessary conservatism in the design load. In the software, the influence of waves on the iceberg actions are considered, but companion wave loads must be calculated and added externally to the software, The software accounts for the probability of different sea state conditions and the influence of the sea state on the probability and severity of iceberg impact, given the correlations between the sea state, iceberg management effectiveness and iceberg drift and wave-induced velocity. The additional hydrodynamic pressure due to the wave during the period of the impact; is not considered. This wave loading will be complicated by the influence that the presence the iceberg and structure have on the local sea state. In this paper, brief descriptions are provided of background studies on companion wave loading and the application of companion load factors in ISO 19906. The companion load factors allow the designer to apply the design wave load, which is calculated for situations with no iceberg present, to the case of iceberg impacts. In this study, a methodology is presented for determining companion wave loads based on the distribution of sea states expected during an iceberg impact. These sea states are significantly less severe than that associated with the design wave load as iceberg impacts are rare events. The companion wave loads are determined without accounting for the influence of the iceberg; this is thought to be quite conservative. An example application of the methodology is presented for a hypothetical platform located on the Grand Banks, off the east coast of Newfoundland. Iceberg actions, wave actions and combined iceberg-wave actions are estimated using the described methodology. Comparisons are provided for the resulting companion loads and those based on ISO 19906:2010 companion load factors applied to the extreme level wave load.