A GIS based tool for the sediment delivery ratio comparison

The note deals with a new tool implementation for evaluating Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR) in a river basin, through GRASS GIS software. The definition of a spatially distributed value of SDR is a very important task as the sediment routing can affects losses of soil productivity, increase of solid transport in stream channels, and water quality degradation. For such reason the SDR evaluation, coupled with GIS approach, has been extensively used in scientific literature. Geographic information systems provide a fundamental support for a better prediction of SDR, since it can consider the space variability of factors influencing the sediment routing processes. Actually a specific GIS module to estimate the spatial variability of SDR does not exist. We implemented a GRASS GIS module (in python language) called r.sdr where the sediment delivery ratio is evaluated by GIS procedure using several equations available in literature. We applied the tool to the Feo Creek watershed, located in the Apennines area of northeastern Umbria (Italy)

Use of aerial multispectral images for spatial analysis of flooded riverbed-alluvial plain systems: the case study of the Paglia River (central Italy)

Image processing and classification techniques are widely used for land use definition. They can also provide interesting applications in fluvial geomorphology, for outlining morpho-sedimentary features (bars, channels, banks and floodplain) at various temporal stages, in order to monitor the evolution of river systems. Frequent monitoring is especially important for streams, in terms of flood risk in urban areas. This study shows how techniques of supervised analysis can be applied to river systems, also under particular conditions, like after flood events (when large portions of riverbed and alluvial plain are covered with mud). The procedure starts from the classical photogrammetric techniques, based on multispectral classification, and goes on with post processing operations of pixel aggregation and shadow treatment. The classification also uses the elevation information provided by Digital Surface Model produced by photogrammetry. This paper introduces a new technique of remote sensing in fluvial areas that allows for both the identification and classification of the fluvial features in a post flooding condition. Application of the procedure over time permits the evolution of the fluvial dynamics to be monitored in an accurate and inexpensive way, particularly for flood event conditions which lead to major changes in the dynamics of riverbeds

Predective Maintenance for Civil Infrastructures_DT-IoT-BC Framework

The research project proposes the exploration of an innovative approach to improve the safety and efficiency of the existing built environment in the construction sector through the combined adoption of blockchain technology, internet of things and digital twins. The objective of this study is the design of an intelligent technological system to secure the existing built environment by planning its preventive maintenance interventions. Through the acquisition of real-time data, the proposed approach aims to predict potential safety risks and optimise maintenance interventions, thus ensuring public safety and the preservation of the built heritage. The research methodology involves a thorough literature review to identify similar existing studies on the use of blockchain, IoT and digital twins technologies in the construction sector. Interviews, surveys and comparisons with industry professionals will also be conducted to obtain an efficient and effective framework for our specific context. One of the key points of the research is the integration of blockchain technology for authentication and secure data storage. Since IoT sensors generate a large amount of data, notarising it on the blockchain could be economically unsustainable. To overcome this problem, a dynamic and automatic data filtering mechanism based on pre-defined threshold parameters is proposed. Only relevant data exceeding these thresholds will trigger alerts and be simultaneously authenticated on the blockchain. This real-time data collection is further integrated with a digital twin model, allowing for an immediate reading of detected criticalities. The presented approach, adaptable to various types of infrastructures and structures comprising the built heritage, enables stakeholders to optimise resource management, improve safety and extend the life of the existing built environment. In addition to contributing to the academic landscape by providing insights for future research, the research results will provide an overview of the benefits of these technologies to construction professionals for the maintenance and improvement of safety in the existing built environment

Tools for Sustainable Design Strategies: Optimization of Integrated BIM-Blockchain Technologies and Protocols for Applying Green Public Procurement (GPP) Requirements to the Intervention on the Existing Built Environment

Today, ensuring an effective, efficient and sustainable management of the built environment throughout the asset’s life cycle represents an increasingly complex challenge, in the context of an increasingly digitalised Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. On the one hand, the digitalisation of physical assets by means of foundational technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twin (DT) discloses tremendous opportunities to boost efficiency and sustainability of existing physical assets. On the other hand, the adoption of these new technologies and tools results in the generation of large volumes of often complex and heterogeneous data, namely Big Data. Against this backdrop, several are the pitfalls of big data architecture for industry practitioners, including but not limited to data security, privacy, ownership and management. Despite the vast potential of these technologies for the construction domain, this remains often untapped due to fragmented data management practices with inevitable implications for data transparency at various stages of the construction process. Additional disadvantages accrue from traditional centralised data management architecture, entailing risks of data manipulation and theft. This underlines the need for more secure and decentralised data management strategies. To address the issues, the study presents a Proof of Concept (PoC) application through the development of a Decentralized Application (dApp) integrated with Blockchain (BC), DT and Non-Fungible Token (NFT) technologies for the construction sector. The principal aim is to showcase the potential of the proposed framework in enabling the transition towards more decentralised data management practices, thus improving transparency, security and traceability along with mutual collaboration. Moreover, the platform discloses three sets of indirect benefits: i) it paves the way for the creation of a secondary, DT-based data market that may benefit industry agents transversally (i.e., strengthened knowledge flows); ii) showcase the potential of DT as a toolkit for enhanced data collection, processing and use; iii) the profits generated by the DT-based data market may be steered towards project financing. The proposed PoC, integrating BC, DT and NFT technologies, aims to address two of the most pressing challenges faced by an increasingly digitalised and automatised AEC industry, i.e., marked data fragmentation and a structural lack of transparency throughout the construction life cycle. Thanks to its immutability and decentralisation features, BC is selected as the most suitable technology to improve data management practices, reducing the risks of manipulation and theft, and providing a securer and more transparent environment. A specific BC platform, namely Solana BC, was initially selected as a basis for the PoC application as, in addition to other widespread BC, it assured higher speed, lower transaction fees, and highest transactions volume processing rate, making it suitable for more complex applications, i.e., integrated with DT and NFT. Subsequently, Polygon BC was identified and integrated for its high degree of compatibility with EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine), which eases code development and the adoption of already established standards such as ERC-721 for NFT. The PoC consists of dApp, purposedly re-labelled as dDT (decentralized Digital Twin), implemented employing a specific BC, i.e., Polygon, to tokenize data streams generated by physical assets in the form of NFT. The platform allows the management and traceability of data in real time and enables export, sale of specific data sets. Tokenized data can be used by other professionals in the sector to accelerate technological progress, improve knowledge of DT, and finance further developments of the project through the sale of NFT linked to the data themselves.Oggi, garantire una gestione efficace, efficiente e sostenibile dell’ambiente costruito lungo l’intero ciclo di vita dell’opera rappresenta una sfida sempre più complessa, nel contesto di un settore delle costruzioni sempre più digitalizzato. Da un lato, la digitalizzazione degli asset fisici attraverso tecnologie fondamentali come il BIM e il Digital Twin apre enormi opportunità per incrementare l’efficienza e la sostenibilità degli asset esistenti. Dall’altro, l’adozione di queste nuove tecnologie e strumenti comporta la generazione di grandi volumi di dati, spesso complessi ed eterogenei, noti come Big Data. In questo contesto, numerose sono le criticità legate alle architetture big data per i professionisti del settore, incluse – ma non limitate a – sicurezza, privacy, proprietà e gestione dei dati. Nonostante il vasto potenziale di queste tecnologie per il comparto delle costruzioni, tale potenziale resta spesso inespresso a causa di pratiche di gestione dei dati frammentate, con inevitabili ricadute sulla trasparenza informativa nelle varie fasi del processo edilizio. Ulteriori svantaggi derivano dall’adozione di architetture centralizzate, che comportano rischi di manipolazione e furto dei dati. Ciò evidenzia la necessità di strategie di gestione dei dati più sicure e decentralizzate. Per affrontare tali problematiche, lo studio presenta un’applicazione PoC sviluppata sotto forma di Decentralized Application (dApp) integrata con tecnologie Blockchain (BC), DT e Non-Fungible Token (NFT) per il settore delle costruzioni. L’obiettivo principale è dimostrare il potenziale del framework proposto nel facilitare la transizione verso pratiche di gestione dei dati più decentralizzate, migliorando trasparenza, sicurezza, tracciabilità e collaborazione reciproca. Inoltre, la piattaforma offre tre benefici indiretti: i) apre la strada alla creazione di un mercato secondario dei dati basato su DT, con ricadute trasversali per gli attori del settore (es. rafforzamento dei flussi informativi); ii) mostra il potenziale del DT come strumento per il miglioramento della raccolta, elaborazione e utilizzo dei dati; iii) i profitti generati da tale mercato possono essere reinvestiti nel finanziamento dei progetti. Il PoC, che integra le tecnologie BC, DT e NFT, mira a rispondere a due tra le sfide più urgenti per un settore AEC sempre più digitalizzato e automatizzato: la forte frammentazione dei dati e la strutturale mancanza di trasparenza lungo il ciclo di vita delle costruzioni. Grazie alle sue caratteristiche di immutabilità e decentralizzazione, la blockchain è selezionata come tecnologia più idonea a migliorare le pratiche di gestione dei dati, riducendo i rischi di manipolazione e furto e garantendo un ambiente più sicuro e trasparente. Una specifica piattaforma BC, Solana, è stata inizialmente scelta come base per l’applicazione PoC poiché, rispetto ad altre blockchain diffuse, offre maggiore velocità, minori costi di transazione e la più alta capacità di elaborazione, rendendola adatta ad applicazioni complesse, come quelle integrate con DT e NFT. Successivamente, è stata identificata e integrata la blockchain Polygon, apprezzata per l’elevata compatibilità con l’Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), che semplifica lo sviluppo del codice e l’adozione di standard già consolidati come l’ERC-721 per gli NFT. Il PoC consiste in una dApp, rinominata dDT (decentralized Digital Twin), sviluppata sulla blockchain Polygon per tokenizzare i flussi di dati generati dagli asset fisici sotto forma di NFT. La piattaforma consente la gestione e tracciabilità dei dati in tempo reale e permette l’esportazione e la vendita di dataset specifici. I dati tokenizzati possono essere utilizzati da altri professionisti del settore per accelerare il progresso tecnologico, approfondire la conoscenza del DT e finanziare ulteriori sviluppi del progetto tramite la vendita degli NFT collegati ai dati stessi

Digital Twin, IoT and Blockchain: A Technological Triad for Infrastructure Monitoring

Questo studio introduce un framework innovativo che unisce Digital Twin (DT), Internet of Things (IoT) e Blockchain, offrendo un avanzamento significativo nella manutenzione e sicurezza delle infrastrutture. Implementato su un ponte in Italia, il modello evidenzia l'efficacia di un approccio olistico nella gestione infrastrutturale. Il framework si articola in sei fasi principali: geolocalizzazione e acquisizione dati (Purpose and Data Capture); creazione di modelli digitali (Virtual Modeling); gestione continua dei dati (Data Flow); aggiornamento dinamico del modello virtuale (Integrated Data Synthesis); gestione operativa (Operational Management) e registrazione dei dati in Blockchain (Blockchain Validation). Importante è il ruolo della Blockchain, che oltre a garantire sicurezza, funge da acceleratore di competenze. I report su Blockchain consentono ad altri professionisti e gestori di infrastrutture di accrescere le loro conoscenze, utilizzando un database di dati e esperienze su infrastrutture simili. Questo approccio migliora l'efficienza e la sicurezza e promuove lo scambio di conoscenze, sfruttando la tecnologia per una gestione più efficace e informata delle infrastrutture

Digitalization as a tool for Redevelopment – The Finiq case

Finiq, a rural town in the south of Albania, is experiencing a major demographic crisis. The lack of economic opportunities and difficult access to services discourage people from settling there. The various problems that characterise Finiq are mainly is isolation as it's difficult to reach it; the lack of identity due to depopulation and the lack of economic activities; the poor development and preservation of historical heritage as well as the deterioration of the landscape due to climate change and unsustainable human activities. Intervention in the landscape and cultural heritage can play a crucial role in mitigating these problems. Creating connecting paths, parks, rest areas, restoring historical buildings and monuments, together with the development of cultural programmes, could on the one hand provide Finiq residents with a sense of Identity and belonging to the area thus contributing to the promotion and preservation of the cultural heritage; on the other hand, stimulate tourism and investments which would be beneficial to the local economy. Digitalisation, in particular the use of blockchain technology, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (loT) could further mitigate these issues. Blockchain can be used for the provision of a secure and transparent register of historical and cultural heritage, thus facilitating access to information and knowledge about this heritage by citizens and tourists. At the same time, BIM can digitally represent the various areas of the city for easier and more timely planning of interventions in the landscape, built environment and cultural heritage. Creating a Digital Twin of the city of Finiq allows the different stakeholders to collaborate and exchange detailed and up-to-date information on the city's infrastructure and heritage, thus ensuring the quality of interventions and better management of the heritage itself. loT, through sensor technology, would enable the collection of real-time data on the state of preservation of cultural heritage and the use of resources. The data collected and exchanged with and certified by a blockchain platform would increase transparency and citizen participation in cultural heritage management. Furthermore, loT can provide information on weather conditions and the impact of human activities on cultural heritage, serving as a useful tool for informed, datadriven decisions towards heritage conservation and enhancement. In summary, digitisation, in particular the proposed technologies, could prevent the deterioration of cultural heritage, promote its knowledge and optimise the management of resources while promoting sustainable development. The creation of digital management systems for heritage and tourism activities is envisaged. However, the use of such technologies presents some barriers including the lack of adequate technological infrastructure and the need to train people involved in the use of such tools. The redevelopment of Finiq requires a balance between using the technology and understanding its limitations while analysing the needs and concerns of the community