Amichai Mitelman - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Amichai Mitelman
Geotechnics
Over the past decades, numerical modelling has become a powerful tool for rock mechanics applicat... more Over the past decades, numerical modelling has become a powerful tool for rock mechanics applications. However, the accurate estimation of rock mass input parameters remains a significant challenge. Machine learning (ML) tools have recently been integrated to enhance and accelerate numerical modelling processes. In this paper, we demonstrate the novel use of ML tools for calibrating a state-of-the-art three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) model of a kinematic structurally controlled failure event in an open-pit mine. The failure event involves the detachment of a large wedge, thus allowing for the accurate identification of the geometry of the rock joints. FE models are automatically generated according to estimated ranges of joint input parameters. Subsequently, ML tools are used to analyze the synthetic data and calibrate the strength parameters of the rock joints. Our findings reveal that a relatively small number of models are needed for this purpose, rendering ML a highly ...
Replicating the Failure Mechanism of a Real-World Event with the Lattice Discrete Particle Model
Rilem bookseries, 2023
Geotechnics, Mar 8, 2024
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference 2023
Building information modeling (BIM) methodology has been widely adopted for engineering projects,... more Building information modeling (BIM) methodology has been widely adopted for engineering projects, such as buildings, bridges, pipelines, and roads. However, BIM has yet to be fully utilized for risk assessment of critical facilities with multiple infrastructure systems. In this study, a BIM-based seismic risk assessment framework is proposed. The digital BIM model contains component-level information on the building's structural and non-structural elements, and this digital data allows the execution of component-based analysis of seismic risk. The seismic vulnerability of the components can be evaluated according to fragility curves, where each model element is attributed its corresponding fragility parameters. Each model element is assigned the median and standard deviation capacity for each damage state. Subsequently, various seismic scenarios can be simulated. The results of the simulations allow quick assessment of the seismic performance of the infrastructure and identifying the most vulnerable components. The proposed framework provides a valuable tool for engineers and decision-makers in assessing the seismic risk of infrastructures and implementing necessary measures to increase their resilience. Our preliminary work shows that BIM can provide valuable information and visualization tools for seismic risk assessment and can help improve the efficiency of the assessment process.
Choosing between prediction and explanation in geological engineering: lessons from psychology
Interdisciplinary Science Reviews
Geosciences
In observational method projects in geotechnical engineering, the final geotechnical design is de... more In observational method projects in geotechnical engineering, the final geotechnical design is decided upon during actual construction, depending on the observed behavior of the ground. Hence, engineers must be prepared to make crucial decisions promptly, with few available guidelines. In this paper, we propose coupling numerical analysis with machine learning (ML) algorithms for enhancing the decision process in observational method projects. The proposed methodology consists of two main computational steps: (1) data generation, where multiple numerical models are automatically generated according to the anticipated range of input parameters, and (2) data analysis, where input parameters and model results are analyzed with ML models. Using the case study of the Semel tunnel in Tel Aviv, Israel, we demonstrate how this computational process can contribute to the success of observational method projects through (1) the computation of feature importance, which can assist with better i...
Mobile application for the management and control of construction site safety: a comparative study
International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology
Implementation of Surrogate Models for the Analysis of Slope Problems
Geosciences, Mar 26, 2023
Mathematics
The potential of machine learning (ML) tools for enhancing geotechnical analysis has been recogni... more The potential of machine learning (ML) tools for enhancing geotechnical analysis has been recognized by several researchers. However, obtaining a sufficiently large digital dataset is a major technical challenge. This paper investigates the use of transfer learning, a powerful ML technique, used for overcoming dataset size limitations. The study examines two scenarios where transfer learning is applied to tunnel support analysis. The first scenario investigates transferring knowledge between a ground formation that has been well-studied to a new formation with very limited data. The second scenario is intended to investigate whether transferring knowledge is possible from a dataset that relies on simplified tunnel support analysis to a more complex and realistic analysis. The technical process for transfer learning involves training an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) on a large dataset and adding an extra layer to the model. The added layer is then trained on smaller datasets to fin...
Cost Overruns, Winner's Curse, Wisdom of the Crowd and a Pendulum Effect in Public Construction Tenders
IEEE Engineering Management Review, 2023
Buildings
Smuggling and warfare tunnels are unique structures that have rarely been studied from an enginee... more Smuggling and warfare tunnels are unique structures that have rarely been studied from an engineering perspective. A notable example is the vast networks of tunnels that were secretly constructed underneath the Gaza Strip. Particularly because these tunnels were not designed and constructed via traditional engineering practice, they constitute an interesting case study. The tunnels are supported by thin precast concrete elements, with the wall elements being the critical structural element. While some instances of structural failure and collapse have been reported in the media, a great number of the tunnels have remained stable. In this paper, we attempt to conduct a forward analysis to estimate the load and response of the wall elements. We estimate the range of problem input parameters based on multiple sources, including media accounts, geological research papers, and geotechnical reports obtained from the vicinity of the Gaza tunnels. The problem is then analyzed using two appro...
This paper was selected for presentation at the symposium by an ARMA Technical Program Committee ... more This paper was selected for presentation at the symposium by an ARMA Technical Program Committee based on a technical and critical review of the paper by a minimum of two technical reviewers. The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of ARMA, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper for commercial purposes without the written consent of ARMA is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 200 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgement of where and by whom the paper was presented.
Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, 2021
Aim/Purpose: This paper reports a case study of organizational transition from a non-competitive ... more Aim/Purpose: This paper reports a case study of organizational transition from a non-competitive selection method to a novel bidding method for the selection of consultants in the Architectural and Engineering (A/E) industry. Background: Public procurement agencies are increasingly relying on external consultants for the design of construction projects. Consultant selection can be based on either competitive bidding, or quality-based criteria, or some combination between these two approaches. Methodology: Different sources of information were reviewed: internal documents, and quantitative data from the enterprise software platform (ERP). In addition, informal and unstructured interviews were conducted with relevant officials. Contribution: As there are mixed opinions in the scientific literature regarding the use of competitive bidding for the selection of consultants in the A/E industry, this paper contributes a detailed review of a transition to a competitive selection method and ...
Geosciences
This paper presents a philosophical examination of classical rock engineering problems as the bas... more This paper presents a philosophical examination of classical rock engineering problems as the basis to move from traditional knowledge to radical (innovative) knowledge. While this paper may appear abstract to engineers and geoscientists more accustomed to case studies and practical design methods, the aim is to demonstrate how the analysis of what constitutes engineering knowledge (what rock engineers know and how they know it) should always precede the integration of new technologies into empirical disciplines such as rock engineering. We propose a new conceptual model of engineering knowledge that combines experience (practical knowledge) and a priori knowledge (knowledge that is not based on experience). Our arguments are not a critique of actual engineering systems, but rather a critique of the (subjective) reasons that are invoked when using those systems, or to defend conclusions achieved using those systems. Our analysis identifies that rock engineering knowledge is shaped b...
Field tests of fiber reinforced concrete slabs subjected to close-in and contact detonations of high explosives
International Journal of Impact Engineering
Implementing BIM for conventional tunnels - a proposed methodology and case study
Journal of Information Technology in Construction, 2021
The topic of Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption by public organizations has become a c... more The topic of Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption by public organizations has become a central subject of research, and a significant amount of BIM documents, guidelines, and standards have been created to meet different organizational purposes. Compared to the building industry, the application of BIM tools for tunnel project management is lagging far behind. This paper proposes a methodology for integrating BIM tools for conventional tunnelling. A fundamental distinction is made between the tunnel internal architectural domain and the external structural domain. For the former, BIM methodology can be applied similarly to the building industry. For the latter, it is suggested that a BIM model be built according to the essential information generated during tunnelling excavation. The proposed methodology was put to test for an actual tunneling project. A routine was established where the supervisor on behalf of the owner was responsible for gathering and reporting essential...
Why the future of rock mass classification systems requires revisiting their empirical past
Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 2021
Despite recent efforts, digitisation in rock engineering still suffers from the difficulty in sta... more Despite recent efforts, digitisation in rock engineering still suffers from the difficulty in standardising and statistically analysing databases that are created by a process of quantification of qualitative assessments. Indeed, neither digitisation nor digitalisation have to date been used to drive changes to the principles upon which, for example, the geotechnical data collection process is founded, some of which have not changed in several decades. There is an empirical knowledge gap which cannot be bridged by the use of technology alone. In this context, this paper presents the results of what the authors call a rediscovery of rock mass classification systems, and a critical review of their definitions and limitations in helping engineers to integrate these methods and digital acquisition systems. This discussion has significant implications for the use of technology as a tool to directly determine rock mass classification ratings and for the application of machine learning to ...
Numerical analysis of the effects of external blasts on tunnels
Numerical Analysis of the Effects of Extetnal Blasts on Tunnels
Design and Construction of a Dense Array of Small Diameter Holes in a Large Cavern Sidewall
Geotechnics
Over the past decades, numerical modelling has become a powerful tool for rock mechanics applicat... more Over the past decades, numerical modelling has become a powerful tool for rock mechanics applications. However, the accurate estimation of rock mass input parameters remains a significant challenge. Machine learning (ML) tools have recently been integrated to enhance and accelerate numerical modelling processes. In this paper, we demonstrate the novel use of ML tools for calibrating a state-of-the-art three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) model of a kinematic structurally controlled failure event in an open-pit mine. The failure event involves the detachment of a large wedge, thus allowing for the accurate identification of the geometry of the rock joints. FE models are automatically generated according to estimated ranges of joint input parameters. Subsequently, ML tools are used to analyze the synthetic data and calibrate the strength parameters of the rock joints. Our findings reveal that a relatively small number of models are needed for this purpose, rendering ML a highly ...
Replicating the Failure Mechanism of a Real-World Event with the Lattice Discrete Particle Model
Rilem bookseries, 2023
Geotechnics, Mar 8, 2024
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference 2023
Building information modeling (BIM) methodology has been widely adopted for engineering projects,... more Building information modeling (BIM) methodology has been widely adopted for engineering projects, such as buildings, bridges, pipelines, and roads. However, BIM has yet to be fully utilized for risk assessment of critical facilities with multiple infrastructure systems. In this study, a BIM-based seismic risk assessment framework is proposed. The digital BIM model contains component-level information on the building's structural and non-structural elements, and this digital data allows the execution of component-based analysis of seismic risk. The seismic vulnerability of the components can be evaluated according to fragility curves, where each model element is attributed its corresponding fragility parameters. Each model element is assigned the median and standard deviation capacity for each damage state. Subsequently, various seismic scenarios can be simulated. The results of the simulations allow quick assessment of the seismic performance of the infrastructure and identifying the most vulnerable components. The proposed framework provides a valuable tool for engineers and decision-makers in assessing the seismic risk of infrastructures and implementing necessary measures to increase their resilience. Our preliminary work shows that BIM can provide valuable information and visualization tools for seismic risk assessment and can help improve the efficiency of the assessment process.
Choosing between prediction and explanation in geological engineering: lessons from psychology
Interdisciplinary Science Reviews
Geosciences
In observational method projects in geotechnical engineering, the final geotechnical design is de... more In observational method projects in geotechnical engineering, the final geotechnical design is decided upon during actual construction, depending on the observed behavior of the ground. Hence, engineers must be prepared to make crucial decisions promptly, with few available guidelines. In this paper, we propose coupling numerical analysis with machine learning (ML) algorithms for enhancing the decision process in observational method projects. The proposed methodology consists of two main computational steps: (1) data generation, where multiple numerical models are automatically generated according to the anticipated range of input parameters, and (2) data analysis, where input parameters and model results are analyzed with ML models. Using the case study of the Semel tunnel in Tel Aviv, Israel, we demonstrate how this computational process can contribute to the success of observational method projects through (1) the computation of feature importance, which can assist with better i...
Mobile application for the management and control of construction site safety: a comparative study
International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology
Implementation of Surrogate Models for the Analysis of Slope Problems
Geosciences, Mar 26, 2023
Mathematics
The potential of machine learning (ML) tools for enhancing geotechnical analysis has been recogni... more The potential of machine learning (ML) tools for enhancing geotechnical analysis has been recognized by several researchers. However, obtaining a sufficiently large digital dataset is a major technical challenge. This paper investigates the use of transfer learning, a powerful ML technique, used for overcoming dataset size limitations. The study examines two scenarios where transfer learning is applied to tunnel support analysis. The first scenario investigates transferring knowledge between a ground formation that has been well-studied to a new formation with very limited data. The second scenario is intended to investigate whether transferring knowledge is possible from a dataset that relies on simplified tunnel support analysis to a more complex and realistic analysis. The technical process for transfer learning involves training an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) on a large dataset and adding an extra layer to the model. The added layer is then trained on smaller datasets to fin...
Cost Overruns, Winner's Curse, Wisdom of the Crowd and a Pendulum Effect in Public Construction Tenders
IEEE Engineering Management Review, 2023
Buildings
Smuggling and warfare tunnels are unique structures that have rarely been studied from an enginee... more Smuggling and warfare tunnels are unique structures that have rarely been studied from an engineering perspective. A notable example is the vast networks of tunnels that were secretly constructed underneath the Gaza Strip. Particularly because these tunnels were not designed and constructed via traditional engineering practice, they constitute an interesting case study. The tunnels are supported by thin precast concrete elements, with the wall elements being the critical structural element. While some instances of structural failure and collapse have been reported in the media, a great number of the tunnels have remained stable. In this paper, we attempt to conduct a forward analysis to estimate the load and response of the wall elements. We estimate the range of problem input parameters based on multiple sources, including media accounts, geological research papers, and geotechnical reports obtained from the vicinity of the Gaza tunnels. The problem is then analyzed using two appro...
This paper was selected for presentation at the symposium by an ARMA Technical Program Committee ... more This paper was selected for presentation at the symposium by an ARMA Technical Program Committee based on a technical and critical review of the paper by a minimum of two technical reviewers. The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of ARMA, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper for commercial purposes without the written consent of ARMA is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 200 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgement of where and by whom the paper was presented.
Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, 2021
Aim/Purpose: This paper reports a case study of organizational transition from a non-competitive ... more Aim/Purpose: This paper reports a case study of organizational transition from a non-competitive selection method to a novel bidding method for the selection of consultants in the Architectural and Engineering (A/E) industry. Background: Public procurement agencies are increasingly relying on external consultants for the design of construction projects. Consultant selection can be based on either competitive bidding, or quality-based criteria, or some combination between these two approaches. Methodology: Different sources of information were reviewed: internal documents, and quantitative data from the enterprise software platform (ERP). In addition, informal and unstructured interviews were conducted with relevant officials. Contribution: As there are mixed opinions in the scientific literature regarding the use of competitive bidding for the selection of consultants in the A/E industry, this paper contributes a detailed review of a transition to a competitive selection method and ...
Geosciences
This paper presents a philosophical examination of classical rock engineering problems as the bas... more This paper presents a philosophical examination of classical rock engineering problems as the basis to move from traditional knowledge to radical (innovative) knowledge. While this paper may appear abstract to engineers and geoscientists more accustomed to case studies and practical design methods, the aim is to demonstrate how the analysis of what constitutes engineering knowledge (what rock engineers know and how they know it) should always precede the integration of new technologies into empirical disciplines such as rock engineering. We propose a new conceptual model of engineering knowledge that combines experience (practical knowledge) and a priori knowledge (knowledge that is not based on experience). Our arguments are not a critique of actual engineering systems, but rather a critique of the (subjective) reasons that are invoked when using those systems, or to defend conclusions achieved using those systems. Our analysis identifies that rock engineering knowledge is shaped b...
Field tests of fiber reinforced concrete slabs subjected to close-in and contact detonations of high explosives
International Journal of Impact Engineering
Implementing BIM for conventional tunnels - a proposed methodology and case study
Journal of Information Technology in Construction, 2021
The topic of Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption by public organizations has become a c... more The topic of Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption by public organizations has become a central subject of research, and a significant amount of BIM documents, guidelines, and standards have been created to meet different organizational purposes. Compared to the building industry, the application of BIM tools for tunnel project management is lagging far behind. This paper proposes a methodology for integrating BIM tools for conventional tunnelling. A fundamental distinction is made between the tunnel internal architectural domain and the external structural domain. For the former, BIM methodology can be applied similarly to the building industry. For the latter, it is suggested that a BIM model be built according to the essential information generated during tunnelling excavation. The proposed methodology was put to test for an actual tunneling project. A routine was established where the supervisor on behalf of the owner was responsible for gathering and reporting essential...
Why the future of rock mass classification systems requires revisiting their empirical past
Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 2021
Despite recent efforts, digitisation in rock engineering still suffers from the difficulty in sta... more Despite recent efforts, digitisation in rock engineering still suffers from the difficulty in standardising and statistically analysing databases that are created by a process of quantification of qualitative assessments. Indeed, neither digitisation nor digitalisation have to date been used to drive changes to the principles upon which, for example, the geotechnical data collection process is founded, some of which have not changed in several decades. There is an empirical knowledge gap which cannot be bridged by the use of technology alone. In this context, this paper presents the results of what the authors call a rediscovery of rock mass classification systems, and a critical review of their definitions and limitations in helping engineers to integrate these methods and digital acquisition systems. This discussion has significant implications for the use of technology as a tool to directly determine rock mass classification ratings and for the application of machine learning to ...
Numerical analysis of the effects of external blasts on tunnels
Numerical Analysis of the Effects of Extetnal Blasts on Tunnels
Design and Construction of a Dense Array of Small Diameter Holes in a Large Cavern Sidewall