This article presents a taxonomy and represents a repository of open problems in computing for numerically and logically intensive problems in a number of disciplines that have to synergize for the best performance of simulation-based feasibility studies on nature-oriented engineering in general and civil engineering in particular. Topics include but are not limited to: Nature-based construction, genomics supporting nature-based construction, earthquake engineering, and other types of geophysical disaster prevention activities, as well as the studies of processes and materials of interest for the above. In all these fields, problems are discussed that generate huge amounts of Big Data and are characterized with mathematically highly complex Iterative Algorithms. In the domain of applications, it has been stressed that problems could be made less computationally demanding if the number of computing iterations is made smaller (with the help of Artificial Intelligence or Conditional Algorithms), or if each computing iteration is made shorter in time (with the help of Data Filtration and Data Quantization). In the domain of computing, it has been stressed that computing could be made more powerful if the implementation technology is changed (Si, GaAs, etc.…), or if the computing paradigm is changed (Control Flow, Data Flow, etc.…).

A new approach in 3D numerical modeling for unsteady phased thermal-stress analysis of a massive concrete hydraulic structure is presented. The temperature field is computed first, providing a drive for the unsteady, nonlinear, viscoelastic, stress-strain analysis. This model is devised with actual initial and boundary conditions, appropriate material properties, and the observed concrete placement schedule. The verification is based on the field investigations of the Platanovryssi dam. The results of a long-term analysis have shown close agreement with the observed dam conditions. The proposed model presents a reliable tool for thermal-stress computation and transverse contraction joint distance evaluation.

This article describes a teaching strategy that synergizes computing and management, aimed at the running of complex projects in industry and academia, in the areas of civil engineering, physics, geosciences, and a number of other related fields. The course derived from this strategy includes four parts: (a) Computing with a selected set of modern paradigms—the stress is on Control Flow and Data Flow computing paradigms, but paradigms conditionally referred to as Energy Flow and Diffusion Flow are also covered; (b) Project management that is holistic—the stress is on the wide plethora of issues spanning from the preparation of project proposals, all the way to incorporation activities to follow after the completion of a successful project; (c) Examples from past research and development experiences—the stress is on experiences of leading experts from academia and industry; (d) Student projects that stimulate creativity—the stress is on methods that educators could use to induce and accelerate the creativity of students in general. Finally, the article ends with selected pearls of wisdom that could be treated as suggestions for further elaboration.

Results of the conducted research aiming to demonstrate the methodology of optimization of dam monolith length (distance between contraction joints), through monitoring the thermal tensile stresses during construction and service life of a concrete gravity dam that is built using the block method, are presented in this paper. A 3D space–time numerical model for phased thermal stress analysis is employed in a large concrete gravity dam case study. For the adopted block dimensions, schedule, and dynamics of construction and material parameters, the thermal stress analysis is conducted, taking into account the following: thermal physical properties of the material, the cement hydration process, heat exchange with the external environment and the reservoir, and self-weight of the structure. The main advantage of the proposed methodology is the possibility of controlling the cracks resulting from thermal tensile stresses in the monolith of a concrete gravity dam, by optimizing the monolith’s length to minimize the zones in which the tensile capacity of concrete is exceeded. The results obtained from the temperature field analysis show that the maximum temperature increase in the dam’s body results from the cement hydration process in combination with summer air temperatures in the construction phase. The aforementioned factors account for the increase in temperature of up to 45.0 °C, while during winter cooling of the structure occurs due to lower temperatures, especially in the surface zones. The results of the stress field analysis show that the extreme values of thermal tensile stresses are present in the process of a sudden or gradual cooling of the concrete when shrinkage occurs. Finally, it is shown that the reduction of the monolith length by 5.0 m (from 20.0 m to 15.0 m) results in a decrease in the extreme thermal tensile stress values by an average of 0.70 MPa (up to 12.0%) in winter and an average of 1.10 MPa (up to 20.0%) in summer; while for the entirety of the analyzed time period, results in a decrease in the extreme thermal tensile stress values by an average of 16.0% (0.93 MPa).

This paper examines the influence of monolith length on the temperature field of concrete gravity dams built using the block method. The developed 3D model is capable of conducting a thermal analysis of a 95.0 m high concrete gravity dam built using the block method, where each newly cast block represents a new analysis phase. The calculation accounts for the period of construction, the filling of the reservoir, and the service for a total duration of about 5 years. The thermal properties of the material, the influence of cement hydration heat, the temperature of the surrounding rock mass, the temperature of the fresh concrete mixture, and the corresponding boundary conditions defining a heat transfer were taken into account. The height and width of the blocks, as well as the sequence of concreting, were considered invariable, while the length of the blocks (dimension in the direction of the dam’s axis equal to the monolith length) varied, with values of 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, and 20.0 m. The obtained calculation results for the control nodes showed that the maximum reduction in the monolith length (from 20.0 m to 10.0 m) caused a decrease in the maximum temperature values of the concrete (from 1.6 to 3.4 °C, depending on the control node). Also, the results showed that, by reducing the length of the monolith, there was a delay in the moment at which the maximum temperature values of the concrete appeared in the selected control node. The delay in reaching the maximum, in relation to the 10.0 m long monolith, was from 7 days (for points on the crest dam) to 49 days (for points in the central zone of the monolith) for the other considered monolith lengths. The above indicates the importance of concrete temperature control for longer monoliths, especially during construction in extreme air temperatures. The main contribution of the conducted analysis is the development of insight into temperature field changes depending on monolith length, which can help engineers during the design and construction of new, as well as the maintenance of existing, dams.

This paper presents a methodology for estimation of hydrodynamic loads acting on the bottom and at the walls of a stilling basin of a stepped chute with converging walls, based on the pressure measurements at the selected points of a scale model. This is the first study of hydrodynamic loads for this type of structure, and the first one of the loads on the stilling basin walls in general. For selected flow discharges, step heights and hydraulic jump submergence ratio, the hydrodynamic pressures were measured at a significant number of points, providing the spatio-temporal distribution of relevant hydrodynamic loads. The most influential effect proved to be a convergence angle of the chute walls. Based on these measurements, appropriate regression expressions were proposed for predicting hydrodynamic loads. These expressions show good agreement with measurements, offering a reliable tool for the structural design of stepped spillway stilling basins.