Traditional road asset management relies on periodic, often inefficient, inspections. Digital Twins offer a paradigm shift towards proactive, data-driven maintenance by creating a real-time virtual replica of physical infrastructure. This paper proposes a comprehensive, formalized framework for a highway Digital Twin, structured into three integrated components: a Physical Space, which defines key performance indicators through mathematical state vectors; a Data Interconnection layer for real-time data processing; and a Virtual Space equipped with hybrid models. We provide a formal definition of these state vectors and a dynamic synchronization mechanism between the physical and virtual spaces. In this study, we focused on pavement condition assessment by using a data-driven component using accessible technology. This study show the synergy between the Digital Twin and deep learning, specifically by integrating advanced analytical models within the Virtual Space for intelligent pavement condition assessment. To validate this approach, a case study was conducted to classify road surface anomalies using low-cost Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) data. We evaluated several machine learning classifiers and introduced a novel parallel Gated Recurrent Unit network. The results demonstrate that our proposed architecture achieved superior performance, with an accuracy of 89.5% and an F1-score of 0.875, significantly outperforming traditional methods. The findings validate the viability of the proposed Digital Twin framework and highlight its potential to achieve high-precision pavement monitoring using low-cost sensor data, a critical step towards intelligent road infrastructure management.

This paper shows the optimal cost design for T-shaped combined footings of reinforced concrete (RC), which are subjected to biaxial bending in each column to determine the steel areas and the thickness of the footings assuming a linear distribution of soil pressure. The methodology used in this paper is as follows: First, the minimum contact surface between the footing and the ground is investigated. The design equations for the combined footing are then used to determine the objective function and its constraints to obtain the lowest cost, taking into account the ACI code requirements. Flowcharts are shown for the lowest cost and the use of Maple 15 software. The current model for design is developed as follows: A footing thickness is proposed, and then it is verified that the thickness complies with the effects produced by moments, bending shears, and punching shears. Furthermore, four numerical examples are presented under the same loads and moments applied to each column, with different conditions applied to obtain the optimal contact surface and then the minimum cost design. The results show that the optimal cost design (lowest cost) is more economical and more accurate than any other model, and there is no direct proportion between the minimum contact surface and lowest cost for the design of T-shaped combined footings. In this way, the minimum cost model shown in this work can be applied to the design of rectangular and T-shaped combined footings using optimization techniques.

Delamination in laminated composites originates from premature matrix cracking within the interlaminar region, ultimately leading to ply separation under indirect loading. Among the techniques proposed to mitigate this failure mode, through-thickness stitching has emerged as a localized reinforcement strategy capable of enhancing interlaminar performance without modifying the in-plane laminate architecture. However, previous studies report that stitching can either improve or degrade the mechanical properties of the composite, with stitch density identified as a critical variable. This work aims to keep the tensile strength of a stitched composite at levels comparable to its unstitched counterpart. The reinforcement was applied using an eight-strand polyethylene thread (0.28 mm in diameter) embedded in a low-viscosity epoxy infusion system (MAX 1618 A/B) combined with a 90° biaxial fiberglass woven fabric. The tensile behavior of laminates was examined for three longitudinal stitching configurations consisting of 2, 3, and 5 continuous stitch lines. Results show that increasing stitch count produces a progressive reduction in tensile strength, attributed to stress concentration around stitch sites and microstructural effects such as resin-rich zones and fiber waviness.

En este trabajo de investigación se estudia una alternativa de reutilización de materiales de desecho industrial en concreto reforzado buscando determinar parámetros experimentales de resistencia a la corrosión de los distintos sistemas de concreto, en comparación a un concreto reforzado convencional. El uso de la técnica de espectroscopia de impedancia electroquímica muestra que la interacción del jal como cementante no modifica el proceso de corrosión, pues se observa que el uso de residuo minero hasta un 10% no favorece la llegada de los agentes corrosivos a la superficie de la varilla de refuerzo en el concreto comparado a un sistema convencional. Los valores de Rp son muy similares para los distintos sistemas. La interacción de cloruros con el metal se ve aumentada al usar 15% en la dosificación de jal como cementante, modificando considerablemente la velocidad de corrosión del sistema. El concreto elaborado con jal como cementante tiene un comportamiento electroquímico y mecánico muy similar a un concreto convencional hasta una dosificación de 10%.

El reutilizar el basalto como sustituto del cemento en concreto es el tema de este estudio, evaluando su viabilidad utilizando parámetros de resistencia a la compresión y tracción indirecta. La caracterización del basalto por SEM/EDS reveló altos contenidos de Si y Ca, similares a la composición del cemento. Se diseñó una mezcla para fˈc = 200 Kg/cm² con basalto reemplazando el cemento en proporciones de 5%, 10%, 15% y 20%. Los ensayos de compresión y tracción indirecta mostraron que hasta un 10% de basalto reduce la resistencia solo en un 13% comparado con concreto convencional. Sin embargo, con más del 15% de basalto como sustituto de cemento, la resistencia disminuye significativamente. El basalto en mayores proporciones altera la cohesión y adhesión entre las partículas de cemento y los agregados, resultando en una microestructura más susceptible a microfisuras. Este estudio busca fomentar la sostenibilidad explorando materiales alternativos y reduciendo el consumo de cemento, promoviendo prácticas más ecológicas en la construcción.