The advent of wireless sensors and internet of things connectivity combined with increased open source cloud based digital sharing among the architecture, engineering, and construction industry has helped expand the range of applications for building information modelling. As the rate of adoption of BIM as a standard practice for planning, designing, and constructing new infrastructure increases, the research focus is moving towards other applications. Utilizing BIM in innovative ways such as for building energy performance, carbon capture, and asset management are now being explored. An area which receives less focus is the application of BIM on existing structures. This study explores the potential for implementing BIM on an existing structure for asset management and structural health monitoring. A method of integrating sensors to enhance the visualisation of structural health monitoring through BIM is developed. The study describes how monitoring data can be integrated within the BIM of an offshore lighthouse.

This paper describes a novel method of controlling an endoscopic catheter by using an automated catheter tensioning system with the objective of providing clinicians with improved manipulation capabilities within the patient. Catheters are used in many clinical procedures to provide access to the cardiopulmonary system. Control of such catheters is performed manually by the clinicians using a handle, typically actuating a single or opposing set of pull wires. Such catheters are generally actuated in a single plane, requiring the clinician to rotate the catheter handle to navigate the system. The automation system described here allows closed-loop control of a custom bronchial catheter in tandem with an electromagnetic tracking of the catheter tip and image guidance by using a 3D Slicer. An electromechanical drive train applies tension to four pull wires to steer the catheter tip, with the applied force constantly monitored through force sensing load cells. The applied tension is controlled through a PC connected joystick. An electromagnetic sensor embedded in the catheter tip enables constant real-time position tracking, whereas a working channel provides a route for endoscopic instruments. The system is demonstrated and tested in both a breathing lung model and a preclinical animal study. Navigation to predefined targets in the subject's airways by using the joystick while using virtual image guidance and electromagnetic tracking was demonstrated. Average targeting times were 29 and 10 s, respectively, for the breathing lung and live animal studies. This paper presents the first reported remote controlled bronchial working channel catheter utilizing electromagnetic tracking and has many implications for future development in endoscopic and catheter-based procedures.

Marine renewable energy (MRE) is still an emerging technology. As such, there is still a lack of mature standards and guidance for the development and testing of these devices. The sector covers a wide range of disciplines, so there is a need for more comprehensive guidance to cover these. This paper builds on a study undertaken in the MaRINET2 project to summarise recommendations and guidance for testing MRE devices and components, by reviewing the recently published guidance. Perceived gaps in the guidance are then discussed, expanding on the previous study. Results from an industry survey are also used to help quantify and validate these gaps. The main themes identified can be summarised as: the development progression from concept to commercialisation, including more complex environmental conditions in testing, accurately modelling and quantifying the power generated, including grid integration, plus modelling and testing of novel moorings and foundation solutions. A pathway to a standardised approach to MRE testing is presented, building on recommendations learnt from the MaRINET2 round-robin testing, showing how these recommendations are being incorporated into the guidance and ultimately feeding into the development of international standards for the marine renewable energy sector.

With the recent push for a transition towards a climate-resilient economy, the demand on marine resources is accelerating. For many economic exploits, a comprehensive understanding of environmental parameters underpinning seabed morphodynamics in tidally-dominated shelf seas, and the relationship between local and regional scale sediment transport regimes as an entire system, is imperative. In this paper, high-resolution, time-lapse bathymetry datasets, hydrodynamic numerical modelling outputs and various theoretical parameters are used to describe the morphological characteristics of sediment waves and their spatio-temporal evolution in a hydrodynamically and morphodynamically complex region of the Irish Sea. Analysis reveals sediment waves in a range of sizes (height = 0.1 to 25.7 m, and wavelength = 17 to 983 m), occurring in water depths of 8.2 to 83 mLAT, and migrating at a rate of 1.1 to 79 m/yr. Combined with numerical modelling outputs, a strong divergence of sediment transport pathways from the previously understood predominantly southward flow in the south Irish Sea is revealed, both at offshore sand banks and independent sediment wave assemblages. This evidence supports the presence of a semi-closed circulatory hydrodynamic and sediment transport system at Arklow Bank (an open-shelf linear sand bank). Contrastingly, the Lucifer–Blackwater Bank complex and associated sediment waves are heavily influenced by the interaction between a dominant southward flow and a residual headland eddy, which also exerts a strong influence on the adjacent banner bank. Furthermore, a new sediment transfer system is defined for offshore independent sediment wave assemblages, whereby each sediment wave field is supported by circulatory residual current cells originating from offshore sand banks. These new data and results improve knowledge of seabed morphodynamics in tidally-dominated shelf seas, which has direct implications for offshore renewable developments and long-term marine spatial planning.

The EU H2020 MaRINET2 project has a goal to improve the quality, robustness and accuracy of physical modelling and associated testing practices for the offshore renewable energy sector. To support this aim, a round robin scale physical modelling test programme was conducted to deploy a common wave energy converter at four wave basins operated by MaRINET2 partners. Test campaigns were conducted at each facility to a common specification and test matrix, providing the unique opportunity for intercomparison between facilities and working practices. A nonproprietary hinged raft, with a nominal scale of 1:25, was tested under a set of 12 irregular sea states. This allowed for an assessment of power output, hinge angles, mooring loads, and six-degree-of-freedom motions. The key outcome to be concluded from the results is that the facilities performed consistently, with the majority of variation linked to differences in sea state calibration. A variation of 5–10% in mean power was typical and was consistent with the variability observed in the measured significant wave heights. The tank depth (which varied from 2–5 m) showed remarkably little influence on the results, although it is noted that these tests used an aerial mooring system with the geometry unaffected by the tank depth. Similar good agreement was seen in the heave, surge, pitch and hinge angle responses. In order to maintain and improve the consistency across laboratories, we make recommendations on characterising and calibrating the tank environment and stress the importance of the device–facility physical interface (the aerial mooring in this case).