| 1. |
- Täljsten, Björn, 1961-, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of prestressed concrete bridges - challenges
- 2020
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In: IABSE Symposium, Wroclaw 2020. - Zürich : International Association For Bridge And Structural Engineering (IABSE). ; , s. 487-494
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Prestressed concrete bridges are important parts of our infrastructure. They are susceptible to different kinds of deterioration processes. Examples of damages and deficiencies are cracking, corrosion, voids, bond loss, reduction of cover layer, delamination, fatigue and loss of stiffness and strength. This necessitates methods to continuously assess their condition in order to avoid problems that might lead to shorter service life or reduction of structural integrity. Many of the existing prestressed bridges in Europe are now approaching their design life length. However, with proper and continuous inspection, monitoring and assessment, we may plan proactive maintenance and the structural safety can be assured or – if necessary - increased. This will save both money and decrease the environmental impact of the structure.
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| 2. |
- Bell, Brian, et al.
(author)
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Sustainable Bridges - Past and Future Reflections on a European Project 2003-2007
- 2023
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In: IABSE Congress, New Delhi 2023: Engineering for Sustainable Development, Report. ; , s. 690-698
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Twenty years ago, in 2003, a European project was started to increase the sustainability of existing railway bridges. This paper summarises what was achieved and looks ahead. Nine Working Packages were organized: (1) Background material; (2) Guidance by stakeholders; (3) Condition Assessment and Inspection Guidelines; (4) Loads, Capacity and Resistance Guidelines; (5) Monitoring Guidelines; (6) Repair and Strengthening Guidelines; (7) Demonstration with Field testing of Bridges; (8) Demonstration on Monitoring on Bridges; and (9) Training and Dissemination Some of the main results (from 4 Guidelines and 47 Background documents) are highlighted and some experiences, conclusions and thoughts about the future are given. Hidden strengths and weaknesses are discussed, analyses and codes for assessment can be improved, new monitoring and strengthening methods are available and life length can be prolonged.
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| 3. |
- Ekberg, Anders, 1967, et al.
(author)
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Upgrading of freight railways to meet operational and market demands
- 2018
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In: Proceedings of 7th Transport Research Arena TRA 2018.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European objective of a modal shift of freight transports to railways will require extensive upgrading of existing railway lines since very few dedicated freight railways are currently being built and existing lines were built for traffic demands at the time of construction. A transition to increased and enhanced railway freight operations can therefore be costly and complicated. To minimize negative effects, a guideline for upgrading was developed within the Capacity4Rail project. The current paper presents the major findings from this guideline. In particular it outlines different upgrading possibilities and their implications, and details structured approaches to upgrading analyses. Setting out from the Capacity4Rail handbook, the current paper discusses possibilities for upgrading of substructures, bridges, tunnels, and the track structure. In these areas, an overview of challenges and possibilities is presented together with examples of experience from operational upgrading. The paper concludes that freight line upgrading using a more streamlined approach as outlined in the guideline is a necessity if EU objectives on modal shifts in transportation are to be met. Further, it demonstrates why a political drive is necessary to increase efforts to upgrade freight lines.
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| 4. |
- Folke, Solgun, 1947-, et al.
(author)
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The subjective meaning of xerostomia : An aggravating misery
- 2009
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In: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. - Abingdon : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-2623 .- 1748-2631. ; 4:4, s. 245-255
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Xerostomia, the subjective sensation of dry mouth, is associated with qualitative and quantitative changes of saliva. Poor health, certain medications and radiation therapy constitute major risk factors. To gain further understanding of this condition the present study explored the main concerns of xerostomia expressed by afflicted adults. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 participants and analyzed according to the grounded theory method. An aggravating misery was identified as the core category, meaning that the main concern of xerostomia is its devastating and debilitating impact on multiple domains of well-being. Professional consultation, search for affirmation and social withdrawal were strategies of management. The findings reveal that xerostomia is not a trivial condition for those suffering. Oral impairment as well as physical and psychosocial consequences of xerostomia has a negative impact on quality of life. There is an obvious need to enhance professional competence to improve the compassion for and the support of individuals afflicted by xerostomia.
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| 5. |
- Paulsson, Björn, 1945, et al.
(author)
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More robust switches through improved control of the switch rail
- 2022
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Current switch rail control detectors are among the most traffic disturbing factors in the Swedish rail network. Figures from Trafikverket from 2017 shows that more than 1021 trains were delayed for more than 257 delay hours. The sensor is not an expensive component, but required sensor adjustments when maintaining the switch is time-consuming, costly and cause further traffic disturbance. The aim of this feasibility study is to evaluate the possibility to enhance the reliability of switch rail control while retaining safety levels. The focus is on the case when foreign objects (e.g., ballast stones) are trapped between the switch rail and the stock rail. This will lead to a rail gauge reduction when the switch rail is closed by the drives. To indicate such a rail gauge reduction that may cause derailments, switch rail control sensors (TKKs) are used in Swedish switches. These control sensors indicate if the switch rail is sufficiently close to the stock rail but are, as mentioned, also major causes of traffic disruptions. It is therefore important to know if, and under which conditions the controls in fact add additional safety. This is the focus of the current feasibility study. The investigation sets out with a detailed review of previous investigations into the use of switch rail controls and concludes that all Swedish investigations are based on a one-page report (M5745/87) from 1987. From a scientific perspective the conclusions of this report can neither be verified nor falsified, a fact that has been further established by studying all available reports and presentations that may provide insight into how conclusions in M5745/87 were achieved. In particular, the background to current regulations to prevent derailments related to narrow rail gauge are two ORE reports. This study shows that these reports are not applicable for the case of reduced rail gauge in switches. The study has further studied deformation of ballast stones and loads from vehicles. Preliminary static calculations have been performed and indicate that a derailment cannot be achieved for the studied “worst normal case”. These conclusions must however be further ensured with simulations, and with tests in track. To this end, it has been ensured that simulations of dynamic switch negotiations can be performed. Also, a tentative test plan to validate analyses has been outlined.
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| 6. |
- Paulsson, Gun, 1945-, et al.
(author)
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Recall of an oral health education programme by nursing personnel in special housing facilities for the elderly
- 2001
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In: Gerodontology. - Hoboken, NJ : Blackwell Publishing. - 0734-0664 .- 1741-2358. ; 18:1, s. 7-14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To investigate the recall of oral health knowledge and confidence by nursing personnel in special housing facilities for the elderly, three years after an education programme.Design: A cross sectional design using a questionnaire.Sample: All nursing personnel, a total of 2,901 subjects, in five municipalities in south-western Sweden; of whom 950 had attended the programme. The response rate was 67% (1930 subjects).Intervention: An oral health education programme consisting of four one-hour lessons.Results: The oral health education programme still had an effect on the participants' attitudes towards oral health three years later. When comparing the trained group (OHEP+) which attended the programme with those who did not have training (OHEP-), the perceived ability, opportunity and the knowledge of oral health were significantly better in the former group, p<0.01 Eurther, within the OHEP- group who did not attend the programme there was a significant difference in the perceived ability, opportunity and the knowledge of oral health between those with a higher level of health care education, p<0.01.Conclusions: The effect of an oral health education programme on the participants' attitudes towards oral health persists at least for three years. The data indicate that trainees with a low level of health care education benefit most.
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| 7. |
- Paulsson, Gun, 1945-, et al.
(author)
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The effect of an oral health education program after three years
- 2003
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In: Special Care in Dentistry. - New York : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0275-1879 .- 1754-4505. ; 23:2, s. 63-69
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Three years after providing an oral health education program (OHEP) to nursing personnel, the authors analyzed the effect of the program on knowledge of the importance of oral health and on perception among the nurses of the possibility to implement oral care in patient care. The study was based on a cross-sectional survey of all nursing personnel (N = 2,901) in five municipalities in the Southwestern Sweden, of whom 950 had attended four one-hour lessons during an OHEP in 1996. The response rate to the survey questionnaire was 67% (1,930 subjects). Statistical analysis was performed by means of descriptive and analytical statistics. The program was shown to have an independent effect on the dependent variables "knowledge of oral health" and "assessment of implementation possibilities," This study has given further evidence of the feasibility of an educational program to improve both knowledge and implementation of oral health care. through interviews with 17 nursing personnel, selected by strategic sampling. Analysis of the transcribed interviews showed that there were four strategies, related to staff education, hospital resources, and leadership motivation. The strategies were grounded in data and emerged from the interaction between the two main categories: 'the valuation of the importance of oral health' and 'the behavior towards oral health maintenance'. They were characterized as the routine, theoretical, practical, and flexible strategies, with the latter considered ideal. As increased knowledge is one important part in enhancing the nursing personnel's ability to perform oral hygiene procedures, there is a need for education among nursing personnel, primarily among those using a routine strategy.
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| 8. |
- Steyn, Erika, 1990, et al.
(author)
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Rail machining - current practices and potential for optimisation
- 2024
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In: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. - 0954-4097 .- 2041-3017. ; 238:2, s. 196-205
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Current practices on rail machining show large variations in strategies and amount of grinding and milling. To identify reasons for this and suggest strategies to further optimise rail machining, objectives of machining are scrutinised and consequences of not fulfilling objectives are investigated. This leads to a discussion on potentially detrimental effects of rail machining and how to minimise these. With this background, general aspects of rail machining optimisation are discussed. The study shows several means to improve rail machining, but also how the potential is restricted by the current lack of knowledge and predictive models. This prevents quantifying benefits of innovative solutions, and complicates transfer of knowledge between different operational conditions and translations of (scaled and controlled) test results to (full-scale, uncontrolled) operational conditions.
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