Volume 1 Issue 2

Authors: B. Bhuvaneshwari; Saptarshi Sasmal; T. Baskaran; Nagesh R. Iyer

Abstract: Possible usage of nano oxides such as nano SiO2, nano ZrO2, nano Al2O3, nano Fe2O3 and nano TiO2 for improving the mechanical properties of concrete has been explored in the present study. Action mechanisms proposed by various researchers for the enhancement of structural arrangement of cement at nano level by incorporating different oxides are discussed. It is observed that the reported studies on usage of nano oxides for construction material are scanty and scattered; and the findings are non convergent. To understand the structural configuration of the oxides at nano level, TEM and XRD studies on the oxides are carried out. In the present study, it is found that the mechanism behind the function of nano materials yet to be explored in detail, in order to gain the full effect of nano materials as intended. Enabling Form-Structure-Function properties of nano materials with cementitious materials can provide an excellent idea to use them in an effective way. Finally, it is concluded that to exploit the huge potentiality, a concerted effort from both science and engineering is required to engineer the available cement at nano level and develop smart cementitious building materials.

Keywords: Nano Particles; Cement; Concrete; Civil Engineering; C-S-H Structure; Mechanical Properties; Microstructure; Oxides; TEM; XRD

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Authors: Nawari O. Nawari

Abstract: The Building Information Modeling (BIM) standard focuses on the challenges of enriching the model of relevant professional domain. It develops standard descriptions for building information exchanges to support essential professional contexts utilizing standard semantics and ontologies. This standard establishes the foundation for correct and effective communication and exchange that are necessary for the construction industry. The standard is still in its early stages and the advancement and development of BIM Standard will be contingent chiefly upon the efforts and involvement of various disciplines contributing to design, construction, and management of a facility. This research centers on advancing standardization of BIM model for structural analysis and design. In particular, the study addresses the Information Delivery Manual (IDM) as it targets to deliver the integrated reference for BIM process and data required by recognizing the discrete processes undertaken within structural design, the information required for their execution and the results of that activity. Furthermore, it will address Model View Definitions (MVDs) for structural design and analysis to create a robust process for seamless, efficient, reproducible exchange of accurate and reliable structural information that is widely and routinely acknowledged by the industry.

Keywords: Building Information Modeling; BIM Standard; Information Delivery Manual (IDM); Model View Definitions (MVD); Industry Foundation Classes – IFC; Structural Design

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Authors: Mohsen Javanpour

Abstract: The response of reinforced concrete structures to earthquake is a complicated issue that has been the subject of researchers’ studies for years. At present, various methods are used to evaluate the seismic resistance of existing buildings in the world. These methods are established in such ways that they only have an application in different types of reinforced concrete buildings constructed in a country. Therefore, direct application of them in other countries is not possible. On the other hand, design control of the existing reinforced concrete structures and determining their behaviour against earthquake motions, needs a rather easy applied method. One of the main desired goals on this basis is to introduce a new method for computing the probability of vulnerability of reinforced concrete structures that besides simplicity, and accuracy in computation, presents a more realistic and pragmatic probability of structures vulnerability and also can readily compute the level of vulnerability of other structures and be able to present in valid regulations of seismic design of structures, because it seems that it expresses the Log normal distribution probability very conservatively. Therefore, Logistic probability distribution was studied and it appeared that it has the ability of computing probability of vulnerability of the structures with high accuracy. In this paper, the attempts have been made to apply the logistic distribution simultaneously with the Log-normal distribution and to compare their results.

Keywords: Vulnerability; Seismic Design; Reinforced Concrete; Logistic Distribution; Probability

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Authors: Leonid Sobolevsky; Shemer Keydar; Benny Medvedev; Michael Ezersky

Abstract: A new methodology for imaging shallow subsurface is presented. This methodology combines several recently developed imaging techniques, namely zero-offset Common Shot Point (CSP) stacking, diffraction imaging technique and weighted multipath summation. We will show how employing the CSP stacking and diffraction method using weighted multipath summation makes possible to obtain a better image than using the conventional CMP method. Application of the new approach is illustrated by a real data-set from the Mineral beach at the Dead Sea area.

Keywords: Shallow Subsurface Imaging; Common Shot Point (CSP) Stacking; Diffraction Imaging; Multipath Summation; Dead Sea Area

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Authors: A. S. Moghadam; Behnam M. Azmoodeh

Abstract: This paper presents a new approach in selection of the most efficient alternative in rehabilitation of vulnerable masonry buildings. The main purpose of this study is to demonstrate the applied procedure by a comparative algorithm to designate an optimum strengthening alternative. Using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) as an applicable and a widely-used method of multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDM), the preference of categorized effective parameters has been ordered. Based on scoring system expert judgment has been carried out to evaluate the criteria which pair-wise comparisons have been carried out to specify the priority of criteria and also to prioritize alternatives versus each criterion. Finally, a novel procedure so-called binary approach decision-making (BADM) is proposed to analyze the decision parameters aim to make a rapid assessment of determined alternatives. In this regards, each criterion is equalized by question texts which appraiser faces two possible answers: “yes” or “no”. It can be stated that the procedure can be applicable for preliminary design or vulnerability assessment of portfolio buildings. As a matter of verification, a case study is utilized which result illustrates preference of strengthening the masonry walls with interior shear wall.

Keywords: The Analytic Hierarchy Process; Unreinforced Masonry Building; Seismic Rehabilitation Alternatives

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