Evaluation of structural irregularities based on architectural design considerations in Turkey

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to show significant points which can be used in the architectural design process by investigating the basic principles of earthquake resistant design (ERD) in a deductive format and to contribute to the architectural perception in ERD. Design/methodology/approach: First, the structural irregularity types are examined depending on the rules defined in the Turkish Earthquake Code, 2007 (TEC). Then, architectural design failures related to earthquake resistance of buildings under earthquake loading are visualized and solution suggestions in literature are described in detail by supported drawings. Findings: The problems causing structural irregularities are investigated deeply with given solutions in literature. It is obtained that the significant factors affecting the earthquake performance of structures are: architectural form, structural configuration, slenderness ratio, the location and rate of floor openings, projection rates and symmetry, rigidity and strength differences between floors, short columns, pounding effect. Social implications - The practical design decision rules can contribute to the phenomena of earthquake resistant architectural design and can encourage adoption of these rules in building industry. Originality/value: This study aims to gain an understanding of the problems in projects in terms of structural irregularities, and then manage to solve the problems using problem-oriented approaches. The suggested solutions can be adopted and applied to future projects for designing earthquake resistant buildings

An investigation on plan geometries of RC buildings: With or without projections in plan

The interaction of plan geometry and structural configuration, a determinative factor in the earthquake behavior of buildings, has become a serious issue in the building industry in Turkey due to the poor seismic performance of R/C buildings during the latest earthquake. Consequently, designing new buildings without structural irregularities against earthquake loads is proving to be more significant. This study focuses on the effects of plan geometries on earthquake performances of buildings. In that respect, structural irregularities in the plan are investigated in detail based on the Turkish Earthquake Code (TEC 2007). The study is based on five main parametric models and a total of 40 sub-models that are grouped according to their plan geometries with excessive projections such as L-shaped, H-shaped, T-shaped and U-shaped models. In addition to these, a square model without any projections is also generated. All models are designed to have the same storey gross area but with different number of storeys. Changes in the earthquake behavior of buildings were evaluated according to the number of storeys, the projection ratios and the symmetry conditions of each model. The analysis of each structural irregularity resulted in many findings, which were then assessed. The study demonstrates that the square model delivers the best earthquake performance owing to its regular plan geometry

Human fascioliasis

ABSTRACTFasciola hepatica, a zoonotic liver fluke, can also cause disease in humans. Common symptoms are epigastric pain, upper abdominal pain and malaise. Fever and arthralgia are common in acute fascioliasis. Eosinophilia is the predominant laboratory finding, especially in patients with the acute form of the disease. Diagnosis and treatment is not easy, as physicians rarely encounter this disease, and effective drugs are not available in many countries. Human fascioliasis may be underestimated. Patients with eosinophilia and abdominal pain should be evaluated for F. hepatica infestation by parasitological, radiological and serological tests

Procalcitonin and other acute phase reactants in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between procalcitonin and other acute phase reactants, and also analyze their relationship with clinical situation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) acute exacerbations.Materials and methods: The study was made with 122 acute COPD exacerbated patients, who were admitted to emergency service. Patients with below 0.25 ng/ml PCT value included Group 1, and the patients with PCT values ≥ 0.25 ng/ml Group 2. Serum procalcitonin levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) values and white blood cell (WBC) counts were measured. Also, patients hospitalization time and mortality rates were recorded and compared with PCT.Results: Patients were divided in 3 groups according to their clinical diagnosis; Pneumonia (n=27), Mycoplasma-Chlamydia pneumonia (n=11) and the patients with only COPD exacerbation(n=84). Mean PCT values according to the groups were 9.47 ± 8.1 ng/ml, 0.41 ± 0.2 ng/ml, and 0.21 ± 0.05 ng/ml respectively. The relationship between PCT with CRP and white blood cell has been found between significiant (p=0.001, p=0.005 respectively), whereas the relationship between PCT and ESR was nonsignificant (p=0.55). Procalcitonin and CRP had a positive correlation with the hospitalization time (p=0.034, p=0.022 respectively). The mean ± standard error of PCT for the patients who died was 28.3 ± 27.5 ng/ml, and the difference between patients who died or were discharged was statistically significant (p= 0.012).Conclusion: PCT can be a useful indicator for morbidity and prognosis in COPD patients

Our clinical experience in pelvic magnetic resonance imaging with vaginal contrast

Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important modality for pelvic imaging. Vaginal distension is provided by the use of vaginal contrast in pelvic MRI, and it plays an important role in staging especially cervical and vaginal cancer. The aim of this study is to show whether the use of vaginal contrast material contributes to the diagnosis in pelvic examination. Material and methods: Between October 1, 2016 and December 30, 2020, a total of 57 patients who underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging with vaginal contrast in the radiology clinic were included in the study and evaluated retrospectively. Results: Cervical cancer was detected in 38 of the 57 patients included in the study, and when the vaginal pre- and post-contrast staging of the patients was performed, the pre-contrast stage was found to be high in six patients (15%). Eight of 38 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer underwent surgery. When the pathological and radiological staging of the patients who underwent surgery were compared, they were 100% compatible. Conclusions: The use of vaginal contrast material increases the diagnostic value of MRI in various pelvic pathologies, especially in cervical cancer staging

An investigation on plan geometries of RC buildings: With or without projections in plan

The interaction of plan geometry and structural configuration, a determinative factor in the earthquake behavior of buildings, has become a serious issue in the building industry in Turkey due to the poor seismic performance of R/C buildings during the latest earthquake. Consequently, designing new buildings without structural irregularities against earthquake loads is proving to be more significant. This study focuses on the effects of plan geometries on earthquake performances of buildings. In that respect, structural irregularities in the plan are investigated in detail based on the Turkish Earthquake Code (TEC 2007). The study is based on five main parametric models and a total of 40 sub-models that are grouped according to their plan geometries with excessive projections such as L-shaped, H-shaped, T-shaped and U-shaped models. In addition to these, a square model without any projections is also generated. All models are designed to have the same storey gross area but with different number of storeys. Changes in the earthquake behavior of buildings were evaluated according to the number of storeys, the projection ratios and the symmetry conditions of each model. The analysis of each structural irregularity resulted in many findings, which were then assessed. The study demonstrates that the square model delivers the best earthquake performance owing to its regular plan geometry

The effect of architectural form on the earthquake behavior of symmetric RC frame systems

In this study, structural irregularities in plan, which has a considerable effect on earthquake behavior of buildings, have been investigated in detail based on Turkish Earthquake Code 2007. The study consists of six main parametric models and a total of 144 sub-models that are grouped based on RC structural systems such as frame, frame + rigid core, frame with shear wall, and frame with shear wall + rigid core. All models are designed to have both symmetrical plan geometry and regular rigidity distribution. Changes in the earthquake behavior of buildings were evaluated according to the number of storeys, number of axes and the configuration of structural elements. Many findings are obtained and assessed as a result of the analysis for each structural irregularity. The study shows that structural irregularities can be observed in completely symmetric buildings in terms of plan geometry and rigidity distribution. © 2014 Techno-Press, Ltd