Stress distribution in masonry infills connected with stiff and flexible interface

Masonry infills are largely used in RC structures for various purposes, and in seismic zones, they are also preferred for providing earthquake resistant systems. However, due to the rigid connection between infills and RC frames, these systems are vulnerable when large deformations are demanded. Cyclic loads that are occurring during seismic excitations cause stress concentration level to increase, particularly in frame-infill contact zones. As a result of stress increment, infill panels get weaker in terms of both in-plane and out-of-plane resistance. These drawbacks cause loss of lives and properties, thus affecting governments and societies adversely. In order to overcome this obstacle, an innovative solution is proposed which uses flexible polymers (Polyurethane PM) as joint elements for protecting the structural elements. The research is focused on numerical analyses of three types of frames with masonry infills, which are excited through both in-plane and out-of-plane directions by different earthquake records. Infill walls are connected to the frames in three manners: stiffly (classical approach), with flexible joints at 3-boundaries and with flexible joints at 4-boundaries. Differences in calculated stress distribution as well as some other linear and non-linear results are presented and discussed. The primary results give promising outcomes that this new method might be used in seismic zones for protecting structures

Importance of building damages inventory in the case of change of transport vibration change

W dobie coraz bardziej rozwijającej się infrastruktury drogowej oraz wzrostu świadomości mieszkańców budynków usytuowanych w pobliżu arterii komunikacyjnych może pojawić się problem szkodliwego oddziaływania drgań generowanych przez pojazdy. W niniejszym artykule podjęto temat inwentaryzacji uszkodzeń budowli jako zabezpieczenia dla inwestora, jak i dla właścicieli budynków znajdujących się w strefie wpływów drgań transportowych. Zwrócono także uwagę na potrzebę przeprowadzenia takiej inwentaryzacji w sposób zgodny ze sztuką budowlaną, przy udziale ekspertów.In times of increasingly expanding road infrastructure and increased awareness of the residents of buildings located close to arterial roads a harmful influence of vibrations generated by vehicles could be a problem. This paper considers the subject of an inventory of buildings damages as collateral for the investor as well as for owners of buildings located in the zone of influence of transport vibrations. It is also highlighted the need for such an inventory in accordance with the construction rules, with the participation of experts

Glass facades in energy-saving buildings

Zmiany uregulowań prawnych oraz moda na energooszczędność wymuszają na nowoczesnym budownictwie rozwój nowych materiałów i technologii. Fasady budynków, które do niedawna miały spełniać głównie funkcje reprezentatywne także muszą zostać dostosowane do tego trendu. Celem artykułu jest przegląd nowoczesnych systemów przeszkleń fasad budynków. Przedstawiono wymagania jakie muszą spełniać fasady szklane, aby mogły być uznane za niskoenergetyczne. Zaprezentowano także możliwości pozyskiwania energii słonecznej w nowoczesnych systemach fasad i okien.Changes in regulations and fashion for energy efficiency forces on modern building development of new materials and technology. Facades of buildings, which until recently have mainly representative functions, have to adapt to this trend. The purpose of this article is to review modern glazing facades systems of buildings. The requirements which must be fulfilled by glass facades to be considered for low energy were presented. There are also presented capabilities of obtaining solar energy in modern facades and windows

Quantification and Valuation of Travel Time Costs Due to Road Works in the Integrated System of Road Economic Evaluation

Software ISEH (Integrated system of road projects economic evaluation) evaluates variants of road repair and maintenance technologies. The economic assessment is based on Cost Benefit Analysis indicators (net present value, internal rate of return, pay-back period and cost benefit ratio). According quantified indicators are determined order of repairs and maintenance of assessed road sections. The road works cause additional negative impacts to road users. The road repairs and maintenance create on road so-called work zones, which negative affect road users. One of the negative impacts is travel time loss of road users. The process of quantification and valuation of travel time costs due to road works, i.e. work zones create a base for implementation to the ISEH software. For implementation it was necessary to suggest changes in current algorithm of the Software - Integrated system of road projects economic evaluation. The aim of the implementation is effective planning road repairs and maintenance not only in terms of choice effective technology but also in terms of reducing negative impacts to road users. A practical example of calculating travel time costs due to work zone has been processed in Excel software