Computational Seismic Analysis of Dry-Stack Block Masonry Wall

In this research the computational modeling of Dry-Stack Block Masonry (DSM) walls subjected to cyclic monotonic loading testing is done. The analytical results were compared with experimental test results of the unreinforced and unconfined DSM cantilever walls subjected to lateral loading along with a constant axial load. ABAQUS has been used for Finite Element Modeling and analysis of the wall. Various material properties are defined for the wall in the software and modeled as a homogeneous material. The proposed numerical models had a good correlation with the experimental data. The test results discussion includes failure moods, load displacement curves, and stress/strain profile. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091668 Full Text: PD

Utilization of Marble Wastes in Clay Bricks: A Step towards Lightweight Energy Efficient Construction Materials

Marble dust is one of the hazardous byproducts of marble-processing factories and requires planned disposal. Its beneficial use as a construction material will add to the sustainability, and most importantly, might overcome the burden of marble waste disposal. However, the use of marble dust in concrete has a negative impact. Therefore, this research examines various properties related to the utilization of such material in ceramic clay, and therefore its effects on the use of clay bricks are investigated. The research activity covers the categorization of marble dust powder from three different sources: Ziarat in Mohmand Agency, Buneer, and Mullagori (Pakistan). Its utilization in different proportions preparation of bricks is also addressed. Through the partial replacement of clay with marble dust from 0 to 30% by weight with amplification of 5%, seven mix designs are examined. The test result includes Bulk density, water absorption, porosity, thermal insulation, and strength. The partial replacement of clay with marble dust reduced its weight, strength and increased its porosity, water absorption, and thermal insulation. Furthermore, the utilization of marble powder in bricks minimizes soil erosion and reduces pollution to the environment. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091738 Full Text: PD

Mechanical behavior of RC walls under seismic activity strenghtened with CFRP

Les enquêtes récentes sur les séismes ont fait ressortir l'importance des murs en béton armé en tant que partie intégrante des structures. L’évolution des règlements prend en compte ces considérations, par contre le bâti existant doit subir des renforcements dans l’objectif de leur mise en conformité. Dans cette thèse une étude expérimentale faite sur douze murs (six élancés et six courts) renforcés par un collage externe en composite a été conduite. Les murs ont été conçus en étant sous-renforcés à la flexion et cisaillement. Quatre de ces six échantillons ont été renforcés par des bandes de PRFC collées. Deux spécimens, un témoin et un renforcé, ont été soumis à un test de chargement statique et quatre échantillons, l'un témoin et trois rénovés, ont été soumis à des essais de charge cyclique. La discussion et l’analyse des tests incluent la description de la fissuration, l’analyse de la rigidité, de la capacité de charge ultime, de la ductilité.Recent earthquake surveys have revealed the significance of RC walls as an integral part of structures. It reduces the structure damage to some extent. However, like other structural member they too are vulnerable. Researchers on basis of their post eartthquake survey and laboratary experiments have concluded that the RC wall buildings sustained damage, mainly due to design and construction work flaws. In this thesis experimental result of shear walls is discussed. They were designed under-reinforced to fail in shear in ase of short wall and in flexure for slender walls. Three out of these six specimens, in each case, were strengthened externally with CFRP strips bonded to wall panel and mesh anchors installed at wall foundation joint. Two specimens, one RC and one CFRP retrofitted (short and slender wall each), were subjected to static load test and three specimens, one RC and two to three CFRP retrofitted, were subjected to quasi static cyclic load tests. The test result analysis discussion includes failure mode, stiffness, ultimate load capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation

Comportement mécanique sous sollicitations alternées de voiles béton armé renforcés par matériaux composites

Recent earthquake surveys have revealed the significance of RC walls as an integral part of structures. It reduces the structure damage to some extent. However, like other structural member they too are vulnerable. Researchers on basis of their post eartthquake survey and laboratary experiments have concluded that the RC wall buildings sustained damage, mainly due to design and construction work flaws. In this thesis experimental result of shear walls is discussed. They were designed under-reinforced to fail in shear in ase of short wall and in flexure for slender walls. Three out of these six specimens, in each case, were strengthened externally with CFRP strips bonded to wall panel and mesh anchors installed at wall foundation joint. Two specimens, one RC and one CFRP retrofitted (short and slender wall each), were subjected to static load test and three specimens, one RC and two to three CFRP retrofitted, were subjected to quasi static cyclic load tests. The test result analysis discussion includes failure mode, stiffness, ultimate load capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation.Les enquêtes récentes sur les séismes ont fait ressortir l'importance des murs en béton armé en tant que partie intégrante des structures. L’évolution des règlements prend en compte ces considérations, par contre le bâti existant doit subir des renforcements dans l’objectif de leur mise en conformité. Dans cette thèse une étude expérimentale faite sur douze murs (six élancés et six courts) renforcés par un collage externe en composite a été conduite. Les murs ont été conçus en étant sous-renforcés à la flexion et cisaillement. Quatre de ces six échantillons ont été renforcés par des bandes de PRFC collées. Deux spécimens, un témoin et un renforcé, ont été soumis à un test de chargement statique et quatre échantillons, l'un témoin et trois rénovés, ont été soumis à des essais de charge cyclique. La discussion et l’analyse des tests incluent la description de la fissuration, l’analyse de la rigidité, de la capacité de charge ultime, de la ductilité

Mechanical behavior of RC walls under seismic activity strenghtened with CFRP

Les enquêtes récentes sur les séismes ont fait ressortir l'importance des murs en béton armé en tant que partie intégrante des structures. L évolution des règlements prend en compte ces considérations, par contre le bâti existant doit subir des renforcements dans l objectif de leur mise en conformité. Dans cette thèse une étude expérimentale faite sur douze murs (six élancés et six courts) renforcés par un collage externe en composite a été conduite. Les murs ont été conçus en étant sous-renforcés à la flexion et cisaillement. Quatre de ces six échantillons ont été renforcés par des bandes de PRFC collées. Deux spécimens, un témoin et un renforcé, ont été soumis à un test de chargement statique et quatre échantillons, l'un témoin et trois rénovés, ont été soumis à des essais de charge cyclique. La discussion et l analyse des tests incluent la description de la fissuration, l analyse de la rigidité, de la capacité de charge ultime, de la ductilité.Recent earthquake surveys have revealed the significance of RC walls as an integral part of structures. It reduces the structure damage to some extent. However, like other structural member they too are vulnerable. Researchers on basis of their post eartthquake survey and laboratary experiments have concluded that the RC wall buildings sustained damage, mainly due to design and construction work flaws. In this thesis experimental result of shear walls is discussed. They were designed under-reinforced to fail in shear in ase of short wall and in flexure for slender walls. Three out of these six specimens, in each case, were strengthened externally with CFRP strips bonded to wall panel and mesh anchors installed at wall foundation joint. Two specimens, one RC and one CFRP retrofitted (short and slender wall each), were subjected to static load test and three specimens, one RC and two to three CFRP retrofitted, were subjected to quasi static cyclic load tests. The test result analysis discussion includes failure mode, stiffness, ultimate load capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation.VILLEURBANNE-DOC'INSA-Bib. elec. (692669901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Before Taliban: genealogies of the Afghan jihad

In this powerful book, David B. Edwards traces the lives of three recent Afghan leaders in Afghanistan's history--Nur Muhammad Taraki, Samiullah Safi, and Qazi Amin Waqad--to explain how the promise of progress and prosperity that animated Afghanistan in the 1960s crumbled and became the present tragedy of discord, destruction, and despair. Before Taliban builds on the foundation that Edwards laid in his previous book, Heroes of the Age, in which he examines the lives of three significant figures of the late nineteenth century--a tribal khan, a Muslim saint, and a prince who became king of the newly created state. In the mid twentieth century, Afghans believed their nation could be a model of economic and social development that would inspire the world. Instead, political conflict, foreign invasion, and civil war have left the country impoverished and politically dysfunctional. Each of the men Edwards profiles were engaged in the political struggles of the country's recent history. They hoped to see Afghanistan become a more just and democratic nation. But their visions for their country were radically different, and in the end, all three failed and were killed or exiled. Now, Afghanistan is associated with international terrorism, drug trafficking, and repression. Before Taliban tells these men's stories and provides a thorough analysis of why their dreams for a progressive nation lie in ruins while the Taliban has succeeded. In Edwards's able hands, this culturally informed biography provides a mesmerizing and revealing look into the social and cultural contexts of political change

Prediction Models for Evaluating Resilient Modulus of Stabilized Aggregate Bases in Wet and Dry Alternating Environments: ANN and GEP Approaches

Stabilized aggregate bases are vital for the long-term service life of pavements. Their stiffness is comparatively higher; therefore, the inclusion of stabilized materials in the construction of bases prevents the cracking of the asphalt layer. The effect of wet–dry cycles (WDCs) on the resilient modulus (Mr) of subgrade materials stabilized with CaO and cementitious materials, modelled using artificial neural network (ANN) and gene expression programming (GEP) has been studied here. For this purpose, a number of wet–dry cycles (WDC), calcium oxide to SAF (silica, alumina, and ferric oxide compounds in the cementitious materials) ratio (CSAFRs), ratio of maximum dry density to the optimum moisture content (DMR), confining pressure (σ3), and deviator stress (σ4) were considered input variables, and Mr was treated as the target variable. Different ANN and GEP prediction models were developed, validated, and tested using 30% of the experimental data. Additionally, they were evaluated using statistical indices, such as the slope of the regression line between experimental and predicted results and the relative error analysis. The slope of the regression line for the ANN and GEP models was observed as (0.96, 0.99, and 0.94) and (0.72, 0.72, and 0.76) for the training, validation, and test data, respectively. The parametric analysis of the ANN and GEP models showed that Mr increased with the DMR, σ3, and σ4. An increase in the number of WDCs reduced the Mr value. The sensitivity analysis showed the sequences of importance as: DMR > CSAFR > WDC > σ4 > σ3, (ANN model) and DMR > WDC > CSAFR > σ4 > σ3 (GEP model). Both the ANN and GEP models reflected close agreement between experimental and predicted results; however, the ANN model depicted superior accuracy in predicting the Mr value