Sustainable architecture approach in designing residential-recreational complex (Qotur Suie Meshkinshahr, Ardebil province, Iran).

Sustainable architecture has been shaped with vernacular materials based on the vernacular architecture according to climatic conditions, saving energy and responding to needs and social and cultural conditions. In cold region architecture, the buildings are constructed as steps on the hills in the direction of sun and behind the west winds and with flat roof as function of environment. In this research, the effects of energy saving in architecture and vernacular architecture on sustainable architecture have been examined. This research was conducted based on identification, description and analysis and its aim was to reduce environmental damage and minimizing energy consumption and coordination with nature as the infrastructure of sustainable design philosophy. The results showed that designing a residential and recreational complex in the Qotur Suie touristic zone located in the touristic circle of Sarab, Meshkinshahr and Ardebil based on sustainable architecture for surviving vernacular design with artificial environment in a natural environment can protect the nature providing comfort for people and prevent its destruction.Keywords: sustainable architecture, artificial environment, natural environment, new energy, Meshkinshahr provinc

Using Micropiles to Improve the Anzali's Saturated Loose Silty Sand

Today, with the daily advancement of geotechnical engineering on soil improvement and modification of the physical properties and shear strength of soil, it is now possible to construct structures with high-volume and high service load on loose sandy soils. One of such methods is using micropiles, which are mostly used to control asymmetrical subsidence, increase bearing capacity, and prevent soil liquefaction. This study examined the improvement of Anzali's saturated loose silty sand using 192 micropiles with a length of 8 meters and diameter of 75 mm. Bandar-e Anzali is one of Iran's coastal populated cities which are located in a high-seismicity region. The effects of the insertion of micropiles on prevention of liquefaction and improvement of subsidence were examined through comparison of the results of Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Plate Load Test (PLT) before and after implementation of the micropiles. The results show that the SPT values and the ultimate bearing capacity of silty sand increased after the implementation of the micropiles. Therefore, the installation of micropiles increases the strength of silty sand improving the resistance of soil against liquefaction