Structural Glass Beams with Embedded Glass Fibre Reinforcement

This paper investigates the possibilities of pultruded glass fibre rods as embeddedreinforcement in SentryGlas (SG) laminated glass beams. To do so, a series of pullouttests, to investigate the bond strength of the rods to the laminate, and a series ofbeam tests, to investigate the post-breakage response of the beams, have beenperformed. Both test series have been conducted for round E-glass fibre rods andflat S-glass fibre rods. The pull-out tests showed superior pull-out strength of theflat rods, due to their large bond area. Furthermore, the beam tests showed superiorpost-breakage performance of the beams with the flat rods, due to higher strengthand stiffness of the S-glass fibres. Overall, it is concluded that embedding glassfibre reinforcement in a SG-laminated glass beam is a very promising concept

Modelling the effects of BLEVE blast on a building spanning an underpass

The use of space is being intensified near and above transport routes of hazardous materials. In The Netherlands, some buildings are even realized above infrastructure with transport of hazardous materials like LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). An accident with an LPG-tank may result in a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion), causing injuries and large structural damage to the spanning building and the vicinity. Fortunately, such disasters are scarce up to now. However, one should be aware of that such accidents may occur and escalation from accident to disaster should be prevented. This paper presents an analysis of structural measures to control the consequences for the spanning building when the explosion occurs in the underpass. There is little background literature that addressed the same problem, i.e. structural control of explosion effects for buildings above infrastructure with transport of LPG. In this paper explosion effects were modelled and the dynamic response of the structural elements and the main bearing structure of the building were analyzed using engineering techniques. Recommendations to limit and control damage are given, in which safety measures could be integrated in structural and functional building design

Design issues of using prefabrication in Hong Kong building construction

Prefabrication techniques have been adopted for the last two decades in public housing projects in Hong Kong, but the use of prefabrication in the private sector was encouraged only after the implementation of the Joint Practices Notes which promote its use. Although previous studies acknowledge the environmental benefits of using prefabrication, only a few studies have addressed sustainable design concepts (closed‐loop) in the adoption of precast construction. A questionnaire survey was administered to experienced Hong Kong construction professionals, and case studies of recently completed building projects were compiled to ascertain the use of prefabrication with reference to life cycle approach. The findings revealed that prefabrication, combined with modular design and standard components, saved time and construction/design costs, as buildings systems were used across projects. However, in some projects, specific site conditions restricted the use of similar prefabricated building systems across projects. Surprisingly only a few participants addressed life cycle design concepts such as design for deconstruction when adopting precast construction. Also, although it is common knowledge that flexible and demountable prefabricated building systems would result in efficient use of resources, their use is seldom practised in Hong Kong.Hong Kong, life cycle design, prefabrication, precast concrete, sustainable construction,