Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Rock Block Stability Using a Remotely Positioned Laser Doppler Vibrometer

This paper examines a new method of evaluating the stability of a rock slope using a remotely positioned LDV （laser Doppler vibrometer）. We conducted an experiment using physical models and performed a numerical analysis to evaluate the new method. The physical model included： （l） concrete blocks on an artificial soil slope with two block sizes and three slopes; （2） concrete blocks bonded to the concrete base with different contact area. The LDV measurements agreed with conventional seismometer measurements. The dominant frequency of the blocks varied with the stability and dominant frequency and the amplitude varied with the block size. The numerical model was used to examine a concrete block adhered to a concrete base with different contact areas. The dominant frequency of the blocks determined using the numerical model agreed with those obtained from the physical experiments. We analyzed different sized blocks to examine the scaling effects. The dominant frequency of the blocks was inversely related to the block size. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of LDV for evaluating the stability of rock slopes and cleared the block size scaling effects.     

Models and Optimization of Rice Husk,Ash-Clay Soil Stabilization

Soil stabilization has been found to be very effective in upgrading the bearing capacity of weak soils for construction purposes. The stabilizing agent, for cost efficiency, ought to provide a cheaper alternative to other possible processes. With the rapid industrialization efforts around the globe, enormous quantities of waste materials are generated and there has not been adequate mechanism for recycling and re-use of such wastes to reduce the consequent environmental problems and hazardous situations created as a result. The objective of the study is to upgrade expansive soils from Eke Obinagu, Ugwuaji in Enugu State and Egbede in Abia State Nigeria, as constructions material using RHA （rice husk ash）. Expansive clay soils were mixed with this ash, remolded and tested to examine the effect on the OMC （optimum moisture content） and the CBR （California Bearing Ratio）. The characterization of the soils was done in accordance with BS1377 and 1990b, with respect to their engineering properties which include OMC, MDD, Soaked CBR, Liquid Limit, Classification and Sieve Analysis. The rice husk was burnt and prepared in a cylindrical incinerator to form the ash. The results of classification showed A-7-5, A-6, A-2-7 soils for Eke Obinagu, Egbede and Ugwuaji, respectively. The CBR values showed increase from 5% to 29%, 7% to 13% and 5% to 23% for A-7-5, A-6 ~nd A-2-7 respectively at optimal value of 17.5% stabilization. There was also an appreciable increase in the OMC values from 15% to 33%, 14% to 25% and 15% to 31% for A-7-5, A-6 and A-2-7 soils respectively at 17.5% stabilization. Empirical models based on Scheffe＇s model were developed with the experimental results and the equations resulting from the second degree polynomials of Scheffe＇s models were solved using the least square method. The models developed showed close correlation with the experimental results for the A-7-5 and A-6 soils and will form good guide in pavement and foundation designs in the study areas.     

Application of the Principles of Lean Thinking in the Post Construction Department

The increase on the competitiveness, the search on the customer satisfaction, the search by reducing waste in the civil construction were facts which helped entrepreneurs and companies to seek new ways of working, being lean construction one of the ways to get that. Studies report that the application of the lean tools in construction was carried out in an isolated way. This type of application was pointed as a major factor limiting the extent of achievement in implementing lean principles. The aim of this studies is to identify opportunities to implement the principles of lean production in the service department of a construction company in Goi~is, proposing routines that try to implement the continuous improvement of its processes, eliminating waste, reducing the lead time, allow it to perform the mapping processes, applying the just-in-time and among others, providing services that add value to the customer satisfaction. It was possible to establish the average time for each step, allowing to identify possible improvements in the department, from the perspective of lean principles. The research paper concludes by pointing out the activities for the Department of Post Construction work from building companies, from lean concepts.     

Improvement Properties of Cohesion-Less Soil Using Recycled Bassanite

Solid waste management is a serious problem over the world. Therefore, reduction, re-use and recycling of waste have become major issues in recent days. Gypsum waste plasterboard is considered one example of these waste materials. This study evaluates the use of recycled bassanite, which is derived from gypsum waste plasterboard, to enhance the performance of two types of cohesion-less soil. Recycled bassanite was utilized as a stabilizing agent to improve both compressive and splitting strengths of the tested soil. The effect of bassanite content, soil type, water content and curing time were investigated to explore the behavior of treated soil with recycled bassanite. Test results showed that increase of bassanite content is associated with increase in optimal moisture content, while no significant increase in the dry unit weight was observed. Both compressive and splitting tensile strengths enhanced with the additives of recycled bassanite. The increase of bassanite content had a more significant effect on the compressive strength compared with the effect on tensile strength. The use of recycled bassanite to enhance the strength of sandy soil had a more significant effect compared with silty soil. The effect of curing time on the strength of treated samples was more significant in early curing ages compared with late curing ages. The strength decreased significantly in case of stabilized samples prepared with water content at the wet-side of the compaction curve. However, insignificant decrease in the strength of the stabilized sample was detected with moisture content at the dry-side of compaction curve. This research meets the challenges of our society to reduce the quantities of gypsum wastes, producing useful material from waste materials that will help to a sustainable society.     

Finite Element ANSYS Analysis of the Behavior for 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy Tubes under Cyclic Bending with External Pressure

In this paper, by using adequate stress-strain relationship, mesh elements, boundary conditions and loading conditions, the finite element ANSYS analysis on the behavior of circular tubes subjected to symmetrical cyclic bending with or without external pressure is discussed. The behavior includes the moment-curvature and ovalization-curvature relationships. In addition, the calculated ovalizations at two different sections, middle and right cross-sections, are also included. Experimental data for 6061-T6 aluminum alloy tubes subjected to cyclic bending with or without external pressure were compared with the ANSYS analysis. It has been shown that the analysis of the elastoplatic moment-curvature relationship and the symmetrical, ratcheting and increasing ovalization-curvature relationship is in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Sustainability of Touristic Potential of the Old Van City and Castle of Van in Terms of Cultural,Historical and Natural Values

Tourism has become the world＇s fastest growing sector due to acceleration of technology and information flow in the globalized world of today, development of the modem mass transport system and increase in people＇s disposable income. Upon tourism＇s being considered as a serious development strategy in the developments of the countries, all the countries of the world have begun to accelerate their investments in this area through utilizing the natural and cultural assets of their countries （heritage） with a view to provide revenue to their economy as well as creation of jobs. This situation, which has emerged as a result of the globalization of supply and demand in tourism, has created certain problems in terms of environmental balance and the living conditions of local people as a result of poor management of the utilization of natural and cultural resources. The objective of this paper is to examine the concepts and principles germane to sustainable tourism which has significant contribution to the development of the countries, made at the macro level both in the world and in Turkey. The aim of this paper, at the micro level, is to create awareness incident to the tourism resources of the Van Region and the Old Van province and ensure the utilization of these resources through protection thereof. At the end of the study, the importance of the protection of heritage resources as well as fair use thereof in terms of increasing the competitiveness of Turkey on a global scale in tourism is addressed in the light of the overall evaluations.     

Volumetric Variation and Rheology of Cement Based Mineral Additions （Blast Furnace Slag and Silica Fume）

The partial substitution of clinker by mineral additions offers very significant, both economical and environmental benefits. This adds value to industrial waste, and contributes also in the preservation of natural resources, like clay and limestone, as well as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions （CO2）. This study is interested in the simultaneous effect of BFS （blast furnace slag） and SF （silica fume） on setting time and water requirement of cement paste. The volumetric variations are tested in mortars, prepared in the same mixture of pastes, and the tests indicate that the addition of slag increase the fluidity, reduce the water demand, shrinkage and expansion, compared to the mortar, containing ten percent （10%） of Silica Fume only. The images of pastes obtained by SEM （scanning electron microscopy）, are indicated an improvement of the microstructure of the paste with a large amount of slag, which leads to improve durability.     

Integration Possibility of Urban Public Bus System and Cable Car in Maribor

Combination of a bus system and cable car system can reduce the overall congestion of traffic in urban areas, where surrounding hills or mountains hold larger settlements or tourist and recreational infrastructure. With this kind of integration number of individual car trips can be significantly reduced. In this paper, the authors present an analysis of the pilot project implementation, which was held in Maribor. The authors conducted a limited test trial of two means of transportation, combining them into a single operating transport offer for inhabitants and tourists. Combined transport option proved to be a good starting point for reduction of traffic and parking congestion during winter tourist season and beyond. Method used in the research, in order to gain actual potential of integrating two systems and improving public transport offer, was establishment and implementation of the pilot project in Maribor during January 2011. Data was gathered through interviews of two interest groups. The first covered the users who were brought to the foothills of Pohorje＇s ski center by bus. The second covered the cable car users that were traveling to the top of Pohorje. For a limited time period, a trial principle of a single ticket was established, which gave ski-pass holders free bus ride on bus line No. 6. With the aim of reducing CO2, test drives of hybrid bus and compressed natural gas bus were conducted alongside many promotional activities with which users were informed of importance of environmentally friendly mobility options.     

Creep and Shrinkage Effects on the Bond-Slip Characteristics and Ultimate Strength of Composite Slabs

Composite one-way concrete slabs with profiled steel sheeting as permanent formwork are commonly used in the construction industry. The steel sheeting supports the wet concrete of a cast-in-situ reinforced or post-tensioned concrete slab and, after the concrete sets, acts as external reinforcement. In this type of slab, longitudinal shear failure between the concrete and the steel sheeting is the most common type of failure at the ultimate load stage. Design codes require the experimental evaluation of the longitudinal shear capacity of each type of steel decking using full-scale tests. This paper presents the results of the short-term testing up to failure of two types of profiled steel decking that are commonly used in the construction industry in Australia. Fourteen full-scale, simply-supported slabs were tested in four-point bending with shear spans of either span/4 or span/6. Four slabs were tested at age of 28 days and the other 10 slabs were subjected to drying shrinkage and various levels of sustained loads for a period of at least 6 months prior to testing to failure. The effects of creep and drying shrinkage on the load carrying capacity and deformation of the slabs at ultimate loads are presented and discussed. The bond-slip relationship of each slab is determined from the test data and the values of maximum longitudinal shear stress calculated using different methods are described and compared.     

Comparative Analysis of Bridges with AASHTO and Florida I-Beam Girders

A comparative study of two pre-stressed girder bridges, one with AASHTO （American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials） Type III girders and the other with new FIB （Florida l-beam） girders, is presented. FIB girders are expected to provide increased lateral stiffness, higher load carrying capacity, cost-efficiency and better reliability. In this paper, the first bridge that is analyzed is a 3-span bridge designed with six AASHTO Type III girders, and the second bridge has four FIB girders with the same span length, width and girder depth. The bridges are analyzed for Florida state legal loads SU4 and C5. Both bridges are analyzed using a sophisticated finite element method. The deflections, moment envelopes, section capacity and live load rating of the two bridges are obtained and compared. FIB girders have higher vertical stiffness, higher section capacity providing higher load rating than the AASHTO girders.     

Climate Change and Future Long-Term Trends of Rainfall at North-East of Iraq

Iraq is facing water shortage problem despite the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In this research, long rainfall trends up to the year 2099 were studied in Sulaimani city northeast Iraq to give an idea about future prospects. The medium high （A2） and medium low B2 scenarios have been used for purpose of this study as they are more likely than others scenarios, that beside the fact that no climate modeling canter has performed GCM （global climate model） simulations for more than a few emissions scenarios （HadCM3 has only these two scenarios） otherwise pattern scaling can be used for generating different scenarios which entail a huge uncertainty. The results indicate that the average annual rainfall shows a significant downward trend for both A2 and B2 scenarios. In addition, winter projects increase/decrease in the daily rainfall statistics of wet days, the spring season show very slight drop and no change for both scenarios. However, both summer and autumn shows a significant reduction in maximum rainfall value especially in 2080s while the other statistics remain nearly the same. The extremes events are to decrease slightly in 2080s with highest decrease associated with A2 scenario. This is due to the fact that rainfall under scenario A2 is more significant than under scenario B2. The return period of a certain rainfall will increase in the future when a present storm of 20 year could occur once every 43 year in the 2080s. An increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall depends on several factors such as the return period, season of the year, the period considered as well as the emission scenario used.     

Advantages and Disadvantages of Repair and Replacement of the Timber Element in Historic Buildings

During the modern city construction, the conservation of the historic buildings is especial important, for the future development is based on the historic accumulation. Timber element, which is the common material in the historic buildings, always sufferd by the varies natural or man-made factors, and finally lead to huge threaten to the entire structure. The conservation methods often changing according to the different circumstances and degree of destruction. This paper has introduced two approaches, repair and replacement, compared the advantages and disadvantages of each, and then summary the application of two methods in the light of conservation principle.     

Consideration of Shape Characteristics for Apartments Incorporating Daylight and Energy Performance

The objective of this paper is to design units with well-lighted environment and low-energy consumption in the apartment building. Their daylight and energy performance can be determined by the building shape and orientation. The paper initially produced the results of illuminations and energy efficiency using the daylight and thermal simulations by Autodesk ＂ECOTECT＂. It then provided the comparison on simulation results of two type buildings： Flat-type and L-type apartment. The available options for the design incorporating the environmental performance have less flexibility in fiat-type apartments than in L-type ones. The best unit in the fiat apartment is fixed from -45 to 45 degrees rotation, however, that in the L-type one can change depending on rotating the building. Moreover, if the upper level units had the appropriate environment, the lower level could have larger window areas in order to meet those daylight performance needs. Results show that the facade design should have the different window areas depending on the location of each unit. It can assist in the comfort and low-energy consumption design by using simulation tools that achieve the more predictable understandings.     

Comparison of Crack Width and Space between SCC and Conventional Concrete Beams

Concrete is a material which is in wide use in engineering especially in construction engineering and road infrastructure facilities. Development trends for high rise constructions, modern skyscrapers indicate that building such constructions with normal concretes and low consistency is impossible, therefore there is a need for concrete with high processes because of great amount of reinforcement in cross-section of concrete elements. Solution for such construction is self-compacting concrete because of its ability to fill good formworks without compaction and vibration. Considering this fact, researches for cracks, mechanical characteristics of concrete and deformations have been conducted worldwide. In this paper, we conducted an experimental research to determine the cracks on beams of self-compacting concrete and compared it with conventional concrete. The experimentally-obtained results will be presented for both types of concrete for： module of elasticity, compression strength, crack with and cracks spacing for duration failure testing time t = 400 days.     

Freezing and Thawing Durability of Ultra High Strength Concrete

Resistance to freezing and thawing of two UHSC （ultra high strength concrete） mixtures was evaluated in accordance with ASTM C 666 Procedure A. The two mixtures （plain and fiber reinforced） were developed using materials local to southern New Mexico, USA. Three different curing regimens were investigated for the mixture with fibers and one curing regimen was studied for the mixture without fibers. All curing regimens included 24 h of ambient curing followed by four days of wet curing at 50 ℃, and then two days dry curing at 200 ℃. At an age of seven days, one batch of fiber reinforced specimens was air cured at ambient conditions for the following six days and then placed in a water bath at 4.4 ℃ for 24 h prior to initiating freezing and thawing cycles. The second batch was air cured from day seven to day 12, and then wet cured for one day at 23 ℃ prior to being placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. The final batch was wet cured at 23 ℃ from the seventh day to an age of 13 days and then placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. The mixture with no fibers was air cured from the seventh day to an age of 12 days and then wet cured for one day at 23 ℃ prior to being placed in the 4.4 ℃ water bath. Higher moisture levels during curing produced greater initial dynamic elastic modulus values and durability factors at the end of the freezing and thawing tests, with the greatest durability factor being 87.5. Steel fibers were observed to improve both compressive strength and durability factor for UHSC.     

Corrosion Study and Passive Film Characterization of 11% Cr FIM and 15% Cr ODS Steels

An ODS （oxide dispersion strengthened） steels are one of the most notable structural materials being developed for future high-temperature energy production technologies, and several studies have been devoted to the development of ODS materials for such applications. However, only little paper focuses on corrosion behavior of F/M （ferritic martensictic） and ODS steels. The corrosion behavior of 11% Cr F/M steel and 15% Cr ODS steel were evaluated using electrochemical methods in borate buffer and 1 kmol m＂3 HNO3 with or without NaCI and also in boiling 60% nitric acid. The corrosion resistance results clearly indicated the influences of steel alloys composition and chloride ions. The XPS （X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy） results of the pre-passivated surface revealed that the oxide formed were composed predominantly of Fe203 along with Cr203, and Y203 layers in ODS steel. The corrosion rate measured in boiling nitric acid for 48 h for both the steels shows high corrosion rate in boiling condition. The SEM （scanning electron microscopy） observation of the pit morphology after corrosion tests appears with shallow pit in both steel surfaces The corrosion degradation behavior in relation to the composition of the passive oxide film in different electrolytic solutions is discussed in this paper.     

Effect of Traffic Speed on Stresses and Strains in Asphalt Perpetual Pavement

Increasing traffic volumes and loads as well as public expectation for a long-lasting transportation infrastructure have necessitated designing perpetual pavements. The KDOT （Kansas Department of Transportation） conducted a field trial to investigate the suitability of perpetual pavement concept for Kansas highway pavements. The experiment involved construction of four thick pavement structures. To verify the approach of designing perpetual pavements on the basis of an endurance strain limit, the pavements were instrumented with gauges for measuring tensile strains at the bottom of asphalt base layers at various speeds. Pavements were also instrumented with pressure cells to measure stress on the top of subgrade. Pavement response measurements under known vehicle load were performed in August 2006. FWD （Falling-weight deflectometer） was also used to collect deflection data at 15 m intervals on the same date. FWD first-sensor （center） deflections were normalized and corrected to 20 ℃ temperature based on measured mid-depth pavement temperature. The result shows that strain and stress measurements show significant amount of variations. Measurements in the thickest section are the most consistent. The higher the traffic speed, the lower the strains and stresses. The difference between strains and stresses at 30 kmhar and 65 km/hr is higher than the difference between 65 km/hr and 95 kin/hr. This shows the effect of speed on stresses and strains decreases as the speed increases. Softer binder in the asphalt base layer results in lower strains, which confirms that softer binder results in higher fatigue life.     

Assessment of Durability and Long Term Performance of High Density Polyethylene Drainboards in the Gotthard Railway Tunnels

Drainage layers provide permanent relief of hydrostatic water pressure, while the waterproof liner prevents any ingress of water into the tunnel. The durability and aging resistance of drainage membranes are of primary concern. This paper describes advantages and concerns related to the usage of, and the design with, polymeric drainboards in tunnel construction. Common degradation mechanisms associated with HDPE （high density polyethylene） sheets are described. The stringent requirements for the Gotthard Alpine Railway Tunnel through the Swiss Alps, e.g., high ambient temperatures of up to 45 ℃ and an expected service life of up to 100 years require outstanding aging resistance of polymeric drainage materials. The paper describes the methods deployed to investigate the long-term performance of HDPE drainboards, focusing on aging mechanisms. Details associated with the test procedures developed to reflect the specific properties of drainboards, as well as the results obtained, are presented. A summary table shows recommended product specifications needed to confine the aging properties of drainboards and to design a system performing adequately during the entire lifetime of the structure.     

Organizational Trouble Shooting through Integration between the Theory of the Restrictions Thinking Process and Lean Tools

The theory of constraints thinking process, created by Israeli physicist Eliyahu M. Goldratt, has emerged as a tool for achieving competitive advantage. Many researches also focused on the application of lean thinking developed by Toyota and proposed by Ohno. This philosophy has been proven to be effective in several production processes. This paper aims to propose a method of problem solving through the integration of theory of constraints thinking process and the principles of lean production. As a tool for problem identification, the method defends the use of current reality tree and, to solve problems, the lean thinking tools, proposed by Picchi. The developed method was implemented in a contractor. The research methodology was research-action. Among the results, there was a realistic diagnosis about the core problems in company. According to this, the core problem of the contractor is “the lack of commitment of manpower” that results in the main problem “the financial loss”. The principle of perfection was verbalized as a proposal to solve the problems and the tools to be implemented for solving problems were “commitment of senior management to employees” and “simplicity in communication”.     

BIPV in the Refurbishment of Minor Historical Centres： The Project of Integrability between Standard and Customized Technology

The proposed research is aimed to define some BIPV （building integrated photovoltaics） paradigms for the refurbishment of historical contexts, by defining strategic criteria related to linguistic-architectural and technological-constructive aspects of solar systems （including case-studies in specific application contexts）. This research could, once perfected and shared, be used within operative tools （guidelines, case studies, etc.） really applicable to common scale, e.g., in today＇s post-earthquake reconstruction in L＇Aquila, for defining possible solar implementation possibilities in sensitive areas according to an innovative and sustainable method of intervention.