It is widely acknowledged that masonry walls in RC （reinforced concrete） frame structures, although often omitted in the design process, contribute significantly on the seismic resistance of buildings. Their contrib...It is widely acknowledged that masonry walls in RC （reinforced concrete） frame structures, although often omitted in the design process, contribute significantly on the seismic resistance of buildings. Their contribution toward seismic response improvement is proportional to their participation level on buildings. The more abundant they are on buildings, their lateral strength contribution gets more significant, especially for ＂frame systems＂ of both RC and steel structures. This paper presents an ＂innovative＂ solution which aims to provide a seismic protection to masonry walls and to improve the seismic performance of the entire building structure. These goals are achieved through use of so called ＂IDRIZI＂ seismic devices. These ＂box-like＂ devices are placed at characteristic locations between the masonry infill walls and the structural frame system of the building. They act as special link elements between the top of wall panels and the bottom of beams and/or slabs. The assemblage of a wall panel, IDRIZI seismic devices and other boundary structural elements forms an integral structural system that is shortly called ＂IDRIZI＂ wall system. In addition, as part of this paper is shown selected experimental investigations, which demonstrate that under ＂optimal design＂ of buildings integrated with IDRIZI wall system, up to 80% of earthquake energy input in the structure can be dissipated by the friction mechanism of the IDRIZI devices. This feature provides remarkable improvements on the seismic performance of residential buildings or any other type of building where masonry walls are abundantly present.展开更多
Perhaps the best way to demonstrate the gained improvements in seismic performance of buildings, integrated with IDRIZI infill walls, is to analyse typical building structures subjected to real case earthquake scenari...Perhaps the best way to demonstrate the gained improvements in seismic performance of buildings, integrated with IDRIZI infill walls, is to analyse typical building structures subjected to real case earthquake scenarios. This paper presents obtained analytical results for a characteristic 2D frame structure which （besides the self-weight, superimposed dead loads and live loads） is subjected to real earthquake ground motions. This study case treats three story planar RC （reinforced concrete） frame opened on the ground story while its upper stories are infilled with classical masonry walls. The purpose of this study case is to demonstrate ＂quantitatively＂ the seismic performance of this frame structure and, more importantly, to estimate the level of seismic response improvements of the frame when at its ground story is utilized IDRIZI infill wall with door opening. The seismic action considered for this study case is a representation of the 1979 Tivari earthquake, Montenegro. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the remarkable benefits the structure gains （in terms of seismic performance and safety） by the use of IDRIZI wall system as a constitutive part of the 2D frame structure.展开更多
In order to maximize the return of investments and at the same time improve the quality in the construction industry of midrise buildings, it is very important to derive an optimal solution to the building structural ...In order to maximize the return of investments and at the same time improve the quality in the construction industry of midrise buildings, it is very important to derive an optimal solution to the building structural system, which would facilitate faster and easier construction activities with minimal quantity of construction material, while maintaining the satisfactory level of building safety and performance. This paper makes a comparative study between a ＂solid＂ and a ＂waffle＂ slab system. A typical 14-story RC building structure is selected as an example for this study purpose. The first part of this study is focused in deriving an optimal solution for a solid and waffle slab system which are later on considered as constituents of all stories of the 14-story building. In the second part, it is elaborated the effect of both slab systems over the 14-story building model. This study aims to emphasize the advantages of mid-rise buildings constituted of waffle slab system over the buildings characterized with solid types of slabs, in terms of economy, structural safety and performance.展开更多
The use of probability theory and mathematical statistics in hydrology has begun very late. Nevertheless, lately, thestatistical methods in hydrology engineering and in economy aspects as well, have been found to be o...The use of probability theory and mathematical statistics in hydrology has begun very late. Nevertheless, lately, thestatistical methods in hydrology engineering and in economy aspects as well, have been found to be of vital importance, bysuccessfully solving many problems considering the hydrological laws and the quantity evaluation of the many characteristics ofdifferent hydrological regimes. The use of the statistical methods should not be used formally, because it can lead to wrongconclusions, which would lead to bad dimensioning of the hydro-technical objects. The solving of many hydrological problems withstatistical methods, is made possible with the aid of computational calculations. Considering the facts mentioned above, we havemade on simple program, in excel, for achieving probabilistic results for different time frequencies, using the logarithmic functionstaken by four different authors. This program has been used for analyzing the river bed and bed load transport of the Sitnica rivershed, in the territory of Kosova.展开更多
With the continuous growing of population and the economical needs in the Balkan region, as in the whole world, the needfor new energy resources is getting more reasonable than ever. Considering the nowadays exponenti...With the continuous growing of population and the economical needs in the Balkan region, as in the whole world, the needfor new energy resources is getting more reasonable than ever. Considering the nowadays exponential growth in development of therenewable energy sources, in this paper, a comparison of the hydropower energy capacities with the wind and solar energy sources,in the territory of Kosova is generally presented. Today, the territory of Kosova, has 1,513 MW installed capacity of electricity,which is generated from two thermo-power plants KOSOVA A and KOSOVA B. This energy generation capacity is proved to beinsufficient for meeting the entire electricity needs of the 2 million population and the overall economical development. In this paper,a specific attention is given to the electricity generation by the renewable energy sources as the wind and hydropower. A specificemphasis is given to the combination of hydropower with wind power, in Kosova, as a optimal solution for the generation of therenewable energy sources. In this paper, a concrete idea for combining the ZHUR hydro-powerplant system with the numerous windturbines is given, which could be placed in the near zone of this hydropower-plant. In combination, these electricity regeneratorswould promise a more reliable energy source, and contribute to the fulfilment of the overall electricity requirements of Kosova.展开更多
As capacity design philosophy suggests, the best way to achieve a safe seismic response of multistory buildings, under strong earthquakes, is to uniformly spread the inelastic deformation demands throughout the buildi...As capacity design philosophy suggests, the best way to achieve a safe seismic response of multistory buildings, under strong earthquakes, is to uniformly spread the inelastic deformation demands throughout the building structure. Unfortunately, this type of mechanism is difficult to be reached due to the abundant presence ofinfill wall panels on buildings, which under strong earthquakes show severe cracks and strength degradations, thus complicating the seismic response of buildings. In order to avoid these brittle mechanisms of failure, studies were made toward development of new seismic protection system which would completely protect the infill walls from any cracks and strength degradation manifestations and simultaneously improve the seismic response of the entire structure. Utilization of the ＂IDRIZI＂ seismic protection system, would greatly contribute to many important aspects, like the increase of structural seismic performance, drastic reduction of damages under strong earthquake events and avoiding any unpredictable local failure mechanisms on buildings.展开更多
Estimation of shear strength and other mechanical characteristics of masonry wall panels through experimental research is the most reliable analysis approach. However, considering all the difficulties in performing ex...Estimation of shear strength and other mechanical characteristics of masonry wall panels through experimental research is the most reliable analysis approach. However, considering all the difficulties in performing experimental research, material costs, laboratory preparations and time expenses, it is not difficult to conclude that this approach is also not the most rational. Aside from experimental investigations, advanced analytical methods are considered cheaper and practical, which can approximately describe the mechanical behavior of masonry walls. The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate how advanced analytical methods, based on discrete and applied element methods, are capable of estimating, in close approximation, the realistic behavior of masonry walls. The use of advanced analysis methods for determination of the behavior of full-scaled masonry walls （with and without openings）, avails the inclusion of infill masonry walls on the processes of modeling, analysis and design of building structures, without the need of extensive experimental investigations. This would result in achieving more approximate analytical building models in respect to their realistic behavior and ultimately achieve better optimization of structural design.展开更多
文摘It is widely acknowledged that masonry walls in RC （reinforced concrete） frame structures, although often omitted in the design process, contribute significantly on the seismic resistance of buildings. Their contribution toward seismic response improvement is proportional to their participation level on buildings. The more abundant they are on buildings, their lateral strength contribution gets more significant, especially for ＂frame systems＂ of both RC and steel structures. This paper presents an ＂innovative＂ solution which aims to provide a seismic protection to masonry walls and to improve the seismic performance of the entire building structure. These goals are achieved through use of so called ＂IDRIZI＂ seismic devices. These ＂box-like＂ devices are placed at characteristic locations between the masonry infill walls and the structural frame system of the building. They act as special link elements between the top of wall panels and the bottom of beams and/or slabs. The assemblage of a wall panel, IDRIZI seismic devices and other boundary structural elements forms an integral structural system that is shortly called ＂IDRIZI＂ wall system. In addition, as part of this paper is shown selected experimental investigations, which demonstrate that under ＂optimal design＂ of buildings integrated with IDRIZI wall system, up to 80% of earthquake energy input in the structure can be dissipated by the friction mechanism of the IDRIZI devices. This feature provides remarkable improvements on the seismic performance of residential buildings or any other type of building where masonry walls are abundantly present.
文摘Perhaps the best way to demonstrate the gained improvements in seismic performance of buildings, integrated with IDRIZI infill walls, is to analyse typical building structures subjected to real case earthquake scenarios. This paper presents obtained analytical results for a characteristic 2D frame structure which （besides the self-weight, superimposed dead loads and live loads） is subjected to real earthquake ground motions. This study case treats three story planar RC （reinforced concrete） frame opened on the ground story while its upper stories are infilled with classical masonry walls. The purpose of this study case is to demonstrate ＂quantitatively＂ the seismic performance of this frame structure and, more importantly, to estimate the level of seismic response improvements of the frame when at its ground story is utilized IDRIZI infill wall with door opening. The seismic action considered for this study case is a representation of the 1979 Tivari earthquake, Montenegro. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the remarkable benefits the structure gains （in terms of seismic performance and safety） by the use of IDRIZI wall system as a constitutive part of the 2D frame structure.
文摘In order to maximize the return of investments and at the same time improve the quality in the construction industry of midrise buildings, it is very important to derive an optimal solution to the building structural system, which would facilitate faster and easier construction activities with minimal quantity of construction material, while maintaining the satisfactory level of building safety and performance. This paper makes a comparative study between a ＂solid＂ and a ＂waffle＂ slab system. A typical 14-story RC building structure is selected as an example for this study purpose. The first part of this study is focused in deriving an optimal solution for a solid and waffle slab system which are later on considered as constituents of all stories of the 14-story building. In the second part, it is elaborated the effect of both slab systems over the 14-story building model. This study aims to emphasize the advantages of mid-rise buildings constituted of waffle slab system over the buildings characterized with solid types of slabs, in terms of economy, structural safety and performance.
文摘The use of probability theory and mathematical statistics in hydrology has begun very late. Nevertheless, lately, thestatistical methods in hydrology engineering and in economy aspects as well, have been found to be of vital importance, bysuccessfully solving many problems considering the hydrological laws and the quantity evaluation of the many characteristics ofdifferent hydrological regimes. The use of the statistical methods should not be used formally, because it can lead to wrongconclusions, which would lead to bad dimensioning of the hydro-technical objects. The solving of many hydrological problems withstatistical methods, is made possible with the aid of computational calculations. Considering the facts mentioned above, we havemade on simple program, in excel, for achieving probabilistic results for different time frequencies, using the logarithmic functionstaken by four different authors. This program has been used for analyzing the river bed and bed load transport of the Sitnica rivershed, in the territory of Kosova.
文摘With the continuous growing of population and the economical needs in the Balkan region, as in the whole world, the needfor new energy resources is getting more reasonable than ever. Considering the nowadays exponential growth in development of therenewable energy sources, in this paper, a comparison of the hydropower energy capacities with the wind and solar energy sources,in the territory of Kosova is generally presented. Today, the territory of Kosova, has 1,513 MW installed capacity of electricity,which is generated from two thermo-power plants KOSOVA A and KOSOVA B. This energy generation capacity is proved to beinsufficient for meeting the entire electricity needs of the 2 million population and the overall economical development. In this paper,a specific attention is given to the electricity generation by the renewable energy sources as the wind and hydropower. A specificemphasis is given to the combination of hydropower with wind power, in Kosova, as a optimal solution for the generation of therenewable energy sources. In this paper, a concrete idea for combining the ZHUR hydro-powerplant system with the numerous windturbines is given, which could be placed in the near zone of this hydropower-plant. In combination, these electricity regeneratorswould promise a more reliable energy source, and contribute to the fulfilment of the overall electricity requirements of Kosova.
文摘As capacity design philosophy suggests, the best way to achieve a safe seismic response of multistory buildings, under strong earthquakes, is to uniformly spread the inelastic deformation demands throughout the building structure. Unfortunately, this type of mechanism is difficult to be reached due to the abundant presence ofinfill wall panels on buildings, which under strong earthquakes show severe cracks and strength degradations, thus complicating the seismic response of buildings. In order to avoid these brittle mechanisms of failure, studies were made toward development of new seismic protection system which would completely protect the infill walls from any cracks and strength degradation manifestations and simultaneously improve the seismic response of the entire structure. Utilization of the ＂IDRIZI＂ seismic protection system, would greatly contribute to many important aspects, like the increase of structural seismic performance, drastic reduction of damages under strong earthquake events and avoiding any unpredictable local failure mechanisms on buildings.
文摘Estimation of shear strength and other mechanical characteristics of masonry wall panels through experimental research is the most reliable analysis approach. However, considering all the difficulties in performing experimental research, material costs, laboratory preparations and time expenses, it is not difficult to conclude that this approach is also not the most rational. Aside from experimental investigations, advanced analytical methods are considered cheaper and practical, which can approximately describe the mechanical behavior of masonry walls. The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate how advanced analytical methods, based on discrete and applied element methods, are capable of estimating, in close approximation, the realistic behavior of masonry walls. The use of advanced analysis methods for determination of the behavior of full-scaled masonry walls （with and without openings）, avails the inclusion of infill masonry walls on the processes of modeling, analysis and design of building structures, without the need of extensive experimental investigations. This would result in achieving more approximate analytical building models in respect to their realistic behavior and ultimately achieve better optimization of structural design.
