Abstract: Average temperatures worldwide are expected to
continue to rise. At the same time, major cities in developing
countries are becoming increasingly populated and polluted.
Governments are tasked with the problem of overheating and air
quality in residential buildings. This paper presents the development
of a model, which is able to estimate the occupant exposure
to extreme temperatures and high air pollution within domestic
buildings. Building physics simulations were performed using the
EnergyPlus building physics software. An accurate metamodel is
then formed by randomly sampling building input parameters and
training on the outputs of EnergyPlus simulations. Metamodels are
used to vastly reduce the amount of computation time required when
performing optimisation and sensitivity analyses. Neural Networks
(NNs) have been compared to a Radial Basis Function (RBF)
algorithm when forming a metamodel. These techniques were
implemented using the PyBrain and scikit-learn python libraries,
respectively. NNs are shown to perform around 15% better than RBFs
when estimating overheating and air pollution metrics modelled by
EnergyPlus.
Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to assess the
sediment quality and potential ecological risk in marine sediments in
Gymea Bay located in south Sydney, Australia. A total of 32 surface
sediment samples were collected from the bay. Current track
trajectories and velocities have also been measured in the bay. The
resultant trace elements were compared with the adverse biological
effect values Effect Range Low (ERL) and Effect Range Median
(ERM) classifications. The results indicate that the average values of
chromium, arsenic, copper, zinc, and lead in surface sediments all
reveal low pollution levels and are below ERL and ERM values. The
highest concentrations of trace elements were found close to
discharge points and in the inner bay, and were linked with high
percentages of clay minerals, pyrite and organic matter, which can
play a significant role in trapping and accumulating these elements.
The lowest concentrations of trace elements were found to be on the
shoreline of the bay, which contained high percentages of sand
fractions. It is postulated that the fine particles and trace elements are
disturbed by currents and tides, then transported and deposited in
deeper areas. The current track velocities recorded in Gymea Bay had
the capability to transport fine particles and trace element pollution
within the bay. As a result, hydrodynamic measurements were able to
provide useful information and to help explain the distribution of
sedimentary particles and geochemical properties. This may lead to
knowledge transfer to other bay systems, including those in remote
areas. These activities can be conducted at a low cost, and are
therefore also transferrable to developing countries. The advent of
portable instruments to measure trace elements in the field has also
contributed to the development of these lower cost and easily applied
methodologies available for use in remote locations and low-cost
economies.
Abstract: Production fluids are transported from the platform to
tankers or process facilities through transfer pipelines. Water being
one of the heavier phases tends to settle at the bottom of pipelines
especially at low flow velocities and this has adverse consequences
for pipeline integrity. On restart after a shutdown, this could result in
corrosion and issues for process equipment, thus the need to have the
heavier liquid dispersed into the flowing lighter fluid. This study
looked at the flow regime of low water cut and low flow velocity oil
and water flow using conductive film thickness probes in a large
diameter 4-inch pipe to obtain oil and water interface height and the
interface structural velocity. A wide range of 0.1–1.0 m/s oil and
water mixture velocities was investigated for 0.5–5% water cut. Two
fluid model predictions were used to compare with the experimental
results.
Abstract: Geological and tectonic framework indicates that
Bangladesh is one of the most seismically active regions in the world.
The Bengal Basin is at the junction of three major interacting plates:
the Indian, Eurasian, and Burma Plates. Besides there are many
active faults within the region, e.g. the large Dauki fault in the north.
The country has experienced a number of destructive earthquakes due
to the movement of these active faults. Current seismic provisions of
Bangladesh are mostly based on earthquake data prior to the 1990.
Given the record of earthquakes post 1990, there is a need to revisit
the design provisions of the code. This paper compares the base shear
demand of three major cities in Bangladesh: Dhaka (the capital city),
Sylhet, and Chittagong for earthquake scenarios of magnitudes
7.0MW, 7.5MW, 8.0MW, and 8.5MW using a stochastic model. In
particular, the stochastic model allows the flexibility to input region
specific parameters such as shear wave velocity profile (that were
developed from Global Crustal Model CRUST2.0) and include the
effects of attenuation as individual components. Effects of soil
amplification were analysed using the Extended Component
Attenuation Model (ECAM). Results show that the estimated base
shear demand is higher in comparison with code provisions leading to
the suggestion of additional seismic design consideration in the study
regions.
Abstract: The understanding of geotechnical characteristics of
near-surface material and the effects of the groundwater is very
important problem in such as site studies. For showing the relations
between seismic data and groundwater, we selected about 25 km2 as
the study area. It has been presented which is a detailed work of
seismic data and groundwater depths of Gokpinar Damp area.
Seismic waves velocity (Vp and Vs) are very important parameters
showing the soil properties. The seismic records were used the
method of the multichannel analysis of surface waves near area of
Gokpinar Damp area. Sixty sites in this area have been investigated
with survey lines about 60 m in length. MASW (Multichannel
analysis of surface wave) method has been used to generate onedimensional
shear wave velocity profile at locations. These shear
wave velocities are used to estimate equivalent shear wave velocity in
the study area at every 2 and 5 m intervals up to a depth of 45 m.
Levels of equivalent shear wave velocity of soil are used the
classified of the study area. After the results of the study, it must be
considered as components of urban planning and building design of
Gokpinar Damp area, Denizli and the application and use of these
results should be required and enforced by municipal authorities.
Abstract: Background: Breast milk may impact early brain
development, with potentially important biological, medical and
social implications. There is an important discussion on which is the
adequate breastfeeding extension to the development consolidation
and how the children breastfeeding affects their psychomotor
development, in the first year of life, and in following periods as
well. Some special fats (LC PUFA) contained in breast milk play a
key role in the brain’s maturation and cognitive development or
social skills. These capacities created during breastfeeding time
would be unfolded throughout all lifespan. Aim of the study: In our research, we have studied the effect of
breastfeeding in preschooler's psychomotor assessment.
Method: This study was conducted in a sample of 158 preschool
children in Vlorë, Albania. We have measured the psychometric
parameters of preschoolers with ASQ-3 (Age&Stage Questionnaires-
3). The studied sample was divided in three groups according to their
breastfeeding duration (3, 6 and 12 months). Results: Children breastfed for only 3 months have definitely
lower psychometric scores compared to the ones with 6 or more
months of breastfeeding (respectively 217 to 239 ASQ-3 scores). Six
and twelvemonth breastfed children have progressively more odds to
have high levels of psychomotor development comparing to those
with only 3 months of breastfeeding. The most affected psychometric
domains by shortness of breastfeeding are Communication and
Global motor. Conclusion: This leads to conclusion that to ensure high
psychomotor parameters during childhood is necessary breastfeeding
for at least 6 months.
Abstract: The floor beams of steel buildings, cold-formed steel
floor joists in particular, often require large web openings, which may
affect their shear capacities. A cost effective way to mitigate the
detrimental effects of such openings is to weld/fasten reinforcements.
A difficulty associated with an experimental investigation to establish
suitable reinforcement schemes for openings in shear zone is that
moment always coexists with the shear, and thus, it is impossible to
create pure shear state in experiments, resulting in moment
influenced results. However, Finite Element Method (FEM) based
analysis can be conveniently used to investigate the pure shear
behaviour of webs including webs with reinforced openings. This
paper presents the details associated with the finite element analysis
of thick/thin-plates (representing the web of hot-rolled steel beam,
and the web of a cold-formed steel member) having a large
reinforced opening. The study considered simply-supported
rectangular plates subjected to in-plane shear loadings until failure
(including post-buckling behaviour). The plate was modelled using
geometrically non-linear quadrilateral shell elements, and non-linear
stress-strain relationship based on experiments. Total Langrangian
with large displacement/small strain formulation was used for such
analyses. The model also considered the initial geometric
imperfections. This study considered three reinforcement schemes,
namely, flat, lip, and angle reinforcements. This paper discusses the
modelling considerations and presents the results associated with the
various reinforcement schemes under consideration.
Abstract: Numerical study of the static response of
homogeneous clay stratum considering a wide range of cohesion and
subject to foundation loads is presented. The linear elastic–perfectly
plastic constitutive relation with the von Mises yield criterion were
utilised to develop a numerically cost effective finite element model
for the soil while imposing a rigid body constrain to the foundation
footing. From the analyses carried out, estimate of the bearing
capacity factor, Nc as well as the ultimate load-carrying capacities of
these soils, effect of cohesion on foundation settlements, stress fields
and failure propagation were obtained. These are consistent with
other findings in the literature and hence can be a useful guide in
design of safe foundations in clay soils for buildings and other
structure.
Abstract: This paper focuses on the questions raised through the
work of Unit 5: ‘In/Out Crisis, emergent and adaptive’; an
architectural research-based studio at [ARC] University of Nicosia. Students were asked to delve into state of Art Technologies in
order to propose sustainable Emergent and Adaptive Architectures
and Urbanities, the resulting unprecedented spatial conditions and
atmospheres of the emergent new ways of living are deemed to be the
ultimate aim of the investigation. Students explored a variety of sites
and crisis conditions seen through their primary ingredient identified
as soil, water and air and their paired combination. Within this
methodology, crisis is seen as a mechanism for allowing an
emergence of new and fascinating ultimate sustainable future cultures
and cities by taking advantage of the primary materiality of the sites.
Abstract: The paper will focus on the strategic development
deriving from the evolution of the traditional courtyard spatial
organization towards a new, contemporary sustainable way of living.
New sustainable approaches that engulf the social issues, the notion
of place, the understanding of weather architecture blended together
with the bioclimatic behavior will be seen through a series of
experimental case studies in the island of Cyprus, inspired and
originated from its traditional wisdom, ranging from small scale of
living to urban interventions. Weather and nature will be seen as co-architectural authors with
architects. Furthermore, the building will be seen not as an object but
rather as a vessel of human activities. This will further enhance the
notion of merging the material and immaterial, the built and unbuilt,
subject-human, and the object-building. This eventually will enable
to generate the discussion of the understanding of the building in
relation to the place and its inhabitants, where the human topography
is more important than the material topography. The specificities of
the divided island and the dealing with sites that are in vicinity with
the diving Green Line will further trigger explorations dealing with
the regeneration issues and the social sustainability offering
unprecedented opportunities for innovative sustainable ways of
living. Opening up a discourse with premises of weather-nature, materialimmaterial,
human-material topographies in relation to the contested
sites of the borders will lead us to develop innovative strategies for a
profound, both technical and social sustainability, which fruitfully
yields to innovative living built environments, responding to the ever
changing environmental and social needs. As a starting point, a case study in Kaimakli in Nicosia, a
refurbishment with an extension of a traditional house, already
engulfs all the traditional/ vernacular wisdom of the bioclimatic
architecture. The project focusses on the direct and quite obvious
bioclimatic features such as south orientation and cross ventilation.
Furthermore, it tries to reinvent the adaptation of these parameters in
order to turn the whole house to a contemporary living environment.
In order to succeed this, evolutions of traditional architectural
elements and spatial conditions are integrated in a way that does not
only respond to some certain weather conditions, but they integrate
and blend the weather within the built environment. A series of
innovations aiming at maximum flexibility is proposed. The house
can finally be transformed into a winter enclosure, while for the most
part of the year it turns into a ‘camping’ living environment. Parallel to experimental interventions in existing traditional units,
we will proceed examining the implementation of the same
developed methodology in designing living units and complexes.
Malleable courtyard organizations that attempt to blend the
traditional wisdom with the contemporary needs for living, the
weather and nature with the built environment will be seen tested in
both horizontal and vertical developments. Social activities are seen as directly affected and forged by the
weather conditions thus generating a new social identity of people where people are directly involved and interacting with the weather.
The human actions and interaction with the built, material
environment in order to respond to weather will be seen as the result
of balancing the social with the technological sustainability, the
immaterial, and the material aspects of the living environment.
Abstract: Intermediate cities which also called medium size
cities have an important role in the process of globalization. It is
argued that, in some cases this type of cities may be depopulated or in
otherwise may be transformed as the periphery of metropolitans, so
that the personal identity of the city and its local cultural heritage
could suffer from its neighbor metropolitan. Over the last decades,
the role of tourism in the development process and the cultural
heritage has increased. The impact of tourism on socioeconomic
growth makes motivation for the study of tourism development in
regional and urban planning process. There are evidences that
tourism has a positive impact in local development and makes
economic motivations for cultural heritage protection. In this study,
by considering the role of tourism in local development, especially by
its economic and socio-cultural impacts, it is tried to introduce a
strategy for tourism development through a method of urban planning
for intermediate cities called as Base plan. Damavand is an
intermediate city located in Tehran province, Iran with a high
potential in tourism by its local specific characteristic like social
structure, antiquities and natural attractions. It’s selected as a suitable
case study for intended strategy which is a combination of urban
planning and tourism development methods. Focusing on recognition
of the historical and cultural heritage of Damavand, in this paper
through “base plan methodology” a strategy of urban planning
toward tourism development is prepared in order to make tourism
development as a support for cultural heritage of this city.
Abstract: The traditional rhythms of the West African country
of Guinea have played a centuries-long role in defining the different
people groups that make up the country. Throughout their history,
before and since colonization by the French, the different ethnicities
have used their traditional music as a distinct part of their historical
identities. That is starting to change. Guinea is an impoverished
nation created in the early twentieth-century with little regard for the
history and cultures of the people who were included. The traditional
rhythms of the different people groups and their heritages have
remained. Fifteen individual traditional Guinean rhythms were
chosen to represent popular rhythms from the four geographical
regions of Guinea. Each rhythm was traced back to its native village
and video recorded on-site by as many different local performing
groups as could be located. The cyclical patterns rhythms were
transcribed via a circular, spatial design and then copied into a box
notation system where sounds happening at the same time could be
studied. These rhythms were analyzed for their consistency-overperformance
in a Fundamental Rhythm Pattern analysis so rhythms
could be compared for how they are changing through different
performances. The analysis showed that the traditional rhythm
performances of the Middle and Forest Guinea regions were the most
cohesive and showed the least evidence of change between
performances. The role of music in each of these regions is both
limited and focused. The Coastal and High Guinea regions have
much in common historically through their ethnic history and
modern-day trade connections, but the rhythm performances seem to
be less consistent and demonstrate more changes in how they are
performed today. In each of these regions the role and usage of music
is much freer and wide-spread. In spite of advances being made as a
country, different ethnic groups still frequently only respond and
participate (dance and sing) to the music of their native ethnicity.
There is some evidence that this self-imposed musical barrier is
beginning to change and evolve, partially through the development of
better roads, more access to electricity and technology, the nationwide
Ebola health crisis, and a growing self-identification as a
unified nation.
Abstract: Modelling of building processes of a multimodal
freight transportation support information system is discussed based
on modern CASE technologies. Functional efficiencies of ports in
the eastern part of the Black Sea are analyzed taking into account
their ecological, seasonal, resource usage parameters. By resources,
we mean capacities of berths, cranes, automotive transport, as well as
work crews and neighbouring airports. For the purpose of designing
database of computer support system for Managerial (Logistics)
function, using Object-Role Modeling (ORM) tool (NORMA–Natural ORM Architecture) is proposed, after which Entity
Relationship Model (ERM) is generated in automated process.
Software is developed based on Process-Oriented and Service-Oriented architecture, in Visual Studio.NET environment.
Abstract: The Green Urban Lab took the form of public
installations that were placed at various locations in four cities in
Cyprus. These installations - through which a series of events,
activities, workshops and research took place - were the main tools in
regenerating a series of urban public spaces in Cyprus. The purpose
of this project was to identify issues and opportunities related to
public space and to offer guidelines on how design and participatory
democracy improvements could strengthen civil society, while
raising the quality of the urban public scene. Giant inflatable
structures were injected in important urban fragments in order to
accommodate series of events. The design and playful installation
generated a wide community engagement. The fluid presence of the
installations acted as a catalyst for social interaction. They were
accessed and viewed effortlessly and surprisingly, creating
opportunities to rediscover public spaces.
Abstract: The aim of the performed work is to establish the 2D
and 3D model of direct unsteady task of sample heat treatment by
moving source employing computer model on the basis of finite
element method. Complex boundary condition on heat loaded sample
surface is the essential feature of the task. Computer model describes
heat treatment of the sample during heat source movement over the
sample surface. It is started from 2D task of sample cross section as a
basic model. Possibilities of extension from 2D to 3D task are
discussed. The effect of the addition of third model dimension on
temperature distribution in the sample is showed. Comparison of
various model parameters on the sample temperatures is observed.
Influence of heat source motion on the depth of material heat
treatment is shown for several velocities of the movement. Presented
computer model is prepared for the utilization in laser treatment of
machine parts.
Abstract: This article presents an alternative collapse capacity
intensity measure in the three elements form which is influenced by
the spectral ordinates at periods longer than that of the first mode
period at near and far source sites. A parameter, denoted by β, is
defined by which the spectral ordinate effects, up to the effective
period (2T1), on the intensity measure are taken into account. The
methodology permits to meet the hazard-levelled target extreme
event in the probabilistic and deterministic forms. A MATLAB code
is developed involving OpenSees to calculate the collapse capacities
of the 8 archetype RC structures having 2 to 20 stories for regression
process. The incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) method is used to
calculate the structure’s collapse values accounting for the element
stiffness and strength deterioration. The general near field set
presented by FEMA is used in a series of performing nonlinear
analyses. 8 linear relationships are developed for the 8structutres
leading to the correlation coefficient up to 0.93. A collapse capacity
near field prediction equation is developed taking into account the
results of regression processes obtained from the 8 structures. The
proposed prediction equation is validated against a set of actual near
field records leading to a good agreement. Implementation of the
proposed equation to the four archetype RC structures demonstrated
different collapse capacities at near field site compared to those of
FEMA. The reasons of differences are believed to be due to
accounting for the spectral shape effects.
Abstract: Nonlinear evolution of broadband ultrasonic pulses
passed through the rock specimens is studied using the apparatus
“GEOSCAN-02M”. Ultrasonic pulses are excited by the pulses of Qswitched
Nd:YAG laser with the time duration of 10 ns and with the
energy of 260 mJ. This energy can be reduced to 20 mJ by some light
filters. The laser beam radius did not exceed 5 mm. As a result of the
absorption of the laser pulse in the special material – the optoacoustic
generator–the pulses of longitudinal ultrasonic waves are excited with
the time duration of 100 ns and with the maximum pressure
amplitude of 10 MPa. The immersion technique is used to measure
the parameters of these ultrasonic pulses passed through a specimen,
the immersion liquid is distilled water. The reference pulse passed
through the cell with water has the compression and the rarefaction
phases. The amplitude of the rarefaction phase is five times lower
than that of the compression phase. The spectral range of the
reference pulse reaches 10 MHz. The cubic-shaped specimens of the
Karelian gabbro are studied with the rib length 3 cm. The ultimate
strength of the specimens by the uniaxial compression is (300±10)
MPa. As the reference pulse passes through the area of the specimen
without cracks the compression phase decreases and the rarefaction
one increases due to diffraction and scattering of ultrasound, so the
ratio of these phases becomes 2.3:1. After preloading some horizontal
cracks appear in the specimens. Their location is found by one-sided
scanning of the specimen using the backward mode detection of the
ultrasonic pulses reflected from the structure defects. Using the
computer processing of these signals the images are obtained of the
cross-sections of the specimens with cracks. By the increase of the
reference pulse amplitude from 0.1 MPa to 5 MPa the nonlinear
transformation of the ultrasonic pulse passed through the specimen
with horizontal cracks results in the decrease by 2.5 times of the
amplitude of the rarefaction phase and in the increase of its duration
by 2.1 times. By the increase of the reference pulse amplitude from 5
MPa to 10 MPa the time splitting of the phases is observed for the
bipolar pulse passed through the specimen. The compression and
rarefaction phases propagate with different velocities. These features
of the powerful broadband ultrasonic pulses passed through the rock
specimens can be described by the hysteresis model of Preisach-
Mayergoyz and can be used for the location of cracks in the optically
opaque materials.
Abstract: The hydrodynamic and thermal behaviors of fluid
flow in wavy microchannel are investigated numerically. Effects of
Reynolds number on the hydrodynamics and thermal behaviors are
investigated. Three cases of Reynolds number (580, 1244, and 1910)
are adopted in this study. It is found that the separation zone begin
appears when Reynolds number is greater than 1910 at the endsection
of the wave. Also it is found that dimensionless maximum
velocity at the mid-section of the wave decreases and becomes as a
turbulent behavior as Reynolds numbers increases. The maximum
temperature at the center line at the mid-section of the wave increases
as Reynolds number increases until it reaches the turbulent behavior
when Reynolds number is equal or greater than 1244, while this
behavior will be achieved at very high velocities at the end section of
the wave.
Abstract: Urban areas, as they have been developed and operate
today, are areas of accumulation of a significant amount of people
and a large number of activities that generate desires and reasons for
traveling. The territorial expansion of the cities as well as the need to
preserve the importance of the central city areas lead to the
continuous increase of transportation needs which in the limited
urban space results in creating serious traffic and operational
problems. The modern perception of urban planning is directed towards more
holistic approaches and integrated policies that make it economically
competitive, socially just and more environmentally friendly. Over
the last 25 years, the goal of sustainable transport development has
been central to the agenda of any plan or policy for the city. The
modern planning of urban space takes into account the economic and
social aspects of the city and the importance of the environment to
sustainable urban development. In this context, the European Union
promotes direct or indirect related interventions according to the
cohesion and environmental policies; many countries even had the
chance to actually test them. This paper explores the methods and processes that have been
developed towards this direction and presents a review and
systematic presentation of this work. The ultimate purpose of this
research is to effectively use this review to create a decision making
methodological framework which can be the basis of a useful
operational tool for sustainable urban planning.
Abstract: Istanbul-Karakoy Port, field of this study, has lost its
former significance in time due to the transformation of urban
functions. Today, activities for regeneration of this region continue in
two forms and scales. First of these activities is the "planned
transformation projects," which also includes “Galataport project”,
and the second one is "spontaneous transformation," which consists
of individual interventions. Galataport project that based on the idea
of arranging the area specifically for tourists was prepared in 2005
and became a topic of tremendous public debate. On the other hand,
the "spontaneous transformation" that is observed in Karakoy District
starts in 2004 with the foundation of “Istanbul Modern Museum”
which allowed the cultural integration of old naval warehouses of the
port to the daily life. Following this adaptive reuse intervention, the
district started to accommodate numerous art galleries, studios, caféworkshops
and design stores. In this context, this paper first examines
regeneration studies in obsolete port regions, analyzes the planned
and ongoing socio-spatial transformations in the specific case of
Karakoy and performs a critical review of the sustainability of the
proposals on how to reinstate the district in the active life of Istanbul.