Abstract: Since the conception of JML, many tools, applications and implementations have been done. In this context, the users or developers who want to use JML seem surounded by many of these tools, applications and so on. Looking for a common infrastructure and an independent language to provide a bridge between these tools and JML, we developed an approach to embedded contracts in XML for Java: XJML. This approach offer us the ability to separate preconditions, posconditions and class invariants using JML and XML, so we made a front-end which can process Runtime Assertion Checking, Extended Static Checking and Full Static Program Verification. Besides, the capabilities for this front-end can be extended and easily implemented thanks to XML. We believe that XJML is an easy way to start the building of a Graphic User Interface delivering in this way a friendly and IDE independency to developers community wich want to work with JML.
Abstract: The recent drive for use of performance-based methodologies in design and assessment of structures in seismic areas has significantly increased the demand for the development of reliable nonlinear inelastic static pushover analysis tools. As a result, the adaptive pushover methods have been developed during the last decade, which unlike their conventional pushover counterparts, feature the ability to account for the effect that higher modes of vibration and progressive stiffness degradation might have on the distribution of seismic storey forces. Even in advanced pushover methods, little attention has been paid to the Unsymmetric structures. This study evaluates the seismic demands for three dimensional Unsymmetric-Plan buildings determined by the Displacement-based Adaptive Pushover (DAP) analysis, which has been introduced by Antoniou and Pinho [2004]. The capability of DAP procedure in capturing the torsional effects due to the irregularities of the structures, is investigated by comparing its estimates to the exact results, obtained from Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA). Also the capability of the procedure in prediction the seismic behaviour of the structure is discussed.
Abstract: Human ability is a major source of constraint to manufacturing industries in Nigeria. This paper therefore, discusses the importance of human influences on manufacturing and consequently to industrialization and National development. In this paper, the development of manufacturing was anchored on two main factors; Infrastructural Capacity Development (ICD) and Human Capacity Development (HCD). However, a wider view was given to the HCD and the various contemporary human capacity issues militating against manufacturing in Nigeria. It went further to discuss various ways of acquiring and upgrading workers’ skills and finally, suggestions were made on how to tackle the onerous human capacity issues in manufacturing.
Abstract: This paper presents a ray tracing simulation technique for characterize the radiowave propagation inside building. The implementation of an algorithm capable of enumerating a large number of propagation paths in interactive time for the special case of 2.5D. The effective dielectric constants of the building structure in the simulations are indicated. The study describes an efficient 2.5D model of ray tracing algorithm were compared with 3D model. The result of the first investigations is that the environment of the indoor wave significantly changes as we change the electric parameters of material constructions. A detailed analysis of the dependence of the indoor wave on the wideband characteristics of the channel: root mean square (RMS) delay spread characteristics and Mean excess delay, is also investigated.
Abstract: Buckling-Restrained Braced Frame system(BRBFs)
are a new type of steel seismic-load-resisting system that has found
use in several countries because of its efficiency and its promise of
seismic performance far superior to that of conventional braced
frames. The system is addressed in the 2005 edition of the AISC
Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings, also a set of design
provisions has been developed by NEHRP. This report illustrates the
seismic design of buckling restrained braced frames and compares
the result of design in the application of earthquake load for ordinary
bracing systems and buckling restrained bracing systems to see the
advantage and disadvantages of this new type of seismic resisting
system in comparison with the old Ordinary Concentric Braced
Frame systems (OCBFs); they are defined by the provisions
governing their design.
Abstract: The seismic vulnerability of an urban area is of a great
deal for local authorities especially those facing earthquakes. So, it is
important to have an efficient tool to assess the vulnerability of
existing buildings. The use of the VIP (Vulnerability Index Program)
and the GIS (Geographic Information System) let us to identify the
most vulnerable districts of an urban area.
The use of the vulnerability index method lets us to assess the
vulnerability of the center town of Blida (Algeria) which is a
historical town and which has grown enormously during the last
decades. In this method, three levels of vulnerability are defined. The
GIS has been used to build a data base in order to perform different
thematic analyses. These analyses show the seismic vulnerability of
Blida.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of an
autonomous robot for painting the interior walls of buildings. The
robot consists of a painting arm with an end effector roller that scans
the walls vertically and a mobile platform to give horizontal feed to
paint the whole area of the wall. The painting arm has a planar twolink
mechanism with two joints. Joints are driven from a stepping
motor through a ball screw-nut mechanism. Four ultrasonic sensors
are attached to the mobile platform and used to maintain a certain
distance from the facing wall and to avoid collision with side walls.
When settled on adjusted distance from the wall, the controller starts
the painting process autonomously. Simplicity, relatively low weight
and short painting time were considered in our design. Different
modules constituting the robot have been separately tested then
integrated. Experiments have shown successfulness of the robot in its
intended tasks.
Abstract: Effective evaluation of software development effort is an important issue during project plan. This study provides a model to predict development effort based on the software size estimated with function points. We generalize the average amount of effort spent on each phase of the development, and give the estimates for the effort used in software building, testing, and implementation. Finally, this paper finds a strong correlation between software defects and software size. As the size of software constantly increases, the quality remains to be a matter which requires major concern.
Abstract: With respect to the dissipation of energy through
plastic deformation of joints of prefabricated wall units, the paper
points out the principal importance of efficient reinforcement of the
prefabricated system at its joints. The method, quality and amount of
reinforcement are essential for reaching the necessary degree of joint
ductility. The paper presents partial results of experimental research
of vertical joints of prefabricated units exposed to monotonously
rising loading and repetitive shear force and formulates a conclusion
that the limit state of the structure as a whole is preceded by the
disintegration of joints, or that the structure tends to pass from
linearly elastic behaviour to non-linearly elastic to plastic behaviour
by exceeding the proportional elastic limit in joints.Experimental
verification on a model of a 7-storey prefabricated structure revealed
weak points in its load-bearing systems, mainly at places of critical
points around openings situated in close proximity to vertical joints
of mutually perpendicularly oriented walls.
Abstract: Historic religious buildings located in seismic areas
have developed different failure mechanisms. Simulation of failure
modes is done with computer programs through a nonlinear dynamic
analysis or simplified using the method of failure blocks. Currently
there are simulation methodologies of failure modes based on the
failure rigid blocks method only for Roman Catholic churches type.
Due to differences of shape in plan, elevation and construction
systems between Orthodox churches and Catholic churches, for the
first time there were initiated researches in the development of this
simulation methodology for Orthodox churches. In this article are
presented the first results from the researches. The theoretical results
were compared with real failure modes recorded at an Orthodox
church from Banat region, severely damaged by earthquakes in
1991. Simulated seismic response, using a computer program based
on finite element method was confirmed by cracks after earthquakes.
The consolidation of the church was made according to these
theoretical results, realizing a rigid floor connecting all the failure
blocks.
Abstract: It is known that symmetric encryption algorithms are
fast and easy to implement in hardware. Also elliptic curves have
proved to be a good choice for building encryption system. Although
most of the symmetric systems have been broken, we can create a
hybrid system that has the same properties of the symmetric
encryption systems and in the same time, it has the strength of
elliptic curves in encryption. As DES algorithm is considered the
core of all successive symmetric encryption systems, we modified
DES using elliptic curves and built a new DES algorithm that is hard
to be broken and will be the core for all other symmetric systems.
Abstract: The storage of chemical fertilizers in concrete building often leads to durability problems due to chemical attack. The damage of concrete is mostly caused by certain ammonium salts. The main purpose of the research is to investigate the durability properties of concrete being exposed to ammonium nitrate solution. In this investigation, experiments are conducted on concrete type G50 and G60. The leaching process is achieved by the use of 20% concentration solution of ammonium nitrate. The durability properties investigated are water absorption, volume of permeable voids, and sorptivity. Compressive strength, pH value, and degradation depth are measured after a certain period of leaching. A decrease in compressive strength and an increase in porosity are found through the conducted experiments. Apart from that, the experimental data shows that pH value decreases with increased leaching time while the degradation depth of concrete increases with leaching time. By comparing concrete type G50 and G60, concrete type G60 is more resistant to ammonium nitrate attack.
Abstract: Plants are commonly known for its positive
correlation in reducing temperature. Since it can benefit buildings by
modifying the microclimate, it-s also believed capable of reducing
the internal temperature. Various experiments have been done in
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang to investigate the comparison in
thermal benefits between two rooms, one being a typical control
room (exposed wall) and the other a biofacade room (plant shaded
wall). The investigations were conducted during non-rainy season for
approximately a month. Climbing plant Psophocarpus
tetrogonobulus from legume species was selected as insulation for
the biofacade wall. Conclusions were made on whether the biofacade
can be used to tackle the energy efficiency, based on the parameters
taken into consideration.
Abstract: In the article the remains of the base of the minaret,
found in 2009 at the medieval fortress shakhristan Aktobe, which is
located along the courses of the rivers Balta and Aksu. The minaret,
which consists of two parts: the stylobate in the pit and base part
refers to the XI-XII centuries. The preserved height of the building is
3.6 meters. Volume stylobat quadrangular minaret, the corners of
which are aimed at the four corners of the world amounts to 8,65 x8,
5 m, height – 2.6 m. Diameter octagonal upper cap of 7.85 m and a
height of preserved – 1 m. This minaret is of particular importance
among the historical and architectural monuments of Kazakhstan, as
it is so far the only minaret belonging to Karakhanid epoch in which
Islam was the state religion.
Abstract: This paper presents a conceptual model of agreement
options for negotiation support in multi-person decision on
optimizing high-rise building columns. The decision is complicated
since many parties involved in choosing a single alternative from a
set of solutions. There are different concern caused by differing
preferences, experiences, and background. Such building columns as
alternatives are referred to as agreement options which are
determined by identifying the possible decision maker group,
followed by determining the optimal solution for each group. The
group in this paper is based on three-decision makers preferences that
are designer, programmer, and construction manager. Decision
techniques applied to determine the relative value of the alternative
solutions for performing the function. Analytical Hierarchy Process
(AHP) was applied for decision process and game theory based agent
system for coalition formation. An n-person cooperative game is
represented by the set of all players. The proposed coalition
formation model enables each agent to select individually its allies or
coalition. It further emphasizes the importance of performance
evaluation in the design process and value-based decision.
Abstract: Discussion and development of principles of the
uniform nation formation within the limits of the Kazakhstan state
obviously became one of the most pressing questions of the day. The
fact that this question has not been solved "from above" as many
other questions has caused really brisk discussion, shows us increase
of civil consciousness in Kazakhstan society, and also the actuality of
this theme which can be carried in the category of fatal questions. In
any sense, nation building has raised civil society to a much higher
level. It would be better to begin with certain definitions. First is the
word "nation". The second is the "state". Both of these terms are very
closely connected with each other, so that in English language they
are in general synonyms. In Russian more shades of these terms
exist. For example in Kazakhstan the citizens of the country
irrespective of nationality (but mainly with reference to non-kazakhs)
are called «kazakhstanians», while the name of the title nation is
\"Kazakhs\". The same we can see in Russia, where, for example, the
Chechen or the Yakut –are \"Rossiyane\" which means “the citizens
of Russian Federation, but not \"Russians\".
The paper was written under the research project “Islam in modern
Kazakhstan: the nature and outcome of the religious revival”.
Abstract: In this study, a nickel film with nano-crystalline grains,
high hardness and smooth surface was electrodeposited using a post
supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) mixed Watts electrolyte. Although
the hardness was not as high as its Sc-CO2 counterpart, the thin coating
contained significantly less number of nano-sized pinholes. By
measuring the escape concentration of the dissolved CO2 in post
Sc-CO2 mixed electrolyte with the elapsed time, it was believed that
the residue of dissolved CO2 bubbles should closely relate to the
improvement in hardness and surface roughness over its conventional
plating counterpart. Therefore, shortening the duration of
electroplating with the raise of current density up to 0.5 A/cm2 could
effectively retain more post Sc-CO2 mixing effect. This study not only
confirms the roles of dissolved CO2 bubbles in electrolyte but also
provides a potential process to overcome most issues associated with
the cost in building high-pressure chamber for large size products and
continuous plating using supercritical method.
Abstract: In the traditional architecture, buildings were designed
to achieve human comfort by using locally available building materials and construction technology which were more responsive to
their climatic and geographic condition. This paper will try to bring out the wisdom of the local masons and builders, often the inhabitants
themselves, about their way of living, and shaping their built environment, indoor and outdoor spaces, as a response to the local
climatic conditions, from the findings of a field
settlement.
Abstract: Natural ventilation is an important means to improve indoor thermal comfort and reduce the energy consumption. A solar chimney system is an enhancing natural draft device, which uses solar radiation to heat the air inside the chimney, thereby converting the thermal energy into kinetic energy. The present study considered some parameters such as chimney width and solar intensity, which were believed to have a significant effect on space ventilation. Fluent CFD software was used to predict buoyant air flow and flow rates in the cavities. The results were compared with available published experimental and theoretical data from the literature. There was an acceptable trend match between the present results and the published data for the room air change per hour, ACH. Further, it was noticed that the solar intensity has a more significant effect on ACH.