scholarly journals The Effect of Fire on Building Materials: The Case-Study of the Varnakova Monastery Cells in Central Greece

Heritage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1233-1259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterini T. Delegou ◽  
Maria Apostolopoulou ◽  
Ioanna Ntoutsi ◽  
Marina Thoma ◽  
Vasileios Keramidas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Virgin Mary ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Non Destructive Techniques

The evaluation of the fire impact on building materials is of great scientific and socio-economic importance since fire can result in materials’ chemical and mechanical alterations, which leads to structural stability problems of historical and/or modern construction. This highly increases the cost of rehabilitation interventions. The case study of the Byzantine Monastery of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Varnakova is an example of the fire effect on both historical and newer stone masonries. The Varnakova Monastery is a typical 19th century monastic complex and, during its long history, it has undergone multiple reconstructions after major catastrophic events that have taken place due to its strategic geographical position and its financial and spiritual significance for the region. The last big-scale renovation of the Monastery was conducted between the years 1992 to 2014. However, in January 2017, a devastating fire destroyed the largest part of the monastic cells’ quarter. In this work, a diagnostic study of the different construction phases’ materials comprising the masonries of the monastery cells in their present state is presented. The examination of a series of samples through analytical techniques, such as optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and total immersion tests, along with the use of non-destructive techniques in situ, such as Infra Red Thermography, Digital Microscopy, and Schmidt Hammer Rebound tests, shed light on the preservation state and on the decay of the diverse building materials. In addition, the impact of the fire on their properties was investigated. The results reveal the diversity of the materials used in the historical masonries throughout the centuries, while the combination of analytical and non-destructive techniques demonstrates the damages induced by the fire.

scholarly journals Sonic and Impact Test for Structural Assessment of Historical Masonry

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (23) ◽  
pp. 5148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Grazzini
Keyword(s):  
Impact Test ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Historical Masonry ◽  
2016 Amatrice Earthquake ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Santa Maria ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Non Destructive Techniques

Diagnostics is a very important tool of knowledge in the field of historical buildings. In particular, non-destructive techniques allow to deepen the study of the mechanical characteristics of the historical walls without compromising the artistic value of the monumental building. A case study of the use of sonic and impact tests was described, performed using the same instrumented hammer, for the characterization of the masonry walls at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie at Varoni, one of the churches damaged in the 2016 Amatrice earthquake. Sonic tests showed the presence of a discontinous masonry texture, as well as confirming the ineffectiveness of the strengthening work made by injections of lime mortar. The impact test allowed us to obtain the elastic modulus of the omogeneous stones of the masonry. The results obtained from the non-destructive techniques were confirmed by the flat jacks test carried out on the building, confirming the great potential of the non-destructive diagnostics suitable for analyzing important structural parameters without affecting the preservation of historical masonry structures.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Environmental Assessment of Light Steel Framed Buildings with Cement-Based Walls and Floors

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10686
Author(s):  
Mona Abouhamad ◽  
Metwally Abu-Hamd
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment Methodology ◽  
Building Information Model ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Cold Formed Steel ◽  
Environmental Measures ◽  
Materials Used

The objective of this paper is to apply the life cycle assessment methodology to assess the environmental impacts of light steel framed buildings fabricated from cold formed steel (CFS) sections. The assessment covers all phases over the life span of the building from material production, construction, use, and the end of building life, in addition to loads and benefits from reuse/recycling after building disposal. The life cycle inventory and environmental impact indicators are estimated using the Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings. The input data related to the building materials used are extracted from a building information model of the building while the operating energy in the use phase is calculated using an energy simulation software. The Athena Impact Estimator calculates the following mid-point environmental measures: global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential, human health potential, ozone depletion potential, smog potential, eutrophication potential, primary and non-renewable energy (PE) consumption, and fossil fuel consumption. The LCA assessment was applied to a case study of a university building. Results of the case study related to GWP and PE were as follows. The building foundations were responsible for 29% of the embodied GWP and 20% of the embodied PE, while the CFS skeleton was responsible for 30% of the embodied GWP and 49% of the embodied PE. The production stage was responsible for 90% of the embodied GWP and embodied PE. When benefits associated with recycling/reuse were included in the analysis according to Module D of EN 15978, the embodied GWP was reduced by 15.4% while the embodied PE was reduced by 6.22%. Compared with conventional construction systems, the CFS framing systems had much lower embodied GWP and PE.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of earth-based construction materials to fungal proliferation: laboratory and in situ assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 140-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Simons ◽  
Alexandra Bertron ◽  
Christophe Roux ◽  
Aurélie Laborel-Préneron ◽  
Jean-Emmanuel Aubert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Microbial Density ◽  
Microbial Proliferation ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Ecological Construction ◽  
The Impact

The impact of building materials on the environment and the health of occupants is nowadays a priority issue. Ecological construction materials such as earthen materials are currently experiencing a regain of interest due to both ecological and economic factors. The microbial proliferation on indoor materials can induce a deterioration of the building air quality and lead to an increase of health risks for the occupants. The issue of indoor air quality raises questions about the use of earthen building materials and their possible susceptibility to fungal development. The microflora of earthen materials and their ability to grow on such support are indeed poorly studied. This study focused on the quantification of both bacterial and fungal microflora along the manufacturing process. The impact of extreme humidity, simulating a hydric accident, on microflora development was analyzed on the surface and inside earthen bricks. The initial microflora of these materials was dramatically reduced during the manufacturing process, especially after heat treatment for drying. Proliferation of remaining microorganisms was only observed under high humidity condition, in particular for earthen materials with vegetal aggregates. Moreover, in situ samplings were performed on naturally dried earthen materials used in buildings. The characterization of the microbial density revealed a higher microbial density than on manufactured specimens, while microbial concentration and detected taxa seemed mainly related to the room use and building history. These results provide a better understanding of microbial proliferation on these materials.

Kaizen event approach: a case study in the packaging industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1343-1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Vo ◽  
Elif Kongar ◽  
Manuel F. Suárez Barraza
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Employee Participation ◽  
Production Quality ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Performance Measurements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Kaizen Events ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, a case study on the application of lean production principles in a manufacturing facility is presented to demonstrate the impact of frequent and systematic use of a Kaizen event on quality and delivery performance. Second, the detailed description and analysis of the Kaizen event and its impact are provided, including a comprehensive analysis of the role of Kaizen events on employee participation and motivation. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes a Kaizen event’s case study data with the help of various waste detection and elimination tools and techniques. Changes in overall productivity along with potential long-term improvements in the delivery process are also analyzed and documented. Findings Pre- and post-quality measures are provided to demonstrate the results of the event on the production quality and on the performance of the overall manufacturing processes. Qualitative findings regarding performance measurements and the impact on the employees are reported. Research limitations/implications The Kaizen team applied analytical techniques to one manufacturing site in North America of a company that has a manufacturing presence in 20 different countries. Originality/value Kaizen studies involving packaging operations are quite limited. This study fills this gap by detailing the Kaizen event implementation in a packaging delivery and dispensing systems manufacturer for the cosmetic industry. The implementation of this Kaizen event is detailed along with the data and techniques utilized for process improvement. The study also reports findings regarding the impact of the Kaizen event on employee participation.

scholarly journals NDT Methods Suitable for Evaluation the Condition of Military Fortification Construction in the Field

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 8161
Author(s):  
Zezulová Eva ◽  
Hasilová Kamila ◽  
Komárková Tereza ◽  
Stoniš Patrik ◽  
Štoller Jiří ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Residual Strength ◽  
Fiber Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Protective Structure ◽  
Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Degree Of Damage ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Protective Structures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Non Destructive

The protective structure is designed to protect the live force against the impact of a shock wave and projectiles, it cannot be diagnosed by the destructive method which devalues the protective structure by sampling. The authors are looking for a combination of suitable non-destructive technology (NDT) methods that would be used in the future to prove the degree of damage to cement-based protective structures after an explosion. This article represents the first part of an experiment designed to verify the applicability of NDT methods, to evaluate the degree of damage of the protective structure in the field. The experiment consists of three parts. The first part is a laboratory verification of the initial material characteristics of the materials used. The first test set of structural elements is made of steel fiber-reinforced concrete. The elements are evaluated using NDT methods and for comparison by destructive laboratory methods. The second part is the impact of structures using explosion and evaluation of the condition of structures using NDT methods in the field. The last part is used to verify the results of the NDT method, which ensures the residual strength of the structure in the laboratory and try to find the relationship between changes in the results of NDT methods and the residual strength. Radiography was included in the introductory and concluding parts of the experiment to verify the results. Although this method is not suitable for using in-situ, it is the only standardized method of the NDT methods used.

scholarly journals Estimating the Impact of Medical Innovation: A Case Study of HIV Antiretroviral Treatments

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G Duggan ◽  
William N Evans
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Fda Approval ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Average Health

As health care consumes a growing share of GDP, the demand for better evidence regarding the effects of health care treatments and how these vary across individuals is increasing. Estimating this with observational data is difficult given the endogeneity of treatment decisions. But because the random assignment clinical trials (RACTs) used in the FDA approval process only estimate average health effects and do not consider spending, there is no good alternative. In this study we use administrative data from California's Medicaid program to estimate the impact of HIV antiretroviral treatments (ARVs). We use data on health care utilization to proxy for health status and exploit the rapid takeup of ARVs following their FDA approval. Our estimate of a 68 percent average mortality rate reduction is in line with the results from RACTs. We also find that the ARVs lowered short-term health care spending by reducing expenditures on other categories of medical care. Combining these two effects we estimate the cost per life year saved at $19,000. Our results suggest an alternative method for estimating the real-world effects of new treatments that is especially well-suited to those treatments that diffuse rapidly following their approval.

scholarly journals DEVELOPMENT OF IMPACT RESISTANT POLYMER COMPOSITION ABS/PC FOR AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-88
Author(s):  
I. Yagrushkina ◽  
M. Dyul'dina ◽  
A. Nogachev ◽  
K. Yakunin
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Polymer Composite Material ◽  
Polymer Materials ◽  
Polymer Composition ◽  
Component Ratio ◽  
Mixed Composition ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Polymer and composite materials are becoming more and more widely used in the Russian automotive industry. The Russian market of polymer materials for automotive components is characterized by an insufficiently developed production of some types of such materials. And, as a result, the use of imported materials. Styrene plastics are one of the innovative materials for the automotive industry. Using them in a car makes the product more attractive to customers. The use of this type of plastics allows to create a new look for the car. This applies to both the interior and exterior. The aim of this work is to develop the composition of a polymer composition based on ABS plastic from domestic raw materials. In addition, the new mixed composition should replace imported mixed compositions or contain a minimum amount of imported components of the composition, which will significantly reduce the cost of products and accordingly the car. The article analyzes the polymer materials used in the automotive industry. The disadvantages of using these materials in their pure form are revealed. The selection of the components of the composition of the impact-resistant material with the development of its formulation has been made. The composition of an impact-resistant polymer composition based on ABS plastic and PC has been developed, which is not inferior in terms of the complex of properties to the imported material. The influence of the composition of ABS-plastic, various grades of polycarbonate, their ratio in the polymer composite material on the physical, mechanical and technological properties of the obtained composition has been investigated. It is shown that the best set of properties is possessed by a material based on 2020-30 ABS-plastic and PC-3S polycarbonate with a component ratio of 70%:30%.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE TECHNIQUE IN REDUCING COSTS AND ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, A CASE STUDY IN THE RUSTAN STEEL STRUCTURE PRODUCTION COMPANY IN ERBIL

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (07) ◽  
pp. 314-328
Author(s):  
Ghazi Abdulazeez SULAIMAN BAG ◽  
Rafiq Faraj MAHMOOD
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Steel Structures ◽  
Product Life ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

This research was - case study in Rstin company for the steel structures in Erbil- addressed the cost technique of product life cycle, as discussed the kinds, relevance and the stages of the life cycle of the product, also it referred to the corporate governance of discussing its inception the concept and importance of the principles, objectives, and mechanisms was addressed to the technical aspects of the overlap between the cost of the product life cycle corporate governance and show the appropriate techniques used in each stage of the life cycle of the product and how it achieved by a reduction of costs. The result of this study indicates that the integration between the product life cycle cost and corporate governance works on reduce costs through the various stages of product life cycle. It also concluded that this integration increases the company ability to compete in market which leads to rise in its market share and eventually lead to maximize the profit which has been achieved through the optimal use of a company available resources. It also found that the techniques of life cycle cost of the product cannot be applied without support of the company directors, throughout the technical requirements of the application. Corporate governance ensures directors of the company to utilize firm resources which makes the company to achieve several stakeholders' objectives.

scholarly journals Simulating the impact of fertiliser strategies and prices on the economics of developing and managing the Cicerone Project farmlets under climatic uncertainty

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Behrendt ◽  
James M. Scott ◽  
Oscar Cacho ◽  
Randall Jones
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Future Management

The application of fertilisers to pastures in the high rainfall regions of southern Australia has contributed to large increases in carrying capacity following the widespread adoption of the practice since the late 1940s. Recently, large shifts in the worldwide demand for fertiliser inputs have lead to large rises in the cost of fertiliser inputs. These increasing costs have significant potential ramifications on the future management of soil fertility and its interaction with the persistence and profitability of sown pastures, especially during periods of climatic uncertainty. A dynamic pasture resource development simulation model was used to investigate the implications of fertiliser rates and costs on the efficient management of soil fertility under climatic uncertainty. The framework also allowed the investigation of how the management of soil fertility interacts with the utilisation of pasture resources through different stocking rates. In the application of this method to the Cicerone Project farmlets case study, fertiliser input costs were found to influence the optimal combination of fertiliser inputs and stocking rate. Analyses of the dynamic interaction between fertiliser application and cost, stocking rate and the persistence of desirable species enabled the identification of the most risk-efficient strategies. The implications for grazing industries in the high rainfall regions of southern Australia are discussed.

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