Experimental Study on Out-of-Plane Seismic Performance of New Type Masonry System

The authors developed two types of block systems, consisting only of main and key blocks, without joint mortar, to improve the in- and out-of-plane seismic performances and enhance the workability. Two types of block systems have different key block shapes. One is the peanuts shape, and the other is the H shape. The proposed block systems have a half-height difference between the main and key blocks, to significantly improve seismic performance in in- and out-of-plane directions, compared to typical masonry wall with joint mortar. In this study, in order to evaluate the out-of-plane seismic performance of the proposed block systems, two types of block walls are experimentally investigated, including the typical block wall. Firstly, the shaking table tests are carried out to investigate the fundamental out-of-plane behaviors of three specimens. Next, four-point bending tests are planned to evaluate the out-of-plane seismic performance, since all specimens do not occur the out-of-plane collapse in the shaking table tests from the preliminary calculation. In this paper, the development of predominant period, profiles of acceleration and displacement, and maximum tensile strength of each specimen are discussed in detail. As a result, the maximum loads of the proposed block walls were about three to four times that of the typical block wall. This result means that the proposed block system has significantly improved seismic performance in the out-of-plane direction.

Chapter Six: The Arcuate Polygonal-Block Wall at Eleon

The dominant archaeological feature visible at Eleon is a Late Archaic polygonal- block wall that extends 85 m southward from the excavated site along the eastern edge of the plateau, constructed from finely fitted panels of local grey limestone averaging 2 tons in weight. The wall is arcuate for most of its length and finished on each end with an angular bastion. Every part has lost at least one course, and the wall is completely leveled or buried for most of its length, but was originally at least four courses high, standing 4.5 m above its base. The north end of the wall underwent a low-quality ancient reconstruction. The techniques used to shape and shift the stone are considered, and the wall is compared with other stonework at the site. Further study will allow more thorough analysis of the wall’s archaeological context and its relationship with other Archaic and Classical constructions.

Analysis of the optimization of the construction process of ecological brick compared to ceramic brick

The brick is composed of water, soil and cement, having an easy manufacturing process, with short construction and low cost is not subjected to burning is manufactured by a very different process from ceramic blocks, the same goes through a hydraulic press. This type of brick has characteristics that provide quality, sustainability, beauty, and above all savings in the total cost of the work. When used in construction are eliminated some steps and the execution time in the work. A block wall or ceramic brick will need roughcast, sketch, plaster, seamer and painting, besides considering the cost of these materials can not forget the labor that corresponds to an average 50% of the value of the work. But the great advantage over the other bricks is its construction system, once raised the wall this is ready, does not need finishing, and the pillar structure and beams are ready with it. Electrical and Hydraulic Installations are easily installed without the need for breakage and waste. These bricks do not require the use of mortars for laying, coatings such as plastering for regularization and finishing of walls, in addition to accelerating the work with their fittings that facilitate the alignment and plumb of the walls. The objective of this work is present through a literature review of optimization processes that involve the ecological brick. in addition to accelerating the work with their fittings that facilitate the alignment and plumb of the walls. The objective of this work is present through a literature re-view of optimization processes that involve the ecological brick. in addition to accelerating the work with their fittings that facilitate the alignment and plumb of the walls. The objective of this work is present through a literature review of optimization processes that involve the ecological brick.

Comparative Study On Load Resistance of Eco-Friendly Interlocking Blocks For Sustainable Construction

The rapid growth of contemporary construction industry has driven engineers to explore new construction techniques for sustainable development. Interlocking block wall construction reduces time, labour and enhances construction efficiency compared to conventional masonry wall construction. The interlocking pattern has been applied to the top and bottom surface of block to withstand gravity and lateral loads whereas current interlocking blocks only serve the purpose of easy alignment. In this study, eco-friendly blocks have been developed with industrial waste such as fly ash, quarry dust and geopolymer as binder. Tests to evaluate the compressive strength, water absorption and efflorescence have been carried out on both traditional and geopolymer interlocking blocks. Later, on two blocks joint, in-plane vertical load has been applied and the same model is generated to validate the failure. Using numerical modelling, horizontal and vertical load resistance of interlocking block wall and traditional brick wall was compared. The experimental results show that, relative to traditional clay brick, the compressive strength of the geopolymer interlocking block was high but the absorption of water was low. The vertical load resistance is identical but horizontal load resistance was high in interlocking block wall. The interlocking geopolymer block was the best approach for environmental sustainability.

Parametric study of the impact of building envelope systems on embodied and operational carbon of residential buildings

PurposeBuildings are responsible for the consumption of around 40% of energy in the world and account for one-third of greenhouses gas emissions. In Saudi Arabia, residential buildings consume half of total energy among other building sectors. This study aims to explore the impact of sixteen envelope variables on the operational and embodied carbon of a typical Saudi house with over 20 years of operation.Design/methodology/approachA simulation approach has been adopted to examine the effects of envelope variables including external wall type, roof type, glazing type, window to wall ratio (WWR) and shading device. To model the building and define the envelope materials and quantify the annual energy consumption, DesignBuilder software was used. Following modelling, operational carbon was calculated. A “cradle-to-gate” approach was adopted to assess embodied carbon during the production of materials for the envelope variables based on the Inventory of Carbon Energy database.FindingsThe results showed that operational carbon represented 90% of total life cycle carbon, whilst embodied carbon accounted for 10%. The sensitivity analysis revealed that 25% WWR contributes to a significant increase in operational carbon by 47.4%. Additionally, the efficient block wall with marble has a major embodiment of carbon greater than the base case by 10.7%.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is a contribution to the field of calculating the embodied and operational carbon emissions of a residential unit. Besides, it provides an examination of the impact of each envelope variable on both embodied and operational carbon. This study is limited by the impact of sixteen envelope variables on the embodied as well as operational carbon.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt on investigating the effects of envelop variables on carbon footprint for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia.

Experimental Study on the In-Plane Seismic Performance of a New Type of Masonry Wall System

The authors developed two types of block systems consisting only of main block and key block without joint mortar to improve the seismic performances and to enhance the workability. Two types of block systems have different key block shapes: one is the peanut shape, and the other is the dumbbell shape. The proposed block systems have a half-height difference between the main block and the key block to significantly improve seismic performance compared to typical masonry walls with joint mortar. In this study, in order to evaluate the in-plane seismic performance of the proposed block systems, two types of block walls are experimentally investigated, including the typical block wall. In the tests, three full-scale, single-story specimens are tested under in-plane cyclic loading, and failure patterns and cracks are carefully observed. In this paper, the in-plane loading bearing capacity, energy dissipate capacity and reuse ratios of block walls are discussed in detail. As a result, the deformability, energy absorption capacity and reuse ratio of the proposed block systems were considerably higher than those of a typical block system.