Abstract

Thermal insulating plasters and renders are becoming a popular solution for the energy retrofit of existing and historic buildings because of their suitability/compatibility with the existing masonry supports. However, as for most of the insulating products, the actual performance of these materials might significantly differ from the one determined with simplified methods (EN ISO 6946 standard) that are commonly adopted by the designers. In this study, an overview of the latest Authors researches that involve three different thermal insulating plasters, containing respectively perlite, vegetal and aerogel aggregates, are presented. The developed plasters were characterized in the laboratory and successively applied in three demonstration buildings. From the in-field thermal monitoring activities, all the analysed thermal insulating plasters showed a decrease in the thermal performance between 25 and 30% if compared to the laboratory measurements.

Abstract

In MoVe IT!, a project in the European 7th framework package, it is investigated how existing European inland cargo ships can be retrofitted in order to improve their economic and environmental performance. In the project, experts from academia worked closely together with five ship owners to identify the most promising retrofit options for one of their ships and to elaborate them. In this paper, the MoVe IT! approach is discussed, as well as some key results. After a brief introduction to the project, an overview of all identified retrofit options is presented, followed by the selection of the options that were deemed most desirable. As an example of the MoVe IT! solutions, the elaborated hydrodynamic retrofit options for the coupled unit MS Herso I and barge Leonie are discussed in detail, followed by a short overview of the results of retrofit attempts for all ships surveyed within MoVe IT!. The paper is concluded with the most important lessons that were learned from the efforts to find good retrofit solutions for inland ships.

Abstract

Retrofit of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures is incessantly attracting interests of masonry professionals. Because there are enormous URM structure stocks in different parts of the world that have shown vulnerability to damage against out-of-plane actions due to having limited flexural strength and deformation capacity [1]. As such, there is a global trend of promoting the development of sustainable retrofit techniques for URM structures. The authors' previous study [2] has introduced the application of oriented strand board type 3 (OSB/3) as a prospective sustainable retrofit material for URM wall with evidence of improving the flexural performances. This paper presents, for the first time,experimental works on 1115 x 1115 x 215 mm double wythe single leaf URM walls. Specifically, quasi-static out-of-plane loading tests were carried out on two plain specimens, two single-sided retrofitted walls and two double-sided retrofitted walls. The flexural and displacement capacities were evaluated in both plain and retrofitted specimens, and the results substantiated that OSB/3 application improves the flexural capacity of masonry wall. Therefore, the application of OSB/3 for retrofitting URM buildings can be considered as an inexpensive, efficient and sustainable retrofit technique.

Abstract

This study assesses the earthquake performance of a historical masonry arch bridge in Aizanoi ancient city, which is located in the mid part of Turkey near Kütahya. Aizanoi was the capital of the territory called Aizanitis, located in the area of Phrygia. Historians agreed that Roman settlement in this area started in 3rd millenium BC. The structure is made of stone and has five arches of 5.40m, 6.70m, 7.30m spans. Rise of the arches are varying from 2.70m to 3.65m. Restoration works have completed in 2018. Before the restoration works have been started the bridge was used for vehicles, even for heavy trucks. Today the bridge is using only for pedestrians. After a detailed site investigation, material characterisation and soil tests were performed, ambient vibration test was carried out on site, by placing accelerometers at several points on bridge span to capture dynamic properties of the structure. Different methods such as Frequency Domain Decomposition, SSI were used to extract the experimental natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios from these measurements. Experimental results were compared with those obtained by the linear finite element analysis of the bridge. Good agreement between mode shapes was observed in comparison, though natural frequencies disagree by 8-10%. The boundary conditions of the linear finite element model of the bridge were adjusted such that the analytical predictions agree with the ambient vibration test results. According to the total strain crack material model, the calibrated linear FE model was extended into a nonlinear model then Nonlinear Static Pushover analyses of the bridge along longitudinal and transversal directions were performed. Obtained results are in good agreement with previous case studies’ results. In order to compare collapse load of the bridge with pushover analysis results, kinematic limit analysis procedure is used to assess longitudinal and transverse seismic capacities. The capacity curves are obtained by means of limit analysis approach. The study is aimed to identify on one hand the horizontal load multiplier that activates the kinematic mechanism, on the other hand the collapse displacement. The numerical results of the structural capacity so found have been compared with the results available in literature and acceptable agreement of the results have been obtained.

Abstract

The Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi is located in the central eastern part of Turkey, in Divrigi, Sivas. The historical facility consists of a monumental mosque and a two-story hospital, which are adjacent to each other. The structure dates back to 13th century Mengujekids period and has been listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage since 1985. Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi is particularly notable for its monumental stone portals that are decorated with three-dimensional ornaments carved from stone. The structural system of the monument consists of multi-leaf stone masonry walls and stone piers that support the roof structure which consists of stone and brick arches and vaults. The structure is located about 90 km away from the North Anatolian Fault Line, that has been causing several destructive earthquakes. Consequently, the structure is prone to destructive seismic activities. In this study, after a brief introduction on the structural system and current condition of the structure, the structural performance of the Great Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi is investigated through site observations and structural analyses. For this purpose, linear and nonlinear 3D finite element models of the structure are developed and the structure is examined under the effects of vertical loads and seismic actions. In the light of the analyses results, recommendations for potential interventions are outlined for further preservation of the structure.