Construction Technologies and Architecture Vol. 6

Abstract: One possible method for strengthening deteriorated concrete structures is to externally bond composite material plates to the concrete. The use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates as an effective and versatile technique for strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) structures has developed into a sizable industry in recent years. To implement such rehabilitation, the nature of the bond between the composite plate and the concrete must be understood. The behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened in the negative moment region using CFRP strips is presented in this paper. The experimental program included strengthening and testing five half-scale, reinforced, simply supported rectangular cross section beams with an overhanging (cantilever) portion. One of the tested specimens was tested without any strengthening and considered as the control specimen. The rest specimens were strengthened with CFRP strips using different technique and then tested until complete failure. The effect of strengthening technique on deflection, failure load, strain, failure mode, and ductility are discussed. In addition, and due to local stress concentration at the plate ends, the influence of different type of CFRP fixation at both ends for proper bonding of the strips, and the strengthening pattern on the behavior of beams was examined. The ratio of absorbed energy at failure to total energy, or energy ratio, was used as a measure of beam ductility. The results generally indicate that the flexural strength of the strengthened beams is increased. It is also noted that, in addition to the longitudinal CFRP plates, the fiber oriented in the vertical direction forming a C or U-shape around the beam cross section significantly reduce beam deflections and increase beam load carrying capacity. However, all the strengthened beams experienced semi brittle failure, mandating a higher factor of safety in design. The results also indicate that plating reduced crack size in the beams and somewhat reduced their ductility.

Abstract: As climate change effect on our daily life is clear, and the awareness of greenhouse gases damages is increased, architects and many developers necessitate green and sustainable buildings design by focusing on energy efficiency, avoiding harmful materials, and taking care of indoor air quality to construct environmentally friend buildings. Also, adopting energy efficiency strategies and renewable energy applications in buildings design generally and particularly in commercial buildings will drop the produced amount of CO₂ emissions, as well as operational emissions and embodied emissions are attributed to the building materials and energy required for construction.This research is proposing energy efficient commercial building design proposal as an approach to green architecture in Egypt. First, commercial buildings impact is studied, then choosing energy simulation tool to assess the solution as DesignBuilder software, the design of commercial building proposal respect the triple bottom line of sustainability, to introduce innovative, efficient and environmental building design respecting users’ needs and achieve high economic value, finally, after simulating the building model in DesignBuilder to reach the highest energy saving and ensure the thermal comfort for users, the design is evaluated by LEED criteria to measure the environmental impact of the building and indicate how this design is successful or not.Finally, this research focuses on proposing a design design cliteria and apply it on designing new commercial buildings to enhance the building performance and being environmentally integrated based on design design cliteria that represent the three major design principles and they are Nature, Culture and Art. Nature for respecting and integrating with the environment, Culture for respecting the location and user’s needs, Art for offering a unique architecture design leave strong mental image impression.

Abstract: Commercial buildings are high energy consumption buildings due to lighting system, cooling, and heating requirements (HVAC) for main corridors, shops, and other services. This research is offering an innovative environmental solution for one floor existing commercial buildings by retrofitting the design to be naturally ventilated which lead to reduce building energy consumption and Co2 production. This Research main concept is ventilating corridors and common spaces at one-floor commercial building naturally and achieving users’ thermal comfort even in the hottest day at summer.Research case study is one-floor existing commercial building in Ras El Bar, Egypt. Building model is constructed in Design Builder software to simulate building energy consumption in the current design as base case and compare different environmental solutions results with it to estimate the energy and Co2 reduction. Also, CFD simulation for different design proposals is simulated to guarantee comfort natural air flow inside the corridors for building users.In addition to visit to building site to measure temperature and wind speed by multi-functional anemometer in many focal points indoor and outdoor the building, to consider any missing data that could affect on the final decision.Finally, after simulating more than one solution, the study present solution that naturally ventilate the on-floor commercial building and achieved users’ thermal comfort at summer.

Abstract: Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is now a fundamental idea in our daily lives. It is related to many disciplines, including Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Marine Engineering, among others. It provides a diagnosis of the structure's state at every moment of its residual life, improves understanding of structural behavior, and detects any change that occurs to any component of it or for the entire structure via some devices (Sensors) that may be wired or wireless, incorporating micro and nanotechnology in their components putting on it or on the part under study. These sensors are data collectors that send data to a laptop or computer for processing via a communication system. These data assist decision-makers in determining the structure's residual life and whether it requires maintenance or rebuilding. The wireless SHM system of a Tahya Masr cable-stayed bridge is developed in this study using Resensys SenSpot^TM Sensors. The following approaches are suggested to achieve the goal. Wireless sensors were used to measure strain and monitor vibration, strain, inclination, tilt, temperature, and humidity. These measurements help to develop a reference data set that can be used to monitor and detect changes in structural behavior that indicate damage. This study successfully assessed the viability of Resensys SenSpot^TM wireless, and it provided a brief overview of vibration- and impedance-based SHM techniques appropriate for the cable-stayed bridge's pylon system. Finally, the Tahya Masr cable-stayed bridge in Egypt served as a successful test site for the smart sensor's applicability.