Asian journal of civil engineering
Volume:6 Issue: 3, July 2005

This paper presents a numerical model based on the Finite Element Method (FEM), usingAnsys® software with the Solid45, Plane42 and Combin39 elements to analyze woodenshear walls in light platform system. The displacements supplied by this model arecompared with full-size prototypes tested according to the ASTM E72/98 standard, showing an excellent agreement. Four boundary conditions are also presented for a study of the shear walls’ diaphragmatic behavior. The geometric nonlinearity of the walls and the physical nonlinearity of the nail fasteners are considered in the numerical analyses.

In this paper an efficient analytical method is presented for calculating the eigenvalues ofspecial matrices related to finite element meshes (FEMs) with regular topologies. In theproposed method, a skeleton graph is used as the model of a FEM. This graph is thenconsidered as the Cartesian product of its generators. The eigenvalues of the Laplacianmatrix of the entire graph are then easily calculated using the eigenvalues of its generators. An exceptionally fast method is also proposed for computing the second eigenvalue of the Laplacian of the graph model of a FEM, known as the Fiedler vector. After ordering the entries of the second eigenvector, the graph model is partitioned and the corresponding FEM is bisected.

Contemporary settlements’ pattern of Northern Asia (Siberia) survives the stage of selfstabilization within the inter-settlements’ mechanisms of self-organization, which are based (for the non-expanding societal systems) on the metropolitan communities’ interests balance. The actual alterations should be related to the aims of a securing existing pattern’s node and exaggerating their role and importance in the inter-settlements’ interactions mentioning an expiration or a weakening of an active economical expansion in the region for a nearest period.

The close relationship between the hierarchical shape functions and the incompatible modes in non-conforming finite elements is investigated and a simple approach is presented to systematically derive the incompatible modes of any order. The performance of the developed non-conforming elements is demonstrated via examples from literature and in comparison with the hybrid stress elements.

The representative parameters of ECE and the side effects were determined experimentally. The experimental program investigates chloride and alkali concentration, chloride removal efficiency, transference number, half-cell potential and possible bond strength degradation which is determined by pull-out test. Test variables were percentage of chloride concentration to mass of cement (i.e., 0%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%) and duration of application of constant electric current (i.e., 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks).Tests results indicate that chloride concentration around rebars reduces to the thresholdconcentration level of about 0.4 after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. Half-cell potential showsthat corrosion activities of the steel reinforcement were stopped 8 weeks after the end of treatment. Chloride removal efficiency is hardly reached to 60% after 8 weeks of ECEtreatment. Bond strength in specimens with and without transverse reinforcement wasreduced by 30-44% and 19-27% at the end of the treatment, respectively. Bond strength in specimens with and without transverse reinforcement was increased by 10-16% and 8-10%, 8 weeks after end of treatment, respectively. Test results on a reinforced concrete slab will be presented in the subsequent paper.

Waffle slab has had its genesis in a rather thick solid-slab floor from which the bottom layerconcrete in tension is partially replaced by their ribs along orthogonal directions. The ribsare reinforced with steel to resist flexural tensile stresses. The dimensions and spacing ofribs are decided in a manner so as to achieve better load distribution without requiring theshear reinforcement. The present paper elaborates the results obtained from the analytical study carried out on waffle slab medium size floor system with a view to achieve the optimum dimensions of rib spacing, its depth and width. The waffle slab has beenconsidered as monolithically connected to band beams. Feasibility of structural design ofmembers has been ensured under the provision of IS: 456-2000.

This paper proposes private sector participation, PSP, as a robust solution for urbantransportation infrastructure and service development. It confirms that the renewal of urban transportation PSP is in its infancy when much more promotion and trust building is needed. At the same time, much has been learned about PSP, and there have been beacons of innovation. Nevertheless, much more PSP novelty and advancement are possible and needed. There are positive and negative sides to PSP, but if properly applied it will be a robust solution for many of the current and future urban transportation problems. The PSP experiences are promising and growing. They were found to be a means of raising fund and improving management. They have been applied mostly to reduce and share financial, economical and technological risks. They may also be used to reduce and share urban transportation social, political, legal, regulatory, institutional and environmental risks. The paper proposes identification and balanced treatment of involved urban transportation processes via PSP instead of solely considering financial and management issues. In confronting the upcoming and escalating governance risks of 21st Century, Governments may look for a balance and harmony in public-private alliances for a sustainable urban transportation in people-centred cities of globalizing world.