Egyptian Code Research Articles

INFLUENCE OF REQUISITE ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS ON SHEAR WALLS EFFICIENCY

Executions of the shear walls along the exterior perimeter of slender high rise buildings enhance the efficiency of such buildings to resist the seismic forces. But uncertainties in the locations of shear walls are very high because of the demandable architectural openings (windows – doors) in the exterior views of such buildings. So, this study presents a considerable interest in establishing design guide lines for numerical investigation of seismic response of shear walls taking into account such openings and their locations. Five three dimensional models of different configurations of the openings are chosen and compared to figure out the best installation of openings having more efficiency on the performance of shear walls under earthquake excitation. Computer generated models are analyzed by SAP2000 program[11] and the loading is considered using acceleration time history with a peak ground acceleration 0.25g provided in the new Egyptian code (ECOL2008)[13] for seismic loads on structures and building works. The comparative results showed that the top displacement, base shears and stress distributions around the openings depend on the openings arrangement system. The results of staggered opening system in the shear walls (spatial arrangement) are very much close to those resulted in the shear walls without openings than the other opening arrangement cases. Finally the staggered arrangement of openings between the stories in shear walls are suggested to be applied in engineering practice since it satisfies both the architectural and seismic requirements.

ROLE OF SHEAR WALLS IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

The slender high rise buildings are wide spreading in Egypt and no probabilistic assessment procedures have been proposed or developed for seismic risk evaluation of these special buildings. So, the objective of this study is to numerically investigate the role of both edge shear walls and raft foundation projection out of the boundary of building in the seismic resistant of such structures. Several three-dimension models were developed including the subgrade modulus as a variable and the multi-purpose commercial finite element program SAP2000 [6] was utilized for all runs in the current study. The loading is considered using acceleration time history with a peak ground acceleration of 0.25g provided in the new Egyptian code (ECOL2008)[2] for seismic loads on structures and building works. The results conclude that the slender high rise buildings provided with edge shear walls and raft projection insure significant improvement in the induced base shear and internal forces in the raft foundation. On the contrary, the study shows the large values of base shear in the corner columns under seismic loads in a projected raft foundation building. The results give a wide vision that can be used as an aid to the engineer for dealing with such slender high buildings.

EVALUATION OF SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF MULTISTORY BUILDINGS DESIGNED ACCORDING TO EGYPTIAN CODE

The seismic response of building structures can be estimated by several analysis methods. Each approach incorporates different assumptions and varies in complexity of application. The traditional approach is to employ equivalent static analysis methods while current design practice is moving towards an increased emphasis on nonlinear analysis methods. This study examined the seismic performance of multistory buildings designed according to Egyptian code. Nonlinear time history analysis is used for evaluation of equivalent static and response spectra procedures that recommended by Egyptian codes for seismic design of building structures. In this study, a preliminary seismic response analysis of two buildings was performed using three analysis procedures to evaluate the building seismic performance and the difference in global response predicted by the three methods. Moreover, three analysis procedures are evaluated for their ability to predict deformation demands in terms of inter-story drifts and potential failure mechanisms. Three ground motions of earthquake records are used for seismic demands evaluation of these buildings. The results demonstrated that, for the three analysis methods used in this study, different predictions of seismic response occurred. Furthermore, the results of the analyses are used to evaluate the advantages, limitations, and ease of application of each approach for seismic analysis. Each method is shown to have merits and deficiencies that should be considered when selecting a seismic analysis method for a particular building structure.

INVESTIGATION ON DIFFERENT LATERAL EARTHQUAKE FORCE METHODS OF ANALYSIS

In the concept of lateral seismic design there are three famous analysis methods. These methods include the equivalent static load (ESL), modal response spectrum (MRS) and time history analysis (THA). In this study, the variation in the resulted base shear using any of these methods is investigated. The modal response spectrum analysis, either simplified (same as ESL) or multiple, is carried out using the elastic design spectrum specified by the renewed Egyptian Code of Loads (2008 ECOL). The time history analysis is applied using seven delibrate different real earthquake excitations selected to match the specified elastic spectrum and soil type. Suggestions to rationally enhance the seismic protection level obtained from the multiple response spectrum is presented and emphasized. This study extends to analyze and compare our resulted base shear with those obtained from different international codes as the European, American and Canadian codes for sites with similar conditions. Special emphasis is paid to evaluate the ECOL response modification factors compared with the considered codes. It is found that there is high variation between the base shear obtained using the code specified different analysis methods and in comparison with the considered codes and hence some seismic provisions in the new 2008 ECOL need to be recontemplated.

LEVEL OF SEISMIC PROTECTION IN DIFFERENT EDITTIONS OF THE EGYPTIAN CODE OF LOADS

The last edition of the Egyptian Code of Loads (ECOL) was released by the end of year 2008. The seismic provisions in this edition are almost completely different compared with those in the 1993 edition while some specific changes are presented relative to the 2003 edition. The major significant changes in the seismic provisions revealed in the different editions are reviewed. The effect of the variation in these provisions between the different editions of the ECOL on the level of seismic protection presented by the code calculated base shear is analyzed and discussed. The analyzed provisions include seismic zones and mapping, period equations, soil site conditions, building importance factor, and ductility level. These provisions are applied to two types of structures which are moment resisting frames (MRF) and dual system consists of shear wall-moment resisting frames (SW-MRF). The considered height of buildings covers almost all code permitted range of heights. It is found that the provisions in the 1993 edition yield base shear much less than the values obtained using 2008 edition especially for low to medium height buildings located in medium and high seismic zones.

IMPACT OF SEISMIC PROVISIONS IN DIFFERENT EDITIONS OF THE EGYPTIAN CODE OF LOADS

The last edition of the Egyptian Code of Loads (ECOL) was released by the end of year 2008. The seismic provisions in this edition are almost completely different compared with those in the 1993 edition while some specific changes are presented relative to the 2003 edition. The major significant changes in the seismic provisions revealed in the different editions are reviewed. The impact of these provisions on the level of seismic protection for different types of structures with different heights is analyzed and discussed. An analytical analysis is carried out to compare and verify the applicability of these methods and the protection level they introduce. The modal response spectrum (MRS) analysis is carried out using the elastic design spectrum specified by the 2008 ECOL while the time history analysis (THA) is applied using seven different real earthquake excitations selected to match the specified elastic spectrum and soil type. Suggestion to rationally enhance the seismic protection level obtained from the multiple response spectrum is presented and emphasized. This study extends to analyze and compare our seismic provisions with those appeared in different international codes for sites with similar conditions. It is found that the provisions in the 1993 edition yield base shear much less than the values obtained using 2008 edition especially for low to medium height buildings located in medium and high seismic zones. Also, it is found that some provisions in the new edition need to be urgently reconsidered.

Reform of mortgage enforcement in Egypt: bringing together the ancient and the modern

It is interesting to find a law designed to be fair to one group of targets rather than another group of targets. The Egyptian Civil Procedures Code in relation to the enforcement of mortgages is found to be fairer to debtors than it is to creditors. Creditors are only permitted to initiate the enforcement procedures and debtors are given enough rights to allow them to postpone the finalisation of the enforcement procedures for tens of years. In this paper, by bringing together ancient and modern principles, I argue for two new enforcement systems – self-help and enforcement through a third party – and show that they can strike a better balance of fairness between debtors and creditors. Self-help in particular has been rejected in Egypt on two grounds: (i) that it will be abused by creditors; and (ii) that it is against Islamic sharia. By reference to the principles adopted by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with regard to security enforcement, I argue that self-help can strike a better balance of fairness. And by reference to primary sources of Islamic sharia, I argue that self-help is in fact the default way of enforcing security in sharia.

Capacity Analysis of Roads Network at Sheraton Area, Cairo, Egypt

This paper aims to evaluate the current traffic volume and level of service (LOS) of roads network at Sheraton area, Cairo. Due to the annual increase in traffic volume on roads, it is very important to measure traffic volume and in turn estimate the level of service (LOS) of roads especially those leading to new developed areas in Cairo. This study concerns with studying traffic flow characteristics of newly developed area in Sheraton, Heliopolis, Cairo. The area is assigned for different human activities as tourism recreation centers, housing area, and malls. Approach roads leading to this area are; Autostrad Road, 6th of October Street and Abdel Hameed Badawy Street. The traffic count study was performed on a week day (Thrusday) by ten counting workers. Data collected from the field were used to calculate traffic flow characteristics and to determine level of service according to the Egyptian Code of Practice and the Highway Capacity Manual. The study provides important guidelines for traffic flow characteristics near Autostrad Road. In addition, it emphasizes the importance of conducting traffic studies before any new constructions especially for existed level of service D.

SHEAR STRENGTH OF CONCRETE EMBEDDED BEAMS AND HOLLOW BLOCK SLABS

In Egypt, it is a common practice to utilize floor systems consisting of hollow blockslabs resting on embedded beams having the same depth. For the embeddedbeams and the hollow block slabs, the current Egyptian Code requires that the shearresistance to be solely provided by concrete with no dependence on any form ofshear reinforcement. Four international code requirements were reviewed and nosimilar provisions were found. In this paper, the shear strength of embedded beamsand hollow block slabs with intermediate length (shear span-to-depth ratio ofapproximately 5) is evaluated. Nine medium-scale simply-supported conventionallyreinforced concrete embedded beams and five full-scale hollow block one way slabswith normal concrete strength subjected to three-point monotonic loading wereexperimentally loaded to failure. The specimens were typically proportioned so thatshear failure would preclude flexural failure. The study examines the shear strengthof the tested specimens with special emphasize on the effect of shear reinforcementin the form of vertical stirrups with varying shapes, configuration, and amount.During testing, deflections, strains in main reinforcement, concrete, and stirrups weremonitored. Recorded capacities of specimens with shear reinforcement reached ashigh as 300% of those without shear reinforcement. Laboratory recorded shearstrengths at failure are compared with theoretical strengths calculated according to the current Egyptian Code procedures and the reviewed international codes.Further, the shear capacity of tested specimens was assessed in the light of themodified compression field theory. Test results clearly demonstrated that the shearreinforcement significantly improved the shear capacity and enhanced the ductility ofthe tested specimens. As such, the study concludes that the vertical stirrups areeffective as shear reinforcement in embedded beams and in one-way hollow blockslabs. A simplified empirical formula for predicting the shear strength of suchelements is also proposed based on the Egyptian Code provisions.

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF RIBBED SLAB

The traditional analysis methods recommended by design codes such as ACI 318-95 (Building 1995), BS 8110 (structural 1997) and ECP 203 ‘Egyptian code (2007)’ allow the ribbed slab to be analyzed in accordance with the rules for solid slab or as the plain flat slab. The traditional method doesn’t take into consideration a lot of factors in the analysis such as thickness of slab and depth of the ribs. The ribbed slabs were analyzed in this study using the finite element method through SAP 2000 program. The structure was analyzed as oneunit in two dimensions x and y. This study included one way and two way slabs. This study illustrated the difference in the produced internal forces in the ribs between traditional method and the finite element method. Moreover, this study included the investigation of the factors which aren’t taken into account in the traditional method. These factors were the connection between the rib and the supported beam, the effect of solid part on the behavior of rib, the effect of the edge beams on the distribution loads on ribs, the effect of cross ribs, the effect of slab thickness, the effect of the depth of rib, the effect of slab width and the effect of the location of rib.

SEISMIC EVALUATION AND RETROFIT OF AN ASYMMETRIC REINFORCED CONCRETE FLAT SLAB BUILDING

Seismic performance evaluation of existing structures and retrofit strategies are considered as a complicated multi-criteria problem. This study presents a performance evaluation of a gravity load designed or designed to earlier codes six stories asymmetrical flat slab building. Building with flat slab system may lack the required lateral stiffness to withstand seismic lateral loads. Three different retrofit systems to increase the lateral strength and stiffness of the building are proposed and examined. These systems include the addition of external frames, using shear walls and introducing steel knee bracing. The 3-D nonlinear pushover analysis procedure is utilized in evaluating the seismic performance of the original building and the retrofitted one, capacity and demand spectrum curves are presented for each studied case. The results are compared with elastic time history analysis method. Three different real earthquake records with intensities suitable for zones I, III and IV appeared in the renewed (2003) version of the Egyptian code of loads are utilized. It is found that the applied 3-D nonlinear analysis can be considered as a powerful tool in evaluating the seismic performance of frame structures. The study also shows that how can every suggested retrofitting system upgrade the seismic behavior of the gravity load designed flat slab building. Cost analysis comparison study is carried out.

A framework for a seismic risk model for Greater Cairo

Following the adverse effects caused by the moderate M s 5.4 event of October 1992, the need to model the risk from earthquakes occurring in or near Cairo was shown to be an essential tool to offset this threat in the future. To provide the necessary elements for a risk model, this paper describes a methodology for developing a ground-shaking model as well as an inventory database for the city. In the first part, a scheme is followed to integrate data on geological structures, seismic sources, seismicity and surface soil conditions to build-up an event-based hazard model. In the second part, a brief review of the history of seismic provisions in Egyptian codes is presented, and a detailed assessment of local maps and information is supplemented by results from street surveys to obtain building stock data and geographical resolutions. On the basis of these studies, the city is divided into a number of census-tracts, or geo-codes, of classified building and soil characteristics, representing a fundamental step towards the development of a full loss model.

A Survey Study of Board Practices at Large Firms in Egypt

Good corporate governance is essential for companies in reaching their full competitive potential in the global marketplace with unimpeded access to capital for their growth. During the recent years, Egypt has embraced a reform agenda that resulted in significant economic growth and substantial increase in foreign direct investment attracted into the country, with large gains for investors in the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange, the CASE. This growth has drawn special attention to the corporate governance practices by listed companies, and particularly disclosure and implementation of international standards for accounting and auditing. Boards are vital in improving company performance and ensuring fair treatment for all shareholders. To fulfill their role, boards must be both able and willing to exercise objective and independent judgment so that all publicly held companies disclose adequate information to shareholders about how their boards work and to fully implement the board structures and practices. The Egyptian Code of Corporate Governance was published in 2005 to provide guidance for all corporates in Egypt. The purpose of this first survey of Egyptian corporate boards is to analyze compliance with the Code relative to the general board practices among the top 30 companies traded in CASE. Secondly, to seek possible ways in which good corporate governance may further improve the overall business and investment environment in Egypt. The survey looks at (a) the composition of the boards of directors; (b) the committee structures; (c) disclosure and transparency practices; and, (d) the board control environment. Preliminary indicators show that Egyptian boards score high on some of the key elements of effective boards. Other elements, however, still need considerable improvements if those boards are to become more effective in implementing good corporate governance. Overall, large Egyptian firms represented by the top 30 CASE listed companies have some clear strengths but still face challenges in catching up with the global best practices, while striving to reach full, voluntary compliance with the Egyptian Code of Corporate Governance of 2005. The survey also provides policy implications for Egyptian capital market regulators and offers guidance to investors in the largest listed Egyptian companies to demand improvements from their boards. Additionally, the paper will help in development and the implementation of market relevant board practices.

INVESTIGATION OF SHAFT AND BASE RESISTANCE OF A SINGLE BORED PILE USING OSTERBERG CELL

Evaluation of pile capacity in soil is an engineering problem of soil-structure interaction. Soil-pile interaction plays an important role in the analysis and design of pile foundations. Geotechnical engineers have recognized this role and many studies have focused on several aspects of the topics related to determination of pile resistance. There are different methods available to predict the ultimate load of a single bored pile, such as theory of bearing capacity of the soil foundation, based on pile load test, semi-empirical methods using in-situ test results, and empirical formulae were suggested by different codes of practice. Still the most reliable method to determine the bearing capacity of a pile is by static load test. This study investigates some of the important problems related to soil-pile interaction. Specific problems examined here include: identify of skin friction and end bearing resistance of pile separately, comparison between the measured results obtained from experimental methods presented by Osterberg cell, (Ocell), or conventional tests and these obtained from equations of Egyptian code for soil mechanics and foundations to evaluate and verify the applicability of different methods. The experimental results were used to study the effect of the different parameters such as pile diameter, D, pile length to pile diameter ratio (L/D), and relative density (Dr) on the pile shaft and pile base resistances of bored piles. Also, in this research, the coefficients of lateral soil pressure (KH) and bearing capacity factor (Nq) have been studied. From this study, It can be found that both pile shaft and pile base resistances have affected by the parameters D, L/D, and Dr.

PREDICTION OF SHEAR STRENGTH OF HIGH STRENGTH REINFORCED CONCRETE TEE BEAMS

Results of an theoretical investigation of the shear strength of reinforced concrete tee beams made from high strength concrete are summarized in this paper. In addition to the effect of both flange to web width ratio of tee beams and compressive strength of the concrete, the effect of other variables such as shear span to depth ratio, percentage of both tension steel and web reinforcement were taken into consideration in predicting shear strength of high strength reinforced concrete tee beams. Finite element method was used to analyze twenty six beams subjected to two point static loading. Proposed equation to estimate the shear strength of the analyzed beams was developed. The predicated shear strengths by the proposed equation were compared with Zustty, ACI code, Egyptian code.

The Symbolic Power of Gold

G is physically and metaphorically one of the most malleable metals on the planet: one gram of gold can be beaten into a 1-square meter sheet, and gold has been used as a symbol for everything from devotion to wealth and power. Some think that gold might have been the first metal ever used by humans; prospecting for gold was common for centuries before it was ever used as money. One of the early uses of gold was the worship and glorification of gods and idols. This was a worldwide phenomenon, evident on every continent where the element was naturally present. Gold was used extensively in religious ceremonies and burial rituals across a wide variety of belief systems. The metal’s importance is also evident in the Greek myth of King Midas, who requested that the gods give him the power to create gold from any substance using only his touch. The Romans came to use gold extensively in jewelry and eventually adopted gold rings as a symbol of romantic engagement. Biblical references to gold helped solidify the connection between gold and God. In addition to its role in religious ceremonies and artifacts, the use of gold in both secular and religious art flourished throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. Indeed, historians report that many artists, including the famous Boticelli, were formally trained as goldsmith apprentices. Royal families displayed gold extensively as a symbol of their wealth and power and particularly as a means of linking themselves more closely to the church, from which they derived a great deal of their credibility. The worldwide fascination with gold led to its wide acceptance as a store of value and a means of exchange–in other words, as money. Since different civilizations and cultures could easily recognize the metal and negotiate its value, gold facilitated trade and the movement of goods around the known world. Gold’s value was first formally codified as superior to that of silver, by a 2–1 margin, in the Egyptian code of Menes. The kingdom of Lydia was the first to coin gold around 643–630 B.C., and gold quickly became a key element in the wide acceptance of the idea of money. Gold was still considered the most powerful representation of wealth in the 19th and 20th centuries, when many nations adopted the gold standard. This system directly linked the amount of a nation’s currency in circulation with the amount of gold that it held in reserve, and adopting this standard helped facilitate the development of a world economy in the midto late-1800s.

Assignment of Rights and Debts in the draft Civil Law of Palestine (A Comparative Study)

This research deals with the assignment of rights and debts under the draft civil law of Palestine. The researcher uses an analytical and comparative method in discussing all different aspects of the assignment. Comparison has been made with the legal provisions regulating the assignment in the civil law of Jordan influenced by Islamic jurisprudence and the legal provisions of the civil law of Egypt influenced by Western jurisprudence. Consideration has been also made to the courts’ decisions applying the related legal provisions of both Jordan and Egypt. The research clarifies that the Palestinian draft takes its provisions, in this regard, from the Egyptian Code almost word for word. In the conclusion, the researcher recommends that Palestinian provisions shall be reviewed to be much more in accord with the Jordanian civil law and other Arab Codes followed its approach. The grounds standing behind this recommendation are that, all these latest Arab Codes have been influenced by Islamic jurisprudence which is actually more suitable to the Palestinian legal environment

'TO HOLD THE HAND OF THE WEAK': THE EMERGENCE OF CONTRACTUAL JUSTICE IN THE EGYPTIAN CIVIL LAW

AbstractIn this essay I argue that the Egyptian Civil Code of 1949 sought to minimize the polarization of Egyptian society and to forge a new community based on the concepts of compassion, forgiveness and fairness. To this end the New Code abandoned the liberal/individualistic tendency of its predecessors, which, it claimed, was destructive to Egyptian society. Instead, the New Code advocated a contractual sociological approach that upholds the weak stratum in society.

Observations from the 12 October 1992 Dahshour earthquake in Egypt

An earthquake of local magnitude 5.3 (duration magnitudeM d ) on the Richter Scale occurred at Dahshour, 18 km south of Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, 12 October 1992 at 3:09 pm (local time). Numerous aftershocks followed the main event during the following weeks with magnitude up to 4.3. The earthquake occurred in an area that has had no recent seismic activity, and affected many cities in Egypt. Many buildings and monuments were severely damaged or collapsed. Modern concrete skeletal structures suffered minor nonstructural damage. Earthquake physical damage was estimated at about one billion U.S. Dollars. The severity of the damage was mainly due to poor construction materials and detailing, aging, inferior workmanship, and inadequate maintenance. Egypt was generally considered to be an area of moderate seismic activity. In 1989, earthquake provisions were first introduced in the Egyptian Code of Practice for Reinforced Concrete Structures only. The earthquake clearly showed the urgent need for an assessment and rehabilitation program to mitigate seismic risk hazard in existing structures. In addition, future development planning, and earthquake preparedness strategies should implement lessons learned from the event. In this paper, an overview discussion about the observations from the 12 October earthquake is presented.

The Draft Arbitration Law in Egypt

The effeciiveness of clauses providing for arbitration before an international arbitral institution has been the cause of some concern to those entering into contracts with public or private sector entities in Egypt. Such arbitration clauses had been considered by most authorities to be effective in ousting the jurisdiction of the Egyptian Courts (at least until such Courts were applied to for an enforcement order). This position was to a large extent founded on the fact that the Egyptian Code on Civil and Commercial Procedure permits parties to a dispute to submit to arbitration as an alternative to the jurisdiction of the Courts and the fact that Egypt is a signatory state of the New York Conlrention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of 1958.1 During recent years, however, there have been a number of attempts to challenge international arbitration proceedings and to question the validity of the arbitration clauses themselves. Some of these challenges have relied upon a provision in the Egyptian Code on Civil and Commercial Procedure requiring the arbitration clause or agreement to actually appoint the arbitrators. Arguments have been advanced in order to make this requirement a matter of public policy applicable to international arbitration. Hence notwithstanding the agreement of the parties to submit to a chosen form of arbitration parties have attempted to frustrate this agreement by arguing that certain provisions contained in the domestic law on arbitration are overriding matters of public policy.2 The Egyptian Code on Civil and Commercial Procedure was enacted in 1968 and was prepared exclusisrely with domestic arbitration in mind. Because of the special considerations relevant to the increasing use of international arbitration a number of countries, primarily in Europe, have enacted legislation to govern specifically this