Two-storey Building Research Articles

Geotechnical characteristics of the clayey soils and rocks of the North Lefkoşa, Nicosia, Cyprus

This paper outlines the engineering geological properties of the clayey soils of North Lefkosa (Nicosia, Cyprus). On the basis of their physical properties and their engineering characteristics, the Miocene, Pliocene and Quaternary deposits were divided into six units: unconsolidated man-made fill, unconsolidated surficial recent alluvium, unconsolidated surficial young alluvium, consolidated old alluvium, highly weathered soft rock units and slightly weathered relatively resistant rock units. Laboratory tests indicated a generally high swelling potential, which would account for the damage seen in many single and two-storey buildings as well as major roads.

Establishment of Primary Care Centre for University Malaysia Sabah

University Malaysia Sabah campus moved to its present site in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in 1999. A health centre was included in the development plans and a two-storey building was constructed to provide the facility for in-patient and out-patient care. Clinical catchments include 10,000 students, 1000 academic and support staff. The medical faculty was inaugurated in 2003, and it was given the responsibility to establish and run the facility for students and staff of the University. This paper describes the development of the facility from merely a physical structure to what is now a comprehensive, functional outpatient service catering for student healthcare, screening, preventive medicine and health promotional activities. Currently, these services are provided by the faculty members of the Medical School. The incorporation of the medical student teaching and collaborative research adds intangible value to the facility. Future plans for expansion include specialist medical services.

Anomalous indoor radon concentration in a dwelling in Qatif city, Saudi Arabia

An indoor radon survey was carried out recently in nine cities of Saudi Arabia using nuclear track detectors (NTD)-based passive radon detectors. The survey included Qatif City in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, where 225 detectors were collected back successfully. It was found that the average indoor radon concentration in the dwellings was 22 +/- 15 Bq m(-3). However, one of the dwellings showed an anomalous radon concentration of 535 +/- 23 Bq m(-3). This finding led to a detailed investigation of this dwelling using active and passive techniques. In the active technique, an AlphaGUARD 2000 PRQ radon gas analyser was used. In the passive technique, CR-39 based passive radon detectors were used in all the rooms of the dwelling. Radon exhalation from the wall and the floor was also measured using the can technique. The active measurement confirms the passive one. Before placing the passive radon detectors in all the rooms of the two-storey building, the inhabitant was advised to ventilate his house regularly. The radon concentration in the different rooms was found to vary from 124 to 302 Bq m(-3). Radon exhalation from the floor and the wall of the room with the anomalous radon concentration was found to vary from 0.5 to 0.8 Bq m(-2) h(-1). These low radon exhalation rates suggest that the anomalous radon concentration is most probably due to underground radon diffusion into the dwelling through cracks and joints in the concrete floor.

The Three-Dimensional form of the Amarna House

Although the ground plans of over a thousand houses have been recovered during excavations at the site of el-Amarna, the three-dimensional form of these houses remains a matter of debate. The question of reconstruction is important as discussion of the typicality of Amarna domestic architecture, as well as broader issues of urbanism in the New Kingdom, involve comparisons between Amarna houses and houses at Thebes, known principally from tomb paintings. Here, analysis of ground plans is used to argue that Amarna houses were predominantly two-storey buildings closely related to Theban dwellings, although the latter may have been more closely packed and taller as a result of years of infilling. House P47.24 illustrates the move toward increasing density at el-Amarna.

GLOBAL DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION OF THE ‘STEELQUAKE’ STRUCTURE USING MODAL DATA

This paper deals with the important question of structural safety after extreme loadings like an earthquake. The structure investigated here is the so-called ‘Steelquake’ benchmark structure, a two-storey building which was subjected by an artificial seismic loading causing cracks at three locations. The aim of the method is the identification of multiple damage. It is based on the changes of the measured eigenfrequencies and normal modes before and after the pseudo-seismic event. The measured changes of the modal quantities and the physical structural changes are linked together by means of a computational model. This leads to an inverse problem. Four different model-based approaches are discussed and applied to the benchmark structure. The ability of these approaches to find the damage is investigated and it is shown that all three cracks could be identified.

Damage ratios for low-rise non-domestic brick buildings in the magnitude 7.1 Wairarapa, New Zealand, earthquake of 24 June 1942

An analysis of damage costs to low-rise non-domestic brick buildings in the MM8 intensity zone of the Mw 7.1 Wairarapa earthquake of 24 June 1942 has evaluated the vulnerability of such buildings in New Zealand for the first time. The buildings studied were mostly of unreinforced brick of average workmanship and material quality, i.e. the second most vulnerable class of New Zealand buildings. Approximate vulnerabilities were also determined for partly reinforced and partly retrofitted buildings, and for one and two-storey buildings. The costs of damage were derived from insurance claims and local government records. The indicators of vulnerability that were determined were the statistical distributions and mean values of damage ratios, and the percentage of buildings damaged. Comparisons have also been made with results from studies of other earthquakes.

Impact of energy-conservation measures on cooling load and air-conditioning plant capacity

Energy conservation measures have been in practice in Kuwait since 1983, through a well defined code of practice enforced by the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW). Additional energy-efficient products and techniques developed thereafter, however, have not been introduced as the electricity is highly subsidized and the code has not been modified. Application of some of the cost-effective energy-conservation measures and use of cool storage for peak-power shaving have been carried out as a demonstration project in a two-storeyed building housing the Center for Speech and Audio Therapy (CSAT). As a first step, the cooling load of the building was reestimated using an energy simulation computer program and proper design specifications. It was found to be 31.4% lower than the original estimated load of 161.3 tons of refrigeration (RT, 1 RT=3.517 kW of heat absorption), which is equal to 567.3 kW. Use of energy-efficient windows and cooling recovery units were found to be cost-effective and resulted in a final building load of 64.5 RT. Finally, ice storage was incorporated to meet 50% of the peak cooling-load.

Spherical Dome of Laminated Birch Plywood, Finland

At the Linnanmäki Amusement Park in Helsinki, the Owner wanted to establish a restaurant for children and youths, the form of which would reflect the shape of one of the most popular products on the menu. The Architect came up with an idea of a round two-storey wooden building with a diameter of about 17 m, whose shape is reminiscent of a hamburger. It was decided that the restaurant hall on the second floor should be entirely open and that the form of the ceiling should be convex outwards. In this context an idea emerged that the roof could be a dome with the load-bearing members left exposed.

Seismic response of two-storey buildings with concentrically braced steel frames

The seismic performance of two-storey steel buildings with concentrically braced frames as the lateral load resisting system is evaluated. The buildings are designed in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada (1995) and CSA Standard S16.1-94 for five seismic zones in western Canada. Only frames designed with a force modification factor of 1.5 are considered. Analytical models of the buildings are developed, which consider the nonlinear seismic behaviour of the concentrically braced frame, the shear strength of the roof diaphragm, and the stiffness and strength contributions of the nonstructural partitions. The seismic response is estimated with nonlinear static and dynamic time history analyses. Roof diaphragm flexibility does not influence the dynamic behaviour significantly. The distribution of lateral forces from response spectrum analysis agrees well with that specified. Current design procedures provide reasonable estimates of the lateral drift in low and moderate seismic zones. Brace ductility demands are reasonable and may be limited due to the contributions of nonstructural partitions. However, in moderate and high seismic zones, the connections, beams, columns, and roof diaphragm are overloaded. The capacity design procedure is recommended to provide adequate resistance to the overloaded components.Key words: analyses, capacity design, concentrically braced frame, diaphragm, dynamic, earthquake, low-rise, nonlinear, seismic design, steel.

Seismic response of two-storey buildings with concentrically braced steel frames

Seismic response of two-storey buildings with concentrically braced steel frames

Wind action and temperature difference effects on the ventilation rate of a two-storey building communicating with the outside environment by a chimney

In this paper a simplified analytical model to predict the ventilation rates, internal pressures and temperatures as influenced by the combined effects of thermal buoyancy and wind action is applied to a simple example of practical importance. It consists of a two-storey building communicating with the outside environment through a semi-opened window at each storey and a common chimney. The rational approach formulation of the problem combines experimental information on pressure distributions due to wind, on pressure drop coefficients of the air circulation through wall openings and on the performance of a chimney as a natural ventilator, with the numerical solution of the thermal and dynamic governing equations. The results emphasize the relative importance of thermal and dynamic variables, including wind incidence and the role of the chimney.

SCHLUMBERGER CAMBRIDGE RESEARCH LTD. PHASE 2.

Schlumberger Cambridge Research Ltd is part of the worldwide Schlumberger group, which specializes in high technology reserach for oil companies. Its laboratory in Cambridge is situated on the western outskirts of the city, within the well-known 'tent' structure building with its white reflective skin. However, following expansion, the company needed a new building for extra laboratory and office space. It was decided that the general concept of the Solid State Logic building (near Oxford) would suit the new Schlumberger laboratory, namely (a) a two-storey building with almost all the servicing contained within the raised floor at first floor level, (b) first floor cantilevered from the ground, all round, (c) full height glazing at ground and first floor, (d) exterior retractable blinds for shading at first floor, (e) a flat roof, (f) external first-floor perimeter columns.

Radon Mitigation in Schools Utilising Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems

As part of a continuing radon in schools technology development effort, EPA's School Evaluation Team has performed radon mitigation in schools by the method of ventilation/pressurisation control technology. Ventilation rates were increased, at a minimum, to meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (ASHRAE 62-1989). This paper presents the results and the preliminary evaluations which led to the team's decision to implement this technology. Factors considered include energy penalties, comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), building shell tightness, and equipment costs. Cost benefit of heat recovery ventilation was also considered. Earlier results of the SEP team's efforts have indicated a severe ventilation problem within the schools of the United States. An integrated approach to radon mitigation in schools and other large buildings which control radon as well as improve overall IAQ should be the goal of radon remediation where practical. Two case studies are presented where HVAC technology was implemented for controlling radon concentrations. One involved the installation of a heat recovery ventilator to depressurise a crawl space and provide ventilation to the classrooms which previously had no mechanical ventilation. The other involved the restoration of a variable air volume system in a two-storey building. The HVAC system's controls were restored and modified to provide a constant building pressure differential to control the entry of radon. Pre-mitigation and post-mitigation indoor air pollutant measurements were taken, including radon, carbon dioxide (CO2), particulates, and bio-aerosols. Long-term monitoring of radon, CO2 building pressure differentials, and indoor/outdoor temperature and relative humidity is presented.

Radon Mitigation in Schools Utilising Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems

Abstract As part of a continuing radon in schools technology development effort, EPA's School Evaluation Team has performed radon mitigation in schools by the method of ventilation/pressurisation control technology. Ventilation rates were increased, at a minimum, to meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (ASHRAE 62-1989). This paper presents the results and the preliminary evaluations which led to the team's decision to implement this technology. Factors considered include energy penalties, comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), building shell tightness, and equipment costs. Cost benefit of heat recovery ventilation was also considered. Earlier results of the SEP team's efforts have indicated a severe ventilation problem within the schools of the United States. An integrated approach to radon mitigation in schools and other large buildings which control radon as well as improve overall IAQ should be the goal of radon remediation where practical. Two case studies are presented where HVAC technology was implemented for controlling radon concentrations. One involved the installation of a heat recovery ventilator to depressurise a crawl space and provide ventilation to the classrooms which previously had no mechanical ventilation. The other involved the restoration of a variable air volume system in a two-storey building. The HVAC system's controls were restored and modified to provide a constant building pressure differential to control the entry of radon. Pre-mitigation and post-mitigation indoor air pollutant measurements were taken, including radon, carbon dioxide (CO2), particulates, and bio-aerosols. Long-term monitoring of radon, CO2 building pressure differentials, and indoor/outdoor temperature and relative humidity is presented.

Structure formation of slag ash concrete on the basis of high-calcium fly ash and silica fume

Cementless slag ash concrete may be manufactured using high-calcium fly ash and silica fume as replacements for a binder and a microfiller, and incorporating slag sand from thermal power plants (TPP) as an aggregate. This concrete consists of waste products from TPP (fly ash and slag) and ferro-alloy plants (silica fume) and contains neither natural nor artificial aggregates for lightweight and heavy concretes. Silica fume (10–20% by weight of ash) and hot water together with subsequent heat treatment of concrete products or of castin situ structures binds the excess free calcium oxide present in the ash, and thus prevents deterioration of the concrete. The processes of concrete structure formation were investigated after 24 hours, 28 days, 3 and 6 months and the physico-mechanical, deformation and special properties (frost resistance, heat conductivity, protection of reinforcement from corrosion) were studied. This concrete conforms to the Russian Federation GOST requirement for use in single, two-storey buildings. The cost of the concrete is reduced by a factor of 3 compared with that of ordinary concrete.

The Great Tower in the Twelfth Century: The Case of Norham Castle

The Great Tower of Norham Castle has been considered to be a typical example of a two-cell rectangular donjon, divided unequally by a spine wall. Examination of the fabric shows that its history was much more complex, and that it was originally constructed in the early twelfth century as a single unit, two-storeyed building, perhaps as a ceremonial chamber above a vault. During the later twelfth century a second unit, containing private chambers and an upper room in a tower, was added against the original structure, and the present rectangular shape was achieved only as the result of further rebuilding during the fifteenth century. Parallels are suggested in the bishops' palaces of the twelfth century, and the significance of Norham for our appreciation of the complexity of design of great towers is emphasized.

Pile-driving Induced Vibration and its Transmission to Buildings

The paper reports a case study of pile-driving induced vibration and its transmission to buildings which was carried out in the construction site of the Phase IV development of the Hong Kong Polytechnic. Ground vibration caused by driving prestressed concrete tubular piles using a diesel hammer in the. reclaimed site are measured and analysed. Vibrations transmitted from the driving source to a concrete pavement, a two-storey building with shallow foundation and an eight-storey building with deep foundation are also measured and analysed The results are discussed and compared with those given by other researchers.

Les manoirs du canton de Sablé (XVe-XVIe siècles)

Manors in the Sablé canton 15th and 16th centuries. A survey located 34 manors, built or considerably modified during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. These manors are practically always two-storey buildings whilst the local farm house of the same period have only a ground floor. The architectural appearance of the first floor is more elaborate than the ground floor, although apertures have frequently been altered. Each floor, in general, has two separate rooms, except for a few larger manors which have at least three rooms in buildings with an L plan or — in one case — a U plan. In the manors studied, the relations between the ground plan and the façade and between the different façades are very complex. One façade may have casement windows whilst another will have half casement windows ; furthermore, these may alternate so that one façade will be the mirror image of the other. Where the relations between plan and façade are concerned, the combination of a large and a small room will found expression in the façade with a window twice as large as another. Elsewhere, the façade may be lacking in symmetry and bearing little relation to the ground plan ; others still may have symmetrical façades but still with no relation to ground plan.

Charleston, South Australia

AbstractA description of a small hamlet located in the Adelaide Hills, which was settled by English immigrants who came from the West Country. The early history of South Australia is briefly discussed and then that of Charleston and its founders, the Newman and Dunn families. Their properties are described and illustrated, in particular the Dunns' farm which represents a traditional Devonshire farmstead built of cob. By contrast the Newman house was a two-storey stone building echoing the palladianism reflected in early 19th-century English farmhouses. These properties lie adjacent to one another and are significant examples of English migrant building styles. The article derives from 'Lobethal: Valley of Praise', a heritage survey report which was prepared in 1982 for the South Australian Heritage Conservation branch by the S.A. Centre for Settlement Studies, and dealt with an early German township and its surrounding hamlets.

Grupo Escolar Solferino Colombes-Francia

This school complex is divided into three different facilities, one for boys, one for girls and a kindergarten, all in a two-storey Steel structure building. The dining halls and kitchen are located in a separate building connected to the main one, the toilets and the medical department, being a part of the connecting area. The design of the entire complex is highly decorative and yet, very functional.