Various Types Of Buildings Research Articles

HAZUS-MH Flood Loss Estimation Methodology. II. Damage and Loss Assessment

Part I of this two-part paper provided an overview of the HAZUS-MH Flood Model and a discussion of its capabilities for characterizing riverine and coastal flooding. Included was a discussion of the Flood Information Tool, which permits rapid analysis of a wide variety of stream discharge data and topographic mapping to determine flood-frequencies over entire floodplains. This paper reports on the damage and loss estimation capability of the Flood Model, which includes a library of more than 900 damage curves for use in estimating damage to various types of buildings and infrastructure. Based on estimated property damage, the model estimates shelter needs and direct and indirect economic losses arising from floods. Analyses for the effects of flood warning, the benefits of levees, structural elevation, and flood mapping restudies are also facilitated with the Flood Model.

How one emergency plan works in a complex research facility

Evacuating a pharmaceutical research complex presents a multitude of challenges. The Pfizer Global Research and Development (PGRD) Ann Arbor Laboratories include a variety of building types and functions over eight distinct sites within a 20-mile radius. A single, comprehensive evacuation/severe weather shelter plan is used to ensure the life safety of all PGRD colleagues. The system utilizes volunteer Safety Wardens and Safety Monitors who are organized in a pyramid structure with the Chief Warden presiding at the top. The group strives to keep up with continuous change in the form of construction, demolition, staff relocation, and staff addition/departure. The safety department uses a diverse bag of tricks to recruit, retain, train and drill our program volunteers. PGRD Ann Arbor Laboratories has maintained an effective Emergency Evacuation Program in spite of the explosion in growth we have experienced in the last decade.

A Survey of Romanesque Vaulting in Great Britain and Ireland

This paper examines the use of vaults in ecclesiastical and secular architecture in Great Britain and Ireland from 1066 to around nyo. We commence with an investigation of the distribution of vaults in various types of buildings. Local workshop traditions are explored and aspects of architectural iconography are considered. The gazetteer provides full references to one-word place names in the text, along with descriptions of the vaults and bibliographical references.

The Domestic Architecture of Slavery at George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, the eighteenth‐century plantation of George Washington, was home to a large, dispersed, and highly organized community of enslaved workers. Information available in the form of documentary evidence, archaeological data, and extant structures is sufficient to reconstruct the system of slave housing in use there. The resulting case study not only documents the various types of buildings used to house the slaves at the plantation of one of Virginia's wealthiest and most powerful citizens but also provides insight into the factors that influenced Washington and his fellow planters in making their decisions regarding the nature of the domestic accommodations afforded their slaves.

Prompt magnetic investigations of archaeological remains in areas of infrastructure development: Israeli experience

AbstractMagnetic prospecting is the most widely used method for the investigation of archaeological remains in the world. This method is often applied before and during various engineering exploration (e.g. road construction, preparing areas for various types of building) and areas of agricultural utilization. Taking into account an extremely high concentration of archaeological sites of different age at Israeli territory, prompt geophysical–archaeological assessment of areas allocated for engineering and agricultural utilization, is a necessary preliminary component of the design process. However, noise both of natural and artificial origin strongly complicates interpretation of observed magnetic anomalies. The most significant disturbing factors are oblique magnetization (magnetization vector in the Israeli territory is inclined about 45°), complex geological structure (presence of a variety of disturbing bodies) of investigated site, influence of rugged topography, as well as influence of modern iron‐containing objects. The non‐conventional procedures developed by the authors are intended for application in such complicated environments and include elimination of noise from various sources, selection of ‘useful’ anomalies against the noise background, qualitative and quantitative interpretation of anomalies and three‐dimensional physical–geological modelling. Effective integration of these procedures with other interpretation methods allowed rapid localization of tens of archaeological remains and their protection from unpremeditated destruction. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A search for cultural and contextual identity in contemporary Arctic architecture

AbstractThis paper describes a two-decade search for a means of giving cultural and/or contextual identity to contemporary architecture in Arctic Québec. Although the search took place in Arctic Québec and for the Inuit of that area, it is proposed that the process and the examples could be useful for the Arctic in general. The notion of global uniformity in architecture is presented and the possible disappearance of the identity of any small cultural group and its consequences are considered. The lack of visual indicators in contemporary Arctic architecture is discussed, and it is suggested that the buildings were not designed for the Inuit people or for a very harsh climate in an unusual physical environment. A few examples of buildings from the early 1970s to more recent times, which display some hint of cultural or contextual sensitivity, are discussed. Definitions for culture and context from various architects, theorists, critics, and organisations are given. An analytical framework that correlates Arctic cultural and contextual sources with three different perceptual levels of expression to be integrated into a design at various levels of architectural representation is set out. A research project on culturally appropriate Inuit housing and several architectural design studios on a variety of building types are then delineated, giving a brief account of their genesis as well as a discussion of their cultural/contextual sources of inspiration, the perceptual level of expression, and the level of architectural representation.

Vibration control of various types of buildings using TLCD

The effectiveness of the TLCD in reducing the along-wind response of tall buildings is investigated. Variety of buildings with different mass-stiffness distributions (e.g. uniform, linear, abrupt variation) modeled as shear wall and rigid frame systems are studied. A continuum formulation is adopted, which provides response statistics along the entire height of the structure. The performance of the TLCD is discussed with respect to the mode shapes of buildings. A numerical example, illustrating that a second damper could greatly improve the overall response of certain type of buildings is also presented.

Experimental evaluation of night ventilation phenomena

The present paper aims to investigate, in a systematic way, and by using both experimental and theoretical tools, the potential of night ventilation techniques when applied to full scale buildings, under different structure, design, ventilation, and climatic characteristics. Also, to investigate the impact and the limitations of night ventilation techniques regarding the thermal behavior of various types of buildings. Real scale measurements in three buildings operating under free-floating and air conditioning conditions have been performed. The cooling potential of night ventilation techniques applied to buildings operating under different conditions and with variable air flow rates, has been experimentally and theoretically studied. Additionally, sensitivity analysis on the impact of the major parameters determining the phenomena has also been carried out. Practical considerations on the impact of main parameters are given.

Removal Characteristics of Coliform Bacteria in Biological Reactors at Domestic Wastewater Treatment System.

Total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and pathogenic Escherichia coli O157: H7 were measured in domestic wastewater and biologically treated wastewater from 75 treatment plants serving various types of buildings. The means for the influents of all the plants were 3.7×105 CFU/ml of total coliforms, 1.4×105 CFU/ml of fecal coliforms, and pathogenic E. coli O157 was not detected. The means for the effluents were 4.6×103 CFU/ml of total coliforms, and 1.1×103 CFU/ml of fecal coliforms. Seventy-nine percent of the plants complied with the effluent standards, revealing that efficient treatment can considerably reduce total coliforms even before disinfection. In Johkasous serving multiple dwelling houses, total coliforms in the influents showed relatively small time-serial and seasonal variations, and flow equalization tanks contributed to efficient treatment, resulting in the constant presence of few bacteria in the effluents.A high correlation was obtained between total coliforms and fecal coliforms. A correlation was also found between BOD and total coliforms in the effluents. Total coliforms can be decreased by extending the retention time in a biological reactor, where nitrification can proceed. So operation methods which promote nitrification can reduce total coliforms effectively. The mean removal efficiency of total coliforms was higher using the activated sludge process than the contact aeration process.

A New Concept for the Acoustic Requirements in the Norwegian Building Regulations

A new concept for building regulations together with sound and vibration classification standards are introduced. The regulations, which are harmonised with EC directives, specify general acoustic and vibration requirements. A new Norwegian Standard, NS 8175, was prepared in parallel with the new technical regulations. The standard specifies the detailed technical acoustic requirements and classes for the various types of buildings concerned. The sound insulation and noise criteria are given in four classes A, B, C and D. The classification system makes it possible to choose better acoustic qualities and climate in buildings. Another new standard, NS 8176, containing a measurement method for determining vibrations from heavy road and rail transport, and a similar classification system as for acoustic conditions, based on dose-effect relationship, is in preparation.

Concert hall design: A consultant’s perspective and retrospective

Architectural environments for symphonic performances can perhaps be described as one of the most complex problems in physical acoustics due to the multiplicity of sound source–path–receiver systems present in listening spaces. On the other hand, people performed and enjoyed listening to music in architectural and outdoor spaces long before the development of architectural acoustics as a scientific discipline and well before there were acoustical consultants. This paper describes one practitioner’s historical perspective and analysis of the problem as it relates to public concert hall design and musical performance over the last several centuries and how the interrelationship between the two has actually fashioned the traditional symphonic environment. Based on this analysis, a methodology will be discussed to successfully replicate traditional symphonic environments utilizing psychoacoustic rather than geometric guidelines. The results of applying this methodology in a variety of building types over a period of 40 years, e.g., concert halls, recital halls, music pavillions, multiuse halls, etc., will be discussed. Both physical and electroacoustical solutions will be presented to support the author’s original analytic premise.

Seismic Performance Evaluation of Fire Stations in Shelby County, Tennessee

This paper presents an evaluation of the seismic performance of fire stations in Shelby County, Tennessee. Data relevant to 71 fire stations were collected and implemented as a database using Professional MapInfo. The peak ground accelerations resulting from two scenario earthquakes with moment magnitudes of 6.5 and 7.0 at Marked Tree, Arkansas, were estimated at these fire stations. Furthermore, the fragility curves for various types of buildings in the Memphis area were established based on the fragility data available in the literature. Using these fragility curves, the expected damage to all the fire stations caused by both scenario earthquakes was determined. The results indicate that most of the fire stations will suffer moderate to heavy damage and are expected to be out of operation after the earthquakes. Thus, the authorities need to take appropriate action to mitigate the risks posed by the loss of fire stations.

Unit costs for decontamination and dismantlement of structures

AbstractA series of relationships have been developed for estimating unit costs for decontamination and dismantlement (D&D) of a number of structure types. These relationships may be applied in the absence of other data to obtain rough order‐of‐magnitude cost estimates for D&D activities. The relationships were developed using D&D costs estimated for various types of buildings at the U.S. Department of Energy Fernald site. These unit costs take into account the level of radiological contamination as well as the building size and type.

Seismic level of protection for building structures

The seismic level of protection of building structures is concerned with the performance of the structures during strong seismic shaking. Performance expectations, for both functionality and life-safety objectives, are related to structural response parameters such as deflection, interstorey drift, and damage. This article describes a research framework for the evaluation of the level of protection and its potential application to the evaluation of the level of protection provided by the seismic provisions of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). This framework is described in terms of four distinct facets or dimensions, namely seismic hazard, seismic design, response and damage, and vulnerability. The evaluation of the NBCC level of protection for a variety of building types is discussed, including a detailed description of a pilot project on a six-storey reinforced concrete office frame structure. A brief description is given of other potential applications of the framework, including rehabilitation strategies for existing buildings, repair and replacement costs, and seismic design for low to moderate seismic hazard regions.

Fading characteristics of a 2.3 GHz radio telemetry channel in a hospital building

This paper reports on radio path attenuation measurements made in a hospital complex at a spot frequency of 2.340 GHz. Power loss figures for fixed path propagation in a variety of building types have been determined for proposed telemetry use in operational ward situations. Throughout the hospital, the radio paths assessed all exhibited a loss in excess of that calculated for free-space communications. Modern buildings had external wall losses of 10–25 dB, with dividing walls in wards contributing an additional 5 dB. Received signal strength levels indicated a Rayleigh distribution for obstructed paths. Temporal testing was used to find the rate and depth of signal fades caused by the movement of personnel and equipment during normal ward usage; signal level reductions of greater than 35 dB were common during busy periods.

Successful Indoor Ventilation Strategies

Indoor ventilation system modifications are the key to practical improve ments in indoor air quality (IAQ). The National Energy Management Institute has been involved in multiple investigations of IAQ in commercial and insti tutional buildings since 1988. These investigations have been conducted in various regions of the United States, and thus reflect a variety of building types and climatic influences. The practical experience gained from investi gations of this type on commercial building reveals deficiencies primarily in the operation and secondarily in the design of the building air distribution systems. Solutions to these air distribution system problems can range from simple adjustments to major retrofit modifications costing more than US$ 100,000. Local regulations concerning ventilation also have an effect on what air distribution solution strategies can be employed. The cost of the IAQ ventilation strategies varies in a nonlinear pattern to the severity of the IAQ problem.

Architecture of the Anglosaxon Church, 735 to 870: From Archbishop Ecgberht to Achbishop Ceolnoth

There has for too long been an assumption, sometimes tacit and sometimes explicit, that the period from the middle of the eighth century to the latter part of the ninth formed something of an hiatus in Anglo-Saxon architecture. This view has arisen to some extent, no doubt, because of the difficulty of establishing firm dates in this period for any large number of surviving buildings. But it has arisen also, I believe, because there has been no conceptual model that could provide a key to understanding the architectural history of the period — or if there has been a model it has been the wrong one: a picture of Viking destruction starting in 793 inhibiting the construction of new buildings for a century. Yet this view ought to have been challenged if only because it accords so badly with other facts from the cultural history of the period: first, with the fact that on the Continent this very period is that which sees the flowering of the Carolingian renascence; secondly, with the fact that many of the most important surviving works of Anglo-Saxon sculpture, manuscript painting and metalwork are dated between the mid eighth and mid ninth centuries.The method of this paper has been to marshal certain facts about the history of the Anglo-Saxon church (facts well known in themselves to ecclesiastical historians) and to suggest that they indicate a context within which we should expect to find requirements for church buildings of various types. Against this expectation the evidence for actual buildings has been surveyed, and it has been established that a number of important churches can reasonably be dated to this context. Once recognised, it becomes easier to see that these buildings not only provide evidence of a flourishing tradition of Anglo-Saxon architecture through the second half of the eighth century and the first half of the ninth, but also that in some cases they display a knowledge of contemporary trends in the construction and decoration of Continental buildings of the Carolingian period. Future research will no doubt change our detailed perception of some of the buildings presented here, but I believe that despite this the general picture will hold, so that in future we may be able to see this period as one of considerable significance in Anglo-Saxon architectural history.

Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Complex High-Rise Building Structures

Abstract: Recently, designs of high-rise buildings have become more complex. Various types of buildings result, such as buildings with a semicircular plan, and buildings in which the upper floors are larger than the lower floors. The authors have developed a three-dimensional (3-D) dynamic analysis system, ‘Super DYNAMICS’, which considers the nonlinear behavior of each structural member in order to analyze the structural behavior of such complex steel buildings under severe earthquakes. This system is mainly operated on a supercomputer because of the large number of calculations required for the member level dynamic analysis. This paper first describes the general concepts of the system and the 3-D dynamic response analysis methods, based on the nonlinear behavior of each member under axial force and biaxial bending moments, and then examines and demonstrates the precision of the yield surface of steel members created by multispring models, and the ability of the system to trace the behavior of members and frames after yielding. It shows, in addition, actual examples of a static and a dynamic analysis by three-direction ground motion applied to a 19-story steel-framed office building.

Developments in the design of steel structures for fire

Abstract Developments in recent years in the requirements for fire protection of structural steel in buildings and in the methods for determining the required thickness of fire protection material are described along with the effect they have had on the use of structural steel in various types of buildings in Australia. Fire protection is a significant component of the cost of structural steelwork in many buildings. Excessive and uneconomical mandatory requirements have had the effect of making structural steel uncompetitive against other construction materials in many types of buildings. A new section in the Australian Standard for Steel Structures which provides methods for the design of structural steel elements and fire protection to meet the fire resistance requirements of the building regulations is described. Developments in establishing the relationship between the level of fire safety in buildings and the level of fire resistance of the structural elements are briefly reviewed and the likely impact on structural steel construction discussed. The use of realistic large scale experimental fire testing to examine the validity of regulatory requirements and the resulting changes to regulations for open deck and closed carparks, office buildings and buildings with mixed occupancies are also briefly described.

An expert system for forecasting roadside development

An expert system for forecasting roadside development along projected roads and streets in urban and suburban areas has been developed which runs on a personal computer. In answering step by step queries from the computer, it is possible to predict a range of probabilities of occupation and development of a wide variety of building types. The input variables used are traffic volume, number of lanes, type of street, population size, the existence of public establishments, building regulations, and other miscellaneous information. The knowledge base is constructed by synthesizing such information from books which contain theories and standards, from various maps as well as from interviews with urban planners and experts in small business management. An illustration of the way the knowledge base is developed and the way the system addresses queries through typical inputs to and outputs from the program is provided.