i-manager's Journal on Structural Engineering (JSTE)


Volume 2 Issue 3 September - November 2013

Article

Modeling the building life cycle for energy sustainability under conditions of uncertainty

Jennifer R. Dicks* , Richard H. Mccuen**
* Research Assistant, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park.
** The Ben Dyer Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park.
Dicks, J.R., and McCuen, R.H. (2013). Modeling the building life cycle for energy sustainability under conditions of uncertainty. i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, 2(3), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.26634/jste.2.3.2584

Abstract

The demand for energy is high and is expected to continue increasing with the growth in both population and technological development. With the increase in energy demand, concerns about environmental issues, such as the depletion of nonrenewable energy sources, environmental pollution, health and safety hazards, and the production of waste, also increase. In order to meet sustainability goals, methods of conserving energy need to be explored and implemented. In this study,a model of the construction-deconstruction life cycle of a building was developed to assess the significance of energy savings when recyclable materials, reusable materials, renewable energy sources, and more efficient systems are incorporated. The model enables both the evaluation of the energy requirements for each process for any building type and the assessment of energy savings from conservation efforts. When compared with the energy requirements of a standard home, the use of reusable materials conserved significantly has more energy than any other scenario. Using of recyclable building materials was another effective method of energy conservation, but the savings were not as great as with reusable materials. The use of energy efficient systems conserved the least energy and the use of renewable energy sources resulted in a savings that was between the use of efficient systems and the use of recyclable materials.

Article

Bullet speed attenuation on different shapes of domes

Ram Ranjan Sahu* , Pramod Kumar Gupta**
* Assistant General Manager, Engineering Research Centre, TATA Motors-Pune, through Tata Technologies, Pune, India.
** Professor, Structural Engineering Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Roorkee, (Uttarakhand), India.
Sahu, R.R., and Gupta, P.K. (2013). Bullet speed attenuation on different shapes of domes. i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, 2(3), 11-17. https://doi.org/10.26634/jste.2.3.2585

Abstract

A dome resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere and has been used from the ancient times in building structures. It has inherent structural strength when properly built and can span large open spaces without interior supports. These domes can be subjected to missile and bullet attacks and can get damaged. Now a days many types of monolithic domes are being built to intercept missile attack. The damage depends upon the striking mass, its shape and velocity. The heavier the object and the faster it moves, the more damage it will cause. Also the shape of the striking object has an important role in piercing the target. An analytical study was planned on the bullet impact on different shapes of the domes. The speed attenuation was studied and reported. The effect of bullet nose shape and dome boundary conditions are also discussed.

Article

Concrete self-healing capability using bacterial action – a comparative study

Akash Bhardwaj* , Parampreet Kaur**
* Under Graduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Shaheed Bhagat Singh State Technical Campus,Ferozepur.
**Assistant Professor & Head- Department of Civil Engineering, Shaheed Bhagat Singh State Technical Campus, Ferozepur.
Bhardwaj, A., and Kaur, P. (2013). Concrete self-healing capability using bacterial action – a comparative study. i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, 2(3), 18-21. https://doi.org/10.26634/jste.2.3.2586

Abstract

Cracking is a frequent cause of complaints in the concrete industry. Cracking can be the result of one or a combination of factors such as drying shrinkage, thermal contraction, restraint (external or internal) to shortening, sub grade settlement, and applied loads or can also be caused by freezing and thawing of saturated concrete, alkali- aggregate reactivity, sulphate attack, or corrosion of reinforcing steel. So, there is a need for the development of such an inherent biomaterial, which is a self-repairing material and can remediate the cracks and fissures in concrete. Bacterial concrete is one among such a material, which can successfully remediate cracks in concrete. This technique is an ecofriendly desirable as well as a natural method that can be taken into consideration in recent concrete industry era. The Paper discusses the comparative study of concrete self healing capability using different types of bacteria viz Bacillus Sphacricus, B. Cohnii. Hence this is a Biological Remediation of cracks repairment.

Research Paper

Seismic resistance of RC structures using base isolation

C. Jayaguru*
*Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, PSNA College of Engineering and Technology, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.
Jayaguru, C. (2013). Seismic resistance of RC structures using base isolation. i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, 2(3), 22-25. https://doi.org/10.26634/jste.2.3.2587

Abstract

An earthquake is a sudden violent shaking of the ground. Many aseismic construction designs and technologies have been developed over the years in attempts to mitigate the effects of earthquakes on buildings, bridges and potentially vulnerable contents. Seismic Isolation is a relatively recent, and evolving, technology of this kind. Though the concept of base isolation as a means of earthquake protection is more than 100-years old, its application to civil engineering structures is relatively new, and the base isolation research is pursued in India only for the last twenty years. This paper introduces the concept of Natural rubber base-isolators for the seismic (earthquake) resistance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) – framed buildings. The design of base isolators is explained with an objective to bring awareness and confidence in structural engineers in India for use of this technique in seismic areas. In addition, an analytical study is carried out to validate the effectiveness of base isolators in RC structures using SAP2000 NL.

Research Paper

Entropy based assessment of hydrometric network using probabilistic approach

Vivekanandan*
*Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Vivekanandan, N. (2013). Entropy based assessment of hydrometric network using probabilistic approach. i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, 2(3), 26-31. https://doi.org/10.26634/jste.2.3.2588

Abstract

Establishment and maintenance of a hydrometric network in any geographical region is required for planning, design and management of water resources. Setting up and maintaining a hydrometric network is an evolutionary process, wherein a network is established early in the development of the geographical area; and the network reviewed and upgraded periodically to arrive at the optimum network. This paper presents the methodology adopted in assessing the hydrometric network using entropy theory adopting normal and log-normal probability distributions. The technique, involving computation of marginal and conditional entropy values, is applied to the upper Bhima basin up to Ujjani reservoir for illustrative purposes; and results presented. The derived optimum hydrometric network for the basin is evaluated based on WMO guidelines for minimum density of hydrometric network.