The objective of the research reported herein is to present a comprehensive evaluation of all available experimental data from push-out tests utilizing the ELCO Grade 8 standoff screws. The goal is to develop a strength prediction equation and determine reliability parameters compatible with the Load Factor Resistance Design (LRFD) procedure that would allow the use of this shear connector in design of composite floor systems. The study considers results from push-out tests using this type of screw reported by Hankins et al. (1994), Alander et al. (1998), Webler et al. (2000), and Mujagic et al. (2000). Further, this study identifies the limitations in earlier approaches aimed at predicting the strength of standoff screws. An improved strength prediction model is developed that considers all applicable limit states and determines maximum strength of a connector. A reliability study was also conducted to derive strength reduction factors to be used in design. Parameters considered in the model include deck type and geometry, screw height, concrete compressive strength, top chord angle yield strength, and stand-off screw rupture strength. Results from strength prediction model were compared with results from composite joist tests. / Master of Science

Thesis (MScPhysio (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) contribute to urinary continence and overactive PFM seem to be associated with pelvic pain syndrome (PPS). The literature indicates that ethnic differences regarding symptoms of urinary incontinence may exist. Research is needed to establish relationships between PFM function and symptoms reported by women of different ethnic groups. Objectives: To compare the PFM strength and endurance in black, white and coloured women. To investigate relationships between PFM strength, vaginal resting pressures, risk factors and symptoms associated with PFM dysfunction and PPS. Method: A cross-sectional study assessed the PFM strength and vaginal resting pressures of 122 nulliparous black (n=44), white (n=44) and coloured (n=34) university students. A self-developed questionnaire determined inclusion, demographic variables, factors affecting/factors associated with PFM strength and symptoms related to PPS. Maximum voluntary contraction pressure (cmH2O) and vaginal resting pressure (cmH2O) were measured with the Peritron TM 9300 (Cardio Design, Australia) used with the Camtech AS vaginal balloon sensor (Sandvika, Norway). Two sets of 3 maximum voluntary contractions of the PFM were recorded. Results: The mean age of the group was 22 ± 3.54 years and mean BMI of 23± 4.16 kg/m2. Black women (25 cmH2O ± 13.5) had significantly stronger PFM than white (p=0.02) or coloured (p<0.01) women, but no significant difference (p=0.78) in PFM strength existed between white (18.4 cmH2O ± 9.8) and coloured (15.6 cmH2O ± 8) women. In black women, PFM strength decreased significantly (p=0.02) between the sets, whereas no significant difference between sets was noted in the other ethnic groups. Increased PFM strength was associated with SUI (p=0.03) and amenorrhoea (p=0.01) and decreased PFM strength was associated with decreased frequency of bowel motion (p=0.01). In this sample, increased vaginal resting pressure was associated with menorrhagia (p=0.04). Conclusion: Black nulliparous women had stronger PFM than white and coloured women. There was no difference in PFM strength between white and coloured women. Endurance, as measured in this study, indicates that black women have decreased endurance of the PFM compared to white and coloured women. These findings inform the current research on ethnic differences in the prevalence of urinary incontinence. Preliminary data suggest that there was no relationship between vaginal resting pressures and symptoms of PPS and risk factors for PFM dysfunction, except for menorrhagia. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bekkenvloer spiere (BVS) dra by tot urinêre kontinensie en ooraktiewe BVS kan moontlik geassosieer wees met pelviese pyn sindroom (PPS). Uit die literatuur blyk dit of daar etniese verskille bestaan in die simptome van urinere inkontinensie gerapporteer deur vroue. Navorsing is nodig om die verwantskap tussen BVS funksie en simptome wat deur pasiënte van verskillende etniese groepe gerapporteer word vas te stel. Doel: Om „n vergelyking te tref tussen BVS sterkte in swart, wit en kleurling vroue. Om vas te stel of daar assosiasies bestaan tussen BVS sterkte, rustende vaginale druklesings en risiko faktore en simptome geassosieer met bekkenvloer disfunksie en PPS. Metodologie: „n Dwarssnit studie het die BVS sterkte en rustende vaginale drukke van 122 nullipareuse swart (n=44), wit (n=44) en kleurling (n=34) universiteit studente geëvalueer. Insluiting, uitsluiting, demografiese veranderlikes, faktore wat kan affekteer/faktore geassosieer met BVS sterkte en simptome geassosier met PPS is deur „n self ontwikkelde vraelys geëvalueer. Maksimale willekeurige spiersametrekking drukke (cmH2O) en rustende vaginale drukke (cmH2O) was gemeet met „n Peritron™9300 perineometer (Cardio Design, Australië) wat saam „n vaginale ballon sensor (Camtech AS, Sandvika, Noorweë) gebruik is. Twee stelle van 3 maksimale willekeurige sametrekkings van die BVS was gemeet. Resultate: Die groep se gemiddelde ouderdom was 22±3.54 jaar en die gemiddelde liggaamsgewig indeks was 23±4.16kg/m2. Swart vroue (25 cmH2O ±13.5) het beduidend sterker BVS gehad as wit (p=0.02) en kleurling (p<0.01) vroue, maar daar was geen beduidende verskil (p=0.78) in BVS sterkte tussen wit (18.4 cmH2O ± 9.8) en kleurling (15.6 cmH2O ± 8) vroue nie. Die BVS sterkte in swart vroue het beduidend (p=0.02) verminder tussen die stelle, maar geen beduidende verskille was waargeneem in die ander etniese groepe tussen stelle. Verhoogde BVS sterkte was geassosieer met druklek (p=0.03), amenorrhoea (p=0.01) en verminderde BVS sterkte was geassosieer met verminderde frekwensie van opelyf (p=0.01). Verhoogde rustende vaginale drukke was geassosieer met menoragie in hierdie steekproef. Gevolgtrekking: Swart nullipareuse vroue het sterker BVS gehad as wit en kleurling vroue, Daar was geen verskil in BVS sterkte tussen wit en kleurling vroue nie. Uithouvermoë soos in hierdie studie getoets toon dat swart vroue verminderde uithouvermoë het i.v.m. wit en kleurling vroue. Hierdie bevindings dra by tot die huidige navorsing oor etniese verskille in die prevalensie van urinêre inkontinensie. Daar was geen verwantskap tussen vaginale rustende drukke en simptome van PPS en risiko faktore vir die ontwikkeling van bekkenvloer disfunksie, behalwe vir menoragie.

Os pisos mistos aço-concreto de pequena altura caracterizam-se pelo embutimento da laje de concreto na altura da viga de aço, sendo a laje apoiada na mesa inferior do perfil. A principal vantagem deste sistema em relação à viga mista convencional é a redução da altura total do composto. Este trabalho tem como objetivo a criação de um modelo numérico construído no software de elementos finitos TNO DIANA®. O modelo proposto nesta pesquisa buscou subsídios para sua validação em resultados experimentais e numéricos realizados em outras pesquisas. Na fase de validação foram alterados diversos fatores a fim de avaliar a influência de cada um deles, calibrando o modelo até que os resultados se aproximassem dos experimentais. Depois que o modelo foi validado, foi analisada a influência de alguns parâmetros no comportamento global da estrutura, entre eles: a resistência do concreto (fck), a consideração de uma tela de armadura passiva colocada na capa de concreto com diferentes taxas de armadura e a variação da espessura da capa de concreto. Os resultados mostraram que o modelo consegue representar de maneira adequada o comportamento da estrutura apesar das simplificações consideradas para a modelagem. / Composite steel-concrete slim floors are characterized by the inlay of the concrete slab on the same plane of the steel beam, with the slab supported by the bottom flange of the profile. The main advantage of this system compared to the conventional mixed beam is the reduction of the overall height of the compound. This study aims to establish a numerical model built in finite element software TNO DIANA®. The model proposed in this research sought subsidies for its validation in experimental and numerical results achieved in others researches. In the validation phase were changed several factors to evaluate the influence of each of them, calibrating the model until the results come closer to the experimental. After the model has been calibrated, were analyzed the influence of some parameters on the overall behavior of the structure, among them: the strength of concrete (fck), the consideration of reinforcement bars placed on the slab with different rates and the variation of the thickness of the concrete slab. The results showed that the model can adequately represent the structural behavior despite the simplifications considered for modeling.

Os pisos mistos aço-concreto de pequena altura caracterizam-se pelo embutimento da laje de concreto na altura da viga de aço, sendo a laje apoiada na mesa inferior do perfil. A principal vantagem deste sistema em relação à viga mista convencional é a redução da altura total do composto. Este trabalho tem como objetivo a criação de um modelo numérico construído no software de elementos finitos TNO DIANA®. O modelo proposto nesta pesquisa buscou subsídios para sua validação em resultados experimentais e numéricos realizados em outras pesquisas. Na fase de validação foram alterados diversos fatores a fim de avaliar a influência de cada um deles, calibrando o modelo até que os resultados se aproximassem dos experimentais. Depois que o modelo foi validado, foi analisada a influência de alguns parâmetros no comportamento global da estrutura, entre eles: a resistência do concreto (fck), a consideração de uma tela de armadura passiva colocada na capa de concreto com diferentes taxas de armadura e a variação da espessura da capa de concreto. Os resultados mostraram que o modelo consegue representar de maneira adequada o comportamento da estrutura apesar das simplificações consideradas para a modelagem. / Composite steel-concrete slim floors are characterized by the inlay of the concrete slab on the same plane of the steel beam, with the slab supported by the bottom flange of the profile. The main advantage of this system compared to the conventional mixed beam is the reduction of the overall height of the compound. This study aims to establish a numerical model built in finite element software TNO DIANA®. The model proposed in this research sought subsidies for its validation in experimental and numerical results achieved in others researches. In the validation phase were changed several factors to evaluate the influence of each of them, calibrating the model until the results come closer to the experimental. After the model has been calibrated, were analyzed the influence of some parameters on the overall behavior of the structure, among them: the strength of concrete (fck), the consideration of reinforcement bars placed on the slab with different rates and the variation of the thickness of the concrete slab. The results showed that the model can adequately represent the structural behavior despite the simplifications considered for modeling.

由於土地使用分區管制在制度上某些缺憾，因此，現今發展趨勢乃有不同 於傳統之意義，已有許多彈性方法陸續出現，容積獎勵即為其一，此一方 法正代表著已從傳統上的消極限制轉為積極鼓勵及彈性設計，國內目前也 逐漸運用容積獎勵為手段，做為獎勵公共投資之誘因。本研究乃思藉由經 濟理論之解釋，從效率面考量欲發揮容積功能之經濟因素，以做為政策制 定之參考。在本研究中，考量市埸需求、建築成本、建築產品售價等因素 對於容積獎勵之影響，以開放空間容積獎勵為例，籍由模擬分析方法，從 而觀察各項因素對容積獎勵之影響，最後提出本研究之結論與建議。

A lightweight carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sandwich panel has been developed for floor use in commercial office building construction. CFRP laminate skins were combined with low-density rigid polyurethane foam to create a composite sandwich panel suitable for floor use. The CFRP sandwich panel was optimized to withstand code prescribed office-building live loads using a 3D finite element computer program called SolidWorks. The thickness of the polyurethane foam was optimized to meet both strength and serviceability requirements for gravity loading. Deflection ultimately was the controlling factor in the design, as the stresses in the composite materials remained relatively low. The CFRP sandwich panel was then subjected to combined gravity and lateral loading, which included seismic loads from a fictitious 5-story office building located in a region of high seismic risk. The results showed that CFRP sandwich panels are a viable option for use with floors, possessing sufficient strength and stiffness for meeting code prescribed design loads, while providing significant benefits over traditional construction materials.

Springiness and vibrations of timber floors are familiar to many as a ‘live’ feelwhen walking on them, especially if living in single family housing with timberframework. Since the building regulations in Sweden changed to performancedependentrequirements in 1994 the use of timber in multifamily housing hasincreased. New timber building systems have been developed and increasedbearing capacity of floors has made it possible to build with longer spans. Thelow mass of timber floors makes them more sensitive to dynamic loading byhuman activities, such as walking, running and jumping, compared to heavyfloors e.g. concrete floors. To improve vibration performance it is possible tochange the structural properties of the floors by increasing mass, stiffness ordamping properties. The most practicable solution is to increase the stiffness.Improved damping is also highly effective, but is difficult estimate and designaccurately since it originates from many sources in the finished building. In thepresent thesis the effects on dynamic properties from increased stiffnesstransverse to the load bearing direction of a floor have been assessed from testsin laboratory. The effect on dynamic performance of a timber floor fromelastic/damping interlayers (polyurethane elastomers) installed in the junctionsbetween walls and floors have been assessed in laboratory and in situ. Also thechange in dynamic properties of an in situ floor has been investigated atdifferent stages of construction and compared with results from laboratory tests.The present criteria for design of timber floors with respect to vibrationperformance were developed at a time when timber floors were mainly used insingle-family housing. The traditional timber joist floors differ in structuralbehaviour from the new types of floors developed recently. The experiencedvibration annoyance by residents in single- and multifamily housing differs asthe source of vibration disturbance and those who become disturbed aredifferent. The changed conditions give cause for a review of present designcriteria. A laboratory and field study on vibration performance was conductedwith questionnaires and dynamic performance measurements. The subjectiveand objective results were correlated and indicators for vibration acceptabilityand annoyance were assessed and new vibration performance criteria andvibration performance classes were suggested.

The subject of my master´s thesis, called „ multifunctional house in Liberec” is to design and elaborate project documentation of the multifunctional house in Liberec. Design of the building respect Land Use Plan of the town on side, and existing build-up area on the street on the other side. Building has one underground floor and three above ground stories. The Ground Floor is partly roofed by flat roof. The third floor has terrace and it´s roofed by saddleback roof.

This master's thesis is focused on the design of an apartment building and on the preparation of its project documentation. The house is located on a plot number 2162/122 in the cadastral area Město Albrechtice (693,391) on the P. Novák Street. House has a rectangularly shaped ground plan with the dimensions 28.34 x 13.84 m. It is a three storey building with two aboveground floors and an attic. On the first floor there is a vestibule, an elevator, a staircase, a bike room, one three-room apartment (with a built-in kitchen) and two two-room apartments (with a built-in kitchen). The second floor offers a staircase, an elevator, two three-room apartments and one two-room apartment (with a built-in kitchen). The attic consists of a staircase, an elevator, a utility room, a drying room and two four-room apartments (with a built-in kitchen). The foundations of the house are from concrete strips. Vertical and horizontal structure consist of the cement-chips shuttering system (Velox). The roof of the house is gabled with a slope of 8° and 11° plotted gang-nail trusses.

Diploma thesis adresses the the project documentation the new building of Sports club in Polička city. It’s an object designed for sports activities to the public with a café and sports shop. The building consists of two floors and one basement floor. The part of object with one floor is for refreshing vitsitors. A basement part with a two floor is used for sports activities. The building is covered with a flat roof and mounted on flat terrain. The total maximum capacity is 104 people.