In this study, it is aimed to relate architecture with the changing definitions of territory. In this context, the research will focus on the issue of in-between, where the boundaries between public and private domains are blurred in the modern world. The Dutch Embassy in Berlin designed by OMA / Rem Koolhaas is built upon a creative redefinition of blurring boundaries between &amp / #8216 / public&amp / #8217 / and &amp / #8216 / private&amp / #8217 / . Given the fact that the Embassy is a diplomatic structure for which the safety factor is one of the most important design criteria, how Koolhaas interprets the idea of openness, of transparency, modernity which are meant to symbolize the Netherlands, will be studied in this research.

Self compacting concrete (SCC) is first developed in Japan in the late 1980s in order to overcome the consolidation problems associated with the presence of congested reinforcement. It is also termed as a high performance concrete, as it can flow under its own weight and completely fill the formworks. As the fresh properties of SCC are quite important, mix design of a SCC is performed by considering various workability related fresh properties. Therefore, a well designed SCC should satisfy all requirements of a hardened concrete, besides its superior workability properties. The aim of this research is to assess the effects of some basic ingredients of SCC on the fresh properties of SCC. This will be performed by applying design of experiment techniques and obtaining significant statistical models, which will give valuable information about the effects of the model parameters on the rheology and fresh state characteristics of SCC. In this research program, four different variables / use of fly ash replacement, use of high range water reducing admixture (HRWRA), use of viscosity modifying admixtures (VMA) and water-cementitious material ratio, are considered as the variables of the experimental design. Central Composite Design (CCD), a design of experiment technique, is employed throughout the experimental program and a total of 21 mixtures of concrete are cast. Slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, sieve segregation, initial and final setting time tests are performed, furthermore / to investigate the effects of these variables to the rheology of SCC, relative plastic viscosity and relative yield stress, which are the parameters of Bingham Model are measured with the help of a concrete rheometer. As a result of the experimental program, the fresh state properties of SCC are expressed by mathematical equations. Those equations are then used in order to explain the effects of fly ash replacement, HRWRA and VMA concentration, and the w/cm ratio on the fresh state properties of SCC. According to the derived models, it is stated that the water-cementitious material ratio of the concrete mixture is the most effective parameter on the flowability and passing ability of SCC beside the other parameters utilized in this research as its coefficient was the highest in the related models.

Optical properties of the seas surrounding Turkey (i.e. Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Aegean Sea) are investigated utilizing the data collected from years 2001-2005. Pigment, light (irradiance), absorption samples were collected and analyzed. SeaWiFS and MODIS satellite observations between years 1997-2006 has been collected, processed and analyzed. High temporal and spatial variability is observed in the optical properties of the three basins. The Mediterranean Sea and the Black Seas are the two typical examples of the Case I and the Case II waters, respectively. SeaWiFS and MODIS derived chlorophyll data obtained during the time period where the data were coexistent (2002-2004) gave consistent results. Thus, data from both sensors are used to establish temporal continuity. Optical classification of the water types based on the Jerlov model shows that the Mediterranean has clear (Type 1) and very clear water type characteristics and the Black Sea and the Marmara waters are turbid (Type 5). Absorption from yellow substance (or so-called CDOM) does not optically dominate the Mediterranean allowing accurate estimation of pigment concentrations by remote sensing methods. This study is further extended to analyze the main contributing phytoplankton groups to the bio-optical characteristics in the three basins. HPLC measurements show that the diatoms are the main group in the Black Sea ecosystem. Whereas in Mediterranean Cyanophyta dominates. Phytoplankton group compositions in the offshore and coastal regions of the Mediterranean do not show considerable difference. The main differences are the higher Prymnesiophyceae (nearly two times higher then the offshore) and lower Cyanophyta contribution in the coastal regions compared to offshore regions.

The built environment has mostly evolved under the influence of cultural heritage and has been shaped in response to our needs and resources. However, rapid changes have occurred in this environment with the impacts of globalization and mass production. The impact of these changes threatens to obliterate the unique character of rural settlements, which unlike urban areas still possess cultural identity. The aim of this study was to investigate the sustainable transmission of rural building heritage to prosperity / the potential of its adaptation for new settlements / and the interpretation of designing new houses in the light of traditional ones / as an integral part of sustainable rural development. To this end, a case study was conducted in the village of G&uuml / zel&ouml / z in Kayseri, where the transition from historical to contemporary styles and techniques was readily observable. The principles for effectively implementing projects which relate to the preservation and transmission of rural heritage have been formulated in the European Rural Heritage Observation Guide (ERHOG), which was initiated by Committee of Senior Officials of the European Conference of Ministers Responsible for Regional Planning/Spatial Planning (CEMAT) and the Village Design Statement (VDS) Packs, which were initiated by the Community Councils in United Kingdom (UK). The new development in G&uuml / zel&ouml / z village, as carried out by the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement (PWS) together with additions and alterations to existing traditional houses, were studied to understand the changing needs of the villagers. A comparative analysis was made between the level of satisfaction for both the traditional houses and post-disaster houses (PDH). An evaluation according to the ERHOG and VDS criteria was conducted for both types of houses regarding the relation of buildings with their immediate vicinity / use of materials / functional requirements / and constructional concerns. The results showed the importance of the recognition and promotion of cultural heritage to create an appropriate built environment.

In this study, the geometric Additive market models are considered. In general, these market models are incomplete, that means: the perfect replication of derivatives, in the usual sense, is not possible. In this study, it is shown that the market can be completed by new artificial assets which are called &ldquo / power-jump assets&rdquo / based on the power-jump processes of the underlying Additive process. Then, the hedging portfolio for claims whose payoff function depends on the prices of the stock and the power-jump assets at maturity is derived. In addition to the previous completion strategy, it is also shown that, using a static hedging formula, the market can also be completed by considering portfolios with a continuum of call options with different strikes and the same maturity. What is more, the portfolio optimization problem is considered in the enlarged market. The optimization problem consists of choosing an optimal portfolio in such a way that the largest expected utility of the terminal wealth is obtained. For particular choices of the equivalent martingale measure, it is shown that the optimal portfolio consists only of bonds and stocks.

In this study the design of the sanitary ware and bathrooms are examined, concentrating on small bathrooms and changing design aspects of bathrooms. The design considerations of bathrooms and the design of the bath tub, wash basin and toilet which forms the sanitary ware sets in bathrooms is reviewed as for being dominant elements of bathroom design.

Multidimensional datasets are getting more extensively used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications in recent years. Due to large volume of these datasets efficient querying becomes a significant problem. For this purpose, before creating index structure with these enormous datasets, choosing an efficient index structure is an urgent necessity. The aim of this thesis is to develop an efficient, flexible and extendible index structure which comprises 3D spatial data in primary index and fuzzy attributes in secondary index. These primary and secondary indexes are handled in a coupled structure. Firstly, a 3D spatial primary index is built by using X-tree structure, and then a fuzzy secondary index is overlaid over the X-tree structure. The coupled structure is shown more efficient on a certain class of queries than uncoupled index structures comprising 3D spatial data in primary index and fuzzy attributes in secondary index separately. In uncoupled index structure, we provided 3D spatial primary index by using X-tree index structure and fuzzy secondary index by using BPlusTree index structure.

Studies to determine the location of antique quarries, from where building stones were obtained, are done by comparison of the properties of antique stones and the possible quarry sources around them. In the case when no stonemason marks exists, geologic formations that may be used as building stone should be investigated and properties of antique building stones and geologic formations should be correlated. The aim of this study was the investigation of tuff quarries that could be the source of tuffs used in the construction of Apollon Smintheus Temple. For this purpose, the studies were carried out about the geology of the region, and possible three quarries selected around Smintheion. Durability properties of stones in Temple and quarries were determined with the analyses of physical, physico-mechanical properties and artificial weathering tests of wetting-drying, salt crystallization / Effective porosity, bulk density, water absorption capacity, dry and saturated unit weight, salt content, ultrasonic pulse velocity, modulus of elasticity, uniaxial compressive strength, pore size distribution, capillary absorption and moisture absorption capacities were determined for Temple tuffs and possible quarry tuffs in fresh and artificial weathering cycles. Microstructural investigations were done by mineralogical, petrographical and chemical analyses which were optical microscopy, stereomicroscopy, XRD, SEM, FTIR, MBA and XRF. The results indicated that Temple tuffs and two of the three quarries (Fatma Gerdan and Kizilke&ccedil / ili) had similar engineering geological and micrstructural properties. Therefore, they could be used as building stone during the construction of Temple.

The meaning of term &ldquo / representation&rdquo / has shifted in both relevancy and definition in the discipline of architecture with the introduction of computational design technologies. The assumption of this study is that the selected mode of representation has the power to affect the process of design and even the production of architecture. At the present time, while the discipline is witnessing a change in its tendencies and terminologies, such as from drawing to 3D modeling, from construction to fabrication, and from geometry to topology, it is crucial to look at the &ldquo / conventions&rdquo / of architectural representation that are identified through &ldquo / projections,&rdquo / and particularly the &ldquo / orthographic set&rdquo / . This study aims to challenge the prejudices against the &ldquo / orthographic set&rdquo / that consider it to be an ineffective or inadequate tool for representation in the contemporary practice of architecture following the emergence of &ldquo / digitization&rdquo / . It is the claim of this thesis that the &ldquo / orthographic set&rdquo / is actually a methodology that is still powerful in the visualization of the &ldquo / rational&rdquo / thinking processes of design, and is still a highly pertinent technique in the representation and production of architecture. With the arrival of computational design technologies to the practice of architecture, the &ldquo / visibility&rdquo / of its representations have started to blur / and considering the dialectics between architectural representation and the architectural object, while Modern Architecture can be assessed as the transformation of the orthographic set into a declaration of a stylistic manifesto, in the digital age the question arises of what makes architecture visible, and whether it is possible to come up with a &ldquo / new&rdquo / definition of style.

The major subject of this study is the multi-layered historical towns which are the outcome of continuous inhabitation process. This continuous inhabitation is reflected in the current town by the physical remains belonging to different periods. These remaining elements of the past periods can be conserved, as long as they become an integral part of the current urban context. Thus, sustaining the multi-layeredness requires sustaining the integration of the remaining elements of the former periods with the current context. Thereupon, the main aim of the thesis becomes to develop a method for assessing the integration of historical stratification with the current town in accordance with the physical, visual, functional, social and managerial aspects. Consequently, the main concerns of this thesis are understanding and assessing the historical stratification together with its integration with the current town. This makes possible to expose the factors of disintegration which can provide a basis for defining the strategies and tools for their reintegration with the current urban context. With regard to this aim, the thesis is composed of two parts. In the first part a method for the assessment of the integration of historical stratification with the current context is proposed by considering various factors affecting the integration. It also covers a preliminary discussions on re-integration tools and strategies. In the second part, the proposed method is applied on the case of Amasya which is a multi-layered historical Anatolian town in Turkey. Following this, a preliminary discussion on possible reintegration strategies and tools for the case of Amasya is carried on. The thesis concludes with a general evaluation of the method developed in this thesis for the assessment of the integration of the historical stratification with the current town based on the outcomes of the implementation of the proposed method on the case of Amasya . The method developed in this thesis can be regarded as an initial step for revealing the factors effecting integration of the remains of past periods forming up the historical stratification in multi-layered towns, which can lead to the future possible re-integration strategies and tools in order to provide their sustainable conservation.