<p>A method is developed for the analysis of two-span continuous composite beams in both elastic and inelastic ranges. A computer program is also formed as an integral part of this study. In order to verify the analysis and the computer program, three test beams were chosen as examples for computation. The computed results and the test results are in good agreement.</p> / Master of Engineering (ME)

<p>The discrepancy between the quantity and regime of water consumption and natural river flow usually gives rise to the need to create a multi-reservoir inter-basin water resource system to redistribute the river flow temporally and spatially. As the economic value of water increases and inexpensive sources of water supply diminish, the development of an optimal operation management model becomes more and more important.</p> <p>In this thesis, a stochastic operation management model composing of two integrated models of stochastic multi-site flow generation model and deterministic Dynamic Programming optimization model is developed to determine the optimal operation of a multi-reservoir inter-basin water resource system. The stochastic multi-site flow generation model is used to generate synthetic now series as input to the optimization model. In this model. the stochastic nature of historical flows to reservoirs, i.e. auto-correlation and cross-correlation, is explicitly considered. The deterministic Dynamic Programming optimization model is developed to determine the optimum operation policies for each of the many synthetic flow series through application of the optimization model to the multi-reservoir inter-basin water resource system. The approach of separating these two models will overcome the curse of dimensionality encountered in existing DP optimization models while allowing the stochastic nature of inflows to be incorporated into the optimization process and resulting optimum operation policies.</p> <p>The real case study approach, selection criteria and description of case study area, Lar-Kalan-Latian water resource system in Tehran, Iran as a multireservoir inter-basin water resource system is discussed. The superiority of a real case study in comparison with a hypothetical or abstract one is demonstrated.</p> <p>A comprehensive review and identification of stochastic multi-site now generation models and discussion of available flow generation computer programs are presented. The statistical analysis of historical monthly and annual now data of the case study, setting up of HEC-4 program as direct method and SPIGOT program as disaggregation technique, and generation and verification of synthetic monthly and annual flow series for the case study are discussed. The comparison of HEC-4 and SPIGOT synthetic flow series with historical data shows the effectiveness of SPIGOT program against HEC-4, even for the short historical flow input data.</p> <p>A detailed review and discussion of the Dynamic Programming techniques and development of deterministic DP optimization model for the multi-reservoir inter-basin water resource system is carried out. The generation, comparison, statistical analysis, and reliability characteristics of optimum monthly operation polices determine by applying the developed DP optimization model is discussed. The comparison of optimum operation with historical operation demonstrates the usefulness and improvement of optimum operation upon historical operation. It is further concluded that the DP optimization model is not sensitive to the type of stochastic flow generation model used to generate synthetic flows. Finally, the development of optimum operation reliability characteristics demonstrates the application ofstochastic operation management model in planning and operation of multi-reservoir inter-basin water resource system.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p>In this project, the behaviour of brick masonry under various states of stress is discussed. These stress states include: axial compression, eccentric compression, flexure and in-plane shear. In addition, the creep and shrinkage characteristics of brickwork and the effect of grouting on the axial capacity of brick masonry assemblages are investigated on a preliminary basis. Comprehensive literature reviews and results of accompanying series of tests are presented and discussed.</p> / Master of Engineering (ME)

<p>Despite its popularity over the past 55 years, suburban sprawl development is widely criticized in the planning literature. Suburban sprawl is automobile dependent, socially segregating, and overly consumptive of raw materials, land and energy. Typically constructed at densities that do not support effective transit systems, suburban sprawl is often viewed as an unsustainable development form. Interest in urban sustainability evolved following the publication of Our Common Future in 1987, such that many communities now have vision statements and objectives for achieving sustainable community designs. There also has been a revival of neo-traditional planning concepts for the design and construction of new neighbourhoods to resemble those constructed prior to WWII (a period of lesser automobile dependence). Despite these efforts, there are many existing suburban areas surrounding cities in North America that need retrofitting, so that they may become increasingly sustainable. This dissertation develops a conceptual model providing decision support for suburban retrofitting, with the intent that the retrofitted suburbs exhibit a greater degree of sustainability than existing conventional suburban developments. This model, applicable at the neighbourhood scale, represents a departure from current sustainable community planning which is more focussed on greenfield developments. The conceptual model provides retrofitting methodologies for nine aspects of conventional suburban development, including those for increased density, added commerce and employment components, and reduced water, energy and material consumption. Automobile dependence is, in part, addressed by enhancing pedestrian networks and the implementation of neighbourhood traffic calming measures. Three prototype decision support tools have been created to assist a municipal planner or engineer in retrofitting a conventional suburban neighbourhood. These tools could be used at various stages within the planning process: (1) during the development or review of a community's Official Plan; (2) at the time of major street or utility reconstruction (to coincide with traffic calming installation); or (3) when more modest alterations to the neighbourhood are being considered (e.g., addition of street trees or pedestrian paths). The decision support tools can be used independently to model specific retrofitting aspects of neighbourhoods that may be of current interest to planners (e.g., traffic calming). When integrated with one another, they could be used to develop strategies for how a city might incorporate future population growth within existing built up areas, thereby maintaining a strict urban growth boundary. The prototype decision support tools are compiled for use in ArcView GIS and allow the user to generate and evaluate retrofitting scenarios for pedestrian connectivity, neighbourhood traffic calming and neighbourhood greening. GIS is the most suitable framework for these tools as it is a primary component in neighbourhood and regional planning processes. Sample applications are provided for case study neighbourhoods in Hamilton, Ontario to demonstrate the use of these tools, particularly to illustrate the key benefits one can achieve by retrofitting conventional suburban areas.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p>Based on a limited number of experiments, the current practice is to use fully welded link-column connections for links in eccentrically braced frames (EBFs). Since the use of field welded connections has its limitations, the use of bolted connections may be an attractive alternative. The extended end plate bolted connection (EEP) was selected for use in link-column join applications in eccentrically braced frames.</p> <p>The link-column connection is required to behave in a ductile manner. This would enable the shear link to develop its full plastic capacity and thus the EBF would be able to dissipate the earthquake input energy. In addition, the link-column connection should not result in any degradation of the EBF lateral stiffness. To test the ability of EEP connections to satisfy both those requirements, a two phase research program was performed.</p> <p>The first phase of study is experimental in nature and involves the testing of end plate connections under severe cyclic loading. The cyclic load is used to model the severe load reversals associated with a major seismic event. The effect of bolt size, end plate thickness and the use of end plate stiffeners on the performance of the joint was evaluated. It was found that properly designed EEP connections showed ductile performance. Links with extended end plate connections developed ultimate forces and reached deformation angles comparable to those with fully welded connections. Guidelines for designing EEP connections for link-column joints are proposed.</p> <p>Because of the severe inelastic behaviour of the shear links, their proper modelling is important for the accurate analysis of an EBF. In the second phase of this research, a simple yet effective link element model is developed. This model was included in the computer code DRAIN-2DX, of Prakash and Powell (1992). Comparisons with previous and current results confirm the accuracy of this new link model.</p> <p>An extensive dynamic analysis of EBFs with semi-rigid joints was conducted to shed some light on the effect of EEP connections on the performance of EBFs. A six-story, three-bay EBF and a twenty-story, single-bay EBF were selected. These EBFs were subjected to several strong ground motion records. The developed shear link model was used in the computer modelling of these frames. Several designs of these frames involving different degrees of connection flexibility are analyzed. The various design responses are compared to each other to determine the effect of connection flexibility on the response of EBFs. It was found that properly designed bolted EEP connections can be used as alternative to welded link-column joints in eccentrically braced frames.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p>The strength properties of fiber concrete have received much attention in the past with little emphasis being placed on the workability of the composite in its fresh state. Both field and laboratory studies have identified workability of the composite as a potential problem due to fiber addition resulting in field strengths lower than those obtained in the laboratory. Therefore, in addition to studying strength properties such as fatigue, the workability of fiber concrete was considered in detail.</p> <p>To obtain an optimum mix in terms of strength and workability, fiber length and concentration are of considerable importance. In the initial stages of the study, direct pull-out tests were completed to determine the optimum fiber length i.e. the fiber length just sufficient to allow full bond development under ideal conditions. The theoretical critical fiber length (1.8 cm) was found to correspond closely with the experimental optimum length of 1.27 to 1.91 cm.</p> <p>Emphasis was placed on the static and fatigue flexural strengths which are important properties required for rigid pavement design. Compression, split cylinder and impact resistance strengths were also considered. The tests indicated the importance of adequate workability with respect to obtaining improved strength performance with fiber addition. An increase in fiber length and/or concentration, decreased the workability of the composite resulting in an increased number of flaws decreased compaction and decreased uniformity of fiber distribution. The relative strength increase or decrease was dependent on the predominant influence; i.e. strength loss due to increased flaw generation or strength increase due to the fiber addition. The only significant factor influencing workability besides adjusting the fiber length and/or content was with the use of super-plasticizers.</p> / Master of Engineering (ME)

<p>This study focuses on sludge settleability and SVI-type measures. Quantification of sludge settleability is crucial. This usually is done via empirical relationships. Parameters used in these relationships require measurement of sludge zone settling velocity in column settling tests over a wide range of concentrations. Due to the extensive experimental effort involved, several alternative measures (e.g. SVI, DSVI, SSVI) have gained favour for monitoring sludge settleability at full-scale treatment facilities. There is considerable debate over which SVI-type measure is best. The study also includes a section on one-dimensional settling tank models. These models often are incorporated into wastewater treatment process simulators. Many of the one-dimensional settling tank models proposed to date are plagued by numerical instability and solution problems. Background for this thesis is provided in Chapter 2. Included in this section is background on settling tests used to quantify the effect of suspended solids concentration on sludge settling velocity. Chapter 2 also provides background on the development of secondary settling tank modelling. The main body of this thesis is presented as a series of four papers. The first paper (Chapter 3) addresses the considerable confusion which exists as to the best SVI-type parameter and experimental technique to use. A simple mechanistic model was developed and used to evaluate the effects of biosolids characteristics and test parameters on SVI-type indices. The model explains many of the artifacts associated with SVI and questions the validity of correlations for zone settling parameters based on SVI-type measures. The second paper (Chapter 4) examines the approach of correlating SVI-type measures with zone settling velocity (ZSV) parameters for use in flux theory analysis (design or operating charts). Correlations were assessed using the model developed in Chapter 3. The results show that use of the correlations may lead to erroneous results. The third paper (Chapter 5) presents experimental data to demonstrate that differences in column height and sludge concentration can lead to large differences in calculated SVI for a given sludge. The model developed in Chapter 3 was used to further highlight these potential problems and evaluate the effects of sludge characteristics and test parameters on SVI-type indices. The paper raises considerable doubt regarding the validity of correlations for zone settling parameters based on SVI-type measures. An alternative SVI-based method was proposed for determining zone settling parameters. The fourth paper (Chapter 6) outlines the approaches commonly used in one-dimensional layered secondary settling tank models. Two cases were examined: steady-state for a continuous flow secondary settling tank, and unsteady-state for a batch settling test. These cases were used as a basis to provide a rational explanation of numerical solution and stability problems that historically have plagued the one-dimensional layered modelling approach. The results show that the approach of introducing flux constraints into one-dimensional models should be avoided.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

<p>An investigation is made into the coupled lateral - torsional response on frame buildings to horizontally directed earthquake excitation. Attention is confined to the accuracy of the static code provision on torsional effect with special reference to the National Building Code of Canada 1977 (NBC 77).</p> <p>A mathematical model to compute the dynamic response of a building is presented. The formulation of the general equation of motion to a monosymmetrical building is developed in detail. The static storey torque is compared with the dynamic torque computed by using the response spectrum technique as outlined in the Commentary K of NBC 77. It has been found that the sympathetic coupled translational torsional resonance occurs at the buildings with small eccentricities. To uniform structure, the static code torque estimate is good if the effect of sympathetic coupled resonance is not significant. To building with large eccentricities, sympathetic resonance is unlikely to occur and the current NBC requirement of doubling the computed torque for design is a very conservative requirement.</p> <p>To buildings with eccentrical offset, NBC 80 proposes a modification on the definition of structural eccentricity. A study in this aspect is made through the floor torques comparison between dynamic analysis and static codes calculations. The results show that the improvement by NBC 80 is only partial. Buildings with eccentric offsets are irregular buildings, only a dynamic approach can lead to a realistic estimate of the torque distributions.</p> / Master of Engineering (ME)

<p>Extensive interest in the exploitation of the natural resources of the Canadian High Arctic has been generated by the petrochemical and mining industries. This, in conjunction with the recent rapid growth of many communities in the Arctic has resulted in the need for reliable sources of potable water. Basic data deficiencies in the Arctic however preclude the use of traditional techniques for predicting the temporal distribution of runoff or peak from rates.</p> <p>An interactive computer program using a modified energy budget concept has been developed to permit the simulation of average daily discharges from small watersheds in the Baffin region. All available hydrometeorologic data are utilized by the model which is formatted in a manner to facilitate data manipulation. Sensitivity analyses can thus be carried out to determine the sensitivity of a watershed's response to various meterologic parameters.</p> <p>Calibration and subsequent verification of the model against data collected from two watersheds in the Baffin region yielded a high correlation between recorded and simulated discharges.</p> / Master of Engineering (ME)

<p>The vulnerability of concrete to sulphate attack has been recognized and studied for at least two centuries. The basic needs that prompted that study were: (a) there are no available Canadian Standards on the sulphate resistance of slag cements; and (b) slag cements in general are not well known in Canada. There were three main phases in the study: Phase One - involved 76.2 by 152.4 mm (3 by 6 inch) concrete cylinders made from actual field mixes and subjected to various sulphate solutions representative of field conditions; Phase Two - involved an accelerated test program employing 25.4 and 25.4 by 285.75 mm (1 by 1 by 11½ inch) mortar prisms and 50.8 mm (2 inch) mortar cubes stored in more concentrated sulphate solutions; and Phase Three - followed along the same lines as Phase Two, but encompassed a wider range of samples, solutions and tests. The slag cement studied in detail was cementitious hydraulic slag meeting CSA A363. Experimental results show that: the sulphate attack is generally intensified with higher sulphate concentrations but the degree of attack is not proportional to concentration; Na₂SO₄ and K₂SO₄ solutions produced more rapid deterioration than MgSO₄ solutions; sulphate attack increases in rate and magnitude as the C₃A content of the portland cement increases and as the alumina (Al₂O₃) content of the slag cement (i.e. pelletized blastfurnace slag) increases; the higher the slag cement content of the blended cement, the greater its resistance; and a 50 per cent slag cement (cementitious hydraulic slag)/50 per cent Type 10 portland cement blend appears to be equivalent in sulphate resistance to a Type 50 portland cement. No abnormal, or significant, amount of ettringite was found in any of the specimens examined, which tends to substantiate one hypothesis that ettringite formation has little to do with sulphate expansion. The 76.2 by 152.4 mm concrete cylinder program did not yield any significant results. The accelerated mortar test procedure was found to be the most reliable test for evaluating a cements' sulphate resistance performance in a relatively short time, and it is recommended that this test be adopted as a standard.</p> / Master of Engineering (ME)