The objective of this research is to develop the relationship between starting steps and post newels attached by different connection systems. This research focuses on analyzing solid and box posts connection performance under monotonic and reversed cyclic loads by following European standards EN 26891:1991 and EN 12512:2001, respectively. Moment carrying capacity, stiffness, energy dissipation, and ductility were calculated. Four connection systems were tested, two for solid posts (Sure-Tite™ and Fas-N-Fast™) and two for box posts (L-brackets and wood block with lag bolt). Connections had higher load capacity during the monotonic loading protocol than in the reversed cyclic loading protocol. No strength difference was observed between the solid post connection systems. However, Sure-Tite™ presented a more ductile behavior. For box posts, the L-brackets connection system was superior in strength, while the wood block with lag bolt system had a greater ductile behavior.

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This thesis delves into the transformative potential of office buildings, which have traditionally functioned as private, employee-centric spaces. It confronts the challenge of reviving inactive urban areas by advocating for the reconfiguration of certain segments of these buildings into accessible public spaces. The research proposes an in-between typology, redefining office buildings into the community fabric while preserving essential privacy and security for business operations. By employing architectural strategies that enhance welcoming atmospheres, and helps bring in the street energy into the building. It advocates for the creation of vibrant, interactive zones where individuals can gather, socialize, and celebrate cultural and day-to-day events, facilitating access to the interesting parts of the building. This approach not only promises to elevate public engagement but also aid potential economic benefits for businesses by transforming underutilized spaces into active community hubs. / Master of Architecture / This thesis investigates how we can transform office buildings from private, employee-only areas into active parts of the city that welcome everyone. How parts of these buildings could be opened up to the public to help breathe new life into areas of the city that are otherwise quiet and underused. Redesigning of office buildings so that they not only serve their traditional business purposes but also become integrated parts of the urban community. This doesn't mean compromising the privacy and security necessary for business operations, instead, it's about finding a balance where both can coexist. The thesis suggests architectural designs that make these buildings feel open and inviting. For instance, incorporating elements that draw in the lively vibe from the street outside can make entering the building a more appealing experience. The goal is to create spaces within these office buildings where people can come together not just for work but also to socialize, participate in cultural events, or simply enjoy their day. This could mean designing certain floors or areas that are open to the public, with cafes, exhibition spaces, or areas for performances that attract both office workers and the general public. Making these changes could significantly enhance public interaction in these spaces, turning them into vibrant community hubs rather than just workplaces. This can increase foot traffic, which not only adds to the building's vibrancy but can also provide economic benefits. Shops, cafes, and cultural venues within these buildings could see higher customer volumes, and the businesses housed there may enjoy greater visibility and engagement from the community.

Experimental and analytical research has been conducted to develop unified design procedures for eight extended end-plate moment connection configurations subject to cyclic/seismic loading. In addition, the suitability of extended end-plate moment connections for use in seismic force resisting moment frames was investigated. Eleven full-scale cyclic and nine monotonic extended end-plate moment connection tests were conducted. Design procedures for determining the required bolt diameter and grade, end-plate thickness, and column flange thickness were developed. The proposed design procedure utilizes a strong column, strong connection, and weak beam design philosophy. This forces the connecting beam to provide the required inelastic deformations through formation of a plastic hinge adjacent to the connection region. The proposed design procedure was used to make comparisons with ninety experimental tests conducted over the past twenty-six years. A limited finite element study was conducted to investigate the behavior of the column flange. The experimental results demonstrate that extended end-plate moment connections can be detailed and designed to be suitable for use in seismic force resisting moment frames. The proposed design procedure strength predictions correlated well with the results from ninety experimental tests. The limited finite element modeling conducted as a part of this study, correlated well with the strength predictions produced by the proposed design procedure. / Ph. D.

Narratives are used to explore personal beliefs and assumptions about caring in one's personal and professional life. This dissertation recognizes the process of caring is interpretative and evolves from personal experience. I address issues of caring within the practice of nursing and nursing education from a feminist perspective. I begin with my own personal narrative in which I seek to uncover my own caring essence as a basis for inquiring into issues of caring and feminism in nursing education. Theoretical constructs from educational nursing and feminist literature are explored to develop a personal model of caring within nursing education. Nursing students must be educated within a caring learning environment so they can develop a caring stance with patients. Dialogue within teacher-student interaction is at the center of such an environment. This dialogue encourages authentic presence with students that leads to an intuitive knowing. Nursing students need to learn to let their intuitive sense guide the use of technology. Of course, that means educating their intuitions. Autobiographical vignettes are used to reflect on the experience of a nurse educator as caring guides teaching-learning activities in a nursing curriculum. Caring within clinical teaching encourages reflection and increases self-awareness. Clinical teaching is seen as an opportunity to unite theory and practice. It encourages students to be receptive to patients and places value on contextual experiences. An examination of contextual experience shows that care is relational and encourages connections with others. Care is sustained through relationships that give voice to nursing students and patients. This process of giving voice makes caring more visible to others. This visibility allows nurses to celebrate caring occasions and validates worth of caring in nursing. Caring practices within nursing education help students recognize the power within themselves to institute change. Nurse educators must encourage students to care for themselves. This process will help them stay in touch with what they need as individuals as they provide care to others. / Ph. D.

This research explores the influence of pregnancy loss and coping strategies employed while connecting to the fetus in a subsequent pregnancy following a late term loss. Nine participants were interviewed using a qualitative, phenomenological methodology to determine participant's experience. Four themes emerged within the data: (1) support network – participants acknowledged who was there for them and who was not, (2) emotional ups and downs – participants reported the emotional ups and downs from loss to the subsequent pregnancy to delivery and after birth, and how they connected during this process (3) coping – participants describe coping strategies used throughout their experience, and (4) moving forward – participants reported their process of finding their new normal and how this event changed their perspective on life. Limitations, future research and clinical implications were all identified and discussed. / Master of Science

Wood beam-column connections have traditionally been designed as simple shear connections, ignoring their potential moment capacity. A major reason for not utilizing such moment connections is linked to the brittle limit states that wood components exhibit. The purpose of this research was to develop and test a ductile and high-strength wood moment frame connection. A design procedure for such a connection is presented herein. The proposed glulam beam-column connection utilizes an embedded steel knife plate with a reduced section that acts as a ductile yield link, thus limiting the moment that can be transferred through the connection. This configuration is intended to fail through yielding of the ductile link, thus preventing non-ductile failure mechanisms of wood from occurring. In addition, the connection provides more wood cover over the embedded steel plate, which potentially may increase the connection's fire rating as compared to typical connections. Two specimens, based on a baseline connection developed using the design procedure presented, were monotonically loaded until failure. Unlike the first specimen, the second was reinforced in the perpendicular-to-grain direction using self-tapping screws. Failure mechanisms were analyzed, and performance characteristics related to the connection's strength, stiffness, and ductility were evaluated. Results indicated that the reinforced specimen exhibited higher strength, stiffness, and ductility compared to the unreinforced specimen. The reinforced specimen showed improvements of 9.49% and 42.2% in yielding and ultimate moment, respectively, compared to the unreinforced specimen. Moreover, an improvement of 31.3% in ductility was obtained using perpendicular-to-grain reinforcement. / Master of Science / Due to the variability of wood properties and its brittle behavior, the joints of wood buildings have traditionally been designed to resist gravity loads only. These types of loads result in predictable behavior of structural wood members at the joints, which helps in simplifying the design process. However, when wood structures are subjected to lateral loads, such as earthquake and wind loads, their joints are likely to fail abruptly as the building sways, resulting in sudden, unpredictable collapse. The purpose of this research was to develop and test a high-strength wood structural joint that can fail gradually and predictably. A design procedure for such a joint is presented herein. The proposed glue-laminated wood joint utilizes an embedded steel plate with a reduced section that acts as a ductile link. This configuration is intended to fail through gradual deformation of the ductile link, thus preventing brittle wood failure at the joint. In addition, this joint provides more wood cover over the embedded steel plate, which potentially may increase the fire resistance of the joint compared to typical configurations. Two specimens, based on a baseline joint developed using the design procedure presented, were subjected to slowly-increasing loads until failure. Unlike the first specimen, the second specimen was reinforced in the direction perpendicular to wood grain using long screws to prevent separation of wood layers. Failure mechanisms were analyzed, and the performance characteristics of the two specimens were evaluated and compared. Results indicated that the reinforced specimen exhibited higher strength and improved ductility at failure.

The light is the giver of presence. Nature is eternal in time. Man's life is transitory. Architecture is the joint between man and light, man and nature. / Master of Architecture

The most common fastening technique that is used to connect the components of wooden pallets together are helically or annularly threaded pallet nails. Pallet nails create a strong durable connection and increase manufacturing efficiency for a low cost. However, nails can also cause iron staining, wood splitting, and when exposed can cause product damage or personnel injury. Using adhesives could be a solution to these problems, but only if the adhesives' strength and durability is comparable or higher than nails. The objective of the study was to investigate the tensile and shear strength of pallet connections secured using commercially available wood adhesives and compare their performance to pallet connections secured using common pallet nails. The lowest pre-compression pressure resulted in the best tension and shear performance for a solvent based construction adhesive (SBCA). The pre-compression pressure did not have any practical effect on the performance of the two-part emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI) adhesive. Samples made with the solvent based construction adhesive (SBCA) had greater strength and energy at failure than nailed samples. Meanwhile, the samples made with the two-part emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI) adhesive had equal or greater strength than nailed samples, except for during the tension parallel to the grain tests in which they had equal or lower strength. / MS / The most common technique used to connect the components of wooden pallets together is nails. Pallet nails create a strong connection with high manufacturing efficiency for a low cost. However, nails can cause iron staining, wood splitting, and when exposed can cause product damage or personnel injury. Using adhesives could be a solution to these problems, but only if the adhesives’ strength and durability is comparable or higher than nails. The objective of this study was to investigate the tensile and shear strength of pallet connections when secured using commercially available wood adhesives and compare its performance to pallet connections secured by using common pallet nails. The lowest pre-compression pressure tested resulted in the best overall performance for a solvent based construction adhesive (SBCA); meanwhile, pre-compression pressure did not have any practical effect on the performance of the two-part emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI) adhesive tested. Therefore, using a lower pre-compression pressure would provide adequate performance and could also improve the ease of manufacturing and potentially reduce overall costs. Based on the tests conducted it was found that the solvent based construction adhesive (SBCA) demonstrated the best performance of all connection methods and could be a potential replacement for nails. More tests, such as weathering and impact, should be conducted to determine the full limitations of the adhesive in use.