PC panel strengthening technique was developed in M.E.T.U. Structural Mechanics Laboratory in order to respond the need of practical and efficient pre-quake seismic strengthening procedures applicable to RC framed structures. The idea behind the method is simply to convert the non-structural infills into load bearing structural elements by gluing PC panels over the existing infill wall surface. The remarkable advantages of the procedure is not only the considerable amount of seismic performance improvement but also the simplicity of application, very low levels of disturbance to the occupants and most importantly, the applicability during service. A number of PC panel application parameters were experimentally investigated by previous researchers. The success of PC panel method on seismic performance improvement of RC frames with different aspect ratios was experimentally investigated in the present study. Total of fifteen, 1:3 scaled, one-bay, two-storey RC frames were tested in three various aspect ratio series. Constant axial load was applied to the columns and reversed cyclic load was applied in the lateral direction. Hollow brick v infilled frame and cast-in-place RC infilled frame were the lower and upper bound reference specimens, respectively. Seismic performance indicators such as response envelope curves, lateral load carrying capacities, cumulative energy dissipations, initial stiffness indicators and ductility values clearly showed the effectiveness of PC panel application over different geometry of RC frames of concern. Moreover, PC panel application either with rectangular or with strip shaped PC panels provided seismic performance improvement to be almost equal to that of cast-in-place RC infill application for all series. Equivalent diagonal strut concept was followed in analytical studies to simulate the infills of RC frame openings. The required strut material properties were estimated from total of eighteen individual wall panel tests. The bond-slip effect, due to utilization low strength of concrete and plain rebars, was also investigated and introduced to the analytical frame models. Non-linear push over analysis was performed for all specimens in OpenSees computer software. The analytical results were compared with that of experimental response envelopes.

The importance of seismic rehabilitation became evident with 1992 Erzincan Earthquake, after which a large number of reinforced concrete buildings damaged in recent earthquakes required strengthening as well as repair. In the studies related to rehabilitation, it has been realized that inadequate lateral stiffness is one of the major causes of damage in reinforced concrete buildings. Recently, economical, structurally effective and practically applicable seismic retrofitting techniques are being developed in METU Structural Mechanics Laboratory to overcome these kinds of problems. The strengthening technique proposed in this thesis is on the basis of the principle of strengthening the existing hollow brick infill walls by using high strength precast concrete panels such that they act as cast-in-place concrete infills improving the lateral stiffness. Also, the technique would not require evacuation of the building and would be applicable without causing too much disturbance to the occupant. For this purpose, after two preliminary tests to verify the proper functioning of the newly developed test set-up, a total of fourteen one-bay two story reinforced concrete frames with hollow brick infill wall, two being unstrengthened reference frames, were tested under reversed cyclic lateral loading simulating earthquake loading. The specimens were strengthened by using six different types of precast concrete panels. Strength, stiffness, energy dissipation and story drift characteristics of the specimens were examined by evaluating the test results. Test results indicated that the proposed seismic strengthening technique can be very effective in improving the seismic performance of the reinforced concrete framed building structures commonly used in Turkey. In the analytical part of the study, hollow brick infill walls strengthened by using high strength precast concrete panels were modelled once by means of equivalent diagonal struts and once as monolithic walls having an equivalent thickness. The experimental results were compared with the analytical results of the two approaches mentioned. On the basis of the analytical work, practical recommendations were made for the design of such strengthening intervention to be executed in actual practice.

La compréhension du comportement des structures en maçonneries exposées au feu et la prédiction de leur résistance au feu, sont des besoins majeurs, exprimes par les industriels de la terre cuite, à cause du manque d’études disponibles. L’objectif de ce travail est de construire des outils numériques qui sont capables de prédire le comportement et la tenue au feu des murs de briques alvéolaires en terre cuite, porteurs ou non porteurs, montes avec joints épais en mortier traditionnel ou avec joints minces en mortier colle. Pour cela, des investigations expérimentales à l’échelle de matériau et à l’échelle structurale sont menées permettant de comprendre les phénomènes thermo-hygro-mécaniques contrôlant la tenue au feu. Ces phénomènes majeurs sont par la suite pris en compte dans la construction de modèles de comportement, dont la mise en oeuvre numérique permet de disposer d’un outil de simulation de la tenue au feu des maçonneries. Pour le problème thermique, les trois modes de transferts : conduction, convection et rayonnement, avec l’ajustement de l’effet hydrique dans la capacité thermique, permettent de simuler la réponse thermo-hydrique dans la structure alvéolaire en terre cuite. Sur le plan mécanique, la tenue au feu des murs en maçonnerie est abordée du point de vue du risque d’écaillage. Cette rupture, localisée ou diffuse, des parois peut conduire à une perte d’étanchéité du mur ou à celle de son intégrité mécanique. Pour évaluer ce risque, une modélisation thermo-élastique tridimensionnelle est proposée avec la prise en compte de l’évolution des propriétés avec la température. Cette modélisation simplifiée est complétée à un critère d’écaillage de type détachement-voilement. En parallèle avec des calculs de validations, des études paramétriques sont menées afin d’identifier les influences des paramètres thermiques, mécaniques sur le comportement thermo-mécanique des murs / Understanding the behaviour of masonry structures exposed to fire and prediction of their fire resistance, are nowadays one of the major needs, expressed by manufacturers of fire-clay, because of the lack of available studies. The objective of this work is to build numerical tools that are able to predict the behaviour and resistance to fire of walls made with hollow fire-clay brick. The walls may be loadbearing or unloadbearing, joined with thick traditional mortar or thin adhesive mortar. For this purpose, experimental investigations at material scale and structural scale are carried out to understand the thermo-hygro-mechanical phenomena controlling the fire resistance rate. These major phenomena are then taken into account for the construction of behaviour models, which allow to dispose a tool of simulation of fire behaviour of masonry. For the thermal problem, the three transfer modes : conduction, convection and radiation, with the adjustment of the water effect in the heat capacity, can simulate the thermo-hygric response of alveolar structure in the fire-clay. On the mechanical problem, the fire resistance of masonry walls is approached from the point of view of the risk of spalling. This rupture, local or diffuse, of the brick partitions can lead to a loss of integrity or of loadbearing capacity. To evaluate this risk, a three-dimensional thermoelastic modeling is proposed with the taking into account of the evolution of the properties with the temperature. This simplified modeling is completed with a criterion of spalling of type detachment-buckling. In parallel with the validated calculations, parametrical studies are conducted to identify the influence of thermal, mechanical on the thermo-mechanical behaviour of the walls

The aim of the master´s thesis is to design a Residential care home as smart building. It is situated in the centre of Křenovice near Brno. The master´s thesis is divided into three parts, first part presents design documentation, second part is focused on building services and the final part presents noise control in building. Residential care house is designed as two-storey building without basement with flat roof. On the first floor there is utility area for senior house and healthcare facility and on the second floor there are flats for seniors. Residential care house is built on footing. Load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls are designed from hollow bricks type THERM. External walls are insulated with mineral wool. The roofing of residential care house is made up of extensive green roof. The building services of the building includes two ground-water heat pumps with boreholes for heating and cooling, photovoltaic panels, HVAC, hot water cylinder and rainwater storage tank. The final part is focused on noise control in building. It is about acoustic in construction. Noise study is also included.

Content of the Diploma thesis is the design documentation a block of flats with trade gallery in Tábor. The design documentation and annexes of diploma thesis are elaborated according to present valid laws, goverment´s restrictions and standards. This object is located on plot no. 1457/33 and 1457/1 cadastre unit Tábor. The building is situated in area designated to housing development. Next to the land are there public infrastructure. The apartment building is divided into 20 flats including one accessible flat and café for 60 customers and max 5 employees. Flats are located from second floor except accessible flat, which is in grounfloor. In grounfloor is common storage area and utility room. Building has four (above-ground) floor. Object is dimensioned 31,7 x 25,2 m and high 13,6 m.The object is builded on finished grade. Load-bearing structural systém is from hollow bricks. Building has flat roof and whole object is thermal insulated.