A escolha do propulsor é uma etapa-chave no projeto de um navio. Muito do que se espera qualitativamente do desempenho de uma embarcação implica em economia de energia, em condições de operação e habitabilidade adequadas à tripulação, e em baixo custo de manutenção dos elementos estruturais e dos equipamentos. Essas questões estão diretamente relacionadas ao aproveitamento de combustível pelo sistema propulsivo e à propagação de vibração, cabendo ao propulsor um papel significativo para a performance do navio em ambos os aspectos. Por esta razão, a dissertação propõe a avaliação de propulsores navais com respeito à excitação de vibração e à eficiência, quando atuando em esteira não uniforme. A dissertação inicia-se com uma abordagem resumida especificamente sobre os estudos já realizados sobre indução de vibração pelo propulsor focados nas chamadas forças de mancal. Em seguida, revisam-se os assuntos pertinentes ao projeto de propulsor, isto é, definição de sua geometria, de seus coeficientes de operação, e dos métodos teóricos e computacionais utilizados para estudar seu comportamento hidrodinâmico. A metodologia do trabalho fundamenta-se no estudo paramétrico da geometria do hélice, objetivando identificar a influência de cada um dos parâmetros de projeto do propulsor nos dois aspectos destacados no início. As diversas configurações geométricas são submetidas a campos de velocidades advindos de diferentes navios, que representam três grupos de embarcações (navios série 60, porta-containers e navios-tanque), com o intuito de verificar as diferentes tendências de comportamento possíveis. Para a execução computacional, elabora-se uma rotina encarregada de sistematizar o processo de alterações geométricas, encaminhar os numerosos casos à análise hidrodinâmica, realizar o processo de integração casco-hélice e o pós-processamento dos resultados. A análise hidrodinâmica citada é feita através do uso de um software comercial, que, baseado na teoria do escoamento potencial, aplica o método dos painéis para a resolução do escoamento ao redor do propulsor. Os esforços excitados pelo hélice são traduzidos em critérios objetivos, baseados na transmissão de vibração através do eixo, que, associados ao critério de eficiência propulsora e à restrição relativa à ocorrência de cavitação, avaliam os casos e identificam-se o comportamento dos parâmetros de projeto. Obtém-se, como conclusão, uma metodologia de avaliação aplicável em outros casos de propulsores e navios. / The propeller choice is a key-step of the ship design. The high quality of the vessel performance requires energy economy, appropriated operating and environmental conditions for the crew, and low maintenance costs of structural elements and equipment. These questions consider directly fuel consumption by the propulsion system and the transmitted vibration, regarding the propeller an important role in the ships performance about both attributes. For this reason, the evaluation of marine propellers, regarding the induced vibration and the propulsive efficiency under a non-uniform inflow, is proposed. The study begins with a briefly state of the art about the propeller induced vibration focused in bearing forces. Then, a propeller design overview is made about subjects such as geometry definition, operation coefficients, and theoretical and computed methods for studying its hydrodynamic behavior. The methodology is based on a parametric study of the propeller geometry, in order to identify the influence of each of the propeller design parameters in both aspects highlighted in beginning. The several geometric configurations are submitted to the wake fields from different ships, that represent three groups of vessels (60 series, containers and tankers), then different tendencies of behavior can be expected. For computational execution, a routine is in charge of systematizing the process of geometrical parameterization, send the cases to the hydrodynamic analysis, make the hull-propeller integration and post process the data. The hydrodynamic analysis is compelled by a HSVA® software, which applies the panel method in the propeller flow, based on potential flow theory. The propeller induced bearing forces are converted in objective criteria, based on vibration transmission through the shaft, which, combined with the propulsive efficiency criteria and the cavitation restriction, evaluate the propeller geometric configurations. As a conclusion, a propeller evaluation methodology applicable to another kind of propeller series and wake fields is obtained.

Nos últimos anos, a protensão externa aplicada a estruturas de pontes tem evoluído de forma excepcional, o que permite maior liberdade de projeto e, consequentemente, possibilita o surgimento de novas tipologias estruturais. Um exemplo desse desenvolvimento é a ponte com protensão no extradorso, que começa a se difundir no meio técnico como uma transição econômica entre as pontes de concreto protendido e as estaiadas. A idéia, atribuída ao engenheiro francês Jacques Mathivat, consiste em utilizar protensão externa sobre os apoios intermediários, com o auxílio de pequenas torres. Neste trabalho é apresentada uma revisão bibliográfica ampla sobre os diversos tipos de pontes com emprego de protensão, visando focar nos aspectos importantes e que auxiliam no entendimento do comportamento estrutural das pontes com protensão no extradorso. É realizado, também, um estudo da flutuação de tensão nos cabos de protensão, com vistas à fadiga dos mesmos, que é um fator de extrema importância. Além disso, é realizado um vasto estudo paramétrico de diversos tipos de modelos estruturais, que têm por objetivo um aprofundamento da compreensão do comportamento estrutural das pontes com protensão no extradorso, sendo que, a partir da análise dos resultados obtidos, foram sugeridos alguns critérios de projeto. / In recent years, external prestressing applied to structures of bridges has experienced exceptional development, permitting a greater freedom in design and, consequently, the appearance of new structural typologies. An exemple of such development is the extradosed bridge, a concept that begins to spread in technical media as a low cost transition between prestressed concrete bridges and cable-stayed bridges. The idea, which should be attributed to French engineer Jacques Mathivat, consists of using external prestressing at intermediate supports, with the help of small towers. In this work, a comprehensive review of the literature about different types of bridges using prestressing is presented, aiming at the important aspects that help us understand the structural behavior of extradosed bridges. A study of stress fluctuation in prestressing cables is also presented, having in mind fatigue, an extremely important factor. Besides, an ample parametric study of different types of structural arrangements is performed, with the purpose of having a deeper understanding of the structural behavior of extradosed bridges. Analysis of the results led to suggesting some desing criteria.

The European standard Eurocode 5, a design method for timber structures,is currently under revision. In this study the draft for a reviseddesign method for vibrations in timber floors was compared to the currentmethod. The hypothesis of the thesis was that the revised designmethod might force some changes to the present construction practiceand that these changes may carry with them increased costs for the industry.Six common floor structures used in Sweden today were identifiedand for these floors design calculations were made according to the currentand the revised design method. It was checked whether the floorspassed the criteria in the two design methods and a comparison was madefor the only criterion which could be compared between the methods, thepoint load deflection. Floor structures could pass or fail the current designmethod based on two criteria, the point load deflection and the unitimpulse velocity response. All floors passed the current design methodexcept one which had a fundamental frequency below 8 Hz, because ofthe low frequency the current design method was not applicable to thefloor structure. In the revised design method the final result is a responsefactor and based on the response factor floors are given floor performancelevels. The seven step scale for the floor performance level go from I toVII where I is excellent and VII is unacceptable. All floor structures excepttwo achieved an acceptable floor performance level according to therevised design method. The two floors which failed were floors commonlyused in single family houses, they failed for a span length commonly usedtoday. A limited parametric study was performed where it was found thatthe modal mass used had a larger impact on the floor performance levelthan the mass per square meter included. For floors with a fundamentalfrequency above 8 Hz, including a higher mass per square meter resultedin a lower, i.e. better, response factor in all cases except one. For floorswith a fundamental frequency between 4.5 and 8 Hz, a higher mass resultedin a higher, i.e. worse, response factor. The study found that notall floor structures used in Sweden today are acceptable according to therevised design method therefore changes may have to be implemented andthese changes could result in an increased cost.

This thesis presents a study of the effects of deep excavations on adjacent metro or utility tunnel in soft to medium soil. The main objective of the thesis is to develop a method of estimating these effects quantitatively. Extensive review of relevant literature published in the past four decades was conducted in order to understand the trends and the key developments in this area. It was revealed from the literature review that the concurrent use of the Observational Method and the finite element method for monitoring and controlling of ground deformations around the excavation has become a norm for deep excavation projects. Several design charts and guidelines for estimation of effects of deep excavations on adjacent raft foundations or pile foundations were found in the literature; however, no such charts or guidelines were found for estimation of effects of deep excavations on existing circular tunnels. Consequently, the development of these guidelines was established as one of the objectives of this study. <p>The initial phase of the research was focused on detailed study and analysis of two well-documented case studies the Chicago Subway Renovation Project, USA and the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Deep Excavation, Singapore. The back analyses of these two case studies were carried out using the finite element software PLAXIS. Exact site conditions and input parameters for the soil and the structural components were incorporated as much as possible. Appropriate adjustments in some of the input parameters were necessary to achieve good match between the computed and the observed results. <p> The back analyses were followed by parametric studies to identify important variables controlling the mechanisms of soil-structure interaction. The variables identified from the parametric studies of the two case studies were: soil stiffness, tunnel lining thickness, the depth of the excavation, and the location of tunnel. These variables were used to conduct a series of finite element analyses using simplified geometry and ground conditions for the purpose of formulating preliminary design charts. Results from these analyses were recorded in terms of in-plane and out-of-plane distortion of tunnel lining as well as additional shear forces and bending moments induced in the tunnel lining due to an adjacent deep excavation. The results were made non-dimensional before presenting them as contour plots. These contour plots constitute preliminary design charts, which can be used for the estimation of tunnel lining deformation caused by adjacent deep excavation.<p> Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that a finite element program (such as PLAXIS) that is able to model construction processes associated with tunnelling and deep excavation in urban environment can be an invaluable tool in exploring the mechanism of ground deformation around the deep excavation and in quantifying the effects of ground deformation on existing adjacent structures. The modeller must, however, be aware of the fact that ways of modelling a particular construction process could be different for various finite element programs. It is important to interpret the instructions given in the manual of the program correctly. <p>Detailed back analyses of well-documented deep excavation case histories are vital from the point-of-view of building confidence in the selected finite element program. Such analyses also have the potential to identify key variables influencing the soil-structure interaction. <p> Preliminary design charts proposed in this thesis are very convenient for obtaining approximate values of tunnel lining deformation caused by adjacent deep excavation. Non-dimensional nature of these design charts makes it possible to be used for any depth of the deep excavation and for tunnels of any size, depth of cover, and distance from the vertical face of the excavation. These design charts can be used by engineers and contractors for initial estimation, selection and preliminary design of excavation support system, and are particularly useful during the planning phase. Town planners and project managers, who need to decide on the feasibility, damage control and risk management aspects of a deep excavation project, may also find these design charts equally useful. It should, however, be kept in mind that the estimates obtained from these design charts are highly approximate and as such, should be taken as guidelines for decision making processes. These estimates do not replace site specific detailed analysis and monitoring.

This thesis presents a study of the effects of deep excavations on adjacent metro or utility tunnel in soft to medium soil. The main objective of the thesis is to develop a method of estimating these effects quantitatively. Extensive review of relevant literature published in the past four decades was conducted in order to understand the trends and the key developments in this area. It was revealed from the literature review that the concurrent use of the Observational Method and the finite element method for monitoring and controlling of ground deformations around the excavation has become a norm for deep excavation projects. Several design charts and guidelines for estimation of effects of deep excavations on adjacent raft foundations or pile foundations were found in the literature; however, no such charts or guidelines were found for estimation of effects of deep excavations on existing circular tunnels. Consequently, the development of these guidelines was established as one of the objectives of this study. <p>The initial phase of the research was focused on detailed study and analysis of two well-documented case studies the Chicago Subway Renovation Project, USA and the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Deep Excavation, Singapore. The back analyses of these two case studies were carried out using the finite element software PLAXIS. Exact site conditions and input parameters for the soil and the structural components were incorporated as much as possible. Appropriate adjustments in some of the input parameters were necessary to achieve good match between the computed and the observed results. <p> The back analyses were followed by parametric studies to identify important variables controlling the mechanisms of soil-structure interaction. The variables identified from the parametric studies of the two case studies were: soil stiffness, tunnel lining thickness, the depth of the excavation, and the location of tunnel. These variables were used to conduct a series of finite element analyses using simplified geometry and ground conditions for the purpose of formulating preliminary design charts. Results from these analyses were recorded in terms of in-plane and out-of-plane distortion of tunnel lining as well as additional shear forces and bending moments induced in the tunnel lining due to an adjacent deep excavation. The results were made non-dimensional before presenting them as contour plots. These contour plots constitute preliminary design charts, which can be used for the estimation of tunnel lining deformation caused by adjacent deep excavation.<p> Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that a finite element program (such as PLAXIS) that is able to model construction processes associated with tunnelling and deep excavation in urban environment can be an invaluable tool in exploring the mechanism of ground deformation around the deep excavation and in quantifying the effects of ground deformation on existing adjacent structures. The modeller must, however, be aware of the fact that ways of modelling a particular construction process could be different for various finite element programs. It is important to interpret the instructions given in the manual of the program correctly. <p>Detailed back analyses of well-documented deep excavation case histories are vital from the point-of-view of building confidence in the selected finite element program. Such analyses also have the potential to identify key variables influencing the soil-structure interaction. <p> Preliminary design charts proposed in this thesis are very convenient for obtaining approximate values of tunnel lining deformation caused by adjacent deep excavation. Non-dimensional nature of these design charts makes it possible to be used for any depth of the deep excavation and for tunnels of any size, depth of cover, and distance from the vertical face of the excavation. These design charts can be used by engineers and contractors for initial estimation, selection and preliminary design of excavation support system, and are particularly useful during the planning phase. Town planners and project managers, who need to decide on the feasibility, damage control and risk management aspects of a deep excavation project, may also find these design charts equally useful. It should, however, be kept in mind that the estimates obtained from these design charts are highly approximate and as such, should be taken as guidelines for decision making processes. These estimates do not replace site specific detailed analysis and monitoring.

Σκοπός της διπλωματική αυτής εργασίας είναι η παραμετρική διερεύνηση ενός αυτόνομου φωτοβολταϊκού συστήματος. Η διερεύνηση αυτή γίνεται για έξι πόλης της Βορείου Ελλάδος με στόχο την εξαγωγή γενικών συμπερασμάτων σχετικά με τον σχεδιασμό αυτόνομων φωτοβολταϊκών συστημάτων. Πριν προχωρήσουμε στην παραμετρική διερεύνηση, θεωρήθηκε σκόπιμο να μελετήσουμε θεωρητικά τα κυριότερα μέρη ενός φωτοβολταϊκού συστήματος. Αρχικά, παρατίθεται μια σύντομη Εισαγωγή στην οποία παρουσιάζεται το ενεργειακό, ενώ τονίζεται η σημασία της ανάπτυξης και βελτίωσης ηλεκτροπαραγωγικών μεθόδων βασιζόμενες στις Ανανεώσιμες Πηγές Ενέργειας (Α.Π.Ε.). Στο κεφάλαιο 1, αναλύεται η αρχή λειτουργίας των ηλιακών κυττάρων. Επιπλέον, γίνεται αναφορά στην εξίσωση, την I-V χαρακτηριστική και την απόδοση των Φ/Β κυττάρων, ενώ αναφέρονται και τα κυριότερα είδη αυτών. Στο κεφάλαιο 2, αναφερόμαστε στα κύρια δομικά χαρακτηριστικά μιας Φ/Β συστοιχίας, καθώς και στα προβλήματα που αυτή αντιμετωπίζει και την επίλυση αυτών. Στο κεφάλαιο 3 παρατίθεται η αρχή λειτουργίας καθώς και η δομή των δευτερευόντων συσσωρευτών. Επίσης, ειδική αναφορά γίνεται στους συσσωρευτές Νικελίου-Καδμίου. Στο κεφάλαιο 4, αναπτύσσεται το μοντέλο το οποίο χρησιμοποιούμε για να μετατρέψουμε τιμές της προσπίπτουσας ηλιακής ακτινοβολίας σε οριζόντια επιφάνεια σε αντίστοιχες τιμές σε κεκλιμένη επιφάνεια. Στο κεφάλαιο 5, χρησιμοποιούμε το μοντέλο που αναπτύχθηκε στο κεφάλαιο 4 για τον υπολογισμό τιμών της ηλιακής ακτινοβολίας σε κεκλιμένη επιφάνεια, για τις έξι υπό μελέτη πόλεις, χρησιμοποιώντας ως τιμές εισόδου τις τιμές που παρατίθενται στον πίνακα Α.1 (Παράρτημα). Οι τιμές που υπολογίζουμε στο κεφάλαιο αυτό μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν στο σχεδιασμό Φ/Β συστημάτων συνδεδεμένων με το δίκτυο. Στο κεφάλαιο 6, αναπτύσσεται μια μεθοδολογία υπολογισμού αυτόνομων Φ/Β συστημάτων. Στα κεφάλαια 7 και 8, χρησιμοποιούμε την μεθοδολογία που αναπτύχθηκε στο προηγούμενο κεφάλαιο για να προσομοιώσουμε την λειτουργία ενός αυτόνομου Φ/Β συστήματος για ετήσια και καλοκαιρινή λειτουργία αντίστοιχα. Μάλιστα, στο κεφάλαιο 8 χρησιμοποιούμε και μια παραλλαγή της βασικής μεθόδου για τη μελέτη της καλοκαιρινής περιόδου λειτουργίας του Φ/Β συστήματος. Τέλος, στον επίλογο γίνεται μια συνολική αποτίμηση όσων έγιναν στην διπλωματική αυτή εργασία και παρατίθενται κάποια γενικά συμπεράσματα. / This thesis deals with the parametric study of a Stand Alone Photovoltaic System. This study is being conducted in six cities of Northern Greece, for the purpose of extracting general guidelines regarding the design of stand-alone PV systems. Before we proceed with the study, it is considered useful to study theoretically the main parts of a stand-alone PV system. We start off with a short introduction in which the global energy problem is being described. Emphasis is also given to the importance of developing energy production methods based on Renewable Energy Sources. Chapter 1 deals with the working principle of solar cells. Furthermore, we also investigate the equivalent circuit model, the I-V curve and the efficiency of solar cells. Finally, the primary types of solar cells are being demonstrated. In chapter 2 we study the main parts of a PV array. We also refer to the problems that a PV array faces during its operation, as well as the possible solutions of these problems. In chapter 3 we refer to the working principles and to the structure of batteries. In particular, we study Nickel-Cadmium batteries. In chapter 4, the model that is used in order to convert solar radiation values, taken in horizontal surface, to corresponding values taken in inclined surface, is being described. In chapter 5, we use the model described in chapter 4 in order to calculate values of solar radiation in inclined surface, for the six cities in which this study takes place. The data based on which we calculate the above values are being demonstrated in table A.1 (appendix A). The values calculated in this chapter can be used in the design of a grid connected PV system. In chapter 6, a methodology used in designing a stand-alone PV system is being described. In chapters 7 and 8, we use the above methodology in order to simulate the operation of a stand-alone PV system during annual and summer working periods correspondingly. In chapter 8 we also use a slight alteration of the above methodology in order to study the operation of a stand-alone PV system, during a summer working period even further. Finally, an overall valuation of this thesis is made in the epilogue. Furthermore, some overall conclusions are being presented.

Nos últimos anos, a protensão externa aplicada a estruturas de pontes tem evoluído de forma excepcional, o que permite maior liberdade de projeto e, consequentemente, possibilita o surgimento de novas tipologias estruturais. Um exemplo desse desenvolvimento é a ponte com protensão no extradorso, que começa a se difundir no meio técnico como uma transição econômica entre as pontes de concreto protendido e as estaiadas. A idéia, atribuída ao engenheiro francês Jacques Mathivat, consiste em utilizar protensão externa sobre os apoios intermediários, com o auxílio de pequenas torres. Neste trabalho é apresentada uma revisão bibliográfica ampla sobre os diversos tipos de pontes com emprego de protensão, visando focar nos aspectos importantes e que auxiliam no entendimento do comportamento estrutural das pontes com protensão no extradorso. É realizado, também, um estudo da flutuação de tensão nos cabos de protensão, com vistas à fadiga dos mesmos, que é um fator de extrema importância. Além disso, é realizado um vasto estudo paramétrico de diversos tipos de modelos estruturais, que têm por objetivo um aprofundamento da compreensão do comportamento estrutural das pontes com protensão no extradorso, sendo que, a partir da análise dos resultados obtidos, foram sugeridos alguns critérios de projeto. / In recent years, external prestressing applied to structures of bridges has experienced exceptional development, permitting a greater freedom in design and, consequently, the appearance of new structural typologies. An exemple of such development is the extradosed bridge, a concept that begins to spread in technical media as a low cost transition between prestressed concrete bridges and cable-stayed bridges. The idea, which should be attributed to French engineer Jacques Mathivat, consists of using external prestressing at intermediate supports, with the help of small towers. In this work, a comprehensive review of the literature about different types of bridges using prestressing is presented, aiming at the important aspects that help us understand the structural behavior of extradosed bridges. A study of stress fluctuation in prestressing cables is also presented, having in mind fatigue, an extremely important factor. Besides, an ample parametric study of different types of structural arrangements is performed, with the purpose of having a deeper understanding of the structural behavior of extradosed bridges. Analysis of the results led to suggesting some desing criteria.

A escolha do propulsor é uma etapa-chave no projeto de um navio. Muito do que se espera qualitativamente do desempenho de uma embarcação implica em economia de energia, em condições de operação e habitabilidade adequadas à tripulação, e em baixo custo de manutenção dos elementos estruturais e dos equipamentos. Essas questões estão diretamente relacionadas ao aproveitamento de combustível pelo sistema propulsivo e à propagação de vibração, cabendo ao propulsor um papel significativo para a performance do navio em ambos os aspectos. Por esta razão, a dissertação propõe a avaliação de propulsores navais com respeito à excitação de vibração e à eficiência, quando atuando em esteira não uniforme. A dissertação inicia-se com uma abordagem resumida especificamente sobre os estudos já realizados sobre indução de vibração pelo propulsor focados nas chamadas forças de mancal. Em seguida, revisam-se os assuntos pertinentes ao projeto de propulsor, isto é, definição de sua geometria, de seus coeficientes de operação, e dos métodos teóricos e computacionais utilizados para estudar seu comportamento hidrodinâmico. A metodologia do trabalho fundamenta-se no estudo paramétrico da geometria do hélice, objetivando identificar a influência de cada um dos parâmetros de projeto do propulsor nos dois aspectos destacados no início. As diversas configurações geométricas são submetidas a campos de velocidades advindos de diferentes navios, que representam três grupos de embarcações (navios série 60, porta-containers e navios-tanque), com o intuito de verificar as diferentes tendências de comportamento possíveis. Para a execução computacional, elabora-se uma rotina encarregada de sistematizar o processo de alterações geométricas, encaminhar os numerosos casos à análise hidrodinâmica, realizar o processo de integração casco-hélice e o pós-processamento dos resultados. A análise hidrodinâmica citada é feita através do uso de um software comercial, que, baseado na teoria do escoamento potencial, aplica o método dos painéis para a resolução do escoamento ao redor do propulsor. Os esforços excitados pelo hélice são traduzidos em critérios objetivos, baseados na transmissão de vibração através do eixo, que, associados ao critério de eficiência propulsora e à restrição relativa à ocorrência de cavitação, avaliam os casos e identificam-se o comportamento dos parâmetros de projeto. Obtém-se, como conclusão, uma metodologia de avaliação aplicável em outros casos de propulsores e navios. / The propeller choice is a key-step of the ship design. The high quality of the vessel performance requires energy economy, appropriated operating and environmental conditions for the crew, and low maintenance costs of structural elements and equipment. These questions consider directly fuel consumption by the propulsion system and the transmitted vibration, regarding the propeller an important role in the ships performance about both attributes. For this reason, the evaluation of marine propellers, regarding the induced vibration and the propulsive efficiency under a non-uniform inflow, is proposed. The study begins with a briefly state of the art about the propeller induced vibration focused in bearing forces. Then, a propeller design overview is made about subjects such as geometry definition, operation coefficients, and theoretical and computed methods for studying its hydrodynamic behavior. The methodology is based on a parametric study of the propeller geometry, in order to identify the influence of each of the propeller design parameters in both aspects highlighted in beginning. The several geometric configurations are submitted to the wake fields from different ships, that represent three groups of vessels (60 series, containers and tankers), then different tendencies of behavior can be expected. For computational execution, a routine is in charge of systematizing the process of geometrical parameterization, send the cases to the hydrodynamic analysis, make the hull-propeller integration and post process the data. The hydrodynamic analysis is compelled by a HSVA® software, which applies the panel method in the propeller flow, based on potential flow theory. The propeller induced bearing forces are converted in objective criteria, based on vibration transmission through the shaft, which, combined with the propulsive efficiency criteria and the cavitation restriction, evaluate the propeller geometric configurations. As a conclusion, a propeller evaluation methodology applicable to another kind of propeller series and wake fields is obtained.

In a context where timber is gaining popularity as a building material and glass-fibre reinforced composites (GFRC) are becoming more accessible in a wide variety of formats, it is considered appropriate to reconsider the combination of these two materials. Additionally, given the increasing use of laminated timber elements where stiffness and strength are better controlled, attention is drawn back to the connection between elements. For these reasons, it is considered of interest to study reinforcing possibilities for connections within timber structures. This work consists in a parametric study of a single-dowelled connection between a timber part and a slotted-in steel plate, reinforced wirh GFRC plates glued into the timber slot at both sides of the steel plate. The study was carried out through simulations in ABAAUS Finite Element Analysis software considering the effect of specimen's geometry and the fibre distribution within the GFRC. Results show the increase of stiffness for the different configurations and give an insight of what can be expected from such type of reinforcements.

The application of dynamic wind load on photovoltaic (PV) solar systems mounted on flat roofs influenced their structural behavior significantly. It is implied that when the PV solar system is exposed to extreme weather characteristics such as low temperatures, these might influence the load distribution along each layer of the solar panel, which is composed by multiple layers of different materials. Therefore, the high record of weather characteristics as one scenario in addition to the field experiment were designed to describe parametric structural behavior of PV solar system help to increase the precision of study. According to the mentioned procedures different parameters of weather characteristics measured with instrumentation at the site of PV panel installation at the University of Ottawa where the low temperature equal to -24.3° C and wind speed of 11.8 recorded. The mechanical and thermal properties of full-scale specimen and load application that computed based on weather record for every two minutes of January and February from northern side of specimen, introduced to FEM software SAP 2000. Moreover, the support structure and connection used to assemble real specimen considered in modeling with respect to average temperature equal to -7° C that caused to simulate 36 different cases to compare with simultaneous experiment designed to measured strain within same period. The second investigation involved instrumenting a full-scale PV solar panel specimen with 13 half-bridge strain gauges on both surfaces of the PV solar panel, which were used to measure strain values in longitudinal and transversal directions of solar panel and also on the top and bottom edges of the same panel. According to an equivalent uniform Young’s modulus numerically determined for the five layers of the PV solar panel, and with respect to the Hook’s law, the stresses were found to be equal to 50 Mpa for strain gauges at the mid area of PV solar panel,. This value was used to calibrate boundary conditions of the FE model namely the Fix-Equal and the Pin-Equal conditions along the edges of the solar panel and along the mounting frame.