Ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is an advanced cement-based composite with enhanced compressive strength, tensile resistance and toughness when compared to conventional concrete. Interest in the application of UHPFRC as a retrofit material has been rapidly increasing, and a few existing studies have examined the ability of UHPFRC to retrofit and strengthen existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures under static loading; however, very limited studies have examined the effectiveness of UHPFRC to improve the response of RC members under blast loading. This thesis aims at filing this research gap and investigates the behavior of UHPFRC retrofitted RC flexural members under both static and blast loads. A total of twenty-one (21) specimens, in two different series are tested. Series 1 includes nine (9) singly-reinforced beams built with high-strength concrete (HSC) and strengthened by UHPFRC to improve shear and flexural behaviour. Series 2 includes a further twelve (12) doubly-reinforced beams/columns built with normal-strength concrete (NSC), and strengthened by UHPFRC to improve response under blast, or combined blast-axial loading. Various test parameters are examined including the effects of varying retrofit types (full jacket, U-jacket or T-sided), surface roughening methods, longitudinal steel reinforcement ratio, single vs. repeated blasts, and the effects of axial loading. The results from this thesis are presented in six journal articles. Papers 1 and 2 study the effects of UHPFRC jacketing on the static and blast behaviour of the singly-reinforced HSC beams in Series 1, while Paper 3 discusses the effects of additional parameters such as: the effect of retrofit type, roughening method and steel detailing on blast behaviour. Under static loading (Paper 1), the UHPFRC jacketing was found to be effective in increasing shear resistance (by preventing shear failure), and improving flexural behaviour (by increasing strength, stiffness, ductility and overall toughness) when compared to control beams built without UHPFRC. Similarly, under blast loads (Paper 2) the use of UHPFRC jacketing prevented shear failure, and improved flexural behaviour by reducing displacements at equivalent blasts, increasing overall blast capacity, and improving damage tolerance. On the other hand, the results show that UHPFRC-retrofitted beams with low longitudinal steel ratios may be vulnerable to brittle bar fracture failures. As part of the numerical research, finite element (FE) modelling is used to predict the static and blast behaviour of the test beams using software LS-DYNA (Papers 1 and 2). The results from Paper 3, provide further insights into the effects of retrofit type (FJ, UJ and T) and roughening method on blast performance; both the UJ and FJ retrofits were found to be effective in increasing shear resistance, reducing blast-displacements and increasing blast capacity, while the benefit of the T-sided retrofit was limited by the crushing capacity of HSC concrete. The effect of roughening method was found to be negligible, except at the very late stages of blast loading. Papers 4, 5 and 6 present the experimental results from the doubly-reinforced NSC beams tested in Series 2, with a focus on the effect of UHPFRC jacketing, UHPFRC retrofitting type and Axial loading, respectively. Paper 4 shows that the UHPFRC jacketing increased the stiffness and strength of the beams under both static and blast loading, however the high bond capacity of the UHPFRC and relatively low tension steel ratio increased the vulnerability of bar rupture failure. The numerical parametric study investigates the effects of steel ratio and blast load scenario, jacket thickness and interface location on blast performance and failure model. Paper 5 confirms that the blast performance of the beams is influenced by the retrofit type, with optimal performance obtained when using full- or U-jacketing. The efficient use of localized "hinge" retrofits was also found to be effective, and reduced the vulnerability to bar rupture. The numerical parametric study investigates the effects of steel ratio and blast load scenario (single vs. repeated) on the blast performance of the beams. Paper 6, studies the effect of UHPFRC jacketing in columns tested under combined axial and blast loading. The retrofit is shown to increase blast capacity and reduce blast-induced displacements and damage, though the final failure of the columns was governed by bar rupture. As part of the numerical parametric study the effects of axial load ratio, boundary conditions, steel ratio, jacket thickness and jacket design are studied numerically and found to have significant effects on blast behaviour and failure mode.

Unreinforced masonry (URM) structures have historically been regarded as structurally unsound in response to seismic events. The tendency for URM walls to collapse out-of-plane in a brittle manner is continually cause for concern. Retrofit of these walls is necessary in order to prevent severe damage and injury to occupants. This paper is concerned with the retrofit of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls in response to out-of-plane loading. A retrofit design was developed and verified through structural testing. The selected retrofit technique incorporates vertical coring of URM walls to allow for the insertion of a single post-tensioning (PT) tendon. Tendons are spaced at a regular interval and anchored at the top of the wall parapet and at the lower diaphragm level. Tensioning of the tendons imparts a compressive stress to the wall that effectively increases the wall cracking moment strength, ultimate moment strength and displacement capacity. Additionally, the insertion of PT tendons allows the wall to behave in a ductile manner in response to out-of-plane ground motion. Extensive research was conducted in order to accurately portray the material properties and construction methods of unreinforced masonry walls in San Luis Obispo, California. Various mortar mix designs were generated and tested so that a mix design could be selected to best reflect the target URM structures. Seismic parameters were generated to reflect a URM structure in San Luis Obispo. An unreinforced masonry wall was constructed by a professional mason using the established mortar mix proportions and salvaged bricks from the 1920 era. Having a pin-pin unsupported height of 11 feet, the wall constructed for testing was reflective of the configuration of URM walls in many downtown San Luis Obispo structures. The wall was loaded in the out-of-plane direction by 4 equal point loads mimicking a uniformly distributed load. The testing program consisted of cycling the wall through target internal moments and target displacements. It was verified through testing that post-tensioning tendons can be successfully introduced in URM walls to resist out-of-plane bending. Testing showed that the addition of PT tendons significantly increased the wall’s cracking moment capacity, giving it the elastic strength to resist twice the forces imposed by the design-level ground motion. PT tendons also increased the nominal strength of the wall, allowing the wall to achieve large displacements without collapse. It was also found that PT tendons provided a restoring force to the wall returning it to almost no residual displacement after each displacement cycle. Thus, the URM wall retrofitted with PT tendons demonstrated significant integrity as a structural system, providing for improved strength and ductility with no residual displacement.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The load-carrying capacity of aging bridge members may at times be found insufficient due to deterioration and a historical trend towards increased truck axle loads beyond their design capacity. Structurally deficient bridges are problematic for bridge owners and users because they restrict traffic usage and require bridges to be posted (operate at less than their ideal capacity). Structural deficiency is the primary motivation for bridge owners to retrofit bridges to meet a specified operating demand. It may be required to replace or retrofit a portion or all of a deficient bridge. The replacement of an entire bridge or even a part of the bridge is generally less desirable than a retrofit solution because retrofits are generally a cheaper alternative to the entire replacement of a structure and usually do not require the bridge's closure. Standard strengthening solutions for corroded members include bolting or welding steel cover plates, replacing sections of the girder, or adding external prestressed tendons. However, these methods also have several challenges, including required lane closures, high installation costs, increased dead weight, and continuing corrosion issues. One alternative to conventional retrofits is the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates, which can be adhered to increase both strength and stiffness. CFRPs are a highly tailorable material with an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio, ease of installation and can potentially mitigate further corrosion concerns. Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) have already been widely accepted as a means of retrofitting reinforced concrete structures (AASHTO 2012, 2018a; ACI 2002, 2017; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering 2010, 2019) but have not yet been widely adopted in the steel industry due to the retrofit's material limitations (lower elastic modulus [less than 29,000 ksi], unanswered questions related to debonding, and no unified design or installation guides). However, newly developed materials and manufacturing processes have allowed for the economic development of stiffer CFRP materials suitable for steel structures, such as the high modulus (HM) CFRP strand sheet. This research analytically and experimentally investigates how newly developed HM strand sheets perform in small scale tensile testing and large scale flexural testing (laboratory and in situ testing). During the laboratory testing, these HM strand sheets were compared against normal modulus (NM) CFRP plates to draw conclusions on these different retrofitting materials (strength, stiffness, bond behavior, and applicability of the retrofit). Another central point in examing these different retrofit materials is how CFRPs perform when attached to structural steel with significant corrosion damage. Corrosion damage typically results in a variable surface profile, which may affect a CFRP retrofit's bond behavior. While limited laboratory testing has been conducted on CFRP attached to steel structures with simulated deterioration, the surface profile does not represent realistic conditions. The effects of a variable surface profile on the NM plate material and HM strand sheet were investigated using small scale tensile testing and large scale flexural testing. All the variable surface profiles tested for bond strength were fabricated based on "representative" simulated corrosion samples or on specimens with significant corrosion. Once all the variables pertaining to the new materials and the effect of a variable surface profile on CFRP retrofits had been examined in a laboratory setting, these retrofitting techniques were implemented on deteriorated in-service steel bridge structures. This research was the first to retrofit deteriorated in-service bridge structures with HM CFRP strand sheets in the United States. This in situ testing was used to compare the laboratory test data of an individually retrofitted girder to the behavior of a single girder that had been retrofitted in a bridge structure. This information was used to verify results on the behaviors of strengthening, stiffening, effects on live load distributions, and modeling assumptions of retrofitted bridge structures. The results from the laboratory testing and in situ testing of CFRP retrofits on corroded steel structures were synthesized to provide information on performance and design guidance for future retrofits. This dissertation provides additional information on CFRP retrofits applied to variable surface profiles and provides data on new CFRP materials (HM strand sheets). With this information, Departments of Transportation (DOT) can be confident as to where and when different types of CFRPs are a suitable retrofit material for corroded or uncorroded steel structures. / Doctor of Philosophy / The capacity of aging bridges may at times be found insufficient due to deterioration and a trend towards increased loading. Structurally deficient bridges are problematic for bridge owners and users because they restrict traffic usage and require bridges to operate at less than their intended capacity. Inadequate capacity are the primary motivation for bridge owners to repair (retrofit) bridges to meet specified traffic demands. Repairs usually do not require the bridge's closure to traffic. Standard repairs for corroded steel members include bolting or welding steel cover plates, replacing sections of the girder, or adding external prestressed tendons. However, these methods also have several challenges, including required bridge closures, high installation costs, increased weight, and continuing corrosion issues. One alternative to conventional repairs is the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates, which can be adhered to the deteriorated members to increase strength and stiffness. CFRPs are an extremely versatile material with high strength, high stiffness, ease of installation and can potentially mitigate concerns about further corrosion. Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) have already been widely accepted as a means of retrofitting reinforced concrete structures(AASHTO 2012, 2018a; ACI 2002, 2017; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering 2010, 2019) but have not yet been widely adopted in the steel industry due to the lack of literature and economical implementation of the CFRPs on steel. However, over the past 20 years, research has been completed on the application of CFRPs on steel, and newly developed materials were created for the economic implementation of CFRP materials suitable for steel structures. In particular, this material is a high modulus (HM) CFRP strand sheet, which has a higher stiffness than a conventional CFRP. This research investigated how newly developed HM strand sheets perform in small-scale laboratory testing and large-scale laboratory testing. Where material strengths, bondability, and the efficacy of different repairs were examined against conventional means on steel structures with and without corrosion deterioration. Once all the variables pertaining to the new materials and the effects corrosion had on CFRP retrofits had been examined in a laboratory setting, these retrofitting techniques were implemented on a deteriorated in-service steel bridge structure (field study) that required repair. This research was the first to repair deteriorated in-use bridge structures with HM CFRP strand sheets in the United States. This information was used to verify results on the material's behavior. The laboratory testing and field testing of CFRP retrofits on corroded steel structures were summarized to provide information on performance and design guidance for future retrofits. This dissertation provides additional information on CFRP repairs applied to corroded steel and provides data on new CFRP materials (HM strand sheets). With this information, Departments of Transportation (DOT) can be confident as to where and when different types of CFRPs are a suitable retrofit material for corroded or uncorroded steel structures.

Ramps are usually perceived as utilitarian objects emerging from standardized guidelines for architecture and landscape architecture. But closer examination reveals they can be quite beautiful and poetic. What we commonly call ramps, Galileo referred to as inclined planes, counting them as one of six classical simple machines in Le Meccaniche (On Mechanics) . Because inclined planes are actually static machines that do not require any energy to run. They do not discriminate among users. This thesis explores the work of the ramp in moving fragile loads, such as human beings. / Master of Landscape Architecture

This research introduces and develops a counter-intuitive seismic retrofit strategy, referred to as “Selective Weakening” (SW), for pre-1970s reinforced concrete (RC) frames with a particular emphasis on the upgrading of exterior beam-column joints. By focusing on increasing the displacement and ductility capacities of the beam-column joints, simple retrofit interventions such as selective weakening of the beam and external post-tensioning of the joint can change the local inelastic mechanism and result in improved global lateral and energy dissipation capacities. The thesis first presents an extensive review of the seismic vulnerability and assessment of pre-1970s RC frames. Following a review of the concepts of performance-based seismic retrofit and existing seismic retrofit solutions, a thorough conceptual development of the SW retrofit strategy and techniques is presented. A “local-to-global” design procedure for the design of SW retrofit is proposed. Based on the evaluation of the hierarchy of strength at a subassembly level, a capacity-design retrofit outcome can be achieved using various combinations of levels of beam-weakening and joint post-tensioning. Analytical tools for the assessment and design of the SW-retrofitted beam-column joints are developed and compared with the test results. Nine 2/3-scaled exterior joint subassemblies were tested under quasi-static cyclic loading to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of SW retrofit for non-ductile unreinforced beam-column connections. Parameters considered in the tests included the presence of column lap-splice, slab and transverse beams, levels of post-tensioning forces and location of beam weakening. Extensive instrumentation and a rigorous testing regime allowed for a detailed experimental insight into the seismic behaviour of these as-built and retrofitted joints. Experimental-analytical comparisons highlighted some limitations of existing seismic assessment procedures and helped in developing and validating the SW retrofit design expressions. Interesting insights into the bond behaviour of the plain-round bars, joint shear cracking and post-tensioned joints were made based on the experimental results. To complement the experimental investigation, refined fracture-mechanic finite-element (FE) modelling of the beam-column joint subassemblies and non-linear dynamic time-history analyses of RC frames were carried out. Both the experimental and numerical results have shown the potential of SW retrofit to be a simple and structurally efficient structural rehabilitation strategy for non-ductile RC frames.

Submitted by Simone Souza (simonecgsouza@hotmail.com) on 2017-10-13T15:27:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2014_Luciana Oliveira da Silva Lima.pdf: 5079399 bytes, checksum: 88f713ee31918d76cd02f42ec13a598c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jordan (jordanbiblio@gmail.com) on 2017-11-07T10:32:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2014_Luciana Oliveira da Silva Lima.pdf: 5079399 bytes, checksum: 88f713ee31918d76cd02f42ec13a598c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-07T10:32:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2014_Luciana Oliveira da Silva Lima.pdf: 5079399 bytes, checksum: 88f713ee31918d76cd02f42ec13a598c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-21 / CAPES / Em projetos de eficiência elétrica, que envolve a troca de equipamentos convencionais por eficientes, existe a dificuldade de se estimar o consumo de energia elétrica ativa e a demanda de potência ativa, antes e após a execução do projeto. Porém, o software EnergyPlus tem se mostrado uma ferramenta eficaz para simulações termo energéticas, permitindo retratar os sistemas avaliados com operação muito próxima ao sistema real. Diante do expressivo aumento e a consequente necessidade do controle do consumo de energia elétrica pelo setor residencial, este trabalho propões analisar a viabilidade técnica e econômica do projeto de eficiência energética em unidades consumidoras “baixa renda”, que realiza na troca de refrigeradores antigos e ineficientes por refrigeradores novos com volume interno de armazenamento de 300 litros e Selo Procel classe A no consumo de energia elétrica, a substituição de lâmpadas incandescentes por lâmpadas fluorescentes compactas de 20W e a economia de energia de uma edificação residencial com a melhoria da sua envoltória. Desta forma, foi modelada uma edificação tipo no EnergyPlus, e realizada a simulação com o refrigerador e lâmpadas, antes e após o processo de substituição, para estimativa do consumo de energia elétrica ativa e da demanda de potência ativa. Com base nesta estimativa de redução de consumo e de demanda, foi calculada a relação Custo-Benefício do projeto pela simulação computacional e pelo método convencional, estipulado pelo Manual de Eficiência Energética da Aneel. Foi determinado o nível de eficiência energética de uma casa popular tipo, segundo o Método Prescritivo do Regulamento Técnico da Qualidade para o Nível de Eficiência Energética de Edificações Residenciais (RTQ-R). Também foi proposta uma nova modalidade de projeto de eficiência energética voltada para a melhoria da envoltória de residências, avaliando o impacto na redução do consumo e demanda de potência ativa e sua relação Custo-Benefício. / In electrical efficiency projects , which involves the exchange of conventional equipment with efficient , there is the difficulty of estimating the consumption of active power and active power demand before and after project implementation . However , EnergyPlus software has proven an effective tool for simulations energy term , allowing portray the systems evaluated with very close to the real system operation. Given the significant increase and the consequent need to control the power consumption by the residential sector , this paper proposes to analyze the technical and economic feasibility of the project on energy efficiency in consumer units "low income " , which performs the exchange of old and inefficient refrigerators for with new internal storage volume of 300 liters and Procel class A in energy consumption , replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps and 20W energy saving of a residential building with improved envelope their refrigerators . Thus , one type building was modeled in EnergyPlus , and performed the simulation with the cooler and lamps before and after the replacement process for estimating consumption of active power and active power demand . Based on this estimated reduction of consumption and demand, the cost - benefit ratio of the project by computer simulation and by the conventional method stipulated by the Energy Efficiency Manual Aneel was calculated . The level of energy efficiency of a popular house type was determined according to the Prescriptive Method Quality Technical Regulation for the Level of Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings (RTQ-R) . A new type of energy efficiency project aimed at improving the envelope of residences were also proposed for assessing the impact on reducing consumption and demand of active power and its cost-effectiveness .

Retrofitting the UK domestic built environment presents an excellent opportunity to improve its energy performance. However, retrofitting homes is a complex challenge conflated by multiple factors. Due to this complexity, a shortfall exists between the full potential and realised adoption of energy efficiency measures in the UK, a phenomenon termed the ‘Energy Efficiency Gap’. While a number of technical or economic factors may help explain this gap, difficult to quantify factors, such as social motivations, barriers, and viewpoints towards energy are also significant and often under-emphasised in public policy. As such, in order to improve the understanding of the Energy Efficiency Gap and the uptake of future retrofit initiatives, this research adopted a socio-technical approach that considered social and technical retrofit factors together. Specifically, this research collected data from interviews, questionnaires, and a Q Study in the cities of Manchester and Cardiff, alongside a questionnaire that measured energy efficiency technology and behaviour preferences. An original contribution to knowledge was using the data to empirically identify motivations and barriers to adopting energy efficient technologies, as well as identifying household viewpoints towards energy use and linking them to retrofit technology and energy efficiency behaviour preferences. As a result of this research, specific policy recommendations are presented to help promote energy efficiency retrofits in the UK. This research was carried out as part of the Engineering & Physical Science Research Council and Sustainable Urban Environment research programme, “Re-Engineering the City 2020-2050 Urban Foresight and Transition Management (RETROFIT 2050)”.