Conventional methods used in the structural analysis are usually insufficient for the analysis of historical structures because of the complex geometry and heterogeneous material properties of the structure. Today&rsquo / s computing facilities and methods make FEM the most suitable analysis method for complex structural geometry and heterogeneous material properties. Even the shrinkage, creep of the material can be considered in the analysis. Because of this reason Finite Element Method (FEM) is used to analyze such structures. FEM converts the structure into finite number of elements with specific degree of freedoms and analyses the structure by using matrix algebra. However, advanced FEM methods considering the inelastic and time dependent behavior of material is a very complex and difficult task and consumes considerable time. Because of this reason, to analyze every historical structure is not feasible by applying advanced inelastic FEM, whereas elastic FEM analysis at low load levels is very helpful in understanding the behavior of the structure.The analysis of a masonry gate in the historical city, Hasankeyf is the case study of this thesis. Different common software are used in FEM to compare the stresses, deformations, modal shapes etc. of the same structure. Besides the inelastic behavior of the structure is investigated and compared with the elastic behavior of the structure. The study is intended to show that at the low load levels elastic FEM analysis is sufficient to understand the response of the structure and is preferable to the inelastic FEM analysis unless a very complex analysis is required

Glass is an inherrently strong and elastic building material that allows the enclosure of spaces to provide both comfort and &aelig / sthetic appeal. It is evidently due recognition of these properties that has resulted in the current propensity to use it in ever larger sizes / and then with minimum&ndash / if not total absence&ndash / of visible supporting structure. It is, however, its lack of plastic behavior under stress&ndash / leading to catastrophic failure without warning&ndash / that has been the main drawback preventing its use as a structural material on its own. Ergo, the development of composite configurations with plastic interlayers, commonly known as structural glass. Contemporary working methods for glass have also been able to provide better structural characteristics&ndash / particularly after heat treatments, which reduce its vulnerability to cracking and brittle failure. In com-bination, these methods offer designers the possibility of using glass panels capable of acting as load-carrying structural elements. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of glass-adhesive-glass composite, or laminated, elements and the use of glass as a structural material in light of their inherent strength properties. Here, an attempt was made to define the be-havior of interlayers in structural glass and to then prepare a selection guide. To this end, it was necessary to first gather information about the materials and design methods used to create glass structures. As the literature notes that such stresses are particularly important to structural glass design due to the inability of the material to flow plastically and to thus relieve high stresses, pertinent simulation techniques (e.g., finite element analysis) were then used to investigate shear transfer between glass panes and interlayers. These simulations allowed determination of stiffness with different types of interlayer for panes of different dimensions and orien-tation in respect to loading conditions. It was the results of these analyses that were finally compiled into the selection guide already noted. It is expected that these results will make a worthwhile contribution to developing glass structure design and its application in practice.

Harmony search method based optimum topology design algorithm is presented for single layer lamella domes. The harmony search method is a numerical optimization technique developed recently that imitates the musical performance process which takes place when a musician searches for a better state of harmony. Jazz improvisation seeks to find musically pleasing harmony similar to the optimum design process which seeks to find the optimum solution. The optimum design algorithm developed imposes the behavioral and performance constraints in accordance with LRFD-AISC. The optimum number of rings, the height of the crown and the tubular cross-sectional designations for dome members are treated as design variables. The member grouping is allowed so that the same section can be adopted for each group. The design algorithm developed has a routine that build the data for the geometry of the dome automatically that covers the numbering of joints, and member incidences, and the computation of the coordinates of joints. Due to the slenderness and the presence of imperfections in dome structures it is necessary to consider the geometric nonlinearity in the prediction of their response under the external loading. Design examples are considered to demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm presented.

The aim of this thesis is to develop a computer program to design and simulate air conditioning-comfort application of a selected building, for a year period, on an hourly basis. In order to carry out this study, a computer program named AHUSIM.m, is prepared with Matlab computing language. The design and simulation procedure starts with preparing the inputs like indoor, outdoor design states, zone cooling and heating loads, along with the general data for conditioning-comfort equipment. The program, in light of these input data, performs the plotting of the psychrometric processes -including the design and off design processes- on psychrometric charts, air conditioning-comfort system selection and calculating the response of this selected system at varying load conditions for a year. The program also calculates the energy requirements of parts of the selected system throughout the year. Furthermore, it lists dimensions of the parts of the air conditioning-comfort unit, the outdoor supply air and total air flow rates, air and water inlet and exit states. Using numerical tools for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) process design and simulation, can improve energy economy and comfort which are the main criteria of HVAC engineering. In such an attempt, major concern is the interaction between the comfort and energy consumption. The program, by designing the system and deciding its behavior throughout a year / provides a means of automatic control considering comfort and energy economy. This program also provides a tool for comparison of different techniques for putting limits to the relation between comfort and energy consumption.

The major concern in the design of the multi-storey buildings is the structure to have enough lateral stability to resist wind forces. There are different ways to limit the lateral drift. First method is to use unbraced frame with moment-resisting connections. Second one is to use braced frames with moment-resisting connections. Third one is to use pin-jointed connections instead of moment-resisting one and using bracings. Finally braced frame with both moment-resisting and pin-jointed connections is a solution. There are lots of bracing models and the designer should choose the appropriate one. This thesis investigates optimal lateral bracing systems in steel structures. The method selects appropriate sections for beams, columns and bracings, from a given steel section set, and obtains a design with least weight. After obtaining the best designs in case of weight, cost analysis of all structures are carried out so that the most economical model is found. For this purpose evolution strategies optimization method is used which is a member of the evolutionary algorithms search techniques. First optimum design of steel frames is introduced in the thesis. Then evolution strategies technique is explained. This is followed by some information about design loads and bracing systems are given. It is continued by the cost analysis of the models. Finally numerical examples are presented. Optimum designs of three different structures, comprising twelve different bracing models, are carried out. The calculations are carried out by a computer program (OPTSTEEL) which is recently developed to achieve size optimization design of skeletal structures.

To maintain the sustainability of cement and concrete production, there is a trend to use wastes in their production. Soda waste, generated by soda ash production process, and beer waste, generated by beer filtration process, are two locally produced wastes in Turkey and many other countries. The nature of these wastes, mostly their fineness, makes them possible to be used in concrete production, especially as a viscosity modifying agent in the self consolidating type of concrete. In this study, the addition of soda and beer wastes to self consolidating mortar (SCM) and self consolidating concrete (SCC), without any treatment but drying, and its effect on their properties were investigated. Mortar and concrete mixes were prepared using these two wastes as cement or aggregate replacement in various amounts. Tests like slump flow, V-Funnel and L-Box for determining the fresh properties, and compressive strength for the hardened properties of the mixtures were carried out to examine the effects of these wastes on the properties of SCM and SCC. The tests revealed that soda waste takes no role in the strength development of the mixes. However, it is possible to use this waste as aggregate replacement to improve the workability and flowability properties of SCM and SCC. The use of beer waste showed contradictive results. A special treatment for this waste before using it in concrete might be required.

Advances in technologies and the idea of incorporating technological solutions into buildings have made it possible to provide more comfortable and secure spaces for living or working. The term &ldquo / intelligent building&rdquo / is becoming very popular in terms of attaching prestige to a project and improving its desirability. However too many buildings are claimed to be intelligent and adaptive to change but, without an appropriate understanding of intelligent building concept and also capabilities of assessing an intelligent building, it is not possible to judge such claims. In view of the fact that truly intelligent buildings provide their occupants with efficient facilities and comfortable space, many experts and researchers have discussed the characteristics of intelligent buildings and come up with different definitions and assessment systems, but none agree with each other completely. The aim of this study was to evaluate intelligence in intelligent buildings and provide responsiveness clues in terms of system efficiency and user convenience to find out whether buildings claimed to be intelligent meet the intelligence requirements or not. v After conducting a literature survey to identify main intelligence characteristics, two buildings both claimed to be intelligent and able to provide occupants with healthy, secure and comfortable space, were selected as the case studies. The intelligent building principals and specific design considerations together with efficient system integration and system requirements were examined in the case studies. It was concluded that, even though case studies were admired in terms of holding commercial value and applying new technologies but there existed a lack in either employing or incorporating that technologies to meet desired responsiveness and dynamism which, are main attributes of intelligent buildings.

<p>The aim of this study has been to clarify how the radiumdistribution in soils affects the radon emanation. Thedistribution of radium, uranium and thorium has been determinedusing sequential extractions. In the study, soils from twodifferent locations were investigated.</p><p>In the first part the applicability of the sequentialextraction method for determining Ra distribution in differentsoil types was investigated, using a simple sequentialextraction method. Sampled soils were clay, sand and till fromthe vicinity of the Stockholm Esker. The main part of Rnemanating Ra was associated with Fe oxides in the soil. Themethods applied provided information about the radon risk ofthe soil, but, inorder to gain more information on theprocesses governing Ra distribution and radon emanation insoils, a more detailed sequential extraction procedure would bedesirable.</p><p>The second part consisted of a detailed study of theradionuclide distribution and the geochemistry in a podzolisedglacial till from Kloten in northern Västmanland. A moredetailed sequential extraction procedure was used, and thespecific surface area of samples was measured. Samples weretaken from E, B, and C horizons; radium and thorium wereenriched in the B horizon, whereas uranium had its maximumconcentration in the C horizon. Extractable radium primarilyoccurred in the exchangeable pool, possibly organicallycomplexed, whereas extractable uranium and thorium were mainlyFe oxide bound. Oxide-bound Ra was important only in the Bhorizon. The radon emanation was not correlated with the amountof exchangeable Ra, but instead with the oxide bound Ra.However, the amount of oxide-bound Ra was too small to accountfor all the emanated Rn, thus, exchangeable Ra was interpretedas the main source of emanated Rn. This exchangeable Ra wasmore emanative in the B horizon than in the C horizon. Theexplanation is the larger surface area of the B horizonsamples; the specific surface area appears to be the maingoverning parameter for Rn emanation in this soil. The surfacearea is largely created by the precipitation of amorphous Feoxides, thus, Fe oxides has a significant effect on Rnemanation.</p><p>Comparing the two studies, the Stockholm samples had thesame amounts of oxide-bound Fe and surface-bound Ra. Still theradon emanation was much smaller for these samples than in theKloten soil. The amount of organic matter in the B horizon ofthe Kloten soil is however, much larger than the organic mattercontent in the Stockholm samples. It is suggested that thelarge Rn emanation in the B horizon of Kloten is caused by thecombined effect of Fe oxides and organic matter.</p><p>The variability of²²⁶Ra distribution in soils was also investigated.The²²⁶Ra distribution was determined for samples from60-70 cm and 80-90 cm depth, from three adjacent soil profilesin a podzolic glacial till. Ra distributions, and estimationsof Rn risk based on the Ra distributions, of a single soilprofile, are likely to be representative for a similar area,provided that the samples are taken from a sufficientdepth.</p><p>KEYWORDS: distribution, emanation, extraction, glacial till,podzol, Ra, radium, radon, Rn, sequential soil, spodosol, Th,thorium, U, uranium, variability</p>

L'Albanie occupe une position critique au sein de la ceinture plissée alpine Dinaro-Hellénique. Cet orogène est caractérisé par trois composants fondamentaux: une ceinture de plis et chevauchements externe à l'Ouest, un domaine central caractérisé par la présence de nappes ophiolitiques, et un complexe interne oriental. <br />Certains points clés pour la connaissance de l'évolution géodynamique de cette chaîne ont été éclairé par l'application de la thermochronologie de basse température (trace de fission et (U-Th)/He sur apatite et zircon), plus précisément en ce qui concerne l'histoire du refroidissement des Albanides Internes. <br />Un taux d'exhumation (<0,1 km/Ma) durant l'Eocène et le début de l'Oligocène caractérise la limite entre les zones externes et zones Internes. Il est probablement lié au soulèvement isostatique, conséquence de l'épaississement de la croûte près du front de chevauchement durant l'emplacement tectonique du complexe interne sur la ceinture de plis et chevauchements externe.<br />Dans le domaine interne le refroidissement et la surrection sont beaucoup plus récents et rapides. Les thermochronomètres (U-Th)/He et traces de fission nous ont permis de déterminer un début de la phase d'extension ~ 20 Ma. Vers 3-6 Ma, le taux d'exhumation des roches de la zone de Korabi s'est accéléré jusqu'à 1,2 km/Ma. Nous proposons que la structure actuelle symétrique des unités ophiolitique dans les Albanides Internes soit le résultat d'un régime de collapse en extension, affectant la partie oriental des ophiolites et la zone de Korabi.<br />Ces études montrent que la complémentarité des méthodes de thermochronologie trace de fission et (U-Th)/He est un moyen puissant de mieux contraindre l'histoire de l'exhumation d'un orogène.

La connaissance des vitesses de diffusion du plomb dans la monazite est indispensable pour comprendre les anomalies des âges U-Th-Pb de ce minéral, qui est un des plus utilisés en géochronologie après le zircon. <br />Des expériences de diffusion ont été faites dans des monocristaux de NdPO4 et des polycristaux de Nd0.66Ca0.17Th0.17PO4 à partir de couches minces de Nd0.66Pb0.17Th0.17PO4, pour étudier les échanges Pb2+ + Th4+ 2 Nd3+ et Pb2+ Ca2+. Les recuits de diffusion ont été effectués entre 1200 et 1500°C, à pression ambiante, pour des durées comprises entre une heure et un mois. Les profils de diffusion ont été analysés en MET et en RBS. <br />Les diffusivités extraites pour l'échange Pb2+ + Th4+ 2 Nd3+ suivent une loi d'Arrhenius de paramètres E = 509 ± 24 kJ mol-1 et log D0 (m2 s-1) = -3.41 ± 0.77. Les données préliminaires pour l'échange Pb2+ Ca2+ concordent avec ce résultat. <br />L'extrapolation de nos données aux températures crustales donne de très faibles diffusivités. Par exemple, le temps nécessaire pour qu'un grain de monazite de 50 µm perde tout son plomb à 800°C est supérieur à l'âge de la Terre. <br />De ces résultats et d'autres évidences de la littérature, nous concluons que la plupart des perturbations des âges U-Th-Pb des monazites ne peut pas être attribuée à la diffusion du plomb à l'état solide, mais plus vraisemblablement à des interactions avec des fluides