This thesis presents the results of basically two separate studies. The first study involved identifying structural and earthquake parameters that influenced seismic structural collapse. The parameter study involved nonlinear dynamic analyses using single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) bilinear models. Four parameters were associated with the SDOF models — the lateral stiffness, the post-yield stiffness ratio, the yield strength, and the stability ratio (P-Delta effects). Then, three parameters were associated with the ground motions — the records themselves, the lateral ground motion scales, and the vertical ground motion scales. From the parameter study, it was found that the post-yield stiffness ratio augmented by P-Delta effects (rp) in conjunction with the ductility demand was the best predictor of collapse. These two quantities include all four structural parameters and the seismic displacement demands. It was also discovered in the parameter study that vertical accelerations did not significantly influence lateral displacements unless a given combination of model and earthquake parameters was altered such that the model was on the verge of collapsing. The second study involved Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) using bilinear SDOF models representative of low rise buildings in both the Western United States (WUS) and the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS). Models were created that represented three, five, seven, and nine story buildings. Five sites from both the WUS and CEUS were used. Four different damage measures were used to assess the performance of the buildings. The IDA study was primarily interested in the response of the structures between the earthquake intensities that have a 10 percent probability of occurring in 50 years (10/50) and 2 percent probability of occurring in 50 years (2/50). The results showed that all structures could be in danger of severe damage and possible collapse, depending on which damage measure and which earthquake was used. It is important to note, though, that the aforementioned is based on a damage-based collapse rule. The damage-based rule results were highly variable. Using an intensity-based collapse rule, proved to be more consistent. Due to the nature of the bilinear models, only those structures with negative rp values ever collapsed using an intensity-based collapse rule. Most of the WUS models had positive rp values and many of the CEUS models had negative rp values. While many of the CEUS structures had negative rp values, which made them prone to collapse, most of the CEUS structures analyzed did not collapse at the 2/50 intensity. The reason was that the periods of the CEUS models were much longer than the approximate periods that were required to determine the strengths. Consequently, the strength capacity of most of the CEUS models was much greater than the seismic strength demands. While many of the CEUS models did have sudden collapses due to the large negative rp values, the collapses happened at intensities that were generally much higher than the 2/50 event. In the IDA, it was also shown that vertical accelerations can significantly affect the ductility demands of a model with a negative rp post-yield stiffness ratio as the earthquake intensity approaches the collapse intensity. Since IDA is concerned with establishing collapse limit states, it seems that the most accurate collapse assessments would include vertical accelerations. / Master of Science

A new modular steel floor system, named FastFloor, is proposed for commercial buildings. The system is conceptualized to be prefabricated at the shop and ready to be installed on a previously erected skeleton frame structure consisting of girders and columns or connected to core shear walls. The system configuration aims to increase the speed of design, fabrication, and erection of a steel project by eliminating concrete pouring and curing times. Other advantages include reducing the weight of the building and its carbon footprint. Several module configurations were considered and evaluated based on a series of interviews with experts in steel fabrication and erection engineering. The selection relied not only on addressing the issues related to fabrication, transportation, and erection but also on satisfying floor vibrations, as it was determined to be the governing limit state of the plate thickness, section sizes, and beam spacing due to the presence of an unstiffened bare plate acting as a slab. Observations were performed regarding fabrication sequence and transportation on the chosen configuration. The dynamic properties of the module are particularly important because DG11 was developed for composite concrete-steel floor systems, and its applicability to all steel-floor systems needs to be evaluated. In parallel, a vibration testing program was conducted to determine the dynamic properties of the module, including natural frequencies and mode shapes. Lastly, the acceptability of the modular system for floor vibrations was evaluated by both a calculation method and a modeling approach. The analysis results suggest that the module will not satisfy floor vibrations criteria, but a modified module with added stiffeners is shown to be acceptable. Upcoming tests, by others, on specimens with a raised access floor will be necessary to refine the predictions and determine if the stiffeners are actually required. / Master of Science / FastFloor is an innovative modular all-steel floor system that aims to revolutionize the construction of commercial buildings, with benefits including enhanced efficiency in design, fabrication, and erection, as well as reduced environmental impact, by eliminating the need for concrete pouring and curing and full prefabrication in shops. Several module configurations were evaluated based on insights from industry experts in steel fabrication and erection engineering. It was observed that the main challenge in the early phases was to address issues related to fabrication, transportation, and erection while ensuring optimal performance in terms of floor vibrations. This thesis project focused on a preliminary assessment of the vibration behavior of the system by conducting dynamic tests and evaluating the compatibility with the analytical and computational procedures in Design Guide 11, which is not calibrated for an all-steel system like FastFloor. Based on the results, it was concluded that the initial configuration did not fully satisfy the floor vibrations criteria. However, through further computational evaluation, a modified module, based on the initial configuration with added stiffeners, was predicted to be satisfactory. Thus, future research will continue to refine the system behavior and predictions and evaluate the contributions of Raised Access Floor to the vibration performance.

No description available.

In today’s society cities grow increasingly larger, not only on the ground but vertically as well. Utilizing height means taller buildings, which often are large steel- and concrete constructions. Why not construct tall buildings out of timber instead, a material by many believed to be far better from an environmental perspective than steel and concrete? The answer lies in the lack of knowledge regarding tall timber constructions and the stresses they need to withstand. The report was conducted at the construction consulting company Bjerking AB, Uppsala. The focus in this report was to examine accelerations and deformations as an effect of wind loads. The issue at hand was whether the connections between building elements affect the dynamic responses that occur. The chosen model was a 15 storey timber building whose walls and floors consisted mainly of cross laminated timber elements as the load bearing structure. As a large amount of the analyses were complex, the calculations were made in the computer program FEM-Design, which is a finite element program. After performing numerous calculations with different settings, a result emerged. Clear trends could be seen in the connections’ influence on accelerations and deformations. A stiffer connection makes the building more resistant to wind loads. This result has to be considered when constructing tall timber buildings to avoid problems with accelerations and deformations. However, merely adjusting the connections to meet requirements is not sufficient, other measures are also needed. / I dagens samhälle växer sig städer allt större, inte bara till ytan utan även på höjden. För att kunna exploatera på höjden krävs högre hus vilka ofta byggs av stora stål- och betongkonstruktioner. Men varför byggs inte höghus istället av trä som av många anses vara mycket bättre ur bland annat miljösynpunkt? Svaret ligger i kunskapsbristen som finns kring hur höga trähus ska konstrueras för att klara de olika påfrestningarna det utsätts för. Arbetet genomfördes i samarbete med konsultföretaget Bjerking AB, Uppsala. En del av de problemen som finns har undersökts, nämligen accelerationer och deformationer som en effekt av vindlaster. Frågeställningen är huruvida infästningarna och dess inspänningsgrad mellan olika byggnadselement påverkar de statiska respektive dynamiska effekterna som uppstår. Den valda modellen, ett 15-våningar högt trähus, bestod i huvudsak av CLT-element, Cross Laminated Timber, i både väggar och bjälklag som hade till uppgift att föra ner lasterna till grunden. Då analysen är komplex utfördes en stor del av beräkningarna i FEM-Design som är ett avancerat beräkningsprogram. För att säkerställa indata samt komplettera kunskapen inom området utfördes en bakgrundsstudie. Efter utförta beräkningar på den bestämda modellen fastslogs resultatet. En tydlig trend kunde följas vid beaktning av accelerationer och deformationer vid olika värden på inspänningen mellan byggnadselementen. Styvare förband gör byggnaden mer beständig gentemot vindlaster. Ett resultat som måste beaktas för att kunna lösa en del av de problem som uppstår med höga hus i trä. Dock räcker det inte att enbart justera inspänningsgraden för att klara gällande krav och normer, utan ytterligare åtgärder krävs.

O objetivo da presente dissertação foi verificar o efeito da participação de jovens jogadores de futebol em competições com calendário congestionado (CC) nas medidas de desempenho físico, e comparar as acelerações (ACC), as desacelerações (DEC), a potência metabólica média (PM), distância total percorrida (DT) e distância percorrida em alta velocidade (DAV) em 24 jogadores de futebol juvenil (sub-15, n = 11 e sub-17, n = 13) expostos a campeonatos de CC e períodos regulares de calendário não congestionados (calendário regular; CR); como critério de retenção dos dados dos jogadores, adotou-se, a participação mínima de 75% do tempo total de jogo em cada partida. Adicionalmente as medidas de desempenho físico foram normalizadas pelo tempo de participação em minutos na partida. Foram analisados 10 jogos internacionais no formato de CC (5 para cada categoria), realizados durante 3 dias sucessivos, incluindo 2 dias com 2 jogos consecutivos jogados com intervalo de 4-5 horas; para estabelecer uma condição \"controle\", 10 jogos de CR, de cada categoria, foram analisados; os jogos de CR foram realizados com um intevalo de pelo menos 7 dias. Os jogadores usavam uma unidade GPS de 15 Hz com um acelerômetro triaxial de 100 Hz alocada em uma veste especial. Uma diferença classificada como digna de consideração (tamanho do efeito; TE> 0,20) entre CC e CR, foi observada para os parâmetros de desempenho físico ACC, DEC e PM, para sub-15 e sub-17, com valores mais elevados no CC. Enquanto que DT e DAV apresentaram valores superiores para CR, apenas para o sub-15. Contrariamente à hipótese levantada, os parâmetros de desempenho físico mostram que os jogadores juvenis de elite avaliados elevaram a intensidade do jogo quando participaram de torneio CC. Uma diminuição em ACC e DEC, do 1° tempo para o 2° tempo foi observada (sub-15 e sub-17) nos diferentes formatos de campeonato. No entanto, observou-se um aumento da PM do 1° tempo para o 2° tempo; com um aumento muito grande para ambas as categorias durante a CR; para o CC, a PM aumentou (1ª para a 2ª metade) para o sub-17, mas diminuiu para o sub-15. Os resultados do presente estudo, sugerem que os perfis de taxa de trabalho dos jogadores não são prejudicados no CC e que o desempenho físico aumentado nesse tipo de competição pode estar associado a uma estratégia de auto-regulação ou \"pacing\" da intensidade de realização das ações. Apesar das semelhanças para os dados de desempenho físico (sub-15 e sub-17), a PM para o sub-17 foi amplamente aumentada no CC (vs CR) em comparação com os valores de PM do sub-15; sugerindo assim, uma maior capacidade dos atletas, com um suposto nível mais elevado de treinamento (sub-17) em otimizar o desempenho físico neste tipo de competição. Estas informações podem servir como um meio alternativo e eficiente de representação do desempenho físico e auxiliar na organização de uma preparação específica de equipes participantes destes formatos de competições (CC); adicionalmente, os resultados indicam a importância de de considerar as medidas de ACC, DEC e PM na análise do desempenho físico de jovens jogadores, ao invés da utilização isolada de medidas relacionadas a DT e DAV / The aim of this study was to compare the physical performances in youth players during congested (CM) versus regular match (RM) schedules. The accelerations (ACC), decelerations (DEC), average metabolic power (MP), total distance covered (TD) and distance covered at high speed (HSD) were compared across congested match (CM; 10 international matches played over 3 successive days, including 2 days with 2 consecutive matches played with a 4-5 hr interval) and 10 regular non-congested match periods (RM), played with a 7-day interval between matches, in elite youth soccer players (U15, n=11; U17, n=13).; as criterion for retention of the players\' data, it was adopted, the minimum participation of 75% of the total match time of each game. In addition, all variables were normalized per min of on-field playing time. Each player wore a 15-Hz GPS unit coupled with a 100 Hz tri-axial accelerometer (SPI Elite, GPSports, Canberra, Australia A difference classified as worthy of consideration (effect size; ES > 0.20), between CM and RM, was observed for ACC, DEC and MP, for U15 and U17, with higher values in CM. While TD and HSD showed lower values for CM for u15. Contrary to the hypothesis, the relative values of the physical performance parameters were higher for CM. A decrease in ACC and DEC, from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the match was observed (U15 and U17) for both CM and RM. However, an increase in MP from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the match was observed; with a very large increase for both categories during the RM; during the CM, MP increased (1st half to the 2nd half) in the U7, but decreased in U15. The present findings suggest that the players work rate profiles are not impaired in CM and that the intensity of the match-play is increased in this type of competition, and might be associated to self-regulation or pacing strategy; despite the similarities for physical performance in U15 and U17), MP was largely increased in U17 during CM (vs CR) compared to U15; this result suggests that the higher the level of the conditioning, the greater the ability of the athlete in optimizing physical performance in this type of match schedule. This information can serve as an alternative and efficient means of representing physical performance and may help coaches to organize and monitor specific preparations of teams participating in these type of competitions (CM); additionally, the results indicate the importance of considering the ACC, DEC and MP measurements in the analysis of physical performance of young players, instead of using only measures related to total distance covered and distances covered at different speeds

Steel-deck composite floor systems are being increasingly used in high-rise building construction, especially in Australia, as they are economical and easy to construct. These composite floor systems use high strength materials to achieve longer spans and are thus slender. As a result, they are vulnerable to vibration induced under service loads. These floors are normally designed using static methods which will not reveal the true behaviour and miss the dynamic amplifications resulting in inappropriate designs, which ultimately cause vibration and discomfort to occupants. At present there is no adequate design guidance to address the vibration in these composite floors, due to a lack of research information, resulting in wasteful post event retrofits. To address this gap in knowledge, a comprehensive research project is presented in this thesis, which investigated the dynamic performance of composite floors under various human induced loads. A popular type of composite floor system was selected for this investigation and subjected to load models representing different human activities. These load models have variable parameters such as load intensity, activity type (contact ratio), activity frequency and damping and are applied as pattern loads to capture the maximum responses in terms of deflections and accelerations. Computer models calibrated against experimental results are used in the analysis to generate the required information. The dynamic responses of deflections and accelerations are compared with the serviceability deflection limits and human comfort levels (of accelerations) to assess these floor types. This thesis also treats the use of visco-elastic (VE) dampers to mitigate excessive vibrations in steel-deck composite floors. VE damper properties have been presented and their performances in reducing the excessive vibrations have been assessed this thesis. The results identified possible occupancies under different loading conditions that can be used in planning, design and evaluation. The findings can also be used to plan retrofitting measures in problematic floor systems.

O objetivo da presente dissertação foi verificar o efeito da participação de jovens jogadores de futebol em competições com calendário congestionado (CC) nas medidas de desempenho físico, e comparar as acelerações (ACC), as desacelerações (DEC), a potência metabólica média (PM), distância total percorrida (DT) e distância percorrida em alta velocidade (DAV) em 24 jogadores de futebol juvenil (sub-15, n = 11 e sub-17, n = 13) expostos a campeonatos de CC e períodos regulares de calendário não congestionados (calendário regular; CR); como critério de retenção dos dados dos jogadores, adotou-se, a participação mínima de 75% do tempo total de jogo em cada partida. Adicionalmente as medidas de desempenho físico foram normalizadas pelo tempo de participação em minutos na partida. Foram analisados 10 jogos internacionais no formato de CC (5 para cada categoria), realizados durante 3 dias sucessivos, incluindo 2 dias com 2 jogos consecutivos jogados com intervalo de 4-5 horas; para estabelecer uma condição \"controle\", 10 jogos de CR, de cada categoria, foram analisados; os jogos de CR foram realizados com um intevalo de pelo menos 7 dias. Os jogadores usavam uma unidade GPS de 15 Hz com um acelerômetro triaxial de 100 Hz alocada em uma veste especial. Uma diferença classificada como digna de consideração (tamanho do efeito; TE> 0,20) entre CC e CR, foi observada para os parâmetros de desempenho físico ACC, DEC e PM, para sub-15 e sub-17, com valores mais elevados no CC. Enquanto que DT e DAV apresentaram valores superiores para CR, apenas para o sub-15. Contrariamente à hipótese levantada, os parâmetros de desempenho físico mostram que os jogadores juvenis de elite avaliados elevaram a intensidade do jogo quando participaram de torneio CC. Uma diminuição em ACC e DEC, do 1° tempo para o 2° tempo foi observada (sub-15 e sub-17) nos diferentes formatos de campeonato. No entanto, observou-se um aumento da PM do 1° tempo para o 2° tempo; com um aumento muito grande para ambas as categorias durante a CR; para o CC, a PM aumentou (1ª para a 2ª metade) para o sub-17, mas diminuiu para o sub-15. Os resultados do presente estudo, sugerem que os perfis de taxa de trabalho dos jogadores não são prejudicados no CC e que o desempenho físico aumentado nesse tipo de competição pode estar associado a uma estratégia de auto-regulação ou \"pacing\" da intensidade de realização das ações. Apesar das semelhanças para os dados de desempenho físico (sub-15 e sub-17), a PM para o sub-17 foi amplamente aumentada no CC (vs CR) em comparação com os valores de PM do sub-15; sugerindo assim, uma maior capacidade dos atletas, com um suposto nível mais elevado de treinamento (sub-17) em otimizar o desempenho físico neste tipo de competição. Estas informações podem servir como um meio alternativo e eficiente de representação do desempenho físico e auxiliar na organização de uma preparação específica de equipes participantes destes formatos de competições (CC); adicionalmente, os resultados indicam a importância de de considerar as medidas de ACC, DEC e PM na análise do desempenho físico de jovens jogadores, ao invés da utilização isolada de medidas relacionadas a DT e DAV / The aim of this study was to compare the physical performances in youth players during congested (CM) versus regular match (RM) schedules. The accelerations (ACC), decelerations (DEC), average metabolic power (MP), total distance covered (TD) and distance covered at high speed (HSD) were compared across congested match (CM; 10 international matches played over 3 successive days, including 2 days with 2 consecutive matches played with a 4-5 hr interval) and 10 regular non-congested match periods (RM), played with a 7-day interval between matches, in elite youth soccer players (U15, n=11; U17, n=13).; as criterion for retention of the players\' data, it was adopted, the minimum participation of 75% of the total match time of each game. In addition, all variables were normalized per min of on-field playing time. Each player wore a 15-Hz GPS unit coupled with a 100 Hz tri-axial accelerometer (SPI Elite, GPSports, Canberra, Australia A difference classified as worthy of consideration (effect size; ES > 0.20), between CM and RM, was observed for ACC, DEC and MP, for U15 and U17, with higher values in CM. While TD and HSD showed lower values for CM for u15. Contrary to the hypothesis, the relative values of the physical performance parameters were higher for CM. A decrease in ACC and DEC, from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the match was observed (U15 and U17) for both CM and RM. However, an increase in MP from the 1st half to the 2nd half of the match was observed; with a very large increase for both categories during the RM; during the CM, MP increased (1st half to the 2nd half) in the U7, but decreased in U15. The present findings suggest that the players work rate profiles are not impaired in CM and that the intensity of the match-play is increased in this type of competition, and might be associated to self-regulation or pacing strategy; despite the similarities for physical performance in U15 and U17), MP was largely increased in U17 during CM (vs CR) compared to U15; this result suggests that the higher the level of the conditioning, the greater the ability of the athlete in optimizing physical performance in this type of match schedule. This information can serve as an alternative and efficient means of representing physical performance and may help coaches to organize and monitor specific preparations of teams participating in these type of competitions (CM); additionally, the results indicate the importance of considering the ACC, DEC and MP measurements in the analysis of physical performance of young players, instead of using only measures related to total distance covered and distances covered at different speeds

No description available.

Higher speeds and higher capacity will cause the Swedish rail network to be exposed to disturbing dynamic effects. Higher speeds cause higher vertical acceleration levels of the bridge deck. In this thesis, a numerical analysis of a three span end-frame bridge subjected to train induced vibrations is performed. The aim is to identify which structural components and boundary conditions that affect the dynamic behavior of the bridge. Furthermore, the influence of soil structure interaction (SSI) will be investigated as it may have contribution to the stiffness and damping of the structural system.  In order to capture the dynamic response of the bridge, an analysis in the frequency domain was preformed where frequency response functions (FRF) and acceleration envelopes were obtained. For this purpose, a detailed FE-model in 3D was created. Three different cases were studied, model subjected to ballast, model subjected to soil and model subjected to both ballast and soil in coherence. A high speed load model (HSLM) was used to create simulation of train passages at different speeds and applied to all cases so that the bridge deck accelerations could be studied. A simplified 2D-model with impedance functions representing the soil-structure interaction was created to validate the results from the detailed 3D-model and for practical design purposes.  The result of this numerical analysis showed that the vertical accelerations were within acceptable levels of the maximum allowed limits given in governing publications. Considering the surrounding soil, the results revealed an increase of the dynamic response in the midspan at resonant frequency. However, it was identified that this behavior is not explained by the influence of soil structure interaction but rather the change in boundary conditions of the end-shields. The same dynamic behavior was identified for the simplified 2D-model, with a slight underestimation of the vertical accelerations at resonance.

La question de l’efficacité de l’aide publique au développement est complexe et protéiforme. L’aide se présente sous de nombreuses formes et implique de nombreux instruments et acteurs, dont les objectifs et mêmes les philosophies diffèrent fortement entre les pays et les organisations. De cet enchevêtrement, les économistes ont jusqu’alors échoué dans leurs recherches de relations macroéconomiques robustes censées guider l’action publique. Ainsi, aucun consensus ne semble pour l’instant émerger de ce débat. Dès lors, l’orientation des politiques de développement a essentiellement été influencée par des hypothèses contestables reposant sur des fondements empiriques fragiles. Ce travail tente d’apporter de nouveaux éléments au débat sur l’efficacité de l’aide au travers de sept essais. Les trois premiers chapitres se consacrent à la question de la relation entre aide et croissance du point de vue statistique. Les nouvelles approches qui y sont proposées tentent de surmonter la plupart des défauts de la littérature empirique existante. Nous y montrons que la relation entre aide et croissance est extrêmement complexe et qu’il est difficile de l’appréhender à l’aide des méthodes économétriques usuelles. De plus, bien que l’aide semble globalement efficace en termes de croissance du PIB, son efficacité dépend de différents facteurs révélés par la présence de seuils aussi bien conditionnels que non-Conditionnels. Parmi ces facteurs, la vulnérabilité économique semble jouer un rôle primordial et sa prise en compte s’avère indispensable pour une compréhension globale du lien entre l’aide et la croissance économique. Dans une seconde partie, les deux chapitres suivants s’intéressent plus particulièrement à l’aide sectorielle, à travers l’étude de l’efficacité de deux initiatives largement reconnues que sont l’aide à la scolarisation primaire universelle et l’aide au commerce. Leur efficacité sera alors déterminée non plus en termes de croissance du PIB mais en termes de scolarisation et de performance à l’exportation. A l’instar des trois premiers chapitres, nos résultats semblent confirmer la présence d’une relation significative entre l’aide et les objectifs visés. Nos conclusions, notamment celles en termes d’éducation, vont clairement à l’encontre de l’idée selon laquelle l’aide aurait fait plus de mal que de bien. Enfin, en se basant sur les résultats précédents, les chapitres six et sept explorent, dans une troisième partie, les possibilités d’amélioration des stratégies actuelles d’allocation de l’aide mises en œuvre notamment par les grands bailleurs multilatéraux. Une de nos principales observations est que la vulnérabilité économique est un facteur important devant être pris en compte dans le design des méthodes d’allocation de l’aide. / Aid effectiveness is a complex issue. Aid comes in many instruments, has many targets and involves many stakeholders whose objectives, methods and philosophy greatly differ across countries and institutions. From this mixed bag, economists have struggled finding strong regularities at the macroeconomic level to guide the political debate and consensus have failed to emerge. Hence, political stances have often been influenced by strong assumptions based on weak or at least hotly debated evidence. This work is an attempt to provide new perspectives on the aid effectiveness debate through seven essays. The first three chapters address the technical question of the aid/growth relationship issue using new approaches and new statistical instruments in an attempt to overcome most of the caveats of the aid empirical literature. We show that the aid/growth relationship is complex and difficult to measure using common statistical methods. Moreover, while aid is globally effective, its effectiveness depends on different factors reflected by the existence of conditional and unconditional thresholds. Among those factors, economic vulnerability seems to be a key component that has to be taken into account in order to identify this relationship. In a second part, we try to assess the effectiveness of two flagship initiatives which are Aid for Trade and Universal Primary Education with regards to the outcomes they ultimately target, namely, export performance for the former and school enrolment, gender parity and repetition rate in primary school for the later. As in the first three chapters, our results support the existence of a significant relationship between aid and the targeted outcomes. Those results, notably for the education sector, clearly argue against the idea that aid has done more bad then good. Finally, based on previous results, in a third part, chapters six and seven explore the mean to improve the current aid allocation strategies used notably by the Multilateral Development Banks. One of the main conclusions is that economic vulnerability is a central factor to be taken into account in the design of aid allocation strategies.