abstract: The purpose of this research is to uncover connections between Chinese composer Shande Ding and Western composers, as found in the development of Ding’s compositional style. Ding’s solo piano pieces are representative of his overall stylistic tendencies. As an innovative composer, Ding’s experiments in combining various and bold musical materials with Chinese traditional styles became the model for contemporary Chinese composers and those of the next generation. There is little research, and few recordings of Ding’s work available in the United States. Most of the research remains in China, including his biography, styles, the analyses of specific pieces, etc. To date, Yuefang Liu has contributed the only dissertation on the merging of Eastern and Western Music Cultures that mentions Shande Ding, and it cites only Ding’s early piano works. Some articles have suggested that Ding may have been influenced by western composers, but there is no actual exploration of the proposition. This paper will offer some pedagogical suggestions by dividing Ding’s solo piano works into different levels of difficulty, along with tips on performance and teaching approaches. Both the connection between piano works of Western composers and Shande Ding, and Ding’s resultant compositional style, will be explored. It is hoped that the project will expand further interest in Ding’s solo piano works. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2020

No description available.

The double angle connection (sometimes referred to as a cleat connection) is one of the most commonly used simple shear connections, and many investigations have been conducted on this type of connection. However, most of these investigations have focused on either the strength or the moment-rotation relationship under shear loading. Several investigations have recently been performed on the behavior of double angle connections subjected to shear plus axial tensile loads. In these investigations, analytical models and design formulas have been proposed to model the complex behavior of these connections when subjected to the combined loading. However, a complete design model has not been developed. To fulfill the need for a design procedure, double angle connections were studied for three different loading cases. The first case was used to establish the load-displacement relationship under axial tensile loads. The second case was to establish the moment-rotation relationship under shear loads. Finally, the third case was to find the effects of combined axial tensile loads and shear loads on the behavior of double angle connections. For these purposes, 3D-nonlinear finite element models were developed to simulate the connection behavior under the three loading cases. The commercial software package, ABAQUS, was used for the study. The complex phenomena of contact problems and the pretension forces in the bolts were simulated. A simplified angle model and an equivalent spring model were developed from the 3D results. / Ph. D.

No description available.

The Jazz Community Performance Center explores the intersection between music and architecture. The thesis project poses the question, "How can music form architecture?" The project examines the connection of music and architecture through rhythm, harmony, melody, and form and how these elements can inform and inspire the design of the jazz community performance center. The project also explores how music's emotional and experiential qualities can be translated into a built form. The Jazz Community Performance Center location is adjacent to Union Market in Washington, DC, Ward 5, to complement and extend the vibrancy of Union Market's culture through music. The Union Market fosters a sense of belonging and connection by bringing people together from different races, genders, cultures, and backgrounds. The Jazz Community Perfromance Center will be an extension of the Union Market's purpose of uniting visitors from near and far, but people will gather through jazz music this time. The center will offer diverse jazz music performances, from traditional and classic jazz to more modern and experimental styles. The target demographics for the Jazz Community Performance Center will be music enthusiasts, cultural tourists, students, and deaf communities from Gallaudet University adjacent to the project's location. Its primary goal is to create a Jazz Community Performance Center that serves as a center for jazz education, performance, and culture. The center's mission is to give aspiring and professional musicians a space to perform and exhibit their passion for jazz music. The Jazz Community Performance Center introduces informal and formal indoor jazz performances, practice rooms, a vibration experiential gallery to invite the deaf communities of Gallaudet University, and an outdoor performance space in the plaza's center to grab and connect the community. / Master of Architecture / The Jazz Community Performance Center focuses on designing a center that is inclusive of the community of the union market, which ranges from music enthusiasts, students, cultural tourists, and deaf communities from Gallaudet University adjacent to the project's location. The center will be a hub for jazz culture and education, offering opportunities for aspiring musicians to hone their craft and provide musical performances for audiences. The center's design incorporates acoustic considerations that optimize the audience's listening experience and offer an inviting environment for musicians to perform. The Jazz Community Performance Center includes an informal jazz concert, a formal jazz performance auditorium, an experiential vibration gallery, and an outdoor performance space. The center also consists of a recording studio, practice rooms, a jazz gallery, jazz therapy spaces, and a library with an extensive collection of jazz resources. The project thoroughly examines the history and evolution of jazz music. Moreover, its distinct style and impact on the music industry. Jazz has a rich and diverse history that has evolved over time, which the center seeks to celebrate by hosting performances that showcase various jazz styles and cultures. In addition, the Jazz Performance Center will be an asset to the community, providing inspiration and education for future generations of jazz fans.

The project presents the vision for new development of the site under the Castle of Bratislava . The project deals with important modifications in the city center and waterfront. The vision is verified by volumetric study with the program of new building of culture center.

No description available.

A tool for analyzing and understanding the behavior of structural systems based on the principle of virtual work was developed by Dr. Finley Charney in the early 1990s. The program was called DISPAR, which stands for DISplacement PARticipation factors, and was written to work in accordance with SAP90 and ETABS. This program became outdated once newer versions of SAP90 and ETABS were released. Starting with version 11 of SAP2000, Computers and Structures released an Open Application Programming Interface (OAPI) which allowed programmers efficient access to the information in SAP2000. With this release came the motivation to update the program DISPAR to work with SAP2000 version 11 and other versions to follow. This thesis provides an overview of how the new version of DISPAR was programmed using VB.Net and OpenGL. This thesis starts off with an in depth discussion and literature review on the development of the principle of virtual work. The literature review covers how virtual work can be used as a tool to understand structural behavior as well as optimize structural performance. The updated version of DISPAR (DISPAR for SAP2000) was then used to analyze the behavior of metal building frames under various loadings. The focus of this study was to determine the effect modeling the column base connection as partially rigid has on wind drift in metal building frames. Before beginning the study, a literature review was conducted on the rotation stiffness provided by typical column base connections. The information obtain in the literature review was then used to create a finite element model of a typical column base connection in a metal building. Once the finite element model was completed, DISPAR for SAP2000 was used to conduct a study on the sensitivity of the rotational stiffness of the column base connection. / Master of Science

A steel frame structure of a few storey building is considered in European project FRAMEUP. Each column of the building is constructed from steel profiles connected by column-to-column connection, called column splice. In FRAMEUP project new type of column splice connection is designed to facilitate assembly. This connection consists of a plate, called finger plate with characteristic shape of holes, called long open slotted holes. A column splice with long open holes is a type of friction connection, where finger plate transfer load between bottom of one column and top of a second part and preloaded bolts are used to clamp segments together. In this work, the behaviour of the connection is investigated. Moreover, general information about column splices, friction connection and loss of pretension are introduced in literature review. A recommendations, for the preloaded bolts are investigated in accordance with European standard EN 1993-1-8. An experimental static compression tests are performed in order to observe the real behaviour of the column splice with long open slotted holes. Several number of numerical tests are performed to predict behaviour of the connection by use of Abaqus software. The Numerical model is validated against experimental results. Further tests are performed in order to check an influence of other important factors on the behaviour of connection system. An influence of connection geometry i.e. filler plate thickness, characteristic of the surface and the material properties are analyzed. The variation of bolt forces as well as slip factor and reduction factor ks are investigated. Finally, experimental test and finite element method analysis are discussed and conclusion are given. / <p>Validerat; 20140913 (global_studentproject_submitter)</p>

Can you feel the groove? Hip-Hop has the rhythmic power to connect individuals while providing an outlet for creative expression. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a disruption in our day-to-day lives, causing a sense of disconnect between each other. The implementation of government protocols such as mask mandates, social distancing, and the transition to virtual learning has caused challenges for teachers in the dance community. I am curious to phenomenologically inquire into the experience of pedagogical connection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Can we connect in a time of disconnection? The purpose of this Motion-Sensing Phenomenological study is to understand the interactive experiences of connection through Hip-Hop dance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants of this study were three Hip-Hop dance teachers who taught consistently, in-person or online through interactive technology during the pandemic. By actively immersing myself in the pedagogical connection, I observed, moved, and sensed this phenomenon in action. I conducted semi-structured motion-sensing phenomenological interviews with teacher to elaborate on their meaningful and connective experiences. Drawing from my participatory sensations and observations, I used the Interactive Function to Flow Model (Lloyd & Smith, 2022) to form my research questions: What connective postures showed when a participant was ready to groove? What connective gestures drew out the moments of connection? What qualities of timing and force cultivated feelings of a connection, and what kinaesthetic sensations were experienced when connections were felt? By stepping into these motion-sensing experiences, pedagogical connective moments emerged between participants, revealing somatic connective meanings in Hip-Hop dance. A deeper understanding of the intricate relation between Hip-Hop, movement, and its connective power within a global pandemic was found tethered within three contexts: a cypher, a partnered dance activity, and beyond a four walled computer screen. From relational positions of teacher and students, connective gestures shaped moments of collective synergies cultivated interactive flow. Despite the barriers of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can feel the groove, and it is clear with HIP-HOP, WE DON’T STOP.