Unreinforced masonry walls subjected to blast loading are vulnerable to collapse and fragmentation. The objective of this thesis is to conduct experimental and analytical research for developing a blast retrofit methodology that utilizes polyurea. A total of four unreinforced masonry walls were constructed and tested under various shock tube induced blast pressures at the University of Ottawa Shock Tube Testing Facility. Two of the retrofitted walls had surface-sprayed polyurea. The results indicate that the use of polyurea effectively controlled fragmentation while significantly increased the load capacity and stiffness of masonry walls. Polyurea proved to be an excellent retrofit material for dissipating blast induced energy by providing ductility to the system and changing the failure mode from brittle to ductile. Single degree of freedom (SDOF) dynamic analyses were conducted as part of the analytical investigation. The results show that the analytical model provides reasonably accurate predictions of the specimen response.

Master´s thesis is based on analysis and design of a load-bearing structure of multifunctional house. The main load-bearing elements in the vertical direction are the monolithic reinforced walls and the main load-bearing elements in the horizontal direction are monolithic reinforced concrete plates. The connection of individual floors is made of monolithic reinforced concrete staircases. The foundation of the building is realized through a system of strips foundation. Design drawings are made to selected elements of the structure.

Bio-composite hierarchical materials have attracted the interest of the academic community operating in the field of bio-inspired materials for their outstanding mechanical properties achieved via lightweight structural designs. Antler and mantis shrimp's cuticle are extreme examples of materials naturally optimised to resist impacts and bear dynamic loading. Firstly, a class of finite-element fibril models was developed to explain the origin of heterogeneous fibrillar deformation and hysteresis from the nanostructure of antler. Results were compared to synchrotron X-ray data and demonstrated that the key structural motif enabling a match to experimental data is an axially staggered arrangement of stiff mineralised collagen fibrils coupled with weak, damageable interfibrillar interfaces. Secondly, the cuticle of the crustacean Odontodactylus scyllarus, known as peacock mantis shrimp, was investigated. At the nanoscale it consists of mineralised chitin fibres and calcified protein matrix, which form plywood layers at the microscale. Lamination theory was used to calculate fibrillar deformation and reorientation and, in addition, an analytical formulation was used to decouple in-plane fibre reorientation from diffraction intensity changes induced by 3D lamellae tilting. This animal also attracted my attention for using its hammer-like appendages to attack and destroy the shells of prey with a sequence of two strikes. Inspired by this double impact strategy, I performed a set of parametric finite-element simulations of single, double and triple mechanical hits, to compute the damage energy of the target. My results reveal that the crustacean attack strategy has the most damaging effect among the double impact cases, and lead me to hypothesise, that optimal damaging dynamics exists, depending on the sequence of consecutive impacts and on their time separation values. These new insights may provide useful indications for the design of bio-inspired materials for high load-bearing applications.

Savo baigiamajame statybos inžinerijos bakalauro darbe pavadinimu „Trąšų sandėlis Smilgiuose“ projektuoju trąšų sandėlį Panevėžio r. sav., Smilgiuose, Sodžiaus g. 7. Projektuojamą trąšų sandėliavimo pastatą sudaro dvi atskiros patalpų grupės, tai sandėliavimo patalpa ir administracinės – pagalbinės patalpos. Toks patalpų suskirstymas yra numatomas dėl sandėlio gamybinės ir administracinės veiklos pobūdžio. / In my Bachelor paper on construction engineering “Fertilizer Warehouse in Smilgiai“ I designed a fertilizer warehouse located in Sodžiaus st. 7, Smilgiai, Panevėžys district. The designed warehouse for fetilizer storage consists of two separate premises, storage block and administrative-support block. Such division is intended for the industrial and administrative activities of the warehouse.

A large inventory of low rise masonry buildings in Canada and elsewhere in the world were built using unreinforced or partially reinforced load bearing wall. The majority of existing masonry structures is deficient in resisting seismic force demands specified in current building codes. Therefore, they pose significant risk to life safety and economic wellbeing of any major metropolitan centre. Because it is not economically feasible to replace the existing substandard buildings with new and improved structures, seismic retrofitting remains to be an economically viable option. The effectiveness of surface bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in retrofitting low-rise load bearing masonry walls was investigated in the current research project. The retrofit technique included the enhancements in wall capacity in shear and flexure, as well as anchoring the walls to the supporting elements through appropriate anchorage systems. Both FRP fan type anchors and steel sheet anchors were investigated for elastic and inelastic wall response. One partially reinforced masonry (PRM) wall and one unreinforced masonry (URM) wall were built, instrumented and tested under simulated seismic loading to develop the retrofit technique. The walls were retrofitted with CFRP sheets applied only on one side to represent a frequently encountered constraint in practice. FRP fan anchors and stainless steel sheet anchors were used to connect the vertical FRP sheets to the wall foundation. The walls were tested under constant gravity load and incrementally increasing in-plane deformation reversals. The lateral load capacities of both walls were enhanced significantly. The steel sheet anchors also resulted in some ductility. In addition, some small-scale tests were performed to select appropriate anchor materials. It was concluded that ductile stainless steel sheet anchors would be the best option for brittle URM walls. Analytical research was conducted to assess the applicability of truss analogy to retrofitted walls. An analytical model was developed and load displacement relationships were generated for the two walls that were retrofitted. The analytical results were compared with those obtained experimentally, indicating good agreement in force resistance for use as a design tool.

A large inventory of low rise masonry buildings in Canada and elsewhere in the world were built using unreinforced or partially reinforced load bearing wall. The majority of existing masonry structures is deficient in resisting seismic force demands specified in current building codes. Therefore, they pose significant risk to life safety and economic wellbeing of any major metropolitan centre. Because it is not economically feasible to replace the existing substandard buildings with new and improved structures, seismic retrofitting remains to be an economically viable option. The effectiveness of surface bonded carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in retrofitting low-rise load bearing masonry walls was investigated in the current research project. The retrofit technique included the enhancements in wall capacity in shear and flexure, as well as anchoring the walls to the supporting elements through appropriate anchorage systems. Both FRP fan type anchors and steel sheet anchors were investigated for elastic and inelastic wall response. One partially reinforced masonry (PRM) wall and one unreinforced masonry (URM) wall were built, instrumented and tested under simulated seismic loading to develop the retrofit technique. The walls were retrofitted with CFRP sheets applied only on one side to represent a frequently encountered constraint in practice. FRP fan anchors and stainless steel sheet anchors were used to connect the vertical FRP sheets to the wall foundation. The walls were tested under constant gravity load and incrementally increasing in-plane deformation reversals. The lateral load capacities of both walls were enhanced significantly. The steel sheet anchors also resulted in some ductility. In addition, some small-scale tests were performed to select appropriate anchor materials. It was concluded that ductile stainless steel sheet anchors would be the best option for brittle URM walls. Analytical research was conducted to assess the applicability of truss analogy to retrofitted walls. An analytical model was developed and load displacement relationships were generated for the two walls that were retrofitted. The analytical results were compared with those obtained experimentally, indicating good agreement in force resistance for use as a design tool.

<p> The slitted wall, a concept originally used to improve the properties of infilled wall panels, is applied to shear wall structures. An ordinary reinforced concrete wall and three slitted walls were tested under cycles of repeated lateral displacements. The effect of vertical load and the lengthening of the slits to full panel height was also investigated. </p> <p> The walls are compared by considering the different crack formations, stiffness deteriorations, load-deflection characteristics and energy properties. It is shown that vertical slits do not produce improvements to the lateral response of wall panels. The application of vertical loads is beneficial and the lengthening of the vertical slits to full panel height is detrimental to the behaviour of the wall panels. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

Master’s thesis is based on analysis and design of a load bearing structure of an apartment block. This structure is supported with a strip footing made of reinforced concrete. The above-ground part of designed structure consists of brick masonry. Floors are constructed of carrying plates. These plates are made of reinforced concrete and precast boards (prestressed concrete). Individual levels are connected with monolithic concrete staircases. The thesis also deals with relevant drawing documentations for chosen parts of construction.

The subject of this master’s thesis is elaboration of project documentation for a multi-functional building according to the actual standards and norms given by law. The object has four floor above the ground and one floor partly below ground level with nine flats and two commercial premises. Residential part and commercial premises are separated from each other operationally independent and accessible main entrances. The basisc are made from contrete strips. The house is made by a brick technology of a ceramic blocks. The external walls are insulated with certified contact thermal insulation system. The building is roofed with warm flat roof.

In my diploma thesis I designed 2 options for an arch roofing of place for dancing next to the restaurant in Dolní Jablonná. The first solution was designed as a timber structure with internal supporting arch from glue laminated timber. The second solution was designed as a two pin-supported steel beam. These variants were predesigned and as the final solution was chosen the timber structure. I designed a rafter, a glue laminated arch, a purlin, an anchorage and field joints. The thesis is including drawings of the layout design, details and anchorage plans.