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The punching failure, which is an abruptly developing brittle failure mechanism, is one of the most dangerous collapse mechanisms that can occur in beamless (flat) slabs. Therefore, it is important to consider both the ductility and strength in the design of slab-column connections. The effects of a strengthening technique using shear studs around the column perimeters of flat slabs are investigated experimentally and numerically in this study. The study is planned in two stages and involved fabrication and testing of twenty full-scale reinforced concrete flat slabs. In the first stage, ten reference test specimens and in the second stage, ten specimens that were strengthened with a shear stud were produced. In each series, one specimen without opening and nine specimens with double openings were designed. The presence of the opening, the size of the opening, the location of the opening, and the presence/absence of strengthening with shear studs were considered as the test variables. Based on the load-displacement graphs obtained from the testing of specimens, the maximum bearing capacity, initial stiffness, and energy consumption capacities of the specimens are calculated. Significant increases are obtained in the maximum bearing capacity, initial stiffness, and energy consumption capacities of the test specimens strengthened with shear studs. For numerical analysis, the test specimens were modeled in the ABAQUS finite element program, and a good agreement was observed between the experimental results and finite element predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the lens of Membership Categorization Analysis, this study explicates the process of discursive categorization in courtroom opening and closing statements, focusing on the use of mundane categories as well as associated activities to negotiate the legal facticity of a criminal offense. Based on the official transcripts of a high-profile Anglo-American trial, the study reveals that much of what constitutes the opening and closing is the dispute over the categorization of the main characters in legal narratives, which at times provides conflicting information to fact-finders. The two sides are found to deploy explicit and implicit categorizations. However, instead of using oppositional categories, the two sides commonly make use of different membership categorization devices. This alternation of devices supplants and replaces each other, so that two versions of realities are discursively constructed. Such strategic categorization enables lawyers to go beyond offering a road map of the case in the opening and emphasizing key evidence in the closing: everyday categories smuggle in moral evaluation and make an emotional appeal to the jurors, which in principle are legally prohibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research systematically compares the effectiveness of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) in shear strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) deep beams featuring web openings. Through a comprehensive experimental program, six RC beams were subjected to shear tests, considering variations in the number of layers for both FRCM and FRP, employing a U-wrapping configuration. Recorded parameters include load-deflection curves, ultimate strength, cracking patterns, failure modes, and strains in steel bars, allowing a comprehensive comparison between strengthened and un-strengthened RC beams. The study compares observed shear strengths from experiments with shear capacities predicted by proposed models for RC beams strengthened with FRCM and FRP, following codes such as ACI 440.2R-17, CSA S806-12, Eurocode 2, and ACI 549.4R-20. Increasing layers enhanced shear strengths and post-elastic stiffness. The presence of substantial openings led to early shear cracks and reduced strength. CFRP improved shear strength by 13.99% (1-layer) and 18.12% (2-layer), while FRCM strengthened layers by 20.2% (1 layer) and 29.3% (2 layers). FRCM outperformed in strength and stiffness, while FRP excelled in ductility and concrete confinement. Experimental and calculated results varied based on ACI, CSA, and Eurocode, with ACI providing consistent and accurate results. CSA's calculation surpassed experiments, emphasizing its consideration of effective fabric design strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) remains a poorly understood condition with no standardized treatment. Treatment is therefore generally individualized. Recent isolated reports have begun to describe the use of third ventriculostomy (open or closed) for the treatment of IIH. This review aims to communicate the current evidence for the use of third ventriculostomy in IIH. A systemic review, using PubMed, was performed of studies describing the use of third ventriculostomy, either open or closed, for the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Only 3 studies for a total of 3 patients were found in which a third ventriculostomy was performed for the treatment of IIH. Despite very plausible proposed mechanisms of action, there is currently a paucity of both studies and, therefore, evidence for the use of either endoscopic or open third ventriculostomy for the treatment of IIH. The studies done to date do strongly suggest that further consideration is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls are widely used as the lateral load‐resisting system due to their adequate ductility and great energy dissipation capacity. On the other hand, use of these walls can reduce the size of the beams and columns and also, decreases the lateral displacements. However, presence of the openings in the shear walls alters the behavior of the wall and therefore, the dimensions and position of the opening play a key role in the performance of this structural system. In this study, an RC shear wall with eccentric opening was verified using ABAQUS software. This model, which is called the reference model, a wall and a pier have been created according to aspect ratios given by ACI318‐14. This model was retrofitted with the steel plates arranged in various patterns and effect of each pattern on the system's performance was investigated and the best one was selected. The best steel plate arrangement increased the ultimate strength, maximum strength, cracking strength, and energy dissipation capacity by 127.3%, 13.42%, 22.53%, and 16.8%, respectively. To practically use this retrofit technique, three low, mid, and high‐rise buildings designed based on the old and new versions of the Iranian Code of Practice for Seismic Resistant Design of Buildings (Standard 2800) were upgraded with this technique and their performance was evaluated and performance of the substandard and standard buildings were compared with each other. The research results showed the ST52 steel plates do not considerably increase the maximum and cracking strength and could enhance the ultimate strength insignificantly. By retrofitting the edges of the openings by the diagonal steel plates and preventing spread of the cracks at the edges and corners, satisfactory results could be attained. Simultaneous use of the vertical and horizontal plates is an effective solution to increase the flexural and shear capacity of the structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis paper showcases shear testing conducted on seven reinforced concrete deep beams featuring square openings, aimed at demonstrating the efficacy of a shear strengthening approach utilizing textile-reinforced concrete (TRC). This experimental program researches two types of openings of 150 × 150 mm and 200 × 200 mm at the centre of the shear spans. The solid beam undergoes testing for comparison with both the unstrengthened and strengthened beams containing openings. The study evaluates the effectiveness of TRC through a comparison of load-displacement curves, cracking patterns, and strains in reinforcements between the strengthened and un-strengthened beams. The experimental results indicate that the TRC strengthening technique effectively boosts the shear-carrying capacity of beams. Examination of the tested beams reveals a significant enhancement in stiffness at the point of maximum force, with improvements ranging from 22% to 86%, depending on the opening size and the number of reinforced textile layers. Rupture in TRC and crushing in the concrete strut are observed in the strengthened beams, whereas the un-strengthened beams show severe crushing in concrete at failure. The test results are compared with calculations based on code provisions, revealing that the prediction model consistently yields values 11 to 44% higher than the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Soffeh / Suffah is the property of Shahid Beheshti University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The structural integrity of a reinforced concrete (RC) beam could be compromised by the need for web holes for utilities like air conditioning and electricity. In places with high shear loads, these voids may appear near the columns supporting the structure. The impact of web openings close to the supports on the behavior of RC beams is inspected numerically in this article. Four-point loads were applied to the supports of seven RC beams with holes of varied sizes and locations. The crack patterns and deflections of the seven beams were analyzed in comparison to those of a solid RC beam without an aperture. The goal of the experiment was to verify that all simulation procedures were accurate and complete. The numerical analysis results showed that the experimentally tested failure load was in excellent consent with the numerical results. Therefore, the finite-element approach is a particularly reliable technique for exploring the nonlinear behavior of beams with multiple apertures, both from the perspectives of difficulty and time savings. Analytical and code equations were used to compare the measured load–deflection magnitude and shear strength of the examined RC beams to their prophesied values. The test findings demonstrated that the shear load capacity of RC beams was reduced by as much as 24.9% as compared to a solid beam, as shown by testing results. The shear load capacity for small-size openings was less than the solid beam by 12.8, 21.1, and 21.6%, while for the biggest openings by 34.6, 29.5, and 34.2% when taking the distance from the support 0, 100, and 200 mm.

In this study, five reinforced concrete (RC) beam specimens with transverse web openings and one specimen without openings were prepared. Diagonal steel bars were arranged around the web openings in the beam specimens so as not to fail at the section with the openings. The specimens were subjected to static reversed-cyclic shear loading of double curvature, and those specimens failed in shear at a different part than the section with the web openings. This paper provides a simple model of the relationship between stress in the diagonal reinforcement around the openings and the applied shear load considering the shrinkage of concrete. Moreover, an evaluation method of the ultimate shear capacity of the beam using the upper-bound solution of the limit analysis was also provided. These models showed good agreement with the test results. The study contributes to the crack control and safety of RC beams with openings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce weight and facilitate maintenance, servicing and inspection, ship structures usually have openings and cutouts. However, these modifications frequently weaken the plates' ability to buckle. In this work, the combined effects of geometric discontinuities (such as openings and cutouts) under diverse in-plane loads (such as horizontal compression, vertical compression, biaxial compression, and in-plane edge shear loading) are taken into consideration as the perforated plates located in the double-bottom floor of a 3000 m3 wellboat are investigated for their linear and elastic buckling behavior. In order to assess the effects of various stiffening methods and their interactions with different load scenarios, as well as fluctuating plate slenderness ratios, the research combines experimental and numerical analyses. This thorough study identifies the best stiffening technique and suggests alternative geometries that minimize structural weight through topology optimization. The research's findings are helpful in comprehending the mechanisms underlying structural failure and in offering design and recommendation guidelines that enhance hull inspections and the assessment of structural flaws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical Security Studies literature has witnessed numerous theoretical debates, particularly in the last decade. These debates stemmed from the need to go beyond the two main axes of deepening and broadening. Ultimately, the hypothesis, which asserts that the Critical Security Studies literature has reached a deadlock, has gained general acceptance. This hypothesis illustrates the interregnum of Critical Security Studies in a Gramscian sense, describing a situation where “the old is dying and the new is not yet born”. Under the shadow of this deadlock in the dominant theoretical approaches of the field, alternative theories have begun to develop and attract attention. Thus, the primary objective of this article is to introduce these approaches to the Turkish literature. These approaches are Visual and Vernacular Security Studies. The article is designed as a descriptive study and depends on an integrative literature review of the field. Firstly, the article will provide a brief mapping of the development of Critical Security Studies and evaluate how these studies have reached a deadlock today. Then, the article will concentrate on two new alternative security studies approaches. In conclusion, the article posits that both alternative approaches can provide original contributions to the study of security.

Critical Security Studies literature has witnessed numerous theoretical debates, particularly in the last decade. These debates stemmed from the need to go beyond the two main axes of deepening and broadening. Ultimately, the hypothesis, which asserts that the Critical Security Studies literature has reached a deadlock, has gained general acceptance. This hypothesis illustrates the interregnum of Critical Security Studies in a Gramscian sense, describing a situation where "the old is dying and the new is not yet born". Under the shadow of this deadlock in the dominant theoretical approaches of the field, alternative theories have begun to develop and attract attention. Thus, the primary objective of this article is to introduce these approaches to the Turkish literature. These approaches are Visual and Vernacular Security Studies. The article is designed as a descriptive study and depends on an integrative literature review of the field. Firstly, the article will provide a brief mapping of the development of Critical Security Studies and evaluate how these studies have reached a deadlock today. Then, the article will concentrate on two new alternative security studies approaches. In conclusion, the article posits that both alternative approaches can provide original contributions to the study of security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding a reinforced stucco layer to the masonry infill walls is a preferred method for strengthening RC frame system structures with an easy-to-apply method that does not require a long time, is economical, and does not require detailed and extensive workmanship. However, no research has been discovered as a result of the extensive literature review that investigates the effects of masonry-infilled RC frames strengthened with a reinforced stucco layer on the seismic performance of openings that must be due to architectural requirements such as doors, windows, installations, and similar ventilation systems. As a result, an experimental study was planned to investigate the effects of the dimensions and location of the opening in the masonry infill walls on the performance of the strengthening method with the reinforced stucco layer. The applied strengthening method increased the ultimate load capacity, initial stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity values of reinforced concrete frames with masonry infill walls by 83%, 226%, and 62%, respectively, but resulted in a 38% decrease in displacement-ductility ratios. The study found that the openings in the masonry infill walls harm the performance of the strengthening technique by adding a rebar-reinforced stucco layer and decreasing the success level. When the opening size increased, and the opening was located at the corner of the masonry wall, the performance of the applied strengthening technique was negatively affected and decreased. Furthermore, nonlinear numerical analyses of the experiments conducted as part of the study were performed using ABAQUS finite element software. The numerical analysis results were compared to the experimental results. It has been determined whether numerical analysis models are compatible with experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flat slab is a widely utilized structural system, especially in commercial, residential, and parking garage structures. It has major advantages, including its architectural flexibility and low construction cost. In contrast, it undergoes a major deficiency where bending and shear stresses are concentrated within a very small region, resulting in the well-known brittle punching shear failure. In addition, the slab's capacity is further reduced under the effect of elevated temperature or opening existence. In this study, the RC flat slab behavior was examined under the effect of different temperatures (23, 200, 400, and 600) °C, square opening side length (70 or 200) mm, and the opening location with respect to the column's side in a parallel direction (0 (directly) or 60 mm away). A total of twenty square-shaped specimens of 1000 mm side length and 100 mm total depth were tested, with each of five tested at one temperature value under the effect of concentrated loading applied at the top of a 150 mm square central column. Results revealed that the load–deflection curve behaves like the concrete stress–strain curved under elevated temperatures, where it flattens and moves downward and to the right under increasing temperature values. In addition, increasing the exposed temperature reduces the stiffness of the specimen under investigation significantly, even at a low-temperature value (200 °C). The most significant reduction is observed at the initial loading stage, and differences regarding the opening existence and its size are major. The differences in toughness were found to be significant upon creating an opening within the flat slab regardless of its size, with its being increased by increasing the opening size and location. Finally, the ACI 318 code punching shear predictions were also provided and compared with the experimentally obtained ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on experiments and micro-modelling analyses, the interaction between the RC frame and the infill wall with/without openings under lateral loads was investigated. According to the load transmission mechanism and the stress states around the openings, a macro-model with multiple blocks around the opening was proposed. In a comparison with the experimental data, the proposed macro-model was proven to adequately simulate the different failure modes and hysteretic behaviours of masonry infilled RC frames with openings. By using the opening rate and opening position as variables, 52 macro-modelling analyses of masonry infilled RC frames with different window and door openings were carried out. The results showed that the presence of masonry infill walls greatly increased the initial stiffness and ultimate load bearing capacities of single-story, single-bay RC frame structures. A larger opening rate resulted in lower initial stiffness and ultimate load-carrying capacity values, which decreased more as the opening locations deviated further from the centre to the sides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, experimental investigations were conducted to study the hysteresis and flexural performances of cold-formed steel (CFS) composite floors. The failure modes of the hysteresis specimens were damage of the screws connecting the composite slab and end joists, as well as bond-slip failure between the slab material and CFS form-deck. The failure modes of the flexural specimens involved shear deformation and buckling of the joists, as well as bond-slip failure between the slab material and CFS form-deck. Second, finite-element (FE) models were constructed and validated against the test data. Subsequently, numerical analysis models for floors with openings were developed. Also, parametric studies were performed by considering the influences of opening size, strengthening, and eccentricity on stiffness for floors with openings. The results revealed that actions to enhance stiffness for floors with openings involve minimizing the opening size, setting the opening strengthening, and keeping the opening centered. Finally, theoretical methods to determine the in-plane and out-of-plane stiffness for the floors with openings were proposed, and the calculations matched well with the numerical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic structures, such as shiplocks, are typically surrounded by backfills, leading to various contact interactions between the backfills and the outer surfaces of the structures. To investigate the evolution of contacts under different loading conditions across the entire structure and to explore the influences of contacts on stress distributions between the shiplock structure and soil, three-dimensional numerical analysis was conducted on the lock head of a shiplock, considering various loading scenarios and contact interactions. Results show that, the opening areas and displacements on the contact surfaces vary significantly during different phases of the construction and operation of the hydraulic structure. The entire process can typically be divided into pouring, backfilling, and water-filling phases, with the backfilling phase showing the largest opening displacement. Compared to calculations without considering the contact, the relative peak maximum principal stress can increase by up to 18.85% when the contact is taken into account, and its peak value is reached after the backfilling process being completed. The conclusions obtained in this study can offer the theoretical and practical references for the design of hydraulic structures and the assessment of their safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering (2008-7918) is the property of University of Tabriz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction Decorations, as important components, have long been one of and the most stable characteristics of Islamic architecture and art. One type of these decorations is openings. In addition to practical aspects, openings have presented diversity and enclosing beauty in Iranian architecture. The surface of the openings has mostly been decorated with geometric and vegetal patterns. The city of Masouleh has various geometric openings that have been embedded in this city for many centuries. Masouleh is located near (55 km away from) Rasht in Gilan province and in the southwest of Foman in a mountainous area with a height of 1050 meters above the sea level. This city is registered in the list of national monuments under number 1090. In the present research, an attempt has been made to analyze the types of decorations in the openings, the abundance of decorations in each of the openings, the concepts of decorations, and the drawing of arrays in Masjedbar openings. Research Method The current research aims to answer these questions: how many levels do the openings of Masjedbar neighborhood include? What concepts have been effective in the formation of arrays of openings in Masjedbar? In this research, an attempt has been made to analyze the decorations of the openings of 26 buildings in Masjedbar neighborhood, which are older than other residential buildings in this neighborhood. The method is descriptive-analytical and comparative. In the first step, the pictures of openings were prepared based on field surveys. In the next step, they were drawn by AutoCAD 2023 software. Also, to understand the proper amount of lighting, the dimensions of the openings, and the influence of the arrays on the lighting, optical simulation software "VELUX Daylight Visualizer 3" was used. In the last step, the results of the types of decorations in the openings, the abundance of decorations in each, the concepts of decorations, and the drawing method of the arrays in Masjedbar openings were presented. Research Findings The architecture of Masouleh has attracted the attention of many domestic and foreign tourists and researchers due to the use of authentic Iranian Islamic arts and its great compatibility with the nature and culture of society. The openings of the historical city of Masouleh, especially Masjedbar neighborhood, are one of the oldest and most beautiful arts where one can see the originality and artistic creativity of the artists of Masouleh and the province. Masjedbar neighborhood in Masouleh is considered one of the centers of the early formation of Masouleh; because of the presence of the mausoleum of Awn ibn Ali, it has earned special sanctity among the habitat of Masouleh. To meet the needs of its users, Masouleh’s buildings have various types of integrated openings, Sarbariahs with inscriptions (single), Sarbariahs without border design (single), openings without Sarbariah, and Orosies. The openings often consist of Girih-tiling and Ghavarebori decorations. Masouleh integrated openings have a two-part structure Sarbariah and bariah. These types of openings are the most common types of windows in Masjedbar neighborhood. The upper opening of the window, which is called Sarbariah, is fixed, and the bariah part consists of two parts that can be separated from each other. Sarbariahs are inscribed (single), have minimal decorations, and possess a minimum amount of space for light and ventilation. In the opening part of the bariah, a door without decorations is used, and the Sarbariah has two parts of girih-tiling decorations on the border and the middle inscription. Sarbariahs do not have a border design (single), have a similar structural and function similar to the windows of inscribed Sarbariahs (single) of Masjedbar neighborhood. Openings without Sarbariah in Masjedbar neighborhood have a surface with full light absorption capability in the bariah section and do not have Sarbariah or upper opening. The Orosies or rising windows of Masjedbar neighborhood have a structure with many Girih-tiling and Ghavarebori decorations. From the point of view of receiving light and natural ventilation of the interior, the Orosies are of a higher level than all other Masjedbar openings and have been used in the residential buildings and mosques of this neighborhood. The Orosies of residential houses have more decorations compared to the Orosies of mosques in Masjedbar neighborhood. Conclusion The research results show that Masjedbar openings are classified into five levels of integrated windows, openings without Sarbariah, Sarbariahs without inscriptions, Sarbariahs with inscriptions and Orosies. The present research results show that 19 geometric arrays of Girih-tiling and Ghavarebori were used in the structure of openings in Masjedbar. Ghavarebori arrays with checkered design, an eight-square shamseh knot, and a four-square knot are the most frequent patterns in the openings of Masjedbar neighborhood. The results of natural light reception analysis show that integrated openings, without Sarbariah and Orosies have a good performance in receiving light; Sarbariahs with inscriptions (single) and Sarbariahs without border design (single) have poor performance in absorbing natural light in Masjedbar neighborhood. The results of investigating the shapes of the geometric arrays of Masjedbar openings show that the plant shapes in the arrays of the openings are often taken from the designs and patterns of flowers and historical and mythological plants of Iran, which were very common in Iran's pre-Islamic buildings. Cypress tree, paisley, and lotus motifs are included in this category. Religious and cultural motifs and symbols are other effective factors in the formation of arrays of Masjedbar openings. Ghavarebori, chalipah, and chaharqol are more widely used in the openings of Masjedbar's religious buildings. The rhombus square knot is one of the few patterns native to Gilan in the arrays of Masjedbar openings. This pattern is often used in the openings of residential buildings and is a symbol of mat weaving in the plains of Gilan. The combination of numbers and basic geometric shapes is another effective concept on the formation of arrays of Masjedbar openings. These shapes, involving a combination of number eight, four and circular, rectangular and square motifs, are among the most used patterns in Masjedbar’s opening arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploitation of archaeological areas as one of the elements of scenography is not new. Attempts have continued for a long time to employ them across different countries of the world (either in concerts or musical performances ... etc., but the method of exploiting them and integrating between the live elements of theatrical performance and the filmed elements and The use of non-professional youth as a kind of active participation between the audience and the performers in the performance of parts of the ceremonies and the combination of all these elements with lighting and filming for some parts of the show and the preparation of unprepared places such as the road of rams and ancient Egyptian temples in the pursuit of achieving Communicating with the public and gaining a new audience to bring about social changes represented by drawing attention to the importance of our cultural heritage, which will remain, through the ages, an important and pivotal factor in emphasizing national belonging. Supporting a sense of national identity and a sense of pride among the new generations because of what he focused on showing the beauty and grandeur of the ancient Egyptian architectural monuments, which witnessed the greatness of the Egyptian artist through the ages. This celebration was able to stir the stagnant waters in a new experience represented in a great celebration attended by the President of the Republic, the ministers, and many ambassadors of countries and important personalities, in addition to conveying the events of this celebration to the whole world in a way that differs from what was previously presented from parties in archaeological areas that were It is prepared as a theatrical model and mechanisms have been invented based on which this heritage area has been re-exploited by holding this opening under the auspices of the state and adopting and nurturing the creative talents of the Egyptian youth who have creative energies in various fields.

The need for openings in RC structures has increased, but their presence significantly affects the performance and strength of the structures. While small openings can be managed with additional reinforcement, dealing with large openings in reinforced or pre-stressed concrete members is challenging due to the lack of technical information and specific guidelines. This research provides an up-to-date overview of RC beam–column joints that incorporate web openings and evaluates appropriate strengthening methods. The research discusses the classification of openings in RC beams, considering factors such as size and shape. Additionally, it examines the failure modes of RC beams in relation to flexural and shear behavior when web openings are present. The research also provides a comprehensive review of various strengthening techniques, outlining their advantages and disadvantages. In conclusion, larger openings in beams result in reduced strength, while increasing loads lead to higher deflection, strain, and cracking until failure. Openings are classified as small or large based on their impact on beam behavior. Multiple smaller openings are preferred over a single large opening when size becomes excessive. Optimal placement is in the middle of the section to ensure adequate concrete coverage for the chords. Sufficient concrete and depth are essential for ultimate compression during bending and effective shear reinforcement.

International election observation has been scrutinized over the past two decades by scholars trying to explain its aim, scope, and consequences. As it is now a standard practice in democratizing countries, scholarly literature has almost reached a consensus on the ability of observers to deter election-day fraud, one of the most positive unintended consequences of election observation. Using data from the 2004 Ukraine presidential election, this article extends our knowledge through a natural experiment on polling station-level election results. I will show that observation during counting does not have a stronger effect than observation during opening and/or polling. Results support previous studies showing the usefulness of election observation in reducing election-day fraud but add an important finding that deserves further scholarly attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores such phenomena of modern artistic culture as Japanese manga and anime. In the article, the author analyzes the origins of manga and anime, their main stages of development. The works of individual manga artists and animator directors are considered. The categories and genres specific to manga and anime are characterized. Stylistic, compositional and plot features are defined. The study also examines the main differences between manga and anime. Their influence on modern world art and culture is revealed. The contribution of Japanese artistic style to new Western visual products is noted. The peculiarities of the spread of manga and anime, their impact on the consciousness of the masses have been clarified. The reasons for the global popularity of manga and anime and the emergence of the anime subculture were also determined. Summarizing the research, the author found out that the multivariate nature of manga and anime, their ability to transform, says that manga and anime are artistic types that are actively developing and evolving and providing artists with the almost unlimited opportunities for new searches. In addition, their followers and fans continue to make their contributions to the developments of manga, anime, and, directly, to Japanese and world culture and society in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Critical Hermeneutics: Biannual Journal of Philosophy is the property of Universita degli Studi di Cagliari and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The need for openings in RC structures has increased, but their presence significantly affects the performance and strength of the structures. While small openings can be managed with additional reinforcement, dealing with large openings in reinforced or pre-stressed concrete members is challenging due to the lack of technical information and specific guidelines. This research provides an up-to-date overview of RC beam–column joints that incorporate web openings and evaluates appropriate strengthening methods. The research discusses the classification of openings in RC beams, considering factors such as size and shape. Additionally, it examines the failure modes of RC beams in relation to flexural and shear behavior when web openings are present. The research also provides a comprehensive review of various strengthening techniques, outlining their advantages and disadvantages. In conclusion, larger openings in beams result in reduced strength, while increasing loads lead to higher deflection, strain, and cracking until failure. Openings are classified as small or large based on their impact on beam behavior. Multiple smaller openings are preferred over a single large opening when size becomes excessive. Optimal placement is in the middle of the section to ensure adequate concrete coverage for the chords. Sufficient concrete and depth are essential for ultimate compression during bending and effective shear reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The border is a dangerous and ambiguous concept to deal with. Following an historical-juridical analysis of the evolution of the concept of border, the author explains what in his judgment is a proper connection that the concept of border must establish: (1) to overcome barriers, in respect of both the actors of changing traditions and customs, and in order to encourage integration and growth in the society as a whole; (2) to cleanse the concept of border from nationalist and supremacist ideas, so as to achieve a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society; (3) the right to immigration as a fully recognised universal human right.

The composite floor deck system is the most popular floor system used in the construction industry, especially in industrial structures. A composite floor deck is a floor system that consists of a steel deck bonded with concrete. The shear bond between the steel deck and concrete slab normally controls the shear capacity of a composite floor deck system. In the current construction industry, shear studs are normally used to improve the shear performance of the structure. However, the literature review shows that there were very limited studies on identifying the efficiency of these shear studs and their effects on the composite floors' mechanical performance. In addition, there were always openings for M&E equipment in the floor deck system, which needs further analysis to determine their effects on the mechanical performance of the composite floor deck system. Thus, the main objective of this study was to identify the effects of shear studs and openings on the mechanical performance of composite floor decks. The method adopted in this study was the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using ANSYS software. The outcome of the result has shown that the presence of shear studs improves the mechanical performance of a composite floor deck while the presence of openings reduces the mechanical performance of a composite floor deck system.

This paper presents a new analytical solution for assessing the longitudinal deformation of shield tunnel associated with overcrossing tunnelling in consideration of circumferential joints. A simplified longitudinal beam-spring model (SLBSM) is established to model the longitudinal behaviours of shield tunnel, which can consider the opening and dislocation between segmental rings simultaneously. Then, the existing tunnel is treated as the SLBSM resting on the elastic foundation. The state equations including tunnel displacements and internal forces are constructed to solve the discontinuous deformation of circumferential joint-segmental ring. The feasibility of the proposed solution is verified through three well-documented cases. The predictions from the proposed method are also compared with other analytical methods. It is found that the proposed method can well capture the deformation of tunnel segmental rings and joints, where the rigid displacement mainly occurs in the segmental rings while the rotation and dislocation occur in the circumferential joints. Some dominant parameters are also analysed to explore the effects on existing tunnel deformation, including the rotation stiffness and shearing stiffness of joints, the skew angle and the clearance between new and old tunnels.

To achieve evacuation-optimized design at the architectural planning phase, this study analyzed the effect of floor openings in multipurpose commercial buildings on their evacuation efficiency. Herein, the IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul, Korea was considered the study site, because all the factors influencing the evacuation efficiency can be controlled owing to the underground location of all floors. Therefore, all evacuees followed the same evacuation direction. Comprehensively, a spatial analysis methodology(Cellular ECEM) was employed to derive the evacuation costs through the sum of visibility cost and distance cost. Subsequently, the evacuation costs were compared in all cases to review the hindrances in evacuation according to the type and area ratio of the planned floor opening, and several causes of evacuation cost deviations were discussed. Overall, increasing the area of the floor opening deteriorates the evacuation efficiency. The evacuation efficiency increased if the area of the floor opening is appropriately separated and a bridge is constructed in the middle to connect a path. Furthermore, following the longer path around the floor opening to use the main vertical means of circulation, owing to the connection between the atrium and floor opening, is more vulnerable toward evacuation efficiency than other floor opening types.

In order to reduce weight and facilitate maintenance, servicing and inspection, ship structures usually have openings and cutouts. However, these modifications frequently weaken the plates’ ability to buckle. In this work, the combined effects of geometric discontinuities (such as openings and cutouts) under diverse in-plane loads (such as horizontal compression, vertical compression, biaxial compression, and in-plane edge shear loading) are taken into consideration as the perforated plates located in the double-bottom floor of a 3000 m3 wellboat are investigated for their linear and elastic buckling behavior. In order to assess the effects of various stiffening methods and their interactions with different load scenarios, as well as fluctuating plate slenderness ratios, the research combines experimental and numerical analyses. This thorough study identifies the best stiffening technique and suggests alternative geometries that minimize structural weight through topology optimization. The research’s findings are helpful in comprehending the mechanisms underlying structural failure and in offering design and recommendation guidelines that enhance hull inspections and the assessment of structural flaws.

The article presents the results of scientific researches of determining the optimal ratio between the dump truck body capacity and excavator bucket capacity during the operation of excavator-auto-mobile complex under the conditions of developing overburden in the quarry of Sosnivske granite deposit. According to the analysis of the scientific publications it has been established that there are different scientific approaches to providing effective work of the excavator-motor complex in the quarries. However, in the majority of works importance of observance of optimum correlation between the body of dump truck and bucket of excavator for maintenance of high-efficiency work of the complex of the equipment is specified. In a program complex AutoCAD Civil 3D modelling of a surface of an open-cast mine field is executed and parameters of a profile of routes at transportation of rock mass in a dump for two offered technological schemes of extraction of fluvioglacial adjournment on overburden bump are established. On the basis of results of modeling and taking into account the mining and geological features of the open pit, we calculated the duration of dump truck trips for the two proposed technological schemes of extraction of fluvioglacial deposits and determined the optimal ratio between the capacity of the dump truck body and the excavator bucket capacity. For the first technological scheme of the overburden removing the duration of dump truck movement makes 4,03 min, and the ratio of dump truck body and excavator bucket capacity is 5,64; for the second technological scheme of overburden removing these values make 11,67 min and 8,16 respectively. In the case of use of Volvo EC460BLC hydraulic excavator with a backhoe and bucket capacity of 2,1 m3 at the overburden step of the pit, it is recommended to transport the rock mass to the dump by dump truck with the approximate body capacity of 11,84 m. At use of the same excavator, but with a direct shovel, it is recommended to apply dump truck with capacity of a body of 17,44 m3.

The wonder of modern mass-scale society has preoccupied sociological theorists for centuries. How does the whole live on and function? At the extreme of strong empirical traditions, conversation analysis focuses on studying the interactional organization of ongoing action and identities. My article puts these two inquiries together to explore the broader relevancies of situated talk and evidence the skillfulness of social actors in managing multi-scaled cultural memberships simultaneously. Approaching society as a processual accomplishment, this article investigates the instantiation of “societal membership” in a mundane institutional setting of broadcast television. The aim of the article is to experiment with how classical theoretical conceptualization can feed into methodological insight and how detailed empirical scrutiny can enrich our theoretical understanding of the mysteries of modern co-existence. This entails casting an analytic eye on the duality of structure and action. The article re-examines the structural scope of on-site interactional achievements. From an opposite angle, it highlights how integrative societal structures are made real and maintained in the art of interactional encounters. This two-way dynamic is exemplified by scrutinizing a fragment of a televised current affairs program. A set of theoretical key concepts is introduced to shed light on the societal orientations of participants in the opening talk of the program. The opening talk addresses an imaginary audience directly via the camera. It provides a view of the interactional methods used by journalists to invoke relevant identifications for the anticipated recipient at a distance. The encounter is imagined, yet instead of imagining a community in the reception, the analytic focus of the article is on actualizing society in the production of the talk. The spatially and temporally organized societal membership materializes in social relations and interdependencies, which are constituted through intersubjective interpretations, normative positionings, and interactional choices by intentional and knowledgeable actors in the routines of everyday life. The article reverse-engineers the relational framework of the deliberative public sphere enacted in mediated interaction as a collaborative scene of the democratic system. This is achieved by explicating the contextually embedded acts of societization taking place in a journalistically regulated field of participation by means of quasi-interactive public speech.

Bridge structures adapt to movement through the addition of joint systems that accommodate anticipated movement due to temperature variations or earthquakes, thereby relieving stress on the bridge structure. Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been proposed to limit joint displacements because of their ability to dissipate seismic energy and restore their original shape. A parametric study is conducted in this study using computer simulations of some advanced MATLAB programs to show the effects of all hysteretic parameters of SMA retrofit devices on seismic joint openings. The results show that SMA hysteretic parameters have a huge effect on SMA efficiency as a restrainer, which is compatible with energy dissipation philosophy, but there are some reversible impacts of some hysteretic parameters in some cases due to the resonance problem and their dependence on other parameters such as natural time period, period ratio, mass ratio, and seismic records. As a result, some design charts are created in this study after more than 200 million trials, taking into account the variation of all key parameters of the structure and the SMA under a suite of historical ground motion records. Moreover, bridge designers can choose optimal SMA hysteresis for a desired opening width, a desired time period, and desired period/mass ratios between adjacent frames with the help of these charts to overcome the two bridge problems of pounding and unseating of bridge decks.

This paper comparatively addresses the numerical modeling techniques for simulating the nonlinear behavior of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls. An experimental test program including two specimens with and without opening was conducted to document the behavior of the specimens. Both specimens were subjected to constant axial load and monotonically increasing in-plane lateral load during the tests. Two different modeling approaches, macro and detailed micro modeling, were considered to develop the finite element models (FEMs) of URM walls. The numerical simulation was performed using ABAQUS finite element software. The results of both modeling strategies were compared with experimental results in terms of the lateral load–displacement response and crack pattern of URM walls. Based on the comparison, the approaches implemented for numerical analyses are found reasonably applicable for simulating the in-plane response of URM walls with and without opening under lateral load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A shading device is integrated into a building in reducing the indoor solar heat gained. However, the incorporation of a shading device into an opening provides certain effects on indoor natural ventilation. Its performance in enhancing the indoor airflow is still arguable. For this reason, a comprehensive review was executed to identify the effects of a shading device on the natural ventilation of a building. A schematic review process was executed to identify the published articles that were related to the shading devices at the building openings. Subsequently, 25 articles have examined the shading devices at the building openings. The output parameters that were discussed including, the solar heat gained, temperature, energy consumption, daylighting, air quality, airflow, and thermal comfort. The studies agree that the shading device has certain effects on indoor airflow. The effects can be either good or detrimental, depending on the climatic condition, geographical location, building orientation, opening configuration, the shading function, and configuration. It is hoped that this review encourages more investigations of the combined effects of the shading device on solar radiation and natural ventilation. The combined effects are essential in achieving optimum performance of a shading device, which can reduce the solar radiation penetration and enhance the indoor natural ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Movement joints are needed in bridges to accommodate longitudinal expansion and contraction. Enough joint width needs to be available to accommodate not only longitudinal expansion but also expected movements of joints during earthquakes. This may result in excessive joint openings. Devices that can dissipate energy have been suggested to reduce joint displacements. Shape memory alloy (SMA) is one of these energy dissipation devices, which is well known for its ability to return to its natural shape after being deformed. Several cases of bridges and different conditions of seismic events are modeled and tested using developed software programs in MATLAB to show the efficiency of using SMA inside bridge joint openings. These models include the case of two adjacent frames with SMA inside them (2�frames), the case of multi�frames with constant hysteretic SMAs between every two of them (N�frames), the case of multi�frames with constant hysteretic SMAs taking the delay of seismic forces between frames into consideration (delay), and the case of variable masses of bridge frames. Also, parametric studies are performed to show the impacts of all parameters of bridge frames and SMA retrofit devices on seismically joint openings. The results show that the superelastic SMA device plays a huge role in controlling bridge opening and enables limiting the joint width of all models during earthquakes with different values reaching 60% in some cases depending on bridge frame properties, ground motion characteristics, and the hysteretic properties of SMA devices.

We present results from an international model comparison study involving a series of controlled fault activation experiments in Opalinus Clay at the Mont Terri Laboratory, Switzerland. The fault activation experiments were conducted in situ by water injection at variable pressure from boreholes targeting different parts of the Main Fault crossing several tunnels and galleries of the Mont Terri Laboratory. The model simulations focused on (1) an experiment activating a discontinuity (fracture or minor fault) within the damage zone of the main fault, and (2) an experiment activating discontinuities close to the core of the Main Fault. The experimental data consist of coupled hydraulic and mechanical responses monitored at an injection borehole and a monitoring borehole located a few meters away. After overcoming several modeling issues along with necessary model developments, a reasonably good agreement was achieved between the modeling results and the field observations. The fault activation experiments displayed an abrupt flow rate increase associated with a sudden fracture opening and rupture propagation after the injection pressure reached above the estimated normal stress on the fracture. This was followed by an abrupt flow rate decrease, indicating hydraulic closing, once the injection pressure decreases to an estimated 1–2 MPa below the stress normal to the opened fracture. The models were able to capture this abrupt hydromechanical behavior, including an observed dominant opening behavior along with the rupture propagation, while the spatial extent of the shear rupture and the quantity of peak injection flow were the most challenging to predict.

We present results from an international model comparison study involving a series of controlled fault activation experiments in Opalinus Clay at the Mont Terri Laboratory, Switzerland. The fault activation experiments were conducted in situ by water injection at variable pressure from boreholes targeting different parts of the Main Fault crossing several tunnels and galleries of the Mont Terri Laboratory. The model simulations focused on (1) an experiment activating a discontinuity (fracture or minor fault) within the damage zone of the main fault, and (2) an experiment activating discontinuities close to the core of the Main Fault. The experimental data consist of coupled hydraulic and mechanical responses monitored at an injection borehole and a monitoring borehole located a few meters away. After overcoming several modeling issues along with necessary model developments, a reasonably good agreement was achieved between the modeling results and the field observations. The fault activation experiments displayed an abrupt flow rate increase associated with a sudden fracture opening and rupture propagation after the injection pressure reached above the estimated normal stress on the fracture. This was followed by an abrupt flow rate decrease, indicating hydraulic closing, once the injection pressure decreases to an estimated 1–2 MPa below the stress normal to the opened fracture. The models were able to capture this abrupt hydromechanical behavior, including an observed dominant opening behavior along with the rupture propagation, while the spatial extent of the shear rupture and the quantity of peak injection flow were the most challenging to predict.

Due to the inclusion of hollow plastic spheres in bubbled slab systems, the shear resistance is greatly reduced. Also, the existence of the opening in the vicinity of columns takes away part of the concrete responsible for resisting shear forces and unbalanced moments, which in turn further reduces the punching shear capacity of the slab-column connection. In this study, experimental and theoretical investigations had been carried out on bubbled slabs with 2000 × 2000 × 230 mm dimensions. The investigated parameters were the size, position, distance of opening relative to the column stub, and the location of bubbles relative to the critical shear perimeter. A new calculation approach for determining punching shear resistance for bubbled slabs was developed. The proposed modification for calculating the effective critical perimeter showed an appropriate range of agreement of the punching shear strength, which is calculated by the methods adopted by (ACI 318, Eurocode 2, BS 8110, and AS 3600) codes, in comparison to the experimental data. The average ratios of the test results to the calculated punching shear capacity determined according to the proposed approach are between 1.007 and 1.417 with a standard deviation of 0.039–0.186 and a coefficient of variation of 0.038–0.131.

Steel frames may have an inherent ability to resist progressive collapse through alternative load-resisting mechanisms, including Vierendeel, flexural, catenary, and membrane actions. Among the columns at different positions, corner column failure caused by accidental loading is more dangerous due to the relatively few alternative load-resisting mechanisms. To evaluate the effects of infilled walls with or without openings on the progressive collapse resistance of steel frames, four two-span 2-story steel frames were tested in this study. According to the test results, the solid infilled frames achieved peak loads that were over 300% greater than those of the bare frame. Relative to the bare frame, the infilled frames with solid bricks and perforated bricks increased the deflection capacities by 15% and 29%, respectively. This result was attributed to the development of effective compressive struts in the infilled walls to partially transfer the vertical loads. Thus, premature joint failure was avoided. Moreover, the failure modes of the infilled walls changed when different types of brick were adopted. The infilled walls with solid bricks showed extensive shear sliding cracks; the infilled walls with perforated bricks were relatively intact, but the compressive corners were crushed. The partially infilled frame with a 40% opening ratio still increased the load-resisting capacity of the steel frame by 90%. In addition, the efficiencies of the compressive strut models of the infilled walls under corner column loss conditions were evaluated. Based on the calculations, the width of the equivalent compressive strut provided by current US standards is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Perforated unreinforced masonry (URM) walls are used in most existing masonry buildings as structural and nonstructural elements. Depending on the size and position, openings may detrimentally affect the stiffness and seismic capacity of URM walls. This research investigates the structural behavior of perforated URM walls with different opening sizes and proportions subjected to lateral loading using the discrete element method (DEM). In the applied modeling strategy, masonry walls are composed of rigid blocks, where their mechanical interactions are simulated via point-contact hypotheses. Once the numerical approach is validated, parametric analyses are performed to better understand the effect of different opening sizes and their aspect ratios on the failure mechanism and shear capacity of perforated URM walls. The results quantify the lateral load–carrying capacity and demonstrate its inverse relationship with the opening size. Furthermore, a slight influence of contact stiffness (varied from 10 to 120 GPa/m) on the ultimate lateral load in DEM-based simulations is noted. Finally, the obtained shear force capacities are compared against the strength prediction equations provided in current US standards. In most cases, the predictions of the US standard provide conservative values relative to the DEM results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]