1. Abstract Topology optimization is employed to define the geometry of the cross-section of any masonry block that minimizes its thermal transmittance, with the aim of maximizing the thermal insulation of masonry buildings. Constraints on the mechanical properties of the block are also prescribed. The effect of the design constraints on the optimal layout of the blocks is investigated. The the...

Citation: Furukawa A, Kiyono J, Parajuli RR, Parajuli HR and Toki K (2017) Evaluation of Damage to a Historic Masonry Building in Nepal through Comparison of Dynamic Characteristics before and after the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. Front. Built Environ. 3:62. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2017.00062 Evaluation of Damage to a Historic Masonry Building in Nepal through Comparison of Dynamic Characteristics befor...

Walls of corridors and chambers in the Neolithic dolmens of Portugal and Spain were constructed using megalithic slabs or masonry. When constructed with slabs, the slabs were arranged using two very different construction systems, based either on placement of an orthostat or on imbrication of the slabs. Although generally dolmens are described with orthostats, on the Iberian Peninsula are most ...

Many single or multispan arch bridges are strengthened with the addition of some kind of structural support between adjacent arches of multispan or beside the arch barrel of a single span to increase the strength of the overall structure. It was traditionally formed by either placing loose rubble masonry blocks between the arches and beside the arches or using mortar or concrete to construct a ...

During the last decades natural polymers have become more and more frequent to replace traditional inorganic stabilizers in building materials. The purpose of this research is to establish a comparison between the most conventional building material solutions for load-bearing walls and a type of biomaterial. This comparison will focus on load-bearing walls as used in a widespread type of twenti...

The vulnerability of buildings on coastal dikes due to overtopping wave impacts is difficult to assess. A method is developed in this paper to quantify the vulnerability of masonry buildings on a coastal dike exposed to wave overtopping. Using previous studies, the accidental loads due to the extreme wave impacts are characterized. Using the approach from Eurocode 6, the strength of masonry bui...

Unreinforced masonry (URM) walls strengthened with composites were tested to failure at a decommissioned building in St. Louis, Missouri. The walls were subjected to out-of-plane loading. Previous work on URM as well as reinforced masonry walls strengthened with FRP laminates has shown remarkable increases in capacity and ductility. However, most of this research work has been conducted in the ...

in this paper the traditional covering plaster of masonry buildings is supplied with polypropylene and steel fiber to enhance their seismic behavior. the plaster mix proportion is determined by some initial mortar tests. also, one story, single span masonry building specimen plastered with different mortars is tested on a shaking table 8 times under a seismic input and the performance of the sp...

This paper describes a methodology for analyzing the impulse pressure response of unreinforced concrete masonry walls that have been retrofitted with membranes that are not bonded to the masonry (catcher systems). Membrane catcher systems can be used to protect building occupants from secondary debris resulting from blast pressure, and the effectiveness of systems comprising polymers, composite...

This paper deals with the failure risk of masonry constructions under the effect of floods. It is developed within a probabilistic framework, with loads and resistances considered as random variables. Two complementary approaches have been investigated for this purpose: – a global approach based on combined effects of several governing parameters with individual weighted contribution (material ...