This paper aims to quantify the evolution of damage in masonry walls under induced seismicity. A damage index equation, which is a function of the evolution of shear slippage and opening of the mortar joints, as well as of the drift ratio of masonry walls, was proposed herein. Initially, a dataset of …

In recent years, the number of human-induced earthquakes in Groningen, a large gas field in the north of the Netherlands, has increased. The majority of the buildings are built by using unreinforced masonry (URM), most of which consists of cavity (i.e. two-leaf) walls, and were not designed to withstand …

The majority of houses in the Groningen gas field region, the largest in Europe, consist of unreinforced masonry material. Because of their particular characteristics (cavity walls of different material, large openings, limited bearing walls in one direction, etc.) these houses are exceptionally vulnerable …

Energy dissipative steel cushions (EDSCs) are simple units that can be used to join structural members. They can absorb a substantial amount of seismic energy due to their geometric shapes and the ductile behavior of mild steel. Large deformation capability and stable hysteretic behavior were obtained …

This paper presents the results of a study regarding the cyclic bending over sheave fatigue life of five different type of small diameter cables (d <=2.5 mm) in a simple bending test around a D = 10 mm sheave. The goal of the study is to estimate the lifespan of cables in prosthetic applications. Three …

In this study data-feedback in a cyclic model of data-driven teaching was used to enhance the teaching behavior of students registered in a master course for teachers. Differences between pre- and post-test measures in a simple one-group pre-test post-tests design proved to be significant with effect …

The lack of in-depth understanding of the seismic behavior and ductility of precast concrete structures makes it difficult to reach to ductility demand which could be exhibited during an earthquake. The limitations are mainly related to the beam-to-column connections as the main load transfer paths. …

Coupling beams between shear walls are one of the key elements for energy dissipation in tall buildings. A representative mathematical model of coupling beam should represent flexure, shear and interface slip/extension mechanisms simultaneously. This goal can be achieved by using either detailed finite …

The aim for this thesis is to set up and develop electroplating technique for depositing gold layers. This gold layer will be used as an thermalisation layer in a cryogenically cooled X-ray detector. Key material parameter for the gold layer is a low thermal resistivity at cryogenic temperatures. Since …

The effect of infill panels on the response of RC frames subjected to seismic action is widely recognised and has been subject of numerous experimental investigations, while several attempts to model it analytically have been reported. In this paper, the implementation, within a fibre-based Finite Elements …