This study aims to explore the cyclic bond–slip behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced polymers (BFRP) bars. Experimental pullout tests under monotonic and cyclic loading patterns were conducted in order to examine the effect of the cyclic loading on the bond behavior of BFRP bars. The effects of cyclic loading characteristics, concrete compressive strength, and bar diameter on the bond–slip relationship were examined. In addition, the bond performance of bars with four different surface profiles (smooth, sand-coated, wrapped, and wounded) under different loading protocols was studied and compared to that of deformed steel bars. The results revealed that cyclic loading had a significant effect on the bond performance of BFRP bars and the bond–slip relationship was greatly dependent on the bar surface treatment, as well as the characteristics of the applied cyclic loading protocol. Also, cyclic loading magnified the effect of concrete compressive strength on the bond behavior. A numerical model was proposed to predict the bond–slip relationship of wounded BFRP bars under cyclic loading. The model predictions showed good agreement with experimental results.

The dimensions of many water streams, which satisfy the proper hydraulic condition, may not be compatible with the designed dimensions of an irrigation work needed to be constructed in some locations. The design requirements of such irrigation works may need to make a contraction in the channel width in the location of constructions. This contraction, of course, affects the different flow properties and the scour hole formed downstream these structures. So, the present experimental study aims to investigate the effect of the transition angle and the contraction ratio on the flow properties and on the scour phenomenon downstream water structures. Through 454 experimental runs, carried out on 20 experimental models, the study proved that, for an efficient hydraulic performance and economic design, the best transition angle (θ) for the approaches of water structures is 30° with a contraction ratio (r) not less than 0.6.

This study provides a methodology to incorporate the dynamic bus stop simulation into a proposed static transit assignment model. It tries to combine the merits of the realism of dynamic models and the simplicity of static models in a single framework. An algorithm is developed to simulate any load profile of both passenger and bus arrivals. Then, the simulation results are used within the transit assignment process to allow a better line choice representation. A detailed illustrative example is given to validate the proposed assignment methodology performance. The resulted flows in some cases exceed lines capacity while conserving the static equilibrium principles. This capacity violation interprets the fact that some passengers may fail to board the first incoming bus of their desired line due to insufficient capacity. However, they wait until a vacant space is offered on the same line. In addition, a benchmark problem is solved to ease the comparison between the proposed methodology and the existing methodologies. It shows the methodology capability of incorporating different waiting time models to produce passengers’ flow on transit lines. It also indicates the importance of lines that might be neglected in other transit assignment models. This would highlight the methodology interpretation of passengers’ behavior in transit networks.

Despite all modern techniques in registering terrestrial laser scanner point clouds, registration of multiple scan positions is still a crucial issue, especially in large projects. Processes like the detection of corresponding points in scans and placing targets in fields consume a lot of effort, time and money. Three points are the minimum number of common points required for registration. In this work, a new two points registration (TPR) algorithm is developed to register terrestrial laser scanner point clouds using only two common points automatically. Decreasing the number of the required common points to two points reduces one-third of the registration work in both field and laboratory. An accuracy assessment study is then performed to compare the registration accuracy of the developed algorithm and the traditional algorithm employing both the time of flight laser scanner and the phase shift one. The results show that the accuracy of the two algorithms is approximately equal within the considered point clouds accuracy in both cases.

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The increasing value of land and the limited availability of suitable sites for construction are greatly encouraging engineers to consider in situ improvement of weak soil deposits. To economically develop marginal sites a number of ground improvement techniques have been developed as stone columns, jet grouting, compaction grouting, short pile, dynamic compaction, lime stabilization etc. Stone column treatment is one of the most promising and favourable ground improvement techniques widely practiced all over the world. This paper presents a critical review of analytical, experimental, numerical and field studies on the aspect of ordinary and encased stone columns which have been published in the past three decades. Focus is on the recent advancement of encasing these columns with geosynthetic products to enhance their performance in load bearing capacity, decreasing the compressibility, accelerating and reducing the consolidation settlement. Another advantage of encasement is to prevent excessive bulging, squeezing of stone into soft soil. This paper presents installation methods, failure modes of stone columns and brief review of previous researches.

Effective utilization of Daylighting Systems (DLS) in buildings has the potential to maximize the benefits of daylighting, reduce energy consumption, and achieve a quality building environment for the users. Even though the number of possible alternatives that can be generated for integrating DLS in buildings is immense, the number of DLS alternatives simulated and analyzed in previous research has been fairly limited. Therefore, this paper focuses on expanding the number of design alternatives to be simulated and analyzed for integrating DLS individually and collectively at both individual zones and in the whole building, including at different orientations, in order to better inform and enrich design decisions for selecting the best alternatives of DLS that can achieve the highest energy performance for office buildings in a hot climate zone such as Egypt. Daylighting and Energy simulation are conducted for these alternatives, along with visual and comfort analysis. The results of conducting a comparative study of various DLS in Office Buildings in Egypt include identifying optimal alternatives for improving energy efficiency. Results indicate that HSD and HST, whether individually or collectively, can achieve the highest savings, with a reduction of 40% in the energy consumption of cooling and lighting, while HLE saves 38% and HBI saves 24% of the energy consumption for cooling and lighting. The paper concludes with a developed guide to be used by building designers at the conceptual design stages to improve energy efficiency of buildings by selecting and integrating the most appropriate DLS based on building conditions and designers’ preferences of façade design.

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