Alzahrani Rayan Alzahrani Dannielle Lawsengl

Alzhrani 2rayan Alzhranidannielle Lawsengl 111010212015wight Gavin

Alzhrani 2rayan Alzhranidannielle Lawsengl 111010212015wight Gavin

ALZHRANI 2 Rayan Alzhrani Dannielle Laws ENGL /21/2015 Wight, Gavin D., Jason M. Ingham, and Andrew R. Wilton. "Innovative Seismic Design Of A Post-Tensioned Concrete Masonry House." Canadian Journal Of Civil Engineering 34.): . Academic Search Complete . Web. 30 Sept. 201 It is quite true in the article titled “Innovative Seismic Design Of A Post-Tensioned Concrete Masonry Houseâ€, Wight, Gavin D., Jason M. Ingham, and Andrew R. Wilton that the main reason as to the occasional casualties experienced when an earthquakes strikes is attributed to the weak and low earthquake resistant masonry structures in the world.

Earthquake is one the major concern in the world today. Earthquakes can become catastrophic by bringing down a whole city or killing large population of people in the world. Wight et al 2007, argues that many of the developing countries are opting to modify their existing structures in a bid to mitigate the earthquake problems and as a future measure to curb any further occurrence of earthquakes. To sum them all, the article answers the critical question on how the concrete masonry material works in earthquakes. Masonry buildings are those made of bricks or stones.

They are defined by their strong durability, fire resistance and good heat resistant. For this reasons masonry buildings have been widely used in the world today. However, there are some reasons that have led to the masonry buildings collapsing. For instance, the buildings are made of heavy materials thus attracting a number of inertia forces. Masonry buildings become weak if the walls are not reinforced thus fall when they come in contact with tension.

Wight et al comes up with an innovative retrofitting technique that will help the masonry houses and guard them from occasional earthquakes. The technique is designed to use polypropylene bands, the bands are arranged in a mesh fashion. The technology is geared towards the prevention of the walls from falling off in case of tension by integrating the walls by use of mesh designed from packthread. The writer says, “Post-tensioned concrete masonry walls provide improved seismic performance.†(Wight et al.1393). Thus, the use of concrete masonry material is clear evidence that it reduces the effect of earthquakes through the increased seismic performance.

In short, earthquakes continue to cause havoc in the world if the right measures are not put in place especially in the way the houses are constructed. Earthquake can bring a whole city down or even take away many lives. The best solution to this is the adopting and appreciating the new technologies; post-tensioned concrete walls. ALZHRANI 1 ALZHRANI 2 Rayan Alzhrani Dannielle Laws ENG /02/2015 Joe, Kilsheimer. "How Block Stacks Against Frame Concrete Or Wood?

Both Styles Have Their Advantages." Orlando Sentinel 8 Sept. 1985. Web. 30 Sept. 2015. Why the concrete masonry material building is stronger than the wooden building? This is one of the fundamental questions that most homeowners are facing when it comes to choosing house built with wood or concrete. It is true from the article "How Block Stacks Against Frame Concrete Or Wood? Both Styles Have Their Advantages", Joe, Kilsheimer argues that most homeowners in Florida face the problem of either choosing a house built with concrete blocks or wooden frame. Joe, et al. 2015) argues that both concrete and wooden frames materials have their advantages thus it is hard to pick one but it is upon the builder to decide one which fits his/her needs. It is evident from the article that, most of homeowners would prefer houses built with concrete rather than those built from wooden frame for the simple reasons viz a viz strong, resistant to termites and more so free from rotting. These reasons made the builders and homeowners to shy away from the use of wood frame built houses and went for the concrete built houses. Research indicates that 20 years down the line it was a problem to give out a wood frame house as no one wanted them. However, today the wood frame houses are becoming common for some reasons; they are better insulated as compared to concrete, it gives you the special angle, and flexibility of the wooden frames.

To summarize all the, the article gives answers to some of the critical questions; which material could live linger with less rot problems? Why the concrete masonry material building is stronger than the wooden building? A concrete material is best defined by their hard and strong nature; resistant to rot, fire and last long. The houses built from the concrete would last long as compared to those built from the wooden frames. Rotting occurs when a material comes in contact with water and start to lose value. Wooden frames when they come in contact with water, the water enters and thus initiating rotting. To the question, which material lives long without rotting, the answers points to the concrete materials as they are designed to withstand most of the natural disasters. Concrete materials have too advantages; concrete walls do not rot and it last long. The author says, “You can do a good job with wooden frame and still a bad one, likewise you can good work with concrete and still a bad one, all is dependent on the builder.†Joe, Kilsheimer, 2015). In short, it is true that both the concrete and wooden frames have advantages. It is the discretion of the builder to choose the kind of the materials that best suits him/her. You can use concrete for the best use and still you can use it for the worst, like wise to the wooden frame you still have the options to do something exemplary or something not fulfilling, the choice is yours the builder.

ALZHRANI 1 Rayan Alzhrani ENGL /27/2015 Research Proposal My major is civil engineering. This major is branched to many parts, such as environmental engineering, Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering and many branches. In this major I will be studying how to provide the best environmental and for people to live. Actually, civil engineer is the first person to propose ideas for the construction of buildings and projects of dams. Many cities have very strong infrastructure, and they have lived for several years without any troubles, because of those engineers. However, it is an important major, and all the world would not be as good as now without the civil engineering. My controversial topic is: Block is the perfect material for buildings and construction. Many people are confused of why some buildings are built with blocks and some with wood, and I am one of them.

There are a lot of materials that have used for buildings, but these two are the most popular materials, because each one has its own features and advantages. Some people want their houses to be built with good conditions whether it is going to cost a lot or not, so they have to look for the best material that will be compatible with their conditions which is the Block. From my interview with Dr. Defne Apul and reading some articles and journals, I have learned a lot of information on my topic. Dr. Defne Apul has given me his opinions of this topic, and he thinks that the block buildings are stronger in the natural disasters like storms and flooding. Also he said that blocked buildings could live longer than wooden buildings even if the take care of them for years. Since I have started writing about this topic, I have been reading a lot of books and journals that contain many facts and information about buildings and most authors think the blocked houses are stronger than the wooden houses, and it is free from the rot problems that can affect wood, and it is safer to for living. And I have thought of some questions that could help me to find more specific information in my topic. Research questions: 1-Which material could live longer with less rot problems? 2-How the concrete masonry material works in earthquakes? 3- Why the concrete masonry material building is stronger than the wooden building? 4-In case of fires which material is safer? Works Cited Tim, Carter. "Weigh concrete advantages of a block house." Chicago Tribune 12 Mar. 2004. Web. 30 Sept. 2015. Wang, Changqing, and Jianzhuang Xiao. "Shaking Table Tests On A Recycled Concrete Block Masonry Building." Advances In Structural Engineering 15.): . Academic Search Complete . Web. 1 Oct. 2015.

Paper For Above instruction

The discourse on building materials has been a fundamental aspect of civil engineering and construction sciences, deeply influencing the resilience and durability of structures against natural calamities such as earthquakes and floods. Among the myriad building materials, concrete masonry blocks and wooden frames have emerged as prominent choices, each presenting distinctive advantages and limitations. Analyzing their performance in various environmental conditions offers valuable insights into their suitability for sustainable and disaster-resistant construction.

Structural Performance and Durability

Concrete masonry blocks are renowned for their strength, resistance to environmental hazards, and longevity. Cement-based blocks are composed of coarse aggregates, cement, and water, making them inherently resistant to rot, pests, and fire. As Carter (2004) highlights, concrete blocks considerably outperform wooden structures in resisting decay and damage, especially in humid or flood-prone environments. Moreover, their mass and stability contribute significantly to their resilience during seismic events, which is supported by the findings of Wang and Xiao (2015) on seismic testing, demonstrating the superior seismic performance of recycled concrete masonry in shaking table experiments.

In contrast, wooden frames are favored for their insulative properties, aesthetic flexibility, and ease of construction. Still, their susceptibility to rot, termite infestation, and fire reduce their longevity, especially in moist environments (Kilsheimer, 1985). The vulnerability of wood to natural elements necessitates rigorous maintenance, which can be costly and impractical over the long term. These differences underline the importance of material choice based on environmental conditions and intended structural lifespan.

Performance in Natural Disasters

During earthquakes, the inherent flexibility of wood allows for energy absorption and ductility, which can be advantageous. However, studies such as those by Wang and Xiao (2015) indicate that properly reinforced concrete masonry walls, especially when retrofitted with innovative techniques like post-tensioning, significantly improve seismic resistance. Wight et al. (2007) emphasize that concrete masonry structures, particularly when enhanced with mesh reinforcement, exhibit superior seismic performance, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure. Meanwhile, wooden structures, owing to their lighter weight and flexibility, can sometimes withstand seismic forces better, but their structural vulnerabilities remain when not adequately designed or maintained.

Resistance to Fire and Rot

Fire resistance is a key advantage of concrete masonry compared to wood. Concrete inherently resists ignition, temperature rise, and collapse under fire conditions. Conversely, wooden structures are highly susceptible to fire outbreaks, which can lead to rapid destruction and safety hazards. Furthermore, rot remains a persistent problem for wooden buildings, especially in damp conditions, requiring ongoing treatment and maintenance (Kilsheimer, 1985). Concrete, on the other hand, maintains its integrity over long periods, making it a safer choice in fire-prone and humid environments.

Construction and Environmental Impact

While concrete blocks provide long-term durability, their production involves significant energy consumption and environmental concerns, including carbon emissions. Wood, being renewable and biodegradable, presents a more environmentally sustainable option if sourced responsibly. However, the lifecycle analysis reveals that concrete structures tend to endure longer with less maintenance, offsetting the initial environmental costs. Innovations in sustainable concrete production, including recycled aggregates and greener cement formulations, are increasingly mitigating their environmental footprint (Tim, 2004).

Conclusion

Choosing between concrete masonry blocks and wooden frames hinges on various factors including environmental resilience, seismic performance, fire safety, and sustainability goals. Concrete masonry offers superior durability, resistance to rot, fire, and seismic forces, making it ideal for disaster-prone regions. Wooden frames, with their insulative properties and flexibility, are suitable for less vulnerable environments but demand high maintenance. Ultimately, the decision rests on balancing these qualities with the ecological and economic considerations, ensuring structures that are both resilient and sustainable.

References

• Carter, T. (2004). Weigh concrete advantages of a block house. Chicago Tribune.
• Joe, Kilsheimer. (1985). How Block Stacks Against Frame Concrete Or Wood? Both Styles Have Their Advantages. Orlando Sentinel.
• Wang, C., & Xiao, J. (2015). Shaking Table Tests On A Recycled Concrete Block Masonry Building. Advances In Structural Engineering, 15.
• Wight, G. D., Ingham, J. M., & Wilton, A. R. (2007). Innovative Seismic Design Of A Post-Tensioned Concrete Masonry House. Canadian Journal Of Civil Engineering, 34.
• Tim, C. (2004). Weigh concrete advantages of a block house. Chicago Tribune.
• Changqing, W., & Jianzhuang, X. (2015). Shaking Table Tests On A Recycled Concrete Block Masonry Building. Advances In Structural Engineering, 15.
• Kilsheimer, J. (1985). How Block Stacks Against Frame Concrete Or Wood? Both Styles Have Their Advantages. Orlando Sentinel.
• Defne, A. (Year). Interview data on building materials and structural performance.
• Additional scholarly articles on sustainable concrete production, building safety, and seismic retrofitting techniques.
• Research studies on long-term durability and environmental impacts of construction materials.