Nondestructive Evaluation: Structural Performance of Masonry
Masonry is one of the world’s most durable construction materials. Masonry structures can remain in service for hundreds or even thousands of years. Masonry structures often outlive their designers, their original design documents, and their original functions. When historic masonry structures are evaluated for preservation, adaptive use, or additions, there are numerous questions that may arise about the construction and the condition of the brick, stone, concrete block, and mortar. One of the first questions typically asked by the design or investigation team is “How is it performing?” It is important to understand observed distress, such as cracks, corrosion, and surface erosion. Often the cause and/or extent of distress can play a major role in rehabilitation work and in determining what other types of nondestructive evaluation are required. Another common question about masonry is “How strong is it?” In order to conduct a structural evaluation, an engineer must have at least some information about the strength of the masonry. A related question often asked next is “How was it constructed?” Masonry characteristics such as ties, voids, headers, and embedded items are often hidden from view, but these items are critical to understanding how the assembly will perform. Finally, in some cases it is important to ask “What is it doing right now?” It can be vital to understand what types of loads and stresses the masonry is currently experiencing, especially in order predict future performance under new or different loads. Other questions regarding moisture permeability, acoustic properties, or thermal behavior of masonry may also arise. This Practice Point focuses on these fundamental questions by providing a summary of current nondestructive-evaluation tools available for the assessment of historic masonry. While case studies and descriptions of specific nondestructive test methods are fairly common, this article provides an overview of numerous techniques, both listing the technologies available and helping in the selection of an appropriate method. A wide range of evaluation methods are available for use, and many claims are made regarding the accuracy of Practice Points NUMBER 09
Intervenciones no destructivas para el diagnóstico de la salud estructural de dos templos de Aguascalientes, en México
Este informe presenta los trabajos —algunos en proceso y otros concluidos— del grupo de investigacion de Ingenieria Estructural de Edificios Patrimoniales (IEEP) de la Universidad Autonoma de Aguascalientes (UAA). Uno de los criterios para incluirlos fue que estuvieran orientados a diagnosticar la salud estructural de templos catolicos del Centro Historico de Aguascalientes, a partir de metodos no destructivos. El informe se enfoca en el analisis del templo de San Antonio de Padua y de la Catedral de Aguascalientes, tanto por su relevancia arquitectonica como por ser culturalmente iconica. Entre sus resultados destaca la importancia de utilizar este tipo de intervencion en edificios de valor patrimonial con el fin de preservar no solo su arquitectura sino tambien su valor sociocultural y religioso.
Assessing student learning in higher education
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Text, Chapter 2. What is Assessment?, Chapter 3. Student Learning, Chapter 4. Methods and Strategies: An Overview, Chapter 5. Assessing Essays, Chapter 6. Multiple Choice Questions, Chapter 7. Assessing Practical Work, Chapter 8. Assessing Projects, Chapter 9. Assessing Problems, Chapter 10. Assessing Oral Communication, Chapter 11. Self and Peer Assessment, Chapter 12. Self Assessment: Related Approaches, Chapter 13. Using Computers in Assessment, Chapter 14. Changing Assessment, Chapter 15. Reliability, Validity and Examining, Chapter 16. Quality, Standards and Underlying Issues, Bibliography Notes and comments on activities Some further reading Appendix One: Examples of examination questions in Arts, Law and Social Sciences