This paper presents the technique for solving the penetration resistance factor of a spherical penetrometer in clay under axisymmetric conditions by taking the adhesion factor, the embedded ratio, the normalized unit weight, and the undrained shear strength into account. The finite element limit analysis (FELA) is used to provide the upper bound (UB) or lower bound (LB) solutions, then the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model is used to train the optimal data between input and output database. The accuracy of MARS equations is confirmed by comparison with the finite element method and the validity of the present solutions was established through comparison to existing results. All numerical results of the penetration resistance factor have significance with three main parameters (i.e., the adhesion factor, the embedded ratio, the normalized unit weight, and the undrained shear strength). The failure mechanisms of spherical penetrometers in clay are also investigated, the contour profiles that occur around the spherical penetrometers also depend on the three parameters. In addition, the proposed technique can be used to estimate the problems that are related or more complicated in soft offshore soils.

The important issue of increasing CO 2 emissions to the atmosphere requires developing the environmentally sustainable strategies. One of the most innovative approaches in building design is using the microalgae photobioreactor (PBR) façades. In the current research, performance of a new green window was examined as an environmentally friendly method for the noted purpose. This window is a double-glazed window wherein the space enclosed by its two glasses was used as a PBR system. This window was investigated in two different conditions, namely as a window installed in a wall opening as a building façade element and also in laboratory condition. The experiments of the former condition were performed in Tehran city, where is known for the greatest air-polluted city in Iran, while tests of the later were carried out in Bablosar city located in northern Iran. Experiments include measuring absorption amounts of CO 2 , temperature, optical density of cultivation medium, and evaporation. The obtained results validate performance of the proposed green window in decreasing CO 2 amounts. It was also observed that microalgae growth decreased the window transparency so that, in observing the general rules of Islamic and Iranian architecture, can enhance the visual privacy from non-mahram adjacent neighbors for Muslim women.