This paper presents the results of analytical and experimental studies on the use of an advanced technology for seismic rehabilitation and design of substation transformers. The isolation system, known as Friction Pendulum System (FPS), combines the concepts of sliding bearings and pendulum motion. Discussion of formulation is followed by an extensive parametric study using a typical transformer. Among parameters are peak ground acceleration, bidirectional motions, effect of vertical motion, and isolation radius. Inertia reduction and the maximum displacement of the system are the criteria used in evaluating the seismic response and the effectiveness of FPS bearings. Using the results of the parametric study, charts that can be used in design are developed for each criterion. Furthermore, two commonly used response combination rules, namely SRSS and CQC, are evaluated, and recommendations are made with regard to the suitability of each method in estimating the total responses under orthogonal motions. Finally, the results of an experimental study, which considers 1‐D, 2‐D, and 3‐D responses of fixed and base isolated transformer models supporting a bushing, are presented. Experimental results are consistent with the analytical results and further support the effectiveness of FPS bearings in reducing inertia forces, thus, providing a suitable procedure to mitigate the seismic hazard of substation transformers.

İnşaat sektörü yeniliğe ve değişikliklere açık bir sektördür. Yapı üretim süreçlerine entegre olabilecek birçok enformasyon teknolojisi geliştirilmiş, yapı üretim süreçlerinin daha hızlı, sistematik ve kontrollü olarak yürütülmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu bağlamda yapı üretim süreçlerinde kullanılan enformasyon teknolojilerinden Yapı Bilgi Modelleme (BIM) ve Sanal Gerçeklik (VR) teknolojileri yaygın olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. BIM süreçleriyle ve VR araçlarıyla yürütülen entegre projelerde yapı üretim süreçlerinde pek çok kolaylık sağlanmaktadır. Çalışmada yapı üretim süreçlerinde BIM ve VR entegrasyonunun kullanımının amaçlarını, güçlü ve zayıf yanlarını tespit etmek ve potansiyel tehdit ve fırsatlar bağlamında bir değerlendirme yapmak amaçlanmıştır. Bu bağlamda literatür taraması ve kullanıcı deneyimlerinin baz alındığı firma araştırması yapılmıştır.

This paper presents the design and construction of an innovative dual-purpose screen that can block headlight glare while having adequate height to deter pedestrian crossover. Glare screens are used to shield drivers from the headlights of opposing traffic, which has been shown to be detrimental when the glare is within an angle of 20°. Review of previous studies indicates that existing systems, such as expanded metal mesh glare screens, require improvements in design to simplify construction and to reduce maintenance cost. On the other hand, pedestrian deaths from highway crossings over barrier and glare screen installation have warranted the construction of pedestrian fencing on highways in urban areas. The proposed system, called combination glare screen pedestrian fence (CGSPF), has the strength and stiffness to satisfy the structural and geometric requirements of a dual system, and its design is such that it is very easy to install and maintain. The proposed design uses recycled plastics, further red...

This study aims to present field research and evaluate the common failure types for most of the cultural heritage buildings in an ancient district of Antakya (Antioch) after the two consecutive devastating earthquakes occurred in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey on February 6, 2023. The first one occurred at 04:17 (01:17 UTC), a moment magnitude (Mw) 7.7 (AFAD, Disaster, and Emergency Management Presidency), an earthquake occurred in Pazarcık-Kahramanmaraş and it was followed by another earthquake at 13:24 (10:24 UTC), an Mw 7.6 earthquake at Elbistan-Kahramanmaraş. For the post-reconnaissance evaluation of the cultural heritage buildings in Antioch, a field trip was arranged to the site. Since the aftershocks were happening, the field trip was extremely dangerous, especially around damaged or heavily damaged structures. The use of laser scanners made it possible for safer documentation of these structures. The cultural heritage structures studied herein are in an ancient part of Antakya (ancient Antioch) called Kurtuluş Caddesi (Rue Jadid, yeni cadde). Damages on the registered heritage buildings in this study are classified as in different damage levels. One of the most common failure types observed is the out-of-plane movement of the walls. Exhaustion of the in-plane strength capacity of the walls is followed by an out-of-plane mechanism. Many other failure types are either due to the absence of engineering practices or false restoration practices. As a case study, some of these structures are examined by simplified limit analysis and the results are presented. Even though restoring these structures depends on many variables and various stakeholders, a simple guide for restoration is provided for the elimination of similar problems for future events.

Substations are critical components in a power system. Performance of substations during past earthquakes has not been satisfactory and many key components such as transformers and bushings have sustained significant damage. Recently several research investigations have been conducted to better evaluate, assess, and qualify seismic performance of critical substation components with emphasis on transformers and bushings. These studies include both analytical and experimental research. This paper discusses the performance of substation transformers and development of an analytical model using finite element method. Due to weight limitation, shaking table tests of transformers are not feasible. Therefore, finite element analysis is the only suitable platform to assess their seismic performance and to evaluate their effect on the response of other important components such as bushings. Furthermore, the use of base-isolation, which appears to be a practical and economical rehabilitation approach, is discussed. In this research study application of friction pendulum system for base isolation of substation transformers has been investigated and some of the results are presented. Finally, a brief discussion of a series of experimental tests on a fixed and isolated transformer model supporting a bushing is also given.