One type of failure of reinforced concrete seismic walls is out-of-plane buckling. This type of failure appears at the compressive cycle of loading during the cyclic seismic loading. This work is mainly experimental and tries to investigate the influence of the mechanical factor of tensile deformation on the behavior of seismic walls and particularly on the phenomenon of lateral buckling. Five test specimens are constructed simulating the confined boundary regions of structural walls. They are reinforced using the maximum longitudinal reinforcement ratio (4.02%) prescribed by modern seismic and concrete codes for boundary ends. Apart from the investigation of the factor of elongation degree, this method tries to examine if the detailing of walls using maximum allowable reinforced ratio for longitudinal reinforcement inhibits the appearance of transverse buckling. Each prism specimen was strained under different tensile deformation. Degrees of elongation used were equal to 0‰, 10‰, 20‰, 30‰ and 50‰. After the first tensile cycle of loading, a second compression loading cycle was applied on each specimen, till their failure. Thus, nine experiments were carried out in total-two for each specimen apart from the first specimen which suffered zero elongation. Empirical equations are derived trying to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity and the normalized axial deformation at failure for the different tensile degrees.

Greece is divided into three earthquake hazard zones: Zone I, Zone II and Zone III. In the present research work, the same building in the three seismic zones in Greece was modeled, analyzed and dimensioned. Then, the construction cost of its structural body was estimated. The building modeling was performed in SAP2000 using frame elements. The analysis of the building was performed by dynamic spectral analysis methods using the design spectrum EC8. A five-story building with a standard rectangular floor plan per floor was used. The purpose of this research paper is to demonstrate whether the cost of construction of a load-bearing body of a reinforced concrete (R/C) building is influenced by the area of an earthquake hazard through a comparative analytical estimation of construction costs. It was determined if this impact is important and to what extent. Helpful conclusions were drawn in relation to the influence of seismicity on the construction cost of the load-bearing structure of R/C buildings. Furthermore, the probable environmental impact was examined.

High-range water reducers, such as superplasticisers, can be potentially viable for cement grouting applications. In this study, we investigate the influence of two types of superplasticisers-one based on polycarboxylate ether and another based on naphthalene condensates-on the injectability of thick cement grouts into coarse soil and on the shear strength parameters of the grouted soil. Injectability tests were performed on soil columns with various superplasticiser dosages and grouts prepared with different water-to-cement ratios over a wide range of grouting pressures. The shear strength parameters of the grouted soil were evaluated through undrained unconsolidated triaxial compression tests.