Seismic and stability analysis of component-based extraterrestrial vaults

For the first time since the 1970s, concrete plans are in motion to bring humans back to the Moon through the Artemis programme. The dawning era of space exploration aims to set the groundwork for long-term off-Earth settlement, with sights on bringing the first humans to Mars. In order to provide a safe means of inhabiting extraterrestrial (ET)...

Topology Optimization of Masonry Structures

Designing structures that are more sustainable is a relevant topic within the construction industry. By choosing materials that have a low embodied energy value and optimizing the structures that can be constructed by these materials, one could potentially minimize the economical and environmental footprint of a structural design.<br/><br/>As...

A Topology Optimization Process for Discrete Modular Design based on Discrete Element Modelling for generating reconfigurable funicular structures

A comparison study of numerical modeling approaches for simulating the in-plane seismic response of masonry walls: Comparing unreinforced masonry walls with masonry walls retrofitted with the bed-joint reinforcement technique

The extraction of natural gas in the northern part of the Netherlands, from the region of Groningen, has been causing human-induced seismic activities for the past several decades. This is a problem since the existing building stock in this region, which consists of mainly unreinforced masonry buildings and historical structures, are not...

Integrating Machine Learning and Computational Physics to Assess Crack Pattern Similarity in Masonry Buildings

Cracks in masonry structures are a cause for concern as they signal a potential lack of functionality and/or aesthetics. It thus becomes important to identify the cause of damage in order to mitigate it and to prevent its occurrence in the future. Similarities in crack patterns may correlate to similarities in the damage cause. Currently, the...