OAR@UM Collection:/library/oar/handle/123456789/703982025-11-15T21:30:12Z2025-11-15T21:30:12ZThe characteristic compressive strength of masonry walls with reconstituted limestone blocks from building waste/library/oar/handle/123456789/956132022-05-12T09:21:41Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The characteristic compressive strength of masonry walls with reconstituted limestone blocks from building waste
Abstract: Maltese Globigerina Limestone (GL) structures have distinctive aesthetical and traditional features
which are immediately recognised from their colour, texture and construction method used. This makes
GL the most common source of structural elements in local constructions. Malta has been experiencing
an increase in construction in the last couple of decades. This means that not only new constructions
are being built but, also, older buildings are being demolished in order to make way for new
constructions which are able to adapt to the new demand. This means that a great amount of
Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste is being generated every year with no intended reuse apart
from being used as infill.
The use of concrete blocks for masonry constructions has been the alternative construction material
replacing natural stone blocks as it is a cheaper solution and provides more flexibility with respect to its
manufacturing abilities. It is also an ever-evolving material which can adapt to new demands for the
construction industry.
This aforementioned statement leads to the initiation of the research by Buhagiar & Montesin (2010)
for the use of C&D waste limestone powder subjected to a compression force inside different sized and
shaped moulds for different testing procedures. Multiple studies for different aspects of this produced
material have been explored. Since then the reconstituted stone mix has been adapted with respect to
results achieved. This study is a continuation of research undertaken by Gatt (2011), Formosa (2012),
Genovese (2013), Falzon (2013), Davison (2014) and Gatt (2016), where casts of reconstituted stone
blocks are assembled into representative masonry walls and tested for their characteristic compressive
strength. These are then to be compared with identical replicas of masonry walls constructed with
natural stone blocks retrieved from the same quarry location that have been used for the previously
conducted studies. Furthermore, a new variable, being different mortar mixes, are introduced as the
binder in the construction of the masonry walls.
Description: M.ENG.2017-01-01T00:00:00ZSeismic design of existing load-bearing unreinforced masonry buildings overlying open plan basements retrofitted with reinforced concrete plane frames/library/oar/handle/123456789/785942021-07-27T07:27:01Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Seismic design of existing load-bearing unreinforced masonry buildings overlying open plan basements retrofitted with reinforced concrete plane frames
Abstract: Two tectonic plates of particular importance, namely the Euro-African plate and the Hyblean-Malta Escarpment, lie within close proximity of the Maltese Islands. Unfortunately, Maltese
masonry buildings have not been traditionally assigned to withstand seismic activity. The
local population is under the false perception that Malta is free from seismic hazard and,
therefore, there is a tendency to ignore the associated seismic risks (Galea, 2007).
Description: M.SC.STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING2016-01-01T00:00:00ZPadre Tomasucci's subterranean aqueduct/library/oar/handle/123456789/785752021-07-28T06:24:19Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Padre Tomasucci's subterranean aqueduct
Abstract: The Wignacourt Aqueduct, in Malta, was constructed between 1610-15 to
deliver water to the, then, newly founded city of Valletta. Within this paper,
the aqueduct has been classified into two main segments: the upstream
segment, directed by Padre Tomasucci, and the downstream segment,
directed by Bontadino de Bontadini. The former runs underground
throughout, except for a very few exceptions; while a considerable amount of
the latter, runs above the surface on arcades and substructions. This
dissertation examines the upstream segment, with the primary intent of
discovering whether this part of the aqueduct could be used to deliver water
for agriculture activity in the area. This paper presents the findings collected
through numerable site inspections and measured surveys. These findings,
in turn, have been amalgamated with a number of interviews. The subjects
of which, consisted of a number of farmers who have inherited an agricultural
tradition which depends on its association to the aqueduct. Apart from
providing empirical documentation about this relatively unexplored
infrastructure, this study has also laid down the foundations for its potential
future rehabilitation.
Description: M.ENG.2016-01-01T00:00:00ZThe effect of edge preparation on glass flexural strength/library/oar/handle/123456789/785552021-07-27T09:06:45Z2016-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The effect of edge preparation on glass flexural strength
Abstract: This dissertation is concerned with the study of what effect the glass edge preparation has on its flexural strength. Glass fails because it has micro cracks in the surface, which lead to stress concentrations of thus failure. When glass is cut, a shallow score is induced in the surface, thus creating a concentration of micro cracks. Testing was conducted using a series of four point bending tests on annealed glass samples, which had different edge preparations. These edge preparations consisted of, non-polished and polished edges, with the non-polished samples being further divided into two groups, those having the cutting score mark on the tension side and those that had it on the compression side.
Description: M.ENG.STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING2016-01-01T00:00:00Z