A significant percentage of buildings that were constructed several decades ago will continue to be used for many more years and unless they are retrofitted in terms of energy performance, they will continue to needlessly consume massive amounts of energy for heating and cooling. When improving energy efficiency it is rational to combine insulation of buildings with the air-tightening of the building envelope, because airtightness is an important factor of energy efficiency, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and moisture condensation which is especially important in public buildings such are nurseries, hospitals and schools. This research will help clarifying correlation between: building’s airtightness and levels of CO2, relative humidity and temperature as basic parameters for determining indoor thermal comfort. Previous research regarding buildings airtightness revealed factors affecting buildings airtightness and possibility of buildings airtightness evaluation by using predictive models created from experimental databases. First step in this project is establishment of a common methodology for data collection and data processing, which will result in creation of large database of buildings airtightness in our region (Slavonija, Baranja and Vojvodina). The basic advantage of forming an airtightness measurement database and predictive model is the possibility of fast assessment of the value of airtightness without the need to conduct field measurements. The results obtained through the predictive model can be applied in planning systematic energy retrofitting of buildings in order to achieve adequate energy efficiency and appropriate thermal comfort, in accordance with EU recommendations. Currently used predictive models are suffering from small sample size and/or only local applicability, the issue this project offers to overcome by conducting measurements in two neighbouring countries with two different teams carrying out measurements.

In r-c frames infilled with masonry (framed-masonry) the infill walls stiffen the frame and reduce the first-mode period leading to a reduction in drift response to strong ground motion. At the same time, the addition of the masonry wall to the frame tends to increase the base-shear response and reduce the drift capacity of the structure. The increase of lateral force and reduction of drift capacity leads to serious vulnerabilities unless proper proportioning is exercised. For frames with competent walls, the challenge for safe and economical design is to be able to take advantage of the stiffening but to make certain that the increase in lateral forces and reduction in drift capacity do not handicap performance. Available evidence has pointed out that shear strength of the confining column is the 'Achilesss heel' of the system. Solution of the problem requires understanding the behavior of masonry and concrete subjected to dynamic and random loading reversals, a challenge that demands testing under reasonably realistic conditions for confident analysis of the problem and its generalization. This is a proposal to investigate the safety and behavior of buildings with masonry-infilled r-c frames through near full-scale dynamic earthquake-simulation tests accompanied by supporting pseudo-dynamic tests of structural assemblies and components and by calibrated analytical solutions. The overall goal is to develop pragmatic methods, by cooperative efforts of team members and co-working international body, for design, safety evaluation and standardization. Because framed-masonry serve both architectural and structural demands efficiently, people in seismic regions live and will continue to live in buildings of this type. An organized solution of the safety of such construction is essential. This proposal intends to put the 'framed-masonry' composite up as a full-fledged building type, it is 'transformative' and will change design practice.

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The project "Environmental Risk Assessment and Mitigation on Cultural Heritage Assets in Central Asia (609574-EPP-1-2019-1-IT-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP)" (short name: ERAMCA) aims, by connecting the knowledge of partner universities in Europe, to propose solutions for assessing and mitigating multiple environmental impacts on historical structures and to develop a theoretical framework for advancing the education of researchers in Central Asia. This project’s research proposal seeks to enhance understanding of the effectiveness of historical masonry arch bridges as key heritage structures, to develop new and more reliable empirical procedures for their assessment, and to identify the most suitable measures for their restoration and monitoring through a comprehensive integrated, i.e., BIM approach. The developed empirical procedure will be open to enhancement with examples of environmental impacts from other regions and with different typologies of masonry arch bridges in Croatia and globally. The core hypothesis is that knowledge transfer regarding environmental impacts on the response of masonry arch bridges as part of Europe’s built heritage to Central Asia is feasible through research and educational methods and procedures. The primary goal of the research for the doctoral dissertation, tentatively titled "Effectiveness of Historical Masonry Arch Bridges under Multi-Hazard Environmental Exposure," is to develop methods and procedures for the assessment, rehabilitation (strengthening), and monitoring of bridge conditions. These methods aim to enhance the effectiveness of masonry arch bridges in response to multi-hazard environmental impacts, using fragility functionality curves, which are currently unavailable. The curves available within the SYNER-G project, which includes a review of methods available to date, primarily address damage classifications.

The project focuses on investigating the seismic vulnerability and risk of rammed earth houses, particularly those characteristic of Eastern Croatia. These houses represent a valuable part of Croatia’s cultural heritage but are often at high risk of damage or collapse during earthquakes due to the lack of seismic regulations and engineering data on their structural properties. The project combines experimental testing and numerical modeling to improve the understanding of the seismic behavior of rammed earth walls and houses. The experimental campaign includes destructive testing of full-scale physical house models on a shake table at the Žrnovnica laboratory – the first such research in Croatia. The data generated from these experiments are used to validate advanced nonlinear numerical models that simulate structural behavior under various seismic scenarios. The project also involves behavior factor analysis, seismic fragility assessment, and earthquake risk quantification through the development and application of methods such as multivariate statistics and parametric analysis. The ultimate goal is to propose guidelines for earthquake-resistant design and the preservation of traditional earthen houses, contributing to the advancement of both European and national construction standards. The project is part of the broader RE-forMS research program, ensuring continuity of research beyond the completion of the core project while simultaneously supporting the education and training of a new doctoral researcher.