For many years, the research group has successfully collaborated with the NPP Krško, GEN group, Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration and other stakeholders to addressing the problems associated with the seismic safety of nuclear installations and their equipment. In 2015, we performed a study aimed at defining the design parameters for the seismic design of structures within the planned near-surface Low and Intermediate Level Waste Repository at Vrbina. The client was IBE that carries out the overall design of the repository for the Agency for Radioactive Waste Management (ARAO). In the study the seismic design parameters for all structures within the repository were determined. Similar structures in seismic regions around the world are very rare, directly applicable regulations do not exist. Given that, we had to apply the knowledge gained in many years of research in the field of earthquake engineering and to consider the basic ideas of important provisions related to the earthquake-resistant design of nuclear installations, especially in the USA. In addition, in 2015 we also developed a methodology for the analysis of seismic risk of a new building (BB1) within the NPP Krško [COBISS.SI-ID 7335265], and aplied the methodology for the analysis [COBISS.SI-ID 7335009]. This was one of the first applications of probabilistic analysis in seismic design in Slovenia. Within a training course for managers, designers and regulators of nuclear facilities, which was organized by GEN Energija in Krsko, we had a series of lectures on seismic problems related to nuclear installations [COBISS.SI-ID 7079777, 6966625, 6966369, 6966113]. The work performed by research group contributes to the seismic safety of the nuclear installations in Slovenia. It would not be possible to achieve a high quality of the responsible work without the knowledge generated in research in the field of earthquake engineering.
F.11 Development of a new service
COBISS.SI-ID: 7388513Member of the research group P.Fajfar is one of the three editors of the international journal Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics (Wiley) with the highest impact factor among the journals in the field of earthquake engineering (2.305 in 2015). The journal is published under auspices of International Association for Earthquake Engineering. In 2015, P.Fajfar processed 160 manuscripts submitted for publication. Editorial work provides an overview of research performed worldwide and also enables some influence on the directions of future research. He is also a member of editorial boards of four other international journals.
C.04 Editorial board of an international magazine
JUB Company has developed energy-efficient houses JUBHome which are thermally insulated under the foundation slab. Since seismic-resistant design of such a system is not prescribed in standard Eurocode 8, the company subscribe development of guidelines for the design of the foundations of houses JUBHome in seismic regions. A series of experiments has been performed in laboratory at the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering. Experimental results confirmed that the week link for slip is the contact between the waterproofing layer and layer of thermal insulation. Since the slip cannot be prevented in the case of severe earthquakes, the sliding of the house is allowed in any direction up to the threshold level. For this reason, the critical installations, which represent a threat for the loss of human lives, should be carefully installed. Thus the result of the study are simple guidelines for the designer, who has to prescribe the instruction of construction of the installations using the level of seismic hazard and soil type. The development of the design guidelines was carried out on the basis of the experimental results and the seismic risk studies. Such studies are an innovation in the development of guidelines for the earthquake-resistant design, since the scope of the design guidelines is based on explicitly defined probability of consequences rather than probability of occurrence of design earthquake.
F.06 Development of a new product
COBISS.SI-ID: 7336289The knowledge on the behaviour of contemporary masonry systems in seismic prone areas is scarce. Within this testing campaign two types of different contemporary chimney systems were tested up to the failure in laboratory conditions. In comparison to traditional chimney systems, significantly higher resistance was obtained. Both resistance and stiffness of chimney depend from the direction of loading. Bracing system at roof line is effective and the failure mechanism depends from the length of reinforcement along the chimneys. Despite severe damages of masonry units, ceramic flue liners stayed undamaged till the end of testing. Seismic behaviour of chimneys largely depends on so-called coupling effect between primary structure and chimney as secondary element. Obtained frequencies of chimney systems in cracked state are close to resonance range for family masonry houses, thus considering floor amplification spectra, amplification factors for chimneys may reach significant values and they may sustain damage for design accelerations.
F.06 Development of a new product
COBISS.SI-ID: 7388001Seventh essential requirement of the Regulation on Construction Products No 305/2011 (fully implemented in July 2013) - sustainable use of natural resources – was addressed by development of composite boards from waste plastic, composite packaging and textile. The project was carried out in cooperation with Slovenian industry (SME CEP, Celje), in framework of the operation entitled "Development and analysis of an innovative product from waste ", the short title RESEARCH VOUCHER - CEP Ltd. It was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Due to the large amount of packaging waste generated, its reuse is one of the main goals of the sustainable society. In the project packaging waste was recycled in such a way that the waste mixture was finely cut to selected fractions and formed into composite boards by heating and compression. Thermoplastics, which can be reversibly transformed by heat, served as the binder for particles from thermosets that were used as filler. By combining the fractions of the packaging scrap materials and by selection of appropriate value of influencing parameters, such as for example temperature of press platens and compression stress, we were able to produce building boards which possess appropriate physical, chemical and mechanical properties for various applications in the construction sector.
F.06 Development of a new product
COBISS.SI-ID: 7052897