Developing a new combined structural roofing （开发一种新的组合结构屋面）.pdf

VOL. 5, NO. 4, APRIL 2010 ISSN 1819-6608 ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences ©2006-2010 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN). All rights reserved. www.arpnj DEVELOPING A NEW COMBINED STRUCTURAL ROOFING SYSTEM OF DOMES AND VAULTS SUPPORTED BY CEMENTITIOUS STRAW BRICKS Gihan L. K. Garas, Hala G. El Kady and Ayman H. El Alfy National Research Centre, Civil Engineering Department, Dokki, El Tahrir St., Cairo, Egypt E-Mail: gihangaras@ ABSTRACT The primary objective of this research was to develop a structural technique for roofing rice straw buildings by domes and vaults through encouraging the specification of innovative materials which may be more sustainable than their traditional counterparts. This paper examines the effectiveness of using rice straw cementitious posts and walls as an innovative natural construction method to support domes and vaults in straw bale buildings. Three proposed mix ratios for rice straw cementitious bricks were mechanically tested. A finite elements analysis of the proposed roofing system was performed, to check the safety of the roofing material, and their resultant reactions on the rice straw bricks support. Different cases of loading were applied including wind and settlement. Obtained results helped in the decision making of the most economical and environmental friendly brick mix. Besides, the results emphasized that all stresses were within acceptable limits of the Egyptian code of practice. Keywords: do