Experimental Evaluation of Seismically and Non-Seismically Detailed External RC Beam-Column Joints

An experimental investigation was undertaken to study the seismic performance of external reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column joints having representative details for mid-rise RC frame buildings in developing countries such as Iran that were designed and constructed prior to the 1970s. Three half-scale external RC beam-column joints were tested by applying lateral cyclic loading of increasing amplitudes. Tested specimens were comprised of one unit having seismic reinforcement detailing in accordance with the seismic requirements of ACI 318-11, and two units having non-seismic reinforcement detailing in accordance with the 1970s construction practice in many developing countries, such as Iran. Two typical defects were considered for the non-seismic units, being the absence of transverse steel hoops and insufficient bond capacity of beam bottom reinforcing bars in the joint region. Test results indicated that the non-seismically detailed specimens had a high rate of strength and stiffness degradation when compared to the seismically detailed specimen, which was attributed primarily to the joint shear failure or bond failure of the beam bottom bars. The non-seismically detailed specimens also showed a 30% reduction in both average strength and ductility and a 60% loss of energy dissipation capacity in comparison to the seismically detailed specimen.     

The joint family and its discontents: interrogating ambivalence in intergenerational relationships

Drawing from an interview based household survey of 453 older parent(s) and adult children (sons and daughters-in-law) in the Ahmedabad district, this study utilised the solidarity-conflict-ambivalence models to understand both the perceptions and experience of joint living. Overall, findings reinforce popular imagination of the socially-sanctioned joint family as a site of reassuring continuity with high levels of congruence in reporting relational sentiments. Evidence of intergenerational stake phenomenon was observed in responses of older adults when compared with the mature child. In addition to examining normative ambivalence, I contend that joint family relations embody a concept of ‘ambiguity’ – an uncertain, somewhat conflictual emotive space that offers members a temporary escape without confronting the contradictions in the objective demands of expected roles. In conclusion, I assert the need to go beyond the western tools of measurement to capture a deeply complex emotive space with its regularities, irrationalities and incoherences in the experience of everyday life.     

胡锦涛主席访日与当代中日关系

2006年10月安倍首相访华以来,中日关系出现了回暖的迹象。2008年5月6日至10日,胡锦涛主席的“暖春之旅”,为进一步改善中日关系提供了良好的契机。为扭转两国关系不断下滑的趋势,中日双方对这次访问都做了大量的准备工作。此次访问取得了一系列成果,本文解读了2008年5月7日签署的中日关系的第四个政治性文件,最后分析了这次访问对中日关系的影响。     

南京大学北园东晋大墓的时代及墓主身份的讨论——兼论东晋时期的合葬墓

据南京大学北园东晋大墓墓葬形制的时代特点,及墓内遗物可区分为东晋早期前段、东晋早期后段和南朝3组,并依据献记载推定其建于东晋初年的元帝建平陵,主室后部东西两侧所葬二人分别是元帝司马睿及被迫尊的虞皇后,侧室内葬人可能是明帝生母豫章郡君荀氏。     

河南孟津县马村晋墓的发掘

2010年6月,为配合洛阳铁路枢纽建设,洛阳市文物工作队在孟津县平乐镇马村发掘了一座西晋时期墓葬(C10M823)。C10M823位于汉魏洛阳城西北部约6公里,西距焦柳铁路约0.5公里,东距二广高速公路约1公里(图一)。一、墓葬形制C10M823形制较特殊,由墓道、甬道、墓室和耳室组成,主室为砖室,耳室均为土洞(图二)。墓葬方向185度。墓道位于墓室