International Journal of

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Cracks emerge due to various forces or stresses. After discerning the cracks preferably by non-destructive techniques, there is a need to find the reason for their appearance. With very exact analysis of the shape, form and dimension of the cracks and their location on the structural elements, we can deduce the reason for their formation. This makes, proposing a suitable solution for preventing the expansion of cracks possible.

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Urban morphology, including buildings’ typology and their configuration, affects sky view factor and insolation, which are two of the most influential parameters in urban microclimate. These become even more important in extreme environmental conditions. In this research, challenge was to generate various rule based urban morphologies in a parametric environment. Then, to evaluate them based on mentioned parameters to find the fittest climate responsive morphology. The evaluations are done using grasshopper definitions connected to Ecotect and genetic algorithms in grasshopper in a relatively short computing time. Introducing a high speed and user-friendly environment for designers to introduce forms and evaluate them in several iterations was a main consideration. The tool consists of two parts. First, the generative algorithms to create various rule based morphologies. Second, the analysing algorithms, which find the fittest climate responsive urban morphology based on insolation and sky view factor. As a case study, the program is used on different urban morphologies in Yazd to find the fittest solution. Gaining the maximum sky view factor while having minimum insolation on building surfaces is ideal in hot and arid climate. Anyhow, these two suggest contradicting solutions for urban form. Based on the existing urban fabric in Yazd, various block typologies and their arrangements are generated parametrically. In each scenario, iterations of evaluation find the most suitable ones. After comparing the fittest versions of different types, the most proper building typology, collective arrangement of them and the best orientation are provided as result. 

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Understanding the historical background of societies and the various aspects of life that has evolved over time affects the architecture of rural housing today and it's an important factor in processing the answer to today's needs. Considering the features of rural architecture and recognizing its features as the origins of the architectural tradition of any land, is one of the necessities and preservation is a fundamental principle. Therefore, this research has tried to collect various aspects of life and housing in rural settlements of Mazandaran in a historical survey based on library resources. Using the historical interpretation method, this paper examines the aspects of the relationship between different dimensions of life and the shaping and spatial structure of housing with the social, economic, and geographical factors of native societies. According to the findings of this analysis, effective variables can be identified and categorized. The results of the research show that geographical location, financial resources, location capability, geographical and social security and, finally, family structure are factors that affect the habitat patterns and vernacular houses in different areas of the villages of the region. These determine five species of mountainous, forest, plain, rural citadel, and rocky habitats. The impact of these factors on the three modes of fixed-dwelling, two-spatial and nomadism has been studied.

 

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Shiraz, with its historical background, known as the capital of the Persian culture, once experienced a boom of international culture-led events using outdoor spaces as event venues. However, its outdoor vibrancy has withered gradually, and the use of public places as venues declined. Despite the existing dilemmas, a new wave of public place reclamation has created a strong trend towards using the spaces as outdoor venues. The main question of the research is what events are held in Shiraz year-round and how many of them are in public open spaces, and what events can be held in the public realm as outdoor. As in Iranian culture, the events and rituals follow the circular chronology of the Iranian, Islamic, and even Christian calendars; this article studies the events of a year-round time lap, making a clear typology in terms of places’ type and form. The listed events have been classified using the CHAID model adapted to identify the variety and temporality of the events that could occur outdoors. Finally, after categorizing the events, the spatial dispersion of events in the Shiraz urban area has been analyzed to reintroduce the existing platform for holding events and, with the help of the ‘Power of 10’ approach, the need to create or equip spaces and add venues to hold outdoor events in twelve urban ‘destinations’ has been emphasized.