Nouredine Bourahla

University Saad Dahlab Blida, Alegria

Introduction
Types of constructions
Current projects
Research activities
CGS Earthquake laboratory
Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
Information exchange around the continent is an essential
act to developed a code and more importantly to
successfully implement it.

Dominant environnemental conditions

in constructions
Seismicity
Hot climate

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTIONS

Traditional rural constructions are made of adobe or rubble stone

in mud walls
Ancient residential buildings typically 4 to 6 storeys high are made
of stone masonry walls and constitute 40% to 50% of urban housing
stock
Most of recent constructions including bridges are made of
reinforced concrete

CURRENT PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

Compiled by Prof. S. Kenai

Scientific Research in Algeria

Fundamental research law in Algeria
With the Law 98-11 of 22/08/1998 on orientation of research programs for a five years period:
Scientific research became a national priority
An important budget was allocated to scientific research aiming at reaching a level of high
percentage expenditure of Gross income (PIB).
30 research fields were identified as priorities and 27 have already been launched.
Among these priorities are:
Raw materials
Agriculture
Water resources
Energy and nuclear technology
Renewable energy
Fundamental science
Information technology
Industrial technology
Biotechnology
Spatial technology and their applications
Health

continued
Transportation
Education and training
Communication
Translation
National language
Oil
Linguistics
The fields related to the construction industry and
concrete are:
Construction and urbanisation (launched in 2003 ).
Housing (launched in 2003).
Environment (launched in 2000)

Research centres in Algeria

CDTA: Centre for development of advanced technology

CDER: Centre for development of renewable energies
CNTS: Centre for spatial technology
CREAD: Centre for research on applied economy and development
UDTS: Unit for silicium technology development
UDES: Unit for solar equipment development
CRSTRA: Centre for research and techniques for arid regions
INRE: National research centre for education
CGS: Centre for seismic research
CNERIB: National building research Institute

Research Laboratories
More than 650 research laboratories were established and financed by public funds.
Each laboratory has 4 research groups of at least 3 researchers.
A list of some research laboratories in the field of civil engineering

Materials and civil engineering: University of Blida

Materials and composites: University of Boumerdes
Construction and environment: University of Algiers (USTHB)
Civil engineering: University of Laghouat
Materials and environment: University of Tizi-Ouzou
Experimental modelisation of materials and structures: University of Tizi-Ouzou
Advanced materials: University of Annaba
Civil Engineering: University of Annaba
Civil engineering: University of Biskra
Civil engineering and hydraulics: University of Guelma
Non destructive testing: University of Jijel
Materials and durability of construction: University of Constantine
Materials and construction processes: University of Mostaghanem
Materials: ENSET Oran
Water and constructions in their environment: University of Tlemcen
Materials, soils and thermal analysis: University of Oran

Main research areas in concrete technology and reinforced concrete

Cement replacement materials (slag and natural pozzolana)
Limestone cement
Durability of concrete
Sulphate attack
Effect of hot climate
Effect of different curing methods
Use of crushed sand in concrete
Use of sand dune in concrete
High strength concrete and high performance concrete with local materials
Self compacting concrete using local materials
Earth construction stabilised with cement and lime
Waste materials (fibres, cork, aggregate,..)
Repair and strengthening techniques (Fibre reinforced plastics, repair mortars, ..)
Quality control on site
Quality of materials (aggregates, cement and concrete)
Mass concrete
Shrinkage and creep
Design of buildings for seismic loading
Low cost and affordable housing
Materials and buildings suitable for desert regions
Use of natural fibres
Foundation design, slope stability and problems related to soil

Codes in progress

Seismic design code for bridges

Design codes for bridges

Strengthening damaged
Historic monument

Renovation of the modern art museum

Structural elements

Pilot base isolation building

Rubber isolators

CGS Earthquake Laboratory

The CGS laboratory is intended to:
Establish a strong research base to underpin the development of earthquake
engineering expertise in Algeria.
Provide essential experimental input to the improvement of current design and
construction practices in Algeria.
Enable the development of code of practice for seismic design.

Hydraulic pumps

Reaction wall

Shaking table

Strong floor

6.30

6.70

10.00

Material lab.

1.80

5.40

6.30

6.40

6.40

Aire de preparation

1.60

2.20

3.50

4.70

Bureau

2.00

7.50

5.60
5.50

Main entrance

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

Soil dynamics lab.

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

9.40

Control room
Mobile lab.

workshops

Cafeteria

Technicians room

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

5.50

3.90

3.00

1.60

2.20

3.50

4.70

1.80

5.40

6.30

6.40

6.40

6.30

6.30
6.75

10.00

5.50

2.00

7.50

5.60
5.50

5.50

Geophysics lab
Strong motion lab.

Computer room

9.40

Instrumentation
lab.

34

+0.00

Shaking table
12

+0.00

Dalle D'essais

-3.40

Strong floor

1.00

+5.10
10.85

5
2.10

3.70

1.20

4.25

+6.80

+0.00
2.34

2.76

12

+5.10

2.00

+2.55
5.10

2.83

2.93

9.35

1.55

11.60

3.08

198

1.35

17

12

17

38

1.00

60

60

1.40

63
12

+9.35

2.50

2.17

1.00

2.10

2.50

2.17

4.50

2.10

1.20

1.20

4.25

3.70

3.08

1.98

38

60

5.93

5.05

3.50

2.50

4.40

4.25

1.80

32t and 10t crane system

Reaction wall

+21.30

+14.20

+9.35

-0.34

MTS

Shaking table Specifications

Platform

6.1m x 6.1m

Payload

60 t

Overturning moment

120 t

Torsion moment

90 t

Active degrees of freedom

6 DDL

Stroke

300 mm

Max velocity

1100 mm

Max acceleration (20t)

1.7 g

Max acceleration (payload)

1.0 g

Frequency range

0.1 100 Hz

STRONG FLOOR AND REACTION WALL

SPECIFICATIONS

- DIMENSIONS
Strong floor
Reaction wall

32m x 13m
15m height

- CAPACITE DE RESISTANCE
Max resisting moment
Max resisting shear force

120 MN.m
12 MN

Construction started April 2005

Excavation for the foundation of the shaking table

Reaction mass
18m x 18m x 10m deep

Outer layers of reinforcement

Last phase of concrete casting

Reaction mass completed

Strong floor
Reinforcement and prestressed cables

Last week

Experimental capabilities
Testing of concrete structures
Static and pseudo-dynamique testing of full scale building structures
sub-assemblages and structural elements
Dynamic/seismic testing of small full scale prototype structures
Medium and small scale specimens

CONCLUSION
Regional information exchange on the practice and use of concrete in construction
around the continent is fundamental for the implementation of a unified concrete code
Research projects are mainly conducted at universities and national research centres
and focuses on the structural and material aspects of concrete
Potentially the CGS laboratory would cover a wide range of static and
dynamic experiments relevant to concrete structures