This article presents a model for conducting contextual therapy with the aim of contributing to the further development of contextual therapy. Its founder, Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, introduced the core of this approach, relational ethics, as a new paradigm for family therapy, which has been received well. The authors presume that the training of (upcoming) contextual therapists and conducting contextual therapy itself can benefit from more concrete guidelines and a phased structure. It can also enhance the further development, research and accountability of this approach. Therefore, using a design-oriented method, the authors developed a model that helps to shape a contextual therapy process and the applicable contextual interventions. It is based on strengthening connectedness in close relationships, using relational ethics as its compass. The framework of the model consists of three phases: exploring connectedness in close relationships, modifying connectedness in close relationships and reinforcing connectedness in close relationships, whereby the goals of each of these phases are defined as process elements and expanded into guidelines for nineteen interventions. The ingredients for these interventions are derived from two recent studies on the practice of Nagy and on the practice of current contextual therapists. The model is explained and substantiated based on contextual theory and therapy. Final remarks are presented in the conclusion.
In recent years, the number of human-induced earthquakes in Groningen, a large gas field in the north of the Netherlands, has increased. The majority of the buildings are built by using unreinforced masonry (URM), most of which consists of cavity (i.e. two-leaf) walls, and were not designed to withstand earthquakes. Efforts to define, test and standardize the metal ties, which do play an important role, are valuable also from the wider construction industry point of view. The presented study exhibits findings on the behavior of the metal tie connections between the masonry leaves often used in Dutch construction practice, but also elsewhere around the world. An experimental campaign has been carried out at Delft University of Technology to provide a complete characterization of the axial behavior of traditional connections in cavity walls. A large number of variations was considered in this research: two embedment lengths, four pre-compression levels, two different tie geometries, and five different testing protocols, including monotonic and cyclic loading. The experimental results showed that the capacity of the connection was strongly influenced by the embedment length and the geometry of the tie, whereas the applied pre-compression and the loading rate did not have a significant influence.
In recent years, human-induced seismicity in the northern part of the Netherlands increased rendering the seismic response of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures critical. Majority of the existing buildings in the Netherlands are URM, which are not designed to withstand earthquakes. This issue motivates engineering and construction companies in the region to research on the seismic assessment of the existing structures.The companies working in the structural engineering field in the region were forced to adapt very quickly to the earthquake related problems, such as strengthening of existing buildings after earthquake. Such solutions are of prime importance for the Groningen region due to the extent of the earthquake problems and need for strengthening the houses. The research published in the literature show that the connections play an important role in seismic resistant of the houses. Fixing or improving the poor wall-to-wall or floor-to-wall connections may have a large positive impact on the overall seismic behaviour. Some strengthening solutions are already provided by SMEs, and an extensive experimental campaign was carried out at TU Delft on retrofitted connections. In this project, a new experiment will be run on a large shake-table, unique in the Netherlands, that can simulate earthquake vibrations. These tests, together with the previous experience, will complement the overall knowledge on the strengthening solutions and their performance under real-time actual earthquake vibrations.
In recent years, human-induced seismicity in the northern part of the Netherlands increased rendering the seismic response of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures critical. Majority of the existing buildings in the Netherlands are URM, which are not designed to withstand earthquakes. This issue motivates engineering and construction companies in the region to research on the seismic assessment of the existing structures. The companies working in the structural engineering field in the region were forced to adapt very quickly to the earthquake related problems, such as strengthening of existing buildings after earthquake. Such solutions are of prime importance for the Groningen region due to the extent of the earthquake problems and need for strengthening the houses. The research published in the literature show that the connections play an important role in seismic resistant of the houses. Fixing or improving the poor wall-to-wall or floor-to-wall connections may have a large positive impact on the overall seismic behaviour. Some strengthening solutions are already provided by SMEs, and an extensive experimental campaign was carried out at TU Delft on retrofitted connections. In this project, a new experiment will be run on a large shake-table, unique in the Netherlands, that can simulate earthquake vibrations. These tests, together with the previous experience, will complement the overall knowledge on the strengthening solutions and their performance under real-time actual earthquake vibrations.
This top-up project is related to the on-going RAAK MKB-project SafeGo (Seismic Monitoring, Design And Strengthening For thE GrOningen Region) . SafeGo combines knowledge of SMEs in the earthquake region of Groningen with innovative solutions and demonstration of technologies, to improve the process of seismic strengthening of houses. Innovative methods and approaches for monitoring and strengthening of structures are tested and further developed in SafeGo In the monitoring part of the project, SafeGo combines soil data, structural data and the sensor data to reach conclusions for the reasons behind observed damages in buildings. Fraeylemaborg, a castle-museum in Slochteren dating back to the 14th century, is used as a testbed. Various sensors are used for monitoring accelerations, tilt and water pressure. In the strengthening part of the project, masonry walls were built and strengthened by the participating SMEs. These walls are placed on the shake table and tested with real earthquake vibrations. A shake table is an accurate laboratory equipment which simulates earthquakes. Majority of the tasks in SafeGo are related either to the site or to the laboratory, which are environments outside of the school. Although an intensive student participation was initially planned, this was not achieved due to COVID19 crisis and the series of mobility restrictions, neither in the monitoring nor in the shake table testing parts of the project. This top-up project aims to transfer the knowledge and create interaction with the students for the SafeGo project. Visitation to the monitored building and presentations to the students on the monitoring system, visitations to the shake table laboratory and interactive events are planned within this project.
