SEISMIC FRAGILITY CURVES ACCOUNTING FOR SITE AND SOIL STRUCTURE INTERACTION EFFECTS ON URM BUILDINGS

Significant site-amplification effects have been observed in various historic centers following the recent seismic events in Italy (e.g., L'Aquila 2009, Emilia 2012, Central Italy 2016-17), but also examples of Soil Foundation Structure (SFS) interaction in ordinary unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. In the past, SFS interaction effects were usually considered for masonry buildings only in slender or massive URM monumental structures. Following the latest observed evidence, this research aims to further investigate the role of site amplification and SFS interaction in the seismic response of URM residential structures. The final goal is to provide an effective procedure to consider these effects in large-scale risk assessment as well. The first part of the research validated the numerical approach to analyze the SFS interaction by reproducing the seismic response of the Visso school affected by the earthquake sequence in central Italy. This school constituted a very emblematic case study, since it was permanently monitored by the Italian Department of Civil Protection and suffered very severe damage, allowing validation even in a highly nonlinear phase. The procedure is based on the decoupled approach. Therefore, the input motion of the foundation is calculated from the site response analyses and the structural performance is analyzed through a structural model with springs at the base and characterized by equivalent damping. This school's validated procedure and numerical model were exploited to derive fragility curves that include site effects and SFS interaction under different subsurface conditions. The predicted damage probability was also compared with the results obtained from different amplifications of the simplified Code-compliant approach. Finally, the research was further generalized by considering multiple building types and different soil profiles. The structural types were inspired by the most frequent building types in the municipality of Visso, consisting of aggregate masonry structures. The set of derived fragility curves was finally applied to an urban scale to develop damage scenarios. In particular, the resulting damage under ground motion of the Central Italy earthquake was compared with that observed and predicted by existing faster and less accurate approaches, to assess the potential of the developed tools also to support possible future large-scale mitigation policies

Advanced Underground Space Technology

The recent development of underground space technology makes underground space a potential and feasible solution to climate change, energy shortages, the growing population, and the demands on urban space. Advances in material science, information technology, and computer science incorporating traditional geotechnical engineering have been extensively applied to sustainable and resilient underground space applications. The aim of this Special Issue, entitled “Advanced Underground Space Technology”, is to gather original fundamental and applied research related to the design, construction, and maintenance of underground space

Geotechnical Engineering for the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites III

The conservation of monuments and historic sites is one of the most challenging problems facing modern civilization. It involves, in inextricable patterns, factors belonging to different fields (cultural, humanistic, social, technical, economical, administrative) and the requirements of safety and use appear to be (or often are) in conflict with the respect of the integrity of the monuments. The complexity of the topic is such that a shared framework of reference is still lacking among art historians, architects, structural and geotechnical engineers. The complexity of the subject is such that a shared frame of reference is still lacking among art historians, architects, architectural and geotechnical engineers. And while there are exemplary cases of an integral approach to each building element with its static and architectural function, as a material witness to the culture and construction techniques of the original historical period, there are still examples of uncritical reliance on modern technology leading to the substitution from earlier structures to new ones, preserving only the iconic look of the original monument. Geotechnical Engineering for the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites III collects the contributions to the eponymous 3rd International ISSMGE TC301 Symposium (Naples, Italy, 22-24 June 2022). The papers cover a wide range of topics, which include: 　 - Principles of conservation, maintenance strategies, case histories - The knowledge: investigations and monitoring - Seismic risk, site effects, soil structure interaction - Effects of urban development and tunnelling on built heritage - Preservation of diffuse heritage: soil instability, subsidence, environmental damages The present volume aims at geotechnical engineers and academics involved in the preservation of monuments and historic sites worldwide

ISGSR 2011 - Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Geotechnical Safety and Risk

Scientific standards applicable to publication of BAWProceedings: http://izw.baw.de/publikationen/vzb_dokumente_oeffentlich/0/2020_07_BAW_Scientific_standards_conference_proceedings.pd

On the use of the exoskeleton for seismic improvement and integrated efficient technologies in existing buildings

The aim of this work is to investigate the seismic improvement obtained through external strengthening structures applied on existing reinforced concrete buildings. An innovative integration with pre-assembled technological envelope components is also presented with the aim of achieving a holistic renovation. Particular attention was paid to the timber solution with an innovative post-tensioned connection between cross-laminated timber panels, which was the subject of an experimental campaig

Modelling Techniques and Rocking Analysis for Historic Structures: Influence of Vaulted Systems in the Seismic Response of Churches

The thesis deals with modelling techniques and rocking analysis suitable to assess the churches seismic vulnerability. Both local and global approaches are considered, discussing the role of masonry vaults in these historic buildings during earthquakes. A new method based on the dissipated energy during the ground motion is presented, together with the subdivision of the church in macro-elements and the evaluation of failure modes

Proceedings of the 9th fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering : Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 22 - 25 July 2012, Karlsruhe, Germany

The fib International PhD Symposium in Civil Engineering is an established event in the academic calendar of doctoral students. It is held under the patronage of the International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib), one of the main international associations that disseminates knowledge about concrete and concrete structures. The 9th fib International PhD Symposium was held at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany, from July 22 to 25, 2012

Connecting urban planning, management and open space in seismic zone

PhD ThesisTehran, the capital of Iran, is located in an area of high seismic risk and seismologists believe that a strong earthquake will affect Tehran in the near future. With a population of nearly eight and a half million, it is estimated that probably a large number of people would lose their lives. Given this unfortunate possibility, and that the majority of buildings are built directly next to one another, any lateral force on one building could have a destructive impact on the others, on the network of connections and on the neighbourhood as a whole. A lack of open spaces in many residential and commercial areas will make immediate post-event organised responses, coordination, decision-making and resourcing difficult and challenging. These spaces may be considered for allocation of tasks such as providing emergency shelter, water and medical supplies, public health and sanitation, and housing replacement. Therefore, the question is whether Tehran is ready for the challenges, disaster mitigation and preparedness, response and recovery. This research is focused on the interaction between physical systems and social systems to lessen societal exposure to the risks of earthquakes. In doing so, first the approaches to integrated disaster and urban planning from other contexts were studied. After the selection of an assessment tool, the spatial, physical and social vulnerability of Tehran and the case study area were studied followed by the analysis of their risks and capacity. A detailed field study within the Khazaneh neighbourhood included estimating earthquake damage and casualties based on probable damage ratio and population distribution, and studying and developing criteria for identification and location of safety evacuation routes, shelter and other emergency utilities (hospitals, fire stations, etc.) in urban areas. It was concluded that earthquake protection systems are now a critical issue for the enhancement of seismic reliability of this urban region. Preparing disaster reduction strategies in Tehran require comprehensive disaster measures to be implemented in urban development plans, open space designs, urban management and the building industry to enhance disaster prevention capabilities and to minimise and control disasters throughout the Greater Tehran Area

Overfishing, uncertainty, and ocean governance: Lord Perry's question revisited

“Why does overfishing persist in the face of regulation?” The author argues that over fishing,a fundamental cause of the crisis facing our oceans, is the result of the failure of our fishing management agencies (ultimately our politicians and communities) to embrace a small suite of powerful tools (more correctly strategic approaches) which have been developed to account for uncertainty. Broad success in managing fisheries to achieve sustainability goals will only come if these tools are enthusiastically applied. This will not happen until organisational cultures within fishery management agencies undergo a major shift leading to an asset-based biodiversity conservation, rather than resource exploitation, to be placed at the centre of ocean governance.This thesis examines these issues in the context of case studies covering regional, national and provincial (State) fishery management agencies. With the exception of the case study of a regional fishery (the southern ocean krill fishery) all case studies are drawn from Australian experiences. The central recommendation of the thesis is that fishery management agencies, worldwide, should be replaced by biodiversity asset management agencies