Investigation of Seismic Soil-Footing Interaction by Large Scale Cyclic Tests and Analytical Models

Recent experimental and analytical research on seismic behavior of shallow foundations is illustrated. The most significant results on the seismic bearing capacity of footings with pseudo-static approaches are reviewed first, including an analytical formula recently proposed for the new version of the “seismic” Eurocode 8. Afterwards, we present the salient experimental results of large-scale cyclic tests of a shallow foundation model (1m x 1m in plan) resting on a large volume of sand, with relative densities 45% and 85%, discussing them in detail. Under earthquake-like cyclic loading, with peak values close to the pseudo-static failure limit, significant permanent settlement and rocking were observed, approaching serviceability limit states in low-density soil conditions. A series of displacement cycles of increasing amplitude was subsequently applied, up to the ultimate capacity of the soil-foundation system. Although the experimental cyclic bearing capacity is much higher than that predicted by pseudo-static approaches, this advantage is offset by the occurrence of large permanent deformations that may lead the structure to collapse. Finally, a recent theoretical method for performing simple nonlinear dynamic soil-structure interaction analyses is reviewed, and applied to estimating the reduction of response spectrum ordinates in strong earthquakes. Reductions up to 30%-50% were found for spectral accelerations exceeding 0.4g

1D and 2D site amplification effects at Tarcento (Friuli, NE Italy), 30years later

A temporary accelerometer network has been installed in Tarcento (Friuli, NE Italy), a small town heavily hit by the 1976-1977 Friuli earthquake sequence, as a part of an ongoing research project aimed at ground motion simulation and generation of shakemaps in the near-field of an earthquake. The network operated from October 2008 to April 2010 and consisted of three K2 accelerographs with internal Episensor, distributed over a linear array of about 1.5km length. Tarcento town had been chosen, at the end of the 1970s, as the ideal site for a pilot microzonation study, the first of this kind in Italy, in which a substantial number of field (and laboratory) tests were carried out in order to assess the mechanical properties of local alluvium deposits and their complex (3D) geometrical configuration. The data from the temporary network, illustrated herein, allow for proper verification and review of some of the quantitative predictions formulated in the 1980 study. As argued in the discussion section, we also believe that the data are apt to provide valuable information of more general interest on the complex seismic response of alluvium-filled valleys, and we show therein how the observations can be interpreted in the light of presently available parametric simulation studies and simplified criteria for handling basin amplification effect

Investigation of Seismic Soil-Footing Interaction by Large Scale Tests and Analytical Models

Recent experimental and analytical research on seismic behavior of shallow foundations is illustrated. The most significant results on the seismic bearing capacity of footings with pseudo-static approaches are reviewed first, including an analytical formula recently proposed for the new version of the “seismic” Eurocode 8. Afterwards, we present the salient experimental results of large-scale cyclic tests of a shallow foundation model (1m x 1m in plan) resting on a large volume of sand, with relative densities 45% and 85%, discussing them in detail. Under earthquake-like cyclic loading, with peak values close to the pseudo-static failure limit, significant permanent settlement and rocking were observed, approaching serviceability limit states in low-density soil conditions. A series of displacement cycles of increasing amplitude was subsequently applied, up to the ultimate capacity of the soil-foundation system. Although the experimental cyclic bearing capacity is much higher than that predicted by pseudo-static approaches, this advantage is offset by the occurrence of large permanent deformations that may lead the structure to collapse. Finally, a recent theoretical method for performing simple nonlinear dynamic soil-structure interaction analyses is reviewed, and applied to estimating the reduction of response spectrum ordinates in strong earthquakes. Reductions up to 30%-50% were found for spectral accelerations exceeding 0.4g

Topographic amplification from recorded earthquake data and numerical simulations

With the aim of contributing to the refinement of the next generation of tools for seismic hazard analyses, we present here an attempt at including topographic amplification factors in GMPEs, thus broadening the traditional options for site effects. With a view to critically discuss and complement with new data the approach of Cauzzi et al. (2010) and Paolucci (2002), information from additional numerical models including crustal layering are taken into account. The indications obtained from the numerical simulations are cross-checked against and consolidated by analyses of the residuals of a selection of strong- and weak-motion observations on topographic reliefs in Italy and Switzerland (carefully selected via GIS) with respect to a set of largely used GMPEs

Model Building Code for Earthquakes

State-of-the-art model building code for seismic design and construction of buildings as well as recommendations for the updating of existing codes, so that ACS Member Countries be able to endow themselves with new appropriate codes or improve the existing ones, in order to develop better construction practices and techniques for the building of safe and reliable buildings.Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo///Washington D. C., Estados UnidosAgencia de Cooperación del Gobierno de Italia///ItaliaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ingeniería::Laboratorio Nacional de Materiales y Modelos Estructurales (LanammeUCR

Toward a ground-motion logic tree for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment in Europe

The Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe (SHARE) project, which began in June 2009, aims at establishing new standards for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment in the Euro-Mediterranean region. In this context, a logic tree for ground-motion prediction in Europe has been constructed. Ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) and weights have been determined so that the logic tree captures epistemic uncertainty in ground-motion prediction for six different tectonic regimes in Europe. Here we present the strategy that we adopted to build such a logic tree. This strategy has the particularity of combining two complementary and independent approaches: expert judgment and data testing. A set of six experts was asked to weight pre-selected GMPEs while the ability of these GMPEs to predict available data was evaluated with the method of Scherbaum et al. (Bull Seismol Soc Am 99:3234-3247, 2009). Results of both approaches were taken into account to commonly select the smallest set of GMPEs to capture the uncertainty in ground-motion prediction in Europe. For stable continental regions, two models, both from eastern North America, have been selected for shields, and three GMPEs from active shallow crustal regions have been added for continental crust. For subduction zones, four models, all non-European, have been chosen. Finally, for active shallow crustal regions, we selected four models, each of them from a different host region but only two of them were kept for long periods. In most cases, a common agreement has been also reached for the weights. In case of divergence, a sensitivity analysis of the weights on the seismic hazard has been conducted, showing that once the GMPEs have been selected, the associated set of weights has a smaller influence on the hazar

The genome sequence of the outbreeding globe artichoke constructed de novo incorporating a phase-aware low-pass sequencing strategy of F1 progeny

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is an out-crossing, perennial, multi-use crop species that is grown worldwide and belongs to the Compositae, one of the most successful Angiosperm families. We describe the first genome sequence of globe artichoke. The assembly, comprising of 13,588 scaffolds covering 725 of the 1,084 Mb genome, was generated using ~133-fold Illumina sequencing data and encodes 26,889 predicted genes. Re-sequencing (30×) of globe artichoke and cultivated cardoon (C. cardunculus var. altilis) parental genotypes and low-coverage (0.5 to 1×) genotyping-by-sequencing of 163 F(1) individuals resulted in 73% of the assembled genome being anchored in 2,178 genetic bins ordered along 17 chromosomal pseudomolecules. This was achieved using a novel pipeline, SOILoCo (Scaffold Ordering by Imputation with Low Coverage), to detect heterozygous regions and assign parental haplotypes with low sequencing read depth and of unknown phase. SOILoCo provides a powerful tool for de novo genome analysis of outcrossing species. Our data will enable genome-scale analyses of evolutionary processes among crops, weeds, and wild species within and beyond the Compositae, and will facilitate the identification of economically important genes from related species

Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis

Juxtaposing BTE and ATE – on the role of the European insurance industry in funding civil litigation

One of the ways in which legal services are financed, and indeed shaped, is through private insurance arrangement. Two contrasting types of legal expenses insurance contracts (LEI) seem to dominate in Europe: before the event (BTE) and after the event (ATE) legal expenses insurance. Notwithstanding institutional differences between different legal systems, BTE and ATE insurance arrangements may be instrumental if government policy is geared towards strengthening a market-oriented system of financing access to justice for individuals and business. At the same time, emphasizing the role of a private industry as a keeper of the gates to justice raises issues of accountability and transparency, not readily reconcilable with demands of competition. Moreover, multiple actors (clients, lawyers, courts, insurers) are involved, causing behavioural dynamics which are not easily predicted or influenced. Against this background, this paper looks into BTE and ATE arrangements by analysing the particularities of BTE and ATE arrangements currently available in some European jurisdictions and by painting a picture of their respective markets and legal contexts. This allows for some reflection on the performance of BTE and ATE providers as both financiers and keepers. Two issues emerge from the analysis that are worthy of some further reflection. Firstly, there is the problematic long-term sustainability of some ATE products. Secondly, the challenges faced by policymakers that would like to nudge consumers into voluntarily taking out BTE LEI

Penilaian Kinerja Keuangan Koperasi di Kabupaten Pelalawan

This paper describe development and financial performance of cooperative in District Pelalawan among 2007 - 2008. Studies on primary and secondary cooperative in 12 sub-districts. Method in this stady use performance measuring of productivity, efficiency, growth, liquidity, and solvability of cooperative. Productivity of cooperative in Pelalawan was highly but efficiency still low. Profit and income were highly, even liquidity of cooperative very high, and solvability was good