Graphical dynamic trends for earthquake incidence response of plan-asymmetric systems

A Graphical Dynamic model is derived to describe the directional earthquake response of two-ways plan-asymmetric systems, which retains the insightful educational evidence of traditional graphical static methods and the accuracy of computational methods of analysis. The dynamic directional response is expressed in terms of modal rotational kinematics about modal centers of rotation, referred to as modal torsional pivots. Seismic forces and response decomposition are handled through geometric modal torsional trends and the earthquake incidence response envelopes are described through directional modal participation radii and graphic spectrum-based "8-shaped" directional influence circles. The graphic approach provides good predictions of the maximum response and of the critical angle computed through CQC3 and other directional analysis methods

Performance based earthquake assessment of an industrial silos structure and retrofit with sliding isolators

Recent seismic events pointed out the high vulnerability of existing industrial facilities, stressing on safety and high losses inherent to interruption of economic activities and release of environmentally hazardous materials. These structures often have irregular geometry and structural configuration, are subject to aging and corrosion, and are designed without specific performance-based or seismic design criteria. Due to these inherent complexities, retrofit using friction isolators can be a viable and practical solution for performance improvements. This work presents a case study of irregular industrial storage plant structure consisting of a group of six elevated silos resting on a steel frame on one side and connected to a vaulted RC structure on the other. A computational model is built incorporating nonlinearities from the components (braces, beams, columns, etc.) and from the mitigation devices. Retrofit using friction isolators is analyzed and evaluated through linear and nonlinear dynamic analyses under a set of natural ground motions. Results show the effectiveness of the mitigation strategy in terms of performance improvement

A Framework for All: Building Capacity for Service Delivery in Catholic Schools

The challenge to include students with disabilities in Catholic schools requires a comprehensive system of service delivery to meet student need and avoid pathologizing individuals as problems. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), a framework for organizing resources, delivering services, and measuring success that directly addresses the mission of Catholic Schools to truly serve all students. MTSS is a research-based and systematic service delivery model that provides tiered supports based on individual learner need. MTSS is defined and contextualized to address both academic and behavioral supports for all students. A brief review of evidence to support the framework is provided. Finally, specific features of the framework are presented with examples to illustrate how Catholic educators might implement across the entire school

Why Inclusion Isn’t Coming, It Is Already Here: Catholic Schools and Inclusive Special Education

Catholic school personnel are increasingly recognizing that many of their students, including students with disabilities, need and benefit from inclusive educational practices. These oftentimes ad hoc practices are motivated by the Catholic identity and mission of the school, as well as the diverse educational needs of students. This article responds to these recognized realities, arguing that Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and the practical reality of academically diverse students requires understanding disability as being unique to each student, though within categories recognized in the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA) that serve as starting points for interventions. CST and the recognition of student needs necessitate that teachers be equipped with the appropriate intervention skills, and convincing school communities to embrace this responsibility. To this end, current educational terms are defined and explained, models of inclusion are summarized, and five common misperceptions about inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools are debunked

Mohr circle-based graphical vibration analysis and earthquake response of asymmetric systems

The maximum seismic response of torsionally coupled plan asymmetric structures can be rationally visualized and computed through a Mohr Circle Response Spectrum Analysis (MCRSA). This is done combining the graphic modal properties of the torsional dynamic equations of motion with the structural earthquake demand in terms of a displacement spectrum as a function of the modal eigenvalues SD(ω2). A compact representation of the modal properties and of the response envelope is built and visualized in the Mohr plane. The maximum modal responses are then combined using a graphic adaptation of the SRSS and CCQ combination rules based on the elastic response spectrum. This Graphic Dynamic rule proves to be an effective response prediction tool, and is particularly suited to estimate the response of seismic base isolation systems

Inclusion in Catholic Schools: An Introduction to the Special Issue

Introduction to the special issu

La modellazione delle strutture isolate in presenza di sistemi di isolamento nonlineare e l’analisi dinamica non lineare semplificata secondo l’OPCM 3274/3431 (punto 10.7.6)

In addition to the conventional time history analysis for base isolated structures, the Italian building code OPC 3274/3431 allows a simplified nonlinear dynamic analysis, described in section 10.7.6. Although the analysis methods and criteria selection sections of the Italian code are generally very similar to EC8 and other international codes, these codes do not allow such a simplified procedure. This method appears theoretically inconsistent due to an unjustified decoupling of the nonlinear equations of motions of the superstructure and of the isolation system, since the nonlinear analysis is carried out treating the structure as a rigid SDOF system. The experimental tests performed on a full-scale building constructed at Rapolla (Potenza, Italy), pointed out some important effects of energy exchange from the first isolated mode towards the higher modes, due to the nonlinearity of the isolation system. This results in an increased contribution of higher modes to the overall structural response, as already evidenced in some of the principal studies in literature and also translated into practice by the international building codes and guidelines. Some nonlinear seismic response analyses have been carried out in order to show the inconsistency of the simplified analysis of the OPC 3274/3431. This procedure considerably underestimates the forces in the structure even for practical cases of optimal design of the isolation systems

A development cooperation Erasmus Mundus partnership for capacity building in earthquake mitigation science and higher education

Successful practices have shown that a community’s capacity to manage and reduce its seismic risk relies on capitalization on policies, on technology and research results. An important role is played by education, than contribute to strengthening technical curricula of future practitioners and researchers through university and higher education programs. EUNICE is a European Commission funded higher education partnership for international development cooperation with the objective to build capacity of individuals who will operate at institutions located in seismic prone Asian Countries. The project involves five European Universities, eight Asian universities and four associations and NGOs active in advanced research on seismic mitigation, disaster risk management and international development. The project consists of a comprehensive mobility scheme open to nationals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, North Korea, Philippines, and Sri Lanka who plan to enroll in school or conduct research at one of five European partner universities in Italy, Greece and Portugal. During the 2010-14 time span a total number of 104 mobilities are being involved in scientific activities at the undergraduate, masters, PhD, postdoctoral and academic-staff exchange levels. Researchers, future policymakers and practitioners build up their curricula over a range of disciplines in the fields of earthquake engineering, seismology, disaster risk management and urban planning

EU-NICE, Eurasian University Network for International Cooperation in Earthquakes

Despite the remarkable scientific advancements of earthquake engineering and seismology in many countries, seismic risk is still growing at a high rate in the world’s most vulnerable communities. Successful practices have shown that a community’s capacity to manage and reduce its seismic risk relies on capitalization on policies, on technology and research results. An important role is played by education, than contribute to strengthening technical curricula of future practitioners and researchers through university and higher education programmes. In recent years an increasing number of initiatives have been launched in this field at the international and global cooperation level. Cooperative international academic research and training is key to reducing the gap between advanced and more vulnerable regions. EU-NICE is a European Commission funded higher education partnership for international development cooperation with the objective to build capacity of individuals who will operate at institutions located in seismic prone Asian Countries. The project involves five European Universities, eight Asian universities and four associations and NGOs active in advanced research on seismic mitigation, disaster risk management and international development. The project consists of a comprehensive mobility scheme open to nationals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, North Korea, Philippines, and Sri Lanka who plan to enrol in school or conduct research at one of five European partner universities in Italy, Greece and Portugal. During the 2010-14 time span a total number of 104 mobilities are being involved in scientific activities at the undergraduate, masters, PhD, postdoctoral and academic-staff exchange levels. This high number of mobilities and activities is selected and designed so as to produce an overall increase of knowledge that can result in an impact on earthquake mitigation. Researchers, future policymakers and practitioners build up their curricula over a range of disciplines in the fields of engineering, seismology, disaster risk management and urban planning. Specific educational and research activities focus on earthquake risk mitigation related topics such as: anti-seismic structural design, structural engineering, advanced computer structural collapse analysis, seismology, experimental laboratory studies, international and development issues in disaster risk management, social-economical impact studies, international relations and conflict resolution

Seismic assessment of a heavy-timber frame structure with ring-doweled moment-resisting connections

The performance of heavy-timber structures in earthquakes depends strongly on the inelastic behavior of the mechanical connections. Nevertheless, the nonlinear behavior of timber structures is only considered in the design phase indirectly through the use of an R-factor or a q-factor, which reduces the seismic elastic response spectrum. To improve the estimation of this, the seismic performance of a three-story building designed with ring-doweled moment resisting connections is analyzed here. Connections and members were designed to fulfill the seismic detailing requirements present in Eurocode 5 and Eurocode 8 for high ductility class structures. The performance of the structure is evaluated through a probabilistic approach, which accounts for uncertainties in mechanical properties of members and connections. Nonlinear static analyses and multi-record incremental dynamic analyses were performed to characterize the q-factor and develop fragility curves for different damage levels. The results indicate that the detailing requirements of Eurocode 5 and Eurocode 8 are sufficient to achieve the required performance, even though they also indicate that these requirements may be optimized to achieve more cost-effective connections and members. From the obtained fragility curves, it was verified that neglecting modeling uncertainties may lead to overestimation of the collapse capacity