SPT-Based Evaluation of Soil Liquefaction Risk

The city of Catania in Sicily (Italy) been destroyed in the past by the 1169 earthquake with XI MCS intensity, the 1693 earthquake with X MCS intensity and the 1818 earthquake with VIII MCS intensity. The standard approach for the evaluation of the liquefaction susceptibility is based on the estimation of a safety factor between the cyclic shear resistance to liquefaction and the earthquake induced shear stress. The liquefaction potential index has been evaluated in the area of the Catania port, near Saint Giuseppe La Rena, that experienced liquefaction because of the 1693 and 1818 earthquake. The site under study has been characterized by means of boreholes, in situ and laboratory tests. Liquefaction susceptibility has been evaluated by means of a procedure prescribed by the new Italian Code

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Behaviour of an Embankment Stabilized with Vertical Drains

The paper deals with the settlement analysis of an embankment founded on soft soil and realized for the construction of a reinforced concrete building in the industrial area of Catania (Sicily, Italy). The solution adopted consisted in the construction of the embankment by stages with thirty-three vertical prefabricated drains disposed under the embankment. Soil consolidation settlements took place since the beginning of the embankment construction. The experimental measurements were carried out since August 2000 up to January 2001. The site was well investigated by means of in-situ and laboratory tests. A significantly correspondence between the values of the geotechnical parameters derived from laboratory and in situ tests was observed. Consolidation was investigated and a comparison between computed results and field measurement is presented. The future performance of the embankment is predicted and the end of consolidation has been estimated in terms of settlements, which must be considered of major interest for the evaluation of the stability of the overlying structure

A Simplified Approach for the Evaluation of Kinematic Pile Bending

There are two sources of loading of the pile by the earthquake: “inertial” loading of the pile head caused by the lateral forces imposed on the superstructure, and “kinematic” loading along the length of the pile caused by the lateral soil movements developed during the earthquake. Seismic codes prescribe that piles have to be designed for soil deformations arising from the passage of seismic waves which impose curvatures and thereby lateral strains on the piles along their whole length. Accepting these lines, the new Italian seismic normative (NTC, 2008) specify that kinematic effects should be taken into account in the design of pile foundations. Pseudo-static approaches for the seismic analysis of pile foundations are attractive for practicing engineers because they are simple when compared to difficult and more complex dynamic analyses. Thus, in the paper a simplified numerical model for the analysis of the behavior of a single pile subjected to static loadings and/or to lateral soil movements based on the “p-y” subgrade reaction method has been adopted. The approach involves two main steps: first a free-field site response analysis is carried out to obtain the soil displacements along the pile; next a static load analysis is carried out for the pile subjected to the maximum free-field soil displacements at each node along its length and the static loading at the pile head based on the maximum ground surface acceleration

Modelling of a Debris Flow Event in the Enna Area for Hazard Assessment

Abstract In the paper a modelling of a real debris flow in the Enna area in the south of Italy is described. Starting from the study of the geological framework and the historical background for landslides of the Enna district, the research has focused on the causes triggering the landslides. In order to study the performance of debris flow, the real case of 1 st -2 nd February 2014 which affected Enna city has been modeled. The event caused damage to private buildings and above all the interruption of the main infrastructure connecting Enna city at the motorway, due to the material on the road. The modelling of the real debris flow using a mono-phase model (FLO-2D) was carried out in order to investigate the global dynamic of the event. The study allows to acquire a better knowledge of the hydraulic parameters that can be used in other modelling events for areas with a similar soil composition in order to assess the most appropriate mitigation works, reducing damage to structures and infrastructures

Geotechnical Characterization of a Soft Clay Soil Subjected to a Preloading Embankment

The paper presents the geotechnical characterization of a clay soil subjected to a preloading embankment for the construction of an industrial electronics building in the industrial area (STM M6) of Catania (Sicily, Italy). To determine the geological profile and the geotechnical characteristics of the soil, the site was well investigated by means of in situ and laboratory tests. The following in situ geotechnical tests were carried out: Borings, SPT, CPT, PLT and dynamic in situ tests have been performed. Among them Down-Hole (D-H), Cross-Hole (C-H), SASW and recently Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Tests (SDMT) have been carried out, with the aim to evaluate the soil profile of shear waves velocity (Vs). Moreover the following laboratory tests were carried out on undisturbed samples retrieved with a 86 mm diameter Shelby sampler: Oedometer tests, Direct shear tests, Triaxial Tests, Resonant Column and Torsional shear tests. Static and dynamic parameters were compared by in situ and laboratory tests. A significantly correspondence between the values of the geotechnical parameters derived from laboratory and in situ tests was observed. The in situ and laboratory geotechnical analysis gives the parameters to evaluate the performance of soil subjected to soil embankment by mathematical modeling

A Seismic Geotechnical Hazard Study in the Ancient City of Noto (Italy)

Abstract South-Eastern Sicily has been affected in past times by several destroying earthquakes with high values of estimated magnitude. The aim of the seismic hazard microzonation studies performed at the City of Noto is to quantify the spatial variability of the site response on some typical historical scenario earthquakes that would be expected in the area. In order to quantify the expected ground motion, the manner in which the seismic signal is propagating through the subsurface has been defined. Propagation is particularly affected by the local geology and by the geotechnical dynamic ground conditions of the studied area. The data largely consist of the stratigraphic profiles obtained by in situ tests i.e. borings, MASW tests, Down-Hole tests, SDMT tests; some are accompanied by static and dynamic laboratory tests, such as Resonant Column, monotonic compression loading Triaxial tests and Direct shear tests. Processing of all these data allowed the ground response analysis at the surface, in terms of time history and response spectra, of some areas of the city using the linear-equivalent codes EERA, STRATA and DEEPSOIL, useful for microzonation of seismic geotechnical hazards

Debris flow hazard assessment: Laboratory experiences and numerical modelling

In the last years, the study of debris flow has become very important in the research activity and in the engineering practice. The use of numerical models is able for the study of debris flow’s propagation. The study area is located in the north-east Sicilian coast and in particular in the municipality of Gioiosa Marea, severely affected by landslides occurred from 2000 to 2013. In this case study, the FLO-2D code has been used. The soil parameters has been determined by means of in situ investigations and laboratory tests. The knowledge of the physical and mechanical properties is very important to define the input parameters of the model, including the volumetric concentration associated with the soil friction angle

Risk Assessment of Transport Linear Infrastructures to Debris Flow

For the assessment of debris flow risk, it is essential to consider not only the triggering and propagation stages but also to perform analyses of its effects and consequences. The study aims at developing a procedure based on a quantitative risk assessments able to estimate the different levels of risk with reference to transport linear infrastructures. This includes numerical modelling for debris flows to determine the zones where the elements at risk could suffer an impact. A detailed comparison between the performances of two different approaches to debris flow modelling was carried out. In particular, the results of a mono-phase Bingham model (FLO-2D) and that of a single-phase model (RASH-3D) with reference to the Enna area (Sicily). The results can be applied for the risk calculations. The purpose is to define a priority of intervention for the identification of the infrastructures exposed at risk, leading to the choice of safety measures

Nuevas formas de ver, una experiencia al infinito

El objetivo de este trabajo parte del análisis del proyecto “Colección de Imágenes” de Gonzalo Pedraza, para reflexionar sobre la forma de relacionarnos con las imágenes y cómo estas son producidas. Además, intentaremos establecer aquellos criterios y dispositivos que nos permitan afirmar que este proyecto es una producción artística que se inserta en el mundo del arte poniendo, a su vez, de manifiesto la supremacía y complejidad de la experiencia artística más allá de la obra de arte en sí. Aparecen así diversos interrogantes ¿Esta es una experiencia artística y estética? ¿Tiene el estatus de obra de arte? ¿Esto es arte? ¿Cómo se relaciona el espectador con la misma? ¿Qué modelos de estética se manifiestan en estas formas de producciones contemporáneas? En este caso en particular, la obra artística se encuentra en constante transformación por medio de la interrupción de diferentes autores, ya que los visitantes tienen la posibilidad de participar en calidad de co-autores de la obra. De esta forma, el artista logra romper el esquema del museo tradicional, siendo el público quien proporciona las imágenes, decide como montarlas y es responsable de subir su nueva creación a las redes, dando lugar a nuevos modos de percepción y contemplación en donde los medios de comunicación son primordiales para poder llevarlo a cabo.Facultad de Bellas Arte

Nuevas formas de ver, una experiencia al infinito

El objetivo de este trabajo parte del análisis del proyecto “Colección de Imágenes” de Gonzalo Pedraza, para reflexionar sobre la forma de relacionarnos con las imágenes y cómo estas son producidas. Además, intentaremos establecer aquellos criterios y dispositivos que nos permitan afirmar que este proyecto es una producción artística que se inserta en el mundo del arte poniendo, a su vez, de manifiesto la supremacía y complejidad de la experiencia artística más allá de la obra de arte en sí. Aparecen así diversos interrogantes ¿Esta es una experiencia artística y estética? ¿Tiene el estatus de obra de arte? ¿Esto es arte? ¿Cómo se relaciona el espectador con la misma? ¿Qué modelos de estética se manifiestan en estas formas de producciones contemporáneas? En este caso en particular, la obra artística se encuentra en constante transformación por medio de la interrupción de diferentes autores, ya que los visitantes tienen la posibilidad de participar en calidad de co-autores de la obra. De esta forma, el artista logra romper el esquema del museo tradicional, siendo el público quien proporciona las imágenes, decide como montarlas y es responsable de subir su nueva creación a las redes, dando lugar a nuevos modos de percepción y contemplación en donde los medios de comunicación son primordiales para poder llevarlo a cabo.Facultad de Bellas Arte