Influence of Micro-Structure on Small-Strain Stiffness and Damping of Fine Grained Soil and Effects on Local Site Response

Various experimental studies have shown that soil micro-structure strongly influences the small strain stiffness and damping (G0, D0) of fine-grained soils, as well as their variation with shear strain γ. This dependency, in turn, is expected to influence the local site response. This paper firstly synthesizes the dependency of G0 and D0 on stress state through power relationships, expressed in terms of dimensionless parameters, obtained by fitting a large number of experimental data collected on normally consolidated natural clays. Thereafter, these parameters were correlated to soil micro-structure, by assuming the plasticity index Ip as a representative index property. Subsequently, in order to verify the effect of micro-structure on the local site response, a numerical sensitivity study was carried out on a reference subsoil by introducing in the 1D wave propagation model both non-linearity and hetherogeneity as correlated to variations of Ip

A Step Into the Definition of the Seismic Risk for the City of Benevento (Italy)

This paper gives a contribution in the definition of the seismic hazard for the city of Benevento in Southern Italy, from a geotechnical engineering viewpoint. To pursue this goal, an extensive geotechnical characterization of the city subsoil was achieved collecting data available at the Department of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Napoli and Benevento municipal technical office. Attention was paid in defining strain dependent shear stiffness and damping ratio for the geomaterials present in the urban area. A new method to correct the Masing criteria was adopted. Numerical analyses were performed considering the subsoil as a continuous one-phase equivalent linear medium. The 1-D analyses were carried out using Shake-like codes. The seismic hazard in the city was evaluated on the basis of two seismic scenarios, respectively characterized by low and high acceleration levels. The final result of the work is a seismic zonation of the city of Benevento. It was found that zonation maps are largely dependent from the chosen seismic scenario

A Step Into the Definition of the Seismic Risk for the City of Benevento (Italy)

This paper gives a contribution in the definition of the seismic hazard for the city of Benevento in Southern Italy, from a geotechnical engineering viewpoint. To pursue this goal, an extensive geotechnical characterization of the city subsoil was achieved collecting data available at the Department of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Napoli and Benevento municipal technical office. Attention was paid in defining strain dependent shear stiffness and damping ratio for the geomaterials present in the urban area. A new method to correct the Masing criteria was adopted. Numerical analyses were performed considering the subsoil as a continuous one-phase equivalent linear medium. The 1-D analyses were carried out using Shake-like codes. The seismic hazard in the city was evaluated on the basis of two seismic scenarios, respectively characterized by low and high acceleration levels. The final result of the work is a seismic zonation of the city of Benevento. It was found that zonation maps are largely dependent from the chosen seismic scenario

Participant Experiences with the American Registry for Migraine Research: A Qualitative Study

For many years, the American Registry for Migraine Research (ARMR) has been enrolling participants to the migraine registry, where they have collected quantitative and qualitative data to drive change and improve the lives of migraineurs across the country. Currently, ARMR is looking to improve and increase the rates of follow-up and active participation with the ARMR participant online portal. This study aims to collect data involving the participants’ experience of ARMR enrollment, their thoughts when participating in the online portal and Daily Headache Diary, the influencing factors that engage them to participate in active follow-up, barriers to compliance, and what they believe the registry can do to help improve the patient’s overall experience. Participants were recruited from three ARMR sites across the United States. Data was collected via semi-structured phone interview, and data analysis was facilitated using NVivo software. Four main thematic categories resulted from the analysis: (1) experience, (2) resource use, (3) suggestions, and (4) utility. Among some of the responses were statements regarding a lack of information given to them during the enrollment process, barriers within the technology, lengthiness of surveys, no awareness of where to access information to answer their concerns about their migraines, and more. ARMR plans to utilize this data as suggestions to make changes within the platform to improve the patient experience and the registry