Multi-Hazard Vulnerability of Unreinforced Masonry Structures

The purpose of this research study is to develop a methodological framework for the multi-hazard vulnerability assessment of unreinforced masonry structures (URMs) undergoing seismic, flood and wind loading. To date, the two main challenges related to multi-hazard vulnerability assessment are 1) the substantial discrepancy in the level of advancement of single-hazard vulnerability assessment procedures, specifically in relation to the complexity of analytical model used to correlate the level of damage caused to buildings to the hazard component and 2) the conceptual differences in the definition of single-hazard fragility curves to be used to conduct multi-hazard damage assessment in a commensurate manner. Therefore, research effort is still required to develop a harmonized analytical model able to relate the behaviour of masonry structures subjected to earthquake, flood and wind hazard to the corresponding levels of damage to unreinforced masonry structures, to define a common structural parameter for the derivation of single-hazard fragility functions which also allow for damage comparisons between these distinct perils. The framework proposed in this work carries out the assessment at a wall level. The hazard and the exposure components of the vulnerability assessment procedure are taken as inputs for the development of a kinematic model based on revised Yield Line Theory concepts. The main elements of added novelty are the inclusion of the contribution of torsional effects generated at unit level caused by the application of horizontal loadings, and a more refined computation of the crack pattern, defined on the basis of the geometry of the wall and the geometry of the units. Given that several configurations of admissible crack patterns can be identified for the same wall layout subjected to horizontal loading, an optimization routine is built to find, by means of Limit State Analysis, the minimum load required to produce failure corresponding to a specific crack pattern, and the maximum value of the performance variable, defined as the ratio between the demand imposed by the loading and the capacity of the system itself, for the collapse limit state. Such parameter, representative of the strength capacity of the system is then used to derive single-hazard fragility function to conduct collapse assessment. These curves are extracted by considering the variability of the asset, and hence focus on the aleatory aspect of the exposure component, rather than considering the uncertainties associated with each of the hazard’s intensity measure. The variance considered includes geometry, materials, presence of opening and boundary conditions. Comparisons on resulting fragility functions are drawn across seismic, flood and wind hazard, to establish relevance of the above parameters and sensitivity of the fragility functions. The framework is applied to the case study area of the Philippines, to prove the feasibility of the approach proposed

Earthquake Damage Data Collection Using Omnidirectional Imagery

The unique perspectives and viewpoints offered by omnidirectional camera technology has the potential to help improve the outcomes of technical post-earthquake reconnaissance missions. Omnidirectional imagery can be used to virtually “walk through” damaged streets post hoc with a 360°, immersive view. A common reconnaissance mission aim is to accurately collect damage data; however, there are time challenges for surveyors in the field. The manuscript explores the potential for using omnidirectional imagery to improve damage surveying, firstly by comparing results from damage surveys completed in the field with results obtained using omnidirectional images collected during a mission and surveyed by an experienced engineer virtually and secondly by comparing damage assessment obtained through omnidirectional imagery collected on the ground with the EU Copernicus damage assessment maps. The omnidirectional imagery data was collected during two separate Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team post-earthquake reconnaissance missions, namely the area affected by the 2016, 7.8 Muisne Earthquake in Ecuador and the area struck by the 2016, 6.2 Amatrice earthquake in Italy. Notwithstanding the diverse geographic scale, terrain and urban context of the two reconnaissance missions, the results consistently show significant capabilities for this technology in the identification of construction typologies, number of stories, aggregated “low” and “high” damage grades, and failure modes. The work highlights potential issues with correct identification of disaggregated lower damage grades (e.g., European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98) damage grades 0–3). Challenges identified in the virtual survey process included poor image quality, insufficient photo sphere captures, and obstructions such as trees, walls or vehicles. The omnidirectional imagery represents a substantial improvement in damage assessment accuracy in respect to satellite imagery, especially for lower damage grades, while it is an essential tool for comprehensive surveys in reduced access zones with high levels of damage

Validation of PARADISE 24 and Development of PARADISE-EDEN 36 in Patients with Dementia

Dementia was one of the conditions focused on in an EU (European Union) project called “PARADISE” (Psychosocial fActors Relevant to brAin DISorders in Europe) that later produced a measure called PARADISE 24, developed within the biopsychosocial model proposed in the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). The aims of this study are to validate PARADISE 24 on a wider sample of patients with mild to moderate dementia to expand PARADISE 24 by defining a more specific scale for dementia, by adding 18 questions specifically selected for dementia, which eventually should be reduced to 12. We enrolled 123 persons with dementia, recruited between July 2017 and July 2019 in home care and long-term care facilities, in Italy, and 80 participants were recruited in Warsaw between January and July 2012 as part of a previous cross-sectional study. The interviews with the patient and/or family were conducted by health professionals alone or as a team by using the Paradise data collection protocol. The psychometric analysis with the Rasch analysis has shown that PARADISE 24 and the selection of 18 additional condition-specific items can be expected to have good measurement properties to assess the functional state in persons with dementia

Hybrid reconnaissance mission to the 30 October 2020 Aegean sea earthquake and tsunami (Izmir, Turkey & Samos, Greece): description of data collection methods and damage

On 30 October 2020, an earthquake of Mw 6.9 hit the Aegean coasts of Turkey and Greece. The epicentre was some 14 km northeast of Avlakia on Samos Island, and 25 km southwest of Seferihisar, Turkey, triggering also a tsunami. The event has been followed by >4,000 aftershocks up to Mw 5.2 The Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) has immediately gathered a team to conduct a hybrid reconnaissance study,bringing together remote and field investigation techniques. The mission took place between 16 November and 17 December, inclusive of three sets of field study carried out by the field crews for building damage assessment in the affected areas in Turkey and Greece under the coordination of the remote team. The mission also aimed to assess the viability of alternative data sources for an appraisal of the future viability of hybrid missions. This paper summarises the mission setup and findings, and discusses the benefits of and difficulties encountered during this hybrid reconnaissance activity

Hybrid Reconnaissance Mission to the 30 October 2020 Aegean Sea Earthquake and Tsunami (Izmir, Turkey & Samos, Greece): Description of Data Collection Methods and Damage

On 30 October 2020, an earthquake of Mw 6.9 hit the Aegean coasts of Turkey and Greece. The epicentre was some 14 km northeast of Avlakia on Samos Island, and 25 km southwest of Seferihisar, Turkey, triggering also a tsunami. The event has been followed by &amp;gt;4,000 aftershocks up to Mw 5.2 The Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) has immediately gathered a team to conduct a hybrid reconnaissance study, bringing together remote and field investigation techniques. The mission took place between 16 November and 17 December, inclusive of three sets of field study carried out by the field crews for building damage assessment in the affected areas in Turkey and Greece under the coordination of the remote team. The mission also aimed to assess the viability of alternative data sources for an appraisal of the future viability of hybrid missions. This paper summarises the mission setup and findings, and discusses the benefits of and difficulties encountered during this hybrid reconnaissance activity.</jats:p