Study of seismic hazard mitigation at different time scales: applications and technological development

Earthquakes, weak or strong, represent always a psychological and emotional stress for people, but also a strong socio-economic impact for the affected area. The earthquake generation, the propagation of seismic waves, the seismic waves modification due to the propagation media and the interaction between seismic wave and human structures, are the main topics of different research disciplines. In the last years a wide interdisciplinary research program (physics, seismology, mathematics, geology, engineering, etc.) was world wide experienced aiming at improving the earthquake knowledge and mitigating the ground-shaking effects. The seismic risk, namely the probability of occurrence of losses , can be described as the convolution of three variables: Seismic Risk = Seismic Hazard * Vulnerability * Exposition The Seismic Hazard represents the probability for a selected strong motion parameter (Peak Ground Acceleration, Velocity, Spectral Acceleration…) to be exceeded in a given time interval at a target site. The Seismic Hazard term mainly depends on the earthquake characteristics, target site-epicenter distance and geomorphologic conditions. More generally the Seismic Hazard describes the potential for a dangerous, earthquake-related natural phenomena such as ground shaking, fault rupture, or soil liquefaction. These phenomena could result in adverse consequences to society such as the destruction of buildings or the loss of life. From the seismological point of view all new information about the incoming ground shaking or the possible future ground motion amplitude represent a contribution to the “seismic hazard mitigation”. In fact the knowledge of the expected ground acceleration is the first step for a better build design, while the knowledge of the incoming acceleration amplitude, during an earthquake occurrence, can define an alert action rather than others. The Vulnerability represents the probability that people, infrastructure and activity suffer the consequence of an earthquake. The damages can be direct as the collapse of structures or collateral as the fall of productivity due to power station injuries. The Exposition represents a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the elements exposed to seismic hazard also in terms of their geographical distribution. Seismic risk increases as earthquake-prone regions become more densely populated and urbanized. Although local planning and zoning activities can help to shape regional growth over time, additional development is generally (and understandably) promoted as a means of strengthening of local economies. The seismic hazard mitigation can be subdivided in two main time intervals: o Pre-event o Real-time The “pre-event” period is characterized by different methodology and actions to prevent the casualties and damages produced by an earthquake. The main goal of the pre-event action is the estimation of casualties, structural collapse or damages as consequence of an earthquake occurrence that can affect the area of interest. As it will be reported in the following chapters the seismological results of the pre-event actions like seismic hazard analysis strongly depend on the knowledge about the seismicity characteristics of the target area, seismic wave generation and propagation. The main pre-event approaches to the seismic hazard mitigation are the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) (Chapter 1) and the Hybrid Seismic Hazard Analysis (Chapter 2). A PSHA study for Molise region, Italy, was conducted to refining the seismic hazard characterization for identifying a set of relevant earthquakes for the engineering analysis of structures. The results of this study, in combination with an experimental structural health monitoring system, represent a real innovation for the pre-event action to minimize the casualties and the structural damages. In fact the possibility to tracking at different time scales the structural response and the evolution of damage can provide important information to support rescue operations. The methodology and the results for the PSHA analysis at Molise region are reported in the Chapter 1. The hybrid approach to seismic hazard analysis represents a combination of the main characteristic of the Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis (DSHA) and the probabilistic methodology. The probabilistic/deterministic approach is able to overcome the limitations of PSHA when a single causative fault and an associated maximum (credible) earthquake is considered as the threat for the site of interest and to considered the earthquake return period using the DSHA. This methodology was applied to high densely populated volcanic areas in Campania region, Italy, where the occurrence of a moderate seismic event represents a threat for the inhabitants and for the civil and/or industrial infrastructures. The hybrid approach in these high dangerous zones is considered as the first step for the hazard mitigation. The results of the analysis are reported in Chapter 2. The “real-time” phase represents the modern seismological challenge. In fact only at the present the technology allows to perform analysis on seismic signal during the earthquake occurrence. However the technological development is not enough advanced to assure to undertake always the right alert actions. The shake maps play a relevant role to reduce the earthquake damages. It was reported by Wald et al. that: “For rapid response, ShakeMap ground motion values are used for emergency response and loss estimation, assessment of damage to the lifeline and utility networks, and for providing information to the general public” . Shake maps are representations of the space distribution of the more representative parameters useful for description of the possible injuries to the infrastructures, which are the Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) and the Peak Ground Velocity (PGV) and Spectral accelerations at different periods (Sa). The shake maps are a possible reference instrument for the civil protection operating units, for the army, for the Red Cross, etc. in order to assure timely and effective service on the territory. However at the present the shake maps calculated in real-time represent an approximation of the real ground motion parameters space distribution. The lack of reliability of the maps is strictly related to the lack of knowledge about the fault extension and the not well-defined source to target site distance. As discussed in the Chapter 3, a new methodology has been developed to define the dimension of the surface projection of fault plane during the earthquake to calculate a better spatial distribution of acceleration and velocity using the appropriate source to target site distance. Instruments able to recognize an earthquake, to estimate the incoming ground motion and subsequently produce an early warning signal represent a valid real-time approach to mitigate the seismic hazard. This instruments combines seismological know-out with technological aspect about for instance seismic sensors, data-loggers, computer elaboration, and so on, and usually are defined as Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS). The EEWS represent a challenge from different point of view because different knowledge is need to perform a signal analysis in real time to assure the large and reliable possible warning time interval. At the present the time interval necessary to perform very fast-automated action such as to stop the elevators, to shut-off gas, to stop the trains, to start-up the generators, is of order of few seconds. In high densely populated or industrialized areas few seconds could be sufficient to minimized the casualties and damages, to maximize the efficiency of rescue operation and the faster return to a normal and safe condition. Chapter 4 reports a preliminary study for “EEWS-BOX” that represents a new approach for a stand-alone earthquake early warning system

Laser Scanning Application for Geostructural analysis of Tuffaceous Coastal Cliffs: the case of Punta Epitaffio, Pozzuoli Bay, Italy

This study presents the results of a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) application aimed at characterizing the structural pattern of Punta Epitaffio tuffaceous coastal cliff, Pozzuoli Bay, Eastern Tyrrhenian margin. The study site is located in the Campi Flegrei, an active volcanic caldera, characterized by dense urbanization, near the town of Naples, Italy. The 3D digital model of the Punta Epitaffio cliff derived from TLS data, provided a base for the classification of rock discontinuities by geostatistical analysis. In particular, the work flow of geostructural data processing included: 1) statistical analysis of spatial orientation of the facets of the 3D mesh derived by the TLS survey; 2) extraction of the best-fit attitudes (dip and dip direction) of discontinuity sets for each sub-planar patch of the rock face; 3) cluster analysis of best-fit structural discontinuities; 4) definition of all the discontinuity sets and geo-structural classification of 3D model facets; 5) kinematic analysis for the definition of possible failure mechanisms. Kinematic analysis took into account primarily structurally-controlled failure mechanisms (planar sliding, wedge sliding, flexural toppling, and direct toppling). The method illustrated in this research can be extensively applied to identify unstable areas along tuffaceous coastal cliffs and define shape and volume of rocks potentially involved by failures

An integrated approach for rock slope failure monitoring: The case study of Coroglio tuff cliff (Naples, Italy) - Preliminary results

The paper re ports the i mple mentation of an integrate d syste m ai me d at the real-ti me monitoring of a series of physical parame ters controlling the r ock slope stability. The system has bee n installe d on the Cor oglio tuff cliff, loc ate d in the highly ur banize d coastal area of Naples (Italy) at the bor der of the acti ve volcanic cal der a of Campi Flegrei. Preliminar y results obtai ne d during the first ye ar of data ac quisition and monitoring acti vi ty (Dece mber 2014 – January 2016) are also discussed on the basis of statistical models. (3) (PDF) An integrated approach for rock slope failure monitoring: the case study of Coroglio tuff cliff (Naples, Italy) – preliminary results. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299340773_An_integrated_approach_for_rock_slope_failure_monitoring_the_case_study_of_Coroglio_tuff_cliff_Naples_Italy_-_preliminary_results [accessed Feb 27 2020].Published242-2471IT. Reti di monitoraggio e sorveglianzaN/A or not JC

The use and beauty of ultra-high-resolution seismic reflection imaging in Late Quaternary marine volcaniclastic settings, Bay of Naples, Italy

A Nápolyi-öbölben felvett ultra nagy felbontású egycsatornás (IKB-Seistec™) reflexiós szeizmikus szelvények korábbi geológiai és geofizikai vizsgálatok eredményeivel együtt kivételes, eddig soha nem látott felbontású szeizmikus leképezését nyújtják a Flegrei-mezők és a Somma-Vezúv felszín alá süllyedt késő-pleisztocén–holocén rétegtani felépí - tésének. A szeizmikus szelvényeken látott geometria és gravitációs magvevővel nyert üledékek adatainak összevetéséből Campania partközeli kontinentális talapzatán számos olyan üledékes és vulkáni szerkezet, valamint hidrotermális jelenség került leképezésre, melyek a legutolsó glaciális maximum (kb. 18 000 év) óta keletkeztek. A Pozzuoli-öbölben mért Seistec szelvények jól mutatják a beomlott kaldera gyűrűs vetőjét, a kb. 15 ezer éves Nápolyi Sárga Tufa (NYT) lerakódáshoz vezető kitöréskor felújuló boltozatot, és alátámasztják a deformáció későnegyedidőszaki korára és stílusára vonatkozó hipotéziseket. A szeizmikus szelvényeken látható a NYT rétegeinek töréses szerkezete, valamint hidrotermális fluidum-feláramlások és vulkáni/szubvulkáni intrúziók a gyűrűs vetők mentén. A Somma-Vezúv rétegvulkán előterében a kontinentális talapzat felett mért szeizmikus szelvények leképezték a Vezúv i.sz. 79-es kitörésekor Herculaneum városát elpusztító piroklaszt-ár tengervízbe érésekor keletkező, gravitációsan összeomló homokhullámok szerkezetét is. A Somma-Vezúv és a Pozzuoli-öböl közti, buckás felszínű Banco della Montagna területén mért szelvények és fúrómagok vulkanoklasztos diapírok sorát tárták fel. Ezeket a konszolidálatlan horzsakőből álló testeket a fluidum - feláramlás és aktív kigázosodás hatására kialakult mélybeli túlnyomás hozta fel a tengerfenékre.Very high-resolution, single channel (IKB-Seistec™) reflection seizmic profiles acquired in the Bay of Naples, com - plemented with geological and geophysical data from the literature, provide unprecedented, superb seismic imaging of the latest Pleistocene–Holocene stratigraphic architecture of the submerged sectors Campi Flegrei and Somma-Vesuvius volcanic districts. Seismic profiles were calibrated by gravity core data and document a range of depositional systems, volcanic structures and hydrothermal features that evolved after the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum (~ 18 ka BP) over the continental shelf on the Campania coastal zone. Seistec profiles from the Pozzuoli Bay yield high-resolution images of the shallow structure of the collapse caldera-ring fault — resurgent dome system associated with the eruption of the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (NYT) (ca 15 ka) and support a working hypothesis to assess the timing and the styles of deformation of the NYT resurgent structure throughout the latest Quaternary. Seismic images also revealed the nature of the fragile deformation of strata along the NYT ring fault system and the occurrence of hydrothermal fluids and volcanic/subvolcanic intrusions ascending along the ring fault zone. Seismic data acquired over the continental shelf off the Somma-Vesuvius stratovolcano, display evidence of gravit - ational instability of wavy bedforms representing the submarine prosecution of pyroclastic flows originated from the Vesuvius during the eruption that destroyed the Roman city of Herculaneum in 79 CE. At the Banco della Montagna, a hummocky seafloor knoll located between the Somma-Vesuvius and the Pozzuoli Bay, seismic profiles and gravity core data revealed the occurrence of a field of volcaniclastic diapirs formed by the dragging and rising up of unconsolidated pumice, as a consequence of fluid overpressure at depth associated with active degassing and fluid venting at the seafloor

Sviluppo di tecnologie innovative per l’identificazione, monitoraggio, remediation di sorgenti di contaminazione naturale e antropica

La tecnica di rilievo acustico multifascio (“multibeam bathymetry” o “swath bathymetry”) utilizza l’energia acustica per acquisire misure della profondità del fondale marino e rappresenta uno fra i metodi più efficaci di rilievo morfo-batimetrico, in quanto consente, in tempi relativamente brevi, di ottenere una notevolissima quantità di informazioni correttamente georeferenziate sui fondali investigati. Rispetto ai limiti dell’ecoscandaglio a fascio singolo, l’ecoscandaglio multifascio (MBES multibeam echosounder) offre sostanzialmente la possibilità di “riconoscere” e posizionare tutti gli arrivi laterali, sia quelli dovuti al moto della nave che quelli legati alla morfologia irregolare del fondo. Il Side Scan Sonar (SSS) viene utilizzato per la determinazione delle caratteristiche morfoacustiche dei fondali: Rappresenta un'applicazione differenziata del tradizionale principio dell'ecoscandaglio utilizzato per i sondaggi acustici batimetrici verticali, che viene adattato all'impiego per i sondaggi acustici con scansione areale. Il parametro misurato con i sistemi SSS è il backscatter, ovvero la riflessione delle onde dovuta alle caratteristiche di rugosità intrinseche dei materiali

On the manipulation of articulated objects in human-robot cooperation scenarios

Articulated and flexible objects constitute a challenge for robot manipulation tasks, but are present in different real-world settings, including home and industrial environments. Approaches to the manipulation of such objects employ ad hoc strategies to sequence and perform actions on them depending on their physical or geometrical features, and on a priori target object configurations, whereas principled strategies to sequence basic manipulation actions for these objects have not been fully explored in the literature. In this paper, we propose a novel action planning and execution framework for the manipulation of articulated objects, which (i) employs action planning to sequence a set of actions leading to a target articulated object configuration, and (ii) allows humans to collaboratively carry out the plan with the robot, also interrupting its execution if needed. The framework adopts a formally defined representation of articulated objects. A link exists between the way articulated objects are perceived by the robot, how they are formally represented in the action planning and execution framework, and the complexity of the planning process. Results related to planning performance, and examples with a Baxter dualarm manipulator operating on articulated objects with humans are shown

OR1.1 Report sullo stato dell’arte della conoscenza a livello internazionale sull’esplorazione, lo sfruttamento e la conservazione dei depositi di origine idrotermale (GSI)

Il presente report (OR1.1 Stato dell’arte della conoscenza a livello internazionale sull’esplorazione, lo sfruttamento e la conservazione dei depositi di origine idrotermale) è stato sviluppato nell’ambito dell’Obiettivo Realizzativo 1 (OR1) del progetto PON Marine Hazard (PON “R&C" 2007-2013 - Avviso D.D. 713/Ric. del 29 ottobre 2010 - TITOLO III - Progetto PON03PE_00203_1) e costituisce un deliverables al progetto stesso per l’attività “Stato dell’arte della conoscenza a livello internazionale sull’esplorazione, lo sfruttamento e la conservazione dei depositi di origine idrotermale (GSI)” (mese 6). Tale report rappresenta il completamento delle attività di confronto multidisciplinare svolte attraverso meeting, riunioni e conference dedicate, fondamentale per mettere a fattor comune le conoscenze sullo stato dell’arte e per definire i mezzi adeguati per il rilevamento, la cartografia, la mappatura e la caratterizzazione geochimica dei rilievi, l’indagine delle caratteristiche sedimentologiche di studio del Progetto. Obiettivi specifici di questo report sono: a. La presentazione dello stato dell’arte della conoscenza in ambito internazionale sulle aree di venute di fluidi, lo stato dell’arte della conoscenza dei depositi ad esse associati (in termini chimico-fisico, mineralogico e della potenziale ricaduta economica del deep sea mining) b. L’individuazione (localizzazione) delle aree con presenza di sorgenti di immissione di contaminanti naturali da sistemi sottomarini attivi connessi a strutture vulcaniche e tettoniche su aree con presenza di idrotermalismo del basso Tirreno, arco Eoliano e Canale di Sicilia; c. La presentazione dello stato dell’arte della letteratura sulle comunità microbiche e definizione delle forme vitali associate ai diversi sistemi idrotermali in funzione delle condizioni chimico-fisiche, della pressione idrostatica, delle relazioni con l’attività vulcanica. La definizione della tipologia di elementi chimici e specie gassose immessi nelle acque marine e loro possibili relazioni con i sistemi di alimentazione profonda

OR1.3 Reportistica dei survey effettuati nel Mar Tirreno sud-orientale e Canale di Sicilia: dati disponibili per OR1

In questo report vengono presentati i dati disponibili per la realizzazione delle attività di OR1 del progetto Marine Hazard (geofisica, campionature di sedimento e dati chimico-fisici della colonna d’acqua). I datasets presentati derivano da campagne oceanografiche eseguite dal CNR nel mar Tirreno SE (Semounts Marsili e Palinuro, alti relativi del fondo mare dell’Arco Eoliano) con focus sulla catena vulcanica del Palinuro (Seamounts Palinuro, Glabro, Enotrio, Ovidio). Vengono introdotte, quindi, le rappresentazioni cartografiche dei datasets batimetrici, side scan sonar, campionature del fondo, dati magnetici e dati sismici a riflessione già disponibile e in fase di elaborazione

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

Seismo-Stratigraphic Data of Wave-Cut Marine Terraces in the Licosa Promontory (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

Some seismo-stratigraphic evidence on the occurrence of wave-cut marine terraces in the Licosa promontory (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) based on Sub-bottom Chirp seismic sections is herein presented. Such evidence is provided by marine terraced surfaces situated at various water depths below sea level and etched into the rocky acoustic basement, which are extensively extending in the seaward extension of the Licosa promontory. It is possible that the isotopic stratigraphy and the terraced marine surfaces are connected, so they can be attributed and dated indirectly. The geologic study of seismic profiles has pointed to the prominence of the acoustic basement, extending to the seabed close to the coast and subsiding seawards under the Quaternary marine succession. Ancient remains of marine terraces, found at a range of water depths between 5 m and 50 m, have documented the major morphological changes of the acoustic basement during the Late Quaternary