Seismic Hazard of the Circum-Pannonian Region


Book Description

requiring the adaptation of probabilistic maps to design ground motions; and (d) the generalization of design parameters to locations where there is little seismic history. Maximum displacements, velocities, and, based on the European Build ing Code EC8, design ground acceleration maps have thus been produced by ZivCic et al. for Slovenia, Marku§ic et al. for Croatia, Bus et al. for Hungary, and Radulian et al. for Romania. The last two contributions in the volume are dedicated to studies of local site effects that could affect the microzonation of large urban areas. Moldoveanu et al. employed a technique based on the modal summation and finite dif ferences to calculate the expected ground motion in the capital city of Bucha rest due to large intermediate-depth Vrancea earthquakes. Their results outline that the presence of alluvial sediments and the possible variation of event scenario require the use of all three components of motion for a reliable determination of the seismic input. The study of Marmureanu et al. , more limited in scope, offers a laboratory analysis of the attenuation effects for sur face layers. The authors confirm that seismic attenuation in sedimentary layers is a function of the strain levels induced by large earthquakes, and find that the quality factor is nearly constant over a relatively wide frequency range, between 7 and 100 Hz.




Energy-Based Seismic Engineering


Book Description

This volume gathers the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of seismic engineering, as presented by leading researchers and engineers at the 1st International Workshop on Energy-Based Seismic Engineering (IWEBSE), held in Madrid, Spain, on May 24-26, 2021. The contributions cover a diverse range of topics, including energy-based EDPs, damage potential of ground motion, structural modeling in energy-based damage assessment of structures, energy dissipation demand on structural components, innovative structures with energy dissipation systems or seismic isolation, as well as seismic design and analysis. Selected by means of a rigorous peer-review process, they will spur novel research directions and foster future multidisciplinary collaborations.




Harmonization of Seismic Hazard in Vrancea Zone


Book Description

The NATO Science for Peace Project SfP-980468 Harmonization of Seismic Hazard and Risk Reduction in Countries Influenced by Vrancea Earthquakes was an ambitious attempt to harmonize the seismic-hazard assessment in Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania, and provide the guidelines for seismic risk reduction in the target countries. Related to the study of intermediate-depth Vrancea earthquakes, it became operational in 2005. The project co-coordinators were as follows: • Prof. Güney Özcebe, Ankara, Turkey; • Dr. Anton Zaicenco, Chisinau, Moldova; • Dr. Iolanda Craifaleanu, Bucharest, Romania; • Prof. Ivanka Paskaleva, Sofia, Bulgaria. The project has brought together leading research personalities in the area of earthquake engineering, seismology and earth physics from several countries for brainstorming sessions, informal discussions, and exchanges of ideas. One of its key components was an upgrade of the strong-motion seismic networks of the countries-participants, which created a foundation for a long-term collaboration. A number of papers have been published as a result of the work conducted under this project. The present book contains the Proceedings of the Closing Workshop for Project SfP-980468, which was organized in Chisinau, Moldova on May 20, 2008. From hazard analyses to protection of the historical buildings, from study of the dynamic properties of the soft soils to paleoseismology, there are few areas of interest that remain untouched. Research from the NATO members and partner countries in South-Eastern Europe that forms the components of NATO Project SfP-980468 has made solid contributions to the Workshop theme.




Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure


Book Description

Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure: Neodeterministic (NDSHA) Approach Guarantees Prevention Rather Than Cure communicates in one comprehensive volume the state-of-the-art scientific knowledge on earthquakes and related risks. Earthquakes occur in a seemingly random way and, in some cases, it is possible to trace seismicity back to the concept of deterministic chaos. Therefore, seismicity can be explained by a deterministic mechanism that arises as a result of various convection movements in the Earth's mantle, expressed in the modern movement of lithospheric plates fueled by tidal forces. Consequently, to move from a perspective focused on the response to emergencies to a new perspective based on prevention and sustainability, it is necessary to follow this neodeterministic approach (NDSHA) to guarantee prevention, saving lives and infrastructure. This book describes in a complete and consistent way an effective explanation to complex structures, systems, and components, and prescribes solutions to practical challenges. It reflects the scientific novelty and promises a feasible, workable, theoretical and applicative attitude. Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure serves a "commentary role for developers and designers of critical infrastructure and unique installations. Commentary-like roles follow standard, where there is no standard. Mega-installations embody/potentiate risks; nonetheless, lack a comprehensive classic standard. Every compound is unique, one of its kind, and differs from others even of similar function. There is no justification to elaborate a common standard for unique entities. On the other hand, these specific installations, for example, NPPs, Naval Ports, Suez Canal, HazMat production sites, and nuclear waste deposits, impose security and safety challenges to people and the environment. The book offers a benchmark for entrepreneurs, designers, constructors, and operators on how to compile diverse relevant information on site-effects and integrate it into the best-educated guess to keep safe and secure, people and environment. The authors are eager to convey the entire information and explanations to our readers, without missing either accurate information or explanations. That is achieved by "miniaturization, as much is possible, not minimization. So far, the neodeterministic method has been successfully applied in numerous metropolitan areas and regions such as Delhi (India), Beijing (China), Naples (Italy), Algiers (Algeria), Cairo (Egypt), Santiago de Cuba (Cuba), Thessaloniki (Greece), South-East Asia (2004), Tohoku, Japan (2011), Albania (2019), Bangladesh, Iran, Sumatra, Ecuador, and elsewhere. Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure includes case studies from these areas, as well as suggested applications to other seismically active areas around the globe. NDSHA approaches confirm/validate that science is looming to warn. Concurrently, leaders and practitioners have to learn to use rectified science in favor of peoples' safety. State-of-the-art science does have the know-how to reduce casualties and structural damage from potential catastrophes to a bearable incident. - The only book to cover earthquake prediction and preparation from a neo-deterministic (NDSHA) approach - Includes case studies from metropolitan areas where the neo-deterministic method has been successfully applied - Editors and authors include top experts in academia, disaster prevention, and preparedness management




Seismic Ground Motion in Large Urban Areas


Book Description

The accelerated, and often uncontrolled, growth of the cities has contributed to the ecological transformation of their immediate surroundings. Factors contributing to the urban vulnerability include: lowering or rising of the water table, subsidence, loss of bearing capacity of soil foundations and instability of slopes. Recent catastrophic earthquakes highlight the poor understanding by decision makers of seismic related risk, as well as the tendency of some builders to use the cheapest designs and construction materials to increase short-term economic returns on their investment. Losses from earthquakes will continue to increase if we do not shift towards proactive solution. Disaster reduction is both an issue for consideration in the sustainable development agenda and a cross-cutting issue relating to the social, economic, environmental and humanitarian sectors. As location is the key factor, which determines the level of risk associated with a hazard, land-use plans and mapping should be used as tools to identify the most suitable usage for vulnerable areas.




Advances in Geophysics


Book Description

This series provides a venue for longer reviews of current advances in geophysics. Written at a level accessible to graduate students, the articles serve to broaden knowledge of various fields and may be useful in courses and seminars.




Risk Assessment as a Basis for the Forecast and Prevention of Catastrophies


Book Description

"Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Risk Assessment as a Basis for Elaboration of Recommendations for Forecast and Prevention of Catastrophies, Chisinau, Moldova, 25-27 April 2007."--T.p. verso.




Engineering Dynamics and Vibrations


Book Description

Engineering dynamics and vibrations has become an essential topic for ensuring structural integrity and operational functionality in different engineering areas. However, practical problems regarding dynamics and vibrations are in many cases handled without success despite large expenditures. This book covers a wide range of topics from the basics to advances in dynamics and vibrations; from relevant engineering challenges to the solutions; from engineering failures due to inappropriate accounting of dynamics to mitigation measures and utilization of dynamics. It lays emphasis on engineering applications utilizing state-of-the-art information.




The 1940 Vrancea Earthquake. Issues, Insights and Lessons Learnt


Book Description

These proceedings include most of the available information on this major seismic event and its consequences. With an estimated moment magnitude of 7.7 and a heavy toll in terms of human and economic losses, it ranks as the largest intermediate-depth earthquake in Europe in the twentieth century. Nevertheless, because of the difficult conditions in the 1940s, the lessons learnt after the Vrancea earthquake were not extensively shared with the international scientific community and thus, this book fills a gap in the literature discussing the knowledge acquired after major disasters. Past experience together with current understanding of the 1940 Vrancea earthquake are presented along with the latest information on Romanian seismicity, seismic hazard and risk assessment, and seismic evaluation and rehabilitation of buildings and structures. Moreover, it includes excerpts from Romanian post-disaster reports and textbooks concerning the earthquake.




Progresses in European Earthquake Engineering and Seismology


Book Description

This book encompasses the most challenging topics in earthquake engineering and seismology aiming at seismic risk reduction and reveals the outstanding progresses made in Europe in the past four years. Earthquakes pose a significant threat to countries around the world. But, equipped with the right knowledge and tools, engineers and seismologists can support policy and decision makers and building officials in creating a safer future for all of us. In this paradigm, the Third European Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (3ECEES) is organized in Bucharest (Romania) in September 2022 by the Romanian Association for Earthquake Engineering, Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest and National Institute for Earth Physics. This outstanding scientific event is the third in a series started in 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland and continued in 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. The papers included in this book are written by the most prominent contemporary European scholars in the two-folded fields of 3ECEES. The Distinguished Nicholas Ambraseys, along with 28 invited lectures providing the best knowledge in the fields of earthquake engineering and seismology, are shared with the general readership of this book. The book is organized in three parts, as follows: (1) Seismicity, engineering seismology and seismic hazard, (2) Seismic risk assessment and mitigation, and (3) Structural earthquake engineering. The 29 contributed papers for this book are shared among these three parts almost equally. Chapter “The Challenge of the Integrated Seismic Strengthening and Environmental Upgrading of Existing Buildings” is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.