Post-earthquake Traffic Capacity of Modern Bridges in California


Book Description

The test results were then used to calibrate a finite element model of a bridge column. This bridge column model was incorporated into a hybrid model of a typical California overpass bridge and tested using the hybrid simulation technique. The finite element model of the typical California overpass bridge was validated using the data from hybrid simulations. The validated model of the typical bridge was used to evaluate its post-earthquake truck load capacity in an extensive parametric study that examined the effects of different ground motions and bridge modeling parameters such as the boundary conditions imposed by the bridge abutments, the location of the truck on the bridge, and the amount of bridge column residual drift. The principal outcomes of this study are the following findings.







Hybrid Simulation


Book Description

Hybrid Simulation: Theory, Implementation and Applications deals with a rapidly evolving technology combining computer simulation (typically finite element) and physical laboratory testing of two complementary substructures. It is a multidisciplinary technology which relies heavily on control theory, computer science, numerical techniques and finds applications in aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering.




Resilience and Sustainability of Civil Infrastructures under Extreme Loads


Book Description

There are many regions worldwide which are susceptible to extreme loads such as earthquakes. These can cause loss of life and adverse impacts on civil infrastructures, the environment, and communities. A series of methods and measures have been used to mitigate the effects of these extreme loads. The adopted approaches and methods must enable civil structures to be resilient and sustainable. Therefore, to reduce damage and downtime in addition to protecting life and promoting safety, new resilient structure technologies must be proposed and developed. This special issue book focuses on methods of enhancing the sustainability and resilience of civil infrastructures in the event of extreme loads (e.g., earthquakes). This book contributes proposals of and theoretical, numerical, and experimental research on new and resilient civil structures and their structural performance under extreme loading events. These works will certainly play a significant role in promoting the application of new recoverable structures. Moreover, this book also introduces some case studies discussing the implementation of low-damage structural systems in buildings as well as articles on the development of design philosophies and performance criteria for resilient buildings and new sustainable communities.




Structural Seismic Design Optimization and Earthquake Engineering: Formulations and Applications


Book Description

Throughout the past few years, there has been extensive research done on structural design in terms of optimization methods or problem formulation. But, much of this attention has been on the linear elastic structural behavior, under static loading condition. Such a focus has left researchers scratching their heads as it has led to vulnerable structural configurations. What researchers have left out of the equation is the element of seismic loading. It is essential for researchers to take this into account in order to develop earthquake resistant real-world structures. Structural Seismic Design Optimization and Earthquake Engineering: Formulations and Applications focuses on the research around earthquake engineering, in particular, the field of implementation of optimization algorithms in earthquake engineering problems. Topics discussed within this book include, but are not limited to, simulation issues for the accurate prediction of the seismic response of structures, design optimization procedures, soft computing applications, and other important advancements in seismic analysis and design where optimization algorithms can be implemented. Readers will discover that this book provides relevant theoretical frameworks in order to enhance their learning on earthquake engineering as it deals with the latest research findings and their practical implementations, as well as new formulations and solutions.




Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering Design


Book Description

Pseudo-static analysis is still the most-used method to assess the stability of geotechnical systems that are exposed to earthquake forces. However, this method does not provide any information about the deformations and permanent displacements induced by seismic activity. Moreover, it is questionable to use this approach when geotechnical systems are affected by frequent and rare seismic events. Incidentally, the peak ground acceleration has increased from 0.2-0.3 g in the seventies to the current value of 0.6-0.8 g. Therefore, a shift from the pseudo-static approach to performance-based analysis is needed. Over the past five years considerable progress has been made in Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering Design (EGED). The most recent advances are presented in this book in 6 parts. The evaluation of the site amplification is covered in Part I of the book. In Part II the evaluation of the soil foundation stability against natural slope failure and liquefaction is treated. In the following 3 Parts of the book the EGED for different geotechnical systems is presented as follows: the design of levees and dams including natural slopes in Part III; the design of foundations and soil structure interaction analysis in Part IV; underground structures in Part V. Finally in Part VI, new topics like the design of reinforced earth retaining walls and landfills are covered.




Fire Following Earthquake


Book Description

Prepared by the Technical Council on Lifeline Earthquake Engineering of ASCE. This TCLEE Monograph covers the entire range of fire following earthquake (FFE) issues, from historical fires to 20th-century fires in Kobe, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and Northridge. FFE has the potential of causing catastrophic losses in the United States, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, and other seismically active countries with wood houses. This comprehensive book on FFE and urban conflagrations provides state-of-the-practice insight on unique issues, such as large diameter flex hose applications by fire and water departments. Topics include: History of past fires; Computer modeling of fire spread in the post-earthquake urban environment; Concurrent damage and fire impacts for water, power gas, communication and transportation systems; Examples of reliable water systems built or designed in San Francisco, Vancouver, Berkeley, and Kyoto; Use of large diameter (5 in.) and ultralarge diameter (12 in.) flex hose for fire fighting and water restoration; and Cost-effectiveness of various FFE mitigation strategies, with a detailed benefit-cost model. Water utility engineers, fire fighting professionals, and emergency response planners will benefit from reading this book.







Advances in Computational Nonlinear Mechanics


Book Description

Advanced computational methods in nonlinear mechanics of solids and fluids are dealt with in this volume. Contributions consider large deformations of structures and solids, problems in nonlinear dynamics, aspects of earthquake analysis, coupled problems, convection-dominated phenomena, and compressible and incompressible viscous flows. Selected applications indicate the relevance of the analysis to the demands of industry and science. The contributors are from research institutions well-known for their work in this field.