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Author: nisida

Vacancy for 3 PhD students at Structural Mechanics Section of KU Leuven

Vacancy for 3 PhD students at Structural Mechanics Section of KU Leuven

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

Within the frame of the project “Quantifying and reducing uncertainty in structural dynamics” (1 October 2013 – 30 September 2017), the Structural Mechanics Section of the Department of Civil Engineering of KU Leuven has vacancies for 3 PhD students. The project aims to identify, quantify and reduce uncertainty on models and input parameters in numerical predictions for vibration problems in the built environment, focusing on accurate prediction of railway induced vibration in buildings. More particularly, the project will focus on (1) the quantification and reduction of uncertainties related to building models, (2) the quantification and reduction of parameter and model uncertainties related to dynamic soil characteristics, and (3) a study of dynamic soil-structure interaction effects. Numerical developments will be supported by elaborate in situ testing. Each PhD student will concentrate on one of these topics, while strong collaboration will be pursued Three PhD students are sought, holding a MSc degree in Civil Engineering (or related) with a solid background in structural dynamics, stochastic dynamics, and/or geotechnical earthquake engineering that are motivated to complete a PhD within four years, starting 1 October 2013.

The Structural Mechanics Section of KU Leuven presently counts 3 professors (Guido De Roeck, Geert Degrande and Geert Lombaert), 6 post-doc researchers and 11 PhD students. We offer an excellent and international research environment in vibrations in the built environment, vibration based structural identification and evaluation, and shape and topology optimization of structures (www.kuleuven.be/bwm). We offer a competitive PhD grant of about 1870 euro per month (depending on family situation), subject to an annual increase of about 35 euro per month. We are working in a very nice environment, centrally located in Europe. More information on becoming a PhD student at KU Leuven and living in Leuven can be found at www.kuleuven.be/phd, set.kuleuven.be/phd (Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School) and www.kuleuven.be. Depending on their background (MSc diploma, research experience), students may need to pass a pre-doctoral test (e.g. selected courses and presentation of research plan) prior to being allowed to the PhD program. Interested persons are invited to email their application file (as a single pdf file) before 15 August 2013 to prof. Geert Degrande (geert.degrande@bwk.kuleuven.be), containing the following information: (1) motivation letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) list of publications, (4) transcript of records (BSc and MSc degrees), (5) copy of diplomas (BSc and MSc degrees), (6) proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL or IETLS certificate), and (7) contact details of two persons who can provide a reference on our request.

Bridge Wizard: a freeware for Seismic Analysis of Bridges using OpenSees

Bridge Wizard: a freeware for Seismic Analysis of Bridges using OpenSees

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

Bridge Wizard, is an interactive front-end software for the seismic analysis and assessment of bridge structures, that takes advantage of a sophisticated, Open-Source software for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (OpenSees) to provide: (a) conceptual assistance during the finite element analysis pre- and post-processing (b) finite element model development automations and (c) expert advice for modeling various bridge-specific issues that are key for the reliable prediction of structural response (such as boundary conditions, pier-deck connections, soil-structure interaction etc). Bridge Wizard improves the efficiency and credibility of the finite element modeling developed, particularly for the case of complex bridge structures and gives the designer more control in critical modeling decisions affecting the overall system response.

Software website: www.bridge-wizard.eu

Two post-doc vacancies in Earthquake Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, ELSA, Joint Research Center

Two post-doc vacancies in Earthquake Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, ELSA, Joint Research Center

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

Οpening of two (2) job opportunities for post-doctoral grantholders at the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA) of the Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in Ispra, Italy:

Code: 2013-IPR-G-30-000-1466 – CAT 30 – ISPRA
Earthquake Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
Deadline for applications : 30 June 2013

Code: 2013-IPR-G-30-000-1467 – CAT 30 – ISPRA
Building vulnerability to blast and protection strategies
Deadline for applications : 30 June 2013

Information concerning the post and application procedures to follow can be found on:

http://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/

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Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment through geometrically non-linear back-analysis of Byzantine and Roman Monuments

Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment through geometrically non-linear back-analysis of Byzantine and Roman Monuments

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

This paper aims at developing the tools and strategy for assessing the seismic performance of the Byzantine and Roman remains in the city of Thessaloniki, in Greece, as a means to back-evaluate and enrich the seismic microzonation studies available for the Metropololitan area. At first, focus is made on the Walls that have been constructed at the end of the 4th century A.D. in the reign of Theodosius the Great and numerous blocks remain intact widespread within the city grid. The study particularly focuses on a specific Wall residuum, whose small dimensions, simple morpholgy (free-standing, rocking dominated masonry block), availability of nearby strong ground motion recordings and good knowledge of the underlying soil conditions, constitute a well-controlled case-study with the minimum possible numerical modeling (i.e., epistemic), record-to-record and material uncertainty. Secondly, the study focuses on an ancient Roman column, which was reestablished in 1969 after extensive archeological works. For both historical structures, a refined probabilistic dynamic analysis approach is adopted and the structural performance is examined, through a Monte Carlo Simulation scheme, for a number of realistic earthquake scenarios, accounting for geometric nonlinearities (i.e., sliding and rocking) and uncertainties in friction properties. Given the absence of damage, permanent displacement or collapse of the particular bodies, the probability of non-exceedance of a specific intensity measures (for the period that the structures remain intact) is assessed for the Wall residuum and the ancient colonnade, thus implicitly, for the city as a whole. It is also demonstrated that the fragility predicted without dully considering rocking and sliding of the two rigid blocks may lead to misleading results for particular sets of strong ground motions.

Sextos AG, Nalmpantis S, Faraonis P, et al. (2013) Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment through geometrically non-linear back-analysis of Byzantine and Roman Monuments. 10th HSTAM International Congress on Mechanics. Chania, Crete, Greece.

Youtube Video

Seventh National Seismic Conference on Bridges and Highways (7nsc)

Seventh National Seismic Conference on Bridges and Highways (7nsc)

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

“Bridge Resilience for Earthquakes and Other Natural Hazards”. Oakland May 20-22, 2013. 
The Seventh National Seismic Conference on Bridges & Highways is tailored to the needs of engineers working for state and local departments of transportation, design consultants, contractors, researchers, mangers, and others responsible for transportation facilities. International guests will be able to dialogue with others, share their successes and needs, and learn the latest approaches to design, retrofitting, geotechnology, inspection etc.

Seismic Strengthening of Hospitals

Seismic Strengthening of Hospitals

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

By NISEE
Hospital reconstruction and seismic strengthening provided continuous demand for construction design and engineering services in recent years. (See NISEE, Dec 9, 2011) In California, compliance with mandatory seismic performance objectives for critical health care facilities is largely supervised through the California Office of Statewide Planning and Development (OSPD). A hospital’s ability to function adequately after a large earthquake is dependent on the building’s structural components (a building’s primary load carrying system of foundation, columns, beams, floors, walls and roof), non-structural components (building elements such as ceilings, partitions, pipes, mechanical and electrical, that are not part of the structural load-bearing system), occupants (staff and patients) and contents (equipment, supplies, furnishings, etc.) remaining largely undamaged. Hospital serviceability after natural disaster relies on robust interconnectedness of lifeline systems (water, power, transportation, etc.) that support hospital services. The constitution of structural, non-structural and contents may provide unique seismic strengthening challenges for hospitals.

For seismic strengthening of modern hospital buildings, reliable site-specific loss estimation techniques (e.g.: Blume-157) can account for structural and non-structural damage. Engineering building codes (e.g.:ICBO, FEMA, California Building Codes), applied research programs (e.g.: ATC-58, MCEER, Japan E-Defense) and sophisticated testing methodologies to analyze and strengthen structural and many non-structural systems to resist moderate to strong earthquake shaking or geotechnical damage are reasonably advanced. Video of recent shake-table testing at the University of California, San Diego (‘Building it Better: Earthquake-Resilient Hospitals for the Future’) confirms some ability to achieve both structural and non-structural hospital resilience after credible earthquakes in California. 

Read more / Original Source

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A Brief History Of The Richter Scale

A Brief History Of The Richter Scale

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.


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The California-Made Earthquake Alarm That Works But California Won’t Build

The California-Made Earthquake Alarm That Works But California Won’t Build

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

Source blog 

For all of the devastation caused by the 2011 earthquake/tsunami in Japan, the former, a 9.0 magnitude beast called “Tohoku,” could have claimed far more lives. The reason it didn’t? Since 2007, Japan has had an early warning system — conceived 10 years ago at Caltech — which California still hasn’t managed to set up. And while it only gives about a minute notice, it’s a minute Californians currently don’t have.
Until 2003, when Japanese seismologist Hiroo Kanamori and UC Berkeley’s Richard Allen published a study proving that early detection was possible, warning systems for earthquakes have relied on a concept that’s been around since the 19th century: detect the ground shaking at the fault line and send advanced notice to cities miles away through telegraphs, telephones, or modern telecommunications (depending on which century you’re in).
This system relies on the fact that electronic signals move much faster than seismic waves; For example, if you were in New York and on Twitter on August 23, 2011, you might have seen tweets from Washington DC about their earthquake just before the ground started shaking under your feet. As neat as that might have been (yay, new media!) retweeting is not a very good system for warning a city of impending seismic doom.
The new system put into place in Japan in 2007 detects earthquakes before they start shaking the Earth’s surface. Allen and Kanamori found that when tectonic plates shift, they release two forms of energy simultaneously, called p-waves and s-waves. S-waves cause all the damage on the surface. P-waves are harmless, but travel through the ground about twice as fast. So when Japan’s more than 1000 seismometers near their Pacific fault-line relayed p-wave data indicating a massive earthquake, the Japanese Meteorological Agency rang the alarm.
While this “early detection” still only gives about 60 seconds of warning, Japan was able to safely stop 11 500km/h bullet trains, disable 16,000 lifts, warn students to get under their desks and set off earthquake alarms across the country. Some 52 million Japanese received text alerts on their mobile phones. But that’s because Japan has the advanced warning system and a cultural awareness of the threat of earthquakes (for example, new iPhones bought in Japan come with quake-warning features built in).
California, on the other hand? Azeen Ghorayshi, in a great feature for the East Bay Express about Japan and California’s preparedness, says that California still has “next to nothing in terms of a public seismic warning system,” despite knowing how to build one for almost a decade and despite knowing the next “big one” is only matter of time. But building a statewide system is only a matter of politics and money, so it’ll probably be ready in no time. Meanwhile, here’s a $1 iPhone Seismometer app that you can make into your own DIY not-so-advanced warning system. [East Bay Express]

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Summer Program on Model Validation & Simulation

Summer Program on Model Validation & Simulation

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and 13 Partner Universities from Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Turkey will present special topics of structural engineering in a summer program to be held August 4–16, 2013, at BauhausUniversität Weimar in Germany. The program is funded by the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme. Through a challenging and demanding series of lectures, as well as seminars and project work, presented with state-of-the-art information and communication technology, this program seeks to impart knowledge and to combine research with a practical context. The course is tailored to advanced master’s and doctoral candidates in the fields of structural engineering, numerical simulation and modeling, and their applications to natural hazards, risk management, geodynamics, and foundation engineering. The course language is English. The course fee is €450. A small number of scholarships are available. A letter of application and an abstract must be submitted by May 15. For more information, visit http://www.uni-weimar.de/summerschool/mvs.

Earthquake Photo Galleries by EERI

Earthquake Photo Galleries by EERI

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

EERI is launching a fantastic new resource for members only–online photo galleries from many recent and important earthquakes. Included are galleries for over 30 earthquakes. Each gallery features from 30 to 300 images and all photos are searchable by keyword. These initial galleries are only the beginning! EERI will continue to add new galleries and is working on a bulk download option and an improved search feature. In the next few months we will also add photos from the personal collection of Professor George Housner, one of EERI’s founding members. You can help us improve the site by contributing more photos, improving captions, identifying photographers, and providing feedback. Any comments should be sent to Chris Lee at Chris@eeri.org.

Preservation of Byzantine Antiquities at the Venizelou Metro Station, Thessaloniki

Preservation of Byzantine Antiquities at the Venizelou Metro Station, Thessaloniki

Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

Official proposal of the Department of Civil Engineering regarding the preservation of Byzantine antiquities at the Venizelou Metro station, in Thessaloniki, Greece. Powerpoint presentation and Video illustration of the concept as presented during the Workshop organized by Aristotle University Thessaloniki on April 19th, 2013.
All four alternative solutions
Streaming of the Workshop

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    Fukushima Earthquake (11/3/2011) documentary

    Fukushima Earthquake (11/3/2011) documentary

    Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

    Ντοκιμαντέρ του ΣΚΑΪ καταγράφει μέσα από συγκλονιστικές εικόνες τον σεισμό των 9 Ρίχτερ, το τσουνάμι και την πυρηνική καταστροφή στην Φουκουσίμα της Ιαπωνίας. Αυτόπτες μάρτυρες αλλά και επιστήμονες που βίωσαν και μελετούν αντίστοιχα αυτό το σεισμό και τις συνέπειες που προκλήθηκαν στην Ιαπωνία μιλούν στην κάμερα. Τα 9 Ρίχτερ που χτύπησαν την Ιαπωνία την Παρασκευή 11 Μαρτίου 2011 αποτέλεσαν τον πέμπτο μεγαλύτερο σεισμό που έχει καταγραφεί στον κόσμο από το 1900. Το τσουνάμι που ακολούθησε έφερε και τις εφιαλτικές συνέπειες των 10.000 και πλέον νεκρών αλλά και χιλιάδων αγνοουμένων. Ολόκληρες πόλεις χάθηκαν και τίποτα δεν είναι πια ίδιο για τους Ιάπωνες αλλά και ολόκληρο τον κόσμο μετά την καταστροφή που υπέστη το πυρηνικό εργοστάσιο της Φουκουσίμα

    Eurocode 8-3 and Greek Code for Seismic Intervention (ΚΑΝ.ΕΠΕ.- GCSI:2012)

    Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

    COUNCIL OF EUROPE/EUROPEAN CENTRE ON PREVENTION AND FORECASTING OF EARTHQUAKES (ECPFE)

    EARTHQUAKE PLANNING AND PROTECTION ORGANIZATION (EPPO)
    ATHENS WORKSHOP / EC 8-3 : 2005 and GCSI 2012, APRIL 12/2013

    PROGRAMME
    09:00/09:30 Welcome
    09:30/09:45 K. Stylianidis Opening/General
    09:45/10:15 M. Chronopoulos Main differences between EC8-3:2005 and GCSI:2012.
    10:15/10:45 K. Stylianidis Basic principles of the GCSI – Performance Levels.
    10:45/11:30 A. Kappos A pilot application of EC8-3. Reflections and comparisons with the GCSI.
    11:30/11:45 Coffee break
    11:45/12:30 S. Lagomarsino Performance based assessment of ancient masonry Buildings: Outcome of the European Project PERPETUATE.
    12:30/13:00 M. Chronopoulos, P. Chronopoulos The GCSI and the RC infilled buildings.
    13:00/13:45 V. Petkov Bulgarian seismic design codes and civil construction practice. Infilled reinforced concrete frames – Application and assessment of their resistance to lateral forces.
    13:45/14:45 Light Lunch
    .
    14:45/15:30 I. Craifaleanu Implementation of the EC8-p.3:2005 – Assessment and Interventions on buildings in Earthquake prone areas.
    15:30/16:15 M. Fardis Modelling of concrete members: Developments after the completion of EN 1998-3:2005.
    16:15/16:30 Coffee break
    16:30/17:00 S. Dritsos Differences in the design of structural interventions according to the EC 8-3 and the GCSI.
    17:00/17:30 T. Tassios, N. Koutsia Some comparisons between retrofitting provisions of EC 8-3 and other Codes For R.C. elements.
    17:30/19:00 Discussion

    ISSARS: New freeware for structure-specific ground motion selection

    ISSARS: New freeware for structure-specific ground motion selection

    Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

    Current practice enables the design and assessment of structures in earthquake prone areas by performing time history analysis with the use of appropriately selected strong ground motions. This study presents a Matlab-based software environment, which is integrated with a finite element analysis package, and aims to improve the efficiency of earthquake ground motion selection by accounting for the variability of critical structural response quantities. This additional selection criterion, which is tailored to the specific structure studied, leads to more reliable estimates of the mean structural response quantities used in design, while fulfils the criteria already prescribed by the European and US seismic codes and guidelines. To demonstrate the applicability of the software environment developed, an existing irregular, multi-storey, reinforced concrete building is studied for a wide range of seismic scenarios. The results highlight the applicability of the software developed and the benefits of applying a structure-specific criterion in the process of selecting suites of earthquake motions for the seismic design and assessment.

    Software, Video tutorials and Manuals available at: http://www.asextos.net/issars.html
    Mini-Symposium on Computer-Aided Seismic Design and Assessment of Bridges

    Mini-Symposium on Computer-Aided Seismic Design and Assessment of Bridges

    Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

    The 2013 International Conference on Earthquakes and Structures (ICEAS13) (http://asem.cti3.com/ICEAS.htm) will be held as part of The 2013 World Congress on Advances in Structural Engineering and Mechanics (ASEM13) (http://asem.cti3.com/asem13.htm) on 8-12 September 2013 in the International Convention Center Jeju, Jeju, Korea.
    As part of ICEAS13, a Mini-Symposium on “Computer-Aided Seismic Design and Assessment of Bridges” is being organized by Anastasios Sextos (Assistant Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). 
    The Mini-Symposium focuses on new computational methods for the seismic design and assessment of bridge structures primarily, but not exclusively, dealing with selection and scaling of ground motion, abutment-embankment and soil-foundation-superstructure interaction, seismic isolation, inelastic structural response, seismic pounding, structural health monitoring and control.
    Authors interested in this Mini-Symposium are requested to submit a 300 words abstract by 31 March 2013. through the link http://www.techno-press.org/conference 
    The procedure is to select “Abstract Submission – ASEM13” and, subsequently, the “Computer-Aided Seismic Design and Assessment of Bridges” Mini Symposium. Deadline for submitting the full conference paper after the acceptance of the abstract is 31 May 2013.
    It would be preferable to notify the organizer of the Mini-Symposium at (asextos@civil.auth.gr) along with the submission of abstract. 
    Thank you in advance for your kind attention and we are looking forward for an interesting session. 
    International Conf. on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering: From Case History to Practice • In honour of Prof. Kenji Ishihara

    International Conf. on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering: From Case History to Practice • In honour of Prof. Kenji Ishihara

    Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

    The ISSMGE Technical Committee (TC 203) on “Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering and Associated Problems” organizes the International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering From Case History to Practice in honor of Prof. Kenji Ishihara to be organized in Istanbul, Turkey during 17-19 June, 2013. Scope and topics include:
    • Case histories on ground motion and site effects
    • Soil investigation with field and laboratory testing
    • Dynamic Characterisation and modelling
    • Performance based design methodologies; Soil-structure interaction
    • Physical modelling by shaking table and centrifuge tests
    • Liquefaction; Lateral spreading
    • Slope stability; Embankments, landfills and dams
    • Shallow foundations; Pile foundations
    • Retaining wall; Reinforced earth; Underground structures
    More info: http://www.icege2013.org/

    Earthquake Engineering Special Session organized with the framework of Fourteenth International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing

    Earthquake Engineering Special Session organized with the framework of Fourteenth International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing

    Written by nisida on . Posted in Νέα.

    An “Earthquake Engineering” Special Session is organized within the framework of Fourteenth International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, to be held in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy between 3-6 September 2013. It is organized by Anastasios Sextos, Assistant Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

    The Special Session focuses on recent advances in Computational Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics. More specifically, it will encourage contributions related to the mitigation of seismic risk, the design and assessment of
    earthquake resistant buildings and bridges, the assessment of
    special and monumental structures,     system identification and structural health
    monitoring    , performance-based engineering, seismic
    isolation and control of structures, dynamic soil-structure
    interaction    , strong ground motion selection and scaling as well as
    seismic wave propagation through the soil media.  Papers related to new
    software applications, web-based engineering tools, frameworks for
    hybrid simulation and distributed computing,     knowledge-based & expert
    systems    ,     finite
    element programs, numerical analysis pre- and post- processing
    front-ends, data and metadata dissemination and management
    systems, high performance, parallel and cloud computing schemes,
    applications for mobile devices and tablets as well as GIS-based
    visualization tools are also welcome.

    It is envisioned that the Special Session will constitute an interesting forum for scientists using state-of-the-art computational methods and tools for Earthquake Engineering purposes.

    Please note that the call for papers closes on the 5th December 2012 and abstracts may be submitted via the conference website: http://www.civil-comp.com/conf/

    To encourage young researchers to attend the conference a 1000 Euro Young Researcher Best Paper Prize will be awarded to the best paper presented at each of the conferences. (For further details please see the conference website).