Search Results (1,002)

This paper reviews the current state of research on the seismic behavior of precast segmental bridge piers, systematically elucidating their performance under different connection configurations in the context of accelerated bridge construction and resilience demands. Additionally, it compiles commonly used research methodologies and strategies for enhancing seismic performance. The evidence indicates that emulative precast segmental piers can closely match monolithic cast-in-place structures, with reported peak lateral strengths typically within about 10% and comparable yield and peak displacements, whereas non-emulative systems generally provide superior self-centering with smaller residual displacements. Experimental studies, theoretical analyses, and numerical simulations have all proven effective in characterizing the mechanical behavior of these piers; each approach has distinct advantages, and a synergistic integration of methods is recommended for comprehensive evaluation. Measurable improvements in seismic performance have been reported through hybrid connection systems, innovative detailing, supplementary energy-dissipating devices, and the use of high-performance materials such as ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), engineered cementitious composites (ECC), fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), and shape memory alloys (SMA); for example, representative tests reported about a 30% increase in energy dissipation at drift ratios exceeding 3%, and SMA-based reinforcement has been reported to reduce residual drift by roughly 67% relative to steel reinforcement. Finally, future research directions are proposed to support the wider adoption of precast bridge piers in high-seismicity regions, including addressing challenges related to performance degradation under multi-hazard coupling conditions, insufficient design criteria for connections, and the need for rapid post-earthquake repair and resilience. Full article

Marine ports located in regions of moderate seismicity can face high Natech (natural hazard-triggered technological) risk because large inventories of hazardous materials are stored near dense urban populations. This study proposes and applies a Natech risk framework to a representative port on the Saint-Laurence River in Quebec, Canada. Site-specific peak ground accelerations (PGA) are first estimated for 12 earthquake scenarios using regional ground motion prediction equations adjusted for local site conditions. These hazard levels are combined with a damage probability matrix to estimate Hazardous Release Likelihood Index (HRLi) scores for atmospheric steel storage tanks. Offsite consequences are then evaluated to obtain Maximum Distances of Effect (MDEs) for different types of hazardous materials. MDE footprints are intersected with block-level demographic data and complemented by a domino-effect based on inter-tank spacing, yielding a tank-level Natech Risk Index $NR{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{i},\mathrm{s}}$ for each storage tank ($\mathrm{i}$) and seismic scenario ($\mathrm{s}$). These values are then averaged over all tanks to obtain a scenario-level mean Natech Risk Index ($\overline{NRI}$) for each tank substance. Regression equations relating $\overline{NRI}$ to PGA are provided as a practical tool for defining critical intensity thresholds for seismic Natech risk management in marine ports. Full article

Post-disaster reconstruction requires instruments capable of ensuring procedural consistency, administrative transparency, and the systematic integration of geohazards, all of which are essential for safeguarding communities. This study presents the digital platform established under Italian Law 55/2019 for the reconstruction of the areas on Mt. Etna affected by the Mw 4.9 earthquake of 26 December 2018, emphasizing its innovative contribution to current international approaches to reconstruction governance. The platform standardizes the entire administrative workflow and is centered on the Parametric Form, which enables an objective calculation of eligible reconstruction grants based on damage indicators, vulnerability metrics, and parametric cost functions. A defining feature of the Etna model is the structural integration between administrative procedures and geohazard mitigation, achieved through updated hazard maps and protocols that incorporate geological, hydrogeological, and geomorphological conditions. This approach reframes reconstruction as an opportunity to reduce overall territorial vulnerability. The system also includes public monitoring tools (WebGIS and dashboards) that enhance traceability, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Expected outcomes include shorter administrative timelines, improved interinstitutional coordination, and the potential transferability of the model to other emergency contexts. In comparison with international cases, the Etna experience represents an original integration of digitalization, parametric assessment, and site-specific hazard mitigation. Full article

This review synthesizes the state of the art on the integration of digital technologies, particularly machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced image processing techniques, for enhanced hazard monitoring. Focusing on air pollution, earthquakes, floods, and fires, we analyze articles selected from Scopus published between 2015 and 2024. This study classifies the selected articles based on hazard type, digital technology application, geographical location, and research methodology. We assess the effectiveness of various approaches in improving the accuracy and efficiency of hazard detection, monitoring, and prediction. The review highlights the growing trend of leveraging multi-sensor data fusion, deep learning models, and IoT-enabled systems for real-time monitoring and early warning. Furthermore, we identify key challenges and future directions in the development of robust and scalable hazard monitoring systems, emphasizing the importance of data-driven solutions for sustainable environmental management and disaster resilience. Full article

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential safety hazards pertaining to the overall inclination of existing masonry structures. Taking a six-story masonry residential building in Tongling as the research subject, we established a systematic safety assessment framework. Through structural entity testing, settlement monitoring, and geological surveys, uneven foundation settlement was identified as the primary cause of the building’s inclination. A finite element model was established via SAP2000 (Version 14) software to examine and verify the bearing capacity and seismic performance of the inclined structure, and a 1:4 scale shaking table test was designed to validate the seismic performance of the structure following inclination correction. The findings indicate that the primary bearing capacity of the building’s superstructure complied with the relevant code provisions. Time–history analysis under rare six-degree earthquake conditions showed that the maximum inter-story drift angle—defined as the ratio of the maximum inter-floor horizontal displacement to the floor height under the action of the standard seismic value—was 1/2018, which is lower than the limit value of 1/900 specified for the “moderate damage” performance level of masonry structures. During the shaking table test, the natural vibration frequency of the structure remained unchanged under earthquake actions ranging from frequent to rare six-degree events, with no visible cracks or significant damage detected. This assessment system provides a technical reference for the safety performance evaluation and subsequent inclination correction of similar inclined masonry structures. Full article

In many developing countries, seismic vulnerability remains high due to the widespread presence of informally constructed buildings without professional design or technical supervision. In Colombia, where nearly 60% of structures are non-engineered, this issue is especially acute. The objective of this study is to design, implement, and quantitatively evaluate the Learning Experience for Earthquake Awareness Program (LEAP), an experiential educational strategy for young students that enhances seismic knowledge, promotes sustainable construction awareness, and contributes to disaster risk reduction as a component of social sustainability. To address this challenge, LEAP introduces students to basic principles of structural mechanics and seismic behavior through playful, hands-on activities combining theoretical instruction, practical experimentation, collaborative design, and the testing of model structures. An experimental design with pre- and post-surveys was implemented with 141 participants, including 80 secondary school students (grades 8th–11th) and 61 university students enrolled in engineering, architecture, and construction programs, using 3D-printed models, earthquake simulators, and interactive games. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test ($p<0.05$) revealed significant improvements in conceptual understanding and perception, including gains in distinguishing between the hypocenter and epicenter ($+45.39\%$, $p=5.10\times {10}^{-8}$, $r=0.50$), understanding seismic magnitude ($+39.01\%$, $p=1.67\times {10}^{-12}$, $r=0.71$), and visually identifying structural vulnerabilities ($+25.50\%$, $p=4.50\times {10}^{-2}$, $r=0.41$). Overall, LEAP contributes to disaster risk reduction and social sustainability by strengthening seismic awareness and responsible construction practices. The most significant results were observed among secondary school students, while university participants mainly reinforced applied and visual comprehension. Given its convenience sample, lack of control group, and immediate post-test, findings should be interpreted as exploratory and associative. Full article

Northwestern Türkiye (Biga Peninsula, Edremit Gulf, Saros Bay) is a highly seismically active region at the convergence of the Anatolian, Eurasian, and Aegean tectonic plates. It features numerous active faults, including the Yenice–Gönen and Edremit fault zones, in addition to offshore segments of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) in Saros Bay. Earthquakes here exhibit various mechanisms: the 2017 Ayvacik earthquake sequence (Mw 5.4) near the Tuzla Fault featured NE–SW normal faulting, reflecting regional extension. Other moderate events display strike–slips with minor normal components, indicating transtensional forces. These findings enhance our understanding of the area’s complex seismotectonic activity and stress the critical need for continuous seismic monitoring and hazard assessment in this geologically complex and densely populated part of Türkiye. Full article

Designing long-span cable-stayed bridges in high seismic hazard zones presents significant challenges due to their flexible structural systems, the influence of multi-support excitation, and the need to control large displacements while limiting seismic demands on critical components. These difficulties are further amplified in regions with complex geology and for bridges required to maintain high levels of post-earthquake serviceability. This study develops a low-damage seismic design approach for long-span cable-stayed bridges and demonstrates its application in the New Panama Canal Bridge. Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment and site response analyses are performed to generate spatially varying ground motions at the pylons and side piers. The pylons adopt a reinforced concrete configuration with embedded steel stiffeners for anchorage, forming a composite zone capable of efficiently transferring concentrated stay-cable forces. The lightweight main girder consists of a lattice-type steel framework connected to a high-strength reinforced concrete deck slab, providing both rigidity and structural efficiency. A coordinated girder–pylon restraint system—comprising vertical bearings, fuse-type restrainers, and viscous dampers—ensures controlled stiffness and effective energy dissipation. Nonlinear seismic analyses show that displacements of the girder remain well controlled under the Safety Evaluation Earthquake, and the dampers and bearings exhibit stable hysteretic behaviours. Cable tensions remain within 500–850 MPa, meeting minimal-damage performance criteria. Overall, the results demonstrate that low-damage seismic performance targets are achievable and that the proposed design approach enhances structural control and seismic resilience in long-span cable-stayed bridges. Full article

This article examines the failure of the two most recent temporary housing programs implemented in Spain following two major disasters: the 2011 Lorca earthquake and the 2021 La Palma volcanic eruption. Despite differing hazard typologies, both cases resulted in incomplete and ultimately unsuccessful housing programs, with only 13 of the 60 planned units built in Lorca and 121 of the 200 planned units delivered in La Palma. Using a qualitative comparative case study approach, the research analyzes governance decisions, housing design, and implementation processes to assess their impact on the sustainability of post-disaster temporary housing. The analysis adopts the five dimensions of sustainability—environmental, economic, social, cultural, and institutional—as an integrated analytical framework for evaluating public management performance in post-disaster temporary housing. The findings show that early decision-making, shaped by political urgency, technical misjudgments, and the absence of adaptive governance, led to severe delays, cost overruns, inadequate and energy-inefficient construction, and the formation of marginalized settlements. This study concludes that the lack of regulatory frameworks, legal instruments, and operational protocols for temporary housing in Spain was a determining factor in both failures, generating vulnerability, prolonging recovery processes, and undermining sustainability across all five dimensions. By drawing lessons from these cases, this article contributes to debates on resilient and sustainable post-disaster recovery and highlights the urgent need for integrated regulatory frameworks for temporary housing in Spain. Full article

Based on lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused by the 2011 off the Pacific coast Tohoku Earthquake, and the subsequent tsunamis, Japanese utilities have been upgrading their tsunami countermeasures. To understand the residual risk from beyond-design-basis events, it is important to assess seismic and tsunami risks independently while also recognizing how a plant’s risk profile changes when these events occur concurrently. This study developed a framework for a multi-hazard probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) to evaluate risks to nuclear power plants (NPPs) resulting from the superposition of earthquake and tsunami events. The framework is proposed on the assumption that the targeted plant has previously conducted single-hazard PRAs for both earthquakes and tsunamis. This study presents an approach to define the scope of risk assessment for the superposition of earthquake and tsunami events, based on the results from single-hazard PRAs for each hazard. It provides an analytical framework for superposition scenario analysis and a simplified method for multi-hazard assessment using data from single-hazard assessments. Moreover, a series of steps for the multi-hazard fragility assessment of superposed earthquake and tsunami events are proposed, clarifying the relationship between superposed impacts and the damaged parts and damage modes, accompanied by illustrative examples. Full article

Post-earthquake fires often cause more severe losses than the earthquakes themselves, highlighting the critical role of water distribution networks (WDNs) in mitigating fire risks. This study proposed an improved assessment framework for the post-earthquake firefighting functionality of WDNs. This framework integrates a WDN firefighting simulation model into a cloud model-based assessment method. By combining seismic damage and firefighting scenarios, the simulation model derives sample values of the functional indexes through Monte Carlo simulations. These indexes integrate the spatiotemporal characteristics of the firefighting flow and pressure deficiencies to assess a WDN’s capability to control fire and address fire hazards across three dimensions: average, severe, and prolonged severe deficiencies. The cloud model-based assessment method integrates the sample values of functional indexes with expert opinions, enabling qualitative and quantitative assessments under stochastic–fuzzy conditions. An illustrative study validated the efficacy of this method. The flow- and pressure-based indexes elucidated functionality degradation owing to excessive firefighting flow and the diminished supply capacity of a WDN, respectively. The spatiotemporal characteristics of severe flow and pressure deficiencies demonstrated the capability of firefighting resources to manage concurrent fires while ensuring a sustained water supply to fire sites. This method addressed the limitations of traditional quantitative and qualitative assessment approaches, resulting in more reliable outcomes. Full article

This study presents an improved Nishenko–Buland (NB) model to address systematic biases in estimating the coefficient of variation for earthquake recurrence intervals based on a normalizing function ${\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{T}}{{\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{a}\mathrm{v}\mathrm{e}}}}$. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that traditional NB methods significantly underestimate the coefficient of variation when applied to limited paleoseismic datasets, with deviations reaching between 30 and 40% for small sample sizes. We developed a linear transformation and iterative optimization approach that corrects these statistical biases by standardizing recurrence interval data from different sample sizes to conform to a common standardized distribution. Application to 26 fault segments across 15 major active faults in the Hetao graben system yields a corrected coefficient of variation of α = 0.381, representing a 24% increase over the traditional method (α₀ = 0.307). This correction demonstrates that conventional approaches systematically underestimate earthquake recurrence variability, potentially compromising seismic hazard assessments. The improved model successfully eliminates sampling bias through iterative convergence, providing more reliable parameters for probability distributions in renewal-based earthquake forecasting. Full article

The Yutian region at the southwestern termination of the Altyn Tagh Fault has experienced four moderate-to-strong earthquakes since 2008, providing an opportunity to investigate fault interactions within a transtensional tectonic setting. In this study, we derive the coseismic deformation and slip model of the 2020 Mw 6.3 Yutian earthquake using ascending and descending Sentinel-1 InSAR data. The deformation field exhibits a characteristic subsidence–uplift pattern consistent with normal faulting, and the preferred slip model indicates a north–south-striking fault with slip concentrated at depths of 6–9 km. To place this event in a broader tectonic context, we incorporate published slip models for the 2008 and 2014 earthquakes together with a simplified finite-fault model for the 2012 event to construct a unified four-event source framework. Static Coulomb stress calculations reveal complex interactions among the four earthquakes. Localized positive loading from the 2012 event partially counteracts the negative $\Delta CFS$ imposed by the 2008 and 2014 earthquakes, reshaping the stress field rather than simply promoting or inhibiting failure. The cumulative stress evolution shows persistent unclamping and repeated shear-stress reversals, indicating that the 2020 earthquake resulted from long-term extensional loading superimposed on multi-stage coseismic stress redistribution. These results demonstrate that multi-event stress analysis provides a more reliable framework for assessing seismic hazards in regions with complex local stress fields. Full article

The rapid expansion of wind power as a key component of global renewable energy systems has led to the widespread deployment of wind turbines in environments exposed to diverse natural hazards. While hazard effects are often investigated individually, real wind turbine systems frequently experience concurrent or sequential hazards over their operational lifetime, giving rise to interaction effects that are not adequately captured by conventional design approaches. This paper presents Part 2 of a comprehensive review on natural hazards affecting wind turbine performance, combining bibliometric keyword co-occurrence analysis with a critical synthesis of recent technical studies. The review focuses on earthquakes, sea waves, and extreme wind events, while also highlighting other hazard types that have received comparatively limited attention in the literature, examining their effects on wind turbine systems and the mitigation strategies reported to address associated risks. Rather than treating hazards in isolation, their impacts are synthesised through cross-hazard interaction pathways and component-level failure modes. The findings indicate that wind turbine vulnerability under multi-hazard conditions is governed not only by load magnitude but also by hazard-induced changes in system properties and operational state. Key research gaps are identified, emphasising the need for state-aware, mechanism-consistent multi-hazard assessment frameworks to support the resilient design and operation of future wind energy systems. Full article

The reliable and continuous acquisition of seismic data from multiple open sources is essential for real-time monitoring, hazard assessment, and early-warning systems. However, the heterogeneity among existing data providers such as the United States Geological Survey, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, and the Spanish National Geographic Institute creates significant challenges due to differences in formats, update frequencies, and access methods. To overcome these limitations, this paper presents a modular and automated framework for the scheduled near-real-time ingestion of global seismic data using open APIs and semi-structured web data. The system, implemented using a Docker-based architecture, automatically retrieves, harmonizes, and stores seismic information from heterogeneous sources at regular intervals using a cron-based scheduler. Data are standardized into a unified schema, validated to remove duplicates, and persisted in a relational database for downstream analytics and visualization. The proposed framework adheres to the FAIR data principles by ensuring that all seismic events are uniquely identifiable, source-traceable, and stored in interoperable formats. Its lightweight and containerized design enables deployment as a microservice within emerging data spaces and open environmental data infrastructures. Experimental validation was conducted using a two-phase evaluation. This evaluation consisted of a high-frequency 24 h stress test and a subsequent seven-day continuous deployment under steady-state conditions. The system maintained stable operation with 100% availability across all sources, successfully integrating 4533 newly published seismic events during the seven-day period and identifying 595 duplicated detections across providers. These results demonstrate that the framework provides a robust foundation for the automated integration of multi-source seismic catalogs. This integration supports the construction of more comprehensive and globally accessible earthquake datasets for research and near-real-time applications. By enabling automated and interoperable integration of seismic information from diverse providers, this approach supports the construction of more comprehensive and globally accessible earthquake catalogs, strengthening data-driven research and situational awareness across regions and institutions worldwide. Full article