The selection of a strategy to seismically upgrade an existing building is a difficult problem. In fact, several different technologies are available to this aim nowadays. Furthermore, many generally conflicting options have to be considered to assess the performance of each alternative. Decision support systems like the socalled multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods may be useful in ma...

WASPAR (Wide-Angle reflection–refraction Seismic data Processing And Representation) is a new free multi-platform software tool to process and display wide-angle seismic data. It has been designed to read different raw data formats, construct record sections, process them using existing and newly developed algorithms, pick seismic phases and generate graphic files using a single, user-friendly ...

A 2D finite-differences time-domain full-wave code is used to simulate the measurements of plasma filaments with fixed frequency O-mode reflectometry. The plasma is modeled by a linear slab plasma plus a Gaussian perturbation propagating in a direction that can vary from poloidal to radial. The plasma background density gradient is chosen in agreement with the steep edge transport barrier of H-...

This paper focuses on the use of emerging technologies for the upgrade of the transportation infrastructure. A number of bridge rehabilitation projects conducted in the State of Missouri in the last three years were selected for presentation. The review is limited to bridge superstructure strengthening to correct flexure and shear deficiencies in non-seismic applications. Strengthening of concr...

In order to upgrade the seismic resistibility of structures and enhance the functionality of an isolator, a new base isolator called the multiple trench friction pendulum system (MTFPS) is proposed in this study. The proposed MTFPS isolator is composed of a trench concave surface and several intermediate sliding plates in two orthogonal directions. Mathematical formulations have been derived to...

The performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) methodology allows designers to deaggregate expected seismic losses in a building component level. This deaggregated information provides the opportunity tailor upgrade strategies individual structures based on sources of losses. However, optimization an strategy becomes difficult because relationship between structure and its nonstructural co...

Usually, energy and structural improvements for historic masonry buildings are addressed separately using distinct methods protocols. This paper covers an integrated assessment of new composite materials to reduce the seismic vulnerability while complying with sustainable conservation requirements, emissions’ reduction, savings. Firstly, this study focused on selecting suitable thermal mortars ...

A displacement-based design procedure is proposed to control the out-of-plane motion of masonry walls during seismic events by means a Grouted Anchoring System (GAS) and Dissipative Systems (D-GAS). Combining non-linear static capacity in three different configurations (unstrengthened, strengthened with GAS or D-GAS) inelastic demand spectra gives expected performance system, which then compare...