Book Reviews & Items of Interest
ACI Committee 341. (2007). Seismic evaluation and retrofit techniques for concrete bridges (ACI 341.3R-07). Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute (ACI). ISBN: 978-0-870-31255-7. 29 pages. ACI Member/$32.00, Nonmember/$52.50. Available from: American Concrete Institute, Member/Customer Services Department, PO Box 9094, Farmington Hills, MI 48333 (tel: 248-848-3800; fax: 248-848-3800; e-mail: bkstore@concrete.org; Web site: http://www.concrete.org).
This document provides a summary of seismic evaluation and retrofit techniques for reinforced concrete bridges. The document is intended to be useful to practicing engineers and academic researchers. Three primary phases of a retrofit program are described: seismic vulnerability evaluation, evaluation of the seismic demands and capacities, and selection and design of the retrofit measures. General descriptions of appropriate linear and nonlinear analysis methods to evaluate the seismic response of an existing bridge are provided. Various retrofit measures for individual bridge components are described. In all cases, the information is presented at the conceptual level rather than providing detailed descriptions of the design method. Extensive resources/references are included in each section of the document for obtaining more specific information on the subject matter.
ACI Innovation Task Group 4. (2007). Specification for high-strength concrete in moderate to high seismic applications (ACI ITG-4.1-07). Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute (ACI). ISBN: 978-0-870-31238-0. 10 pages. ACI Member/$21.00, Nonmember/$34.50. Available from: American Concrete Institute, Member/Customer Services Department, PO Box 9094, Farmington Hills, MI 48333 (tel: 248-848-3800; fax: 248-848-3800; e-mail: bkstore@concrete.org; Web site: http://www.concrete.org).
This publication is a reference specification that the licensed design professional can make applicable to any construction project by citing it in the project specifications. The licensed design professional supplements the provisions of this reference specification as needed by designating or specifying individual project requirements. This specification covers cast-in-place, normalweight, high-strength concrete in structures that must be designed for moderate to high seismic applications. More specifically, this specification applies to structures located in Seismic Zones 2, 3, or 4 defined by the Uniform Building Code; assigned to Seismic Performance Categories C, D, or E of the BOCA/National Building Code (1993 and subsequent editions) or the Standard Building Code (1994 or subsequent editions); or Seismic Design Categories C, D, E or F of the International Building Code or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code. Irrespective of seismic hazard, seismic performance, or design category, these requirements apply to normalweight, high-strength concrete in intermediate or special moment frames and intermediate or special structural walls.
Buckle, I.G., Friedland, I., Mander, J., Martin, G., et al. (2008). Seismic retrofitting manual for highway structures: Part 1 – Bridges and Part 2 – Retaining structures, slopes, tunnels, culverts and roadways (Special Report MCEER-08-SP02). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. CD-ROM. $95.00. Available from: MCEER, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Red Jacket Quadrangle, Buffalo, New York 14261 (tel: 716-645-3391; fax: 716-645-3399; e-mail: ; Web site: http://mceer.buffalo.edu).
The CD includes both parts of this seismic retrofitting manual for highway structures which address bridges, retaining structures, slopes, tunnels, culverts and roadways. Part 1 provides procedures for screening, evaluation, and retrofitting highway bridges. The manual introduces a performance-based retrofit philosophy similar to that used for the performance-based design of new buildings and bridges. It extends the guidance provided in the earlier FHWA manuals (originally issued 1983 and updated in 1995), based on recent experiences in California, Japan, and other countries, as well as the results of comprehensive research programs that have been sponsored by FHWA, MCEER, Caltrans, and other agencies. Part 2 includes new procedures for determining the seismic vulnerability of other important highway system structures, namely, retaining structures, slopes, tunnels, culverts, and roadways. Guidance is provided on screening for potential seismic vulnerabilities; conducting a detailed evaluation; and describing strategies for retrofit design. In addition, discussion is provided for classifying each structure by type, construction, or expected performance.
Carden, L.P., Itani, A.M. & Buckle, I.G. (2008). Seismic performance of steel girder bridge superstructures with conventional cross frames (Technical Report MCEER-08-0001). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. 239 pages. $35.00. Available from: MCEER, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Red Jacket Quadrangle, Buffalo, New York 14261 (tel: 716-645-3391; fax: 716-645-3399; e-mail: ; Web site: http://mceer.buffalo.edu).
Past earthquakes have shown that the considerable in-plane strength of most bridge superstructures is not always sufficient to prevent damage to components of steel plate girder superstructures during moderate to large earthquake excitation. Cyclic and shake table experiments on a 2/5th scale model of a simply supported steel girder bridge superstructure, with two steel plate I-girders, a reinforced concrete deck slab and single angles cross frames are described in this report. These experiments were conducted to determine the effects of transverse seismic loading on this type of bridge superstructure in high seismic regions. From the experimental results it is shown the superstructure deforms in a flexural-torsional mode with transverse seismic forces distributed along the span and resisted at the supports. At the supports, the loads are transferred from the deck slab into the girders through the shear studs located near the girder supports or through a top chord connecting the deck slab to the end cross frames. The transverse loads are then distributed to the base of the girders through the end cross frames and into the substructure through the bearings and transverse bearing restraints. Each of these critical components should be designed for transverse seismic loading.
De Wrachien, D., Lenzi, M.A. & Brebbia, C.A. (Eds.). (2008). Monitoring, simulation, prevention and remediation of dense debris flows II(Series: WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences, Volume 60). Southampton, UK: WIT Press. 978-1-845-64118-4. 218 pages. $158.00. Available from: Computational Mechanics Inc., 25 B ridge Street, Billerica, MA 01821 (tel: 978-667-5841; fax: 978-667-7582; e-mail: marketingUSA@witpress.com; Web site: http://www.witpress.com).
The Second International Conference on Debris Flow, held in New Forest, UK, provided a forum for engineers, scientists and managers from laboratories, industries, governments and academia to exchange knowledge and expertise in their fields. Papers have been grouped into the following subject areas: Debris flow mitigation; Debris flow modeling; Case studies; Sediment transport and Debris flow including woody debris. Specific topics addressed include erosion and slope instability, sediment transport, debris flow and debris flood data acquisition, debris flow phenomenology and laboratory tests, using the most advanced, state-of-the-art methodologies in monitoring, modeling, mechanics, hazard prediction and risk assessment are contained in this publication.
Fenz, D.M. & Constantinou, M.C. (2008). Mechanical behavior of multi-spherical sliding bearings(Technical Report MCEER-08-0007). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. 163 pages. $30.00. Available from: MCEER, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Red Jacket Quadrangle, Buffalo, New York 14261 (tel: 716-645-3391; fax: 716-645-3399; e-mail: mceer@buffalo.edu; Web site: http://mceer.buffalo.edu).
The principles of operation and mechanical behavior of three novel spherical sliding isolation bearings are developed in this report. Their internal construction consists of multiple concave surfaces and behavior is dictated by the different combinations of surfaces upon which sliding can occur over the course of motion. As the surfaces upon which sliding is occurring change, the stiffness and effective friction change accordingly. These bearings are completely passive devices, yet exhibit adaptive stiffness and adaptive damping. That is, the stiffness and damping change to predictable values at calculable and controllable displacement amplitudes. The primary benefit of adaptive behavior is that a given isolation system can be separately optimized for multiple performance objectives and/or multiple levels of ground shaking. With the devices presented here, this is accomplished using technology that is inherently no more complex than what is currently used by the civil engineering profession. In this report, the force-displacement relationships are derived based on first principles and by extending basic theories that apply to sliding upon a single concave surface. The theoretical behavior is validated experimentally through extensive component testing of the various devices. It is shown that the forces and displacements at which transitions in stiffness occur are predictable and therefore controllable in design.
Kafali, C. & Grigoriu, M. (2008). System performance under multi-hazard environments (Technical Report MCEER-08-0006). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. 223 pages. $35.00. Available from: MCEER, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Red Jacket Quadrangle, Buffalo, New York 14261 (tel: 716-645-3391; fax: 716-645-3399; e-mail: mceer@buffalo.edu; Web site: http://mceer.buffalo.edu ).
This study presents a new methodology for (1) assessing performance of structural/nonstructural systems subjected to multiple hazards during their lifetime and (2) identifying a strategy from a collection of design alternatives that is optimal in some sense. System performance is measured by the total lifetime losses and the system fragility, that is, the probability that a system response exceeds a critical value subjected to a hazard event specified by its intensity and other parameters. Accordingly, fragility is a surface with support the defining parameters of a hazard. The methodology is based on site hazard analysis, system fragility analysis and capacity and cost estimation. Probabilistic models are developed for characterizing natural hazards occurring at a given site at single/multiple points. The authors present two methods for estimating system fragility, crossing theory of stochastic processes and Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed models are implemented in computer programs and the life-cycle risk analysis methodology is illustrated through numerical examples.
Klynman, Y., Kouppari, N., & Mukhier, M. (Eds.). (2007). World disasters report 2007: focus on discrimination in disasters. Geneva, Switzerland: International Federal of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. ISBN: 978-9-291-39126-4. 238 pages. $30.00. Available from: Stylus Publishing, LLC, Orders & Customer Service, PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605 (tel: 800-232-0223; fax: 703-661-1501; e-mail: stylusmail@presswarehous.com ; Web site: http://www.styluspub.com).
Gender, race, color, religion, age – there are so many reasons why people can be excluded from their society. Those who are face an uphill struggle for equality, even if they have the strength and wherewithal to take the first steps. However many do not. What, then, is the reality for these groups when disaster strikes? Hidden, ignored or simply invisible, the most vulnerable – and those potentially in the greatest need – are rarely, if ever, at the forefront of aid operations. This report turns the spotlight on these groups, examining how and why they face discrimination. It calls on communities, governments and agencies to work harder to identify the most vulnerable and work together to ensure that their specific needs are addressed in an emergency. The World Report 2007 features: Disasters do not discriminate – people do; Overcoming multiple disasters: discriminating against minorities; Older people and discrimination in crises; Disability and disasters: towards an inclusive approach; The urgency of equality: ending discrimination against women and its consequences in emergency situations; Dealing with discrimination in disaster recovery; and Disaster data: key databases, trends and statistics. This publication also includes photographs, tables, graphics and index.
Pollino, M. & Bruneau, M. (2008). Analytical and experimental investigation of a controlled rocking approach for seismic protection of bridge steel truss piers (Technical Report MCEER-08-0003). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. 447 pages. $60.00. Available from: MCEER, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Red Jacket Quadrangle, Buffalo, New York 14261 (tel: 716-645-3391; fax: 716-645-3399; e-mail: mceer@buffalo.edu; Web site: http://www.mceer.buffalo.edu).
A seismic design (or retrofit) strategy allowing uplift and rocking of steel truss piers on their foundation is investigated both analytically and experimentally. To control system response, the use of displacement-based steel yielding devices and velocity-dependant viscous dampers, implemented at the uplifting location, are considered. The devices can be calibrated to capacity protect the existing vulnerable members and the foundation of the structure. The system provides a significant restoring force that can allow re-centering of the structure with proper selection of device properties. The behavior of 2-legged and 4-legged bridge steel truss piers is considered and methods of predicting response under multiple components of seismic excitation are evaluated using nonlinear, inelastic time history analyses. The analytical investigation of seismic response includes ground motions typical of far-field rock sites and near-field ground motions with pulse-type characteristics. Also, the response of 4-legged piers that resist transverse and longitudinal demands in bridges is investigated with three components of ground motion. Experimental investigations include shake table testing of a rocking pier with the added passive energy dissipation devices to verify analytical methods and further investigate the dynamic response. Response quantities of interest include pier displacements, impact velocity, and maximum developed forces. Overall systems behavior and the methods of response prediction are shown to be reasonably accurate using the analytical and experimental techniques.
Skiadas, C.H. (Ed.). (2007). Recent advances in stochastic modeling and data analysis. Hackensack, New Jersey: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd: ISBN: 978-9-812-70968-4. 655 pages. $140.00. Available from: World Scientific Publishing Co., Inc., 27 Warren Street, Suite 401-402, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (tel: 800-227-7562; 888-977-2665; e-mail: sales@wspc.com; Web site: http://www.worldscientific.com/).
This publication contains a part of the invited and contributed papers which were accepted and presented at the 12th International Conference on Applied Stochastic Models and Data Analysis (ASMDA) in Chania, Crete, Greece, May 29 – June 1, 2007. ASMDA aims to serve as the interface between Stochastic Modeling and Data Analysis and their real life applications particularly in business, finance and insurance, management, production and reliability, biology and medicine. ASMDA included both theoretical and practical papers presenting new results having potential for solving real-life problems. Recent advances in different fields such as new optimization and statistical methods, data warehouse, data mining and knowledge systems, and neural computing are presented. This book contains papers on numerous topics: stochastic processes and models; distributions; insurance; stochastic modeling for healthcare management; Markov and Semi Markov models; parametric/non-parametric; dynamical systems/forecasting; modeling and chaotic modeling; sampling and optimization problems; data mining; clustering and classification; applications of data analysis; and various other applications.
Tomlinson, M. & Woodward, J. (2007). Pile design and construction practice (Fifth Edition). New York: Taylor & Francis. ISBN: 9-780-415-38582-4. 551 pages. $190.00. Available from: CRC Press LLC, Attn: Order Entry, 6000 Broken Sound Parkway, NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487 (tel: 800-272-7737; fax: 800-374-3401; e-mail: orders@crcpress.com; Web site: http://www.crcpress.com).
This handbook is a reference for geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists responsible for designing and constructing piled foundations for building and civil engineering structures and provides students with comprehensive information on the subject than is generally available in a civil engineering degree course. The authors explain the general principles and practice of piling and give a detailed review of the types of pile, piling equipment, and methods which are currently used. Chapters on pile design include: calculating the resistance of piles to compressive loads; pile groups under compressive loading; piled foundations for resisting uplift and lateral loading; and the structural design of piles and pile groups. Piling for marine structures, miscellaneous piling problems (including machinery foundations, underpinning, mining subsidence areas, piling contracts and frozen ground), durability of piled foundations, ground investigations, piling contracts and pile testing are also covered. This fifth edition introduces the 2005 version of Eurocode7, Geotechnical Design, and covers other relevant Eurocodes. It also covers BS 8004 and refers to BS 6349 on maritime structures, and new forms of civil engineering contracts suitable for piling projects are discussed. Highly illustrated, this book includes numerous worked examples to the codes, many of which are based on actual problems encountered.