New Publications: Earthquake Engineering & Disaster Mitigation
Adams, B.J. & McMillan, A. (2008). Remote sensing for resilient multi-hazard disaster response, Volume III: multi-sensor image fusion techniques for robust neighborhood-scale urban damage assessment (Technical Report MCEER-08-0022). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. 142 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: www.mceer.buffalo.edu).
This report investigates multi-sensor pixel-based image fusion methodologies, combining ‘before’ and ‘after’ images from two different high-resolution optical satellites (Quickbird and IKONOS), to assess neighborhood damage extent and severity. The 2003 earthquake that struck Bam, Iran is used as a case study. Three different pixel-based methodological approaches were used to investigate damage-related changes: spectral comparison, textural comparison and edge-based comparison. The results showed that all three damage detection methods successfully identified building collapse within neighborhoods of Bam. This is Volume III of a five-part report series that investigate the use of remote sensing techniques for resilient multi-hazard disaster response.
Arya, C. (2009). Design of structural elements: concrete, steelwork, masonry and timber designs to British Standards and Eurocode (Third Edition). New York: Spon Press. ISBN: 978-0-415-46720-9. 502 pages. $53.95. 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: www.crcpress.com).
Now in its third edition, this popular textbook provides a concise single volume introduction to the design of structural elements in concrete, steel, timber, masonry and composites. Up-to-date design principles and guidance are given in line with both the British Standards and the EN versions of the Eurocodes. Part One sets out the principles and philosophy of design, basic techniques and structural concepts. Design to British Standards follows in Part Two, with extensive diagrams and worked examples. Part Three presents the Eurocodes, giving some background, overview and contextual information. It gives design guidance from the emerging National Annexes where available and appropriate, along with a comparison to the British codes.
ASCE Critical Infrastructure Guidance Task Committee. (2009). Guiding principles for the nation’s critical infrastructure. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). ISBN: 978-0-784-41063-9. 40 pages. Members $22.45/Nonmembers $39.95. Available from: American Society of Civil Engineers, Book Orders, PO Box 79404, Baltimore, MD 21279-0404 (tel: 800-548-2723; fax: 703-295-6211; e-mail: pubsful@asce.org; Web site: www.pubs.asce.org ).
The ASCE Board of Directions established the Critical Infrastructure Guidance Task Committee to develop this book to ensure quality in critical infrastructure systems that may involve multiple constituents, multiple jurisdictions, and complex financing. This Committee formulated the guiding principles that are the focus of this document: quantify, communicate, and manage risk; employ an integrated systems approach; exercise sound leadership, management, and stewardship in decision-making processes; and adapt critical infrastructure in response to dynamic condition and practice. These guiding principles are fully interrelated; no single principle is more important than the others and all are required to protect the public’s safety, health, and welfare. Although this document uses critical infrastructure to illustrate the importance of the guiding principles, they apply to all infrastructure systems.
Atik, L.A. & Sitar, N. (2008). Experimental and analytical study of the seismic performance of retaining structures (PEER 2008/104). Richmond, CA: Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. FREE. Available by Internet only: peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peer_reports/reports_2008/web1_PEER8104_ATIKsitar.pdf).
An experimental and analytical study of seismic earth pressures on cantilever retaining structures was performed to address the apparent discrepancy between theory and actual performance. Two sets of dynamic centrifuge model experiments were performed to evaluate the magnitude and distribution of seismically induced lateral earth pressures on retaining structures and to study the seismic response of retaining wall-backfill systems. The results obtained from the centrifuge experiments were used to develop and calibrate a two-dimensional (2-D) nonlinear finite element (FE) model built on the OpenSees platform. The finite element model was used to further study the seismic response of retaining wall-backfill systems and to evaluate the ability of numerical modeling in capturing the essential features of the seismic response observed in the centrifuge experiments. In general, the magnitude of the observed seismic earth pressures depends on the magnitude and intensity of shaking, the density of the backfill soil, and the flexibility of the retaining walls. Specifically, the results of the centrifuge experiments show that the maximum dynamic earth pressures increase with depth and can be reasonably approximated by a triangular distribution analogous to that used to represent static earth pressures. The data from the centrifuge experiments suggest that this contribution can be substantial. Moreover, the dynamic earth pressures and inertial forces do not act simultaneously. The experimental results show that when the inertial force is at its local maximum, the overall dynamic moment acting on the wall reaches its local maximum as well, while the dynamic earth pressure increment is at its local minimum or is around zero.
Caldas, C.H. & O’Brien, W.J. (2009). Computing in Civil Engineering: Proceedings of the 2009 International Workshop on Computing in Civil Engineering. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). ISBN: 978-0-784-41052-3. 691 pages. Members $112.50/Nonmembers $150.00. Available from: American Society of Civil Engineers, Book Orders, PO Box 79404, Baltimore, MD 21279-0404 (tel: 800-548-2723; fax: 703-295-6211; e-mail: pubsful@asce.org; Web site: www.pubs.asce.org).
This proceedings contains papers presented at the 2009 ASCE International Workshop on Computing in Civil Engineering, held in Austin, Texas, from June 24 to 27, 2009. This workshop, organized under the auspices of the ASCE Technical Council on Computing and Information Technology, offers the latest in contemporary research that examines the practical challenges, along with the areas of technological growth and development in civil engineering. This international workshop presents 67 peer-reviewed papers from around the world which examine topics such as: sensing; mobile/wearable computing; life-cycle assessment and sustainable infrastructure design; design; and cutting-edge development. This book will be valuable to professionals and researchers who are interested in computing in a wide range of civil engineering disciplines.
Chiou B.S.-J. & Youngs, R.R. (2008). NGA model for average horizontal component of peak ground motion and response spectra (PEER 2008/09). Richmond, CA: Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. FREE. Available by Internet only: peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peer_reports/reports_2008/web_PEER809_CHIOUyoungs.pdf).
The authors present a model for estimating horizontal ground motion amplitudes caused by shallow crustal earthquakes occurring in active tectonic environments. The model provides predictive relationships for the orientation-independent average horizontal component of ground motions. The model represents an update of the relationships developed by Sadigh et al. (1997) and includes improved magnitude and distance scaling forms as well as hanging-wall effects. The new model predicts median ground motion that is similar to Sadigh et al. (1997) at short spectral periods, but lower ground motions at longer periods. The aleatory variability in ground motion amplitude was found to depend on earthquake magnitude and on the degree of nonlinear soil response. For large-magnitude earthquakes, the aleatory variability is larger than found by Sadigh et al.(1997).
Duarte, N. (2008). slide:ology – the art and science of creating great presentations. First Edition. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly Media, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-596-52234-6. 274 pages. Available from: O’Reilly Media, Inc., 1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472 (tel: 800-998-9938; fax: 707-829-0104; e-mail: order@oreilly.com; Web site: www.oreilly.com).
Presentation software is one of the few tools that requires professionals to think visually on an almost daily basis. But unlike verbal skills, effective visual expression is not easy, natural, or actively taught in schools or business training programs. slide:ology fills that void. This book provides practical approaches to visual story development that can be applied by anyone. It combines conceptual thinking and inspirational design, with insightful case studies from the world’s leading brands. With slide:ology you’ll learn to: connect with specific audiences; turn ideas into informative graphics; use sketching and diagramming techniques effectively, create graphics that enable audiences to process information easily; develop truly influential presentations; and utilize presentation technology to your advantage. Mills of presentations and billions of slides have been produced, and most of them is the mark. This monograph will challenge your traditional approach to creating slides by teaching you how to be a visual thinker.
Gusella, L., Huyck, C.K. & Adams, B.J. (2008). Remote sensing for resilient multi-hazard disaster response, Volume II: counting the number of collapsed buildings using an object-oriented analysis: case study of the 2003 Bam earthquake (Technical Report MCEER-08-0021). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. 66 pages. $25.00. 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: www.mceer.buffalo.edu).
This report presents a new image processing technique based on ‘object-oriented’ analysis to count the number of buildings that collapsed during the 2003 Bam, Iran earthquake. Two methodologies are presented, both using a two-phase process comprising building inventory development and damage assessment. Building inventory development provides a count of the total number of structures (both damaged and non-damaged) based on analysis of the ‘before’ building stock. The damage assessment employs reclassification and edge extraction theoretical techniques to identify the presence of collapsed structures. This is Volume II of a five-part series of reports that investigate the use of remote sensing techniques for resilient multi-hazard disaster response.
Haddow, G.D. & Haddow, K.S. (2008). Disaster communications in a changing media world. Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN: 978-1-856-17554-8. 218 pages. $49.95. Available from: Elsevier, Customer Service Department, 11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St Louis, MO 63146 (tel: 800-545-2522; fax: 800-460-3110; e-mail: usbkinfo@elsevier.com; Web site: www.elsevier.com).
The purpose of this textbook is to define the principles of effective communications before, during, and after disasters. It examines the challenges to communicating in a world altered by the emergency and evolution of new media, the impact of “first informers” on disaster communications, and the changing roles of the government and traditional media as information gatekeepers. The book contains practical information and advice on communications staffing and planning, working with the media, and real world examples of good and bad communication strategies and tactics.
Holmes, W.T., Kircher, C., Petak, W. & Youssef, N. (2008). Seismic performance objectives for tall buildings: a report for the tall buildings initiative (PEER 2008/101). Richmond, CA: Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. FREE. Available by Internet only: peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peer_reports/reports_2008/webPEER8101_HOLMES_TBI.pdf).
The Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center is leading an initiative to develop guidelines for new high-rise construction that will meet intended safety and performance objectives following future earthquakes, particularly when alternative means of design are employed. An initial task of this initiative was to investigate the issues associated with identifying seismic performance equivalent to that achieved by code and whether a higher seismic performance should be targeted for these buildings. Many stakeholders were interviewed for this purpose, and a workshop was convened to discuss the results and to establish a direction for the technical design portions of the overall initiative. The investigation found that the establishment of a higher seismic performance objective for certain buildings was a public-policy issue that should not be decided by engineering studies, but also that many owners, tenants, and other stakeholders did not understand standard code building-performance objectives and thought that even a small change of collapse was unacceptable for any building. Many thought that even building closure due to damage should not be expected or tolerated and that seismic risk should be disclosed to owners and tenants in an understandable format.
Hube, M.A. & Mosalam, K.M. (2008). Experimental and computational evaluation of current and innovative in-span hinge details in reinforced concrete box-girder bridges (PEER 2008/103). Richmond, CA: Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. FREE. Available by Internet only: peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peer_reports/reports_2008/PEER_8103_HUBEmosalam.pdf).
In this study, the strength of in-span hinges is assessed using a combined computational and experimental approach. For the experimental approach, five 1/3-scale specimens were tested at the University of California, Berkeley. The computational approach adopts nonlinear 3D finite elements that consider embedded reinforcement and cracking behavior for the concrete. As a result of this study, the failure modes are identified and realistic idealizations of the behavior and strength of the in-span hinges are developed aiming toward an improved design for better constructability of these disturbed regions. The findings from the experimental results revealed that in-span hinges fail with a combination of three failure modes: one-dimensional shear, 2D, strut-and-tie, and punching shear.
Kadysiewski, S. & Mosalam, K.M. (2008). Modeling of unreinforced masonry infill walls considering in-plane and out-of-plane interaction (PEER 2008/102). Richmond, CA: Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. FREE. Available by Internet only: peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peer_reports/reports_2008/web_PEER8102_Kadysiewski_Mosalam_R.pdf).
This report describes a practical analytical model that can be used for the seismic evaluation of unreinforced masonry (URM) infill walls located with a reinforced concrete (RC) frame. The model, which consists of diagonal beam-column members utilizing fiber element cross sections, is suitable for use in a nonlinear time history analysis. The model considers both the in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OOP) response of the infill, as well as the interaction between IP and OOP capacities. The behavior is elastoplastic, and limit states may be defined by deformations or ductilities in the two directions. These limit states may be chosen to conform to various codes and guidelines, or they may be developed independently by the engineer. The model is composed of elements that are available in commonly used structural analysis software programs, and is based on small displacement theory, so it is rather straightforward to implement. The proposed infill model is incorporated into a larger five-story model of a RC moment frame building with URM infill walls. The building model is the same as that used for earlier investigations in the research program. The effect of disregarding the interaction between IP and OOP strength, which is a common design practice, is discussed. The fragility functions produced in this report are found to give failure probabilities lower than those determined by earlier work in the research program, which assumed failure based on IP and OOP elastic forces rather than inelastic deformations. Conclusions and suggestions for further investigations are given at the end of the report.
Kent, R. & Ratcliffe, J. (2008). Responding to catastrophes: U.S. innovation in a vulnerable world (A Report of the CSIS Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project). Washington, DC: Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). ISBN: 978-0-892-06519-6. 69 pages. $19.95. Available from Books International, P.O. Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172 (tel: 703-661-1501; fax: 703-661-1501; e-mail: bimail@presswarehouse.com; Web site: www.csisbookstore.org).
The incidence and severity of catastrophes around the world are growing. This study argues that the United States needs to prioritize and focus its efforts and take a more robust role in responding to catastrophes to safeguard U.S. interests and promote global stability. Humanitarian management of disasters should be recognized as an issue that speaks to core interests and values of the United States. The ability – and, increasingly, the propensity – of “natural” disasters to cascade into “complex emergencies” underlines why it is inappropriate to separate “natural” from “man-made” disasters in discussions of global crises. Human decisions frequently exacerbate the effects of disaster agents, as, for example, when earthquakes tear through areas that either should not have been populated in the first place or should have been retrofitted once the area’s vulnerability became clear. In this sense, all disasters are “man-made,” and the dichotomy between acts of war and acts of God is largely false. Unfortunately, catastrophe response organizations – both within the United States and abroad – mostly have not incorporated this thinking into their practices. Responding to Catastrophes seeks to integrate thinking about the nature of – and response to – future catastrophes into the policymaker’s decision-making process.
Kottke, A.R. & Rathje, E.M. (2008). Technical manual for Strata (PEER 2008/10). Richmond, CA: Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. FREE. Available by Internet only: peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peer_reports/reports_2008/web_PEER810_KOTTKE_Rathje.pdf).
The computer program Strata performs equivalent-linear site response analysis in the frequency domain using time domain input motions or random vibration theory (RVT) methods, and allows for randomization of the site properties. The following document explains the technical details of the program, and provides a user’s guide.
Lofstedt, R. & Boholm, A. (2009). The Earthscan reader on risk. Sterling, VA: Earthscan. 320 pages. ISBN: 078-1-844-07686-4 ($166.00/HB); ISBN: 978-1-844-07687-1 ($58.50/PB). Distributed in the United States by 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: www.styluspub.com).
This new anthology is a comprehensive introduction to the field of risk theory. The introduction provides the ideal starting point for students and professionals new to risk studies and offers a concise refresher for researchers and practitioners. Coverage includes the origins of the ‘concept of risk’ and its often misunderstood cousin ‘uncertainty,’ before moving on to address risk perception, risk communication, the idea of trust and post-trust, as well as risk in policy and regulation, with a close look at the precautionary principle. Following the introduction, the volume includes a selection of significant and influential works on risk. Organized thematically to cover the breadth and depth of the field, the chapters provide greater detail and elaborate on the key themes and major developments in risk studies. Together they comprise the essential literature necessary for a full understanding of risk theory and practice on any issue and in any context.
McMillan, A., Morley, J.G., Adams, B.J. & Chesworth, S. (2008). Remote sensing for resilient multi-hazard disaster response, Volume IV: a study of multi-temporal and multi-resolution SAR imagery for post-Katrina flood monitoring in New Orleans (Technical Report MCEER-08-0023). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. 80 pages. $25.00. 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: www.mceer.buffalo.edu).
This report investigates the use of cloud-penetrating radar to assess the extent of flooding throughout storm-ridden areas. Multi-resolution SAR data using fine-beam and standard beam Radarsat-1 scenes was investigated through a case study of the New Orleans flood following Hurricane Katrina. Few prior studies have addressed urban flood detection using SAR, because of complicating double and triple bounce effects that commonly affect urban SAR response. In the case of New Orleans, initial exploratory assessments of Radarsat imagery acquired at the time of flooding indicated that the flooded urban area showed increased backscatter. This is Volume IV of a five-part series of reports that investigate the use of remote sensing techniques for resilient multi-hazard disaster response.
Martorell, S., Soares, C.G. & Barnett, J. (2009). Safety, Reliability and Risk Analysis: Theory, Methods and Applications – Proceedings of the Joint ESREL (European Safety and Reliability) and SRA-Europe (Society for Risk Analysis Europe) Conference, Valencia, Spain, September 22-25, 2008. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN: 978-0-415-48513-5. 4 volumes (3357 pages) plus CD-ROM. $890.00. 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: www.crcpress.com).
This book covers a wide range of topics, including: accident and incident investigation; crisis and emergency management; decision support systems and software tools for safety and reliability; dynamic reliability; fault identification and diagnostics; human factors; integrated risk management and risk-informed decision-making; legislative dimensions of risk management; maintenance modeling and optimization; Monte Carlo Methods in system safety and reliability; occupational safety; organizational learning; reliability and safety data; collection and analysis; risk and evidence based policy making; risk and hazard analysis; risk control in complex environments; risk perception and communication; safety culture; safety management systems; software reliability; stakeholder and public involvement in risk governance; structural reliability and design codes; system reliability analysis; and uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. This publication will be of interest to academics and professionals working in a wide range of industrial and governmental sectors, including Aeronautics and Aerospace, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Insurance and Finance, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Policy Making and Public Planning.
Mooers, H. & Hinzmann, Jr., J. (2009). Cold Regions Engineering 2009: Cold Regions Impacts on Research, Design, and Construction – Proceedings of the 14th Conference on Cold Regions Engineering. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). ISBN: 978-0-784-41072-1. 653 pages. Members $138.75/Nonmembers $185.00. Available from: American Society of Civil Engineers, Book Orders, PO Box 79404, Baltimore, MD 21279-0404 (tel: 800-548-2723; fax: 703-295-6211; e-mail: pubsful@asce.org; Web site: www.pubs.asce.org).
This proceedings contains 62 peer-reviewed papers presented at the Cold Regions Engineering 2009 Conference held in Duluth, Minnesota, from August 31 to September 2, 2009. This book examines a variety of issues associated with cold regions engineering including: climate change; construction; frost action; green engineering; pavement; railroads; and sewage treatment facilities. The papers collected here analyze the latest topics in cold regions engineering from countries such as the United States, Canada, Russia, China, Denmark, Japan, and Iran. Cold Regions Engineering 2009 Conference will be valuable to engineers and practitioners involved in geotechnical engineering in cold regions.
O’Connor, J.S. & McAnany, P.E. (2008). Damage to bridges from wind, storm surge and debris in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Volume Five – Bridges (Technical Report MCEER-08-SP05). Buffalo, NY: MCEER. ISSN: 1520-295X. 145 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: www.mceer.buffalo.edu).
The MCEER special report series “Engineering and Organizational Issues Before, During and After Hurricane Katrina” was initiated to present the findings from the field reconnaissance mission. The topics addressed include advanced damage detection using remote sensing, damage to engineered structures, organizational decision making primarily in hospitals, and environmental and public health issues. This report focuses on the structural performance of bridges. MCEER was interested in capturing photographs of the raw damage caused by Katrina and collecting perishable data that would be lost during repair and reconstruction. The purpose of documenting the damage is to allow others to explore some of the reasons why certain structures survived and others did not. The report is primarily based on a reconnaissance trip conducted about a week after the event ( September 6-11, 2005), but is supplemented by information acquired during a second trip a month later (October 16-21, 2005) (NIST, 2006).
Patterson, T.L. (2009). Illustrated 2009 building code handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 978-0-071-60618-9. 1149 pages. $125.00. Available from: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121 (tel: 800-722-4726; fax: 614-759-3749; e-mail: pbg.ecommerce_custserv@mcgraw-hill.com; Web site: www.mhprofessional.com).
A unique visual guide updated to reflect the changes in the International Code Council 2009 International Building Code, this illustrated resource makes it easy to understand and apply complex Code requirements to achieve compliance. This detailed reference transforms difficult paragraphs into simple lists and converts complicated equations into accessible tables. Ready-to-use answers and practical case studies help you get construction jobs done right, on time, and according to the requirements of the 2009 Code. The Illustrated 2009 Building Code Handbook is also an invaluable study guide for the design portion of the architectural licensing examination.
Peng, Q., Wang, K.C.P., Qiu, Y., Pu, Y., Luo, X. & Shuai, B. (2009). International Conference on Transportation Engineering 2009: Proceedings of the Second International Conference, July 25-27, 2009, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). ISBN: 978-0-784-41039-4. 5 volumes - various pagings. Members $562.50/Nonmembers $750.00. Available from: American Society of Civil Engineers, Book Orders, PO Box 79404, Baltimore, MD 21279-0404 (tel: 800-548-2723; fax: 703-295-6211; e-mail: pubsful@asce.org; Web site: www.pubs.asce.org).
The papers in this five-volume proceedings were presented at the Second International Conference on Transportation Engineering (ICTE 2009), held at Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China, from July 25-27, 2009. China has embarked on the construction of an expansive high-speed rail network that will not only revolutionize passengers’ transportation throughout China, but will influence global changes in rapid and long distance commuter and freight transportation. The goal of this proceedings is to analyze new technologies in planning, design, construction, operation, and management, which will make this new high-speed transportation, and many other new forms of transportation, possible all over the world. These 740 peer-reviewed papers cover all forms of transportation – rail, highway, waterway, and air, and include topics such as: transportation planning and system optimization; ITS theory and applications; traffic control and information technology; transportation and socioeconomic development; transportation security, environmental protection, and sustainable development; urban public transportation planning and management; and high-speed railway planning, construction, and operation organization. This book will be valuable to transportation engineers, managers, and anyone involved with planning and managing transit systems.
Rubin, C.B., Renda-Tanali, I. & Cumming, W.R. (2009). Disaster time line: major focusing events and U.S. outcomes (1988-2008), Version 5.00. Arlington, VA: Claire B. Rubin & Associates. Chart. $15.00. Available from: Claire B. Rubin & Associates, Disaster Research and Consulting, PO Box 2208, Arlington, VA 22202 (tel: 703-920-7176; e-mail: cbrubin@comcast.net; Web site: www.clairerubin.com).
This timeline chart contains information on natural, and man-made disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, radiological events, biological attack/incidents, oil incidents on water, oil incidents on land, chemical attack/incidents, and the September 11th terrorist attacks) and their respective outcomes as evidenced in: major reports and documents, statutes, executive directives, national strategies and national level exercises, federal actions and organizational changes.
Rubin, C.B., Renda-Tanali, I. & Cumming, W.R. (2009). Terrorism time line: major focusing events and U.S. outcomes (2001-2008), Version 7.00. Arlington, VA: Claire B. Rubin & Associates. Chart. $15.00. Available from: Claire B. Rubin & Associates, Disaster Research and Consulting, PO Box 2208, Arlington, VA 22202 (tel: 703-920-7176; e-mail: cbrubin@comcast.net; Web site: www.clairerubin.com).
This glossy chart measuring 13” x 40” shows major focusing events by year and their respective outcomes as evidenced in: major reports and documents, statutes, executive directives, national strategies and national level exercises, federal actions and organizational changes.
Structures & Codes Institute. (2009). CodeMaster: wind design overview. Palatine, IL: Structures & Codes Institute. ISBN: 978-1-936-03901-2. 6 pages. $15.00. Available from: International Code Council, 4051 W. Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795 (tel: 800-786-4452; fax: 866-891-1695; Web site: www.iccsafe.org).
This 6-page laminated guide contains everything you need to know about the wind design options in ASCE 7-05 and the 2009 International Building Code (IBC). This CodeMaster CodeMaster provides a clear and concise six-step method which takes the designer through the determination of critical wind-related characteristics for the structure followed by a comprehensive flow chart explaining the different design options. Following that, easy to understand multi-step methods are provided for determining wind loads in accordance with the ASCE 7-05 method 1 (Simplified Procedure) and Method 2 (Analytical Procedure). In addition, a five-step method for determining wind loads in accordance with the 2009 IBC Alternate All-Heights Method is provided. Helpful illustrations are provided to explain the coefficients, terminology and pressure zones.
Sylves, R. (2008). Disaster policy and politics: emergency management and homeland security. Washington, DC: CQ Press. ISBN: 978-0-872-89460-0. 285 pages. $54.95. Available from: CQ Press, 2300 N Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20037 (tel: (866-427-7734; fax: 202-729-1923; e-mail: customerservice@cqpress.com; Web site: www.cqpress.com).
Americans’ interest in disaster policy and the politics behind it has grown in recent years. Events such as the attacks of September 11, Hurricane Katrina, and the California wildfires have led to an evolution of emergency management and have prompted the study of disaster policy as a political, economic, and social phenomenon. The need for effective disaster policy is more apparent now than ever. Richard Sylves was studying U.S. disaster policy long before others realized its importance and relevance. His new book, Disaster Policy and Politics – lays out the history, players and factors that shape American management in response to environmental and terrorism-caused disasters. Sylves comprehensively surveys the field of emergency management while building on his original research and sharing his insider knowledge. Providing needed synthesis of the field’s major findings, scholarship, and current developments, the book is structured with an analytical framework that focuses on the challenge of effective intergovernmental relations – both across levels of government and across types of disasters – to guide readers through instructive and important political history and recent crises.
Transportation Research Board. (2009). A guide to planning resources on transportation and hazards(Research Results Digest NCHRP RRD 333 – TCRP RRD 90). Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board (TRB). FREE. Available by Internet only: onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp_rrd_90.pdf).
The Transportation Research Board National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) and Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) have jointly released A Guide to Planning Resources on Transportation and Hazards. The report was published as NCHRP Research Results Digest (RRD) 333 and as TCRP RRD 90. The report highlights a framework for thinking about the stages of a disaster, and identifies some of the most current and innovative hazard-related research.
Uriz, P. & Mahin, S.A. (2008). Toward earthquake-resistant design of concentrically braced steel-frame structures (PEER 2008/08). Richmond, CA: Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. FREE. Available by Internet only: peer.berkeley.edu/publications/peer_reports/reports_2008/web_PEER808_URIZMahin.pdf.).
In recent years, typical steel construction in regions of high seismic risk has shifted from moment-resisting frames to concentrically braced frames. The primary objectives of this research are to: improve understanding of the behavior of this common type of structural system under cyclic inelastic deformations; permit validation and improvement of computer models for predicting global and local response; and improve understanding of the relation between system, member, and connection behavior. As such, a series of investigations have been conducted, aimed at understanding and improving the seismic performance of concentrically braced steel-frame structures. Component and system test results, along with existing data, were used to develop, calibrate, and validate improved numerical models capable of realistically simulating the behavior of braced frames, including possible failure due to buckling and low-cycle fatigue. An array of numerical simulations assessed the likely performance of braced-frame structures subjected to severe earthquakes of the type expected in California. The applicability of performance-based earthquake engineering evaluation methodologies to concentrically braced frames is assessed using these results. Based on this research, recommendations are offered regarding the design, analysis, modeling, and detailing of concentrically braced frame structures.