Browsing by Author "Morales-Esteban, Antonio"
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- An index-based method for evaluating seismic retrofitting techniques. Application to a reinforced concrete primary school in HuelvaPublication . Requena-Garcia-Cruz, Maria-Victoria; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Neyra, Percy; Estêvão, João M. C.A project named PERSISTAH (Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva, in Portuguese) is being developed. It aims to cooperatively assess and improve the seismic vulnerability of primary schools in the Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain). A large number of schools have to be analysed. In order to determine which seismic retrofitting technique is optimal, an index-based method is presented in this paper. It considers three parameters: first, the efficiency of the seismic retrofitting technique in relation to the structural improvement obtained; second, the cost of the implementation of the retrofitting technique; and third, the architectural impact. It should be mentioned that a specific measurement for each solution according to its geometry has been performed. Also, coefficients to consider the singularities of each analysis and the importance of the parameters (number of buildings, typology, available funds, etc.) in the study are considered. The most representative primary school of Huelva has been chosen to test the index-based method. The most suitable retrofitting techniques for this type of buildings have been tested. The retrofitting technique which most increased the seismic performance has been the addition of X and V bracings within the building's bays. Furthermore, the analyses have revealed that adding the retrofitting elements in the most vulnerable direction of the building provides a high efficiency. The results have also shown that implementing techniques of lower architectural impact gives acceptable results. The analysis of the mean damage level index has shown that the building would experiment a severe damage. All the retrofitting techniques applied have reduced it, at least, up to moderate damage. Finally, it should be noted that the position of the retrofitting elements is also paramount for providing an optimal retrofitting.
- Comparative analysis between the Spanish and Portuguese seismic codes. Application to a border RC primary schoolPublication . Requena-García-Cruz, María-Victoria; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Segovia-Verjel, María-Luisa; Romero-Sánchez, Emilio; de Miguel-Rodríguez, Jaime; Estêvão, João M. C.The Iberian Peninsula is close to the Eurasia-Africa plate boundary resulting in a considerable seismic hazard. In fact, the southwestern Iberian Peninsula is affected by far away earthquakes of long-return period with large-very large magnitude. A project named PERSISTAH (Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva, in Portuguese) aims to cooperatively assess the seismic vulnerability of primary schools located in the Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain). Primary schools have been selected due to the considerable amount of similar buildings and their seismic vulnerability. In Portugal, the Decreto Lei 235/83 (RSAEEP) is mandatory while in Spain, the mandatory code is the Seismic Building Code (NCSE-02). In both countries, the Eurocode-8 (EC-8) is recommended. Despite the fact that both regions would be equally affected by an earthquake, both seismic codes are significantly different. This research compares the seismic action of Ayamonte (Huelva) and Vila Real de Santo António (Portugal). Both towns are very close and located at both sides of the border. Moreover, they share the same geology. This analysis has been applied considering a RC primary school building located in Huelva. To do so, the performance-based method has been used. The seismic action and the damage levels are compared and analysed. The results have shown considerable differences in the seismic actions designation, in the performance point values and in the damage levels. The values considered in the Portuguese code are significantly more unfavourable. An agreement between codes should be made for border regions.
- A cost-effective retrofitting technique for urm buildings based on steel encirclements in openings: a case studyPublication . Segovia-Verjel, María-Luisa; Justo-Moscardó, E.; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Requena-Garcia-Cruz, María-Victoria; Romero-Sánchez, Emilio; de-Miguel-Rodríguez, Jaime; Estêvão, João M. C.A project named PERSISTAH is being developed to study the seismic vulnerability of primary schools in Huelva (Spain) and the Algarve (Portugal). This area has a moderate seismicity but this is affected by a nearby area where earthquakes of large magnitude (Mw≥6) and longreturn periods happen. The seismic vulnerability of URM (UnReinforced Masonry) buildings has been observed and analysed in the last decades. The seismic retrofitting of these buildings is required in order to improve their seismic behaviour. Many retrofitting techniques have been developed for that purpose, most of them very complicated and expensive. Therefore, these are not appropriate to retrofit a large number of buildings. This is especially relevant in areas of moderate seismicity where the cost-efficiency ratio must be carefully considered. The aim of this paper has been to develop a simple, effective and affordable technique to retrofit these buildings. These buildings are characterised by numerous openings which causes a great weakness in the URM walls. Then, a technique that consists in installing a steel encirclement or a grille in the openings of the walls has been proposed. This is a specific retrofitting technique for URM walls since this technique substantially improves the seismic capacity of these structures. To test the technique a case study is proposed. The building under study is a primary school located in Huelva and built in 1961. Results have shown that the capacity of the building is notably increased. Also, the performance point and the damage level of the structure are decreased.
- Earthquake resilient schools in Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain)Publication . Estêvão, João Manuel Carvalho; Ferreira, Mónica A.; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Martínez-Álvarez, Francisco; Fazendeiro-Sá, Luis; Requena-García-Cruz, Victoria; Segovia-Verjel, M. Luisa; Oliveira, Carlos S.Earthquake hazard is present in the south-western Iberian Peninsula (southern Portugal and south-western Spain), going beyond borders. Earthquakes cause important impacts in children. Consequently, schools play a vital role in increasing the seismic resilience. This can be regarded in two manners: (i) by decreasing the structural vulnerability launching retrofitting programs and (ii) by increasing the awareness and capacity of the student population in dealing with the phenomenon before, during and after the event. A project named Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva, in Portuguese (PERSISTAH) aims the development of diagnostic tools, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of primary schools in both regions. Preparing support material for teachers is also intended. All these aims are developed in compliance with the National Civil Protection Policies of both Portugal and Spain. Both countries have signed the Hyogo and Sendai Agreements for disaster risk reduction. PERSISTAH proposes accomplishing the following tasks: creating a hierarchy system for the vulnerability of primary schools (school-score); forming mixed teams with experts from both countries to evaluate the school buildings; developing recommendations for rehabilitation with practical implementation in two pilot schools; and developing educational material and a practical guide to support the education and communication of risk to the school population. The general methodology to generate the school-score is presented in this paper.
- Enhancing education continuity before an earthquake strikesPublication . Amaral Ferreira, Mónica; Estêvão, João M. C.; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Sá, Luis; Oliveira, Carlos SousaPortugal and Spain are countries prone to earthquake hazard. An earthquake that occurs in the sea may trigger a tsunami threat, so in this case they are also prone to tsunami. After a disaster, the size and severity of the event, undermines the availability of systems and services to function properly, resulting in losses and impacts in human, social, environmental and economic spheres. One of the potential negative effectsfor children’s education is caused by damaged school buildings and lack of road access to schools. The PERSISTAH project aims to study the seismic risk of primary schools located in the regions of Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain). The present research has specific objectives: 1) to improve school seismic safety; 2) to protect learners and education workers from death, injury and harm in schools; 3) to safeguard education investments; and 4) to strengthen risk reduction and resilience through education
- Fast seismic assessment of built urban areas with the accuracy of mechanical methods using a feedforward neural networkPublication . de-Miguel-Rodríguez, Jaime; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Requena-García-Cruz, María-Victoria; Zapico-Blanco, Beatriz; Segovia-Verjel, María-Luisa; Romero-Sánchez, Emilio; Estêvão, João M. C.Capacity curves obtained from nonlinear static analyses are widely used to perform seismic assessments of structures as an alternative to dynamic analysis. This paper presents a novel ‘en masse’ method to assess the seismic vulnerability of urban areas swiftly and with the accuracy of mechanical methods. At the core of this methodology is the calculation of the capacity curves of low-rise reinforced concrete buildings using neural networks, where no modeling of the building is required. The curves are predicted with minimal error, needing only basic geometric and material parameters of the structures to be specified. As a first implementation, a typology of prismatic buildings is defined and a training set of more than 7000 structures generated. The capacity curves are calculated through push-over analysis using SAP2000. The results feature the prediction of 100-point curves in a single run of the network while maintaining a very low mean absolute error. This paper proposes a method that improves current seismic assessment tools by providing a fast and accurate calculation of the vulnerability of large sets of buildings in urban environments.
- Guía práctica para un colegio resiliente a los sismosPublication . Amaral Ferreira, Mónica; Oliveira, Carlos Sousa; Estêvão, João M. C.; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Zapico Blanco, Beatriz; Romero Sánchez, Emilio; de Miguel Rodríguez, Jaime; Requena-Garcia-Cruz, Maria-Victoria; Sá, LuisEsta guía pretende ser un recurso, que no un manual, para aumentar la resiliencia de la comunidad educativa, mostrándole qué es lo que puede hacer por sí misma y cómo puede fortalecer sus capacidades frente al riesgo sísmico (por ejemplo, estando informada y familiarizada con las características que inciden en la vulnerabilidad de un espacio en caso de terremoto, y preparada para proteger a los estudiantes bajo su tutela antes de que la tierra tiemble).
- Guia prático escola resiliente aos sismosPublication . Amaral Ferreira, Mónica; Oliveira, C.S.; Estêvão, João M. C.; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Zapico Blanco, Beatriz; Romero Sánchez, Emilio; de Miguel Rodríguez, Jaime; Requena-Garcia-Cruz, Maria-Victoria; Sá, LuísEste Guia pretende ser um recurso para aumentar a resiliência da comunidade educativa, mostrando que é possível viver com os sismos e que se tomarmos medidas preventivas os riscos de perdas e ferimentos reduzem bastante. Como uma emergência pode acontecer em qualquer lugar e a qualquer momento, é importante que a comunidade educativa, esteja informada e familiarizada com o que torna um espaço vulnerável em caso de sismo, e se preparem para proteger as crianças sob seus cuidados antes que a terra trema.
- Improving the earthquake resilience of primary schools in the border regions of neighbouring countriesPublication . Estêvão, João M. C.; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Sá, Luis F.; Ferreira, Mónica A.; Tomás, Bruno; Esteves, Carlos; Barreto, Vítor; Carreira, Ana; Braga, Alfredo; Requena-Garcia-Cruz, Maria-Victoria; Romero-Sanchez, Emilio; de-Miguel-Rodriguez, Jaime; Segovia-Verjel, Maria-Luisa; Blanco, Beatriz Zapico; Oliveira, Carlos SousaThis work summarises the strategy adopted in the European research project PERSISTAH. It aims to increase the resilience of the population, focusing on the existing primary schools in the Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain) regions. Software was developed to assess the seismic safety of these schools, considering different earthquake scenarios. Seismic retrofitting measures were studied and numerically tested. Some of them were also implemented in the retrofitting activities of two case study schools (one in each country). It was found that the adopted ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) considerably affect the results obtained with the software, especially for offshore earthquake scenarios. Furthermore, the results show that the masonry buildings would be the most damaged school typologies for all the scenarios considered. Additionally, a set of guidelines was created to support the school community and the technicians related to the construction industry. The goal of these documents is to increase the seismic resilience of the population. Different activities were carried out to train schoolteachers in seismic safety based on the guidelines produced, obtaining positive feedback from them.
- Por que é que o chão se move?Publication . Oliveira, Carlos Sousa; Estêvão, João M. C.; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Romero Sánchez, Emilio; De Miguel Rodríguez, Jaime; Requena-Garcia-Cruz, Maria-Victoria; Sá, Luís; Amaral Ferreira, Mónica; Zapico Blanco, BeatrizFoi concebido para apoiar a formação de professores, monitores e técnicos da área educativa do 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico (CEB), que queiram melhorar os seus conhecimentos e desenvolver atividades sobre o risco sísmico e de tsunami. Os conteúdos e informação contidos neste documento surgem de novas pesquisas agora realizadas, mas também na continuação de outros projectos em que a autora participou, designadamente o jogo sério "Treme-Treme".