A Framework to Evaluate the Benefit of Seismic Upgrading

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 1045-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clotaire Michel ◽  
Blaise Duvernay ◽  
Ehrfried Kölz ◽  
Navid Jamali ◽  
Pierino Lestuzzi

The framework to evaluate the benefit of seismic upgrading of Galanis et al. (2018) is compared to that present in the Swiss seismic code for existing buildings since 2004, updated in 2017. To illustrate the comparison, the example building of Galanis et al. (2018) in Zurich is analyzed following the Swiss code. It is shown that the concept of Degree of Seismic Upgrade is not relevant for practical applications. More generally, the approach of Galanis et al. (2018) would be more suited to a risk-based framework (like the Swiss code) than to a performance-based framework like the one they followed. For existing buildings, we claim that it is appropriate to define the retrofitting strategy based on the absolute level of risk, whereas targeting the safety level of the design code is rarely cost-efficient.

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 1057-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay Joshi ◽  
Prasad Modak

Waste load allocation for rivers has been a topic of growing interest. Dynamic programming based algorithms are particularly attractive in this context and are widely reported in the literature. Codes developed for dynamic programming are however complex, require substantial computer resources and importantly do not allow interactions of the user. Further, there is always resistance to utilizing mathematical programming based algorithms for practical applications. There has been therefore always a gap between theory and practice in systems analysis in water quality management. This paper presents various heuristic algorithms to bridge this gap with supporting comparisons with dynamic programming based algorithms. These heuristics make a good use of the insight gained in the system's behaviour through experience, a process akin to the one adopted by field personnel and therefore can readily be understood by a user familiar with the system. Also they allow user preferences in decision making via on-line interaction. Experience has shown that these heuristics are indeed well founded and compare very favourably with the sophisticated dynamic programming algorithms. Two examples have been included which demonstrate such a success of the heuristic algorithms.


Axioms ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Alexander Šostak ◽  
Ingrīda Uļjane ◽  
Māris Krastiņš

Noticing certain limitations of concept lattices in the fuzzy context, especially in view of their practical applications, in this paper, we propose a more general approach based on what we call graded fuzzy preconcept lattices. We believe that this approach is more adequate for dealing with fuzzy information then the one based on fuzzy concept lattices. We consider two possible gradation methods of fuzzy preconcept lattice—an inner one, called D-gradation and an outer one, called M-gradation, study their properties, and illustrate by a series of examples, in particular, of practical nature.


The barometer, here alluded to, may in some measure be consi­dered as two separate and independent barometers, inasmuch as it is formed of two distinct tubes dipping into one and the same cistern of mercury. One of these tubes is made of flint glass, and the other of crown glass, with a view to ascertain whether, at the end of any given period, the one may have had any greater chemical effect on the mercury than the other, and thus affected the results. A brass rod, to which the scale is attached, passes through the framework, between the two tubes, and is thus common to both : one end of which is furnished with a fine agate point, which, by means of a rack and pinion moving the whole rod, may be brought just to touch the surface of the mercury in the cistern, the slightest contact with which is immediately discernible; and the other end of which bears the usual scale of inches, tenths, &c.; and there is a separate vernier for each tube. A small thermometer, the bulb of which dips into the mercury in the cistern, is inserted at the bottom : and an eye­piece is also there fixed, so that the agate point can be viewed with more distinctness and accuracy. The whole instrument is made to turn round in azimuth, in order to verify the perpendicularity of the tubes and the scale. It is evident that there are many advantages attending this mode of construction, which are not to be found in the barometers as usu­ally formed for general use in this country. The absolute heights are more correctly and more satisfactorily determined ; and the per­manency of true action is more effectually noticed and secured. For, every part is under the inspection and control of the observer; and any derangement or imperfection in either of the tubes is imme­diately detected on comparison with the other. And, considering the care that has been taken in filling the tubes, and setting off the scale, it may justly be considered as a standard barometer . The pre­sent volume of the Philosophical Transactions will contain the first register of the observations that have been made with this instru­ment.


1984 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 824-832
Author(s):  
R. A. Dorton

The Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code was first issued in 1979 and has since been used for the design and evaluation of most bridges in Ontario. The code is in metric SI units, written in a limit states format, and calibrated to a target safety index value of 3.5. It has produced bridges with a more consistent safety level and capable of carrying design live loads twice those previously prescribed. Feedback from users was obtained and their concerns considered in formulating the provisions of the seeond edition in 1983. New bridge codes can be written in a short time and implemented most readily within a relatively small jurisdiction having control of all highways, bridges, and vehicles. Communications between the writers and potential users are important throughout the preparation and implementation phases. It is essential that a commentary volume be issued with a code to ensure correct understanding and interpretation of new provisions. Computer programs should be available, incorporating the code technology before the use of a new code becomes mandatory. Future code needs and likely areas of new development are outlined in the paper. Key words: calibration, codes, computer systems, highway bridges, loadings, safety, structures.


Derrida Today ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-270
Author(s):  
Francesco Vitale

The paper aims to present a reading of the question of Testimony rising in Derrida's later works (from Faith and Knowledge to Poetics and Politics of Witnessing): the experience of Testimony as the irreducible condition of the relation to the Other, of every possible link among living human singularities and, thus, of the thinking of a community to come. This thinking is able to divert the community from the economy grounding and structuring it within our political tradition governed by the metaphysics of presence, which demands the sacrifice of the Other in its multiple theoretical and practical forms. We intend to read this proposal and to point out its rich perspectives by bringing it into the articulation of an ethical-political archi-writing. So we suggest going back to Derrida's early analyses of phenomenology and to De la grammatologie in order to present a reading of archi-writing as the irreducible condition of the relation to otherness and, thus, of the experience through which a living human singularity constitutes itself, a singularity different from the one our tradition compels us to think of within the pattern of the absolute presence to the self, free from the relation to the other.


1970 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-174
Author(s):  
Maciej Manikowski

The analysis, which aims at the interpretation of the three theophanies from Exodus presents—from the metaphysical and epistemological points of view—three fundamental ideas. First, the idea of the absolute unknowability of the essence of God; second, the idea of the real difference between essence and energies in God’s Being; and third, the idea of the real difference between the one essence, three persons (hypostases) and many uncreated divine energies (the powers or names) of God. One must say that the absolute unknowability of the essence of God means that God is forever the unknown God.


1994 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Mele ◽  
A. Meloni ◽  
P. Palangio

Significant variations in the absolute value of the geomagnetic field intensity related to tectonic events, as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, have been observed in several cases. To detect such a tectonomagnetic effect related to seismic activity, a seismomagnetic network was installed by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica (ING) in the Abruzzi region (CentraI Italy), in July 1989. This area is being uplifting since the Pliocene. A logistic compromise between geophysical requirements and the electrified railway system tracks distribution led to the installation of five total magnetic field intensity data acquisition sites. From July 1989 to September 1992 geomagnetic intensity data were simultaneously recorded at all stations and compared to that recorded at the L'Aquila Observatory, located in the same area. A variation of about 10 nT in the absolute level of the geomagnetic field was measured at two stations located on the eastern side of the network. We suggest that the detected magnetic anomaly could resuIt from aseismic-changes in crustal stress during this time.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gómez ◽  
D. Uzcátegui ◽  
I. Machuca ◽  
E. S. Gómez ◽  
S. P. Walborn ◽  
...  

Abstract Certification of quantum nonlocality plays a central role in practical applications like device-independent quantum cryptography and random number generation protocols. These applications entail the challenging problem of certifying quantum nonlocality, something that is hard to achieve when the target quantum state is only weakly entangled, or when the source of errors is high, e.g. when photons propagate through the atmosphere or a long optical fiber. Here we introduce a technique to find a Bell inequality with the largest possible gap between the quantum prediction and the classical local hidden variable limit for a given set of measurement frequencies. Our method represent an efficient strategy to certify quantum nonlocal correlations from experimental data without requiring extra measurements, in the sense that there is no Bell inequality with a larger gap than the one provided. Furthermore, we also reduce the photodetector efficiency required to close the detection loophole. We illustrate our technique by improving the detection of quantum nonlocality from experimental data obtained with weakly entangled photons.


Axon ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia Aneziri ◽  
Denis Rousset

The present paper presents the first volume of Collezioni epigrafiche della Grecia occidentale/Epigraphische Sammlungen aus Westgriechenland. It reflects, on the one hand, on the absolute necessity to preserve multilingualism in Altertumswissenschaft; on the other, on the purposes and methods of making catalogues or inventories of epigraphic collections; and finally on the past conditions and the current state of epigraphic and prosopographic research in West Greece and especially in Aetolia.


Author(s):  
Nienke Roelants

In the early 1540ies G.J. Rheticus wrote an anonymous treatise entitled both Epistola deTerrae Motu and Dissertatio de Hypoth[esibus] Astron[omiae] Copernicanae. In thisletter he discusses why proclaiming the motion of the earth does not need to beconsidered as an impious act incompatible with the words of Holy Scripture. Based onan analysis of authorities mentioned by the author in this letter, I conclude thatRheticus’ strategy on the one hand consists in playing down the importance of thetraditional Aristotelian-Ptolemaic notions on the universe in the field of astronomy andby emphasizing the indirect character of Biblical authority in these matters. On the otherhand, he claims the absolute, immediate authority of mathematics in astronomy bywhich he consequently challenges the traditional medieval hierarchy of sciences.Rheticus considers the achievements of Copernicus to be part of divine providence.


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