20th
EUROPEAN REGIONAL EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SEMINAR
Seismic
assessment and upgrading of existing structures
Organised by
European Association for Earthquake Engineering & Swiss Society for Earthquake
Engineering and Structural Dynamics
September 3 - 7, 2001
Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch, Sion, Switzerland
Seminar Objective
The majority of structures situated in seismic zones have not been designed and built for seismic loading. The recent earthquakes of El Salvador and India should remind us that engineering knowledge exists and there are seismic building codes that could prevent most buildings from collapse. Many seismically vulnerable buildings, bridges and other structures must be identified and upgraded. This task has tremendous socio-economic implications and constitutes a direct and worldwide challenge to the earthquake engineering community. Answering this challenge includes the need for research to improve available assessment methods and upgrading techniques.
The 20th regional seminar was mainly organised to inform young researchers, practising engineers and scientists about new developments in the field of seismic assessment and upgrading of existing structures. The seminar combined contributions from young researchers and engineers with keynote lectures by leading earthquake engineers. The lectures presented state-of-the-art lectures on the seismic assessment and upgrading of buildings and bridges.
Participants
A highly motivated group of about 70 young researchers and practitioners attended the seminar. The participants represented a wide range of the EAEE member countries.
Technical Topics
The program addressed the seven major topics indicated below and were conducted in a General Session. Two topics were addressed each day and included Keynote Speakers, contributions from young researchers or engineers and panel discussions.
1. Assessment criteria and acceptable vulnerability of structures.
2. Seismic screening and rapid assessment methods (building and infrastructures).
3. Detailed assessment methods.
4. Upgrading techniques for buildings and bridges.
5. Upgrading strategies and design.
6. Analyses of upgraded structures.
7. Case studies.
Contributions on the assessment and upgrading of a broad range of structures, including non-engineered and historic structures, lifelines and utilities, industrial structures, etc. were presented. In addition, a half-day technical field trip, an Ice Breaker reception at the beginning, five buffet lunches and an evening banquet were organized.
Keynote Speakers
Prof. Atilla M. ANSAL
Istanbul Technical University, Turkey
"Geotechnical aspects of seismic assessment and retrofit"
Prof. Michael N. FARDIS
University of Patras, Greece
"Seismic assessment procedures: a review"
Prof. Hugo BACHMANN
Institute of Structural Engineering, ETH-Zürich, Switzerland
"Softening as upgrading strategy - a case study"
Prof. Domenico GIARDINI
Swiss Seismological Service, Zürich, Switzerland
"Seismicity in Europe and hazard mapping"
Philippe BISCH
President EAEE, Sechaud et Metz, France
"Role of buildings codes in seismic assessment"
Dr. Rui PINHO
Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
"Assessment and upgrading of concrete buildings"
Prof. Gian Michele CALVI
Università degli Studi di Pavia, Italy
"Seismic assessment and retrofit of bridges"
Prof. Miha TOMAZEVIC
Building and Civil Engineering Institut, Slovenia
"Assessment and retrofit of masonry structures"
Invited Speakers
M. CAPRON
BG Consulting Engineers, Lausanne
"Seismic evaluation of lifeline buildings in Valais"
Dr. M. G. KOLLER
Résonance Ingénieurs-Conseils SA, Genève
"Seismic upgrading strategies"
E. KÖLZ
ETH Zürich/Risk&Safety AG, Switzerland
"Priorities in earthquake upgrading"
K. LANG, Prof. Dr. H. BACHMANN
Institute of Structural Engineering, ETH-Zürich
"Seismic vulnerability of existing masonry building"
Dr. O. LATELTIN
Federal Office for Water and Geology, Biel
"The Swiss federal earthquake risk mitigation program"
Dr. K. PETER, Prof. Dr. M. BADOUX
DGC-IBAP, EPF Lausanne, Switzerland
"Damage prediction for RC shear walls buildings"
Dr. G. SCHWEGLER, Ph. GLAUS
PlüssMeyerPartner, StressHead, Lucerne
"Seismic upgrading of masonry building with fibre composites"
Dr. M. WIELAND, S. MALLA
Electrowatt Engineering, Zurich, Switzerland
"Seismic re-evaluation of two bridges in Zurich, Switzerland"
P. F. ZWICKY
Basler & Hofmann, Zurich, Switzerland
"Ambient vibration measurements for the seismic assessment of a 15-story R.C. building"
Young Researchers and Other Contributions
A total of 20 presentations were provided by young researchers from Switzerland, France, Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, Macedonia, Italy, Slovakia, Poland, Algeria, Iran, Yugoslavia and Turkey, see “Proceedings” for the details.
Proceedings
A 155 pages volume with abstracts and keynote lectures was handed out to the participants. If you are interested in these proceedings, please contact:
Dr. O.Lateltin
at the Federal Office for Water and Geology,
Biel, Switzerland,
Dr. Olivier Lateltin & Peter Zwicky