Purpose -Some lessons learned from post-earthquake damage survey of structures affected by the Bam earthquake of December 26, 2003 in Iran are encapsulated in this paper. The Bam earthquake caused catastrophic structural damage in the region. Design/methodology/approach -A method similar to that of rapid evaluation procedure (REP), recommended by the Applied Technology Council (ATC-20) in the USA, was used for damage survey. Findings -Bam represents a typical ancient city in many countries around the world. Most of the structures in the region are made of adobe, unreinforced masonry, steel, and unreinforced/reinforced concrete. Some of the main types of structural damage, their causes, and potential remedial measures are characterized with an emphasis on the very basic fundamental principles of earthquake-resistant design. Practical implications -The research reported has considerable implications for other seismic-affected regions of the world. Originality/value -A first hand-account of the catastrophic damage caused by this natural disaster and the implications for future design and construction in seismic-affected areas.
Formerly, he was a faculty member at the University of Central Florida, Orlando. Ali is an avid distance learner and has extensive background in distance learning instructional methods and delivery systems in engineering and technology. He has been a mentor and an advisor in distance learning and online education delivery systems conversions and modifications throughout his professional life.
A novel reliability analysis technique is presented to estimate the reliability of real structural systems. Its unique feature is that the dynamic loadings can be applied in time domain. It is a nonlinear stochastic finite element logarithm combined with the response surface method (RSM). It generates the response surface around the most probable failure point and incorporates information of the distribution of the random variables in the RSM formulation. It is verified using the Monte Carlo simulation technique, and is found to be very efficient and accurate. Most sources of nonlinearlity and uncertainty can be explicitly incorporated in the formulation. The flexibility of connections, represented by moment-relative rotation (M-θ) curves, is addressed. After the Northridge earthquake of 1994, several improved steel connections were proposed. Structural Sesimic Design Associates (SSDA) tested several full-scale proprietory slotted web beam-column connections. The authors suggested (M-θ) curves for this connection using actual test data. Behaviours of steel frames, assuming the connections are fully restrained, partially restrained, consisting of pre-and post-Northridge connections are evaluated and compared. Desirable features of the post-Northridge connections observed during testing are analytically confirmed. Laterally weak steel frame is then strengthened with concrete shear walls. Capabilities and the advanced nature of the method are demonstrated with the help of realistic examples.
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