Comments for L'Aquila, Italy Earthquake Clearinghouse http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406 Magnitude 6.3 on April 4, 2009 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on Observations from EERI/PEER Team by Eric Namisniak http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/structural-observations/obervations-from-eeripeer-team/comment-page-1#comment-370 Eric Namisniak Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:29:54 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=197#comment-370 The Pantheon in Rome is a world icon of permanence. It has withstood nearly 20 centuries of wear and tear since its construction in 125 A.D. Its function has changed numerous times as well as the people who use it, but still it remains standing as an example of Rome’s antiquity. Today, it is supported by the people that are drawn to it. Locals and tourists both flock to this monument to see its grandeur. This post is one piece to a string of images and coments to bring awareness to the recent earthquake in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Towns such as L’Aquila and Castelvecchio Calvisio are left damaged and crumbled from this unfortunate event. Rome is an example of restoration and preservation not only of architecture and art, but of culture. In this way, Rome can be an example and even help to the Abruzzo region because of its familiarity with these issues. To follow this string, click this link to the next image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22618126@N03/4109521163/in/set-72157622796931841/ The Pantheon in Rome is a world icon of permanence. It has withstood nearly 20 centuries of wear and tear since its construction in 125 A.D. Its function has changed numerous times as well as the people who use it, but still it remains standing as an example of Rome’s antiquity. Today, it is supported by the people that are drawn to it. Locals and tourists both flock to this monument to see its grandeur.

This post is one piece to a string of images and coments to bring awareness to the recent earthquake in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Towns such as L’Aquila and Castelvecchio Calvisio are left damaged and crumbled from this unfortunate event. Rome is an example of restoration and preservation not only of architecture and art, but of culture. In this way, Rome can be an example and even help to the Abruzzo region because of its familiarity with these issues. To follow this string, click this link to the next image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22618126@N03/4109521163/in/set-72157622796931841/

]]> Comment on Onna vs. Monticchio by Corrado Mastropietro http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/structural-observations/263/comment-page-1#comment-225 Corrado Mastropietro Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:13:30 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=263#comment-225 Thanks for spreading these informations out of Italy, it's very useful! I'm doing the same in Italy, running a website with daily updates about L'Aquila earthquake ( www.6aprile2009.it ) with a lot of photos and earthquake technical data, but it's only in italian language. I'm going to translate it in english as well. Keep on taking the focus on L'Aquila earthquake! Thanks! Thanks for spreading these informations out of Italy, it’s very useful! I’m doing the same in Italy, running a website with daily updates about L’Aquila earthquake ( http://www.6aprile2009.it ) with a lot of photos and earthquake technical data, but it’s only in italian language. I’m going to translate it in english as well.
Keep on taking the focus on L’Aquila earthquake! Thanks!

]]> Comment on Damage photos from Onna by Joao Cunha http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/structural-observations/damage-photos-from-onna/comment-page-1#comment-222 Joao Cunha Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:51:57 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=84#comment-222 If youn need some more photos of Onna or L´Aquila, please say something. Im a portuguese journalist who was there, working. If youn need some more photos of Onna or L´Aquila, please say something. Im a portuguese journalist who was there, working.

]]> Comment on Observations on RC construction from EERI Team by Ing Michele Fringuelli http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/structural-observations/observations-on-rc-construction-from-eeri-team/comment-page-1#comment-219 Ing Michele Fringuelli Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:55:11 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=222#comment-219 According to the preesisting italian code, class 2 gave a seismic intensity coefficient which could be evaluated by the expression: C = S-2/100 i.e. 9-2/100 = 0.07 for class 2. This was used to calculate the spectral acceleration needed to solve linear elastic modal analysis, without considering reduction of spectral ordinate due to inelastic behaviour.However in 60s and 70s (and later) the seismic intensity coefficient was used (by engineers without computers) as a parameter to convert vertical load into horizontal load in linear static equivalent analysis, allowed (suggested) by the building code. Then according to OPCM3274 approved in 2003, class 2 provides a horizontal aceleration of 0.25 g, which is assigned to an average seismic event for italian country. Meanwhile the new building code, approved in 2005 and effective since 2008, introduces for each town a PGA, evaluated by geographical coordinates provided by I.N.G.V. According to the preesisting italian code, class 2 gave a seismic intensity coefficient which could be evaluated by the expression: C = S-2/100 i.e. 9-2/100 = 0.07 for class 2.
This was used to calculate the spectral acceleration needed to solve linear elastic modal analysis, without considering reduction of spectral ordinate due to inelastic behaviour.However in 60s and 70s (and later) the seismic intensity coefficient was used (by engineers without computers) as a parameter to convert vertical load into horizontal load in linear static equivalent analysis, allowed (suggested) by the building code.

Then according to OPCM3274 approved in 2003, class 2 provides a horizontal aceleration of 0.25 g, which is assigned to an average seismic event for italian country.

Meanwhile the new building code, approved in 2005 and effective since 2008, introduces for each town a PGA, evaluated by geographical coordinates provided by I.N.G.V.

]]> Comment on GEER findings – damage patterns by Marco Mucciarelli http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/uncategorized/geer-findings-damage-patterns/comment-page-1#comment-24 Marco Mucciarelli Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:34:06 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=131#comment-24 We are carring out measurement of soil fundamental frequency all over the area (about 150 sites). We observed striking differences correlating with damage enhancements. About 130 site were already processed and their HVSR curves are visible downloading this Google Earth file: http://www.unibas.it/utenti/mucciarelli/aquila/HVSR.zip Some "odd couples" are described in more detail at this site (sorry, in Italian only): http://www.stampa.cnr.it/DocUfficioStampa/comunicati/italiano/2009/Aprile/31_APR_2009.HTM We are carring out measurement of soil fundamental frequency all over the area (about 150 sites). We observed striking differences correlating with damage enhancements. About 130 site were already processed and their HVSR curves are visible downloading this Google Earth file:
http://www.unibas.it/utenti/mucciarelli/aquila/HVSR.zip
Some “odd couples” are described in more detail at this site (sorry, in Italian only):
http://www.stampa.cnr.it/DocUfficioStampa/comunicati/italiano/2009/Aprile/31_APR_2009.HTM

]]> Comment on Observations from Degenkolb Engineers – Building Performance in L’Aquila by ingmstaicu http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/structural-observations/observations-from-degenkolb-engineers-building-performance-in-laquila/comment-page-1#comment-23 ingmstaicu Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:25:53 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=150#comment-23 Hello, I'm a civil building engineer in Italy (apologize me for my poor english!). I only wanted to evidence the fact that is a normal practice on the italian cantilevers not to do the confinement throught the joint, even if the structural engineers ask for it. Its a real problem, because for the esthetic reasons, only in special situations are accepted the "hight beams" (b<h). Normally are used the beams with the same hight of the ceilings (for the civile habitations, with normal dimensions about 24-28 cm) and the large of 70-80cm. You have to imagine the external beams that generally have an eccentric position. In a joint high of 24cm, with eccentric beams (even for 30cm) none confines it or if the structural engineer insists, is done something very.... easy). I noticed that the italian tradition of one direction reinforced ceilings (are used little beams of 10-12cm*24cm/50cm and with orizontal bricks between them, just to make easier the celings) its not so good, even if some steel bars are put too on the other direction (I can send you some photos if you are interested in knowing more about this kind on ceilings). In this way, its not respected the calcul consideration that the ceiling is infinitely rigid into its plan, in the both of the principal directions. What about the different materials (brick and concrete?). About the areas severely affected, the cast in place reinforced concrete suffered less, but almost all had the problem of the divisors anchorages up and down. Thanks for all. Hello, I’m a civil building engineer in Italy (apologize me for my poor english!).
I only wanted to evidence the fact that is a normal practice on the italian cantilevers not to do the confinement throught the joint, even if the structural engineers ask for it. Its a real problem, because for the esthetic reasons, only in special situations are accepted the “hight beams” (b<h). Normally are used the beams with the same hight of the ceilings (for the civile habitations, with normal dimensions about 24-28 cm) and the large of 70-80cm. You have to imagine the external beams that generally have an eccentric position. In a joint high of 24cm, with eccentric beams (even for 30cm) none confines it or if the structural engineer insists, is done something very…. easy).
I noticed that the italian tradition of one direction reinforced ceilings (are used little beams of 10-12cm*24cm/50cm and with orizontal bricks between them, just to make easier the celings) its not so good, even if some steel bars are put too on the other direction (I can send you some photos if you are interested in knowing more about this kind on ceilings). In this way, its not respected the calcul consideration that the ceiling is infinitely rigid into its plan, in the both of the principal directions. What about the different materials (brick and concrete?).
About the areas severely affected, the cast in place reinforced concrete suffered less, but almost all had the problem of the divisors anchorages up and down.
Thanks for all.

]]> Comment on Observations on RC construction from EERI Team by silviocalvi http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/structural-observations/observations-on-rc-construction-from-eeri-team/comment-page-1#comment-22 silviocalvi Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:07:46 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=222#comment-22 <>. I have a correction and a question. - L'Aquila was considered in Class 2 seismic area since 1915, at the time of the Avezzano earthquake. - Where did you get the information that Class 2 required a design for a horizontal aceeleration of 0.25g? As far as my knowledge goes, the requirement for a class 2 building was to design it with a horizontal force of 0.07g. Silvio Calvi <>.
I have a correction and a question.
- L’Aquila was considered in Class 2 seismic area since 1915, at the time of the Avezzano earthquake.
- Where did you get the information that Class 2 required a design for a horizontal aceeleration of 0.25g?
As far as my knowledge goes, the requirement for a class 2 building was to design it with a horizontal force of 0.07g.

Silvio Calvi

]]> Comment on EERI/PEER team visits San Salvatore hospital by Hussain Bhatia http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/structural-observations/eeripeer-team-visits-san-salvatore-hospital/comment-page-1#comment-21 Hussain Bhatia Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:03:55 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=226#comment-21 "little structural damage" is not consistent with "severe column damage in the pharmacy area... collapse hazard". Also my experience is that most medical equipment is rather sensitive and if unanchored equipment moved then it may be damaged even though it may not appear to be. “little structural damage” is not consistent with “severe column damage in the pharmacy area… collapse hazard”.

Also my experience is that most medical equipment is rather sensitive and if unanchored equipment moved then it may be damaged even though it may not appear to be.

]]> Comment on Observations from Degenkolb Engineers – Building Performance in L’Aquila by Donald R. Logan, P.E. http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/structural-observations/observations-from-degenkolb-engineers-building-performance-in-laquila/comment-page-1#comment-16 Donald R. Logan, P.E. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:57:11 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=150#comment-16 Re: Olympia Hotel, is it a shear wall building, and if so is it reinforced masonry, cast-in-place reinforced concrete, etc? Is it close to areas suffering severe damage? Within areas severely affected, are there stuctures that suffered little to no damage? What can be deduced regarding their successful performance? Of the simples concrete frame buildings with brillte tile infill, was there a relationship between the degree of full height infill in orthogonal directions and their performance, compared to those with more interuptions? Re: Olympia Hotel, is it a shear wall building, and if so is it reinforced masonry, cast-in-place reinforced concrete, etc? Is it close to areas suffering severe damage?

Within areas severely affected, are there stuctures that suffered little to no damage? What can be deduced regarding their successful performance?

Of the simples concrete frame buildings with brillte tile infill, was there a relationship between the degree of full height infill in orthogonal directions and their performance, compared to those with more interuptions?

]]> Comment on Main Shock Time Histories from station AQV (provided by M.Celebi, USGS) by bykovtsev http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/uncategorized/plots-from-station-aqv-provided-by-mcelebi-usgs/comment-page-1#comment-13 bykovtsev Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:35:56 +0000 http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/italy-090406/?p=98#comment-13 Can you provide information about station location and epicenter location. What about distance from station to epicenter? Can you provide information about station location and epicenter location. What about distance from station to epicenter?

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