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| Keynote Papers | ||
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Introduction |
Improving Linkages between Earthquake Engineering Research and Practice
In many fields of professional engineering, individual researchers, funding agencies, practicing professionals, end users and owners are often perplexed about the long drawn-out time frame needed from research to practice. This is especially the case for earthquake engineering due to the very broad nature of the discipline that transcends the boundaries of basic earth science, professional engineering, through the emerging areas of the social sciences. From the inception of new ideas, concept development, basic and applied research, product development, codification to final mainstream practice, considerable time is needed for success. To help understand this process from research to practice, three simple behavioural models are given: series, parallel and open market. These models are explained by critical review of seven case studies. It is shown from the most successful cases from research to practice that earthquake engineering is a collaborative engagement between academia, the design professions and industry. It is concluded that for new ideas to be mainstreamed into general practice, enhanced undergraduate programmes are needed along with design professionals that can also teach and conduct basic research. International Visions and Goals for the Earthquake Engineering Research InstituteC.D. Poland and S.M. Alcocer The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) has recently added public advocacy for seismic safety to its rich history of facilitating the discussion amongst earthquake scientists and engineers. In recognition of its unique role as the authoritative source for information in the United States, EERI also seeks to partner with other nations to develop information for use worldwide. In 2002, EERI began forming cooperation agreements with organizations in other countries that encourage the exchange of information, collaborative efforts in learning from earthquakes, joint memberships, development of mitigation tools and techniques, and access to seminars, conferences, and technical publications. The ultimate goal of the program is to arrest the growth of seismic vulnerability worldwide and thereby save lives, protect capital investments, and minimize economic impacts. Keywords: seismic safety, public advocacy, international collaboration Seismic Design Implications of Revisions to the National Building Code of CanadaThis paper begins with a brief introduction to Canadian seismicity and the history of seismic code development in Canada; a summary of major changes planned for the 2005 edition of the National Building Code of Canada follows. Areas of major change include seismic hazard, site effects, irregularities, force reduction factors and methods of analysis (dynamic analysis now being preferred). The implications of the proposed changes are presented in terms of impact on seismic design force for several structural systems located in regions of high, moderate and low seismicity; implications for seismic level of protection and the seismic design process are also discussed. The paper concludes with a discussion of ongoing seismic code development issues. Keywords: code, structures, seismic, Canada, hazard, design, loading, performance, and regulation Achievements and Future Challenges for Earthquake Engineering in AustraliaThe Australian Earthquake Engineering Society was established in 1990 with its main objective to promote and advance the practice of earthquake engineering and engineering seismology in Australia. In the decade or so since its establishment the Society has had some successes in this regard as well as some disappointments. In this paper, the author will highlight these along with research and other important professional developments during this period. The perceived obstacles to getting a better take-up of earthquake engineering amongst Australian practitioners and the role of the Society in furthering the cause of earthquake engineering in Australia will then be discussed. The paper will conclude with an outline of possible strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Keywords: Australia, review, earthquake engineering, achievements Challenges for the Application of Earthquake Engineering in the Pacific IslandsExperience has shown that successful application of earthquake engineering in the Pacific, particularly the understanding of earthquake risk as applied in the high-risk urban areas, is fundamentally dependent on continuing studies of seismicity and neotectonics; research on foundation problems; the institution of building standards; and seismic microzonation studies of urban population centres. The whole needs to be carried forward by a comprehensive risk-management approach that takes scientific and engineering advances towards social outcomes by defining the people, buildings and infrastructure at risk, and engages the relevant communities in planning for ways to treat risk, including risk-financing for catastrophes. The challenges inhibiting that successful application in the Pacific Islands are manifold, and include problems imposed from outside the region as well as those inherent from within. The focus of activities related to earthquake engineering should now be on the solutions to those challenges, including improvements in education, organisational approaches and research on the local risk, as well as providing for an immediate technical response capacity to disasters and a regional network facility. Overwhelmingly, a more efficient coordination of the services provided by the international community is called for, because a concerted effort is required if there is to be any chance of successfully overcoming the challenges to sustainable development in the Pacific. Keywords: earthquake engineering, Pacific, seismic microzonation, risk management, sustainable development, challenges
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