Abstract

The PDF format, developed by Adobe and since converted to an open, multiplatform standard, gets a new boost from version 8 of Acrobat, produced by the same company. A review is offered of the main characteristics and functionality of this new application that most likely will have a great impact on electronic document management for business.

Abstract

In many places around the world there still exist statues, walls and columns which, despite being located in areas of high seismicity, are still standing and in good conditions after several hundred years. Although Peru is located on a zone of high seismicity, some preColumbian walls are still standing after having withstood many intense earthquakes. The remarkably stable dynamic response of these structures when rocking freely due to horizontal ground motions has been extensively studied [1] [2]. The aim of the project presented in this article is to evaluate the probability of seismic overturning of Inca monuments (XVth century CE) during future strong earthquakes. The Wiracocha temple walls located near Cusco and the Inca trail walls that cross the PUCP campus in Lima were selected for this study. Both earthen walls were modelled as free-standing rigid blocks which could rotate around the corners at their base. A set of synthetic ground acceleration signals were then generated according to the seismicity and ground conditions of both sites. The artificial ground acceleration records were scaled to the uniform hazard spectrum of Peru for return periods of 500, 1000 and 2500 years and different moment magnitudes [3][4]. The rocking time history response of each wall due to these ground motions was then numerically computed and plotted in order to assess the seismic risk due to overturning of these important earthen monuments. The main conclusion is that these walls will most probably remain standing for many more centuries.

Abstract

The seismic vulnerability assessment of the historic center of Cusco (Peru), an important UNESCO world heritage site, is dealt with in this paper. First, historical development of the city is presented through an in-depth historical analysis of its transformation over time, from the Inca empire to modern days. Then, an extensive in-situ survey activity, that allowed to collect several information about the main structural features concerning ordinary residential buildings, is shown. Based on the collected data, an empirical method calibrated on Italian historic centersfrom the authors is applied. It allowed to obtain Damage Probability Matrices and Fragility Curves for different earthquake intensities, as well as to assess the probability of exceeding certain levels of damage when seismic events of different intensities occur. Based on these predicted damage frequencies, it is possible to prevent irremediable losses and to propose retrofitting interventions which can lead to the seismic vulnerability mitigation for the whole historic center