Kimiro Meguro

Shake Table Tests on One-Quarter Scale Models of Masonry Houses Retrofitted with PP-Band Mesh

This paper introduces a technically feasible and economically affordable retrofitting option for seismically vulnerable masonry structures in developing countries using polypropylene bands (PP-bands). The results of the basic material tests and shake table tests on building models show that the PP-band retrofitting technique can enhance the safety of both existing and new masonry buildings, even during severe ground motions, for instance an earthquake with a Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) seismic intensity of 7. Therefore, the proposed method is an optimum solution for promoting safer building construction in developing countries and can contribute to earthquake disaster mitigation in the future.

Seismic Behavior of Low Earthquake-Resistant Arch-Shaped Roof Masonry Houses Retrofitted by PP-Band Meshes

AbstractThis paper introduces a technically feasible and economically affordable PP-band (polypropylene band) retrofitting for low earthquake-resistant masonry structures in developing countries. Results of the basic material tests and shaking table tests on building models show that the PP-band retrofitting technique can enhance safety of both existing and new masonry buildings even in worst-case scenarios of earthquake ground motion as in the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) seismic intensity scale 7. Therefore, the proposed method can be one of the optimum solutions for promoting safer building construction in developing countries and can contribute to earthquake disaster mitigation in the future.

The impact of income disparity on vulnerability and information collection: an analysis of the 2011 Thai Flood

The impact of income disparity on vulnerability and information collection during the 2011 Thai Flood was examined through a survey investigation. Lower-income respondents were found to have been more likely to be inundated by the flood than higher-income respondents because of the location of their residences, and lower-income respondents whose residences flooded were also less likely to have evacuated. Television was widely used, regardless of income level, but lower-income respondents tended to also utilise lower-technology modes, such as radios and loudspeakers, in contrast to the Internet-based modes used by higher-income respondents. Lower-income respondents also tended to be less aware of the government hotline; however, those that were aware of it were more likely to find it useful. Overall, while income was a good predictor of peoples flood vulnerability, it was not the best predictor for media usage; other demographic characteristics, such as education level and age, should also be considered.

Seismic evaluation of earthquake resistance and retrofitting measures for two story masonry houses

This paper discusses on the shaking table test results of two 1:4 scale model of two-story masonry structure typically used in constructing low-rise residential buildings. This test is performed to provide a better understanding of the seismic behavior of the PP-band (polypropylene band) mesh retrofitted adobe masonry house. The test structure is subjected to a series of different levels of harmonic motion that applied along the longitudinal direction. The results of the shaking table tests on building models show that the PP-band retrofitting technique can enhance the safety of masonry buildings, even during severe ground motion.

Experimental investigation on the seismic performance of PP-band strengthening stone masonry houses

The collapse of stone masonry is one of the greatest causes of death in major earthquake events around the world. This paper investigates a recently developed retrofitting technology specifically aimed at preventing or prolonging the collapse of stone masonry buildings under strong earthquakes. This technology uses common polypropylene packaging straps to form a mesh, which is then used to prevent or prolong collapse. This paper examines the findings from static and dynamic testing of the proposed retrofit. It is shown that the proposed technique effectively prevents brittle masonry collapse and the loss of debris.

Shake Table Tests on FRP Retrofitted Masonry Building Models

AbstractThe current study is devised to evaluate the seismic performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) retrofitted buildings with openings at different FRP reinforcement levels. Required objectives are achieved by performing five shake table tests on 1/4-scale models of single-story boxlike masonry buildings. Out of five building models, one was an unreinforced masonry (URM) building model whereas the other four were retrofitted with different quantities and layouts of FRP reinforcement. FRP reinforcement is reduced by decreasing FRP strip widths and strip spacing and applying FRP strips on either the inside or outer faces of walls. Each building model was subjected to the same series of input ground motions with gradually increasing amplitudes. A series of diagonal compression tests was also conducted to decide the appropriate type of FRP and trial FRP reinforcement ratios for the masonry building models. Descriptions of the tested models are provided, including the structural response in terms of ba...

Earthquake Prediction, Seismic Hazard and Vulnerability

Mitigation of seismic hazards requires integration of science and human action, namely the science of earthquakes, anti-seismic engineering and socio-political measures. The public, media, policy makers and funding agencies must be constantly reminded that seismic disasters rapidly escalate with civilizations growth and that disasters come when the last tragedy has been forgotten. Loss of human life is caused overwhelmingly by the collapse of houses and other buildings within less than a few minutes of the main shocks. The most urgent countermeasure is the reinforcement of weak structures. When structural damage is reduced, most other seismic hazards will correspondingly be greatly reduced. If short-term prediction is made, casualties will be further reduced dramatically. Despite general pessimism, short-term prediction research needs to be enhanced because recent research shows real promise. Thus, the reinforcement of existing structures and enhancement of short-term prediction research are the two keys for seismic hazard mitigation.

Applied Element Method Simulation of Fiber Reinforced Polymer and Polypropylene Composite Retrofitted Masonry Walls

In current research work, an attempt is made to simulate the behavior of a newly proposed composite material using 3-D Applied Element Method (AEM). Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) being a strong material provides a significant increase in shear strength. Polypropylene band (PP-band) not only holds the masonry wall system into a single unit but also provides a fairly high deformation capacity at a very low cost of retrofitting. A composite of FRP and PP-band is proposed and applied on the surface of masonry wall. Verification of the proposed numerical model is achieved by conducting experiments on twelve masonry wallets. Out of twelve, six masonry wallets were tested in out of plane bending test and six were tested under in-plane forces in the form of diagonal compression test. Same wallet retrofitting scheme was selected for in-plane and out of plane experiments and all of them were analyzed using proposed 3-D AEM numerical simulation tool. Proposed numerical model has served satisfactory and has shown a fairly good agreement with experimental results which encourages the use of 3D-AEM to numerically simulate the behavior of non-retrofitted and retrofitted masonry wallets.

Development of IT Triage System （TRACY） to Share Regional Disaster Medical Information

We developed an IT (Information Technology) triage system for collecting disaster medical information in real time. FeliCa cards and card readers are used to obtain the number and condition of patients. The system is composed of two elements. First, the number of patients for each triage level and the accepted number of patients in each diagnosis and treatment department are obtained in real time, including response for changing triage level. Second, this information is shared in real time among hospitals, the administration, and residents who are searching for their family. A disaster drill utilizing this system was held at the University of Yamanashi Hospital with 450 participants. From the result of that, the present system could work for those two elements. TRACY was examined its availability and practicability in this drill.

Media Preference, Information Needs, and the Language Proficiency of Foreigners in Japan after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese government identified the lack of proficiency in the Japanese language as one characteristic of foreigners that should be considered in disaster prevention planning. This article seeks to understand how proficiency in a local language affects disaster information gathering behavior by using the results of a questionnaire survey conducted after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Respondents were categorized based on their Japanese and English language abilities. Their media mode, language preferences, information importance, and information-gathering difficulties also were examined. It was found that foreigners skilled in Japanese demonstrated similar information gathering behavior as Japanese respondents, but foreigners unskilled in Japanese showed little usage of Japanese-language media. This group also encountered difficulties due to a lack of Japanese proficiency, but many members were able to acquire some level of Japanese-language information through Internet-based methods. To address language proficiency in disaster prevention planning, information provision in languages other than Japanese should be increased, and Japanese information should be shared in a way that facilitates translation. Although this survey was significant in its scope, the results should be considered within the limitations of the Internet-based response collection and focus only on the less-affected area of Japan.