It has been observed that in recent earthquakes the short column effect has caused damage. The main objective of this investigation was to develop a simple methodology to identify the short column effect. The methodology ...

In this thesis, structural damage identification methods based on changes in the dynamic characteristics of the structure are examined and new methodologies are also developed. These are based on the modal curvature matrix, ...

The City of Chicago and neighboring communities are served by combined sewer systems, which carry both stormwater and raw sewage. The combined sewer overflows (CSOs) could exceed the capacity of the wastewater treatment ...

One dimensional ground response analyses was performed at fifteen sites in Mayagüez Puerto Rico to study their seismic response for the development of response spectra at the surface. Field experiments using the Spectral ...

Spatial and temporal variabilities of rainfall in Puerto Rico are significant. A predominant storm distribution considered to be representative of a critical storm for design purposes in Puerto Rico is the Soil Conservation ...

This work describes research aimed to probabilistically assess the mechanical properties of a pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforced with a 3D braid and roving. In addition, reliability-based reduction factors ...

This dissertation proposes a new semiactive device, composed of two fixedorifice viscous fluid dampers installed in the form of V whose top ends are attached to the upper floor and their lower ends to a point that can move ...

In recent years, extreme wind events have caused enormous economic losses due to building damages in the Caribbean Region. This situation have prompted the Puerto Rico’s Insurance Industry to sponsor the development of ...

Post-grouted drilled shafts (PGDS) have been reported to have increased axial capacity and to experiment smaller settlements, for a certain load level, compared to conventional piles installed under similar conditions. ...

This thesis evaluates the stability of cylindrical above-ground steel tanks under imposed support settlements and wind pressures. The tanks considered are representative of tanks constructed in Puerto Rico and in the ...