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This paper studied the feasibility of a sliding base isolation layer to be used in rubble stone masonry buildings in rural areas in the Himalayan Mountain range to provide robust protection to important building like schools against strong earthquakes. In this paper, we carried out on-site investigations, quasi-static tests, and shaking table tests focusing on constructability as well as isolation performance. From the results of the feasibility study, the combination of styrofoam, concrete slab, and grease was found to be the most feasible to be used as the upper element, the lower element, and the lubricant, respectively, in the sliding isolation layer. The key features of the present sliding base isolation layer are: 1) the use of the materials that exist in rural mountain areas or those that can be easily transported from the neighboring towns and cities and 2) ease of construction and minimal change from the current construction practice. From the shaking table tests, we identified the conditions, e.g., grease amount, grease type, normal stress at the interface, and roughness of concrete slab surface, to achieve dynamic friction coefficients ranging from 0.08 to 0.16, suitable for sliding base isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In urban areas exposed to high-magnitude earthquakes, the drinking water supply would be severely damaged, and domestic services would be disrupted for a large part of the population in the event of an earthquake. The Lima-Callao metropolitan area in Peru, South America, is expected to experience an 8.8 Mw earthquake, and it is estimated that approximately 90% of the population would not have immediate access to emergency water in the case of such an event. The main objective of this paper is to define criteria for a spatial analysis method to guide the design criteria for an Emergency Water Supply System (EWaSS). Methods: This paper combines territorial, urban resilience and participatory approaches and presents the results of an interdisciplinary research with social impact. Thus, it examines the urban territory at macro-, meso- and micro scales; physical-spatial variables indicating risk levels and possible public spaces to implement the system; and socio-spatial variables regarding the population, risk perception and participation in management to strengthen urban resilience. Normative tools and the Geographic Information System are used to spatialize and systematize quantitative and qualitative information. Results and discussion: The EWaSS is an alternative for safe water supply in a post-disaster situation that would provide immediate and autonomous operation during the first 72 h of the emergency. The results show the physical-spatial and social viability of urbanized areas and the system design criteria that guide local actors in making decisions at the three levels of emergency management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal energy is an important resource in the green economy transition. For the preservation of a geothermal resource it is crucial to assess its renewability and the sustainability of the exploitation. These aspects are influenced by the interaction among the physical, chemical, geological, and hydrogeological processes. The reconstruction of the geological assemblage allows the detailing of the geometries of the reservoir and fracture systems that influence the fluid flow and the water/rock interaction. The control of regional/local scale fault and fold systems on the development of the Daruvar hydrothermal system (DHS), located in Croatian part of the Pannonian basin, is detailed in this work. Field investigations were conducted to collect structural data on strata orientation and fault/fracture systems. The dataset was integrated with geological and geophysical data to develop composite geological profiles and a 3D geological model. Results display a pattern of generally N-S and EW striking folds and cogenetic fracture systems with orientations parallel to the fold axes. The geological reconstruction was integrated with geophysical, hydrogeological, and geochemical data to propose a conceptual model of the DHS. The DHS is a topographically driven system hosted in a Mesozoic carbonate reservoir where E-W striking fracture systems are regional flow paths that enable infiltration of meteoric water to 1 km depth and its reheating in its reservoir area. In Daruvar, an anticline and fault/fracture systems accommodate the uplift of reservoir to shallow depths, promoting the bedrock fracturing and increase of the permeability field. These conditions favor the localized upwelling of thermal water resulting in four thermal springs (38°C and 50°C) in Daruvar city area. This work highlights the importance of employing a multidisciplinary approach to detail the complex interaction among the processes driving the geothermal resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an overview of seismic hazards in Bhutan and the vulnerability of Bhutanese vernacular constructions derived from damage caused by two earthquakes that occurred in 2009 and 2011. Interpretations of damage and seismically vulnerable features of such constructions are provided from field observations. The taxonomy and vulnerability of all existing Bhutanese buildings are presented using a newly developed classification system. Empirical seismic fragility functions for vernacular stone masonry buildings are constructed using the damage data of 2009 and 2011 earthquakes. The sum of observations highlights that Bhutanese masonry buildings are highly vulnerable even in moderate far-field earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical earthquakes demonstrated that the combination of the characteristics of strong ground motion and local soil conditions significantly influence the seismic site response of a particular site. Since there are no instrumental records of past earthquakes in Bhutan, this study is the first attempt to quantify the influence of the local site conditions in the eastern fringe of the Himalaya considering various global historical earthquakes on a deterministic basis. According to the recent Global Seismic Hazard Map (GSHAP), Phuentsholing Thromde (city) in Bhutan is likely to be exposed to the peak ground acceleration (PGA) between 0.20g-0.28g. This particular scenario highlights the likelihood of occurrence of stronger shaking; considering the proximity of active seismic faults. To this end, we performed one-dimensional (1D) ground response analysis in eight different locations considering earthquakes with a wide variation of PGA even beyond 0.2-0.28g so as to quantify the possible seismic response of soil strata under wide range of ground shaking. Sensitivity analysis is performed by a statistical correlation function to correlate the ground motion parameters for different earthquake shaking intensities. The amplification responses of the local soil from each input motion are projected to predict seismic hazard scenarios that highlight the ground shaking response for some locations in Phuentsholing, Bhutan, which is one of the densest urban centers in the country. The study highlights the critical range of the fundamental natural period roughly between 0.9s to ~5.0s with the highest range of seismic wave amplification between ~2.8 to 6.2 due to the local ground conditions, suggesting a likely aggravation during earthquakes that may lead to severe consequences especially in terms of infrastructure damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]