Search results for "DAMAGE"

Jurisdiction and applicable law in cases of damage from space in Europe—The advent of the most suitable choice—Rome II

2010

Liability for space activities is a much discussed subject and the advent of commercial space operations has only added to its importance. Articles VI and VII Outer Space Treaty, together with Articles II and III Liability Convention, remain the main entry level for state liability for damage arising from private space activities. Few space-faring nations have introduced national space statutes that include a flow down of their international obligations. The European Union (EU) Regulation on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations—hereinafter Rome II Regulation—could harbour developments for liability law in the context of damage resulting from space operations. Space activities w…

Low stiffness variation in structural systems: identification and localization

2008

When a very low damage occurs, the undamaged structural response totally overlaps the damaged one either in time domain or in frequency domain; on the other hand, by considering some characteristics of the analytical signal, such as the phase, it has been possible to develop a damage identification procedure that allows the identification and localization of damage even if the structure experiences multiple damages at the same time. This procedure is also robust with respect to the presence of measuring noise. In order to assess the validity of the proposed damage identification procedure, numerical applications on single degree of freedom and 2 DOF and 4 DOF are presented using data record…

Numerical prediction of the shear response of semi-prefabricated steel-concrete trussed beams

2016

Abstract In this study, the shear behavior of hybrid steel-trussed-concrete beams (HSTCBs) realized with prefabricated steel trusses embedded into a concrete core cast in situ, is investigated by means of Finite Element (FE) numerical simulations. HSTCBs do not behave as classical RC elements nor composite beams. Up to now, there are not specific design criteria in the building codes and the calculation of this type of beams is conducted by means of design-by-testing procedures. The knowledge of the material behavior as well as the understanding of the interaction between materials in contact is the first requirement for the definition of proper design procedures and calculation methods for…

Class Actions or Collective Redress: The Need for an Efficient European Tool

2014

Collective redress makes sense both in court-based litigation and in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Yet while the courts generally have a good sense of collective redress (though arguably there is room for improvements), in the second framework, there are some contradictions from a dogmatic point of view. When collective interests come up in conflict, judicial coercion and a judicial structure are often needed to resolve the conflict. In addition, the absence of a voluntary agreement, especially from the abuser’s side, makes it more difficult to resolve conflicts using ADR. The future EU Directive in Consumer Collective Redress aims to bring a new era to the field. In this paper, I s…

Fatigue Design Methodology for Large Mooring Chains Subjected to Out-of-Plane Bending

2014

The present paper presents a fatigue life prediction method for chains subjected to tension and Out-of-Plane-Bending (OPB). The investigation was carried out on a high strength mooring chain segment with a diameter of 165 mm and a steel quality R5. Such chains are used in mooring systems for large Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units in harsh weather condition. Due to the fact that the mooring chains are pre-tensioned the wave induced displacements will introduce secondary bending effects about the weak axis in the chain links, particularly in the bilge hang-off area. In such chains both conventional tension fatigue and fatigue damage accumulation due to Out-of-Plane-Bend…

Improved Planning In-Service Inspections of Fatigued Aircraft Structures Under Parametric Uncertainty of Underlying Lifetime Models

2014

Certain fatigued structures must be inspected in order to detect fatigue damages that would otherwise not be apparent. A technique for obtaining optimal inspection strategies is proposed for situations where it is difficult to quantify the costs associated with inspections and undetected failure. For fatigued structures for which fatigue damages are only detected at the time of inspection, it is important to be able to determine the optimal times of inspection. Fewer inspections will lead to lower fatigue reliability of the structure upon demand, and frequent inspection will lead to higher cost. When there is a fatigue reliability requirement, the problem is usually to develop an inspection…

Specific detection of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in phytoplankton DNA by a non-radioactive assay based on T4-endonuclease V digestion.

2001

The effect of artificial and natural UV irradiation on DNA in marine phytoplankton Isochrysis galbana monoculture was investigated. The presence of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in unlabelled I. galbana DNA was detected by a non-radiometric alkaline filter elution assay after T4-endonuclease V digestion. The quantity of CPDs was estimated by alkaline agarose gel electrophoresis. Precise determination of the amount of DNA in the presence of I. galbana pigments was achieved by oxazole yellow homodimer (YOYO) dye. T4-endonuclease V-sensitive sites frequency (ESS/kb), measured after exposure to 2-40 kJ m(-2) of artificial UV light, increased in a dose-dependent manner. Twelve hours after…

Uncertainty in urban flood damage assessment due to urban drainage modelling and depth-damage curve estimation

2010

Due to the increased occurrence of flooding events in urban areas, many procedures for flood damage quantification have been defined in recent decades. The lack of large databases in most cases is overcome by combining the output of urban drainage models and damage curves linking flooding to expected damage. The application of advanced hydraulic models as diagnostic, design and decision-making support tools has become a standard practice in hydraulic research and application. Flooding damage functions are usually evaluated by a priori estimation of potential damage (based on the value of exposed goods) or by interpolating real damage data (recorded during historical flooding events). Hydrau…

Endurance Exercise Causes Mild Bronchial Epithelial Damage in Humans.

2009

Estimation of urban structural flood damages: the case study of Palermo

2000

Abstract The estimation of flood damage is a fundamental step in the economic analysis of a flood control projects. In particular, frequency–damage functions, derived from the hydrologic, hydraulic and damage relationships, are one of the fundamental pieces of information upon which expenditure decisions are based. The aim of this study has been to develop an empirical frequency–damage relationship, obtained by means of detailed local studies, which could be a judgement tool for flood mitigation measures in strongly urbanised drainage areas. Monuments and other estates having a cultural or artistic significance have been specifically taken into account. The analysis has been carried out for…