KBES Applications to the Selection and Design of Retaining Structures
Knowledge-based expert systems (KBES) are computer programs, based on artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, designed to reach the level of performance of a human expert in some specialized...
An Expert System for Civil Engineering Applications
Civil engineering is a field where experimental knowledge has no substitute. Making experts' knowledge explicit and documenting and transferring it can have a great impact...
Evaluation of Geotechnical Design Parameters by Expert System Techniques
This study refers to application of an artificial intelligence technique to evaluate geotechnical design parameters in the soil design definition. This complex evaluation is incorporeted...
Do Simplistic Methods of Foundation Design Produce Reliable Foundations?
Many foundations today are designed using deterministic (single value) analysis techniques which do not reflect the natural variability of soil properties. If the standard deviation and...
Use of a Tie-Back Retaining Wall to Stabilize a Moving Landslide
After failure of a gravity retaining wall, a moving landslide was stopped and stabilized by a tie-back retaining wall. The design considered the active landslide and residual strength...
Watertight and Earthquake Resistant Joints for Diaphragm Walls
Different types of joints were constructed and tested in the field to evaluate the bond between concrete and partition plate, the effect of tremie pipe location to the quality of concrete...
Development of the South Carolina Coast 1959-1989: Prelude to a Disaster
The history of hurricanes on the South Carolina Coast is reviewed. It is shown that reasonable design wind and surge conditions could have been established before the rapid development...
Within the North Wall of Hugo (Personal Recollections of Being in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time)
Our house is in Romain Retreat, a subdivision of lots of 1 1/2 -3 acres in Awendaw, S.C. approximately 20 miles northeast of Charleston off Route 17 and about the same distance from McClellanville...
Hugo 1989 - The Performance of Structures in the Wind
The performance of buildings in the Carolinas during Hurricane Hugo, 21-22 September 1989, is reviewed. Wind speeds in most locations were below the design levels specified in the local...
Performance of Building Resistance to Water, Waves and Erosion
Water damage to buildings due to Hugo was widespread and severe throughout low-lying coastal areas. Flood insurance claim payments have already exceeded $350 million, the largest payout...
Hurricane Hugo's Effect on Marina Structures
The author has visited over twenty-five sites along the South Carolina coast and in Puerto Rico to ascertain the effects of Hurricane Hugo on marina facilities. Types of structures evaluated...
Hugo's Sturctural Damage in Puerto Rico
The results of a study of the wind damages caused by Hurricane Hugo is presented. Cases involving wood structures, industrial steel buildings, multistory reinforced concrete buildings,...
Advisory and Mitigation Activities in the Carolinas
To effectively reduce losses from hazard occurrences, an active and agressive mitigation program is needed. Following Hugo, several important activities have been initiated, utilizing...
Structural Engineering Lessons Learned From Hurricane Hugo
Hurricane Hugo purported to be 'The Storm of The Century' caused considerable property damage over a tremendously large area effecting nearly everyone and every...
Lessons Learned by a Roof Consultant
Hurricane Hugo left in its wake, extensive damage, an estimated $6 Billion loss. It is estimated that over 80% of the losses were related to roof failures, and the associated water damages....
Architectural Lessons Learned From Hurricane Hugo
All of us in the building design professions have learned many lessons in the last year since Hugo. My experience, as with many of us in the design profession in Charleston, has been on...
Lessons Learned by a Wind Engineer
Surface wind speeds during the passage of Hurricane Hugo through the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are described. Although damage to the affected areas was extensive, an assessment...
Lessons Learned About the Building Code Process?The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Building codes and standards exist to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the citizenry. Concern must also be given to the need to safeguard the economy lest major changes in...
Hugo - Lessons Learned
This paper is based on ground surveys along the South Carolina coast from Edisto Island north to Myrtle Beach. It also includes ground surveys as far inland as Charlotte, North Carolina....
Masonry Performance in the Coastal Zone
Investigators from the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) surveyed the coastal areas of South Carolina from Charleston to Myrtle Beach during a seven day period just after hurricane...
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