Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure

Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure: Neodeterministic (NDSHA) Approach Guarantees Prevention Rather Than Cure communicates in one comprehensive volume the state-of-the-art scientific knowledge on earthquakes and related risks. Earthquakes occur in a seemingly random way and, in some cases, it is possible to trace seismicity back to the concept of deterministic chaos. Therefore, seismicity can be explained by a deterministic mechanism that arises as a result of various convection movements in the Earth’s mantle, expressed in the modern movement of lithospheric plates fueled by tidal forces. Consequently, to move from a perspective focused on the response to emergencies to a new perspective based on prevention and sustainability, it is necessary to follow this neodeterministic approach (NDSHA) to guarantee prevention, saving lives and infrastructure.

This book describes in a complete and consistent way an effective explanation to complex structures, systems, and components, and prescribes solutions to practical challenges. It reflects the scientific novelty and promises a feasible, workable, theoretical and applicative attitude.

Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure serves a “commentary role” for developers and designers of critical infrastructure and unique installations. Commentary-like roles follow standard, where there is no standard.

Mega-installations embody/potentiate risks; nonetheless, lack a comprehensive classic standard. Every compound is unique, one of its kind, and differs from others even of similar function. There is no justification to elaborate a common standard for unique entities. On the other hand, these specific installations, for example, NPPs, Naval Ports, Suez Canal, HazMat production sites, and nuclear waste deposits, impose security and safety challenges to people and the environment. The book offers a benchmark for entrepreneurs, designers, constructors, and operators on how to compile diverse relevant information on site-effects and integrate it into the best-educated guess to keep safe and secure, people and environment.

The authors are eager to convey the entire information and explanations to our readers, without missing either accurate information or explanations. That is achieved by “miniaturization,” as much is possible, not minimization.

So far, the neodeterministic method has been successfully applied in numerous metropolitan areas and regions such as Delhi (India), Beijing (China), Naples (Italy), Algiers (Algeria), Cairo (Egypt), Santiago de Cuba (Cuba), Thessaloniki (Greece), South-East Asia (2004), Tohoku, Japan (2011), Albania (2019), Bangladesh, Iran, Sumatra, Ecuador, and elsewhere. Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure includes case studies from these areas, as well as suggested applications to other seismically active areas around the globe. NDSHA approaches confirm/validate that science is looming to warn. Concurrently, leaders and practitioners have to learn to use rectified science in favor of peoples' safety. State-of-the-art science does have the know-how to reduce casualties and structural damage from potential catastrophes to a bearable incident.

"The main merit of the volume is to harmonize the voice of its 56 contributors, who basically all agree not to underestimate the seismic danger, anywhere in the world, and to promote more prudential models such as the NDSHA at a time when safety codes earthquakes all over the world are still anchored to obsolete and therefore dangerous systems. The hidden message of the book is to continue to study what is underground, to better prepare life on the surface."—Giulio Breglia

"The reading of this text will therefore offer food for thought to the researcher, the technician, and the enthusiast because it combines the rigorous scientific research of the sector with its applications in human environments, pausing to discuss concepts such as probability, risk and reliability that are so much in use but often little explained. This volume will be a unique opportunity for all readers, geologists, engineers or simple enthusiasts to learn about a subject that by its multidisciplinary nature is known in its many aspects only by experts."—Giovanna Vessia

"The editors of the volume Giuliano F. Panza, Vladimir G. Kossobokov, Efraim Laor and benedetto De Vivo, have done an excellent job in presenting the innovative essay of the NDSHA. The reader will find a useful handbook to clarify the advantages of a scenario-based approach for determining the seismic hazard to increase the safety of people, buildings, and infrastructures. Some parts of the methodology such as the modeling the block-and-fault structure dynamics with application to studying seismicity and the morpho-structural zoning for identifying earthquake-prone areas may be difficult to be digested by the geological community; nevertheless, it is a useful stimulus to move forward to a new paradigm for seismic hazard analysis. This is the unavoidable base for any further improvement of seismic risk reduction. In summary, this book is an excellent reference that should be readily handy on the shelf of every practicing seismologist and seismic engineer. In the hands of an experienced instructor, the book will also serve students as a great textbook."—Carlo Doglioni

“...represents a significant milestone, compiling developments of this new approach over the past 25 years....to advance the establishment of a new paradigm for Reliable Seismic Hazard Assessment. It aims to create a synergy of the most up-to-date available scientific knowledge that ensures prevention and reduction of unacceptable losses rather than merely addressing the consequences of disasters....[W]ell organized both scientifically and in its application....[F]osters interdisciplinary discussion by providing a comprehensive and engaging exploration of seismic hazard assessment, bridging the gap between engineering principles and the needs of seismologists, engineering seismologists, and policymakers....The book serves both as a summary of the achievements of NDSHA over the past quarter-century and as a guideline for further development.” —Earthquake Science Journal - Zengping Wen and Guoxin Wang