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The swift recuperation of communities following natural hazards heavily relies on the efficiency of transportation systems, facilitating the timely delivery of vital resources and manpower to reconstruction sites. This paper delves into the pivotal role of transportation systems in aiding the recovery of built environments, proposing an evaluative metric that correlates transportation capacity with the speed of post-earthquake recovery. Focusing on optimizing urban population capacity in the aftermath of earthquakes, the study comprehensively examines the impact of pre-earthquake measures such as enhancing building or bridge seismic performance on post-earthquake urban population capacity. The methodology is demonstrated through an analysis of Beijing’s transportation system, elucidating how enhancements to transportation infrastructure fortify the resilience of built environments. Additionally, the concept of a resource supply rate is introduced to gauge the level of logistical support available after an earthquake. This rate tends to decrease when transportation damage is significant or when the demands for repairs overwhelm available resources, indicating a need for retrofitting. Through sensitivity analysis, this study explores how investments in the built environment or logistical systems can increase the resource supply rate, thereby contributing to more resilient urban areas in the face of seismic challenges.

The acquisition of data regarding the performance of buildings and the use of metrics to understand their performance level are critical for efficient building management. Performance indicators are key elements in this process. They shall be clearly defined and provide the means for easily measuring building performance. These performance indicators should cover all aspects of a building's life cycle including safety, operability and sustainability. To facilitate such a process, it is preferable to group the performance indicators into categories, namely the key performance indicators. In this paper, the key performance indicators for buildings are determined by compiling the identified critical ones in the literature. A case study of an R/C building in Greece is used to quantify the presented metrics focusing mainly on safety. The reliability index indicator is calculated based on the simulation and analysis of a building subsystem. Other key performance indicators relevant to building maintenance are considered on scenario basis. The study has been conducted as part of the IABSE Task Group 5.2. – "Key Performance Indicators: Definition" and provides valuable insight into using quantified metrics for decision‐making in building management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent magnitude-7.8 earthquake in Turkey and Syria is a bracing reminder of how severe the damage an earthquake imposes on our society can be. Seismic resilience analysis in which the robustness, recoverability, and adaptivity of infrastructure systems are investigated has been a research topic attracting wide attention for the last few decades. So far, the subject of seismic resilience analysis has evolved from individual structures to an entire community/region. A community can be considered as a system of systems, including residential, lifelines, healthcare, education, and economic, among others. Interdependency among different systems in a community is crucial in the modeling of the recovery process. The closed-form empirical functionality recovery model, which might be applied in the resilience assessment for individual structures, is hardly applicable to community-level resilience analysis. Agent-based modeling is an approach that can effectively characterize the behavior and interplay among entities in either the same system or different systems. By creating agent-based models (ABMs) simulating the community recovery process, community resilience can be quantified with a high degree of accuracy, provided that the behavior of agents and the interactions among different types of agents are defined in an accurate manner. This study employs the agent-based modeling approach in conducting seismic resilience analysis for Centerville, a virtual community testbed located 50 miles from the New Madrid seismic zone. The resilience analysis results obtained can facilitate decision-making on how to allocate limited resources when a community is subjected to seismic hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of deterioration strongly impact the expected future service life and the structural performances of existing reinforced concrete structures. Currently, straightforward methodologies are required to include such effects in the assessment and renovation of the RC buildings' heritage. A simplified protocol enabling the detection, evaluation, and modelling of corrosion effects is presented in this paper. The protocol provides the guidance for the design and management of the on-site diagnostic campaign, aimed at identifying a possible corrosion risk scenario. Then, equivalent damage parameters describing corrosion effects in the structural models can be calibrated. Structural performances over time can be assessed to predict the structural residual life, maintenance management criteria and timing, and major indications on the feasibility of the retrofit intervention, or the unavoidable need of demolition. The application of the proposed protocol to some case studies emphasises the effectiveness of the procedure for detecting possible activated corrosion processes and for supporting engineers in their decision-making process and choice of renovation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing earthquake resistance in urban areas, the intervention and retrofit of bridge networks are crucial considerations. While previous studies have predominantly focused on the importance and retrofit aspects of bridges, there has been limited exploration of optimization issues. This study introduces a method for assessing node importance and optimizing retrofit strategies for bridge networks before earthquake. Combining the Personal PageRank (PPR) approach with the technique of ideal solution similarity order preference (TOPSIS) yields static importance evaluation results for nodes, reducing the subjectivity of their weights in multi-metric evaluation works. Employing a sandpile model to simulate post-earthquake traffic congestion, the static results are then refined based on the model. The study establishes a dynamic-static integration approach to assess bridge importance, and genetic algorithms are applied to optimize the retrofit strategy. The practicality of the dynamic and static integration evaluation methods is verified through a numerical example, demonstrating that the optimized strategy effectively improves retrofit performance. • Provides an objective node importance analysis method that is more closely related to the network. • Employing a sandpile model to simulate post-earthquake traffic congestion. • Dynamic-static integration model is employed to assess the importance of nodes. • Genetic algorithms to optimize the retrofit strategy for bridge networks before earthquake [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays fuzzy approaches gain popularity to model multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problems emerging in real-life applications. Modern modelling trends in this field include evaluation of the criteria information uncertainty and vagueness. Traditional neutrosophic sets are considered as the effective tool to express uncertainty of the information. However, in some cases, it cannot cover all recently proposed cases of the fuzzy sets. The m-generalized q-neutrosophic sets (mGqNNs) can effectively deal with this situation. The novel MCDM methodology CoCoSomGqNN is presented in this paper. An illustrative example presents the analysis of the effectiveness of different retrofit strategy selection decisions for the application in the civil engineering industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Retrofitting domestic buildings is essential for meeting targets to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of our changing climate. Current rates of retrofitting are far lower than necessary for achieving global net zero climate targets. To date in privately owned homes, policymakers have largely relied on piecemeal activity and often short-lived retrofitting programmes and financial incentives. Consequently, this special issue explores what capabilities and capacities are needed to deliver retrofit at scale. Looking across different scales—national, municipal, neighbourhood and individual sites—this special issue provides insights to shape policies, organisational structures and delivery strategies for different scales, building types and supply chain actors. These papers highlight the need for a clearer definition of what retrofit incorporates, alongside the collection of high-quality data and rigorous building metrics. In addition, diverse business models are needed to ensure that a variety of actors across the public and private sectors are well positioned to engage in coordinating building retrofit at scale. Finally, it is essential that any acceleration of retrofitting activity is coupled with consumer protection mechanisms and support for developing supply chains which incorporates both existing workers and encouragement for new entrants. It is only through this multifaceted approach that domestic building retrofit can be delivered at the speed and scale necessary.

Traditional buildings constitute a large proportion of the building stock in many countries worldwide; around 40% of the UK’s housing stock was built before 1940 and was primarily made with solid masonry walls. Only 11% of UK solid-walled dwellings had insulation installed, suggesting the high potential of the low-carbon retrofit of traditional buildings. However, there is evidence of the occurrence of unintended consequences, often associated with excess moisture. A method is presented for moisture risk management that includes the development of a process and a framework. These tools are then integrated into a novel framework for the combined energy and moisture performance retrofit of traditional buildings. An example of the framework’s practical application is provided, with a focus on retrofit measures for solid-wall insulation. The proposed systematic approach demonstrates the interconnected nature of energy and moisture. It harmonises the principles needed to support organisations in the delivery of robust retrofit of traditional buildings through the integration of pre-retrofit building assessment and post-retrofit monitoring in the process. The risk-management process and framework presented can be valuable tools to support designers in providing robust and scalable retrofit measures and strategies. 'Practice relevance' An integrated energy and moisture risk-management process is presented to support designers in the retrofit of traditional buildings. This is accompanied by a framework that explains the steps required for moisture risk management at the various stages of the retrofit process. This systematic approach harmonises the principles needed to support organisations in delivering robust low-carbon retrofits and integrates pre- and post-retrofit building assessment in the process. While previous work has addressed energy and moisture management separately, this integrates the two aspects into a framework for risk management. An example illustrates the relevant modes and methods of assessment and monitoring in support of risk management. When combined with practical guidelines and training, the risk-management process and framework can be valuable tools to provide robust and scalable retrofit measures and strategies. The framework was developed within the context of the UK construction industry; it can be adapted to other contexts.

Retrofitting domestic buildings is essential for meeting targets to mitigate the catastrophic impacts of our changing climate. Current rates of retrofitting are far lower than necessary for achieving global net zero climate targets. To date in privately owned homes, policymakers have largely relied on piecemeal activity and often short-lived retrofitting programmes and financial incentives. Consequently, this special issue explores what capabilities and capacities are needed to deliver retrofit at scale. Looking across different scales--national, municipal, neighbourhood and individual sites--this special issue provides insights to shape policies, organisational structures and delivery strategies for different scales, building types and supply chain actors. These papers highlight the need for a clearer definition of what retrofit incorporates, alongside the collection of high-quality data and rigorous building metrics. In addition, diverse business models are needed to ensure that a variety of actors across the public and private sectors are well positioned to engage in coordinating building retrofit at scale. Finally, it is essential that any acceleration of retrofitting activity is coupled with consumer protection mechanisms and support for developing supply chains which incorporates both existing workers and encouragement for new entrants. It is only through this multifaceted approach that domestic building retrofit can be delivered at the speed and scale necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional buildings constitute a large proportion of the building stock in many countries worldwide; around 40% of the UK's housing stock was built before 1940 and was primarily made with solid masonry walls. Only 11% of UK solid-walled dwellings had insulation installed, suggesting the high potential of the low-carbon retrofit of traditional buildings. However, there is evidence of the occurrence of unintended consequences, often associated with excess moisture. A method is presented for moisture risk management that includes the development of a process and a framework. These tools are then integrated into a novel framework for the combined energy and moisture performance retrofit of traditional buildings. An example of the framework's practical application is provided, with a focus on retrofit measures for solid-wall insulation. The proposed systematic approach demonstrates the interconnected nature of energy and moisture. It harmonises the principles needed to support organisations in the delivery of robust retrofit of traditional buildings through the integration of pre-retrofit building assessment and post-retrofit monitoring in the process. The risk-management process and framework presented can be valuable tools to support designers in providing robust and scalable retrofit measures and strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, China has witnessed a surge in the emergence of urban villages characterized by high building density and significant migrant populations, primarily due to shifts in land use during urbanization. Housings in urban villages with low-cost design strategies, potentially exposing them to indoor overheating risks under climate changes. Given the scarcity of literature analyzing thermal performance of these houses, this study aims to assess the future indoor overheating risk of common urban village house types based on different construction material in subtropical China with two metrics which are Indoor Overheating Hours (IOH) and Indoor Overheating Degree (IOD), and explore effective methods to counter outdoor thermal stress. A four-month on-site measurement was conducted to calibrate the building thermal environment calculation model. Results demonstrate pronounced indoor overheating risks for both selected houses, Traditional Urban Village House (TUVH) and Contemporary Urban Village House (CUVH), particularly under the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 8.5 scenario. TUVH and CUVH may experience up to 2111 and 4325 overheating hours, respectively, with the IOD reaching 7.1 °C and 10.9 °C. Moreover, employing a global sensitivity analysis, we found that adding opaque shading for external wall is an effective retrofit strategy for TUVH and CUVH. This study contributes to evaluating the thermal performance of urban village houses under long-term climate changes with the findings promoting future retrofit strategy research for urban village houses focusing on housing types and usage pattern of the housings. • The future overheating duration and degree of urban village houses are analyzed. • An on-site measurement lasting four hot months was conducted for calibration. • Over 60 % of hours during summer in the comtemperary houses are overheating. • The cost-effective strategies for thermal prevention in urban village were analyzed. • Different retrofit strategies impact on thermal comfort vary from housing types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of the criticality of the components of an infrastructure network has received considerable attention within the context of technological failures and terrorist attacks. However, less effort has been spent on this subject within the context of natural disasters, especially tropical cyclones. This study evaluated the criticality of the components of a transportation network at risk from tropical cyclones with consideration of three characteristics of natural hazards: local concentration of impact, duration of sustained effect, and hazard occurrence probability. The physical meaning of the proposed criticality index for a specific component reflects the expected increase in transportation network functionality after the retrofitting of that particular component in advance of a tropical cyclone. The ranking based on this criticality index could help support long-term decision making regarding investment for disaster mitigation in relation to transportation networks. A case study of Hainan Island (China) was conducted to illustrate the applicability of the criticality index, and the practical meaning of the index was illustrated through comparison with indices from other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a design methodology for seismic upgrading of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. The methodology is based on the modification of the deflected shape of the structure so as to achieve a near-uniform distribution of interstorey drift along the building height, thereby eliminating damage localization. Yield Point Spectra are utilized for the definition of demand and a direct displacement-based design approach is implemented. The fundamental steps of the method are described in detail, including a systematic evaluation of assumptions and limitations. A full-scale tested structure is used as a case study for assessment and verification of the proposed methodology. Alternative retrofit scenarios are set according to target response and performance levels. The role of the target deflected response shape and its influence on the outcome of the retrofit strategy is investigated. The viability of the alternative retrofit scenarios is studied for different ground motions including near-fault earthquake records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storm water quality management in urbanized areas remains a challenge to Canadian municipalities as the funding and planning mechanisms are not well defined. In order to provide assistance to urbanized municipalities in the Great Lakes areas, the Great Lakes 2000 Cleanup Fund and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment commissioned the authors to develop a Geographic Information System planning tool for storm water quality management in urbanized areas. The planning tool comprises five steps: (1) definition of storm water retrofit goals and objectives; (2) identification of appropriate retrofit storm water management practices; (3) formulation of storm water retrofit strategies; (4) evaluation of strategies with respect to retrofit goals and objectives; and (5) selection of storm water retrofit strategies. A case study of the fully urbanized Mimico Creek watershed in the City of Toronto is used to demonstrate the application of the planning tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]