Infrastructure Damage Prevention, Assessment and Reconstruction following a Diaster

Obiettivo

Specific Objectives:
1. Gather all the necessary information available in literature on the effects of earthquakes on non-engineered houses and the measures developed for enhancing their safety;
2. Establish a network of collaboration with the most relevant institutions and experts at international level in the fields covered by the present action;
3. Define with AIDCO the specific needs for the definition of the building test specimen;
4. Define with AIDCO the extent of applicability of the recommendations and guidelines for self-construction (buildings erected with no engineering/construction skills) in relation to the requirements of local authorities.

Anticipated milestones and schedule: WP1 Literature Survey and Networking Task 1 Bibliograpfical Search - (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th trimesters 2003) Task 2 Networking - (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th trimesters 2003) WP2 Structural Testing Task 1 Mock-up selection, design and construction - (4th trimester 2003) Milestones: M1 - Meeting with identified experts, AIDCO and El Salvador local authorities - (beginning of 4th trimester 2003).
Planned Deliverables:
1.1 Bibliographical database;
1.2 Classification of the structural types typically present in El Salvador and Latin America of self-constructed houses, with emphasis on those typologies that pose the earthquake highest risk;
1.3 Comprehensive photographic records of non-engineered constructions from field missions to affected areas following earthquake events;
2.1 List of relevant international institutions and researchers available for potential collaboration and establishment of an agreement of collaboration with interested parties;
3.2 Meeting with the representatives of the Sustainable Rural Development, Infrastructure and Environment Unit of the Latin America Directorate of AIDCO, with collaborating researchers and experts in the filed, and with representatives of the local authorities of El Salvador;
3.3 Concept definition of the mock-up;
4.1 General outline for setting up a framework of recommendation and guidelines for the self-construction of non-engineered houses.
Summary of the Action:
The present action is directed towards the support of the Europe-Aid Cooperation Office (AIDCO) for the damage prevention, assessment and reconstruction of infrastructure following natural and technological disasters. The JRC will commit to this action by providing well-recognised technical expertise in the field of structural assessment in an independent manner from national or commercial interests. Following technical and topical discussions and consultations with the Sustainable Rural Development, Infrastructure and Environment Unit of the Latin America Directorate of AIDCO, the action team will provide support along two main lines of action. The first line of action will be concentrated on prevention, whereby the JRC, based on its experience and know-how on structural assessment of building structures, will draft recommendations and guidelines for the construction of safe non-engineered houses in seismic areas. The second line of action will be dedicated towards the field evaluation and assessment of the quality of the construction works financed by AIDCO for the reconstruction of damaged housing and infrastructure in the affected areas following the devastating effects of El Salvador 2001 earthquake.

Rationale:
The European Union is one of the major actors in international co-operation and development assistance, providing along with Member States 55% of total International Official Development Assistance (ODA) and more than two thirds of grant aid. In this context the JRC will provide support to the Europe-Aid Cooperation Office (AIDCO) for the damage prevention, assessment and reconstruction of infrastructure following natural and technological disasters, providing well-recognised technical expertise in the field of structural assessment in an independent manner from national or commercial interests. Following technical and topical discussions and consultations with the Sustainable Rural Development, Infrastructure and Environment Unit of the Latin America Directorate of AIDCO, the action team will provide support along two main lines of action. The first line of action will be concentrated on prevention, whereby the JRC, through its unique facility in Europe of the ELSA laboratory, will perform full/large scale tests on models of civil engineering structures and infrastructures to draft recommendations and guidelines for the construction of safe non-engineered houses in seismic areas. The second line of action will be dedicated towards the field evaluation and assessment of the quality of the construction works financed by AIDCO for the reconstruction of damaged housing and infrastructure in the affected areas following the devastating effects of El Salvador 2001 earthquake.

The JRC will thus act as a body of the Commission that will effectively coordinate and implement the Scientific and Technical (S&T) support needed by AIDCO. In particular, the JRC will contribute by giving support to AIDCO for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes to ensure that Community aid is implemented effectively, whilst providing high standards of quality and speed in the design and implementation of projects. Specifically, the Sustainable Rural Development, Infrastructure and Environment Unit of the Latin America Directorate of AIDCO, calls for support in two different fields: "in the field of prevention: Analysis of the seismic normative and drafting of recommendations in the form of manuals for their application in the field of self-construction in El Salvador" "in the field of the construction of infrastructure and housing in the framework of project SLV/B7-3100/01/073 'Programme de Reconstruction de El Salvador': Assessment of the quality of construction works via a filed mission to be planned at the beginning of 2004".

This action will foster a new channel of communication and cooperation between the JRC-ELSA and the RELEX family of Directorates, in particular to offer S&T support to the activities carried out by AIDCO. In view of the prominent role of RELEX as a key player at an international level within the European Commission, it is expected that through this line of work the level of cooperation with the JRC will grow in future Framework Programmes. The present action will contribute to the European Research Area (ERA) by building up a platform for researchers across Europe to participate in those activities related to the study of the seismic response of non-engineered structures. The proposed action is linked with action 4342 Information support for effective and Rapid External Action (ISFERA) in this ISA and with ISA 4.3.3 on Technological and Natural Risks.

Campo scientifico

Programma(i)

FP6-JRC - Specific programme 2002-2006 for research, technological development and demonstration to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Argomento(i)

4.3.4 - Contribution to Commission objectives in humanitarian aid and assistance

Invito a presentare proposte

Data not available

Meccanismo di finanziamento

JRC - Joint Research Centre research

Coordinatore

Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen

Contributo UE

Nessun dato

Indirizzo

Via E. Fermi 1
I-21020 Ispra
Italia

Costo totale