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Studies on Hazard Characterization for Performance-based Structural DesignWang, Yue 2010 May 1900 (has links)
Performance-based engineering (PBE) requires advances in hazard
characterization, structural modeling, and nonlinear analysis techniques to fully and
efficiently develop the fragility expressions and other tools forming the basis for
risk-based design procedures. This research examined and extended the state-of-the-art
in hazard characterization (wind and surge) and risk-based design procedures (seismic).
State-of-the-art hurricane models (including wind field, tracking and decay
models) and event-based simulation techniques were used to characterize the hurricane
wind hazard along the Texas coast. A total of 10,000 years of synthetic hurricane wind
speed records were generated for each zip-code in Texas and were used to statistically
characterize the N-year maximum hurricane wind speed distribution for each zip-code
location and develop design non-exceedance probability contours for both coastal and
inland areas.
Actual recorded wind and surge data, the hurricane wind field model, hurricane
size parameters, and a measure of storm kinetic energy were used to develop wind-surge and wind-surge-energy models, which can be used to characterize the wind-surge hazard
at a level of accuracy suitable for PBE applications. These models provide a powerful
tool to quickly and inexpensively estimate surge depths at coastal locations in advance of
a hurricane landfall. They also were used to create surge hazard maps that provide storm
surge height non-exceedance probability contours for the Texas coast.
The simulation tools, wind field models, and statistical analyses, make it possible
to characterize the risk-consistent hurricane events considering both hurricane intensity
and size. The proposed methodology for event-based hurricane hazard characterization,
when coupled with a hurricane damage model, can also be used for regional loss
estimation and other spatial impact analyses.
In considering seismic hazard, a risk-consistent framework for
displacement-based seismic design of engineered multistory woodframe structures was
developed. Specifically, a database of probability-based scale factors which can be used
in a direct displacement design (DDD) procedure for woodframe buildings was created
using nonlinear time-history analyses with suitably scaled ground motions records. The
resulting DDD procedure results in more risk-consistent designs and therefore advances
the state-of-the-art in displacement-based seismic design of woodframe structures.
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Marijuana Legalization and Traffic Fatalities Involving CannabinoidsHake, Mark Lewn 01 January 2019 (has links)
Washington State and Colorado were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the number of drivers who tested positive for marijuana in traffic fatalities increased 48% from 2013 to 2014, and marijuana legalization may have influenced this increase. Since marijuana legalization is new to the United States, the effects of this change in policy are untested in the literature. The purpose of this quantitative study using a regression point displacement design was to examine the relationship between traffic fatalities involving cannabinoids in Washington State before and after marijuana legalization. Rational choice theory and perceptual deterrence theory provided the framework for the study. Existing state level data of traffic fatalities from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System were analyzed using regression point displacement. Pre and post legalization Washington state fatalities were compared against 43 control groups where marijuana has not been legalized for recreational use. Results from ANCOVA analysis indicated no statistical difference between Washington State and other nonlegalized states in traffic fatalities involving cannabinoids. This is one of the first studies exploring the effects of marijuana legalization on public safety. These results suggest marijuana legalization may not contribute to the increase in traffic fatalities. Findings may provide legislators and traffic safety stakeholders with information in creating legislation legalizing marijuana as well as strategy and a research agenda to address traffic fatalities.
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