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• THE ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL FAILURES IN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE USED TO ESTIMATE WIND SPEEDS OF HURRICANE MARIA IN PUERTO RICO

  G. Pacheco-Crosetti, H. Cruzado

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 8

  
  

  Abstract

  Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. Its strong winds and rainfall intensity were responsible for significant damages to the infrastructure and to all types of construction in Puerto Rico. The hurricane and its effects have been intensively studied over the past three years. These studies include estimates of the gust speeds that the hurricane produced. These estimates appear to be lower than those expected for a hurricane of Maria’s category. The present study sets out to contribute to these estimates by analyzing the failures of elements of the transportation infrastructure, obtaining as a result that the gust speeds required to produce the analyzed failures were significantly higher than those of previous studies. This findings suggests that a review of the estimated gust speeds for Hurricane María is pertinent, which would make it possible to better interpret its effects. In turn, this could have an impact on the definition of relevant design speeds for Puerto Rico to design resilient systems under a future update of the building codes of the island.

  Abstract
  Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. Its strong winds and rainfall intensity were responsible for significant damages to the infrastructure [...]

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• IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STRONG MOTION SEISMIC NETWORK FOLLOWING HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA AND THE SEISMIC SEQUENCE

  J. Martínez-Cruzado

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 7

  
  

  Abstract

  The Puerto Rico Strong Motion Program (PRSMP) has 114 strong motion stations and 21 seismically instrumented structures in five (5) countries. This paper explains how the PRSMP has been able to recover from the detrimental effects of Hurricane María to become a more robust, strong motion network in terms of instrumentation with 100% of the data loggers with recent technology, in terms of energy with 48/90 (53%) of the free field stations in the Island with photovoltaic systems, and in terms of communication with 51/90 (57%) transmitting its data real time and developing two data centers. In addition, the southwest Seismic Sequence, with its main event on January 7, 2020, has allowed the increment of strong motion stations and the improvement of its communication in the region that covers from Ponce to Mayagüez.

  Abstract
  The Puerto Rico Strong Motion Program (PRSMP) has 114 strong motion stations and 21 seismically instrumented structures in five (5) countries. This paper explains how the [...]

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• BEHAVIOR OF TYPICAL INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS USING PREFABRICATED DOUBLE-T-TYPE ROOFS DURING EARTHQUAKES IN JANUARY AND MAY 2020 IN PUERTO RICO

  J. Guevara

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 19

  
  

  Abstract

  The recent earthquakes that occurred in January and May 2020 in Puerto Rico have revealed the vulnerability of industrial buildings that use prestressed concrete double-T beams, due to poor connections and insufficient support lengths between the double-T beams and the supporting beams that are prefabricated. These beams sometimes are supported by concrete brackets representing an additional risk. In the supports, displacements have been observed in the joints causing diagonal cracks and angle separation related to the horizontal transfer between the joists and supporting beams. In these supports there is a lack of capacity due to shear and poor ductility due to the connection made with metal plates embedded in the web of the joists and angles located along the edge of the prefabricated beams.

  Abstract
  The recent earthquakes that occurred in January and May 2020 in Puerto Rico have revealed the vulnerability of industrial buildings that use prestressed concrete double-T [...]

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• NEAR FIELD EARTHQUAKES CHARACTERIZATION

  J. Ordoñez

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 18

  
  

  Abstract

  Near field earthquakes are those that have their epicenter at less than 20 km with respect to the site of interest. These earthquakes have particular conditions that pose a high seismic threat and are not covered by the regional seismic hazard parameters established from regional studies. Some design codes require a specific assessment of this situation for structure design, but do not specify methods or references for this evaluation. This article presents a description of the characteristic conditions of near field seismic movement based on the analysis of real records. It shows how near field earthquakes have a coherent pattern of long-period, high-intensity movements that originate from the rupture displacement in the source. Because of the long-period movements they significantly affect the coseismic displacements which can become quite large. This effect is attenuated at distances larger than 20 km. This information is useful in characterizing the seismic threat in cases where there are shallow seismic sources near the site of interest.  

  Abstract
  Near field earthquakes are those that have their epicenter at less than 20 km with respect to the site of interest. These earthquakes have particular conditions that pose [...]

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• EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCE IN PUERTO RICO AND THE CARIBBEAN: LESSONS AND WHAT WE HAVE LEARN FROM THEM IN THE LAST TWO DECADES

  C. López, J. Cruzado, L. Suarez

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 5

  
  

  Abstract

  The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States, and the smallest island of the Greater Antilles, is approximately 200 km by 60 km; it is also the island with the highest population densities within the Caribbean region.  Several historical earthquakes have caused extensive damage to Puerto Rico and have generated Tsunami. There is a great concern to many geophysicists who believe that the subduction zone (Puerto Rico Trench) may be due for a major event because it has not ruptured in over 200 years.  This research provides a description of the Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) and instrumental Intensity (IMMI) distribution of significant moderate magnitude (5.0≤M≤6.4) earthquakes, the temporal-spatial patterns of the regional and local seismicity, within Puerto Rico Island (PRI) occurred during the last two decades, the lessons we have learned from them, and their association with the known mapped faults and the historical earthquakes (M≥7.0), as well as to the un-known faults and the earthquake epicentral clusters within the PRI and Caribbean region.  In addition, the tectonic frame and faults of the region and the Puerto Rico Strong Motion Program (PRSMP) seismic network instruments coverage and distribution is provided.  Finally, it was found the most recent Puerto Rico Seismic Hazard Map (2003), contained in the current building code, does not take into account the multiple partially studied active seismic faults that were found within the Island and that at least one of them could generate magnitude 7.5 earthquakes. Update the PRI Seismic Hazard Map considering the new identified active faults and the new findings of the seismic studies and the local site effects is plenty justified.

  Abstract
  The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States, and the smallest island of the Greater Antilles, is approximately 200 km by 60 km; it is [...]

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• INTERACTION AMONG SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS AND THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE IMPACT OF EARTHQUAKES AND TSUNAMIS IN PUERTO RICO

  R. Rodríguez, W. Ramirez-Martinez, V. Huérfano, C. Andrade, E. Machado

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 4

  
  

  Abstract

  The M6.4 earthquake in January 7, 2020 in the Southwest of Puerto Rico caused damage to housing and buildings, and generated anxiety among the residents. The aftershocks were very active in the following months and are still felt, although with less intensity and frequency. A group of researchers from University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) took over the task of going to the communities that requested their visit to deliver informative talks about the events. These included information on the geology of the zone, details on the ground movements, Tsunami threats, the effects on the structures, what to expect in future events, and how to react to the strong ground movement. This article summarizes part of that group experience, including technical information about the earthquake and answers to some of the most commonly asked questions from the provided lectures.

  Abstract
  The M6.4 earthquake in January 7, 2020 in the Southwest of Puerto Rico caused damage to housing and buildings, and generated anxiety among the residents. The aftershocks were [...]

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• EVALUATING RISK FROM A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE TO IMPROVE RESILIENCE: A SUBNATIONAL LEVEL EVALUATION IN COLOMBIA

  P. Marulanda-Fraume, O. Cardona, M. Marulanda, M. Carreño

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 3

  
  

  Abstract

  Disaster risk is not only associated with the occurrence of intense hazard events but also with the vulnerability conditions that favour or facilitate disasters when such events occur. Vulnerability is closely linked to social processes and governance weaknesses in disaster-prone areas and is usually related to a set of factors of fragility, susceptibility, and lack of resilience of the exposed human settlements. The holistic risk assessment aims to reflect risk from a comprehensive perspective by using, in one hand, the physical risk or potential physical damage directly linked to the occurrence of hazard events and, on the other hand by capturing how underlying risk drivers or amplifiers –social, economic, environmental factors, non-hazard dependent elements, may worsen the current existing physical risk conditions in terms of lack of capacity to anticipate or resist, or to respond and recover from adverse impacts. This article presents the results of the holistic evaluation obtained at subnational level in Colombia in the framework of the Risk Atlas of Colombia of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, UNGRD. The evaluation was performed using the probabilistic physical risk results obtained in the multi-hazard risk assessment and 16 socio-economic indicators available for 1,123 municipalities of Colombia. These results are useful to identify risk drivers that are associated not only to the physical vulnerability of the buildings and infrastructure but also to social issues that should be examined and tackled in a comprehensive way. 

  Abstract
  Disaster risk is not only associated with the occurrence of intense hazard events but also with the vulnerability conditions that favour or facilitate disasters when such [...]

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• FLEET AND FUEL STRATEGIES FOR TRANSPORTATION RESILIENCE

  A. Kolpakov, A. Sipiora, X. Li, C. Johnson, E. Nobler

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 2

  
  

  Abstract

  The state of Florida, including the Tampa Bay region, is considered one of the most vulnerable areas in the United States to hurricanes and severe tropical weather. A particular vulnerability stems from the fact that Tampa Bay receives all of its petroleum—gasoline and diesel—through Port Tampa Bay, which can be impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms, as well as other disasters. If the port is unable to receive ships due to hurricane wind or storm surge, fuel cannot be delivered to the area, and transportation is impeded. One promising way to avoid this reduction in transportation functionality is to diversify the fuels used. This paper summarizes previous fuel challenges and vulnerabilities experienced by key Tampa Bay fleets after the area’s most recent tropical event—Hurricane Irma in 2017—in order to explore ways to improve the resilience of Tampa Bay to natural disasters. Some of these strategies include maintaining emergency fuel supply, prioritizing fuel use, developing innovative real-time resource sharing mechanisms, strategically placing the assets around the region to assist with the recovery, investing in backup generators, planning for redundancies in fuel supply networks, and diversifying fuel sources by incorporating alternative fuel vehicles into the fleet.

  Abstract
  The state of Florida, including the Tampa Bay region, is considered one of the most vulnerable areas in the United States to hurricanes and severe tropical weather. A particular [...]

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• COLLAPSE OF THE ARECIBO OBSERVATORY IN PUERTO RICO: REFLECTIONS FROM A STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE

  J. Morales, L. Suarez

  RIDNAIC (2021). Vol. 19-20, 1

  
  

  Abstract

  The suspended platform of the Arecibo Observatory collapsed on December 1, 2020, after 57 years of illustrious service to the scientific community. This article reflects on the collapse from a structural engineering perspective.  It explores issues that most likely contributed, including the cable terminations and their performance under loading, corrosion, fatigue, safety factors, the dynamic demands on the remaining cables when one of them suddenly snaps, and the dynamics of the suspended platform during its pendular swing.  The article is based on publicly available reports from the news media, photographs, and published video recordings of the collapse sequence.  These were expanded with relevant studies collected from the literature and with publicly available technical reports from structural engineering consultants that evaluated the structure during its final months.  It is organized as a sequence of events, starting with the first cable failure on August 10, 2020, the second failure on November 6, 2020, and the final collapse.  Despite the limitations, it is concluded that corrosion does not seem to have played a significant role, and that the failure of the first cable was most likely due to flaws during the fabrication of the cable/socket connection.  These will be reviewed and updated once the forensic analyses of the failed elements are concluded and made public.

  Abstract
  The suspended platform of the Arecibo Observatory collapsed on December 1, 2020, after 57 years of illustrious service to the scientific community. This article reflects on [...]

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• PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

  C. Chang, . Ph.D., . P.E., B. Colucci

  Benjamin Colucci's personal collection (2020). 1

  
  

  Abstract

  Pavement management is a decision-making process of vital importance for the preservation of road infrastructure. The planning, programming, and execution of maintenance and rehabilitation activities to preserve the road infrastructure at an adequate level of service requires a large investment of resources. The availability of these resources, including budgetary constraints, and the progressive deterioration of the pavements due to the action of traffic loads and environmental factors create a complex problem to be solved during the management process. The purpose of pavement management practices is to find the best strategy to provide the desired level of service. From a broader perspective, pavement management covers all phases of planning, programming, analysis, design, construction, and research. A Pavement Management System (PMS) is a tool that helps agencies make cost-effective decisions about maintenance and rehabilitation policies. PMPs allow evaluating alternative strategies and predicting the impact of maintenance and rehabilitation interventions on the future performance of the pavement network. This technical article describes the evolution of pavement management systems in an effort to face the great challenge of preserving road infrastructure efficiently to provide an adequate level of service to users.

  Abstract
  Pavement management is a decision-making process of vital importance for the preservation of road infrastructure. The planning, programming, and execution of maintenance and [...]

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Articles (Documents not available in Scipedia)

• Developing an Educational Module to Increase Engineering Student's Knowledge of Highway Work Zones and Temporary Traffic Control Plans

  B Colucci, A Figueroa, ...

  2020 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, 14, 2020

• Simulation-Based Analysis of a Driver-Pedestrian Conflict at an Uncontrolled Location in an Urban Multi-Lane Arterial

  B Colucci, D Valdés-Díaz, A Figueroa, M Rojas, ...

  99th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, 2020

• Simulation-Based Analysis of a Driver-Pedestrian Conflict at an Uncontrolled Location in an Urban Multi-Lane Arterial

  AM Figueroa-Medina, DM Valdés Díaz, B Colucci Ríos, MX Rojas Ibarra, ...

  International Conference on Transportation and Development 2020, 97-109, 2020

• Evaluation of Driver Performance and Safety Countermeasures for Schools Located in an Urban Arterial Highway Using a Driving Simulator

  B Colucci, D Valdés-Díaz, A Figueroa, M Colón, Enid & Rojas

  Road Safety & Simulation (RSS) Annual Conference, 2019

• Assesing the Impact of Smartphone Usage while Driving in Work Zones

  D Valdés, C López, B Colucci, A Figueroa, R García, E Colón, M Rojas, ...

  98th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, 2019

• Assessing the Impact of Smartphone Usage While Driving in Work Zones [supporting datasets]

  DM Valdés Díaz, C Lopez del Puerto, B Colucci Rios, AMF Medina, ...

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2019

• Evaluation of Safety Enhancements in School Zones with Familiar and Unfamiliar Drivers

  DMV Diaz, M Knodler, BC Ríos, AMF Medina, MR Ibarra, EC Torres, ...

  University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 2019

• Enhancing School Zone Safety: Case Studies in Puerto Rico using Driving Simulation

  AF Medina

  University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, 2019

• Operational Analysis of School Zones Using a Driving Simulator

  D Valdés, A Figueroa, B Colucci, E Colón, M Rojas, R García, Y Taveras, ...

  International Conference on Transportation & Development (ICTD 2019), 2019

• Transportation Transformed with Resiliency as a Vital Component: The Case of Puerto Rico's Surface Transportation System-Two Years after the Passage of Category 4 Hurricane María

  B Colucci

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) & Texas District Annual Meeting, 2019

• Speed Behavior in a Suburban School Zone: A Driving Simulation Study with Familiar and Unfamiliar Drivers from Puerto Rico and Massachussetts

  D Valdés, A Figueroa, B Colucci, M Knodler, M. Rojas, ...

  10th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE), 2019

• Enhancing School Zone Safety: Case Studies in Puerto Rico Using Driving Simulation [supporting datasets]

  DM Valdes Diaz, B Colucci Rios, AMF Medina, E Colon Torres, ...

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2019

• Evaluation of Safety Enhancements in School Zones with Familiar and Unfamiliar Drivers [supporting datasets]

  DM Valdes Diaz, MA Knodler, B Colucci Rios, AMF Medina, MXR Ibarra, ...

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2019

• Operational and Safety Performance of Signage and Pavement Markings for Managed Lanes Using a Driving Simulator

  BR Cruz, JR González, RG Rosario, EC Torres, DV Díaz, BC Ríos

  Transportation Research Board 97th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2018

• Evaluation of Roadway Geometrics and Posted Speed Limits with Random Forest in the PR-22 Dynamic Toll Lane Using a Driving Simulator

  J Ruiz-González, B Colucci-Ríos, D Valdés-Díaz, B Ruiz-Cruz, ...

  International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, 906-916, 2018

• Lessons Learned for Puerto Rico's Transportation Infrastructure after Hurricane María

  PE Benjamín Colucci Ríos PhD, AMS BSCE

  Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal 88 (10), 38-43, 2018

• Assessing the Impact of Smartphone Usage while Driving in Work Zones

  DM Valdés Díaz, B Colucci Rios, AMF Medina, R Garcia Rosario, ...

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2018

• Accomplishments and lessons learned of the first four years of the implementation of the Puerto Rico Strategic Highway Safety Plan

  B Colucci, JC Rivera, LA León

  18th International Conference Road Safety on Five Continents (RS5C 2018 …, 2018

• Dynamic Toll Lane: A Success Story as Part of the of Public Private Partnerships in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

  BC Ríos

  Advances in Public-Private Partnerships, 159-170, 2017

• Phase II: operational and safety-based analyses of varied toll lane configurations.

  D Valdes, B Colucci

  Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation Center, 2016

• Operational and safety-based analyses of varied toll lanes.

  DM Valdes Diaz, J Ruiz Gonzalez, B Colucci Rios, B Ruiz Cruz, ...

  University Transportation Centers Program (US), 2016

• Operational and Safety-Based Analysis of Toll Plaza Signane Using Driving Simulation

  D Valdés, B Colucci, D Fisher, J Valdés, E Colón, ...

  Advances in Transportation Studies (ATS), 23-36, 2016

• Driving Simulation of the Safety and Operation Performance at a Freeway Toll Plaza

  D Valdés-Díaz, B Colucci-Ríos, D Fisher, B Ruiz, R Colón, Enid & García

  Transportation Research Record (TRR) Journal-Transportation Research Board …, 2016

• el puente

  EL PUENTE

  Boletín EL PUENTE 26 (02), 2012

• Development and Evaluation of a Software Tool That Integrates GPS and Video Data From a Road Alignment to Perform Road Condition, Safety Audits and Inventory Surveys

  KR Santiago-Chaparro, B Colucci-Rios, AM Figueroa Medina

  Transportation Research Board 87th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2008

• Simulation of metro operations under disruptions: application to Tren Urbano in San Juan, Puerto Rico

  DM Valdes, FE Martínez-Marínez, B Colucci-Rios, S Bartolomei-Suárez

  Transportation Research Board 85th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2006

• Control de plagas en arroz pre-empacado

  R Fraga, J González, B Ríos, B Simón, G García

  Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos 14 (2), 66-70, 2004

• Evaluación de aspectos de seguridad y desarrollo de guías para identificar intersecciones peligrosas en Puerto Rico

  KD Carrasquillo, BC Ríos, JQ Díaz, FL Villafañe

  International Journal of Natural Disasters, Accidents and Civil …, 2003

• Reflexión sobre el diseño y rehabilitación de futuras obras civiles para mitigar desastres naturales en la infraestructura civil

  BC Rios

  Revista Internacional de Desastres Naturales, Accidentes e Infraestructura …, 2002

• Structural evaluation and analysis of instrumented in-service concrete pavements subjected to heavy dynamic loads

  JT Izquierdo, LR Agrait, BC Rĺos

  Transportation research record 1568 (1), 24-34, 1997

• Analytical Study of Concrete Pavement Behavior

  LR Agrait, BC Rios

  PUERTO RICO UNIV MAYAGUEZ, 1989

• AN OPTIMAL PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT THE NETWORK LEVEL

  KC SINHA

  North American Pavement Management Conference, March 18-21, 1985, Royal York …, 1985

• An optimal pavement management system at the network level

  B Colucci-Rios, KC Sinha

  Proceedings of the 1st North American Pavement Management Conference (NAPMC …, 1985

• Optimal pavement management approach using roughness measurements

  B Colucci-Rios, KC Sinha

  Transportation Research Record, 1985

• Development of a Method for Establishing Resurfacing Priorities for the Pavement Management in Indiana: Volume 2, Study Procedures and Results

  B Colucci-Rios, KC Sinha, EJ Yoder

  Joint Transportation Research Program, 1984

• Development of a method for establishing maintenance priorities for the pavement management system in Indiana

  B Colucci-Rios

  Thesis presented to Purdue University, at West Lafayette, Ind., in partial …, 1984

• Methodology for Evaluating Increase in Pavement Maintenance Costs that Result from Increased Truck Weights on Statewide Basis

  B Colucci-Rios, EJ Yoder

  Transportation Research Record, 1983

• Evaluation of existing aggregate roads to determine suitability for resurfacing

  EJ Yoder, DG Shurig, B Colucci-Rios

  Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board …, 1982

• Effects of Raising Load Limits on Pavements and Bridges in Indiana

  EJ Yoder, B Colucci-Rios, JJ Fraczek, JA Skees

  Joint Transportation Research Program, 1979