BrainMap

Mr. Dragos Toma-Danila

Dr

Researcher (CS II) - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA

Researcher

Web of Science ResearcherID: AAQ-8192-2020

Curriculum Vitae (29/12/2022)

Expertise & keywords

Towards more Earthquake-resilient Urban Societies through a Multi-sensor-based Information System enabling Earthquake Forecasting, Early Warning and Rapid Response actions Call name:
821046 2019 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: NORSAR

Project partners: NORSAR (); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA ()

Project website: https://earthquake-turnkey.eu/

Abstract:

Platforma virtuala de colectare si analiza interactiva a datelor geofizice multidisciplinare Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-1693 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: http://phenomenal.infp.ro/

Abstract:

The project was conceived as an answer to users' questions and demands, and their needs have led us to put the basis of the proposal. The final result of the project will be a functional integrated geophysical platform, that will offer public access to information related to: the temporal correlation between global, regional and national seismicity, catalogues, interactive maps and videos; the macroseismic field and maps of all moderate and large Romanian recent and future crustal and subcrustal earthquakes; and the behavior of the geomagnetic field recorded in the last twenty years at stations inside and outside Vrancea seismogenic zone, represented as temporal diagrams with a length decided by the user, and correlated with seismicity and magnetic storms. The platform will also collect, through questionnaires, macroseismic info after an earthquake, offering in return real time answers with the seismic intensity and related explanations and also users’ information on abnormal behavior of animal, clouds, air or water temperature, unexplained atmospheric electricity, or gas emissions that might be assimilated as earthquakes precursors, and an automat alert will be issued to a technician, when the answers number will exceed a normal daily average, for manual processing. This service is necessary for the worried citizens, local authorities, decision makers and emergency situation departments, to be aware of the real situation of seismic or geomagnetic activity. The platform will aggregate a series of institutional data products and data collected from external agencies. The platform architecture will be modular, based on microservices responsible for data synchronization and the generation of products from which the user will create selections based on available data parameters. Behind each service there will be researches that will create tools for seismic and magnetic activity patterns recognition and predictive models for recognizing anomalies will be generated.

Open system for integrated civil structures monitoring Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-0832 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: https://prevent.infp.ro

Abstract:

With the continuous advance of urbanisation, the exposure of anthropogenic structures in Romania to extreme natural phenomena is ever increasing. As a response to the needs of a safer and more secure urban environment against earthquake disasters, the PREVENT project aims to use research based knowledge and ICT technologies to develop, test and promote a reference online service platform in which real time data (seismic, environmental) or other types of data is easily integrated, processed using state-of-the art algorithms, also in real time, and Decision Support solutions are delivered - for emergency intervention, structural health monitoring and business continuity planning, using Internet-of-Things capabilities.

The platform is thought to be dynamic, continuously fed and updated with new data and open, in the sense of providing the possibility of bringing and integrating new parameters and data that would become useful in the future, from researchers, property owners, local authorities and the general public.

Preparing for the next major earthquake: exploring new scientific opportunities Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0969 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: https://prequake.infp.ro/

Abstract:

Earthquakes are one of the perceptible proofs that the Earth is a living planet. Beside seeing them as natural hazards capable of generating considerable damage in a matter of seconds, we need to acknowledge that each major earthquake provides both important lessons on how we should mitigate seismic risk. Without earthquakes, we might not know so much about the structure of Earth, Moon and (soon) Mars, unauthorized nuclear explosions, fuel deposits, local soil effects or seismic design. Seismology and earthquake engineering have evolved considerably, especially in the last 20 "digital" years, but there are still very high uncertainties in nowadays hazard, vulnerability and risk models; clearly, we missed important chances of understanding more about the phenomenon and behavior of built structures. Are we prepared nowadays, at international and national level (considering especially the Vrancea intermediate-depth seismic source), to take advantage of recent technological developments, to gather useful information like never before? Allowing for important breakthroughs in the reduction of uncertainties and risk?

Through this project we will investigate the answers to these questions, reevaluating past experiences and analyzing the new context, based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cost-benefit analysis and investigation of in-place procedures. These will take into account the new types of seismic sensors (also for structural monitoring) and other types of low-cost sensors, remote sensing solutions (including drones), crowd-sourcing and social apps or internet-of-things, as well as the framework of the Romanian Seismic Network. Project deliverables will consist of guidelines, frameworks and software modules which will provide stakeholders and researchers support in preparing for a major earthquake - not only to reduce the damage, but also to ensure that insightful data to accelerate learning afterwards is recorded.

INTEGRATED SEISMIC HAZARD INFORMATION PLATFORM FOR VRANCEA ZONE SURVEILLANCE THROUGH ADVANCED GEOSPATIAL AND IN-SITU METHODOLOGIES Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0036 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DE CONSTRUCTII BUCURESTI (RO); TEHNOGIS GRUP SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: http://vrageo.inoe.ro

Abstract:

VRAGEO is a service proposed in response to Partnerships Program – Applied Research Projects - Competition 2013, Priority area 3- Environment, Research direction 3.4.6. Natural and technological hazards; researches on risk assessment and impact studies. The main objective of VRAGEO is to enable free and open access to seismic hazard information in Romania due to Vrancea source in support of GMES (Global Monitoring of Environment and Security) through the development of an operational framework, a set of supporting tools and advanced geospatial surveillance methodologies of Vrancea tectonic active region.VRAGEO takes a closer look at geophysical activity anomalies in Vrancea and its surroundings, providing timely information to limitate negative impacts. Through the development of a strong geodata base of in-situ and geospatial data, new methods and indicators for improving seismic hazard assessment in Romania, VRAGEO will demonstrate to which extent a systematic integration of several independent observations can improve medium and short-term earthquake prediction. For monitoring of the geophysical parameters having precursory character in Vrancea area time-series geospatial data will be used in three distinct directions: 1)Preseismic crustal deformation with millimeters-centimeters precision order through GPS, LEVELLING network and radar satellite interferometry (TerraSAR-X,ALOS, Sentinels); 2)Geomagnetic and Ionospheric anomalies, short term or immediate seismic precursors over strong earthquakes areals expressed through Total Electron Content TEC provided by GPS permanent network stations or from real-time IPS - WDC for Solar-Terrestrial Science data; 3)Possible thermal surface anomalies inferred through surface latent heat flux (SLHF) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) changes from time-series satellite data in IR regions (NOAA-AVHRR, Terra/Aqua-MODIS, Landsat TM/ETM, ENVISAT, Sentinels). Will be quantified long-, medium-,short- and immediate- term of geophysical parameters and radon concentration variations, sensitive to seismic events. Information derived from time-series satellite data will be used in synergy with in-situ monitoring data provided by geophysical, geodetic, geodynamic, electromagnetic, solar, seismic, meteorological monitoring networks of Romania. Will be adapted and developed Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere and Plate Kinematic Models applied for crustal movements and seismicity in Vrancea area for location and increasing geophysical activity in Vrancea zone will be cross-validate with in-situ and geospatial data. VRAGEO will improve the seismic hazard assessment in Vrancea zone through providing of different levels of experimental seismic hazard services for users:Seismic Hazard Mapping Service, Geophysical Parameters Service Mapping and Geophysical Parameters Anomalies Detection Mapping Service. For analysis of geophysical processes at the ground-to-air and ground-to-water interfaces responsible for seismic presignals generation, will be refined existing methodologies and developed new different advanced monitoring and surveillance methodologie, will be modeled the geodynamical processes and will be cross-validated with in-situ data. In order to mitigate-improve the preparedness of strong Vrancea earthquake in Romania,VRAGEO promotes applied inter- and multi-disciplinary approach by the development of a research dissemination Seismic Hazard Information Platform at all society levels to support spatial and policy planning in the context of global change and societal advance.VRAGEO will develop of a novel seismic hazard assessment strategy, combining high-resolution remote sensing with a numerical modeling approach and will generate intelligent knowledge to deliver new and more innovative products, processes and services for Vrancea seismic area. The VRAGEO is set to develop state-of-the-art service capabilities for enhanced seismic hazard and risk services, especially addressing national needs

Mobile Earthquake Exhibition Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0972 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); SIVECO ROMANIA SA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA NATIONALA DE ARTE DIN BUCURESTI (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: http://www.mobee.info

Abstract:

Geology and geophysics are frequently perceived as “difficult to understand” by the general public, BUT - geologic landscapes surround us and are popular tourist attractions AND - there is great interest in earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and natural resources. Most people are shocked to find out the number of earthquakes occurring every day. Therefore, the MOBEE (Mobile Earthquake Exhibition) project is a perfect opportunity to inform, excite and educate the general public about earthquake in particular and geosciences in general.

The initiative is built on the premise that seismology offers a special opportunity for capturing human innate curiosity about natural phenomena and that this curiosity can be used as a platform from which a wealth of fundamental principles of physics and Earth sciences can be taught. Earthquakes, by virtue of their awesome power, unpredictable character and broad impact, have tremendous potential to capture the attention of students of all ages. And so the information that matter can reach the subject and contribute to raise awareness and build a resilient society.

Romania is located in the Carpathian seismic belt, one of the most active tectonic regions of the world. In the last few decades, the country had experienced several major earthquakes which claimed thousands lives and millions of property damage (Vrancea, 1940, 1977 and 1986). Each month more than 30-40 small and medium earthquakes occur in Romania. Nevertheless, subjects such as seismology and earth science are neglected in today schoolbooks and school programs, and also in museums and exhibitions. Mass media doesn’t provide a relevant message for this concerning topic, so learning from past experiences is not quite an exploited task.

Through this project we intend to develop a portable exhibition for museums and other educational events that focus on seismology, seismic hazard and Earth Sciences, aiming to change the public perception about earthquakes, and also to reach a wider public. We will present earthquakes not as destructive events, but rather as signals of the dynamic geological forces that build our mountains and create our ocean basins. In other words, we seek to develop an appreciation for earthquakes as nature's reminder that we are living on the thin, outer crust of a planet whose interior is still cooling. The exhibits will include activities and interactive displays that will allow visitors to understand where and why earthquakes happen, discover the relationships between earthquake locations and plate boundaries, produce their own earthquakes, track recent earthquake activity, understand what are the direct and indirect effects on landscape and buildings and how can we prepare and protect against such a cataclysm.

The exhibition will consists in a set of connected wall panels creating an "earthquake zone", setting the stage for many interactive components and displays, informal and educational materials. It will be divided in five thematic areas, following a circular logic distribution: “Anatomy of the Earth”, “Earthquakes”, “Measuring earthquakes”, “Earthquake effect on landscape” and “Earthquake effects on buildings & How do we protect ourselves?”. The exhibition core will be a large dissected globe showing all the Earth’s main layers, emphasizing the ultimate role of the crust as the only one available for direct observation and study. By bringing live seismic data over the Internet and broadcasting it in museums, we will provide visitors with evidence that the Earth's surface is in motion. Thanks to the various domains of the consortium partners, both the scientific and impact techniques will set new standards for Romanian exhibitions.

The main goal of the exhibition is to strengthen the knowledge on the key role of geosciences in a sustaining society. Visitors of different ages will be introduced to the big picture of geodynamic evolution, understanding also how they can now mitigate the possible risks.

3D DISTRIBUTION OF SEISMIC WAVE VELOCITIES IN THE UPPER LITHOSPHERE OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN DEPRESSION AND PANNONIAN BASIN IN ROMANIA Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1812 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); PROSPECTIUNI S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: http://www.geodynamics.ro/trapawa.htm

Abstract:

Propagation velocities, often associated with waves amplitude, are the basis of algorithms for seismic data processing and, also, structural and stratigraphic interpretations of the resulted models. Most of the primary information on detailed geological structures comes from seismic studies carried out for the oil industry and dedicated to upper / shallower formations of sedimentary basins. For deep structures, it is necessary to build models of seismic velocities in order to conduct seismological and tectonic studies. Velocity models, using direct or inverse methods on different transects all over the world, have been obtained from deep seismic refraction surveys. The resulted velocity values are averages or trends of linear increase with depth over well-defined intervals. For the sedimentary covers, details and resolution studies of the obtained velocity models can be tested by integrating previous data from industry seismic lines or boreholes that intersect or lie within the profiles. Until now, such studies have not been conducted in Romania in the Transylvanian Depression and Pannonian Basin. Consequently, the main objective of this project is to construct 2-D and 3-D models of P-waves velocity (Vp) distribution with depth, using as input seismic data from reflection or refraction lines (shallow or deep) available for the Transylvanian and Pannonian domains. Shallow P-wave velocities will be verified by seismo-acoustic well logging data, which are data measured along one direction, in depth. The refracted P-waves will be processed to obtain 2-D Vp distributions. The correlation of both types of velocities will result into a more accurate 2-D Vp model. Details about the P-wave velocities into the very shallow section of the subsurface can be obtained from the ambient noise. The processing of the ambient noise is done using the Seismic Interferometry, a method which retrieves P- and S-waves from the recorded noise. Shallow S-wave velocities will be obtained from ambient and coherent noise. Seismic Interferometry will be used to retrieve the surface waves from the ambient noise. The retrieved surface waves will be analyzed in the frequency domain and the 2-D velocity distributions will be determined after the inversion of the dispersion curves. Shallow S-wave velocity distributions on longer distances will be obtained from the analysis of the coherent noise seen on the seismic data recorded using the seismic reflection surveys performed for oil exploration. The analysis of the ambient noise will require the performing of passive seismic measurements. This type of measurements will be done at small and large scales, depending on the size of area covered with measurements.

In the final stage, all data will be integrated into a regional velocity model. The boundaries of major tectonic units will be outlined using horizontal velocity gradient and gravity measurements and analyses. The velocity distribution model obtained in this way will represent an invaluable tool for future processing of seismic lines and tectonic modeling for hydrocarbon investigation, having a direct, immediate and significant impact on faster, cheaper and much better quality data processing for the petroleum industry.

DAMS SAFETY DURING LARGE DESTRUCTIVE EARTHQUAKES: EVALUATION, IMPROVEMENT, MONITORING, WARNING AND EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1909 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); GEOTEC CONSULTING S.R.L. (RO); TERRASIGNA SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: http://daring.infp.ro/

Abstract:

DARING will develop a scientific based practical instrument in preventing and mitigating the devastating effects of large dams breakage caused by destructive earthquakes. Taking advantages of the consortium experience accumulated in hazard and risk assessment, monitoring and warning accordingly to novel geophysical and seismological theories, observations and models, the project involves the technological means in creating a powerful operational tool which will be used to increase the safety level of the downstream territories, improving life's quality and diminishing possibly huge losses.

The project gathers high level scientific knowledge on probabilistic hazard, vulnerability and seismic risk assessment, using seismic, geophysical, and InSAR approaches, and practical activities of real time monitoring to construct an effective warning and informing application, with both theoretical and material benefits. From this point of view, the project constitutes a turntable which combines the theoretical models and practical observations to produce an output of augmented scientific and practical results.

Three major directions will be developed in this project, to reach its final objective, to provide the emergency services with warnings of a potential dam failure and ensuing flood, allowing further public notification and evacuation:

1. Research area

Probabilistic seismic hazard (PSH), vulnerability and risk in 6 counties from Moldova region including Izvorul Muntelui Dam, down on Bistrita and following on Siret River and theirs affluent. A number of more than 30 dams will be studied and two of the most vulnerable will be chosen for monitoring and warning, as pilot sites, following an extension to the scale of the entire country. Flooding maps will be drawn to find the most exposed downstream localities both for risk assessment studies and warnings.

2. Monitoring dams, lakes, slopes and downstream

Ground and space-based technologies will allow to record and characterize the behavior of the structure, terrain and slopes' stability of studied sites and to corroborate this information with the water quantity currently retained in these hydrological accumulations, and with the meteorological data.

We propose a model of seismic vibration monitoring, one water-level meter in the upstream, 3 floating triggered switches at different elevations for rapid water level changes detection in the downstream and one meteorological station, while satellite interferometric radar observations will provide data regarding millimeters displacements of slopes over long periods.

3. Information and warning system

This is the immediate practical output of the project, which will be performed in 2 steps: local warnings, triggered by strong motion accelerometers system, at large vibrations of different typologies affecting the dam site and/or quickly rising water levels in the downstream triggered by the water level meters and the float switches and early regional warning in the case of a large Vrancea earthquake, triggered by the system already installed in the epicentral zone.

The last product of the project will be a dedicated web portal which will present the seismicity, the seismic hazard and risk values, the geophysical map revealing floodable areas, potential risk and affected localities.

The Romanian Educational Seismic Network Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1138 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN CONSTRUCTII, URBANISM SI DEZVOLTARE TERITORIALA DURABILA "URBAN-INCERC" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); BETA SOFTWARE MANAGEMENT S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: http://www.roeduseis.ro

Abstract:

Increasing our knowledge about the earthquake phenomena and their effects at the earth surface is an important step toward the education of population in high seismic risk regions and can contribute to raise the awareness about the earthquake risk and possible mitigation actions. A pilot program called The Romanian Educational Seismic Network (RoEduSeis-Net) will be implemented to all levels of preuniversity education throughout Romania. In this direction two viable paths will be experimented in seismic risk educational efforts. The first one has an immediate impact, and it is strongly based on traditional communication supports as booklets, brochures, web sites, public seminars, teacher training and conferences. This is mainly dedicated to nursery, primary and secondary school cycle. The alternative approach is instead grounded on advanced technologies and use of web-oriented accessible tools. The project goal is to create a community for education in seismology where teachers and students run simple and inexpensive seismometer systems for detect earthquakes. This approach is willing to make high-school students the main actors of the scientific experience about earthquakes, by leading them along the laboratory research trail, made of seismogram observation, measurement, analysis and interpretation. In addition, three interactive exhibits will be developed by the project partners aiming to increase the student and public awareness on seismic risk using advanced scientific equipment and real laboratory experiences aided and maintained by specialized technical staff. Driven by the high-tech development of earthquake observation systems, the educational seismology in schools can represent a suitable, integrated environment which makes students, active users of modern technologies rather than passive consumers and the selected vehicle for such training is the seismological observation.

Bridging the gap between seismology and earthquake engineering: from the seismicity of Romania towards a refined implementation of Seismic Action EN1998-1 in earthquake resistant design of buildings Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0788 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DE CONSTRUCTII BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE IN CONSTRUCTII, URBANISM SI DEZVOLTARE TERITORIALA DURABILA "URBAN-INCERC" (RO); AEDIFICIA CARPATI S.A. (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: http://bigsees.infp.ro

Abstract:

Earthquakes are a serious threat for Romania. Seismic codes are important means for strengthening the resilience of our society against the negative consequences of major earthquakes and, therefore, should become central nodes of disaster mitigation.

The concept of BIGSEES project is „Innovation through standardization”, as a recommendation for closing the gap between R&D activities and standardization work. In the EU strategy, standardization is as a key instrument for improvement in order to foster innovation (Brussels, COM(2008)133 final-Towards an increased contribution from standardization to innovation to Europe). There are some chapters in European Code (EC-8) which are not applicable at all to deep Vrancea earthquake (like effective design values for acceleration, velocities and displacements). Standardization has a dimension of public interest, in particular whenever issues of safety to crustal, strong and deep Vrancea earthquakes.

According to the provisions of EN 1998-1 Eurocode 8 (EC 8), the National Standard implementing EC 8 will comprise the full text of the Eurocode (including any annexes), as published by CEN, which may be preceded by a National title page and National foreword, and may be followed by a National Annex. The National Annex may only contain information on those parameters which are left open in the Eurocode 8 for national choice, known as Nationally Determined Parameters, to be used for the design of buildings and civil engineering works to be constructed in the country concerned. Now, civil engineers and seismologists are joining their efforts to better calibrate the Nationally Determined Parameters.

Romania, as a full EU member, has to calibrate the Nationally Determined Parameters to be included in the National Annex. A first attempt to develop a National Annex was performed in 2008 by smoothing the differences between the philosophy and provisions of EN 1998-1 and the seismic design practice and provisions of P100-1 Romanian Code for Seismic Design of Buildings. Nevertheless, the National Annex is not fully in line with the philosophy of EC 8. The seismic action, as it is defined in EC 8, requires more refined information on local ground conditions of the construction site. The proposed Project envisages to better calibrate the Nationally Determined Parameters for a refined definition of seismic action in line with the provisions of EC 8. The results of the Project will enable the full and reliable definition, in the Romanian National Annex, of the seismic action in line with the requirements of EN 1998-1.

Another major achievement of the BIGSEES Project will be to transform the results of this methodological research on earthquake risk reduction into effective application, that is „New Romanian Seismic Action”, as part of the European Code EC-8 for a refined implementation, in Romanian design practice.

The expected results of the BIGSEES project can play an important role in reducing the negative impact of catastrophic events on densely populated areas and, particularly, in mitigating the damage to strategic structures and lifelines.

Spaceborne Multiple Aperture Interferometry and Sequential Patterns Extraction Techniques for Accurate Directional Ground and Infrastructure Stability Measurements Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1448 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: TERRASIGNA SRL

Project partners: TERRASIGNA SRL (RO); REGIA AUTONOMĂ TEHNOLOGII PENTRU ENERGIA NUCLEARĂ - RATEN PITEŞTI SUCURSALA CENTRUL DE INGINERIE TEHNOLOGICĂ OBIECTIVE NUCLEARE BUCUREŞTI MĂGURELE CITON (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE STIINTE SPATIALE-FILIALA INFLPR (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA PAMANTULUI - INCDFP RA (RO)

Project website: http://dgisar.terrasigna.com/

Abstract:

The basic concept of the DGI-SAR project is to develop operational specialized services focused on the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program for natural risk management and in particular for landslides and seismic phenomena in Romania. The project is based on Terrafirma project experience, part of European Space Agency's (ESA) GMES Service Element Programme and on National level related project. The project intends to develop innovative monitoring services for critical infrastructure stability, landslides activity and seismic movements, by applying not only the latest technologies and knowledge in the field, such as spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), but also original approaches and research that will enhance the present techniques. The services to be developed are the following: Critical Infrastructure Monitoring Service (CIMS); Slope Instability Monitoring Service (SIMS); Seismic Movement Monitoring Service (SMMS). The selected test zones for these services are Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and area (Saligny versant) and Bucharest city. The main objectives of the project are to: develop accurate and competitive monitoring services in support of GMES Downstream Services in Romania that will be used especially for NPP Cernavoda and Bucharest, but with applications to other similar sites (urban areas, other infrastructure elements, etc.); perform

specific applied research, in order to find new or better solutions to the not yet fully-solved scientific problems underlying the proposed technology. An interdisciplinary approach is proposed, where SAR data and processing techniques will be integrated into the current NPP monitoring system and into the seismological knowledge with the purpose of improving the input to existing structural stability and seismic models and leading to their refinement.

Physical-seismological integrated approaches for risk-prone zones considering results from seismic wave's propagation in nonlinear complex media Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0072 2011 - 2014

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Pamantului

Project partners: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Pamantului (RO)

Affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Pamantului (RO)

Project website: http://infp.infp.ro/projects/te2011/Index.html

Abstract:

The novelty and complexity of this project consists in the nonlinear character of physical laws governing the propagation processes of seismic waves. These are new aspects in the actual development of seismology, on national and international level.This is due to the character of novelty of disciplines concerning the physical properties of rocks and soils in comparison to the traditional level of theoretical seismology. Nevertheless it is necessary a high level of calculus, with a large number of geotechnical parameters, and mathematical equations specific to wave propagation.Nonlinearity in seismology is a known and accepted phenomenon (Richter,1934) but for the moment not sufficient quantitative appreciations were made (Apostol,Phys.Lett.A318,2003). An efficient tool for studying the quantitative characteristics of the nonlinear behavior of soils is the study of spectral amplification factors-SAF.

In this project we try a presentation of the quantitative aspect of the phenomena and a translation of it in mathematical language.

Through the objectives the proposed project respond meanwhile the demands for high turnout and multidisciplinary in the domain of fundamental and applicative researches, which aims the nonlinear seismology, evaluate the seismic hazard, wave propagation in complex media, pursuing scientific and social relevance.

These research directions are of great importance in seismology, because they have a considerable theoretical and applicative potential.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects