TECHNOLOGIES FOR DISASTER MITIGATION
Sandeep Kumar
Rohit Tripathy
School of Mechanical Engineering
School of Mechanical Engineering
KIIT UNIVERSITY, Bhubaneswar
KIIT UNIVERSITY, Bhubaneswar
sandeepkumar9995@gmail.com
rohit_tripathy619@yahoo.co.in
1. INTRODUCTION
Disaster management is strategy that is implemented when any type of catastrophic event
takes place that completely disrupts normalcy of a community and causes large scale
destruction and loss of human lives. The essence of a comprehensive disaster management
will encompass a contingency plan to tackle the aftermath of a Disaster or Calamity.
Disaster management is no longer restricted to the domain of "State Responsibilities". Further,
moving beyond disaster management the focus is on "Risk Reduction", ensuring that minimum
risk, loss or damage is ensued whilst dealing with disasters. Hence, all efforts for the
management of disaster need to be a concerted effort between the Government and the private
sector which has gathered momentum in recent years.
1. A. Approach to Disaster Management
Till now, the approach to Disaster Management has been reactive and relief centric. A
paradigm shift has now taken place at the national level from the relief centric syndrome to
holistic and integrated approach with emphasis on prevention, mitigation and preparedness. A
typical Disaster Management continuum has four distinct elements i.e., Mitigation and
Preparedness in pre-disaster phase, and Response, Recovery in post-disaster phase and thus
defines the complete approach to Disaster Management.`
2. Application of Communication Technologies in Disaster Mitigation
In recent disasters and other emergency events, the response to information dearth has been
increasingly realized through innovative use of familiar ICT as well as rapid adoption of new
ICT. Use of ICT facilitates the orientation towards the physical places of their communities by
enabling them to find up-to-date information about continuing threat and the extent of damage.
Most residents use mobile phones, email, blogs, bulletin boards or discussion spaces on major
news websites while some adopted new ICT as part of their search. In the aftermath of the
August/September 2005 Katrina and Rita hurricanes, strangers from across the country worked
to unite separated families , and used blogs and forums to organize provision of relief. [1]
Community based groups, such as amateur radio operators and CERT [COMMUNITY
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS] regularly participate in disaster rescue and response
activities. Though relatively inactive in non disaster periods, in disaster these groups volunteer
time and skills to relay information from firefighters and emergency responders to community
leaders. The activation of these volunteer networks not only brings resources to the affected
community, but also serves as a basis for building what can be described as community
resilience to future hazards. [1]
2.A. Community Computing—Looking to the Future
There are several interesting and viable ways that people rely on and support their communities
that get realized—and perhaps catalyzed—in times of disaster.ICT use might be ad hoc and
temporary, resulting in the establishment of something less tangible: practices that prove useful
to the community and can henceforward be invoked. Community computing then might best be
understood not just as examples of digital sites that endure, but also as collections of
developed practices of ICT use in specific contexts that community members share. [1]
In disaster, finding community by discovering others who care for the locale and who are willing
to share information and provide support in times of need, gives new reason for forging social
connections. Thus use of ICT to find community can help facilitate social cohesion in
geographical communities post-disaster, which is crucial for progress in recovery. [1]
A wide range of search-and-rescue tools have been developed which include devices and
software that can turn walkie-talkies into Internet grids when the phones are out, robots and
aerial mini-planes that can look for signs of life amid the wreckage, and sensor systems that
can sniff out public health threats in the disaster's aftermath. [2]
Some of the most hi-tech responders are DingoTel that made a USB device that can turn
walkie-talkies into voice-over-Internet phones; Starband satellite receivers can extend the
Internet into areas where phones don't work; PacketHop makes communication devices that
knit themselves together into resilient data/voice networks; and Groove Networks can create
secure virtual offices amid the chaos of a disaster aftermath. Some other tools include Threefoot-long (1-meter-long) robot planes and helicopters that can survey the scene from above and
send wireless video back to the team in the field, Night-vision sensor systems that can throw a
virtual spotlight on objects, producing crisp black-and-white imagery while leaving the scene in
total darkness and Triage sensors" that can detect signs of life from 3 feet away, based on
thermal imaging or even the smell of a survivor's faint breathing. [2]
3. Steel Moment Frame Buildings
Steel moment-frame buildings are designed to resist earthquake ground shaking based on the
assumption that they are capable of extensive yielding and plastic deformation, without loss of
strength. The intended plastic deformation consists of plastic rotations developing within the
beams, at their connections to the columns, and is theoretically capable of resulting in benign
dissipation of the earthquake energy delivered to the building. Damage is expected to consist of
moderate yielding and localized buckling of the steel elements, not brittle fractures. [3]
Steel moment-frame buildings are anticipated to develop their ductility through the development
of yielding in beam-column assemblies at the beam-column connections. This yielding may take
the form of plastic hinging in the beams (or, less desirable in the columns), plastic shear
deformation in the column panel zones, or through a combination of these mechanisms. [3]
Beams, columns, and beam-column connections in steel special moment frames are
proportioned and detailed to resist flexural, axial, and shearing actions that result as a building
sways through multiple inelastic displacement cycles during strong earthquake ground shaking.
Special proportioning and detailing requirements are therefore essential in resisting strong
earthquake shaking with substantial inelastic behavior. [4]
The principal advantage of moment frame structures is that they do not have structural walls or
vertically oriented diagonal braces. They therefore provide architectural freedom in design,
permitting open bays and unobstructed view lines. The tradeoff for these benefits is that
moment frames can be more costly to construct than braced frame or shear wall structures. The
added cost results from the use of heavier sections in the moment resisting frames, requiring
increased steel usage and more labor intensive connections than is common in braced
structures. However, moment frames typically impose smaller forces on foundations than do
other structural systems, resulting in somewhat more economical foundation systems.[4]
Figure 1(a):In the frame shown, the ground is moving to the left and the structure is lagging behind. Inertial forces
develop due to the ground motion and the dynamic response of the structure relative to the ground. [5]
Figure 1(b):The structure has now been loaded well beyond yield. This is the load Beyond significant yield as all previous
cycles have been elastic. Inelastic deformations have not yet reversed. [5]
Figure 1(c):Now the ground is moving back to the right, and deformations and forces are reversed. The structure yields in
the opposite direction. Note that it has been assumed that unloading occurs at the initial stiffness. [5]
Figure 1(d):The structure is moving to the left again, and deformations again reverse, “closing the loop” for the first time.
This behavior may be repeated five to ten Times during an earthquake so the structure must be detailed to sustain
repeated inelastic deform[5]
4. HYDRAULIC RESCUE TOOLS
The first quarter of 2011 has witnessed mass devastation caused by natural calamities. Hence
it is a stark reminder that if it were needed the URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE (USAR) team
must be equipped with the latest and most advanced rescue tools. Hydraulic wedges allow the
rescuer to commence lifting operations in the narrow openings and can be followed up by lifting
bags and hydraulic jacks. [6]
During disasters Hydraulic rescue tools are used by emergency rescue personnel for assisting
vehicle extrication of crash victims, as well as other rescue from collapsed buildings. The tools
operate on the basis of hydraulic fluid pressure of up to 720 bar (10,000 psi), which must be
provided from a power source .These tools include cutters, spreaders, door busters and rams.
Shoring systems with integrated hydraulics offer added advantage of lifting capability during
rescue operations where casualties are trapped at greater depths. These systems must be
light, readily deployable and offer structural support in a whole host of situations. [6]
4.A. CORE[COaxial Rescue Equipment ] Technology
CORE [COaxial Rescue Equipment] Technology is a new hydraulic system that fundamentally
changes the extrication process. CORE Technology is a revolutionary turning point in Rescue
Tool Technology. CORE Technology is a new hydraulic system that fundamentally changes the
extrication process. [7]
CORE Technology is a hydraulic system that employs CO-axial Rescue Equipment hose,
couplers, pumps and tools. At the core of this system is our revolutionary fluid path technology.
This coaxial hose design consists of a high pressure core, surrounded and protected by the low
pressure return. [7]
Figure 2:Hydraulic Cutters[6]
5. Solar Powered Vaccine Refrigerators
In developing countries the electricity grid often does not reach rural areas, and is not always
reliable. As keeping vaccines at the appropriate temperature is vital, solar powered refrigerators
are a cost-effective alternative that can be highly reliable. A typical system will use a solar
photovoltaic panel to generate electricity from sunlight, and a deep cycle battery to store energy
for operation overnight, This refrigerator would allow medical professionals to carry muchneeded vaccines to communities devastated by calamities. [9]
REFERENCES
[1] Boyle, A. (2005, 8 30). www.msnbc.com.
[2] Concept Of Seismic Resistant Design. FEMA.
[3] CORE Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2011, from www.holmatrousa.com.
[4] dunbar, I. (2011, April/May). Developments In USAR Equipment. Fire Times .
[5] Hamburger, R. O., Krawinkler, H., Malley, J. O., & Adan, S. M. (June,2009).
Seismic Design of Steel Special Moment Frames:A Guide For Practicing
Engineers. In NEHRP Seismic Design Technical Brief No-2 (pp. 6-8). NISTNational Institute Of Standards And Technology,U.S. Department Of
Commerce.
[6]
Hydraulic
Cutters. (n.d.).
[7] Johnson, M. (September,2000). State of The Art Report on Welding And
Inspection(Program to Reduce Earthquake Hazards Of Steel Moment Frame
Structures). In M. Johnson, State Of The Art Report On Welding and Inspection
(pp. 1.2-1.4). FEMA.
[8] Shklovski, I., Palen, L., & Sutton, J. (n.d.). Finding Community Through
Information and Communication Technology During Disaster Events. 1-9.
[9] Vaccine Refrigerator. (n.d.). Retrieved October 04, 2011, from
www.wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_refrigerator
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 (a),(b)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Figure 1 (c),(d)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Figure 2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5