Anton Zaicenco & Iolanda Craifaleanu 
Harmonization of Seismic Hazard in Vrancea Zone 
with Special Emphasis on Seismic Risk Reduction

The NATO Science for Peace Project Sf P-980468 Harmonization of Seismic Hazard and Risk Reduction in Countries Influenced by Vrancea Earthquakes was an ambitious attempt to harmonize the seismic-hazard assessment in Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania, and provide the guidelines for seismic risk reduction in the target countries. Related to the study of intermediate-depth Vrancea earthquakes, it became operational in 2005. The project co-coordinators were as follows: • Prof. Güney Özcebe, Ankara, Turkey; • Dr. Anton Zaicenco, Chisinau, Moldova; • Dr. Iolanda Craifaleanu, Bucharest, Romania; • Prof. Ivanka Paskaleva, Sofia, Bulgaria. The project has brought together leading research personalities in the area of earthquake engineering, seismology and earth physics from several countries for brainstorming sessions, informal discussions, and exchanges of ideas. One of its key components was an upgrade of the strong-motion seismic networks of the countries-participants, which created a foundation for a long-term collaboration. A number of papers have been published as a result of the work conducted under this project. The present book contains the Proceedings of the Closing Workshop for Project Sf P-980468, which was organized in Chisinau, Moldova on May 20, 2008. From hazard analyses to protection of the historical buildings, from study of the dynamic properties of the soft soils to paleoseismology, there are few areas of interest that remain untouched. Research from the NATO members and partner countries in South-Eastern Europe that forms the components of NATO Project Sf P-980468 has made solid contributions to the Workshop theme.

Table of Content

Romania’s Seismicity and Seismic Hazard: from Historical Records to Design Codes; D. Lungu et al.- Focal Mechanism Solutions for Vrancea Seismic Area; I. Sandu, A. Zaicenco.- Ground Motion Patterns of Intermediate Depth Vrancea Earthquakes: the October 27, 2004 Event; K.-P. Bonjer et al.- A Parametric Model for the August 30, 1986 Vrancea Earthquake; A. Zaicenco et al.- Estimation of the Recurrence and Probability of Vrancea Intermediate Depth Earthquakes; V. Ginsari.- Seismic Protection and Protection Against Demolition of Bucharest’s Historical Buildings; D. Lungu et al.- Seismic Microzonation of Chisinau: a Tool for Reducing Seismic Risk; V. Alkaz et al.- Relevance of H/V Spectral Ratio Technique for Bucharest City; B. Grecu et al.- A Contribution to the Assessment of the Seismic Vulnerability of Large Structures in Sofia City; I. Paskaleva et al.- Hybrid MS-BIEM for Seismic Site-response Phenomena. A Case Study of Sofia; P. Dineva et al.- Seismic Monitoring – a Contribution to the Sustainable Development of the Russe Region of Bulgaria; M. Kouteva, I. Paskaleva.- An Assessment of the Parameters Controlling Seismic Input for the Design and Construction of a High-rise Building: a Case Study for the City of Sofia; I. Paskaleva et al.- An Estimation of the Maximum Interstory Drift Ratio for Shear-wal Type Structure; G. Koleva et al.- Shake Maps of Strength and Displacement Demands for Romanian Vrancea Earthquakes; D. Lungu, I. Craifaleanu.- A Comparative Analysis of Accelerographic Records Obtained in the Republic of Moldova and Romania During the 1986 and 1990 Vrancea Earthquakes; I.S. Borcia.- An Assessment of Damage Potential and Building Performance Demands for Romanian Vrancea Earthquakes; I. Craifalean, D. Lungu.- Estimating an Upper Limit on Prehistoric Peak Ground Acceleration Using the Parameters of Intact Speleothems in Caves in Southwestern Bulgaria; K. Gribovszki et al.- MEMS-based Data Logger for Seismic Arrays and Structural Health Monitoring;R. Mohniuc et al.- Numerical Solution of an Elastic Wave Equation Using the Spectral Methods; A. Zaicenco, V. Alkaz.- A Comparison between the Provisions of Present and Past Romanian Seismic Design Codes Based on Required Structural Overstrength; I. Craifaleanu.