In this paper, a new seismic site classification for the Costa Rican Strong-Motion Network (CRSMN... more In this paper, a new seismic site classification for the Costa Rican Strong-Motion Network (CRSMN) is proposed. The soil profile classification of the Costa Rican Seismic Code based on the average shear-wave velocity of the top 30 m (VS30) is used as a reference. The site fundamental period (Tf) is included as a parameter to complement the existing characterization. For this, the VS30 measurements from 52 accelerometric stations are related to the site fundamental period obtained through horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) using ground motion records from the Costa Rican Strong-Motion Database. The H/V ratios are estimated with 5% damped acceleration response spectra and with traditional Fourier amplitude spectra from the S-wave window. From the relation between VS30 and Tf, different ranges of Tf are assigned to the existing soil profile classification and a graph with three-lines and four-areas is proposed to classify the stations of the CRSMN.
The present work shows the implementation of a data collection strategy for characterizing large ... more The present work shows the implementation of a data collection strategy for characterizing large amounts of buildings efficiently by the conduction of remote surveys on 360° panoramic images and aerial photographs. A set of 7,296 buildings from the Latin American city of San José, Costa Rica were studied and characterized from a structural engineering point of view, obtaining information like occupancy type, height, type of lateral load resisting system, and structural irregularities, among others. Also, an estimation of the error of the remote surveys was performed, by contrasting its results with the ones of field (in situ) surveys applied on a subset of 556 structures denominated “control buildings.” The results show that for San José buildings, the predominant occupancy type, height, type, and material of the lateral load resisting system are, respectively, residential, one or two storey, wall type of confined-reinforced masonry. The overall precision level estimated for the rem...
In this article, we present a strong-motion database from earthquakes recorded by the Earthquake ... more In this article, we present a strong-motion database from earthquakes recorded by the Earthquake Engineering Laboratory at the University of Costa Rica. The database consists of 2471 three-component accelerograms from 155 digitally recorded events. It covers the last 20 yr of measurements, including records from the 5 September 2012 Mw 7.6 Nicoya earthquake. The engineering and seismological communities can use this data either to conduct new research or to improve seismic hazard studies in the region. A catalog is also available with metadata of each record containing several intensity measures from the ground-motion time histories.
Journal of China and International Relations, 2017
Sino-Latin American relations experienced an extraordinary "intensification process" th... more Sino-Latin American relations experienced an extraordinary "intensification process" throughout the first sixteen years of the 21st century. The present article analyses Sino-Latin American relations in the 21st century and proposes three major ideas. First, Sino-Latin American relations experienced an inflection point in 2001, which initiated an unprecedented process that intensified the relationship. Second, since the inflection point in 2001, the relationship established its foundations by transiting through an economic phase between 2001 and 2008, and a soft power phase between 2008 and 2013. Finally, since Xi Jinping took office in 2013, Sino-Latin American relations might be entering a comprehensive new phase that goes beyond trade and soft power, including the political and military-strategic dimensions. The article will be structured as follows: 1) it provides an overview of Sino-Latin American relations in the 21st century; 2) then it describes how the foundations...
PurposeChina's experience of investing in Latin America in one of the main sectors included i... more PurposeChina's experience of investing in Latin America in one of the main sectors included in the BRI architecture, railways, has faced significant challenges: only one of four Chinese potential railway projects in Latin America has materialised. The purpose of this paper is to explore these challenges and to provide an explanation focusing on the importance of the “domestic politics” factor.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes a comparative study of four cases, developing a qualitative analysis based on an in-depth review of the literature and primary and secondary sources of information.FindingsThe findings suggest that domestic politics played a significant role in the outcomes of the Brazil–Peru Bi-Oceanic railway (changes in government), in Argentina's Belgrano Cargas modernisation project (multiple “domestic politics” factors, such as a presidential campaign), in Venezuela's failed Tinaco-Anaco high-speed train project (authoritarian turn/country's st...
In this paper, a new seismic site classification for the Costa Rican Strong-Motion Network (CRSMN... more In this paper, a new seismic site classification for the Costa Rican Strong-Motion Network (CRSMN) is proposed. The soil profile classification of the Costa Rican Seismic Code based on the average shear-wave velocity of the top 30 m (VS30) is used as a reference. The site fundamental period (Tf) is included as a parameter to complement the existing characterization. For this, the VS30 measurements from 52 accelerometric stations are related to the site fundamental period obtained through horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) using ground motion records from the Costa Rican Strong-Motion Database. The H/V ratios are estimated with 5% damped acceleration response spectra and with traditional Fourier amplitude spectra from the S-wave window. From the relation between VS30 and Tf, different ranges of Tf are assigned to the existing soil profile classification and a graph with three-lines and four-areas is proposed to classify the stations of the CRSMN.
The present work shows the implementation of a data collection strategy for characterizing large ... more The present work shows the implementation of a data collection strategy for characterizing large amounts of buildings efficiently by the conduction of remote surveys on 360° panoramic images and aerial photographs. A set of 7,296 buildings from the Latin American city of San José, Costa Rica were studied and characterized from a structural engineering point of view, obtaining information like occupancy type, height, type of lateral load resisting system, and structural irregularities, among others. Also, an estimation of the error of the remote surveys was performed, by contrasting its results with the ones of field (in situ) surveys applied on a subset of 556 structures denominated “control buildings.” The results show that for San José buildings, the predominant occupancy type, height, type, and material of the lateral load resisting system are, respectively, residential, one or two storey, wall type of confined-reinforced masonry. The overall precision level estimated for the rem...
In this article, we present a strong-motion database from earthquakes recorded by the Earthquake ... more In this article, we present a strong-motion database from earthquakes recorded by the Earthquake Engineering Laboratory at the University of Costa Rica. The database consists of 2471 three-component accelerograms from 155 digitally recorded events. It covers the last 20 yr of measurements, including records from the 5 September 2012 Mw 7.6 Nicoya earthquake. The engineering and seismological communities can use this data either to conduct new research or to improve seismic hazard studies in the region. A catalog is also available with metadata of each record containing several intensity measures from the ground-motion time histories.
Journal of China and International Relations, 2017
Sino-Latin American relations experienced an extraordinary "intensification process" th... more Sino-Latin American relations experienced an extraordinary "intensification process" throughout the first sixteen years of the 21st century. The present article analyses Sino-Latin American relations in the 21st century and proposes three major ideas. First, Sino-Latin American relations experienced an inflection point in 2001, which initiated an unprecedented process that intensified the relationship. Second, since the inflection point in 2001, the relationship established its foundations by transiting through an economic phase between 2001 and 2008, and a soft power phase between 2008 and 2013. Finally, since Xi Jinping took office in 2013, Sino-Latin American relations might be entering a comprehensive new phase that goes beyond trade and soft power, including the political and military-strategic dimensions. The article will be structured as follows: 1) it provides an overview of Sino-Latin American relations in the 21st century; 2) then it describes how the foundations...
PurposeChina's experience of investing in Latin America in one of the main sectors included i... more PurposeChina's experience of investing in Latin America in one of the main sectors included in the BRI architecture, railways, has faced significant challenges: only one of four Chinese potential railway projects in Latin America has materialised. The purpose of this paper is to explore these challenges and to provide an explanation focusing on the importance of the “domestic politics” factor.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes a comparative study of four cases, developing a qualitative analysis based on an in-depth review of the literature and primary and secondary sources of information.FindingsThe findings suggest that domestic politics played a significant role in the outcomes of the Brazil–Peru Bi-Oceanic railway (changes in government), in Argentina's Belgrano Cargas modernisation project (multiple “domestic politics” factors, such as a presidential campaign), in Venezuela's failed Tinaco-Anaco high-speed train project (authoritarian turn/country's st...
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