bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special Issue on Enhancement of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation Technology in Peru (II)
Authors: Yamazaki Fumio , Zavala Carlos , Estrada Miguel
Published: April 2016

With the greatest pleasure, we present the second special issue of the Journal of Disaster Research (JDR), entitled Enhancement of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation Technology in Peru. This follows the first special issue on the same theme. These special issues contain 36 articles, 15 in the first and 21 in the second. They summarize research output from the SATREPS Peru project. SATREPS is an international research program sponsored by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). As a SATREPS project on natural disaster mitigation, our 5-year Peru project began in March 2010 with the purpose of enhancing and implementing earthquake and tsunami disaster-mitigation technology in Peru.

The joint research project provides good opportunities for Peruvian and Japanese researchers and engineers to work together exchanging opinions on their common goal of reducing loss from earthquakes and tsunamis. Within the project period, CISMID was designated as a government agency in charge of disaster-mitigation activities. Project outcomes have been introduced in national design codes and in guidelines on earthquake and tsunami risk evaluation in Peru. Our project has drawn great attention among members of Peruvian society. It has attracted hundreds of participants and scores of mass media through public seminars and symposia. We expect the project to be sustained through public awareness and dissemination activities by Peruvian organizations.

We hope this special issue will provide useful information to seismic-prone Asia-Pacific countries, especially Latin America. In closing, we sincerely thank the contributors and reviewers who have done so much to make the articles in this special issue both interesting and valuable.
Tsunami Waveform Inversion of the 2007 Peru (Mw8.1) Earthquake
Authors: Jimenez Cesar ,   Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, FENLAB Av Venezuela s/n, Lima, Perú, Moggiano Nabilt , Mas Erick , Adriano Bruno , Fujii Yushiro , Koshimura Shunichi ,   Direccion de Hidrografia y Navegacion, DHN, Chucuito-Callao, Peru,   International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan,   International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, Building Research Institute, Ibaraki, Japan
Published: April 2016

An earthquake shook the central-southern coast of Peru on August 15, 2007, as a coseismic effect a tsunami was generated, which flooded some villages and beach resorts and killed 3 people. From the analysis and signal processing of 10 tidal records, we obtained the parameters of the seismic source and the initial coseismic deformation through an inversion modeling, in which the synthetic signals are compared with the observed signals by a non-negative least square method. The maximum slip located on the southern part of the rupture geometry is 7.0 m. The calculated scalar seismic moment isM0= 1.99 × 1021Nm, equivalent to a magnitude ofMw8.1. We used these parameters to obtain a heterogeneous seismic source model, which was used as initial condition to simulate the tsunami propagation and inundation. We used the field survey observations to validate our source model.
Simulation of Tsunami Inundation in Central Peru from Future Megathrust Earthquake Scenarios
Authors: Mas Erick ,   Laboratory of Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics for Disaster Management, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Aoba 468-1, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan, Adriano Bruno , Pulido Nelson , Jimenez Cesar , Koshimura Shunichi ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan,   National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), Ibaraki, Japan,   Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos Fenlab., Lima, Peru
Published: April 2016

We estimated, from twelve scenarios of potential megathrust earthquakes, the tsunami impact on the Lima-Callao region in Central Peru. In addition, we conducted hazard mapping using the local envelope of the maximum inundation simulated in these scenarios. The deterministic approach is supported by the decades of geodetic measurements in this area that characterize the interseismic strain build up since historical megathrust earthquakes. The earthquake scenarios for simulation proposed in [1] introduce spatially correlated short-wavelength slip heterogeneities to a first slip model in [2] calculated from the interseismic coupling (ISC) distribution in Central Peru. The ISC was derived from GPS monitoring data as well as from historical earthquake information. The results of strong ground motion simulations in [1] reported that the slip scenario with the deepest average peak values along the strike (Mw= 8.86) generates the largest PGA in the Lima-Callao area. In this study, we found from tsunami simulation results that the slip model with the largest peak slip at a shallow depth (Mw= 8.87) yielded the highest tsunami inundation. Such differences in maximum scenarios for peak ground acceleration and tsunami height reveal the importance of a comprehensive assessment of earthquake and tsunami hazards in order to provide plausible worstcase scenarios for disaster risk management and education.
Development of Building Inventory Data and Earthquake Damage Estimation in Lima, Peru for Future Earthquakes
Authors: Matsuoka Masashi ,   Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta 4259-G3, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan, Mito Shun , Midorikawa Saburoh , Miura Hiroyuki , Quiroz Luis G. , Maruyama Yoshihisa , Estrada Miguel ,   Mitsubishi Jisho Property Management Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan,   Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan,   Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan,   Japan-Peru Center for Earthquake Engineering and Disaster Mitigation (CISMID), National University of Engineering, Lima, Peru
Published: April 2016

Even though detailed building inventory data are necessary for estimating earthquake damage reliably, most developing countries do not have sufficient data for such estimations. This necessitates a way for finding building distribution and feature easily. In this study for estimating the number of households in all building categories of different structures or floor numbers in Lima, Peru, where a great earthquake is expected, we propose an estimation method based on existing GIS data from a census, satellite imagery, and building data from field surveys, and apply it to estimate the entire area of Lima for create building inventory data. Building fragility functions were used to calculate a severe damage ratio of buildings due to the expected earthquake. The rate was multiplied by created building inventory data to estimate the number of households in damaged buildings. Furthermore we clarified damage reduction by retrofitting for low earthquake-resistant buildings.
Beneficial Effects of Learning with Game-Book on Education for Disaster Prevention in Children
Authors: Nouchi Rui ,   Human and Social Response Research Division, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan, Sugiura Motoaki ,   Smart Ageing International Research Center, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan,   Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
Published: April 2016

After the 2011 Great East Japan (Tohoku) earthquake and tsunami disaster, reduction and avoidance of potential losses from disasters have received much attention. We focused on disaster education which is defined simply as disaster risk reduction education. We developed new educational tool for disaster education. We called the new game-book the “disaster simulation game-book.” This study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of experimental learning using the disaster simulation game-book on disaster education for children. Thirty four junior high school students participated in the study. They were randomly assigned into learning with the game book or learning with the cartoon film groups. They answered some questions before and after learning disaster. The results clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of game-book learning on attitudes of disasters measured for question (If a large earthquake occurred, could you overcome difficulty from the earthquake on your own?) and question (If a large earthquake occurred, do you think that you could safely get clear away?). We discussed beneficial effects of the game-book on disaster education.
Development of Seismic Intensity Meter for the Philippines
Authors: Inoue Hiroshi ,   National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), 3-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan, Fan Zhengying , Lasala Melchor , Tiglao Robert , Bautista Bartolome , Rivera Debbie , Narag Ishmael ,   Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Ave, U.P.Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Published: April 2016

We designed a seismic intensity meter and a data collection network for use in the Philippines. The station unit deployed consists of a digital acceleration sensor with 0.1 gal noise and a compact Microsoft Windows PC. The station unit, which is designed to be installed in local government offices, calculates values every 10 seconds for the PEIS (Philippine Earthquake Intensity Scale), and these values are shown on a display and transmitted to the main PHIVOLCS office over the Internet. One hundred units to be deployed throughout the country are now being distributed to offices.
Establishment of Earthquake Intensity Meter Network in the Philippines
Authors: Lasala Melchor ,   Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), PHIVOLCS Building, C. P. Garcia Ave, U. P. Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines, Inoue Hiroshi , Tiglao Roberto , Fan Zhengying , Bautista Bartolome , Narag Ishmael ,   National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), 3-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan
Published: April 2016

A network of realtime intensity meters is being established in different parts of the Philippines under a Japan-Philippines cooperation. The intensity meters can record and transmit on a near real-time basis the site-specific levels of groundshaking in terms of macroseismic intensity, peak ground acceleration and peak ground velocity. The intensity meters evaluate earthquake effects using the Philippine earthquake intensity scale – PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS). Deployment of the instruments was planned according to an optimum distribution with respect to active earthquake generators and vulnerable communities. All manned seismic stations of PHIVOLCS were equipped with an intensity meter while the rest was deployed in relevant disaster risk reduction and management centers. In its initial operation which started in 2012, the network captured several significant earthquakes such as theMw7.2 in Bohol in 2013.
Fault Distribution, Segmentation and Earthquake Generation Potential of the Philippine Fault in Eastern Mindanao, Philippines
Authors: Perez Jeffrey S. ,   Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology – Department of Science and Technology (PHIVOLCS-DOST), PHIVOLCS Bldg., C.P. Garcia Avenue, U. P. Diliman Campus, Quezon City 1101, Philippines, Tsutsumi Hiroyuki , Cahulogan Mabelline T. , Cabanlit Desiderio P. , Abigania Ma. Isabel T. , Nakata Takashi ,   Department of Geophysics, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan,   Department of Geography, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8522, Japan
Published: April 2016

The 1,250-km-long, NNW-trending, arc-parallel Philippine fault, one of the world’s most active tectonic structures, traverses the Philippine archipelago and has been the source of surface-rupturing earthquakes during the last four centuries. In this paper, we will discuss Philippine fault distribution and segmentation in Mindanao Island by integrating detailed fault mapping together with new geological and paleoseismic data and the analysis of historical surface-rupturing earthquakes. Using geometric segmentation criteria, we have identified nine geometric segments separated by discontinuities such as en echelon steps, bends, changes in strike, gaps, steps and bifurcation in the surface trace. Fault segments ranges from 20 to 100 km in length and are capable of generating earthquakes ofMw6.6 toMw7.4. The results of our study have important implications for earthquake generation potential and seismic hazard assessment of the Philippine fault in Mindanao Island.
Analysis of the Banks’ Initial Reactions with the 9/11 and 3/11
Authors: Sayanagi Yasutake ,   Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8555, Japan, Watanabe Kenji
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the initial reactions of banks with the disaster to improve the resiliency of banking industry and encourage banks to share more disaster related information in the industry to help each other. Two severe cases in the banking industry were picked up, one for the 3/11 Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 (3/11 or 311) and the other for the 9/11 terrorist attack of 2001 (9/11 or 911). In addition, to support identifying the issues of the banks, this study refers to the case of Otsuchi Town Hall that had serious damages by the 3/11 Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, as it is difficult making a direct comparison with some points between Iwate Banks and Fuji Bank. Those are analyzed in comparison with the other case of the Otsuchi Town Hall. Those cases are discussed from the various angles such as the immediate tasks they have to perform when disaster happens (the Day Zero Duty), the recovery location strategy, BCMPolicy and Crisis leaders. Potential conflicts were found between the BCM policy and the Day Zero Duty as well as the quick decision making and having too many recovery options etc.
Integration of GIS with Remote Sensing and GPS for Disaster Mitigation
Authors: Khan Sikander Nawaz ,   University of Gujrat Shahbaz Pur Road, Jalal Pur Jattan, Gujrat, Pakistan
Published: April 2016

Natural disasters like flood, earthquake, cyclone, volcanic eruption and others are causing immense losses to the property and lives every year. Current status and actual loss information on natural hazards can be determined and also prediction for next probable disasters can be made using different remote sensing and mapping technologies. Global Positioning System (GPS) calculates the exact position of damage. It can also communicate with wireless sensor nodes embedded in potentially dangerous places. GPS provides precise and accurate locations and other related information like speed, track, direction and distance of target objects to emergency responders.

Remote Sensing facilitates to map damages without having physical contact with target area. Now with the addition of more remote sensing satellites and other advancements, early warning system is used very efficiently. Remote sensing is being used both at local and global scale. High Resolution Satellite Imagery (HRSI), airborne remote sensing and space-borne remote sensing is playing a vital role in disaster management.

Early in Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to collect, arrange, and map the spatial information, but now it has the capability to analyze spatial data. This analytical ability of GIS is the main cause of its adoption by different emergency service providers like the police and ambulance service.

The full potential of these so called 3S technologies cannot be used alone. Integration of GPS and other remote sensing techniques with GIS has pointed new horizons in modeling of earth science activities. Many remote sensing cases, including Asian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, Mount Mangart landslides and Pakistan-India earthquake in 2005 are described in this paper.
Brief Report of Shaking Table Test on Masonry Building Strengthened with Ferrocement Layers
Authors: Boen Teddy ,   CSI Indonesia Raya Pejuangan, Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta 11530, Indonesia, Imai Hiroshi , Ismail Febrin , Hanazato Toshikazu , Lenny  ,   National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), Ibaraki, Japan,   Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia,   Mie University, Mie, Japan
Published: April 2016

Millions of non-engineered constructions in Indonesia are vulnerable to earthquake. Therefore, a simple, affordable and replicable method to strengthen the existing non-engineered construction in Indonesia is introduced. The retrofitting method described in this report is based on the principle of sandwich structures, having a masonry wall as core and covered on both sides with ferrocement layers. Numerical analysis result and shaking table test is included in this paper.
A New Concept for Development of Quartz Crystal Microbalance Fire Prevention Sensors Modified with Nano-Assembled Thin Films
Authors: Lee Seung-Woo ,   Graduate School of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu 1-1 Hibikino, Kitakyushu 808-0135, Japan
Published: April 2016

In this report, we describe a new concept for the development of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) fire prevention sensors modified with nano-assembled thin films. The first example is the fabrication of QCM gas sensors based on alternate adsorption of TiO2and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) for the sensitive detection of amine odors. The QCM sensors showed a linear response to ammonia at concentrations of 0.3--15 ppm, depending on the deposition cycle of the alternate TiO2/PAA layers. Ammonia binding is based on acid--base interaction with the free carboxylic acid groups of PAA, and the limit of detection of the 20-cycle TiO2/PAA400film under exposure to ammonia was estimated to be 0.1 ppm. The second example, monitoring of relative humidity, used porphyrin-based nano-assembled thin films prepared by a layer-by-layer approach on QCM resonators. These films were also used to detect significant environmental changes (due to smoke, humidity, or hazardous material release), and the results revealed that QCM-based real-environment monitoring devices can be implemented.
Special Issue on the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster: Part IV
Authors: Takiguchi Katsuki
Published: April 2016

The basic policy of the Journal of Disaster Research (JDR), as a multidisciplinary academicjournal, is to cover all types of disasters ? except for war ? through a broad comprehensive perspective. Since its inaugural issue in August 2006, the JDR has been published bimonthly,with six issues a year. 2015 marks the tenth year since the JDRfs first issue. Among the many events happening during this decade is the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster which was induced by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake.This event had two major features ? that the tsunami accompanying the earthquake caused the main damage and that it triggered a nuclear hazard accident at a nuclear power plant. The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster was a unprecedented earthquake disaster called catastrophic hazard following two others ? the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake Disasterthat leveled Tokyo and the 1995 Hanshin Awaji Earthquake Disaster that destroyed parts of Osaka and Kobe. In view of this catastrophic hazardfs scale, the JDR decided to publish special annual issues on the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster for five years since 2012 in addition to its regularissues. No publication fee was charged to contributors and support was asked from corporations. Papers on the special issues are published mainly online as an e-journal though printed editions are published for archival purposes. The current issue is the fourth of these special issues, and contributors have covered the 2011 disaster from many a wide range of perspectives. 21 papers were submitted and 8 papers are accepted for publication after peer review. The editors are confident that, like the previous three issues, this issue fully measure up to the quality that was expected for the special issue. I wish to express my gratitude to the contributors and reviewers and to thank corporations for their invaluable support.
Research on Planning Process of Community Disaster Management Plan at Tsunami-Hit Area
Authors: Yoshikawa Tadahiro ,   Laboratory of Urban Safety Planning 2-032 Gobancho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Published: April 2016

We cover surveys and planning covering the process from the review process for evacuation behavior to the formulation of disaster management plans after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. We focus on the community disaster management plan for the Ando district of Otsuchi town in Iwate Prefecture. We also examine processes and methods for transforming review results into documentation planning. Based on findings from a survey on evacuation behavior, we evaluate factors influencing evacuation behavior and analyze findings from a “Survey on the Situation of Death in the Ando District.” Based on results, we discuss workshops held on review meetings on disaster management planning for the Ando district neighborhood association. We close by extracting and summarizing the features and problems of Ando district tsunami disaster management.
Business Continuity Management (BCM) for Regional Financial Functionalities in Wide-Area Disasters. Importance and Challenges in Cooperation Among Regional Financial Institutions and PPP (Public-Private Partnership)
Authors: Watanabe Kenji ,   Graduate School of Social Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8555, Japan
Published: April 2016

We’ve already been through three large earthquakes in just two decades – the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the 2004 Niigata Chuetsu earthquake, and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. In those 20 years, disaster responses by institutions providing financial functions supporting regional daily life and social and economic activities have evolved from the simple duplication of information communication systems and disaster recovery plans (DRPs) for data backup into the business continuity plan (BCP) and to business continuity management (BCM) at the management level. The fact that regional financial functionalities cannot be managed simply by the efforts of financial institutions has been recognized during these disasters. It has been realized that a system enabling information sharing and cooperation with local governments in addition to collaboration with other financial institutions is needed. Efforts for enhancing the effectiveness of such a system should be made by financial functionalities that support local restoration and reconstruction.
Disaster Prevention Activities of Japanese Fire Companies
Authors: Sakuma Atsushi ,   CeMI Research Institute for Disaster Mitigation and Environmental Studies  1-22-505 Wakaba, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0011, Japan, Matsuo Ichiro , Ito Shin , Tanaka Shigeyoshi , Nakaseko Tsugio ,   Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University  Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Published: April 2016

Many lives were saved due to local disaster prevention activities such as evacuation guidance during the Great East Japan Earthquake. On the other hand, those involved in local disaster prevention activities were negatively affected in many cases. Therefore, local disaster prevention activities and safety-ensuring measures during large-scale disasters are being reviewed. This paper focuses on fire companies that are expected to develop and implement the core of local disaster prevention activities. In order to study the effectiveness of safety measures in areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters, disaster prevention activities focusing on water and wind disasters in particular were studied in Kiho Town in Mie Prefecture following the Great East Japan Earthquake. As a result, information communication measures, equipment, and manuals proved to be effective in areas that are at risk of disasters other than earthquakes. In addition, the importance of sharing manuals in organizations was also shown, because disaster measures in fire companies tend to be performed based on individual experience. Furthermore, the importance of cooperation with other organizations in the region was also demonstrated.
The 1755 Lisbon Tsunami at Vila do Bispo Municipality, Portugal
Authors: Santos Angela ,   Centre for Geographical Studies, Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, Universidade de Lisboa Rua Branca Edmé{e}e Marques,1600-276 Lisboa, Portugal, Koshimura Shunichi ,   International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University Aoba 6-6-03, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
Published: April 2016

The numerical model of the 1755 Lisbon Tsunami was conducted at Vila do Bispo municipality. The tsunami source area of this historical event is assumed to be on the Gorringe Bank. Numerical model results of historical data have been validated by a combined analysis of eyewitnesses’ accounts, field surveys, geological records and archeological findings (conducted by previous authors). The coastal area has remained a mostly natural landscape since the 18thcentury, with popular beaches that increase the population potentially exposed to a tsunami, especially one occurring in summer. For these reasons, we use local tsunami hazard assessment as a criterion varying between moderate and critical. Results also show that the 16 low ground areas we surveyed were inundated between 15 and 30 minutes after the earthquake. For this reason, persons should act quickly in future to evacuate areas immediately after an earthquake and to move to higher ground. Results also show that safe, swift evacuation may be difficult in 50% of these areas, endangering special populations such as tourists. Tsunami information boards should therefore be put on beaches and evacuation exercises and drills should be implemented and practiced regularly.
Disaster Education for Elementary School Students Using Disaster Prevention Pocket Notebooks and Quizzes
Authors: Nouchi Rui ,   Creative Interdisciplinary Research Division, Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Tohoku University 4-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan, Sato Shosuke , Imamura Fumihiko ,   Human and Social Response Research Division, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Japan,   Smart Ageing International Research Center, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Japan,   Disaster Information Management and Public Collaboration Division, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Japan,   Hazard and Risk Evaluation Research Division, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Japan
Published: April 2016

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 continues to emphasize disaster education for disaster risk reduction. We developed a new disaster education package using a disaster prevention notebook and quizzes and investigated its benefits for disaster prevention and mitigation. The disaster prevention notebook was developed by the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) of Tohoku University. It explains how to prevent natural disasters and how to act during natural disasters. Seventy nine elementary school students participated in the new disaster education package using disaster prevention pocket notebook and quizzes or the disaster education package with cartoons and quizzes. They answered some questions before and after learning using the educational materials. Results clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of these disaster education programs on protective actions and the prevention actions related to disasters. We discussed the advantages of the new disaster education package on disaster education. We suggest that thinking about the situation and deciding one’s own behaviors might enhance self-regulated learning which includes metacognition, strategic action, and motivation to learn. We assume that our new disaster education would facilitate metacognition, strategic action, and motivation to learn in the self-regulation learning theory.
Proposal for an Efficient Damping System for High-Rise Buildings in Major Earthquakes
Authors: Murakami Katsuhide ,   Engineering Department, Structural Engineering Division, Nikken Sekkei Ltd.  2-18-3 Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Ishii Masato , Miyazaki Kentaroh , Tsuneki Yasuhiro
Published: April 2016

Recent vibration resistant designs for buildings in Japan often adopt a vibration control structure with dampers arranged in the framework. Generally, the dampers are arranged in the building’s core in a geometry that works most effectively to protect against story shearing deformation. It is already known, however, that the above-mentioned arrangement of dampers does not provide good damping effects for the upper stories of high-rise buildings with large aspect ratios, because the protection mechanism is designed to decrease the shearing deformation components of the building’s horizontal deformation caused by its horizontal loads.

A new type of dampers, called force-restricted tuned viscous mass dampers (FRTVMD), has been recently developed for such circumstances, amplifying the deformation of viscous dampers with their tuned mass effects. This paper, therefore, first presents a tuned mass damper (TMD) system, effective for high-rise buildings with large aspect ratios against great earthquakes, and then proposes a new vibration control structural system capable of generating better damping effects with FRTVMD. In addition, we review its characteristics and effects by analyzing its vibration response, as well as verify that a combined use of such vibration control structural systems will generate far greater damping effects than an individual system.
Special Issue on Disaster and Big Data
Authors: Koshimura Shunichi ,   Project Leader of JST CREST "Establishing the most advanced disaster reduction management system by fusion of real-time disaster simulation and big data" assimilation"  Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University  Aoba 468-1, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-0845, Japan
Published: April 2016

In the years that have passed since the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake, many new findings, insights and suggestions have been made in disaster observation, sensing, simulation, and damage determination on the damage scene. Based on the lessons, challenges for disaster mitigation against future catastrophic natural disasters such as the anticipated Tokyo metropolitan and Nankai Trough earthquakes are made on how we will share visions of potential impact and how we will maximize society's disaster resilience. Much of the ``disaster big data" obtained is related to the dynamic flow of large populations, vehicles and goods inside and outside affected areas. This has dramatically facilitated our understanding of how society has responded to unprecedented catastrophes. The key question is how we will use big data in establishing social systems that respond promptly, sensibly and effectively to natural disasters how this understanding will affect adversity and resilience. Researchers from a wide variety of fields are now working together under the collaborative JST CREST project entitled ``Establishing the most advanced disaster reduction management system by fusion of real-time disaster simulation and big data assimilation." One objective of this project is to identify potential disaster scenarios related to earthquake and tsunami progress in a chained or compound manner and to create new techniques for responsive disaster mitigation measures enabling society to recover. This special issue on disaster and big data consists of 11 papers detailing the recent progress of this project. As an editor of this issue, I would like to express our deep gratitude for the insightful comments and suggestions made by the reviewers and the members of the editorial committee.
Development of Power-Assisted Head-Coupled Display System for Tele-Existence
Authors: Arai Hirohiko ,   Man-Machine Systems Div., Robotics Dept., Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, AIST, MITI, 1-2 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan, Tachi Susumu
Published: April 2016

In this report, a power-assisted head-coupled display system for tele-existence is presented, in which the motion of camera and display is enhanced to 2 d.o.f. of yaw and pitch. The main display module is composed of light-weight color liquid crystal displays. The 2 d.o.f. power-assistance system using D.D. motors compensates inertial force including Coriolis' and centrifugal force and helps the operator manipulate the display by his head movement. In order to use a medium resolution rotary encoder to control the D.D. motor, the angular velocity is measured with interval of pulses. Second order digital filters are used to eliminate high frequency noise and resonant oscillations.
Vibration Control of a Slider Pendulum-Type Loader Arm Driven by a Software-Cam Curve
Authors: Yamafuji Kazuo ,   Dept. of Mechanical and Control Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182, Japan, Komine Tetsuya ,   Graduate Student, The University of Electro-Communications
Published: April 2016

This paper describes the control methods, computer simulation and experimental results on the vibration control of the loader arm which is composed of a horizontal slider and a pendulum-type arm suspended from it. In order to achieve high-speed driving and accurate positioning of the loader arm without residual vibration, one of the software-cam curves, termed the ""modified sine curve,"" was applied to drive the loader. The cam curve was described numerically on a personal computer. Three control methods together with highgain feedback control are proposed, in which the path and velocity of the slider and the swing angle of the arm are controlled according to the prescribed software curves. Experimental results show that driving of the loader with such a software curve and control of it under the limitation of the maximum swing angle of the arm are very effective for rejection of residual vibration and accurate positioning of the loader.
Acquisition of 3-D Optical Information
Authors: Idesawa Masanori
Published: April 2016

In order for a machine to have the capacity to operate flexibly in a 3-D environment, it is indispensable for it to be equipped with space information acquisition capability, and tools for distance measurement are in turn indispensable for obtaining space information. Indeed distance measurement is basic and important not only for a robot, but also for science and technology in general. Many methods have been proposed for obtaining distance information, ranging from the mechanical contact type through optical and acoustic to electric and magnetic methods, and many are in practical use. Among them the optical method permits measurement of distance without contact and from a remote position, advantages which have led to it being widely applied. One of the most important principles for measuring distance is the triangulation principle. This permits determination of the position of an object from the distance between two observation points together with the angles in the triangle formed by these two points and a target point on the object. Based on this principle, the detection of one specific point in each of the two images obtained from two sets of image input equipment installed at two observation points permits determination of coordinate values in 3-D space. However, this extraction of the point in the second image corresponding to a specified point in the first image is a very difficult subject of study, and no universal method has been developed. To cope with this, active methods, which evade the problem by applying projection of laser light on the surface of an object to identify a bright point or bright line, are widely used. The special feature articles on obtaining 3-D optical information in this issue present some principles and new trial applications of distance acquisition methods for 3-D information, the optical method in particular. There are three reports on active method optical systems developed for robots. These include (1) a high speed measurement method applying space encoding which employs a liquid crystal lattice to project light in changing lattice patterns onto an object dynamically; (2) realization of high speed measurement through projecting and processing multiple light spots; (3) development of a visual sensor for disaster prevention use which can detect objects in flames and smoke utilizing projection of a CO2 gas laser. These are nearly at the level of operational use and are expected to become visual sensors for robots.
Development of Ladder Climbing Robot LCR-1
Authors: lida H. ,   Toshiba Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, 4-1 Ukishimacho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210, Japan, Hozumi H. , Nakayama R.
Published: April 2016

A new mobile robot has been developed, which is capable of ascending and descending vertical ladders such as those used in nuclear power plants and other facilities. The Ladder Climbing Robot releases personnel from dangerous and laborious work at high elevations. The body of the robot has four grippers which grip each rung of the ladder as it ascends or descends. Each gripper is able to move up, down, forward or backward, and has two kinds of sensors to detect a rung: one photoelectric-switch and one limit-switch. The robot can operate automatically or be remote controlled. Three of the grippers are continuously in contact with the ladder rungs to prevent falling. As a result of experiment, it has been confirmed that in trials the prototype model LCR-1 with a built-in microcomputer can ascend and descend an actual vertical ladder automatically.
XY Stage Capable of Positioning in Submicron Order
Authors: Goto Hiroshi ,   Omron Corporation, Shimokaiinji, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto 617, Japan
Published: April 2016

With the progress in microelectronic and optoelectronic devices, precision positioning technology has become more and more important. Such technology is indispensable for the positioning operation between the mask and the wafer in super LSI production, precision processing of optical parts such as the non-spherical lens, and in precision measuring instruments such as the scanning tunneling microscope, etc. These devices require positioning accuracy in the order of submicrons (0 .1μm) or subsubmicrons (0.0lμm). To achieve such accuracy, various devices have been made for mechanism and control. The author and others have developed two kinds of positioning stage, an XY stage of a externally pressurized bearing guide system driven by a DC linear motor, and an XY stage of an elastic hinge spring guide system driven by a piezoelectric actuator and we have achieved positioning accuracy of 0.1 to 0.01µm. These two kinds of XY stages will be described below as examples with a description of the structural features and performance as well as the important points of their configuration.
Hybrid Control of a Manipulator and its Application
Authors: Arai Tatsuo ,   Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, Namiki 1-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan, Nakano Eiji , Yano Tomoaki , Hashimoto Ryoichi ,   University of Tohoku, Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi 980, Japan,   Industrial Products Research Institute, 1-4, Higashi 1-chome, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
Published: April 2016

In complex asks such as sewing or assembly, where a robot has a mechanical interaction with its environments, we cannot expect to get a good result only by using the conventional positioning control of the robot. This is because that even the smallest positioning error may cause a large reaction force between the robot and its object, then it will stop the motion required for the task or, the worst case, it will damage the object as well as the robot itself. From this point of view, various kinds of control methods which enable a robot to move compliantly to avoid producing an excessive force when there is an interaction between the robot and objects In this paper we will propose a hybrid control method which can control both position and force of the manipulator in the given task-oriented coordinates. We can expect to have a good task quality by using this method compared with the conventional positioning control. The experiments of some actual tasks using an articulated manipulator with 2 d.o.f. will be also shown to demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of the proposed method.
Influence of the Unit Number of Intermediate Layers and Networks on Learning Ability
Authors: Ide Hideto ,   Aoyama Gakuin University, 6-16-1 Chitosedai, Setagaya, Tokyo 157, Japan, Endo Hiroyuki , Takahashi Sizuaki ,   Kogakuin University, 1-242 Nishi Shinjuku, Tokyo 160, Japan
Published: April 2016

Learning ability of networks in the recognition of vocabulary, etc. using neural networks is notably influenced by the unit number of intermediate layers. In our current study, we have investigated the effects when the unit number of intermediate layers is changed during the course of learning when back-propagation is applied, thereby discussing eventual influence on the learning ability of networks.
Gravity Compensation for Manipulator Control by Neural Networks with Partially Preorganized Structure
Authors: Tsuji Toshio ,   Faculty of Engineering Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima-shi, 724, Japan, Nishida Masataka , Takahashi Toshiaki , Ito Koji
Published: April 2016

The gravity torque of a manipulator can be compensated if the equation of motion can be correctly introduced, but in general industrial manipulators, there are many cases when the parameter values such as the position of center of mass are not clear, and these values largely change by the exchange of hand portions and the grasping of substances. Furthermore, in addition to unclear parameters, there are factors which occur by structural gravity compensation (spring and counter-balance) and which in many cases are difficult to express with the equation of motion. In this paper, compensation of the gravity torque of the manipulator is studied by, the use of neural networks. For this purpose, a model which makes the structure known to be contained in mapping as a unit with preorganized characteristics prepared in parallel with hidden unit of error back propagation-type neural network is proposed, by which the characteristics of the link system which is the object for learning can be imbedded into the network as preorganized knowledge beforehand. Finally, the results of experiments done with the use of industrial manipulators are given, and it is made clear that the compensation of gravity torque of manipulator and adaptive learning for end-point load are possible by the use of this model.
A New Design of a 6-DOF Parallel Robot
Authors: Pierrot François ,   Laboratoire d’Automatique et de Microélectronique de Montpellier - UA CNRS D03710 - Université de Montpellier, 11: Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France, Uchiyama Masaru , Dauchez Pierre , Fournier Alain ,   Department of Precision Engineering, Tohoku University Aramaki-aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper presents a six-degree-of-freedom parallel robot which has been recently designed. The design is based on a three-degree-of-freedom parallel robot called DELTA which was designed in Switzerland by EPFL. First, we give equations corresponding to different models of the DELTA robot: forward and inverse kinematics as well as inverse dynamics. An important feature of our method in deriving these models is to use a “good” set of parameters in order to simplify the equations. Then, in an attempt to extend the principle of the DELTA robot mechanical structure to a six-degree-offreedom parallel robot, we propose a new design called HEXA. Equations for kinematics and dynamics of the HEXA robot are presented and show that it has the same dynamic capabilities as the DELTA robot because, like the DELTA robot, it can be built with light-weight materials and easily modeled. Finally, we discuss optimization of the HEXA robot mechanical structure.
Development of a Laser Range Sensor for a Mobile Robot
Authors: Komoriya Kiyoshi ,   Department of Physics Information Science, Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, AIST, MITI, 1-2 Namiki, Yukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan, Tani Kazuo
Published: April 2016

External sensors which can detect environmental information are important for a mobile robot to recognize its surroundings and location. Among external sensors, range sensors are fundamental because they can directly detect the free space in which the mobile robot can move without colliding with the surrounding objects. A laser range sensor provides good spatial resolution, and it is expected to detect characteristic parts of the environment used as landmarks for recognizing robot position. This paper presents the construction of a laser range sensor system which can be implemented in a small mobile robot. The system consists of several components including laser diode, CCD camera, and mark detection hardware. Based on triangulation method, the system can detect the distance to the object's surface on which the beam spot is directed. In order to detect a landmark, such as a wall edge, the sensor system is mounted on a rotary table. By horizontally scanning, the sensor can detect wall edges with an accuracy of approximately 5mm and an orientation accuracy of approximately 1 degree within 3m. This system has been installed in an indoor mobile robot and is used for autonomous navigation control along corridors.
Visual Control of Robotic Manipulator Based on Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Hashimoto Hideki ,   Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 7-22-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106, Japan, Kubota Takashi , Sato Motoo , Harashima Fumio ,   Japan Radio Co., Ltd., 5-1-1, Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181, Japan
Published: April 2016

This paper describes a control scheme for a robotic manipulator system which uses visual information to position and orientate the end-effector. In the scheme the position and the orientation of the target workpiece with respect to the base frame of the robot are assumed to be unknown, but the desired relative position and orientation of the end-effector to the target workpiece are given in advance. The control system directly integrates visual data into the servoing process without subdividing the process into determination of the position, orientation of the workpiece and inverse kinematic calculation. An artificial neural network system is used for determining the change in joint angles required in order to achieve the desired position and orientaion. The proposed system can control the robot so that it approach the desired position and orientaion from arbitary initial ones. Simulation for the robotic manipulator with six degrees of freedom is done. The validity and the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme are varified by computer simulations.