Browsing by Author "Cienfuegos Carrasco, Rodrigo Alberto"

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    Examining the role of urban form in supporting rapid and safe tsunami evacuations: A multi-scalar analysis in Viña del Mar, Chile
    (2018) León, Jorge; Mokrani, Cyril; Catalán, Patricio; Cienfuegos Carrasco, Rodrigo Alberto; Femenías, Carolina
    Cities are increasingly becoming hot-spots for nature-originated disasters. While the role of the urban built environment in fostering disaster resilience has been recognized for some time, it has been difficult to translate this potential into practice. This is especially challenging in the case of rapid onset crises such as near-field tsunamis, when appropriate urban forms have to support the populations' ability to autonomously carry out safe and timely responses. In this respect, much of current research remains focused on large-scale elements of urban configuration (streets, squares, parks, etc.) through which people move during an emergency. In contrast, the critical micro-scale of evacuees' experiences within the built environment is not commonly examined. This paper addresses this shortfall through a macro- and micro-scale analysis of a near-field tsunami scenario affecting the city of Villa del Mar, Chile, including a mixed-methods approach that combines computer-based models and fieldwork. The results show significant macro-scale tsunami vulnerability throughout major areas of the city, which nonetheless could be mitigated by existing nearby high ground and an urban form that allows short evacuation times. However, micro-scale outcomes show comparatively deficient spatial conditions that during an emergency might lead to dangerous outcomes including bottlenecks, falls and panic. Vertical evacuation, in turn, is confirmed as a suitable option for reducing vulnerability, but further examination of each shelter's characteristics is required. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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    Numerical computation of infragravity wave dynamics and velocity profiles using a fully nonlinear Boussinesq model
    (2010) Cienfuegos Carrasco, Rodrigo Alberto; Duarte, L.; Suarez, L.; Catalán, P.A.
    We present experimental and numerical analysis of nonlinear processes responsible for generating infragravity waves in the nearshore. We provide new experimental data on random wave propagation and associated velocity profiles in the shoaling and surf zones of a very mild slope beach. We analyze low frequency wave generation mechanisms and dynamics along the beach and examine in detail the ability of the fully nonlinear Boussinesq- type model SERR1D (Cienfuegos et al., 2010) to reproduce the complex dynamics of high frequency wave propagation and energy transfer mechanisms that enhance infragravity wave generation in the laboratory.
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    Physical modelling of diversion works for the aysén hydroelectric project Chile
    (2010) Gonzalez, Ricardo; Cienfuegos Carrasco, Rodrigo Alberto; Fernandez J., Bonifacio; Bravo, Jorge; Costas, Carlos; Garces, Octavio
    The Aysen Hydroelectric Project considers the construction of 5 dams in the Baker and Pascua rivers in the southernmost part of Chile. Both rivers in the project area are characterized by narrow valleys, high slopes (> 1% -2%) and large streamflows that range between 600 and 800 m3/s during the low flow season. In order to study the diversion of the rivers, two scaled physical hydraulic models (1:70 for the Baker river and 1:60 for the Pascua river) were built at the Hydraulic Laboratory of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile to test different methods for cofferdam construction. In this study, we investigate the use of a combination of precast concrete elements such as cubes, tetracubes and tetrapods, along with the use of graduated soil and rock fills to produce a semiimpervious cofferdam. This report presents a summary of the experimental work conducted in the physical models, focusing on the final adopted solution which considers the use of 30 t tetrapods and graduated soil and rock fills to achieve impermeability of the cofferdams.