event
Tuesday 03 Nov 2015: A new experimental-based methodology to obtain the stability threshold for real vehicles exposed to flooding
Eduardo Martínez - Flumen Research Institute
Harrison 170 14:30-15:30
Abstract: In the general field of flood risk management an important part is the hazard conditions related to vehicular and pedestrian circulation. Our cities are formed by several components which are exposed to floods of a magnitude according to the importance of the rainfall event and the design of the urban drainage system. The knowledge of the hazard level affecting on each component is crucial for an adequate flood risk management in urban areas. Vehicles are essential components of our cities, so it is clear the importance to analyse the vehicle stability during flooding episodes in urban areas. The vehicles instability in case of floods can generate tangible direct damages due to the physical contact of water with them, but also indirect tangible damages due to traffic disruption. Moreover after stability losing the vehicle becomes buoyant and it is washed away colliding with urban elements with potential situation of injuries and fatalities (intangible damage). In this way, vehicles might be considered as massive debris which are washed away by the flood and could represent significant economic damages and compromising pedestrian safety. Therefore, the analysis of the stability of vehicles exposed to flooding is crucial in order to make decisions to reduce the damages and hazards. In this research work, after a comprehensive experimental campaign, a new experimental-based methodology to obtain the stability threshold for any real vehicle exposed to flooding is proposed. This methodology enables to define a stable area in the domain flow depth-velocity with sufficient accuracy for any real vehicle. In this sense, herein is provided a tool which decision-makers in the field of urban flood risk management can employ by defining a design vehicle and obtaining its corresponding stability threshold.
Keywords: Urban flood; risk; hazard; drainage system; vehicles stability
BIO: Eduardo Martínez is a Spanish Civil Engineer who has developed his entire professional career in Spanish consultancy firms related to hydraulic and hydrologic projects since 2004. Eduardo complemented his background obtaining the degree of Master in Civil Engineering and later the degree of Master in Creation and Management of innovative technology-based firms.
Currently, Eduardo is a member of the Flumen Research Institute (http://www.flumen.upc.edu/en) which is located in Barcelona (Spain), as research personnel in training, in order to obtain the degree of PhD in Civil Engineering. His field of research is urban flood risk management, focusing on hazards for pedestrian and vehicles and vulnerability/damages for properties.
Specialization: Civil Engineering, Project Management, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, R&D, Hydraulic, Hydrology, Flood Risk Management.
