ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the knowledge integration approaches followed during the development of the software package SEISMOCARE. It discusses following knowledge integration issues: types of knowledge; how the knowledge integration requirement affected the software engineering process; technical solutions at specification, design and implementation level. Suitable software tools may support the evaluation process, providing environments for data and models integration and scenarios simulation. The development of this type of tools requires diverse types of knowledge, coming from seismology, geotechnical engineering, seismic engineering and risk management. The software package is essentially a simulator with which the effects of damaging earthquakes in an urban area may be simulated and the losses estimated. It can be used to provide information useful for formulating seismic risk mitigation policies, planning and taking measures, effective both in the long term for emergency response. The evaluation of seismic vulnerability and seismic risk reduction by means of retrofitting of existing building heritage is a significant problem in many countries.