Glossary

Voilement mécanique; mechanical buckle

This is a phenomenon of mechanical instability affecting a wall (plate or shell) when forces acting in its plane exceed a critical threshold. For beams, this instability phenomenon is also known as "buckling".

Scouring; washout

Scouring is soil erosion at the base of any obstacle facing the movement of water. This is characterized by a deepening of the banks, which can expose the foundation of an obstacle (bridge pier, dyke, etc.).

Spectre de réponse sismique; spectrum of seismic answer

Seismic response spectra represent the movements undergone by a structure assimilated to a one-degree-of-freedom oscillator. The acceleration response spectrum shows the acceleration levels experienced by the center of gravity of a structure with...