Corrosion is a phenomenon that significantly impacts the durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures, particularly in highly corrosive environments like coastal regions. The existing numerical modelling often relies on complex approaches that are impractical for structural assessment. For this reason, this study proposes a simplified numerical modelling approach to simulate the cyclic behaviour of existing RC framed structures with corrosion levels (η) below 25%. The proposed modelling employs concentrated plasticity hinges for beams and fiber sections for columns, incorporating corrosion-induced degradation through modified backbone curves and material properties based on the corrosion level of the structural element. The modelling approach was validated against experimental results from the literature; the proposed model adequately captures hysteretic energy, lateral load, and deformation capacities, with maximum errors of 11% for maximum lateral load, 12% for ultimate load, and 33% for dissipated energy in RC frames. For isolated columns, the errors were 11, 12, and 22%, respectively. In addition, a maximum difference of 7% was found in the lateral load capacity of the corroded frames associated with the Life Safety limit state. Finally, it was concluded that the proposed methodology is suitable for representing the cyclic behaviour of corroded RC columns and frames and provides engineers with a tool to evaluate the behaviour of corroded structures without resorting to complex models.

Frame buildings are prone to cracking because of their deformation by normal and extreme events such as temperature and earthquakes. Even though the crack widths are limited in the structural design, a cracked cover reduces the corrosion protection of reinforcing steel. Therefore, the load capacity of structures can be compromised prematurely. This paper aims to evaluate the flexo-compressive strength of deteriorated reinforced concrete (RC) elements in the corrosion process. To that end, a methodology to calculate the residual strength capacity was proposed, considering the influences of crack widths and cover width on the corrosion level—structure age relation of RC elements. The strength deteriorations caused by the concrete cracking and the steel corrosion were incorporated according to structure age. The residual strength was studied using parametric analyses, whose variables were the crack width, the cover width, the rebar diameter, and the structure age. The results showed that the cracked frame elements reduced their serviceability life by up to 62%, although their crack widths were within range recommended by the design codes (lesser than 0.30 mm). In 25 years, the corrosion effects reduce the element strength by up to 44%. This is due to the corrosion protection provided by the cracked cover becomes insignificant, reducing the initiation time. Thus, considering the corrosion deterioration can prevent strength overestimations up to 1.46 times. Additionally, according to their current state, the proposed methodology provides a practical estimation of flexo-compressive strength in corroded RC elements.

Coastal regions in Mexico face significant exposure to hydrometeorological hazards, often resulting in severe flooding and socioeconomic disruption. This study assesses the hydrometeorological resilience of the Veracruz–Boca del Río Conurbation (VBC), a region comprising two coastal municipalities with shared hazard exposure despite distinct governance structures. The hydrometeorological resilience evaluation employs the City Resilience Index (CRI), developed by Bahena which integrates the Technical Resilience Index (TRI) and the Technical Profile of Resilience (TPR) across nine hierarchical indicators. Results reveal moderate resilience levels—59.83% for Veracruz and 58.32% for Boca del Río—with Disaster Risk Reduction Plans and Vital Services indicators as the strongest contributors, while Risk Assessments and Budget Allocation for Emergency Response indicators scored lowest due to limited municipal data. These findings highlight the need for enhanced data transparency, institutional coordination, and resource allocation in disaster management. Beyond its local significance, this study advances the global understanding of resilience assessment frameworks in data-scarce contexts, offering insights applicable to similar regions worldwide. As the first hydrometeorological resilience assessment for the VBC, this research provides a methodological and empirical foundation for future studies and informs targeted resilience strategies for Mexico’s coastal urban areas.

The Veracruz - Boca del Río metropolitan area in Mexico presents high temperatures and even high chloride ion concentrations, causing an aggressive environment with significant corrosion rates. Therefore, in reinforced concrete buildings in said area, their service life and integrity can compromise. Rapid Screening Methods (RSM) are used to determine their Seismic Vulnerability Index (SVI). The Benedetti-Petrini RSM can be used to determine the SVI of the corroded structures, adapting how the state of conservation is evaluated and weighted. To that end, the corrosion level and the crack width were correlated to estimate how their state of conservation can be deteriorated, reducing the service life. To test its usefulness, nine faculties, whose ages are close to 50 years, were analyzed, and the SVI of the original and modified methods were compared. Additionally, as expected, the buildings close to the coastline, and the faces exposed to wind direction, were the most damaged. The results indicate that the modified SVI provides rational decisions and improves the action management for each structure.

This paper aims to assess the structural overstrength (R), seismic behaviour factor (Q), and effective inertia factor (k_eff), of which the effective elastic stiffness (K_eff) is a function, i.e., K_eff (k_eff), of reinforced concrete (RC) cantilever columns with solid circular sections in urban bridges. The R and Q factors proposed in the design codes have been based mainly on an empirical basis. However, some studies suggest that, in the case of RC bridge columns, both factors are determined by a range of geometric and structural parameters. These results indicate that equations incorporating the main geometric and structural parameters of the columns, rather than the use of fixed values, are the appropriate method for estimating the values of R, Q and k_eff for the columns. Therefore, the results confirm the relation between R, Q and k_eff with the mechanical properties of the concrete, the aspect ratio length–depth, the axial load–strength ratio of a column, as well as its longitudinal reinforcement steel ratio. Finally, the research proposes models for estimating R, Q and k_eff that are recommended for the collapse prevention limit state of cantilevered circular columns of RC bridges.

This paper’s main aim was to explain the process of characterising the structural over-strength factor (R), seismic behaviour factor (Q), and the effective elastic stiffness, K_eff, of cantilever-reinforced concrete (RC) urban bridge columns with solid circular cross-sections for use in seismic design under the Serviceability Limit State (SLS). Similarly, mathematical models have been proposed to determine the average values of effective stiffness and seismic response modification factors suggested for cantilever-reinforced concrete bridge columns at SLS. This is because multiple design codes stipulate that cantilever RC bridge columns must meet the SLS requirements. Therefore, to comply, the lateral displacement ductility demand must not exceed unity after a moderate or small earthquake. While the behaviour of the materials remains in the elastic range, this performance criterion can be conservative. If the materials undergo small deformations, the slight damage can be quickly repaired to meet the SLS.