In this volume, top seismic experts and researchers from Europe and around the world, including the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) in the USA, present the most recent outcome of their work in experimental testing, as well as the results of the transnational access activities of external researchers who have used Europe's seven largest and most advanced seismic testing facilities in the framework of the Seismic Engineering Research Infrastructures for European Synergies (SERIES) Project financed by the European Commission in its 7th Framework Programme (2007-2013). This includes EU's largest reaction wall facility, EU's four largest shaking table laboratories and its two major centrifuges. The work presented includes state-of-the-art research towards the seismic design, assessment and retrofitting of structures, as well as the development of innovative research toward new fundamental technologies and techniques promoting efficient and joint use of the research infrastructures. The contents of this volume demonstrate the fruits of the effort of the European Commission in supporting research in earthquake engineering.

Fabio Taucer is Scientific Officer at the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA) and works for the European Commission since 2001. He is responsible for the coordination of RTD European Projects in the field of earthquake engineering, with emphasis on Pre-Normative research in support to the Eurocodes. He received his MEng in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1991. He has working experience both in research and industry, having worked at an international level in seismic design and retrofit of long span bridges. He is Editor of two European reports on large-scale experimental facilities, and of a set of seven European Reference Reports on Systemic Seismic Vulnerability and Risk Analysis.

Roberta Apostolska is professor at the University Ss Cyril and Methodius, Institute for Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology (IZIIS) Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. Since June 2013 she is Scientific Officer-Detached National Expert at the European Commission, Joint Research Centre, ELSA, Ispra, Italy where she provides scientific and technical contribution in the context of the JRC support work to DG ENTR for implementation of the Eurocodes in the non-EU countries in the Balkan region. She received her Master Degree in 1995 and her PhD degree in 2003, both from the University of Ss Cyril and Methodius in Skopje. She has more than 20 years working experience both in research and education in the field of earthquake engineering with emphasise on seismic performance of building structures.