1. Fellow, ASCE
2. Grad. Student, Appl. Mech. Lab., Univ. of Patras and ICEHT/FORTH, 265 00, Rio Patras, Patras, Greece.
3. L. B. Ryon Chair in Engineering, Rice Univ., P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251.
4. Assoc. Prof., Appl. Mech. Lab., Univ. of Patras and ICEHT/FORTH, 265 00, Rio Patras, Patras, Greece. E-mail: kostopoulos@iceht.forth.gr