Seismic design and assessment of structures require considerable knowledge of the target hazard levels, at the site, and methods of determining the design ground motions. Engineering seismology and risk analysis are also necessary to understand the uncertainties associated with ground motions. Performance of soils and slopes due to seismic excitation, and procedures for analyzing and mitigating liquefaction of soils are also very significant aspects of the seismic assessment procedure. This seminar is geared to explain basic principles of each of these topics. Simple tools such as Excel spread sheets and simplified applications will be explained and used to provide a better understanding of each subject. Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops with them

Topics to be discussed include:

1. Engineering seismology and characteristics of ground motions: Seismic sources; style of faulting; rupture directivity; stress drop; ground motion predictive relationships; ground motion response spectrum
2. Site specific seismic hazard analysis: Deterministic approach; probabilistic approach; the uniform hazard spectrum; the conditional mean spectrum
3. Synthesis of earthquakes: Theoretical and seismological models; spectrum compatible methods; code requirements
4. Behavior of soils under earthquake ground motions: Dynamic soil properties; strain limits in soils; nonlinear behavior of soil under cyclic loading; equivalent linear model; site response analysis
5. Liquefaction of saturated soils during earthquakes: Fundamental of liquefaction behavior; consequences of liquefaction; mitigation of liquefaction hazard
6. Seismic slope stability: Pseudo static method; Newmark method; seismic stability of embankments; stability analysis of liquefied soils

• Understand the basic distinctions between different ground motion spectra, and their applications, such as the Fourier amplitude spectrum, the response spectrum, the power spectrum, the uniform hazard spectrum; and the mean conditional spectrum
• Learn to carry out a site specific probabilistic seismic hazard analysis using simple tools
• Learn to develop earthquake design ground motions for your project.
• Gain insight into effects of local soil conditions on ground motions
• Learn to conduct 1-D site response analysis using excel spreadsheets
• Understand liquefaction triggering of saturated sands during earthquakes and methods of mitigating liquefaction hazards
• Learn to carry out liquefaction potential evaluation at a site by Excel spreadsheets and simple tools
• Understand the different methods for seismic slope stability

Achievements of the learning outcomes will be assessed through solved examples and problem-solving following each session.

This seminar should be of interest to geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, bridge engineers, project managers, architects, and decision makers who wish to extend their knowledge in the area of earthquake engineering.

Time:  8:30am - 5:30pm

DAY 1 

Engineering seismology

• The plate tectonic theory and seismic sources
• Types of seismic waves
• Seismic faulting, stress drop, and rupture directivity
• The seismic moment
• Earthquake size and ground motion measurement

Characteristics of ground motions

• Peak ground acceleration
• Predictive equations and NGA models
• Frequency content
• The Fourier spectrum
• Corner and cutoff frequencies
• The Power spectrum
• Earthquake duration

Site-specific seismic hazard analysis

• Deterministic approach
• Solved example
• Probabilistic approach
• Annual frequency of exceedance of events on a seismic source
• Magnitude recurrence relationships
• Distance probability distributions
• Logic trees
• Determination of the uniform hazard spectrum
• Example: Excel spreadsheet application
• The Conditional mean spectrum
• Response and design spectra
• Example: Internet-based tool to calculate the design spectrum

Synthesis of earthquake ground motions

• Generation using theoretical spectra
• Generation using seismological models
• Spectrum compatible ground motions
• Internet-based tool to calculate design ground motions
• Codes requirements for earthquake design ground motions

DAY 2  

 Dynamic soil behavior and site response

• Strain limits and methods of analyses
• Equivalent linear model for soil response
• Evaluation of soil dynamic properties
• Field tests
• Laboratory tests
• One dimensional site response analysis
• Example: Excel spreadsheet tool

Liquefaction of saturated soils during earthquakes

• Behavior of saturated sand under monotonic loading
• Critical state of soil
• Cyclic loading behavior of saturated sand
• Definition of Cyclic stress ratio (CSR) and Cyclic resistance ratio (CRR)
• Code recommended procedure for evaluating liquefaction
• Evaluation of CSR and CRR by empirical relationships
• Example: Excel spreadsheet tool
• Example: Internet-based tool
• Consequences of liquefaction
• Lateral spreading
• Liquefaction settlement
• Flow failure
• Mitigation of liquefaction hazard

Seismic stability of slopes

• Pseudo static method
• Stability analysis of liquefied soils
• Newmark method
• Internet-based application of Newmark method
• Makdisi-Seed method for dams and embankments
• Solved example

Discounted hotel rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. See discount deadline and rates below.