Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Recommended Prerequisites

Não aplicável.

Teaching Methods

- Theoretical Practical classes

- Laboratory task with professor’s support

- Numerical coursework: modeling of the dynamic behavior of geotechnical structures.

Learning Outcomes

The present course is designed to complement the initial formation in of geotechnical engineering, complementing this training with comprehensive concepts and notion of soil dynamics and earthquake engineering. Firstly, the fundamental concepts of the dynamic soil behavior under seismic loads are addressed. Secondly, approaches for the analysis of the dynamic response of geotechnical structures are presented, analyzed and applied.

Competencies and learning results:

The following competencies and learning results should be achieved:

i) Knowledge of soil dynamics, with ability to characterize, to analyze, and to model the mechanical soil behavior under cyclic and dynamic loads;

ii) Knowledge of earthquake engineering concepts, in its geotechnical aspects, allowing the student to analyze, to evaluate and to characterize the dynamic response of the ground and of geotechnical structures when submitted to earthquake loads.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction

2. Wave propagation in elastic medium

3. Evaluation and modelling of the cyclic and dynamic soil behavior.

4. Earthquakes and seismic hazards

5. Local amplification

6. Soil-structure interaction

7. Liquefaction analysis

8. Ground improvement for mitigation of earthquake effects

9. Vibrations induced by human activities.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

Apontamentos das aulas / Lecture notes

Towhata, I., Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering. 2008, Springer.

Kramer, S., Geotechnical earthquake engineering. 1996, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.