1. Introduction to Soil Dynamics and Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering. Elements of Technical Seismology. Structure of the Earth, tectonics of lithospheric plates, seismic faults.
2. Strong ground motion. Characteristics of seismic ground motion. Estimation of ground motion parameters.
3. Seismic hazard. Methods of assessment, general principles, and examples.
4. Seismic waves. Propagation of waves in one dimension. Applications of wave propagation in one dimension. Wave propagation in 2 and 3 dimensions. Rayleigh and Love surface waves.
5. Dynamic behaviour of soil element. Dynamic properties of soils. Measurement of dynamic properties in the field and in the laboratory. Shear strength of soils under dynamic loading.
6. Soil liquefaction. Historical examples of liquefaction. Fundamental principles. Assessment of the risk of liquefaction. Failures due to liquefaction and mitigation measures.
7. Seismic response of a multilayered soil formation. Equivalent linear and non-linear numerical analysis. Numerical applications. Influence of local soil conditions on strong seismic ground shaking. Examples of seismic response. Earthquake and design spectrum.
8. Microzonation studies.
9. Newmark method. Seismic stability of slopes. Seismic stability of retaining walls.
10. Kinematic and inertial interaction of soil-structure.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Identify and evaluate the key parameters of the ground and the earthquake that affect the propagation of seismic motion.
• Calculate the seismic response of surface soil deposits for a given motion time history on the bedrock.
• Assess the liquefaction potential of soil formations.
• Solve and interpret ground response problems under seismic excitation.
• Analyse the seismic stability of slopes and retaining walls, applying appropriate calculation methods and safety factors.
• Apply principles of soil dynamics and seismic engineering to practical geotechnical design problems.