1.   INTRODUCTION

Overview of the main geotechnical seismic hazards (e.g., liquefaction, seismically triggered landslides) and of their implications for the built and natural environment. The dominant role of soil layer and topography amplification in historic seismic events (e.g. Kobe 1995, Chi-Chi 1999, Christchurch 2011).

2.   ELEMENTS OF ENGINEERING SEISMOLOGY AND DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF SIMPLE SYSTEMS

Elastic rebound theory. Seismic faults (types of faults, main features, dimensions, active and non-active faults). Location of seismic sources and magnitude of earthquakes. Response of a single degree of freedom system to base excitation. Elastic response spectra.

3.   WAVE PROPAGATION

Wave propagation in one-direction, longitudinal and shear body waves, reflection and refraction of waves. Wave propagation in a homogeneous elastic half-space, in a layered half-space, surface waves (Rayleigh and Love), wave propagation in porous media, influence of the water table.

4.   SOIL BEHAVIOUR UNDER DYNAMIC LOADING

Overview of the fundamental dynamic soil properties and their measurement in the laboratory (bender elements, resonant column, cyclic triaxial). Dynamic soil response for a wide range of strains.

5.   SOIL LIQUEFACTION

Liquefaction phenomenon (cyclic mobility and flow liquefaction) through laboratory tests. Consequences of liquefaction on the built and natural environment. Evaluation of liquefaction potential through empirical methodologies (SPT and CPT based). Mitigation measures against liquefaction.

6.   SITE RESPONSE ANALYSIS

Soil layer amplification. Close-form solutions for 1D wave propagation in visco-elastic soil. Numerical methods. Equivalent linear and simple nonlinear constitutive models. 2D and 3D wave propagation and effect of topography on wave propagation.

7.   DESIGN OF GEOTECHNICAL STRUCTURES UNDER SEISMIC LOADING

Slope stability and retaining walls under seismic loading. Selection of appropriate seismic coefficient and factor of safety for pseudo-static analysis. Seismic design of piles.