Engineering Seismology

During this course the student acquires basic knowledge in Engineering Seismology and especially in subjects like seismic hazard, seismic risk and soil response, after successful completion the student will:

• Know the basic principles of Engineering Seismology
• Solve, simple problems related to Engineering Seismology

Knowledge

The course aims to provide knowledge related to the methods and principles used by Engineering Seismology in seismic risk mitigation. Through the class the students will become familiar with modern methodologies in  Engineering Seismology and how these can be applied to antiseismic construction.

Abilities

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to earthquake hazard, wave propagation in soil layers, earthquake statistics
• Ability to apply such knowledge and understanding to the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems
• Ability to solve simple engineering seismology problems, using related seismological software
• Ability to work in a team

By the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following skills (general abilities):

1. Ability to apply acquired knowledge and understanding, to the solution of problems
2. Ability to interact with others in problem solving as a team

1. Introduction, Engineering Seismology history, advances due to major quakes.
2. Seismic Intensity, Intensity scales.
3. Accelerometers, processing of accelerometer records.
4. Statistical analysis of seismicity, application to seismic hazard
5. Earthquake Hazard - Risk assessment, Probabilistic and Deterministic methodologies
6. Acceleration spectrum, response spectrum, Fourier spectrum of strong motion records
7. Ground motion prediction equations, Synthesis of strong ground motions
8. Design spectra and Building codes
9. Microzonation studies, geophysical techniques, ground response analysis
10. Microtremor analysis, methods, relation to ground response.
11. Seismic landslides

Laboratory exercises in Engineering Seismology subjects: earthquake statistics, processing of strong ground motion records, seismic hazard, microzonation methods etc

The assessment is done in the following way:

Written examination after the end of the semester which includes

• Theory based questions
• Assessment questions
• Problem solving questions

1. Lecture notes (eclass)
2. Tselentis Akis, Modern Seismology, Pub. Papasotiriou, 1997.
3. Papazachos B, Karakaisis G., Chatzidimitriou P., Introduction to Seismology, Pub. Ziti, 2005
4. Kramer, S.L. Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, Prentice Hall, 1996.