The course addresses the main issues related to the assessment of seismic hazard and local seismic effects with the aim of better land management and reduction of seismic risk. Earthquakes and the risks related to them represent an ever-present problem and, in this context, the role of seismologists is of strategic and professional importance.
The aim of the course is to acquire the basic knowledge for the study of earthquakes and the seismic wave propagation in order to understand the methods for evaluating Seismic Hazard analysis and for defining local effects (eg seismic amplification , Seismoinduced landslides, liquefaction, active and capable faults) in Microzonation studies.
The course is designed to provide the fundamental principles of seismology which are at the foundation of seismic hazard and risk assessment. First, basic concepts of seismology will be presented and discussed (seismic source, body and surface waves, wave attenuation, earthquake location and magnitude). Then, methods and models for seismic hazard assessment will be presented. Both deterministic and probabilistic approaches will be discussed. The last part of the course will focus on site response and address topics such as ground-motion amplification (stratigraphic and topographic effects), earthquake-induced landslides, and soil liquefaction.
At the end of the course, students will have learned the basics of classical seismology, skills relating to the calculation of seismic hazard and useful notions for managing seismic risk.
The course consists of lectures delivered through multimedia presentations and a few practice exercises during which students will use instruments and software for data acquisition and processing.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.
Basics of seismology:
Seismic hazard:
Site effects:
Seismic risk mitigation:
Teaching material will be provided during the course (all lectures will be stored on Aulaweb)
T. Lay e T. C. Wallace, “Modern Global Seismology”, Academic Press
S.L. Kramer, "Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering", Prentice Hall.
Ricevimento: Students are received by appointment, agreed by telephone, mail, or via aulaweb.
Ricevimento: Students are received by appointment, agreed by telephone or mail.
GABRIELE FERRETTI (President)
DANIELE SPALLAROSSA
SIMONE BARANI (President Substitute)
MASSIMO VERDOYA (Substitute)
second semester (end of February)
The final exam consists of an oral test (3 questions on topics covered during the lessons). The exam is passed if the student has obtained a grade greater than or equal to 18. A question will be discounted if the student passes a mid-season exam focusing on topics related to basics of seismology.
Students with learning disorders ("disturbi specifici di apprendimento", DSA) will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities
The exam will focus on the topics covered during the lessons and will aim to assess the achievement of the appropriate level of knowledge. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated. The degree of detail required for each topic will be provided during lessons.
Regular attendance at lectures and laboratory exercises is strongly recommended.
Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Distav contact for disabilities.
