OVERVIEW

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.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

TEACHING METHODS

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.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Basics of seismology:

• Earthquakes and seismicity
• Stress-strain relationships and elastic moduli
• Seismic source
• Seismic waves and wave propagation
• Earthquake location
• Magnitude and macroseismic intensity

Seismic hazard:

• Ground-motion parameters and ground-motion attenuation models
• Seismogenic models (point sources, faults, and seismogenic zonations)
• Recurrence relationships
• Deterministic and probabilistic seismic hazard analysis
• Hazard disaggregation

Site effects:

• Ground-motion amplification (stratigraphic and topographic effects)
• Experimental and numerical methods for ground-response analysis
• Co- and post-seismic effects: earthquake-induced landslides, soil liquefaction, surface faulting

Seismic risk mitigation:

• Seismic microzonation
• Building codes

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GABRIELE FERRETTI (President)

DANIELE SPALLAROSSA

SIMONE BARANI (President Substitute)

MASSIMO VERDOYA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

second semester (end of February)

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

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

ASSESSMENT METHODS

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.

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

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

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.