GEOTECHNICAL EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
CE 76503

Course Objective:
The knowledge of geotechnical aspect of earthquake engineering is very essential of civil engineering structures. Seismic considerations are a significant factor in the design of much of the infrastructure in seismically active countries like Nepal. This course combines the fundamental ideas learned in the previous introductory engineering geology with seismology and design aspect of earthquakes, and applies these ideas in analyzing and understanding the seismic effects on soil structures. Various concepts, theories and practices of modern geotechnical earthquake engineering will be introduced. ln this course, the student will get an overall view of the nature of seismic hazards, the methods used to assess their impacts on society and the techniques available to mitigate their damaging effects.

1. Introduction
   (5 hours)
1. Mechanics and classification of earthquakes
2. Seismic hazard
3. Seismic waves - types, measures and conversion
4. Causes of earthquakes, Plate tectonics, faults
5. Measure of earthquakes magnitude, intensity, seismograph
6. Review of historical earthquakes
2. b Motion Seismology
   (6 hours)
1. Mechanics and classification of earthquakes
2. Estimation of ground motion parameters
3. Attenuation relation- model parameters, theoretical models
4. Classifications of attenuation relations, applicability for Himalayan region
5. Simulation of b motions
1. Earthquake source model
2. Time and frequency domain characteristics
3. Rupture directivity
6. Local site effects on b ground motions
3. Dynamics of Single Degree of Freedom Systems
   (8 hours)
1. Free vibration of damped and undamped systems
2. Forced vibration of damped and undamped systems
3. Response spectrum concept
4. Seismic Hazard Assessment
   (8 hours)
1. Introduction
2. Earthquake recurrence relationship
3. Probabilistic hazard assessment methodology
1. Source modeling
2. Size of earthquakes
3. Distance and attenuation laws
4. Probabilistic spectra
5. Site Amplification and Ground Response Analysis
   (8 hours)
1. Simplified site amplification procedures
2. Dynamic soil properties
3. One dimensional equivalent linear site response analysis
4. Soil structure interaction
6. Liquefaction
   (5 hours)
1. Definition of soil liquefaction
2. Features of liquefaction induced damages
3. Factor governing liquefaction
4. Assessment of liquefaction potential
5. Permanent displacement due to liquefaction
6. Factor of safety against liquefaction
7. Seismic Slope Stability
   (4 hours)
1. Pseudo static approach
2. Newmark's sliding block method

Tutorial:

1. Introduction
   (1 hour)
   Theory, definition and concept type questions
   Review of impact of historical earthquakes in human environment
2. b Motion Seismology
   (2 hours)
   Theory, definition and concept type questions
   Practical examples, and numerical examples types questions
3. Dynamics of Single Degree of Freedom Systems
   (3 hours)
   Theory, definition and concept type questions
   Examples of free and forced SDOF method
4. Seismic Hazard Assessment
   (3 hours)
   Theory, Definition and Concept Type Questions
   Examples of recurrences relationship and hazard assessment
5. Site Amplification and Ground Response Analysis
   (2 hours)
   Theory, definition and concept type questions
   Practical examples of site response analysis
6. Liquefaction
   (2 hours)
   Theory, definition and concept type questions
   Practical examples of liquefaction problems
7. Seismic Slope Stability
   (2 hours)
   Theory, definition and concept type questions
   Practical examples of earth pressure pr,oblems

Project:

1. Seismology and earthquakes, single degree of freedom systems
2. b ground motion parameters and response analysis
3. Site amplification and dynamic soil properties
4. 1-D equivalent linear site response with computer program
5. Analysis of seismic hazards (Liquefaction and seismic slope stability)

References:

1. Iku Towhata, "Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering", Springer.
2. Stephen L. Kramer, "Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering", Prentice Hall.
3. W. F. Chen and C. Scawthorn, "Earthquake Engineering Handbook", CRC press LLC.

Evaluation Scheme:
The questions will cover all the chapters in the syllabus. The evaluation scheme will be as indicated in the table below:

Chapter	Hours	Marks Distribution*
1	5	8
2	6	10
3	8	15
4	8	15
5	8	15
6	6	10
7	4	7
Total	45	80

*There could be minor deviation in mark distribution.