ENEQ620-17A (C) Any Time Start 2017

Advanced Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

15 points

Details:
Start/End Date: The start and end dates are specific to each student. For further information please contact one of the following (as appropriate):
  • For Masters theses please contact the relevant Faculty Office.
  • For Doctoral degrees (PhD) please contact the Graduate School.
  • For other types of anytime start courses (i.e. generally courses worth 60 points or less) please contact the Course Coordinator.
Withdrawal Dates
The withdrawal dates for this course (both with and without fee refund) will be confirmed once a) the course start date and b) course length is confirmed. Students are advised to consult the department for further information.

Description

Manifestation and evaluation of soil liquefaction, related ground deformation, and lateral spreading. Effects on shallow foundations, analysis and design of piles, effects on buried pipe networks. Advanced liquefaction analysis. Seismic assessment of geotechnical structures within the performance-based framework.

ANYTIME START means:  A course that starts outside the normal semester dates.  Check the timetable below for actual teaching dates.


Course goals

The course focuses on soil liquefaction and its evaluation. The following subjects are covered in depth, both from a mechanics perspective and application/design viewpoint: state concept interpretation of monotonic behaviour of sands; cyclic behaviour of sand; liquefaction manifestation in the field; ground motion parameters and site investigations for liquefaction assessment; simplified methods for evaluation of liquefaction triggering, liquefaction-induced ground deformation (settlement and transient ground displacements), instability (residual strength) and lateral spreading; assessment of effects of liquefaction on shallow foundations; analysis and design of piles in liquefying soils; effects of liquefaction on buried pipe networks; concepts behind the advanced effective stress analysis of liquefaction problems; seismic assessment of geotechnical structures within the performance-based framework.

All topics are discussed using observations from case histories in recent earthquakes, benchmark laboratory studies, and field testing data. Estimation of liquefaction-induced instability and ground deformation, and assessment of deep foundations and shallow foundations are discussed using illustrative worked examples.

Well-documented case histories from the 2010-2011 Christchurch and 2016 Kaikoura earthquakes, as well as other important earthquakes, are discussed and used to illustrate key mechanisms and aspects of liquefaction.

Course Content
(1) Background in engineering seismology, ground motions, and seismic demand
(2) State concept interpretation of monotonic behaviour of sands; liquefaction mechanism and associated phenomena
(3) Factors affecting cyclic behaviour of sands and liquefaction
(4) Liquefaction evaluation: triggering (SPT, CPT, Vs methods)
(5) Site investigations for seismic studies
(6) Evaluation of liquefaction-induced instability and ground deformation
(7) Evaluation of effects of liquefaction on deep foundations
(8) Effects of liquefaction on shallow foundations
(9) Liquefaction mitigation

Learning Outcomes

(a) Discuss and explain mechanisms of soil liquefaction and associated phenomena
(b) Describe state-concept interpretation of soil behaviour, ground motion, and site parameters required for liquefaction assessment
(c) Examine key factors affecting liquefaction resistance and mitigation strategies
(d) Interpret and apply semi-empirical procedures for evaluation of liquefaction triggering and for estimating liquefaction-induced settlements
(e) Classify lateral spreads; estimate lateral spreading displacements and associated loads on structures.
(f) Interpret performance of shallow and deep foundations in liquefying soils
(g) Analyse effects of liquefaction on land and engineering structures using simplified (state-of-the-practice) and advanced (state-of-the-art) assessment procedures.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department or the Programme Director.

Restrictions

ENCI620

Timetable Note

This course will be held as a 2 two day block course.

6-7 April and 20-21 April 2017

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Misko Cubrinovski

Lecturer

Professor Jonathan Bray (Berkeley Univ)

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Assignment (x2) 50%
final exam 50%


1. Final exam:  A minimum pass mark of 40% in the exam is required in order for a student to pass the course.
2. All assignments must be submitted by the due date. Late submissions will not be accepted. If a student is unable to complete and submit an assignment by the deadline due to personal circumstances beyond their control they should discuss this with the lecturer involved as soon as possible (preferably prior to the due date).
3. Lecture notes, assignments and course information will be available and continuously updated on LEARN.
4. All communication with the class will be done through lectures, email or via Learn.

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Readings
• A large number of scientific articles (and other material) will be provided by the lecturer.

For background information, some chapters of:
• Kramer, S.L. (1996). “Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering”. Prentice-Hall, pp. 653.
• Ishihara, K. (1996). “Soil Behaviour in Earthquake Geotechnics”. Oxford Press, pp. 350.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,038.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 5 people apply to enrol.

For further information see Civil and Natural Resources Engineering .

All ENEQ620 Occurrences

  • ENEQ620-17A (C) Any Time Start 2017
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