**CEE 5584 (3H, 3C) I**

**GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING**

**I.** **[Why this course is important:]{.underline}**

> Traditionally, only colleges and universities on the west coast have
> provided educational experiences for graduate geotechnical engineers
> in the area of seismic design. However, the consideration of seismic
> aspects is becoming common in many regions of the U.S., and it is
> important for Virginia Tech graduates to be knowledgeable on this
> subject. Additionally, it is recognized that:

-   Students are now entering a job market that requires skills that are
    transportable on a national and international basis. To compete on
    the highest level, they need to know the basics of earthquake
    engineering, and how it relates to geotechnical practice.

-   There is a rapidly growing recognition that major seismic events are
    possible in the central and eastern U.S., and earthquake design
    principles are now being applied to projects in these previously
    neglected regions.

-   The aspects of soil behavior and response of earth structures under
    seismic loading provide unique insights into geotechnical
    engineering that cannot be obtained elsewhere.

-   The geotechnical program at VT has an active research component in
    the area of earthquake engineering (ECSUS), and this course allows
    the latest research results to be brought into the classroom.

**II. [Texts and Teaching Aids]{.underline}:**

> Until recently, there was no single text that covered the material
> envisioned for this course; however, a recently released text that
> contains much of the course content is now available and suggested:

-   **Kramer, Steven L., *Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering,* 1 ed.
    Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; 1996. 653 pp.**

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-   **A set of course notes and handouts produced specifically for this
    class is required and available from the Civil Engineering office.**

> Segments from other books, papers, and reports will be used to cover
> more detailed issues and present the latest findings. Although they
> are becoming dated, two recommended (and classic) books that provide a
> good background to the current state-of -practice are:

-   Algermissen, S. T., *An Introduction to the Seismicity of the United
    States*,

> 1 ed. Oakland, California; Earthquake Engineering Research Institute;
> 1983. 120 pp.

-   Seed, Harry B., and I. M. Idriss*, Ground Motions and Soil
    Liquefaction During Earthquakes*, 1 ed. Oakland, California:
    Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, 1982. 134 pp.

Both of these books can be obtained at a cost of \$10 each (for
students) from the publications department of the Earthquake Engineering
Research Institute in Oakland, CA. The phone number is (510) 451-0905.

Other useful reference texts are:

-   Bolt, Bruce A., *Earthquakes,* 2 ed. New York: W. H. Freeman &
    Company, 1993. 331 pp.

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-   Krinitzsky, Ellis L., James P. Gould, and Peter H. Edinger,
    *Fundamentals of Earthquake Resistant Design,* 1 ed., New York. J.
    Wiley & Sons, 1993. 299 pp.

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-   Reiter, Leon, *Earthquake Hazard Analysis,* 1 ed. New York:

Columbia University Press. 1990. 254 pp.

**[Additional course materials and teaching aids]{.underline}:**

Additionally, computer-based multimedia lesson modules can be made

available for use as tutorials and for reference purposes.

**III.** **[Tentative Lecture Topics:]{.underline}**

-   Earthquake basics: A review of the causative mechanisms of
    earthquakes, wave propagation, earthquake magnitudes, and intensity.

-   Seismicity of the United States, seismic hazard and paleoseismic
    studies.

-   Near-surface ground motion attenuation relationships.

-   Response spectra and effects of local soil conditions on

> site response.

-   Design spectra and U. S. earthquake codes.

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-   Dynamic soil behavior and period matching.

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-   Computer-based site response analysis.

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-   Liquefaction and steady-state shear strength.

-   Design of earth slopes and dams for seismic loading.

-   And as time allows \-- seismic design considerations for earth
    retaining systems and pile foundations.

**IV. [Instructor(s)]{.underline}:**

> **J. R. Martin:** 111-B Patton Hall; email: <jrm@vt.edu>; phone:
> 231-3934
>
> Office Hours: open door policy, best time is immediately following
> class.
>
> **Teaching Assistants:** Mr. Bryan Waisnor in 24 Patton; 231-4417.
>
> Also, Mr. Guney Olgun, in 111 Patton, will also be available to field
> questions.

Phone: 231-2036; email: <olgun@vt.edu>

**V. [Grading Criteria]{.underline}:**

Homework - 20%

Project - 20%

Midterm - 25%

Final - 35%

**VI.** **[Homework]{.underline}**:

**+** Work is correct, neat, orderly, and easy to grade.

Work is mainly correct, neat.

**-** Errors in work or sloppy appearance.

**R** Resubmit; major error in solution. Redo problem and resubmit or no
credit given for work.

Full credit will be given for homework in category. **+** will help
overall grade, especially in upward shift if on borderline. **-** or
less will result in less than full credit.