Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Seismology and Earthquake Risk (250MEG012) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

To conceive soils and rocks as porous media governed by Solid and Fluid Mechanics. To characterize the geological environment and its interaction with civil works. To interpret laboratory tests and field observations so as to identify the mechanisms responsible for soil response. To propose testing programmes. To analyze, discriminate and integrate geological and geotechnical information in studies and projects. To apply the knowledge on soil and rock mechanics to the development of the study, design, construction and exploitation of foundations, excavations, embankments, tunnels and other constructions on or through the soils, regardless of their nature and state or the finality of the works under study (Specific competence of the specialties in Geotechnical Engineering and Earthquake Engineering and Geophysics). To assess seismic risks. To plan and dimension risk reduction measures. (Specific competence of the specialization in Earthquake Engineering and Geophysics). To identify all types of structures and materials. To design, plan, implement and maintain structures and buildings in civil works. (Specific competence of the specialization in Earthquake Engineering and Geophysics). To analyze the structures, by applying advanced methods, design software and structural calculations, from the knowledge and understanding of the forces and their application to the structural typologies used of civil engineering. To perform structural integrity assessment. (Specific competence of the specialization in Earthquake Engineering and Geophysics). To perform studies of seismic hazard. (Specific competence of the specialization in Earthquake Engineering and Geophysics). * To understand, speaking of advanced use, the theoretical and practical concepts in seismology. * To know and be able to deal with the different seismic wave recording procedures at a global, regional and local level, as well as the tools used in the near and far field and the instrumentation of buildings and structures. * To know the risk assessment methods and techniques and to be able to develop estudies applied to seismic risk. * To know and apply soil surveying techniques using non-destructive geophysical tools and techniques. * To have a global vision on how to address the main problems falling to seismology for engineering and earthquake engineering. - The seismic phenomenon: causes and effects. - Principal waves and seismic phases. - Mechanism of earthquakes. - Size of earthquakes: magnitude and intensity. - Empirical formulas. To introduce students to the concepts, methods and applications of seismology, with special emphasis on those aspects related to engineering seismology and earthquake engineering.

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 45h 100.00 %
Self Study 80h

Teaching Methodology

The course consists of 45 hours. 27 hours are devoted to theoretical lectures and 12 hours to problems and practices. 6 hours are set apart for other activities. The student must perform four practical exercises. Support materials are provided through the virtual campus of ATENEA. Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

The course avaluation is based on the assessment of the problems and practices carried out by the students but it also takes into account the attendance and an exam. The final grade is a weighted average of the marks of the continuous assessment of problems and practices and of the grade of the exam.

Test Rules

If not done any of the scheduled activities, it will be considered as a zero score.

Office Hours

Thursday, since 11 AM till 13 PM and by appointment.

Bibliography

Basic

Complementary