Soil Dynamics

General

• Code: ΓΕΩ011
• Semester: 8th
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Course type: Specialization
• Teaching and exams language: Ελληνικά
• Teaching Methods (Hours/Week): Lectures (4)
• ECTS Units: 5
• Prerequisite courses: (ΓΕΩ002) Soil mechanics Ι, (ΓΕΩ005) Engineering Seismology and Earthquake Engineering
• Class Schedule:
  • Thu 10:00 - 14:00: Θ - Σωτηριάδης (205)
• Exams Schedule:
  • 17/06/2026, 12:00 - 14:00:

Course Contents

Study of site effects on the propagation of seismic ground motion from the seismic bedrock up to the
ground surface. Distinction and assessment of the main parameters of strong ground motion and
detection of unfavorable conditions that may take place due to the soil behavior during an
earthquake. Assessment and consideration of the above based on the current design framework.
Contents of the theory lectures and application exercises:
• Connection with technical seismology and revision of basic concepts of seismic mechanics
(characteristics of earthquake disruption, ground motion prediction equations, parameters of seismic
motion etc.)
• Deepening on the description and parameters of strong ground motion and assessment of the
hazard of seismic events based on them (time histories, Fourier spectra, response spectra, duration
of strong ground motion etc.)
• Introduction to site effects and on the concepts of soil dynamics
• Estimation of soil parameters that influence the dynamic response of soil deposit (in situ and
laboratory methods, nonlinear soil behavior)
• Evaluation of seismic response of soil deposit. Theoretical approach and use of appropriate
software for the estimation of soil response at the ground surface (linear behavior, equivalent linear
behavior, nonlinear soil behavior)
• Consideration of seismic ground motion amplification due to site effects in current codes
• Microzonation studies.
• Specific situations of seismic soil behavior and their consideration according to the current codes
(influence of 2D-3D phenomena, liquefaction, lateral spreading etc) Presentation of advanced
calculation methods using finite element programs

Educational Goals

The aim of the course is the students to understand the basic concepts of the dynamic behavior of
soil deposits and to be capable of assessing the seismic soil response at the ground surface taking
into account site effects.
Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:
• be familiar with, understand and assess the basic parameters of soil and seismic ground motion
that are related to the seismic wave propagation.
• distinguish and be aware of the critical parameters of strong ground motion that are related to the
damage of the physical and human environment (seismic ground shaking of buildings and other
structures, seismic loading of networks, soil liquefaction, landslides etc.)
• evaluate the seismic ground motion at the ground surface of a soil deposit for a given time history
at the seismic bedrock
• compose solutions through theories that they have learnt using the current design framework

General Skills

• Decision making
• Design of assignments
• student individual project
• promotion of the free, creative and inductive thinking

Teaching Methods

Face to face.

Use of ICT means

Παρουσίαση διαλέξεων με χρήση Η/Υ και προβολέα δια ζώσης ή με τηλεδιάσκεψη εξ αποστάσεως εφόσον απαιτηθεί.

Υποστήριξη μαθησιακής διαδικασίας μέσω elearning και ηλεκτρονικής επικοινωνίας με τους φοιτητές (online ανακοινώσεις και σχόλια, email, ανακοινώσεις στην ιστοσελίδα του Τμήματος κτλ).

Δυνατότητα υποστήριξης φοιτητών με χρήση προγραμμάτων τηλεδιάσκεψης.

Teaching Organization

Students Evaluation

1. Individual project aiming at better understanding the
teaching concepts
2. Final written exam at the end of the semester (in Greek
language)

Recommended Bibliography

• Πιτιλάκης Κ. (2010), “Γεωτεχνική Σεισμική Μηχανική”, Εκδόσεις Ζήτη, Θεσσαλονίκη, ISBN:
  978-960-456-226-8
• Γκαζέτας Γ. (1996), “Εδαφοδυναμική και σεισμική μηχανική”, Εκδόσεις Συμεών, ISBN: 978-
  960-7346-44-0
• Kramer S.L. (1996), “Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering”, Prentice-Hall, ISBN: 978-
  0133749434
• • [In Greek] Πιτιλάκης Κ. (2010), “Γεωτεχνική Σεισμική Μηχανική”, Εκδόσεις Ζήτη, Θεσσαλονίκη, ISBN:
  978-960-456-226-8
  • [In Greek] Γκαζέτας Γ. (1996), “Εδαφοδυναμική και σεισμική μηχανική”, Εκδόσεις Συμεών, ISBN: 978-
  960-7346-44-0
  • Kramer S.L. (1996), “Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering”, Prentice-Hall, ISBN: 978-0133749434