Seismic Hazard Evaluation and Mitigation Short Course

A short course for geotechnical professionals on evaluation and mitigation of seismic hazards associated with slope instability and soil liquefaction was held in Los Angeles in January. The California Division of Mines and Geology, in partnership with SCEC and UC Berkeley's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, sponsored the event.

The course was limited to local government reviewers of the seismic hazard reports mandated by the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act. Dr. Ray Seed, course organizer and head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Group at UC Berkeley, said the course was "designed to present a concise but practical discussion of alternative approaches and controversial topics related to hazard evaluation and mitigation."

On the first day, speakers covered the selection and use of strong motion data, including an overview of the Statewide Probabilistic Ground Motion maps, along with seismic/dynamic soil properties and their evaluation. The second and third days were devoted to the evaluation and mitigation of soil liquefaction hazard and seismic slope instability and deformation, respectively.

More such courses for consultants and geotechnical practitioners are planned. To find out more about them, contact the UC Berkeley Geotechnical Engineering Program at (510) 642-1262.