Earthquakes in California: Are We Ready for the Big One?
Instructor: Amit Kanvinde, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
Description: The subject matter deals with the earthquake issue in California and our state of preparedness from an engineer’s perspective. Through informal lectures, case studies, and visual and shake table demonstrations, the students are expected to gain a basic appreciation of the damage that earthquakes can inflict on societies, and the measures that are taken to construct communities and structures that are more earthquake resistant. The course will begin with a general description of earthquakes, and the processes that cause them. This will be followed by three case studies that will involve discussion of three major earthquake that have shaped the history of California and earthquake engineering. Based on these case studies and current data from geological and other sources, the seminar will then look towards the future, discussing the likelihood and impact of a major future earthquake event. This will be followed by an introduction to earthquake engineering (through discussion, visuals and physical demonstration of structural shaking). The main aim of the seminar will be for students to develop a basic understanding of the earthquake hazard and risk that we face in California, and how these can be mitigated. At the completion of the seminar, the students will be expected to be familiar with geological and seismic history of California, and the type of measures (at the structural, infrastructural and societal levels) that will help California return to normalcy when the big one strikes.
Format: The seminar will meet for one hour each week. The time will be divided between informal lecture presentations, discussion, shake table demonstrations, and student presentations. Real life case studies and research examples will be discussed. There is no text for the course, though handouts and other material, including self-teaching power-point presentations and simulation-animations will be distributed as needed. Grading: Students will be required to prepare a short paper on a topic to be chosen in consultation with the instructor. The course grade will be based on the quality of their written paper -- 4 to 6 pages (1/3) and oral presentations (1/3) and on the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussion (1/3).
About the Instructor: Professor Amit Kanvinde is a member of the faculty in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research interests include earthquake engineering, design and simulation of steel structures, fracture and fatigue of steel structures. He currently teaches courses on linear and nonlinear structural analysis, design of steel structures (graduate and undergraduate), and mechanics of materials.