Microzonation studies

Microzonation is a detailed and multidisciplinary study that aims at dividing the area of study into zones with respect to geological, geotechnical, geophysical and geometrical characteristics, and to provide reliable maps of seismic ground shaking parameters considering local site effects, as well as induced hazards like liquefaction and landslides. A detailed microzonation study provides the basis for an advanced seismic risk assessment of urban areas, and for earthquake design of new engineering projects. The Research Unit of SDGEE is recognized as a world expert on conducting detailed microzonation and site-effect studies. In particular, we provide the following services:

• Geological and geophysical investigations and surveys
• Geotechnical investigations (in-situ and laboratory testing, dynamic soil properties and strength charac­teristics, soil classification, geophysical and seismic surveys)
• Study of site-effects and strong ground motion using state-of-the-art methods and numerical tools (1D linear and nonlinear, 2D linear, equivalent-linear and non-linear, and 3D linear software)
• Experimental and numerical study of complex site-effects, including basin and topographic effects
• Seismic hazard analyses (probabilistic, deterministic)
• Microzonation mapping of ground motion characteristics: Detailed maps with maximum acceleration, velocity and displacements, both transient and permanent (PHGA, PGVA, PHGV and PGD); Acceleration, velocity and displacement response spectra (PHSA, PHSV, SD); Transient soil shear strains and seismic stresses at different depths; Amplification coefficients; Predominant period of the soil deposits
• Studies and thematic maps of liquefaction, subsidence, land sliding zones and the associated perma­nent ground displacements
• Seismic Code-oriented site-effects studies