Page 1 of 6

Course Outlines

https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/CIVIL/725/1255

CIVIL 725 : Geotechnical Earthquake

Engineering
Engineering
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription
Advanced topics in earthquake eects on geotechnical structures, including: dynamic properties of soils;
earthquake-induced ground response; seismic stability of slopes, embankments; earth-retaining structures;
soil liquefaction; ground deformations; remediation and mitigation techniques. Design applications and
advanced methods of analysis with case history analyses of major earthquakes. An independent research
project will be used to solve a challenging geotechnical earthquake engineering problem.

Course Overview
PHILOSOPHY:
The course covers advanced knowledge in the eld of soil dynamics and earthquake geotechnical engineering.
It builds on the fundamental ideas learned in previous Geomechanics courses (CIVIL 200 and CIVIL 300, or
equivalent) and applies these ideas in analysing and understanding the seismic eects on soil structures. The
course focuses on the state-of-the-art knowledge and practice of the geotechnical aspects of earthquake
engineering, including the current research in the field.

Through the lectures, students will understand the fundamental principles and practical methods associated
with each topic. The core taught skills are extended by individual design projects where students will develop
and apply the understanding gained in solving real-world engineering problems. Case studies of major
earthquakes and assignments will be used to supplement these skills.

COURSE OUTLINE:
Geotechnical problems encountered during earthquakes
Seismology and earthquake engineering
Seismic hazard and analysis
Wave propagation and local site effects
Dynamic properties of soils
Ground response analysis
Seismic stability of slopes and embankments
Seismic earth pressure and behaviour of earth-retaining structures
Published on 25/11/2024 08:33 p.m. UTC
 Page 2 of 6
Soil liquefaction and permanent ground deformations
Soil remediation and mitigation techniques
Seismic monitoring

Course Requirements
Prerequisite: CIVIL 300

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Graduate Profile: Master of Engineering Studies

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe and explain the terminology used in geotechnical earthquake engineering (Capability 3.1 and 4.2)
2. Demonstrate an understanding of of the fundamental principles and practical methods associated with
each topic (Capability 5.1 and 8.1)
3. Apply the theories and principles to practical problems (Capability 5.1 and 6.1)
4. Understand and appreciate the assessment, remedial and monitoring techniques in relation to seismic
hazards (Capability 4.2)

Assessments
Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assignments 15% Individual Coursework
Design Projects 35% Individual Coursework
3 types 100%

Assessment Type Learning Outcome

Addressed
1 2 3 4
Published on 25/11/2024 08:33 p.m. UTC
 Page 3 of 6
Final Exam    

Assignments  

Design Projects   

1. A passing mark, comprising the sum of all assessment types, is 50% or higher, according to University
policy.
2. Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.
3. While it is possible to submit late for the coursework (projects and lab reports), a late submission penalty
is stipulated in the assignment and project handouts. Late submission would only be permitted up to 24
hours after the original deadline.

Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in
each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 30 hours of lectures, 6 hours of tutorial, 60 hours of reading and thinking about
the content and 54 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities, including tutorials, will NOT be available as
recordings.
The course will NOT include live online events, including group discussions/tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes
reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

There is no recommended text for this course. Lecture slides will be uploaded to Canvas.
The following references are available in the Engineering Library:
Kramer, S: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (Prentice Hall, 1996)
Towhata, I.: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (Springer-Velag, 2008)
Ishihara, K.: Soil Behaviour in Earthquake Geotechnics (Oxford Science, 1996)
Idriss, I.M. and Boulanger, R.W.: Soil Liquefaction during Earthquakes (EERI, 2008)
Bhattacharya, S., Orense, R.P., Lombardi, D.: Seismic Design of Foundations: Concepts and Applications
(ICE 2019)

Published on 25/11/2024 08:33 p.m. UTC

 Page 4 of 6
All Earthquake geotechnical engineering practice series published by NZGS/MBIE
(https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/b-stability/b1-structure/geotechnical-guidance/):
Module 1: Overview of the geotechnical guidelines
Module 2: Geotechnical investigations for earthquake engineering
Module 3: Identification, assessment and mitigation of liquefaction hazards
Module 4: Earthquake resistant foundation design
Module 5: Ground improvement of soils prone to liquefaction
Module 5a: Specification of ground improvement for residential properties in the Canterbury Region
Module 6: Earthquake resistant retaining wall design
Planning and engineering guidance for potentially liquefaction-prone land

Health & Safety

While there are no lab or eld activities for this course, students must ensure they are familiar with their Health
and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a
tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with
summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty sta-student consultative
committees.

Per the students' feedback, more in-person tutorials will be conducted, so make sure you attend the class in
person.

Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in
coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic oence. The work that a student submits for grading
must be the student's own work, reecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be
properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source
material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to
provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the
wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to
raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Published on 25/11/2024 08:33 p.m. UTC

 Page 5 of 6
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written
form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible
and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the
Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is aected by illness or other personal circumstances outside
of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances signicantly aect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible
written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-
exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and
learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has
contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not
compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your
course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about
how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process
and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The
University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other
students and sta so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit
Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-
and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for
enrolled students in Canvas.

Published on 25/11/2024 08:33 p.m. UTC

 Page 6 of 6
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the
right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or
other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements
may be used. The nal decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation
arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the
assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 25/11/2024 08:33 p.m. UTC