Submerged Floating Tunnel: A structural response optimization of the transition structure subjected to earthquakes

This study presents the structural response of a Submerged Floating Tunnel (SFT) subjected to earthquake loading and other relevant static loading types. The SFT is a competitive solution for crossings of deep seas, canals and fjords, as it is submerged in water and floats at a fixed submersion depth. It is supported by its buoyancy and tethers,...

Machine Learning Techniques for Moment Tensor Estimation

As a result of the gas extraction in Groningen (the Netherlands) the amount of earthquakes have increased over the past decades. Understanding the induced seismicity in the Zeerijp area is important for the population living in this relatively densely populated region, but also essential to the Dutch governement and the operator of the field;...

Improving seismic foundation models of jack-ups

Jack-up designers, owners and operators are expanding their activities into seismically active areas such as Japan and Taiwan. Further development of expertise in seismic analysis of jack-ups is required to improve safety and reduce costs. At present, a linear elastic foundation model is used in seismic assessments. Improved understanding of...

Passive Deep Ocean Thermometry using Hydroacoustic Signals from Submarine Earthquakes

Measuring temperature variations of the deep ocean is necessary to evaluate the heat flux between the atmosphere and the hydrosphere and thus calibrate climate change models. In the last two decades a passive alternative to profiling oceanographic floats has emerged: hydroacoustic thermometry. This method consists of using the oceanic ambient...

Seismic liquefaction analysis of a critical facility with PM4Sand in Plaxis

In seismically active areas, liquefaction hazards have always been a complicated aspect to evaluate as part of the seismic design of a project. In the case of the design of critical facilities, this becomes crucial, as beyond design basis conditions may elevate the seismic loads significantly and create a considerable liquefaction risk in areas...

Applicability of the Pushover Method for the Seismic Assessment of URM Structures in Groningen: A Case Study of a Low-Rise Apartment Building

In Groningen, seismic activity has increased due to the extraction of gas in the area. A large-scale research campaign has been launched with the aim to assess and safeguard structures in the region. However, an accurate assessment of these buildings turned out to be a challenge, due to the nonlinear behaviour of the masonry and the dynamic...

Dynamic Analysis of a Monopile Offshore Wind Support Structure Subjected to Earthquakes: A Comparative Study Between the Responses of an Elastic and an Inelastic Soil-Structure Interaction Model Through Incremental Dynamic Analysis

This thesis project has set out to investigate the response in fore-aft direction of a monopile wind foundation supporting an NREL 5MW turbine, offshore the coast of Taiwan, which is affected by weak to strong earthquake ground motion in combination with normal sea state conditions. The soil at the location of the monopile is layered, with sand...

Stability Analysis of Geotextile-reinforced Slope Based on Japan Earthquake in 2011: Yuriage, Natori City Case

The use of geotextile for slope strengthening was proven based on the investigation and report by Kuwano, Miyata, and Koseki (2014). Therefore, this research examines the impact of geotextile application on slope stability in newly-elevated area in Yuriage, Natori City, Japan. This project discussed the analysis of geotextile-reinforced slope by...

Soil Interpretation in Groningen: Verification and Improvement of CPT-based correlations

In the northern part of the Netherlands, the exploitation of gas fields has been inducing small earthquakes, causing damage to existing buildings. <br/>With the aim of preventing consequences to people and structures, the VIIA Groningen project deals with CC2 and CC3 buildings retrofit and provides reinforcement measures when necessary.<br/>As...

A strengthening system for Groningen's unreinforced masonry buildings: Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Matrix: Analytical and Numerical analysis

Existing masonry buildings represent one of the most vulnerable building typology if subjected to seismic actions. In the Groningen region a greater part of the building stock is represented by URM masonry buildings, where these structures were generally designed for gravity loads only. As a consequence of the induced seismicity in the study...