Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

Description: This quiz covers the fundamental concepts and principles of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, focusing on the behavior of soils and structures during seismic events.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: geotechnical engineering earthquake engineering soil dynamics seismic design
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the primary factor that influences the seismic response of a soil deposit?

  1. Soil type

  2. Soil density

  3. Soil moisture content

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The seismic response of a soil deposit is influenced by a combination of factors, including soil type, density, moisture content, and other properties.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where soil loses its strength and behaves like a liquid during an earthquake?

  1. Liquefaction

  2. Lateral spreading

  3. Ground shaking

  4. Soil amplification


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Liquefaction is the process by which saturated soil loses its strength and behaves like a liquid during an earthquake, often leading to ground failure.

Which type of soil is most susceptible to liquefaction?

  1. Sandy soils

  2. Clayey soils

  3. Silty soils

  4. Gravelly soils


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sandy soils, particularly those that are loose and saturated, are most susceptible to liquefaction due to their lack of cohesion and high permeability.

What is the primary mechanism that causes ground shaking during an earthquake?

  1. Fault rupture

  2. Seismic waves

  3. Landslides

  4. Tsunamis


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Ground shaking during an earthquake is primarily caused by the propagation of seismic waves, which are generated by the sudden release of energy at the earthquake source.

Which type of seismic wave is responsible for the majority of damage to structures during an earthquake?

  1. P-waves

  2. S-waves

  3. Surface waves

  4. Love waves


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

S-waves, also known as shear waves, are responsible for the majority of damage to structures during an earthquake due to their ability to cause ground shaking and induce shear stresses in buildings.

What is the term used to describe the amplification of seismic waves as they pass through soft soil layers?

  1. Soil amplification

  2. Site effects

  3. Liquefaction

  4. Ground shaking


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Soil amplification refers to the phenomenon where seismic waves are amplified as they pass through soft soil layers, resulting in increased ground shaking and potential damage to structures.

Which design approach aims to minimize the risk of structural damage during an earthquake by dissipating seismic energy through inelastic deformation?

  1. Seismic isolation

  2. Base isolation

  3. Energy dissipation devices

  4. Seismic retrofitting


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Energy dissipation devices are structural elements designed to absorb and dissipate seismic energy through inelastic deformation, thereby reducing the forces transmitted to the main structure.

What is the purpose of a seismic isolation system in earthquake-resistant design?

  1. To prevent ground shaking

  2. To reduce soil liquefaction

  3. To isolate the structure from seismic waves

  4. To strengthen the building's foundation


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A seismic isolation system is designed to isolate the structure from seismic waves by introducing a flexible layer between the structure and the ground, reducing the transmission of seismic forces to the building.

Which type of foundation is commonly used in seismic-prone areas to reduce the risk of structural damage?

  1. Spread footings

  2. Pile foundations

  3. Mat foundations

  4. Raft foundations


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Pile foundations are often used in seismic-prone areas due to their ability to transfer seismic forces to deeper, more stable soil layers, reducing the risk of structural damage.

What is the term used to describe the process of strengthening or modifying an existing structure to improve its seismic performance?

  1. Seismic retrofitting

  2. Seismic strengthening

  3. Seismic rehabilitation

  4. Seismic renovation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Seismic retrofitting refers to the process of modifying or strengthening an existing structure to improve its resistance to seismic forces and reduce the risk of damage during an earthquake.

Which seismic design code is widely used in the United States for the seismic design of buildings and other structures?

  1. International Building Code (IBC)

  2. Uniform Building Code (UBC)

  3. National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP)

  4. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

ASCE 7 is the primary seismic design code used in the United States for the seismic design of buildings and other structures, providing guidelines for structural design to resist seismic forces.

What is the term used to describe the maximum horizontal acceleration that a structure is expected to experience during an earthquake?

  1. Peak ground acceleration (PGA)

  2. Spectral acceleration (Sa)

  3. Design earthquake acceleration (DEA)

  4. Maximum considered earthquake (MCE)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Peak ground acceleration (PGA) is the maximum horizontal acceleration that a structure is expected to experience during an earthquake, often used as a measure of seismic intensity.

Which type of soil is generally considered to be the most stable during an earthquake?

  1. Sandy soils

  2. Clayey soils

  3. Silty soils

  4. Gravelly soils


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Gravelly soils, due to their dense packing and interlocking particles, are generally considered to be the most stable during an earthquake, exhibiting less susceptibility to liquefaction and ground shaking.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where a structure's natural period of vibration matches the predominant period of seismic waves, leading to increased structural response?

  1. Resonance

  2. Amplification

  3. Damping

  4. Isolation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Resonance occurs when the natural period of vibration of a structure matches the predominant period of seismic waves, resulting in increased structural response and potential damage.

Which type of seismic wave is responsible for the back-and-forth motion of the ground during an earthquake?

  1. P-waves

  2. S-waves

  3. Surface waves

  4. Love waves


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

S-waves, also known as shear waves, are responsible for the back-and-forth motion of the ground during an earthquake, causing shear stresses and potentially damaging structures.

- Hide questions