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Earthquake Engineering: Geological Impacts and Disaster Assessment
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Earthquake Engineering: Geological Impacts and Disaster Assessment

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 5213

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Abbas Abbaszadeh Shahri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Johan Lundberg AB, Uppsala, Sweden
Interests: geotechnics; geotechnical engineering; rock mechanics; engineering geology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Destructive earthquakes and disasters reveal the ability of human socioeconomic systems to handle infrastructural damage, demonstrating why the concerns of site effects and disaster assessments in seismic-activity-prone regions should be considered. This Special Issue aims to highlight geological impacts and improve disaster assessment by integrating scientific knowledge, engineering expertise, and socio-economic considerations. It encompasses modeling techniques and analyzes various aspects, i.e., seismic hazard assessment, landslide and liquefaction triggered by seismic motion, structural damage identification, site response analysis, the simulation of ground rupture, subsurface characterization, disaster risks, loss estimation, sensitivity analysis, probability assessment, and frequency content analysis. The aim of this Special Issue is to employ pioneer practical and modern computational approaches on the topics mentioned above via artificial intelligence, numerical techniques, agent-based modeling, data fusion (satellite-based data), and sensor networks, etc., for the improved prediction and mitigation of earthquake-related hazards.

Dr. Abbas Abbaszadeh Shahri
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • earthquake engineering
  • geological impacts
  • disaster assessment
  • prediction model
  • computational approaches

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 9898 KiB  
Article
Seismic Tomography in the Târgu Jiu Region (Romania): Relationships with Seismic Velocity Anomalies and Fault Activity
by Bogdan Zaharia, Andrei Mihai, Raluca Dinescu, Mihai Anghel, Cristian Neagoe, Mircea Radulian and Christian Schiffer
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 6084; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15116084 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 11
Abstract
This study presents a seismic tomography analysis of the Târgu Jiu region in southwestern Romania, an area that experienced an unusual earthquake sequence in 2023. Using P- and S-wave arrival times local earthquakes, we applied the LOTOS algorithm to produce high-resolution 3D crustal [...] Read more.
This study presents a seismic tomography analysis of the Târgu Jiu region in southwestern Romania, an area that experienced an unusual earthquake sequence in 2023. Using P- and S-wave arrival times local earthquakes, we applied the LOTOS algorithm to produce high-resolution 3D crustal seismic velocities models. High Vp and Vs values in the northern and northeastern areas suggest the presence of dense, rigid geological formations, likely associated with consolidated magmatic or metamorphic units. In contrast, the central region exhibits low Vs values, coinciding with an active seismic zone and intersecting major fault structures. This suggests the presence of highly fractured and weakly consolidated rocks, potentially saturated with fluids. The Vp/Vs ratio in the central region reached values of ≥1.8–1.9, indicating fluid-filled fractures that may influence fault dynamics and earthquake occurrence. In the southern region, velocity anomalies suggest weakly consolidated sedimentary units with a high degree of fracturing. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the geodynamic behavior of the Târgu Jiu area and its seismic hazard potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Earthquake Engineering: Geological Impacts and Disaster Assessment)
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23 pages, 14094 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Sedimentary Cover in the City of Aïn Témouchent, Northwest Algeria, Using Ambient Noise Measurements
by Ahmed Saadi, Fethi Semmane, Juan José Galiana-Merino, Abdelkrim Yelles-Chaouche, Abdelouahab Issaadi and Billel Melouk
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 2967; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15062967 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 482
Abstract
The city of Aïn Témouchent, located in northwest Algeria at the westernmost part of the Lower Cheliff Basin, has experienced several moderate earthquakes, the most significant of which occurred on 22 December 1999 (Mw 5.7, 25 fatalities, severe damage). In this study, ambient [...] Read more.
The city of Aïn Témouchent, located in northwest Algeria at the westernmost part of the Lower Cheliff Basin, has experienced several moderate earthquakes, the most significant of which occurred on 22 December 1999 (Mw 5.7, 25 fatalities, severe damage). In this study, ambient noise measurements from 62 sites were analyzed using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method to estimate fundamental frequency (f0) and amplitude (A0). The inversion of HVSR curves provided sedimentary layer thickness and shear wave velocity (Vs) estimates. Additionally, four spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) array measurements refined the Rayleigh wave dispersion curves, improving Vs profiles (150–1350 m/s) and sediment thickness estimates (up to 390 m in the industrial zone). Vs30 and vulnerability index maps were developed to classify soil types and assess liquefaction potential within the city. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Earthquake Engineering: Geological Impacts and Disaster Assessment)
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28 pages, 6833 KiB  
Article
Multi-Scale Integrated Corrosion-Adjusted Seismic Fragility Framework for Critical Infrastructure Resilience
by Alon Urlainis, Gili Lifshitz Sherzer and Igal M. Shohet
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(19), 8789; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14198789 - 29 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1302
Abstract
This study presents a novel framework for integrating corrosion effects into critical infrastructure seismic risk assessment, focusing on reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Unlike traditional seismic fragility curves, which often overlook time-dependent degradation such as corrosion, this methodology introduces an approach incorporating corrosion-induced degradation [...] Read more.
This study presents a novel framework for integrating corrosion effects into critical infrastructure seismic risk assessment, focusing on reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Unlike traditional seismic fragility curves, which often overlook time-dependent degradation such as corrosion, this methodology introduces an approach incorporating corrosion-induced degradation into seismic fragility curves. This framework combines time-dependent corrosion simulation with numerical modeling, using the finite–discrete element method (FDEM) to assess the reduction in structural capacity. These results are used to adjust the seismic fragility curves, capturing the increased vulnerability due to corrosion. A key novelty of this work is the development of a comprehensive risk assessment that merges the corrosion-adjusted fragility curves with seismic hazard data to estimate long-term seismic risk, introducing a cumulative risk ratio to quantify the total risk over the structure’s lifecycle. This framework is demonstrated through a case study of a one-story RC moment frame building, evaluating its seismic risk under various corrosion scenarios and locations. The simulation results showed a good fit, with a 3% to 14% difference between the case study and simulations up to 75 years. This fitness highlights the model’s accuracy in predicting structural degradation due to corrosion. Furthermore, the findings reveal a significant increase in seismic risk, particularly in moderate and intensive corrosion environments, by 59% and 100%, respectively. These insights emphasize the critical importance of incorporating corrosion effects into seismic risk assessments, offering a more accurate and effective strategy to enhance infrastructure resilience throughout its lifecycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Earthquake Engineering: Geological Impacts and Disaster Assessment)
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21 pages, 6474 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Shallow Sedimentary Layers in the Oran Region Using Ambient Vibration Data
by Ahmed Saadi, Juan José Galiana-Merino, Fethi Semmane, Abdelkrim Yelles-Chaouche and Abdelouahab Issaadi
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7364; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167364 - 21 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1198
Abstract
This study investigates the structure of shear-wave velocities (Vs) in the shallow layers of the Oran region, north-west of Algeria, using non-invasive techniques based on ambient vibration arrays. The region has experienced several moderate earthquakes, including the historical Oran earthquake of 1790. Ambient [...] Read more.
This study investigates the structure of shear-wave velocities (Vs) in the shallow layers of the Oran region, north-west of Algeria, using non-invasive techniques based on ambient vibration arrays. The region has experienced several moderate earthquakes, including the historical Oran earthquake of 1790. Ambient vibration measurements were carried out at 15 sites throughout the study area. Two methods were used: spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) and frequency–wavenumber analysis (f-k), which allowed us to better constrain Rayleigh wave dispersion curves. The inversion of the dispersion curves derived from the f-k analysis allowed for estimating the shear-wave velocity profiles and the Vs30 value at the sites under study. The other important result of the present study is an empirical equation that has been proposed to predict Vs30 in the Oran region. The determination of near-surface shear-wave velocity profiles is an important step in the assessment of seismic hazard. This study has demonstrated the effectiveness of using ambient vibration array techniques to estimate the soil Vs structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Earthquake Engineering: Geological Impacts and Disaster Assessment)
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22 pages, 7038 KiB  
Article
Study on Effectiveness of Regional Risk Prioritisation in Reinforced Concrete Structures after Earthquakes
by Ercan Işık, Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko, Dorin Radu and Borko Bulajić
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 6992; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14166992 - 9 Aug 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1323
Abstract
Depending on the characteristics of the existing buildings, earthquakes can cause damage at different levels and have a significant impact on the environment. The structural damages after the earthquakes have shown the importance of analysing both the existing and the damaged buildings. In [...] Read more.
Depending on the characteristics of the existing buildings, earthquakes can cause damage at different levels and have a significant impact on the environment. The structural damages after the earthquakes have shown the importance of analysing both the existing and the damaged buildings. In this study, the Turkish rapid seismic assessment method, which was used for the existing building stock before a possible earthquake, was applied to the damaged reinforced concrete (RC) buildings after the 6 February earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş (Türkiye). The building data were used as a result of field observations in the provinces of Adıyaman, Hatay, and Kahramanmaraş, where the greatest destruction was caused by these earthquakes. Five RC buildings from each province were considered. The rapid assessment method was applied to a total of 15 buildings with different levels of damage. For this purpose, pre-earthquake images of the buildings were obtained, and an earthquake performance score was obtained for each building, taking into account the sustained damage during the earthquake. The primary aim of this study is to show the effects of structural irregularities on earthquake behaviour and to demonstrate the applicability of the rapid assessment methods used before the earthquake. The results obtained clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of rapid evaluation methods for existing building stock. Structural analyses were also carried out in this study to address the fact that the height of the ground storey is higher than the other storeys, which is one of the factors leading to a soft storey. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Earthquake Engineering: Geological Impacts and Disaster Assessment)
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