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Engineering geological approach to the evaluation of seismic risk in metropolitan regions: case study of Patras, Greece

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Abstract

The city of Patras in western Greece has experienced several destructive earthquakes during the past centuries. The engineering geological conditions of the area have been analyzed and described using a relational geotechnical database management system including geotechnical and geological information obtained from exploratory boreholes, cone penetration tests and cross hole seismic prospecting. The foundation soils of the city were grouped into individual geotechnical units and several engineering geological maps and geotechnical cross sections were compiled. Criteria are proposed for the approximate evaluation of the effect of local soil conditions on ground motion, especially on the distribution of amplification features.

Résumé

La ville de Patras, en Grèce occidentale, a été touchée plusieurs fois par des séismes destructeurs. Les conditions géologiques et géotechniques du site sont analysées en détail à partir de corrélations de paramètres géologiques et géotechniques archivés dans une banque de données. L’information provient en particulier de forages de reconnaissance, d’essais au pénétromètre statique et de prospections sismiques de type «cross hole». Les sols de fondation de la ville ont été regroupés en unités géotechniques et des cartes de géologie de l’ingénieur ainsi que des coupes géotechniques ont été réalisées. Enfin, des critères pour l’évaluation des effets de site sont proposés, spécialement pour ce qui concerne les phénomènes d’amplification sismique.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Section of Applied Geology and Geophysics, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece

    G. Koukis, N. Sabatakakis & N. Katrivesis

  2. Department of Geotechnical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Polytechniou Street, 15780, Zografou, Athens, Greece

    G. Tsiambaos

Authors
  1. G. Koukis
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  2. N. Sabatakakis
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  3. G. Tsiambaos
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  4. N. Katrivesis
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Correspondence to N. Sabatakakis.

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Koukis, G., Sabatakakis, N., Tsiambaos, G. et al. Engineering geological approach to the evaluation of seismic risk in metropolitan regions: case study of Patras, Greece. Bull Eng Geol Environ 64, 219–235 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-005-0273-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-005-0273-x

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