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KEYNOTE
VII International Conference
on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering
Roma (Italy), 17-20 June 2019

LECTURERS AGI Associazione Geotecnica Italiana

Viale dell’Università 11 - 00185 - Roma
Tel: +39.06.4465.569 - Fax: +39.06.4436.1035
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SEBASTIANO FOTI
Technical University of Torino – Italy
Title of the Keynote Lecture
Uncertainties and variabilities in seismic ground response analyses

Abstract
Ground response analyses (GRAs) represent a key element for the non-ergodic (site-specific) evaluation of the seismic hazard. In
this respect, epistemic uncertainties and aleatory variabilities need to be properly identified, quantified, and managed to obtain
consistent estimates. Several collaborative efforts have been carried out in recent years to assess the influence of uncertainties and
variabilities in the GRA parameters through benchmark studies. Specifically for site characterization, efforts are required to
guarantee a sufficient quality of in situ and laboratory tests. However, benchmark tests have shown the existence of a certain level
of “uncompressible uncertainty”. Stochastic models implemented in GRAs are therefore required to evaluate the impact of
uncertainties and variabilities on the computed seismic hazard. Such models are to be based on large databases of experimental
data to produce consistent estimates. Examples will be provided with a specific focus on geophysical tests for the evaluation of
shear wave velocity models, which are likely the most influent parameters in GRAs.

Bio
Sebastiano Foti is professor in Geotechnical Engineering and Vice-Rector for Education at Politecnico di Torino, where he also
received his Ph.D. degree. He is a member of the Technical Committee TC 203: Earthquakes and a past core member of TC 102: In
situ tests of ISSMGE. He is part of the Project Team for drafting the new version of Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical design - Part 2:
Ground investigation and testing. His research activity is mainly devoted to geophysical methods for geotechnical characterization,
with particular reference to surface wave testing, seismic waves in porous media and the use of geophysical techniques in the lab.
His other research interests include seismic site response, soil-structure interaction, structural dynamic tests for the assessment of
existing foundation systems. He has published over 150 papers in scientific journals and technical conferences, three books, and
six book chapters. He served in the editorial board of Soils and Foundations from 2015 to 2017. He was awarded the Geotechnical
Research Medal (Bishop Medal) by the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK) and an Honorable Mention by the Society of Exploration
Geophysics (USA)..

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