Exploring the Fundamentals of Dynamic Soil Properties and Testing

Dimitrios Zekkos, PhD, PE, delivered a highly engaging lecture on “The Fundamentals of Dynamic Properties of Soils and Testing”. Dr. Zekkos, a Professor and Vice Chair at the University of California, Berkeley, shared his extensive expertise in geotechnical engineering, focusing on the importance of understanding soil behaviour in response to seismic and natural hazards.

The session attracted a remarkable 192 attendees from the Geotechnical Division across South Africa:

• Pretoria: 87 attendees
• Durban: 60 attendees
• Cape Town: 45 attendees

The lecture provided a detailed review of dynamic soil properties and their critical role in ensuring infrastructure resilience. Dr. Zekkos emphasised the significance of site characterisation, which integrates field observations, in-situ testing, and laboratory analysis to reliably assess seismic responses.

Key highlights included:

• Cutting-edge techniques for site characterisation that seamlessly combine field and laboratory data.
• Insights into “non-textbook” soil types requiring innovative testing methods for accurate evaluation.
• Real-world examples drawn from research and consulting projects in locations such as the USA, Nepal, and Greece.

Dr. Zekkos’ presentation underscored the substantial advancements made in geotechnical research, offering attendees practical insights for addressing infrastructure challenges posed by natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and monsoons.

The SAICE Geotechnical Division extends its gratitude to Dr. Zekkos and the attendees for their participation in this insightful event. The session demonstrated the value of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the geotechnical community, reinforcing the importance of ongoing professional development.