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Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
8980 La Jolla Village Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037
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ASCE Geo-Institute Technical Presentation
Performance-Based Seismic Design of Pile-Supported Structures: Geotechnical Challenges at Port & Harbors
Requirements for performance-based seismic design and stringent post-event performance of port waterfront structures often necessitate the use of advanced analysis for simulating earthquake-induced ground deformations and impacts to these structures. The key aspects of the dynamic response are routinely modeled using 2D nonlinear deformation analyses (NDA). This procedure requires coordinated geotechnical and structural engineering analyses, which commonly involves iterations with uncoupled and supplementary evaluations performed independently by the geotechnical and structural engineers. Two important aspects of the performance-based design using NDA include: thorough site characterization of both onshore and near-shore conditions, and the integration of in-situ and laboratory testing sufficient to support NDA and representative deformation computations.
This presentation focuses on common geotechnical challenges and lessons learned as gleaned during numerous NDAs performed for port and waterfront projects from around the world. Recommendations for geo-professionals will be presented on the following issues: (i) enhanced geotechnical characterization providing input for advanced NDA analysis; (ii) and guidelines for modeling the Inertial and Kinematic components of loading on piles.
Speaker Bio
Stephen Dickenson is the President of New Albion Geotechnical, Inc., a consultancy specializing in geotechnical earthquake engineering applications for maritime and surface transportation systems, energy and water lifelines, tall buildings, earth structures, and other major civil works. Dr. Dickenson’s keen interest in the seismic performance of port waterfront facilities was initiated during first-hand reconnaissance efforts at the ports of Oakland and San Francisco following the 1989 M 6.9 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Since that experience, his consulting and applied research have focused primarily on the seismic performance of the port and coastal infrastructure. He has enjoyed numerous consulting projects throughout the United States and abroad that involve focused analyses of dynamic soil-foundation–structure interaction (SFSI) and performance-based seismic design of wharves, piers, bulkheads, port terminals, and offshore artificial islands. He has led several post-earthquake reconnaissance investigations at ports and served on numerous professional committees charged with developing seismic guidelines (ASCE, PIANC), standards (ASCE 61-14), and codes for port waterfront structures, with incorporation of performance-based design principles.
Dr. Dickenson earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of California, Berkeley, his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech, and his Doctorate in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a licensed engineer (CA, NV, OR, WA) and Diplomate in Port Engineering (ACOPNE D. PE) with over 30 years of experience in consulting practice, academia, applied research, and development of continuing education for geo-professionals. He has resided in numerous places along a circuitous path from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Pacific Northwest, and now makes his home in Reno, Nevada where he enjoys all of the outdoor time he can get.
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