Webinar

Below the Surface: Managing Geotechnical and Seismic Risks in Infrastructure Planning and Design

What lies below the ground surface can shape every aspect of what gets built above it. Geotechnical and seismic hazards can significantly influence infrastructure planning, design, construction costs, and long-term performance. As projects become more complex and expectations for resilience grow, identifying and understanding these risks early is essential to making informed decisions and avoiding costly surprises.

In this webinar, we will use practical examples and case studies to show how geotechnical and seismic considerations can inform infrastructure planning and design. We will examine how subsurface conditions and hazards—including ground shaking, liquefaction, and ground deformation—can influence project decisions and engineering solutions. We will also discuss how the level of investigation and analysis can be tailored to project needs and evolving design requirements. Attendees will gain insight into practical approaches for identifying hazards early, understanding their potential consequences, and developing mitigation strategies that support efficient designs and more resilient infrastructure.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand how subsurface conditions and seismic hazards can influence project feasibility, cost, constructability, performance, and resilience.
  • Identify how geotechnical and seismic risks can affect key decisions throughout project planning and design.
  • Recognize how early characterization of subsurface conditions and seismic hazards can reduce uncertainty and help avoid costly changes later in project development.
  • Discuss practical approaches for evaluating, communicating, and mitigating geotechnical and seismic risks throughout infrastructure planning and design.

Participants will earn 1 AIA CES Learning Unit (LU/HSW) for attending the seminar. Registration is free. Please note that space is limited – email events@sgh.com to join our waitlist if the session is closed when you register. 

About the Speaker

Benjamin Serna | Technical Director

Benjamin Serna delivers seismic and geotechnical solutions for buildings, bridges, dams, marine terminals, tanks, and other critical infrastructure. He specializes in geotechnical earthquake engineering with expertise in ground-motion development, seismic hazard analysis, nonlinear site response, seismic slope deformation, liquefaction analysis, and deep foundation design. His experience includes directing overwater and onshore site investigations, subsurface characterization, and seismic hazard mitigation for complex, high-value projects. He also leads and contributes to technical committees and has authored publications on ground improvement for mitigating liquefaction potential, the influence of dynamic behavior of soft clay on seismic pier response, and the effects of gravels on liquefaction potential for high-hazard dams.