Transferring technology for surface wave testing and seismic site response analysis in Haiti

Haiti is one of the most impoverished nations in the world and is highly susceptible to earthquakes. An important part of seismic design is the measurement of the dynamic properties of soil and calculation of site-specific seismic site response. However, there is a capability gap where geoscientists in Haiti may not be trained to carry out a proper analysis. A humanitarian project sponsored by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists Foundation Geoscientists Without Borders was carried out to address this deficiency. The scope of this project included field geophysical seismic surface wave testing at selected sites in Haiti, calculation of shear wave velocity profiles, and calculation of seismic site response. A user's manual was written and given to a humanitarian engineering group active in Haiti along with the equipment used to perform the field testing at the conclusion of this project. Efforts such as this enhance the self-sufficiency of Haiti with respect to seismic design, which will ultimately result in reduced loss of life during future earthquakes.