Seismic hazard assessment and ground motion characterisation. Many specific studies and methodological approaches are carried out in a variety of settings: different geographical areas (Iberian Peninsula, Central America), different project scopes (relatedto nuclear facilities, specific earthquake events, earthquake-ressitant design scenarios) and different working scales (local and regional).
Seismic risk assessment comprises the evaluation of expected earthquake ground motions (seismic action), seismic vulnerability distribution of exposed elements (conventional dwellings, special-importance structures, infrastructures, etc. ) and the distributions of expected damage and related losses (human and material). The actual approach used depends on the scale of the study. For regional studies, seismic hazard for a reference return period of 500 years is used as seismic action; standard empirical, semiqualitative vulnerability and damage methods are used. For local studies, ground motions related to specific earthquake scenarios, analytical methods to vulnerability and damage estimation (capacity/demand spectrum method or similar capacity and fragility models) are used.
Ground deformation around active fault systems is detected by comparing GPS measurements obtained in different surveys. The design of the network, the organization of campaigns and the processing and interpretation of results in the context of local tectonics and kinematics and regional geodynamics are accomplished. This work is done in cooperation with local researchers.
Applying an innovative methodology based on the combination of LiDAR points with multispectral images (satellite or aerial), it is possible to detect, delineate and characterize the buildings of a city. Based on this information, supplemented with other data sources, such as the cadastre and field campaigns for sampling, the seismic vulnerability and exposure database is obtained, which is one of the inputs of seismic risk studies.
The research team is also integrated in the UPM Cooperation Group GEOALERTA. This group, also led by Dr B. Benito, is carrying out research and execution studies oriented to cooperation for development and mitigation of adverse effects of natural disasters in Central America and Caribe, principaly.
Research line oriented to the design and development of GIS for seismic hazard and seismic risk applications. Additionally, thematic map collections and web -based visualizing tools are produced to display and disseminate results.