To investigate the geotechnical soil properties of Emilia Romagna Region, a large series of in situ tests, laboratory tests and geophysical tests have been performed, particularly at the damaged city of Scortichino-Bondeno. Deep site investigations have been undertaken for the site characterization of the soil also along the Burana-Scortichino levee. Borings, Piezocone tests (CPTU) and dynamic in situ tests have been performed. Among them, Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves test (MASW) and Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Tests (SDMT) have been also carried out, with the aim to evaluate the soil profile of shear wave velocity (V s). Resonant Column Tests (RCT) were also performed in laboratory on reconstituted solid cylindrical specimens. The Seismic Dilatometer Marchetti Tests were performed up to a depth of 32 m. The results show a very detailed and stable shear wave profile. The shear wave profiles obtained by SDMT have been compared with other laboratory tests. A comparison between the in situ small shear strain, laboratory shear strain and shear strain obtained by empirical correlations, was also performed. Finally, using the results of SDMT tests, soil liquefaction phenomena have been analyzed with a new procedure based on SDMT, using the soil properties obtained by field and laboratory tests.

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The behavior of mechanically stabilized earth walls (MSEW), with vertical precast concrete facing panels and polymeric strips, was analyzed under harmonic loading to investigate dynamic wall performance. To this end, finite element method (FEM) analyses were carried out. The numerical model was based on a full-scale test of a 6 m-high wall built in Jundiai, Brazil. The wall was reinforced with polymeric strips made from high tenacity polyester and heavily-coated with low linear density polypropylene. The accuracy of the numerical model was verified first by comparing numerical and experimental results under static loading. The same 2D FEM model was then subjected to harmonic loading to analyze stress and deformation of the geostrips under dynamic loading conditions. In this case, it was found that the axial forces in the reinforcement strips deduced from the numerical analyses are less than those predicted using the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) load and resistance factor design (LRFD) code under both static and harmonic loading. Under harmonic loading, and for the accelerations chosen in the simulations, the resulting active wedge was larger than for the static case.

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