CIV4705   Risk and Extreme Events   (15 credits)

Description

This module introduces students to the notion of risk analysis. This leads necessarily to the conceptualisation of engineering processes and mechanics from a stochastic perspective. Although a range of example are used throughout, a case-study based on risks associated with earthquakes is developed at the end of the course. Part A - Risk analysis There are two prongs to the content and assessment. The first is substantive, while the second provides the technical skills needed to deliver on the former. Within the first component we will deal with definitions of risk, modelling within a risk framework, risk perception and notions of acceptable risk. The second entails elementary statistical principles, limit theorems for stochastic processes, as well as extreme value analysis and a brief introduction to Bayesian formulations. Part B - Earthquake risk assessment Including an introduction to the range of hazards associated with earthquakes, as well as the relevant calculations for assessing earthquake risk.

Reading List