Book Reviews

Abstract

# Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering {#article-title-2} (Editors: Wei Wu and Ronaldo I. Borja) Review by: Benjamin R. Black As evidenced by the recent and seemingly more frequent occurrences of damaging earthquakes, the topic of earthquake geotechnical engineering would appear to be taking on a larger role in the efforts to develop earthquake-resistant structures. In this text, Professor Towhata has compiled a rather large volume of research data related to the occurrence, frequency, and distribution of earthquakes, as well as information collected over many years of field investigation, laboratory testing, and analysis of earthquakes. In the preface, Professor Towhata outlines some of the background and basis for his book. Professor Towhata developed the text from a compilation of his notes and handouts from university courses he has taught since 1985. As noted in the preface, one of the major problems with the text is the vast amount of information that it contains. The bulk of the case studies presented in the text and most of the specific examples of procedures and policies relate directly to Japan. This regional focus does not necessarily detract from the topics offered in the book, nor does it minimize the importance of the case studies, but it could limit the text's use in other regions of the world, especially the United States. The text is composed of 27 chapters broken up into three separate parts—Part 1: Knowledge of Soil Mechanics, Part 2: Problems Concerning Shaking of Soft Ground Undergoing Earthquake Loading, and Part 3: Liquefaction—and each chapter is then broken down further into short sections. In order to help guide readers of different backgrounds and levels of understanding Professor Towhata has used a three-category classification system—elementary, advanced, and miscellaneous. I did not find this classification system to be that helpful; however, other readers may. The text also includes both Japanese and English …