Description

The Netherlands Petroleum Company (NAM) extracts natural gas in Groningen. The Groningen field is the largest gas field in the Netherlands with 20 sites where NAM extracts natural gas from the ground. Due to gas extraction, earthquakes occur in Groningen; currently around 50 earthquakes a year. On 16 August 2012, there was an earthquake in Loppersum measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale. This earthquake lasted longer and was stronger than previous quakes. This earthquake in Loppersum prompted the central government and NAM to commission research into quakes in Groningen. For instance, they want to know whether gas extraction causes stronger earthquakes and what the effects of earthquakes are for the infrastructure and structures in Groningen. In this evening of lectures, we will discuss the effects earthquakes have on the topsoil: buildings, dykes, other structures and water safety. The lectures highlight technical aspects from the studies conducted.

16:00 Receptionst
16:15-16:30 Introduction by chairman of the day Pieter Jongerius (Ministry of Economic Affairs).
16:30-17:15 Effects of earthquakes in the shallow subsurface and soil-construction interaction by Mandy Korff (Deltares).
17:15-18:00 Water safety under earthquake loads by Marcel Visschedijk (Deltares).
18:00-18:30 Break with a sandwich.
18:30-19:00 Design assumptions of structures under earthquake loads by Raphael Steenbergen (TNO).
19:00-19:45 Response of structures under earthquake loads by Marcel de Boer (Arup).
19:45-20:15 Measurement network in Groningen by Huibert Borsje (TNO).
20:15 Closure (with drinks).

Location

Deltares

Boussinesqweg 1, 2629 HV Delft

Organiser

Construction and Hydraulic Engineering

Geotechnics

Name and contact details for information

dr.ir. Mandy Korff, e. mandy.korff@deltares.nl or ir. Carine van Bentum, using the e-mail address below

carine.vanbentum@tno.nl