Dr Bambang Setiawan’s PhD research quantified the site amplification characteristics of Adelaide’s regolith with respect to earthquake loading. These characteristics will enable engineers to more accurately to predict the behaviour of a range of structures subjected to earthquake loads of varying magnitude. This was important because fault lines within 100 kilometres of Adelaide present the greatest threat of an earthquake magnitude of magnitude 7+, with the Para Fault presenting the highest threat. Quantifying the soil response due to seismic ground motion and its relationship to structural behaviour is paramount in for robust and effective design of infrastructure.
Bambang is now a lecturer at the University of Syiah Kuala in Indonesia.