Distinguished Instructor Short Course

Seismic Methods for Urban Engineers

Yunyue Elita Li, Purdue University

Description

As cities grow denser, understanding the underground environment becomes essential for sustainable urban development. The 2025-2026 SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course (DISC) explores how seismic techniques — long used in geophysics — can revolutionize urban engineering and geotechnical applications. Based on the book Seismic Methods for Urban Engineers, this lecture bridges the gap between applied geophysics and geotechnical engineering, providing practical tools for urban engineers.

Who Should Attend

This lecture is ideal for urban geotechnical engineers, applied geophysicists, civil engineers, city planners, infrastructure developers, and graduate students interested in the integration of seismic methods into urban development. Professionals involved in underground construction, hazard assessment, or sustainable infrastructure will benefit from practical case studies and emerging techniques. Whether you’re seeking to deepen your understanding of subsurface challenges or looking for innovative tools to support decision-making in dense urban environments, this lecture will offer valuable insights tailored to both academic and industry perspectives.

Why Attend?

• Gain Insights: Explore seismic methods tailored for urban geotechnics
• Enhance Decision-Making: Learn how seismic tools improve urban development
• Mitigate Risk: Assess geological variability and external disturbances
• Integrate Theory & Practice: Translate geophysical knowledge into real-world engineering applications
• Contribute to Sustainability: Use seismic techniques for continuous monitoring and minimal environmental impact

Topics Covered

• Wave Propagation Fundamentals: Seismic waves, rock/soil physics, and modeling
• Data Acquisition & Analysis: Equipment, digital signal processing, active & passive seismic methods
• Case Studies: Singapore landfill, deep bedrock mapping, tunnel monitoring, groundwater studies
• Future Directions: Machine learning, urban activity monitoring, and beyond

Biography

Yunyue Elita Li

Purdue University

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Yunyue Elita Li

Purdue University

Dr. Yunyue Elita Li is a professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University, with a courtesy appointment in Mathematics.

She previously held faculty positions at the National University of Singapore and conducted postdoctoral research at MIT. She earned her PhD and MS in Geophysics from Stanford University and her BS from China University of Petroleum, Beijing.

Her research focuses on seismic imaging, ambient noise monitoring, and machine learning applications in geophysics. She is an SEG Distinguished Instructor (2025-2026) and has received numerous awards, including the 2018 SEG J. Clarence Karcher Award, the 2022 SEG South & East Asia Honorary Lecturer Award, and the 2022 Young Innovator Award for Land Transport Excellence from Singapore’s Land Transport Authority.

If you are interested in hosting our 2025–2026 DISC, please contact us.