MS Thesis Defense Announcement: Ana Tijerina Esquino

The CEE Department is pleased to announce Ana Tijerina Esquino's MS Thesis Defense: "Fuel Tank Seismic Stability Program-Informed Displacement Maps of Portland’s Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub"

Date: May 5th, 2026, 12:15pm-2:00pm
Time: 12:15pm-2:00pm
Location: FAB 46 or via Zoom: https://pdx.zoom.us/j/86210555321
Advisor: Dr. Diane Moug

Abstract: "The Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub in Portland, Oregon contains over 90% of the state’s liquid fuel storage capacity and is vulnerable to earthquake-induced ground deformation from a potential Cascadia Subduction Zone megathrust event. Seismic Vulnerability Assessments (SVAs) conducted under Oregon’s Fuel Tank Seismic Stability (FTSS) program provide valuable site-specific evaluations; however, they exhibit substantial variability in predicted liquefaction-induced displacement due to differences in subsurface characterization, groundwater assumptions, ground motion selection, and analytical methods. This study develops a consistent, corridor-scale framework for evaluating lateral ground deformation across the CEI Hub by synthesizing CPT-based subsurface data, classifying soil behavior using an Ic-based approach, and constructing representative cross sections for nonlinear dynamic analysis in FLAC under a common set of M9 ground motions. This unified approach enables direct comparison of deformation potential across the CEI Hub and provides a regional context for interpreting variability among facility-level assessments."