Carlo Giovanni Lai

Carlo Giovanni Lai serves as a Full Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the University of Pavia's Faculty of Engineering. His academic role is centered within the Structures and Materials Section, where he conducts research and teaching in geotechnical engineering with a focus on seismic hazards. Professor Lai is actively engaged with the research group 'Management and understanding of risks and emergencies', contributing expertise in seismic risk assessment and mitigation strategies. His contact details include the email carlogiovanni.lai@unipv.it and telephone number +39 0382-985470.

His research program in Seismic Geotechnics and Applied Seismology encompasses a broad spectrum of topics critical to earthquake engineering. Key areas include the reliability assessment of seismic amplification effects, macro- and micro-zoning for ground shaking and liquefaction risk, and the modeling of seismic wave propagation (P, S, and Rayleigh waves) in soils. He also investigates soil-structure interaction problems and vibrations induced by railway traffic, aiming to define site-specific design earthquakes for safer construction. This research directly informs practical applications in seismic hazard mitigation and infrastructure resilience.

Professor Lai advises on several research projects and theses, including the assessment of geo-risks for cultural heritage (e.g., the Cloaca Maxima), early warning systems for natural disasters, and studies on the seismic behavior of soft soils. His work is supported by institutional collaborations, as evidenced by links to Eucentre and INGV. Within the Structures and Materials Section, he plays a vital role in advancing the understanding of seismic risks and developing solutions for risk management in both urban and heritage contexts.