The Research Unit of Soil Dynamics and Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (SDGEE) of the School of Civil Engineering of Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece, has a long and worldwide-recognized expertise and know-how in many topics of earthquake engineering, soil dynamics, engineering seismology, microzonation studies, site effects, vulnerability and risk assessment of built environment, infrastructures, lifelines and cultural heritage.

Since 1985 it has participated in many European research projects including EUROSEISTEST, EUROSEISMOD, EUROSEISRISK and SYNER-G as coordinator, and LESSLOSS, RISK-UE, NEMISREF, CORSEIS, 3HAZ, MERP, SERIES, SHARE, SAFELAND, PERPETUATE, NERA, REAKT, STREST, SIBYL,HELPOS, EPOS, SERA, URBASIS-EU, CRISIS, ISTOS, SafeSchools, RiskSchools, ISRA, ERIES as major partner. Its experience is equally important in other national and international research activities and engineering projects.

The Research Unit of SDGEE is operating a unique, in European and International level, large experimental facility for earthquake engineering and engineering seismology studies, namely the EUROSEISTEST (http://euroseisdb.civil.auth.gr), in the area of Thessaloniki.

The Research Unit of SDGEE has a long experience in seismic design of important engineering projects, like the Metro of Thessaloniki. Equipped with excellent laboratory and in-situ measuring devices, as well as computing facilities, it is capable of performing full-spectrum studies ranging from in-situ geophysical surveys, laboratory tests and structural monitoring to seismic design, vulnerability and risk assessment of structures, infrastructures and lifelines.

The Research Unit of SDGEE has established solid cooperation links with numerous research institutes all over the world and the construction sector in Greece and abroad. Among the most prestigious collaboration is with the French Commission of Atomic Energy (CEA-France).