Introducing RSSeismic: Rocscience Enters Earthquake Engineering with the Power of DEEPSOIL

Rocscience Inc. is excited to introduce RSSeismic, a dedicated software platform for modelling and analysing the impact of earthquakes on geotechnical infrastructure.

Emerging from decades of pioneering seismic research by Dr. Youssef Hashash at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, RSSeismic encapsulates that foundational knowledge in a commercially supported, cutting-edge software platform. As Rocscience’s first dedicated seismic site response tool, RSSeismic pairs state-of-the-art science with the usability, support, and performance demanded by industry professionals.

What RSSeismic Delivers

RSSeismic delivers a unified workflow for both equivalent-linear (EL) and nonlinear (NL) 1D analysis, streamlining seismic design and eliminating the need for multiple tools. Unlike most software that treats EL and NL analyses as distinct, isolated workflows, RSSeismic allows engineers to perform both analyses side-by-side from a shared input motion – saving time, simplifying workflows, and enabling direct comparison of results. This dual-domain capability supports assumption validation and helps engineers meet diverse seismic code requirements with confidence.

Offering a technically rigorous and integration-ready solution, RSSeismic fits seamlessly within the broader Rocscience ecosystem. Users benefit from advanced modelling capabilities backed by regular software updates, enterprise-grade technical support, and optimized workflows designed to meet the demands of today’s complex, high-accountability engineering projects.

Engineers can model how earthquake ground motions travel through layered soil and rock, capturing key site effects such as amplification, material damping, nonlinear stress-strain behaviour, stiffness degradation, and porewater pressure buildup. These insights are vital for assessing ground motion intensity, soil performance, and structural demand under seismic loading.

Why RSSeismic, and Why Now?

For over two decades, DEEPSOIL set the industry benchmark in 1D seismic site response; downloaded over 30,000 times and used to inform U.S. hazard maps, site amplification models, and dozens of peer-reviewed studies.

However, the landscape is now shifting. Today’s world is building in riskier environments, governed by stricter seismic codes, and driven by growing expectations for tools that meet enterprise-grade standards. The limitations of even the most trusted academic tools have become increasingly clear: they weren’t built to scale across complex workflows, support distributed teams, or deliver the accountability that professional practice demands.

RSSeismic is going to fill this exact gap. Through exclusive partnership with the University of Illinois and a continued relationship with Dr. Hashash, RSSeismic combines the scientific rigor of a research-grade engine with the reliability, support, and interoperability of a modern engineering platform.

As Dr. Youssef Hashash explains:

This is the natural next step in DEEPSOIL’s evolution. Over its 26-year history, the platform saw broad adoption across industry, academia, and research. With that came a growing demand for user support – one that exceeded what an academic setting could reasonably provide. This transition isn’t just about technology. It’s about meeting that global demand with structured, sustained enterprise-grade support and carrying forward everything DEEPSOIL, now RSSeismic, has come to represent.

Who Is It For?

RSSeismic is built for engineers who work at the intersection of seismic hazard and ground behaviour, whether in design, analysis, or review.

It is ideally suited for:

• Geotechnical engineers analysing site-specific seismic response, especially in soft soils or liquefaction-prone zones.

• Earthquake and structural engineers who need reliable input motions for dynamic analysis of slopes, foundations, or retaining systems accounting for site effects.

• Consulting teams working on infrastructure, energy, or urban development in seismically active regions.

• Academic researchers and instructors looking to teach or validate seismic models using a trusted, professional-grade platform.

• Regulatory reviewers and government agencies responsible for assessing compliance with seismic design codes.
  

Looking Ahead

RSSeismic establishes the foundation for a broader roadmap, driven by user needs and engineering innovation. Planned enhancements include:

• Integration with RS2, RS3 and DIANA for using site-specific time histories in slope and FEM models.

• RSInsight integration for post-processing and interactive reporting.

• Expanded liquefaction modelling with advanced degradation/dissipation models.

• Python scripting support for automation and custom workflows.

• Cloud collaboration tools to enable multi-user projects.

• Machine-learning-based soil calibration tools (exploratory phase).

These updates will continue strengthening RSSeismic’s position as the go-to tool for seismic site response worldwide.

RSSeismic is more than a software launch. It’s a continuation of a legacy. Developed in collaboration with Dr. Hashash and built on the backbone of DEEPSOIL’s research pedigree, it brings together academic validation, modern engineering expectations, and Rocscience’s commitment to user success.

As Rocscience CEO Dr. Thamer Yacoub puts it:

Building on our legacy of innovation, Rocscience has expanded into the earthquake engineering space with RSSeismic – an evolved, future-ready solution shaped by decades of academic and industry insight. RSSeismic meets the demands of today’s seismic challenges with precision, usability, and depth, reflecting our ongoing commitment to empower engineers in building safer, more resilient infrastructure.

Rocscience opens new ground – literally and figuratively – by bringing world-class seismic modelling into the hands of engineers everywhere. Stay tuned for early access programs, upcoming webinars, and certification offerings as RSSeismic rolls out globally.