A mode selection procedure for a seismic response prediction method based on microtremor measurements

Abstract

A novel mode selection procedure is proposed for a seismic response prediction method based on microtremor measurements. The prediction method utilizes modal properties of limited modes to model the objective building. The modal properties are determined through microtremor measurements, and hence, modeling does not require design documents. The prediction method utilizes the identified mode shapes to approximate the corresponding participation factors. However, the approximation results might significantly vary after incorporating a new mode. Accordingly, if the incorporated mode is highly linearly relevant to the previously used modes, the approximation accuracy sharply decreases. This results in a less accurate prediction of seismic responses. Therefore, this paper proposes a mode selection procedure for the prediction method. The effectiveness of the procedure is validated through a numerical simulation. Further, the simulation results indicate that using all known modes in the prediction method might significantly decrease the prediction accuracy compared with using selected modes.