Analysis of the Pacoima dam accelerogram—San Fernando, California, earthquake of 1971

Abstract

Integrated ground velocities and displacements calculated from the accelerogram recorded at the Pacoima dam site indicate that the strong ground motion was predominately in the vertical and NS direction, in general agreement with the mechanism of faulting as inferred from aftershock studies, and with fault displacements observed in the field. High-frequency peak accelerations of 1.25 g were recorded in two horizontal directions, these being the highest ground accelerations so far recorded for earthquakes. Response spectrum curves calculated from the accelerograms do not show unusual features, and the numerical values are consistent with past experience. The high-frequency, high-amplitude impulsive ground motion associated with the highest peak accelerations did not contribute significantly to the over-all response spectrum values. The presence of the high-frequency motions in the recorded accelerograms is presumably the consequence of the proximity of the recording site to the fault dislocation.