Filter Equations Compatible with the Point-Source Model for Seismic Acceleration

Abstract

ABSTRACT The engineering purpose of designing resistant structures in seismic areas goes through the modeling of the earthquake ground motion. To design complex earthquake-resistant structures, above all if the structural non-linearities must be considered, dynamic analysis of the response of the structure is highly recommended instead of the response spectrum analysis. Therefore, the need to generate artificial accelerograms for structural design arises. This paper proposes a stochastic procedure that, based on the seismological point-source model, allows to generate artificial accelerograms. Therefore, the artificial accelerogram generated incorporates the “source,” “path” and “site” characteristics. For each term of the seismological model, a corresponding best approximating filter transfer function has been given. Therefore, a new quadruple-filter system has been derived. The proposed approach is used to generate various earthquake records that occurred in Italy. The outcomes of the numerical examples demonstrate the suitability of the proposed study.