Abstract
The preliminary results are presented herein for the engineering applications of the characteristics of the ground motion induced by the May 20, 2012, Emilia earthquake. Shake maps are computed to provide estimates of the spatial distribution of the induced ground motion. The signals recorded at the Mirandola (MRN) station, the closest to the epicenter, have been processed to obtain acceleration, velocity and displacement response spectra. Ground-motion parameters from the MRN recordings are compared with the corresponding estimates from recent ground-motion prediction equations, and with the spectra prescribed by the current Italian Building Code for different return periods. The records from the MRN station are used to plot the particle orbit (hodogram) described by the waveform. The availability of results from geotechnical field tests that were performed at a few sites in the Municipality of Mirandola prior to this earthquake of May 2012 has allowed preliminary assessment of the ground response. The amplification effects at Mirandola are estimated using fully stochastic site-response analyses. The seismic input comprises seven actual records that are compatible with the Italian code-based spectrum that refers to a 475-year return period. The computed acceleration response spectrum and the associated dispersion are compared to the spectra calculated from the recordings of the MRN station. Good agreement is obtained for periods up to 1 s, especially for the peak ground acceleration. For the other periods, the spectral acceleration of the MRN recordings exceeds that of the computed spectra.<br />
Highlights
On May 20, 2012, a MW 5.9 earthquake struck the Emilia-Romagna Region in northern Italy (Figure 1a), causing severe shaking throughout a relatively large portion of the Po Plain territory
The displacement response spectra computed using the recordings from the MRN station were compared with the spectra predicted by the ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) developed by Cauzzi and Faccioli [2008] for the horizontal component and for Soil Category C (Figure 6b)
One-dimensional (1D) linear-equivalent, fully stochastic site-response analysis was performed for the MRN station using the methodology described in Rota et al [2011], which takes into account the uncertainties associated with the geotechnical model parameters
Summary
On May 20, 2012, a MW 5.9 earthquake struck the Emilia-Romagna Region in northern Italy (Figure 1a), causing severe shaking throughout a relatively large portion of the Po Plain territory. The maximum peak ground acceleration (PGA) was recorded at the station of Mirandola (MRN)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
