Seismic damage potential described by intensity parameters based on Hilbert-Huang Transform analysis and fundamental frequency of structures

Abstract

This study aims to present new frequency-related seismic intensity parameters (SIPs) based on the Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) analysis. The proposed procedure is utilized for the processing of several seismic accelerograms. Thus, the entire evaluated Hilbert Spectrum (HS) of each considered seismic velocity time-history is investigated first, and then, a delimited area of the same HS around a specific frequency is explored, for the proposition of new SIPs. A first application of the suggested new parameters is to reveal the interrelation between them and the structural damage of a reinforced concrete frame structure. The index of Park and Ang describes the structural damage. The fundamental frequency of the structure is considered as the mentioned specific frequency. Two statistical methods, namely correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis, are used to identify the relationship between the considered SIPs and the corresponding structural damage. The results confirm that the new proposed HHT-based parameters are effective descriptors of the seismic damage potential and helpful tools for forecasting the seismic damages on buildings.