Selection of representative shear modulus reduction and damping curves for rock, gravel and sand sites from the KiK-Net downhole array

Abstract

Representative computation of ground response parameters requires accurate information about nonlinear dynamic behavior of the soil column, commonly incorporated in site response analysis through shear modulus reduction and damping curves which are functions of the strain level. Most site response studies are carried out by considering a set of existing shear modulus and damping curves, without knowing its suitability for the in situ soil type. In this study, an attempt has been made to identify suitable shear modulus and damping curves for soil grouped into different classes viz. sand, gravel and rock. Soil profiles of sites having surface and bedrock motion recordings are selected from the KiK-Net downhole array database and equivalent linear and total stress nonlinear site response analysis has been carried out by varying the shear modulus and damping curves for different sites. Estimated surface response spectra for each set of shear modulus and damping curves are compared with the observed response spectra at each site, and a detailed analysis is made to find out which set of curves gives a best match with the recorded data. Based on this study, representative property curves for rock, gravel and sand are suggested, which could be used for further site response studies in the region. This study shows that only a set of shear modulus and damping curves ensure a compatible spectrum with the recorded data from the KiK-Net downhole array sites, among the many available shear modulus and damping curves in the literature.