Site Amplification Functions for Central and Eastern North America – Part I: Simulation Data Set Development

Abstract

This paper presents the development of large-scale simulation-based data sets used to inform new site amplification models for Central and Eastern North America (CENA). Linear elastic, equivalent linear, and nonlinear one-dimensional site response simulations of site conditions in CENA are employed. An analysis tree is introduced to capture the range of expected CENA geologic conditions. Independent variables include the following: (1) representative and random shear wave velocity ( VS) profiles using data from the literature; (2) randomized, nonlinear shear modulus reduction and damping vs. shear strain curves with constraint on soil shear strength; and (3) outcrop ground motions representative of the VS= 3,000 m/s CENA reference rock condition. The resulting database of 1,747,278 simulations is conditioned on several parameters relevant to site amplification, which facilitates model development that is the subject of a companion paper. The database is openly available for use by other researchers.