Spatial variation and conditional simulation of seismic ground motion

Abstract

Spatially varying ground motion (SVGM) may have influence on certain civil engineering structures with spatially extended superstructure and/or substructures. Conditional simulation of spatially varying ground motion (CSSVGM) may be viewed from two different perspectives. Most procedures available in the literature neglect the spatial variability in auto-spectral density (ASD) and estimate the SVGM through cross-spectral density (CSD) which was computed using the empirical coherency models. This paper proposes a coherency model that accounts for the spatial variability of ASD. A framework has been developed for the CSSVGM, through the mapping of both proposed coherency model and ASD over the footprint of an array. Current framework (existing in the literature) accounts for only the phase variability of SVGM while proposed framework accounts for both phase and amplitude variability. Ground motion generated from both perspectives is then assessed with the data recorded over SMART1 and LSST arrays. For the purpose of assessment, a definition of target spectrum based on the direction of arrival is explored. The effect of choice of coherency model on the simulated spatially varying ground motion is investigated first. Spectra resulting from both the perspectives are assessed against the target spectrum. An attempt has been made to predict the SVGM for a future event using a coherency model calibrated against a past event and an estimate of ASD of the seed ground motion. Finally, the effect of form of ASD (of a seed ground motion) on SVGM simulated is investigated by considering the ASD in different forms. Simulating SVGM through the mapping of both coherency model and ASD seems to be more appropriate than through CSD.