Synthesizing Strong Motion Using Empirical Green's Function and Genetic Algorithm Approach

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to present a technique for synthesizing earthquakes at sites around a causative fault using the Empirical Green's Function approach. A Genetic Algorithm is developed for optimally minimizing the differences between response spectra of recorded and simulated time histories. The applicability of the technique is demonstrated through a case study, 2005 Mw6.4 Zarand earthquake. The proposed technique can be used in performance evaluation of existing and/or new important structures at sites around the causative fault on the basis of the requirements prescribed in the standard codes of practice such as FEMA274, FEMA356, and ASCE7–2005.