Amplification Of Seismic Motion Research Articles

Dynamic Responses of Concrete-Face Rockfill Dam to Different Site Conditions under Near-Fault Earthquake Excitation

The western region of China is rich in hydropower resources and characterized by unique geological conditions. For the construction or planned construction of high dams in this region, different types of cover layers are formed due to special geological structures, most of which are located in high seismic intensity zones. This study focuses on four different site conditions: hard ground, medium–hard ground, medium–soft ground, and weak ground. By simulating the dynamic response of concrete-face rockfill dams under near-fault earthquake excitation, the vertical settlement of the dam and the attenuation of seismic motion under different site conditions are analyzed. The research findings reveal a consistent trend where the vertical settlement of the dams progressively escalates with increasing dam height across all four site conditions. This settlement phenomenon is especially pronounced in weak ground conditions, posing a potential risk of failure. Furthermore, when subjected to near-fault pulse-type earthquake motions, the existence of weak soil layers significantly dampens the seismic forces experienced by the dam. This finding suggests that the weaker the geological conditions of the site, the more pronounced the attenuation effect of the seismic motion. Additionally, the overburden layers have a noticeable amplification effect on near-fault pulse-type earthquake motion. However, this amplification effect is not significant in weak ground, possibly due to the presence of weak soil layers restricting the propagation and amplification of seismic motion. In conclusion, these research findings have practical significance for the dynamic response of high dam construction in different site conditions in the western region of China. They provide a scientific basis for the design and construction of high dams and serve as a reference for the implementation of seismic mitigation measures and earthquake disaster prevention in engineering projects.

Bedding slope damage accumulation induced by multiple earthquakes

The 2017 catastrophic Xinmocun landslide was triggered on a bedding slope in the Songpinggou Gully, Maoxian County, China. Previous research primarily focused on the dynamic slope response and deformation characteristics of a single earthquake, and focus on the effect of damage accumulation on slope stability is lacking. The shaking table tests were conducted in this study to understand historical earthquake-induced damage accumulation in bedding slopes. The acceleration amplification coefficient (BPGA) and plastic effect coefficient (PEC) were used to reflect the damage accumulation of bedding slope under the influence of multiple earthquakes. The results revealed that the bedding surface-induced seismic motion amplification contributes to damage constrained on the slope sliding surface. The damage accumulation during multiple earthquakes contributed to slope peak ground acceleration (PGA) amplification increasing and model's natural frequency decreasing in non-linearly form. The shortening of the gap between the driving force frequency and the model's natural frequency had a great impact on the slope damage accumulation. These findings suggest that the accumulation of damage caused by historical earthquake amplification contributes significantly to post-earthquake instability. Future evaluations of slope stability should consider the accumulation and reduced frequency of slope deformation associated with multiple earthquakes.

The Impact of Ground Irregular Sedimentary Structure on the Seismic Motion Amplification Characteristics: A case study in Tottori, Japan

The amplification characteristics of seismic motion are determined by the ground structure. In design practice, the ground is assumed to be horizontally stratified. However, the actual ground forms irregular sedimentary structures and the propagation direction of the seismic motion in the soil changes in a complicated way. Thus, the actual amplification factor of seismic motion is dramatically different from the value assumed in design practice. This phenomenon is called the multidimensional effect. The present study targeted at a seismic observation point in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, and estimated the irregular ground structures based on the microtremor observation results. With this ground structure model, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was conducted and the amplification factors were compared with those determined assuming horizontal stratification. When there is no ground nonlinearity, the multidimensional effect of the ground was more notable in points with thick sedimentary strata, where the peak amplification factor according to the FEA was 1.9 to 3.6 times larger than when horizontal stratification was assumed. In points with thin sedimentary strata, the peak amplification factor ratio was 2.1–2.4. First-order peak frequency was different between cases with irregular ground structures and with horizontal stratification. Furthermore, when the nonlinearity of the ground was evident, the multidimensional effect on the peak amplification factor was not as noticeable as when the ground behaved linearly. The peak magnification ratio due to the multidimensional effect was found to be 2.3. The results of this study show that the amplification characteristics of the seismic motion considered in design practice are likely to be on the dangerous side when the ground is not horizontally stratified.

Estimating Geophysical Bedrock Depth Using Single Station Analysis and Geophysical Data in the Extra-Carpathian Area of Romania

Local site evaluation is an essential step in understanding the amplification of seismic motion induced by the complex geological structure and their estimation for future strong earthquakes in urban regions. One of the critical parameters on evaluating amplification effects is the depth of the geophysical bedrock, whose interface to soft sediments is responsible for the development of destructive resonance phenomena. The present study is focused on the estimation of the geophysical bedrock depth along the extra-Carpathian area of Romania (Moesian Platform and surroundings) by correlating and interpolating the results obtained from single station measurements with the available geological/geophysical data. Each site was investigated through the computation of horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratios from three-component single station measurements of ambient vibrations. The geophysical bedrock depth was computed using a two-step inversion scheme, based on the retrieval of the Rayleigh-wave ellipticity peak at each seismic station using a regional generic velocity profile. The fundamental frequency of resonance reaches the lowest value in the deepest side (0.07 Hz) and is rising to 13 Hz in the South of the Moesian Platform, where a shallow bedrock is present. The computed bedrock depths (from 30 to ~ 3100 m) show a dipping tendency towards the Southern Carpathians and complex features such as local outcrops and lateral depth variations superpose this gradually dipping trend. In the Carpathian foreland, the bedrock is interpreted as the transition between different sediment layers of Neogene, while outside this area as the Neogene—Cretaceous transition.

The Zagreb (Croatia) M5.5 Earthquake on 22 March 2020

On 22 March 2020, Zagreb was struck by an M5.5 earthquake that had been expected for more than 100 years and revealed all the failures in the construction of residential buildings in the Croatian capital, especially those built in the first half of the 20th century. Because of that, extensive seismological, geological, geodetic and structural engineering surveys were conducted immediately after the main shock. This study provides descriptions of damage, specifying the building performances and their correlation with the local soil characteristics, i.e., seismic motion amplification. Co-seismic vertical ground displacement was estimated, and the most affected area is identified according to Sentinel-1 interferometric wide-swath data. Finally, preliminary 3D structural modeling of the earthquake sequence was performed, and two major faults were modeled using inverse distance weight (IDW) interpolation of the grouped hypocenters. The first-order assessment of seismic amplification (due to site conditions) in the Zagreb area for the M5.5 earthquake shows that ground motions of approximately 0.16–0.19 g were amplified at least twice. The observed co-seismic deformation (based on Sentinel-1A IW SLC images) implies an approximately 3 cm uplift of the epicentral area that covers approximately 20 km2. Based on the preliminary spatial and temporal analyses of the Zagreb 2020 earthquake sequence, the main shock and the first aftershocks evidently occurred in the subsurface of the Medvednica Mountains along a deep-seated southeast-dipping thrust fault, recognized as the primary (master) fault. The co-seismic rupture propagated along the thrust towards northwest during the first half-hour of the earthquake sequence, which can be clearly seen from the time-lapse visualization. The preliminary results strongly support one of the debated models of the active tectonic setting of the Medvednica Mountains and will contribute to a better assessment of the seismic hazard for the wider Zagreb area.

The Trinidad and Tobago Microzonation Project: Port of Spain

SUMMARYIn this study, we present the results from the microzonation study conducted in Port of Spain (PoS), capital of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. A dense grid of single-site recordings was used to determine the fundamental frequency of soil above bedrock, while a grid of 26 array recordings comprised the database for finding the 1-D shear wave velocity, with depth. The resonant frequency was found to range from <1.0 Hz, for the deeper sediments to the south, near the coast, to above 4.0 Hz, on the northern outskirts of the city, closer to the rock formations. The array data processing revealed a shear wave velocity less than 360 m s–1, for the alluvial deposits, whilst for the harder formations, the velocity was at least 1000 m s–1. To validate the results, a parametric investigation, using synthetic seismograms of ambient noise for simplified 1-D models of the PoS basin sediments, was conducted. A 3-D geological model of the basin was developed, by integrating the experimental results with the simulated data. The model suggests a gradual increase, from north to south, in sediment depth down to ∼160 m. In order to understand and explain the variation of the resonance frequency, a review of the historical development of the area, for the past 250 yr, revealed large-scale, non-engineered land reclamation in the 19th and 20th centuries, resulting in areas with anomalously high amplification of seismic motion.

The plurality effect of topographical irregularities on site seismic response

Topography can have significant effects on seismic ground response during an earthquake because topographic irregularities cause considerable differences between the seismic waves emitted by the source and the waves reaching the ground surface. When a seismic motion happens in a topographically irregular area, seismic waves are trapped and reflected between the topographic features. Therefore, the interaction between topographies can amplify seismic ground response. In order to reveal how interaction between topographies influences seismic response, several numerical finite element studies have been performed by using the ABAQUS program. The results show that topographic features a greater distance between the seismic source and the site would cause greater seismic motion amplification and is perceptible for the hills far away from the source and the ridges. Also, site acceleration response is impacted by surrounding topography further than site velocity and displacement response.

Seismic response of deep Quaternary sediments in historical center of L’Aquila City (central Italy)

On 6 April 2009 a Mw=6.1 earthquake produced severe destruction and damage over the historic center of L’Aquila City (central Italy), in which the accelerometer stations AQK and AQU recorded a large amount of near-fault ground motion data. This paper analyzes the recorded ground motions and compares the observed peak accelerations and the horizontal to vertical response spectral ratios with those revealed from numerical simulations. The finite element method is considered herein to perform dynamic modeling on the soil profile underlying the seismic station AQU. The subsurface model, which is based on the reviewed surveys that were carried out in previous studies, consists of 200–400m of Quaternary sediments overlying a Meso-Cenozoic carbonate bedrock. The Martin-Finn-Seed's pore-water pressure model is used in the simulations. The horizontal to vertical response spectral ratio that is observed during the weak seismic events shows three predominant frequencies at about 14Hz, 3Hz and 0.6Hz, which may be related to the computed seismic motion amplification occurring at the shallow colluvium, at the top and base of the fluvial-lacustrine sequence, respectively. During the 2009 L’Aquila main shock the predominant frequency of 14Hz shifts to lower values probably due to a peculiar wave-field incidence angle. The predominant frequency of 3Hz shifts to lower values when the earthquake magnitude increases, which may be associated to the progressive softening of soil due to the excess pore-water pressure generation that reaches a maximum value of about 350kPa in the top of fluvial-lacustrine sequence. The computed vertical peak acceleration underestimates the experimental value and the horizontal to vertical peak acceleration ratio that is observed at station AQU decreases when the earthquake magnitude increases, which reveals amplification of the vertical component of ground motion probably due to near-source effects.

Dynamic Ruptures on a Frictional Interface with Off-Fault Brittle Damage: Feedback Mechanisms and Effects on Slip and Near-Fault Motion

The spontaneous generation of brittle rock damage near and behind the tip of a propagating rupture can produce dynamic feedback mechanisms that modify significantly the rupture properties, seismic radiation, and generated fault zone structure. In this work, we study such feedback mechanisms for single rupture events and their consequences for earthquake physics and various possible observations. This is done through numerical simulations of in-plane dynamic ruptures on a frictional fault with bulk behavior governed by a brittle damage rheology that incorporates reduction of elastic moduli in off-fault yielding regions. The model simulations produce several features that modify key properties of the ruptures, local wave propagation, and fault zone damage. These include (1) dynamic generation of near-fault regions with lower elastic properties, (2) dynamic changes of normal stress on the fault, (3) rupture transition from crack-like to a detached pulse, (4) emergence of a rupture mode consisting of a train of pulses, (5) quasi-periodic modulation of slip rate on the fault, and (6) asymmetric near-fault ground motion with higher amplitude and longer duration on the side with reduced elastic moduli. The results can have significant implications to multiple topics ranging from rupture directivity and local amplification of seismic motion to near-fault tremor-like signals.

Nonlinear seismic response in the western L'Aquila basin (Italy): Numerical FEM simulations vs. ground motion records

In the western L'Aquila basin (Italy), six seismic stations of the Italian Strong Motion Network, which were used on both soil and rock outcrops, recorded a huge amount of weak- and strong-motion data near an active fault during the 2009 L'Aquila seismic sequence. This paper analyzes the ground motion records of events with magnitudes ranging between 1.6 and 6.3 and compares the observed peak accelerations and the H/V and V/H spectral ratios with those revealed from numerical simulations. The finite element method is considered herein to perform 2D dynamic modeling on a geologic cross-section of the upper Aterno River Valley, which is 1000m wide and 50m deep, based on the reviewed geologic, geotechnical and geophysical investigations that were performed in previous studies. The Martin–Finn–Seed's pore-water pressure model is used in the simulations. The observed peak accelerations, the frequencies and the levels of maximum amplification are correctly estimated using the FEM simulations. The consistency between the computed and the experimental results shows a seismic response that is sensitive to the level of earthquake magnitude and mainly depends on the rock and soil elastic and dynamic properties, the intensity and the depth of the seismic impedance contrast, the water table depth, the two-dimensional irregular configuration, the dip angle of strata, the shape and the frequency content of the input motion record. The seismic motion amplification is usually higher at station AQV, which is located near the valley center, where a peak acceleration value of 0.66g was recorded. Both the PGA amplification factor and the maximum amplification frequency of the horizontal component decrease when the earthquake magnitude level increases, which shows a nonlinear seismic response at the stations AQG (on fractured and weathered rock), AQA and AQV (on alluvium). The simulation of the 2009 Mw=6.3 L'Aquila earthquake confirms the observed nonlinear effective stress behavior and allows us to relate it to the generation of excess pore-water pressure, which ranges between 50 and 300kPa.

Strong Ground Motion in the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake: A One-Directional Three-Component Modeling

Local wave amplification due to strong seismic motions in surficial multilayered soil is influenced by several parameters such as the wavefield polarization and the dynamic properties and impedance contrast between soil layers. The present research aims at investigating seismic motion amplification in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake through a one-directional three-component (1D-3C) wave propagation model. A 3D nonlinear constitutive relation for dry soils under cyclic loading is implemented in a quadratic line finite element model. The soil rheology is modeled by mean of a multi-surface cyclic plasticity model of the Masing-Prandtl-Ishlinskii-Iwan (MPII) type. Its major advantage is that the rheology is characterized by few commonly measured parameters. Ground motions are computed at the surface of soil profiles in the Tohoku area (Japan) by propagating 3C signals recorded at rock outcrops, during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Computed surface ground motions are compared to the Tohoku earthquake records at alluvial sites and the reliability of the 1D-3C model is corroborated. The 1D-3C approach is compared with the combination of three separate one-directional analyses of one motion component propagated independently (1D-1C approach). The 3D loading path due to the 3C-polarization leads to multiaxial stress interaction that reduces soil strength and increases nonlinear effects. Time histories and spectral amplitudes, for the Tohoku earthquake, are numerically reproduced. The 1D-3C approach allows the evaluation of various parameters of the 3C motion and 3D stress and strain evolution all over the soil profile.

Amplification of seismic ground motion in the Tunis basin: Numerical BEM simulations vs experimental evidences

This paper aims at the analysis of seismic wave amplification in a deep alluvial basin in the city of Tunis in Tunisia. This sedimentary basin is 3000m wide and 350m deep. Since the seismic hazard is significant in this area, the depth of the basin and the strong impedance ratio raise the need for an accurate estimation of seismic motion amplification. Various experimental investigations were performed in previous studies to characterize site effects. The boundary element method is considered herein to assess the parameter sensitivity of the amplification process and analyze the prevailing phenomena. The various frequencies of maximum amplification are correctly estimated by the BEM simulations. The maximum amplification level observed in the field is also well retrieved by the numerical simulations but, due to the sensitivity of the location of maximum amplification in space, the overall maximum amplification has to be considered. The influence of the wave-field incidence and material damping is also discussed.

The role of alternating outcrops of sediments and basaltic lavas on seismic urban scenario: the study case of Catania, Italy

Experimental data and numerical modelling were used to study the effect of local geology on the seismic response of the Catania area. The town extends on a marly clays bedrock and terraced deposits made up by coastal sands and alluvial conglomerates. This sedimentary substratum is deeply entrenched by paleo-valleys filled by lava flows and pyroclastics. Available borehole data and elastic parameters were used to reconstruct a geotechnical model in order to perfome 1D numerical modeling. Seismic urban scenarios were simulated considering destructive (Mw = 7.0), strong (Mw = 6.2) and moderate (Mw = 5.7) earthquakes to assess the shaking level of the different outcropping formations. For each scenario seven real accelerograms were selected from the European Strong Motion Database to assess the expected seismic input at the bedrock. PGA and spectral acceleration at different periods were obtained in the urban area through the equivalent linear numerical code EERA, and contour maps of different levels of shaking were drawn. Standard and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios were achieved making use of a dataset of 172 seismic events recorded at ten sites located on the main outcropping lithotypes. Spectral ratios inferred from earthquake data were compared with theoretical transfer functions. Both experimental and numerical results confirm the role of the geological and morphologic setting of Catania. Amplification of seismic motion mainly occurs in three different stratigraphic conditions: (a) sedimentary deposits mainly diffused in the south of the study area; (b) spots of soft sediments surrounded by lava flows; (c) intensely fractured and scoriaceous basaltic lavas.

CURRENT STATUS AND IMPORTANT ISSUES ON SEISMIC HAZARD EVALUATION METHODOLOGY IN JAPAN

The outlines of seismic PSA implementation standards and seismic hazard evaluation procedure were shown. An overview of the cause investigation of seismic motion amplification on the Niigata-ken Chuetsu-oki (NCO) earthquake was also shown. Then, the contents for improving the seismic hazard evaluation methodology based on the lessons learned from the NCO earthquake were described. (1) It is very important to recognize the effectiveness of a fault model on the detail seismic hazard evaluation for the near seismic source through the cause investigation of the NCO earthquake. (2) In order to perform and proceed with a seismic hazard evaluation, the Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization has proposed the framework of the open deliberation rule regarding the treatment of uncertainty which was made so as to be able to utilize a logic tree. (3) The b-value evaluation on the "Stress concentrating zone," which is a high seismic activity around the NCO hypocenter area, should be modified based on the Gutenberg-Richter equation.

Seismic site effects for shallow and deep alluvial basins: in-depth motion and focusing effect

The main purpose of the paper is the analysis of seismic site effects in various alluvial basins. The analysis is performed considering a numerical approach (boundary element method). Two main cases are considered: a shallow deposit in the centre of Nice (France) [Soil Dyn. Earthquake Engng 19 (2000) 345] and a deep irregular basin in Caracas (Venezuela) [Comput. Geotech. 29 (2002) 573]. The amplification of seismic motion is analysed in terms of level, occuring frequency and location. For both sites, the amplification factor is found to reach maximum values of 20 (weak motion). Site effects nevertheless have very different features concerning the frequency dependence and the location of maximum amplification. For the shallow deposit in Nice, the amplification factor is very small for low frequencies and fastly increases above 1.0 Hz. The irregular Caracas basin gives a much different frequency dependence with many different peaks at various frequencies. The model for Caracas deep alluvial basin also includes a part of the local topography such as the nearest mountain. One can estimate seismic site effects due to both velocity contrast (between the basin and the bedrock) and local topography of the site. Furthermore, the maximum amplification is located on the surface for Nice, whereas some strong amplification areas also appear inside the basin itself in the case of Caracas. One investigates the influence of this focusing effect on the motion versus depth dependence. This is of great interest for the analysis of seismic response of underground structures. The form and the depth of alluvial deposits are then found to have a great influence on the location of maximum amplification on the surface but also inside the deposit for deep irregular basins. It is essential for the analysis of the seismic response of both surface and underground structures.

Seismic site effects in a deep alluvial basin: numerical analysis by the boundary element method

The main purpose of the paper is the numerical analysis of seismic site effects in Caracas (Venezuela). The analysis is performed considering the boundary element method in the frequency domain. A numerical model including a part of the local topography is considered, it involves a deep alluvial deposit on an elastic bedrock. The amplification of seismic motion (SH-waves, weak motion) is analyzed in terms of level, occurring frequency and location. In this specific site of Caracas, the amplification factor is found to reach a maximum value of 25. Site effects occur in the thickest part of the basin for low frequencies (below 1.0 Hz) and in two intermediate thinner areas for frequencies above 1.0 Hz. The influence of both incidence and shear wave velocities is also investigated. A comparison with microtremor recordings is presented afterwards. The results of both numerical and experimental approaches are in good agreement in terms of fundamental frequencies in the deepest part of the basin. The boundary element method appears to be a reliable and efficient approach for the analysis of seismic site effects.

Numerical analysis of seismic wave amplification in Nice (France) and comparisons with experiments

The analysis of site effects is very important since the amplification of seismic motion in some specific areas can be very strong. In this paper, the site considered is located in the centre of Nice on the French Riviera. Site effects are investigated considering a numerical approach (Boundary Element Method) and are compared with experimental results. The experimental results are obtained thanks to real earthquakes (weak motion) and microtremor measurements. The investigation of seismic site effects through numerical approaches is interesting because it shows the dependency of the amplification level on such parameters as wave velocity in surface soil layers, velocity contrast with deep layers, seismic wave type, incidence and damping. In this specific area of Nice, experimental measurements obtained for weak motion lead to strong site effects. A one-dimensional (1D) analytical analysis of amplification does not give a satisfactory estimation of the maximum reached levels. A boundary element model is then proposed considering different wave types (SH, P, SV) as the seismic loading. The alluvial basin is successively assumed as an isotropic linear elastic medium and an isotropic linear viscoelastic solid with Zener type behaviour (standard solid). The influence of frequency and incidence is analysed. The thickness of the surface layer, its mechanical properties, its general shape as well as the seismic wave type involved have a great influence on the maximum amplification and the frequency for which it occurs. For real earthquakes, the numerical results are in very good agreement with experimental measurements for each motion component. The boundary element method leads to amplification values very close to the actual ones and much larger than those obtained in the 1D case. Two-dimensional basin effects are then very strong and are well reproduced numerically.

Seismic Wave Propagation in Elastic Soil With Continuous Variation of Shear Modulus in the Vertical Direction

A conventional type of earthquake response analysis of ground gave a maximum acceleration for soft deposits that is lower than that for stiffer soil conditions. Since this was contradictory against the knowledge that soft deposits are more hazardous, an improvement of the analysis was attempted. A series of geophysical surveys was carried out to investigate the variation of shear wave velocity in the vertical direction and it was suggested that the velocity and shear modulus vary more continuously with depth even though the soil type changes from cohesive to cohesionless. The idea of continuity in soil property was further supported by the variation of fines content with depth. With these in mind, a wave propagation equation was developed and then solved analytically by taking into account the continuity of modulus. The calculated amplification of seismic motion indicated that more wave energy can reach the ground surface with this new analysis than in the more conventional way of calculation.

Undrained Cyclic Shear Behaviour Of Clay With Initial Static Shear Stress

A series of undrained cyclic triaxial compression tests has been performed on a high plastic marine clay. Testing was performed for not only isotropically but also anisotropically consolidated specimens under various combinations of initial static and subsequent cyclic shear stresses. The cyclic shear strength was first discussed, and then, residual shear strain was investigated related with effective stress ratio at the peak of cyclic stress. Based on the experimental results, a semi-empirical model was proposed for evaluating the development of residual shear strain during cyclic loading. The model successfully explained the behaviour of clay subjected to various magnitude of initial static and subsequent cyclic shear stresses. INTRODUCTION The main interest about the design problem against earthquake has been focused on liquefaction of saturated sands. Clays have been considered to be rather stable than sands during earthquake. However, serious damages of structures based on thick clay layers were reported in 1985 Mexico Earthquake (Seed et al. [6] , Mendoza et al. [2] ). A large deformation of ground due to amplification of seismic motion is recognized as a characteristic of clay behaviour during earthquake. Additionally, a lot of collapses of fills were caused by failure of clay base layers in 1964 Niigata Earthquake, 1978 Miyagiken-oki Earthquake and 1983 Nihonkai-chubu Earthquake in Japan. On the other hand, in the design of offshore platform against wave loading, the cyclic properties of clays have been investigated and taken in the practical design method (Andersen et al. [1] ). Although the Transactions on the Built Environment vol 3, © 1993 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3509