Results Of Site Response Analyses Research Articles

Generation and Evaluation of CPT Data Using Kriging Interpolation Technique

The cone penetration test (CPT) has been the de facto field exploration method in geotechnical engineering for decades. Variations of CPT can measure parameters for seismic, environmental, and hydrological applications. Analyzing response often requires properties in areas that have little or no data. Therefore, given the limited CPT data, it is critical to understand how to accurately estimate the soil properties at unsampled locations. In this paper, we generated soil shear wave velocity profiles using the kriging interpolation technique and assessed their performance using site response analysis. Four kriging interpolation-based shear wave velocity profiles and four additional CPT-based shear wave velocity profiles defined site conditions for response analysis. We performed a series of 1-D equivalent linear site response analyses using STRATA software. The site response analysis results are presented as amplification factors (AF), peak ground acceleration (PGA) profiles, surface spectral acceleration, and surface acceleration time histories. Compared to CPT-based profiles, the results of kriging interpolation-based profiles were evaluated and discussed. The results confirmed the reliability of the kriging interpolation technique in predicting soil parameters at unsampled locations.

A Comprehensive Site Response and Site Classification of the Garhwal-Kumaun Himalaya, Central Seismic Gap (CSG), India

ABSTRACT We attempted a comprehensive site response study of Garhwal-Kumaun Himalaya in the Central seismic Gap (CSG) using the data collected from 97 strong motion, microtremor and broadband stations. Site response parameters such as predominant frequency (fpeak ), site amplification (Amax) and average shear-wave velocity up to a depth of 30 m (VS30) were estimated by adopting the Nakamura technique. Spatial maps of these parameters were prepared to show the distribution of site response functions across the region. The estimated parameters show a good correlation with site geology. Decreasing order of sediment thickness from foothills to Lesser Himalaya was observed in the region. The estimated VS30 values were correlated with global VS30 values as well as available field measurements and 1D velocity inversion results, it shows a good agreement. The sites were classified as per the NEHRP site classification scheme based on the VS30 value. From this study, we inferred that the VS30 values estimated from the Nakamura technique can be used as an alternate proxy for determining the average shear wave velocity up to a depth of 30 m in the absence of substantial field measurements due to challenging terrain conditions. Such results of site response analysis may be used for preliminary earthquake hazard assessment in the region.

2D nonlinear site response analysis of shallow bedrock sites using integrated subsurface profiles

In this study, an attempt has been made to generate the subsurface profiles using integrated geophysical approach and a site-specific 2-D nonlinear site response analysis at shallow bedrock sites in Peninsular India. The site selected for the study is Tarapur, India in which three survey lines were selected for the sub-surface mapping. The subsurface profiling of these three locations was done by an integrated geophysical approach by carrying out Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves - 2D survey, Ground Penetrating Radar survey, and conventional drilling borehole and measurement of Standard Penetration Test N values. Thirteen intraplate recordings from all around the world are selected for the site response analysis. The subsurface profiles generated by the integrated geophysical approaches are modeled in FLAC - 2D nonlinear module and site response parameters are estimated. Further 1D site response analyses are carried out at selected points in 2- D profiles using the program DEEPSOIL and the 2D site response results are compared. Results of site response analysis are expressed in terms of short-period amplification factor (Fc) and long period amplification factor (Fs) and the results show that the 2D geometry of sub-surface is more sensitive to the higher frequency content of ground motion especially for subsurface with more heterogeneities. Also, a parametric study has been done on a synthetic 2D profile to quantitatively evaluate the effect of different ground motion characteristics like amplitude and frequency content on 2D site response analysis. The parametric study shows that underground heterogeneity is very sensitive to the ground motions with high-frequency content and low amplitude.

Site effects and damage scenarios: The case study of two historic centers following the 2016 Central Italy earthquake

The great influence of site effects on damage patterns produced by seismic events of the past, stresses out the need to find proper relationships between the site local conditions and the potential damage that existing buildings may experience under earthquakes of different intensity.This issue proved to be relevant, especially for those masonry buildings in small historic centers, such as the ones belonging to the Apennine areas of Italy that suffered serious damage after the 2009 L'Aquila and the 2016–2017 Central Italy seismic sequences. Some of these centers showed a not regular damage distribution, suggesting that site effects influenced the seismic response of their buildings.In this perspective, this paper provides an attempt to correlate earthquake damage to site effects, focusing the attention on two historic centers of the Abruzzi region, Campotosto and Cortino, which were damaged by the 2016–2017 Central Italy seismic sequences and for which the amplification factors of the subsoil were carefully identified, resulting more influencing were higher damage was observed.First, the damage patterns observed after the 18 January 2017 seismic shock are represented in terms of Damage Probability Matrices and maps developed in GIS environment. Moreover, the data collected in terms of stats are interpreted through the application of the binomial probability distribution, in order to check its reliability in reproducing the gathered frequencies.Finally, in order to justify the damage of some specific buildings, the results of site response analyses are compared with the damage observed punctually on three damaged masonry buildings.

Seismic site effect analysis for the city of Tehran using equivalent linear ground response analysis

Equivalent linear ground response analysis is conducted to evaluate seismic site effects in Tehran, Iran. Recorded bedrock motions in acceleration stations within Tehran are scaled based on the peak bedrock acceleration distribution map for a 475-year return period. The seismic responses of sites categorised as class C, based on Building Seismic Safety Council classification system, are obtained using the equivalent linear ground response analysis and available geotechnical and geophysical data. The results of site response analysis are presented in terms of site response spectra and amplification factors, computed in period ranges of 0.1–0.5 s and 0.1–2.5 s. The estimated site response spectra are compared with the suggested spectra in the Iranian Code (Standard No. 2800) and International Building Code (IBC 2015). While the comparison reveals an acceptable agreement between the estimated response spectra and IBC 2015, a significant discrepancy is observed with respect to the Iranian Code.

Relative Differences between Nonlinear and Equivalent-Linear 1-D Site Response Analyses

This study investigates the conditions for which one-dimensional (1-D) nonlinear (NL) site response analysis results are distinct from equivalent-linear (EL) results and provides guidance for predicting when differences are large enough to be of practical significance. Relative differences in spectral accelerations and Fourier amplitudes computed from NL and EL analyses are assessed for a range of site conditions and for suites of input motions appropriate for active crustal and stable continental regions. Among several considered parameters, EL/NL differences are most clearly dependent on shear strain index ( I γ), defined as the ratio of input motion peak velocity to time-averaged shear-wave velocity in the top 30 m of the soil profile. For small I γ (generally under 0.03%), EL and NL results are practically identical, whereas at larger strains, differences can be significant for frequencies >0.3 Hz. Frequency-dependent I γ values are recommended for conditions above which NL analyses are preferred to EL.

Comparison of Equivalent Linear and Nonlinear Site Response Analysis Results and Model to Estimate Maximum Shear Strain

Comparison of Equivalent Linear and Nonlinear Site Response Analysis Results and Model to Estimate Maximum Shear Strain

Rare earthquake response spectra for typical site conditions in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is located in a region of low-to-moderate seismicity; the potential consequences in the event of a nearby major earthquake should not be underrated. In the past two decades, researchers have conducted many studies on this issue and it is now clear that design procedures should not be directly borrowed from other codes of practice without modifications. This paper aims at presenting the rare earthquake response spectra for typical rock and soil sites in Hong Kong, which form the basis of a seismic design procedure. The uniform hazard spectrum (UHS) for rock sites was obtained from seismic hazard assessment using probabilistic methods. Records from 16 boreholes, representing a wide range of local site conditions, were collected from different locations in Hong Kong. A site-specific response spectrum was then constructed based on the results of site response analyses. Moreover, the 16 site-specific response spectra have been grouped into four types based on the (initial) site natural periods, which...

Local site effects on seismic ground response of major cities in UAE

This paper investigates the influence of local geotechnical and geological soil conditions on the intensity of ground shaking of major cities in United Arab Emirates (UAE) including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, and their surrounding areas. Two time histories for each city were chosen based on the target response spectrum that was obtained from results of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis conducted in previous study for UAE. Subsurface geotechnical data from more than hundred different sites were used to evaluate the effect of local site conditions on ground response during earthquake. Dynamic properties of soil for selected soil profiles have been generated, and one-dimensional site response analysis has been conducted. Results are presented in terms of response spectral accelerations (RSA) for different site classes in each city. RSA results indicated that the surficial deposits in the studied areas have the ability to amplify earthquake ground motion significantly with peak amplification at relatively narrow frequency range of 1.5–5 Hz (0.2–0.67-s period). This frequency range was found to be a representative of the predominant frequency ranges of the site classes under consideration. At higher frequencies, slight amplification, and in some cases slight attenuation, is observed. Design response spectra for each site class in each city were developed based on the results of site response analysis. The developed design response spectra were compared with spectrum currently used in each city, and the modified site coefficient is presented.

빅데이터 지반정보의 불확실성을 고려한 중진지역에서의 액상화 위험도 작성기법 개발

최근 우리 정부는 안전한 대한민국이라는 슬로건 아래 지진재해를 포함한 자연재해피해를 최소화하는데 많은 노력을 집중하고 있으며, 이를 위해 산사태 위험도와 액상화 위험도와 같은 지진 시 지반피해 GIS 시스템 데이터가 구축되고 있는 실정이다. 우리나라 전역을 포함하는 지진 시 액상화 위험도를 작성하기 위해서는 수많은 지반시추정보에 대한 적용성 검토가 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 액상화 위험도 작성을 위해 인구밀도가 높은 광역지역의 지반증폭계수를 검토하였으며 이를 위해 S시 522개 시추공지반 정보를 수집하여 지반응답해석을 수행하였다. 이때 지반분류는 지반정보의 불확실성을 고려하고자 현행 내진 설계기준에서 제안하고 있는 시추종료 깊이 이후의 지반 정보를 30m로 가정하는 경우와 지반정보의 오리지널 데이터 값만을 이용하는 경우로 나누어 비교하였으며, 타당성 검토 시에는 지반응답해석 결과에 대한 확률분포와 통계분석을 이용하여 수행하였다. 최종적으로 정규분포를 통한 신뢰도 50%, 70%, 90%에 대한 지반증폭계수를 도출하여 액상화 위험도를 도시하였으며, 이를 지반응답해석을 통해 도시한 LPI 액상화 위험도와 비교하여 가장 유사한 값을 추천하였다. 연구결과 제안된 지반증폭계수가 향후 국내 액상화에 대한 연구와 중진지역의 광역지역 액상화 위험도 작성에 큰 도움이 될 수 있을 것으로 기대한다. Recently, Korean government has tried out to set up earthquake hazards prevention system. In the system, several geotechnical hazard maps including liquefaction hazard map and landslide hazard map for the whole country have drawn to consider the domestic seismic characteristics. To draw the macro liquefaction hazard map, big data of site investigations in metropolitan areas and provincial areas has to be verified for its application. In this research, we carried out site response analyses using 522 borehole site investigation data in S city during a desirable earthquake. The soil classification was separately compared to shear wave velocity considering the uncertainty of site investigation data. Probability distribution and statistical analysis for the results of site response analyses was applied to the feasibility study. Finally, we suggest a new site amplification coefficient, hereby presented with the similar results of liquefaction hazard mapping using the calculated liquefaction potential index by the site response analyses. Above-mentioned study will be expected to help to follow research and draw liquefaction hazard map in moderate seismic region.

2-매개변수 지반분류 방법 및 지반 증폭계수의 검증 (I) - 국외 내진설계기준 및 부지응답특성과의 비교

최근 제안된 2-매개변수 지반분류 방법 및 지반 증폭계수가 국내 지반조건 및 지반증폭특성에 적합함을 검증하기 위하여 내진설계기준연구II, Eurocode-8, 현재 개정중인 미국 동부지역 NYC DOT 내진설계기준과 비교를 수행하였다. 유사한 조건의 지반 조건에 대하여 각 기준의 설계응답스펙트럼을 비교한 결과, 2-매개변수 지반분류, Eurocode-8, NYC DOT 내진설계기준은 일반적인 국내 지반특성인 단주기 영역의 증폭을 크게 고려하고 있는 반면, 내진설계기준 연구II는 장주기 영역의 증폭을 크게 평하는 것으로 나타났다. 추가적으로 경주시 <TEX>$10km{\times}10km$</TEX> 지역내 50개 부지에 대한 지반응답해석 결과를 확보하고, 이를 내진설계기준연구II 및 2-매개변수 지반분류 방법에서 제안하는 지반 증폭계수와 2차원 공간적인 비교를 수행하였다. 단주기 및 장주기 증폭계수 모두에 대하여 내진설계기준연구II가 2-매개변수 지반분류 방법에 비하여 부지응답해석 결과와의 오차값이 월등히 큰 것으로 평가되어, 2-매개변수 지반분류 방법에서 제안하는 지반 증폭계수의 타당성을 확인하였다. In order to verify that the recently proposed two-parameters site classification system and the corresponding site coefficients are suitable for the local geological conditions in Korea, a comparison was conducted with current Korean seismic code, Eurocode-8, NYC DOT seismic code. The design spectrum of the current Korean seismic code is significantly amplified in the long-period range, whereas the other response spectra, including the proposed two-parameters approach, are significantly amplified in the short-period range, which is a typical geological condition in Korea. In addition, based on the results of site response analyses in the specific <TEX>$10km{\times}10km$</TEX> area of Gyeongju, spatial distributions of site coefficients from site-specific seismic response analyses were compared with the proposed site coefficients, as well as those specified in the current Korean seismic code. The site coefficients (<TEX>$F_a$</TEX> and <TEX>$F_v$</TEX>) from the current Korean seismic codes show significantly high spatial error distributions compared with those specified by the two-parameters site classification system. Therefore, the proposed system is suitable for regions of shallow bedrock including the Korean peninsula.

Effects of soil cracking on the seismic response of soil–structure systems

A numerical study on the influence that cracks and discontinuities (closed cracks) can have on the seismic response of a hypothetical soil–structure system is presented and discussed. A 2-D finite-difference model of the soil was developed, considering a bilinear failure surface using a Mohr–Coulomb model. The cracks are simulated with interface elements. The soil stiffness is used to characterize the contact force that is generated when the crack closes. For the cases studied herein, it was considered that the crack does not propagate during the dynamic event. Both cases, open and closed cracks, are considered. The nonlinear behavior was accounted for approximately using equivalent linear properties calibrated against several 1-D wave propagation analyses of selected soil columns with variable depth to account for changes in depth to bed rock. Free field boundaries were used at the edges of the 2-D finite-difference model to allow for energy dissipation of the reflected waves. The effect of cracking on the seismic response was evaluated by comparing the results of site response analysis with and without crack, for several lengths and orientations. The changes in the response obtained for a single crack and a family of cracks were also evaluated. Finally, the impact that a crack may have on the structural response of nearby structures was investigated by solving the seismic-soil–structure interaction of two structures, one flexible and one rigid to bracket the response. From the results of this investigation, insight was gained regarding the effect that discontinuities may have both on the seismic response of soil deposits and on nearby soil–structure systems.

Design Earthquake Ground Motion Prediction for Perth Metropolitan Area with Microtremor Measurements for Site Characterization

Perth is the largest city in Western Australia and home to three-quarters of the state's residents. In recent decades, there have been a lot of earthquake activities just east of Perth in an area known as the South-West Seismic Zone. Previous numerical results of site response analyses based on limited available geology information for PMA indicated that Perth Basin might amplify the bedrock motion by more than 10 times at some frequencies and at some sites. Hence, more detailed studies on site characterization and amplification are necessary. The microtremor method using spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) processing is a useful tool for gaining thickness and shear wave velocity (SWV) of sediments and has been adopted in many previous studies. In this study, the response spectrum of rock site corresponding to the 475-year return period for PMA is defined according to the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) based on the latest ground motion attenuation model of Southwest Western Australia. Site characterization in PMA is performed using two microtremor measurements, namely SPAC technique and H/V method. The clonal selection algorithm (CSA) is introduced to perform direct inversion of SPAC curves to determine the soil profiles of representative PMA sites investigated in this study. Using the simulated bedrock motion as input, the responses of the soil sites are estimated using numerical method based on the shear-wave velocity vs. depth profiles determined from the SPAC technique. The response spectrum of the earthquake ground motion on surface of each site is derived from the numerical results of the site response analysis, and compared with the respective design spectrum defined in the Australian Earthquake Loading Code. The comparison shows that the code spectra are conservative in the short period range, but may slightly underestimate the response spectrum at some long period range.

The Role of Soil Behavior on Damage Caused by the Dinar Earthquake (Southwestern Turkey) of October 1, 1995

The Dinar earthquake (ML = 6.0) took place in southwestern Turkey on October 1, 1995, and caused extensive damage to buildings in the city of Dinar. Soil liquefaction and lateral-spreading types of ground failure developed in the vicinity of Dinar. In order to investigate the possible contribution to the damage to buildings by site amplification, both the practical method of calculating the natural period of soils and site response analyses were performed. Geotechnical data from borehole records, and hypothetically assigned shear wave velocities to the soil layers were combined into the computer model SHAKE91 to compute the predominant period of the soil columns at four selected locations. The results of site response analyses indicate that the predominant periods of those locations are far beyond that of buildings in Dinar. Thus, it was concluded that the heavy damage to buildings associated with the recent earthquake is attributed largely to the use of improper material and poor design. The relatively long duration of earthquake shaking intensified the damage to the poorly constructed buildings.

Parametric study of site response analysis

Analytical methods for site response analysis include many parameters that could affect earthquake ground motions and corresponding response spectra. It is important to investigate the effect of these parameters on site response analysis in order to make confident evaluations of earthquake ground motons at site. This paper presents a parametric study to investigate the effects of site parameters on earthquake ground motions. The parametric study is performed on two hypothetical soil profiles that consist of sand and clay, respectively. The site parameters investigated are the secant shear modulus, low-strain damping ratio, types of sand and clay, location of water table, and depth of bedrock. From the results of the parametric studies, it appears that the secant shear modulus, depth of bedrock, and types of sand and clay have a significant effect on the results of site response analysis. Conversely, the low-strain damping ratio and variations of water tables have only a minor influence on site response analysis.

Vulnerability and seismic risk assessment of buildings following the 1989 Newcastle, Australia earthquake

Ten days after the Newcastle, Australia earthquake of 28 December, 1989, the UK-based Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) mounted a five day mission to the affected area. This paper presents the findings of the EEFIT investigation and subsequent follow up studies in relation to the extent of building damage and its distribution within the City of Newcastle and the surrounding urban area. Results are based on both detailed street surveys and general damage surveys, the former carried out in two areas, namely the heavily damaged suburban district of Hamilton (3km west of the city centre) and the Newcastle central business district. The findings of these surveys have provided valuable information on the vulnerability of building stock of types common to other parts of Australia, the UK and elsewhere, and hence form an important database for the accurate assessment of seismic risk to buildings in regions of low seismicity. This information will assist the development of realistic, economical seismic code provisions for building design and construction in low-risk areas. An important feature arising from the surveys and subsequent analytical studies of site response in the heavily damaged districts within the Hunter River alluvial basin is that, contrary to reports published by the Institution of Engineers, Australia amongst others, the areas of deep alluvial soil and fill do not correlate strongly with the more heavily damaged districts determined from post-earthquake assessments. Hence, suggestions that this form of site soil amplification effect played a major part in the distribution and extent of heavy damage in this earthquake are somewhat misleading for the future development of planning and design regulations. Furthermore, the results of site response analyses show that it is more likely to be the shallower soils near the border of the alluvial basin which tend to amplify bedrock ground motions generated by this type of earthquake.