Site-specific Ground Response Analysis Research Articles

Site-specific ground response analysis and liquefaction assessment of Vijayawada city (India)

Safety against earthquake hazards can be achieved by considering site safety against geotechnical problems and structural safety against dynamic forces. Geotechnical problems such as amplification, landsliding and soil liquefaction are dangerous in regard to the scale of damage. Assessment of risk against such problems is a part of seismic microzonation process. Seismic risk is highly affected by risk factors due to geological environment and geotechnical properties of soils. In this study, it is attempted to identify and develop hazard maps against seismic hazard for Vijayawada city, India, where the subsoil consists of thick alluvial formations along the river. In particular, the study aims at the evaluation of site effects using the available geotechnical data and carrying out microtremor testing in the study area. The geotechnical zonation of the subsoil of the city suggests a high vulnerability of the physical environment in addition to site amplification of the ground motion phenomena. The ground response analysis at the surface was conducted by 1D equivalent linear method and by microtremor testing. From the ground response analysis, peak acceleration, frequency and amplification parameters were assessed and the city was divided into different zones corresponding to each value. Liquefaction hazard was quantified using SPT-based method in combination with the dynamic analysis. These findings supply an indispensible tool for the seismic retrofitting of the buildings and for the mitigation of the seismic risk for small to medium earthquakes in the city.

Design of Rock Slope Reinforcement: An Himalayan Case Study

The stability analysis of the two abutment slopes of a railway bridge proposed at about 359 m above the ground level, crossing a river and connecting two hill faces in the Himalayas, India, is presented. The bridge is located in a zone of high seismic activity. The rock slopes are composed of a heavily jointed rock mass and the spacing, dip and dip direction of joint sets are varying at different locations. Geological mapping was carried out to characterize all discontinuities present along the slopes. Laboratory and field investigations were conducted to assess the geotechnical properties of the intact rock, rock mass and joint infill. Stability analyses of these rock slopes were carried out using numerical programmes. Loads from the foundations resting on the slopes and seismic accelerations estimated from site-specific ground response analysis were considered. The proposed slope profile with several berms between successive foundations was simulated in the numerical model. An equivalent continuum approach with Hoek and Brown failure criterion was initially used in a finite element model to assess the global stability of the slope abutments. In the second stage, finite element analysis of rock slopes with all joint sets with their orientations, spacing and properties explicitly incorporated into the numerical model was taken up using continuum with joints approach. It was observed that the continuum with joints approach was able to capture the local failures in some of the slope sections, which were verified using wedge failure analysis and stereographic projections. Based on the slope deformations and failure patterns observed from the numerical analyses, rock anchors were designed to achieve the target factors of safety against failure while keeping the deformations within the permissible limits. Detailed design of rock anchors and comparison of the stability of slopes with and without reinforcement are presented.

Influence of local site conditions on strong ground motion characteristics at Tarai region of Uttarakhand, India

Local site conditions strongly influence the characteristics of strong ground motion. In this study, influence of local site conditions on characteristics of strong ground motion records and their further effects on hazard studies were investigated for the Tarai region of Uttarakhand, India, where the thickness of soil cover varies significantly from few meters to several hundreds of meters. Another importance of these sites is that these sites have strong motion recording stations. Site characterization of each of the strong ground motion station is conducted using MASW tests to obtain shear wave velocity profiles of the sites. Further, site-specific ground response analysis is carried out using SHAKE2000 to investigate local site effects on strong ground motion records. Results clearly show the differences in IS 1893:2002 (Part-1) suggested 5 % damping response spectrum and the one obtained from ground response analyses. For sites having Vs30 around 200 m/s, constant acceleration frequency band is significantly widened in comparison with 5 % damping response spectrum of IS-1893:2002 (Part-1). This study further suggests the importance of thorough site characterization of strong motion instrumentation sites.

Non-linear site-specific seismic ground response analysis for port sites in Mumbai, India

Non-linear site-specific seismic ground response analysis for port sites in Mumbai, India

Evaluation of Liquefaction in Ercis Plain during Van Earthquake

The destructive Van Earthquake that struck eastern Turkey on 23 October 2011 caused significant damages and casualties in the Southeastern Turkey City of Van. This study focuses on the liquefaction occurrences in Ercis Plain, where Irsat and Zilan streams are discharged to Lake Van. The liquefaction potential in this area was studied using various analytical methods. Assessment of liquefaction triggering and estimation of seismic induced settlement and lateral spreading were performed. The results of site specific ground response analyses showed that the ground motions were amplified significantly during the earthquake, which resulted in larger values of Cyclic Stress Ratio (CSR) relative to those estimated using simplified methods. A comparison of analytical results with post liquefaction observations indicates that a proper evaluation of CSR values is imperative for a realistic estimation of liquefaction triggering and post liquefaction deformations.

Seismic risk assessment of architectural heritages in Gyeongju considering local site effects

Abstract. A seismic risk assessment is conducted for cultural heritage sites in Gyeongju, the capital of Korea's ancient Silla Kingdom. Gyeongju, home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, contains remarkable artifacts of Korean Buddhist art. An extensive geotechnical survey including a series of in situ tests is presented, providing pertinent soil profiles for site response analyses on thirty cultural heritage sites. After the shear wave velocity profiles and dynamic material properties were obtained, site response analyses were carried out at each historical site and the amplification characteristics, site period, and response spectrum of the site were determined for the earthquake levels of 2400 yr and 1000 yr return periods based on the Korean seismic hazard map. Response spectrum and corresponding site coefficients obtained from site response analyses considering geologic conditions differ significantly from the current Korean seismic code. This study confirms the importance of site-specific ground response analyses considering local geological conditions. Results are given in the form of the spatial distribution of bedrock depth, site period, and site amplification coefficients, which are particularly valuable in the context of a seismic vulnerability study. This study presents the potential amplification of hazard maps and provides primary data on the seismic risk assessment of each cultural heritage.

Modelling Propagation of Stress Waves through Soil Medium for Ground Response Analysis

buildings located at rock sites. Modelling wave propagation through soil medium helps to derive the primary and secondary wave velocities. Most of the time soil mediums are heterogeneous, layered and undergoes nonlinear strains even under weak excitation. The equivalent linear approximation with one dimensional wave propagation is widely adopted for modeling earthquake excitation for layered soil. In this paper, importance of local soil effects, the process of wave propagation through three dimensional elastic medium, layered medium situated on rigid rock, attenuation of stress waves due to material damping, equivalent linear approximation, the concept of one dimensional wave propagation, and a case study of one dimensional wave propagation as a part of site-specific ground response analyses for Delhi region are included. The case study brings out the importance of carrying out site-specific ground response analyses of buildings considering the scenario earthquakes and actual soil conditions for Delhi region.

A Study of Local Site Effects on Seismic Design of Buildings

In present work, first the multi-storeyed building was analysing taking medium site condition in zone II. Sa/g and Base shear for that building was calculated from IS 1893:2002 (Part 1).After that site specific ground response analysis is carried out for Amravati and Nagpur region soil sites. For development of site specific response spectrum ProSHAKE software is used ProSHAKE is based on one dimensional geotechnical site response model. Site response study is usually carried out using the geotechnical data or Geophysical data (shear wave velocity). Basic aim of present work is to study local site effects on seismic analysis of multi-storeyed Buildings, for this purpose local soil conditions are considered. In the present work various local sites in Amravati and Nagpur region are studied.

Dynamic soil properties for microzonation of Delhi, India

Delhi, the capital of India, has experienced mild seismic shaking during several earthquakes in the past. The large variations of depth to bedrock and ground water table coupled with different soil types at different locations of Delhi necessitate a seismic microzonation study. Dynamic soil properties such as shear wave velocity, modulus reduction and damping characteristics of local soils are the basic and essential input parameters for conducting even a preliminary ground response analysis which is an essential input in microzonation studies. Shear wave velocity is not measured routinely due to its high cost and lack of the required expertise. Several researchers in the past developed correlations between shear wave velocity (Vs) and routinely measured N values. In the present study, shear wave velocity profiles measured in the field at more than 80 borehole locations to a depth of about 20 to 32m using Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) are presented and correlations between shear wave velocity and N values are also presented for use by engineers and designers. Results of strain and stress controlled cyclic triaxial tests on remoulded samples of sand-silt mixtures in the high strain range are used for generating the modulus reduction and damping curves and are compared with the well-known curves in the literature. The results presented in this article can be used for microzonation studies as well as site specific ground response analyses at Delhi.

Geologic site conditions and site coefficients for estimating earthquake ground motions in the inland areas of Korea

Site characterization and site-specific ground response analyses were conducted at two representative inland areas in Korea. In situ tests included 25 boring investigations, 7 crosshole tests, 18 downhole tests and 41 SASW tests, and in the laboratory, resonant column tests were performed. The soil deposits in Korea, which were shallower and stiffer than those in the western US, were examined. The fundamental site periods were distributed in the narrow band ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 s. Most sites were designated as site classes C and D based on the mean shear wave velocity of the upper 30 m from the current Korean seismic design guide. Based on the ratio of the acceleration response spectra of ground surface to rock-outcrop, short-period (0.1–0.5 s) site coefficient, F a ranged from 1.0 to 2.7, and mid-period (0.4–2.0 s) site coefficient, F v ranged from 1.0 to 1.6, regardless of the input rock outcrop acceleration levels of 0.05 and 0.14 g. The site coefficients specified in the Korean seismic design guide, which is similar to NEHRP provisions and UBC, underestimate the ground motion in the short-period band and overestimate the ground motion in the mid-period band. These differences can be explained by the differences in the depth to bedrock and the soil stiffness profile between Korea and western US. Also, the site coefficients should be re-evaluated accounting for the local geologic conditions on the Korean peninsula.

Changes in the chemical reactivity of proteins following irradiation: Peter Alexander and L. D. G. Hamilton (Chester Beatty Research Institute, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Cancer Hospital, London S.W. 3, England)

Site characterization and site-specific ground response analyses were conducted at two representative inland areas in Korea. In situ tests included 25 boring investigations, 7 crosshole tests, 18 downhole tests and 41 SASW tests, and in the laboratory, resonant column tests were performed. The soil deposits in Korea, which were shallower and stiffer than those in the western US, were examined. The fundamental site periods were distributed in the narrow band ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 s. Most sites were designated as site classes C and D based on the mean shear wave velocity of the upper 30 m from the current Korean seismic design guide. Based on the ratio of the acceleration response spectra of ground surface to rock-outcrop, short-period (0.1–0.5 s) site coefficient, Fa ranged from 1.0 to 2.7, and mid-period (0.4–2.0 s) site coefficient, Fv ranged from 1.0 to 1.6, regardless of the input rock outcrop acceleration levels of 0.05 and 0.14 g. The site coefficients specified in the Korean seismic design guide, which is similar to NEHRP provisions and UBC, underestimate the ground motion in the short-period band and overestimate the ground motion in the mid-period band. These differences can be explained by the differences in the depth to bedrock and the soil stiffness profile between Korea and western US. Also, the site coefficients should be re-evaluated accounting for the local geologic conditions on the Korean peninsula.