Strong Ground Motion Recordings Research Articles

On the resonance effect by dynamic soil–structure interaction: a revelation study

The present study makes an attempt to investigate the soil–structure resonance effects on a structure based on dynamic soil–structure interaction (SSI) methodology by direct method configuration using 2D finite element method (FEM). The investigation has been focused on the numerical application for the four soil–structure models particularly adjusted to be in resonance. These models have been established by single homogenous soil layers with alternating thicknesses of 0, 25, 50, 75 m and shear wave velocities of 300, 600, 900 m/s-a midrise reinforced concrete structure with a six-story and a three-bay that rests on the ground surface with the corresponding width of 1,400 m. The substructure has been modeled by plane strain. A common strong ground motion record, 1940 El Centro Earthquake, has been used as the dynamic excitation of time history analysis, and the amplitudes, shear forces and moments affecting on the structure have been computed under resonance. The applicability and accuracy of the FEM modeling to the fundamental period of soils have been confirmed by the site response analysis of SHAKE. The results indicate that the resonance effect on the structure becomes prominent by soil amplification with the increased soil layer thickness. Even though the soil layer has good engineering characteristics, the ground story of the structure under resonance is found to suffer from the larger soil layer thicknesses. The rate of increment in shear forces is more pronounced on midstory of the structure, which may contribute to the explanation of the heavily damage on the midrise buildings subjected to earthquake. Presumably, the estimated moment ratios could represent the factor of safeties that are excessively high due to the resonance condition. The findings obtained in this study clearly demonstrate the importance of the resonance effect of SSI on the structure and can be beneficial for gaining an insight into code provisions against resonance.

Topographic gradient based site characterization in India complemented by strong ground-motion spectral attributes

We appraise topographic-gradient approach for site classification that employs correlations between 30m column averaged shear-wave velocity and topographic gradients. Assessments based on site classifications reported from cities across India indicate that the approach is reasonably viable at regional level. Additionally, we experiment three techniques for site classification based on strong ground-motion recordings, namely Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR), Response Spectra Shape (RSS), and Horizontal-to-Vertical Response Spectral Ratio (HVRSR) at the strong motion stations located across the Himalayas and northeast India. Statistical tests on the results indicate that these three techniques broadly differentiate soil and rock sites while RSS and HVRSR yield better signatures. The results also support the implemented site classification in the light of strong ground-motion spectral attributes observed in different parts of the globe.

An explanation of the large PGA value of 2013 MS7.0 Lushan earthquake at 51BXD station through topographic analysis

In MS7.0 Lushan earthquake, a large amount of strong ground motion recordings were collected. In this paper, we analyze the recordings carefully. The abnormality of ground motion recordings is identified through a log linear regression. In the station of 51BXD, the PGA value has exceeded 1 g, which is the biggest peak ground acceleration (PGA) value obtained from all recordings in this earthquake. The log linear relation shows the PGA value in this station is abnormally large. As this station is located on the footage of a hill, the topographic amplification factor is explored in order to explain this abnormality. Through 3D numerical modeling using spectral element method with transmitting boundary conditions, the amplification factor is quantized. In this station, the topographic amplification is highly polarized in the direction of East–West which agrees with the empirical recordings. This research result suggests us in future directionality of topographic amplification should be considered in the aseismic design.

Liquefaction at Strong Motion Stations and in Urayasu City during the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake

The 2011 MW = 9.0 Tohoku-oki earthquake generated a large number of unique soil liquefaction case histories, including cases with strong ground motion recordings on liquefiable or potentially liquefiable soils. We have compiled a list of 22 strong motion stations (SMS) where surface evidence of liquefaction was observed and 16 SMS underlain by geologically recent sediments or fills where surface evidence of liquefaction was not observed. Pre-earthquake standard penetration test data and borehole shear wave velocity ( Vs) profiles are available for some stations, but critical information, such as grain size distribution and fines plasticity, are often lacking. In the heavily damaged city of Urayasu, we performed post-earthquake cone penetration testing at seven SMS and Vs profiles, using surface wave methods at 28 additional locations to supplement existing geotechnical data. We describe the liquefaction effects in Urayasu, the available site characterization data, and our initial data interpretations.

Strong Motion Simulation of the M8.0 August 15, 2007, Pisco Earthquake; Effect of a Multi-Frequency Rupture Process

We investigated the broadband frequency (0.05-30 Hz) radiation characteristics of the August 15, 2007, Mw8.0 Pisco, Peru, earthquake by simulating the near-source strong ground motion recordings in Parcona city (PCN) and Lima city (NNA). A source model of this earthquake obtained from long-period teleseismic waveforms and InSar data shows two separate asperities, which is consistent with the observation of two distinct episodes of strong shaking in strong motion recordings. We constructed a source model that reproduces near-source records at low frequency (0.05-0.8 Hz) as well as high frequency (0.8-30 Hz) bands. Our results show that the aforementioned teleseismic source model is appropriate for simulating near-source low frequency ground motion. Our modeling of the PCN record in the broad-frequency band indicates that a very strong high frequency radiation event likely occurred near the hypocenter, which generated a large acceleration peak within the first episode of strong shaking at PCN. Using this “broadband frequency” source model we simulated the strong ground motion at Pisco city and obtained accelerations as large as 700 cm/s2and velocities as high as 90 cm/s, respectively, which may explain the heavy damage occurring in the city.

Regional extent of the large coseismic slip zone of the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake delineated by on‐fault aftershocks

Since the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake, many fault source models have been constructed using a variety of data, such as teleseismic, strong ground motion, geodetic, and tsunami recordings. However, questions remain as to how far the associated large‐slip zone extended along the plate interface during the rupture. Here we delineate the outer edge of this large‐slip zone in detail, based on the sharp density contrast observed for interplate, repeating, and down‐dip compressional earthquakes induced by the Tohoku‐Oki mainshock. The seismicity rate of interplate earthquakes changed significantly after the mainshock, probably as a result of stress perturbations by the large‐slip, and here we use this information as qualitative constraints in constructing our model. The model that we present for the large‐slip zone of the Tohoku‐Oki earthquake incorporates the main features of previously proposed fault source models, and also the observed fine‐scale heterogeneities of fault slip associated with this event. It is important to highlight that the outer edge of this large‐slip zone shows a remarkably complex shape. In particular, it is narrow and elongate southward along the ~35 km iso‐depth contour of the plate boundary offshore of Fukushima and Ibaraki. This southward elongate slip zone corresponds to down‐dip regions that appear to have produced higher relative levels of short‐period seismic radiation.

Complexity of the Mw 6.3 2009 L'Aquila (central Italy) earthquake: 1. Multiple finite‐extent source inversion

Strong ground motion recordings of the Mw 6.3 2009 L'Aquila earthquake are analyzed by a newly proposed slip inversion technique. The source model consists of Multiple Finite‐Extent (MuFEx) subsources. The slip amplitude, rupture velocity, rake and risetime are assumed constant within each subsource. The size and location of the MuFEx subsources have to be inferred independently from other methods, preferably those free of strong constraints (such as constant rupture velocity over the whole fault, etc); here we use two published approaches satisfying such requirement: the truncated singular value decomposition and the iterative multiple‐point source deconvolution. Each MuFEx subsource is characterized by an individual set of trial nucleation points, rupture velocities and nucleation times, which are grid‐searched. For each combination of these parameters, the subsources' slip is determined by the least squares approach. This procedure thus provides not only the best fitting model, but also a whole range of acceptable models, allowing for the uncertainty analysis. The method is demonstrated on three synthetic tests. When applied to the L'Aquila data, both the best fitting model and the uncertainty analysis suggest that the event consisted of two major episodes, one with the rupture propagating immediately after the nucleation in the updip direction, the other being delayed by 3–4 s with dominant propagation toward the SE along the deeper part of the fault. The retrieved complexity of the rupture propagation warns against attempts to stabilize inversions by the use of a constant rupture velocity over the whole fault.

Prediction of principal ground-motion parameters using a hybrid method coupling artificial neural networks and simulated annealing

In this study, new models are derived to predict the peak time-domain characteristics of strong ground-motions utilizing a novel hybrid method coupling artificial neural network (ANN) and simulated annealing (SA), called ANN/SA. The principal ground-motion parameters formulated are peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV) and peak ground displacement (PGD). The proposed models relate PGA, PGV and PGD to earthquake magnitude, earthquake source to site distance, average shear-wave velocity, and faulting mechanisms. A database of strong ground-motion recordings released by Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) is used to establish the models. For more validity verification, the ANN/SA models are employed to predict the ground-motion parameters of a part of the database beyond the training data domain. ANN and multiple linear regression analyses are performed to benchmark the proposed models. Contributions of the input parameters to the prediction of PGA, PGV and PGD are evaluated through a sensitivity analysis. The ANN/SA attenuation models give precise estimations of the site ground-motion parameters. The proposed models perform superior than the single ANN, regression and existing attenuation models. The optimal ANN/SA models are subsequently converted into tractable design equations. The derived equations can readily be used by designers as quick checks on solutions developed via more in-depth deterministic analyses.

New Insights into Path Attenuation of Ground Motions in Northeast India and Northwest Himalayas

Abstract We compile a data set of 585 weak, broadband, and strong ground-motion recordings from 184 earthquakes covering hypocentral distances ranging from 9 to 436 km in northeast India and the northwest Himalayas. Source-normalized vertical-component Fourier amplitude S -wave spectra are used to study path-attenuation characteristics, namely, geometrical spreading and quality factor, in the two regions. A trilinear model of geometrical spreading of R -1.0 for hypocentral distance R R 0.0 for R between 125 km and 140 km, and R -1.0 for R >140 km approximates the decay of low-frequency (1.0 Hz) amplitudes in northeastern India better than the conventional theoretical bilinear geometrical spreading of R -1.0 for R R -0.5 otherwise. In the northwestern Himalayas, the geometrical spreading is found to be R -1.0 , which is the same as that of a bilinear model at hypocentral distances R f , given by in the frequency range of 0.9–20 Hz.

A hybrid computational approach to derive new ground-motion prediction equations

A novel hybrid method coupling genetic programming and orthogonal least squares, called GP/OLS, was employed to derive new ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs). The principal ground-motion parameters formulated were peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV) and peak ground displacement (PGD). The proposed GMPEs relate PGA, PGV and PGD to different seismic parameters including earthquake magnitude, earthquake source to site distance, average shear-wave velocity, and faulting mechanisms. The equations were established based on an extensive database of strong ground-motion recordings released by Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER). For more validity verification, the developed equations were employed to predict the ground-motion parameters of the Iranian plateau earthquakes. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the contributions of the parameters affecting PGA, PGV and PGD. The sensitivity of the models to the variations of the influencing parameters was further evaluated through a parametric analysis. The obtained GMPEs are effectively capable of estimating the site ground-motion parameters. The equations provide a prediction performance better than or comparable with the attenuation relationships found in the literature. The derived GMPEs are remarkably simple and straightforward and can reliably be used for the pre-design purposes.

Peak ground motion predictions in India: an appraisal for rock sites

Proper selection and ranking of Ground Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs) is critical for successful logic-tree implementation in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. The present study explores this issue in predicting peak ground accelerations at the rock sites in India. Macroseismic intensity data complemented with limited strong ground-motion recordings are used for the purpose. The findings corroborate the possible conformity between the GMPEs developed for tectonically active shallow crust across the globe. On the other hand, the relevant GMPEs in the intraplate regions cluster into two different groups with the equations of lower ranks catering to higher ground motions. The earthquakes in the subduction zones have significant regional implications. However, affinity in the ground-motion attenuations between the major interface events (MW > 7.4) in Andaman-Nicobar, Japan and Cascadia, respectively, is noted. This can be also observed for the intraslab events in the Hindukush and Taiwan respectively. Overall, we do not observe any significant advantage with the equations developed using the regional data. These findings are expected to be useful in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis across the study region.

A strong-motion database from the Central American subduction zone

Subduction earthquakes along the Pacific Coast of Central America generate considerable seismic risk in the region. The quantification of the hazard due to these events requires the development of appropriate ground-motion prediction equations, for which purpose a database of recordings from subduction events in the region is indispensable. This paper describes the compilation of a comprehensive database of strong ground-motion recordings obtained during subduction-zone events in Central America, focusing on the region from 8 to 14° N and 83 to 92° W, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. More than 400 accelerograms recorded by the networks operating across Central America during the last decades have been added to data collected by NORSAR in two regional projects for the reduction of natural disasters. The final database consists of 554 triaxial ground-motion recordings from events of moment magnitudes between 5.0 and 7.7, including 22 interface and 58 intraslab-type events for the time period 1976–2006. Although the database presented in this study is not sufficiently complete in terms of magnitude–distance distribution to serve as a basis for the derivation of predictive equations for interface and intraslab events in Central America, it considerably expands the Central American subduction data compiled in previous studies and used in early ground-motion modelling studies for subduction events in this region. Additionally, the compiled database will allow the assessment of the existing predictive models for subduction-type events in terms of their applicability for the Central American region, which is essential for an adequate estimation of the hazard due to subduction earthquakes in this region.

Strong ground motion record selection for the reliable prediction of the mean seismic collapse capacity of a structure group

AbstractHow to select a limited number of strong ground motion records (SGMRs) is an important challenge for the seismic collapse capacity assessment of structures. The collapse capacity is considered as the ground motion intensity measure corresponding to the drift‐related dynamic instability in the structural system. The goal of this paper is to select, from a general set of SGMRs, a small number of subsets such that each can be used for the reliable prediction of the mean collapse capacity of a particular group of structures, i.e. of single degree‐of‐freedom systems with a typical behaviour range. In order to achieve this goal, multivariate statistical analysis is first applied, to determine what degree of similarity exists between each selected small subset and the general set of SGMRs. Principal Component analysis is applied to identify the best way to group structures, resulting in a minimum number of SGMRs in a proposed subset. The structures were classified into six groups, and for each group a subset of eight SGMRs has been proposed. The methodology has been validated by analysing a first‐mode‐dominated three‐storey‐reinforced concrete structure by means of the proposed subsets, as well as the general set of SGMRs. The results of this analysis show that the mean seismic collapse capacity can be predicted by the proposed subsets with less dispersion than by the recently developed improved approach, which is based on scaling the response spectra of the records to match the conditional mean spectrum. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Case studies of earthquake-induced effects on concrete channels

Case studies are presented for two concrete lined channels shaken by strong ground motions during the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the high speed channel (HSC) and bypass channel (BC), on the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s Van Norman Complex. Performances of these two channels as they pass through different subsurface materials identify several important seismic aspects and the critical role of geotechnical earthquake engineering in assessing channel behaviors. Preliminary evaluations using detailed mapping of channel cracks, permanent ground movements, subsurface profiles, and nearby strong ground motion recordings from the 1994 earthquake show that the channel liners may have been damaged from both transient motions and permanent ground movements. Damage from permanent ground deformations is obvious by observation; therefore simplified analyses are presented only for transient movements. Site specific transient response analyses are performed to provide an initial assessment of the differing effects from transient and permanent ground movements on HSC and BC liner damage. These case studies are helpful for introducing the potential for lifeline damage from transient movements within zones of permanent ground movement, a concept not well understood in the earthquake engineering community.

Database for Earthquake Strong Motion Studies in Italy

We describe an Italian database of strong ground motion recordings and databanks delineating conditions at the instrument sites and characteristics of the seismic sources. The strong motion database consists of 247 corrected recordings from 89 earthquakes and 101 recording stations. Uncorrected recordings were drawn from public web sites and processed on a record-by-record basis using a procedure utilized in the Next-Generation Attenuation (NGA) project to remove instrument resonances, minimize noise effects through low- and high-pass filtering, and baseline correction. The number of available uncorrected recordings was reduced by 52% (mostly because of s-triggers) to arrive at the 247 recordings in the database. The site databank includes for every recording site the surface geology, a measurement or estimate of average shear wave velocity in the upper 30 m (Vs30 ), and information on instrument housing. Of the 89 sites, 39 have on-site velocity measurements (17 of which were performed as part of this study using SASW techniques). For remaining sites, we estimate Vs30 based on measurements on similar geologic conditions where available. Where no local velocity measurements are available, correlations with surface geology are used. Source parameters are drawn from databanks maintained (and recently updated) by Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia and include hypocenter location and magnitude for small events (M < ∼5.5) and finite source parameters for larger events.

Estimating the size of an earthquake using short-period seismograms of the first three seconds: A simulated experiment using the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake sequence

Most of the present earthquake early warning systems are based on broadband or strong motion recordings. However, the short-period instruments are still deployed. It is well-known that short-period recordings have saturation problems for large earthquakes when estimating the size of an earthquake. Thus, it is necessary to make clear the magnitude at which saturation starts to occur for the commonly used τc and Pd measurements, respectively. To investigate the possibility of using short-period seismic recordings for earthquake early warning, we conducted a simulated experiment using the strong motion data of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake sequence including its main shock and 31 aftershocks, with magnitude span from 4 to 7.6. The strong motion acceleration recordings were convolved with the instrument response of short-period seismographs in northern China to simulate short-period seismograms. Parameters τc and Pd from the first-three-second seismograms were calculated for the simulated short-period recordings and compared with that obtained by the original strong ground motion recordings. The result showed that to some extent, short-period recordings can be used for threshold earthquake early warning, while the magnitude saturation of Pd estimation can be up to 6.5, better than τc estimation.

Role of fault branches in earthquake rupture dynamics

We analyze earthquake ruptures propagating along a straight “main” fault and encountering a finite‐length branch fault. Such intersections are often observed in natural fault systems. The predicted effects of the interaction with the branch that we report can be remarkable; they can strongly perturb the propagation velocity on the main fault and, in some cases, even arrest that propagation. Earlier work (Kame et al., 2003; Bhat et al., 2004) emphasized the role of the fault pre‐stress state, branch geometry (i.e., branching angle), and the incoming rupture velocity at the branching junction in determining whether the rupture would follow the branch or continue on the main fault or both, through simulations which did not let a rupture on the branch encounter a barrier or a fault end (called ‘infinite’ branch cases henceforth). In this study we look at “finite” branch cases, and study the effect also of branch length, with rupture being blocked from propagation beyond the branch end. It is known that sudden stoppage of a dynamic rupture front leads to the propagation of large dynamic stress perturbations in the medium. These have been known to nucleate or terminate ruptures on adjacent fault segments (Harris et al., 1991; Harris and Day, 1993, 1999; Harris et al., 2002; Fliss et al., 2005, among others). We thus anticipate interaction between the rupture on the main fault and the branched one at two stages, when the rupture is propagating on the branch and when it is suddenly blocked at the branch end. We show that in general rupture termination on a compressional branch little affects propagation on the main fault compared to the infinite branch cases. For branches on the extensional side, we show in some cases, that whereas an infinite' branch would have allowed (or stopped) rupture propagation on the main fault, a finite branch stops (or allows) propagation on the main fault. Such results have a dependence on branch length that we document. We also illustrate branch‐related complexities in rupture velocity evolution which could be one of the sources of the high‐frequency content of strong ground motion record. Complexities in the slip distribution, often associated with a presumed heterogeneous strength distribution along the fault, can also be observed when rupture is terminated on a branch.

Lessons from the 2003 Tokachi-oki, Japan, earthquake for prediction of long-period strong ground motions and sloshing damage to oil storage tanks

The 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake (Mw 8.0) in northern Japan generated large-amplitude long-period (4–8 s) ground motions in the Yufutsu sedimentary basin, causing severe damage to seven large oil storage tanks with floating roof structures because of severe sloshing of oil. The 30,000–40,000-m3 tanks having suffered the severe damage such as fires and sinking of floating roofs experienced the sloshing with large amplitudes exceeding 3 m in which the fundamental mode was predominant. The second mode of sloshing was also excited in the 110,000-m3 tanks in which their floating roofs sank into oil, indicating that the higher modes of sloshing as well as the fundamental mode should be considered in damage prediction. The strong ground motion recordings demonstrated the earthquake dependency of predominant periods and the substantial spatial variation of the long-period shaking observed within the Yufutsu basin, meaning the necessity of source- and site-specific prediction of long-period strong ground motions. The two-dimensional numerical modeling suggested the importance of detailed structures of soft near-surface sediments as well as deep basin structure for accurate prediction of long-period strong ground motions in deep sedimentary basins.

Quantitative Classification of Near-Fault Ground Motions Using Wavelet Analysis

A method is described for quantitatively identifying ground motions containing strong velocity pulses, such as those caused by near-fault directivity. The approach uses wavelet analysis to extract the largest velocity pulse from a given ground motion. The size of the extracted pulse relative to the original ground motion is used to develop a quantitative criterion for classifying a ground motion as “pulselike.” The criterion is calibrated by using a training data set of manually classified ground motions. To identify the subset of these pulselike records of greatest engineering interest, two additional criteria are applied: the pulse arrives early in the ground motion and the absolute amplitude of the velocity pulse is large. The period of the velocity pulse (a quantity of interest to engineers) is easily determined as part of the procedure, using the pseudoperiods of the basis wavelets. This classification approach is useful for a variety of seismology and engineering topics where pulselike ground motions are of interest, such as probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, ground- motion prediction (“attenuation”) models, and nonlinear dynamic analysis of structures. The Next Generation Attenuation (nga) project ground motion library was processed using this approach, and 91 large-velocity pulses were found in the fault- normal components of the approximately 3500 strong ground motion recordings considered. It is believed that many of the identified pulses are caused by near-fault directivity effects. The procedure can be used as a stand-alone classification criterion or as a filter to identify ground motions deserving more careful study.

Analytical Estimation of Economic Loss for Buildings in the Area Struck by the 1999 Athens Earthquake and Comparison with Statistical Repair Costs

Reliable loss assessment (in monetary terms) for buildings struck by an earthquake is an essential factor in the development of seismic risk scenarios for a given urban area. The evaluation of loss due to building damage in a certain region depends both on seismic hazard and the vulnerability of the building stock in the area. The study presented herein consists of predicting the loss to selected groups of buildings struck by the 1999 Athens earthquake using an analytical methodology and comparison with statistical repair costs collected after the earthquake. Since no near-field strong ground motion recordings from the main shock were available, a pilot methodology was used for its analytical evaluation for different soil conditions. Different suites of motions were derived, based on various theoretical and semi-empirical approaches, and were then used in analytical investigations of the seismic behavior of the buildings in the examined area, aiming at the prediction of economic losses. An in-situ survey of about 10% of the total building stock was performed, and data regarding the structural type, actual earthquake damage, and corresponding repair costs were collected. The statistically derived repair cost for the area was compared with the economic loss estimation obtained using the analytical procedure and various estimates of the seismic action in the area considered, and was found to agree with it reasonably for some of the seismic hazard scenarios.