Displacement spectra and displacement modification factors,based on records from Greece

Elastic and inelastic displacement spectra (for periods up to 4.0 s) are derived, using a representative sample of acceleration records from Greece, carefully selected based on magnitude, distance and peak ground acceleration criteria, and grouped into three ground type categories according to the Eurocode 8 (EC8) provisions. The modification factor for the elastic design spectrum adopted in EC8 for accounting for damping is verified herein and is found to be satisfactory in the short to medium period range and less so in the long period range. The equivalent viscous damping ratio concept is also evaluated and is found to lead to underestimation of inelastic displacement spectra. Finally, based on the previously derived elastic and inelastic spectra, equations suitable for design and/or assessment purposes, are proposed for the corresponding displacement modification factors.     

Evaluation of seismic displacement demands from the September 19, 2017 Puebla‐Morelos (Mw = 7.1) earthquake in Mexico City

This short communication presents the assessment of seismic inelastic and elastic displacement demands computed from earthquake ground motions (EQGMs) recorded in Mexico City during the intermediate‐depth intraslab Puebla‐Morelos earthquake on 19 September 2017 (Mw = 7.1). Evaluation is conducted by means of peak elastic and inelastic displacement demand spectra, inelastic displacement ratio, C_R, spectra, and generalized interstory drift spectra computed for selected recording stations located in different soil sites of Mexico City, including those located in areas of reported collapsed buildings. Results of this study confirm previous observations made from interplate (subduction) EQGMs that peak inelastic displacement demands are greater than corresponding elastic counterparts for short‐to‐medium period structures, while the opposite is true for medium‐to‐long period structures. Possible basin site effects were identified from generalized interstory drift spectra. It is also shown that an equation introduced in the literature to obtain estimates of C_R developed from interplate EQGMs provides also a good estimate for mean C_R computed from the intermediate‐depth intraslab EQGMs.     

Characterization of displacement demand for elastic and inelastic SDOF systems

The results of a research concerning the characterization of elastic and inelastic displacement spectral demand as a function of magnitude, source-to-site distance, and soil type are presented. The displacement spectra were computed for single degree of freedom systems subjected to a large set of strong ground motion records.In the elastic case, design displacement spectra, modeled in a simplified way with a bilinear shape in the period range 0–4 s, are then proposed for the estimation of the displacement demand to structures located on different local soil condition, at different distance from the causative fault, and for different levels of magnitude. In order to evaluate the reliability of the proposed design displacement spectra, probabilistic displacement spectra corresponding to different levels of probability of non-exceedance were also carried out.The inelastic displacement demand to elasto-plastic systems was analyzed through the ratio between inelastic and elastic spectral displacements. Simplified relationships of the inelastic displacement ratio are then proposed as a function of displacement ductility, soil condition and period of vibration. Finally, as a comparison, the inelastic displacement ratios were also estimated considering other constitutive models.     

Inelastic seismic spectra including a damage criterion: A stochastic approach

In this paper, a stochastic approach for obtaining damage-based inelastic seismic spectra is proposed. The Park and Ang damage model, which includes displacement ductility and hysteretic energy, is adopted to take into account the cumulative damage phenomenon in structural systems under strong ground motions. Differently from previous studies in this field, damage-based seismic spectra are obtained by means of peak theory of stochastic processes. The following stochastic inelastic seismic spectra are constructed and then analyzed: damage-based displacement and acceleration inelastic spectra, damage-based response modification factor spectra, damage-based yield strength demand spectra and damage-based inelastic displacement ratio spectra.     

Comparing response of SDF systems to near‐fault and far‐fault earthquake motions in the context of spectral regions

In spite of important differences in structural response to near‐fault and far‐fault ground motions, this paper aims at extending well‐known concepts and results, based on elastic and inelastic response spectra for far‐fault motions, to near‐fault motions. Compared are certain aspects of the response of elastic and inelastic SDF systems to the two types of motions in the context of the acceleration‐, velocity‐, and displacement‐sensitive regions of the response spectrum, leading to the following conclusions. (1) The velocity‐sensitive region for near‐fault motions is much narrower, and the acceleration‐sensitive and displacement‐sensitive regions are much wider, compared to far‐fault motions; the narrower velocity‐sensitive region is shifted to longer periods. (2) Although, for the same ductility factor, near‐fault ground motions impose a larger strength demand than far‐fault motions—both demands expressed as a fraction of their respective elastic demands—the strength reduction factors R_y for the two types of motions are similar over corresponding spectral regions. (3) Similarly, the ratio u_m/u₀ of deformations of inelastic and elastic systems are similar for the two types of motions over corresponding spectral regions. (4) Design equations for R_y (and for u_m/u₀) should explicitly recognize spectral regions so that the same equations apply to various classes of ground motions as long as the appropriate values of T_a, T_b and T_c are used. (5) The Veletsos–Newmark design equations with T_a=0.04 s, T_b=0.35 s, and T_c=0.79 s are equally valid for the fault‐normal component of near‐fault ground motions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Consistent inelastic design spectra: Strength and displacement

A procedure for the determination of inelastic design spectra (for strength, displacement, hysteretic and input energy) for systems with a prescribed ductility factor has been developed. All the spectra are consistent (interrelated and based on the same assumptions). This is the first of two companion papers which deals with the ‘classical’ structural parameters: strength and displacement. The input data are the characteristics of the expected ground motion in terms of a smooth elastic pseudo-acceleration spectrum. Simple, approximate expressions for the strength reduction factor R are proposed. The value of R depends on the natural period of the system, the prescribed ductility factor, the hysteretic behaviour, damping and ground motion. Fairly accurate approximations to the inelastic spectra for strength and displacement can be derived from the elastic spectrum using the proposed values for R.     

Consistent inelastic design spectra: Hysteretic and input energy

This is the second of two companion papers on inelastic design spectra (for strength, displacement, hysteretic and input energy) for systems with a prescribed ductility factor. All the spectra are consistent (interrelated and based on the same assumptions). This paper deals with two quantities related to cumulative damage: hysteretic and input energy. The input data for the procedure are the characteristics of the expected ground motion in terms of a smooth elastic pseudo-acceleration spectrum and the time integral of the square of the ground acceleration ∫a² dt. Simple, approximate expressions for two dimensionless parameters (the parameter γ and the hysteretic to input energy ratio E_HE_I) have been proposed. The parameter 7, which controls the reduction of the deformation capacity of structures due to low-cycle fatigue, depends on the natural period of the system, the prescribed ductility factor, the hysteretic behaviour and the ground motion characteristics. The ratio E_H/E_I is influenced by damping, the ductility factor and the hysteretic behaviour. Very good approximations to the inelastic spectra for hysteretic and input energy can be derived from the elastic spectrum using the spectra for the reduction factor R, proposed in the companion paper, and the proposed values for γ and E_H/E_I     

Capacity-based inelastic displacement spectra for reinforced concrete bridge columns

Capacity-based inelastic displacement spectra that comprise an inelastic displacement ratio (C_R ) spectrum and the corresponding damage index (DI ) spectrum are proposed in this study to aid seismic design and evaluation of reinforced concrete (RC) bridges. Nonlinear time history analyses of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems are conducted using a versatile smooth hysteretic model when subjected to far-field and near-fault ground motions. It is demonstrated that the Park and Ang damage index can be a good indicator for assessing the actual visible damage condition of columns regardless of its loading history, providing a better insight into the seismic performance of bridges. The computed spectra for near-fault (NF) ground motions show that as the magnitude of pulse period ranges increases from NF1 (0.5-2.5 seconds) to NF2 (2.5-5.5 seconds), the spectral ordinates of the C_R and DI spectra increase moderately. In contrast, the computed spectra do not show much difference between NF2 and NF3 (5.5-10.5 seconds) when the period of vibration T_n≤  1.5 seconds, after which the spectral ordinates of NF3 tend to increase obviously, whereas those of NF2 decrease with increasing T_n . Moreover, when relative strength ratio R  = 5.0, nearly all of the practical design scenarios could not survive NF3. On the basis of the computed spectra, C_R and DI formulae are presented as a function of T_n , R , and various design parameters for far-field and near-fault ground motions. Finally, an application of the proposed spectra to the performance-based seismic design of RC bridges is presented using DI as the performance objective.     

Damage-based inelastic response spectra for seismic design incorporating performance considerations

Modern seismic design allows a structure to develop inelastic response during moderate to severe earthquakes. The emerging performance-based design requires more clearly defined levels of inelastic response, or damage, to be targeted for different earthquake hazard levels. While there are a range of factors that could influence the level of damage and hence the performance, the design strength remains to be a fundamental design parameter that is inherently related to the structural performance. In this paper, the response reduction factor, which is a normalized form of the design strength, is investigated on a direct damage basis. The implications of the damage-based strength reduction factor (SRF), denoted as R_D factor, on multiple performance targets are discussed. A series of R_D spectra are generated from a large set of ground motions in different groupings to examine the effects of local site condition, earthquake magnitude and distance to rupture on the R_D spectra. The overall mean and standard deviation of the R_D spectra for different levels of damage are obtained, and simple empirical formulas are proposed.     

Effect of peak ground acceleration to velocity ratio on ductility demand of inelastic systems

A statistical analysis is performed to investigate the significance of peak ground acceleration to velocity ratio (a/v) on the displacement ductility demand of simple bilinear hysteretic systems. Three groups of earthquake records representative of low, normal and high<a/v ranges are used as input ground motions. The design yield strength of the inelastic systems is specified from the base shear formula in the 1980 National Building Code of Canada (NBCC 1980) and that in NBCC 1985 respectively. The former case represents the common practice of specifying seismic design base shear based on a peak site acceleration, while in the latter case the base shear is specified based on peak ground velocity and a/v ratio. Mean displacement ductility demands are obtained for the three groups of ground motions; and the corresponding dispersion characteristics are examined. The results show that the ground motion<a/v range has a significant effect on the displacement ductility demand, and it should be accounted for in design strength specification.     

弹塑性地震反应谱的长周期特性研究

在基于性能抗震设计中弹塑性反应谱在计算结构地震位移反应方面越来越受到重视。利用统计分析方法研究了等强度的延性需求谱和等延性的强度折减系数谱的长周期(至5 s)区段的特性,关注的重点是等位移准则和场地条件影响。给出了若干具有工程价值的结论:一是周期介于1.5Tg(地震动特征周期)和2.5 s之间的结构可近似认为等位移准则成立且与场地条件关系不大,这样确定的强度折减系数当位移延性系数小于等于4时结果将是偏于安全的;二是结构周期大于2.5 s后以硬土场地等延性强度折减系数谱或等强度延性需求谱代替软土场地谱求解系统强度需求或延性需求,将会得到偏于安全的结果。     

基于分解方法的脉冲型地震动非弹性反应谱分析

本文旨在分析脉冲型地震动中不同频率的地震动分量对于原始地震动幅值及其非弹性反应谱的影响.首先以近期12次大地震的53条典型脉冲型地震动为数据基础,基于多尺度分解方法获取脉冲型地震动中的高频分量和低频分量.为与传统方法对比,本文获取了能够表征地震动脉冲特性的卓越分量及滤除卓越分量的剩余分量.然后对比分析原始地震动和4种地震动分量的幅值特征和非弹性反应谱的特性,以讨论地震动分量对原始地震动幅值参数及其非弹性反应谱的影响.最后结合简谐地震动模型和地震动分量的性质,讨论脉冲型地震动非弹性反应谱诸多特征的产生原因.分析发现,低频分量不仅是控制脉冲型地震动速度和位移幅值的主要因素,其对原始地震动的加速度幅值也具有不可忽略的影响.低频分量也是导致脉冲型地震动非弹性位移比谱偏大以及强度折减系数谱偏小的直接原因,从而造成结构在脉冲型地震动作用下需要具有更大的非弹性位移以及更高的强度需求.     

Spectral parameters of ground motion in different regions: comparison of empirical models

Fourier-amplitude spectrum is one of the most important parameters describing earthquake ground motion, and it is widely used for strong ground motion prediction and seismic hazard estimation. The relationships between Fourier-acceleration spectra, earthquake magnitude and distance were analysed for different seismic regions (the Caucasus and Taiwan island) on the basis of ground motion recordings of small to moderate (3.5≤M_L≤6.5) earthquakes. It has been found that the acceleration spectra of the most significant part of the records, starting from S-wave arrival, can be modelled accurately by the Brune's “ω-squared” point-source model. Parameters of the model are found to be region-dependent. Peak ground accelerations and response spectra for condition of rock sites were calculated using stochastic simulation technique and obtained models of source spectra. The modelled ground-motion parameters are compared with those predicted by recent empirical attenuation relationship for California.     

Determination of horizontal and vertical design spectra based on ground motion records at Lali tunnel,Iran

Most acceleration diagrams show high levels of unpredictability, as a result, it is the best to avoid using diagrams of earthquake acceleration spectra, even if the diagrams recorded at the site in question. In order to design earthquake resistant structures, we, instead, suggest constructing a design spectrum using a set of spectra that have common characteristics to the recorded acceleration diagrams at a particular site and smoothing the associated data. In this study, we conducted a time history analysis and determined a design spectrum for the region near the Lali tunnel in Southwestern Iran. We selected 13 specific ground motion records from the rock site to construct the design spectrum. To process the data, we first applied a base-line correction and then calculated the signal-to-noise ratio (R_SN) for each record. Next, we calculated the Fourier amplitude spectra of the acceleration pertaining to the signal window (1), and the Fourier amplitude spectra of the associated noise (2). After dividing each spectra by the square root of the selected window interval, they were divided by each other (1 divided by 2), in order to obtain the R_SN ratio (filtering was also applied). In addition, all data were normalized to the peak ground acceleration (PGA). Next, the normalized vertical and horizontal responses and mean response spectrum (50%) and the mean plus-one standard deviation (84%) were calculated for all the selected ground motion records at 5% damping. Finally, the mean design spectrum and the mean plus-one standard deviation were plotted for the spectrums. The equation of the mean and the above-mean design spectrum at the Lali tunnel site are also provided, along with our observed conclusions.     

Statistical insight into constant-ductility design using a non-stationary earthquake ground motion model

A recently developed earthquake ground motion model non-stationary in both intensity and frequency content is validated at the inelastic Single-Degree-Of-Freedom (SDOF) structural response level. For the purpose of this study, the earthquake model is calibrated for two actual earthquake records. The objective of a constant (or target) displacement ductility used in conventional earthquake-resistant design is examined from the statistical viewpoint using this non-stationary earthquake model. The non-linear hysteretic structural behaviour is modelled using several idealized hysteretic SDOF structural models. Ensemble-average inelastic response spectra corresponding to various inelastic SDOF response (or damage) parameters and conditioned on a constant displacement ductility response are derived from the two identified stochastic ground motion models. The effects of the type of hysteretic behaviour, the structural parameters, the target displacement ductility factor, and the ground motion model on the statistics of the inelastic response parameters are thoroughly investigated. The results of this parametric study shed further light on the proper interpretation and use of inelastic response or damage parameters in earthquake-resistant design in order to achieve the desirable objective of ‘constant-damage design’. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimation of inelastic displacement ratio for base‐isolated structures

This study develops a straightforward approximate method to estimate inelastic displacement ratio, C₁ for base‐isolated structures subjected to near‐fault and far‐fault ground motions. Taking into account the inelastic behavior of isolator and superstructure, a 2 degrees of freedom model is employed. A total of 90 earthquake ground motions are selected and classified into different clusters according to the frequency content features of records represented by the peak ground acceleration to peak ground velocity ratio, A_p/V_p. A parametric study is conducted, and effective factors in C₁ (i.e., fundamental vibration period of the superstructure, T_s; postyield stiffness ratio of the superstructure, α_s; strength reduction ratio, R; vibration period of the isolator, T_b; strength of the isolator, Q; ratio of superstructure mass to total mass of the system, γ_m) are recognized. The results indicate that the practical range of C₁ values could be expected for base‐isolated structures. Subsequently, effective parameters are included in simple predictive equations. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed approximate equations is evaluated and verified through error measurement, and comparisons are made in the analyses.     

Evaluation of site‐dependent constant‐damage design spectra for reinforced concrete structures

An investigation on the validity of the conventional design approach known as constant displacement ductility is carried out. The hysteretic behaviour described by the Modified Takeda model is taken to represent the characteristics of reinforced concrete structural systems. The results presented in the form of seismic damage spectra indicate that the conventional design approach may not be valid because cumulative damage is excessively high. The inelastic design spectra based on the constant‐damage concept are proposed in terms of simplified expressions. The expressions are derived from constant‐damage design spectra computed by non‐linear response analysis for SDOF systems subjected to ground motions recorded on rock sites, alluvium deposits, and soft‐soil sites. The proposed expressions, which are dependent on the local soil conditions, are functions of target seismic damage, displacement ductility ratio and period of vibration. The seismic damage of structures that have been designed based on this new design approach is also checked by a design‐and‐evaluation approach. The results are found to be satisfactory. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inelastic spectra for infilled reinforced concrete frames

In two companion papers a simplified non‐linear analysis procedure for infilled reinforced concrete frames is introduced. In this paper a simple relation between strength reduction factor, ductility and period (R–µ–T relation) is presented. It is intended to be used for the determination of inelastic displacement ratios and of inelastic spectra in conjunction with idealized elastic spectra. The R–µ–T relation was developed from results of an extensive parametric study employing a SDOF mathematical model composed of structural elements representing the frame and infill. The structural parameters, used in the proposed R–µ–T relation, in addition to the parameters used in a usual (e.g. elasto‐plastic) system, are ductility at the beginning of strength degradation, and the reduction of strength after the failure of the infills. Formulae depend also on the corner periods of the elastic spectrum. The proposed equations were validated by comparing results in terms of the reduction factors, inelastic displacement ratios, and inelastic spectra in the acceleration–displacement format, with those obtained by non‐linear dynamic analyses for three sets of recorded and semi‐artificial ground motions. A new approach was used for generating semi‐artificial ground motions compatible with the target spectrum. This approach preserves the basic characteristics of individual ground motions, whereas the mean spectrum of the whole ground motion set fits the target spectrum excellently. In the parametric study, the R–µ–T relation was determined by assuming a constant reduction factor, while the corresponding ductility was calculated for different ground motions. The mean values proved to be noticeably different from the mean values determined based on a constant ductility approach, while the median values determined by the different procedures were between the two means. The approach employed in the study yields a R–µ–T relation which is conservative both for design and performance assessment (compared with a relation based on median values). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Yielding oscillator subjected to simple pulse waveforms: numerical analysis & closed‐form solutions

Numerical and analytical solutions are presented for the elastic and inelastic response of single‐degree‐of‐freedom yielding oscillators to idealized ground acceleration pulses. These motions are typical of near‐fault earthquake recordings generated by forward rupture directivity and may inflict damage in the absence of substantial structural strength and ductility capacity. Four basic pulse waveforms are examined: (1) triangular; (2) sinusoidal; (3) exponential; and (4) rectangular. In the first part of the article, a numerical study is presented of the effect of oscillator period, strength, damping, post‐yielding stiffness and number of excitation cycles, on inelastic response. Results are presented in the form of dimensionless graphs and regression formulas that elucidate the salient features of the problem. It is shown that conventional R–µ relations may significantly underestimate ductility demand imposed by near‐fault motions. The second part of the article concentrates on elastic‐perfectly plastic oscillators. Closed‐form solutions are derived for post‐yielding response and associated ductility demand. It is shown that all three ground motion histories (i.e. acceleration, velocity, and displacement) control oscillator response—contrary to the widespread view that ground velocity alone is of leading importance. The derived solutions provide insight on the physics of inelastic response, which is often obscured by the complexity of numerical algorithms and actual earthquake motions. The model is evaluated against numerical results from near‐field recordings. A case study is presented. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Near-field horizontal and vertical earthquake ground motions

Strong-motion attenuation relationships are presented for peak ground acceleration, spectral acceleration, energy density, maximum absolute input energy for horizontal and vertical directions and for the ratio of vertical to horizontal of these ground motion parameters. These equations were derived using a worldwide dataset of 186 strong-motion records recorded with 15 km of the surface projection of earthquakes between M_s=5.8 and 7.8. The effect of local site conditions and focal mechanism is included in some of these equations.