Seismic microzonation of Marsa Alam, Egypt using inversion HVSR of microtremor observations

An attempt was made to estimate seismic microzonation in Marsa Alam city, Egypt based on the analysis of seismic microtremor observations. Observations were carried out at 140 sites in the study region. Analysis and processing of microtremor were divided into two steps; the first one is to measure the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) for each site and picked predominant frequency and its amplitude for each site. The second step is to measure the average shear wave velocity in the upper 30 m (Vs30) of subsoil using inversion of HVSR technique. The results show well matching of theoretical HVSR and observed HVSR for body waves in all sites. The Vs30 parameter was used to classify subsoil into classes of soil properties converted to the slandered European soil code (Eurocode-8 (2002)) as follows; Vs < 180(class D), 180 ≤ Vs < 360 (class C), 360 ≤ Vs < 800 (class B) and Vs ≥ 800 m/s (class A). Our study exhibits that most of Marsa Alam city were covered by B and C classes with small portions of class D close to the shoreline and class A at the northeastern part of the region. The developed classification soil map of the study area was correlated with the distribution of the predominant frequency in view of the surface geology and given a good matching. The results of this study will be useful for planning the Marsa Alam region to be the future tourist dream for Egypt. The method used in assessment of seismic microzonation in Marsa Alam city could be the fast and inexpensive technique to measure the Vs30 based on the HVSR of microtremor and would be applied in many other areas in Egypt.     

Site Response Evaluation Using the H/V Ratio at the Yan-Liau Station in Hualien, Taiwan

—?Four days after the December 13, 1990 Hualien, Taiwan earthquake (M _L = 6.9), a temporary array of fifteen triaxial digital accelerographs was deployed in the epicenter area to monitor aftershocks. Approximately 600 earthquakes triggered this array during the three-month deployment period. The Yan-Liau station (S63) alone recorded 162 events. Most of the accelerograms at S63 exhibit resonance. We have estimated site responses at the Yan-Liau station using both the single-station spectral ratio (or H/V ratio) method and the traditional spectral ratio method that compares ratios at a soil site with those at a reference hard rock site. Based on site response analyses of S waves and coda waves of ground motion recordings, both types of waves show that the H/V ratio provide a good estimate at the resonant frequency although the site amplification factor is overestimated. In addition, the study of microtremor is also a good alternate for estimating the site predominant frequency. While the ground acceleration (or PGA) gradually increases, the resonant frequency shifts to lower frequencies.     

Surface Soil Effects Study Using Short-period Microtremor Observations in Almería City, Southern Spain

—?In Almería city large earthquakes occurred and many buildings were completely destroyed in these historical earthquakes. The actual population of Almería city is about 200,000 people. This population is rapidly increasing and new urbanizing areas are growing to the eastern part of the city where they are located in softer soil conditions. Consequently, the evaluation of surface soil conditions is very important from a standpoint of earthquake disaster mitigation. We have obtained a landform classification map developed by analysing aerial photos, large-scale topographic maps and 80 borehole data. Eleven unit areas, which have different soil conditions, were inferred from this research. Also, S-wave velocity prospecting tests were carried out at several sites within the city. The shear-velocity values of the ground vary from 1689?m/s in hard rock to 298?m/s in soft soil. These results are useful for understanding the uppermost soil characteristics and are used for soil classification. Finally, short-period microtremor observations were densely carried out in the research area and NAKAMURA's method (1989) was applied for determining predominant periods. Microtremors were observed at about 173 sites with mainly 400?m interval in rock sites and 200?m interval in relatively soft soil sites. From the result of these microtremor measurements, the predominant period determined at rock site, in the western part of the city and historic area, is very short, about 0.1?s, and very stable. However at soft soil sites, in the center of the city, near Zapillo Beach and in the newly developed urban area, the predominant period is about 1.0?s and even larger in concordance with the geological conditions. Finally, at medium soil sites, in the eastern part of the city, the predominant period is about 0.4?s and it appears very stable in the whole region. The difference of predominant periods between hard rock and soft soil sites is very clear and it has been observed that the distribution of predominant periods depends heavily on the surface soil conditions.     

应用微动H/V谱比法和台阵技术探测场地响应和浅层速度结构

为了快速而且廉价地获取北京市详细的场地响应和浅层速度结构,应用于地震动模拟和地震灾害预防,我们开展了微动观测技术和处理方法研究.本文利用2007年夏季北京五棵松地区进行的几个微动观测实验数据,使用单台H/V谱比法分析场地的卓越频率及其对应的放大系数,并对比了不同地震仪和观测时间对H/V曲线的影响;应用高分辨率F-K频谱分析方法从微动台阵数据中得到Rayleigh波的频散曲线并使用邻域算法反演出浅层速度结构.H/V结果表明该地区卓越频率在2.1～2.2 Hz之间,对应的放大系数下限约为3;利用微动H/V方法得到的场地卓越频率具有较高的稳定性.微动台阵反演结果给出了比较合理的波阻抗界面深度和层平均速度结构,认为地下80多米处的波阻抗界面是决定场地卓越频率和其场地放大系数的主要界面.本研究表明微动技术应用于评估城市地震场地响应和浅层速度结构是可行且易于实施的.     

海原地区黄土的微观结构及地脉动特征分析

1920年8.5级地震诱发了大量的黄土滑坡,对研究黄土地区的滑坡灾害、土层地脉动特征分析具有重要意义。基于高精度电子扫描显微镜（SEM）分析发现海原地震现场表层黄土为架空孔隙弱胶结微观结构,且该黄土是以粉粒为主的低黏性粉土,有震陷和地震滑坡的高风险。基于地脉动测试得到滑坡场地15个地脉动数据,采用傅里叶变换法对苏堡村滑坡土层的脉动特征进行分析,获得地脉动频谱特征曲线。研究表明场地卓越周期建议值为0.126 s,将其划分为坚硬场地,可为该滑坡场地类别划分作为参考,同时发现滑坡体与未滑体的地脉动特征有较大差异,可为海原地震滑坡的脉动特性分析提供依据。     

Comparison between different techniques for evaluation of predominant periods using strong ground motion records and microtremors in Pereira Colombia

This paper presents a comparison between different techniques for evaluation of predominant periods in soft soil, for the urban area of Pereira city, Western Colombia. In this study we used microtremor and strong ground motion records obtained by a local array of seven accelerographs stations deployed in the city. Response spectra and spectral ratios have been calculated and compared with strong seismic events recorded in solid rock and soft soil stations. These observations allowed the determination of dominant response spectra for several sectors in the urban area. For the microtremor measurements and earthquake data, dominant periods were determined using interpretation of Fourier amplitude spectra and Nakamura's technique. A comparison between dominant periods obtained from strong ground motion records and those obtained from microtremor measurements show similarities, which is in the range 0.2–0.5 s. A preliminary version of a site response map for Pereira city was obtained from this analysis.     

Application of microtremor measurements to the estimation of earthquake ground motions in Kushiro city during the Kushiro-Oki earthquake of 15 january 1993

Microtremor measurements were conducted in Kushiro City, Hokkaido Island of Japan. The thickness of alluvial deposits in the central area of Kushiro City abruptly changes from 0 to 80 m. Predominant ground motion at a microtremor measuring site is represented by the spectral ratio, the ratio of Fourier amplitude spectrum of microtremor in the horizontal direction to that in the vertical direction. The peak frequency of the spectral ratio corresponds well to the predominant frequency estimated from the thickness of alluvial layer at each site. Based on a hypothesis that the spectral ratio can be regarded identical with a half of the amplification factor from diluvial bed rock to the ground surface, the strong ground motion due to the Kushiro-oki earthquake at each site is estimated. The method of estimation is verified by the comparison of the synthesized accelerogram with the recorded one at West Port of Kushiro. The results satisfactorily explain major damages and vibrations felt in Kushiro City during the earthquake.     

Application of the microtremor measurements to a site effect study

Earthquake has left much life and property damages. The occurrence of such events necessitates the execution of plans for combating the earthquakes. One of the most important methods for combating earthquakes includes assessing dynamic characteristics of soil and site effect. One of the methods by which one can state dynamic characteristics of the soil of an area is the measurement of microtremors. Microtremors are small-scale vibrations that occur in the ground and have an amplitude range of about0.1–1 microns. Microtremor measurement is fast, applicable, cost-effective. Microtremor measurements were taken at 15 stations in the Babol, north of Iran. Regarding H/V spectral ratio method, peak frequency and amplification factor were calculated for all microtremor stations.According to the analysis, the peak frequency varies from0.67 to 8.10 Hz within the study area. Also, the authors investigated the validity of the results by comparing them with SESAME guidelines and geotechnical conditions of study area. The microtremor analysis results are consistent with SESAME guidelines and geotechnical condition of study area. The results show that the microtremor observations are acceptable methods for assessing dynamic characteristics of soil and site effect in the Babol City.     

Application of Microtremor Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (MHVSR) Analysis for Site Characterization: State of the Art

Nakamura (Q Rep Railway Tech Res Inst 30:25–33, 1989) popularized the application of the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) analysis of microtremor (seismic noise or ambient vibration) recordings to estimate the predominant frequency and amplification factor of earthquake shaking. During the following quarter century, popularity in the microtremor HVSR (MHVSR) method grew; studies have verified the stability of a site’s MHVSR response over time and validated the MHVSR response with that of earthquake HVSR response. Today, MHVSR analysis is a popular reconnaissance tool used worldwide for seismic microzonation and earthquake site characterization in numerous regions, specifically, in the mapping of site period or fundamental frequency and inverted for shear-wave velocity depth profiles, respectively. However, the ubiquity of MHVSR analysis is predominantly a consequence of its ease in application rather than our full understanding of its theory. We present the state of the art in MHVSR analyses in terms of the development of its theoretical basis, current state of practice, and we comment on its future for applications in earthquake site characterization.     

Analysis of the weightiness of site effects on reinforced concrete (RC) building seismic behaviour: The Adra town example (SE Spain)

The damage distribution in Adra town (south‐eastern Spain) during the 1993 and 1994 Adra earthquakes (5.0 magnitude), that reached a maximum intensity degree of VII (European Macroseismic Scale (EMS scale)), was concentrated mainly in the south‐east zone of the town and the most relevant damage occurred in reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with four or five storeys. In order to evaluate the influence of ground condition on RC building behaviour, geological, geomorphological and geophysical surveys were carried out, and a detailed map of ground surface structure was obtained. Short‐period microtremor observations were performed in 160 sites on a 100m × 100m dimension grid and Nakamura's method was applied in order to determine a distribution map of soil predominant periods. Shorter predominant periods (0.1–0.3 s) were found in mountainous and neighbouring zones and larger periods (greater than 0.5 s) in thicker Holocene alluvial fans. A relationship T = (0.049 ± 0.001)N, where T is the natural period of swaying motion and N is the number of storeys, has been empirically obtained by using microtremor measurements at the top of 38 RC buildings (ranging from 2 to 9 storeys). 1‐D simulation of strong motion on different soil conditions and for several typical RC buildings were computed, using the acceleration record in Adra town of the 1993 earthquake. It is noteworthy that all the aforementioned results show the influence of site effects in the degree and distribution of observed building damage. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Extensive characterization of Italian accelerometric stations from single-station ambient-vibration measurements

This paper describes the analyses of the single-station ambient-vibration measurements performed on the Italian accelerometric network to detect site resonance phenomena potentially affecting earthquake recordings. The use of low cost, high quality microtremor measurement can be helpful to discriminate among soil classes, since several classification schemes based on resonance frequencies were proposed in the last decades. Operatively, in the framework of the Italian Strong Motion Database project (DPC-INGV 2007–2009 S4; ), soil resonance frequencies have been evaluated from more than 200 ambient vibration measurements in correspondence of accelerometric stations included in ITACA (). The noise recordings have been analyzed using the same numerical protocol in order to standardize the results. Particular attention has been paid to evaluate the quality of measurements and to develop an on-purpose mathematical tool to automatically estimate the peaks in the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) curve. The reliability of the resonance frequencies from HVSR has been tested by comparing estimates provided by independent methods (modeling or earthquake recordings). The test confirmed the reliability of the microtremor HVSR for assessing the resonance frequencies of the examined sites.     

HORIZONTAL-TO-VERTICAL SPECTRUM RATIO OF EARTHQUAKE GROUND MOTION FOR SITE CHARACTERIZATION

Nakamura's method, which uses a horizontal-to-vertical Fourier spectrum ratio of microtremor, has become popular to determine the predominant period and amplification of a site. In this study, this method is extended for earthquake ground motion recordings using new strong motion data recorded by JMA-87-type accelerometers. From the analysis of these accelerograms, horizontal-to-vertical Fourier spectrum ratios of a site for different earthquakes are also found to be stable irrespective of magnitude, distance and depth. To establish this fact, attenuation relations of velocity response spectra for horizontal and vertical components are derived for three damping ratios (0, 2 and 5 per cent) using the JMA data. Then the horizontal-to-vertical ratios of the velocity response spectra are obtained. The results show that the horizontal and vertical velocity response spectra are dependent on magnitude, distance and depth, but that their ratios are almost independent of magnitude, distance and depth. However, since the current data set consists of mostly intermediate to far field data, this observation should be limited to records of these distance ranges. Introducing station coefficients, representing site amplification, to this relation yields the value comparable to the horizontal-to-vertical Fourier spectrum ratio at a specific site. The stability of the spectrum ratio is explained by the transfer function between the ground surface and stiff-soil outcrop due to S-wave propagation. These results suggest that site amplification characteristics can be evaluated by one-point two-component surface recordings of earthquake ground motion, in a similar manner as proposed by Nakamura for microtremor. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Site amplification in the Lijiang Valley, Yunnan Province

The site amplifications for three stations, Libin (LIBI), Baisha (BASH) and Yulong (YULG) situated respectively in the southern, middle and northern parts of Lijiang Valley, are obtained by analyzing the S-wave soil/bedrock and microtremor horizontal/vertical spectral ratios. The data are digital recordings for the aftershocks of the Lijiang MS=7.0 earthquake on February 3, 1996. In the frequency range of 1～4 Hz, the S-wave soil/bedrock spectral ratio of E-W component for LIBI is the largest and amounts to 4.5. The microtremor soil N-S/vertical (V) spectral ratio is approximate to 1, E-W/V is about 4.5 and the same with above soil/bedrock spectral ratio. It is shown that the vertical and N-S components of microtremor have not been amplified by the soil and the spectral ratios for BASH and YULG are further evaluated. They have similar characteristics with that of LIBI. In above frequency range, both N-S/V ratios are approximate to 1, while the E-W/V ratio is about 6 for BASH, 4.5 for YULG. Lijiang Valley is characterized by the trans-valley directional site response.     

Assessment of Seismic Site Conditions: a Case Study from Guwahati City,Northeast India

The 1897 Great Shillong earthquake revealed considerable seismic susceptibility in Guwahati City, such as soil liquefaction, landslides, and surface fissures. In an attempt to quantify the seismic vulnerability of the city based on geological, seismological, and geotechnical aspects concerning seismic site characterization, in-depth analysis was performed using a microtremor survey with recordings of five small to moderate magnitude (4.8 ≤ m_b ≤ 5.4) earthquakes that occurred in 2006 and geotechnical investigations using the Standard Penetration Test (SPT). Additionally, the basement topography was established using vertical electrical resistivity sounding and selected drill-hole information. Region-specific relationships are derived by correlating the estimated values of predominant frequency, shear-wave velocity, and basement depth indicating conformity with the predominant frequency distribution and the basin topography underlain by a hard granitic basement. Most parts of the city adhere to the predominant frequency range of 0.5–3.5 Hz, setting aside areas of deep sediment fills or hilly tracts, suggesting that the existing moderate-rise RC buildings in the territory are seismically vulnerable. Furthermore, the geotechnical assessment of the soil liquefaction potential reveals widespread susceptibility across the terrain. Eventually, a site classification map of the city is prepared following the National Earthquake Hazard Program (NEHRP) provision. The average site amplification factor from geotechnical modeling for site class D is about 3 in the frequency range of 2–4 Hz. In addition, earthquake data yield an average site amplification factor of 4–6 in the frequency range of 1.2–5.0 Hz at the seismic stations located in site class E and F. High site amplifications of around 5.5 and 7.5 at 2 Hz, respectively, are observed at AMTRON and IRRIG seismic stations, which are located in the proximity of Precambrian rocks, indicating probable basin edge effects—scattering and diffraction of incident energy. Interplay of dispersed valleys surrounded by small hillocks in the study region is likely to induce micro-basin effects where the sediment thickness/depth vis-à-vis predominant frequency and basin geometry in conjunction play pivotal roles in the augmentation of site response.     

地震预警仪观测地脉动差异与评估场地条件的可行性研究

根据台站场地条件进行地震动参数校正,有助于提高地震预警的有效性和准确性。针对我国地震预警台网中部分台址场地条件信息不完整及观测仪器的多样性,通过采用不同灵敏度的力平衡式加速度仪、速度仪和MEMS烈度仪,同时进行大量不同类别场地的地脉动观测,多角度对比分析时、频差别,探讨基于地震预警仪观测地脉动评价场地条件的可行性。结果表明,加速度仪灵敏度越高,H/V谱比卓越频率越易识别;速度仪与力平衡式加速度仪观测的地脉动,三分向傅氏谱和H/V谱比的谱形与卓越频率均一致;与TAG-33M强震仪相比,TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动整体幅值略高,波形较差,但随着振幅增大趋于一致;在近80%的场地上,TAG-33M强震仪与TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动傅氏谱卓越频率相差＜0.5 Hz;当幅值均方根值＞0.05 Gal时,TAG-33M强震仪与TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动竖向和水平向傅氏谱均趋于一致;当幅值均方根值为0.02 Gal～0.05 Gal时,TAG-33M强震仪与TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动竖向和水平向傅氏谱谱形均有较高的相似性;当幅值均方根值＜0.02 Gal时,TAG-33M强震仪与TMA-53烈度仪观测的地脉动傅氏谱谱形相差较大,相似性低;依据TAG-33M强震仪观测地脉动H/V谱比的卓越频率判定场地类别,准确率达83.3%;TMA-53烈度仪观测地脉动的H/V谱比过于平坦,大多数场地上卓越频率识别困难。     

Strain-threshold- and frequency-dependent seismic simulation of nonlinear soils

A one-dimensional equivalent linear method (EQL) is widely used in estimating seismic ground response. For this method, the shear modulus and damping ratio of inelastic soil are supposed to be frequency independent. However, historical earthquake records and laboratory test results indicate that nonlinear soil behavior is frequency-dependent. Several frequency-dependent equivalent linear methods (FDEQL) related to the Fourier amplitude of shear strain time history have been developed to take into account the frequency-dependent soil behavior. Furthermore, the shear strain threshold plays an important role in soil behavior. For shear strains below the elastic shear strain threshold, soil behaves essentially as a linear elastic material. To consider the effect of elastic-shear-strain-threshold- and frequency-dependent soil behavior on wave propagation, the shear-strain-threshold- and frequency-dependent equivalent linear method (TFDEQL) is proposed. A series of analyses is implemented for EQL, FDEQL, and TFDEQL methods. Results show that elastic-shear-strain-threshold- and frequency-dependent soil behavior plays a great influence on the computed site response, especially for the high-frequency band. Also, the effect of elastic-strain-threshold- and frequency-dependent soil behavior on the site response is analyzed from relatively weak to strong input motion, and results show that the effect is more pronounced as input motion goes from weak to strong.     

Applicability of the H/V spectral ratio of microtremors in assessing site effects on seismic motion

The authors examine the reliability of site response estimations obtained by the horizontal to vertical (H/V) spectral ratios of microtremors by means of cross‐validation with the ratio of the horizontal spectra of earthquake motion with respect to reference sites. The data comprise microtremor and ground motion records recorded at 150 sites of Yokohama strong motion array. The use of non‐supervised pattern recognition techniques aims to group the sites with more objectivity. Attributes defining the overall shape of the amplification spectra serve as input in the computation of Euclidean distance similarity coefficients amongst sites. The implementation of the Ward clustering scheme leads to the attainment of a meaningful tree diagram. Its analysis shows the possibility of summarizing the results into six general patterns. A good coincidence of site effects estimates at 80 per cent of the sites becomes apparent. However, this coincidence appears poor for sites characterized by H/V amplification ratios around 2 or smaller and predominant periods longer than 0.5 s. In such cases, the presence of stiff, sandy sediments in the soil profile proves common. To proscribe H/V estimations, relying solely on the small spectral ratios criterion seems inadequate. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reliability of rayleigh wave dispersion curve obtained from f–k spectral analysis of microtremor array measurement

The paper utilizes previously developed microtremor simulation technique to evaluate the reliability of Rayleigh wave dispersion curve estimated by f–k spectral analysis of microtremor array measurement. The simulated microtremors are obtained for a fictitious (TEST) site. Attempt is also made to obtain the dispersion curve for two real sites (OHDATE and SKC) by inverse analysis of the microtremor array measurement using f–k spectra method. The estimated dispersion curve from simulated microtremors (TEST site) compares well with the theoretical dispersion curve, demonstrating the reliability of f–k spectra method and indicating that the estimated dispersion curve from microtremor measurements could be adequately used as the target for inverse analysis purposes. It is also demonstrated that the dispersion curve from microtremor measurements can be utilized to estimate the soil profile at OHDATE and SKC sites by inverse analysis. Results show that the theoretical dispersion curve of the fundamental mode of Rayleigh wave after the end of inverse analysis are in good agreement with the dispersion curve obtained by f–k spectral analysis of microtremor array measurement.     

Green＇s functions for uniformly distributed loads acting on an inclined line in a poroelastic layered site

Based on one type of practical Biot＇s equation and the dynamic-stiffness matrices ofa poroelastic soil layer and half-space, Green＇s functions were derived for unitformly distributed loads acting on an inclined line in a poroelastie layered site. This analysis overcomes significant problems in wave scattering due to local soil conditions and dynamic soil-structure interaction. The Green＇s functions can be reduced to the case of an elastic layered site developed by Wolf in 1985. Parametric studies are then carried out through two example problems.