A stochastic model and synthesis for near‐fault impulsive ground motions

The orientations of ground motions are paramount when the pulse‐like motions and their unfavorable seismic responses are considered. This paper addresses the stochastic modeling and synthesizing of near‐fault impulsive ground motions with forward directivity effect taking the orientation of the strongest pulses into account. First, a statistical parametric analysis of velocity time histories in the orientation of the strongest pulse with a specified magnitude and various fault distances is performed. A new stochastic model is established consisting of a velocity pulse model with random parameters and a stochastic approach to synthesize high‐frequency velocity time history. The high‐frequency velocity history is achieved by integrating a stochastic high‐frequency accelerogram, which is generated via the modified K‐T spectrum of residual acceleration histories and then modulated by the specific envelope function. Next, the associated parameters of pulse model, envelope function, and power spectral density are estimated by the least‐square fitting. Some chosen parameters in the stochastic model of near‐fault motions based on correlation analysis are regarded as random variables, which are validated to follow the normal or lognormal distribution. Moreover, the number theoretical method is suggested to select efficiently representative points, for generating artificial near‐fault impulsive ground motions with the feature of the strongest pulse, which can be used to the seismic response and reliability analysis of critical structures conveniently. Finally, the simulated ground motions demonstrate that the synthetic ground motions generated by the proposed stochastic model can represent the impulsive characteristic of near‐fault ground motions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐structure‐specific intensity measure parameters and characteristic period of near‐fault ground motions

This paper focuses on the effects of long‐period pulse of near‐fault ground motions on the structural damage potential. Two sets of near‐fault ground motion records from Chi‐Chi, Taiwan earthquake and Northridge earthquake with and without distinct pulse are selected as the input, and the correlation analysis between 30 non‐structure‐specific intensity measure parameters and maximum inelastic displacements and energy responses (input energy and hysteretic energy) of bilinear single degree of freedom systems are conducted. Based on the frequency characteristic of near‐fault ground motions with remarkable long‐period components, two intensity indices are proposed, namely, the improved effective peak acceleration (IEPA) and improved effective peak velocity (IEPV). In addition a new characteristic period of these ground motions is defined based on IEPA and IEPV. Numerical results illustrate that the intensity measure parameters related to ground acceleration present the best correlation with the seismic responses for rigid systems; the velocity‐related and displacement‐related parameters are better for medium‐frequency systems and flexible systems, respectively. The correlation curves of near‐fault ground motions with velocity pulse differ from those of ground motions without pulse. Moreover, the improved parameters IEPA and IEPV of near‐fault impulsive ground motions enhance the performance of intensity measure of corresponding conventional parameters, i.e. EPA and EPV. The new characteristic period based on IEPA and IEPV can better reflect the frequency content of near‐fault ground motions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stochastic model for simulation of near‐fault ground motions

A parameterized stochastic model of near‐fault ground motion in two orthogonal horizontal directions is developed. The major characteristics of recorded near‐fault ground motions are represented. These include near‐fault effects of directivity and fling step; temporal and spectral non‐stationarity; intensity, duration, and frequency content characteristics; directionality of components; and the natural variability of ground motions. Not all near‐fault ground motions contain a forward directivity pulse, even when the conditions for such a pulse are favorable. The proposed model accounts for both pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like cases. The model is fitted to recorded near‐fault ground motions by matching important characteristics, thus generating an ‘observed’ set of model parameters for different earthquake source and site characteristics. A method to generate and post‐process synthetic motions for specified model parameters is also presented. Synthetic ground motion time series are generated using fitted parameter values. They are compared with corresponding recorded motions to validate the proposed model and simulation procedure. The use of synthetic motions in addition to or in place of recorded motions is desirable in performance‐based earthquake engineering applications, particularly when recorded motions are scarce or when they are unavailable for a specified design scenario. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

近场强地震动数值模拟的简化计算方法

近场强地震动除受场地条件的影响外,还受到震源破裂面上子源的空间分布特点、子源破裂先后顺序的强烈控制,基于数值格林函数法的近场强地震动数值模拟方法可以综合考虑震源、传播途径及局部场地条件的影响,对计算过程进行合理简化,分2步完成地震动模拟:第1步,在介质均匀区采用矩张量的解析解计算所有子源在盖层底面的位移,形成下一步有限元计算的输入场;第2步,在盖层介质不均匀区,结合局部人工透射边界技术,采用时、空解耦的波动显式有限元方法计算地表强地震动。在有限断层模型中,采用具有9个力偶的等效地震矩张量表达断层产状、滑动方向等的影响,采用Brune模型定义各子源的滑动时间函数,描述滑动的时、空不均匀分布特征,从而细化震源模型。通过对Northridge地震中4个基岩台站地表地震动的模拟结果和强震记录,验证了此简化计算方法的可行性     

Resonance and criticality measure of ground motions via probabilistic critical excitation method

Resonant characteristics of recorded ground motions are investigated and a new measure of criticality of ground motions is proposed. Four classes of recorded ground motions, i.e., (i) near fault motions (rock records), (ii) near fault motions (soil records), (iii) long duration motions (rock records) and (iv) long duration motions (soil records), are taken from Abrahamson N, Ashford S, Elgamal A, Kramer S, Seible F, Somerville P, Proc of First PEER Workshop on Characterization of Special Source Effects, 1998. It is shown that resonant characteristics of recorded ground motions can be captured appropriately by means of the probabilistic critical excitation method due to the present author regardless of the type of ground motions and the distance between the critical response and the actual one can be a new measure of criticality of ground motions. The time-averaged approximate treatment of nonstationary ground motions as stationary ones is shown to be adequate for structures with shorter natural periods subjected to long duration ground motions.     

An improved energy‐based approach for selecting pulse‐like ground motions

This study proposes an improved energy‐based approach for quantitative classification of velocity‐pulse‐like ground motions. The pulse amplitude is determined, in its value and in time location, by the amplitude of the half‐cycle pulse having the largest seismic energy. After conducting statistical analyses, a newly‐determined threshold level for selecting pulse‐like ground motions is derived; and then what followed is a comparison analysis of three pulse‐detecting schemes, one using the wavelet analysis, the other two using the energy concept. It is believed that other than providing a useful way of classifying pulse‐like ground motions for structural demand analysis, knowledge of this work could also benefit the development of the ground motion prediction equations accounting for pulse effects, and further to aid the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis in a near‐fault environment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of orthogonal horizontal components of near‐fault ground motion for specified earthquake source and site characteristics

A procedure to generate horizontal pairs of synthetic near‐fault ground motion components for specified earthquake source and site characteristics is presented. Some near‐fault ground motions contain a forward directivity pulse; others do not, even when the conditions for such a pulse are favorable. The proposed procedure generates pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like motions in appropriate proportions. We use our recent stochastic models of pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like near‐fault ground motions that are formulated in terms of physically meaningful parameters. The parameters of these models are fitted to databases of recorded pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like motions. Using these empirical “observations,” predictive relations are developed for the model parameters in terms of the earthquake source and site characteristics (type of faulting, earthquake magnitude, depth to top of rupture plane, source‐to‐site distance, site characteristics, and directivity parameters). The correlation coefficients between the model parameters are also estimated. For a given earthquake scenario, the probability of occurrence of a directivity pulse is first computed; pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like motions are then simulated according to the predicted proportions using the empirical predictive models. The resulting time series are realistic and reproduce important features of recorded near‐fault ground motions, including the natural variability. Moreover, the statistics of their elastic response spectra agree with those of the NGA‐West2 dataset, with the additional feature of distinguishing between pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like cases and between forward and backward directivity scenarios. The synthetic motions can be used in addition to or in place of recorded motions in performance‐based earthquake engineering, particularly when recorded motions are scarce.     

Analysis of bridge structures crossing strike-slip fault rupture zones: A simple method for generating across-fault seismic ground motions

This article presents a simple and effective method for generating across-fault seismic ground motions for the analysis of ordinary and seismically isolated bridges crossing strike-slip faults. Based on pulse models available in the literature, two simple loading functions are first proposed to represent the coherent (long-period) components of ground motion across strike-slip faults. The loading functions are then calibrated using actual near-fault ground-motion records with a forward-directivity velocity pulse in the fault-normal direction and a fling-step displacement in the fault-parallel direction. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing time history responses and seismic demands of ordinary and seismically isolated bridges obtained from nonlinear response history analyses using the actual ground-motion records and the calibrated loading functions. A comprehensive methodology is also presented for selecting the input parameters of the loading functions based on empirical equations and practical guidelines. Finally, an analysis procedure for bridge structures crossing strike-slip faults is introduced based on the proposed method for generating across-fault ground motions and the parameter selection methodology for the loading functions.     

Relative energy zero ratio-based approach for identifying pulse-like ground motions

Pulse-like ground motions are capable of inflicting significant damage to structures. Efficient classification of pulse-like ground motion is of great importance when performing the seismic assessment in near-fault regions. In this study, a new method for identifying the velocity pulses is proposed, based on different trends of two parameters: the short-time energy and the short-time zero crossing rate of a ground motion record. A new pulse indicator, the relative energy zero ratio(REZR), is defined to qualitatively identify pulse-like features. The threshold for pulse-like ground motions is derived and compared with two other identification methods through statistical analysis. The proposed procedure not only shows good accuracy and efficiency when identifying pulse-like ground motions but also exhibits good performance for classifying records with high-frequency noise and discontinuous pulses. The REZR method does not require a waveform formula to express and fit the potential velocity pulses; it is a purely signal-based classification method. Finally, the proposed procedure is used to evaluate the contribution of pulse-like motions to the total input energy of a seismic record, which dramatically increases the seismic damage potential.     

An efficient algorithm for identifying pulse‐like ground motions based on significant velocity half‐cycles

Ground motions with strong velocity pulses are of particular interest to structural earthquake engineers because they have the potential to impose extreme seismic demands on structures. Accurate classification of records is essential in several earthquake engineering fields where pulse‐like ground motions should be distinguished from nonpulse‐like records, such as probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and seismic risk assessment of structures. This study proposes an effective method to identify pulse‐like ground motions having single, multiple, or irregular pulses. To effectively characterize the intrinsic pulse‐like features, the concept of an energy‐based significant velocity half‐cycle, which is visually identifiable, is first presented. Ground motions are classified into 6 categories according to the number of significant half‐cycles in the velocity time series. The pulse energy ratio is used as an indicator for quantitative identification, and then the energy threshold values for each type of ground motions are determined. Comprehensive comparisons of the proposed approach with 4 benchmark identification methods are conducted, and the results indicate that the methodology presented in this study can more accurately and efficiently distinguish pulse‐like and nonpulse‐like ground motions. Also presented are some insights into the reasons why many pulse‐like ground motions are not detected successfully by each of the benchmark methods.     

三维竖向断层场地对地面运动的影响

实际工程场地中的断层通常具有三维尺寸,应进行三维分析。本文考虑均匀弹性半空间内存在不同长度、深度的三维断层,由下向上垂直入射一个脉冲波,主要采用三维时域显式有限元结合透射人工边界的方法及相应编写的三维显示有限元波动程序DSI3,计算断层附近地震地面运动的时程反应,研究含有三维断层场地地面运动的一些特点,并与自由场反应对比,以说明三维竖向断层对地震波传播的特点和对断层附近地面运动的影响。     

Near‐fault ground motions,and the response of elastic and inelastic single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) systems

In order to investigate the response of structures to near‐fault seismic excitations, the ground motion input should be properly characterized and parameterized in terms of simple, yet accurate and reliable, mathematical models whose input parameters have a clear physical interpretation and scale, to the extent possible, with earthquake magnitude. Such a mathematical model for the representation of the coherent (long‐period) ground motion components has been proposed by the authors in a previous study and is being exploited in this article for the investigation of the elastic and inelastic response of the single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) system to near‐fault seismic excitations. A parametric analysis of the dynamic response of the SDOF system as a function of the input parameters of the mathematical model is performed to gain insight regarding the near‐fault ground motion characteristics that significantly affect the elastic and inelastic structural performance. A parameter of the mathematical representation of near‐fault motions, referred to as ‘pulse duration’ (T_P), emerges as a key parameter of the problem under investigation. Specifically, T_P is employed to normalize the elastic and inelastic response spectra of actual near‐fault strong ground motion records. Such normalization makes feasible the specification of design spectra and reduction factors appropriate for near‐fault ground motions. The ‘pulse duration’ (T_P) is related to an important parameter of the rupture process referred to as ‘rise time’ (τ) which is controlled by the dimension of the sub‐events that compose the mainshock. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

近断层地震作用下设备-结构耦合隔震体系动力响应分析

建立设备-结构耦合隔震体系模型,选取近断层脉冲型和非脉冲型地震波各50条,计算耦合隔震体系的动力响应。分析表明,近断层脉冲型地震动对耦合隔震体系的影响大于非脉冲型地震动,且对主体结构的影响大于对设备的影响;近断层脉冲型地震作用下的隔震层位移、层间位移、楼层加速度、设备加速度和设备位移的平均响应分别达到非脉冲型地震作用的2.25倍、2.17倍、2.24倍、1.17倍和1.20倍。进行设备-结构耦合隔震体系设计时,需考虑近断层地震动脉冲作用的影响,同时需注意引起主体结构和设备最大响应的地震动不一定相同。     

近断层地震动的基本特征

本文对近断层地震动的基本特征作了详细分析,这些基本特征主要包括近断层强地震动的集中性、地表破裂、地面永久变形、破裂的方向性效应、近断层速度大脉冲和上盘效应。这些特征虽然在一次地震中不一定同时出现,但它们是已经被强震观测资料和数值模拟证实了的,在模拟和预测近断层地震动时,必须充分考虑这些特点,合理的近断层地震动模拟或预测模型和方法应当在结果中再现这些特点。     

近场下桥梁结构的地震响应分析

提出采用宽频地震Kanai-Tajimi模型与速度脉冲He-Agrawal模型来模拟近场地震动,数值模拟验证了该近场地震模型的有效性。采用该模型定量分析了近场地震作用对桥梁结构地震响应的影响规律。近场地震动的脉冲持时是对结构产生破坏的一个重要因素,近场地震作用对桥梁结构的设计提出了更高的延性要求。     

Damping coefficients for near-fault ground motion response spectra

Damping coefficients are frequently used in earthquake engineering as a simple way to adjust the pseudo-acceleration or displacement response spectra associated with a viscous damping ratio of 5% to the higher values of viscous damping needed for design of structures equipped with base isolation and/or supplemental energy dissipation devices. In this study, damping coefficients for the single-degree-of-freedom system subjected to near-fault ground motions are calculated for a large range of periods and damping levels. The results indicate that damping coefficients proposed in design codes and previous studies, based primarily on far-field ground motion records, tend to not be conservative for near-fault seismic excitations. A new approach is recommended for the derivation of damping coefficients appropriate for engineering analysis and design in the immediate vicinity of the earthquake fault. This includes the normalization of the period axis with respect to the duration of the ground velocity pulses recorded in the near-fault region. The pulse duration is controlled by the rise time on the fault plane and scales directly with earthquake magnitude.     

地表破裂断层近场速度大脉冲研究

在分析和研究近场强震记录的基础上,对地面运动速度大脉冲进行了数值模拟。研究结果表明：有速度大脉冲的地面运动主要产生在断层周围。是地震发生时断层两盘突然错动在周围场地产生的特殊运动效应,单耳速度大脉冲常伴随有较大的地面永久位移,双耳或多耳速度脉冲常对应于位移大脉冲及可恢复位移,其产生机理与断层的破裂速度关系不大,与断层两盘的位移量有直接关系。速度大脉冲对近断层的长周期结构作用显著,值得研究。     

Directivity pulses in near-fault ground motions—I: Identification,extraction and modeling

In ensuring structural safety against near-fault pulse-type ground motions it is of critical importance that sufficient recorded motions of this type are available and that suitable synthetic motions can be simulated for those situations where the recorded motions are insufficient or non-existent. To this end, an objective criterion is developed for the directivity pulse-type motions, to identify such motions from the available suite of recorded ground motions. This criterion is based on the value of maximum fractional signal energy contribution by any half-cycle of the velocity time-history. For the simulation of directivity pulse-type motions, it is proposed to estimate and superimpose directivity pulse(s) on a non-pulse type motion. An algorithm is developed to extract the directivity pulse features from a pulse-type accelerogram via its repetitive smoothening, and based on the pulses extracted from a database of 91 records two mathematical functions are proposed to model the directivity pulses. It is found that the amplitude and dominant Fourier period of the expected velocity pulse may be sufficient to generate the shapes of the expected acceleration and velocity pulses.     

Effects of near-fault and far-fault ground motions on nonlinear dynamic response and seismic damage of concrete gravity dams

As the forward directivity and fling effect characteristics of the near-fault ground motions, seismic response of structures in the near field of a rupturing fault can be significantly different from those observed in the far field. The unique characteristics of the near-fault ground motions can cause considerable damage during an earthquake. This paper presents results of a study aimed at evaluating the near-fault and far-fault ground motion effects on nonlinear dynamic response and seismic damage of concrete gravity dams including dam-reservoir-foundation interaction. For this purpose, 10 as-recorded earthquake records which display ground motions with an apparent velocity pulse are selected to represent the near-fault ground motion characteristics. The earthquake ground motions recorded at the same site from other events that the epicenter far away from the site are employed as the far-fault ground motions. The Koyna gravity dam, which is selected as a numerical application, is subjected to a set of as-recorded near-fault and far-fault strong ground motion records. The Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model including the strain hardening or softening behavior is employed in nonlinear analysis. Nonlinear dynamic response and seismic damage analyses of the selected concrete dam subjected to both near-fault and far-fault ground motions are performed. Both local and global damage indices are established as the response parameters. The results obtained from the analyses of the dam subjected to each fault effect are compared with each other. It is seen from the analysis results that the near-fault ground motions, which have significant influence on the dynamic response of dam–reservoir–foundation systems, have the potential to cause more severe damage to the dam body than far-fault ground motions.     

Characterization of forward-directivity ground motions in the near-fault region

Ground motions close to a ruptured fault resulting from forward-directivity are significantly different than other ground motions. These pulse-type motions can place severe demands on structures in the near-fault region. To aid in the characterization of these special type of ground motions, a simplified parameterization is proposed based on a representative amplitude, pulse period, and number of significant pulses in the velocity–time history. Empirical relationships were developed for estimating the peak ground velocity (PGV) and period of the velocity pulse (T_v) of available forward-directivity motions. PGV in the near-fault region varies significantly with magnitude and distance. Additionally, the PGV for soil sites are systematically larger than those at rocks sites. T_v is a function of moment magnitude and site conditions with most of the energy being concentrated within a narrow-period band centered on the pulse period. Hence, lower magnitude events, which produce lower pulse periods, might produce more damaging ground motions for the stiff structures more common in urban areas.