Earthquake accelerogram simulation with statistical law of evolutionary power spectrum

By using the technique for evolutionary power spectrum proposed by Nakayama and with reference to the Kameda formula, an evolutionary spectrum prediction model for given earthquake magnitude and distance is established based on the 80 near-source acceleration records at rock surface with large magnitude from the ground motion database of western U.S.. Then a new iteration method is developed for generation of random accelerograms non-stationary both in amplitude and frequency which are compatible with target evolutionary spectrum. The phase spectra of those simulated accelerograms are also non-stationary in time and frequency domains since the interaction between amplitude and phase angle has been considered during the generation. Furthermore, the sign of the phase spectrum increment is identified to accelerate the iteration. With the proposed statistical model for predicting evolutionary power spectra and the new method for generating compatible time history, the artificial random earthquake accelerograms non-stationary both in amplitude and frequency for certain magnitude and distance can be provided.