A BEM investigation on the influence of underground cavities on the seismic response of canyons

Two-dimensional site effects caused by cavities under topographical functions can considerably impact the seismic reaction of the ground surface. Due to the complexity of scattering issues by topographical features above subterranean cavity, few studies have been done in this field. In the present study, the seismic response of semi-sine-shaped canyons above a subterranean cavity (hole) of different dimensions, depths and locations is examined. The medium is assumed to have a linear elastic constitutive behavior exposed to vertically propagating incident SV and P waves. All calculations are performed using the direct boundary element technique in the time domain. It is observed that a cavity below a canyon can considerably change the ground response of the surface in different periodic bands. The seismic interaction between canyon and cavity with respect to various geometrical parameters will lead to different amplification patterns in the center and edge of the canyon. One of the most important results is the increase in amplification of long periods compared with the case of a canyon without cavity. Moreover, parametric research shows the fact that the cavity detail and canyon height, the ratio of cavity to the canyon size and cavity location impact on the seismic amplification of the canyon surface. Finally, spectral amplification coefficients of the canyon surface led by the cavity are reported for different cases of the canyon–cavity interaction.