Scattering of obliquely incident seismic waves by a cylindrical valley in a layered half-space

Three-dimensional scattering of seismic waves by a cylindrical alluvial valley embedded in a layered half-space is investigated by using the combination of the boundary integral representation and the finite element method. The surface displacements due to incident plane harmonic body waves (P, SV and SH) propagating at an arbitrary angle to the axis of the cylindrical valley are evaluated numerically for two semi-elliptical alluvial valleys. The presence of the layer is found to have a strong effect on the amplification of the surface displacements in some cases. The three-dimensional motion seems to be quite critical and may cause large amplification. The surface ground motion becomes significant when compared with corresponding free-field motion as the wavelengths become comparable to the characteristic length of the valley. The maximum amplification always occurs atop the valley. Numerical results show that the amplitude and the amplification pattern of the surface displacement strongly depend upon the frequency, the angle and the type of the incident waves.     

Azimuth dependent wave amplification in alluvial valleys

An extension of the indirect boundary element method (IBEM) to three-dimensional scattering by two-dimensional alluvial valleys is presented. While the valley is two-dimensional, the incident plane waves can arrive outside the 2D plane so the scattering is three-dimensional with coupling of P---SV---SH waves. Such a method makes it possible to take earthquake location into account in the estimation of site effects in alluvial valleys. The method is validated by transparency tests, by comparison with 2D simulations, and by comparison with results of other authors. The advantage of the method is that is combines high accuracy with cost-efficiency in terms of computer-time. It is applied to theoretically estimate site effects across a simplified model of an alluvial valley in the French Alps where azimuth dependence of local amplification has been observed. A parametric study with simulations for a range of azimuths and incidence angles shows that (1) the local amplification depends strongly on both azimuth and incidence of the incoming waves, (2) the global pattern of amplification across the valley is very complex for all azimuths, and (3) it is not possible to predict the 3D response of the valley from 2D modeling. Theoretical spectral ratios are in approximate agreement with observed ones for a station in the center of the valley where the local structure justifies use of a simplified model for the comparison.     

New criteria on the filling ratio and impedance ratio effects in seismic response evaluation of the partial filled alluvial valleys

An extensive numerical analysis on the seismic site effects due to local topographical and geotechnical characteristics is carried out. 2D configurations under incidence of vertically propagating SV waves is modeled with the aid of HYBRID program, combining finite elements in the near field and boundary elements in the far field. The filling ratio and the impedance ratio effects on the modification of the seismic response of alluvial valleys are underlined. Parametric analysis is done on the central point of alluvial valleys where the critical point of response under existence of sediments stands. Specifying the amplification pattern under filling ratio effects, effective geometrical parameters are introduced. Subsequently, to assess the effect of the type of sediments on the seismic response, mechanical properties of materials are changed and impedance contrast coefficient is considered in combination with geometrical parameters. Finally, practical curves are presented for engineering applications.     

Seismic site effects by an optimized 2D BE/FE method II. Quantification of site effects in two-dimensional sedimentary valleys

This paper deals with the evaluation of seismic site effects due to the local topographical and geotechnical characteristics. The amplification of surface motions is calculated by a numerical method combining finite elements in the near field and boundary elements in the far field (FEM/BEM). The numerical technique is improved by time truncation. In the first part of this article, the accuracy and the relevance of this optimized method are presented. Moreover, parametric studies are done on slopes, ridges and canyons to characterize topographical site effects. The second part deals with sedimentary valleys. The complexity of the combination of geometrical and sedimentary effects is underlined. Extensive parametrical studies are done to discriminate the topographical and geotechnical effects on seismic ground movement amplifications in two-dimensional irregular configurations. Characteristic coefficients are defined to predict the amplifications of horizontal displacements. The accuracy of this quantitative evaluation technique is tested and discussed.     

Seismic site effects by an optimized 2D BE/FE method I. Theory, numerical optimization and application to topographical irregularities

This paper deals with the evaluation of seismic site effects due to the local topographical and geotechnical characteristics. The amplification of surface motions is calculated by a numerical method combining finite elements in the near field and boundary elements in the far field (FEM/BEM). The numerical technique is improved by time truncation. In the first part of this article, the accuracy and the relevance of this optimized method are presented. Moreover, parametric studies are done on slopes, ridges and canyons to characterize topographical site effects. The second part deals with sedimentary valleys. The complexity of the combination of geometrical and sedimentary effects is underlined. Extensive parametrical studies are done to discriminate the topographical and geotechnical effects on seismic ground movement amplifications in two-dimensional irregular configurations. Characteristic coefficients are defined to predict the amplifications of horizontal displacements. The accuracy of this quantitative evaluation technique is tested and discussed.     

Impact of geometrical and mechanical characteristics on the spectral response of sediment-filled valleys

A comprehensive numerical analysis of the seismic response and site period of curved alluvial valleys was performed by taking into account the characteristics of sedimentary materials. This study presents a criterion as a combination of the three following geometrical and geotechnical characteristics of curved valleys in order to provide a simple method for code implementation of complex site effects: depth ratio, filling ratio and impedance ratio. The parametric studies were performed by a HYBRID program combining finite elements in the near field and boundary elements in the far field (FEM/BEM). The amplification patterns under above-mentioned characteristics were determined at the central point of valleys. The results are shown in the form of response spectra. Different impedance coefficients of materials were considered to evaluate effects resulting from combination with filling ratio and geometrical parameters. Finally, a criterion is proposed in terms of engineering applications to assess the spectral response at the surface of curved alluvial valleys.     

A Numerical Study of Effects of Valley-Weathering and Valley-Shape-Ratio on the Ground Motion Characteristics

A study of combined effects of valley-weathering and valley-shaperatio on the ground motion characteristics and associated differential ground motion (DGM) is documented in this paper. In order to properly quantify the weathering effects, a forth-order-accurate staggered-grid viscoelastic time-domain finite-difference program has been used for the simulation of SH-wave responses. Simulated results revealed that the defocusing caused by valley is frequency-independent in contrast to the ridge-focusing. A decrease of average spectral amplification (ASA) with an increase of shape-ratio of the non-weathered triangular and elliptical valleys was obtained. Overall, the amplification and de-amplification pattern was larger in case of triangular valleys as compared to the elliptical valleys. It can be concluded that the dwelling within or near the topcorners of weathered valleys may suffer more damage as compared to their surroundings. A weathered triangular valley with large shape-ratio may cause unexpected damage very near its top-corners since both the ASA and DGM are largest.     

TWO-DIMENSIONAL SCATTERING OF P,SV AND RAYLEIGH WAVES: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE VALLEY OF MEXICO

A direct boundary element method for calculating the two-dimensional scattering of seismic waves from irregular topographies and buried valleys due to incident P-, SV- and Rayleigh waves is employed to model a section of the Mexico City Valley. The method has been formulated with isoparametric quadratic boundary elements and contains, with respect to previous works in the field, some improvements that are briefly presented. Because the Mexico City Valley is relatively flat and shallow and the contrast of S-waves between the clays and the basement rock is very high, it is believed that the one-dimensional theory is enough to explain the amplification patterns. Although this is true for most sites, results from recent accelerometric data suggest that two- and three-dimensional models are needed to explain the amplification behaviour at some places. In this work, two accelerometric sites have been chosen: Site 84 to probe that the one-dimensional model works well for most sites, and Site TB, as an example of irregular response. The two-dimensional method presented here was used to model a section of the valley where site TB is located, showing that this method yields results closer to the observations than the one-dimensional approach. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A numerical study on the 2D behavior of clayey basins

In this numerical study the effects of basin edge on the dynamic behavior of the clayey basins are investigated. For this purpose a range of bedrock inclinations at the valley sides from slighter 10° and 20° to steeper 30° and 40°, and three types of stiff, medium plasticity and soft clay materials are selected. The results of the 2D analyses show that not only the amplification pattern of different clay types is different, but also it differs for each material type under different motion intensities. Also, the frequency domain results show that different parts of the valleys are sensitive to different periods. It was seen that under two-dimensional conditions the amplification of clay types other than soft clay could be higher. Finally, the results of this research show the important effect of motion intensity on the 2D behavior of valleys.     

大型河谷场地地震动特性研究

采用有限差分方法,通过算例研究了大型河谷场地地震动特性分析中的人工边界的选取方法,对比分析了不同人工边界的选取对数值模拟结果的影响,确定了散射场地震反应分析输入边界的地震动输入方法,认为在进行有限差分动力计算时,模型两侧施加自由场边界的模拟效果要优于两侧施加粘性边界的模拟效果;同时,对FLAC计算软件进行二次开发,对2个地形差异较大的河谷场地,采用线性和非线性摩尔-库仑模型进行了地震反应对比分析,研究了河谷场地地震动幅值和频谱特性随地形变化的规律。模拟数据表明,河谷场地谷底处地震动基本无放大作用,地势凸起处放大作用则较为明显;当考虑土体非线性时,随着地震动强度的增加,放大作用逐渐减小;谱分析结果表明,地势凸起处受高频地震动的影响显著,而地势平坦的谷底则受低频地震动的影响显著。     

山谷地形对入射SV波地震反应分析

基于黏弹性人工边界的显式动力有限元方法,研究了突出平台状山谷地形场地的地形效应,分析了山谷地形对地表地震动的影响.结果表明:(1)沿着地震动输入方向地表反应较其他方向上的反应强烈;(2)与单一凸起山体地形对地表地震动的放大效应相比,相邻地形的存在对地表地震动位移傅里叶谱谱比曲线的形状影响不大,但是对PGD有着较大的影响...     

ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE FOR THE SEISMIC SITE RESPONSE OF ALLUVIAL VALLEYS

The seismic site response of alluvial valleys with limited width is evaluated using three engineering models. The models are based on the one-dimensional, two-dimensional and the frame model approaches. The objective is to analyse the effects of the main parameters governing surface motions and provide engineering guidance for predicting them. The limitations on the use of the one-dimensional model in site response evaluation in valleys are pointed out. The frame model, which accounts for the limited width of valley, gives response results that are in good agreement with the two-dimensional model results. It is found that the effect of the two-dimensional amplification is significant over a distance from the valley edges beyond which the response may be adequately represented by one-dimensional analysis. The soil amplification varies depending on the soil type, site location relative to the valley and the dominant period and amplitude of input rock record. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preliminary results of the modelling of the Mexico City valley with a two-dimensional boundary element method for the scattering of SH waves

A numerical method is used for calculating the two-dimensional scattering of incident SH waves to try to explain some of the amplification patterns observed from recent data of the Mexico City's accelerometric array. The method is briefly presented and its efficiency is tested against analytical and other numerical solutions for canyons and alluvial valleys.

Spectral ratios computed for transition and lake-bed zones of the Mexico City valley with respect to the average motion at hill-zone sites are also presented. The one-dimensional model is used to explain the amplifications observed at a site where the valley is relatively shallow, while the two-dimensional approach is employed at another site at the centre of the valley where irregular amplification patterns have been observed. Results in the time domain are also shown.     

Analysis of a reconnaissance gravity survey for drift-filled valleys in the Mercer quadrangle, Pennsylvania

The effectiveness of a standard polynomial trend removal technique and two-dimensional wavenumber filtering in isolating gravity anomalies due to buried preglacial drainage systems was evaluated for an area in northwestern Pennsylvania. It was found that gravity surveying is a useful reconnaissance technique in this area. Both analytical methods isolated anomalies due to valleys of major hydrological interest, provided similar useful information on the valley trends, and gave reasonably accurate width estimates. Accurate depth estimates could not be inferred, although large anomalies generally coincided with thicker drift accumulations. With the station spacing used (about 0.75 miles), valleys sought must have drift accumulations in excess of 75 feet and widths of at least one mile if they are to be adequately resolved. The two-dimensional filtering method seems to offer the most complete information, while still being practical, and it avoids many of the problems of the polynomial method.     

Relevant features of the valley seismic response: the case study of Tuscan Northern Apennine sector

The so called “valley effect” relates to the typical seismic response of basin shaped bedrock filled by quaternary sediments. It is an aspect of the renown “local seismic effect” that shall be taken into account when dealing with microzoning studies. Several experimental surveys and numerical simulations performed worldwide over the last 40 years, confirmed that valley responses under seismic excitations show common features in various geological contexts as far as the sedimentary valleys (e.g. alluvial and lacustrine plains), the intermountain valleys (e.g. alpine valleys) and graben shaped basins. Such features mainly depend on the basin geometry, referred to as the shape ratio SR, and the sediment and basin impedance contrast IC. Although researchers agree on the prominent role of local seismic effects for interpreting erratic damages caused by seismic shaking in urbanized areas, no fully shared strategies have been identified for taking into account valley effect within microzoning studies. In this paper, a numerical simulations on three models of trapezoidal shaped basins have been performed. These valley models relate to sediments and basins detected within the Tuscany Region territory during the VEL project. Results, in terms of the amplification index $\text{ F }_{\mathrm{A}}$ F A have been provided. Three “valley effect charts” for various SR and IC values have been propose for taking into account the local seismic effects due to the basin amplifications within microzoning maps.     

Key structural parameters affecting earthquake ground motion in 2D and 3D sedimentary structures

Alluvial valleys generate strong effects on earthquake ground motion (EGM). These effects are rarely accounted for even in site-specific studies because of (a) the cost of the required geophysical surveys to constrain the site model, (b) lack of data for empirical prediction, and (c) poor knowledge of the key controlling parameters. We performed 3D, 2D and 1D simulations for six typical sedimentary valleys of various width and depth, and for a variety of modifications of these 6 “nominal models” to investigate sensitivity of EGM characteristics to impedance contrast, attenuation, velocity gradient and geometry. We calculated amplification factors, and 2D/1D and 3D/2D aggravation factors for 10 EGM characteristics, using a representative set of recorded accelerograms to account for input motion variability. The largest values of the amplification and aggravation factors are found for the Arias intensity and cumulative absolute velocity, the lowest for the root-mean-square acceleration. The aggravation factors are largest for the vertical component. For each model, at least one EGM characteristic exhibits a significant 2D/1D aggravation factor, while all EGM characteristics exhibit significant 2D/1D aggravation factor on the vertical component. For all investigated sites, there is always an area in the valley for which 1D estimates are not sufficient. 2D estimates are insufficient at several sites. The key structural parameters are the shape ratio and overall geometry of the sediment-bedrock interface, impedance contrast at the sediment-bedrock interface, and attenuation in sediments. The amplification factors may largely exceed the values that are usually considered in GMPEs between soft soils and rock sites.     

Buried Quaternary valleys in western Denmark—occurrence and inferred implications for groundwater resources and vulnerability

Numerous geophysical investigations in the western part of onshore Denmark constitute the basis for a delineation of buried Quaternary valleys. The geophysical methods comprise primarily Transient ElectroMagnetic (TEM) and reflection seismic surveys, and the geophysical data have been combined with lithological data from boreholes. Buried valleys appear both as single valleys and in dense networks. The internal structure of the valleys is typically complex due to repeated erosional and depositional events. Buried valleys are common geological structures in the region and they influence the distribution of Tertiary and Quaternary sediments greatly. A large number of buried valleys in the region contain important aquifers, whose natural protection varies depending on thickness and character of overlying clay layers. Many of these aquifers are deep-seated and well protected, but because of the prevailing heterogeneity of the valley infill and the erosional incisions created by different valley generations, preferential flow paths for downward transport of contaminated water from shallow aquifers may occur.     

点震源作用下三维沉积盆地地震动谱元模拟

基于高精度谱元法(SEM),以半空间中椭球形沉积盆地为例,研究了点震源作用下三维沉积盆地的地震响应。研究结果表明:沉积盆地对地震动幅值有显著的放大效应,对地震持时有明显的增长效应,地震动空间分布规律受控于震源频率和近断层倾角等因素。主要体现为以下几点:(1)震源函数主频率较高时,沉积盆地内部出现多个波峰波谷,局部聚焦增强,放大效应显著,如震源频率为2Hz时在沉积盆地中心位置的加速度峰值可达1Hz时的5.6倍;(2)随着断层倾角的增大,断层上盘效应逐渐减弱,地表加速度的峰值在逐渐减小,30°倾角断层沉积盆地中心的加速度达1.96m/s^2,是90°倾角断层加速度值的5.2倍;(3)震源频率和断层倾角对位移的影响没有对加速度的显著。     

Martian oceans, valleys and climate

The new Mars Global Surveyor altimetry shows that the heavily cratered southern hemisphere of Mars is 5 km higher than the sparely cratered plains of the northern hemisphere. Previous suggestions that oceans formerly occupied the northern plains as evidenced by shorelines are partly supported by the new data. A previously identified outer boundary has a wide range of elevations and is unlikely to be a shoreline but an inner contact with a narrow range of elevations is a more likely candidate. No shorelines are visible in the newly acquired, 1.5 metre/pixel imaging. Newly imaged valleys provide strong support for sustained or episodic flow of water across the Martian surface. A major surprise, however, is the near absence of valleys less than 100 m across. Martian valleys seemingly do not divide into ever smaller valleys as terrestrial valleys commonly do. This could be due to lack of precipitation or lack of surface runoff because of high infiltration rates. High erosion rates and formation of valley networks supports warm climates and presence of large bodies of water during heavy bombardment. The climate history and fate of the water after heavy bombardment remain controversial.     

圆弧状多层沉积谷地在平面P波入射下稳态响应的解析解

利用波函数的FourierBessel级数展开法,给出了含任意多个圆弧状沉积层的谷地在平面P波入射下稳态动力响应的解析解.并以具有三个沉积层的谷地为例,在宽频范围内,利用稳态地面运动幅值的空间分布,讨论了谷地中沉积介质的成层性对地面运动的影响.