The first peak ground motion attenuation relationships for North of Vietnam

The first attenuation relationships of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV) for northern Vietnam are obtained in this study. Ground motion data are collected by a portable broadband seismic network in northern Vietnam as a part of cooperation between the Institute of Geophysics, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam and Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. The database comprises a total of 330 amplitude records by 14 broadband stations from 53 shallow earthquakes, which were occurred in and around northern Vietnam in the period between 01/2006 and 12/2009. These earthquakes are of local magnitudes between 1.6 and 4.6, focal depths less than 30 km, and epicentral distances less than 500 km. The new attenuation relationships for PGA and PGV are:

log₁₀(PGA)=-0.987+0.7521M_L-log₁₀(R)-0.00475R,     

An empirical attenuation model of the peak ground acceleration (PGA) in the near field of a strong earthquake

Natural Hazards - Empirical methods are commonly employed to predict the PGA distribution of an earthquake and are widely used. However, current empirical methods assume the seismic source to be a...     

Investigation of the variability of strong ground motions from Vrancea earthquakes

A systematic investigation of the applicability of several ground motion prediction models for Vrancea intermediate-depth seismic source is conducted in this research. Two ground motion prediction models recommended by previous evaluations (Vacareanu et al. in Bull Earthq Eng 11(6):1867–1884, 2013a; Pavel et al. in Earthq Struct 6(1):1–18, 2014), as well as two new state-of-the-art ground motion prediction equations (Vacareanu et al. in J Earthq Eng, 2013b; Earthq Struct 6(2):141–161, 2014) are tested using an increased strong ground motion database consisting of 150 recordings from Vrancea subcrustal earthquakes. The evaluation is performed by using several goodness-of-fit parameters from the literature. Moreover, the applicability of the single-station sigma method is also investigated by using the same strong ground motion database recorded in 30 seismic stations from southern and eastern Romania. The influence of the soil conditions on the numerical results obtained in this study is investigated and discussed using the results provided by the analysis of variance method. The impact of the single-station standard deviation on the levels of seismic hazard is also assessed in this study, and the results show, in the analyzed cases, significant reductions of the hazard levels.     

Hybrid attenuation model for estimation of peak ground accelerations in the Kutch region, India

The Kutch region of Gujarat in India is the locale of one of the most devastating earthquake of magnitude (M _w) 7.7, which occurred on January 26, 2001. Though, the region is considered as seismically active region, very few strong motion records are available in this region. First part of this paper uses available data of strong motion earthquakes recorded in this region between 2006 and 2008 years to prepare attenuation relation. The developed attenuation relation is further used to prepare synthetic strong motion records of large magnitude earthquakes using semiempirical simulation technique. Semiempirical simulation technique uses attenuation relation to simulate strong ground motion records of any target earthquake. The database of peak ground acceleration obtained from simulated records is used together with database of peak ground acceleration obtained from observed record to develop following hybrid attenuation model of wide applicability in the Kutch region: $$ \begin{aligned} \ln \left( {\text{PGA}} \right) & = - 2.56 + 1.17 \, M_{\text{w}} - \, 0.015R - 0.0001\ln \left( {E + 15} \right) \\ &\quad 3.0 \le M_{\text{w}} \le 8.2;\quad 12 \le R \le 120;\quad {\text{std}} . {\text{ dev}}.(\sigma ): \pm 0.5 \\ \end{aligned} $$ ln ( PGA ) = ? 2.56 + 1.17 M w ? 0.015 R ? 0.0001 ln ( E + 15 ) 3.0 ≤ M w ≤ 8.2 ; 12 ≤ R ≤ 120 ; std . dev . ( σ ) : ± 0.5 In the above equation, PGA is maximum horizontal ground acceleration in gal, M _w is moment magnitude of earthquake, R is hypocentral distance, and E is epicentral distance in km. The standard deviation of residual of error in this relation is 0.5. This relation is compared with other available relations in this region, and it is seen that developed relation gives minimum root mean square error in comparison with observed and calculated peak ground acceleration from same data set. The applicability of developed relation is further checked by testing it with the observed peak ground acceleration from earthquakes of magnitude (M _w), 3.6, 4.0, 4.4, and 7.7, respectively, which are not included in the database used for regression analysis. The comparison demonstrates the efficacy of developed hybrid attenuation model for calculating peak ground acceleration values in the Kutch region.     

A neural network approach for attenuation relationships: An application using strong ground motion data from Turkey

This paper presents an application of neural network approach for the prediction of peak ground acceleration (PGA) using the strong motion data from Turkey, as a soft computing technique to remove uncertainties in attenuation equations. A training algorithm based on the Fletcher–Reeves conjugate gradient back-propagation was developed and employed for three sample sets of strong ground motion. The input variables in the constructed artificial neural network (ANN) model were the magnitude, the source-to-site distance and the site conditions, and the output was the PGA. The generalization capability of ANN algorithms was tested with the same training data. To demonstrate the authenticity of this approach, the network predictions were compared with the ones from regressions for the corresponding attenuation equations. The results indicated that the fitting between the predicted PGA values by the networks and the observed ones yielded high correlation coefficients (R²). In addition, comparisons of the correlations by the ANN and the regression method showed that the ANN approach performed better than the regression. Even though the developed ANN models suffered from optimal configuration about the generalization capability, they can be conservatively used to well understand the influence of input parameters for the PGA predictions.     

Attenuation relations of peak ground acceleration and velocity in the Southern Dead Sea Transform region

Using the recorded earthquake strong ground motion, the attenuation of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV) are derived in the southern Dead Sea Transform region. The expected values of strong motion parameters from future earthquakes are estimated from attenuation equations, which are determined by regression analysis on real accelerograms. In this study, the method of Joyner and Boor [Bull Seismol Soc Am 71(6):2011–2038, 1981] was selected to produce the attenuation model for the southern Dead Sea Transform region. The dataset for PGA consists of 57 recordings from 30 earthquakes and for PGV 26 recordings from 19 earthquakes. The attenuation relations developed in this study are proposed as replacement for former probabilistic relations that have been used for a variety of earthquake engineering applications. The comparison between the derived PGA relations from this study with the former relations clearly shows significant lower values than the other relations.     

How to obtain earthquake ground motions for engineering design

The earthquake ground motions that ultimately are selected for engineering design depend chiefly on the criticality of a site or structure and the engineering analyses that are to be performed. Several key steps are necessary in this selection process: They are (1) a reconnaissance to understand the hazards and obtain preliminary earthquake ground motions; (2) decisions on the application of deterministic or probabilistic methods; (3) selection of appropriate motions for requirements in design; (4) consideration of thresholds at which motions become significant for engineering; and (5) decisions on specifying appropriate earthquake ground motions for sizes of earthquakes, distances from sources, the structures, sites, and testing to be done. This paper presents five tables that show steps for evaluating these factors and for enabling the investigator to specify earthquake ground motions appropriate for engineering design.     

基于模型驱动的煤层强反射能量衰减方法

地震数据中煤层反射波具有能量强的特征,使邻近地层的反射被煤层反射所掩盖,导致邻近层难以成像,岩性解释工作存在困难。针对此问题,提出基于模型驱动的煤层强反射能量衰减方法。利用测井数据和煤矿井下钻孔实测的煤厚数据与煤层反射振幅绘制交会图,拟合振幅与厚度的关系式,构建数字模型并模拟煤层反射,在振幅残差阈值的控制下迭代求取全区煤层厚度,使用求取的模型煤层反射数据对实际数据中的煤层振幅进行衰减。通过模型试算表明,该方法在理论上具有可行性;通过对鄂尔多斯市某煤矿地震数据中3^-1号煤层反射压制的应用表明,该方法对实际数据中的煤层反射压制效果良好,煤层附近的弱反射层成像质量得到提升,为岩性解释提供基础数据。     

Predictive uncertainty of peak outflow relations for landslides dam breach

Risk assessment development considering the failure of landslide dams often requires the estimation of peak outflow through the breach. The empirical equations based on data from case studies tend to be the first direct approach. This paper conducted an uncertainty analysis when these empirical relations were utilized to predict the peak outflow of a breached landslide dam. The results suggest that the relations derived from manmade dams or embankments typically overestimate the peak outflow about 1/5 to 3/4 of an order of magnitude; and the relations derived from the database of landslide dams have much smaller mean prediction errors and also exhibit broad uncertainty bands. Application of the uncertainly analysis was illustrated by the Tangjiashan landslide dammed lake, formed during 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. In addition, the predicted results from Eq. 1 deduced herein were considered to be the reliable estimate of peak outflow through the breach of landslide dam.     

强衰减条件下Q值修正

品质因子( Q)是反映地层对地震波吸收衰减强弱的重要参量。在强衰减条件下,常规方法估算(如谱比法等)的品质因子往往比物理定义的品质因子下限(2π)还小。通过考察两者差异的来源,给出了两者的换算公式。模型测试表明,当品质因数小于30时,常规估算品质因子和物理定义品质因子的相对误差将超过10%,两者应加以区分,不可混用。根据两种品质因子的特点,有如下建议:当拟合Q?V经验式时,使用物理定义品质因子;当进行反Q补偿时,使用常规估算品质因子;当对同一工区的品质因子进行对比时,应换算成同一类品质因子。     

Seismically induced rock slope failures resulting from topographic amplification of strong ground motions: The case of Pacoima Canyon, California

The 1994 Northridge earthquake (M_w = 6.7) triggered extensive rock slope failures in Pacoima Canyon, immediately north of Los Angeles, California. Pacoima Canyon is a narrow and steep canyon incised in gneissic and granitic rocks. Peak accelerations of nearly 1.6 g were recorded at a ridge that forms the left abutment of Pacoima Dam; peak accelerations at the bottom of the canyon were less than 0.5 g, suggesting the occurrence of topographic amplification. Topographic effects have been previously suggested to explain similarly high ground motions at the site during the 1971 (M_w = 6.7) San Fernando earthquake. Furthermore, high landslide concentrations observed in the area have been attributed to unusually strong ground motions rather than higher susceptibility to sliding compared with nearby zones. We conducted field investigations and slope stability back-analyses to confirm the impact of topographic amplification on the triggering of landslides during the 1994 earthquake. Our results suggest that the observed extensive rock sliding and falling would have not been possible under unamplified seismic conditions, which would have generated a significantly lower number of areas affected by landslides. In contrast, modelling slope stability using amplified ground shaking predicts slope failure distributions matching what occurred in 1994. This observation confirms a significant role for topographic amplification on the triggering of landslides at the site, and emphasises the need to select carefully the inputs for seismic slope stability analyses.     

Modeling and synthesis of strong ground motion

Success of earthquake resistant design practices critically depends on how accurately the future ground motion can be determined at a desired site. But very limited recorded data are available about ground motion in India for engineers to rely upon. To identify the needs of engineers, under such circumstances, in estimating ground motion time histories, this article presents a detailed review of literature on modeling and synthesis of strong ground motion data. In particular, modeling of seismic sources and earth medium, analytical and empirical Green’s functions approaches for ground motion simulation, stochastic models for strong motion and ground motion relations are covered. These models can be used to generate realistic near-field and far-field ground motion in regions lacking strong motion data. Numerical examples are shown for illustration by taking Kutch earthquake-2001 as a case study.     

近断层速度脉冲地震动引起的边坡永久位移预测模型

基于小波分析方法,从NGA数据库的3 551条地震记录中选取189条速度脉冲地震动,地震动均转换成发生最强脉冲的方向。基于Newmark方法,分析了近断层速度脉冲地震动作用引起的边坡永久位移值。结果表明：近断层速度脉冲地震动对边坡产生特殊的破坏作用,表现在滑动位移值大、滑动体破坏力强等方面;边坡永久位移值与速度脉冲地震动的峰值速度具有高度相关性,位移值较大时尤为明显。建立了基于单变量形式的峰值速度及双变量形式的峰值速度、峰值加速度两种边坡永久位移预测模型,模型简单实用,与回归数据具有很好的相关性,前者更适用于预测对实际工程影响较大的永久位移值,且离散性较小。提出的预测模型为考虑近断层地震动速度脉冲特性影响的边坡永久位移值的概率地震灾害分析提供了基础。     

Seismic performance evaluation of dam-reservoir-foundation systems to near-fault ground motions

Ground motion records obtained in recent major strong earthquakes have provided evidence that ground motions recorded near the near-fault regions differ in many cases from those observed further away from the seismic source. As the forward directivity and fling effect characteristics of the near-fault ground motions, they have the potential to cause more considerable damage to structures during an earthquake. Therefore, understanding the influence of near-fault ground motions on the performance of structures is critical to mitigate damage and perform effective response. This paper presents results of a study aimed at evaluating the effects of near-fault and far-fault ground motions on seismic performance of concrete gravity dams including dam-reservoir-foundation interaction. Koyna gravity dam is selected as a numerical application. Four different near-fault ground motion records with an apparent velocity pulse are used in the analyses. 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 seismic performance evaluation method based on the demand-capacity ratio, the cumulative overstress duration and the spatial extent of overstressed regions is presented. The concrete damaged plasticity model including the strain hardening or softening behavior is employed in nonlinear analyses. Nonlinear seismic damage analyses of the selected concrete dam subjected to both near-fault and far-fault ground motions are performed. The results obtained from the analyses show the effects of near-fault ground motions on seismic performance of concrete gravity dams and demonstrate the importance of considering the near-fault ground excitations.     

近远场地震动作用下地铁车站结构地基液化效应的振动台试验

开展了近场和远场地震动作用下3跨3层地铁车站结构地基液化效应的振动台模型试验,测试了地铁车站结构的加速度、应变、水平位移反应和地基土孔隙水压力、加速度、震陷及其作用于模型结构侧墙的动土压力反应。分析和总结了地铁车站结构地基液化效应特征,结果表明：模型结构对其周围地基土孔隙水压力场的分布有明显影响,结构两侧和底部地基土中的孔压峰值小于相同深度离结构较远地基土中的孔压峰值;地基土中孔压的消散速度自下而上呈逐渐减慢的趋势;地震动作用过程中,模型结构产生向上的相对运动,强地震动作用时模型结构上浮现象明显;模型结构侧墙受到的动土压力随深度增大而减小,输入地震动特性对动土压力的大小有显著影响。     

隧道掘进爆破地震峰值神经网络预报研究

结合某抽水蓄能电站尾水隧道掘进爆破地面振动监测结果,建立了基于BP神经网络隧道掘进爆破振动速度峰值的预报模型。并对铁路运输安全进行预报,与现场实际较好地吻合。将神经网络模型预报的结果与传统方法(经验公式法)预报的结果相比,前者的预报结果有明显的改善。对于指导隧道掘进爆破设计,优化爆破参数,确保安全具有重要的意义。