Quantifying sensitivity of local site response models to statistical variations in soil properties

We perform a combined stochastic-deterministic analysis of local site response using two computer codes, an equivalent linear analysis program SHAKE and a fully nonlinear finite element code SPECTRA. Our goal is to compare the relative sensitivity of the two codes to statistical variations in soil properties. For the case studies, we re-analyze two ground motion records in Lotung, Taiwan, and one ground motion record in Gilroy, California, utilizing the recorded ground motions at the site deterministically as input into the two codes while treating the uncertain soil parameters as random variables. We then obtain empirical cumulative distribution functions of the Arias intensity and acceleration spectrum intensity, two measures of cumulative damage, to compare the relative sensitivity of the two codes to variations in model parameters. We show that the two codes exhibit comparable sensitivities to statistical parameter variations, indicating that even in the presence of fluctuations in the soil parameter values it is possible to pursue a fully nonlinear site response analysis with SPECTRA and benefit from its superior accuracy.     

Equivalent-linear site response analysis on the site of the historical Trakošćan Castle,Croatia, using HVSR method

This paper presents a major extension of seismic vulnerability research project on the site of Trako??an Castle based on the initial horizontal-to-vertical-spectral-ratio (HVSR) results from Stanko et al. (2016). The estimated HVSR site frequencies and HV amplification at Trako??an Castle can only be used as an indication of the initial soil site frequency and amplification, so-called natural soil model, corresponding to the subsoil profile without the influence of an earthquake. The equivalent-linear (EQL) site response analysis has been carried out for different earthquake scenarios for a maximum input rock peak ground acceleration (PGA_ROCK) that corresponds to return periods of 95 (0.08 g), 475 (0.18 g) and 1000 years (0.31 g). The aim of the research is to evaluate structural seismic design responses and to determine type and degree of damage caused by local site effect, which is the result of an alluvial basin and topographic influences. The main objective of this research is the formation of local microseismic zones based on an EQL analysis: surface spectral acceleration and amplification maps at the predominant frequency. Based on the HVSR frequency response of the core structure of Trako??an Castle and the Tower itself (fundamental and higher frequency modes), maps of surface spectral acceleration and soil amplification at different frequencies (3, 5 and 10 Hz) are developed for different input PGA_ROCK levels (0.08, 0.18 and 0.31 g) to evaluate seismic response of the Castle. Observed amplifications are correlated with ground motion polarization and directionality of the ground motion from the alluvial basin to the hilltop. Shortening of predominant frequencies (lengthening of the period), particularly in the alluvial basin, has been observed with higher input PGA_ROCK in the EQL analysis. This effect is not manifested in the Trako??an hill, and predominant frequencies match HVSR frequencies. The use of certain geophysical survey methods at historical sites is a big problem, because terrain features (e.g. steep hills, mountains, ridges, slopes, cliffs) create lack of space and make it impossible to carry out geophysical investigation. Microtremor measurements at historical sites can overcome this limitation and provide local seismic response and vulnerability behaviour of historical monuments without destroying their authenticity. Also, computational modelling can greatly improve the results. The EQL site response analysis on the site of Trako??an Castle has confirmed and improved the results of seismic response and vulnerability based on HVSR method.     

Equivalent-Linear Seismic Ground Response Analysis of Some Typical Sites in Mumbai

Any earthquake event is associated with a rupture mechanism at the source, propagation of seismic waves through underlying rock and finally these waves travel through the soil layers to the particular site of interest. The bedrock motion is significantly modified at the ground surface due to the presence of local soil layers above the bedrock beneath the site of interest. The estimation of the amplifications in ground response due to the local soil sites is a complex problem to the designers and the problem is more important for mega cities like Mumbai in India, where huge population may get affected due to devastations of earthquake. In the present study, the effect of local soil sites in modifying ground response is studied by performing one dimensional equivalent-linear ground response analysis for some of the typical Mumbai soil sites. Field borelog data of some typical sites in Mumbai city viz. Mangalwadi site, Walkeswar site, BJ Marg near Pandhari Chawl site are considered in this study. The ground responses are observed for range of input motions and the results are presented in terms of surface acceleration time history, ratio of shear stress to vertical effective stress versus time, acceleration response spectrum, Fourier amplitude ratio versus frequency etc. The typical amplifications of ground accelerations considering four strong ground motions with wide variation of low to high MHA, frequency contents and durations are obtained. Results show that MHA, bracketed duration, frequency content have significant effects on the amplification of seismic accelerations for typical 2001 Bhuj motion. The peak ground acceleration amplification factors are found to be about 2.50 for Mangalwadi site, 2.60 for Walkeswar site and 3.45 for BJ Marg site using 2001 Bhuj input motion. The response spectrum along various soil layers are obtained which will be useful for designers for earthquake resistant design of geotechnical structures in Mumbai for similar sites in the absence of site specific data.     

多地貌单元复合场地非线性地震效应特征二维分析

针对由河漫滩、阶地、波状起伏的丘陵地带和残丘等组成的典型复合地形场地,基于ABAQUS软件的显式有限元并行计算集群平台,考虑土体的非线性特征,采用黏弹性人工边界模拟切除的无限域对地震波动的影响,建立了大尺度复合地形真实场地的二维有限元模型,并将基岩地震动视为SH波,分析了不同地貌单元复合场地地震效应特征。结果表明：地形差异引起地表各测点峰值加速度(PGA)及峰值位移(PGD)不同;在相同地震波入射下,河漫滩区地表PGA大于Ⅰ级阶地区域,但其PGD明显小于Ⅰ级阶地区域,且河漫滩区的峰值位移差动较小;场地地表水平加速度反应谱呈双峰及多峰现象,加速度在0.4～1.2 Hz频段放大较多,且加速度反应谱特性与输入地震动相关;特定频段（0.5～1.75 Hz）地震动放大效应与聚集效应比较明显,频率小于0.2 Hz及大于2 Hz时,场地地震动放大特征不显著。低丘区的敏感频率段宽于河漫滩区;观测点的位置影响相应的水平加速度持时大小,局部地形变化将引起地震动持时差异,且持时和输入地震动特性相关。     

汶川地震紫坪铺面板堆石坝地震波输入研究

对国家强震动台网中心紫坪铺面板堆石坝区域台站实测主震记录以及大坝台网实测余震记录进行分析,研究主震与强余震地震动的基本特征。分别选取茂县地办、郫县走石山、成都中和这3组基岩台站实测主震地震动,紫坪铺台站2008年11月6日实测余震地震动以及按水工抗震规范人工生成地震动作为数值计算的地震动输入,对紫坪铺大坝进行三维动力有限元分析,并与实测结果进行对比。研究表明,郫县走石山与成都中和2个远场台站位于断层下盘,其实测地震动的加速度反应谱长周期（0.65 s以后）分量过于丰富,不宜作为断裂带附近紫坪铺大坝的地震动输入;紫坪铺大坝台站实测的余震地震动1 Hz附近（大坝基频）的频率成分相对较少,且持续时间较短,以至于难以激发大坝响应;对比坝顶实测地震动加速度反应谱和数值计算反应谱,建议汶川地震中紫坪铺大坝动力计算时可采用茂县地办台站实测地震动或按抗震设计规范反应谱人工生成地震动。     

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.     

关于抗震设计场地反应分析客观性的一些探讨

在工程抗震设计领域,以SHAKE为工具的场地反应分析已得到广泛应用。场地反应分析简单、易行,然而要得到准确、可靠的分析成果仍需要长期的经验积累和相当的技巧。其中需特别注意的是：场地反应分析所需要的各土层参数均具有相当大的不确定性。这些不确定因素主要来自于：初始剪切模量G0（或最大剪切模量Gmax）、剪切模量衰减曲线、阻尼曲线以及可能存在的软弱土层。对于大型基建工程,场地反应分析的成果对于整个工程的安全、经济性都有重大影响;因此,针对其不确定性应该进行严谨地论证,并在工程设计中充分考虑。建议对各主要参数进行敏感度分析,并将结果综合起来以形成一套理性、可靠的场地反应分析方法。     

Effects of seismic wave propagation on a long and narrow building: Body wave and surface wave propagation

In the case of the dynamic analysis of the structures using the recorded earthquake ground motions, it is usually assumed that the ground motion consists of body waves propagating vertically. However, the response of a long and narrow structure may be influenced by the oblique propagation of body waves and the dispersion of surface waves. In this paper, the effects of the seismic wave propagation on the response of this kind of structure are investigated. The characteristics of the wave propagation were verified using the recorded motions and soil information at the building site. The ground motion at every input point of the building was evaluated using the difference of arrival time of seismic waves calculated by assuming the velocity and the direction of the wave propagation. Using these ground motions, response analyses of the lumped mass model for the structure were performed. By considering the characteristics of the seismic wave propagation, the average response decreased but the local response increased around the end of the roof. Further studies of the structure were also performed in order to restrain the response around the end of the roof.     

Characterization of site effects in Montreal,Canada

Recent destructive earthquakes have clearly shown that near-surface geological conditions play a major role in the level of ground shaking in urban areas. In Canada, Montreal is ranked second for seismic risk after Vancouver considering its population and regional seismic hazard. The city is largely built on recent unconsolidated marine and river deposits and most of its infrastructure is old and deteriorated. A seismic risk project that includes a combined methodology for site effects zoning in large cities, using microtremor measurements (H/V method) coupled with 1D numerical modelling (SHAKE91), has been initiated. The experimental approach gives good estimates of the fundamental frequency of soft deposits, while the numerical approach provides good estimates of the soil response in terms of amplification factor related to frequency. Main mechanical properties of soft soils were compiled from various data available, and a sample of input rock motions from real and synthetic earthquakes was used to compute soil response. The influence of marine clays on soil response is significant and is well correlated with thickness of these deposits. PGA amplification factors range from 2 to 4 at frequencies from 2 to 7 Hz, with some occasional larger values. The results demonstrate that the methodology used for our study is both fast and efficient to determine the influence of soft soils in urban environments. Such studies are essential for the effective deployment of seismic instrumentation, land-use planning and seismic mitigation.     

Seismic Site Classification of Recording Stations in Tarai Region of Uttarakhand,from Multiple Approaches

Repeated earthquakes (EQs) are clear indication of alarming seismicity which can be witnessed across Indian subcontinent. Increase in population density with inappropriate construction practice repeatedly rise alarm that in comparison to damage scenarios experienced during previous major to great EQs in India, future catastrophes would be manifold. Performing regional seismic hazard as well as site response studies can possibly help in accurate estimation of probable future seismic scenario. Site class (SC) of EQ recording stations is an important part of both seismic hazard as well as site response analyses. In seismic hazard analysis, suitable attenuation relations are often selected based on comparison of recorded ground motion with proposed ground motion as per selected attenuation relation for the same SC. Thus, unless SC of recorded ground motions is known, suitability of selected attenuation relation cannot be validated. In addition, recent studies suggest that for same soil column, ground motion may amplify at the surface from minimal to very high depending upon input motion characteristics. Thus again, unless SC of recording station is not known, recorded ground motion cannot be considered with confidence as outcrop or base motion for region specific site response studies. In the present work, SC of eight recording stations located in Tarai region of Uttarakhand, India located adjacent to the Himalayan belt and which are part of PESMOS database, are established by three different methods namely; equivalent linear ground response analysis, generalized inversion technique and horizontal to vertical spectral ratio method. Collectively all these three methods suggest same SC for each of the eight recording stations including Roorkee, Rishikesh, Dehradun etc. Further, obtained SC based on the present study is considerably different from available SC as per PESMOS database. However, present findings are matching with recent published work. Obtained results can be very helpful in developing surface seismic hazard using regional ground motion records towards minimizing future EQ induced damages.     

Effect of surface wave inversion non-uniqueness on 1D seismic ground response analysis

Surface wave methods are increasingly being used for geotechnical site characterization. The methodology is based on the dispersive characteristic of Rayleigh waves in vertically heterogeneous medium. Experimental dispersion curve is inverted to obtain one-dimensional shear-wave velocity profile by inverse problem solution. Uncertainty associated with this surface wave inversion has drawn much attention. Inverse problem solution can provide different equivalent shear-wave velocity profiles, which may lead to different seismic site response analysis. In this study, a neighborhood algorithm has been used for inversion of dispersion curve to get a set of equivalent shear-wave velocity profiles. These equivalent velocity profiles are then used for 1D ground response analysis for different input motion record of the same earthquake at different epicentral distances. Results show significant variation in amplification spectrum in terms of maximum amplification as well as peak frequency. The extent of this uncertainty largely depends on the characteristics of the ground motion records at different epicentral distances. A linear variation is observed between mean coefficients of variation of amplification spectrum and epicentral distance of ground motion records. A gradual increase in mean value of peak frequency and peak amplification with the epicentral distance is also observed.     

Nonlinear Analysis of Local Site Effects on Seismic Ground Response in the Bam Earthquake

The influence of local geologic and soil conditions on the intensity of ground shaking is addressed in this study. The amplification of the ground motion due to local site effects resulted in severe damage to dwellings in the Bam area during the 2003 Bam Earthquake. A unique set of strong motion acceleration recordings was obtained at the Bam accelerograph station. Although the highest peak ground acceleration recorded was the vertical component (nearly 1 g), the longitudinal component (fault-parallel motion) clearly had the largest maximum velocity as well as maximum ground displacement. Subsurface geotechnical and geophysical (down-hole) data in two different sites have been obtained and used to estimate the local site condition on earthquake ground motion in the area. The ground response analyses have been conducted considering the nonlinear behavior of the soil deposits using both equivalent linear and nonlinear approaches. The fully nonlinear method embodied in FLAC was used to evaluate the nonlinear soil properties on earthquake wave propagation through the soil layer, and compare with the response from the equivalent linear approach. It is shown that thick alluvium deposits amplified the ground motion and resulted in significant damage in residential buildings in the earthquake stricken region. The comparison of results indicated similar response spectra of the motions for both equivalent and nonlinear analyses, showing peaks in the period range of 0.3–1.5 s. However, the amplification levels of nonlinear analysis were less than the equivalent linear method especially in long periods. The observed response spectra are shown to be above the NEHRP building code design requirements, especially at high frequencies.     

河口盆地非线性地震效应及设计地震动参数

针对基岩明显起伏、土层非均匀分布的典型河口盆地场地,考虑土体非线性特征,采用黏弹性人工边界模拟无限域对地震波动的影响,建立大尺度精细化二维有限元模型,分析了盆地地表地震动幅值、频谱、持时、传递函数特征,探讨了基岩起伏土层的地震动聚集效应及盆地边缘效应。结果表明：（1）盆地近地表土层表现出不同程度的地震动放大效应,且随土层深度增加呈非单调递减特征,基岩突变处地震动聚集效应明显,盆地两侧产生较为显著的边缘效应;场地中、长周期地震动的放大作用显著;（2）多遇地震、偶遇地震和罕遇地震水平时,场地卓越周期依次介于0.35～0.65 s、0.40～0.75 s和0.50～1.05 s之间;给出了盆地地表PGA（地表峰值加速度）、卓越周期均值等值线图及地表加速度反应谱放大因子建议值,地表设计地震动参数amax（地震影响系数）与Tg（特征周期）明显大于现行《建筑抗震设计规范》取值;（3）盆地特殊位置地表地震动持时得到不同幅度增长,且与输入地震动特性相关;（4）该盆地对0.5～2.0 Hz频段基岩地震动的放大效应比较显著,对小于0.2 Hz或大于2.5 Hz的基岩地震动,该盆地地震动放大效应不明显;（5）福州城区及其邻近区域地震动放大效应普遍较大。大尺度二维非线性分析一定程度上能合理反映微地形起伏、土层分布及土体非线性对地震波传播过程的影响。     

传递函数在地下工程地震响应研究中的应用

将传递函数引入地下工程地震响应的研究,提出利用传递函数进行地下工程地震响应的频谱特性分析、地震响应时频估算以及地震动输入频谱修正的3种应用方法。基于白鹤滩水电站13#机组剖面地下洞室群,对这3种方法进行了探讨及检验。结果表明：传递函数可清晰表达地下工程在地震动作用下的输入、输出关系,描述洞室群各部位的动力特性,且与其他频谱特性研究方法得出的结论相一致。在自下而上的地震剪切波作用下,洞室底板部位的响应整体强于顶拱部位,且具有不同的主频段;但在3～4 Hz频段,顶拱的动力响应强于底板。采用有限带宽随机白噪声算得洞室群各部位的传递函数,再根据传递函数进行实际地震响应时频估算的方法是可行的,估算与验算结果吻合良好,该方法可以大幅度减少计算量,使得根据有限的计算结果把握特定工程的整体动力响应特征成为可能。根据已有研究成果,取洞室底部或河谷水面为地震响应的频谱控制点,基于传递函数对输入地震动时程进行频谱修正,可保证地下工程动力响应地震动输入机制的合理性     

Analysis of wave propagation in dry granular soils using DEM simulations

In this paper, a three-dimensional particle-based technique utilizing the discrete element method (DEM) is proposed to study wave propagation in a dry granular soil column. Computational simulations were conducted to investigate the soil response to sinusoidal motions with different amplitudes and frequencies. Three types of soil deposits with different void ratios were employed in these simulations. Different boundary conditions at the base such as rigid bedrock, elastic bedrock, and infinite medium were also considered. Analysis is done in time domain while taking into account the effects of soil nonlinear behavior. The computational approach is able to capture a number of essential characteristics of wave propagation including motion amplification and resonance. Dynamic soil properties were then extracted from conducted simulations and used to predict the response of the soil using the widely used equivalent linear method program SHAKE and compare its predictions to DEM results. Generally, there was a good agreement between SHAKE and DEM results except when the exciting frequency was close to the resonance frequency of the deposit where significant discrepancy in computed shear strains between SHAKE predictions and DEM results was observed.     

Nonlinear soil response to ground motions during different earthquakes in Nepal,to arrive at surface response spectra

Catastrophic damages reported during an earthquake include building damages, excessive ground shaking, uneven settlements and liquefaction. While most of the seismic hazard studies map the probable level of ground shaking at the bedrock level, their use in assessing the above damages is very limited until the response of the local soil is also taken into account. Determination of the local soil response needs regionally recorded ground motions, dynamic soil properties, in situ geotechnical details, etc., which most of the time are not readily available for the region under study. In the present work, the response of local soil for Nepal has been studied indirectly taking into account the surface level of ground shaking during various past as well as recent EQs observed at various locations. Based on the present analysis, a low value of amplification factor for high peak horizontal acceleration and vice versa is observed in central, western as well as southern parts of Nepal. These observations suggest nonlinear soil behavior and are in accordance with the available literature. Further, the ground motion records during 2015 Nepal EQ show maximum soil response at 0.3 s which is exactly matching with the site class C obtained from in situ data for the above locations. Based on the above observations, various correlations between the high peak horizontal acceleration and the surface spectral acceleration are proposed to obtained site specific surface response spectrum for Nepal.     

Effect of coupling excess pore pressure and deformation on nonlinear seismic soil response

The excess pore pressure (\(\Delta p_w\)) generation and consequent reduction in effective stress lead to the softening of a liquefiable soil deposit that can alter ground motions in terms of amplitude, frequency content and duration. However, total stress models, which are the most currently used, do not take into account coupling of excess pore pressures and soil deformations. To assess this effect, two analyses were made: (1) a Biot hydraulic and mechanical computation of a saturated soil deposit with coupling pore pressures and soil deformations and (2) a mechanical computation of a decoupled model with same initial behaviour. Both analyses were performed with a fully nonlinear elastoplastic multi-mechanism model. As \(\Delta p_w\) depends on the soil properties, two soils were analysed: loose-to-medium and medium-to-dense sand. The results regarding the profile of maximum accelerations and shear strains, the surface accelerations and their corresponding response spectra are analysed. The mean values of the normalized response spectra ratio of surface accelerations between the coupled and decoupled model show a deamplification of low and high frequencies (i.e. at frequencies lower than 1.0 Hz and higher than 10 Hz) that tend to increase with the liquefaction zone size. Coupling of \(\Delta p_w\) and soil deformation is therefore of great importance to accurately model the ground motion response. On the contrary, while peak acceleration predictions could be conservative, the amplification on the low frequencies could be largely underestimated which could be highly prejudicial for flexible buildings.     

沙牌坝址基岩场地地震动输入参数研究

重大水利水电工程地震动输入参数必须根据专门的地震危险性分析结果来确定。目前由地震危险性分析得到的一致概率反应谱具有包络的意义,不能反映实际地震的频谱特性,输入“一致概率反应谱”可能导致地震作用偏大;拟合设计反应谱人工生成地震动加速度时程的频率非平稳性也没有得到很好解决。为了解决这些问题,得到与坝址地震危险性一致、具体地震的输入参数,结合沙牌大坝提出了一套适用于重大水利水电工程基岩场地地震动输入参数确定方法：通过以有效峰值加速度为参数的概率地震危险性计算分析,确定坝址不同超越概率下的有效峰值加速度及对坝址贡献最大的潜在震源区;在最大贡献潜在震源内利用震级空间联合分布概率最大法确定坝址设定地震,依据加速度反应谱衰减关系确定与坝址设定地震对应的设计反应谱;根据设定地震结果和时变功率谱模型参数衰减关系确定时变功率谱,将时变功率谱和最小相位谱按三角级数叠加法进行强度和频率非平稳地震加速度时程合成。在对沙牌坝址区域的地震活动性及地震构造环境分析评价的基础上,采用上述方法,得到了坝址基岩场地不同超越概率下的有效峰值加速度、设计反应谱、强度和频率非平稳地震加速度时程等地震动输入参数。     

苏州第四纪深厚沉积层一维等效线性和非线性地震反应对比分析

合理描述土体动力本构关系对场地设计地震动参数取值的准确性有显著影响。以苏州城区200 m深的钻孔剖面为研究对象,对比分析了一维等效线性波传分析法（ELA法）和基于修正Matasovic本构模型的多自由度集中质量非线性分析法（NLA法）给出的深厚场地地震反应,研究了基岩输入地震动特性和地震基岩面的选取对深厚场地地震反应的影响。结果表明：（1）随基岩地震动强度（PGA）的增大,ELA法给出的地表PGA呈单调递增的特征,而NLA法给出的地表PGA呈先快速增大后缓慢减小或几乎不变的趋势;（2）ELA法和NLA法给出的地表加速度反应谱（Sa谱）在短周期范围内存在明显差异,ELA法对基岩高频地震动具有显著的滤波效应,而NLA法对基岩高频地震动的影响表现为随基岩PGA的增大先放大后减小的特征;（3）随地震基岩面深度的增大,地表Sa谱的谱值呈现出稍许增大的趋势,但对周期T<0.1 s部分,NLA法给出的地表Sa谱的谱值则呈现出稍许减小的现象;（4）中、大震作用下,地表地震动持时不仅与基岩地震动特性有关,还与地震反应分析方法和地震基岩面的选取密切相关,NLA法能更合理地反映基岩地震动强度和上覆土层厚度对地表地震动持时的影响。     

Site amplification investigation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, using H/V ratio of microtremor

The degree of damage during earthquakes strongly depends on dynamic characteristics of buildings as well as amplification of seismic waves in soils. Among the other approaches, microtremor is, perhaps, the easiest and cheapest way to understand the dynamic characteristics of soil. Non-reference microtremor measurements have been carried out in 45 locations in and around the capital Dhaka city of Bangladesh. Subsoil investigations (Standard Penetration Test and Shear Wave Velocity) have also been executed in those locations. Soil model has been developed for those locations for site response analysis by means of the program SHAKE. Among those 45 locations, predominant frequency of microtremor observation varies from 0.48 to 3.65 Hz. Out of those 45, for 35 locations Transfer function obtained from the program SHAKE have higher frequency compared to microtremor H/V ratio and for one location it has lower predominant frequency. For six locations, frequencies obtained from two methods are identical. For three other locations, there are no similarities between predominant frequency obtained from microtremor and transfer function. The seismic Vulnerability Index (Kg) for 45 sites varies between 0.45 and 31.85. Ten sites have been identified as having moderate vulnerability of soil layers to deform.