Applicability of the H/V spectral ratio of microtremors in assessing site effects on seismic motion

The authors examine the reliability of site response estimations obtained by the horizontal to vertical (H/V) spectral ratios of microtremors by means of cross‐validation with the ratio of the horizontal spectra of earthquake motion with respect to reference sites. The data comprise microtremor and ground motion records recorded at 150 sites of Yokohama strong motion array. The use of non‐supervised pattern recognition techniques aims to group the sites with more objectivity. Attributes defining the overall shape of the amplification spectra serve as input in the computation of Euclidean distance similarity coefficients amongst sites. The implementation of the Ward clustering scheme leads to the attainment of a meaningful tree diagram. Its analysis shows the possibility of summarizing the results into six general patterns. A good coincidence of site effects estimates at 80 per cent of the sites becomes apparent. However, this coincidence appears poor for sites characterized by H/V amplification ratios around 2 or smaller and predominant periods longer than 0.5 s. In such cases, the presence of stiff, sandy sediments in the soil profile proves common. To proscribe H/V estimations, relying solely on the small spectral ratios criterion seems inadequate. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三河—平谷地区地脉动H/V谱比法探测:场地响应、浅层沉积结构及其反映的断层活动

1679年三河—平谷8级地震,造成了包括北京在内的华北广大地区严重的人员和经济损失,但是该地区和地震灾害密切相关的沉积结构和地震场地响应特征研究,相对比较缺乏.本文利用1~4 km台间距的高密度单台地脉动观测、几个小孔径台阵观测和钻孔测井数据,研究了三河—平谷地区的浅层沉积的场地响应和沉积层三维起伏特征,以及构造运动对沉积厚度的影响.结果表明,研究区沉积层的场地共振频率和沉积厚度有明显的分区特征：东北部场地共振频率主要在1.0~7.0 Hz之间,具有相对较薄的沉积厚度,沉积界面起伏也相对平稳;西南部场地共振频率大部分区域小于1.0 Hz,可低至0.3 Hz,相应的沉积厚度起伏显著,其中在大厂凹陷厚度可达300~600 m.沉积起伏和隐伏断裂带的分布有较好的对应关系,反映了夏垫断裂、南苑—通县断裂第四纪以来较为活跃的正断活动.北东走向的夏垫等隐伏断裂在东北部山前的正断活动相对不发育,以及东北部和西南部沉积厚度的显著差异,都可能受到北西走向的二十里长山断裂带活动的影响.按照Vs30场地分类,研究区内沉积较厚的凹陷地区主要为E类软土,其他区域为D类中硬土.研究结果与区域地质调查、钻孔数据和浅层地震勘探剖面结果基本相符,说明地脉动探测方法能够高效、低成本的获取区域沉积厚度和场地作用,为地震小区划和抗震设防提供有意义的参考.     

Empirical evaluation of microtremor H/V spectral ratio

The objective of this work is to perform a purely empirical assessment of the actual capabilities of the horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratio technique to provide reliable and relevant information concerning site conditions and/or site amplification. This objective has been tackled through the homogeneous (re)processing of a large volume of earthquakes and ambient noise data recorded by different research teams in more than 200 sites located mainly in Europe, but also in the Caribbean and in Tehran. The original recordings were first gathered in a specific database with information on both the sites and recorded events. Then, for all sites close to an instrumented reference, average site-to-reference spectral ratios (“spectral ratio method” (SSR)) were derived in a homogeneous way (window selection, smoothing, signal-to-noise ratio threshold, averaging), as well as H/V ratios (“HVSRE–RF”) on earthquake recordings. H/V ratios were also obtained from noise recordings at each site (either specific measurements, or extracted from pre- or post-event noise windows). The spectral curves resulting from these three techniques were estimated reliable for a subset of 104 sites, and were thus compared in terms of fundamental frequency, amplitude and amplification bandwidth, exhibiting agreements and disagreements, for which interpretations are looked for in relation with characteristics of site conditions. The first important result consists in the very good agreement between fundamental frequencies obtained with either technique, observed for 81% of the analyzed sites. A significant part of the disagreements correspond to thick, low frequency, continental sites where natural noise level is often very low and H/V noise ratios do not exhibit any clear peak. The second important result is the absence of correlation between H/V peak amplitude and the actual site amplification measured on site-to-reference spectral ratios. There are, however, two statistically significant results about the amplitude of the H/V curve: the peak amplitude may be considered as a lower bound estimate of the actual amplification indicated by SSR (it is smaller for 79% of the 104 investigated sites), and, from another point of view, the difference in amplitude exhibits a questioning correlation with the geometrical characteristics of the sediment/basement interface: large SSR/HV differences might thus help to detect the existence of significant 2D or 3D effects.     

三河—平谷地区地脉动H/V谱比法探测:场地响应、浅层沉积结构及其反映的断层活动

1679年三河—平谷8级地震,造成了包括北京在内的华北广大地区严重的人员和经济损失,但是该地区和地震灾害密切相关的沉积结构和地震场地响应特征研究,相对比较缺乏.本文利用1~4 km台间距的高密度单台地脉动观测、几个小孔径台阵观测和钻孔测井数据,研究了三河—平谷地区的浅层沉积的场地响应和沉积层三维起伏特征,以及构造运动对沉积厚度的影响.结果表明,研究区沉积层的场地共振频率和沉积厚度有明显的分区特征：东北部场地共振频率主要在1.0~7.0 Hz之间,具有相对较薄的沉积厚度,沉积界面起伏也相对平稳;西南部场地共振频率大部分区域小于1.0 Hz,可低至0.3 Hz,相应的沉积厚度起伏显著,其中在大厂凹陷厚度可达300~600 m.沉积起伏和隐伏断裂带的分布有较好的对应关系,反映了夏垫断裂、南苑—通县断裂第四纪以来较为活跃的正断活动.北东走向的夏垫等隐伏断裂在东北部山前的正断活动相对不发育,以及东北部和西南部沉积厚度的显著差异,都可能受到北西走向的二十里长山断裂带活动的影响.按照Vs30场地分类,研究区内沉积较厚的凹陷地区主要为E类软土,其他区域为D类中硬土.研究结果与区域地质调查、钻孔数据和浅层地震勘探剖面结果基本相符,说明地脉动探测方法能够高效、低成本的获取区域沉积厚度和场地作用,为地震小区划和抗震设防提供有意义的参考.

     

Application of horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) Fourier spectral ratio for analysis of site effect on rock (NEHRP-class B) sites in Taiwan

The frequency-dependent amplification for rock (NEHRP-class B) sites was studied using earthquake ground-motion database collected in Taiwan during implementation of the Taiwan Strong Motion Instrumentation Program. The database used includes several hundred records from earthquakes of M_L 4.0–7.3 occurred between 1993 and 2004. The characteristics of amplification were evaluated using the well-known technique of horizontal-to-vertical Fourier spectral ratio (H/V) of the S-wave phase [Lermo J, Chavez-Garcia FJ. Site effect evaluation using spectral ratios with only one station. Bull Seism Soc Am 1993;83:1574–94]. The study allows us to analyze peculiarities of rock sites amplification in Northern and Eastern Taiwan. It was suggested to divide the NEHRP-class B site amplification into four types based on frequency of maximum amplification and the shape of amplification function. The applicability of the technique was also checked for a few stiff and soft soil sites (NEHRP-classes D and E).     

Ambient noise H/V spectral ratio in site effects estimation in Fateh jang area,Pakistan

Local geology or local site effect is a crucial component while conducting seismic risk assessment studies. Investigations made by utilization of ambient noise are an effective tool for local site estimation. The present study is conducted to perform site response analysis at 13 different sites within urban settlements of Fateh jang area(Pakistan). The aim of this study was achieved by utilizing Nakamura method or H/V spectral ratio method. Some important local site parameters, e.g., the fundamental frequencies f0 of soft sediments, amplitudes A0 of corresponding H/V spectral ratios, and alluvium thicknesses over 13 sites within the study area, were measured and analyzed. The results show that the study area reflects low fundamental frequency f0. The fundamental frequencies of the sediments are highly variable and lie in a range of 0.6–13.0 Hz. Similarly, amplification factors at these sites are in the range of 2.0–4.0.     

用H/V谱比法与折射微动法确定表土层参数

表土层参数对地震场地响应有重要影响,通过H/V谱比法和折射微动(REMI)方法确定场地表土层厚度和速度结构等有实际意义.REMI方法采用常规折射地震采集设备,利用自然震动作为源,通过地震波场τp变换和傅立叶变换,将地震记录从时空域变换到慢度-频率域提取频散曲线,不同于主动源面波勘探,被动源面波勘探能获得更大深度的土层结构.     

基于微动H/V谱比法的土石分界面探测研究——以济南中心城区为例

土石分界面对城市抗震设防和地下工程建设具有重要意义.城市中复杂的干扰限制了常规地球物理勘探方法的使用,本文选用环境友好且抗干扰能力强的微动H/V谱比法对济南中心城区的土石分界面展开研究.在济南中心城区开展三分量微动测量,得到了400多个测点的微动数据,计算了对应的H/V谱比曲线.将得到的H/V曲线划分成单峰、宽峰、双峰和无峰四种类型,分析了不同类型曲线与地质结构的关系.根据基岩性质不同,将研究区的基岩划分为灰岩和岩浆岩两种类型,总结出了基岩为灰岩时的深度-频率关系式,同时发现当基岩为岩浆岩时无法得到可靠的关系式.根据关系式计算得到了济南部分测线的土石分界面深度分布,另外,关系式的计算结果与钻孔资料十分吻合,能满足工程探测的精度要求.本方法为在城市强干扰环境中确定土石分界面深度提供了快速准确的解决方案.     

Soil characteristics in Doon Valley (north west Himalaya,India) by inversion of H/V spectral ratios from ambient noise measurements

Past and recent observations have shown that the local site conditions significantly affect the behavior of seismic waves and its potential to cause destructive earthquakes. Thus, seismic microzonation studies have become crucial for seismic hazard assessment, providing local soil characteristics that can help to evaluate the possible seismic effects. Among the different methods used for estimating the soil characteristics, the ones based on ambient noise measurements, such as the H/V technique, become a cheap, non-invasive and successful way for evaluating the soil properties along a studied area.In this work, ambient noise measurements were taken at 240 sites around the Doon Valley, India, in order to characterize the sediment deposits. First, the H/V analysis has been carried out to estimate the resonant frequencies along the valley. Subsequently, some of this H/V results have been inverted, using the neighborhood algorithm and the available geotechnical information, in order to provide an estimation of the S-wave velocity profiles at the studied sites.Using all these information, we have characterized the sedimentary deposits in different areas of the Doon Valley, providing the resonant frequency, the soil thickness, the mean S-wave velocity of the sediments, and the mean S-wave velocity in the uppermost 30 m.     

应用微动H/V谱比法和台阵技术探测场地响应和浅层速度结构

为了快速而且廉价地获取北京市详细的场地响应和浅层速度结构,应用于地震动模拟和地震灾害预防,我们开展了微动观测技术和处理方法研究.本文利用2007年夏季北京五棵松地区进行的几个微动观测实验数据,使用单台H/V谱比法分析场地的卓越频率及其对应的放大系数,并对比了不同地震仪和观测时间对H/V曲线的影响;应用高分辨率F-K频谱分析方法从微动台阵数据中得到Rayleigh波的频散曲线并使用邻域算法反演出浅层速度结构.H/V结果表明该地区卓越频率在2.1～2.2 Hz之间,对应的放大系数下限约为3;利用微动H/V方法得到的场地卓越频率具有较高的稳定性.微动台阵反演结果给出了比较合理的波阻抗界面深度和层平均速度结构,认为地下80多米处的波阻抗界面是决定场地卓越频率和其场地放大系数的主要界面.本研究表明微动技术应用于评估城市地震场地响应和浅层速度结构是可行且易于实施的.     

An indication of the soil topmost layer response in Quito (Ecuador) using noise H/V spectral ratio

H/V noise spectral ratio (HVSR), standard spectral ratio (SSR), and receiver functions (RF) techniques have been used in the Quito (Ecuador) urban area to estimate the frequency dependence of soil response. Two amplified frequencies obtained by the HVSR method appear on about 60 sites. Taking into account the most amplified frequency rather than considering only the first amplified frequency, generally associated with the fundamental frequency, we find that iso-frequency curves tightly fit the surface geology. The second amplified frequency is interpreted as the fundamental frequency of the soft thin topmost layer, which in some cases amplifies the surface ground motion more than the rest of the soil column. This hypothesis is further supported by the results provided from the SSR and RF studies at a station located on top of a solid waste landfill, and by a study of known thickness of a waste landfill, using the HVSR method.     

Improvement of HVSR technique by self-organizing map (SOM) analysis

Data interpretation is one of the most important and thorny tasks in geosciences. Difficulties occur especially in non-invasive geophysical techniques and/or when the data that have to be analyzed are multidimensional, non-linear and highly noisy. Another important task is to ensure an efficient automatic data analysis, in order to allow a data interpretation as independent as possible from any a priori knowledge. This paper describes the post-processing application of a kind of neural network (self-organizing map, SOM) to the identification of the fundamental HVSR frequency of a given site. SOM results can be represented as two-dimensional maps, with a non-parametric mapping that projects the high dimensional original dataset in a fashion that provides both an unsupervised clustering and a highly visual representation of the data relationships. This innovative application of the SOM algorithm is presented with a case study related to the characterization of a mineral deposit.     

Characteristics of earthquake ground motions and the H/V of microtremors in the southwestern part of Taiwan

The relationships between the spectral characteristics of earthquake ground motions and those of micro‐tremors are investigated using the observed data from a dense strong‐motion network consisting of 108 stations in the Yun‐Li, Chia‐Yi and Tai‐Nan areas in southwestern Taiwan. Many high‐quality recordings, including those of the 921 Chi‐Chi earthquake (M_w=7.6), the 1022 Chia‐Yi mainshock (M_L=6.4), the 1022 major aftershock (M_L=6.0), as well as some weak motion events are selected to evaluate site responses. Microtremor measurements are also performed at most ground motion stations. With many stations in the area located on an alluvium structure, however, it is difficult to find good reference stations on rock sites, which therefore necessitates the calculation of single‐station H/V ratios. The predominant frequencies obtained from H/V ratios are consistent with those from spectral ratios. The site characteristics between the strong and weak events are different, however. This implies that a nonlinear effect probably occurred with the strong‐motion events. The main peak in the H/V spectra of the microtremors is in good agreement with the first peak obtained from the spectra of earthquake ground motions. It is reasonable to claim that the main peak reflects the deep underground structure. On the basis of the H/V ratios of the microtremors, it is concluded that the lower predominant frequencies appear in the plain area, while the higher values are near the mountainous region. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Horizontal to vertical spectral ratio and geological conditions: an analysis of strong motion data from Greece and Taiwan (SMART-1)

Nowadays, several research efforts have been directed towards the evaluation of the horizontal to vertical, (h/v), spectral ratio technique, following the pioneering work of Nakamura originally proposed for microtremor measurements. In the present study, an extension of this technique based on Greek and Taiwanese (SMART-1) strong motion data is attempted. Whenever possible comparisons with results obtained by the standard spectral ratio technique for the same sites are made. Regarding the Greek data it is concluded that (h/v) spectral ratio clearly distinguishes the range of resonant peaks between ‘rock’ and ‘alluvium’ sites. On the other hand, nonlinear effects that take place beneath SMART-1 array most probably obscure the expected consistency between (h/v) and standard spectral ratio technique.     

Soil characterization in urban areas of the Bajo Segura Basin (Southeast Spain) using H/V, F-K and ESAC methods

Bajo Segura Basin, placed in the south of Alicante province (southeast Spain), is a region of moderate seismicity, which presents frequent seismic episodes. This region, as the rest of south-eastern part of Spain, is growing both economically and demographically. Hence, the presence of soft soils in a seismic region where many towns and villages are placed shows the importance of an adequate characterization of the site effects study in this area.The present work investigates the use of noise measurements for soil characterization by the application of H/V method and array techniques: extended spatial autocorrelation (ESAC) and frequency-wave number (F-K) in three urban areas of the Bajo Segura Basin. The application of these methods will help us to estimate the resonance frequencies, as well as shear-wave velocity profiles, having a better understanding of the sediment depth and site effects phenomena at the studied places.The estimated velocity profiles are used to model the fundamental mode Rayleigh wave ellipticity curves and the S-wave site transfer functions. Finally, the correlation between this curves and the experimental H/V analysis has allowed us a better assessment of the site response in the studied areas.     

Seismic Microzonation: A Comparison between Geotechnical and Seismological Approaches in Pointe-à-Pitre (French West Indies)

Pointe-à-Pitre, the main city of Guadeloupe in the French West Indies, has on several occasions been partially destroyed by major historical earthquakes. Moreover, a post-seismic assessment of the damage from the 1985 Montserrat earthquake indicates that the town is prone to site effects. Consequently, from 1996 to 1998, BRGM conducted a seismic microzonation study based on geotechnical and geological data. At the same time, three seismological studies were being conducted – two based on earthquake recordings using a time-series analysis and the classical spectral ratio (CSR) method (CETE/LCPC and BRGM), and the third based on noise measurement at 400 points using the horizontal-to-vertical noise ratio (HVNR) method (CETE/LCPC). The objective of this paper is not to carry out a new microzonation study by taking into account all the results, but rather to show in what respects the results of these different methods are in agreement or not. A comparison of the results of the seismological studies with the geotechnical microzonation shows that they are in fairly good agreement, albeit with some discrepancies. The results indicate that the seismological methods and the geotechnical data are highly complementary and should be used together in compiling seismic transfer-function microzonation maps. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于地脉动和地铁振动的钢筋混凝土建筑结构响应分析

在北京城区的一栋钢筋混凝土建筑(Reinforced Concrete building,简称RC)中,进行历时两天的地脉动和地铁振动观测.介绍了利用地脉动和地铁振动信号研究RC建筑结构响应的观测方法、仪器设备、数据采集和数据处理方法.对观测数据进行两种分析:(1)对连续的地脉动背景噪声,采用H/V谱比法;(2)对经过的地铁列车作为震源产生的振动信号,采用地震干涉法,从而得到大楼的结构响应.这两种分析方法都表明:该RC大楼在东西向的共振频率是2.2 Hz,在南北向的共振频率是2.9 Hz.H/V谱比法表明,该大楼的噪声主要来源于东西方向的城市交通,主要包括地面交通和地铁.对地铁通过时产生的结构响应进行地震干涉分析,估算出这栋RC建筑的阻尼比是0.17,这能有效衰减共振.最后得出:利用地脉动背景噪声和沿线地铁振动作为信号输入,可能提供一种经济实用、灵活性好的结构响应分析方法,这是对仅利用强震动加速度分析进行建筑物易损性评估的传统分析方法的一种补充.     

利用纵、横波震源谱参数研究波速比——以岷县—漳县MS6.6地震为例

利用甘肃省区域地震台网提供的地震波形,计算得到甘肃东南地区2010年1月至2014年6月183个M_L≥2.5地震纵、横波的拐角频率和零频极限等震源谱参数,分析2013年7月22日岷县—漳县M_S6.6地震前后纵、横波拐角频率比值和零频极限比值的变化特征,间接反映震源处波速比的变化。结果如下:(1)拐角频率比值的平均值约为1.32,而由零频极限比值计算得到的波速比平均值约为1.55,后者高于前者;(2)二者得到波速比的时间变化趋势基本一致:两个波速比在岷县地震前后呈现出"明显升高-下降-震前急剧下降-震后缓慢恢复"的变化过程;(3)二者得到的波速比空间分布基本一致:岷县地震震中附近及合作、舟曲等地区在震前出现低值异常,震中附近地区的波速比在震后有所回升。     

Correlation between damage distribution and ambient noise H/V spectral ratio: the SESAME project results

In the framework of the SESAME project one of the tasks was the compilation of all available ambient noise measurements within urban environments affected by historical or/and recent strong earthquakes in Europe. The aim of such a task was to give an answer to the question; “How does horizontal-to-vertical ambient noise spectral ratio compare with damage in modern cities?”. For this purpose five European urban areas, namely, Angra do Heroismo (Portugal), Fabriano and Palermo (Italy), Thessaloniki and Kalamata (Greece) were selected for which spatial damage information was available either in terms of modified Mercalli intensity or in EMS98 damage grades. The geological setting of the examined sites as well as the causative earthquakes are satisfactorily known. Ambient noise recordings compiled for all examined sites have been homogeneously processed by a technique developed and agreed upon SESAME project. Using a standard multivariate statistical analysis, namely, factor analysis and canonical correlation, the horizontal-to-vertical ambient noise spectral ratio (HVNSR) is correlated with damage pattern observed within examined urban areas. Results show that, in some cases (Thessaloniki, Palermo), the HVNSR seems to be able to differentiate between areas previously shown to be associated with higher damage. In other cases however (Angra do Heroismo, Fabriano, Kalamata), the correlation is not statistically significant indicating thus the complex character of the parameters involved, implying that currently there is no a straightforward way that a value of HVNSR can correctly predict the extent to which a given region will be associated with increased damage.