Generation of artificial strong motion accelerograms

A method for generating synthetic strong motion accelerograms for use in engineering design is presented. This method utilizes the model proposed by Trifunac in 1971²⁷ in conjunction with the recent empirical scaling functions for characterization of amplitudes and duration of strong shaking in terms of (i) earthquake magnitude, M, and epicentral distance, R, or (ii) Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) at the recording station. The method also enables one to consider the desired levels of confidence that the synthetic motion will not be exceeded, direction of ground motion (horizontal or vertical) and the dispersive properties of geologic environment beneath and surrounding the station. The principal features of this approach are that the resulting accelerograms have non-stationary frequency and amplitude characteristics which are in full agreement with known principles of wave propagation through a stratified medium, and that the Fourier amplitudes and the frequency-dependent duration are scaled in accordance with known trends as in recorded accelerograms.     

Common problems in automatic digitization of strong motion accelerograms

Common problems encountered in automatic digitization of strong motion accelerograms, recorded on film, are presented and discussed. These include synchronization of the time scale for the three components of motion, non-uniform film speed, trace following in case of scratches or trace crossings, distortions from high contrast preprocessing of the scanned image, and trace “rotation” resulting from rotated position of the scanned film record. Procedures for correcting or eliminating these problems are suggested. The image processing hardware has developed so much during the past 20 years, that at present it exceeds the technical requirements for processing strong motion accelerograms. The problems described in this paper result from lack of training of the operators and lack of quality control in the process, which still seems to be esoteric and highly specialized. This situation may have been caused by the low demand by the engineering profession for high quality and large volume of strong motion data.     

Moment magnitude estimation using Iran strong motion data

Journal of Seismology - In this study, seismic moment, moment magnitude, and the corner frequency of Iranian earthquakes were estimated using the Iran Strong Motion Network (ISMN) data. To estimate...     

M computed from strong motion accelerograms recorded in Yugoslavia

It is shown that the new definition¹ of strong motion local magnitude M leads to stable estimates of magnitudes for earthquakes in Yugoslavia, with epicentral distances R <100 km and for 2.5 < M < 6.5. Tables with magnitudes computed using this new procedure are presented for all earthquakes contributing to the strong motion accelerogram files in EQINFOS for Yugoslavia.² The similarity of our findings with the analogous analyses for California suggests new possibilities for relative calibration between various local magnitude scales, which are used in southeastern Europe, and M_L in California.     

The synthesis of strong ground motion accelerograms from existing records

The paper discusses the synthesis of acceleration time histories primarily for use in structural response estimation. A proposed model for the acceleration time history is based on the summation of dispersive wave modes over the range of frequencies of typical interest to structural response. The values of the modal amplitudes and the travel times (or group velocities) are, for cases examined here, extracted from a target earthquake (or an ensemble of them). The synthetic accelerograms are constructed from these parameters with the inclusion of a probabilistic definition of those or other characteristics of the strong ground shaking and, in particular, the modal phase angle. The probability distributions of the peak acceleration and the integral of the square acceleration of the synthetic records are examined along with comparisons of the pseudo spectral velocity (PSV) response.     

Possible mechanism of rockbursts in coal mines

One of the important questions of rockburst prevention is the understanding of the mechanism of rockburst source. This question can be effectively studied by direct seismic observations in the rockburst regions. For this purpose, the distribution ofP-wave onset signs and the inversion of first motion amplitudes were utilized as the basic method. In such a way the coal mine regions in Poland (Upper Silesia) and in Czechoslovakia (Kladno coal mine district) were studied as part of the Polish-Czechoslovak rockburst investigation project. More than 250 rockburst events were recorded here in the decade 1977–1983, and analyzed. The results of the statistical analysis of these data allow us to formulate and introduce a model of the rockburst source with an implosion component. The suitability of this conception was verified by laboratory simulation conditions; it was confirmed that the seismoactive displacements with a clear implosive component were recorded in the neighbourhood of a stress concentrator weakened by holes. The results of both the field observations and laboratory tests were in good agreement with the theoretically derived radiation patterns for a combined shear-implosive source and also with the theoretical conception of such a source based on real geometrical configurations of mine excavations and tectonic dislocations.The rockbursts treated exhibit a dominant shear component, the magnitude of the additional implosive component not exceeding 10 percent of the shear component.     

Characteristics of observed strong motion accelerograms from the 2011 Lorca (Spain) Earthquake

The Lorca earthquake (southeast Spain) on May 11, 2011; Mw 5.1, and its aftershocks, have provided an important set of accelerograms recorded by the strong motion network of the Instituto Geográfico Nacional of Spain. It is particularly noticeable that the record obtained in Lorca town, very near of the fault rupture, presents a PGA value close to 0.37 g in the N30W component. This paper provides an overview of the strong motion data recorded during the Lorca seismic series, with particular attention to the accelerograms from the mainshock and foreshock and its characteristics. Due to the special circumstances of these two records, a more detailed processing has been required, in which various alternatives to adjust the baseline have been considered and analyzed. Based on this special processing, small residual displacements were obtained and reported in some of these cases. However, given the sensitivity of the process and the small obtained values, these findings should be taken with caution. Besides, response spectra have been analyzed and compared with design spectra proposed by the Spanish Seismic Code (NCSE-02) for the towns of Lorca, Alhama de Murcia and Mula. Large amplitude differences were observed in these spectra if compared to those recorded in Lorca. Also noteworthy is that the design spectra proposed for this town were exceeded by some horizontal directions of the response spectra.     

Estimation of site effects using strong motion data of BYTNet array in Turkey

Simultaneous estimation of effects of source, propagation path, and local site amplification was carried out using observed strong motion records in a frequency range from 0.8 to 20 Hz for the purpose of empirical evaluation of the local site effects in different geological conditions in the northwestern part of Turkey. The analyzed data are S-wave portions of 162 accelerograms from 39 shallow events observed at 14 sites of BYTNet array. A spectral separation method was applied to the observed S-wave spectra. The solutions for source spectra, inelasticity factor of propagation path for S-waves (Q _s-value), and factor of site amplification at each site were obtained in a least squares sense. In the analysis, we assumed that the factor of the site amplification at a reference site is the same as that of theoretical amplification of S-waves to the soil model whose bottom layer has an S-wave velocity around 2.15 km/s. The estimated Q _s-value of the propagation path is modeled as Q _s(f)?=?87.4f^0.78. The estimated site amplifications are characterized into three groups. The sites in the first group belong to rock site with no dominant peaks at a frequency range of 2 to 10 Hz. The second group of hard soil sites is characterized with moderately dominant peaks at a frequency of 5 Hz. The last group for soft soil sites has common peaks at a frequency of 4 Hz with larger amplitudes than those in the hard soil group. We, then, compare the amplifications with average S-wave velocity in top 30 m of the shallow S-wave profiles and proposed linear empirical formula between them at each frequency. We, furthermore, inverted the observed amplification factors into S-wave velocity and Q _s-value profiles of the deep soil over the basement.     

消除强震加速度记录数字化误差的方法和处理软件

本文详细地分析了用数字化仪和激光扫描仪对模拟加速度记录进行数字化时所产生的误差及消除这些误差的方法，并开发了相关处理软件。数字化误差由数字化设备的系统误差和读数员在操作过程中的随机误差迭加而成，随机数字化误差是具有各态历经性质的、其振幅按高斯规律分布的平稳随机过程。利用激光扫描仪做强震记录数字化，工作效率很高。本文给出了激光扫描仪分析处理软件和消除数字化噪声实例。     

强震记录仪器响应失真校正的权函数方法—时域离散序列数值分析方法与应用研究之二

简要评述了现有强震记录仪器响应失真校正方法的优点和存在的不足。在文献[1]的基础上，提出了对强震记录进行仪器响应失真校正的权函数方法，并推导建立了相应的计算公式。通过设计真实地震动为已知的算例，对加速度摆和速度摆强震仪的未校正记录，和用不同方法获得的校正记录的精度（或误差）进行了对比分析。理论和算例分析表明，本文方法简单、实用，具有很高的计算机精度且无稳定性问题。     

Estimation on site-amplification from different methods using strong motion data obtained in Tangshan, China

Introduction It has been known that each soil type responds differently when it is subjected to ground mo-tion from earthquakes. So, the study of local site effects on seismic ground motions is one of the most important goals of earthquake engineering. It is practical importance to develop methods for assessing the nature and potential of sediment amplification, especially when choosing the location and design of critical and essential facilities. At present, however, the method by which site …     

局部山体地形对强地面运动的影响研究

基于曲线网格有限差分方法研究了地震波在不同坡度的山体地形及水平地表模型中的传播,得到了各模型速度波形及地表峰值速度特征,从地形自身特征及震源特征两方面出发讨论了地形效应：一是相同的震源模型下地形坡度、形状对地震动的影响;二是同一山体模型下地震动对不同震源机制的点源以及相对复杂的有限断层的响应.主要结论如下：（1）一般情况下,地形放大效应在坡度较大的地方比较明显,并随着坡度的增加而增大,但在某些特定情况下,放大效应与坡度并不满足正相关,且这种情况的发生与震源性质无关,可能仅受地形形态自身的影响;（2）对于不同的震源机制,地面运动各分量受地形影响程度不同,总体上水平分量受地形影响程度更大;（3）震源机制和震源激发的波的频率会影响放大效应最大值出现的位置,放大效应最大值不一定出现在山顶处,有可能会出现在起伏地形的震源对侧,出现位置可能与波的相互作用有关;（4）有限断层模型下,地面运动特征相对更为复杂,地形效应不仅受断层模型几何特征的影响,同时断层破裂过程对其也有着重要的影响.

     

Estimation of strong seismic ground motion for engineering use in Perth Western Australia

Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) was performed to determine two alternate magnitude-distance combinations for the 475 yr event, and the worst-case scenario event in Perth, Western Australia. Regional strong ground motion (SGM) time histories on rock sites are used to modify an eastern North America (ENA) seismic model to suit southwest Western Australian (SWWA) conditions. This model is then used to stochastically simulate a set of 475 yr design events and a set of worst-case scenario event for rock sites in the Perth metropolitan area (PMA). The simulated time histories are then used as input to typical soft soil sites in the PMA to estimate surface ground motions. The spectral accelerations of the ground motions on rock and soil sites are calculated and compared with the corresponding design spectra defined in current and previous Australian earthquake loading code. Discussions of the adequacy of the code spectra and the differences to ours, along with implications on structural response and damage are made.     

Estimation of strong motion distribution in the 1995 Kobe earthquake based on building damage data

The 1995 Kobe earthquake caused unprecedented damage to buildings and civil infrastructures in the city of Kobe and its surrounding areas. In order to evaluate the structural damage in this area due to the earthquake, it is important to estimate the distribution of earthquake ground motion. However, since the number of strong ground motion records is not enough in the heavily damaged areas, it is necessary to estimate the distribution using other data sources. In this paper, the fragility curves for low‐rise residential buildings were constructed using the recorded motions and the building damage data from the intensive field survey by the AIJ and CPIJ group. The fragility curves obtained were then employed to estimate the strong motion distribution in the district level for Kobe and the surrounding areas during the earthquake. The results may be useful to investigate the various damages caused by the earthquake. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A study on amplification response of soil ground motion in Shanghai using strong motion records

Introduction A good deal of attention was paid to the amplification response of soil layers under the earthquake waves,especially by the engineering seismologists.     

Duration of strong ground motion in terms of earthquake magnitude,epicentral distance,site conditions and site geometry

The physical bases and empirical equations for modelling the duration of strong earthquake ground motion in terms of the earthquake magnitude, the epicentral distance and the geological and local soil site conditions are investigated. At 12 narrow frequency bands, the duration of a function of motion f(t), where f(t) is acceleration, velocity or displacement, is defined as the sum of time intervals during which the integral S f² (τ) dτ gains a significant portion of its final value. All the records are band-pass filtered through 12 narrow filters and the duration of strong ground motion is studied separately in these frequency bands. It is shown that the duration of strong motion can be modelled as a sum of the source duration, the prolongation due to propagation effects and the prolongation due to the presence of the sediments and local soils. It is shown how the influence of the magnitude on the duration of strong ground motion becomes progressively stronger, in going from low to moderate frequencies, and that the duration is longer for ‘soft’ than for ‘hard’ propagation paths, at low and at moderate frequencies. At high frequencies, the nature of the broadening of the strong motion portion of the record with increasing distance is different, and is most likely related to the diffraction and scattering of the short waves by the velocity inhomogeneities along the wave path. It is also shown that the geological and local soil conditions should both be included in the model. The duration can be prolonged by 3–5 sec at a site on a deep sedimentary layer at frequencies near 0.5 Hz, and by as much as 5–6 sec by the presence of soft soil underneath the station, at a frequency of about 1 Hz. An empirical equation for a probabilistic estimate of the discrepancies of the predictions by our models relative to the observed data (distribution function of the residuals) is presented.     

强震速报震级的比较研究

本文对比了成都速报、“中心”速报、地球所临报和 ISC报告所测定的震级 ,初步讨论了出现差异的原因     

Duration of strong ground motion during Mexican earthquakes in terms of magnitude,distance to the rupture area and dominant site period

A study of the duration of strong ground motion using accelerometric data of subduction and normal‐faulting Mexican earthquakes is presented. Duration is obtained based on the time between 2.5 and 97.5 per cent of the Arias intensity. An expression to predict this duration in terms of the magnitude, distance to the rupture area and site period is proposed and compared with predictions available in the literature. The effect of large duration for very distant sites and the contribution of soft soils to the duration of strong ground motion are widely discussed. We have found that large magnitude not only yields long duration at the source, but also proportionally longer duration with distance and with dominant site period compared to small magnitude. The duration obtained from the regression is used as a parameter to obtain input and hysteretic energy and on the use of damage models available in the literature. Finally, duration is used together with the random vibration theory to predict response spectra. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于台阵记录的局部场地条件地震动效应分析

基于自贡西山公园山体地形影响台阵和唐山响堂土层场地台阵的地震动记录, 采用互相关分析、 相干系数分析、 傅里叶谱比法和考虑相干系数的傅里叶谱比法, 对比研究了山体地形和土层场地两种局部场地条件对地震动的影响。 结果表明, 局部场地条件下的地震动效应与地震波的频率成分相关。 低频地震波由于其波长较长, 易于穿过土层场地和山体地形发生衍射, 从而导致二者地震动显著相关, 但二者在该频段的地震动场地效应差异不大; 较高频率的地震波由于其波长较短, 更容易受土层场地条件和山体地形条件的影响, 造成二者地震动场地效应差异显著。 此外, 由于山体顶部的尺寸变小, 低频长波长地震波容易在该位置发生衍射, 导致山顶周边测点的地震动相关性增加, 而较高频率的地震波则容易引起山顶局部场地发生共振效应。 山体地形上相邻位置的地震动差异一般较大, 相关性较低, 这与山体地形不同位置的几何形状对较高频率的地震波影响有关; 山底基岩的地震动受山体地形的影响较小, 该位置的地震动效应机制尚需作进一步研究。