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.     

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).     

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.     

H/V spectral ratio analysis and Rayleigh modelization in Eastern Thuringia,Germany

We use records from the East Thuringian Seismic Network (OTSN, Ostthüringer Seismisches Netzwerk) to characterize the site response for each station, and to analyze the scope and limits of the Rayleigh modeling for H/V spectral ratio. The stations considered in this work can be classified by their seismic response as hard rock sites or as sites with some site effect. From these results we propose velocity models based on Rayleigh modeling (theoretical Rayleigh wave ellipticity).Our results show that for locations affected by site effects the H/V spectral ratio can be modeled by the theoretical ellipticity of layered velocity models. For hard rock sites the spectral ratio is rather flat and the modeling with the theoretical ellipticity was not very clear. This may be explained by the fact that for hard rock sites the conditions for a clear fundamental frequency associated with S-wave resonance, and therefore with Rayleigh wave ellipticity, are not fulfilled.     

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.

     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Applying empirical methods in site classification,using response spectral ratio (H/V): A case study on Iranian strong motion network (ISMN)

Shear wave velocity, measured recently at 107 strong motion stations, is a new empirical basis in the applicability investigation of empirical classification techniques. These stations are classified considering Iranian Practice Code criteria (Standard 2800). To check the applicability of empirical methods, three different empirical techniques are applied to re-classify the stations using previously determined site classes. The first method is based only on the determination of peak periods at each station. It is found that the fundamental periods in different site categories are within the ranges proposed by Japanese Road Association. The second one is upon the site classification index (SI), suggested by Zhao et al. In this study, a new site index term is proposed for quantitative site classification using the empirical H/V spectral ratio (here after HVRS) method. It is shown that the results from this scheme are comparable with those obtained by applying the method of Zhao et al. and are more reliable than the results from using only peak periods. A large number of strong motion stations are classified in Iran for more control of proposed SI applicability. The mean response spectral ratio curves for all data of ISMN stations are found to be fairly consistent with those obtained by Zhao et al. The results show the practicability and efficiency of the proposed method in site classification. However, more shear wave measurements and further information, like surface geology, borehole data etc., are still needed to clarify the uncertainties of such empirical schemes.     

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.     

Variations of local seismic response in Benevento (Southern Italy) using earthquakes and ambient noise recordings

The city of Benevento (Southern Italy) has been repeatedly struck by large historical earthquakes. A heterogeneous geologic structure and widespread soft soil conditions make the estimation of site effects crucial for the seismic hazard assessment of the city. From 2000 until 2004, we installed seismic stations to collect earthquake data over zones with different geological conditions. Despite the high level of urban noise, we recorded more than 150 earthquakes at twelve sites. This data set yields the first, well documented experimental evidence for weak to moderate local amplifications. We investigated site effects primarily by the classical spectral ratio technique (CSR) using a rock station placed on the Benevento hill as reference. All sites in the Calore river valley and in the eastern part of the Benevento hill show a moderate high-frequency (f > 4 Hz) amplification peak. Conversely, sites in the Sabato river valley share weak-to-moderate amplification in a wide frequency band (from 1–2 to 7–10 Hz), without evident frequency peaks. Application of no-reference-site techniques to earthquake and noise data confirms the results of the CSRs in the sites of the Calore river valley and of the eastern part of the Benevento hill, but fails in providing indications for site effects in the Sabato river valley, being the H/V ratios nearly flat. One-dimensional modeling indicates that the ground motion amplification can be essentially explained in terms of a vertically varying geologic structure. High-frequency narrow peaks are caused by the strong impedance contrast existing between near-surface soft deposits and stiff cemented conglomerates. Conversely, broad-band amplifications in the Sabato river valley are likely due to a more complex layering with weak impedance contrasts both in the shallow and deep structure of the valley.     

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.     

On the Limitation of the H/V Spectral Ratio Using Seismic Noise as an Exploration Tool: Application to the Grenoble Valley (France), a Small Apex Ratio Basin

The H/V spectral ratio method based on seismic noise (HVSRN) was used in the Grenoble Basin (France), an Alpine valley characterized by a small apex ratio. The resonance frequencies obtained in the experiments were compared to the thickness of the sediments deduced from a microgravimetric survey and to the 1-D theoretical assessment of site responses. Given the abundance of data on the sediments and depth of the basin, the values of the theoretical resonance frequency f_o can be determined quite accurately. However, it has been observed that the effects of basin geometry can disturb f_o measurements using the HVSR method, in particular for a case like the Grenoble Basin, which has a small apex ratio (w/H) and strong suspected 2-D and/or 3-D effects. Interpretation of f_o values in terms of bedrock depth gives rise to estimation errors of about 10% in certain cases, with the most significant errors (>50%) occurring on the edges of the basin, where subsurface layers are characterised by larger heterogeneities and where the basin topography is accentuated. This study suggests that great care must be taken when using the HVSRN method as an exploration tool, at least in valleys with a small apex ratio.     

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.