Estimating site-specific strong earthquake motions

The Campus Earthquake Program (CEP) of the University of California (UC) started in March 1996, and involved a partnership among seven campuses of the UC—Berkeley, Davis, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz—and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The aim of the CEP was to provide University campuses with site-specific assessments of their earthquake strong motion exposure, to complement estimates they obtain from consultants according to the state-of-the-practice (SOP), i.e. Building Codes (UBC 97, IBC 2000), and Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA). The Building Codes are highly simplified tools, while the more sophisticated PSHA is still somewhat generic in its approach because it usually draws from many earthquakes not necessarily related to the faults threatening the site under study.Between 1996 and 2001, the site-specific studies focused on three campuses: Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. Each campus selected 1–3 sites to demonstrate the methods and procedures used by the CEP: Rivera Library and Parking Lots (PL) 13 and 16 at UCR, Thornton Hospital, the Cancer Center, and PL 601 at UCSD, and Engineering I building at UCSB. The project provided an estimate of strong ground motions at each selected site, for selected earthquake scenarios. These estimates were obtained by using an integrated geological, seismological, geophysical, and geotechnical approach, that brings together the capabilities of campus and laboratory personnel. Most of the site-specific results are also applicable to risk evaluation of other sites on the respective campuses.The CEP studies have provided a critical assessment of whether existing campus seismic design bases are appropriate. Generally speaking, the current assumptions are not acknowledging the severity of the majority of expected motions. Eventually, both the results from the SOP and from the CEP should be analyzed, to arrive at decisions concerning the design-basis for buildings on UC campuses.     

唐山响堂三维场地影响观测台阵

１９９４年７月中国地震局工程力学研究所在唐山余震区响堂镇建成了我国第一个三维场地影响观测台阵。该台阵目前有四个测点,分别布设在基岩地表、土层地表、地下１７ｍ和地下３２ｍ处。它安装了分辨率为１６位的井下数字观测系统,主机和从机同步运行,系统时钟采用Ｏｍｅｇａ导航信号自动校对（精度１ｍｓ）,地震数据采用固态方式（ＣＭＯＳ）存储,每个测点均布设一组 量力平衡式加速度计。该台阵自投入运行至１９９７年１２月     

Characteristics of strong ground motion for typical Australian intra-plate earthquakes and their relationship with the recommended response spectra

Global epicentre maps show that the majority of earthquakes are inter-plate, although moderate to large earthquakes do occur intra-plate, i.e. within the plates. The seismicity of the Australian continent is typical of intra-plate environments and a magnitude M_L 6 earthquake has an average return period of about 5 years. Recordings of Australian intra-plate earthquakes are investigated here to characterise their frequency content, peak acceleration and duration.Due to lack of quality strong motion records of large intra-plate earthquakes at short distances, synthetic seismograms are commonly used for testing structural behaviour. An empirical Green's Function method (Geophys. Res. Lett., 5 (1978), 1–4; Proceedings of the Third International Microzonation Conference, Seattle, USA, vol. 1, (1982), pp. 447–458.) is chosen to simulate a large earthquake by summation in time of a number of smaller earthquakes or sub-events, each given a slightly different origin time to represent more realistically the propagation of a rupture along an assumed fault plane. In the first instance, recordings on rock of the magnitude M_L 2.3 aftershock of the 29 December 1989 Newcastle earthquake were used as sub-events to simulate the main shock of magnitude M_L 5.6. Validation studies for events recorded elsewhere in Australia are also considered.The response spectra of such synthetic events will be compared with the recommended spectra developed empirically from a statistical analysis of strong motion data for magnitude 5.4–6.5 intra-plate earthquakes recorded in other parts of the world and normalised to a peak ground velocity of 50 mm/s which is typical for a return period of 500 years in Australia (Australasian Structural Engineering Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, (1998), pp. 439–444.). Preliminary results from this comparison with the response spectra recommended for the Building Code of Australia show that the synthetic waveforms produced by this method are realistic and can be used to represent ground motion during typical Australian intra-plate earthquakes.     

Statistical significance of modal parameters of bridge systems identified from strong motion data

Modal parameters of structural systems have commonly been determined using system identification (SI) methods for damage detection and health monitoring. For determining the deterioration of the integrity of structural systems correctly, modal parameters of a healthy structure have to be obtained with adequate certainty so that these parameters can be used as reliable references for the healthy system to compare with those of the damaged system. In this study, the statistical significance of modal parameters identified using strong motion time histories recorded on two bridge structures is assessed. The confidence intervals of identified modal frequencies and damping ratios are obtained using Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analyses in conjunction with eigenrealization algorithm. The dependence of the statistical bounds on model parameters is examined. The effect of using different number of sensors on the statistical significance is evaluated using simulated time history data from a validated finite element model of a bridge. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一种新型随钻电阻率测井仪器的响应和刻度

对一种新型随钻电阻率测井仪器在均质地层中的电磁场分布和接收线圈的响应特性进行分析,并对仪器在真空中的刻度方法进行研究.推导出了圆柱坐标系下径向成层介质中磁流源并矢Green函数的矢量本征函数展开式,从而得到研究该仪器电磁场分布、接收线圈响应、刻度方法所必需的解析计算式.计算发现,钻铤的存在大大提高了仪器的定向探测性能.计算还发现,不同的钻铤尺寸、线圈系到钻铤不同的距离对线圈系在真空中的响应值具有较大影响.钻铤在地层中产生的实部信号可近似认为恒定,而当地层电导率大于001 S/m时,钻铤在地层中产生的虚部信号亦可近似认为恒定.数值计算表明,仪器偏心程度越大,钻铤半径越大,仪器中刻度环电阻所对应的视电导率值越小.     

Ground motion prediction with the empirical Green's function technique: an assessment of uncertainties and confidence level

An assessment of uncertainties for ground motion predictions with the aid of the empirical Green's function (EGF) technique is presented. The main input parameters were identified, and their respective uncertainties were assessed by means of an international expert inquiry. The repercussion of these input uncertainties on the final ground motion estimates were investigated by means of the Latin Hypercube Sampling technique. The mean ground motion estimates (response spectra) and their standard deviations were compared with results obtained from empirical attenuation laws. The most sensitive input parameter turned out to be the seismic moment corresponding to the EGF. In general, if the source parameters are well determined, equivalent uncertainties, statistically speaking, can be expected from the EGF technique and from the application of attenuation laws. Therefore, if EGFs with well known source parameters are available, the EGF technique seems to be preferable: site effects are automatically taken into account, and physically realistic acceleration time histories can be obtained. However, further investigations on the reliability of the EGF technique should be performed, and finally, it is recalled that the EGF technique is based on the assumption of linearity. If conditions are such that this assumption cannot be maintained, the EGF technique should be combined with non-linear geotechnical methods.     

Seismic response analysis of highway overcrossings including soil–structure interaction

This paper presents a systematic procedure for the seismic response analysis of highway overcrossings. The study employs an elementary stick model and a more sophisticated finite element formulation to compute response quantities. All dynamic stiffnesses of approach embankments and pile groups are approximated with frequency‐independent springs and dashpots that have been established elsewhere. A real eigenvalue analysis confirms the one‐to‐one correspondence between modal characteristics obtained with the three‐dimensional finite element solutions and the result of the simpler stick‐model idealization. A complex eigenvalue analysis yields modal damping values in the first six modes of interest and shows that modal damping ratios assume values much higher than those used by Caltrans. The validity of the proposed method is examined by comparing the computed time response quantities with records from the Meloland Road and Painter Street overcrossings located in southern and northern California, respectively. The proposed procedure allows for inexpensive parametric analysis that examines the importance of considering soil–structure interaction at the end abutments and centre bent. Results and recommendations presented by past investigations are revisited and integrated in comprehensive tables that improve our understanding of the dynamic characteristics and behaviour of freeway overcrossings. The study concludes with a step‐by‐step methodology that allows for a simple, yet dependable dynamic analysis of freeway overcrossings, that involves a stick model and frequency‐independent springs and dashpots. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multiple ruptures for Long Valley microearthquakes: a link to volcanic tremor?

Despite several episodes of ground deformation and intense seismic activity starting in 1978, the Long Valley, California, volcanic area has not produced clearly recognized volcanic tremor. Instead, a variety of atypical microearthquakes have been recorded during these episodes, including events dominated by low-frequency (long-period) or mixed high and low-frequency (hybrid) signals. During a 1997 episode, a number of unusual microearthquakes occurred within a temporary 40-station seismic network surrounding the Casa Diablo area, allowing the events to be precisely located and analyzed as a function of azimuth, offset, and source characteristics. Eight prime examples lie within two, 7 km-deep clusters of seismicity separated by about 1 km, with four events in each cluster. Empirical Green's function deconvolution shows that these events are composed of two to three sub-events, the sub-events consisting of ordinary (single rupture, double-couple) microearthquakes. The delay times between the sub-events are constant within each cluster, equaling 0.092 s in one and 0.06 s in the other. Events from other clusters show similar delays. The signal interference produced by the closely spaced sub-events gives rise to modulated, delay-dependent source spectra. The regularity of the delays suggests that the sub-events are being triggered by a fixed length and/or time scale process, an example being the length/inflation rate of a magmatic or hydrothermal flow structure. With continued action of the triggering process, the sub-events could proliferate and evolve into observable volcanic tremors at Mammoth.     

2013年芦山MS7.0地震震源参数特征 及近断层强地面运动初步估计

2013年4月20日在我国四川省雅安市芦山县发生了M_S7.0地震, 破坏最严重的宝兴、 芦山等极震区烈度达到Ⅷ—Ⅸ度. 该文针对芦山M_S7.0地震震源参数的特征, 结合相关经验关系, 对本次地震的震源特征进行了初步分析. 结果表明, 芦山M_S7.0地震为断层动态摩擦过程中的应力下调模式. 进一步应用Brune圆盘模型对芦山M_S7.0地震近场强地面运动的理论值进行估算, 并基于加速度和速度的估算结果计算极震区的最大烈度, 约为Ⅷ—X度, 与实测的极震区最大烈度Ⅸ度较为接近. 选取宝兴和芦山为特征计算点, 构建动态复合震源模型, 对近断层区域内宝兴和芦山两个特征点进行了模拟计算. 模拟结果显示, 近断层区域强地面运动呈现持续时间短、 高频成分多等特征.      

汶川地震余震震源参数及地震动衰减与场地影响参数反演分析

基于强震动观测台钻孔数据, 统计得到了四川、 甘肃地区20 m深的浅硬土层场地平均剪切波速模型． 通过与美国加州地区的波速模型对比, 结合四川、 甘肃地区地震预报的地壳模型, 延拓剪切波速模型至40 km． 应用四分之一波长法计算了浅硬土层场地的平均场地放大系数． 利用场地放大系数, 消除13次余震中浅硬场地的台站场地响应, 反演了龙门山断层上、 下盘的介质品质因子以及13次余震的有效应力降． 通过与普通土层场地的强震动记录对比, 对浅硬土层场地的放大系数进行调整, 得到了深厚土层场地的平均放大系数．      

1973~1976年四川松潘强震序列的应力触发过程

本文计算和研究了1973~1976年四川松潘4次强震组成的序列引起的库仑应力变化图像,分析了由该序列各次事件引起的近场应力变化及其与后续强震发生以及余震分布的关系,同时分析了该序列引起的远场应力变化与随后25年区域中-强地震活动的关系.结果显示：1973年8月11日松潘黄龙6.5级地震导致虎牙断裂带中段上库仑应力的显著增加并触发了1976年8月16日的7.2级地震;此后,又沿断层向南相继触发了1976年8月22日的6.7级地震和8月23日的7.2级地震.该序列的绝大多数余震主要发生在主震发震断层的近场库仑应力增加区.另外,在该强震序列发生后的25年中、在距该序列发震断层中部约200 km范围内,6次5.0~6.6级地震均发生在由该序列引起的远场、微量的库仑应力变化增加区中.     

Pushover分析方法的发展及其在桥梁结构中的应用

非线性静力分析方法（Pushover分析方法）可以较好地检验结构的变形能力,找到结构的薄弱环节,控制强烈地震作用下结构破坏程度,对工程设计有很强的指导意义。但目前Pushover分析方法的种类很多,各自有着不同的优缺点和适用范围,针对桥梁结构,阐述静力非线性分析方法（Pushover）的原理及其研究发展概况,评述了各种Pushover方法的优缺点,并分析了Pushover方法用于桥梁结构的基本原理和评价方法,指出Pushover方法用于桥梁结构存在的问题。     

基于小震经验格林函数研究中等地震破裂方向性: 以2008年攀枝花MS6.1地震为例

中小地震破裂方向性研究在确定实际发震面以及地震灾害评估中具有非常重要的意义.本文以2008年8月30日攀枝花M_S6.1地震为研究实例, 以较小余震作为经验格林函数地震, 利用表观震源时间函数随台站方位角变化特性, 确定了主震的破裂方向、破裂尺度以及破裂速度, 验证了该方法的适用性和可行性.研究结果表明, 主震的破裂方向为几乎正南的184°, 破裂长度8.05 km, 破裂速度3.35 km·s^-1, 进一步确认了主震震源机制解其中沿南北向的节面是地震实际发震面, 主震在水平方向沿着南北向元谋断裂从北往南破裂.攀枝花地震震源破裂速度接近地壳剪切波速度, 这可能是造成此次地震虽然震级不大但破坏性严重的重要原因.本文综合分析主震的矩心深度、震源机制解、破裂方向性以及构造应力背景等信息, 探讨了地震发生的破裂过程以及灾害严重的原因.

     

A stochastic model of the Fourier phase of strong ground motion

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An effective approach to determine the dynamic source parameters

In this study, we present a new and effective method to determine the dynamic source parameters (i.e., stress drop and strength distribution). We first assume that the kinematic source parameters, i.e., the slip and rupture time distributions on the fault plane, are known from the previous source inversion studies. Then, using the seismic source representation theorem we determine the dynamic stress field on a fault plane from known kinematic parameters. Finally, we determine the strength of the fault defined as the peak stress just before the rupture. We have tested the validity of this method by using an illustrative two-dimensional analytical example. To assess the applicability of this method, we have applied it to study the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake, and obtained consistent results with those ofMiyatake's (1992) andQuin's (1990). Compared with previous methods, this new method is simple, straightforward and accurate, and needs much less calculation. Therefore, it is expected to be useful in exploring the seismic source process.     

A stochastic approach to site-response component in seismic ground motion coherency model

In order to account for the site-response part of the seismic ground motion coherency for sites of interest, an analytical stochastic methodology is proposed in this paper. By combining the pseudo-excitation method with wave motion finite element simulation techniques, a numerical approach for the computation of the coherency function between observation points is developed firstly. Then the orthogonal expansion method is introduced into this approach to study the effect of the uncertainty in soil properties on the coherency function. Finally some numerical examples are given to show the applicability of the methodology. The computational results demonstrate that the lagged coherency values tend to decrease in the vicinity of the resonant frequencies of the site.     

强震作用下砌体结构倒塌过程仿真分析

四川汶川地震中大量砌体房屋倒塌,造成巨大人员伤亡。为研究和预防砌体结构震害,本文概述了多层砌体房屋的主要震害特点,研究了砌体结构地震倒塌分析方法、失效单元与结构倒塌等关键技术问题。利用动力有限元程序LS-DYNA模拟了砌体结构的倒塌过程。仿真计算的结果与真实倒塌过程吻合较好,说明通过合理选取计算参数和计算模型,可以对这种特殊的复杂破坏过程进行模拟分析和仿真。通过再现倒塌过程,发现了结构在强震作用下的薄弱环节,为提高砌体结构抗震性能研究、建立结构防倒塌机制提供了有力的技术支撑。     

基于耦合场分割算法的ANSYS二次开发及其应用

耦合场分割算法是当前研究的热点之一。本文首先对比研究了瞬态热传导方程和孔压增长消散方程,提出了一种适用于ANSYS二次开发的分割算法,并对2种不同的预测值计算模式对计算稳定性的影响进行了分析。然后,据之对ANSYS温度—结构耦合场模块进行了开发,形成了岩土工程有效应力计算模块。数值实验表明,这种方法具有较高的计算精度和良好的计算稳定性,并且能够充分利用现有程序资源,具有较高的工程应用价值。     

Evaluation of the performance of a suspension isolation system subjected to strong ground motion

This study is concerned with a new isolation device called a Suspended Pendulum Isolation (SPI) system here. Particular attention is given to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of the system under substantial ground motions including the El Centro 1940, Hachinohe 1968 and Kobe 1995 earthquakes. Shaking-table tests have been carried out for a 4 25-scaled model comprising a test structure supported on the SPI system with lead damper. Several yield strengths for the lead damper are examined to investigate its properly designed dimensions. Experimental results show that the SPI system with lead damper has a substantial capability to decrease either peak acceleration or peak base (bearing) displacement responses for broad-band frequency excitations. It also confirms that maximum-storey drift index of isolated structure has been dropped to about one-sixth of its corresponding value at fixed-base condition under strong level of predominant excitation along with considerable decrease of peak acceleration. A non-linear analytical model for an MDOF shear building has been also developed by utilizing the fourth-order Runge–Kutta algorithm. Comparison of analytical and experimental time-history responses for all of the excitations indicates that there is a good agreement in both peak values and shape pattern of the results. Moreover, SPI with an appropriate yield strength of lead damper creates only a very small permanent displacement after strong excitation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A numerical method of viscoelastic finite element coupled with spring-block model to simulate the interaction of faults and crustal blocks

A numerical method of viscoelastic finite element coupled with spring-block model is developed to study temporal processes from the slow tectonic motion of large-scale crust to the rapid failure of small-scale faults. Our modeling demonstrates that the motion of crustal blocks is driven by forces from tectonic plate boundaries, and the deformation is distributed on faults for the stress accumulating. The coupling model generates earthquake sequences that display a magnitude-frequency scaling consistent with Gutenberg-Richter law. The frictional heterogeneities affect earthquakes occurrence and stresses distribution of crustal blocks. Rupture of earthquakes starts at the nucleation node, and propagates bilaterally along faults with the stress triggering, release and redistribution. The failure of faults releases part of crustal stresses, the stress state of crustal blocks near fault is affected by the rupture of local segments on the fault, and the stress state of crustal blocks far away from the fault is controlled by the seismic activity of the whole fault.