Site-specific earthquake response study for hazard assessment in Kolkata city,India

The assessment of local site effects on seismic ground motions is of great importance in earthquake engineering practice. Several destructive earthquakes in the past have demonstrated that the amplification of ground motion and associated damage to structures due to local site conditions is a significant consideration in earthquake hazard analysis. A recent paper published in this journal highlights the hazard posed by earthquakes in the megacity of Kolkata in India due to its seismic and geological settings. The seismic hazard assessment study speculates that the deep alluvial deposit in the city may increase the seismic hazard probably due to the amplification of the seismic energies. This paper focuses on the seismic response studies of the various soil strata (i.e. for local subsurface conditions) obtained from various construction sites in the city for predicted earthquake. It is very well recognized that site response studies (a part of seismic microhazard zonation for urban areas) are the first step towards performance-based foundation design or seismic risk analysis and mitigation strategy. One of the problems for carrying out site-specific study in Kolkata is the lack of recorded strong motion data in the city. Hence, this paper outlines a methodology to carry out site-specific study, where no strong motion data or seismic data are available. The methodology uses wavelet-based spectrum compatibility approach to generate synthetic earthquake motions and equivalent linear method for seismic site response analysis. The Mega City of Kolkata has been considered to explain the methodology. Seismic hazard zonation map by the Bureau of Indian Standards classifies the City of Kolkata as moderate seismic zone (Zone III) with a zone factor 0.16. On the other hand, GSHAP(Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program) map which is based on 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years specifies a maximum peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 1.6 m/s² (0.163 g) for this region. In the present study, the seismic response has been carried out based on GSHAP. The results of the analysis indicate the amplification of ground motion in the range of 4.46–4.82 with the fundamental period ranging from 0.81 to 1.17 s. Furthermore, the maximum spectral accelerations vary in the range of 0.78–0.95 g.     

天津软土场地对地震动参数的影响

天津市区的场地条件为很厚而松软的第四纪沉积物,覆盖层较厚,地貌属海积—冲积平原,对地震动参数的影响很大。本文以海河东岸的天津嘉里中心工程场地为例,通过场地地震动效应分析,研究场地特征对地震动的影响。结果表明,土层地震反应分析得到的地震动峰值和反应谱与GB50011-2001《建筑抗震设计规范》的规定有明显的差别,抗震设计中的根据场地类别调整地震动的方法不足以完全描述场地地震反应特性,也难以反映天津厚软土场地的实际情况。可以认为,对于天津软土场地,采用经场地土层地震动效应分析所得地震动参数更为合理安全。     

Comparative study on the equivalent linear and the fully nonlinear site response analysis approaches

Seismic site effect has been a major issue in the field of earthquake engineering due to the large local amplification of the seismic motion. This paper presents the importance of an appropriate soil behavior model to simulate earthquake site response and gives an overview of the field of site response analysis. Some of the well-known site response analysis methods are discussed. The objective of this paper is to investigate the influences of nonlinearity on the site response analysis by means of a more precise numerical model. In this respect, site responses of four different types of one-layered soil deposit, based on various shear wave velocities with the assumption of linear and rigid base bedrock, were analyzed by using the equivalent linear and fully nonlinear approaches. Nonlinear analyses?? results were compared with those of the linear method, and both of the similarities and differences are discussed. It is concluded that in the case of nonlinearity of soil under strong ground motions, 1-D equivalent linear modeling overestimates the amplification patterns in terms of absolute amplification level, and cannot correctly account for resonant frequencies and hysteric soil behavior. Therefore, more practical and appropriate numerical techniques for ground response analysis should be surveyed.     

竖向地震动对斜坡场地非线性地震反应的影响

国内外规范中推荐或强制规定竖向地震动取为剪切反应谱的1/2～2/3,但该规定如何改进使其更合理已成为一重要课题。首先,对其研究现状简单总结,给出了可处理辐射阻尼、地震动相位特性、计算高效的二维波动显式有限元等效线性化程序ELPSV编制的必要性,然后进行了分析。初步研究表明,竖向地震动强度对周期在0.3 s以下的地表剪切反应谱有一定的影响,而高于0.3 s部分影响轻微。竖向地震动强度对斜坡场地的竖向地震反应及地表竖向反应谱影响显著,按规范的取值将偏于不安全。受地形条件影响,坡顶剪切地震反应会比坡脚反应要大,而竖向地震反应并不明显。土层边界面的地震反应要比周围反应要低,交界面效应明显。软斜坡场地地震反应特性除场地竖向地震反应自下而上先增加后减小的规律外,其他情形与硬斜坡场地的规律基本一致。该结果定量反映了竖向地震动的影响程度,为斜坡场地上考虑竖向地震动的建（构）筑结构的抗震设计提供了有益的基础。     

山东郯城麦坡中更新世地震事件记录*

山东郯城麦坡被命名为典型地震活动断层遗址,其最醒目的标志是郯庐断裂带主干断层(F₂)东盘的紫灰色下白垩统逆冲到断层西盘的红棕色第四系之上且界线截然。野外调查和试验分析表明,郯城麦坡第四系于泉组中发育液化砂涌管、液化砂脉、震裂缝充填构造和同沉积断层等地震引发的软沉积物变形构造——地震事件记录。根据软沉积物变形构造的砂质黏土光释光测年分析,推断这些软沉积物变形构造所记录的地震事件属郯庐断裂带主干断层F₂在中更新世晚期发生的强构造与地震活动。这些地震事件记录为研究郯庐断裂带新构造运动与地震活动提供了新资料,也丰富了该地震活动断层遗址的内涵。     

柴达木盆地西南缘更新世地震事件层年龄测定及意义

柴达木盆地西南缘新近纪以来受昆仑山断裂活动影响,地震活动强烈,发育一系列与地震活动有关的软沉积物变形构造,主要包括: 负荷构造、火焰构造、球—枕状构造、地震角砾、震裂缝、层内震褶曲和同沉积微断层等。通过区域地质调查、实测剖面、点上解剖和样品测试分析,初步认为柴达木盆地西南缘区分别于1.8—1.2,Ma、0.8,Ma、0.15,Ma发生过3次强烈构造活动,这些事件均伴随强烈的古地震活动,作为这些隆升事件的沉积和构造响应,盆地更新统中形成了一系列典型软沉积物变形以及相关的震积构造,对于研究青藏高原板内不均匀隆升过程及其隆升构造—地震—沉积效应具有重要意义。     

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.     

A comparative study on linear and nonlinear site response analysis

Site response analysis is usually the first step of any seismic soil-structure study. Geotechnical earthquake engineers and engineering geologist have been trying to find both practical and most appropriate solution techniques for ground response analysis under earthquake loadings. The paper attempts to give a critical overview of the field of site response analysis. In this paper, the influences of nonlinearity on the site response analysis summarized and were evaluated with a numerical example. Site response of a two layered soil deposit with the assumption of linear and rigid base bedrock (or viscoelastic half-space) was analyzed by using linear and nonlinear approaches. The amplification spectrum of the soil column is computed between the top and the bottom of this soil deposit. Nonlinear analysis was compared with the linear method of analysis. Steps involved in ground response analyses to develop site-specific response spectra at a soil site are briefly summarized. Some of the well-known site response analysis methods are summarized and similarities and differences between linear and nonlinear methods are compared by a numerical example.     

CFD-DEM simulation of submarine landslide triggered by seismic loading in methane hydrate rich zone

Submarine landslide due to seismic loading in methane hydrate-rich zone was simulated in this study using coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method. Dynamic features and Magnus force were incorporated in the coupling scheme to improve the simulation fidelity in dynamic problem. A sinusoidal type seismic loading was applied to a steep submarine slope, which was characterized by a strong inter-layer of methane hydrate-bearing sediments. The simulation results show that a flow-type sliding occurs and the sliding ends with a gentle slope of accumulated debris material. The fluid flows in an eddy pattern near the sliding mass. The presence of methane hydrate can increase the strength and decrease the damping of the sediment. When MH saturation is low (25 and 30%), the combined seismic loading and particle-fluid interaction damage the MH-rich layer, which allows settlement behind the slope crest and upheaval in front of the slope toe. The two ground deformation patterns (settlement and upheaval) are not observed when MH saturation is high (40 and 50%) because the sediment strength is great enough to resist seismic damage. The lower damping in higher MH saturation sediment allows more energy to be transferred from ground base to potential sliding mass and consequently the sliding initiates earlier. Implications of the simulation results in the assessment of earthquake-induced submarine hazards are discussed.     

Dynamic analysis of ground with rigorous use of strain dependency and its application to seismic microzonation of alluvial plane

Seismic microzonation is one of the most important measures to mitigate earthquake hazards in urban areas. Because the ground motion varies significantly with the subsurface geology, it is needed for microzonation to account as much as possible for the local soil conditions. Noteworthy is that nonlinear deformation properties of soil play essential roles in amplification of strong ground motion. It is desired furthermore to focus on the expected damage extent in addition to the calculated maximum acceleration and/or velocity. The present study first developed a computer code for one-dimensional response analysis of ground that reasonably takes into account nonlinear dynamic soil properties. Second, correlations between the calculated ground motion and damage extent were obtained by examining seismic damages during the past earthquakes. By combining these two issues, seismic microzonation was carried out, and detailed damage distribution was assessed. The product of this study covers not only the damage caused by ground shaking but also liquefaction problem and lifeline damage.     

Site Response as a Function of Near-Surface Geology in the South Iceland Seismic Zone

Site response measurements provide information on the amplification of ground motions generated by local conditions. Recent studies of large destructive earthquakes have shown that damage during the earthquakes are often caused by the amplification of seismic waves in near-surface sedimentary layers. The estimation of site response is therefore critical, in order to evaluate the true seismic hazard potential of a given area. We investigated local site amplifications in the South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ). Nine digital seismographs were deployed, temporarily, in an area of approximately 400 km2, in the westernmost part of the SISZ. Among the 90 events recorded, 15 were used in this study, including a magnitude 3.1 (ML) event and selected aftershocks, which occurred in the northern outskirts of the village Hveragerdi. Single Station Spectral Ratios (SSSR) of the recorded earthquakes revealed some of the effects of local site conditions. Spectral amplification factors of 2–5 on average, can be expected in the SIL area, depending on the sediment type and thickness. Higher site amplifications occur in the southern part of the study region, where the thickest sedimentary cover is found. Spectral amplification, related to topographical effects, is observed at the bedrock reference station, Bjarnastadir. Standard Spectral Ratios (SSR), with respect to the bedrock reference station, Bjarnastadir, were also calculated for some stations, in order to compare the two spectral ratio results. The two methods show a good correlation at some stations, whereas at others they vary considerably. The comparison between the earthquake and ambient noise data, on the other hand, gave better correlation when the SSSR method is used.     

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。     

Analysis of soil effects and distribution of damage from the Pyrgos 1993 (Greece) earthquake

Summary On 26 March, 1993, a moderate magnitude earthquake (M _s=5.5) occurred at 3 km epicentral distance from the town of Pyrgos, in Southern Greece, causing extensive damage to masonry houses. To explain the variability of seismic intensity over the town and to propose measures against future seismic activity, a microzonation study was undertaken which combined geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations, site specific analyses of seismic ground response and detailed recording of structural damage. The analytical predictions of ground response are correlated to soil conditions and then used to identify (micro-)zones of sites with similar seismic response. Furthermore, they are compared to quantitative estimates of damage distribution over the town. It is concluded that the peak ground acceleration, normalized against the input peak seismic acceleration, is a function of the local soil conditions as well as the seismic excitation characteristics. Hence, it cannot be defined uniquely at a site, without reference to the seismic excitation. However, the normalized peak ground velocity and the acceleration response spectra are mainly functions of the soil conditions and can be used as criteria for the practical definition of (micro-)zones. The distribution of damage in various parts of the town is at least partially attributable to local soil effects. The small epicentral distance of the earthquake, connected with the direction of the fault rupture, as well as the quality and techniques of construction, are additional factors that may have influenced the extent and distribution of damage.     

Seismic characterization and reconstruction of reference ground motion at accelerometric sites of the Italian national accelerometric network (RAN)

We present a field procedure that has been extensively used in Italy to characterize local seismic response at accelerometric sites and to retrieve ground motion at reference soil conditions by deconvolution analysis. To allow a generalized application to large areas where borehole data are generally lacking or inadequate for the seismic characterization for soils down to the reference seismic bedrock, cost-effectiveness of the considered procedures is a main issue. Thus, major efforts have been devoted to optimize available information and exploit fast and cheap surface geophysical prospecting. In particular, geological/geomorphological survey and passive seismic prospecting (both in single- and multi-station configurations) were jointly considered to reconstruct seismo-stratigraphical site conditions. This information was then used to feed numerical modeling aiming at computing the local seismic response and performing a deconvolution analysis to reconstruct ground motion at reference soil conditions. Major attention was devoted to evaluate and manage uncertainty involved in the procedure and to quantify its effect on final outcomes. An application of this procedure to a set of sites included in the Italian Accelerometric Network is presented.

     

Seismic characterization and reconstruction of reference ground motion at accelerometric sites of the Italian national accelerometric network (RAN)

We present a field procedure that has been extensively used in Italy to characterize local seismic response at accelerometric sites and to retrieve ground motion at reference soil conditions by deconvolution analysis. To allow a generalized application to large areas where borehole data are generally lacking or inadequate for the seismic characterization for soils down to the reference seismic bedrock, cost-effectiveness of the considered procedures is a main issue. Thus, major efforts have been devoted to optimize available information and exploit fast and cheap surface geophysical prospecting. In particular, geological/geomorphological survey and passive seismic prospecting (both in single- and multi-station configurations) were jointly considered to reconstruct seismo-stratigraphical site conditions. This information was then used to feed numerical modeling aiming at computing the local seismic response and performing a deconvolution analysis to reconstruct ground motion at reference soil conditions. Major attention was devoted to evaluate and manage uncertainty involved in the procedure and to quantify its effect on final outcomes. An application of this procedure to a set of sites included in the Italian Accelerometric Network is presented.     

软土场地地铁车站结构地震反应特性振动台模型试验

作为地铁车站结构地震破坏机制大型振动台系列模型试验之一,开展了近、远场强地震动作用下软弱粉质黏土场地框架式地铁车站结构体系的大型振动台模型试验。测试分析了模型地基的加速度、孔压、地表震陷和模型结构的加速度、应变、水平位移反应等。结果表明：地震波在模型地基的传播过程中呈现出自下而上低频增大、高频减小的现象;强地震动作用下模型地基的基频明显降低,呈现出明显的低频聚集（放大）、高频滤波效应;模型地基的孔压比增长较小,在不同特性地震动作用下模型地基孔压比的发展过程存在较大的差异,并显示出显著的空间效应;近、远场地震动作用下模型地下结构的加速度反应存在明显差异,模型地下结构对软土地基地震动加速度反应的影响具有显著的空间效应;模型地下结构相对变形小、未出现明显上浮现象,地震动频谱特性对其侧墙的变形模式和大小存在显著的影响;模型结构中柱为地震损伤最严重部位;模型结构整体损伤情况较轻、处于非破坏状态。     

场地土对基岩峰值加速度放大效应分析

通过实际土层地震反应结果的统计分析和强震加速度观测结果的对比, 讨论了不同场地条件对基岩峰值加速度的放大效应及其特点。该分析可为地震动参数区划图编制和地震安全性评价中场地效应的估计、由基岩地震动估算场地地面地震动提供参考。     

Fluidization of buried mass-wasting deposits in lake sediments and its relevance for paleoseismology: Results from a reflection seismic study of lakes Villarrica and Calafquén (South-Central Chile)

A dense grid of very-high resolution seismic profiles on Lake Villarrica provides a quasi-3D view on intercalated lenses of low-amplitude reflections, which are connected by acoustic wipe-out patches and fractures to an underlying voluminous mass-wasting deposit. The lenses are interpreted as being created by earthquake-triggered liquefaction in this buried mass-wasting deposit and subsequent sediment fluidization and extrusion at the paleo-lake bottom. These sediment volcanoes are mapped in detail. They have a rather uniform circular geometry and show a linear relationship between apparent width and maximum thickness on a seismic section. The largest sediment volcanoes are up to 80 m wide and 1.9 m thick. Their slope angles designate a syn- to post-depositional sagging of most sediment volcanoes. Sediment volcano detection and mapping from nearby Lake Calafquén further strengthen the revealed geometrical relationships. Locally, some of the sediment/fluid escape structures extend to a higher position in the stratigraphy, which points to a polyphase escape process associated with multiple multi-century spaced strong earthquakes. Thickness and morphology of the source layer seem to exert a dominant control in the production of sediment/fluid extrusions. This study shows that reflection seismic profiling allowed recognizing 4 different seismic events in the studied stratigraphic interval, which are evidenced by mass-wasting deposits and/or fluidization features.     

A study of the seismic response of the city of Benevento (Southern Italy) through a combined analysis of seismological and geological data

A previous analysis [Improta, L., G. Di Giulio, and A. Rovelli (2005). Variations of local seismic response in Benevento (Southern Italy) using earthquakes and ambient noise recordings, J. Seism. 9, 191–210.] of small magnitude earthquakes recorded at 12 sites within the city of Benevento has stressed the significant role played by near-surface geology in causing variability of the ground motion. In this paper, we extend the study of the seismic response from 12 sites to the entire urban area. Based on inferences from the comparison at the 12 sites between earthquake and ambient vibration results, we have collected ambient noise at about 100 sites within the city, intensifying measurements across the main shallow geological variations. We use borehole data to interpret ambient noise H/V spectral ratios in terms of near-surface geology comparing H/V curves to theoretical transfer functions of 1D models along five well-constrained profiles.

On the basis of geological, geotechnical, and seismic data, we identify three main typologies of seismic response in the city. Each type of response is associated to zones sharing common soil conditions and similar soil classes according to building codes for seismic design. Moreover, we find that the spatial variation of the seismic response in the ancient town area is consistent with the damage pattern produced by a very destructive, well-documented historical earthquake that struck the city in 1688, causing MCS intensity of IX–X in Benevento.

Finally, we use ground motions recorded during the experiment by Improta et al. [Improta, L., G. Di Giulio, and A. Rovelli (2005). Variations of local seismic response in Benevento (Southern Italy) using earthquakes and ambient noise recordings, J. Seism. 9, 191–210.] to generate synthetic seismograms of moderate to strong (Mw 5.7, Molise 2002 and Ms 6.9, 1980 Irpinia) earthquakes. We calibrate the random summation technique by Ordaz et al. [Ordaz, M., J. Arboleda, and S.K. Singh (1995). A scheme of random summation of an Empirical Green's Function to estimate ground motions for future large earthquakes, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 85, 1635–1647.] using recordings of these earthquakes available in Benevento. After a satisfactory fit between observed and synthetic seismograms, we compute response spectra at different sites and speculate on effects of the geology class at large level of shaking, including soil nonlinearity. We find that large discrepancies from design spectra prescribed by seismic codes can occur for a wide sector of Benevento, especially for periods < 0.5 s.     

山东灵山岛早白垩世复理石软沉积物变形期次解析

前人对软沉积物变形期次研究多数集中于触发变形的地震事件的周期,而对滑塌体内部软沉积物变形期次研究较少。山东灵山岛早白垩世复理石形成于残余盆地背景,且由于地震频发导致滑塌沉积广泛发育。滑塌沉积层中发育有丰富的软沉积物变形构造,如：同沉积滑塌褶皱、底模构造、剖面X形共轭逆断层、同沉积布丁构造、砂岩层断块及变形团块、微型地垒—地堑组合和叠瓦状倒转紧闭褶皱等。不同类型和不同部位的软沉积物变形构造显示出发育期次不同的特征。本文以灵山岛修船厂附近滑塌沉积层为例,分析软沉积物变形构造的变形机制,并将其发育期次大致分为滑塌前、滑塌中和滑塌后三个阶段。只有部分滑塌中的软沉积物变形构造具有滑塌指向意义,而滑塌前的变形构造不能用来判别滑塌体的搬运方向。