A statistical assessment on global drift ratio demands of mid-rise RC buildings using code-compatible real ground motion records

Over the past 20 years, significant socio-economic losses have been encountered in Turkey due to several moderate to large earthquakes. The studies published after the earthquakes concurringly emphasized that multistory reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, mostly 3–7 story ones, collapsed or were heavily damaged as a result of inadequate seismic performance. Global drift ratio demands are mostly used as a representative quantity for determining the behavior of structures when subjected to earthquakes. In this study, three representative mid-rise RC buildings are analyzed by nonlinear time history analysis using code-compatible real ground motion record sets and the calculated global drift ratio demands of these buildings are statistically evaluated. Ground motion record sets compatible with the design spectrum defined for local soil classes in the Turkish Earthquake Code (TEC-2007) are used for the analyses. In order to evaluate the effect of the number of ground motions on drift ratio demands, five different ground motion record sets with 7, 11 and 15 ground motion records are used separately for each local soil class. Results of this study indicate that (1) the dispersion of global drift ratio demands calculated for individual ground motion records in record sets is high, (2) local soil class has no significant effect on dispersion. However, dispersion increases in a direct proportion to the number of ground motion records in a record set, (3) the mean of global drift ratio demands calculated for different ground motion record sets may differ although they are compatible with the same design spectrum, (4) the mean of the drift demands obtained from different ground motion record sets compatible with a particular design spectrum can be accepted as simply random samples of the same population at 95% confidence level.     

Wavelet‐based characterization of design ground motions

With the recent emergence of wavelet‐based procedures for stochastic analyses of linear and non‐linear structural systems subjected to earthquake ground motions, it has become necessary that seismic ground motion processes are characterized through statistical functionals of wavelet coefficients. While direct characterization in terms of earthquake and site parameters may have to wait for a few more years due to the complexity of the problem, this study attempts such characterization through commonly available Fourier and response spectra for design earthquake motions. Two approaches have been proposed for obtaining the spectrum‐compatible wavelet functionals, one for input Fourier spectrum and another for input response spectrum, such that the total number of input data points are 30–35% of those required for a time‐history analysis. The proposed methods provide for simulating ‘desired non‐stationary characteristics’ consistent with those in a recorded accelerogram. Numerical studies have been performed to illustrate the proposed approaches. Further, the wavelet functionals compatible with a USNRC spectrum in the case of 35 recorded motions of similar strong motion durations have been used to obtain the strength reduction factor spectra for elasto‐plastic oscillators and to show that about ±20% variation may be assumed from mean to 5 and 95% confidence levels due to uncertainty in the non‐stationary characteristics of the ground motion process. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

几条地震波的归一化时-频反应谱分析

时-频反应谱是地震动幅值、频谱和持时三要素构成的空间三维谱.基于此,本文提出归一化时-频反应谱定义与计算方法,计算三条典型地震波的归一化时-频反应谱,对比分析表明:不同地震记录的时-频反应谱的幅值在时间和周期两个轴上的分布差别很大,具有不同时-频反应谱的地震波可能对结构地震响应产生不同影响;对12层钢筋混凝土框架结构模型进行弹塑性时程分析,通过结构地震反应、结构损伤曲线与输入地震动的归一化时-频反应谱对比,发现结构最大反应并不一定是造成结构倒塌的直接原因,用结构弹性阶段反应最大值进行抗震设计存在一定局限性,从而证明归一化时-频反应谱可有效用来分析地震动特性和结构破坏机理.     

单自由度自复位体系设计能量谱研究

本文对具有旗帜型滞回模型的单自由度自复位体系提出了设计能量谱的构造方法,包括设计输入能量谱和设计滞回耗能比谱。首先按中国规范场地类别选取360条实际强震记录进行时程分析,对影响单自由度自复位体系输入能量谱和滞回耗能比谱的参数,包括地震波类型、滞回模型、阻尼比、延性系数等进行研究。在此基础上分别建议了设计输入能量谱和设计滞回耗能比谱及其曲线参数的确定方法,并与实际强震记录计算结果进行比较。结果表明结构滞回模型对能量谱影响明显;阻尼比和延性系数对输入能量谱的影响在整个周期范围内有显著差异,但均有明显的削峰作用。建议的两种设计能量谱综合考虑了结构参数、地震波参数和中国场地类别的影响,可以较好的拟合实际情况,并对弹塑性单自由度自复位体系在地震作用下的耗能需求做出较准确的估计。     

An alternative construction of normalized seismic design spectra for near-fault regions

This paper presents a methodology for constructing seismic design spectra in near-fault regions.By analyzing the characteristics of near-fault pulse-type ground motions,an equivalent pulse model is proposed,which can well represent the characteristics of the near-fault forward-directivity and fling-step pulse-type ground motions.The normalized horizontal seismic design spectra for near-fault regions are presented using recorded near-fault pulse-type ground motions and equivalent pulse-type ground motions,which are derived based on the equivalent pulse model coupled with ground motion parameter attenuation relations.The normalized vertical seismic design spectra for near-fault regions are obtained by scaling the corresponding horizontal spectra with the vertical-to-horizontal acceleration spectral ratios of near-fault pulse-type ground motions.The proposed seismic design spectra appear to have relatively small dispersion in a statistical sense.The seismic design spectra for both horizontal and vertical directions can provide alternative spectral shapes for seismic design codes.     

Simultaneous determination of aquifer parameters and zone structures with fuzzy c-means clustering and meta-heuristic harmony search algorithm

This study proposes an inverse solution algorithm through which both the aquifer parameters and the zone structure of these parameters can be determined based on a given set of observations on piezometric heads. In the zone structure identification problem fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering method is used. The association of the zone structure with the transmissivity distribution is accomplished through an optimization model. The meta-heuristic harmony search (HS) algorithm, which is conceptualized using the musical process of searching for a perfect state of harmony, is used as an optimization technique. The optimum parameter zone structure is identified based on three criteria which are the residual error, parameter uncertainty, and structure discrimination. A numerical example given in the literature is solved to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Also, a sensitivity analysis is performed to test the performance of the HS algorithm for different sets of solution parameters. Results indicate that the proposed solution algorithm is an effective way in the simultaneous identification of aquifer parameters and their corresponding zone structures.     

Ground motion record simulation for structural analysis by consideration of spectral acceleration autocorrelation pattern

A novel approach is introduced to generate simulated ground motion records by considering spectral acceleration correlations at multiple periods. Most of the current reliable Ground Motion Record(GMR) simulation procedures use a seismological model including source, path and site characteristics. However, the response spectrum of simulated GMR is somewhat different when compared with the response spectrum based on recorded GMRs. More specifi cally, the correlation between the spectral values at multiple periods is a characteristic of a record which is usually different between simulated and recorded GMRs. As this correlation has a signifi cant infl uence on the structural response, it is needed to investigate the consistency of the simulated ground motions with actual records. This issue has been investigated in this study by incorporating an optimization algorithm within the Boore simulation technique. Eight seismological key parameters were optimized in order to achieve approximately the same correlation coeffi cients and spectral acceleration between two sets of real and simulated records. The results show that the acceleration response spectra of the synthetic ground motions also have good agreement with the real recorded response spectra by implementation of the proposed optimized values.     

Testing the acceleration spectra given by China and USA seismic codes based on energy supply in near-fault region

For near-fault ground motion,there should be a remarkable impulsive energy supply. Therefore,it is essential to check the validity of actual seismic design codes with energy balance concept. Based on the relationship between the spectrum velocity and the input energy equivalent velocity with 5% damping ratio,the input energy spectra compatible with main China and USA seismic codes were derived,and the accuracy and applicability were veri-fied by using near-fault records. The recommended energy input design spectrum (EIDS) applicable to the distance of 0～15 km from fault was introduced to check the validity of modern seismic codes. Comparison tests show that the GB50011-2001 Code of China can just match the energy effect of near-fault ground motion to a certain extent only under seldom occurred earthquake with fortification intensity of 9 degree for site soil of Ⅲ and IV,indicating that the impact of near-fault effect has not been embodied in the current code acceleration spectrum. In order to make the design spectrum be applicable to near-fault region,it is necessary to adjust the spectrum platform pa-rameters. On the contrary,for distinct fault distance and site soil,the UBC97 Code of USA can match well with the energy supply of near-fault ground motion except for the site soil of hard rock (SA). Accordingly,correctness of the formula derivation in this paper is certified.     

中、美主要抗震设计规范加速度谱的近断层地震动能量检验.

近场地震通常有显著的脉冲型高能输入,有必要从能量角度对现行抗震规范进行有效性检验,以探讨规范加速度设计谱能否体现近断层区域地震地面运动的能量耗散需求. 基于本文作者所建议的5%阻尼比下谱速度与输入能量等效速度之间关系,推导了与当前中、美主要抗震设计规范(GB50011-2001, UBC97)加速度谱相容的输入能量谱,并对其适用范围进行了讨论. 将其与基于实际近断层记录分组所得的输入能量设计谱进行对比表明, 我国GB50011-2001规范除软土场地的9度罕遇烈度外均难以体现近场地震的能量要求,有必要对设计谱平台高度进行调整;而美国UBC97规范则在除SA类场地之外的其它条件下均能较好地与15 km范围内的近场能量需求相吻合,从而也证明了本文推导方法的正确性.      

A new model for spectral velocity ordinates at long periods

The estimation of peak linear response via elastic design (response) spectra continues to form the basis of earthquake‐resistant design of structural systems in various codes of practice all over the world. Many response spectrum‐based formulations of peak linear response require an additional input of the spectral velocity (SV) ordinates consistent with the specified seismic hazard. SV ordinates have been conventionally approximated by pseudo spectral velocity (PSV) ordinates, which are close to the SV ordinates only over the intermediate frequency range coinciding with the velocity‐sensitive region. At long periods, PSV ordinates underestimate the SV ordinates, and this study proposes a formulation of a correction factor (>1) that needs to be multiplied by the PSV ordinates in order to close the gap between the two sets of ordinates. A simple model is proposed in the form of a power function in oscillator period to estimate this factor in terms of two governing parameters which are in turn estimated from two single‐parameter scaling equations. The parameters considered for the scaling equations are (1) the period at which the PSV spectrum is maximized and (2) the rate of decay of the pseudo spectral acceleration (PSA) amplitudes at long periods. For a given damping ratio, four regression coefficients are determined for the scaling equations with the help of 205 ground motions recorded in western USA. A numerical study undertaken with the help of several design PSA spectra and ensembles of spectrum‐compatible ground motions illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed correction factor, together with the proposed scaling models, in comparison with the PSV approximation in a variety of design situations. Both the input parameters mentioned above can be easily obtained from the specified design spectrum, and thus the proposed model is convenient to use.     

地震荷载下土层变形等级预测方法研究

以计算结果可靠的土层反应结果为基础数据,基于随机森林算法(Random Forest,简称"RF"),建立地震动、场地土层参数特征量与土层变形特征的关系,提出一种依据常规地震动和场地土层参数为特征量的地震荷载下土层变形等级预测新方法,给出了典型场地土体发生大应变的地震动阈值.结果表明:基于RF模型对土体的变形程度预测结...     

Consistent inelastic design spectra: Strength and displacement

A procedure for the determination of inelastic design spectra (for strength, displacement, hysteretic and input energy) for systems with a prescribed ductility factor has been developed. All the spectra are consistent (interrelated and based on the same assumptions). This is the first of two companion papers which deals with the ‘classical’ structural parameters: strength and displacement. The input data are the characteristics of the expected ground motion in terms of a smooth elastic pseudo-acceleration spectrum. Simple, approximate expressions for the strength reduction factor R are proposed. The value of R depends on the natural period of the system, the prescribed ductility factor, the hysteretic behaviour, damping and ground motion. Fairly accurate approximations to the inelastic spectra for strength and displacement can be derived from the elastic spectrum using the proposed values for R.     

Simulation of synthetic ground motions for specified earthquake and site characteristics

A method for generating a suite of synthetic ground motion time‐histories for specified earthquake and site characteristics defining a design scenario is presented. The method employs a parameterized stochastic model that is based on a modulated, filtered white‐noise process. The model parameters characterize the evolving intensity, predominant frequency, and bandwidth of the acceleration time‐history, and can be identified by matching the statistics of the model to the statistics of a target‐recorded accelerogram. Sample ‘observations’ of the parameters are obtained by fitting the model to a subset of the NGA database for far‐field strong ground motion records on firm ground. Using this sample, predictive equations are developed for the model parameters in terms of the faulting mechanism, earthquake magnitude, source‐to‐site distance, and the site shear‐wave velocity. For any specified set of these earthquake and site characteristics, sets of the model parameters are generated, which are in turn used in the stochastic model to generate the ensemble of synthetic ground motions. The resulting synthetic acceleration as well as corresponding velocity and displacement time‐histories capture the main features of real earthquake ground motions, including the intensity, duration, spectral content, and peak values. Furthermore, the statistics of their resulting elastic response spectra closely agree with both the median and the variability of response spectra of recorded ground motions, as reflected in the existing prediction equations based on the NGA database. The proposed method can be used in seismic design and analysis in conjunction with or instead of recorded ground motions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

地震动输入能量衰减规律的研究

对所收集到的266条强震记录，将其按场地条件分类，计算了不同场地条件、不同延性系数下的“绝对”和“相对”输入能量反应谱，然后利用两步回归法，得出了不同场地条件下地震动“绝对”和“相对”两种输入能量的衰减规律，分析了场地条件、延性系数、震级及距离等参数对地震动能量谱的影响，并对两种输入能量衰减规律进行了比较。     

Generation of spatially nonuniform ground motion for nonlinear analysis of a concrete arch dam

An accelerometer array at Pacoima Dam with three locations along the base and abutments recorded ground motion from a magnitude 4.3 earthquake on 13 January 2001. These records present an opportunity to study spatial nonuniformity for the motion in a canyon. Topographic amplification is characterized by ratios of response spectral displacement between locations, and seismic wave travel times are studied using cross‐correlation functions to obtain delays. Results of the analysis of the 2001 earthquake records are used to generate ground motion for the 1994 Northridge earthquake to replace records that were not able to be fully digitized. The ground motion generated for the Northridge earthquake is used as input to a finite element model of Pacoima Dam. The response of the model is consistent with observations of Pacoima Dam after the Northridge earthquake. Comparison of the response due to nonuniform input with the response due to uniform input demonstrates the importance of accounting for spatial nonuniformity because of the significance that the pseudostatic component has for the response to nonuniform input. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Incorporating low‐cycle fatigue model into duration‐dependent inelastic design spectra

Seismic performance of structures is related to the damage inflicted on the structure by the earthquake, which means that formulation of performance‐based design is inherently coupled with damage assessment of the structure. Although the potential for cumulative damage during a long‐duration earthquake is generally recognized, most design codes do not explicitly take into account the damage potential of such events. In this paper, the classical low‐cycle fatigue model commonly used for seismic damage assessment is cast in a framework suitable for incorporating cumulative damage into seismic design. The model, in conjunction with a seismic input energy spectrum, may be used to establish an energy‐based seismic design. In order to ensure satisfactory performance in a structure, the cyclic plastic strain energy capacity of the structure is designed to be larger than or equal to the portion of seismic input energy contributing to cumulative damage. The resulting design spectrum, which depends on the duration of the ground motion, indicates that the lateral strength of the structure must be increased in order to compensate for the increased damage due to an increased number of inelastic cycles that occur in a long‐duration ground motion. Examples of duration‐dependent inelastic design spectra are developed using parameters currently available for the low‐cycle fatigue model. The resulting spectra are also compared with spectra developed using a different cumulative damage model. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Engineering ground motion record selection in the ITalian ACcelerometric Archive

This paper introduces REXELite, an internet version of REXEL, a software for automatic selection of ground motion suites for nonlinear dynamic analysis of structures. REXELite was developed with the aim of integrating an advanced earthquake records’ repository, such as the ITalian ACcelerometric Archive (ITACA), with a tool to define seismic input for engineering seismic analysis according to international standards (with priority to Europe). In fact, REXELite allows to define target design spectra according either to Eurocode 8 or to the Italian building code, and to search ITACA for suitable sets of seven records (comprised of one or two horizontal ground motion components) matching such target spectra: on average, in a user-specified period range, and with the desired tolerance. The records in the set also have, individually and according to some criteria, the most similar spectral shape with respect to that of the code. Selection options include magnitude, source-to-site distance, soil conditions and, if desired, linear scaling of records to reduce further record-to-record variability of the selected suite.     

Prediction of the median IDA curve by employing a limited number of ground motion records

A methodology has been proposed which can be used to reduce the number of ground motion records needed for the reliable prediction of the median seismic response of structures by means of incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). This methodology is presently limited to predictions of the median IDA curve only. The reduction in the number of ground motion records needed to predict the median IDA curve is achieved by introducing a precedence list of ground motion records. The determination of such a list is an optimization problem, which is solved in the paper by means of (1) a genetic algorithm and (2) a proposed simple procedure. The seismic response of a simple, computationally non‐demanding structural model has been used as input data for the optimization problem. The presented example is a three‐storey‐reinforced concrete building, subjected to two sets of ground motion records, one a free‐field set and the other a near‐field set. It is shown that the median IDA curves can be predicted with acceptable accuracy by employing only four ground motion records instead of the 24 or 30 records, which are the total number of ground motion records for the free‐field and near‐field sets, respectively. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Significance of ground motion time step in one dimensional site response analysis

The discrete nature of the numerical methods utilized in 1D site response analysis and calculation of the response spectra (e.g., frequency domain, Duhamel integral, and Newmark β methods) introduces time-step dependence in the resulting solution. Using an input ground motion with too large of a time-step leads to under-prediction of high-frequency characteristics of the system response due to limitations in the numerical solution of single and multiple degree of freedom systems. In order to reduce potential errors, using a sampling rate at least ten times greater than the maximum considered frequency is recommended. The preferred alternative is selection of input ground motions with a sufficiently small time step to avoid introducing numerical errors. However, where such motions are not available, then the time step of the ground motion can be reduced through interpolation. This paper demonstrates that the use of Fourier transform zero-padded interpolation is the preferred approach to obtain a ground motion with an adequate time step for the calculation of the elastic acceleration response spectra, and to analyze site response using either frequency or time domain methods.     

Seismic damage assessment based on different hysteretic rules

The inelastic response of a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system to different sets of earthquake records was analysed to study the significance of ground motion characteristics on structural damage. Six non-linear models were used. The ductility ratio and hysteretic energy index were chosen as two important damage indices to measure the structural damage. The dispersion phenomenon exhibited by yield spectra due to input ground motion was reduced by incorporating the ground motion a/v ratio into the two damage indices. Finally, empirical formulae for estimating two measures of structural damage were developed for each hysteretic model.