Nonlocal period parameters of frequency content characterization for near-fault ground motions

This paper focuses on the frequency property analysis of near-fault ground motions with and without distinct pulses, separately from the Chi-Chi and Northridge earthquakes. Ten scalar period parameters of ground motions, especially several nonlocal period parameters, are considered. Two new nonlocal parameters, namely the mean period of Hilbert marginal spectrum (T_mh) and the improved characteristic period (T_gi), are suggested. Moreover, comprehensive comparison and analysis indicate that T_mh, T_gi and T_avg (average spectral period) can distinguish the low-frequency components of near-fault ground motions; T_m (mean period of Fourier amplitude spectrum) and T_o (smoothed spectral predominant period) represent the moderate- and high-frequency components, respectively. The variance coefficient of predominant instantaneous frequency of Hilbert spectrum (H_cov) can be regarded as an alternative index to measure the non-stationary degree of near-fault ground motions. Finally, the velocity pulses and earthquake magnitude remarkably affect the frequency parameters of near-fault ground motions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Near-fault acceleration pulses and non-acceleration pulses: Effects on the inelastic displacement ratio

Near-fault ground motions can impose particularly high seismic demands on the structures due to the pulses that are typically observed in the velocity time-histories. The velocity pulses can be further categorized into either a distinct acceleration pulse (acc-pulse) or a succession of high-frequency, one-sided acceleration spikes (non-acc-pulse). The different characteristics of velocity pulses imply different frequency content of the ground motions, potentially causing different seismic effects on the structures. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of the two types of velocity pulses and their impacts on the inelastic displacement ratio (C_R) of single-degree-of-freedom systems. First, a new method that enables an automated classification of velocity pulses is used to compile a ground motion dataset which consists of 74 acc-pulses and 45 non-acc-pulses. Several intensity measures characterizing different seismological features are then compared using the two groups of records. Finally, the influences of acc-pulses and non-acc-pulses on the C_R spectra are studied; the effects of pulse period and hysteretic behavior are also considered. Results indicate that the characteristics of the two types of velocity pulses differ significantly, resulting in clearly distinct C_R spectral properties between acc-pulses and non-acc-pulses. Interestingly, mixing acc-pulses and non-acc-pulses can lead to local “bumps” that were found in the C_R spectral shape by previous studies. The findings of this study highlight the importance of distinguishing velocity pulses of different types when selecting near-fault ground motions for assessing the nonlinear dynamic response of structures.     

Evaluation of seismic displacement demands from the September 19, 2017 Puebla‐Morelos (Mw = 7.1) earthquake in Mexico City

This short communication presents the assessment of seismic inelastic and elastic displacement demands computed from earthquake ground motions (EQGMs) recorded in Mexico City during the intermediate‐depth intraslab Puebla‐Morelos earthquake on 19 September 2017 (Mw = 7.1). Evaluation is conducted by means of peak elastic and inelastic displacement demand spectra, inelastic displacement ratio, C_R, spectra, and generalized interstory drift spectra computed for selected recording stations located in different soil sites of Mexico City, including those located in areas of reported collapsed buildings. Results of this study confirm previous observations made from interplate (subduction) EQGMs that peak inelastic displacement demands are greater than corresponding elastic counterparts for short‐to‐medium period structures, while the opposite is true for medium‐to‐long period structures. Possible basin site effects were identified from generalized interstory drift spectra. It is also shown that an equation introduced in the literature to obtain estimates of C_R developed from interplate EQGMs provides also a good estimate for mean C_R computed from the intermediate‐depth intraslab EQGMs.     

Evaluation of the damping modification factor for structures subjected to near-fault ground motions

The damping modification factor (DMF) has been extensively used in earthquake engineering to describe the variation of structural responses due to varied damping ratios. It is known that DMFs are dependent not only on structural dynamic properties but also on characteristics of ground motions. DMFs regulated in current seismic codes are generally developed based on far-fault ground motions and are inappropriately used in structural design where pulse-like near-fault ground motions are involved. In this paper, statistical investigation of the DMF is performed based on 50 carefully selected pulse-like near-fault ground motions. It is observed that DMFs for pulse-like ground motions exhibit significant dependence on the pulse period T _p in a specific period range. If the period of the structure in response is close to the pulse period, the DMF attains the same level as that derived from far-fault ground motions; as the period of the structure is considerably larger or smaller than the pulse period T _p , the response reduction effect by the increased damping ratio is generally small, except for large earthquakes with long pulse periods, which exhibit significant reduction of response for structures with periods smaller than T _p . Based on the statistical results of DMFs, the empirical formulas for estimating DMFs for displacement, velocity and acceleration spectra are proposed, the effect of structural period, pulse period and damping ratio are considered in the formulas, and the formulas are designed to satisfy the specific reliability requirement in the period range of 0.1 < T/T _p  < 1, which is of engineering interest.     

Intensity measures for probabilistic assessment of non‐structural components acceleration demand

A fundamental issue in the framework of seismic probabilistic risk analysis is the choice of ground motion intensity measures (IMs). Based on the floor response spectrum method, the present contribution focuses on the ability of IMs to predict non‐structural components (NSCs) horizontal acceleration demand. A large panel of IMs is examined and a new IM, namely equipment relative average spectral acceleration (E‐ASA_R), is proposed for the purpose of NSCs acceleration demand prediction. The IMs efficiency and sufficiency comparisons are based on (i) the use of a large dataset of recorded earthquake ground motions; (ii) numerical analyses performed on three‐dimensional numerical models, representing actual structural wall and frame buildings; and (iii) systematic statistical analysis of the results. From the comparative study, the herein introduced E‐ASA_R shows high efficiency with respect to the estimation of maximum floor response spectra ordinates. Such efficiency is particularly remarkable in the case of structural wall buildings. Besides, the sufficiency and the simple formulation allowing the use of existing ground motion prediction models make the E‐ASA_R a promising IMs for seismic probabilistic risk assessment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

A vector-valued intensity measure for near-fault ground motions

Near-fault ground motions containing high energy and large amplitude velocity pulses may cause severe damage to structures. The most widely used intensity measure (IM) is the elastic spectral acceleration at the fundamental period of the structure (Sa(T₁)); however, Sa(T₁) is not a sufficient IM with respect to the effects of the pulse-like ground motions on structural response. For near-fault ground motions, including pulse-like and non–pulse-like time histories, we propose a vector-valued IM consisting of a new IM called instantaneous power (IP(T₁)) and the Sa(T₁). The IP(T₁) is defined as the maximum power of the bandpass-filtered velocity time series over a time interval of 0.5T₁. The IP(T₁) is period-dependent because the velocity time series is filtered over a period range (0.2T₁-3T₁). This allows the IP(T₁) to represent the power of the near-fault ground motions relevant to the response of the structure. Using two-dimensional models of the 2- and 9-story steel-frame buildings, we show that the proposed [Sa(T₁), IP(T₁)] vector IM gives more accurate estimates of the maximum inter-story drift and collapse capacity responses from near-fault ground motions than using the vector IM consisting of the Sa(T₁), the presence of the velocity pulse, and the period of the velocity pulse. Moreover, for the structures considered, for a given Sa(T₁), the IP(T₁) is more strongly correlated with structural damage from near-fault ground motions than the combination of the velocity pulse and pulse period.     

Multifractal characteristic analysis of near-fault earthquake ground motions

This study aims to reveal the multi-scaling behavior and quantify the irregularity of near-fault earthquake ground motions from a new perspective of multifractal theory. Based on multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis, the multifractal characteristic parameters of acceleration time series for typical near-fault ground motions are calculated, and their correlations with two period parameters (i.e., mean period T_m and characteristic period T_c) and box-counting fractal dimensions are analyzed. Numerical results of strong nonlinear dependence of generalized Hurst exponents h(q) upon the fluctuation orders q indicate that near-fault ground motions present the multifractal properties and long-range correlation obviously. Furthermore, the scaling exponent h(2) of near-fault records has a strong correlation with their periods T_m and T_c, and strongly negative correlation with their box dimension. Moreover, h(2) can be regarded as a measure of frequency content and irregularity degree of strong earthquake ground motions. Finally, it is pointed out that the long-range correlation of small and large fluctuation is the major source of multifractality of near-fault ground motions.     

Characterization of forward-directivity ground motions in the near-fault region

Ground motions close to a ruptured fault resulting from forward-directivity are significantly different than other ground motions. These pulse-type motions can place severe demands on structures in the near-fault region. To aid in the characterization of these special type of ground motions, a simplified parameterization is proposed based on a representative amplitude, pulse period, and number of significant pulses in the velocity–time history. Empirical relationships were developed for estimating the peak ground velocity (PGV) and period of the velocity pulse (T_v) of available forward-directivity motions. PGV in the near-fault region varies significantly with magnitude and distance. Additionally, the PGV for soil sites are systematically larger than those at rocks sites. T_v is a function of moment magnitude and site conditions with most of the energy being concentrated within a narrow-period band centered on the pulse period. Hence, lower magnitude events, which produce lower pulse periods, might produce more damaging ground motions for the stiff structures more common in urban areas.     

近断层竖向地震动P-Δ效应研究

竖向效应是近断层地震动的主要特点,竖向地震动对工程结构形成的P-Δ效应是造成结构破坏的主要原因。本文以单自由度体系为研究对象,选取汶川地震的近断层强震数据进行研究,分析竖向地震动所产生P-Δ效应的放大作用特征。分析结果表明汶川地震中,相比于中远场区域,近断层区域内竖向地震动作用所产生的P-Δ效应具有明显的放大作用,且近断层内这种放大作用具有普遍性;当自振周期一定时,不同台站获得地震动的放大系数离散性较小,主要分布于均值附近;其分析结果符合地震动的一般规律,分析结果合理。在此基础上建立了以均值为代表值的放大系数谱,可以与抗震设计反应谱结合使用,从而为活断层附近区域内的结构抗震设计问题提供定量化参考依据。     

Peak and integral seismic parameters of L��Aquila 2009 ground motions: observed versus code provision values

The M _w 6.3 L’Aquila earthquake of April 6, 2009 hit a wide area of the Abruzzo region (Central Italy). The epicentre of the main shock was very close to the urban centre of L’Aquila, the regional capital, with an epicentral distance less than 10 km. It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Italy which has provided ground motion recordings from accelerometric stations located in close proximity to the epicentre. Because of this, several remarkable results can be achieved by analysing the strong motion recorded signals in terms of peak (PGA, PGV and PGD) and integral (Housner Intensity, I _H) seismic parameters. Additionally, an alternative time-domain representation of recorded signals has been used to furnish a rapid comparison of traces recorded at different stations and along different directions. Some comparisons between the response spectra derived from the recordings and the elastic demand spectra provided in the new seismic Italian code have also been performed. PGA recorded values are very high and generally higher than code values for seismic actions with return period T _R = 475 years. In some cases, this also happens for seismic actions with T _R up to 2,475 years. With regard to I _H, recorded values are generally higher for T _R = 475 years, whilst they are remarkably lower for T _R = 2,475 years. Accurate analyses have been carried out in the article to better understand the above differences and their significance and implications.     

A comparative study between China and U.S. on seismic design philosophy and practice of a long span arch bridge

This paper presents the first of a series of case studies on the seismic design of long span bridges （cable-stayed bridges, suspension bridges and arch bridges） under a cooperative research project on seismic behavior and design of highway bridges between the State Key Laboratory for Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University and the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, University at Buffalo. The objective of this series of case studies is to examine the differences and similarities on the seismic design practice of long span bridges in China and the U.S., to identify research needs and to develop design guidelines beneficial to bridge engineers in both countries. Unlike short to medium span bridges, long span bridges are not included in most seismic design specifications, mainly because they are location dependent and structurally unique. In this paper, an available model of a steel tied half through arch bridge with a main span of 550m in China is discussed. Analysis is focused on comparisons of the seismic responses due to different ground motions. Seismic design criteria and seismic performance requirements for long span bridges in both countries were first introduced and compared, and then three near field earthquake records with large vertical components were selected as the excitations to examine the seismic behavior and seismic vulnerability of the bridge. Results show that （1） the selected near field ground motions cause larger responses to key components （critical sections） of the bridge （such as arch rib ends） with a maximum increase of more than twice those caused by the site specific ground motions; （2） piers, longitudinal girders and arch crowns are more vulnerable to vertical motions, especially their axial forces; and （3） large vertical components of near field ground motions may not significantly affect the bridge＇s internal forces provided that their peak acceleration spectra ordinates only appear at periods of less than 0.2s. However, they may have more influence on the longitudinal displacements of sliding bearings due to their large displacement spectra ordinates at the fundamental period of the bridge.     

近断层脉冲型地震动作用下隔震结构地震反应分析

隔震结构在远震场地减震效果良好，但是近断层地震动的明显的长周期速度和位移脉冲运动可能对隔震建筑等长周期结构的抗震性能和设计带来不利影响，需要深入探讨。本文首先讨论近断层地震动的长周期脉冲运动特征，然后以台湾集集地震8条典型近震记录和其它4条常用近震记录以及4条远震记录作为地震动输入，对两幢安装铅芯橡胶隔震支座的钢筋混凝土框架隔震结构进行非线性地震反应时程分析，通过比较探讨了算例计算结果，定量说明隔震结构的近震脉冲效应显著，是隔震设计不容忽视的问题。     

Inelastic design spectra accounting for soil conditions

This paper is concerned with the effect of soil conditions on the response of single-degree-of-freedom inelastic systems subjected to earthquake motions. The ground motions considered are 72 horizontal components of motion, most of them recorded during the 3 March, 1985 Chile earthquake (M_s = 7·8) and two main aftershocks; among these records are some of the strongest and longer duration earthquake motions ever recorded. The recording station sites were classified in one of three soil types, which can be generically referred to as rock, firm ground, and medium stiffness soil. Response results for each group were analysed statistically to obtain factors for deriving inelastic design spectra of the Newmark-Hall type, as well as alternative simplified spectral shapes suitable for code formulation. Particular attention was given to the response modification factors (R) that are commonly used in seismic codes to reduce the ordinates of the elastic spectrum to account for the energy dissipation capacity of the structure. The response modification factors, known to be function of both the natural period of vibration and the ductility factor, are found to be dependent on soil conditions, particularly in the case of medium stiffness soils. It is also shown that the indirect procedure of applying R to the elastic design spectrum is less accurate than directly using functions that represent the inelastic design spectrum.     

Effect of near-fault earthquake on bridges: lessons learned from Chi-Chi earthquake

The objective of this paper is to describe the lessons learned and actions that have been taken related to the seismic design of bridge structures after the Chi-Chi, Taiwan earthquake. Much variable near-fault ground motion data was collected from the rupture of Chelungpu fault during the Chi-Chi earthquake, allowing the seismic response of bridge structures subjected to these near-fault ground motions to be carefully examined. To study the near-fault ground motion effect on bridge seismic design codes, a two-level seismic design of bridge structures was developed and implemented. This design code reflects the near-fault factors in the seismic design forces. Finally, a risk assessment methodology, based on bridge vulnerability, is also developed to assist in decisions for reducing seismic risk due to failure of bridges. Director of Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering. Supported by: the Science Council, Chinese Taipei, under grant no. SC 90-2211-E-002-028.     

Comparing response of SDF systems to near‐fault and far‐fault earthquake motions in the context of spectral regions

In spite of important differences in structural response to near‐fault and far‐fault ground motions, this paper aims at extending well‐known concepts and results, based on elastic and inelastic response spectra for far‐fault motions, to near‐fault motions. Compared are certain aspects of the response of elastic and inelastic SDF systems to the two types of motions in the context of the acceleration‐, velocity‐, and displacement‐sensitive regions of the response spectrum, leading to the following conclusions. (1) The velocity‐sensitive region for near‐fault motions is much narrower, and the acceleration‐sensitive and displacement‐sensitive regions are much wider, compared to far‐fault motions; the narrower velocity‐sensitive region is shifted to longer periods. (2) Although, for the same ductility factor, near‐fault ground motions impose a larger strength demand than far‐fault motions—both demands expressed as a fraction of their respective elastic demands—the strength reduction factors R_y for the two types of motions are similar over corresponding spectral regions. (3) Similarly, the ratio u_m/u₀ of deformations of inelastic and elastic systems are similar for the two types of motions over corresponding spectral regions. (4) Design equations for R_y (and for u_m/u₀) should explicitly recognize spectral regions so that the same equations apply to various classes of ground motions as long as the appropriate values of T_a, T_b and T_c are used. (5) The Veletsos–Newmark design equations with T_a=0.04 s, T_b=0.35 s, and T_c=0.79 s are equally valid for the fault‐normal component of near‐fault ground motions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

近断层速度脉冲地震动的三维有限差分模拟

根据台湾西部地质地貌特征和1999年集集M_W7.6地震的研究成果,建立三维速度结构模型和震源模型,并采用三维有限差分法对双冬断层可能产生的近断层脉冲型地震动进行数值模拟。结果表明,方向性效应引起的双向速度脉冲集中在垂直于断层滑动分量的方向上,而滑冲效应引起的单向速度脉冲则集中在平行于断层滑动分量的方向上。受方向性效应和上盘效应的共同调制,近断层脉冲型地震动反映出不对称带状分布的特征,速度脉冲主要分布在距离断层面约10 km的范围内。凹凸体的特性影响着地震动的时空分布,由地震波场显示南投和台中处于强地震动危险区。近场脉冲型地震动的研究对分析速度脉冲形成机理以及地震危险性有一定的参考意义。     

Effects of near-fault ground motions on the nonlinear behaviour of reinforced concrete framed buildings

The design provisions of current seismic codes are generally not very accurate for assessing effects of near-fault ground motions on reinforced concrete(r.c.)spatial frames,because only far-fault ground motions are considered in the seismic codes.Strong near-fault earthquakes are characterized by long-duration(horizontal)pulses and high values of the ratio α_(PGA)of the peak value of the vertical acceleration,PGA_V,to the analogous value of the horizontal acceleration,PGA_H,which can become critical for girders and columns.In this work,six- and twelve-storey r.c.spatial frames are designed according to the provisions of the Italian seismic code,considering the horizontal seismic loads acting(besides the gravity loads)alone or in combination with the vertical ones.The nonlinear seismic analysis of the test structures is performed using a step-by-step procedure based on a two-parameter implicit integration scheme and an initial stress-like iterative procedure.A lumped plasticity model based on the Haar-Karman principle is adopted to model the inelastic behaviour of the frame members.For the numerical investigation,five near-fault ground motions with high values of the acceleration ratio α_(PGA) are considered.Moreover,following recent seismological studies,which allow the extraction of the largest(horizontal) pulse from a near-fault ground motion,five pulse-type(horizontal)ground motions are selected by comparing the original ground motion with the residual motion after the pulse has been extracted.The results of the nonlinear dynamic analysis carried out on the test structures highlighted that horizontal and vertical components of near-fault ground motions may require additional consideration in the seismic codes.     

近断层地震动作用下输电塔-导线体系反应分析

首先在考虑了导线的几何非线性基础上,建立了输电塔-导线体系的简化空间有限元分析模型.其次对体系按纵向和侧向分别进行了自振特性分析.最后在近断层地震动、人造波和El Centro波作用下,利用非线性时程分析法研究了体系的地震反应特性.文中给出的输电塔的计算结果表明：（1）导线明显增加了输电塔的纵向基本自振周期,而对侧向振动周期几乎没有影响;（2）近断层地震动和其它地震动作用相比,输电塔的反应相差不大;（3）近断层地震动显著增大了导线的位移反应,尤其是侧向;（4）导线对体系纵向地震反应影响较大,对侧向地震反应影响较小.     

近断层地震作用下RC框排架结构易损性研究

为研究近断层地震作用下框排架结构破坏的可能性,以某钢筋混凝土框排架结构为原型建立有限元非线性分析模型,选取16条近断层地震波及8条远场地震波,采用增量动力分析方法绘制易损性曲线。结果表明:对于远场地震,8度多遇地震及基本地震时,结构正常使用、基本使用、修复后使用、生命安全及防止倒塌五个极限状态均未超越,满足“小震不坏,中震可修”的抗震要求;8度罕遇地震时,仅超越正常使用极限状态的概率为2.08%,满足“大震不倒”的抗震要求。而近断层地震时,在8度多遇地震时结构前四个极限状态均被超越,基本地震时结构超过修复后使用的极限状态概率为16.62%,有2.40%的概率达到生命安全的极限状态,罕遇地震时接近倒塌的概率为15\^4%。研究结果可为近断层地区框排架结构地震风险评估提供参考。