Seismic evaluation of existing nuclear facility using ambient vibration test to characterize dynamic behavior of the structure and microtremor measurements to characterize the soil: a case study

The methods used for a building seismic hazard evaluation are presented with the associated results. The goals of the study are (1) to check the soil nature and the existence or not of a possible site effect around the installation and (2) to characterize the dynamic behavior of the building using ambient vibration records.

The results of the soil study with the Nakamura method are very difficult to interpret because they are not stable in space and time. The spectral ratios method has been used with regional earthquake records. The results of the application of this method allowed us to conclude that the installation was free of site effect.

The ambient vibration measurements on the building brought the conclusion to determine the first and second modes of the structure. These results have been used to calibrate numerical model. The modal shapes in plan (high roof) and in elevation (main column) have been evaluated. The damping of the building has been computed using ambient vibration records.     

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.     

3D configuration of Mygdonian basin and preliminary estimate of its site response

Euroseistest is currently the longest running test site in the world. It was originally defined as the 2D cross-section of the Mygdonian basin going from Profitis to Stivos villages. In this paper, we present the first results of the effort to extend the idea of test site to a larger portion of the whole sedimentary structure, i.e. the extension of the idea of Euroseistest from a 2D to a 3D structure. To this end we have compiled available geological and geotechnical information. We have analyzed microtremor and earthquake data recorded seven years ago, that had not been thoroughly exploited. We present the results of the analysis of H/V spectral ratios from microtremors recorded at 195 sites, and from earthquake records at 14 stations. The results are validated through comparison with the well studied 2D cross-section. In addition to this, the geometry of the edges of the basin has been deduced from electrical tomographies. The synthesis of all these data allowed us to propose reliable map of dominant frequencies throughout the basin, a good constrain on the geometry of the basin at the edges, and shear-wave velocity profiles at some points. Our results indicate that average shear-wave velocity is not constant throughout, and thus the dominant frequency map is not a faithful image of the geometry of the basin. We have also obtained a reliable estimate of the site response throughout the basin. The results have been used to plan an additional measurement campaign, and are currently used to compute site response using a 3D seismic modelling code. We expect that the usefulness of Euroseistest to understand site effects in 3D geological structures will be as large as it has been in its 2D phase.     

Local amplification of deep mining induced vibrations Part 1: Experimental evidence for site effects in a coal basin

The work presented in this paper lies under the scope of a research program aiming to assess the impact of deep coal mining induced vibrations on the surface constructions. The concerned section of the program is dedicated to the study of geological site effects and their influence on the mining induced vibrations for which the experimental investigations have been carried out and developed in this paper (Part 1). The empirical methods based on H/V spectral ratios have been applied on data sets provided from mining induced vibrations recorded within private residences above the deep coalmine as well as complementary measurements of ambient noise. The results evidence an amplified zone in the southern part of the Gardanne basin where drilling data confirmed the presence of particularly fractured and soft stratigraphic units. This joint analysis of induced seismicity and ambient noise enabled to validate the method based on H/V ratios applied to the mining context.     

地铁线路采空区微动剖面法探测研究——以广州地铁14号线二期为例

煤层开采留下大范围采空区,可能引发地面沉降和塌陷,危害地面建筑物和地下设施安全,查明采空区的空间位置与结构形态,对矿区环境治理、土地资源开发利用和确保地铁、铁路等大工程建设地质安全具有重要意义.然而,采空区探测一直是公认的行业难题,尤其是当采空区位于城镇等复杂强干扰环境下,传统的采空区物探面临诸多挑战.本文采用微动剖面探测新方法研究广州地铁14号线二期乐嘉路站—岗贝站区间的煤层采空区,介绍在城区交通要道开展地铁线路采空区微动剖面法探测的方法技术.探测查明2#、4#煤层采空区、六处岩巷与二处竖井,与钻孔揭露情况和历史记载的煤矿开采水平巷道吻合,探测结果为地铁设计建设提供了可靠的物探依据和地质安全保障.

     

Frequency dependence of site amplification factor in the Messina Strait area

The spectral ratio method is used here for evaluating the frequency dependence of a site amplification factor in the Messina Strait area. All stations exhibit the same features of spectral ratios evidencing two peaks at about 10 Hz and 16 Hz. We relate this observation to the same geological structures. In fact, all the stations (except the referenced one) are situated over pleistocenic sediments with a similar grain size. This causes the disappearing of any site effect when the average spectrum is used as a reference. MES station, situated in the city of Messina, presents a clear site effect at a different frequency (6 Hz) which cannot be related to any geological structure because no substantial difference is observed between the sediments on which this station is situated and the sediments on which the other stations are situated. MT1 station exhibits a spectral peak at about 2 Hz which can be explained with oscillations of a little sedimentary basin.     

基于微动H/V谱比法的土石分界面探测研究——以济南中心城区为例

土石分界面对城市抗震设防和地下工程建设具有重要意义.城市中复杂的干扰限制了常规地球物理勘探方法的使用,本文选用环境友好且抗干扰能力强的微动H/V谱比法对济南中心城区的土石分界面展开研究.在济南中心城区开展三分量微动测量,得到了400多个测点的微动数据,计算了对应的H/V谱比曲线.将得到的H/V曲线划分成单峰、宽峰、双峰和无峰四种类型,分析了不同类型曲线与地质结构的关系.根据基岩性质不同,将研究区的基岩划分为灰岩和岩浆岩两种类型,总结出了基岩为灰岩时的深度-频率关系式,同时发现当基岩为岩浆岩时无法得到可靠的关系式.根据关系式计算得到了济南部分测线的土石分界面深度分布,另外,关系式的计算结果与钻孔资料十分吻合,能满足工程探测的精度要求.本方法为在城市强干扰环境中确定土石分界面深度提供了快速准确的解决方案.     

Low-velocity zone and topography as a source of site amplification effect on Tarzana hill,California

Tarzana station is located in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains in California near the crest of a low (<20 m) natural hill with gentle slopes. The hill is about 500 m in length by 130 m in width and is formed of extremely weathered shale at the surface to fresh at depth. Average S-wave is about 250 m/s in the top 17–18 m, and S- and P-wave velocities significantly increase below this depth. According to the NEHRP classification based on V_S30∼300 m/s it is a site class D. Strong-motion instrumentation at Tarzana consisted of an accelerograph at the top of the hill, a downhole instrument at 60 m depth, and an accelerograph at the base of the hill. More than 20 earthquakes were recorded by at least three instruments at Tarzana from 1998 till 2003. Comparisons of recordings and Fourier spectra indicate strong directional resonance in a direction perpendicular to the strike of the hill. The dominant peaks in ground motion amplification on the top of the hill relative to the base are at frequencies ∼3.6 and 8–9 Hz for the horizontal components. Our hypothesis is that the hill acts like a wave trap. This results in an amplification at predominant frequencies f=V/4 h (h is layer's thickness) at f∼3.6 Hz for S-waves (using average V_S17=246 m/s and h=17 m) and f∼7.9 Hz for P-waves (using average V_P17=535 m/s and h=17 m). As was shown by Bouchon and Barker [Seismic response of a hill: the example of Tarzana, California. Bull Seism Soc Am 1996;86(1A):66–72], topography of this hill amplifies and polarizes ground motion in the frequency range of 3–5 Hz. Hill acts as a magnifying polarizing glass: It polarizes ground motion in the direction perpendicular to the strike of the hill and also amplifies ground motions that had been also amplified by a low-velocity layer.     

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.     

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).     

A study of local amplification effect of soil layers on ground motion in the Kathmandu Valley using microtremor analysis

Past researchers have anticipated the occurrence of a great earthquake in the central Himalayas in the near future.This may cause serious damage in the Kathmandu Valley,which sits on an ancient lake be...     

A numerical study on the 2D behavior of clayey basins

In this numerical study the effects of basin edge on the dynamic behavior of the clayey basins are investigated. For this purpose a range of bedrock inclinations at the valley sides from slighter 10° and 20° to steeper 30° and 40°, and three types of stiff, medium plasticity and soft clay materials are selected. The results of the 2D analyses show that not only the amplification pattern of different clay types is different, but also it differs for each material type under different motion intensities. Also, the frequency domain results show that different parts of the valleys are sensitive to different periods. It was seen that under two-dimensional conditions the amplification of clay types other than soft clay could be higher. Finally, the results of this research show the important effect of motion intensity on the 2D behavior of valleys.     

Numerical study of characteristics of underground blast induced surface ground motion and their effect on above-ground structures. Part I. Ground motion characteristics

Current codes of practice in assessing the blast ground motion effect on structures are mainly based on the ground peak particle velocity (PPV) or PPV and the principal frequency (PF) of the ground motion. PPV and PF of ground motion from underground explosions are usually estimated by empirical formulae derived from field blast tests. Not many empirical formulae for PF, but many empirical formulae for PPV are available in the literature. They were obtained from recorded data either on ground surface or in the free field (inside the geological medium). Owing to the effect of surface reflection, blast motions on ground surface and in the free field are very different. But not many publications in the open literature discuss the differences of blast motions on ground surface and in the free field. Moreover, very few publications discuss the blast ground motion spatial variation characteristics. As ground motion directly affects structural responses, it is very important to study its characteristics in order to more reliably assess its effects on structures. In this paper, a validated numerical model is used to simulate stress wave at a granite site owing to explosion in an underground chamber. Using the simulated stress wave, the relations such as PPV and PF attenuation as well as spatial variation of motions on ground surface and in the free field are derived. Discussions on the differences of the characteristics of surface and free field motions are made. Results presented in this paper can be used in a more detailed assessment of ground motion effect on structures.     

A stochastic model of surface contaminant releases to support assessment of site contamination at a former industrial site

An industrial site is usually contaminated by accidental (and occasionally intentional) releases of pollutants to the environment from various operations carried out on that site. Consequently, the pattern of contamination created during the life of the site depends in part, at least, on the pattern of operations. Thus, the assessment of the pattern of contamination over the site should be improved: if it is possible to identify the pattern of operations on the site, the duration of the different activities and the perceived likelihood of releases from the different operations. A stochastic model has been developed that can be used to simulate alternative realizations of contaminant releases (duration, extent and timing). The model employs release zones associated with particular activities or groups of activities on the site and the areas of each of the zones may be independent or overlapping. The period of activity in each zone is obtained from the site records, while the likelihood and extent of contamination in each zone is inferred from an analysis of the contamination data obtained by point sampling. The form of the model, the method of inference of the model parameter values from the site data and the application of the model to the study site are presented. The release model has been developed as part of a suite of stochastic models for site ground contamination analysis. The stochastic soil and transport models and the application of the integrated modelling system are described in separate papers.     

谱时程比方法及其在确定地铁沿线地层场地响应中的应用

利用在北京地铁4号线北京大学东门站附近地铁隧道内和地面场地观测得到的振动数据,提出一种基于独立信号的谱时程比方法,实现了从地铁振动和地面振动数据中提取地层场地响应信息以及土层中的振动衰减信息．该方法对同一观测点不同时间段观测数据的分析结果具有高度的稳定性,经验证与基于钻孔资料地层模型的半无限空间层状介质的理论传递函数的频率响应特征具有良好一致性．同时,基于该方法还对隧道壁与土层振动耦合以及观测点附近浅表土层非弹性吸收带来的综合等效衰减特征进行了评估．研究结果显示,北京大学东门站附近振动场地放大效应的峰值频率主要在3—10 Hz之间,受地铁振动的影响,场地效应在不同测点以及地铁沿线、 切线和铅垂线等3个不同方向显示出一定的差异．     

Geostatistical modelling of ground conditions to support the assessment of site contamination

The pattern of ground contamination across a site depends on the historical pattern of contaminant releases at the surface and the redistribution and the fate of contaminants below the surface. Using these concepts a new site assessment approach (assessment modelling) is proposed based on the development of three stochastic models: a model of the physical structure of the ground materials beneath the site; a model of the distribution of surface contaminant spills; and a model of the flow and transport of spilled material into the heterogeneous underlying ground to construct alternative, equally likely, present day contaminant distributions. Combining the models within a Monte Carlo framework can, in principle, improve the understanding of the potential for excess contamination across the site and improve decisions on remediation options and locations. A trial application has been undertaken in the UK using a particular site to assess the approach. The conditions at the site used for the trial and the first of the stochastic model developments, the geostatistical modelling of the soil heterogeneity, are presented in this paper. Non-parametric and parametric geostatistics have been employed to formulate the geostatistical models of the site soils using lithological information from 146 trial pits and boreholes. The approach to the soil modelling and the verification and validation of the results are described. The heterogeneity of the subsurface is complicated by the presence of made-ground, comprised of various inert building wastes, and the non-stationarity of the heterogeneity of the natural ground. This paper is the first of three describing the assessment modelling methodology and its trial application to the site.     

The effect of discontinuity frequency on ground vibrations produced from bench blasting: A case study

A good number of empirical formulae and methods dealing with the analysis of the effects of blast-induced ground vibrations have been developed. The most common approach suggested for estimating the attenuation of particle velocity on the ground is to scale the distance (scaled distance, SD). This approach makes it possible to estimate the peak particle velocity when the amount of explosive charge or the distance or both are altered.Many parameters known to have an influence on particle velocity have been used for particle velocity prediction equations. Some of these parameters are maximum charge per delay, the distance between the station and shot location, burden, inelastic attenuation factor and site factors. However, the impacts of the discontinuities existing on the benches where blasts are detonated on the propagation velocity of seismic waves have not been taken into consideration in these equations.This study aims to examine the impacts of the discontinuity frequency parameter derived through geological measurements carried out on the blasting benches or nearby in a quarry mine (Supren, Eskisehir) in Turkey on the propagation of blast-induced ground vibrations. Developed based on the geological observations carried out on the benches, the model was formed by adding discontinuity frequency parameter to the particle velocity prediction model suggested by Nicholls et al. [Nicholls HR, Johnson CF, Duvall WI. Blasting vibrations and their effects on structures. Bulletin no. 656. Washington, DC: US Bureau of Mines; 1971]. In order to research the effect of the discontinuity frequency in the bench on the blast-induced ground vibrations, the relationship between the recorded peak particle velocity, scaled distance and discontinuity frequency was statistically evaluated for the site. The established relationship and the results of the study are presented.     

Validation through HVSR measurements of a method for the quick detection of site amplification effects from intensity data: an application to a seismic area in Northern Italy

An instrumental validation is attempted of an innovative approach devoted to the quick individuation, from macroseismic data, of site amplification phenomena able to significantly modify seismic hazard levels expected on the basis of average propagation effects only. According to this methodology, two evaluations of hazard are performed at each investigated locality: the former, obtained by epicentral intensity data ‘reduced’ at the site through a probabilistic attenuation function and, the latter, computed by integrating such data with seismic effects actually observed at the site during past earthquakes. The comparison, for each locality, between these two hazard estimates allow to orientate the identification of those sites where local amplifications of earthquake ground motion could be significant. In order to check such methodology, indications obtained in this way from macroseismic data are compared with the estimates of transfer functions performed through the HVSR technique applied to microtremors. Results concerning municipalities located in a seismic area of Northern Italy indicate a good agreement between macroseismic and instrumental estimates.     

The reference spectral noise ratio method to evaluate the seismic response of a site

The seismic response of several sites in the Durban area of South Africa has been investigated using a refined version of the spectral ratio (H/V) generated by cultural seismic noise. Two samples of noise separated by an interval of several minutes for the vertical and the two orthogonal horizontal components were taken at each site. Though the two samples differed noticeably in the time as well as in the frequency domain, when the components are considered separately, the ratios of the horizontal to the vertical spectra were very similar for most of the pairs. This similitude was obvious not only in the frequencies of the peaks, but also in the range of amplifications involved. These observations have been used to introduce a refinement to the Nakamura Method. This refinement consists in using as a reference the H/V spectral ratio of a well-known, hard rock site. All the other soft sites of interest are then compared with this standard reference site. This comparison provides valuable information on the frequencies and amplification factors introduced by the critical soft sediments. This refined method will be referred here as the ‘Reference spectral noise ratio’.This method, is compared to a similar one devised to investigate the response of horizontal layers to longitudinal seismic waves, using the ratio of the spectra generated by long- period waves.     

软土层几何特性与剪切波速对场地峰值加速度的影响

软土层对场地地震动的影响一直以来是地震工程学的研究重点。本文应用一维真非线性场地反应分析方法,对某单层匀质场地内软土层的几何特征(厚度与埋深)和剪切波速变化对地面峰值加速度的影响进行了数值分析。研究结果表明:软土层的存在使得场地加速度幅值分布在软土层处发生突变,随着软土层几何特性和剪切波速的不同,这种突变可能使得地面峰值加速度增大或减小;存在一个由软土层厚度、埋深和相对剪切波速三个参数构成的临界状态面,当软土层的状态位于临界面以内时,软土层对地面峰值加速度起放大效应,且加速度效应系数随着上述三个变量的增大表现出先增大后减小的变化规律;当软土层位于临界面以外时,其对地面峰值加速度起衰减效应,加速度效应系数随着上述三个变量的增大而减小。根据算例的参数分析建立了其临界面方程,并提出了估计软土层加速度效应系数的经验公式,可为类似问题提供参考。