Structural seismic response analysis based on multiscale approach of computing fault–structure system

Structural safety for earthquake waves emitted from a nearby fault is a major concern. For a large complex structure, it might be desired to estimate its seismic response by analyzing a fault–structure system: a full three‐dimensional model in which a source fault and a target structure are modeled so that fault processes, wave propagation and amplification processes, and resulting dynamic responses of the structure can be computed numerically. To analyze this fault–structure system, this paper proposes an efficient approach based on multiscale analysis, i.e. waves emitted from the source fault are computed in the entire system in the geological length‐scale; then they are refined in a small part of the system that includes the structure, and the seismic response of the structure is accurately computed in the engineering length‐scale. Using a long highway tunnel as an example, this paper examines the validity of the proposed approach. The usefulness and applicability of the proposed approach to estimate the structural seismic responses are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.