Seismic ground-motion computations at low probabilities

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 595-599
Author(s):  
W. G. Milne ◽  
D. H. Weichert

The seismic provisions for the National Building Code of Canada are based on assumptions that seismic source zones can be defined within which earthquakes are distributed uniformly according to a magnitude/frequency-of-occurrence relation, and that a set of attenuation relationships hold for the earthquake magnitudes and distances that dominate the selected risk level of 10% probability of exceedence in 50 years. These assumptions appear to be reasonable at the probability level used for the average structures included in the code. However, attempts of extending the calculations to significantly lower levels of probability for special structures may invalidate the original assumptions, because the dominant contribution ranges of magnitudes and distances are outside of the intended scope of the ground-motion relations. Moreover, the basic assumption that earthquakes are uniformly distributed over large source zones is seriously compromised.

1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youself Bozorgnia ◽  
Mansour Niazi ◽  
Kenneth W. Campbell

Characteristics of response spectra of free-field vertical ground motion recorded during the 1994 Northridge earthquake are examined. Dependence of vertical and horizontal response spectra, and their ratio, on the site-to-source distance is investigated through development of attenuation relationships for vertical and horizontal spectral ordinates. The database includes 123 response spectra of the motions recorded at 41 alluvial sites. Vertical-to-horizontal (V/H) response spectral ratio is found to be strongly dependent on period and distance of site to the seismic source. V/H spectral ratio largely exceeds the commonly assumed value of 2/3, at short periods in the near-field region. The main characteristics of V/H spectral ratio for the Northridge earthquake are found to be qualitatively similar to those observed in the 1989 Loma Prieta, California, and in several other earthquakes recorded over the SMART-1 array in Taiwan. These characteristics are very likely to be universal.


1987 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Thenhaus ◽  
D. M. Perkins ◽  
S. T. Algermissen ◽  
S. L. Hanson

The regional variability in expected ground motion associated with six different characterizations of seismic source zones for probabilistic ground motion assessment is examined for the eastern United States. Three of the seismic source zone models are based on types of geologic structure: (1) regions characterized by late-Precambrian faulting; (2) middle-to-late Paleozoic thrust tectonics; and (3) early-to-middle Mesozoic extensional features. Two other seismic source zone configurations considered are based on data related to vertical crustal movements, and the final source zone model investigated is that of Algermissen and others (1982). Maintaining the same maximum magnitude among all zones and for all source zone configurations, a comparison of results indicates a factor of 3 difference among source zone models for calculated acceleration levels in eastern Massachusetts, southeastern Maine, and the Cape Fear arch of eastern North Carolina; a factor of about 2 or greater difference for most other eastern seaboard areas; and a factor of 1.5 or less for much of the Appalachian region extending from New Brunswick to the Gulf Coast. Results show that certain source zone models based exclusively on speculative geologic hypotheses result in considerably lower ground-motion hazard than otherwise implied by accepting historical seismicity as a guide to future hazard. Significantly, variation in the seismic hazard estimates at probability levels of 1 in 500 due to uncertain earthquake causal structures or processes is considerably higher in the heavily populated northeast region than in the Charleston, South Carolina, area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 1271-1297
Author(s):  
Kenneth W. Campbell

In this article, I propose a method for estimating the magnitude [Formula: see text] at which subduction megathrust earthquakes are expected to exhibit a break in magnitude scaling of both seismic source dimensions and earthquake ground motions. The methodology is demonstrated by applying it to 79 global subduction zones defined in the literature, including Cascadia. Breakpoint magnitude is estimated from seismogenic interface widths, empirical source scaling relations, and aspect ratios of physically unbounded earthquake ruptures and their uncertainties. The concept stems from the well-established observation that source-dimension and ground motion scaling decreases for shallow continental (primarily strike-slip) earthquakes when rupture exceeds the seismogenic width of the fault. Although a scaling break for megathrust earthquakes is difficult to observe empirically, all of the instrumentally recorded historical [Formula: see text] mega-earthquakes have occurred on subduction zones with [Formula: see text] (8.1–8.9), consistent with an observed break in source scaling relations derived from these same events. The breakpoint magnitudes derived in this study can be used to constrain the magnitude at which the scaling of ground motion is expected to decrease in subduction ground motion prediction equations.


Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
Alessandro Todrani ◽  
Giovanna Cultrera

On 24 August 2016, a Mw 6.0 earthquake started a damaging seismic sequence in central Italy. The historical center of Amatrice village reached the XI degree (MCS scale) but the high vulnerability alone could not explain the heavy damage. Unfortunately, at the time of the earthquake only AMT station, 200 m away from the downtown, recorded the mainshock, whereas tens of temporary stations were installed afterwards. We propose a method to simulate the ground motion affecting Amatrice, using the FFT amplitude recorded at AMT, which has been modified by the standard spectral ratio (SSR) computed at 14 seismic stations in downtown. We tested the procedure by comparing simulations and recordings of two later mainshocks (Mw 5.9 and Mw 6.5), underlining advantages and limits of the technique. The strong motion variability of simulations was related to the proximity of the seismic source, accounted for by the ground motion at AMT, and to the peculiar site effects, described by the transfer function at the sites. The largest amplification characterized the stations close to the NE hill edge and produced simulated values of intensity measures clearly above one standard deviation of the GMM expected for Italy, up to 1.6 g for PGA.


1981 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 295-319
Author(s):  
A. McGarr ◽  
R. W. E. Green ◽  
S. M. Spottiswoode

abstract Ground acceleration was recorded at a depth of about 3 km in the East Rand Proprietary Mines, South Africa, for tremors with −1 ≦ ML ≦ 2.6 in the hypocentral distance range 50 m < R ≦ 1.6 km. The accelerograms typically had predominant frequencies of several hundred Hertz and peak accelerations, a, as high as 12 g. The peak accelerations show a dependence on magnitude, especially when expressed as dynamic shear-stress differences, defined as σ˜ = ρRa, where ρ is density. For the mine tremors, σ˜ varies from 2 to 500 bars and depends on magnitude according to log σ˜ = 1.40 + 0.38 · ML. Accelerograms for 12 events were digitized and then processed to determine velocity and, for seven events with especially good S/N, displacement and seismic source parameters. Peak ground velocities v ranged up to 6 cm/sec and show a well-defined dependence one earthquake size as measured by ML or by seismic moment, Mo. On the basis of regression fits to the mine data, with −0.76 ≦ ML ≦ 1.45, log Rv = 3.95 + 0.57 ML, where Rv is in cm2/sec, and log Rv = −4.68 + 0.49 log Mo. These regression lines agree excellently with the corresponding data for earthquakes of ML up to 6.4 or Mo to 1.4 × 1026 dyne-cm. At a given value of ML or Mo, a, at fixed R, shows considerably greater variation than v and appears to depend on the bandwidth of the recording system. The peak acceleration at small hypocentral distances is broadly consistent with ρRa = 1.14 Δτrofs/β, where Δτ is stress drop, ro is the source radius, β is shear velocity, and fs is the bandwidth of the recording system. The peak velocity data agree well with Rv = 0.57 βΔτro/μ, where μ is the modulus of rigidity; both expressions follow from Brune's model of the seismic source and were compared with data for events in the size range 5 × 1016 ≦ Mo ≦ 1.4 × 1026 dyne-cm. Measurements of the source parameters indicated that, as for earthquakes, the stress drops for the tremors range from 1 to 100 bars and show no consistent dependence on Mo down to Mo = 5 × 1016 dyne-cm.


Author(s):  
Shihao Yuan ◽  
Kilian Gessele ◽  
Alice‐Agnes Gabriel ◽  
Dave A. May ◽  
Joachim Wassermann ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ercan Işık ◽  
Mustafa Kutanis

<p>In this study, site-specific earthquake spectra for Bitlis province in Lake Van Basin has been obtained. It is noteworthy that, in probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, as a first stage data from geological studies and records from the instrumental period were compiled to make a seismic source characterization for the study region.The probabilistic seismic hazard curves for Bitlis were developed based on selected appropriate attenuation relationships, at rock sites, with a probability of exceedance 2%, 10% and 50% in 50 year periods. The obtained results were compared with the spectral responses proposed for seismic evaluation and retrofit of the building structure in Turkish Earthquake Code, Section 2. At the end of this study, it is apprehended that the Code proposed earthquake response spectra are not sufficient for the performance evaluation of the existing structures and the current estimations show that the potential seismic hazard research of the Turkey is underestimated in the code.Therefore, site- specific design spectra for the region should be developed, which reflect the characteristics of local sites.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Determinación de espectros de sitio específico locales a través del análisis probabilístico de amenazas sísmicaspara la provincia de Bitlis, Turquía</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Resumen</strong></p>En este estudio se obtuvieron espectros de terremoto de sitio específico para la cuenca del Lago de Van, en la provincia de Bitlis, al este de Turquía. La primera fase del trabajo consistió en una evaluación probabilística de riesgo sísmico donde se compilaron los estudios geológicos y registros del período instrumental para hacer una caracterización de fuente sísmica en la región de estudio. Las curvas de amenaza sísmica para la provincia de Bitlis se desarrollaron con base en las relaciones de atenuación apropiada seleccionadas en los sitios rocosos, con una probabilidad de exceso de 2 %, 10 % y 50 % durante 50 años. Los resultados obtenidos se compararon con las respuestas de espectro propuestas para la evaluación sísmica y modernización de estructuras contempladas en el Código de Terremoto de Turquía, en la sección 2. En la parte final de este trabajo se comprende que las respuestas de espectros de terremoto propuestos en el código no son suficientes para la evaluación de desempeño de las estructuras existentes y que las estimaciones actuales muestran que la investigación de amenazas potenciales sísmicas en Turquía está subestimada en el código. Por lo tanto, el diseño de espectros de sitio específico para la región se debe desarrollar, ya que permitiría conocer las singularidades locales.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1639-1661
Author(s):  
Khalid Mahmood ◽  
Naveed Ahmad ◽  
Usman Khan ◽  
Qaiser Iqbal

Abstract. Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of Peshawar District has been performed for a grid size of 0.01∘. The seismic sources for the target location are defined as the area polygon with uniform seismicity. The earthquake catalogue was developed based on the earthquake data obtained from different worldwide seismological networks and historical records. The earthquake events obtained at different magnitude scales were converted into moment magnitude using indigenous catalogue-specific regression relationships. The homogenized catalogue was subdivided into shallow crustal and deep-subduction-zone earthquake events. The seismic source parameters were obtained using the bounded Gutenberg–Richter recurrence law. Seismic hazard maps were prepared for peak horizontal acceleration at bedrock level using different ground motion attenuation relationships. The study revealed the selection of an appropriate ground motion prediction equation is crucial for defining the seismic hazard of Peshawar District. The inclusion of deep subduction earthquakes does not add significantly to the seismic hazard for design base ground motions. The seismic hazard map developed for shallow crustal earthquakes, including also the epistemic uncertainty, was in close agreement with the map given in the Building Code of Pakistan Seismic Provisions (2007) for a return period of 475 years on bedrock. The seismic hazard maps for other return periods i.e., 50, 100, 250, 475 and 2500 years, are also presented.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Mahmood ◽  
Usman Khan ◽  
Qaiser Iqbal ◽  
Naveed Ahmad

Abstract. The probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of Peshawar District has been conducted in for a grid size of 0.01. The seismic sources for the target location are defined as the area polygon with uniform seismicity for which, the earthquake catalogues were obtained from different worldwide seismological network data. The earthquake catalogues obtained in different magnitude scale was converted into moment magnitude using regression analysis. The homogenized catalogue was then further subdivided into shallow crustal and deep subduction zone earthquake events for which, the seismic source parameters were obtained using Bounded Gutenberg-Richter Recurrence law. The seismic hazard maps were prepared in term of PGA at bedrock using the different ground motion attenuation relationships. The study shows that; the selection of appropriate ground motion prediction equation is an important factor in deciding the seismic hazard of Peshawar District. The inclusion of deep subduction earthquake does not add significantly to the seismic hazard. The calculated seismic hazard map for shallow crustal earthquake after including the epistemic uncertainty was in close agreement to that developed by BCP-2007 for a return period of 475 years on bedrock. The seismic hazard maps for other return periods i.e., 50, 100, 250, 475 and 2500 years were then prepared.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document