Correlation Study of Shear Wave Velocity in near Surface Geological Formations in Anchorage, Alaska

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Nath ◽  
D. Chatterjee ◽  
N. N. Biswas ◽  
M. Dravinski ◽  
D. A. Cole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Correlation Study ◽  
Surface Measurement ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Site Class ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Method ◽  
Site Classes

In the summer of 1995, surface measurements of shear wave velocity (β) was conducted at thirty six sites, approximately, in the 0-50 m depth range. Of these, at seven sites values of β, soil log and blow count (N) from borehole measurement were available from previous investigations by others. Using these seven sites for calibration, we compared the velocity profiles yielded by the surface and borehole measurements for these sites. The results show broad similarities. Using the soil logs and shear wave velocity variations at the seven sites, four site classes (SC-Ic, SC-II, SC-III and SC-IV) could be identified. The surface method corresponding to the mean value of β tends to underestimate β between about 1 and 18 percent for site classes SC-Ic, SC-II and SC-III compared to the downhole method. For SC-IV, β is overestimated by 11 percent using surface method. Moreover, the blow count (N) data for each site class shows a linear relationship with β obtained by the surface measurement.

New Site Coefficients and Site Classification System Used in Recent Building Seismic Code Provisions

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Dobry ◽  
R. D. Borcherdt ◽  
C. B. Crouse ◽  
I. M. Idriss ◽  
W. B. Joyner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Hazard ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Site Amplification ◽  
Site Classification ◽  
Site Class ◽  
Site Classes ◽  
Code Provisions

Recent code provisions for buildings and other structures (1994 and 1997 NEHRP Provisions, 1997 UBC) have adopted new site amplification factors and a new procedure for site classification. Two amplitude-dependent site amplification factors are specified: Fa for short periods and Fv for longer periods. Previous codes included only a long period factor S and did not provide for a short period amplification factor. The new site classification system is based on definitions of five site classes in terms of a representative average shear wave velocity to a depth of 30 m (V¯s). This definition permits sites to be classified unambiguously. When the shear wave velocity is not available, other soil properties such as standard penetration resistance or undrained shear strength can be used. The new site classes denoted by letters A - E, replace site classes in previous codes denoted by S1 - S4. Site classes A and B correspond to hard rock and rock, Site Class C corresponds to soft rock and very stiff / very dense soil, and Site Classes D and E correspond to stiff soil and soft soil. A sixth site class, F, is defined for soils requiring site-specific evaluations. Both Fa and Fv are functions of the site class, and also of the level of seismic hazard on rock, defined by parameters such as Aa and Av ( 1994 NEHRP Provisions), Ss and Sl ( 1997 NEHRP Provisions) or Z ( 1997 UBC). The values of Fa and Fv decrease as the seismic hazard on rock increases due to soil nonlinearity. The greatest impact of the new factors Fa and Fv as compared with the old S factors occurs in areas of low-to-medium seismic hazard. This paper summarizes the new site provisions, explains the basis for them, and discusses ongoing studies of site amplification in recent earthquakes that may influence future code developments.

scholarly journals Calibrating a new attenuation curve for the Dead Sea region using surface wave dispersion surveys in sites damaged by the 1927 Jericho earthquake

Solid Earth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaniv Darvasi ◽  
Amotz Agnon
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Attenuation Curve ◽  
Surface Wave Dispersion ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Moderate Seismicity ◽  
Local Point ◽  
The Dead

Abstract. Instrumental strong motion data are not common around the Dead Sea region. Therefore, calibrating a new attenuation equation is a considerable challenge. However, the Holy Land has a remarkable historical archive, attesting to numerous regional and local earthquakes. Combining the historical record with new seismic measurements will improve the regional equation. On 11 July 1927, a rupture, in the crust in proximity to the northern Dead Sea, generated a moderate 6.2 ML earthquake. Up to 500 people were killed, and extensive destruction was recorded, even as far as 150 km from the focus. We consider local near-surface properties, in particular, the shear-wave velocity, as an amplification factor. Where the shear-wave velocity is low, the seismic intensity far from the focus would likely be greater than expected from a standard attenuation curve. In this work, we used the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method to estimate seismic wave velocity at anomalous sites in Israel in order to calibrate a new attenuation equation for the Dead Sea region. Our new attenuation equation contains a term which quantifies only lithological effects, while factors such as building quality, foundation depth, topography, earthquake directivity, type of fault, etc. remain out of our scope. Nonetheless, about 60 % of the measured anomalous sites fit expectations; therefore, this new ground-motion prediction equation (GMPE) is statistically better than the old ones. From our local point of view, this is the first time that integration of the 1927 historical data and modern shear-wave velocity profile measurements improved the attenuation equation (sometimes referred to as the attenuation relation) for the Dead Sea region. In the wider context, regions of low-to-moderate seismicity should use macroseismic earthquake data, together with modern measurements, in order to better estimate the peak ground acceleration or the seismic intensities to be caused by future earthquakes. This integration will conceivably lead to a better mitigation of damage from future earthquakes and should improve maps of seismic hazard.

scholarly journals Multi-method site characterization to verify the hard rock (Site Class A) assumption at 25 seismograph stations across Eastern Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 875529302110010
Author(s):  
Sameer Ladak ◽  
Sheri Molnar ◽  
Samantha Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Hard Rock ◽  
Site Characterization ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Site Class ◽  
Paleozoic Rock ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Site Period

Site characterization is a crucial component in assessing seismic hazard, typically involving in situ shear-wave velocity ( VS) depth profiling, and measurement of site amplification including site period. Noninvasive methods are ideal for soil sites and become challenging in terms of field logistics and interpretation in more complex geologic settings including rock sites. Multiple noninvasive active- and passive-seismic techniques are applied at 25 seismograph stations across Eastern Canada. It is typically assumed that these stations are installed on hard rock. We investigate which site characterization methods are suitable at rock sites as well as confirm the hard rock assumption by providing VS profiles. Active-source compression-wave refraction and surface wave array techniques consistently provide velocity measurements at rock sites; passive-source array testing is less consistent but it is our most suitable method in constraining the rock VS. Bayesian inversion of Rayleigh wave dispersion curves provides quantitative uncertainty in the rock VS. We succeed in estimating rock VS at 16 stations, with constrained rock VS estimates at 7 stations that are consistent with previous estimates for Precambrian and Paleozoic rock types. The National Building Code of Canada uses solely the time-averaged shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 m ( VS30) to classify rock sites. We determine a mean VS30 of ∼ 1600 m/s for 16 Eastern Canada stations; the hard rock assumption is correct (>1500 m/s) but not as hard as often assumed (∼2000 m/s). Mean variability in VS30 is ∼400 m/s and can lead to softer rock classifications, in particular, for Paleozoic rock types with lower average rock VS near the hard/soft rock boundary. Microtremor and earthquake horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios are obtained and provide site period classifications as an alternative to VS30.

Influence of Seasonal Frozen Soil on Near‐Surface Shear Wave Velocity in Eastern Hokkaido, Japan

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (16) ◽  
pp. 9497-9508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Miao ◽  
Y. Shi ◽  
H. Y. Zhuang ◽  
S. Y. Wang ◽  
H. B. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Frozen Soil ◽  
Surface Shear ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Seasonal Frozen Soil ◽  
Surface Shear Wave

In Situ Shear-Wave Velocity Assessment at the Delaney Park Downhole Array, Anchorage, Alaska

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 3381-3390
Author(s):  
Hai-Yun Wang ◽  
Wei-Ping Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Standard Penetration Test ◽  
Weak Anisotropy ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Motion Data ◽  
Downhole Array

Abstract The shear-wave velocity (VS) in soil is an important parameter to characterize dynamic soil properties. The Delaney Park downhole array was deployed in 2003 without measuring the shear- and compression-wave velocity (VS and VP) profiles. Thornley et al. (2019) measured the VS and VP profiles using the downhole method after the sensor was removed from the 61 m borehole with casing in the array. However, the waves propagating along the casing wall may have a great influence on the recognition of the first arrival of waves propagating in the soil. Using horizontal and vertical components of weak-motion data of eight local earthquakes recorded by the array, in situ VS and VP profiles were assessed by the seismic interferometry based on deconvolution, respectively. The results are as follows. The VS and VP profiles computed by this study and measured by Thornley et al. (2019) are in relatively good agreement at a depth of 10–45 m and at a depth of 30–45 m, respectively, and in very poor agreement at other depths. The average VS profiles computed by this study are more consistent with the derived VS from the standard penetration test data at the site with slower near-surface velocities relative to the downhole logging analysis. There are strong anisotropy in the strata below 45 m and weak anisotropy with various degrees at various depths in the strata above 45 m.

Shear-Wave Velocity and Seismic Response of Near-Surface Sediments in Charleston, South Carolina

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1897-1914 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Andrus ◽  
C. D. Fairbanks ◽  
J. Zhang ◽  
W. M. Camp ◽  
T. J. Casey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Seismic Response ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Surface Sediments ◽  
Near Surface

Near surface variability in shear wave velocity anisotropy

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Bates ◽  
D. Phillips ◽  
E. Lavely ◽  
H. B. Lynn
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Velocity Anisotropy ◽  
Surface Variability
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