Seismic Site Classifications and Site Amplifications for the Urban Centres in the Shallow Overburden Deposits

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Anbazhagan ◽  
M. Neaz Sheikh

This paper presents seismic site classification practices for urban centres in Australia, China, and India with special emphasis on their suitability for shallow soil sites. The geotechnical aspects of seismic site classifications play a critical role in the development of site response spectra, which is the basis for the seismic design of new structures and seismic assessment of existing structures. Seismic site classifications have used weighted average shear wave velocity of top 30 m soil layers, following the recommendations of National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) or International Building Code (IBC) site classification system. The site classification system is based on the studies carried out in the United States where soil layer may extend up to several hundred meters before reaching any distinct soil-bedrock interface. Most of the urban centers in Australia, China, and India are located on distinct bedrocks within few meter depth of soil deposits. For such shallow depth soil sites, NEHRP or IBC site classification system is not suitable. A new site classification based on average soil thickness, shear wave velocity up to engineering bedrock is proposed. The study shows that spectral value and amplification ratio estimated from site response study considering top 30 m soil layers are different from those determined considering soil thickness up to engineering bedrock.

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrián Rodríguez-Marek ◽  
Jonathan D. Bray ◽  
Norman A. Abrahamson

A simplified empirically based seismic site response evaluation procedure that includes measures of the dynamic stiffness of the surficial materials and the depth to bedrock as primary parameters is introduced. This geotechnical site classification scheme provides an alternative to geologic-based and shear wave velocity-based site classification schemes. The proposed scheme is used to analyze the ground motion data from the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge earthquakes. Period-dependent and intensity-dependent spectral acceleration amplification factors for different site conditions are presented. The proposed scheme results in a significant reduction in standard error when compared with a simpler “rock vs. soil” classification system. Moreover, results show that sites previously grouped as “rock” should be subdivided as competent rock sites and weathered soft rock/shallow stiff soil sites to reduce uncertainty in defining site-dependent ground motions. Results also show that soil depth is an important parameter in estimating seismic site response. The standard errors resulting from the proposed site classification system are comparable with those obtained using the more elaborate code-based average shear-wave velocity classification system.


2014 ◽  
Vol 580-583 ◽  
pp. 264-267
Author(s):  
Sheng Jie Di ◽  
Zhi Gang Shan ◽  
Xue Yong Xu

Characterization of the shear wave velocity of soils is an integral component of various seismic analysis, including site classification, hazard analysis, site response analysis, and soil-structure interaction. Shear wave velocity at offshore sites of the coastal regions can be measured by the suspension logging method according to the economic applicability. The study presents some methods for estimating the shear wave velocity profiles in the absence of site-specific shear wave velocity data. By applying generalized regression neural network (GRNN) for the estimation of in-situ shear wave velocity, it shows good performances. Therefore, this estimation method is worthy of being recommended in the later engineering practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Dalia Munaff Naji ◽  
Muge K. Akin ◽  
Ali Firat Cabalar

Assessment of seismic site classification (SSC) using either the average shear wave velocity (VS30) or the average SPT-N values (N30) for upper 30 m in soils is the simplest method to carry out various studies including site response and soil-structure interactions. Either the VS30- or the N30-based SSC maps designed according to the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) classification system are effectively used to predict possible locations for future seismic events. The main goal of this study is to generate maps using the Geographic Information System (GIS) for the SSC in Kahramanmaras city, influenced by both East Anatolian Fault and Dead Sea Fault Zones, using both VS30 and N30 values. The study also presents a series of GIS maps produced using the shear wave velocity (VS) and SPT-N values at the depths of 5 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, and 25 m. Furthermore, the study estimates the bed rock level and generates the SSC maps for the average VS values through overburden soils by using the NEHRP system. The VS30 maps categorize the study area mainly under class C and limited number of areas under classes B and D, whereas the N30 maps classify the study area mainly under class D. Both maps indicate that the soil classes in the study area are different to a high extent. Eventually, the GIS maps complied for the purpose of urban development may be utilized effectively by engineers in the field.


2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Dobry ◽  
R. D. Borcherdt ◽  
C. B. Crouse ◽  
I. M. Idriss ◽  
W. B. Joyner ◽  
...  

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (02) ◽  
pp. 1650010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Zaman ◽  
Pennung Warnitchai

Shear wave velocity ([Formula: see text]) through the uppermost subsurface (30 m) is usually considered an important parameter as it dictates the dynamic behavior of soil and also acts as an input parameter for site response analysis, seismic hazard analysis, and site classification. In majority of seismically active areas across the globe, especially in developing countries like Pakistan, the [Formula: see text] measurements are either not available or if available, they are very limited in number to develop a seismic site-conditions map. In the absence of proper geological studies and geotechnical investigation, the slope-derived method provides a simple solution to map the site-conditions. The current study presents the development of slope-derived [Formula: see text] map on the basis of a correlation between [Formula: see text] and topographic slope for active tectonic regions and its comparison with the [Formula: see text] values at various locations in Pakistan. The topographic slope is calculated from digital elevation model (CDEM) of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 30 arc-sec global topographic data set. The [Formula: see text] values comprise of directly available, values calculated/estimated from the standard penetration tests (SPTs [Formula: see text]-value) and primary waves at various locations in Pakistan. [Formula: see text] values at various parts/locations in Pakistan and values from the slope-derived [Formula: see text] map are found to be fairly comparable and based on these results for seismically active areas like Pakistan, slope-derived method can be applied for the first-order site-condition studies.


Geo-Risk 2017 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenxin Liu ◽  
Chaofeng Wang ◽  
Qiushi Chen ◽  
Guoxing Chen ◽  
C. Hsein Juang

Author(s):  
Armin W. Stuedlein ◽  
Abbas Abdollahi ◽  
H. Benjamin Mason ◽  
Rowland French

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