Site amplification functions for central and eastern North America – Part I: Simulation data set development


Harmon J., Hashash Y. M., Stewart J. P., Rathje E. M., Campbell K. W., Silva W. J., ...More

Earthquake Spectra, vol.35, no.2, pp.787-814, 2019 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1193/091017eqs178m
  • Journal Name: Earthquake Spectra
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.787-814
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: No

Abstract

© 2019, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.This paper presents the development of large-scale simulation-based data sets used to inform new site amplification models for Central and Eastern North America (CENA). Linear elastic, equivalent linear, and nonlinear one-dimensional site response simulations of site conditions in CENA are employed. An analysis tree is introduced to capture the range of expected CENA geologic conditions. Independent variables include the following: (1) representative and random shear wave velocity (VS) profiles using data from the literature; (2) randomized, nonlinear shear modulus reduction and damping vs. shear strain curves with constraint on soil shear strength; and (3) outcrop ground motions representative of the VS ¼ 3,000 m∕s CENA reference rock condition. The resulting database of 1,747,278 simulations is conditioned on several parameters relevant to site amplification, which facilitates model development that is the subject of a companion paper. The database is openly available for use by other researchers.