Investigation of Seismic Site Amplification for Non-NEHRP Site Conditions: Site Response Study of Columbia, SC
Abstract
Current guidelines for simplified seismic design are mainly based on experience and observations from sites in the Western United States (WUS) and do not account for unique geological and geotechnical conditions prevalent in the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS). For instance, areas where abrupt velocity contrasts caused by very hard rock (shear wave velocity, Vs > 2600 m/s) close to the ground surface are prevalent in the CEUS, especially along the Fall Line. This geologic condition causes significant amplifications at short structural periods that can produce motions well above those typically predicted by current procedures based on the average shear wave velocity of the top 30 m (100 ft) of the profile. The Atlantic coastal plain, another common CEUS geological condition, which consists of a stack of unconsolidated sediments up to 1000 meters thick along the coast, amplifies ground motions at long periods (typically > 2 seconds) that greatly exceed the simplified spectra in the building codes. Current guidelines can be unconservative for both of these geologic settings. This paper presents a site response study of several sites in Columbia, South Carolina. Site amplification factors are computed and compared to those recommended in the building codes
Recommended Citation
C. G. Olgun et al., "Investigation of Seismic Site Amplification for Non-NEHRP Site Conditions: Site Response Study of Columbia, SC," Geotechnical Special Publication, vol. 234 GSP, pp. 1157 - 1166, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Feb 2014.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413272.112
Meeting Name
2014 Congress on Geo-Characterization and Modeling for Sustainability, Geo-Congress 2014 (2014: Feb. 23-26, Atlanta, GA)
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Acoustic Wave Velocity; Seismic Design; Shear Waves; Structural Geology; Sustainable Development; Wave Propagation, Geologic Conditions; Geological Conditions; Geotechnical Conditions; Shear Wave Velocity; Site Amplification; Unconsolidated Sediment; Velocity Contrasts; Western United States, Building Codes
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-078441327-2
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0895-0563
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Feb 2014