Probabilistic Methodology for Developing Regional and Site-Class Dependent Seismic Site Amplification Factors
Abstract
NEHRP guidelines for simplified seismic design provide site amplification factors as a function of the average shear wave velocity (Vs) of the top 30 m of a site, or Vs30. These guidelines are mainly based on experience and observations from the Western United States (WUS), where regional geology is conditioned by frequent tectonic activity. However, the Vs30 value does not capture sharp Vs contrasts due to very hard rock overlain by softer soil, conditions prevalent in the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS), which lead to significant ground motion amplification. Site response analyses performed on CEUS sites have confirmed this inconsistency between NEHRP and calculated amplification factors. This paper presents the development of a model to generate Vs profiles from measurements in the WUS. Parameters such as variation, correlation, and transition frequency of Vs values were defined in order to capture geological trends for the WUS. This same model can then be applied to CEUS Vs profiles and in order to generate groups of Vs profiles representing regional geological trends. From site response analyses using generated Vs profiles, amplification factors can be calculated and compared to verify if region-specific amplification factors should be implemented.
Recommended Citation
E. A. Godfrey et al., "Probabilistic Methodology for Developing Regional and Site-Class Dependent Seismic Site Amplification Factors," Geotechnical Special Publication, vol. GSP 256, pp. 1895 - 1904, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Mar 2015.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479087.173
Meeting Name
International Foundations Congress and Equipment Expo 2015, IFCEE 2015 (2015: Mar. 17-21, San Antonio, TX)
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Earthquake Effects; Geology; Seismic Design; Seismic Response; Seismology; Shear Flow; Shear Waves; Wave Propagation, Amplification Factors; Ground-Motion Amplification; Probabilistic Methodology; Shear Wave Velocity; Site Amplification; Site Response Analysis; Transition Frequencies; Western United States, Factor Analysis
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-078447908-7
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0895-0563
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Mar 2015
