Site-Specific Validation of Random Vibration Theory-Based Seismic Site Response Analysis
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 7
Abstract
Seismic site response analysis is typically performed using a suite of rock acceleration-time histories prescribed at the base of a soil column and propagated to the ground surface. To develop statistically stable estimates of the site response, a large number of input motions are required. Alternatively, random vibration theory (RVT) can be used to predict statistically stable estimates of the surface response spectrum in one analysis without the need to prescribe the input rock motion in the time domain. Thus, the critical and time consuming activity of choosing appropriate input ground motions and fitting them to a target spectrum is avoided. This paper describes the RVT approach, its analytical background and input requirements, and provides a site-specific validation of the procedure against traditional site response predictions. The single-corner frequency Brune source spectrum is used in the RVT procedure to describe the input motion in the frequency domain. RVT site response predictions using the Brune spectrum as input are compared with those from traditional site response analyses that incorporate different suites of input rock motions. Results indicate that RVT site response analysis can provide a response spectrum that is similar to the median response spectrum from analyses performed using a suite of input rock motions. However, the favorable comparison is obtained only when the seismological parameters used to describe the RVT input motion are carefully chosen to be consistent with the suite of input rock motions.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support was provided by the U.S. Geological Survey under NEHRP Grant No. UNSPECIFIED04HQGR0071, and through the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) and Pacific Gas and Electric, Co. (PG&E). This support is gratefully acknowledged. The comments and assistance of Dr. Norman Abrahamson of PG&E and Dr. David Boore of the USGS are particularly appreciated.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 7 • July 2006
Pages: 911 - 922
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 1, 2004
Accepted: Dec 5, 2005
Published online: Jul 1, 2006
Published in print: Jul 2006
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