• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.629-637
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• 2018

In recent years, selection of strong ground motion records by means of intensity measures representing the spectral shape of the earthquake excitation has been studied by many researchers. These studies indicate the adequacy of this record selection approach in reduction of the scattering of seismic responses. In present study, this method has been studied more in depth to reveal the sufficiency of the spectral shape in predicting structural seismic responses such as the plastic deformation and the dissipated hysteresis energy which are associated with cumulative properties of the selected records. For this purpose, after selecting the records based on the spectral shape, the correlation of some seismic responses and strong ground motion duration of earthquake records are explored. Findings indicate strong correlation of some structural responses with the significant duration of the records. This fact implies that the spectral shape could not reflect all characteristics of the strong ground motion and emphasizes the importance of additional criteria along with the spectral shape in the record selection.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.185-204
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• 2015

This study investigates the impact of the earthquake incident angle on the structural demand and the influence of ground motion selection and scaling methods on seismic directionality effects. The structural demand produced by Non-Linear Time-History Analyses (NLTHA) varies with the seismic input incidence angle. The seismic directionality effects are evaluated by subjecting four three-dimensional reinforced concrete structures to different scaled and un-scaled records oriented along nine incidence angles, whose values range between 0 and 180 degrees, with an increment of 22.5 degrees. The results show that NLTHAs performed applying the ground motion records along the principal axes underestimate the structural demand prediction, especially when plan-irregular structures are analyzed. The ground motion records generate the highest demand when applied along the lowest strength structural direction and a high energy content of the records increases the structural demand corresponding to this direction. The seismic directionality impact on structural demand is particularly important for irregular buildings subjected to un-scaled accelerograms. However, the orientation effects are much lower if spectrum-compatible combinations of scaled records are used. In both cases, irregular structures should be analyzed first with pushover analyses in order to identify the weaker structural directions and then with NLTHAs for different incidence angles.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.445-459
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• 2016

Quantitative estimation of seismic response of various structural systems at the collapse limit state is one of the most significant objectives in Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE). Assessing the effects of uncertainties, due to variability in ground motion characteristics and random nature of earthquakes, on nonlinear structural response is a pivotal issue regarding collapse safety prediction. Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) and fragility curves are utilized to estimate demand parameters and seismic performance levels of structures. Since producing these curves based on a large number of nonlinear dynamic analyses would be time-consuming, selection of appropriate earthquake ground motion records resulting in reliable responses with sufficient accuracy seems to be quite essential. The aim of this research study is to propose a methodology to assess the seismic behavior of reinforced concrete frames at collapse limit state via accurate estimation of seismic fragility curves for different Engineering Demand Parameters (EDPs) by using a limited number of ground motion records. Research results demonstrate that accurate estimating of structural collapse capacity is feasible through applying the proposed method offering an appropriate suite of limited ground motion records.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.419-429
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• 2024

The safety and stability of bridges are critical to traffic safety. However, post-earthquake ground motion records often contain noise, which undermines the accuracy of seismic response analysis in bridge structures. To tackle this issue, we introduce a method that optimizes Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) parameters using the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) and combines it with Wavelet Thresholding (WT) to eliminate noise from strong motion signals. SSA is employed to identify the optimal VMD parameters [K, α], followed by the selection of effective modes based on the Variance Contribution Rate (VCR). These modes are then subjected to WT noise reduction, resulting in a high-quality reconstructed strong motion record. The method was validated using both simulated signals and ground motion records. In simulations, it demonstrated a 31.35% reduction in Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), a 31.6% decrease in the Smoothness Indicator (R), and a 1.17% improvement in the Correlation Coefficient (CC), compared to other methods. For ground motion records, it more accurately preserved seismic features than traditional wavelet denoising. When applied to the seismic response analysis of the Dahejia Bridge during the Jishishan earthquake, the denoised ground motion records obtained by this method produced force predictions on pier bearings that closely matched the field-observed damage, outperforming predictions based on traditional wavelet denoising. These findings confirm the accuracy and practicality of the proposed method.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.129-142
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• 2013

Linear and nonlinear time history analyses have been becoming more common in seismic analysis and design of structures with advances in computer technology and earthquake engineering. One of the most important issues for such analyses is the selection of appropriate acceleration time histories and matching these histories to a code design acceleration spectrum. In literature, there are three sources of acceleration time histories: artificial records, synthetic records obtained from seismological models and accelerograms recorded in real earthquakes. Because of the increase of the number of strong ground motion database, using and scaling real earthquake records for seismic analysis has been becoming one of the most popular research issues in earthquake engineering. In general, two methods are used for scaling actual earthquake records: scaling in time domain and frequency domain. The objective of this study is twofold: the first is to discuss and summarize basic methodologies and criteria for selecting and scaling ground motion time histories. The second is to analyze scaling results of time domain method according to ASCE 7-05 and Eurocode 8 (1998-1:2004) criteria. Differences between time domain method and frequency domain method are mentioned briefly. The time domain scaling procedure is utilized to scale the available real records obtained from near fault motions and far fault motions to match the proposed elastic design acceleration spectrum given in the Eurocode 8. Why the time domain method is preferred in this study is stated. The best fitted ground motion time histories are selected and these histories are analyzed according to Eurocode 8 (1998-1:2004) and ASCE 7-05 criteria. Also, characteristics of both near fault ground motions and far fault ground motions are presented by the help of figures. Hence, we can compare the effects of near fault ground motions on structures with far fault ground motions' effects.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.643-651
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to evaluate seismic capacity of seismically isolated building according to the earthquake motion record selection method. To analyze the seismic behavior, 20-story building is designed, which has base isolation system. The using earthquake motion record were selected by two categories. The one is a proposed earthquake record according to soil type and response spectrum shape, and the other is a well known earthquake events such as El Centro (1940). The time history analysis results of base isolation buildings be induced difference results according to each ground motion records. Therefore detailed guidelines for the ground motion records selection method must be prepared. And the response of isolation story displacement and shear force show good seismic performance in consideration of the proposed earthquake records.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2019

A three-step screening process is presented in this article for selection of consistent earthquake records in which number of suitable ground motions is quickly screened and reduced to a handful number. Records that remain at the end of this screening process considerably reduce the dispersion of structural responses. Then, an effective method is presented for spectral matching and modification of the selected records. Dispersion of structural responses is explored using different statistical measures for each scaling procedure. It is shown that the Uniform Design Method, presented in this study for scaling of earthquake records, results in most cases in the least dispersion measure.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2024

There are obvious differences between the characteristics of offshore ground motion and onshore ground motion in current studies, and factors such as water layer and site conditions have great influence on the characteristics of offshore ground motion. In addition, unlike seismic response analysis of offshore superstructures such as sea-crossing bridges, tunnels are affected by offshore soil constraints, so it is necessary to consider the dynamic interaction between structure and offshore soil layer. Therefore, a seismic response analysis model considering the seawater, soil layer and tunnel structure coupling is established. Firstly, the measured offshore and different soil layers onshore ground records are input respectively, and the difference of seismic response under different types of ground motions is analyzed. Then, the models of different site conditions were input into the measured onshore bedrock strong ground motion records to study the influence of seawater layer and silt soft soil layer on the seabed and tunnel structure. The results show that the overall seismic response between the seabed and the tunnel structure is more significant when the offshore ground motion is input. The seawater layer can suppression the vertical seismic response of seabed and tunnel structure, while the slit soft soil layer can amplify the horizontal seismic response. The results will help to promote seismic wave selection of marine structures and provide reference for improving the accuracy of seismic design of immersed tunnels.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.221-230
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• 2017

One of the important phases of probabilistic performance-based methodology is establishing appropriate probabilistic seismic demand models (PSDMs). These demand models relate ground motion intensity measures (IMs) to demand measures (DMs). The objective of this paper is selection of the optimal IMs in probabilistic seismic demand analysis (PSDA) of the RC high-rise buildings. In selection process features such as: efficiency, practically, proficiency and sufficiency are considered. RC high-rise buildings with core wall structural system are selected as a case study building class with the three characteristic heights: 20-storey, 30-storey and 40-storey. In order to determine the most optimal IMs, 720 nonlinear time-history analyses are conducted for 60 ground motion records with a wide range of magnitudes and distances to source, and for various soil types, thus taking into account uncertainties during ground motion selection. The non-linear 3D models of the case study buildings are constructed. A detailed regression analysis and statistical processing of results are performed and appropriate PSDMs for the RC high-rise building are derived. Analyzing a large number of results it are adopted conclusions on the optimality of individual ground motion IMs for the RC high-rise building.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.83-100
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• 2005

This paper presents results from a study to extend a performance-based shearwall selection procedure to take into account the contributions of nonstructural finish materials (such as stucco and gypsum wallboard), construction quality issues, and their effects on the displacement performance of engineered wood shearwalls subject to seismic loading. Shearwall performance is evaluated in terms of peak displacements under seismic loading (characterized by a suite of ordinary ground motion records) considering different combinations of performance levels (drift limits) and seismic hazard. Shearwalls are analyzed using nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis with global assembly hysteretic parameters determined by fitting to actual shearwall test data. Peak displacement distributions, determined from sets of analyses using each of the ground motion records taken to characterize the seismic hazard, are postprocessed into performance curves, design charts, and fragility curves which can be used for risk-based design and assessment applications.