• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.25-31
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• 2007

For areas such as the Korean Peninsula, which have moderate seismic activity but no available records of strong ground motion, synthetic seismograms can be used to evaluate ground motion without waiting for a strong earthquake. Such seismograms represent the estimated ground motions expected from a set of possible earthquake scenarios. Local site effects are especially important in assessing the seismic hazard and possible ground motion scenarios for a specific fault. The earthquake source and rupture dynamics can be described as a two-step process of rupture initiation and front propagation controlled by a frictional sliding mechanism. The seismic wavefield propagates through heterogeneous geological media and finally undergoes near-surface modulations such as amplification or deamplification. This is a complex system in which various scales of physical phenomena are integrated. A unified approach incorporates multi-scale problems of dynamic rupture, radiated wave propagation, and site effects into an all-in-one model using a three-dimensional, fourth-order, staggered-grid, finite-difference method. The method explains strong ground motions as products of complex systems that can be modified according to a variety of fine-scale rupture scenarios and friction models. A series of such deterministic earthquake scenarios can shed light on the kind of damage that would result and where it would be located.

• 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.411-425
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• 2011

This paper illustrates the results of a seismic vulnerability study aimed to derive the fragility curves for typical Algerian reinforced concrete bridge piers using an analytical approach. Fragility curves express the probability of exceeding a certain damage state for a given ground motion intensity (e.g., PGA). In this respect, a set of 41 worldwide accelerometer records from which, 21 Algerian strong motion records are included, have been used in a non-linear dynamic response analyses to assess the damage indices expressed in terms of the bridge displacement ductility, the ultimate ductility, the cyclic loading factor and the cumulative energy ductility. Combining the damage indices defined for 5 damage rank with the ground motion indices, the fragility curves for the bridge piers were derived assuming a lognormal distribution.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.468-476
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• 2000

The Criteria of strong motion seismograph installed at free surface and structure is developed as a cooperative project of KEERC considering seismicity and state of seismic instrumentation of Korea. The background of this development and basic concepts are summarized in this report. The criteria of seismic sensor and recorder is also introduced. It is highly recommended to apply this criteria to installation and operation of seismograph at free surface and structure.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.03a
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• pp.77-84
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• 2003

For stochastic strong ground motion simulation, frequency-dependent Q model (= $Q_{o}$ $f^{η}$) were evaluated for major geographical blocks according to the epicentral distance ranges by using a lateral Q tomography technique. The inversed Q results were used to qualitatively identify seismic albedos of each Q blocks and were compared with the previous Q studies. In addition, a functional Q model calibrated to the low frequency spectra of local earthquakes were suggested especially for use in analysing large and distant regional earthquake events.s.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.319-328
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• 2022

Ensuring the integrity of a country's infrastructure is necessary to protect surrounding communities in case of disaster. Embankment dam systems across the US are an essential component of infrastructure, referred to as lifeline structures. Embankment dams are crucial to the survival of life and if these structures were to fail, it is imperative that states be prepared. Southern California is particularly concerned with the stability of embankment dams due to the frequent seismic activity that occurs in the state. The purpose of this study was to create a numerical model of an existing embankment dam simulated under seismic loads using previously recorded data. The embankment dam that was studied in Los Angeles, California was outfitted with accelerometers provided by the California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program that have recorded strong motion data for decades and was processed by the Center for Engineering Strong Motion Data to be used in future engineering applications. The accelerometer data was then used to verify the numerical model that was created using finite element modeling software RS2. The results from this study showed Puddingstone Dam's simulated response was consistent with that experienced during previous earthquakes and therefore validated the predicted behavior from the numerical model. The study also identified areas of weakness and instability on the dam that posed the greatest risk for its failure. Following this study, the numerical model can now be used to predict the dam's response to future earthquakes, develop plans for its remediation, and for emergency response in case of disaster.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.741-754
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• 2015

This study evaluates prediction models for three EDPs (engineering demand parameters) using data from three symmetrical structures with RC walls designed according to the currently enforced Romanian seismic design code P100-1/2013. The three analyzed EDPs are: the maximum interstorey drift, the maximum top displacement and the maximum shear force at the base of the RC walls. The strong ground motions used in this study consist of three pairs of recordings from the Vrancea intermediate-depth earthquakes of 1977, 1986 and 1990, as well as two other pairs of recordings from significant earthquakes in Turkey and Greece (Erzincan and Aigion). The five pairs of recordings are rotated in a clockwise direction and the values of the EDPs are recorded. Finally, the relation between various IMs (intensity measures) of the strong ground motion records and the EDPs is studied and two prediction models for EDPs are also evaluated using the analysis of residuals.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.877-893
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• 2011

Response spectra of earthquake ground motions are important in the earthquake-resistant design and reliability analysis of structures. The formulation of the response spectrum in the frequency domain efficiently computes and evaluates the stochastic response spectrum. The frequency information of the excitation can be described using different functional forms. The shapes of the calculated response spectra of the excitation show strong magnitude and site dependency, but weak distance dependency. In this paper, to compare the effect of the earthquake ground motion variables, the contribution of these sources of variability to the response spectrum's uncertainty is calculated by using a stochastic analysis. The analytical results show that earthquake source factors and soil condition variables are the main sources of uncertainty in the response spectra, while path variables, such as distance, anelastic attenuation and upper crust attenuation, have relatively little effect. The presented formulation of dynamic structural response in frequency domain based only on the frequency information of the excitation can provide an important basis for the structural analysis in some location that lacks strong motion records.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.347-364
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• 2019

Two seismic response data from the CSMIP strong motion instrumentation of Pacoima dam are selected: San Fernando earthquake (Jan 13, 2001; ML=4.3) and Newhall earthquake (Sept. 1, 2011; ML=4.2), for the identification of the dam system. To consider the spatially nonuniform input ground motion along the dam abutment, the subspace identification technique with multiple-input and multiple-output is used to extract the dynamic behavior of the dam-reservoir interaction system. It is observed that the dam-reservoir interaction is significant from the identification of San Fernando earthquake data. The influence of added mass (from the reservoir) during strong ground motion will create a tuned-mass damper phenomenon on the dam body. The fundamental frequency of the dam will be tuned to two different frequencies but with the same mode shapes. As for the small earthquake event, the dam-reservoir interaction is insignificant.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2023

On February 6, 2023, Türkiye woke up with a strong ground motion felt in a wide geography. As a result of the Kahramanmaraş, Pazarcık and Elbistan earthquakes, which took place 9 hours apart, there was great destruction and loss of life. The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes occurred on active faults known to pose a high seismic hazard, but their effects were devastating. Seismic code spectra were investigated in Hatay, Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş where destruction is high. The study mainly focuses on the investigation of ground motion parameters of 6 February Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and the correlation between ground motion parameters. In addition, earthquakes greater than Mw 5.0 that occurred in Türkiye were compared with certain seismic parameters. As in the strong ground motion studies, seismic energy parameters such as Arias intensity, characteristic intensity, cumulative absolute velocity and specific energy density were determined, especially considering the duration content of the earthquake. Based on the study, it was concluded that the structures were overloaded far beyond their normal design levels. This, coupled with significant vertical seismic components, is a contributing factor to the collapse of many buildings in the area. In the evaluation made on Arias intensity, much more energy (approximately ten times) emerged in Kahramanmaraş earthquakes compared to other Türkiye earthquakes. No good correlation was found between moment magnitude and peak ground accelerations, peak ground velocities, Arias intensities and ground motion durations in Türkiye earthquakes. Both high seismic components and long ground motion durations caused intense energy to be transferred to the structures. No strong correlation was found between ground motion durations and other seismic parameters. There is a strong positive correlation between PGA and seismic energy parameter AI. Kahramanmaraş earthquakes revealed that changes should be made in the Turkish seismic code to predict higher spectral acceleration values, especially in earthquake-prone regions in Türkiye.