Spatial seismic modeling of base-isolated buildings pounding against moat walls: effects of ground motion directionality and mass eccentricity

In most of the cases, code specifications dictate the use of nonlinear response history analyses (NRHA) to estimate maximum isolator displacements (MIDs) of a seismically isolated structure (SIS). For this purpose, a set of ground motion records with similar characteristics needs to be selected. Then, the structure is analyzed bidirectionally by considering both orthogonal horizontal components of these records. However, there is not any provision regarding the ground motion directionality effect in the codes but simply use of as-recorded motions is encouraged. This study investigates the effect of ground motion directionality on variation of MIDs in case of bidirectional NRHA. Thus, a typical SIS, where the isolator units are composed of lead rubber bearings (LRBs), is subjected to ground motions rotated from their as-recorded original form by increments of 10o up to 360o. Here, LRBs are modelled by a deteriorating hysteretic representation in which the strength of the isolator reduces gradually due to the applied loading. In the analyses, first, the original as-recorded ground motion is applied to the SIS and the corresponding MID is noted. Then, the same structure is subjected to rotated versions of the same motion and again the MIDs are noted. To quantify the variation in the isolator displacement, analytically obtained MIDs are compared. Results showed that there is an amplification in MIDs due to change in ground motion direction.

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Within-Station Variability in Kappa: Evidence of Directionality Effects

Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America ◽

10.1785/0120190253 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 110 (3) ◽

pp. 1247-1259

Author(s):

Chunyang Ji ◽

Ashly Cabas ◽

Fabrice Cotton ◽

Marco Pilz ◽

Dino Bindi

Keyword(s):

Ground Motion ◽

Focal Depth ◽

Seismic Hazard Assessment ◽

Seismic Attenuation ◽

Motion Modeling ◽

Local Site ◽

Direct Corollary ◽

Potential Factors ◽

Motion Directionality ◽

Model Variability

ABSTRACT One of the most commonly used parameters to describe seismic attenuation is the high-frequency spectral decay parameter Kappa (κr), yet the physics behind it remain little understood. A better understanding of potential factors that lead to large scatter in estimated values of κr constitutes a critical need for ground-motion modeling and seismic hazard assessment at large. Most research efforts to date have focused on studying the site-to-site and model-to-model variability of κ, but the uncertainties in individual κr estimations associated with different events at a selected site (which we refer to as the within-station variability of κr) remain uncharacterized. As a direct corollary, obtaining robust estimates of the site-specific component κ0, and their corresponding interpretation become a challenge. To understand the sources of the variability observed in κr (and κ0) at a single site, we select 10 Japanese Kiban–Kyoshin network (KiK-net) downhole arrays and investigate the systematic contributions from ground-motion directionality. We observe that κr estimated from a single horizontal component is orientation dependent. In addition, the influence of ground-motion directionality is a function of local site conditions. We propose an orientation-independent κr-value, which is not affected either by ground-motion directionality or by the events’ azimuths. In addition, we find that focal depth of events used in κr calculations affects the estimation of the regional attenuation component κR, which, in turn, influences the within-station variability in the κ0 model.

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