Shallow shear-wave velocity profiles and site response characteristics from microtremor array measurements in Metro Manila, the Philippines

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhommel Grutas ◽  
Hiroaki Yamanaka
Author(s):  
Yichuan Zhu ◽  
Zhenming Wang ◽  
N. Seth Carpenter ◽  
Edward W. Woolery ◽  
William C. Haneberg

ABSTRACT V S 30 is currently used as a key proxy to parameterize site response in engineering design and other applications. However, it has been found that VS30 is not an appropriate proxy, because it does not reliably correlate with site response. Therefore, the VS30-based National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program site maps may not capture regional site responses. In earthquake engineering, site resonance, which can be characterized by the fundamental mode with a site period (Tf) and its associated peak amplification (A0), is the primary site-response concern. Mapping Tf and A0 is thus essential for accurate regional seismic hazard assessment. We developed a 3D shear-wave velocity model for the Jackson Purchase Region of western Kentucky, based on shear-wave velocity profiles interpreted from seismic reflections and refractions, mapped geologic units, and digital-elevation-model datasets. We generated shear-wave velocity profiles at grid points with 500 m spacing from the 3D model and performed 1D linear site-response analyses to obtain Tf and A0, which we then used to construct contour maps for the study area. Our results show that Tf and A0 maps correlate with the characteristics of regional geology in terms of sediment thicknesses and their average shear-wave velocities. We also observed a strong dependency of A0 on bedrock shear-wave velocities. The mapped Tf and A0 are consistent with those estimated from borehole transfer functions and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio analyses at broadband and strong-motion stations in the study area. Our analyses also demonstrate that the depth to bedrock (Zb) is correlated to Tf, and the average sediment shear-wave velocity (VS-avg) is correlated to A0. This implies that Zb and VS-avg may be considered as paired proxies to parameterize site resonance in the linear-elastic regime.


Author(s):  
Siwadol Dejphumee ◽  
Inthuorn Sasanakul

ABSTRACT The South Carolina Coastal Plain consists of deep soil sediments over basement bedrock. The depth of basement bedrock varies from being present at the surface to a depth of more than 1200 m at the southern tip of the state. A large variation exists in the thickness of the sediment, which impacts the seismic site response analyses of the Coastal Plain, particularly in areas where the availability of deep shear-wave velocity profiles is limited. This study evaluates the impact of variations in the shear-wave velocity profiles for two sites in the South Carolina Coastal Plain. The shear-wave velocity profiles were measured using different geophysical methods, including a combined multichannel analysis of surface waves and microtremor array measurement (MASW-MAM) method and P–S suspension logging. The equivalent-linear site response analyses were conducted by applying a synthetic earthquake motion at the depth of the B–C boundary (a depth of competent rock in which the shear-wave velocity is 760 m/s). The results are presented in terms of the amplification factor and its standard deviation. Results show that the average shear-wave velocity at the first 30 m (VS30), the shear-wave velocity contrast at the interface of the base layer and the B–C boundary, and the depth to the B–C boundary have a significant impact on the amplification factor and its variability, particularly for the amplification factor at periods higher than 0.1 s. The MASW-MAM method provided significantly lower VS30 values than the P–S suspension logging method at one of the two sites. Consequently, an additional peak in the amplification factor was observed for the site that had a low VS30, and the corresponding period was close to the resonant period of the loose, surface deposit.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumin Ji ◽  
Byungmin Kim ◽  
Kiseog Kim

AbstractThis study evaluates the potentials of liquefaction caused by the 2017 moment magnitude 5.4 earthquake in Pohang City, South Korea. We obtain shear wave velocity profiles measured by suspension PS logging tests at the five sites near the epicenter. We also perform downhole tests at three of the five sites. Among the five sites, the surface manifestations (i.e., sand boils) were observed at the three sites, and not at the other two sites. The maximum accelerations on the ground surface at the five sites are estimated using the Next Generation Attenuation relationships for Western United State ground motion prediction equations. The shear wave velocity profiles from the two tests are slightly different, resulting in varying cyclic resistance ratios, factors of safety against liquefaction, and liquefaction potential indices. Nevertheless, we found that both test approaches can be used to evaluate liquefaction potentials. The liquefaction potential indices at the liquefied sites are approximately 1.5–13.9, whereas those at the non-liquefied sites are approximately 0–0.3.


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