Damage caused by the November 25, 1988, Saguenay earthquake

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Mitchell ◽  
René Tinawi ◽  
Tim Law
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Earthquake Engineering ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Unreinforced Masonry ◽  
National Committee ◽  
Base Shear ◽  
Acceleration Time Histories ◽  
Ground Motion Records

The November 25, 1988, Saguenay earthquake prompted a site visit by a team representing the Canadian National Committee on Earthquake Engineering. This paper contains selected ground motion records in the form of acceleration-time histories, obtained from the Geological Survey of Canada, and corresponding response spectra. The horizontal acceleration spectrum obtained for Chicoutimi is compared with the design base shear coefficients from the 1980, 1985, and 1990 National Building Codes of Canada. Failures of natural slopes and embankments as well as both architectural and structural damage are discussed. The significant role played by the presence of soft subsoil in amplifying the ground motion and resulting damage is illustrated. Although no major structural failures occurred, there were many examples of poor performance, and in some cases failures, of unreinforced masonry walls. Concerns are expressed over the abundance of unreinforced masonry, particularly in schools and buildings such as hospitals, for which postdisaster performance must be ensured. Key words: earthquake, Saguenay, soils, structures, codes, masonry.

Les dommages dus au tremblement de terre du Saguenay du 25 novembre 1988

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Tinawi ◽  
Denis Mitchell ◽  
Tim Law
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Earthquake Engineering ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Unreinforced Masonry ◽  
National Committee ◽  
Base Shear ◽  
Acceleration Time Histories ◽  
Ground Motion Records

The November 25, 1988, Saguenay earthquake prompted a site visit by a team representing the Canadian National Committee on Earthquake Engineering. This paper contains selected ground motion records in the form of acceleration-time histories, obtained from the Geological Survey of Canada, and corresponding response spectra. The horizontal acceleration spectrum obtained for Chicoutimi is compared with the design base shear coefficients from the 1980, 1985, and 1990 National Building Codes of Canada. Failures of natural slopes and embankments as well as both architectural and structural damage are discussed. The significant role played by the presence of soft subsoil in amplifying the ground motion and resulting damage is illustrated. Although no major structural failures occurred, there were many examples of poor performance, and in some cases failures, of unreinforced masonry walls. Concerns are expressed over the abundance of unreinforced masonry, particularly in schools and buildings such as hospitals, for which postdisaster performance must be ensured. Key words: earthquake, Saguenay, soils, structures, codes, masonry.

Engineering observations on ground motion at the Van Norman Complex after the 1994 Northridge earthquake

1996 ◽  
Vol 86 (1B) ◽  
pp. S333-S349 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Bardet ◽  
C. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Earthquake Engineering ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Vertical Acceleration ◽  
Northridge Earthquake ◽  
Peak Acceleration ◽  
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering ◽  
1994 Northridge Earthquake

Abstract During the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the Van Norman Complex yielded an unprecedented number of recordings with high acceleration, in the close proximity of the fault rupture. These strong-motion recordings exhibited the pulses of the main event. One station recorded the largest velocity ever instrumentally recorded (177 cm/sec), resulting from a 0.86 g peak acceleration with a low frequency. Throughout the complex, the horizontal accelerations reached peak values ranging from 0.56 to 1.0 g, except for the complex center, where the peak acceleration did not exceed 0.43 g. The vertical acceleration reached maximum peak values comparable with those of the horizontal acceleration. The acceleration response spectra in the longitudinal and transverse directions were significantly different. Such a difference, which is not yet well documented in the field of geotechnical earthquake engineering, indicates that the amplitude and frequency content of the ground motion was directionally dependent in the Van Norman Complex.

scholarly journals A Procedure to Select Earthquake Time Histories for Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis: Case Studies of Major Cities in Taiwan

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duruo Huang ◽  
Wenqi Du
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Hazard ◽  
Ground Motion ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Motion Time ◽  
Acceleration Time Histories ◽  
Time Histories ◽  
Deterministic Seismic Hazard

Abstract. In performance-based seismic design, ground-motion time histories are needed for analyzing dynamic responses of nonlinear structural systems. However, the number of strong-motion data at design level is often limited. In order to analyze seismic performance of structures, ground-motion time histories need to be either selected from recorded strong-motion database, or numerically simulated using stochastic approaches. In this paper, a detailed procedure to select proper acceleration time histories from the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) database for several cities in Taiwan is presented. Target response spectra are initially determined based on a local ground motion prediction equation under representative deterministic seismic hazard analyses. Then several suites of ground motions are selected for these cities using the Design Ground Motion Library (DGML), a recently proposed interactive ground-motion selection tool. The selected time histories are representatives of the regional seismic hazard, and should be beneficial to earthquake studies when comprehensive seismic hazard assessments and site investigations are yet available. Note that this method is also applicable to site-specific motion selections with the target spectra near the ground surface considering the site effect.

NGA-West2 Research Project

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 973-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousef Bozorgnia ◽  
Norman A. Abrahamson ◽  
Linda Al Atik ◽  
Timothy D. Ancheta ◽  
Gail M. Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Earthquake Engineering ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Epistemic Uncertainty ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Site Amplification ◽  
Earthquake Hazards ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Crustal Earthquakes

The NGA-West2 project is a large multidisciplinary, multi-year research program on the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) models for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions. The research project has been coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER), with extensive technical interactions among many individuals and organizations. NGA-West2 addresses several key issues in ground-motion seismic hazard, including updating the NGA database for a magnitude range of 3.0–7.9; updating NGA ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for the “average” horizontal component; scaling response spectra for damping values other than 5%; quantifying the effects of directivity and directionality for horizontal ground motion; resolving discrepancies between the NGA and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) site amplification factors; analysis of epistemic uncertainty for NGA GMPEs; and developing GMPEs for vertical ground motion. This paper presents an overview of the NGA-West2 research program and its subprojects.

Strong motion accelerograph records from the 1993 Napierville earthquake

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-196
Author(s):  
René Tinawi ◽  
André Filiatrault ◽  
Pierre Léger
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Period Range ◽  
Attenuation Relationships ◽  
Acceleration Time Histories ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Time Histories

An earthquake of magnitude ML = 4.3 occurred near Napierville, Quebec, on November 16, 1993. An accelerograph at the liquefaction, storage, and regasification plant of Gaz Metropolitain in Montreal, about 55 km from the epicentre, recorded the ground motion. Although the maximum accelerations and velocities from this event are small, the acceleration time histories do confirm the high energy content in the very short period range. The recorded ground motion and corresponding absolute acceleration response spectra are presented and various attenuation relationships, proposed for eastern North America, are utilized to compare the measured and predicted ground motion parameters. Key words: Napierville earthquake, attenuation relationships, acceleration spectra, strong motion records.

scholarly journals A Wavelet-based Approach for Truncating Pulse-like Records

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky Dimakopoulou ◽  
Michalis Fragiadakis ◽  
Ioannis Taflampas
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Time History ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Seismic Performance Assessment ◽  
Analysis And Design ◽  
Nonlinear Time History Analyses ◽  
Ground Motion Records ◽  
Nonlinear Time History

Abstract The seismic performance assessment of structures using truncated pulse-like ground motion records is discussed. It is shown that it is possible to truncate pulse-like signals using a novel wavelet-based definition that identifies the duration of the predominant velocity pulse. The truncated time history can efficiently reproduce the increased seismic demand that near-field records typically produce. Substituting the original ground motion with the truncated signal, significantly accelerates structural analysis and design. The truncated signal is the part of the original accelerogram that coincides with the duration of the predominant pulse, which is identified using a wavelet-based procedure, previously proposed by the authors. Elastic and inelastic response spectra and nonlinear time history analyses for SDOF (single-degree-of-freedom) systems are first studied. Subsequently a nine-storey steel frame is examined in order to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach on a multiple-degree-of-freedom system. The proposed approach is found very efficient for pulse-like ground motions, while it is also sufficient for many records that are not characterized as such.

The Effects of Discretization Errors on the High Frequency Content of In-Structure Response Spectra

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Mertz ◽  
Robert Spears ◽  
Thomas Houston
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Time History ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Frequency Content ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Structure Response ◽  
Time History Response ◽  
Ground Motion Records ◽  
High Frequency Content

The next generation ground motion prediction equations predict significant high frequency seismic input for rock sites in the Central Eastern United States (CEUS). This high frequency motion is transmitted to basemat supported components and may be transmitted to components supported on elevated slabs. The existing ASCE 4 analysis requirements were initially developed based on seismic motions having lower frequencies, typical of ground motions in the Western United States (WUS). The adequacy of the existing ASCE 4 analysis requirements are examined using high frequency CEUS spectral shapes and the potential error inherent in using the existing approach to computing in structure response spectra is quantified. Modifications to reduce potential error in the existing ASCE 4 criteria are proposed. In structure response spectra are typically generated for a subsystem given the time history response of a building region. The building time history response is based on analyses that use either modal time history superposition, direct integration or complex frequency response analysis of the building and supporting soil. Input to the building analyses consist of either real or synthetic discretized ground motion records. The discretized ground motion records are often based on recorded ground motion seeds and are often limited to a 0.005 second time step. Thus the time step of the seed record often limits the frequency content of the problem. Both the building analyses and in structure response spectra subsystem analysis may interpolate the discretized ground motion records to obtain stable results. This interpolation generates errors that are propagated through the analyses used to calculate in structure response spectra. These errors may result in extraneous high frequency content in the in structure response spectra. Errors are quantified by comparison of time history parameters, Fourier components and in structure response spectra.

Implications of the 1988 Saguenay earthquake on Canadian seismic strength specification

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. K. Tso ◽  
T. J. Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Seismic Design ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Earthquake Ground Motion ◽  
Base Shear ◽  
Design Strength ◽  
Observed Damage ◽  
Ground Motion Records ◽  
Epicentral Region ◽  
Strong Ground

The November 25, 1988, Saguenay earthquake was the most significant seismic event in eastern North America over the last 50 years. Based on strong ground motion records from this earthquake, an analytical study was undertaken to evaluate the seismic design base shear provisions of the National Building Code of Canada for buildings located in the eastern regions of Canada. In light of the observed damage to masonry structures in the epicentral region, emphasis was placed on the evaluation of the codified minimum seismic strength for masonry structural systems. Key words: earthquake, ground motion, seismic design strength, code, masonry, buildings, damage, ductility.

The 2014 South Napa earthquake and its relevance for New Zealand

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Galloway ◽  
Jason M. Ingham
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Earthquake Engineering ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Unreinforced Masonry ◽  
Seismic Retrofitting ◽  
The South ◽  
Wine Production ◽  
Loma Prieta Earthquake ◽  
The City

The South Napa earthquake occurred on Sunday, 24 August 2014 at 3.20 am local time at a depth of 10.7 km, having MW 6.0 and causing significant damage to unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in the City of Napa and generating strong ground shaking in a region well known for its wine production. Parallels exist between the damage in past New Zealand earthquakes, particularly to unreinforced masonry buildings, and the disruption in the Marlborough region following the recent 2013 MW 6.5 Seddon earthquake. Furthermore, the event was the largest to have occurred in Northern California since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake 25 years earlier, and hence was an important event for the local community of earthquake researchers and professionals regarding the use of a physical and virtual clearinghouse for data archiving of damage observations. Because numerous URM buildings in the City of Napa had been retrofitted, there was significant interest regarding the observed performance of different retrofitting methods. Following a brief overview of the earthquake affected area and previous earthquakes to have caused damage in the Napa Valley region, details are provided regarding the characteristics of the 2014 South Napa earthquake, the response to the earthquake including placarding procedures and barricading, and more specific details of observed building and non-structural damage. Aspects of business continuity following the South Napa earthquake are also considered. One conclusion is that in general the seismic retrofitting of URM buildings in the Napa region proved to be very successful, and provides an important benchmark as New Zealand begins to more actively undertake seismic assessment and retrofitting of its earthquake prone building stock. It is also concluded that there are sufficient similarities between New Zealand and California, and a rich network of contacts that has developed following the hosting of many US visitors to New Zealand in conjunction with the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes, that it is sensible for the New Zealand earthquake engineering community to maintain a close focus on ongoing earthquake preparedness and mitigation methods used and being developed in USA, and particularly in California.

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