Generalized Rydelek-Sacks test for distinguishing between periodic and randompatterns in seismicity

For distinguishing the periodicity of strong earthquakes on the time scale of decades, we generalized the Rydelek-Sacks test (R) delek. Sacks. 1989) to explore whether a time series is modulated by a periodic process or not. Thetest is conducted by comparing the total phasor of seismicity with that produced by a random Brownian motion.The phdse angle is defined by the origin time of earthquakes relative to a reference time scale. Using this methodwe tested two hypotheses in geodynamics and earthquake prediction study. One is the hypothesis of Romanowicz( 1993 ) who proposed that the great earthquakes alternate in a predictable fashion between strike-slip and thrustingmechanisms oil a 20~30 years cycle. The other hypothesis is that the strong earthquakes in and around China havean active period of about ten years. The test obtains a negative conclusion for the former hypothesis and a positiveconclusion for the latter at the 93% confidence level.

Spectra of seismic force reduction factors of MDOF systems normalized by two characteristic periods

Seismic force reduction factor(SFRF) spectra of shear-type multi-degree-of-freedom(MDOF) structures are investigated. The modified Clough model, capable of considering the strength-degradation/hardening and stiffnessdegradation, is adopted. The SFRF mean spectra using 102 earthquake records on a typical site soil type(type C) are constructed with the period abscissa being divided into three period ranges to maintain the peak features at the two sitespecific characteristic periods. Based on a large number of results, it is found that the peak value of SFRF spectra may also exist for MDOF, induced by large high-mode contributions to elastic base shear, besides the mentioned two peak values. The variations of the stiffness ratio λk and the strength ratio λF of the top to bottom story are both considered. It is found that the SFRFs for λF ≤λk are smaller than those for λF > λk. A SFRF modification factor for MDOF systems is proposed with respect to SDOF. It is found that this factor is significantly affected by the story number and ductility. With a specific λF(= λk0.75), SFRF mean spectra are constructed and simple solutions are presented for MDOF systems. For frames satisfying the strong column/weak beam requirement, an approximate treatment in the MDOF shear-beam model is to assign a post-limit stiffness 15%-35% of the initial stiffness to the hysteretic curve. SFRF spectra for MDOF systems with 0.2 and 0.3 times the post-limit stiffness are remarkably larger than those without post-limit stiffness. Thus, the findings that frames with beam hinges have smaller ductility demand are explained through the large post-limit stiffness.

Periodic electromagnetic signals as potential precursor for seismic activity

Electromagnetic signals may be a promising precursor to seismic activity which has been observed in many case studies in past decades.However,the correlation and causation between the electromagnetic signals and the seismic activity are still unclear without intensive observation network.In order to find seismoelectromagnetic phenomenon,we deployed AETA(acoustic and electromagnetic testing all-in-one system),a high-density multi-component seismic monitoring system in the China Earthquake Science Experiment site(CESE,in Sichuan Province and Yunnan Province,China)and the capital circle(areas with a distance which is≤200 km from Beijing),to record electromagnetic and geo-acoustic data across 0.1 Hz−10 kHz.In the course of data collection,we discovered an electromagnetic waveform that occurs on a daily basis.Because the signal generally coincides with sunrise and sunset,we named this phenomenon the SRSS(Sunrise-Sunset)waveform.After conducting three statistical tests based on seismicity and SRSS,we determined that the SRSS waveform is roughly correlated with the onset of seismic activity.It generally occurs at the regions where seismicity occurs.This discovery might have significant implications with respect to the future of earthquake prediction.

Simulation of the active and quiet periods of seismicity

In this paper we simulate the repeated occurrence of strong earthquakes along a strike-slip fault by using a finite element model. The fault valve mechanism is included in the model in order to take into account the effeCt of POre fluid pressure variation. Five parameters are used to characterize the rheology of the fault, POre pressure variation, and fracture criteria. By Systematically varying these parameters and calculating a large number of models we carried out a preliminary investigation on the alternatively quiet and active periods of seismicity and their relation to model Parameters and loading conditions. Under the action of a constant-rate boundary movement, in the case of intermediate stress and pore pressure, the models display a regular quiescence-activity phenomenon with a cycle length of 1/3-1 of the recurrence pened. When the model is under high stress or high pore pressure, this phenomenon becomes irregular or inexplicit. When the model is subject to periedic boundary forces and the amplitude of force variation is not too small, it results in an alternatively quiet and active seismicity Pattern with the same Period Of the force variation.

Influence of long period seismic waves induced by the Taiwan large earthquake on Shanghai area

In this paper a group of long period seismic waves in Shanghai area induced by Taiwan large earthquake is presented by using the method of semi empirical Green function, the period is up to 20 s. Such seismic waves can be used as a reference curve to test the strength of long period structures and their aseismic design. The long period part of seismic influence curve presented in 'Architecture Aseismic Design Code'(GBJ11 89) is less than 3 s, and uncertainties exist in the effects of earthquake safety evaluation. This research will be able to eliminate these shortages.

Seismic pounding and collapse behavior of neighboring buildings with different natural periods

Seismic pounding phenomena, particularly the collision of neighboring buildings under long-period ground motion, are becoming a significant issue in Japan. We focused on a specific apartment structure called the Nuevo Leon buildings in the Tlatelolco district of Mexico City, which consisted of three similar buildings built consecutively with narrow expansion joints between the buildings. Two out of the three buildings collapsed completely in the 1985 Mexican earthquake. Using a finite element code based on the adaptively shifted integration (ASI)-Gauss technique, a seismic pounding analysis is performed on a simulated model of the Nuevo Leon buildings to understand the impact and collapse behavior of structures built near each other. The numerical code used in the analysis provides a higher computational efficiency than the conventional code for this type of problem and enables us to address dynamic behavior with strong nonlinearities, including phenomena such as member fracture and elemental contact. Contact release and recontact algorithms are developed and implemented in the code to understand the complex behaviors of structural members during seismic pounding and the collapse sequence. According to the numerical results, the collision of the buildings may be a result of the difference of natural periods between the neighboring buildings. This difference was detected in similar buildings from the damages caused by previous earthquakes. By setting the natural period of the north building to be 25% longer than the other periods, the ground motion, which hada relatively long period of 2 s, first caused the collision between the north and the center buildings. This collision eventually led to the collapse of the centerbuilding, followed by the destruction of the north building.

Correlation of Structural Seismic Damage with Fundamental Period of RC Buildings

The sufficient estimation of the natural period of vibration constitutes an essential step in earthquake design and assessment and its role in the development of seismic damage is investigated in the current research. The fundamental period is estimated for typical reinforced concrete building types, representative of the building stock of Southern Europe, according to existing relationships. The building typologies also represent groups of 180,945 existing damaged buildings of an observational database created after the Athens (7-9-1999) near field earthquake. The estimated fundamental periods are correlated to several degrees of the recorded damage. Important conclusions are drawn on the parameters (height, structural type, etc.) that influence the seismic response and the development of damage based on the wide database. After conducting a correlation analysis, noticeable is the difference between the seismic demand of the elastic spectrum of the first (1959), the contemporary (2003) Greek Seismic Code and the values of peak ground accelerations of several Athens earthquake records. Moreover, PGAs in most records are often between the lower and the upper bound of the estimated fundamental periods for RC buildings with regular infills (n-normal) and with ground levels without infill panels (p-pilotis) regardless the height. A disparity is noticed when the estimated fundamental period is based on EC8 provisions for the considered as “high” buildings in S. Europe regarding the referring earthquake. The majority of buildings that developed several degree, type and extent of damage are considered of “low” height with estimated fundamental periods close to the PGA values of Athens earthquake ground motions. However, the developed damage was the result of the combination of parameters based on geological, tectonic and morphological characteristics of the affected area. In addition, a damage scale for the measurable recording, beyond the qualitative characterization of seismic damage in Greek post-earthquake surveys, is presented wherein the performance levels are defined according to the physical description of the seismic damage and, as well, in terms of structural and economic damage index.

Optimal design for rubber concrete layered periodic foundations based on the analytical approximations of band gaps and mapping relations

The seismic performance of rubber concrete-layered periodic foundations are significantly influenced by their design,in which the band gaps play a paramount role.Aiming at providing better designs for these foundations,this study first proposes and validates the analytical formulas to approximate the bounds of the first few band gaps.In addition,the mapping relations linking the frequencies of different band gaps are presented.Furthermore,an optimal design method for these foundations is developed,which is validated through an engineering example.It is demonstrated that ensuring the superstructure’s resonance zones are completely covered by the corresponding periodic foundation’s band gaps can achieve satisfactory vibration attenuation effects,which is a good strategy for the design of rubber concrete layered periodic foundations.

Joint observation of long period tremor signals with broadband seismometer,tiltmeter and gravimeter

We report here the observation result of joint observation of long period tremor signals with broadband seismome-ter,tiltmeter and gravimeter at the HUST(Huazhong University of Science and Technology)station.The observed data were compared and analyzed.Since 2005,the several tens of abnormal tremor signals which are weak,com-plex and duration of 2 to 3 days have been synchronously recorded by the different instruments.The tremor signals have the periodic domain in the range of 3 to 5 minutes,20 to 30 minutes and even more than 1 hour.The observa-tion shows such tremors are a physical existence.The analysis indicates that a part of the tremors caused by the typhoon from the western Pacific Ocean.These tremors have a close relationship with wind velocity of typhoon and distance between the typhoon center and the station.Except these,the cause of others is still unclear.

A new seismic isolation system and its feasibility study

This paper introduces a new seismic isolation system called a periodic foundation （PF）, where inclusions are periodically arranged. The PF is different from traditional base isolation in that it causes a fundamental frequency shift in the structure, thus reducing its response and generating a frequency gap. If the frequency contents of a seismic wave fall into the gap, it can not propagate in the foundation. Thus, it will exert no influence on the structure above. A systematic study of the band of frequency gap for a 2D PF is conducted. The influence of physical and geometrical parameters such as density and elastic modulus as well as filling fraction of the PF and its materials on the band of frequency gap are investigated, and a design with a frequency gap as low as 2.49-3.72 Hz is achieved. This band of frequency gap corresponds well to the design spectra in earthquake engineering. Numerical simulations of a six-story frame structure with different foundations demonstrate that a proposed PF can greatly reduce the seismic response of an isolated structure. This investigation shows that PFs have great potential in future applications of seismic isolation technology.

Effect of site amplification on inelastic seismic response

The available models for eff ective periods of site and structure are reviewed in context of frequency tuning in the inelastic seismic response of soil-structure system. The eff ect of seismic intensity and ductility demand, on the eff ective periods, is investigated, and inelastic site amplifi cation is shown to be strongly correlated to the normalized eff ective period. Two non-dimensional parameters, analogous to the conventional site amplifi cation factors in codes, are defi ned to quantify the inelastic site amplifi cation. It is shown that the inelastic site amplifi cation factor (i.e. ratio of constant ductility spectral ordinates at soil site to those at rock outcrop) is able to represent the site eff ects more clearly, as compared to the inelastic site amplifi cation ratio (i.e. ratio of inelastic spectral ordinates at soil site to the corresponding elastic spectral ordinates at rock outcrop). Further, the peak in the amplifi cation factor corresponding to the eff ective site period diminishes rapidly with increasing ductility demand.

The seismicity research in the sub-regions of Chinese mainland using strain accumula-ting and releasing model

The sub-regions are divided for the seismicity of the Chinese mainland based on the hypothesis of the active crustal blocks and the division of the active boundaries. On this result, the seismicity of each active crustal blocks are studied by calculating the accumulated and released strain of the earthquakes based on strain accumulating and releasing model, and the different seismicity stages of the sub-regions are discussed basically. Finally we have discussed the premise of the model application and the potential problems of the model results.

New national seismic zoning map of China

A new set of seismic zoning maps were published in August 1, 2001. It includes two maps, one is the seismic zon-ing map of peak acceleration, and the other is the zoning map of the characteristic period of the response spectrum. The exceeding probability of the map is 10% within 50 years. The scale of the map is 1:4 000 000. These maps serve as the national standard. The background of this project, technical approach and key scientific measures, the basic feature and the application of the maps are introduced in this paper.

Seismic risk analysis of coastal area of Pakistan

Estimation of seismic hazard for the fast developing coastal area of Pakistan is carried out using deterministic and probabilistic approaches. On the basis of seismotectonics and geology, eleven faults are recognized in five seismic provinces as potential hazard sources. Maximum magnitude potential for each of these sources is calculated. Peak ground acceleration (PGA) values at the seven coastal cities due to the maximum credible earthquake on the relevant source are also obtained. Cities of Gwadar and Ormara with acceleration values of 0.21g and 0.25g respectively fall in the high seismic risk area. Cities of Turbat and Karachi lie in low seismic risk area with acceleration values of less than 0.1g. The Probabilistic PGA maps with contour interval of 0.05g for 50 and 100 years return period with 90% probability of non-exceedance are also compiled.

Fundamental Characteristics of Reduction System for Seismic Response using Friction Force

A new device of reduction for seismic response using friction force was developed. In this paper, fundamental characteristics of reduction system for seismic response using this device were investigated by excitation experiment using artificial seismic waves. The peak acceleration amplitude on this system has decreased to about 50-90% over the input waves. Although a spectral peak around the frequency of 0.5Hz that is the natural period of this system was identified, the value of a spectral peak was decreased using bearings with the high friction force. This device is useful for reduction of seismic response.

A preliminary study on seismic design criteria of offshore platforms in Bohai Sea of China

This paper analyzes the seismicity in Bohai Sea,introducing a shape factor K to characterize the seismic risk distribution in sub-regions of the sea. Based on the seismic design ground motions for 46 platforms located in the Bohai Sea,a statistical analysis was performed for different peak ground acceleration (PGA) ratios at two different probability levels. In accordance with the two-stage design method,a scheme of two seismic design levels is proposed,and two seismic design objectives are established respectively for the strength level earthquake and the ductility level earthquake. By analogy with and comparison to the Chinese seismic design code for buildings,it is proposed that the probability level for the strength level earthquake and ductility level earthquake have a return period of 200 and 1000 - 2500 years,respectively. The validity of these proposed values is discussed. Finally,the PGAs corresponding to these two probability levels are calculated for different sub-regions of the Bohai Sea.

Study of characteristics of long-period ground motion response spectra by using broad-band records of the Chinese Digital Seismograph Network

Broad band and very broad band (BB and VBB) records of Chinese Digital Seismograph Network (CDSN) from 65 earthquakes are used to calculate the horizontal relative displacement, relative velocity and absolute acceleration response spectra with critical damping ratio ζ =0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.10, respectively. The results show that it is insufficient to obtain the credible characteristics of long-period ground motion response spectra only with the common ground acceleration records in engineering, while the broad band records of CDSN, as an important supplementary to ground acceleration records, can be used to study the characteristics of long-period ground motion response spectra.

Rediscussion on the seismic regime network

On the basis of the past research and utilization on the windows and belts of seismic regime, the seismic regime network which has been supposed and proved in the past is set up by using the monthly frequency data of small earthquakes from 1970 to 1991 over the whole country. Through checking its function in practice, it is found that the spatial distribution of precursor information is not an isolate window or belt, but a broad precursor information field before the Ms≥7. 0 earthquakes in China and its nearby regions. According to the windows and belts in the field, synchronism and generality of initial time and place of prediction, the comprehensive prediction of activity time periods of groups of strong earthquakes and the detail method of correspondence of groups are proposed. After restrict mathematical test, 10 prediction methods for references are set forth, in which two best methods are selected as references for the whole case prediction in one to three years. Some related problems are discussed at the end of this paper.

Grey Prediction of Seismic Activity in the Three Gorges Area of the Yangtze River

On the basis of historical earthquake data and recent observations, two grey models prediction of the next seismic active period and the maximal magnitude of earthquakes which might occur during that period are constructed on the basis of the grey theory. As predicted by the two models, the next seismic active period would last 79 years, and that the maximal magnitude of earthquakes occurring within the period would not exceed 5.2. These results provide an important basis for the assessment of earthquake risks and reduction of disasters in the Three Gorges area.

Static and dynamic inelastic P-Δ effect for seismic design

Seismic influence of P-Δ effect is the subject of this study.First,it is pointed out that the elastic static amplification factor shall be isolated in formulating the dynamic inelastic second order effect.An amplification factor for the static inelastic P-Δ effect is derived.Seismic force reduction factors(SFRF)for given ductility and stability coefficients are computed for one-story,one-span frames.The P-Δ amplification factors for seismic base shears are obtained by dividing SFRFs with and without P-Δ effect.Both P-Δ amplification factors and SFRFs are presented separately with two kinds of period abscissas.The P-Δ amplification factors are dependent on periods with the maximum occurring at about 0.75 s for site type C and approach to the static inelastic counterpart at long periods.Post-yield stiffness cannot fully counteract the adverse impact of the P-Δ effect.Formulas for seismic P-Δ amplification factors are proposed and compared to results of others.Collapse capacity spectra(CCS)are reviewed and their application in codes discussed.Available CCSs are compared with SFRFs with finite ductility computed for two ensembles of seismic records.A comparison reveals that the SFRFs are affected by seismic records,and available CCSs do not always provide upper limits for the SFRFs when stability coefficients are greater than 0.1 for frame models.