Pulse-like ground motion observed during the 6 February 2023 M_(W)7.8 Pazarcık Earthquake(Kahramanmaraş,SE Türkiye)

In this study,we analyzed 100 three-component strong ground motion records observed within 200 km of the causative fault of the 6 February 2023 M_(W)7.8 Pazarcık(Kahramanmaraş)Earthquake in SE Türkiye.The wavelet method was utilized to identify and analyze the characteristics of pulse-like ground motions in the near-fault region,while considering the uncertainty of the pulse orientation during the analysis.Our investigation focused on the effects of the focal mechanism and rupture process on the spatial distribution,pulse orientation,and maximum pulse direction of the observed pulse-like ground motion.We also analyzed the amplitude and period of the observed ground pulses and the effect of long-period amplification on the ground motion response spectra.Our results indicated the following:(1)A total of 21 typical ground velocity pulses were observed during this earthquake,exhibiting complex characteristics due to the influence of the strike-slip mechanism and rupture directivity.Most ground pulses(17 out of 21)were recorded within 20 km of the fault,in a wide range of orientations,including normal and parallel to the fault direction.The waveforms exhibited unidirectional features,indicating the effects of left-lateral fault slip.Distinct pulses observed more than 20 km from the fault were mainly oriented normal to the fault.The waveforms were bidirectional with double-or multi-round trips as a result of rupture directivity.(2)The amplitudes of the observed pulses ranged from 30.5 to 220.0 cm/s,with the largest peak velocity of 220.0 cm/s observed at Station 3138.The pulse periods ranged from 2.3 to 14.5 s,with the longest pulse period of 14.5 s observed at Station 3116.The amplitude and period of the pulses observed during this earthquake were comparable to those of similar-magnitude global earthquakes.The amplitude of the pulses decreased significantly with increasing fault distance,whereas the pulse period was not significantly affected by the fault distance.(3)Compared with non-pulse records,the velocity pulse records had a pronounced amplification effect on the acceleration response spectra near the pulse period,with factors ranging from 2.1 to 5.8.The larger velocity pulses also significantly amplified the velocity response spectra,particularly over the long periods.This significant amplification effect of the pulses on the response spectra leads to empirical models underestimating the long-period earthquake ground motion.

Bi-normalized response spectral characteristics of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake

To develop uniform and seismic environment-dependent design spectrum,common acceleration response spectral characteristics need to be identified.In this paper,a bi-normalized response spectrum (BNRS) is proposed,which is defined as a spectrum of peak response acceleration normalized with respect to peak acceleration of the excitation plotted vs.the natural period of the system normalized with respect to the spectrum predominant period,Tp.Based on a statistical analysis of records from the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake,the conventionally normalized response spectrum(NRS) and the BNRS are examined to account for the effects of soil conditions,epicentral distance,hanging wall and damping.It is found that compared to the NRS the BNRS is much less dependent on these factors.Finally,some simple relationships between the BNRS for a specified damping ratio and that for a damping ratio of 5%,and between the spectra predominant period and epicentral distance for different soil types are provided.

Study on the applicability of frequency spectrum of micro-tremor and dynamic characteristics of surface ground in Asia area

The dynamic characteristics of ground soil using micro-tremor observation in Asia (Zushi and Ogasawara (Japan), Xi’an (China), Manila (Philippines), and Gujarat (India)) are studied. Ground micro-tremor signals were observed and analyzed by fast Fourier transform method (FFT). The response of ground soil to frequency of ground micro-tremor is revealed, and func- tions with frequency-dependence and frequency-selection of micro-tremor for different foundation soil strata are also researched. The horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (H/V, Nakamura technique) of micro-tremor observed at the surface ground was used to evaluate the site’s predominant period. This paper also discusses the application of micro-tremor on site safety evaluation, and gives the observed calculation results obtained at multiple points. The experimental foundation and the deduction process of the method are described in detail. Some problems of the method are pointed out. Potential use of the technique’s good expandable nature makes it a useable means for preventing and reducing disaster’s harmful effects.

Soil characterization of Tinaztepe region(Izmir/Turkey) using surface wave methods and nakamura(HVSR) technique

To determine the shear wave velocity structure and predominant period features of Tmaztepe in izmir, Turkey, where new building sites have been planned, active-passive surface wave methods and single-station microtremor measurements are used, as well as surface acquisition techniques, including the multichannel analysis of surface waves （MASW）, refraction microtremor （ReMi）, and the spatial autocorrelation method （SPAC）, to pinpoint shallow and deep shear wave velocity. For engineering bedrock （V 〉 760 m/s） conditions at a depth of 30 m, an average seismic shear wave velocity in the upper 30 m of soil （AVs30） is not only accepted as an important parameter for defining ground behavior during earthquakes, but a primary parameter in the geotechnical analysis for areas to be classified by V30 according to the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program （NEHRP）. It is also determined that Z1.0, which represents a depth to V = 1000 m/s, is used for ground motion prediction and changed from 0 to 54 m. The sediment-engineering bedrock structure for Tmaztepe that was obtained shows engineering bedrock no deeper than 30 m. When compared, the depth of engineering bedrock and dominant period map and geology are generally compatible.

Site dependence of far-source ground motions during the Wenchuan earthquake

This paper aimed to examine the site dependence and evaluate the methods for site analysis of far-source ground motions. This was achieved through the examination of frequency content estimated by different methods based on strong ground motions recorded at twelve far-source stations in Shandong province during the Wenchuan earthquake. The stations were located in sites with soil profiles ranging from code classes Ⅰ to Ⅲ. Approaches used included the Fourier amplitude spectrum （FAS）, the earthquake response spectrum （ERS）, the spectral ratio between the horizontal and the vertical components （H/V）, the spectral ratio between the spectra at the site and at a reference site （SRRS）, and coda wave analysis （CWA）. Results showed that major periods of these ground motions obtained by FAS, ERS and H/V ratio methods were all evidently larger than site dominant periods; the periods were also different from each other and mainly reflected the frequency content of long period components. Prominent periods obtained by the SRRS approach neither illuminated the long period aspect nor efficiently determined site features of the motions. The CWA resulted in a period close to site period for stations with good quality recordings. The results obtained in this study will be useful for the evaluation of far-source effect in constructing seismic design spectra and in selecting methods for ground motion site analysis.

Application of active-source surface waves in urban underground space detection: A case study of Rongcheng County, Hebei, China

Active-source surface wave exploration is advantageous because it has high imaging accuracy,is not affected by high-speed layers,and has a low cost;thus,it has unique advantages for investigating shallow surface structures.For the development and utilization of urban underground space,two parameters in the shallow surface are important,namely,the shear wave velocity(V_(S))and the predominant period of the site,which determine the elevation and aseismic grade of the building design.The traditional method is mainly to obtain the two above-mentioned parameters through testing and measuring drilling samples.However,this method is extremely expensive and time consuming.Therefore,in this research,we used the multichannel surface wave acquisition method to extract the fundamental dispersion curve of single-shot data by using the phase shift method and obtain the V_(S) characteristics in the uppermost 40 m by inversion.We arrived at the following two conclusions based on the V_(S) profile.First,the study area can be roughly divided into five layers,among which the layers 0−8 m,14−20 m,and 20−30 m are low-velocity layers,corresponding to miscellaneous fill,a water-bearing sand layer,and a sand layer;therefore,the V_(S) is relatively low.In contrast,the layers at 8−14 m and 30−40 m are high-velocity layers that are mainly composed of clay,with a relatively better compactness and relatively high V_(S) values.In addition,a low-speed anomaly appears abruptly in the high-speed area at 20−40 m.This anomaly,when combined with geological data,suggests that it is an ancient river channel.Second,from the V_(S) value,the V_(Se)(equivalent shear wave velocity)was calculated.The construction site soil was categorized as class III,with good conditions for engineering geology.In addition,we calculated the predominant period of the site to be 0.56-0.77 s based on the V_(S).Therefore,in the overall structural design of the foundation engineering,the natural vibration period of the structure should be strictly controlled to avoid the predominant period of the site.