Dynamic-Response Analysis of the Branch System of a Utility Tunnel Subjected to Near-Fault and Far-Field Ground Motions in Different Input Mechanisms

There are few studies on the dynamic-response mechanism of near-fault and far-field ground motions for large underground structures,especially for the branch joint of a utility tunnel(UT)and its internal pipeline.Based on the theory of a 3D viscous-spring artificial boundary,this paper deduced the equivalent nodal force when a P wave and an SV wave were vertically incident at the same time and transformed the ground motion into an equivalent nodal force using a self-developed MATLAB program,which was applied to an ABAQUS finite element model.Based on near-fault and far-field groundmotions obtained fromtheNGA-WEST2 database,the dynamic responses of a utility tunnel and its internal pipeline in different inputmechanisms of near-fault and far-field groundmotions were compared according to bidirectional input and tridirectional input,respectively.Generally,the damage to the utility tunnel caused by the near-fault ground motion was stronger than that caused by the far-field ground motion,and the vertical ground motion of near-fault ground motion aggravated the damage to the utility tunnel.In addition,the joint dislocation of the upper and lower three-way joints of the pipeline in the branch systemunder the seismic action led to local stress concentrations.In general,the branch system of the utility tunnel had good seismic performance to resist the designed earthquake action and protect the internal pipeline fromdamage during the rare earthquake.

Prediction of near-field strong ground motions for scenario earthquakes on active fault

A method to predict near-field strong ground motions for scenario earthquakes on active faults is proposed. First, macro-source parameters characterizing the entire source area, i.e., global source parameters, including fault length, fault width, rupture area, average slip on the fault plane, etc., are estimated by seismogeology survey, seismicity and seismic scaling laws. Second, slip distributions characterizing heterogeneity or roughness on the fault plane, i.e., local source parameters, are reproduced/evaluated by the hybrid slip model. Finally, the finite fault source model, developed from both the global and local source parameters, is combined with the stochastically synthetic technique of ground motion using the dynamic comer frequency based on seismology. The proposed method is applied to simulate the acceleration time histories on three base-rock stations during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Comparisons between the predicted and recorded acceleration time histories show that the method is feasible and practicable.

Far-field analysis of effects of unilateral rupturing fault on the space correlation of strong ground motion

On the assumption that seismic source is simplified as linear rupture fault with finite length, this paper qualitatively studies the seismic source effects on space correlation of strong ground motion. Based on expanding expression of Fourier spectrum of strong ground motion with space coordinate variables, this paper also gives a expression of describing correlation of strong ground motion field. According to far-field condition, the theoretical formula of the expression can be obtained. Furthermore, this paper presents a theoretical formula of estimation the radius of strong ground motion field, which depends on expansion condition of Fourier spectrum of strong ground motion, with space variables. At last, taking one earthquake as an example, this paper gives three-dimension patterns of radius of the field with epicenter distance and azimuth as well as frequency.

Amplification effect of near-field ground motion around deep tunnels based on finite fracturing seismic source model

Dynamic failure of rock masses around deep tunnels,such as fault-slip rockburst and seismic-induced collapse,can pose a significant threat to tunnel construction safety.One of the most significant factors that control the accuracy of its risk assessment is the estimation of the ground motion around a tunnel caused by seismicity events.In general,the characteristic parameters of ground motion are estimated in terms of empirical scaling laws.However,these scaling laws make it difficult to accurately estimate the near-field ground motion parameters because the roles of control factors,such as tunnel geometry,damage zone distribution,and seismic source parameters,are not considered.For this,the finite fracturing seismic source model(FFSSM)proposed in this study is used to simulate the near-field ground motion characteristics around deep tunnels.Then,the amplification effects of ground motion caused by the interaction between seismic waves and deep tunnels and corresponding control factors are studied.The control effects of four factors on the near-field ground motion amplification effect are analyzed,including the main seismic source wavelength,tunnel span,tunnel shape,and range of damage zones.An empirical formula for the maximum amplification factor(a_(m))of the near-field ground motion around deep tunnels is proposed,which consists of four control factors,i.e.the wavelength control factor(F_(λ)),tunnel span factor(F_(D)),tunnel shape factor(F_(s))and excavation damage factor(F_(d)).This empirical formula provides an easy approach for accurately estimating the ground motion parameters in seismicityprone regimes and the rock support design of deep tunnels under dynamic loads.

Hybrid Slip Model for Near-Field Ground Motion Estimation Based on Uncertainty of Source Parameters

The hybrid slip model used to generate a finite fault model for near-field ground motion estimation and seismic hazard assessment was improved to express the uncertainty of the source form of a future earthquake.In this process, source parameters were treated as normal random variables, and the Fortran code of hybrid slip model was modified by adding a random number generator so that the code could generate many finite fault models with different dimensions and slip distributions for a given magnitude.Furth...

Seismic Responses of Asymmetric Base-Isolated Structures under Near-Fault Ground Motion

An inter-story shear model of asymmetric base-isolated structures incorporating deformation of each isolation bearing was built, and a method to simultaneously simulate bi-directional near-fault and far-field ground motions was proposed. A comparative study on the dynamic responses of asymmetric base-isolated structures under near-fault and far-field ground motions were conducted to investigate the effects of eccentricity in the isolation system and in the superstructures, the ratio of the uncoupled torsional to lateral frequency of the superstructure and the pulse period of near-fault ground motions on the nonlinear seismic response of asymmetric base-isolated structures. Numerical results show that eccentricity in the isolation system makes asymmetric base-isolated structure more sensitive to near-fault ground motions, and the pulse period of near-fault ground motions plays an import role in governing the seismic responses of asymmetric base-isolated structures.

Progress and trend on near-field problems in civil engineering

In the last twenty years, near-field problems became an important topic for both seismologists and civil engineers. The one aspect is to illuminate mechanisms of earthquakes and explain new phenomena. The another aspect is the ground motions, which are usually assigned by engineers as a type of input load for seismic design of structures, sometimes can control the final design results. The experiments, performance evaluations and other related aspects are all based on the specified type of load. As a result, many aspects related to civil engineering will be influenced by changes of the type of load, Hence, the characteristics of the load and the corresponding response of structures are desired for studying. In this paper, the state-of-the-art of near-field problems in civil engineering is comprehensively reviewed, which include inherent characteristics of near-field ground motions and influences of these ground motions on civil structures. The existing problems are pointed out and work needed to be further investigated in the future is suggested. It is believed that the information in this paper can be useful to advance the state of investigation on near-field problems.

Seismic behavior of variable frequency pendulum isolator

Earthquake performance of a flexible one-story building isolated with a variable frequency pendulum isolator （VFPI） under near-fault and far-field ground motions is investigated. The frictional forces mobilized at the interface of the VFPI are assumed to be velocity dependent. The interaction between frictional forces of the VFPI in two horizontal directions is duly considered and coupled differential equations of motion of the isolated system in the incremental form are solved iteratively. The response of the system with bi-directional interaction is compared with those without interaction. In addition, the effects of velocity dependence on the response of the isolated system are also investigated. Moreover, a parametric study is carried out to critically examine the influence of important parameters on bi-directional interaction effects of the frictional forces of the VFPI. These parameters are： the superstructure time period, frequency variation factor （FVF） and friction coefficient of the VFPI. From the above investigations, it is observed that the dependence of the friction coefficient on relative velocity of the system does not have a noticeable effect on the peak response of the system isolated with VFPI, and that the bi-directional interaction of frictional forces of the VFPI is important and if neglected, isolator displacements will be underestimated and the superstructure acceleration and base shear will be overestimated.

Dynamic responses under the excitation of pulse sequences

This paper studies the dynamic responses of SDOF system under pulse-dominant excitations.The purpose of the study is to prepare for scrutiny of some near-field pulse-dominantground motions and their potential to cause structural damage.Extending the single pulse dynamics,we consider the effect of pulse sequences.This kind of excitation was particularly obvious in some of previous earthquakes such as Northridge (1994) and Chi-Chi (1995).Based on the duration, peak and rise and decay era of the main pulse as well as its relationship with the predecessor and successor pulses,we propose a classification for the pulse sequences.Consequent studies have been canied out for acceleration,velocity and displacement response spectra of the main pulse with either a predecessor or a successor pulse.The analysis also includes general response behaviors in different fundamental period segments and special aspects of response at certain points (e.g.,the corresponding peak points).