I. M. Idriss

Comparisons of the NGA ground-motion relations

The data sets, model parameterizations, and results from the five NGA models for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions are compared. A key difference in the data sets is the inclusion or exclusion of aftershocks. A comparison of the median spectral values for strike-slip earthquakes shows that they are within a factor of 1.5 for magnitudes between 6.0 and 7.0 for distances less than 100 km. The differences increase to a factor of 2 for M5 and M8 earthquakes, for buried ruptures, and for distances greater than 100 km. For soil sites, the differences in the modeling of soil/sediment depth effects increase the range in the median long-period spectral values for M7 strike-slip earthquakes to a factor of 3. The five models have similar standard deviations for M6.5-M7.5 earthquakes for rock sites and for soil sites at distances greater than 50 km. Differences in the standard deviations of up to 0.2 natural log units for moderate magnitudes at all distances and for large magnitudes at short distances result from the treatment of the magnitude dependence and the effects of nonlinear site response on the standard deviation.

NGA-West2 Research Project

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.

Inelastic Seismic Response of Extended Pile-Shaft-Supported Bridge Structures

Nonlinear static and dynamic analyses were used to evaluate the inelastic seismic response of bridge and viaduct structures supported on extended cast-in-drilled-hole (CIDH) pile shafts. The nonlinear dynamic analyses used a beam-on-nonlinear-Winkler foundation (BNWF) framework to model the soil-pile interaction, nonlinear fiber beam-column elements to model the reinforced concrete sections, and one-dimensional site response analyses for the free-field soil profile response. The study included consideration of ground motion characteristics, site response, lateral soil resistance, structural parameters, geometric nonlinearity (P-Δ effects), and performance measures. Results described herein focus on how the ground motion characteristics and variations in structural configurations affect the performance measures important for evaluating the inelastic seismic response of these structures. Presented results focus on a representative dense soil profile and thus are not widely applicable to dramatically different soil sites.

Probabilistic Standard Penetration Test–Based Liquefaction–Triggering Procedure

AbstractA probabilistic version of the Idriss and Boulanger standard penetration test (SPT)–based liquefaction triggering correlation is derived using a maximum likelihood approach and an updated case history database. Measurement and estimation uncertainties in the cyclic stress ratio (CSR) and SPT (N1)60cs values and the effects of the choice-based sampling bias in the case history database are taken into account. The results of sensitivity analyses show that the position of the most likely triggering curve is well constrained by the case history data and that the magnitude of the total error term is also reasonably constrained. The most likely value for the SD of the error term in the triggering correlation is, however, found to be dependent on the uncertainties assigned to the CSR and (N1)60cs. The results of the sensitivity study appear to provide reasonable bounds on the effects of different interpretations on the positions of the triggering curves for various probabilities of liquefaction. Methods ...

Comparison of NGA-West2 GMPEs

A presentation of the model parameters and comparison of the median ground-motion values from the NGA-West2 GMPEs is presented for a suite of deterministic cases. In general, the median ground motions are similar, within a factor of about 1.5–2.0 for 5 < M < 7 and distances between 10–100 km. Differences increase (on the order of 2–3) for large-magnitude (M > 8) earthquakes at large distances (R > 100–200 km) and for close distances (R < 10 km). A similar increase is observed for hanging-wall sites, and slightly larger differences are observed for soil sites as opposed to rock sites. Regionalization of four of the GMPEs yields similar attenuation rate adjustments based on the different regional data sets. All five GMPE aleatory variability models are a function of magnitude with higher overall standard deviations values for the smaller magnitudes when compared to the large-magnitude events.

CPT-Based Liquefaction Triggering Procedure

AbstractA probabilistic cone penetration test (CPT) based liquefaction triggering procedure for cohesionless soils is derived using a maximum likelihood method with an updated case history database. The liquefaction analysis framework includes revised relationships for the magnitude scaling factor (MSF) and for estimating fines contents from CPT data when laboratory test data are not available. The updated case history database and methodology for developing the liquefaction correlation are described. Measurement and estimation uncertainties, the potential effects of false positives and false negatives in the case history database, and the effects of the choice-based sampling bias in the case history database are accounted for. Sensitivity analyses showed that the position of the most likely triggering curve and the magnitude of the total error term are reasonably well constrained by the data. The sensitivity study provides reasonable bounds on the effects of different interpretations, from which probabil...

Representation of Bidirectional Ground Motions for Design Spectra in Building Codes

The 2009 NEHRP Provisions modified the definition of horizontal ground motion from the geometric mean of spectral accelerations for two components to the peak response of a single lumped mass oscillator regardless of direction. These maximum-direction (MD) ground motions operate under the assumption that the dynamic properties of the structure (e.g., stiffness, strength) are identical in all directions. This assumption may be true for some in-plan symmetric structures, however, the response of most structures is dominated by modes of vibration along specific axes (e.g., longitudinal and transverse axes in a building), and often the dynamic properties (especially stiffness) along those axes are distinct. In order to achieve structural designs consistent with the collapse risk level given in the NEHRP documents, we argue that design spectra should be compatible with expected levels of ground motion along those principal response axes. The use of MD ground motions effectively assumes that the azimuth of maximum ground motion coincides with the directions of principal structural response. Because this is unlikely, design ground motions have lower probability of occurrence than intended, with significant societal costs. We recommend adjustments to make design ground motions compatible with target risk levels.

SPT- and CPT-Based Relationships for The Residual Shear Strength of Liquefied Soils

An evaluation of post-earthquake stability of earth embankments or slopes that contain, or are founded on, soils that may liquefy requires estimating the liquefied soil’s residual shear strength, Sr. Decisions regarding the need for expensive mitigation efforts, including ground improvement work, often hinge on the selected Sr values. This paper presents recommended SPTand CPT-based relationships for estimating the residual shear strength ratio, Sr/σ′ vo, of liquefied nonplastic soils in the field based on a review of prior case history studies, laboratory testing studies, and recent findings regarding void redistribution mechanisms. The recommended relationships provide guidance regarding the unavoidable task in practice of having to extrapolate beyond the available case history data. Limitations in the state of knowledge are discussed.

Examination and Reevalaution of SPT-Based Liquefaction Triggering Case Histories

AbstractA standard penetration test (SPT)-based liquefaction case history database for liquefaction triggering criteria is reexamined and reevaluated. The updated database incorporates a number of additional case histories, replaces prior estimates of earthquake magnitudes with current estimates of their moment magnitudes, uses improved estimates of peak ground accelerations when available, and includes a reexamination of the selection and computation of representative SPT (N1)60 values for most case histories. The approach used to select and compute representative SPT (N1)60cs values is illustrated using select case histories. The distribution of the case history data relative to the Idriss-Boulanger triggering correlation is examined for any bias with respect to various parameters and to identify the conditions that are, and are not, well covered by available case history data.

Damping scaling factors for elastic response spectra for shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions: "average" horizontal component

Ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for elastic response spectra are typically developed at a 5% viscous damping ratio. In reality, however, structural and nonstructural systems can have other damping ratios. This paper develops a new model for a damping scaling factor (DSF) that can be used to adjust the 5% damped spectral ordinates predicted by a GMPE for damping ratios between 0.5% to 30%. The model is developed based on empirical data from worldwide shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions. Dependencies of the DSF on potential predictor variables, such as the damping ratio, spectral period, ground motion duration, moment magnitude, source-to-site distance, and site conditions, are examined. The strong influence of duration is captured by the inclusion of both magnitude and distance in the DSF model. Site conditions show weak influence on the DSF. The proposed damping scaling model provides functional forms for the median and logarithmic standard deviation of DSF, and is developed for both RotD50 and GMRotI50 horizontal components. A follow-up paper develops a DSF model for vertical ground motion.