A case study of alternative site response explanatory variables in Parkfield, California

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Abstract

The combination of densely-spaced strong-motion stations in Parkfield, California, and spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) profiles provides an ideal dataset for assessing the accuracy of different site response explanatory variables. We judge accuracy in terms of spatial coverage and correlation with observations. The performance of the alternative models is period-dependent, but generally we observe that: (1) where a profile is available, the square-root-of-impedance method outperforms VS30 (average S-wave velocity to 30 m depth), and (2) where a profile is unavailable, the topographic-slope method outperforms surficial geology. The fundamental site frequency is a valuable site response explanatory variable, though less valuable than VS30. However, given the expense and difficulty of obtaining reliable estimates of VS30 and the relative ease with which the fundamental site frequency can be computed, the fundamental site frequency may prove to be a valuable site response explanatory variable for many applications.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title A case study of alternative site response explanatory variables in Parkfield, California
ISBN 9780784411834
DOI 10.1061/41183(418)25
Issue 224
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher American Society of Civil Engineers
Description 8 p.
Larger Work Title Geotechnical Special Publication
First page 310
Last page 317
Conference Title GeoRisk 2011: Geotechnical Risk Assessment and Management
Conference Location Atlanta, GA
Conference Date June 26-28, 2011
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Parkfield
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