Abstract
Site conditions influence the surface response of strata to seismic ground motion. This fact is recognized in seismic design codes that assign spectral shapes based on site conditions or by using a 2-parameter site amplification model as adopted in the AASHTO code for bridge design. Due to variability in site properties and a myriad number of their combinations, design codes made a number of limiting assumptions when specifying the values of the site amplification factors or specifying the design spectral shape. This paper attempted to test the bounds of some of the parameters (i.e. strata depth, Vs30, Tg, PI and Vrock) that can affect the values of these amplification factors. The results were compared with AASHTO bridge design code and conclusions were drawn regarding the influence of these parameters on site amplification factors and spectral shape. A number of limitations in the code were identified and corrections factors for some specific conditions were suggested.
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Chaudhary, M.T.A. Effect of Site Conditions on Site Amplification Factors and Seismic Design Spectra for Bridges. KSCE J Civ Eng 22, 2441–2450 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-1926-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-017-1926-6