Seismic Design for Nuclear Power Plants

The Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) project has now published several new sets of empirical ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for PGA, PGV, and response spectral ordinates. These models significantly advance the state-of-the-art empirical ground-motion modeling and account for many effects that have not been directly accounted for in the existing Iranian GMPEs. Assuming that the present strong-motion database in Iran is unlikely to drastically change in the near future, the question we ask in this study is: Can the NGA models be applied in Iran? In order to answer this question, the NGA models of Boore and Atkinson [2008], Campbell and Bozorgnia, [2008], and Chiou and Youngs [2008], which are shown to be representative of all NGA models, are compared with the Iranian strong-motion database. The database used in this study comprises 863 two-component horizontal acceleration time series recorded within 100 km of epicentral distances for 166 earthquakes in Iran with magnitudes ranging from 4.0–7.4. The comparisons are made using analyses of residuals. The analysis indicates that the NGA models may confidently be applied within the Iranian plateau. To provide more reliable constraint on finite-fault effects and nonlinear site response in the Iranian equations, it would be useful to drive new GMPEs based on a merger of the NGA and Iranian databases.

Test of the Applicability of NGA Models to the Strong Ground-Motion Data in the Iranian Plateau

On 30 September 2009, the city of Padang in Indonesia was rocked by an earthquake with a moment magnitude of Mw = 7.6. Despite its size, the earthquake did not rupture the Sunda megathrust and did not significantly relax the 200 years of accumulated stress on the Mentawai segment. The megathrust strain-energy budget remains substantially unchanged and the threat of a great, Mw > 8.5, tsunamigenic earthquake on the Mentawai patch is unabated.

The September 2009 Padang Earthquake

Structural behaviour of pre-damaged reinforced concrete beams strengthened with natural fibre reinforced polymer composites

The objective of this study was to observe the spatial variation in the geological subsoil condition on the seismic ground response of Bangkok subsoils during the remote 6.8 Mw Tarlay earthquake in 2011 in Northern Thailand. A simulation of random locations was initially performed to define the studied locations. The dynamic parameters, such as the soil index properties, shear modulus, and shear wave velocity, were determined from the subsurface modeling of Bangkok subsoils. Next-generation attenuation analysis was performed to define the input ground motion at each investigated site. Non-linear one-dimensional site response analysis was performed to investigate the surface ground motion, amplification factor, and spectral acceleration during short (0.2 s) and long (1 s) time periods. In general, it is important to consider the ground spatial variation in any seismic ground response analysis. The results show that Bangkok subsoils could magnify the seismic wave during an earthquake. For example, in the 2011 Tarlay earthquake, the magnification varied from two- to four-fold. The results from this study can be used to define the microzonation of the ground motion characteristic of Bangkok subsoils, such as the peak ground acceleration and the spectral acceleration, at short and long periods.

Influence of spatial variability of ground on seismic response analysis: a case study of Bangkok subsoils

Ambient noise measurements and spectral analysis of surface waves were performed in Mae Lao to investigate the local site effects of the May 5, 2014 Mae Lao earthquake in Northern Thailand. Site in...

Local Site Investigation of Liquefied Soils Caused by Earthquake in Northern Thailand

Analysis of seismic ground response caused during strong earthquake in Northern Thailand

Non-linear Site Response Analysis of Soil Sites in Northern Thailand during the Mw 6.8 Tarlay Earthquake

This paper presents a seismic response analysis study of liquefiable sites along the northern parts of the coastal area of Bengkulu Province that underwent liquefaction phenomena during the strong earthquake (8.6 M w ) on 12 September 2007. Several investigation tests, including the standard penetration test (SPT) and the soil shear wave velocity test, were conducted at 8 locations. The data were used to simulate the seismic response in order to investigate soil behaviors during the earthquake. In addition, the excess pore water pressure ratio obtained from the analysis was compared with the prediction value calculated from empirical data. The results show that liquefaction can occur at shallow depth layers dominated by loose sand. The results also confirm field evidence collected during the earthquake that was reported in several previous studies. The excess pore water pressure ratio was in good agreement with the predicted value from the empirical approach.

Lindung Zalbuin Mase

Papers

Local Site Investigation of Liquefied Soils Caused by Earthquake in Northern Thailand

Analysis of seismic ground response caused during strong earthquake in Northern Thailand

Influence of spatial variability of ground on seismic response analysis: a case study of Bangkok subsoils

Non-linear Site Response Analysis of Soil Sites in Northern Thailand during the Mw 6.8 Tarlay Earthquake

Liquefaction Potential Analysis Along Coastal Area of Bengkulu Province Due to the 2007 Mw 8.6 Bengkulu Earthquake