@prefix vivo: . @prefix edm: . @prefix ns0: . @prefix dcterms: . @prefix dc: . @prefix skos: . vivo:departmentOrSchool "Applied Science, Faculty of"@en, "Civil Engineering, Department of"@en ; edm:dataProvider "DSpace"@en ; ns0:degreeCampus "UBCV"@en ; dcterms:creator "Teo, Dennis"@en ; dcterms:issued "2009-07-09T17:55:01Z"@en, "1999"@en ; vivo:relatedDegree "Master of Applied Science - MASc"@en ; ns0:degreeGrantor "University of British Columbia"@en ; dcterms:description """The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) in the province of British Columbia is located in one of the most seismically active regions of Canada. In this thesis, a method for assessing the seismic hazard potential at GVRD sites using the characteristics of microtremors is evaluated. These characteristics, site predominant periods and relative amplification ratios, were determined by analyzing records of microtremors. The feasibility of using the microtremor characteristics for hazard estimation was investigated. The stability of the characteristics of microtremors at a site is crucial for assessing seismic hazard potential. For the GVRD region, the site predominant periods of microtremors were found to be stable over time. On the other hand, the peak Fourier spectral amplitudes and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios tend to fluctuate over time in response to the strength of the input sources. Comparison of spectral characteristics of microtremors and those of low-level earthquake ground motions showed that microtremor measurements can be used effectively to delineate the periods of peak response of sites. At deeper sites (>150 m) the periods of peak response from microtremors may reflect either the dominant response due to resonance in one of the upper strata or the excitation of one of the higher periods at the sites instead of the fundamental periods of these sites. The relative amplification ratio was found to be an inconsistent indicator for comparing the relative seismic amplification potential of sites."""@en ; edm:aggregatedCHO "https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/10471?expand=metadata"@en ; dcterms:extent "12048559 bytes"@en ; dc:format "application/pdf"@en ; skos:note "THE USE OF MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS FOR SEISMIC HAZARD STUDIES TN THE GREATER VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT (GVRD) by DENNIS TEO B.A .Sc , The University of British Columbia, 1997 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE D E G R E E OF MASTER OF APPLIED SCIENCE in THE F A C U L T Y OF G R A D U A T E STUDIES Department of Civil Engineering We accept this thesis as conforming to the required standard UBC THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH C O L U M B I A November 1999 ©Dennis Teo, 1999 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of 0 v / ' U ^ n ^ ^ ^ O The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada DE-6 (2/88) ABSTRACT The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) in the province of British Columbia is located in one of the most seismically active regions of Canada. In this thesis, a method for assessing the seismic hazard potential at G V R D sites using the characteristics of microtremors is evaluated. These characteristics, site predominant periods and relative amplification ratios, were determined by analyzing records of microtremors. The feasibility of using the microtremor characteristics for hazard estimation was investigated. The stability of the characteristics of microtremors at a site is crucial for assessing seismic hazard potential. For the G V R D region, the site predominant periods of microtremors were found to be stable over time. On the other hand, the peak Fourier spectral amplitudes and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios tend to fluctuate over time in response to the strength of the input sources. Comparison of spectral characteristics of microtremors and those of low-level earthquake ground motions showed that microtremor measurements can be used effectively to delineate the periods of peak response of sites. At deeper sites (>150 m) the periods of peak response from microtremors may reflect either the dominant response due to resonance in one of the upper strata or the excitation of one of the higher periods at the sites instead of the fundamental periods of these sites. The relative amplification ratio was found to be an inconsistent indicator for comparing the relative seismic amplification potential of sites. 11 T A B L E OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ii T A B L E OF CONTENTS iii LIST OF T A B L E S vi LIST OF FIGURES vii A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S x DEDICATION xi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background Information 1 1.2 Scope and Objectives of This Study 4 1.3 Outline of Thesis 5 CHAPTER 2 M1CROTREMORS: THEORY A N D PRACTICE 6 2.1 Theory of Micro tremors 6 2.2 Past and Current Research 10 CHAPTER 3 N A K A M U R A ' S M E T H O D 15 3.1 Background on Nakamura's Method 15 3.2 Recent Studies of Nakamura's Method 21 CHAPTER 4 STABILITY OF MICROTREMOR CHARACTERISTICS 28 4.1 Stability Test of Microtremor Measurements 28 4.1.1 Determination of Stability of Site Periods and Amplification Ratios using Average Fourier Spectra 29 4.1.2 Determination of Stability of Site Periods and Amplification Ratios using Nakamura's Procedure... 30 4.1.3 Conclusions 31 iii CHAPTER 5 U B C ' S MICROTREMOR M E A S U R E M E N T TECHNIQUE A N D D A T A ANALYSIS 37 5.1 Introduction 37 5.2 Microtremor Measurements and Typical Testing Procedures ..37 5.2.1 Equipment used for Microtremor Measurements 38 5.2.2 Deciding Sensor Locations 39 5.2.3 Typical Testing Procedure 40 5.3 Method for Determining Site Predominant Periods and Relative Amplification Ratios 46 5.3.1 Channel Data Extraction 46 5.3.2 Determination of Site Predominant Periods and Relative Amplification Ratios 47 CHAPTER 6 APPLICATION OF MICROTREMOR M E A S U R E M E N T S - C A S E STUDIES 52 6.1 Geology of the Fraser Delta 52 6.2 Comparison of Microtremor Measurements with Earthquake Ground Motions at station M N Y 56 6.2.1 Background Information on the Earthquake Ground Motions 56 6.2.2 Comparison of Spectral Characteristics between Microtremors and Earthquake Ground Motions 57 6.3 Lulu Island, New Westminster 61 6.3.1 Site Predominant Periods and Estimated Depths of Surface Layer 61 6.3.2 Relative Amplification Ratios 64 6.4 Richmond 75 6.4.1 Site Predominant Periods and Estimated Depths of Surface Layer 75 6.4.2 Relative Amplification Ratios 78 6.5 Conclusions 89 CHAPTER 7 S U M M A R Y , CONCLUSIONS A N D RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE R E S E A R C H 91 7.1 Summary 91 7.2 Conclusions 92 iv 7.2.1 Stability of Dynamic Characteristics of Microtremors 92 7.2.2 Surface Microtremor Measurements 92 7.2.3 Analytical Analysis and Interpretation 93 7.3 Recommendations for Future Research 94 N O M E N C L A T U R E 96 ABBREVIATIONS 98 REFERENCES 99 APPENDIX A MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS 102 A . l Overview 102 A.2 Equipment Check List 102 A.3 Preparation and Storage of Sensors 103 A.5 Setup of Data Acquisition System 105 A. 6 Typical Testing Procedures 106 APPENDIX B MICROTREMOR D A T A FILE CONVERSION 116 B. l Description 116 B. 2 Conversion Procedures 116 APPENDIX C MICROTREMOR D A T A ANALYSIS - P R O G R A M OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS A N D DOCUMENTATION 119 C l Description 119 C. 2 Installation And S ystem Requirements 132 C.2.1 Installation of DADiSP 4.1 132 C.2.2 Installation of DADiSP Macro Files 132 C.3 Program Execution 133 C.3.1 Storing the Data Files for Batch Processing 133 C.3.2 Running the Programs 134 C.3.3 Example of Experimental Analytical Results 134 v LIST OF TABLES Table 6.1 Definition of Geological Settings in the Fraser Delta 55 Table 6.2(a) Earthquake Source Information (after Hao et al, 1998) 58 Table 6.2(b) Earthquake Peak Ground Accelerations Recorded at station M N Y (after Haoef a/., 1998) 58 Table 6.3(a) Site Predominant Periods, Estimated Depths of Surface Layer(s), Relative Amplification Ratios and Number of Storeys of Buildings likely to experience the most damage under strong shaking along Wood Street in Lulu Island, New Westminster, British Columbia 67 Table 6.3(b) Site Predominant Periods, Estimated Depths of Surface Layer(s), Relative Amplification Ratios and Number of Storeys of Buildings likely to experience the most damage under strong shaking along Ewen Avenue in Lulu Island, New Westminster, British Columbia 67 Table 6.4(a) Site Predominant Periods, Estimated Depths of Surface Layer(s), Relative Amplification Ratios and Number of Storeys of Buildings likely to experience the most damage under strong shaking along Shell Road in Richmond, British Columbia 81 Table 6.4(b) Site Predominant Periods, Estimated Depths of Surface Layer(s), Relative Amplification Ratios and Number of Storeys of Buildings likely to experience the most damage under strong shaking along Westminster Highway in Richmond, British Columbia 82 v i LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1 Present Understanding about Low-strain Ground Motions (modified from Seo, 1997) 7 Figure 2.2(a) Microtremor Average Fourier Response Spectrum with one distinct peak 9 Figure 2.2(b) Microtremor Average Fourier Response Spectrum with more than one distinct peak 9 Figure 2.3 Comparison of Spectra between Microtremors and Strong Motion during the 1985 Mexico earthquake for several Strong Motion Stations (after Seo, 1997) 14 Figure 3.1 Comparison of Response Spectra of Microtremors During Quiet Interval and Passage of a Train (after Nakamura, 1989) 19 Figure 3.2 Stability of Site Predominant Frequency from Nakamura's Method (after Nakamura, 1989) 19 Figure 3.3 Range of RB values for various sites in Japan (after Nakamura, 1989) ...20 Figure 3.4 Schematic of the Multiple Source Model used for Noise Simulation (after Lachet and Bard, 1994) 25 Figure 3.5 Shape of the Source Functions used in Time Domain (after Lachet and Bard, 1994) 26 Figure 3.6 Comparison of H/V Peak Frequencies for Noise Simulation and those for Vertically Incident Shear Waves (after Lachet and Bard, 1994) 27 Figure 3.7 Comparison of H/V Peak Amplitudes for Noise Simulation and the Maximum Amplitudes of the Transfer Function for Vertically Incident Shear Waves (modified after Lachet and Bard, 1994) 27 Figure 4.1 Location of M N Y Station 32 Figure 4.2 Variations of Predominant Frequencies from Average Fourier Spectra over time 33 Figure 4.3 Variations of Peak Amplitudes from Average Fourier Spectra over time 34 Figure 4.4 Variations of Predominant Frequencies from Nakamura's Method over time 35 Figure 4.5 Variations of Peak Amplitudes from Nakamura's Method over time 36 vii Figure 5.1 Flow chart of Micro tremor Data Acquisition and Analysis 42 Figure 5.2 Response Characteristics of Velocity Sensors used for Microtremor Measurements 43 Figure 5.3 Arrangement of Data Acquisition System 44 Figure 5.4 Typical Arrangement of Sensors (Top view) 44 Figure 5.5 Examples of Measured Microtremor Records with: (a) limited or no signal saturation, (b) some signal saturation, and (c) too much signal saturation 45 Figure 5.6 A n Example of A n Analyzed Record of Microtremor Measurement at Shell Road (1999) 50 Figure 5.7 Location of the Reference Hard Ground Site: Station K05 51 Figure 6.1 Map of the Fraser Delta area showing Surface Geology and Depths of Holocene Deposits (after Hao et al, 1998) 54 Figure 6.2 Acceleration Records and Fourier Spectra of the 1996 Duvall, Washington Earthquake measured at station M N Y (after Hao et al, 1998) 59 Figure 6.3 Acceleration Records and Fourier Spectra of the 1997 Georgia Strait, British Columbia Earthquake measured at station M N Y (after Hao et al., 1998) 60 Figure 6.4 Locations of Microtremor Measurement Stations along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue in Lulu Island, New Westminster, British Columbia 66 Figure 6.5 Distribution of Vs3o in Lulu Island, New Westminster and Richmond from Seismic Cone Penetration Tests carried out by Geological Survey of Canada (after Hunter et al, 1998) 68 Figure 6.6 A n Example of Records of Microtremor Measurements at Sites along Wood Street in Lulu Island (1998) 69 Figure 6.7 An Example of Records of Microtremor Measurements at Sites along Ewen Avenue in Lulu Island (1998) 70 Figure 6.8 Distribution of Site Predominant Periods (in seconds) along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue in Lulu Island, New Westminster, B.C 71 Figure 6.9 Distribution of Estimated Depths (in metres) of Surface Layer(s) based on Vs of 200 vols along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue in Lulu Island, New Westminster, B.C 72 vni Figure 6.10 Distribution of Shear Wave Velocities and Soil Profiles with Depth at Borehole station FD97-1 (after Geological Survey of Canada, 1998) 73 Figure 6.11 Distribution of Relative Amplification Ratios along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue in Lulu Island, New Westminster, B.C 74 Figure 6.12 Locations of Microtremor Measurement Stations and Distribution of Site Predominant Periods (in seconds) along Shell Road and Westminster Highway in Richmond, B.C 80 Figure 6.13 A n Example of Records of Microtremor Measurements at Sites along Shell Road in Richmond (1998) 83 Figure 6.14 An Example of Records of Microtremor Measurements at Sites along Westminster Highway in Richmond (1998) 84 Figure 6.15 Distribution of Estimated Depths (in metres) of Surface Layer(s) based on Vs of 185 m/s along Shell Road and Westminster Highway in Richmond, B.C 85 Figure 6.16 Distribution of Shear Wave Velocities and Soil Profiles with Depth at Borehole station FD94-4 near station K20 (after Geological Survey of Canada, 1998) 86 Figure 6.17 Distribution of Relative Amplification Ratios along Shell Road and Westminster Highway in Richmond, B.C ...87 Figure 6.18 Plot of Relative Amplification Ratios versus Estimated Depths of Surface Layer(s) 88 Figure A. 1 Sensors used to measure vibrations in Horizontal (Sensors on Left and Right) and Vertical (Sensor in the middle) directions I l l Figure A.2 Sensor (with case removed) used .to measure vibrations in the Horizontal direction 112 Figure A.3 Sensor (with case removed) used to measure vibrations in the Vertical direction 113 Figure A.4 Amplifier Model TA-406 114 Figure A . 5 Main Menu of Data Acquisition Program 115 Figure C. 1 DADiSP Worksheet Layout 135 Figure C.2 A n Example of A n Analyzed Record of Microtremor Measurement at Station K l 5 in U.B.C. (1998) 136 Figure C.3 Location of Microtremor Measurement Station K15 137 ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my supervisors, Dr. W.D.L. Finn and Dr. C. Ventura for their constant guidance, patience and encouragement throughout this research. Without their timely advice and understanding this thesis work would not have been successful. Their thoughts and constructive suggestions during their review of early drafts of this thesis are greatly appreciated. I am deeply indebted to Dr X.-S. Hao. His invaluable assistance in performing microtremor measurements and spectral analysis is gratefully appreciated. I would also like to thank Dr P. Monahan for providing invaluable information on geological conditions of several sites studied in this thesis. Finally, I would like to thank the Geological Survey of Canada for providing the C D - R O M which contains the geological and seismic data of various sites in the Fraser River Delta. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr L. Finn, Dr C. Ventura, Dr P .M. Byrne, Dr Y.P. Vaid, Dr J.A. Howie and Dr J. Fannin for enriching my knowledge of Geotechnical/Earthquake engineering through their excellent courses. Also, I would like to thank Mr. Howard Nichol, the U.B.C.'s earthquake lab technician, for safekeeping of the microtremor data acquisition system. In addition, I would like to thank Mr. Pei-Chin Tsai who provided invaluable assistance during the field tests. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. W.D.L. Finn and Dr. C. Ventura who reviewed the final draft of this thesis. The financial support provided by the University of British Columbia is acknowledged with deep appreciation. This includes a Graduate Research Assistantship, as well as International Graduate Student Tuition Fee Scholarships. £ThaAt/v^€Ht/ fat/yn6^ci^t^ gstidtlcwice/cwid/ favw fAJ^tUMiii/t tuJi^cJt/ Ifi/ifr ttte&ifr coiled ri^// tbavty S-ewt-xi C H A P T E R 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) in south-western British Columbia, Canada is situated in one of the most seismically active regions of Canada. Because significant earthquakes are expected to occur in the G V R D region in the future (Finn, 1996) and will most likely affect the economy of the province adversely, it is of great importance to assess the distribution of seismic hazard potential in the region. Local site or geological conditions greatly influence the damage potential of incoming seismic waves from major earthquakes (Finn, 1994; Seo, 1997). For example, the 1985 Michoacan earthquake caused extensive damage to structures with periods close to site periods in Mexico City. The peak accelerations of the input motions in rock of less than 0.05 g were amplified by about 5 times on the clay soils of the old lakebed on which Mexico City is located. Seismic hazard assessment provides a means of quantifying or estimating the effects of local geological conditions on potential seismic response of sites. There are several methods for assessing the seismic hazard potential of sites. One method is by performing site-specific, detailed dynamic analyses based on earthquake records and soil properties from site characterizations. Typical site investigation methods include the standard penetration tests (SPT), seismic cone penetration tests (SCPT), shear wave velocity (Vs) measurements, as well as retrieval and testing of soil samples. The dynamic analysis approach is, however, too costly and time-consuming, and is thus only 1 performed for important projects. An alternative approach for effective mapping of seismic hazard potential on a regional basis is to use code-based amplification or foundation factors. Amplification factors are factors assigned to soil zones based on descriptions of soils from geological maps and soils data available from site investigations for specific projects. They reflect damage associated with different soil conditions in the field, and in an approximate way integrate the effects of possible soil amplification and soil-structure resonance (Finn, 1997). Examples of seismic response characterizations which make use of amplification factors include the 1994 NEHRP Guidelines; Foundation Factors, F (NBCC, 1995) and Definition of Site Classes and Amplification Factors (Borcherdt, 1994) (Finn, 1997). However, this method of seismic hazard mapping requires data from site investigations and can be time-consuming and costly when such data is not available already. In this thesis a method for mapping seismic hazard potential based on the characteristics of microtremors recorded at a site is investigated. Microtremors are low-strain or weak ground motions caused by human activities, operating machinery, and traffic. They propagate through the ground and are amplified at periods synchronous with the predominant periods of site response. Microtremors have been used to estimate predominant site periods and relative amplification factors for microzonation purposes (Nakamura, 1989; Hao et al, 1994; Seo, 1992, 1995 and 1997). Seismic hazard mapping or seismic microzonation based on characteristics of microtremors has some significant advantages over the more conventional methods. Microtremor measurements are performed on the ground surface so no borings or insitu tests are required. As a result, a 2 large number of sites can be evaluated in a relatively short time. Microtremor measurements can therefore provide a fast and cheap way of assessing dynamic characteristics of the ground for seismic hazard studies. The characterization of site response to strong earthquake incoming motions using parameters based on weak motion response parameters such as those from microtremor measurements is favourable because of the ease of obtaining such response and wider availability of weak seismic motion data. Weak motions are defined as motions which elicit mainly elastic response from the site (Finn, 1994). Past characterization of sites for weak motion response (Borcherdt and Gibbs, 1976; Borcherdt, 1991) have shown that ground motion characteristics such as local shear wave velocity or site periods strongly correlate with the site conditions or the type of geologic units. Studies carried out by Borcherdt (1990, 1991) and Borcherdt et al. (1991) showed that response estimated based on weak motion characterization appeared to be generally applicable to seismic response during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco Bay area. For instance, the average horizontal spectral amplifications were found to be consistent with those of the weak motion response to within one standard deviation for the San Francisco Bay Mud sites and within two standard deviations for alluvial sites (Finn, 1994). The difference in the responses of strong motions and weak motions can be attributed to the nonlinear response of the soil sites during strong earthquake shaking. The nonlinear effect can cause significant damping effects or deamplifications to the soil response. Hence the response predicted using the weak motion data would correctly predict enhanced ground motions during strong shaking but would also overestimate the amplification response of 3 the strong motion. The characterization of strong motion response by weak motion parameters is therefore useful in indicating the relative seismic hazard potential or sites but in many cases these parameters cannot be used to directly quantify strong motion response. 1.2 SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS STUDY The objective of this thesis is to assess the effectiveness of microtremor measurements as a basis for mapping seismic hazard potential of sites. In order to accomplish this, a feasibility study was carried out by comparing the dynamic characteristics of microtremors with those based on geological and seismic data. The dynamic characteristics of interest explored in this thesis are the site predominant periods and relative amplification ratios. The site predominant period is the period of peak response whereas the relative amplification ratios is the corresponding peak amplitude of the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio at a site normalized using that of a reference hard ground site. This thesis covers several aspects of microtremors, including theoretical background, instruments used for measurement, guidelines for microtremor measurements, method of data analysis, and illustrations of the application of microtremor microzonation using case studies. The stability of microtremor characteristics at a given site over time is also investigated. Microtremor measurements for this study were conducted at selected sites in the Fraser Delta of the G V R D , specifically in Lulu Island, New Westminster and in Richmond. The microtremor data acquisition and analysis system of the University of British Columbia's 4 Civi l Engineering Department was utilized to perform the microtremor measurements. The measured microtremor records were analyzed and maps showing the distribution of site predominant periods and relative amplification ratios were developed. The results from microtremor measurements were compared with available seismic response data to determine the validity of the microtremor results. 1.3 OUTLINE OF THESIS This thesis is comprised of seven chapters and three appendices. The second chapter presents the theory of microtremors and background information on the use of microtremor characteristics. The third chapter describes Nakamura's H/V method, and presents a discussion of its validity and applicability. Chapter Four discusses the importance of stability of microtremor characteristics, and presents the results of stability tests carried out at a measurement station in Vancouver. Chapter Five describes the microtremor measurement procedures and analyses of the microtremor records obtained during the course of this study. Discussion of the results and case studies are presented in Chapter Six. Finally, summary, conclusions and recommendations for future research are presented in the final chapter. Appendix A includes details of the microtremor data acquisition system presently used at U.B.C. Appendix B contains details on microtremor data file conversions. Finally, Appendix C contains descriptions and operating instructions for data analysis using DADiSP software. A sample result of data analysis is also shown in Appendix C. 5 C H A P T E R 2 MICROTREMORS: THEORY AND PRACTICE 2 . 1 T H E O R Y O F M I C R O T R E M O R S The ground surface layers are normally exposed to two kinds of low-strain ground motions or tremors, the so-called microseisms and microtremors (Kanai et al, 1960). Microseisms are caused by natural agents (storms, sea waves, wind) and microtremors are caused by artificial agents (automobiles, machines, human activities). The microtremors normally predominate in the period range shorter than two seconds, and reflect ground motion characteristics of soft sediment layers. The microtremors measured at a site tend to show a fairly stable predominant period over time, but the microtremor amplitudes change between day and night times. Microseisms usually appear in the period range longer than about three seconds, and may provide useful information about deeper site structures. The features of the microseisms — both amplitude and period characteristics - are affected by the weather conditions. Present understanding about low-strain ground motions is illustrated in Figure 2.1. Theoretically, microtremor measurements can be used to produce an accurate estimation of ground vibration characteristics (Nakamura, 1989; Hao, 1992; Seo, 1995). The characteristics of the measured ground motions reflect the dynamic characteristics of the subsurface soil conditions and the properties of the source of ground motions. Ground vibration is essentially amplified at periods almost identical to the site predominant periods of the surface soil layers as the incident ground motion passes through the soil 6 layers. Hence, characteristics of measured microtremors can be used to quantify the effects of local geological conditions on site response, and provide information on the amplification characteristics of a site. LOW-STRAIN GROUND MOTIONS I What are the sources of low-strain ground motions? I I Human activities (Traffic and/or machinery noises) Natural forces (Sea waves due to weather conditions) • Microtremors (S-waves, Rayleigh waves) Stable characteristics (Constant predominant periods and daily variation of amplitudes) Microseisms (Rayleigh waves) Unstable characteristics (Variation of periods and amplitudes due to weather conditions) Can we understand site conditions with measured microtremors? Is this applicable for predicting aspects of seismic site response? Figure 2.1 Present Understanding about Low-strain Ground Motions (modified from Seo, 1997). 7 The usefulness of microtremor observations can be illustrated by considering a Fourier response spectrum processed from a measured microtremor record. Examples of a microtremor Fourier response spectrum with one distinct peak and a Fourier spectrum with more than one distinct peak are shown in Figures 2.2(a) and (b). The Fourier spectrum reveals the dynamic characteristics of the site at which the microtremor measurement was carried out. The peak of the spectrum indicates the site predominant period of the surface layer at which ground shaking is likely to experience the most amplification. Soft and deep layers would generally have long periods, whereas hard and thin layers would have short periods. Two or more pronounced peaks might appear in the response spectrum, as illustrated by Figure 2.2(b), indicating that the site is resonating at two or more frequencies of the ground motions. If the multiple peaks are present in a narrow frequency band, it may be due to improper signal processing of the collected data (Bendat and Piersol, 1993). The peak spectral amplitudes may contain strong source effects in the input ground motions (Nakamura, 1989; Hao et al, 1994). In which case, they are not suitable as a means of comparison of relative amplification potential between sites. The source effects on peak amplitudes can be reduced substantially using ratios of horizontal-to-vertical spectral components (Nakamura, 1989) to determine periods of peak response. Normalization of the peak amplitudes of the spectral ratios by the peak amplitude of a reference rock site gives the relative amplification ratio between a soft soil site and a hard ground site. The relative amplification ratio may provide a basis for comparing the relative amplification potential of different sites under earthquake shaking. 8 Frequency [Hz.] Figure 2.2(a) Microtremor Average Fourier Response Spectrum with one distinct peak. Frequency [Hz.] Figure 2.2(b) Microtremor Average Fourier Response Spectrum with more than one distinct peak. 9 2.2 PAST AND CURRENT RESEARCH Research on the use of microtremors for microzonation purposes has been carried out and documented over the last few decades. Significant progress has been made on the use of microtremors for seismic hazard studies since Kanai and his associates first used microtremor measurements to determine dynamic characteristics, specifically microtremor patterns and periods, of sites for microzonation purposes (Kanai et al, 1954; Kanai and Tanaka, 1960). Udwadia and Trifunac (1978) investigated the feasibility of using microtremors to determine site amplification characteristics for earthquake shaking by comparing data from strong motion earthquake records and microtremor measurements at E l Centro, California. They found little correlation between the amplification characteristics of the ground motions due to earthquake shaking and microtremor excitation, and hence concluded that microtremors are mostly affected by source characteristics and wave propagation effects. In addition, they found that the amplitudes of microtremor motions were stationary over durations of 5 to 10 minutes but not so over a period of a day. The main problem was the source effects of the input motions which made the interpretation of microtremor data extremely difficult. Also, the microtremors reflect elastic ground response whereas moderate to strong earthquake shaking induces nonlinear soil behaviour which changes the dynamic characteristics of the site. A k i (1988) reviewed the problems associated with the determination of frequency dependent, site specific, amplification factors using microtremors. He concluded that the 10 inability to separate source effects from site effects is a major obstacle to the effective use of microtremor measurements for evaluation of site characteristics. Since the sources are likely to be different for different sites, it is difficult to determine even the relative amplifications reliably. Hence, the effective use of microtremor measurements in determining the site response characteristics would require a method of removing or minimizing source effects. Such a procedure was proposed by Nakamura (1989) based on horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios. Periods of peak response based on these ratios were very stable and source effects were minimized. This method will be discussed in the next chapter. Kagami, Duke, Liang and Ohta (1982) examined the usefulness of long-period microtremors for earthquake engineering problems at sites with extremely deep soil deposits. Extensive microtremor observations were carried out in Niigata Plain, Japan, and in Los Angeles, California, where depths to the basement rock are several kilometers. The result of Fourier analysis showed that the amplitude of microtremors in the long-period range increased systematically from the outcrop of basement rock to the deep deposit site, with the increase corresponding to the depth to basement rock. This result supports the use of microtremors for relative amplitude estimation. Note that the long-period tremors referred to above are microtremors, not microseisms. Seo (1997) investigated whether microtremors could be used to assess the dynamic characteristics of earthquake strong motions. Microtremor measurements were made in the Mexico basin just after the 1985 Mexico earthquake. Figure 2.3 shows a comparison 11 between microtremor Fourier response spectra and strong motion acceleration spectra from the 1985 earthquake at several stations in Mexico City. Although the spectral shapes are dissimilar, the site periods from measured microtremors and strong motions are essentially identical on soft sediment sites (SCT, CDAO, and CDAF). These sites responded essentially elastically within the range of ground motion amplitudes and hence nonlinear effects were low. Stable microtremor periods have also been found in Japan around the damaged Kobe-Hanshin area of the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake. On firm hill sites in Mexico City, such as U N A M , VIV and TAC, site periods from microtremors and strong motion shaking are not similar. This evidence suggests that the application of microtremor measurements in delineating the predominant periods of sites may be effective on soft sites but not necessarily on hard sites. The studies described above represent a sampling of research conducted on microtremors. Based on these studies, the following observations can be made regarding the use of microtremors for seismic hazard assessment: • Source effects have a major impact on the site frequency (or period) and amplitude of microtremors. Therefore the effective use of microtremor data for microzonation purposes will only be possible with the removal of source effects. • The source effects may be removed or minimized using a method proposed by Nakamura (1989). • Even in the absence of source effects, site periods and site amplification factors estimated from microtremor measurements may not be applicable to the sites during strong shaking because of nonlinear response of the soil layer(s). 12 • Microtremors may not generate peak response at the fundamental period of the site but at other periods. • Based on comparisons of strong motion records and measured microtremors, it appears that microtremor measurements may be useful in providing information on low-strain site periods and other site amplification characteristics. In conclusion, microtremor measurements may be used to quantify the effects of local geological conditions on ground motions and provide a basis for comparing the relative damage potential of sites i f source effects can be removed from site measurements. In the next chapter, a method for removing the source effects will be introduced. 13 MICROTREMOR MICROTREMOR 2. S. 10. PEAIOO us 1—.— 1 > •—•— i STRONO MOTION STRONO MOTION ICO.OS h-OjOS A •B A A f\\ J \\ o / \\ ~y \\ f \\ < , \\ ' 2. & 10. PERIOO uc 2. Ji 10. PERIOO uc Figure 2.3 Comparison of Spectra between Microtremors and Strong Motions during the 1985 Mexico earthquake for several Strong Motion Stations (after Seo, 1997). 14 C H A P T E R 3 N A K A M U R A ' S M E T H O D This chapter presents the Nakamura's method (§3.1) for the interpretation of microtremor measurements and discusses its general validity (§3.2). 3.1 BACKGROUND ON NAKAMURA'S METHOD Nakamura proposed a method of estimating the dynamic characteristics of surface layers by measuring solely the microtremors at the ground surface. In the past microtremor measurements had to be conducted during a relative quiet time span to minimize source effects which can cause substantial fluctuation in the predominant periods of microtremors. Such effects can be seen at sites such as Tabata in Japan where microtremors were recorded on an hourly basis over a 30-hour period at each site (Nakamura, 1989). Figure 3.1 shows the Fourier response spectra of microtremors measured at three different times at a Tabata site. Microtremor measurements were taken during the passage of a train, at an intermission of train operation during the day and during a quiet time at 3:00 A M . The signature of a local source such as a passing train is clearly evident in Figure 3.1. The Fourier spectrum of the microtremors including the frequency or period of peak responses was radically altered by the passing train. Nakamura then applied his proposed method, in which site response is characterized by the ratio of horizontal to vertical spectra at the site, to the hourly data over a 24-hour period at the Tabata site. Figure 3.2 shows the Fourier response spectral ratios of microtremors measured over the 24 hours. The predominant frequency of the site was 15 essentially stable and was not changed by source effects. These results and those from other recent applications of Nakamura's method, e.g., Hao et al. (1994), show that Nakamura's method can be effective in stabilizing periods of peak response and minimizing source effects. The background on Nakamura's method is presented below. The dynamic characteristics observed at a point include all of the wave motion radiation characteristics F(f) at the focal region, the dynamic characteristics T(f) of the wave motion propagation route up to the observation point, and the dynamic characteristics S(f) of the surface layers at the observation point, where / denotes frequency (Nakamura, 1989). The surface sources, F(f), were assumed to generate mostly Rayleigh waves and affect both the horizontal and vertical motions in the surface layer equally. This is the key assumption of the method. For each observation point and different low-strain earthquake/ground motions, the surface layer characteristics S(f) are essentially the same even when the radiation characteristics F(/) and/or propagation characteristics T(/) are different. The stability of the dynamic characteristics of the surface layer(s) is what makes microtremor analysis a useful tool for determining site characteristics. The dynamic characteristics of surface layers can be estimated from the transfer function for horizontal motions at a site. Surface microtremor measurements provide spectral ratios of horizontal-to-vertical components of the surface layer which may be used to assess the transfer function for horizontal motions at a site. As a result, the transfer function of surface layers may be assessed from surface measurements of microtremors alone. This is explained as follows. 16 The transfer function for horizontal motions at a site, ST, is defined as: Oj — where SHS and SHB are the spectral ordinates of the horizontal motions at the surface and the hard base layer respectively. The transfer function for vertical motions, Es, is defined as: where Svs and SVB are the frequency-dependent spectral ordinates of the vertical motions at the surface and the hard base layer respectively. A key assumption here is that there is no amplification in the vertical ground motions. If there are no Rayleigh waves or source effects, Es - 1; Es will become larger than 1 with increasing effects of Rayleigh waves (Nakamura, 1989). The effects of source or Rayleigh waves are compensated by the modified transfer function, STT, for the site which incorporates the effects of the horizontal and vertical transfer functions. .STT is defined as: If there are no source effects, Es = 1 and STT is the same as the horizontal transfer function, i.e., STT = ST- In the scenario that there are source effects, Es is greater than 1. The STT can then be written as: 17 where Rv = — S S, 'HS and Ra 'HB Rs and RB are obtained by dividing the spectral vs s, VB ordinates of the horizontal microtremor spectrum by those of the vertical microtremor spectrum, with the subscripts S and B correspond to the surface and the hard base layer respectively. In order to use surface microtremor measurements to assess the transfer functions of sites, it is necessary that Syr is approximately equal to Rs, where Rs is the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio from surface microtremor measurements. Test results from detailed studies at the Kanonomiya and Tabata sites in Japan showed that the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios at the bedrock, RB, were approximately 1.0 for a relatively wide frequency range, as indicated by Figure 3.3, i.e., on the firm substrate, wave propagation is essentially even in all directions. This is summarized as follows: Hence, the transfer function of surface layers may be estimated from surface measurements of microtremors alone. A more reliable Sn can be estimated by multiplying Rs with \\IRB when geological data of the ground is provided since RB contains the characteristics unique to the point and is free from the effect of Rayleigh waves. In this thesis, it was assumed that RB fluctuates within a much narrower range than Rs and thus does not significantly affect the relative amplitudes of the spectral ratios in Rs (Finn, 1992). Considering that RB is essentially constant at 1.0 over a significant period range of engineering interest as described above, this assumption is reasonable. RB = 1 and therefore, Sj? = Rs 18 0.1 0,2 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0 10.0 20.0 Frequency [Hz.] Figure 3.1 Comparison of Response Spectra of Microtremors during Quiet Interval and Passage of a Train (after Nakamura, 1989). Figure 3.2 Stability of Site Predominant Frequency from Nakamura's Method (after Nakamura, 1989). 19 OQ o > G o N •c o X 1 02 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0 10.0 20.0 Frequency [Hz.] Figure 3.3 Range of RB values for various sites in Japan (after Nakamura, 1989). 20 3.2 RECENT STUDIES OF NAKAMURA'S METHOD Lachet and Bard (1994) performed a numerical analysis of Nakamura's method using urban noise simulation to investigate both the amplitude and position of the peak of the horizontal-to-vertical (or H/V) spectral ratios and their relation to vertical shear wave resonance in the surface layer(s) for different source types and for varying geological structures. The results of both studies are discussed as follows. Firstly, Lachet and Bard (1994) investigated the position of the H/V peak and its sensitivity to different source types and geological conditions. Nakamura (1989) stated that the position of the H/V peak indicates the period of peak response when it is independent of the source characteristics. The sensitivity of the location of the peak of H/V ratios to source characteristics and different geological structures was investigated using a multiple source model as shown in Figure 3.4. The multiple source model used sources consisting of explosions and a unidirectional force to simulate urban noises with different source functions. The shapes of the different source functions such as step, Ricker and pseudo-Dirac in the time domain are as shown in Figure 3.5. The measured records were analyzed using Nakamura's method. Lachet and Bard found that the position of the peak of H/V ratios remains constant regardless of the source types or functions used in the simulations. This result supported Nakamura's claim that the position of the H/V peak is independent of the source characteristics. The influence of the geological conditions on the H/V peak position was investigated using six simple theoretical models of geological structures with varying shear velocity 21 contrast and thickness of the soil layers, and a few more complex, real geological structures. Lachet and Bard found that for different cases representing different geological conditions, the H/V peaks locate at different frequency positions. They concluded that the H/V peaks represent distinct geological structures. Lachet and Bard (1994) also compared the frequency corresponding to the H/V peak, fn, to that of the resonance site frequency corresponding to the vertical Sv wave resonance,/^. The results of comparison between/, and fs are shown in Figure 3.6. There was good agreement between /„ and fs where the data offn versus fs aligned along the fitting line/^, = fs. They therefore concluded that the peak position of the H/V ratios is probably a reliable indicator of the frequency (or period) of peak response of the ground surface layer for different geological conditions. Lachet and Bard further investigated whether the amplification of seismic motion due to resonance of ground surface layer(s) might be estimated from the maximum spectral amplitude of the H/V ratio. Figure 3.7 shows the comparison between the amplitude of the H/V peaks (A n) obtained and the maximum amplitude of the amplification function for vertically incident S waves (A s) at several sites; the dotted line is the fitting line of A s = A n . It is clear that there was poor agreement between the H/V peak amplitude and the maximum amplitudes for the vertically incident shear waves. Moreover, investigations on the influence of variations of Poisson's ratio and source-receiver distance on the H/V peak amplitude have also shown that the amplitude of the H/V peak was very sensitive to variations in these parameters. As a result, Lachet and Bard concluded that very poor 22 correlation exists between the amplitude of the H/V peak and the actual amplification value under Sv wave incidence. Based on the results discussed above, the main conclusions regarding Nakamura's method are summarized as follows: • The position of the peak of H/V ratios is independent of the source characteristics or excitation function. This shows that Nakamura's method is effective in removing the source effects from microtremor measurements. • The frequencies from the H/V peak positions derived from noise simulation were similar to the resonance frequencies from vertically incident Sv waves. Hence, the peak of H/V ratios from Nakamura's method gives a reliable indication of the resonance frequency or frequency of peak response of the surface layer. • The peak amplitudes of the H/V ratios from Nakamura's method were found to correlate poorly with the maximum amplitudes at resonance frequency of the vertically incident Sy waves in addition to being very sensitive to Poisson's ratio in the sedimentary structure and the source-receiver distance. The poor or lack of correlation between the peak amplitudes from Nakamura's method and those at fundamental resonance from vertically incident shear waves suggests that Nakamura's method provides information on spectral amplification characteristics of peak response but not necessarily those at fundamental resonance of the sites. This is especially true for sites with deep surface layers (>200 metres) overlying the bedrock such as at many sites in Richmond. A case study on amplification response of Richmond sites, including such a deep site is presented and discussed in §6.4. 23 In conclusion, Nakamura's method is effective in minimizing the source effects from site effect quantification using microtremor measurements. It can therefore provide a reliable estimate of the predominant frequency (or period) and potential amplification characteristics at peak response of a given site. The peak horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios are dependent upon the strength of input motions. They may be normalized using the spectral ratio of a reference hard ground site, and used as a basis for comparing the relative amplification potential between sites under strong shaking. The next chapter describes tests at a site in G V R D to investigate the stability of site periods and amplification characteristics of microtremors. Issues on stability of site predominant period and peak amplitude of horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios estimated using Nakamura's method are addressed. 24 Cent ra l Receiver Source Figure 3.4 Schematic of the Multiple Source Model used for Noise Simulation (after Lachet and Bard, 1994). 25 STEP FUNCTION 20 i g 1 0- I 0 -I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 t [sec] RICKER FUNCTION t [sec.] PSEUDO-DIRAC FUNCTION 20 I 1 S 10 0 -I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 t [sec] Figure 3.5 Shape of the Source Functions used in Time Domain (after Lachet and Bard 1994). 26 fs: H/V Peak Frequencies for Vertical Incident Shear Waves fn: H/V Peak Frequencies for Noise Simulation 100.0 3 10.0 -1.0 d 0.1 0.1 1.0 10.0 f„ [Hz.] 100.0 Figure 3.6 Comparison of H/V Peak Frequencies for Noise Simulation and those for Vertically Incident Shear Waves (after Lachet and Bard, 1994). 100 A s : Maximum Amplitudes of the Transfer Function for Vertically Incident Shear Waves A n : H/V Peak Amplitudes for Noise Simulation £ i o • • • .* 9 • • • • 1 . -\" 1 10 100 An [Hz.] Figure 3.7 Comparison of H/V Peak Amplitudes for Noise Simulation and the Maximum Amplitudes of the Transfer Function for Vertically Incident Shear Waves (modified after Lachet and Bard, 1994). 27 C H A P T E R 4 STABILITY OF MICROTREMOR CHARACTERISTICS The results of a stability test carried out in the G V R D region are discussed and presented in this chapter. The stability test was carried out by Hao et al, 1997 to assess the spectral stability of microtremor characteristics in the G V R D region. Details of the test can be found in the report entitled \"Microtremor Measurements in the Vancouver Regional District, Canada\" (Hao, Finn, Ventura, Seo, Samano, 1998). 4.1 STABILITY TEST OF MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS A key requirement for effective use of microtremor measurements for seismic hazard studies is the stability of microtremor characteristics over time. Stability is evaluated by examining the variations in predominant periods and amplification ratios at a particular site over a long period of time. Continuous measurements were carried out by Hao et al. at strong motion station M N Y in Vancouver from 12 A . M . , 23 September 1997 to 10 A . M . , 1 October 1997. The location of station M N Y which is about 5 km northeast of the Vancouver International Airport is shown in Figure 4.1. Weather and meteorological conditions were nearly constant during the period of measurements, with some rainy periods from September 25 to October 1, 1997. A total of 96 measurements each with duration of 300 seconds were taken every 2 hours during an 8-day period. Each record consisted of measurements in 28 two orthogonal horizontal directions - NOOE and N90E - and the vertical direction of the ground motions. The predominant frequencies and the corresponding spectral amplitudes of the microtremors were determined using two methods as described below. 4.1.1 DETERMINATION OF STABILITY OF SITE PERIODS AND AMPLIFICATION RATIOS USING AVERAGE FOURIER SPECTRA A detailed analysis of all records of the stability test was performed to determine the most amplified frequencies and the corresponding peak spectral amplitudes based on average Fourier response spectra. The Fourier spectra were obtained by dividing each record into eight segments and then taking the average of the results. Figure 4.2 shows the distribution of peak frequencies along the north-south direction (NS), the east-west (EW) direction, and the average peak frequencies over the test period. The results of the analysis show that the predominant frequency was nearly constant at 2.3 to 2.4 ± 0.25 Hz (with the exception of a few outliers) for the entire duration of the test. Both the NS and EW directions give very similar site predominant frequencies. Figure 4.3 shows the distribution of peak amplitudes along the NS and EW directions, and the average peak amplitudes over the test period. The amplitudes varied widely from day-time to night-time, ranging from a high of 0.009 cm/sec-sec during the day-time to a low of 0.0007 cm/sec-sec at night-time. Also, the amplitudes were much smaller during weekends compared to those during the weekdays during the test period, probably due to decreased traffic activities in the area. This is clearly shown in Figure 4.3 where September 28 t h to September 29 t h, 1999 was the weekend. The results on peak amplitudes show that the peak amplitudes varied in accordance to the strength of the input motions or sources. 29 4.1.2 DETERMINATION OF STABILITY OF SITE PERIODS AND AMPLIFICATION RATIOS USING NAKAMURA'S PROCEDURE Nakamura's method was also used to determine the frequencies of peak response and the corresponding peak amplitudes of the spectral ratios. The distribution of the site predominant frequencies and peak amplitudes of the Fourier spectral ratios along the NS and EW directions, and the average site predominant frequency over the test period are shown in Figures 4.4 and 4.5 respectively. The site predominant frequency was found to be nearly constant at 2.2 ± 0.15 Hz along the NS and EW directions, with both directions giving very similar average site predominant frequencies. It is similar to that found using the average Fourier response spectra but Nakamura's method gives a smaller standard deviation of 0.15 Hz compared to 0.25 Hz from the average Fourier spectra. The variation of amplitudes of spectral ratios was somewhat smaller than from the average Fourier spectra, varying from a high of 0.009 cm/sec-sec during day-time to a low of 0.003 cm/sec-sec at night-time. In addition, the peak amplitudes during the weekends were observed to be smaller than those during the weekdays. These results again indicate that the peak amplitudes were dependent upon the strength of the input motions, even though the source effects had been minimized using Nakamura's method. 30 4.1.3 CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of the stability test at station M N Y , it can be concluded that the site predominant period is a stable characteristic of microtremor measurements, regardless of the orientation of measurements (NS or EW). Both Nakamura's method and the Fourier response spectra give similar site predominant period likely because there were no strong source effects at the M N Y site. Nakamura's method did however give a smaller standard deviation in the determination of the site predominant period. The main advantage of Nakamura's method is that it gives good results of site periods of peak response even i f there are strong source effects, as evidenced by results of microtremor measurements at Tabata site in Japan (§3.1). The peak amplitudes from both Fourier spectra and Nakamura's spectral ratios tend to fluctuate over time in relation to the strength of the input motions or sources. Nakamura's method did give a narrower range of variation in the peak spectral ratio amplitudes compared to that of the Fourier spectra. Finally, based on the results from the stability test, it can be concluded that Nakamura's method does fairly well stabilize the site predominant frequencies and the corresponding peak amplitudes of the measured microtremors. 31 Figu re 4.1 Location of M N Y Station. 32 EW Predominant Frequency from Average Fourier Spectra 4.0 £ 1.0 0.0 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 g 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 Figure 4.2 Variations of Predominant Frequencies from Average Fourier Spectra over time. 33 NS Peak Amplitude from Average Fourier Spectra 10.0 ^ 8.0 N X I 4.0 cr ^ 2.0 0.0 3*: • •v -«r - - - - -V ****** 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 CJ EW Peak Amplitude from Average Fourier Spectra 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 • 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 Figure 4.3 Variations of Peak Amplitudes from Average Fourier Spectra over time. 34 NS Predominant Frequency from Nakamura's Method 4.0 i EW Predominant Frequency from Nakamura's Method 4.0 -i Average Predominant Frequency from Nakamura's Method 4.0 -i : 3.0 4-£ 1.0 i 0.0 12:00 ON 12:00 b 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 ON ON Figure 4.4 Variations of Predominant Frequencies from Nakamura's Method over time. 35 NS/V Peak Amplitude from Nakamura's Method 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 -'IF 0.0 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 EW/V Peak Amplitude from Nakamura's Method 10.0 _ 8.0 5 6.0 o I 4.0 2.0 0.0 -I • \" \" \" • • 12:00 • 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 jo 12:00 12:00 10.0 Average H/V Peak Amplitude from Nakamura's Method 8.0 # _ • -6 0 ^^•^•^^•>v* 4.0 2.0 0.0 • • V 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 o> 12:00 12:00 Figure 4.5 Variations of Peak Amplitudes from Nakamura's Method over time. 36 CHAPTER 5 U.B.C.'S MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE _ _ _ AND DATA ANALYSIS 5.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter describes the microtremor measurement technique used at U.B.C. A discussion on the theoretical background and procedures used for the analysis of microtremor records is also included. The determination of site predominant periods and amplification factors from microtremor records using U.B.C.'s technique is based on Nakamura's method, which was described in detail in Section 3.1. The microtremor records obtained during the course of this study were analyzed using commercial, signal processing computer program DADiSP. A number of DADiSP macros were written specifically to automate and accelerate the data analysis. Examples of such macros are included in Appendix C. A flow chart for data acquisition and analysis is shown in Figure 5.1. 5.2 MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS AND TYPICAL TESTING PROCEDURES Measurements of microtremors were carried out at selected locations in Lulu Island, New Westminster, and along Shell Road, Richmond. Three velocity-type sensors were used to measure three orthogonal components of ground motions at a point - north-south (NOOE), east-west (N90E) and the vertical directions. Program DASam, developed by Seo et al. 37 (1989), was used to record microtremors, extract components, convert measured signals to physical units and perform preliminary data analyses. The following subsections discuss the procedures followed when performing microtremor measurements in the field. Details of the testing procedure can be found in Appendix A. 5.2.1 EQUIPMENT USED FOR MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS The components of the equipment used for microtremor measurements and their characteristics are described as follows. • Sensors — Six velocity-type sensors (Model M T K H - l c / V - l c ) with a natural period of 1 second and an amplitude range of ±3000xl0\" 6 m/s2 with resolution of 0.005xl0\"6 m/s2 may be deployed at a time. Three of these sensors — two for measuring microtremor signals along orthogonal, horizontal directions and one along vertical direction — were used to record measurement at a point on ground surface at each station. The response characteristics of the sensors at three signal amplification periods of 1, 3 and 5 seconds are shown in Figure 5.2. • Amplifier — The measured signals were amplified and filtered using an amplifier (Model TA-406) with switchable gains. Measured signals can be converted with this amplifier from velocity to displacement measurement before data is recorded. The amplifier can be operated at signal amplification periods of 1, 3 and 5 seconds. Its frequency range is 1 to 70 Hz. The period of signal measurement can be set using the Period button on the amplifier (see details in Section A.5). If the signals measured were weak, e.g., less than lOxlO\" 6 m/s2, it was typical to set the period of measurement to 5 seconds so that the details of the measured signals can be recorded. 38 On the other hand, i f the signals measured were strong, e.g., more than 30x10\"6 m/s2, the period of measurement was usually set to 1 second to ensure that signal saturation did not occur easily and sufficient details of the measured signals were still recorded. • Analog-to-digital Converter — A 12-bit Analog-to-digital (A/D) converter which can handle up to 8 channels of data was used. • Data Acquisition Computer — The data acquisition was facilitated by running the program DASam and following the on-screen instructions on a notebook computer (NEC PC-9801 NS/T). In addition, on-site preliminary data analysis was also carried out using this computer. 5.2.2 DECIDING SENSOR LOCATIONS The locations of the sensors were chosen to minimize the possibility of signal saturation due to background artificial noises, and to ensure that the signals measured reflected the characteristics of subsurface geologic conditions instead of those of some underground engineering structures, such as drainage/sewage system or electrical storage systems. The sensors were usually setup near the location of interest but as far away as possible from noticeable local disturbances such as traffic vehicles and heavy machinery facilities. Special care was also taken to avoid carrying out measurements on sites which might contain subsurface engineering structures. This was accomplished by avoiding places with indications of this type of structures, such as steel covers and concrete chambers. 39 5.2.3 TYPICAL TESTING PROCEDURE Once a measurement station was located in the field, the velocity sensors were setup at the station and connected via cables to the amplifier. A photograph showing a typical arrangement of the data acquisition system is shown in Figure 5.3. The sensors were oriented to measure velocity signals along three orthogonal directions. A typical sensor arrangement is shown in Figure 5.4. Once the setup of the sensors was completed, the program DASam was loaded on the data acquisition computer in order to start the data acquisition. The entire data acquisition process was carried out by following the step-by-step on-screen instructions regarding information input. The testing procedure was fairly straightforward. First, the sensors were calibrated to center the signals on the calibration screen by adjusting the calibration button on the amplifier. This was followed by adjustment of the signal amplification level using the attenuation factors on the amplifier. The latter step was to ensure that sufficiently strong signals would be measured, filtered and recorded. Measurement of microtremors was then carried out for about 300 seconds. Once the measurement was completed, the data was checked for time segments of signal saturation. Signal saturation, which is indicated by top and bottom cut-off of signals, is usually caused by loud noises generated near the data acquisition station, e.g., a heavy truck passing by. Examples of measured microtremor records with: (a) very limited or no signal saturation, (b) some signal saturation, and (c) too much signal saturation are shown in Figures 5.5(a), (b) and (c) respectively. If there were many instances of significant 40 signal saturation such as in Figure 5.5(c), the measurement would be repeated. Once the data had been checked, preliminary data analyses would be performed using a data analysis program developed by Seo et al. (1989) which was incorporated into DASam. The same procedure was repeated at every station. 41 Laboratory Equipment Preparation (Prepare sensors, charge batteries, etc.) Setup of Data Acquisition System before proceeding to the site (Setup up data acquisition system in a vehicle) Proceed to the field Deciding Sensor Locations and Setting up Sensors Data Acquisition End of field testing Conversion oTf Data Files Data Analysis using DADiSP Data Interpretation to determine the Peak Spectral Ratios and the corresponding Frequencies using Nakamura's Method Determination of the Site Predominant Periods and Relative Amplification Ratios Figure 5.1 Flow chart of Microtremor Data Acquisition and Analysis. 42 I I I I I 1 Irj 1 I I I 1 II III I I I I I II I I 0.1 1.0 10.0 100. Frequency [Hz] ® Figure 5.2 Response Characteristics of Velocity Sensors used for Microtremor Measurements. 43 Figure 5.3 Arrangement of Data Acquisition System. Figure 5.4 Typical Arrangement of Sensors (Top view). 44 5.3 METHOD FOR DETERMINING SITE PREDOMINANT PERIODS AND RELATIVE AMPLIFICATION RATIOS The following subsections discuss the procedure used for determining site predominant periods and relative amplification ratios from microtremor measurements. Each microtremor record (or data file) stored within the data acquisition system is first converted into readable format for analysis using DADiSP (§5.3.1). The converted microtremor record is then processed using DADiSP (§5.3.2). An example of an analyzed record is illustrated in Figure 5.6. The record shows the time history of the records obtained (top), the corresponding Fourier spectra in Hertz (bottom) in three orthogonal directions, and the H/V spectral ratios (right column). Finally the site predominant periods and relative amplification ratios were estimated using the procedure described in §5.3.2. 5.3.1 C H A N N E L D A T A E X T R A C T I O N Prior to any detailed analysis using the program DADiSP, all measured microtremor data files (AD file extension) were first converted into DADiSP readable file format (AMP file extension) using the program DASam and the data acquisition computer. Details of data file conversion are presented in Appendix B. The purpose of the file conversion was to extract and separate the data from the electrical signals into three channel components, as sampled by the three sensors oriented orthogonally during measurements. During the conversion, the header information containing information on magnitude scaling factors of the ground motions was read into the new file. The header information 46 was used in subsequent data analysis to adjust the amplitudes of the ground motion measured. 5.3.2 DETERMINATION OF SITE PREDOMINANT PERIODS AND RELATIVE AMPLIFICATION RATIOS Once the data files were converted into readable format, they were first stored in a directory in the hard disk of the computer used for data analysis. The default storage location of the data files was specified as c:\\dsp4\\com in a DADiSP macro named A D AS.DAT (Appendix C) to facilitate batch file processing using DADiSP. Most of the processes for analyzing each microtremor record were performed by DADiSP using macros (see Appendix C for details). First, the measured amplitudes of the ground motions or microtremors were adjusted based on the header information from the corresponding data file using an equation developed by Samano et al. (1997). This was followed by determination of average Fourier response spectrum of each record. In order to generate the average Fourier spectra, the three time histories, i.e., three sets of microtremor data measured along three orthogonal directions, were each divided into 8 segments with 50%-overlap; each segment consisting of 4096 points. Data of all the segments were filtered using a Hamming window. Each segment was then Fourier transformed to produce the Fourier response spectrum. A n average Fourier spectrum was then calculated based on the Fourier spectra of the eight segments. Determination of the site predominant periods and amplification factors was based on Nakamura's method. The spectral ratios of horizontal to vertical components were 47 calculated using the average Fourier spectral components of the two orthogonal horizontal directions and the vertical direction. Once the spectral ratios were calculated, a record similar to that in Figure 5.6 was then produced. The site predominant frequencies and amplification factors were visually estimated from the most amplified peaks of the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios. The amplification factor is the peak amplitude of the spectra ratios and the site predominant frequency is the corresponding frequency. The predominant periods were subsequently calculated by taking the reciprocal of the corresponding site predominant frequencies. Finally, the relative amplification ratio of each station was calculated by taking the ratio of the site amplification factor to that of a reference hard ground site. For this thesis, the reference hard ground site chosen was station K05 which is located near the intersection of Spruce Street and 13 t h Avenue in Vancouver (see Figure 5.7). Based on information from a surface geology map of the Fraser Delta (see Figure 6.1 for details), station K05 is situated on a shallow, hard ground site. Microtremor measurement was carried out at station K05 and analysis of the measured record indicates that the site predominant period at station K05 to be approximately 0.25 seconds. Shear wave velocity in the Holocene or top surface layers in G V R D have typical average values in the range of 200 to 300 m/s (Hunter, 1995). Using an average shear wave velocity of 300 m/s, the depth of the surface layer is estimated to be approximately 19 metres using the equation: T = 4H (Eqn. 5.1) 4 48 where Tis the site predominant period, H is the thickness of the uniform soil layer and Vs is the average shear wave velocity of the soil layer. Equation 5.1 is normally applicable to uniform soil layers only, but since an average shear wave velocity was used to estimate the thickness of surface layer(s) at station K05, Equation 5.1 should give a fairly reasonable estimated depth of the surface layer at the site. The average shear wave velocity used in the estimation of the depth of the surface layer is essentially an upper-bound value; hence, the estimated depth at station K05 should be reasonably accurate in indicating it as a shallow site. Since station K05 is a shallow, hard ground site, it can serve as a fairly good reference site for comparison of the relative amplification potential of other sites, many of which have deeper surface layers. 49 o CHAPTER 6 APPLICATION OF MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS - CASE STUDIES This chapter first describes the geology of the Fraser Delta where the microtremor measurements were carried out. A case study is then presented to compare the Fourier spectral characteristics of low-level earthquake ground motions and microtremor measurements recorded at a site in the G V R D region to determine if microtremors can be used to estimate the dynamic characteristics of the ground for earthquake response studies. This is followed by presentation and discussion of the results of analysis of the microtremor data from Lulu Island and Richmond. Finally, discussion and conclusions based on the results of the several case studies discussed are presented in this chapter. The author carried out microtremor measurements at several sites in the G V R D regions, specifically along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue in Lulu Island, New Westminster, and along Shell Road in Richmond. Additional measurements were performed at various locations in the G V R D region under the leadership of Dr. Hao X.S. , and some of the test results were included in this thesis. 6.1 GEOLOGY OF THE FRASER DELTA Most of the microtremor measurements carried out during the field testing phase of this thesis were performed on sites in Richmond and Lulu Island, both of which are located in the Fraser Delta. The Fraser Delta is located just south of Vancouver to the south of the North Arm of the Fraser River. Figure 6.1 shows the map of geological settings of the 52 Fraser Delta (inclusive of Vancouver) with the corresponding information about the geological settings tabulated in Table 6.1. Most of the measured microtremor sites in Richmond and Lulu Island in New Westminster are located on the Fraser river sediments (Fc, Fd) and Quaternary Postglacial sediments (SAb, SAc and SAd). Most of the sites in the Vancouver area are located in the Postglacial and Pleistocene regions (VCb and Cb). The Fraser Delta consists of mainly Holocene-age deltaic deposits (top layer) and Pleistocene-age glacial and interglacial deposits which overlie the Tertiary bedrock. The Holocene sediments are up to about 300-m thick (Luternauer and Hunter, 1996) and consist of mainly silts and sands. Depths of the Holocene sediments at several sites in the Fraser Delta are shown on geological map in Figure 6.1, with the strong motion instrument stations marked in capital letters in group of three letters, e.g., M N Y , R H A (Rogers et al, 1997). The Holocene sediments thin rapidly to the north at the edge of the basin and are about 300-m thick in the basin centre near strong motion station RHA. The north side of the Fraser river near station M N Y is relatively shallow with less than 50 metres of Holocene deposits. The shear wave velocity in the Holocene layer increases with depth (Hunter, 1995) with typical average values in the range of 200 to 300 m/s, but about 100 m/s near the surface in many places (Finn et al., 1998). The underlying Pleistocene sediments are mostly ice-compacted tills and glaciomarine silts and sands that overlie tertiary bedrock. The average shear wave velocity in the Pleistocene sediments is about 500 m/s but it varies considerably from place to place. 53 00 ON ON O X % 6 0 J D O > T J C D t-l ID s 60 6.2 COMPARISON OF MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS WITH EARTHQUAKE GROUND MOTIONS AT STATION MNY A comparison of spectral characteristics of low-level earthquake ground motions and microtremor measurements was performed at station M N Y to determine the effectiveness of microtremors in assessing the dynamic characteristics of the ground in G V R D region for earthquake response studies. Several low amplitude earthquake generated ground motions were recorded by a permanent strong motion instrument at station M N Y (Hao, Finn, Ventura, Seo and Samano, 1998). The background information of the earthquake ground motions is described and the results of comparison are discussed below. 6.2.1 B A C K G R O U N D INFORMATION O N T H E E A R T H Q U A K E G R O U N D MOTIONS Two low-level earthquake ground motions were recorded at strong motion station M N Y in 1996 and 1997. Tables 6.2(a) and (b) present information on the earthquake sources and peak ground accelerations of the two earthquakes (Hao et al, 1998). The first earthquake was the May 1996 Duvall, Washington earthquake of magnitude 5.1 (referred to as 96Eq in this thesis), and the second earthquake is the June 1997 Georgia Strait, B.C. earthquake of magnitude 4.5 (referred to as 97Eq). The 1996 earthquake was recorded at an epicentral distance of 186 km with a direction of N330E from the epicenter. It had a large peak ground acceleration of 15.5 cm/s2 in the N90E direction. The 1997 earthquake was recorded at an epicentral distance of 37 km with a direction of N95E from the 56 epicenter. It had peak ground accelerations of 14 cm/s2 in the transverse component (NOOE) and a smaller P G A of 9 cm/s2 in the radial direction (N90E). 6.2.2 COMPARISON OF SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN MICROTREMORS AND EARTHQUAKE GROUND MOTIONS The time histories and average Fourier spectra for each of the three components of the 1996 and 1997 earthquake ground motions are shown in Figures 6.2 and 6.3 respectively. The average Fourier spectra from the 1996 record indicated that the site frequencies of peak response are approximately 2.0 Hz along north-south direction and 2.2 Hz along east-west direction. From the 1997 earthquake record the site frequencies of peak response are 2.8 Hz along north-south direction and 2.4 Hz along east-west direction. Both horizontal Fourier spectral components from the 1996 and 1997 earthquakes showed the site predominant frequencies of approximately 2 to 3 Hz at station M N Y , even though the orientation and epicentral distance of both the earthquakes to station M N Y were different. These site predominant frequencies are similar to the site predominant period of 2.3 Hz estimated from microtremor records at station M N Y (see §4.1.1 for details). 57 s '3D e o -cu s cr t : es a I cd w NO o PQ cd \"Ml *-i O o CT1 pi 00 ON ON .fi vc es H eS a u es S t: es W O U a I a w NO ON O PQ •M a ed '5b| o o c r W ON 00 0.000-4.005. 4.010 KEq-mpnMNY j ; j j i ! i ! 1 ; ! » j ! j j j | j i i i i i i 4.010 A M . il G, *«.0O5 1 HAjA'/f 0.000. 4.010. 4.020 10 KEtvm Fouar Spactrum fG*S«c] V» [ 86£^*«t, (CrS«c) Vt [Hz] 11 12 13 14 WE*«r.lG*S«clVi[Ht] 15 coin 0.0010-1. o.oooi 0.0100 0.00104 0.0001 0.01x4. 0.00104...-. -0.0001 Figure 6.2 Acceleration Records and Fourier Spectra of the 1996 Duvall, Washington Earthquake measured at station M N Y (after Hao et al, 1998). 59 Figure 6.3 Acceleration Records and Fourier Spectra of the 1997 Georgia Strait, British Columbia Earthquake measured at station M N Y (after Hao et al., 1998). 60 6.3 LULU ISLAND, NEW WESTMINSTER Microtremor measurements were carried out on stations along Wood Street (gridline A) and Ewen Avenue (gridline B) on September 2 and 3, 1998. The locations of the measurement stations are shown in Figure 6.4. The predominant site periods, estimated depths of surface layer(s) based on average shear wave velocity values of 150, 200 and 250 m/s, relative amplification ratios, and number of storeys of buildings likely to suffer the most damage under strong shaking are tabulated in Tables 6.3(a) and (b). The distribution of shear wave velocities averaged over the top 30 metres of the ground, Vs3o, in Lulu Island and Richmond based on data of seismic cone penetration tests performed by the Geological Survey of Canada (G.S.C.) is shown in Figure 6.5. The average Vs3o in Lulu Island and Richmond are approximately 200 and 185 m/s respectively. Examples of analyzed microtremor records at Wood Street (station A l ) and Ewen Avenue (station B3) are shown in Figures 6.6 and 6.7 respectively. From Figure 6.6, the site frequency of peak response at station A l is estimated from the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios to be 0.9 Hz and the corresponding peak spectral ratio is 3.5. From Figure 6.7, the site frequency of peak response at station B3 is estimated to be 1.1 Hz and the corresponding peak spectral ratio is 5.0. 6.3.1 SITE PREDOMINANT PERIODS AND ESTIMATED DEPTHS OF SURFACE LAYER The distribution of site predominant periods along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue from analyses of the microtremor measurements is shown in Figure 6.8. The site predominant periods from microtremor measurements were used to estimate the depth of surface 61 layer(s) at each station based on estimated values of shear wave velocities and the following equation: A-H T-V Vs 4 where T is the site predominant period, H is the thickness of the uniform soil layer and Vs is the average shear wave velocity of the soil layer. The above equation is normally applicable to uniform soil layers only, but for this thesis an approximate average shear wave velocity was used to estimate the thickness of surface layer(s) at each site and hence the estimated depth should reasonably reflect the depth of the surface layer(s) at each site. Figure 6.9 shows the distribution of estimated depths of surface layer(s) at various stations along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue based on a shear wave velocity value of 200 m/s. The shear wave velocity of 200 m/s was chosen for the estimation of the depths of surface layer(s) for the different sites in Lulu Island because these sites have average Vs3o of approximately 200 m/s. The site predominant periods were found to be longer, with the corresponding estimated depths of soil surface layer deeper, at southeast end of Wood Street, e.g., 1.9 seconds in the vicinity of Salter Street (station A6) and South Dyke Road (station A7), whereas in the northern end of Wood Street next to Queensborough Bridge, the site predominant periods were comparatively shorter at approximately 1.1 to 1.3 seconds. Along Ewen Avenue the site predominant periods are longer at both the northeast and southwest ends at approximately 1.5 to 2.0 seconds, and at Pembina Street near the central region of Ewen Avenue at approximately 1.7 seconds. The predominant periods and estimated 62 depths of surface layers of sites in Lulu Island indicate that the Lulu Island sites have fairly shallow surface layers of less than 100 metres. A borehole site (FD97-1) near SCPT station 95-31 (Figure 6.5), which is located on the north-east region of Annacis Island and approximately 1-km south-east of microtremor station A7, has depth of surface layer to bedrock of approximately 97 metres (Monahan, P. A. , 1998). This is also clearly shown in Figure 6.10 (G.S.C., 1998) which shows the distribution of shear wave velocities and soil profiles with depth at the site; the shear wave velocity increases drastically in the transition of the clay layer to the bedrock layer at about 96-m depth. This known depth of surface layer to bedrock in close vicinity of microtremor stations A6 and A7 near the southern end of Wood Street, with estimated depths of surface layers of 94 and 95 metres respectively, confirmed that microtremor measurements have reasonably predicted the depths of surface layers. A building will likely experience the greatest resonance and hence the most damage when its fundamental period synchronizes with the site predominant period of the surface layer(s) due to the effect of soil-structure interaction. The number of storeys (N) of buildings which are likely to suffer the most damage under strong ground shaking was estimated using an empirical formula from the Building Code for a moment resistant space frame: N = \\O-T where TV is the number of storeys of a building and T is the fundamental period of buildings. The fundamental periods of the buildings were set at the same value as the site predominant periods for calculations of the number of storeys of the buildings. For 63 example, site A4 at Wood Street has a measured site predominant period of 1.4 seconds; buildings which will suffer the greatest damage are probably those of 14-storey high during severe ground shaking. The number of storeys (N) of buildings which will likely experience the most damage due to ground shaking at the estimated site predominant period at the sites where microtremor measurements were carried out is included in Tables 6.3(a) and (b). Assuming that the results of microtremor measurements performed along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue are representative of most sites in Lulu Island, buildings between 10- to 20-storey high in Lulu Island will likely to sustain the most damage under earthquake ground shaking. 6.3.2 R E L A T I V E A M P L I F I C A T I O N RATIOS The distribution of relative site amplification ratios is shown in Figure 6.11. For this thesis, the reference hard ground site was station K05 as noted in §5.3.2. The relative amplification ratios along Wood Street and Ewen Avenue were found to vary from 1.2 to 2.0 at most stations. The only exceptions are station B8 (4.5) near the intersection of Stanley Street and Ewen Avenue and station B4 (2.8) near the intersection of Salter Street and Sprice Street. The closeness in amplitudes of the relative amplification ratios of the different sites in Lulu Island, New Westminster indicates that the relative amplification or seismic hazard potential of the sites in Lulu Island are likely to be similar. The similarity in relative seismic hazard potential of the sites in Lulu Island is not surprising because these sites have very similar geological settings of Holocene sediments consisting of silty-to-sandy Fraser River sediments with thin layer of peat near the surface overlying Pleistocene deposits. The reference site K05 is a very shallow, hard ground site (the 64 upper-bound estimated depth of surface layer overlying bedrock is approximately 19 metres). The relative amplification ratios of greater than 1.0 at most stations in Lulu Island indicate that the relative amplification potential of the various sites is greater than that of the reference site as expected. 65 I m h O '\"*\\ X fi -I d 'a o •a \"a o I e o U \"eel c 3 vo* H 8 00 CN co c n CN CO ° i n oo VO 0 \\ CN oo ON \"3-VD O PQ o o ON CN CN 00 o ON ON VO d i n I ON ON 00 o 00 o i n Z S •< 9 1 o a. 9 T—i—r .a X .5 — o o o > sa t: 5 1/3 > do CJ u C« S fa s o ta. 1 ~ — 1 ' ^ \" T J - \" - 1 1 I - >— — 1 ~ \" J i i r* J i -v_~ T\"\"~ 1 i - - 1 : ..IK-.. I [ ! t in Z is 00 as 1 3 c CD CU U i -*-» T3 O O 00 o to s CD u 3 CO CD u O a CD U +-» O UH O 150 metres to the depth of bedrock) microtremor measurements indicate the peak response of surface layer(s) or the top strata most resonated by the ground motions, instead of those of the entire layers above the bedrock. The predominant periods estimated based on microtremor measurements are therefore the periods of peak response instead of the fundamental periods of the sites. Finally, based on the results from microtremor measurements along Shell Road and New Westminster Highway, taller buildings of 35 to 50 storeys along most parts of Shell Road and east of Westminster Highway will likely suffer the most damage during strong earthquake shaking. At the south end of Shell Road and the east side of Westminster Highway, the number of storeys of buildings likely to suffer severe damage is 10 storeys or less. 6.4.2 RELATIVE AMPLIFICATION RATIOS The distribution of relative site amplification ratios is shown in Figure 6.17. The relative amplification ratios along Shell Road range from 1.0 to 1.6, and those along Westminster Highway range from 0.9 to 1.8. By comparison to the relative amplification ratios at sites in Lulu Island, the smaller range in values of the relative amplification ratios of the sites along Shell Road and Westminster Highway indicates that the relative seismic hazard potential along Shell Road and Westminster Highway are likely to be smaller. The closeness in values of the relative amplification ratios also indicates that the relative seismic amplification or hazard potential at sites along Shell Road and Westminster 78 Highway are likely to be very similar. On the other hand, the existence of relative amplification ratios of 1.0 such as at stations S4 and S6 essentially means that the relative seismic hazard potential at these soft ground sites and that of the reference hard ground site K05 are similar, which is unlikely. Thus, the relative amplification ratios might not be a good indicator of the relative seismic damage potential of different sites or of different geologic units. The relative amplification ratios were plotted against the estimated depths of surface layers from microtremor analysis for sites in Lulu Island and Richmond as shown in Figures 6.18. The purpose is to verify i f any correlation exists between the two parameters of peak response. Figures 6.18 did not show any perceivable trend or correlation between the relative amplification ratios and estimated depths of surface layers. The relative amplification ratios remain fairly constant at 1.5±0.5 regardless of the estimated depths of surface layers at most of the sites. 79 o I1 — > X bl B5 c » O 1/1 C N O 1 / 1 C N C N m K O \"•C K sa ca SC O o o c a Q cs =3 co &3 ,5 3 9 .a o O H a a o 13 a fc. 1 so 1 ca -a g! *>> 0-oo O N I T ] •a g u g o Z, .a S3 8 o I T ) O N o o N O C N ON O in 00 CN1 <=> C N 00 00 <2> \" N C N < N o o o I T ) C O ro O N to ca S ca •S \"a ^ -2 o1 C ca & 1 « s ca ca 6 0 O £ ca 8 R ca \"•C K O Q ca co a co oa K O \"« «a O ca > ca •S -~ ^ o o C ca ca ca a a C3-< ca ca ^ -5; ca •c bp ca K Q K s \"V3 '•e CO ca O '•C a ^ ca N ^ > 0 •a o U C N 00 00 00 O N O0 C U o z C/3 \"3 ca H B o S i O Pi X T o 5?' CU I d •S a e -B u t. PM Sol .a a o CU CH s 'I o O O U TO .a ca ca ?^ 1 5 o « s C o o ca R ca O '•C G o '•C a C J co •Si K O \"•C a 4: CU s s», ca K O cj cj Cu a ca ;v. K O 13 ca ca o 2 IS O C ca 13 O c ca «? «? ca ca a a ca ca a ca -s; ca IP ca ca ^ ft ca • « if ca > \"•C 13 •Si •3 a G o ••c to ca ca tN <*1 01 o Z CN 00 ro oo S « - = a, a> Q -o CS a so s- cu eu > es .2 cu IS w = = .2 1/3 CS s CU cs i 1 T 1 1 1 1 • Wood Street A Ewen Avenue • Shell Road X Westminster Highway • f » 1 1 1 • Wood Street A Ewen Avenue • Shell Road X Westminster Highway 1 1 1 • Wood Street A Ewen Avenue • Shell Road X Westminster Highway • X W K < 1 1 1 • Wood Street A Ewen Avenue • Shell Road X Westminster Highway • X < < 4 t • < X • X — x-x -o CN O o CN O o o o o o CN o O en u CU E -CU U CZ2 a Q T3 s \"-<-> VI open U O I l B O I j I l d l U V OAI;B|O^ [ cu H-l cu o t: C M o CU Q CU 13 co w CO 3 CO I-, CU > CO O I a o o cj=l cu > C 4 H o 0 0 u s M l 0 0 0 0 6.5 CONCLUSIONS The following conclusions can be drawn based on the results of the several case studies presented above regarding the effectiveness of microtremor measurements as a method of assessing seismic hazard potential of different sites. 1. Comparison of spectral characteristics of low-level earthquake ground motions and microtremor measurements at station M N Y shows that the predominant frequency from microtremor measurements is similar to those from earthquake ground motions. 2. In Lulu Island and Richmond sites, microtremor measurements were used to estimate the periods of peak response, depths of surface layers, relative amplification ratios and number of storeys of buildings which are likely to suffer the most damage under strong ground shaking due to soil-structure interaction. Seismic hazard maps showing distribution of the above parameters were developed. 3. On shallow sites (<150 metres to depth of bedrock) such as those in Lulu Island, New Westminster, the estimated depths of surface layers were found to agree with the depths to bedrock based on comparison with borehole data. This is probably because periods of peak response coincide with fundamental periods of the sites. 4. On deeper sites (>200 metres to depth of bedrock) such as at many sites in Richmond, microtremor measurements indicate site periods of peak response but not the fundamental periods of the sites. In addition, the estimated depths of surface layers seem to indicate the depths of the Holocene deposits or those of the upper strata which are resonated by ground motions. 5. The relative amplification ratios which were calculated using the spectral ratio of a reference hard ground site were fairly constant at 1.5+0.5 for most sites and indicate 89 that the relative hazard potential for the sites are similar. This result is probably because both the Lulu Island and Richmond sites are of similar geological settings. However, the existence of several deep, soft ground sites with relative amplification ratios of approximately 1.0 essentially means that the relative seismic damage potential of these sites are similarly to that of the reference hard ground site. Since it is unlikely that a hard ground site would have similar seismic hazard potential to a soft ground site, more research is therefore required to determine whether the relative amplification ratios can be a good indicator of relative seismic hazard potential between different sites or for different geologic units. 90 CHAPTER 7 S U M M A R Y , CONCLUSIONS AND R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S F O R F U T U R E R E S E A R C H 7.1 SUMMARY The research work carried out during the course of this study is summarized as follows. • Investigating the theory and background information of microtremors, as well as the use of microtremor measurements in engineering applications; • Carrying out field microtremor measurements in Lulu Island and Richmond and various other sites, and performing the analyses and interpretation of the measured microtremor records; • Investigating the stability characteristics of microtremors at station M N Y in Vancouver in terms of the most amplified period and the corresponding peak amplitude based on Fourier response spectra and Nakamura's method; • Comparing the spectral characteristics of microtremors and those of low-level earthquake ground motions to determine whether microtremors can be used to estimate the periods of peak response for seismic response studies; • Developing seismic hazard maps based on periods of peak response and other parameters from results of microtremor measurements for sites in Lulu Island and Richmond, and determining the reasonableness of the results based on available seismic or geological data as well as whether the relative amplification ratios can be used as a reasonable indicator of relative seismic hazard potential between different sites. 91 7.2 CONCLUSIONS A number of conclusions can be drawn from the results of this investigation. These have been grouped into three sections; namely Stability of Dynamic Characteristics of Microtremors, Surface Microtremor Measurements, and Analytical Analysis and Interpretation. 7.2.1 STABILITY OF DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROTREMORS • The site predominant frequencies (or periods) of microtremors were found to be stable in the G V R D region. • Even in the absence of strong source effects, Nakamura's method was found to provide a site predominant frequency with a smaller standard deviation in comparison to the determination of the frequency of peak response based on the average Fourier spectra. • The peak Fourier spectral amplitudes and the peak spectral ratios were found to be unstable and highly dependent on the strength of input sources. 7.2.2 SURFACE MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS • Comparing to the more traditional site investigation or seismic microzonation methods, microtremor measurements provide a relative inexpensive and fast way of determining the periods of peak response of sites for site response studies. 92 7.2.3 A N A L Y T I C A L ANALYSIS AND I N T E R P R E T A T I O N • The frequency of peak response from microtremor measurements is very similar to those obtained from Fourier spectral analysis of two low-level earthquake ground motions recorded at a G V R D site; this result indicates that microtremor measurements may be an effective means of determining site period/frequency for earthquake response studies in the G V R D region. • Seismic hazard maps were developed for sites in Lulu Island and Richmond, British Columbia based on site predominant periods, estimated depths of surface layers and relative amplification ratios from results of microtremor measurements. The number of storeys of buildings likely to suffer the most damage under strong ground shaking due to soil-structure interaction was estimated and tabulated. • Results of microtremor measurements on deep and shallow sites showed that microtremor measurements are effective in delineating the periods of peak response instead of the fundamental periods of the sites. The estimated depths of surface layers are therefore the depths of upper strata of the ground which are most resonated by the ground motions instead of the depths of the entire soft soil layers overlying the bedrock at the sites. On shallow sites (<100 metres to depth of bedrock or dense layers) microtremor measurements have been reasonably good in indicating the depths of the surface layers to the underlying bedrock or dense layers. This is most likely because the periods of peak response are similar to the fundamental periods of the sites. • The relative amplification ratios were found to be fairly constant for most sites in Lulu Island and Richmond, and this is most likely due to these sites having 93 similar geological settings of soft Holocene overlying dense Pleistocene deposits. The small magnitudes of the relative amplification ratios for most of the sites, many of which are of deep, soft ground sites especially those in Richmond, at approximately 1.5+0.5 indicated that these soft ground sites have essentially very similar seismic hazard potential to that of the reference hard ground site, which is highly unlikely. Hence, it may be concluded that the relative amplification ratios may not be a good indicator of relative seismic hazard potential between different sites or geologic units, or at the least, more research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of using the relative amplification ratios for such purpose. The relative amplification ratios were also found to have no correlation with the estimated depths of surface layers at different sites. 7.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH While this thesis explored many aspects of the applications and effectiveness of using microtremor measurements in assessing the dynamic characteristics for seismic response studies, there are several additional aspects worth studying. First, a stability test could be performed at another location different from station M N Y in the G V R D region. The stability of characteristics of microtremors was assumed applicable to all sites in the G V R D region based on results of stability test at one site (station M N Y ) which showed stable site predominant period over time. The additional stability test would serve as an important check of the reasonableness of the assumption that the microtremor characteristics are stable in the G V R D region. Second, since during the course of this thesis microtremor measurements were carried out in the Fraser Delta where the different 94 sites have very similar geological settings of soft Holocene sediments overlying dense Pleistocene deposits, it would be worthwhile to carry out microtremor measurements at sites which are located on geological settings different from those in Richmond and Lulu Island, such as the shallow, hard ground sites in North Vancouver. The results from microtremor measurements at these sites would be useful in further assessing the effectiveness (or lack) of using the relative amplification ratio as a means for determining the relative seismic damage potential of different sites or different geologic units. 95 N O M E N C L A T U R E A n Amplitude of H/V peak A s Maximum amplitude of vertical shear wave amplification function E s Transfer function for vertical motions EW East-west F Foundation or amplification factor f Frequency F(/) Wave motion radiation characteristics at the source fn Frequency corresponding to H/V peak fs Frequency of vertical shear wave resonance H Thickness of uniform soil layer H/V Horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios NS North-south R B Horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio of base-layer ground motions Rs Horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio of surface ground motions S(/) Surface layer characteristics SCPT Seismic cone penetration test SHB Spectral ordinate of the horizontal motions at the base layer SHS Spectral ordinate of the horizontal motion at the surface SPT Standard penetration test S T Transfer function for horizontal motions STT Modified transfer function Sv Vertically incident shear waves SvB Spectral ordinate of the vertical motions at the base layer 96 Svs Spectral ordinate of the vertical motions at the surface T Site Predominant Period or Fundamental Period of Moment Resistant Frame T(J) Wave propagation characteristics Vs Average shear wave velocity [m/s] Vs3o Average shear wave velocity [m/s] of the top 30 metres of the ground 97 ABBREVIATIONS G.S.C. 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(1992) \"Local Geologic Effects on Ground Motions and Low Damage Anomaly of the 1976 Tangshan, China, Earthquake,\" Ph.D. thesis, Tokyo Institute of Technology. 11. Hao, X.-S. , Finn, W.D.L., Ventura, C.E., Seo, K. , Samano, T. (1998) \"Microtremor Measurements in the Vancouver Regional District, Canada,\" Conference Paper. 12. Hao, X.-S. , Hagio, K. , Maeda, T., and Hibino, H. (1995) \"Evaluation of Predominant Period of Ground Motions based on Microtremor Measurements,\" Taisei Technical Research Report, No. 28, pp. 69-76, (in Japanese with English abstract). 99 13. Hao, X.-S. , Hagio, K. , Maeda, T., Hibino, H . and Yamanaka, R. (1994) \"A Site Response Estimation in Kushiro City based on a Comparison between Microtremors and Weak Motions\" Proceedings of 9 th Japan Earthquake Engineering Symposium, 2, E67-72. 14. Hunter, J.A., Monahan, Patrick (1998a). A CD-rom compilation of shear wave velocity data for unconsolidated sediments in the Fraser River Delta, Proceedings of the 12th Annual Vancouver Geotechnical Society Symposium on Site Characterization. 15. Kagami, H. , Duke, C M . , Liang, G.C. and Ohta, Y . (1982) \"Observation of 1- to 5-Second Microtremors and Their Application to Earthquake Engineering. Part II. Evaluation of Site Effect Upon Seismic Wave Amplification Due to Extremely Deep Soil Deposits,\" Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Vol . 72, No. 3, pp. 987-998. 16. Kanai, K . and Tanaka, T. (1961) \"On Microtremors. VIII\" Bull. ERL, Tokyo University, Vol . 39, pp. 97-114. 17. Kobayashi, H . , Seo, K . and Midorikawa, S. (1986) \"Measurement of Microtremors in and around Mexico D.F.,\" Report on Seismic Microzoning Studies of the Mexico Earthquake of September 19, 1985, Part. 1, Tokyo Institute of Technology, pp. 1-98. 18. Lachet, C. and Bard, P.Y. (1994) \"Numerical and theoretical investigations on the possibilities and limitations of the \"Nakamura's technique \",\" Journal of Physics of the Earth, Vol . 42, pp. 377-397. 19. Monahan, P.A. (1998) Private communication. 20. Monahan, P.A., Byrne, P .M. , Watts, B.D., and Naesgaard, E. (1998) \"Engineering Geology of the Fraser River Delta\" Proceedings of the 8th IAEG Congress, pp. 3-21. 21. Nakamura, Y . (1989) \"A Method for Dynamic Characteristics Estimation of Subsurface using Microtremor on the Ground Surface,\" QR of RTRI, Vol . 30, N o . l , pp. 25-33. 22. Navarro, M . , Sanchez, F J . , Posadas, A.J . and Luzon, F. (1998) \"Evaluation of Surface Soil Effects using Geotechnical Data and Microtremor Measurements in Almeria City, \" The Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion, 1998 Ed., pp. 635-642. 23. Seo, K . (1992) \"A Joint Work for Measurements of Microtremors in the Ashigara Valley,\" Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion, pp.282-291. 100 24. Seo, K . (1992), \"A Joint Work for Measurements of Microtremors in the Ashigara Valley,\" Proceedings of the International Symposium on ESG, Vol . II, pp. 43-52. 25. Seo, K . (1994), \"On the Applicability of Microtremors to Engineering Purposes: Preliminary Report of the Joint ESG Research on Microtremors after the 1993 Kushiro-oki (Hokkaido, Japan) Earthquake,'''' Proceedings of 10th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Vol . 4, pp. 2643-2648. 26. Seo, K . (1995) \"On the Applicability of Microtremors to Engineering Purposes: Preliminary Report of the Joint ESG Research on Microtremors after the 1993 Kushiro-oki (Hokkaido, Japan) Earthquake\" Proceedings of the 10th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, pp. 292-297. 27. Seo, K . (1997) \"Comparison of Measured Microtremors with Damage Distribution,\" Technical Report of JICA Research and Development Program on Earthquake Disaster Prevention, Japan. 28. Seo, K . (1998) \"Application of Microtremors as a Substitute of Seismic Motion — Reviewing the Recent Microtremors Joint Research in Different Sites,\" The Effects of Surface Geology on Seismic Motion, 1998 Ed., pp. 577-586. 29. Udwadia, F.E. and Trifunac, M.D. (1973), \"Comparison of Earthquake and Microtremor Ground Motions in El Centro, California,\" Bulletin of Seismological Society of America, Vol . 63, pp. 1227-1253. 1 0 1 A P P E N D I X A MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS A l OVERVIEW This appendix describes the microtremor measurement requirements and procedures. The measurements are carried out with the aid of the program DASam which was developed by Seo et al. (1989). There are two versions of DASam — one is used for data acquisition and hence labeled \"DASam 1- Observation System\"; the other is used to convert microtremor data into readable format for data analysis and it is labeled \"DASam 2 - Data Analysis\". A.2 EQUIPMENT CHECK LIST The following items should be included for each microtremor measurement field trip: 1. Two sets of microtremor measurement sensors - 3 velocity sensors per set; 2. Notebook computer for data acquisition and preliminary data analysis; 3. Diskette containing the data acquisition program DASam 1 - Observation System, which contains the step-by-step onscreen instructions for carrying out data acquisition; 4. PC connector for connecting the data acquisition computer to the A /D converter; 5. Notebook PC adapter; 6. A C / D C converter; 7. Amplifier; 8. Cables for amplifier-sensor connection; 102 9. Cable connector (found on an orange triangular holder) with 30' extension cables for amplifier-sensor connection; 10. Two batteries (Secure SB12250 12V); 11. Detailed map of sites; 12. Camera and films; 13. Fine screw-driver set for calibration of sensors; 14. Steel plate for seating sensors during field testing; 15. Level for leveling the steel platform; 16. Six traffic cones to setup boundaries of measurement station; 17. Three (or more) life vests, depending on the number of people going on the field trip; 18. Miscellaneous equipment (i.e., duct tape, papers, markers, etc.). A.3 PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF SENSORS The sensors for both horizontal (two sensors) and vertical measurements should be prepared before field testing by performing the steps indicated below. The names of various parts of the sensors are as shown in Figures A.1, A.2 and A.3. Figure A.1 shows the three sensors used for microtremor measurements. Figures A.2 and A.3 show the sensors (with external case removed) used to measure vibrations along the horizontal and vertical directions respectively. The key steps are first summarized, followed by the detailed descriptions of the steps. Summary of key steps: 1. Take sensors out of safekeeping box, remove the sensor cases and unlock the internal locks of the sensors. 103 2. Put sensor cases back on and lock the external locks of the sensors. 3. Level steel plate and then level the sensors on the steel plate. 4. Put sensors back in the safekeeping box, or after use, lock the internal locks and leave the external locks in open/unlocked position. Detailed preparation steps: 1. Remove the three sensors from the storage box. Make sure that the external lock is unlocked. To check if the external lock of each sensor is unlocked, make sure that the horizontal line mark on the lock is in vertical position. 2. For each sensor, loosen the case screws and remove the sensor case. Once the case is removed, loosen the internal lock completely. Give the brass coil disc a slight perturbation to make sure that it can move freely. 3. Carefully put the sensor case back on. It is important to ensure that the movement of the brass coil disc is not restricted by the internal lock after the case is put back on since ground vibrations are measured using the brass coil disc through its vibrating mechanism. Press and release the external lock or tilt the sensor slightly to check (through the lense external to the brass coil disc as shown by B in Figure A . l ) that the brass coil disc can move freely. If the brass coil disc is stuck, remove the case and adjust the internal lock to ensure the lock does not restrict the movement of the disc. Repeat the previous step. 4. Lock the brass coil disc in position by locking the external coil lock, i.e., turning the line mark on the lock to horizontal position. 5. Place the small steel plate for the sensors on the floor and level it using a level by adjusting the base screws. Place the three sensors on the steel plate by aligning the arrow marks on top of the sensors with those on the steel plate to ensure the sensors are measuring signals along three orthogonal directions. Next, adjust the two base screws of the sensors to level the sensors by centering the bubble within the level of the sensor. Since on-site setup of the sensors will be done on the same steel plate, 104 this step will minimize the amount of time required to level the sensors i f the plate is leveled. 6. After the sensor is leveled, unlock the external coil lock and check through the lense to see i f the brass coil disc can move freely. For the sensor measuring vibrations in the vertical direction, the movement of the brass coil is seen through a small mirror which can be seen through the lense external to the brass coil disc. 7. Lock the external lock and place the sensors back into the storage box. The sensors are ready to be used for field testing. After field measurement, it is important to put the sensors away by performing the following steps. 1. Before putting the sensor back into the storage box, remove the sensor case. Adjust the internal lock plate by pressing the handle down until the plate is under the internal lock. Next, tighten the internal lock and put the sensor case back on. Also, make sure that the external lock is unlocked because only one of the two locks - internal or external -- should be locked at any time. 2. Finally, put the sensor back into the storage box for safe storage. A.4 SETUP OF D A T A ACQUISITION S Y S T E M 1. Before each field trip, make sure that the batteries are charged. Use a charger to check i f the batteries are charged, and to charge the batteries. Gather all equipment listed in the equipment check list of Section A . 3 . 2. Arrange the equipment - amplifier, data acquisition computer, batteries, cables, etc. — for microtremor measurements in the vehicle where the equipment wil l be transported. A good arrangement of the equipment is as shown in Figure 5 .3 . 3. Hook up the amplifier to the A/D converter using the three amplifier-converter cables (black in colour). Use the first three channel slots (starting from the left) of the amplifier. Check the tags on the various cables i f unsure which cables to use. Connect the PC connector to the data acquisition computer and connect the other end 105 of the connector to the AID converter. Connect both the amplifier and data acquisition computer to the portable battery via an AC/DC converter. For the data acquisition computer, use the PC adapter. 4. Set all channel attenuation factors on the amplifier to maximum, i.e., x200 and xlO. There are two attenuation factors: attenuation 1 has settings of xl, x2, x5, x20, x50 and x200, and attenuation 2 has settings of x l and xlO. For each of the three channel slots, set the \"Vel./Dis.\" Switch to [velocity] for measurement type and set the \"Calibration/Measurement\" switch to [calibration]. The relevant parts of the channel slots of the amplifier are shown in Figure A.4. 5. Make sure that the diskette labeled \"DASam 1: Observation System\" is in the disk drive of the data acquisition system. 6. Switch on the AC/DC converter and check that the data acquisition system is working properly by switching on the amplifier and the data acquisition computer. 7. After the computer is turned on, the screen should show the main menu for the data acquisition program as shown in Figure A.5. Use Space Bar to select Option 0: End and press the Enter key. The screen should show ok. Type system and press the Enter key to go to the DOS screen. At the DOS prompt, i.e., A:¥>, check the date and time using the date and time commands. If the date or time is inaccurate, make appropriate changes. Note that the computer is using Japanese DOS system and hence the DOS prompt looks slightly different from that of the North American DOS system. Next, make a new directory for storing the data files using the md command, i.e., C:¥>md directory name. 8. Turn off the amplifier, data acquisition computer and AC/DC converter. A .5 T Y P I C A L T E S T I N G P R O C E D U R E S The typical testing procedures are as follows. Note that selection of options when operating the data acquisition computer can be done using either the Space Bar or the 106 up/down arrow keys. The key steps are summarized below, followed by detailed descriptions of the testing procedures. Summary of key steps: 1. Setup the sensors at a location. 2. Level the sensors and centre the internal brass coils of the sensors. 3. Run D A S a m l : Observation System in notebook computer. 4. Connect sensors to amplifier. 5. Follow the step-by-step on screen instructions to key in inputs, perform calibration of sensors, and record microtremor data. 6. Check records for signal saturation and perform preliminary spectral analysis using notebook computer. Detailed descriptions of testing procedures: 1. Setup a measurement station near the site where the intended measurement is to be carried out. A suitable location should have minimum traffic or other artificial vibration noises such as construction activities in close vicinity (less than 5 metres) of the station. 2. Setup the sensors at the station by first leveling the steel plate before leveling the sensors on the steel plate. The steel platform serves to facilitate the leveling process. 3. For optimal measurement condition, the brass coil disc in each sensor should be approximately centered. This is achieved when the center of the brass coil disc (marked by the edge of the brass coil near the centre of the disc) approximately 1 to 2 mm off the top of the magnetic hollow cylinder. Note that the brass coil disc vibrates in and out of the magnetic hollow cylinder near the cylinder top. Since the sensor is approximately leveled, the brass coil disc should be approximately centered. If the brass coil disc is not centered, adjust the base screws to approximately center the disc. 107 Also, make sure that sensor is still leveled by ensuring the bubble is within the red circle in the sensor level. For the vertical sensor, i f the above steps fail to center the brass coil disc, adjust the vertical spring lock to center the disc. Note that it is highly unlikely that the brass disc cannot be centered through the adjustment of the base screws. 4. The amplifier and data acquisition computer should already be setup in the vehicle. Check to make sure that the diskette labeled DASam 1: Observation System is inserted in the disk drive of the data acquisition computer. Switch on the A C / D C converter, amplifier and data acquisition computer. 5. Hook up sensors to the cable connector using the 30' extension cables. Check the tags on the cables to ensure that the appropriate cables are connected to the sensors. The cable tags should have numbers corresponding to the numbers marked on the top of the sensors. Next, connect the amplifier to the cable connector using the amplifier-sensor cables. 6. The data acquisition computer, which was switched on in step 4 should show the « A / D Conversion Program M e n u » on its screen. Select Option 1: Temporary Measurement i f it is not already highlighted and press the Enter key. 7. In the ensuing « A / D Conversion Screen» , make sure that the screen is in English mode, or else press the Help key to switch to English format. Select Start and press the Enter key. Next, highlight NS/T for the type of PC-notebook and press the Escape key. 8. In the « A / D Condi t ion» screen, make appropriate entries at the prompts as illustrated below. The range of allowable values or upper bound is shown in closed square brackets. The default values are also shown following the brackets. Make sure that the Enter key is pressed after each entry. Typical values for microtremor measurements are provided as examples as well. • # of input channels [1 - 8]: 3 => 3 [Enter] • Channel # of clock signal [none: 0]: 0 => 0 [Enter] 108 Sampling rate [max. 500 pts/sec]: 50 => 50 [Enter] • Duration of sampling [max. 873 sec]: 50 => 300 [Enter] • Duration of display on 1 stage [sec]: 10 => 10 [Enter] Press the Space Bar to make corrections or changes, and/or press the Escape key when the correct entries have been made. Note that typical recording of microtremor signals is carried out for 5 minutes or 300 seconds. 9. In the following screen, specify the signal components - N00E, N90E, Vert. - and select [5]: TAISEI to specify the amplifier type. The entries under the headings \"pickup\" and \"amplifier\" should automatically show M T K - 1 C and TA-406 respectively. Press the Escape key to accept the entry. 10. The next screen shows the switch settings for sensor calibration. The settings for amplifier TA-406 are shown in the last column. Check that all the amplification factors on the amplifier type TA-406 are set to the maximum. This should have been done in step 4 of the setup of data acquisition system as described in Section A1.5. At the \"Do you need to check calibration signal?\" prompt, select Yes and press the Escape key. The operator should see Calibration screen on the screen. The calibration factors of the three channels are shown on the top right corner of the screen. Check that the calibration factors are approximately 2000 mV ±20 mV; else, adjust the \"gain\" button (H in Figure A.4) using a 1.4-mm screw-driver. Also ensure that the sinusoidal signals are approximately centered, i.e., the maxima and minima of the signals are at ±1000 mV. Otherwise, adjusting the \"zero\" switch on the amplifier (G in Figure A.4) using a 1.4-mm screwdriver to center the signals. Wait for the signals to stabilize and the press the Escape key to complete the calibration process. Sensor calibration should be checked or repeated at every measuring station. 11. Initialize the measurement mode by flipping the \"calibration/measurement\" switch of the three channel slots of the amplifier to [measurement]. Adjust the period (1, 3 or 5 seconds) and amplification factors of each of the three channels until the screen shows a reasonable magnitude of signals. Note that most measurements are performed with the period of the sensors set at 5 seconds, attenuation 2 (x l or xlO) 109 set at x l and attenuation 1 (x l , x2, x5, x20, x50 or x200) set at x l , x2 or x5. Press the Escape key once the adjustment is complete. 12. In the «Calibration-amplification ( p - p ) » screen, press the Enter key 13. In the following screen, input the Site Name, period and amplification factors for each sensor. Press the Escape key to confirm entries. 14. The operator can decide whether to start sampling immediately or 10 seconds later by making the appropriate on-screen selection. Once sampling begins, it will last for the entire duration specified in step 8. If at any time during sampling the signals become saturated, e.g., due to a heavy truck passing by, the measurement should be repeated. 15. After sampling is completed, the data acquisition computer will give out beeping sounds to alert the operator. The operator can then choose to display the entire record by pressing the Space Bar, or move on to check the spectrum and spectral ratio. 16. After use, set all amplification factors to maximum and set the \"Calibration/Measurement\" switch to [Calibration]. 17. Switch off the data acquisition computer, amplifier and AC/DC converter. 18. Repeat from step 1 for next measurement. 110 Legend: A: Base screws; C: Case screws; E: Level; G: Lense top of brass disc. B: Lense external to brass coil disc; D: External lock; F: Cable connector; Figure A.1 Sensors used to measure vibrations in Horizontal (Sensors on Left and Right) and Vertical (Sensor in the middle) directions. I l l Legend: A: Level; B: Brass coil disc; C: Internal lock; D: Internal lock plate; E: Magnetic hollow cylinder. Figure A.2 Sensor (with case removed) used to measure vibrations in the Horizontal direction. 112 Legend: A: Base Screw; B: Brass coil disc; C: Internal lock; D: Internal lock plate; E: Level; F: Cable connector; G: Magnetic hollow cylinder. Figure A.3 Sensor (with case removed) used to Measure Vibrations in the Vertical Direction. 113 Legend: A: Power switch; B: Attenuation 1 ; C: Vel./Dis. switch; D: Attenuation 2; E: Period swtich; F: Cal./Mea. switch; G: Zero switch; H: Gain switch. Figure A.4 Amplifier Model TA-406. 114 **********************A/TJ Conversion Program Menu*****(for PC-Note)******** ** ** ** 1: temporary measurement [ADVO] ** ** 2: continuous measurement (regular interval) [AUTVO] ** ** 3: continuous measurement (trigger start) [EQVO] ** ** 4: plank hammering test [ITAVO] ** ** 5: A /D conversion (replay analog recorder) [ADREPLY] ** ** 6: display wave-form of A/D file [ADPLTVO] ** ** 7: calculate fourier spectra of A/D file [ADPLTVO] ** ** 8: calculate fourier spectra & spectra ratio [FRTOADVO] ** ** 9: edit A/D file [ADEDTVO] ** ******£Q-gjy[£)j***************************** Select menu by key then enter key Figure A.5 Main Menu of Data Acquisition Program. 115 A P P E N D I X B MICROTREMOR DATA FILE CONVERSION B.l DESCRIPTION Before the measured microtremor records can be read into the DADiSP program for data analyses, the input/data files (extension AD) must be converted to DADiSP readable format (extension AMP). This appendix describes the data file conversion procedures. Note that during the operations of the data acquisition computer, the selection of options can be made by using either the Space Bar or the up/down arrow keys on the keyboard of the data acquisition computer. B.2 CONVERSION PROCEDURES 1. Insert the diskette labeled \"DASam 2: Analysis System\" into the disk drive of the data acquisition computer. Switch on the computer by pressing on the POWER switch on the top left corner of the computer. 2. After the initial boot-up sequence, a DOS screen emerges to prompt the user for date and time. Note that most of the on-screen instructions are given in Japanese but the key words are given in English. Press the Enter key or enter a new date and time to change the default values. 3. A n A/D File Conversion screen is then loaded onto the screen. If the first A /D File Conversion screen that appears is in Japanese, press the Help key (located to the right of the Enter key) to switch to the English A/D File Conversion screen. The screen is titled « M e n u of A /D Data Analys is» . 116 4. Select Option 2. Calculate Real Amplitude using A/D-File using the Space Bar and press the Enter key. Note that the other options shown on screen can be used to display waveforms and perform preliminary data analysis of microtremor records. 5. In the following screen of «Conver t A /D File to A M P File P rog ram» , select A/D+ as the subscript of A /D (or AD) data files and press the Enter key. The user will be prompted for the drive and directory of the location of the A D data files, followed by the drive and directory of the location of the intended A M P data files. Input the required information and press the Enter key. Next, select Manual at the Data Input prompt and press the Enter key. 6. The screen should now show all the files in the specified drive and directory of the A D file location. Enter the common name of the input files. For example, i f the input files are ShellOl to Shell20 (extension AD), the common part of the filenames is Shell. Press the Enter key. The screen will prompt the user for filename number of each input file and output file. Specify all the input files intended to be converted and press the Enter key when the specification is completed. 7. In the screen that follows, choose Option 2: Microtremor Explosion for data type. Next, select Vel. (velocity) for the dimension type. Press the Escape key. 8. The new screen shows the information about the microtremor measurement, including the filename, date and time of the measurement, settings of measurements -amplification factors and duration of measurement, sensitivity of the three channels/components of data. Continue to press the Enter key to confirm the conversion of the three components of the microtremor data. 9. The waveform of the microtremor record is shown on the screen, and the user is asked to specify the first and end points of the part of the time history to be deleted. Enter the specific points and press the Enter key, or press the Enter key to skip. 10. The file conversion begins and the entire process can take up a lot of time, with each file requiring about 10 minutes to convert. When the file conversion ends, the user is prompted to select whether to end the file conversion or to choose another input file 117 for conversion. The converted data files with extension A M P can be found the drive and directory specified in step 5. 11. The converted data files can then be copied using low capacity (712 kb) diskettes to a data analysis computer for further data processing and analysis. Low capacity diskettes are used because the data acquisition from Japan which is used for data file conversion can only read diskettes in low-capacity format. 118 A P P E N D I X C MICROTREMOR DATA ANALYSIS -PROGRAM OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AND DOCUMENTATION C.l DESCRIPTION Most steps of the microtremor data analysis are performed using the DADiSP software. The final step of estimating site predominant period and relative amplification ratio is performed through visual inspection of the processed results of the microtremor record. This appendix describes the installation of the DADiSP program and macros files, program requirements and operating instructions of using DADiSP to carry out batch processing of the microtremor data. A set of macros, modified based on the Automated Data Analysis System (ADAS) developed by Hao et al. (1995), are used to automate and facilitate the entire data analysis processes, such as reading in microtremor data1, extracting header information and time histories of microtremor data, performing Fourier transformation of the data, calculating average Fourier spectra and spectral ratios, printing output files and etc. The DADiSP macros are consisting of the following files, and their respective functions are described as follows. Copies of the macro files are also enclosed in sequence listed below following Section C.3.1. • M I C 2 . D S P initializes all SPL (Serial Processing Language) functions, macros and the file called ADAS.DAT (see next file); • A D A S . D A T specifies parameters required for Fourier spectral analysis, as well as location of the source data files; it also controls batch processing of the data files; 1 The microtremor data files which can be read into DADiSP have extension A M P . 119 F L N M T I T 2.COQ calculates the Fourier spectra by calling the macro files: SMOOTH, SP, SSET, and performs Fourier transformation of the data by automating DBLTIT.COQ and MAXTIT.COQ; finally, it controls the printing of the output files; DBLTIT.COQ reads in header file information and scales amplitudes of the three channels of microtremor data for each measured microtremor record, returns time histories of microtremor data, and setups window headings; MAXTIT.COQ calculates Fourier spectral ratios based on Nakamura's H/V method; SMOOTH.MAC smoothes curves of Fourier spectra using Hamming windows; SP.MAC - calculates Fourier response spectrum of each segment of data and calculates the average Fourier spectrum; SSET.MAC specifies formats for displaying windows of the Fourier spectral ratios; M_FRAME.COP specifies display formats of the general windows; 120 ! Filename: MIC2.DSP ! Functions: Initializes all DADiSP SPL functions and macros, and runs ADAS.DAT ! to initialize batch processing of microtremor data files. removewin(-l) @cr clearall @cr Addwindow(15) @CR ! Add 15 Windows @ C N T L _ H O M E ! go to W l ! Declare location of SPL functions and macros Dsploc = strcat(\"c:\\Dsp4\\com\\\") @cr ! Initialize macros macread(strcat(Dsploc,\"SSET.MAC\")) @cr macread(strcat(Dsploc,\"sedtitAM.MAC\")) @cr macread(strcat(Dsploc,\"SP.mac\")) @cr macread(strcat(Dsploc,\"Smooth.MAC\")) @cr ! Run A D A S . D A T to start batch processing of data files call (strcat(Dsploc,\"adas.dat\")) @cr @return 121 ! Filename: ADAS.DAT ! Functions: Declares locations of DADiSP and data files, specifies parameters ! required for Fourier Spectral Analysis, and controls batch processing ! of data files. ! Declare the location of DADiSP program Dsploc = strcat(\"c:\\Dsp4\\com\\\") @cr ! Declare data set location and name without series # flnmcat = strcat(\"c:\\Dsp4\\com\\shell\") @cr ! Declare the number of characters in the parameter: flnmcat ! Ex. There are Z 7 characters in the string \"c:\\Dsp4\\com\\shell\" sensors = strextract(flnmcat,77,l) @cr ! Declare the number of data per channel chnum = 15000 @cr ! Number of each channel ! Declare data range in time histories of microtremor records b g = l @cr ! The start of data set be = chnum @cr ! The end of data set ! Declare parameters for Fourier Spectral Analysis sptm = 8 @cr splnum = 50 @cr spnum = 4096 @cr ddurs = (spnum/splnum) adcat = strcat(\".AMP\") (2 defmacro(\"Nb\",l) @Cr OCX cr sptm is # of segments splnum is frequency spnum is # of points per segment ddurs is duration of segments adcat is data filename extension ! Declare the first data file's series number as N defmacro(\"N\",3) @CR ! Declare the # of data files to be processed call(strcat(Dsploc,\"flnmtit2.coq\"),l) @cr moveto(wl) @cr ! Write results of analysis to output file writetable(\"kl8.dat\",wl5) @cr @return 122 ! Filename: FLNMTIT2 .COQ ! Functions: Controls data processing by calling DBLTIT. COQ and MAXTIT. COQ, ! generates average Fourier spectra using SMOOTH, SP and SSET ! macros, and prints results of analysis. defmacro(\"j\",l) @cr ! Call DBLTIT to read in header information, scale amplitudes of microtremor ! time histories, and setup windows of time histories call(strcat(Dsploc,\"dbltit.coq\"),3) @cr ! Call M A X T I T to generate Fourier spectral ratios based on Nakamura's H/V ! method call(strcat(Dsploc,\"maxtit.coq\"),l) @cr moveto(wl) @cr ! Call M _ F R A M E to specify general formats of windows in worksheet call(strcat(Dsploc,\"m frame.cop\")) @cr ! Print worksheet containing results of analysis printws @cr ! Reset worksheet for processing of next data file pause(5) @cr clear(wl..wl5) @cr display(wl..wl5) @cr ! Define new values for Nb and N defmacro(\"Nb\",Nb+l) @cr defmacro(\"N\",N+l) @cr @return 123 ! Filename: D B L T I T . C O Q ! Functions: Adjust amplitudes of time histories of microtremor records based on ! header information and returns correct time histories, and generate ! Fourier spectra. ! Scale amplitudes of data based on header information ! Calculate amplitude correction factors akm = 256+((J-l)*256*INT(1.99+chnum*2/256)) @cr Amax = GETPT(Readb(strcat(fImncat,stmum(N),adcat),UrNT,2,akm),l) @cr Kmax = GETPT(Readb(strcat(flnmcat,stmum(NXadca4uiNT,2,akmX2) @cr Rmax = Amax* 10A(-kmax) @cr A k f = rmax/Amax @cr ! Nbbt information confirmed by T. Samano Nbbt = 512+((J-l)*256*INT(1.99+chnum*2/256)) @cr ! Extract data from time histories and adjust amplitudes of data extract(readb(strcat(flnmcat,stmum(X),adcat),SINT,chnum,nbbt)*Akf, bg, be) @CR STWAVE2 @CR if(splnum = 100,stwave,getwcolor) @cr Setplotstyle(O) @cr ! Setup titles for windows w l , w4 and w7 if((J*3-2)=l,PROTECT(wl,strcat(\"NS {Velocity [.001*cm/s] vs. time [sec]}\")),getwcolor) @cr if((J*3-2)==4,PROTECT(w4,strcat(\"EW {\".flnmcat, strnum(N),adcat,\"} \")), getwcolor) @cr if((J*3-2)==7,PROTECT(w7,strcat(\"Vert. {\",strnum(be),M Data in Each Time History}\" )),getwcolor) @cr defmacro(\"JJ\",strcat(\"w\",strnum(J*3-2))) @cr wincolor(JJ,lred) @cr @rt ! Move to next window, e.g., w2, w5, w8 ! Calculate Fourier response spectra TMTl(ddurs*Sp(JJ,spnum,sptm)) @cr STFFT2 @cr if(splnum=l 00,setdeltax(0.1219512),getwcolor) @cr 124 ! Continuation of D B L T I T . C O Q ! Specify window display format for Fourier spectra setvunits(\"cm/s*s\") @CR setx(0.0,10.0) @CR sety(0.0,max) @cr setxtic(l) @CR setytic(Int(max+.91)/5) @cr ! Setup titles for Fourier response spectra if(J*3-l=2,PROTECT(w2,strcat(\"NS [.001*cm/s*s vs. Hz]\" )),getwcolor) @cr if(J*3-l==5,PROTECT(w5,\"EW {Avg. Fourier Spectra}\"),getwcolor) @cr if(J*3-l=8,PROTECT(w8,strcat(\"Vert. {using \",strnum(sptm),\" Segments of\", strnum(ddurs),\"s.}\") ),getwcolor) @cr @rt @rt defmacro(\"J\",J+l) @cr @return 125 ! Filename: M A X T I T . C O Q ! Functions: Returns Fourier spectral ratios based on Nakamura's H/V method ! using horizontal to vertical spectral components. moveto(wlO) @cr ! Calculate spectral ratio using NS to vertical component w2/w8 @cr STFFT2 @cr @rt ! Setup title for Fourier spectral ratio PROTECT(W10,strcat(\"Ratio of NS/Vert. [Hz]\")) @cr Setplotstyle(4) @cr @rt ! Calculate spectral ratio using EW to vertical component W5/W8 @cr STFFT2 @cr @rt ! Setup title for Fourier spectral ratio PROTECT(W12,\"RatioofEW/Vert. [Hz]\") @cr Setplotstyle(4) @cr ! Specify W2 as bold and solid line chart moveto(w2) @cr nscolor @cr ! Specify W5 as thin and dotted line chart moveto(w5) @cr ewcolor @cr moveto(wlO) @cr nscolor @cr ! Turn on log scale for spectral ratios in W10 rtFFT @cr moveto(wl2) @cr ewcolor @cr ! Overplot W10inW12 - normal scale overplot(wl0,9) @cr ! blue if(max<2,setytic(Int(max+.91)/5),setytic(int(Int(max+.91)/2))) @cr moveto(wlO) @cr 126 ! Continuation of M A X T I T . C O Q | £ $ C S j » S f c 3 ) f # | C * { C S^ C # | C * | C # ( C * | C * | C * j » * | C * | C 5 { C S J C 5 J C * { C 5 ( C 3 | C 5 | C 5 } c 3 j C 5$C S f S *|C. £|C S f * 5 j C »|» ^£ *|C S f f £ J C sjci 5 J C 5 J C £J€ S^C *J£ 5 ^ * S J C . * f » * } C 5 | * jj* S j » ! OverplotW12 in W10- log scale overplot(wl2,14) @cr ! yellow ©RETURN 127 ! Filename: SMOOTH.MAC Functions: Filters data and smooth curves. REGRAV(wn)region(ravel(wn,10,l,5),l,10,l,500) ! 0.012207*5 T G transpose(ghamming(10,.012207)) MM(wn) mmult(TG,REGRAV(wn)) TM(wn) transpose(MM(wn))/5 ! to ravel(wn,10,l,5) TMTl(wn) concat(extract(TM(wn),l,l), TM(wn)); setdeltax(0.0610351) 128 ! Filename: S P . M A C Functions: Calculates average Fourier response spectrum. ! SP = average FFT spectrum ! DC = mean-value ! R V = ravel function to ravel specified series into multiple segments which overlaps the previous segment by some specified points ! R G = region define numbers of groups ! H M = hamming window to filter time-history ! SSP = Fourier spectrum of each segment ! SP = rowreduce(SSP(wn,sl,sn),\"+\")/sn; returns average of FFT spectrum DC(wn) wn-mean(wn) RV(wn,sl) ravel(DC(wn),sl, 1 ,int(sl/2)) RG(wn,sl,sn) region(RV(wn,sl), 1 ,sl, 1 ,sn) HM(wn,sl,sn) hamming(RG(wn,sl,sn)) SSP(wn,sl,sn) spectrum(HM(wn,sl,sn)) SP(wn,sl,sn) rowreduce(SSP(wn,sl,sn), \"+\")/sn 129 ! Filename: SSET.MAC ife *1* vt* ^ *4* *4* *1* *1* »£• ^ \\ U ^ ^ *^ vL* *X» ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ -J* vV* ^ »1> »A* ^r- ^» ^» «l* «£* %1* «^ «^ *L. *J> *1* *I» -X- -f^ o -*T* *1* *1* \"V* *I* ^ i * \"I* \"I* ^* T* ^ ^T\" \"T\" \"T\" *T* \"7* \"T* *T* ^ ^ \"T* ^ ^ ^ ^ *T~ JJ^ •'J* «T> f^* 7|* ^ *Ji ^Ji *f» Sf* Sfi J^s *|C> ! Functions: generates formatting functions for windows of spectral ratios. STWAVE2 setxoffset(O.O); sety(min,max); setdeltax(0.02); griddot; gridhv; setplotstyle(3); setxtic(20) RtFFT setxlog(l); setylog(l); setxtic(l); setytic(l); setx(0.2,20); sety(.l,10) STFFT2 setxlog(O); setylog(O); setx(0,10); sety(min,max); griddot; gridhv; setxtic(l); setytic(5); setplotstyle(O) Nscolor setlinewidth(4); setline(l); setcolor(9) Ewcolor setlinewidth(2); setline(3); setcolor(14) 130 ! Filename: M FRAME.COP ! Functions: specifies general display formats of windows. display(w 1 ,w2,w4,w5 ,w7,w8 ,w 10,w 12) @cr collayout(2,2,2,2) @cr Setwsize(wT,0.01,0.01,.735,. 16,-1) @cr Setwsize(w4,0.01,0.17,.735,.16,-1) @cr Setwsize(w7,0.01,0.34,.735,.16,-1) @cr @ C N T L _ H O M E ! go to W l 131 C.2 INSTALLATION AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The DADiSP software, version 4.1, should run on any computer with a 80486 processor or higher, a S V G A monitor and sufficient amount of disk space (>20 Mb). The author found that DADiSP works well in both Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows 98 operating systems. C.2.1 Installation of DADiSP 4.1 The installation of the DADiSP software is fairly straightforward. The setup of the DADiSP software can be done by running the setup file (filename: setup.exe) on the setup disk which contains the DADiSP software. The remaining steps are carried out by following the on-screen instructions. It should be noted that the location of DADiSP installation is referred to in the DADiSP macro files used to automate the microtremor data analyses. For the DADiSP macro files used by the author to process the microtremor data, the specified location of DADiSP installation is \"c:\\dsp4\", i.e., directory \"dsp4\" on hard disk C. If the DADiSP 4.1 is installed in a location other than \"c:\\dsp4\", the user should make appropriate changes in the parameter called DSPLOC in the macro files called ADAS.DAT and MIC2.DSP. C.2.2 Installation of DADiSP Macro Files The installation of the DADiSP macro files is carried out by copying all the macro files as described in Section C . l into the subdirectory called \"com\" under the directory where DADiSP 4.1 was installed. The complete path to which the macro files should be kept is: \"c:\\dsp4\\com\". 132 C.3 PROGRAM EXECUTION C.3.1 Storing the Data Files for Batch Processing Prior to running the data analyses using DADiSP, the data files (of extension .AMP) which contain the measured microtremor records must first be stored into a subdirectory specified by the parameter called flnmcat in the file A D AS.DAT. The directory path specified in the file A D A S . D A T is \"c:\\dsp4\\com\". In addition, minor modifications must be made to the codes in ADAS.DAT as follows. Examples of modifications are shown assuming a collection of three data files: shellOl.amp, shell02.amp and shell03.amp. • To specify the common part of the filenames of the data files: flnmcat = strcat(\"c:\\dsp4\\com\\co#i/M0/i part of filenames\") e.g., since the data files are shellOl.amp, shell02.amp and shell03.amp, the common part of filenames is shell. • To specify the first data file number: Defmacro(\"Nb\",y?rsr data file number) @cr e.g., using the same example as before, the first data file number is 1 (or 01). • The number of times the data analyses are to be performed equals the number of data files to be processed. To specify the number of data files: Defmacro(\"N\", number of data files) @cr e.g., using the same example as before, the number of data files is 3. 133 C.3.2 Running the Programs The data analyses of the microtremor data files are performed by first loading/starting the DADiSP program. This can be done by double-clicking the DADiSP program icon on the desktop (if it is there already) or click on Start/Programs/DADiSP for computer systems using Window 95/98 operating system. A DADiSP worksheet would be loaded onto the computer screen (see Figure C.l). Assuming that the microtremor data files are stored in the location specified in the macro files and appropriate modifications have been made to the macro files as described in Section C.3.1, only one final step is required to begin the data analyses using DADiSP - click on the command line box on top of the worksheet and type: Call(\"c:\\dsp4\\com\\mic2.dsp\") and press the Enter key. The data processing for the entire batch of data files should be carried out automatically, with each output file printed after each data file is processed. Once the output files are ready, the remaining work is to estimate the site predominant periods and relative amplification ratios from the output files through visual inspection. C.3.3 Example of Experimental Analytical Results A n example of a processed microtremor output file is shown in Figure C.2. The location of the site, K15, is near the entrance to the Northeast wing of the Civi l and Mechanical Engineering Building, University of British Columbia as shown in Figure C.3. The site predominant frequency is estimated from the peak Fourier spectral H/V ratios to be 0.8 Hz, whereas the peak spectral ratio is approximately 3.0. Both of these values are very similar to those obtained by Dr Hao X.-S. on a different occasion for the same K15 station. 134 Command Line Title Bar DADiSP A.a - [C:VANITA1:DADISP40:UNTITLED Top Level Menu Bar __, File Edit |)ata_Analysis_ Vjew Drawing jools Window Help W»: Dt't-iu(ua) Tool Bar W1: Vibratlon.l.RSensor 0.0 0.4 g.t 1-2 1.6 2.0 2.4 W3: W2*w2 0.0 0.4 0.0 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 W2: Movavg(w1,8) 0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 P?ZflDerlv(w3K 0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 : 2.4 Status Bar Window Number & Formula Figure C l DADiSP Worksheet Layout. 135 r I — o —• 00 ON ON CJ PQ i—i c o t/J -»-> c CU CU co cd cu O a CU «4H o -o O o cu T3 CU N \"ed C < <: o JU \"a, S cd Ui G < u 3 OJO N O C O kSHAU«HN£3SY PRIVATE Figure C . 3 Location of Microtremor Measurement Station K l 5. 137 "@en ; edm:hasType "Thesis/Dissertation"@en ; vivo:dateIssued "2000-05"@en ; edm:isShownAt "10.14288/1.0050147"@en ; dcterms:language "eng"@en ; ns0:degreeDiscipline "Civil Engineering"@en ; edm:provider "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en ; dcterms:publisher "University of British Columbia"@en ; dcterms:rights "For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use."@en ; ns0:scholarLevel "Graduate"@en ; dcterms:title "The use of microtremor measurements for seismic hazard studies in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)"@en ; dcterms:type "Text"@en ; ns0:identifierURI "http://hdl.handle.net/2429/10471"@en .