Validation of Simulated Fault Displacements and Near-fault Ground Motions for Strike-slip Events from Dynamic Ruptures

Yongfei Wang, & Christine A. Goulet

Published September 11, 2022, SCEC Contribution #12374, 2022 SCEC Annual Meeting Poster #154 (PDF)

Poster Image: 
Coseismic fault displacements in large earthquakes have caused significant damage to structures and lifelines located on or near fault lines. For buildings or distributed infrastructure systems located near active faults, engineering displacement demands are defined using probabilistic fault-displacement hazard analysis (PFDHA) models. However, fault displacement models (FDMs) used in PFDHA are sparse and poorly constrained in part due to the scarcity of direct observations. The physics-based dynamic rupture simulation method is an attractive alternative to address this important issue. Because fault displacements can be simulated for various geologic conditions as constrained by current knowledge of earthquake processes, they can be used alone or combined with empirical datasets to support FDM and thereafter PFDHA model development.

Simulations must first be validated against data, then the underlying physics can justify their extrapolation to other plausible events. This study summarizes our calibrated dynamic rupture models and their validation against displacement observations from empirical scaling relationships for strike-slip earthquakes from M5 to M8. This combination of calibration and validation of the model is critical in informing the functional forms used in the FDMs. We also perform a first-order validation of the near-fault ground motion to confirm that essential modeling physical factors important to ground motions are also properly addressed. This work is an essential first step in paving the way for dynamic rupture modeling to support PFDHA development.

Citation
Wang, Y., & Goulet, C. A. (2022, 09). Validation of Simulated Fault Displacements and Near-fault Ground Motions for Strike-slip Events from Dynamic Ruptures. Poster Presentation at 2022 SCEC Annual Meeting.


Related Projects & Working Groups
Fault and Rupture Mechanics (FARM)