SCEC Award Number 10173 View PDF
Proposal Category Individual Proposal (Integration and Theory)
Proposal Title Integration of Physics-Based Ground Motion Simulations and Performance-Based Building Damage Estimates for Improved Assessment of Seismic Risk
Investigator(s)
Name Organization
Abbie Liel University of Colorado, Boulder
Other Participants Graduate Student: Kristen Rowe
SCEC Priorities B6, B4, C SCEC Groups SHRA
Report Due Date 02/28/2011 Date Report Submitted N/A
Project Abstract
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Intellectual Merit As these preliminary results indicate, comparison of the ShakeOut scenario and 1994 Northridge earthquake recordings, illustrates differences in building response when subjected to simulated versus real ground motions. The simulated ground motion seems to cause structural collapse at lower spectral values than the recorded ground motion time histories. Ongoing work will expand these observations to a broader set of simulated and recorded ground motions.
Systematic investigation of the results and applications of rupture-to-rafters simulations can help to validate the end-to-end simulation approach, which has been the focus of much effort by SCEC researchers in recent years and provides an important predictive tool for improving seismic safety in California. Examining the response of nonlinear building models to both physics-based seismic models and real ground motions, helps to validate the applicability of broadband simulations for use in performance-based earthquake engineering and seismic building assessment in general. Continued collaboration between SCEC researchers developing advanced ground motion simulations and the structural engineering community to combine the rupture-to-rafters approach with seismic building assessment tools will continue to improve the broadband simulation process and help ensure that the SCEC broadband simulations are as applicable as possible for use in engineering problems.
Broader Impacts This research has been carried out by the PI and a graduate student at the University of Colorado. The student, Kristen Rowe, is a member of an underrepresented group in civil engineering. This effort forms the basis for her M.S. thesis and positions her for future research or work as an earthquake engineer. Results have already been used to generate class discussion in Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics (both graduate courses in structural engineering). At the completion of the study, findings will be published in a peer-reviewed earthquake engineering journal article.
Exemplary Figure N/A
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