Influence of Rock Depth on Seismic Site Classification for Shallow Bedrock Regions

Anbazhagan, P and Sheikh, Neaz M and Parihar, Aditya (2013) Influence of Rock Depth on Seismic Site Classification for Shallow Bedrock Regions. In: NATURAL HAZARDS REVIEW, 14 (2). pp. 108-121.

PDF Nat_Haz_Rev_14-2_108_2013.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (6MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Seismic site classifications are used to represent site effects for estimating hazard parameters (response spectral ordinates) at the soil surface. Seismic site classifications have generally been carried out using average shear wave velocity and/or standard penetration test n-values of top 30-m soil layers, according to the recommendations of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) or the International Building Code (IBC). The site classification system in the NEHRP and the IBC is based on the studies carried out in the United States where soil layers extend up to several hundred meters before reaching any distinct soil-bedrock interface and may not be directly applicable to other regions, especially in regions having shallow geological deposits. This paper investigates the influence of rock depth on site classes based on the recommendations of the NEHRP and the IBC. For this study, soil sites having a wide range of average shear wave velocities (or standard penetration test n-values) have been collected from different parts of Australia, China, and India. Shear wave velocities of rock layers underneath soil layers have also been collected at depths from a few meters to 180 m. It is shown that a site classification system based on the top 30-m soil layers often represents stiffer site classes for soil sites having shallow rock depths (rock depths less than 25 m from the soil surface). A new site classification system based on average soil thickness up to engineering bedrock has been proposed herein, which is considered more representative for soil sites in shallow bedrock regions. It has been observed that response spectral ordinates, amplification factors, and site periods estimated using one-dimensional shear wave analysis considering the depth of engineering bedrock are different from those obtained considering top 30-m soil layers. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)NH.1527-6996.0000088. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	NATURAL HAZARDS REVIEW
Publisher:	ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS
Additional Information:	Copy right of this article belongs to ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS, 1801 ALEXANDER BELL DR, RESTON, VA 20191-4400 USA
Keywords:	Seismic; Site classification; Soil depth; Shear wave velocity; Site response; Amplification
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited:	05 Jul 2016 05:37
Last Modified:	05 Jul 2016 05:37
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/54124

Actions (login required)

View Item