Influence of local geology on earthquake ground motion

As a simplified approach for estimating theoretically the influence of local subsoils upon the ground motion during an earthquake, the problem of an idealized layered system subjected to vertically incident plane body waves was studied. Both the technique of steady-state analysis and the technique of transient analysis have been used to analyze the problem.

In the steady-state analysis, a recursion formula has been derived for obtaining the response of a layered system to sinusoidally steady-state input. Several conclusions are drawn concerning the nature of the amplification spectrum of a nonviscous layered system having its layer stiffnesses increasing with depth. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effect of layer parameters on the amplification spectrum of a layered system.

In the transient analysis, two modified shear beam models have been established for obtaining approximately the response of a layered system to earthquake-like excitation. The method of continuous modal analysis was adopted for approximate analysis of the models, with energy dissipation in the layers, if any, taken into account. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the accuracy of the models and the effect of a layered system in modifying the input motion.

Conditions are established, under which the theory is applicable to predict the influence of local subsoils on the ground motion during an earthquake. To demonstrate the applicability of the models to actual cases, three examples of actually recorded earthquake events are examined. It is concluded that significant modification of the incoming seismic waves, as predicted by the theory, is likely to occur in well defined soft subsoils during an earthquake, provided that certain conditions concerning the nature of the incoming seismic waves are satisfied.

Real-Time Bayesian Analysis of Ground Motion Envelopes for Earthquake Early Warning

Current earthquake early warning systems usually make magnitude and location predictions and send out a warning to the users based on those predictions. We describe an algorithm that assesses the validity of the predictions in real-time. Our algorithm monitors the envelopes of horizontal and vertical acceleration, velocity, and displacement. We compare the observed envelopes with the ones predicted by Cua & Heaton's envelope ground motion prediction equations (Cua 2005). We define a "test function" as the logarithm of the ratio between observed and predicted envelopes at every second in real-time. Once the envelopes deviate beyond an acceptable threshold, we declare a misfit. Kurtosis and skewness of a time evolving test function are used to rapidly identify a misfit. Real-time kurtosis and skewness calculations are also inputs to both probabilistic (Logistic Regression and Bayesian Logistic Regression) and nonprobabilistic (Least Squares and Linear Discriminant Analysis) models that ultimately decide if there is an unacceptable level of misfit. This algorithm is designed to work at a wide range of amplitude scales. When tested with synthetic and actual seismic signals from past events, it works for both small and large events.

Motion simulation of annular polishing

Based on the Coulomb friction model, the frictional motion model of workpiece relating to the polishing pad was presented in annular polishing. By the dynamic analysis software, the model was simulated and analysed. The conclusions from the results were that the workpiece did not rotate steadily. When the angular velocity of ring and the direction were the same as that of the polishing pad, the angular velocity of workpiece hoicked at the beginning and at the later stage were the same as that of the polishing pad before contacting with the ring. The angular velocity of workpiece vibrated at the moment of contacting with the ring. After that the angular velocity of workpiece increased gradually and fluctuated at a given value, while the angular velocity of ring decreased gradually and also fluctuated at a given value. Since the contact between the workpiece and the ring was linear, their linear velocities and directions should be the same. But the angular velocity of workpiece was larger than that of the polishing pad on the condition that the radius of the workpiece was less than that of the ring. This did not agree with the pure translation principle and the workpiece surface could not be flat, either. Consequently, it needed to be controlled with the angular velocity of ring and the radii of the ring and the workpiece, besides friction to make the angular velocity of workpiece equal to that of the polishing pad for obtaining fine surface flatness of the workpiece. Copyright © 2007 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.}