SCEC Award Number 15052 View PDF
Proposal Category Collaborative Proposal (Integration and Theory)
Proposal Title A Working Group on Modeling and Integration of the Geotechnical Layer in SCEC Simulations
Investigator(s)
Name Organization
Domniki Asimaki California Institute of Technology Jonathan Stewart University of California, Los Angeles Ricardo Taborda University of Memphis John Anderson University of Nevada, Reno
Other Participants Jian Shi, California Institute of Technology (Graduate student)
SCEC Priorities 6e, 6c, 6b SCEC Groups GMP, GMSV, Seismology
Report Due Date 03/15/2016 Date Report Submitted 03/22/2016
Project Abstract
 As part of this collaborative proposal, we developed two geotechnical layer (GTL) response modules for the Broadband Platform (BBP) that are designed to modify time series on rock outcrop using site-specific velocity profiles: the first is based on wave propagation through linear viscoelastic layered media; and the second on an approximate iterative approach that uses linear viscoelastic wave propagation principles and inelastic material properties to approximate the nonlinear response of layered soils to strong ground motion. For the BBP, our long-term plan is to develop six modules that will correct ground motion time-series at sites with geotechnical parameters ranging from Vs30 to site-specific nonlinear dynamic soil properties. We also obtained some preliminary results on a realistic functional form for the GTL models used in SCEC’s 3D simulations: our long term goal is to develop an improved GTL algo-rithm for the Unified Community Velocity Model (UCVM) software platform that is soil-type (Vs30) in-formed, but also respectful of basin contrasts. To stimulate discussion and coordinate our research vision with planning activities in preparation of SCEC5, we finally organized a 1-day working group meeting between experts in geotechnical modeling, 3D wave-propagation simulations, and empirical hazard mapping, that helped identify and prioritize research needs in the realm of GTL modeling for SCEC science products. The discussions from the workshop were summarized in a document intended to support the preparation of the SCEC5 proposal, and is amended at the end of this report for completeness.
Intellectual Merit The intellectual merit of this proposal lied in the development of open source computer codes designed to modify time series on rock outcrop using site-specific velocity profiles to account for site effects; and which were made available to the SCEC community to be used as part of Technical Activity Group initiatives such as the Ground Motion simulation validation.
Broader Impacts The broader impacts of this activity lied in the cross-disciplinary research initiative of the workshop that was orga-nized at the interface between seismology and engineering on the simulation of site effects; and on the dissemination of the computer codes beyond SCEC through the Broadband Platform, to seismologists and engineers interested in using SCECs platform to compute broadband simulated ground motions on soft soils.
Exemplary Figure none submitted