Project Abstract
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Significant advances in physics-based earthquake ground motion simulations have allowed us to move towards higher frequencies and finer resolution scales. Some of the most prominent features that higher resolution models are called to account for are the inelastic behavior of geomaterials in the shallow crust, which include hysteresis and permanent or transient ground deformation. These effects span a wide range of scales, affect the amplitude and duration of ground motions over a broad range of frequencies, and are highlighted among the research priorities of SCEC5. This work (in progress) is the first phase of a verification and validation exercise of prominent ground motion codes developed and optimized for large-scale 3D nonlinear ground motion simulations. These include one finite element code (Hercules); one finite differences code (AWP) and two spectral element codes (SEM3D, SPEED). The Garner Valley Downhole Array has been identified as benchmark site for the validation exercises, in 1D and in future phases in 3D. Garner Valley was selected because of the wealth of published studies on site characterization and nonlinear properties, key elements of a successful long term validation study. Canonical problems in 3D, both small and large scale computational models, will bridge the reliability gap between idealized 1D models and 3D simulations at Garner Valley. |
