Strong ground motion simulation by using signals from moderate earthquakes in the Oriente fault zone

Abstract

A procedure to obtain a suitable set of accelerograms for vulnerability and risk assessment of buildings and bridges in Cuba is presented. Scaled signals of small or moderate earthquakes in the Oriente fault system area were analyzed. This area was chosen because it is the one where the strongest earthquakes of the southeastern region of the country take place. Signals obtained and their parameters for the engineering analysis are shown (peak ground acceleration, velocity and displacement, Arias Intensity and Housner Intensity), the latter two parameters are related to the earthquake intensity. The maximum amplitudes of the new signals are in period intervals of 0.10 sec. - 0.60 sec. These values are consistent with the periods manifested by the most common structures in the city of Santiago de Cuba. Consequently, by performing linear and non-linear dynamic analysis based on these accelerograms, it is assessed a seismic action that, because of its frequency, influences the appearance of damages in such structures.

Keywords

• accelerograms
• earthquake
• scaling signals
• seismic risk
• structures