Validation of One Predominant Frequency Presence in Seismic Ground Displacement by Means of Deformation Response Spectra

Abstract

There are very few results in the literature on spectral content of seismic ground displacement; nonetheless, these results are singular as most of the spectral content is limited to a very narrow low frequency band, contrary to ground acceleration. These few spectral characterizations have been obtained, expectedly, by means of power spectral or Fourier analyses of ground displacement records, only. As these records are not as reliable as ground acceleration records, the existence of a clear predominant frequency in ground displacement warrants confirmation through a different procedure. We propose a corroboration method of this highly narrow-band characteristic that is based on the more dependable acceleration signal, rather than on the same ground displacement record that is the subject of study. Specifically, displacement response spectra are analyzed (which rely on acceleration records) to verify previously observed neat predominant frequencies in ground displacement, which is a novelty.

Keywords

• displacement response spectra
• seismic ground displacement
• spectral content
• predominant frequencies
• narrow band