Application of a Site‐Effects Model Based on Peak Frequency and Average Shear‐Wave Velocity to California

Research Article| November 14, 2017 Application of a Site‐Effects Model Based on Peak Frequency and Average Shear‐Wave Velocity to California Behzad Hassani; Behzad Hassani aDepartment of Earth Sciences, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7, bhassan7@uwo.ca, gmatkinson@aol.com Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gail M. Atkinson Gail M. Atkinson aDepartment of Earth Sciences, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7, bhassan7@uwo.ca, gmatkinson@aol.com Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Behzad Hassani aDepartment of Earth Sciences, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7, bhassan7@uwo.ca, gmatkinson@aol.com Gail M. Atkinson aDepartment of Earth Sciences, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7, bhassan7@uwo.ca, gmatkinson@aol.com Publisher: Seismological Society of America First Online: 14 Nov 2017 Online Issn: 1943-3573 Print Issn: 0037-1106 © Seismological Society of America Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (2018) 108 (1): 351–357. https://doi.org/10.1785/0120170062 Article history First Online: 14 Nov 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Behzad Hassani, Gail M. Atkinson; Application of a Site‐Effects Model Based on Peak Frequency and Average Shear‐Wave Velocity to California. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 2017;; 108 (1): 351–357. doi: https://doi.org/10.1785/0120170062 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyBulletin of the Seismological Society of America Search Advanced Search Abstract In this study, we explore the applicability of fpeak (the peak frequency of the site‐response transfer function) as a site‐effect parameter for sites in California. The study is motivated by the results of our companion paper (Hassani and Atkinson, 2017), in which we show that peak frequency is a primary site variable for central and eastern North America (CENA), providing important information that is missing if the time‐averaged shear‐wave velocity over the top 30 m (⁠VS30⁠) is used as the sole site parameter. Specifically, we found that significant site‐response trends in peak frequency remain after removing site effects parameterized by VS30⁠, for sites in CENA. We therefore modeled site response using both peak frequency and VS30 and found this led to reduced variability. This led us to wonder if similar trends are present in California, where the use of VS30 as the primary site‐response variable is common practice. Might variability in site response also be reduced in California using the combination of fpeak and VS30? We use the Next Generation Attenuation West2 ground‐motion database to show that the answer to this question is "Yes," but we also note that the effect of fpeak is weaker in California than in CENA. By following the same methodology as used in the companion paper for CENA and incorporating fpeak as an additional site parameter, we can reduce the site‐to‐site variability component of ground motion (by 5% on average). We conclude that including fpeak as an additional site‐response variable is warranted in California, in addition to its applicability for sites in CENA. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.