Analysis of Earthquake Response Data Recorded from the Hualien Large-Scale Seismic Test

Hualien 대형내진모델시험의 지진응답 계측데이타 분석

A soil-structure interaction (SSI) experiment is being conducted in a seismically active region in Hualien, Taiwan. To obtain earthquake data for quantifying SSI effects and providing a basis to benchmark analysis methods, a 1/4-th scale cylindrical concrete containment model similar in shape to that of a nuclear power plant containment was constructed in the field where both the containment model and its surrounding soil, surface and sub-surface, are extensively instrumented to record earthquake data. In between September 1993 and May 1996, fifteen earthquakes with Richter magnitudes ranging from 4.2 to 6.2 were recorded. The recorded data were analyzed to provide information on the response characteristics of the Hualien soil-structure system, the SSI effects and the ground motion characteristics. The ground response data were analyzed for their variations with depth, with distance from the model structure, and at the same depths along downhole arrays. Variations of soil stiffness and soil-structure system frequencies were also evaluated against maximum ground motion. In addition, the site soil properties were derived based on correlation analysis of the recorded data and then correlated with those from the geotechnical investigation data.