Conventional and deep learning-based site amplification models for central and eastern North America

Central and Eastern North America (CENA) is known as a stable continental region that lacks region-specific site amplification functions due to a dearth of ground motion recordings for empirical constraints. Recently developed site amplification functions using a parametric study of large-scale one-dimensional (1D) site response analyses represent significant improvement in terms of seismic hazard applications. However, the limitations of these simulation-based studies persist due to (1) constraints on the variability in site profiles produced by parametric study and (2) the large error of estimations by conventional amplification functions caused by forcing a priori functional forms to fit the data. This research aims to develop robust response spectrum (RS) and Fourier amplitude spectrum (FAS) amplification models using an enhanced and enlarged amplification database. The first segment of this study is to perform over 3.6 million 1D linear, equivalent-linear and nonlinear site response analyses via high performance computing (HPC) resources. The simulations are conducted using prior parametric study design with improvements to remove the constraint on the variability of simulated site conditions at CENA along with the bias in the generic profiles. This study provides a brief description of each element of the parametric study tree and a detailed explanation of updates relative to prior work. The second part of this research is the development of RS and FAS site amplification models through a deep learning-based approach via Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and the application of prior conventional functions with enhancements to better capture the simulated amplification data. This study is the pioneer in the implementation of ANN for the modeling of site amplification and shows that the significant decrease in error of estimations by ANN-based models is obtained relative to conventional relationships along with more accurate representation of the features observed in the amplification dataset. A new conventional relationship, based only on the site natural period, which produces noticeably lower errors relative to those using time averaged shear wave velocity in the top 30 m of a site (VS30) is proposed for linear RS amplification, and all the linear RS functions are applied to FAS amplification to suggest an alternative set of models. The standard deviation for ANN-based and conventional models are proposed, and the improvements of ANN over conventional functions in capturing site-specific response are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2021

Author dc:creator

• Ilhan, Okan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hashash, Youssef M. A.
• Olson, Scott M.
• Elbanna, Ahmed E.
• Stewart, Jonathan P.
• Rathje, Ellen M.
• Nikolaou, Sissy

• Site Amplification, Deep learning, Site effects, Ergodic model

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2020 Okan Ilhan

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109480

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/109480