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Estimating ground motions using recorded accelerograms

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Abstract

A procedure for estimating ground motions using recorded accelerograms is described. The premise of the study is the assumption that future ground motions will be similar to those observed for similar site and tectonic situations in the past. Direct techniques for scaling existing accelerograms have been developed, based on relative estimates of local magnitude,M L . Design events are described deterministically in terms of fault dimension, tectonic setting (stress drop), fault distance, and site conditions. A combination of empirical and theoretical arguments is used to develop relationships betweenM L and other earthquake magnitude scales. In order to minimize scaling errors due to lack of understanding of the physics of strong ground motion, the procedure employs as few intermediate scaling laws as possible. The procedure conserves a meaningful measure of the uncertainty inherent when predicting ground motions from simple parameterizations of earthquake sources and site conditions.

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Author notes

  1. Thomas H. Heaton

    Present address: U.S.G.S., Calif, Inst. Tech., Pasadena, Calif., USA

  2. Fumiko Tajima

    Present address: Institute for Geophysics, the University of Texas, P.O. Box 7456, Austin, Tex., USA

  3. Ann Wildenstein Mori

    Present address: Seismological Laboratory, Calif. Inst. Tech., Pasadena, Calif., USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dames and Moore, 445 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, Calif., USA

    Thomas H. Heaton & Fumiko Tajima

  2. Exxon Production Research Co., P.O. Box 2189, Houston, Tex., USA

    Ann Wildenstein Mori

Authors
  1. Thomas H. Heaton
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  2. Fumiko Tajima
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  3. Ann Wildenstein Mori
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Heaton, T.H., Tajima, F. & Mori, A.W. Estimating ground motions using recorded accelerograms. Surv Geophys 8, 25–83 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01904051

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