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S-wave Velocity Profiles for Earthquake Engineering Purposes for the Cologne Area (Germany)

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Abstract

Local S-wave velocity-depth profiles are a key factor in seismic hazard assessment, as they allow the amplification potential of the sedimentary cover to be evaluated. Ambient seismic noise is mainly composed of surface waves, and therefore contains vital information about the S-wave velocity structure, allowing polarization or dispersion curves to be obtained from single station or array noise recordings. At two sites in the area of Cologne, Germany, the extended spatial correlation method was applied to such recordings and apparent phase velocity curves in the frequency range of interest for earthquake engineering were obtained. Using this data, a linearized inversion, the simplex downhill method, and a genetic algorithm yielded similar S-wave profiles. However, the latter method is recommended since it is less dependent upon a good starting model. Importantly, the presence of low-velocity layers in the Cologne area made it necessary to consider in the frequency range of interest higher modes in the inversion procedures. Finally, independent information on the total thickness of the sedimentary cover permitted the estimation of a 2D S-wave velocity profile crossing the Cologne area. Here, the H/V ratio inversion using 20 single-station noise recordings was used, with the results in good agreement with a geological profile.

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Abbreviations

ESAC:

extended spatial autocorrelation

FTAN:

frequency time analysis

GA:

genetic algorithm

H/V:

horizontal-to-vertical

LIN:

linearized inversion

LV:

low velocity

MASW:

multichannel analysis of surface waves

RMS:

root mean square

SASW:

spectral analysis of surface waves

SDM:

simplex downhill method

SPAC:

spatial autocorrelation method

SSR:

standard spectral ratios

SVD :

singular value decomposition

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Telegrafenberg, 14473, Potsdam, Germany

    S. Parolai, S. M. Richwalski & C. Milkereit

  2. Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology at Universität Karlsruhe (TH) and GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) Potsdam, c/o GFZ Potsdam, Telegrafenberg, 14473, Potsdam, Germany

    S. M. Richwalski

  3. Swiss Seismological Service, Institut für Geophysik, ETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093, Zürich, Switzerland

    D. Fäh

Authors
  1. S. Parolai
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  2. S. M. Richwalski
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  3. C. Milkereit
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  4. D. Fäh
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Correspondence to S. Parolai.

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Parolai, S., Richwalski, S.M., Milkereit, C. et al. S-wave Velocity Profiles for Earthquake Engineering Purposes for the Cologne Area (Germany). Bull Earthquake Eng 4, 65–94 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-005-5758-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-005-5758-2

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