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Correlations between Vs and SPT-N by different borehole measurement methods: effect on seismic site classification

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Abstract

The average shear wave velocity of the top 30 m of the subsurface profile (Vs30) is a critical parameter to characterize the seismic site class. Since Vs30 is a quantitative index and measurable by geophysical techniques, the use of Vs30 becomes popular and is widely used in practice. However, the Vs30 of a site may vary due to the different Vs measurement methods used. This could result in a different seismic site class and design force. To quantify the effect of measurement methods on Vs and seismic site classification. This study collected high quality geotechnical investigation reports with standard penetration test (SPT) N-values, and shear wave velocities measured by suspension logging, SCPT, down-hole test and cross-hole logging. The correlations between Vs and SPT-N by different methods were then built and compared. The results show that Vs by suspension logging is relatively high in comparison with those by SCPT and cross-hole logging. The effect on the site classification resulting from the different Vs measurement methods is then demonstrated with several examples.

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Acknowledgements

In establishing the framework of this paper, valuable discussion with Dr. Chun-Hsiang Kuo of NCREE, Mr. Takafumi Kameda of ATK cooperation, and Miss Sayoko Maruyama of OYO cooperation were of great help. The assistance of Dr. Motoi Kawanishi of ATK in collecting the Japanese literature provided the authors a good reference. The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to them.

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  1. National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering, No. 200, Sec. 3, Xinhai Rd., Taipei, 10668, Taiwan, ROC

    Chih-Chieh Lu

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, National Central University, No. 300, Jhongda Rd., Zhongli District, Taoyuan, 32001, Taiwan, ROC

    Jin-Hung Hwang

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Lu, CC., Hwang, JH. Correlations between Vs and SPT-N by different borehole measurement methods: effect on seismic site classification. Bull Earthquake Eng 18, 1139–1159 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-019-00767-1

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