Soil site response

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and design Vol. 192; no. 2; pp. 285 - 294
• Main Authors: Konno, Takaaki, Kato, Kenichi, Nigbor, Robert L
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-09-1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Dynamic response; Earthquake resistance; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fission nuclear power plants; Geotechnical engineering; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Mathematical models; Nuclear power plants (construction and construction safety); Seismology; Site selection; Soil mechanics; Soil structure interactions; Vibrations (mechanical); California; United States; North America; America; Geophysical observation; Structure soil interaction; Wave propagation; Earthquake effect; Nuclear power plant; Seismic wave
• ISSN: 0029-5493; 1872-759X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0029-5493(99)00115-6

The response of stiff quaternary soil sites to strong earthquake shaking is an important factor in the development of seismic siting criteria for nuclear power plants. Analytical methods for estimating this site response are in common use, but there is need for empirical verification of these modeling techniques. There are two dense 3-D strong motion arrays installed and operating in California to directly measure the response of stiff quaternary soil to earthquake shaking. These are the Hollister Earthquake Observatory and the Borrego Valley Downhole Arrays. Site response measurements from these arrays, along with detailed geotechnical and geophysical site investigations, will provide important calibration and confirmation of site response modeling techniques used for seismic siting criteria development. This paper presents an overview of the two arrays and initial results of the measurements.