Lesson 3.

One Dimensional
Shear Wave Propagation

4-1

Vertically Propagating Shear Waves

Shear waves are more damaging than
compressional waves
Shear waves refract to an essentially vertical
orientation as they approach earth surface
• Due to decrease in density, velocity
• Similar to waves at the beach
Surface waves (Rayleigh Waves) can also be
damaging
• No simple analysis
• Use shear waves as a surrogate
4-2

1
 Shear Wave Refraction

Courtesy FHWA 4-3

1-D Wave Propagation Theory

Basis of 1-D site response analysis

– First level of formal site response analysis
– Most common (and simplest) formal site
response analysis
– Assumes vertically propagating shear waves

4-4

2
 One-Dimensional Elastic Wave
Propagation
Linear elastic or visco-elastic material
Use complex modulus for visco-elasic case
(captures damping)
Solution derived for harmonic waves
Rely on superposition for more complex wabe
forms
Fourier analysis

7-5

One-Dimensional Wave Propagation

Theory
Wave transmission, reflection from layer 1 to 2
depends upon impedance ratio,  = 2V2/1V1

At= 2 Ai / (1+)
Transmitted Wave
Ar= Ai [(1-) / (1+)] At(x,t)
Layer 2: 2, V2

Layer 1: 1, V1
Reflected Wave
Ar(x,t)
Incident Wave
Ai(x,t)
Courtesy FHWA 4-6

3
 Wave Reflection, Free Surface
Free surface ( = 2V2/1V1 = 0): Ar = -Ai
– “Perfect” reflection, change in phase
–  = 2V2/1V1 = 0 because 2 = 0

Free Surface (Layer 2: 2, V2)

Incident Wave Layer 1: 1, V1 Reflected Wave

Ai(x,t) - Ai(x,t)

Note: Theoretically, there is a transmitted wave with amplitude 2Ai

but, since =0, the transmitted wave has no energy
Courtesy FHWA 4-7

Wave Reflection
Impedance Contrast
Impedance contrast, ( = 2V2/1V1 >> 1):
Soft layer over stiff layer
Ar = Ai; At = 0 (perfect reflection, same phase)

Incident Wave Reflected Wave

Ai(x,t) Layer 1: 1, 1 Ai(x,t)

No Transmitted Wave
Layer 2: 2, V2
Courtesy FHWA 4-8

4
 Wave Transmission
Impedance Contast
Impedance contrast ( >> 1): At = 2Ai; Ar = -At
– Soft layer over stiff layer
– Transmission w/ double the amplitude

Transmitted Wave
Layer 1: 1, V1
2 Ai(x,t)

Incident Wave Reflected Wave

Layer 2: 2, V2
Ai(x,t) - Ai(x,t)

4-9

Linear Elastic 1-D Site Response

Reflection /
refraction at
each layer
boundary
depends upon
impedance
ratio:
(VS)i / (VS)i+1

4-10

5
 Equivalent Linear 1-D SSRA
Most common SSRA used in engineering
practice
Soil profile is modeled as horizontally layered,
equivalent-linear material
Initial state characterized by Gmax, small strain
shear modulus, and , mass density
Nonlinearity characterized by strain-
dependant modulus (modulus reduction)
and damping.
4-11

Site Response Models

Gmax = small strain shear modulu

Gmax =  (VS)2

 = damping ratio

Equivalent Linear  Model Courtesy FHWA 4-12

6
Strain-Dependent Stiffness and Damping

Originally independent of overburden pressure

– Seed and Idriss: gravel and sand = f(Dr) or f(eo)
– Vucetic and Dobry: cohesive soil = f(PI, OCR)
Now have confining pressure dependence for
granular (cohesionless) soil
– EPRI (1993), Hashash and Park (2001), Darendeli
(2001)
– Essential for deeper soil deposits “Built in” to most
site response computer programs

4-13

Modulus Reduction as f(m’) for

Sand

4-14

7
 Damping as f(m’) for Sand

4-15

Correlations for Modulus Reduction and

Damping Curves

Typically correlated with soil index properties

Correlation parameters include:
• Soil type and consistency
• Void ratio or relative density (for
cohesionless soils)
• Void ratio, plasticity, and OCR for
cohesive soils

4-16

8
Modulus Reduction and Damping

Vucetic and
Dobry (1991)
4-17

1-D Non-Linear Site Response

Time-domain analysis
Follows “true” stress-strain behavior of soil
May include pore pressure softening

4-18

9
 Site Response Models

Equivalent Linear  Model Non-Linear  Model

4-19

Pore Pressure Softening

May significantly reduce response
Up to 33% reduction in response (from total
stress case) allowed by codes
Both cases (pore pressure and no pore
pressure) should be evaluated
Results should be peer reviewed if reduction
is to be employed

4-20

10
Pore Pressure Generation/Dissipation

4-21

Simplified 2-D Analysis

Take 1-D columns through 2-D section
Shear stresses (and thus peak average
acceleration) are usually within 10 percent

4-22

11
 Simplified 2-D Analysis

4-23

Advanced 2-D Analyses

QUAD-4M Two-dimensional equivalent linear
analysis
• Calculates “seismic coefficient” (average
acceleration time history) for specified blocks of
elements
• No absorbing boundaries (need large FEM
mesh)
FLAC and Plaxis two-dimensional non-linear
analyses
• Advanced soil models
• Structural elements
4-24

12
Seismic Site Response Analysis

Any Questions?

4-25

13