A Sectionalized-Dual-Band Method for Ground Motion Record Sets

Abstract

It’s of great importance to select appropriate ground motion records for time-history dynamic analysis of structures. The consistency between record response spectral shape and the seismic design response spectral shape is the basic principle for records selection. By comparing the merits and demerits between the mean square error (MSE) and the the relative difference (), a sectionalized-dual-band (SDB) method was first proposed to select ground motion records according to the seismic fortification intensity requirements and the site characteristic. Furthermore, the newly proposed method has been employed to construct record sets within the whole response spectrum period. As compared with other traditional method, the records obtained from the SDB method are more effective in predicting base shear in time-history dynamic analysis. When the basic period of a structure is determined, the records in the matched period range of the record set can be directly used to conduct time-history dynamic analysis. This method can avoid tedious work for reselecting ground motion records for different structures in the same seismic design intensity and site conditions.