Scientific article
English

Toward Seismic Microzonation—2-D Modeling and Ambient Seismic Noise Measurements: The Case of an Embanked, Deep Alpine Valley

Published inEarthquake spectra, vol. 21, no. 3, p. 635-651
Publication date2005
Abstract

In the Sion area of Switzerland, part of a deep, embanked sediment-filled valley, investigations on soil site effects have been conducted using two independent methods. Two-dimensional (2-D) modeling was performed with a program based on the Indirect Boundary Element Method (Pedersen et. al. 1994). Numerical simulations allow taking into account the subsurface geometry of the valley and its peculiar characteristics, such as a variable shape ratio and a high shear-wave velocity contrast. The H∕V method has been applied on ambient seismic noise measurements recorded on sites as close as possible to the 2-D modeling. This technique allows capturing the fundamental resonant frequency of the deepest sediments as well as identifying the existence of a surficial deposit. Both approaches agree on the fact that the fundamental resonant frequency of the valley is below 1 Hz. The amplification level of the predominant frequency obtained with numerical simulation is up to two times higher than the one given by the H∕V ratio. These results provide the basis for further investigations in order to resolve differences.

Keywords
  • Site effects
  • Seismic noise
  • Alpine valley
Citation (ISO format)
FRISCHKNECHT, Corine, ROSSET, Philippe, WAGNER, Jean-Jacques. Toward Seismic Microzonation—2-D Modeling and Ambient Seismic Noise Measurements: The Case of an Embanked, Deep Alpine Valley. In: Earthquake spectra, 2005, vol. 21, n° 3, p. 635–651. doi: 10.1193/1.1941252
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Article (Accepted version)
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Identifiers
Journal ISSN1944-8201
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