Validation of physics‐based regional‐scale ground‐motion simulations of the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake for engineering applications

• DOI: 10.1002/eqe.3710
• Publication Date: 2022-07-14T15:56:02Z
• Authors: Fan Zhang; George P. Mavroeidis; Jingquan Wang; Apostolos S. Papa...
• Keywords: Strong ground motion

Abstract The 2008 M w 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, one of the largest continental intraplate events instrumentally recorded, struck central part Sichuan Province in southwestern China causing great destruction and loss life but also providing a wealth seismological data, geodetic measurements, tectonic observations. earthquake ruptured two northwest‐dipping imbricate oblique reverse faults along middle segment Longmenshan fault zone—a northeast‐trending thrust belt located at boundary between Tibetan Plateau Basin. In this study, hybrid approach that combines deterministic modeling low frequencies with stochastic high is used to simulate broadband ground motions 52 strong‐motion stations 506 sites vicinity causative fault. low‐frequency components synthetic motion are simulated using an extended kinematic source model embedded layered medium, whereas high‐frequency generated finite‐fault model. independently derived ground‐motion then combined matched filtering crossover frequency 0.8 Hz generate time histories response spectra. temporal spectral characteristics recorded compared effect soil nonlinearity on investigated through 1‐D nonlinear site analysis. Finally, permanent displacements evaluated against observations peak amplitudes same locations predictions empirical models.