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The capability of the numerical discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) method to perform site response analysis is tested. We begin with modeling one-dimensional shear wave propagation through a stack of horizontal layers and compare the obtained resonance frequency and amplification with results obtained with SHAKE. We use the algorithmic damping in DDA to condition the damping ratio in DDA by changing the time step size and use the same damping ratio in SHAKE to enable meaningful comparisons. We obtain a good agreement between DDA and SHAKE, even though DDA is used with first order approximation and with simply deformable blocks, proving that the original DDA formulation is suitable for modeling one-dimensional wave propagation problems. The ability of DDA to simulate wave propagation through structures is tested by comparing the resonance frequency obtained for a multidrum column when modeling it with DDA and testing it in the field using geophysical site response survey. When the numerical control parameters are properly selected, we obtain a reasonable agreement between DDA and the site response experiment in the field. We find that the choice of the contact spring stiffness, or the numerical penalty parameter, is directly related to the obtained resonance frequency in DDA. The best agreement with the field experiment is obtained with a relatively soft contact spring stiffness of k = (1/25)(EÂ L) where E and L are the Young's modulus and mean diameter of the drums in the tested column.

SUMMARYThe estimated peak ground acceleration (PGA) for a specific region cannot always be determined reliably from compilation and statistical analyses of instrumental data acquired because of the relatively short time window available for such an approach, typically up to 100 years of instrumentation. We propose a complimentary approach for estimating PGA in a specific region, through back analysis of seismically driven column collapse in historic monuments, using the numerical discrete element discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) method. Preliminary threshold 'paleo PGA' values thus obtained constrain the lower bound of PGA estimates using information from a much broader time window, in the case study presented here of approximately 1200 years.

Models for estimating earthquake ground motions are a key component in seismic hazard analysis. In data-rich regions, these models are mostly empirical, relying on the ever-increasing ground-motion databases. However, in areas in which strong-motion data are scarce, other approaches for ground-motion estimates are sought, including, but not limited to, the use of simulations to replace empirical data. In Israel, despite a clear seismic hazard posed by the active plate boundary on its eastern border, the instrumental record is sparse and poor, leading to the use of global models for hazard estimation in the building code and all other engineering applications. In this study, we develop a suite of alternative ground-motion models for Israel, based on an empirical database from Israel as well as on four data-calibrated synthetic databases. Two host models are used to constrain model behavior, such that the epistemic uncertainty is captured and characterized. Despite the lack of empirical data at large magnitudes and short distances, constraints based on the host models or on the physical grounds provided by simulations ensure these models are appropriate for engineering applications. The models presented herein are cast in terms of the Fourier amplitude spectra, which is a linear, physical representation of ground motions. The models are suitable for shallow crustal earthquakes; they include an estimate of the median and the aleatory variability, and are applicable in the magnitude range of 3–8 and distance range of 1–300 km.

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