Geo-Modeling and Analysis of Site Effects in the Area of Cologne

S. Tyagunov
Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM), Karlsruhe University, Germany
D. Hollnack
Munich Reinsurance Company, Munich, Germany
F. Wenzel
Geophysical Institute, Karlsruhe University, Germany

ABSTRACT: This paper presents some results of a study conducted in the framework of the DFNK
project for the area around the city of Cologne, Germany. A comprehensive geo-database was
compiled for the area on the basis of 3-D geo-modeling, involving spatial correlation between
geotechnical and geophysical parameters of lithological units composing stratified geological structure
of the area. We computed transfer functions and mapped distribution of the fundamental frequencies
and peak amplifications. From consideration of the obtained results we classify the area under study
into three parts according to the fundamental frequencies of sediments and ground amplification
patterns. Several representative sites with typical transfer functions were selected and used for analysis
and modification of response spectra accounting for local soil conditions. Using a set of input motions
generated on the basis of the rock-site standard design spectrum (DIN 4149neu) scaled for the
acceleration level of 0.1g we estimated and mapped distribution of PGA around the area.
KEYWORDS: geo-modeling, computational analysis, site effects, amplification functions,
microzonation.

1 INTRODUCTION

The study was implemented in the framework of the DFNK project. This acronym stands for
Deutsches Forschungsnetz Naturkatastrophen (German Research Network Natural Disasters). The
project was initiated by German research institutes as multidisciplinary and inter-institutional
approach to the problem of natural disaster preparedness and risk mitigation. Natural disasters like
storms, floods, forest fires and earthquakes were considered in four clusters of the project. The area
around the city of Cologne, in particular, was selected for seismic hazard and risk assessment. This
area, known as Rhineland, is one of tectonic active regions of Germany. According to current
estimates of seismic hazard for the region (Grünthal et al., 1998) the level of seismic intensity in the
area of Cologne corresponding to 10% probability of exceedance within 50 years ranges between VI
and VII. However on a longer time scale stronger events are possible.
Though the probability of severe ground shaking in this area is relatively low, the area is densely
populated, industrialized and has a high concentration of developed infrastructure, so that the level of
seismic risk is considerable. Therefore one objective within DFNK was to obtain estimates of seismic
hazard and seismic risk on a quantitative basis. One part of this important work was dedicated to
seismic microzonation of the area taking the influence of local soil conditions into account.
The area under study is covered by Tertiary and Quaternary sediments (including sands, clays and
gravels) bedded on Devonian bedrock. The depth of sediments varies from a few meters in the
northeastern part to a few hundred meters in the southwestern part of the area. At some places in the
northeastern part of the Rhine river basin the Devonian basement rocks outcrop. The depth of the
ground water table varies considerably, ranging from a few dozens meters and at some places ground
waters rise to surface. Complexity of the situation is aggravated by coal-mining activity. Taking into
account peculiarities of the local soil conditions the analysis of seismic hazard and microzonation of
the area, conducted in the framework of the DFNK project, included both amplification of ground
motions and probable liquefaction of soils. Below some results are presented related to estimation of
site amplification effects obtained on the basis of computational analysis using geo-modeling.
2 GEO-MODELING

The computational study was based on a geological 3D-modeling of the stratified Tertiary and
Quaternary sediments covering the Paleozoic basement of the Lower Rhine Embayment with various
thickness (Figure 1). The geological model as well as a comprehensive database were constructed
taking into account available geophysical and geotechnical data (Budny, 1984) and using GIS software
ArcView and ArcInfo. The model was developed for the square consisting of four adjacent
topographical maps TK25 – 5007 (Cologne), 5008 (Cologne-Muehlheim), 5107 (Porz), 5108 (Bruehl)
using hydrological profile-maps of the scale 1:25,000 (Hydrogeologische Karte von Nordrhein-
Westfalen im Maßstab 1:25000; Landesumweltamt NRW). These profile-maps provide 17 cross-
sections each at intervals of 1 km and showing the geological situation down to a depth of about 70 m.
After scanning and geo-referencing of the maps the lower boundaries of the lithological units were
screen-digitised and converted into depth-points. Using information from geological maps and the
cross-sections, distribution polygons for each layer were built showing the horizontal extend and also
taking faults into account. By interpolating of the depth-points within the distribution-polygons, grids
with a resolution of 50x50 m and identical cell coordinates were calculated for 29 layers, including a
digital elevation model (DEM). Description of all representative layers available in the database and
their geophysical properties are presented in Table 1.
For the modeling of the geological situation a “Top-Down”-method was used, since the layering
of the sedimentary cover in the Lower Rhine Embayment is mainly horizontal. Starting with the
youngest lithological unit, the DEM was reduced by the thickness of one layer after the other down to
the Devonian basement. In the parts of the area, where the depth-information of the geo-profiles did
not reach the top of the bedrock, the gap was filled with a generalized unit S58 (Tertiary unstructured)
appearing as a combination of the layers S40 – S51, a cyclic change of clay, coal and sand.

Figure 1. Thickness of sediments around Cologne

On the basis of this geo-model a geo-database was compiled for the area, which allows to use a
computational approach for an analysis of site amplification functions and probable surface effects.
The database represents the 3D-geological structure of the area under study in the form of gridded
“virtual boreholes” with the mesh size of 50x50 meters for the square of approximately 20x20 km.
The total number of the boreholes, which have the depth from a few meters up to a few hundred
meters, is more than 200,000.
An assessment of the accuracy of the model is difficult due to missing information between the
profiles. This is true especially for the eastern part of the area (Bergisches Land), where small-scale
paleo-erosion channels and local depressions are present. The same holds for the other regions for the
DEM and the uppermost Quaternary layer, while the deeper parts seem to be copied quite well by the
model (Figure 2).
Table 1. Properties of the representative layers (lithological units) used in the geo-model

Range of Shear wave velocity Density

(m/s) (kg/m3) Quality
NN ID System Description of the units thickness
factor Qs
(m)
VS0 mVs ρ0 mρ
1 S01 Artificial and fill-up soil 0-30 150 0 1600 0 5
2 S02 Moor 0-5 90 0 1200 0 5
3 S04 Loam, fine-grained sand 0-2 159 0.285 1900 0 7
4 S05 Clay, silt with sandy inclusions 0-5 173 0.243 1900 0 10.6
5 S06 Gravel, sand 0-7 170 0.1793 1900 0 6.1
Quaternary
6 S07 Fine- and medium-grained sand 0-9 159 0.285 1650 0 8
7 S08 Sand, slightly silty 0-15 166 0.271 1890 0 8
8 S10 Silt, sandy, clayey, limy 0-20 245 0 1750 0 3.6
9 S17 Medium- and coarse-grained sand, partly silty 0-46 196.49 0.1793 1695 83.446 6.1
10 S19 Medium- and coarse-grained sand, in cycle with sandy gravel 0-43 200 0.175 1876 0 6.1
11 S20 Medium-grained gravel to sand partly clayey, silty 0-25 214.29 0.1708 1860 0 6.1
12 S21 Fine- and medium-grained gravel 0-8 295.64 0.087 1798 42.319 14.3
13 S40 Clay and brown coal 0-75 175 0.233 2000 0 10
14 S41 Fine- and medium-grained sand, brown coal layers 0-45 159 0.285 1950 0 15.7
15 S42 Clay and brown coal 0-43 175 0.233 2000 0 10
16 S43 Fine- and medium-grained sand, brown coal layers 0-52 159 0.285 1950 0 15.7
17 S44 Clay and brown coal 0-51 175 0.233 2000 0 10
18 S45 Brown coal, clay, silty clay 0-69 159 0.285 1950 0 15.7
19 S46 Clay and brown coal 0-60 175 0.233 2000 0 10
Tertiary
20 S47 Fine- and medium-grained sand, brown coal layers 0-43 159 0.285 1950 0 15.7
21 S48 Clay and brown coal 0-59 175 0.233 2000 0 10
22 S49 Fine- and medium-grained sand, brown coal layers 0-104 159 0.285 1950 0 15.7
23 S50 Clay and brown coal 0-62 175 0.233 2000 0 10
24 S51 Fine- and medium-grained sand, brown coal layers 0-79 159 0.285 1950 0 15.7
25 S53 Fine- and medium-grained sand 0-65 159 0.285 1950 0 15.7
26 S54 Clay with dusty sands 0-78 158 0.233 2000 0 12.2
27 S58 Generalized unit of S40-S51 0-750 159 0.3 1747 69.3 15.7
28 S59 Weathered shale 0-20 195 0.308 2050 0 50
29 S60 Devonian Shale and sandstone Half-space 210 0.448 2600 0 70
 Figure 2. SW-NE running cross-section of TK 5007 (Cologne), showing a comparison between
hydrological-map (bitmap) and modeled layer (bold black lines).

For further calculations the lithological units had to be connected to geophysical parameter, taken
from Budny (1984). The values of the shear wave velocity, the density and the quality factor for all the
lithological units are given in Table 1. There are the values of Vs0 and ρ0, corresponding to the surface
level, given in the table as well as appropriate depth-parameters mVs and mρ to be used for taking into
account the change of these parameters with depth. The following relationships were used for these
purpose, where H is the depth of layers below surface in meters:
Shear wave velocity:
m Vs
V = V × H
S S0
Density:
ρ = ρ 0 + m ρ × ln( H )

3 COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS

Computational analysis of site amplification functions was performed, using the ProShake program
(EduPro Civil Systems, Inc., 1999), for more than 400 virtual boreholes selected from the database.
Locations of 274 boreholes coincide with the sites where measurements of seismological noise for
analysis with the Nakamura's method were carried out (Parolai et al, 2001). The other boreholes were
selected to provide a spatially regular grid within the considered area. Computations included analysis
of transfer functions and response spectra. The transfer functions were computed for the whole
thickness of the stratified Tertiary and Quaternary sediments. This covers the structure between the
surface and the top of the Devonian basement. All results presented here were obtained by assuming
linear soil behavior.
The transfer functions as the ratio of Fourier amplitude spectra between the surface of soil sites
and outcropping rock sites were computed for the frequency band from 0 Hz to 20 Hz with a step
width of 0.1 Hz and plotted as contour maps. Figure 3 presents the maps of computed fundamental
frequencies (a) and the corresponding amplification factors (b). The lowest fundamental frequencies
(in the range of 0.50-0.55 Hz) are related to the area with thicker sediments in the southwestern part of
the area. The fundamental frequencies gradually increase in northeastern direction, as the thickness of
sediments decreases. The highest values of the fundamental frequencies (about 5 Hz) are found in the
north-east of the area around the sites with outcropping rocks. Figure 3 (b) shows the distribution of
the amplification factor as rather smooth and for most of the area the peak values range from 4.25 to
4.75. However, the maximum amplification values make up about 6. The amplification factor values
for the outcropping rocks, selected as the reference sites, were set equal to 1.
a) b)

Figure 3. Computed fundamental frequencies (a) and corresponding amplification factors (b)

A set of maps of amplifications was constructed and analyzed (considering both the natural
frequencies and amplification level) for the frequency band from 0.1 to 13 Hz, which is essential for
the purposes of earthquake engineering analysis. The obtained results show that for the lower-
frequency band (0.5-0.6 Hz) the maximum values of amplification appear in the south-west and the
minimum values correspond to the northeastern part of the area. For the frequencies higher than 3-4
Hz the maximum amplifications are related to the sites around the outcropping rocks in the north-east.
For a more detailed analysis we selected from the considered family of the virtual boreholes a
sample of representative sites (boreholes) with typical transfer functions. Location and lithological
structure of the selected boreholes can be seen in Table 2. Figure 4 shows some examples of the
computed transfer functions corresponding to the selected sites and their distribution across the area.
We can see how the shape of the transfer functions changes depending on local geological conditions.

Figure 4. Examples of computed transfer functions

Table 2. Location and lithological structure of the selected representative boreholes

Gauss-Krueger Top of the

Thickness of the layers (m)
ID coordinates Devonian
X Y S01 S04 S05 S08 S10 S17 S19 S40 S41 S42 S43 S44 S45 S46 S47 S48 S49 S50 S51 S53 S54 S58 S59 basement
00080 2570164.75 5640799.82 0 0 0 0 0 4.3 15.1 0 0 0 13.3 15.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 267.6 0 315.74
00147 2558614.76 5651799.82 0 0 0 0.9 0 23.3 4.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22.4 1.3 7.6 0 0 0 0 193.4 0 252.95
01200 2571014.75 5651799.82 0 0 0 0 0 18.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26.2 0 44.98
01300 2576014.75 5651799.82 0 0 0 0 0 0 22.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22.40
03528 2558714.75 5639999.82 0 0 0 0 14.4 0 0 16.0 8.2 7.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 342.6 0 388.74
05524 2561764.76 5649599.82 0 0 0.2 3.2 0 16.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 2.2 23.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 184.7 0 247.21
13537 2575564.75 5638049.82 0 0 1.3 0.5 0 8.8 18.7 0 0 0 0 10.7 20.8 3.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 200.4 0 265.05
14172 2558614.76 5645999.82 0 0 0 0 3.9 0 22.8 0 0 0 18.5 19.4 3.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 218.1 0 286.50
14975 2567914.75 5637599.82 0 0 0.9 0.1 0 19.2 0 1.6 20.3 8.5 13.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 287.2 0 351.50
15565 2562164.75 5637449.82 0 0 0 0 1.1 0 0 41.0 14.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 316.5 0 373.24
15798 2575464.75 5648699.82 0 0 0 0 0 0 23.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35.3 0 0 20.0 78.73
23846 2580014.75 5646999.82 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10.8 0 0 10.84
26992 2558714.75 5634999.82 9.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 36.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 265.3 0 310.46
27212 2565014.76 5651799.82 0 0 0 3.5 0 22.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9.8 7.0 17.3 6.1 0 0 0 92.8 0 158.61
31818 2565014.75 5633999.82 0 0 0 0 3.2 0 21.5 0 0 6.1 33.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 213.7 0 277.64
32485 2572014.75 5633999.82 0 0 0.1 1.9 0 6.9 17.0 0 0 0 24.1 15.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 248.5 0 314.23
32645 2580014.75 5633999.82 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21.2 25.7 12.5 15.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 216.3 0 291.15
33057 2572014.75 5644999.82 0 0 0 0 0 9.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 40.0 20.0 84.3 0 0 0 0 18.9 0 182.34
33847 2576414.75 5644849.82 0 0 0 0 0 10.5 20.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27.9 0 17.9 76.96
34540 2569464.76 5648599.82 0 0.5 0 0 0 20.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.1 10.7 21.7 0 3.0 0.4 5.0 0 0 82.4 0 148.38
39998 2565264.76 5646149.82 0 0 0 6.4 0 24.5 0 0 0 0 31.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 241.3 0 303.51
47281 2580014.75 5641999.82 0 0 0 0 0 0 12.6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33.2 0 45.86
50018 2565014.76 5641749.82 0 0 0 4.5 0 19.8 1.0 0 25.3 9.1 5.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 300.3 0 365.11
The results show that the area can be classified into three parts according to the fundamental
frequencies of sediments and ground amplification patterns. A considerable part of the territory
(including the south-west and the mid-part) may be called as a “lower-frequency” area, where lower-
frequency seismic excitations can be amplified considerably. A small northeastern part around the
outcropping rocks is a “higher-frequency” area, where considerable amplification of higher frequency
input signal may be expected. The area between these extremes can be characterized as an
“intermediate-frequency” area. At the same time seismic excitations of the intermediate-frequency
content are important almost for the whole area under study, where one can expect considerable
amplification level due to the influence of soil conditions. This indicates that the full band of
frequencies must be considered for engineering analysis, not just the fundamental frequency.
The computed results were compared with results of experimental measurements obtained with
the Nakamura’s approach (Parolai et al, 2001). It is generally recognized that this technique can
provide quite reliable estimates of the fundamental frequencies of sites. The reliability of the method
for estimating the amplification factor, however, is rather questionable (Riepl et al, 1998). We found
that the fundamental frequencies obtained from the Nakamura data and the results obtained from the
geo-model compare well. We take this as an indication that our geo-model found an independent
confirmation. On the other hand, the values of amplification factor differ significantly. We conclude
from this that the Nakamura’s approach can be helpful in microzoning, but can lead to erroneous
results if used as a single method.
For analysis of response spectra and assessment of PGA level around the area we generated a set
of ground-motion time series (“artificial accelerograms”) relating to outcropping rock sites. For
simulation of input motions we used the stochastic technique proposed by Salganic et al. (1989), that
guarantees that the mean spectral values of the generated set of time histories coincide with the given
input spectrum. The rock-site A1 standard design spectrum from DIN 4149neu (Brüstle and Stange,
1999) scaled for the acceleration level of 0.1g was used as the target response spectrum assigned to
outcropping rock sites. The value of 0.1 g corresponds to the PGA value that is exceeded in the area
with 10% probability within 50 years.
Using the generated ensemble of 20 time series as rock-outcrop motions in ProShake, we
computed accelerograms and response spectra (5% damping) at the surface of soil sites. In total,
analysis of ground motions (including accelerations, velocities and displacements) and response
spectra was performed for about 100 sites, which allows estimating level and spatial distribution of
PGA corresponding to the assigned level of seismic input. The estimated distribution of PGA across
the area is presented in Figure 5. It is seen that the computed values of PGA accounting for soil
conditions ranges mainly between 0.2-0.3 g.

Figure 5. Estimated distribution of PGA

4 CONCLUSIONS

A 3-D geo-model and a comprehensive database are constructed for the area around the city of
Cologne, which allow to analyze site effects for the purposes of seismic microzonation. With
ProShake we computed and analyzed transfer functions between rock and soil sites and compiled
maps of the fundamental frequencies and peak amplifications for the area under study. The computed
results were compared with data obtained from other methods, in particular, the computed
fundamental frequencies were compared with those obtained from noise measurements for the same
area. The conducted verification proves the good quality of the geo-model.
From consideration of the obtained results the area under investigation can be classified into three
parts according to the fundamental frequencies of sediments and ground amplification patterns. The
south-west and mid-part of the territory can be characterized as a lower-frequency area, where lower-
frequency seismic excitations can be amplified considerably, and the northeastern part around
outcropping rocks is a higher-frequency area, where one can expect considerable amplification of
higher frequency input signal. The area between these extremes can be characterized as an
intermediate-frequency area.
The analysis of the computed transfer functions allowed to select representative sites, which were
used for analysis of response spectra and PGA accounting for local soil conditions. The estimated
level of PGA for soil sites within the area ranges mainly between 0.2-0.3 g. It should be emphasized
that for the analysis of response spectra and PGA only input motions generated on the base of the
rock-site A1 standard design spectrum (DIN 4149neu) scaled for the acceleration level of 0.1g are
used. Probably, these may not cover all possible variability of ground motions in the area. However,
no observed accelerograms of the area are available at present.

REFERENCES

Brüstle W. und Stange S.: 1999, Geologische Untergrundklassen zum Entwurf von Normspektren für DIN 4149
(neu) - Vorstudie zum Forschungsvorhaben "Karte der geologischen Untergrundklassen für DIN 4149
(neu)": Modellrechnungen mit Programm SIMUL für synthetische Tiefenprofile der
Scherwellengeschwindigkeit zur Klassifizierung des Untergrundes in deutschen Erdbebengebieten. (Stand
Juli 1999) Landesamt für Geologie, Rohstoffe und Bergbau Baden-Württemberg, - 34 s.
Budny, M.: 1984, Seismische Bestimmung der Bodendynamischen Kennwerte von oberflächennahen Schichten
in Erdbebengebieten der Niederrheinischen Bucht und ihre Ingenieurseismologische Anwendung. -
Geologisches Institut der Universität Köln zu Köln, Sonderveröffentlichung Nr.57.
EduPro Civil Systems, Inc.: 1999, ProShake. Ground Response Analysis Program.
Grünthal, G., Mayer-Rosa, D. and Lenhardt, W.A.: 1998, Abschätzung der Erdbebengefahrdung für die D-S-
CH-Staaten – Deutschland, Osterreich, Schweiz, Bautechnik, 10, 19-33.
Parolai S., Bormann, P., and Milkereit, C.: 2001, Assessment of the natural frequency of the sedimentary cover
in the Cologne area (Germany) using noise measurements. J. Earthq. Eng. Vol.5, No. 4, 541-564.
Riepl, J., Bard, P.-Y., Hatzfeld, D., Papaioannou, C. and Nechtschein, S.: 1998, Detailed Evaluation of Site-
Response Estimation Methods across and along the Sedimentary Valley of Volvi (EURO-SEISTEST), Bull.
Seism. Soc. Am. 88, 488-502.
Salganic, M.P., Groshev, M.E., Zheligovsky, V.A., Mostinsky, A.Z., Stepanova, N.L., and Shteinberg, V.V.:
1989, Modeling of the accelerograms that are expected during maximum earthquake: a comparison of the
methods, In: Seismological Research, 11, Moscow, 112-127 (in Russian).