2/22/16

Selection,  Installation  
and  Maintenance  of  
Earthquake  Recording  
Instruments
RONALDO  S.  ISON,  F.ASEP,  F.PICE
ASSOCIATION  OF  STRUCTURAL  ENGINEERS  OF  THE  PHILIPPINES,  INC.  
TECHNICAL  SEMINAR  ON  EARTHQUAKE  INSTRUMENTATION  F OR  BUILDINGS
FEBRUARTY  18-­‐19,  2 016  ,  ACE  H OTEL  AND  SUITES,  PASIG  CITY

BUILDING  INSTRUMENTATION  
OBJECTIVES
Measurement  of  the  following   parameters:
• input  ground   motion;  
• building   base  motion;  
• lateral  floor  motion;  
• torsional  floor  motion;  
• floor  or  wall  diaphragm  motions;  and  
• shear  wall  rocking  motion.  

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BUILDING  INSTRUMENTATION  
OBJECTIVES
The  structures  response  can  be  generally  
computed  using  these  information:
• building   period;  
• damping  ratios;  
• base  shears;  and  
• story  drifts.  

TYPICAL  INSTRUMENTATION  
MODELS

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MODEL  1:  
BASE  OR  REFERENCE  FREE  FIELD  
ONLY
• Provides  information   on  the  building  
base  motion  or  ground   shaking  in  the  
vicinity  of  the  building
• Response  of  the  building  is  not  measured
• Base  shear  experienced   by  the  building  
can  be  estimated     from  the  response  
spectra  of  the  record   if  building  period   is  
known

MODEL  2:  
BASE  and  ROOF
• Provides  information   on  the  building  
base  motion    and  response   of  structure  
at  the  roof
• Torsional  motion  at  the  base  and  floor  
slabs  are  not  measured
• Modal  periods  and  damping   for  first  
few  modes  can  be  estimated,  modes  
shapes  cannot  be  derived  from     records
• Soil-­‐structure  interaction  cannot   be  
separated  from  the  record
• Vertical  cabling  connects   roof  and  base  
instruments  for  common  timing  and  
triggering
• Cost  is  double   Model  1

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MODEL  3:  
REFERENCE/FREE  FIELD,BASE  and  
ROOF
• Provides  information   on  the  building  
base  motion    and  response   of  
structure  at  the  roof
• Torsional  motion  at  the  base  and  floor  
slabs  are  not  measured
• Modal  periods  and  damping   for  first  
few  modes  can  be  estimated,  modes  
shapes  cannot  be  derived  from    
records
• Rocking  of  shear  w alls  w ill  not  be  
measured
• Some  information   on  soil-­‐structure  
interaction   can be  obtained   from  the  
record

MODEL  3:  
REFERENCE/FREE  FIELD,BASE  and  
ROOF
• Vertical  cabling  connects   roof  and  
base  instruments  for  common   timing  
and  triggering
• Cost  is  triple  than  Model  1

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MODEL  4:  
BASE,  MIDHEIGHT  and  ROOF  (NSCP)
• Provides  information   on  the  building  
base  motion    and  response   of  
structure  at  the  mid-­‐height  and  roof
• Torsional  motion  at  the  base  and  floor  
slabs  are  not  measured
• Modal  periods  and  damping   for  first  
few  modes  can  be  estimated  and  
modes  shapes  of  first  two  modes  can  
be  estimated  from  the  record
• Soil-­‐structure  interaction  cannot   be  
assessed
• Vertical  cabling  connects   all  
instruments  for  common  timing  and  
triggering,   cost  is  triple  than  Model  1

MODEL  4:  
BASE,  MIDHEIGHT  and  ROOF  (NSCP)
• Intended  t o  enable  t he  engineer  t o  
quickly  determine  if  t here  is  period  
lengthening  in  one  of  t he  p rincipal  
translational  modes  of  vibration

• Period  lengthening,  from  base  

building  p eriod,  enables  t he  
engineer  t o  identify  if  any  hidden  
damage  has  occurred  during/after  an  
earthquake

• This  information  is  vital  for  rapid  

damage  assessment  and  disaster  
response

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MODEL  5:  
MULTI-­‐LEVEL  LATERAL  MOTION,                                                    
ROOF  ONLY  TORSION
• Typically  includes  at  least  12  sensors
• Three  ( 3)  sensors  at  base  measures  
three  (3)  translational  components   of  
base  motion
• Three  ( 3)  sensors  at  roof  measures  
translational  and  torsional  motions
• Free  field  sensor  located  outside  the  
building
• Extensive  v ertical  and  horizontal  
cabling  connects   all  instruments  for  
common   timing  and  triggering
• Costs  five  to  six  times  Model  1

MODEL  5:  
MULTI-­‐LEVEL  LATERAL  MOTION,                                                    
ROOF  ONLY  TORSION
• Provides  input   base  motion   and  
response  of  structure  at  different  
levels
• Modal  periods  and  damping   for  first  
few  modes  can  be  estimated  from  
records
• Mode  shapes  for  the  first  few  lateral  
modes  can  be  estimated
• Mode  shapes  for  torsional  modes  
cannot   be  determined
• Provides  information   on  S SI

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MODEL  6:  
MULTI-­‐LEVEL  LATERAL  and  
TORSIONAL  MOTION
• Typically  includes  at  least  12  sensors
• Three  ( 3)  sensors  at  different  levels  to  
measure  translational  and  torsional  
motions
• Four  (4)  sensors  at  base  to  measure  
translational  and  torsional  motions
• Free  field  sensor  located  outside  the  
building
• Extensive  v ertical  and  horizontal  
cabling  connects   all  instruments  for  
common   timing  and  triggering
• Costs    six  times  Model  1

MODEL  6:  
MULTI-­‐LEVEL  LATERAL  and  
TORSIONAL  MOTION
• Same  information  as  Model  5  plus  
mode  shape  for  the  torsional  modes
• Torsional  motion  of  the  base  is  
measured
• Provides  information   on  soil-­‐structure  
analyses
• Free  field  sensor  located  outside  the  
building
• Vertical  sensors  can  be  added   to  
measure  rocking   of  shear  walls

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MODEL  6:  
MULTI-­‐LEVEL  LATERAL  and  
TORSIONAL  MOTION
• Preferred  minimum  for  studying  t he  
response  of  t he  building

• Provides  most  complete  information  

for  estimating  t ranslational  and  
torsional  modes  of  response  and  
developing  a  real  feel  how  t he  
structure  responded  after  an  
earthquake

NECESSARY  INFORMATION  FOR  

INSTALLATION  OF  ERIs
Information   necessary   for  instrumentation
• relevant  blueprints  and  design  calculations,
• dynamic  analysis  (mode  shapes  and  
frequencies),
• when  available,  forced  or  ambient-­‐vibration  
test  results  for  existing  buildings

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PERFORMANCE  OF  SITE  VISIT/S

• The  engineer   prepares  a  scheme  or  model  of    the  

proposed   installation  with  the  aid  of  blueprints   and  the  
dynamic  characteristics  of  the  building
• A  site  visit  or  site  visits  are  performed  to  check  
constraints  in  the  installation  of  the  instruments.
• A  final  model  or  scheme  is  prepared  after  the  constraints  
are  resolved,  if  any  are  found.

PROVISION  OF  FREE-­‐FIELD  STATION

• NOT  REQUIRED  in  the  DPWH/NSCP  Guidelines,  but  is  
recommended   to  be  provided
• Usually  located  at  a  distance  greater  than  1.5-­‐2  times  the  
height   of  the  nearest/tallest  building.
Distance  i s  provided  to  so  that  motions  are  not                  
influenced  by  the  shaking  of  the  building.

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TESTING  OF  EXISTING  STRUCTURES  TO  

DETERMINE  DYNAMIC  CHARACTERISTICS

• possible  to  obtain  a  satisfactory  understanding   of  a  

structure's   expected   dynamic  behavio by  preliminary  
analytical  studies,  
• when  feasible  and  necessary,  an  ambient-­‐vibration  and/or  
a  forced   vibration  test  on  an  existing  structure  can  be  
performed  to  identify  mode  shapes  and  frequencies.  
• a  forced-­‐vibration   test  is  more  difficult  to  perform.  The  
required  equipment   (vibration  generator  with  control  
consoles,  weights,  recorders,   accelerometers,  and  cables)  
is  heavier,  and  the  test  takes  longer  than   the  ambient-­‐
vibration  test.  

DYNAMIC  ANALYSIS
• If  a  dynamic  analysis  was  not  prepared  by  the  designers  
of  a  structure  or  the  information  is  unavailable,  then  a  
simplified  finite-­‐element  model  could  be  developed  to  
obtain  the  elastic  dynamic  characteristics.  This  is  
performed  with  any  one  of  the  several  tested  computer  
programs  available  ( e.g.  E TABS,  S AP2000,  A NSYS,  and  
STRUDL).  

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SPECIFICATIONS  OF  ERIs  (DPWH  GUIDELINES)

ACCELEROGRAPH
• Seismic  qualified  as  tested  by  recognized  international  testing  laboratory  
• Stores  seismic  activity  information  as  gathered  by  the  attached  accelerometer  
• Equipped   with  fault  detection
• Provides  real-­‐time  alarm  information  (either  audio,  visual  or  both)  during  an  
earthquake  event.
• Equipped   with  internal  battery  back-­‐up  power  to  ensure  continuous  operation  during  a  
power  fluctuation.

Where  applicable,  it  may  include:  

• Minimum  design   life:  10  years  and  should  be  demonstrated  and  certified  to  have  
a  40,000-­‐hour  (minimum)  mean  time  between  failures  
• Minimum  of  three  components   (vertical,  longitudinal   and   transverse)  
• Natural  Frequency:  Above  50  Hz
• Damping:  Approximately  60-­‐70  percent  crit ical
• Sensitivity:   2g
• Bandwidth:   DC  to  100  Hz  
• Environment:   IP  67  

SPECIFICATIONS  OF  ERIs  (DPWH  GUIDELINES)

RECORDING
• Sampling  Frequency  :  Minimum  of  100  samples  per  second
• Time:  From  at  least  20  seconds  before  the  ground  shaking  begins  u ntil  30  
seconds  after  the  last  triggering  level   motion
• RMS  Noise:  System  noise  shall  be  less  than  40  μg  measured  over  0-­‐30  Hz
• Media :Memory   Card
• Continuous  Recording  :  capable   of  continuous  recording
• AD  Converter  :  16  bits  
TIMING  
• Interval:   Half  a   second  or  less
• Accuracy:  +-­‐ 0.2  second  per  100  s econds  
• Type :  GPS  or  NTP  Server  

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SPECIFICATIONS  OF  ERIs  (DPWH  GUIDELINES)

TRIGGERING (As  applicable)  
• Method:   Pendulum  or  other  device  using  earthquake  motion  as  an  exciting  
force  
• Level:   Accelerograph:  0.5  to  100  gals  nominal  
Velocitimeter:  5  μm/s   to  1  mm/s  
• Time:  Full  operation  of  accelerograph/velocitimeter in  not  over  0.1  second  
after   activitation.  
• Power :  Battery   maintained   by  charger  
COMMUNICATION
• Ethernet:   10  base  –T  or  100  base-­‐TX  
• Protocol:   TCP/IP   FTP/SFTP

BUILDINGS  REQUIRING                                                                    
SEISMIC  INSTRUMENTATION  (DPWH)

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MODEL  1:  
BASE  OR  REFERENCE  FREE  FIELD  
ONLY
• Provides  information   on  the  building  
base  motion  or  ground   shaking  in  the  
vicinity  of  the  building
• Response  of  the  building  is  not  measured
• Base  shear  experienced   by  the  building  
can  be  estimated     from  the  response  
spectra  of  the  record   if  building  period   is  
known

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MODEL  4:  
BASE,  MIDHEIGHT  and  ROOF  (NSCP)
• Provides  information   on  the  building  
base  motion    and  response   of  
structure  at  the  mid-­‐height  and  roof
• Torsional  motion  at  the  base  and  floor  
slabs  are  not  measured
• Modal  periods  and  damping   for  first  
few  modes  can  be  estimated  and  
modes  shapes  of  first  two  modes  can  
be  estimated  from  the  record
• Soil-­‐structure  interaction  cannot   be  
assessed
• Vertical  cabling  connects   all  
instruments  for  common  timing  and  
triggering,   cost  is  triple  than  Model  1

TRIAXIAL  
ACCELEROGRAPH  
INTERCONNECTION  
DIAGRAM

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VARIATIONS  IN  COMBINATIONS  OF  

INSTRUMENTS  (ASEP)
• Three  (3)  accelerographs,  or
• Two  (2)  accelerometers  and  one  (1)  accelerograph
or
• Three  (3)  accelerometers  plus  data  recorder

LOCATION  AND  ORIENTATION                              

OF  ERIs  (DPWH/NSCP)
The  p referred  locations  of  the  instruments  are  in  small,  
seldom  used  rooms  or  closets  near  a  column  (in  a  vertically-­‐
aligned  stack),  w ith  adequate  space  to  securely  mount  the  
instrument  and  an  approved  protective  enclosure  attached  
securely  to  the  floor.  The  location  shall  be  marked  on  the  
submitted  structural  and  architectural   floor  plans  and  
properly  approved.  

• The  instruments  are  oriented  to  the   principal  axis  of  the  
building.

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OTHER  POSSIBLE  
LOCATION  OF  
SENSORS,  
RECORDERS  AND  
APPURTENENCES
FOR  MULTI-­‐SENSOR  
SYSTEMS

Sample  ERI  Installations

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Sample  ERI  Installations

Sample  ERI  Installations

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Sample  ERI  Installations

POST  INSTALLATION  OF  ERIs

• The  instrumentation   undergoes   a  preliminary  calibration  
in  the  strong-­‐motion   laboratory  
• appropriate   test  procedures   including   a  static  tilt  
sensitivity  test  for  each  component   and  determination   of  
direction   of  motion   for  upward  trace  deflection  on  the  
record    after  installation.
• this  information  is  entered  into  the  recorder   data  section  
and  is  stored  in  a  general  database
• Other  documentation   includes  precise  sensor  location,  
period  and  damping   of  each  unit,  location   of  cable  runs,  
access  information,   and  circuit  diagrams.  

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MAINTENANCE  OF  ERIs

Recommended  routine  maintenance  is  conducted  
every  3-­‐12  months  if  circumstances  and  experience  
so  allow.  This  maintenance  includes  the  following:  
• Remote  calibration  of  period  and  damping.  
• Inspection   of  battery  terminals,  load  voltage,  and  
charge  rate  (batteries  are  replaced  every  3  years).  
• Measurement  of  threshold  of  triggering  system  
and  length  of  recording   cycle.  

MAINTENANCE  OF  ERIs  (DPWH)

• The  supplier  shall  provide  guarantee   that  the  system  shall  
have  a  maintenance   period  for  at  least  10  years.  
• For  the  service  period,  the  maximum  service  interval  is  
one  year.  
• The  three  recording   accelerographs shall  be  integrated  
together   to  function  in  unison  that  a  failure  in  one  unit  
shall  not  hinder   the  progress  of  the  entire  building  
seismic  monitoring   system.  
• The  accelerograph shall  be  equipped   with  fault  detection  
and  alarm  that  in  the  event  of  a  fault,  the  building  owners  
shall  call  the  supplier,   and  report  the  fault  to  Building  
Official.  
• Calibration  testing  shall  be  made  in  a  per  year  basis  to  
ensure  that  the  integrated  systems  are  in  its  proper  
operational  efficiency.

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MAINTENANCE  OF  ERIs  (DPWH)

• The  equipment   obsolescence   shall  not  hinder   the  proper  
continuous   operation   of  the  equipment   throughout   the  
10  years  duration.  
• When  the  equipment's  supplier  finds  that  the  instrument  
must  be  removed  from  the  building  for  repair,  there  must  
be  a  service  unit  as  a  temporary  replacement  to  continue  
the  collection   of  data,  if  and  when  there  is  an  occurrence  
of  an  earthquake  during  the  duration   of  the  repair.  

THANK  YOU!

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