Soil Amplification Measurements by

H/V Spectral Ratio Method

by
Zahid Rafi

Pakistan Meteorological Department

Islamabad

1/2/2008
National Centre for Physics
 Guidelines for The
Implementation of H/V Spectral
Ratio
Technique on Ambient Vibrations
Measurements, Processing and Interpretation
 Introduction

 SESAME European Research Project

 Site effect associated with local geological conditions.
 Important part of seismic hazard assessment.
 It is a earthquake risk mitigation strategies.
 H/V technique help in characterising local site effect.
 H/V spectral ratio method is to evaluate characteristics of
soft sedimentary deposit.
 This technique is useful to estimate the fundamental
period of soil deposits.
 Introduction
 It is useful in microzonation studies to map the
fundamental period of site.
 This technique is useful in calibrating site
response studies at specific location.
 It is highly recommended that prior to planning a
measurement campaign on ambient vibrations,
local geological survey should be performed.
Because H/V results will be greatly enhanced
when combined with geological information.
 Experimental Conditions
Type of parameter Main Recommendation
Minimum expected Recommended minimum
fo Hz (resonance recorded duration [min]
freq)

0.2 30
0.5 20
Recording Duration
1 10
2 5
5 3
10 2
 Experimental Conditions
 Start with 500 m gridding
 Measuring spacing and densify the grid down
to 250 m.
 Recoding parameter  Level the sensor, fix the
gain at minimum level.
 Set the sensor down
 Soil-sensor coupling directly on the ground.
 Avoid recording near
 Avoid structure structures.
 Avoid recording in wind,
rain, temperature etc.
 Weather conditions
Experiment Conducted at Islamabad
and Earthquake Affected Areas
Spectra of the Recordings
Average of the above spectra
Sumatra Earthquake occurred on 24th Oct, 2007
Spectrum of Sumatra earthquake
H/V spectrum of Sumatra earthquake
Preparation for Installation of Seismic Station
 Conclusion
 Microzonation
 Calculation of Amplification Factor
 Natural period of Soil deposits
 General Mapping of the city
 Engineering Seismology
 Seismic Hazard Map

Gilgit

Peshaw ar Muzaffarabad

Islamabad

Laho re

Qu etta
Multan

PG A (m2 /s )
Kuzdar

Turba t
Gwadar
Karachi
Thank you