Prof. A.

Meher Prasad
Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
email: prasadam@iitm.ac.in

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Chennai, India.

Structural Engineering Division

Department of Civil Engineering

Base - Excited SDF Linear Systems

The response of the viscously damped linear (system) oscillator
shown in the sketch will now be investigated for an excitation of the
base.
x(t)
k
c

P(t)

y(t)

&(t ) y(t)
&
and and
y&(t ) the
Displacement of the base at any time t will be denoted yby
associated velocity and acceleration will be denoted by
respectively.
The exciting motion is considered to be known and unaffected by the
motion of the oscillator itself. As before, the absolute displacement of
&
x&(t )
t)
the mass will x&(be
denoted
by X and associated velocity and
acceleration by
and
Both X and Y are measured from the static equilibrium, and both they
and their derivatives are considered to be positive when directed to the

The equation of motion for the system is obtained as usual by

considering the equilibrium of forces acting on the mass. These forces
include the spring force, damping force and DAlembert inertia force all
of each are directed to the left. Equilibrium requires that
Equilibrium requires that mx
&
& c ( x& y&) k ( x y ) 0

(B1)

The equation can now be written either in terms of the absolute

displacement x, as
mx cx kx k y (t ) c y (t )
(B2)
or in terms of relative displacement, or spring deformation,
u= x-y
(B3)
cu ku m y (t )
mu
(B4)
Upon dividing through by m and introducing the quantity p and ,
equation (B2) and (B4) can also be written as
x 2px p 2 x p 2 y 2p y (t )
(B5)
u
2pu p 2u y
and
(B6)

The choice between Eqn.(B2) and (B4) or between Eqn.(B5) and (B6) in
a given problem depends on how the ground motion is specified and
what response quantity x or u is interested in.
x

For example, if the ground motion is specified as an acceleration history

and we are interested in resulting spring force, ku the Eqn. (B4) and
(B6) would probably be the most convenient.
On the other hand, if we are interested in absolute displacement and
both y (t ) and y&(t )
are specified, Eqn. (B2) and (B5) would be the
most convenient to use. Clearly, once either x or u has been determined
the other may be computed from Eqn. (B3)

Absolute Displacement of Undamped System

For undamped systems, c = 0, Eqn. (B5) reduces to,

x p 2 x p 2 y (t )

(B7)

This equation is same as the differential equation governing the

motion of a fixed base system subjected to a force for which the
associated static displacement
xst (t ) y (t )

(B8)

The solution of equation (B7) can therefore be obtained from the

solution for the force-excited system considered previously, simply
by replacing in the latter solution xst by y (t).
In terms of Duhamels integral, the solution
may be written as
t
v
x (t ) xo cos pt 0 sin pt p y ( ) sin ( p (t ) d
(B9)
p
0

It follows further that the response spectra for the fixed-base,

force-excited systems presented previously can also be
interpreted as spectra for the absolute displacement of baseexcited systems.
It is only necessary to replace the quantity (xst)o in the expression
for the amplification factor xmax ( xst ) o by the peak value of the base
displacement, yo .
In the other words, the spectral ordinates should be interpreted to
be ratio of xmax yo
.The histories of the base motion and the
excited force must naturally be the same in the two cases.

Example: A vehicle, idealized as a SDF undamped system moved at

a speed of 20 m/s over an irregular rigid pavement. The shape of the
irregularity is a half sine wave and its peak value is. Prior to crossing
the irregularity, the vehicle is considered to have no vertical motion. If
the natural frequency of the vehicle is f = 2 cps, what would be the
maximum vehicle displacement of the vehicle for (a) L=1.5 m (b) L=6
m (c) L=24 m.
v
yo
L

As it crosses the irregularity, the vehicle is subjected to a base

motion, the displacement history of which is a half sine pulse. The
maximum displacement of the mass may then be from the response
spectrum presented before.

Noting that the duration of the pulse, t1, is given by

t1=L/V
and that, V=20.1 m/s, the values of frequency parameter, ft1, for
the three cases are
for (a)
for (b)

ft1 0.15

ft1 0.6
ft 2.4

1
for (c)
The corresponding values of X max are ,

for (a)

X max 0.6 y0

for (b)

X max 1.7 y0

for (c)

X max 1.1 y0

If the irregularity were a full sine wave and L the length of each half
wave, the resulting displacements could be determined from the
spectrum given before. The result in this case are as follows

for (a) L=1.5 m,

X max 0.58 y0

for (b) L= 6 m ,

X max 3.23 y0

for (c) L=24 m ,

X max 1.2 y0

Absolute Displacement of Damped System

The analogy referred to in the preceding section is valid only for

undamped systems. It can be used as an approximation for
damped systems only when the damping is small.
However, for the special case of a sinusoidal base excitation;

y (t ) y0 sin wt
p2 ( y

the RHS of equation (B5) reduces to ,

y&) p 2 y0 [sin t 2 cos t ] p 2 y0 1 4 2

p
p
p

where

is a phase angle defined by ,

sin t

CHECK!
tan 2 2
p

In this case, the solution for steady state response may be written by
analogy to the solution given by equation 69 for the corresponding
force exited system.
It is only necessary to interpret the quantity (xst)0 in the later solution
2
y
1

as, 0
p

This leads to

y0 1 4 2 2

1 4 2 2
x (t )

y0
(1 2 ) 2 4 2 2

Spring deformation of systems subjected to Base excitation

The deformation, u , of the base-excited systems can also be
obtained from the equivalent force excited, fixed-base system.
Comparison of Eqn. (B4) and Eqn. (B1) ..the force P(t) for the force
excited system can be taken as, P(t)= - my(t). Then the two
equations will be similar.
The initial conditions of u for the base excited systems are the same
as those on force excited systems, the solutions of the differential
equations will also be the same.
The desired deformation, u, will be equal to the displacement X,of the
force excited system shown:
k
c

..

- my(t)

In the analysis of fixed base system,extensive use was made of the

concept of instantaneous amplification factor,defined as

x(t )
( IAF )
( xst )0
It is desirable to evaluate at this stage the counter part of this factor
for the base-excited system.
Noting that ,

&
P0 m &
y&
y&
0
( xst )0
02
k
k
p

where y0, is the absolute maximum acceleration of the base motion,we

conclude that,

x(t ) p 2u (t )
( IAF )

..
( xst ) 0
y0

(B12)

Example : Evaluate the deformation of a SDOF undamped

system
..
y0 and duration t 1.
subjected to a rectangular pulse of amplitude
.
.
Assume that the initial values of. y and y and of x and x are
zero.Thus initial values of u and u are zero

The solution is obtained from the information presented

before,making use of Eqn. B12.
For,

t t1 ,
t t1 ,

p 2 u( t )
..

1 cos pt

y0
p 2 u( t )
..

y0

pt1
t1
2 sin
sin p( t
2
2

The acceleration,velocity and displacement histories of the base

motion considered in this solution are shown.
This type of base excitation is of interest in the design of equipment
in moving vehicles,but is clearly of no interest in the design of
structures subjected to ground motions.

..

y (t )

y (t )

y( t )
t1

t1

t1

For an arbitrary base motion, the deformation of an undamped

system can be expressed in terms of Duhamels integral as follows.
u&
1
u (t ) uo cos pt 0 sin pt
p
p

y&
( ) sin ( p( t )d
&
0

(B13)
Check!

Pseudo - acceleration
p 2u( t )
The quantity
in equation B12 ,which has units of
acceleration,will be referred
to as the instantaneous pseudo
acceleration of the system,and will be denoted by A(t).

A( t ) p 2u( t )

(B14)

Thus ,equation B12 can also be written as,

( IAF )

x (t )
A( t )

..
( xst )0
y0

(B15)

Referring now to Eqn. B1,it can readily be shown that,for undamped

systems,the pseudo-acceleration,A(t)
is also equal to the absolute
..
acceleration of the mass, x.
However, this identity is not valid for damped systems,and A(t)
should be looked upon merely as an alternate measure of the spring
deformation,u(t).

Spectral Quantities
The absolute maximum value of u,without regards to sign will be
referred to as the spectral value of u and will be denoted by U.
The absolute maximum value of A(t),without regards to sign,will be
referred to as the pseudo-acceleration of the system,and will be
denoted by A, thus

A p 2U

(B16)

The product of the mass m and the pseudo-acceleration,A represents

the maximum spring force, Qmax, indeed

Qmax

k
kU m U mp 2U mA
m

(B17)

This may also be viewed as the equivalent lateral static force which
produces the same effects as the maximum effects by the ground
shaking.
It is sometimes convenient to express Qmax in the form ,

Qmax CW

(B18)

Where W = mg is the weight of the system. The quantity C is the so called

lateral force coefficient, which represents the number of times the system
must be capable of supporting its weight in the direction of motion.
From Eqn.B17 and B18 it follows that, C=A/g

(B19)

Another useful measure of the maximum deformation, U is the pseudo

velocity of the system, defined as V = p U
(B20)
The maximum strain energy stored in the spring can be expressed in terms
of V as follows:
Emax = (1/2) (kU) U = (1/2) m(pU)2 = (1/2)mV2
(B21)
Under certain conditions, that we need not go into here,V is identical to ,or
approximately equal to the maximum values of the relative velocity of the
mass and the bays,U and the two quantities can be used
interchangeably.However this is not true in general,and care should be
excercised in replacing one for the other.

Deformation spectra

1.Obtained from results already presented

2.Presentation of results in alternate forms
(a) In terms of U
(b) In terms of V
(c) In terms of A
3.Tripartite Logarithmic Plot

General form of spectrum

..

It approaches U=y0 at extreme left; a value of A y0 extreme right;

It exhibits a hump on either side of the nearly horizontal central
portion;and attains maximum values of . U,V and.. A which may be
materially greater than the values of y0 , y 0 , and y0
It is assumed that the acceleration trace of the ground motion,and
hence the associated velocity and displacement traces, are smooth
continuous functions.
The high-frequency limit of the response spectrum for discontinuous
acceleration inputs may be significantly higher than the value referred
to above,and the information presented should not be applied to such
inputs.
The effect of discontinuous acceleration inputs is considered later.

Spectral regions
The characteristics of the ground motion which control the deformation
of SDF systems are different for different systems and excitations.

The characteristics can be defined by reference to the response

spectrum for the particular ground motion under consideration.

Spectra for maximum and minimum accelerations of the mass

(undamped elastic systems subjected to a Half cycle Acceleration pulse)

Spectra for maximum and minimum acceleration of the mass

(undamped Elastic systems subjected to a versed-sine velocity pulse)

Deformation spectra for undamped elastic systems subjected to a versedsine velocity pulse

B Level Earthquake (=10% ; =1.0)

Deformation spectrum for undamped Elastic

systems subjected to a half-sine acceleration pulse

Logarithmic plot of Deformation Spectra

It is convenient to display the spectra or a log-log paper, with the
abscissa representing the natural frequency of the system,f, (or some
dimensionless measure of it) and the ordinate representing the pseudo
velocity ,V (in a dimensional or dimensionless form).
On such a plot ,diagonal lines extending upward from left to right
represent constant values of U, and diagonal lines extending downward
from left to right represent constant values of A. From a single plot of
this type it is thus possible to read the values of all three quantities.
Advantages:
The response spectrum can be approximated more readily and
accurately in terms of all three quantities rather than in terms of a
single quantity and an arithmetic plot.
In certain regions of the spectrum the spectral deformations can more
conveniently be expressed indirectly in terms of V or A rather than
directly in terms of U. All these values can be read off directly from the
logarithmic plot.

Logarithmic plot of Deformation Spectra

Velocity
sensitive

Displacement
sensitive

D0
V Log
scale

V0
.

y0

y0

..

y0

Natural Frequency F (Log scale)

General form of spectrum

Acceleration
sensitive

A0

Deformation Spectra for Half-cycle Acceleration pulse:

This class of excitation is associated with a finite terminal velocity
and with a displacement that increases linearly after the end of the
pulse.
Although it is of no interest in study of ground shock and earthquakes
,being the simplest form of acceleration diagram possible ,it is
desirable to investigate its effect.
When plotted on a logarithmic paper, the spectrum for the half sine
acceleration pulse approaches asymptotically on the left the value.
&
V y
o
This result follows from the following expression presented earlier for
fixed base systems subjected to an impulsive force,
X max

where

I
mp
t1

I P(t ) dt
0

t1

y&(t ) and
Letting P(t ) m &

we obtain,

X max U and noting that

&
y
&o
U o or V y
p

&y&(t ) dt y&
o

( This result can also be determined by considering the effect of an

instantaneous velocity change, y&o ,i.e. an acceleration pulse of finite
magnitude but zero duration. The response of the system in this case
is given by,
u&o
u (t ) uo cos pt

sin pt

Considering that the system is initially at rest, we conclude that,

uo 0 and u&o y&o

where,

u(t )

y&o
sin pt
p

The maximum value of u(t), without regards to signs, is

U

&o
y
&o )
or V y
p

(This result can also be determined

by considering the effect of as
.
instantaneous velocity change, y 0 i.e an acceleration pulse of finite
magnitude but zero duration.the response of the system in this case is
given by
.
u( t ) u0 cos pt

u0
sin pt
p

Considering that the system is initially at rest,we conclude that ,

.

u0 0 and u 0 y 0
.

where,

u( t )

u0
sin pt
p

The maximum value of u(t),without regards to signs,is

.

.
y0
U
or V y 0
p

Example:

For a SDF undamped system with a natural frequency,f=2cps,evaluate

the maximum value of the deformation,U when subjected to the half
sine acceleration pulse. Assume that &
,t1=0.1sec. Evaluate also
y&
0 0.5 g
the equivalent lateral force coefficient C, and the maximum spring
force,Q0
ft1= 2 x 0.1 = 0.2
From the spectrum,

V ; y0

Therefore

2 ..
2
1
2 fU f1 y 0 0.1 9.81

2
1 0.1 1
U 2 9.81 0.024

2 2
..
2
4 t 1 y0
8t1 0.5 g
A 2 fV 2 2 y0

8 0.1 0.5 0.4

g
g
g
g
g
Q0 CW 0.4W
.

Alternatively,one can start reading the value .. from the spectrum

y0
proceeding this may, we find that
A
..

y0

0 .5

Accordingly

1
A 0.8 2 g
C
0.4
g
g
Q0 0.4W
..

The value of

and U

A 0.8 y0 0.8 0.5 9.81

0.024 m
2
2
2
2
p
p
4 2

and

..

as read from the spectrum are

y0
y0
A
approximate. The exact value of .. determined is
0.7. This leads to

C 0.385

y0

Q0 0.385W

and U 0.025

If the duration of the pulse were f1=0.75sec instead of 0.1sec , the

results would be as follows

ft1 2 0.75 1.5 and

A
..

,therefore .

1.5

y0
A 1.5 0.5 g

0.75
g
g
Q0 0.75W
C

A 1.5 0.5 9.81

0.047 m
2
2
2
p
4 2

If the duration of the pulse were t1,as in the first case, but the natural
frequency of the system were 15cps instead of 2cps, the results would
have been as follows: ft1=15 * 0.1=1.5

Therefore,

and

A
1.5
&
y&

A
C 0.5 1.5 0.75
g
Q 0.75W

A
0.75 9.81
U 2 2
0.00082m
2
p
4 15

 Plot spectra for inputs considered in the illustrative example and compare
y&0 For t1=0.75sec
y&0 For t1=0.1sec

..

y0 Same as in
both cases

f
The spectrum for the longer pulse will be shifted upward and to the left by a
factor of 0.75/0.10 = 7.5

Design Spectrum
May be determined from the spectrum by interpreting

xmax
A
y&
xst 0 as &

When displayed on a logarithmic paper with the ordinate representing V and

the abscissa f, this spectrum may be approximated as follows:

(Log scale)

=1.5
(Log scale)

Deformation Spectra for Half-Cycle Velocity Pulses

Refer to spectrum for 0
Note the following

At extreme right A y0. Explain why?

Frequency value behind which A y0 is given by ftra= 1.5

y&
0 Explain why.
The peak value of A=2x1.6 &
In general for pulses
n of the same shape and duration with different
2
peak values A
(&
y&
)
0 j

j 1

If duration on materially different

be conservative. Improved estimate may be obtained by considering

relative durations of the individual pulses and superposing the peak
component effects.The peak value of V is about 1.6 yo
It can Vbey0shown that the absolute maximum value of the amplification
factor
for a system subjected to a velocity trace of a given
is
&
A0 shape
y&
0
approximately the same as the absolute maximum value of
for an
acceleration input of the same shape.
0

This relationship is exact when the maximum response is attained

following application of the pulse. But it is valid approximately even
when the peak responses occur in the forced vibration era.
The maximum value of U is yo and the spectrum is bounded on the left
by the diagonal line U =yo

It should be clear that,

(a) The left-hand, inclined portion of the spectrum to displacement
sensitive.
(b) The middle, nearly horizontal region of the spectrum is governed
by the peak value of the velocity trace. It is insensitive to the shape
of the pulse which can more clearly be seen in the acceleration
trace.
(c) The right hand portion is clearly depended on the detailed
features of the acceleration trace of the ground motion. In all
cases, the limiting value of on the right is equal to These limits
appear different in the figure because of the way in which the
results have been normalised.
Note that the abscissa is non-dimensionalised and the ordinate with
respect to the total duration of the pulse and the ordinate with
respect to the maximum ground velocity. It follows that to smaller
y&
0
values of t1 / td corresponds to larger values of peak acceleration &

Design Rules

Design spectrum for the absolute maximum deformation of

systems subjected to a half cycle velocity pulse
(undamped elastic systems;continuous input acceleration
functions)

Deformation spectra for undamped elastic systems

subjected to skewed versed-sine velocity pulses

Deformation Spectra for Half-cycle Displacement Pulse

See spectrum for undamped systems, =0, on the next page
Note that:
(a) The RHS of the spectrum is as would be expected from the remarks
already made.
(b) Peak value of V is approximately 3.2 yo. This would be expected, as
the velocity trace of the ground motion, has two identical pulses.
(c) At the extreme left and of the spectrum, U=y0. The system in this
case is extremely flexible and the ground displacements is literally
absorbed by the spring.

However the spectrum is no longer bounded on the left by the line

U= yo, but exhibits a hump with peak value of U0=1.6 y0
It can be shown that the peak value of U/y0 for a system subjected
to a displacement trace is approximately the same as the peak
value of V/y0, induced by a velocity input of the same shape.
Further more the peak value of U occurs at the same value of the
dimensionless frequency parameter,f1 as the peak value of V.
However it is necessary to interpret t1 as the duration of the
displacement pulse, rather than of that of velocity pulse.

Design Rules

Design spectrum for maximum deformation of systems

subjected to a half cycle displacement pulse

Deformation spectra for damped elastic systems subjected

to a half cycle displacement pulse

Deformation spectra for full cycle Displacement pulse

The spectra on the next page are for the following full cycle
displacement pulse :
..
y
y
..y
o
..
yo
0.618y
o

yo

..

..y

0.618yo

0.94f1

0.618yo

yo

f1

0.94f1

As would be expected ,the maximum value of U in this case is

approximately 3.2 yo .Furthermore, the left hand portion of the
spectrum consists of three rather than two distinct parts:
(a) The part on the extreme left for which U=yo .This corresponds to
the first maximum,which occurs at approximately the instant
that
y attains its first maximum.
(b) The smooth transition curve which defines the second
maximum. This maximum occurs approximately at the instant that
y(t) attains its second extremum, and is numerously greater
than
the peak value of the second pulse of the contribution of
the first
pulse.
(c) The hump on the left, which corresponds to the maximum that
occurs after termination of the pulse

Deformation spectra for elastic systems with

viscous damping

Generation of results
General form of spectrum is as shown in next slide
y&
(a) It approaches V= y0 at the extreme left; value of A &
0 at the

extreme right ; it exhibits a hump on either side of the nearly

horizontal central portion; and attains maximum values of U, V and
y0 , y&0 and &
y&
0
A, which may be materially greater than the values of
respectively.
(b)

It is assumed that the acceleration force of the ground motion,

and hence the associated velocity and displacement
forces, are smooth continuous functions.

(c) The high frequency limit of the response spectrum for discontinuous
acceleration inputs may be significantly higher than the value referred
to above, and the information presented should not be applied to such
inputs.
The effect of discontinuous acceleration input is considered later .

General form of spectrum

Acceleration spectra for elastic

system - El Centro Earthquake

Base shear coefficient, C

SDF systems with 10%

damping subjected to El
centro record

Building
Code

Natural period,secs

Spectral Regions
The characteristics of the ground motion which control the deformation of
SOF systems are different for different systems and excitations. The
characteristics can be defined by reference to the response spectrum for
the particular ground motion under consideration .
Systems the natural frequency of which corresponds to the
Inclined left-hand portion of the spectrum are defined as low-frequency
systems :
systems with natural frequencies corresponding to the nearly horizontal
control region will be
referred to as a medium-frequency systems ;
and
systems with natural frequencies corresponding to the inclined right
handed portion will be referred to as high-frequency systems.

Minor differences in these characteristics may have a significant effect on

the magnitude of the deformation induced.
Low frequency systems are displacement sensitive in the sense that their
maximum deformation is controlled by the characteristics of the
displacement trace of the ground motion and are insensitive to the
characteristics of an associated velocity and displacement trace:
Ground motions with significantly different acceleration and velocity
traces out comparable displacement traces induce comparable
maximum

deformations in such systems.

The boundaries of the various frequency regions are different

for different excitations and, for an excitation of a particular
form, they are a function of the duration of the motion. It
follows that a system of a given natural frequency may be
displacement sensitive, velocity sensitive or acceleration
sensitive depending on the characteristics of the excitation to
which it is subjected

Effect of Discontinuous Acceleration Pulses

The high frequency limit of the deformation spectrum is sensitive to
whether the acceleration force of the ground motion is a continuous or
discontinuous diagram. The limiting value given priority applies only to
y&
continuous A &
0 functions

The sensitivity of the high-frequency region to the detailed

characteristics of the acceleration input may be appreciated by reference
to the spectra given in the following these pages.
These spectra provide further confirmation to the statement made
previously to the effect that low-frequency and medium-frequency
systems are insensitive to the characteristics of the acceleration force
of the ground motion.

Deformation spectra for damped elastic systems subjected

to a full cycle displacement pulse

Application to Complex Ground Motions

Compound Pulses
Earthquake Records
Eureka record
El-centro record
Design Spectrum
Minimum number of parameters required to characterize the design
ground motion
y&, y& and y
Max values of &
The predominant frequency (or deviation) of the dominant pulses in
&
y&, y& and y
The degree of periodicity for (the number of dominant pulses in) each
diagram.
Dependences of these characteristics on
Local soil conditions
Epicentral distance and
Severity of ground shaking

Effect of damping:
Effect is different in different frequency ranges
frequency regime (U=y0) and
Effect is negligible in the extremely low
..
extreme high frequency ranges (A = y0).
..
u+ p2u = y0(t)
.. ..
low frequency u=y(t)
..u0 =y0
..
high frequency p2u=A(t)=y(t)
A =y0

Eureka, California earthquake of Dec 21,1954 S 11o E

component.

Eureka Quake

Elcentro ,California Earthquake of May 18,1940,N-S component

Undamped Natural Frequency, f, cps

V
= pseudo velocity
Yc Maximum Ground Velocity

Further discussion of Design Response Spectra

The specification of the design spectrum by the procedure that has
been described involves the following basic steps:
1. Estimating the maximum values of the ground acceleration,
ground velocity and ground displacement. The relationship
. ..
between y0, y0, y0 is normally based on a statistical study of
existing earthquake records. In the Newmark Blume Kapur
paper (Seismic Design spectra for Nuclear Power Plants, Jr. of
Power Division, ASCE, Nov 1973, pp 287-303) the following
relationship is used.
0.3 : 7.32 m/sec : 1g for rock
0.9 : 14.6 m/sec : 1g for
2. Estimating the maximum spectral amplification factors, D, V, A ;
for the various parts of the spectrum.
Again these may be based on statistical studies of the respective
spectra corresponding to existing earthquake records.
The results will be a function not only of the damping forces of the
system but also of the cumulative probability level considered.

Following are the values proposed in a recent unpublished paper

by Newmark & Hall for horizontal motions:

One sigma (84.1%)

Median (50%)

Damping
%critical

0.5

3.04

3.84

5.10

2.01

2.59

3.65

2.73

3.38

4.38

1.82

2.31

3.21

2.42

2.92

3.66

1.63

2.03

2.74

2.24

2.64

3.24

1.52

1.86

2.46

2.01

2.30

2.71

1.39

1.65

2.12

1.85

2.08

2.36

1.29

1.51

1.89

10

1.69

1.84

1.99

1.20

1.37

1.64

20

1.38

1.37

1.26

1.01

1.08

1.17

30 x2.3 = 69cm/s

30

x2
.

69

cm

/s

Example: Determine the response spectrum for a design earthquake

y& 0.3 y&e 30 cm / sec and y0 25 cm. Take
0.05
with &
use the
amplification factors given in the preceding page. Take the knee of
amplified constant acceleration part of the spectrum at 8 cps and the
y&
point beyond which A &
at 25 cps
0

30

A=0.3g
C=0.3
Q=0.3N

yo =30cm/s

Y=0.00127

8cps

Note: In the spectra recommended in the Newmark-Blume-Kapur

paper, the line de slope upward to the left and the line of slopes
further downward to the right.