A simple engineering model for the seismic site response of alluvial valleys

The seismic site response of alluvial valleys with limited width is studied. The intent of this investigation is to integrate the seismological and engineering perspectives to gain physical insight into the dynamic behaviour of alluvial valleys. A simplified engineering model (frame model) is developed to predict the nonlinear seismic response of symmetrical valleys. The proposed model is one-dimensional and accounts for the limited width of the valley. The frame model identifies the significant vibration modes and their variation in the horizontal and vertical directions. Sensitivity analyses are performed on the valley response to evaluate the effect of the uncertainty in establishing the dynamic soil properties. Response results from the frame model are compared with those calculated using one-dimensional and two-dimensional finite-element models. The proposed frame model response shows good agreement with finite-element model results.