Bi-normalized response spectral characteristics of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake

To develop uniform and seismic environment-dependent design spectrum, common acceleration response spectral characteristics need to be identified. In this paper, a bi-normalized response spectrum (BNRS) is proposed, which is defined as a spectrum of peak response acceleration normalized with respect to peak acceleration of the excitation plotted vs. the natural period of the system normalized with respect to the spectrum predominant period,Tp. Based on a statistical analysis of records from the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, the conventionally normalized response spectrum(NRS) and the BNRS are examined to account for the effects of soil conditions, epicentral distance, hanging wall and damping. It is found that compared to the NRS, the BNRS is much less dependent on these factors. Finally, some simple relationships between the BNRS for a specified damping ratio and that for a damping ratio of 5%, and between the spectra predominant period and epicentral distance for different soil types are provided. Supported by: Heilongjiang Natural Science Foundation Under Project No. ZGJ03-03 and the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China Through Project No. 20030213042