IIT Bombay

Winter 2016

CE 610: Introduction to Earthquake Engineering

Homework 1
Assigned on Feb 3, 2016; Due on Feb 17, 2016
Problem 1. Using the response spectrum in Figure 1a, construct a design spectrum by drawing an
envelope to the 5% damping response spectrum, that is, by drawing lines perpendicular to the
displacement, velocity, and acceleration axes through the points of maximum spectral
displacement, maximum spectral velocity, and maximum spectral acceleration for 5% damping.
On the basis of this design spectrum, determine the design lateral earthquake force for the power
transformer shown in Figure 1b. The transformer is supported by a steel pedestal and can be
idealized as a single-degree-of-freedom system.
Problem 2. An elastoplastic single-degree-of-freedom system with a mass of 2.95 kip s2/in., a
stiffness constant of 472 kip/in., a damping ratio of 5%, and a yield strength of 330 kip is subjected
to an earthquake ground motion whose yield-deformation inelastic response spectrum is shown in
Figure 2. If this spectrum is for elastoplastic systems with 5% damping, what is the maximum
relative displacement that the system's mass will experience under this ground motion?
Problem 3. Construct using the peak ground acceleration and response spectrum shape approach
an inelastic design spectrum for a site underlain by soft clays considering a damping ratio of 5%
and a ductility factor of 6. The maximum ground acceleration that future earthquakes may generate
at the site is estimated to be 0.20g for a probability of exceedance of 10% in 50 years. Use the
elastic response spectrum shape shown in Figure 3.
Problem 4. A site in California is underlain by stiff soils and is located ~60 km from the San
Andreas Fault. Considering PGA = 0.109g at the site due to an earthquake from the San Andreas
Fault, construct elastic and inelastic design spectra (with 5% damping) for this site and the design
of buildings capable of withstanding inelastic deformations as large as 5 times their yield
deformations. Use NewmarkHall approach and the average v/a and ad/v2 ratios proposed by
Mohraz to estimate the peak ground velocity and peak ground displacement at the site.
Tetralogarithmic graph paper is provided in Figure 4.
Problem 5. The peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and peak ground displacement
expected at a given alluvial site are estimated to be 0.843g, 50.74 in./s, and 12.81 in., respectively.
Construct an inelastic design spectrum for this site using NewmarkHall average amplification
factors to construct the elastic spectrum and Miranda's reduction factors to obtain the inelastic
spectrum from the elastic spectrum. Consider a damping ratio of 3% and a ductility factor of 4.
Tetralogarithmic graph paper is provided in Figure 4.
Problem 6. A single-degree-of-freedom structure has a total weight of 10 kips, a natural period of
1.5 s, and a damping ratio of 5%. The structure will be built on a site that is characterized by an
expected peak ground acceleration of 0.4g and the elastic response spectrum shape shown in Figure
3 for rock and stiff soils. Determine the lateral strength for which this structure should be designed
assuming that the structure will have the capability of resisting inelastic deformations of up to 5
times its yield strength.
Use Miranda's reduction factors for an alternate approach to calculate the lateral strength of the
structure.
(Each problem carries 20 points)
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IIT Bombay

Winter 2016

Figure 1. (a) Response spectrum for N11W component of Eureka, California, earthquake of
December 21, 1954 and (b) simplified model of power transformer.
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Winter 2016

Figure 2. Yield-deformation response spectrum for 5% damping elastoplastic systems of the E

W accelerogram recorded during the 1972 Managua earthquake.

Figure 3. Smooth response spectrum shapes.

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Winter 2016

Figure 4. Tetralogarithmic graph paper

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