CEE 200 Seminar: 2/3

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Andrew Dinsick
GeoPentech

Key Issues in Ground Motion Characterization for
Performance-Based Design Projects

Tuesday, February 2
PAB 1434A
4:00 p.m.

This presentation will provide a brief overview on the ground motion characterization process for performance-based design projects in areas with high seismic demand.  The general steps including evaluating the key seismic sources, running a PSHA, selecting seed time histories and spectral matching will be discussed in the context of an example project on the UCLA campus.  Two key issues that have been addressed for the on-going UCLA project include the implementation of a Conditional Mean Spectrum (CMS) approach and the evaluation of kinematic Soil-Structure-Interaction (SSI) effects. For the subject project, CMS have been developed for two spectral periods to capture the first mode and higher modes of the structure being analyzed.  The time histories were developed for free-field conditions and then modified to capture base-slab averaging and embedment SSI effects which result in a reduction of the high frequency ground motion intensity; a transfer function approach was used to modify the analysis time histories so that they represent foundation input motions that can be applied at the base of the structural model in the nonlinear response history analysis to be conducted by our colleagues.

Mr. Dinsick has over 13 years of experience in the field of geotechnical and earthquake engineering; 10 years of practice have been in California with GeoPentech located in Orange County. He received a Masters in Geotechnical Engineering from UCLA in 2012. His practice at GeoPentech has focused on infrastructure projects, with specific emphasis on seismic hazard evaluation and mitigation. Past project experience has included facilities such as dams, reservoirs, tall buildings, pipelines, bridges, roadways, tunnels, and power plants including nuclear facilities. His expertise includes characterization of subsurface material properties (static and dynamic), liquefaction evaluation, seismic hazard analysis and ground motion characterization.   Mr. Dinsick has performed seismic hazard analyses in high seismic areas for various projects including tall buildings, embankment dams and the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The analyses have included both deterministic and probabilistic seismic hazard analyses used to develop design ground motions. Subsequently, he has developed spectrally matched time histories for response and deformation analyses. He has also participated in studies involving complex site response analyses and soil structure interaction applications.

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