About SeismoArtif

SeismoArtif is an application capable of generating artificial earthquake accelerograms matched to a specific target response spectrum using different calculation methods and varied assumptions. It is noted that the use of real accelerograms and spectrum matching techniques (see SeismoMatch), together with records selection tools [e.g. Iervolino et al. 2009; Dias et al. 2010], tends to be recommended for the derivation of suits of records for use in nonlinear dynamic analysis of structures. However, in those cases where access to real accelerograms is, for whatever reason, challenging or inappropriate, then a tool such as SeismoArtif will be of pertinence and usefulness; e.g. in the work of Galasso et al. [2013], it is shown that structural response estimated by using simulated records generally matches the response obtained using recorded motions.

This software can thus be used to generate suites of accelerograms for nonlinear dynamic analysis of new or existing structures. Users should refer to the literature for further discussion on the issue of random processes and artificial accelerograms [e.g. Yang, 1986; Clough and Penzien, 1994; Lynn and Fuerst, 1998], as well as to publications on the topics of records appropriateness verification algorithms [e.g. Bradley, 2010], selection of suites of records for nonlinear dynamic analysis of new or existing structures [e.g. Bommer and Acevedo 2004; Gomes et al. 2006; Watson-Lamprey 2006; Hancock and Bommer 2007; Hancock et al. 2008; Haselton et al. 2009; Katsanos 2010; Iervolino et al. 2010; Jayaram et al. 2011; NIST 2011].

The program is capable of reading accelerograms and spectra saved in different text file formats. This collection of ground motion records and spectra is then used in the simulation phase for the definition of target spectrum or envelope shapes.

Currently, the target spectrum can be created by following Eurocode 8 rules, by computing the spectrum of a specific accelerogram or by simply loading a user-defined spectrum. With both the target spectrum and the envelope type defined, an artificial accelerogram is generated and a comparison between its response spectrum and the target spectrum is given including the mean error in percentage, coefficient of variation, and PGA of the accelerogram.

Finally, due to its full integration with the Windows environment, SeismoArtif allows for numerical and graphical results to be copied to any Windows application (e.g. MS Excel, MS Word, etc.), noting that the characteristics of the plots can be fully customised from within the program itself.