Record Generation

In this section user are able to define the basic settings for the record generation process in nonlinear dynamic analysis. Two pages are available.

In the first page (Matching Parameters) the parameters for the target spectrum matching algorithm are set. The spectrum tolerance (i.e. accepted difference between the spectrum of the generated accelerogram and that of the target spectrum, computed as the mean of the absolute values of positive and negative differences) can be modified here. Users may also decide whether to carry out or not baseline correction in the generation of the artificial accelerograms. By default a quadratic baseline correction is selected. In addition, users can also customise the parameters used in the random processes methods (Artificial Accelerogram Generation and Artificial Accelerogram Generation & Adjustment), namely: random process starter, maximum number of iterations, maximum number of different phase angle trials, and the number of points used for Power Spectra Density Function (PSDF) calculation. The only setting with practical importance is the Mean Spectrum Tolerance; other parameters need not to be modified, unless there is a specific reason.

In the second page (Envelope Parameters) the types of the envelope shapes to be employed by the Artificial Accelerogram Generation and the Artificial Accelerogram Generation & Adjustment methods are set. Users may choose the percentage of each type of envelope in all the records, noting however that a random process is executed internally by the program; hence these setting literally refer to the probability that such an envelope is employed. Finally, the basic settings for the definition of the envelope shapes are also defined herein (time of maximum amplitude, rise and level times and intensity at the end of the duration).