Seismic Effects of Two-Dimensional Subsurface Cavity on the Ground Motion by BEM: Amplification Patterns and Engineering Applications

In this paper, the results of a comprehensive numerical parametric study on the seismic response of the half-plane with subsurface cavity have been presented. For analysis purposes, a numerical time-domain analysis is performed by utilizing a robust numerical algorithm based on time-domain boundary element method. It is observed that an embedded cavity under the ground surface can create a highly variable amplification pattern on the half-plane. Some preliminary simple relationships and tables are presented which could be used while introducing simple preliminary ideas for modification of the standard design spectra in building codes and seismic microzonation studies.