NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Earthquake Engineering of Large Underground Structures.
- File
- PB81247918.pdf
- Author(s)
- Owen, G. N.; Scholl, R. E.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.; Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC., January 1981, 298 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- JAB-7821
- Abstract
- This study identifies and evaluates the current state of the art of earthquake engineering of transportation tunnels and other large underground structures. A review of the past performance of 127 underground openings during earthquakes indicates that underground structures in general are less severely affected than surface structures at the same geographic location. However, some severe damage, including collapse, has been reported. Stability of tunnels during seismic motion is affected by peak ground motion parameters, earthquake duration, type of support, ground conditions, and in situ stresses. The literature on the nature of underground seismic motion is reviewed in detail. Although recorded underground motions tend to substantiate the idea that motion does reduce with depth, amplification at depth has been observed.
- Keywords
- Seismic design; Earthquake resistant structures; Seismic waves; Subsurface structures; Structural design; Dynamic response; Earthquake engineering; Mines (Excavations); Tunnels; Earthquakes