Effect of soil spatial variability on characteristics of depth-varying multi-support seismic motions at offshore sites.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of soil spatial variability (SSV) on the simulation of depth-varying multi-support seismic motions (DMSMs) at offshore sites. Firstly, the random field theory is used to quantify the extent of SSV, and a series of random field models with different characteristics are established for an offshore site by changing the coefficient of variation (COV) and correlation distance of soil parameters. Then, the simulation approach for random ground motion transfer functions (GMTFs) and DMSMs at offshore sites are introduced. The sensitivity of each uncertain soil parameter on the offshore seismic motions is explored using the single variable method. Finally, the effects of SSV on the GMTFs and DMSMs are investigated, in which the effects of COV and correlation distance are studied in detail. The results demonstrate that SSV has a remarkable influence on the GMTFs of offshore sites, which results in a large intensity variation of DMSMs. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the soil density and shear modulus are influential factors for the horizontal components of DMSMs; except these two parameters, the Poisson's ratio also significantly affects the vertical DMSMs. Moreover, both COV and correlation distance can lead to certain variability in the GMTFs and DMSMs, and the effect of COV is more prominent than the correlation distance. This study provides an effective approach for the simulation of DMSMs at random offshore sites, which is valuable for rational probabilistic seismic performance assessment of offshore engineering structures. • An approach for simulating depth-varying multi-support seismic motions at random offshore sites is proposed. • Influences of parameter uncertainties and spatial variability of soil properties are included in the simulation. • Ground motion transfer functions of offshore sites are considerably impacted by soil spatial variability. • COV and correlation distance can affect the transfer functions and seismic motion intensities of offshore sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]