An Improved Method for Nonstationary Spectral Matching

Abstract

Seismic input to nonlinear dynamic analyses of structures is usually defined in terms of acceleration time series whose response spectra are compatible with a specified target response spectrum. Time domain spectral matching used to generate realistic design acceleration time series is discussed in this paper. A new and improved adjustment function to be used in modifying existing accelerograms while preserving the nonstationary character of the ground motion is presented herein. The application of the new adjustment wavelet ensures stability, efficiency and speed of the numerical solution and prevents drift in the resulting velocity and displacement time series.