This set of Earthquake Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Evaluation of Seismic Design Parameters”.
1. What is the value of the maximum ground velocity for MMI VIII intensity?
a) 1 cm/s
b) 10 cm/s
c) 20 cm/s
d) 122 cm/s
View Answer
Explanation: 20 cm/s is the value of maximum ground velocity for MMI VIII intensity. This has been derived from the earthquake intensity-acceleration relationships. It changes by a factor of 2 with unit change of intensity.
2. Which of the following denotes the point at which the strains start to build up in the earth’s crust?
a) Depth of focus
b) Epicenter
c) Length of faults
d) Subsurface rupture length
View Answer
Explanation: The depth of focus denotes the point at which the strains start to build up in the earth’s crust. As the strains build up, it results in fracture and seismic waves are generated. The upper few km depth is prone to weathering and other natural phenomenon which makes the rocks weak. These rocks cannot store the energy of earthquake and the strains start to develop.
3. Which of the following factor is used to determine the amount of energy released during an earthquake?
a) Site conditions
b) Length of faults
c) Depth of focus
d) Strains in faults
View Answer
Explanation: Length of fault is used to determine the amount of energy that will be released by the identified fault. Length of faults are determined from the tectonic maps. These magnitudes are increased by 0.5 for MCE.
4. How to calculate the depth of focus in a causative fault if no specific data of fault dip is available?
a) The depth at which strains build up minus half of idealized down-dip rupture width
b) The depth at which strains build up plus idealized down-dip rupture width
c) The depth at which strains build up minus idealized down-dip rupture width
d) The depth at which strains build up plus half of idealized down-dip rupture width
View Answer
Explanation: If specific data of fault dip is not available, the depth at which strains build up plus half of idealized down-dip rupture width is taken as the depth of focus of earthquake in a causative fault. Due to weathering and other natural phenomenon, the upper few km depth is not strong enough to store energy and therefore the strains start to build up.
5. What is the value of peak acceleration for a velocity of 122 cm/s?
a) 0.167 g
b) 0.5 g
c) 0.333 g
d) g
View Answer
Explanation: The value of peak acceleration for a velocity of 122 cm/s is g. The peak acceleration of 0.167 g corresponds to a velocity of 20 cm/s for MMI intensity VIII. The value of velocity changes by a factor of 2 with unit change of intensity.
6. Peak ground velocity is independent of local site conditions.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The peak ground velocity is correlated to the MMI intensity. The MMI intensity is dependent on the amount of damage caused. Whereas Local site conditions determine the damage that can occur. Therefore, the peak ground velocity is indirectly dependent on the local ground conditions.
7. What is the attenuation relationship for peak ground acceleration?
a) Function of moment magnitude and hypo-central distance
b) Function of moment magnitude and displacement
c) Function of hypo-central distance, velocity and acceleration
d) Function of moment intensity and displacement
View Answer
Explanation: Attenuation relationship for peak ground acceleration is a function of moment magnitude and focal or hypo-central distance. Esteva and Villaverde gave one such attenuation law. This law is used to study the effects of distant earthquakes on the faults.
8. What are the empirical constants for PGA and PGV in the attenuation law?
a) 400 km for PGA and 250 km for PGV
b) 250 km for PGA and 400 km for PGV
c) 40 km for PGA and 25 km for PGV
d) 25 km for PGA and 40 km for PGV
View Answer
Explanation: The attenuation law for PGA and PGV is a function of moment magnitude and the focal distance. 40 km and 25 km are the empirical constants for PGA and PGV respectively. These constants account for the volume of lithospheric rock that contributes in liberating the energy stored in them.
9. Who derived the attenuation relationships for peak ground motions?
a) Giuiliani and Rodriquez
b) Raven and Lopez
c) Arnold and Christopher
d) Esteva and Villaverde
View Answer
Explanation: Esteva and Villaverde gave the attenuation relationships for peak ground motions like acceleration, velocity and displacement. These relations were a function of magnitude and the focal distance. 40 km and 25 km are the empirical constants used in these relations which account for the volume of lithospheric rock that contributes in releasing of stored energy.
10. The deterministic approach incorporates randomness in its approach.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The deterministic approach does not incorporate randomness in its approach. It assumes that there is no uncertainty in the parameters values. The output is completely determined by the parameter values and the initial values. The probabilistic approach has randomness in its approach.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Earthquake Engineering.
To practice all areas of Earthquake Engineering, here is complete set of Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]
