A comparison of observed and simulated site response in the Rhône valley

Abstract

Site effects in the city of Sion in the Rhône valley are analysed from weak motion signals recorded on a dense temporary array. We simulate the recorded events with a 3-D finite difference method for frequencies up to 4 Hz using a recently developed velocity model of the Sion basin. Site-to-reference Fourier spectral ratios are computed from 16 local and regional events. All sites exhibit amplification factors of up to 12 between 0.5 and 0.6 Hz, which can be reproduced by the numerical simulations. By rotating the weak motion to directions parallel and perpendicular to the valley axis, we show that this low-frequency amplification is caused by the SH 00 and SV 0 fundamental modes of 2-D resonance. Additional peaks of amplification can be observed at higher frequencies, with amplification factors of up to 20 at some sites. Application of the high-resolution frequency-wave number and the multiple signal characterization method to the vertical component of recorded and simulated signals show that edge-generated surface waves arriving from almost all directions dominate the wavefield at 1.25 and 2.50 Hz. Peak ground velocities computed from the simulated ground motion show interference patterns that depend strongly on the incidence direction, and the computed amplification of peak ground velocities are generally in agreement with the observations. We conclude that the complex 3-D geometry of the basin needs to be considered to evaluate site effects up to at least 2.5 Hz. © 2008 The Authors Journal compilation © 2008 RAS.