Abstract
Equivalent linear analysis is often applied in the analysis of ground response to earthquakes for its simple setting of input parameters, such as nonlinear characteristics, and for its computational stability. However, as the accuracy of analysis based on this method deteriorates with greater ground nonlinearity, the range of application should be taken into consideration when the technique is used. Accordingly, equivalent linear analysis was performed on a single site using different levels of input earthquake motion to examine the method's applicability using maximum shear strain as an indicator. The results showed that a maximum ground shear strain value exceeding 1 × 10-3 resulted in a trend toward reduced reproducibility of maximum acceleration. In the frequency domain level from 0.2 to 2.0 Hz, equivalent linear analysis is considered to be applicable even when the maximum shear strain extends up to 2 × 10-3.
