Time-frequency response spectrum of rotational ground motion and its application

The rotational seismic motions are estimated from one station records of the 1999 Jiji (Chi-Chi), Taiwan, earthquake based on the theory of elastic plane wave propagation. The time-frequency response spectrum (TFRS) of the rotational motions is calculated and its characteristics are analyzed, then the TFRS is applied to analyze the damage mechanism of one twelve-storey frame concrete structure. The results show that one of the ground motion components can not reflect the characteristics of the seismic motions completely; the characteristics of each component, especially rotational motions, need to be studied. The damage line of the structure and TFRS of ground motion are important for seismic design, only the TFRS of input seismic wave is suitable, the structure design is reliable.