1-D Non-linear seismic response analysis of category C soil deposits according to Italian Seismic code

Following Eurocode 8-1, the Italian seismic code (NTC08) recently introduced soil categories to account for site conditions in the evaluation of the design seismic actions. Soil deposits are classified according to the average shear wave velocity Vs,30 in the topmost 30 m of the soil deposit; for each soil category a soil factor is introduced to amplify elastic response spectra ordinates relevant for a rock site. In the paper the results of 1-D non-linear seismic response analyses, carried out for soil deposits belongings to the soil category C (180 m/s  Vs,30 < 360 m/s), are presented. Accelerograms selected from a database of Italian strong (M > 5.5) motion records were used as input. The analyses were performed in the time domain using a finite difference non-linear computer code. The analysis results are presented in terms of profiles of peak acceleration and soil amplification factor. Comparison with Eurocode 8-1 and NTC08 provisions are also presented and discussed.