Analysis of Topographic Effects in Dynamic Response of a Typical Rocky Populated Slope in Lima, Peru

Abstract

A currently populated slope in the northeast part of the city of Lima was selected as the target area of this study, with the aim of analyzing the influence of topography on its seismic response. A finite element model was constructed using soil information obtained by microtremor arraymeasurements conducted in flat and sloping areas, and solved for plain strain conditions in the time domain using an input motion developed for the most critical slip model of a simulation for megathrust earthquakes. Results showed that for this typical rocky slope, topographic effects do not have a significant influence on its seismic response, except for areas close to the foot of the slope where, even if soil vibration is restricted, an amplification of the seismic motion is still expected for short period structures.