Cumulative Absolute Velocity (CAV) and Seismic Intensity Based on the PEER-NGA Database

Abstract

Cumulative absolute velocity (CAV) has been proposed as an instrumental index to quantify the potential earthquake damage to structures. We explore this idea further by developing a relationship between the standardized version of CAV and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and modified Mercalli (MMI) instrumental seismic intensities in order to correlate standardized CAV with the qualitative descriptions of damage in the corresponding macroseismic intensity scales. Such an analysis statistically identifies the threshold values of standardized CAV associated with the onset of damage to buildings of good design and construction inherent in these scales. Based on these results, we suggest that CAV might be used to rapidly assess the potential damage to a general class of conventional structures after an earthquake. However, other ground motion or damage-related parameters might be better suited to quantifying the potential damage to structures of a specific type and size.