QuakeManager Improvements in v3.08

In QuakeManager v3.08, we are introducing new features to enhance the usability and refine the analysis capabilities. Our latest update includes:

Spectra Resultant Azimuth/Angle Chart Pane

With QuakeManager’s latest update, users can now generate a dual-pane chart displaying response  spectra (PSa, PSv, Sd) in the first pane, and in the second pane showing azimuth or angle variation across different periods. For example, when plotting RotD100 spectral acceleration (SaRotD100), the azimuth pane will show the azimuth of the orientation along which the maximum response occurs in a 2D plane. For example, as shown in Figure 1, it can be easily determined that the RotD100 response at T=1s occurs at an Azimuth orientation of 199°.

As a verification, we can use the polar plot tool (Figure 2) which can show the full bidirectional (2-dof) interaction response trace along with the peak response at a user-specified period. At a period of 1-second, the polar plot shows that the maximum response occurs along an azimuth orientation of 199°, which aligns with the azimuth determined from Figure 1.


Figure 1: PSa and Record Azimuth vs Period

Figure 2: Record Max Direction Azimuth Polar Plot

Amplification Factor Chart Pane

This feature allows users to assess how ground motion modification, such spectral matching, baseline correction, site response or other signal processing, impact ground motion spectra. By comparing the modified and original (unmodified) records over different periods, users can visually analyze amplification factors and evaluate the effectiveness of record adjustments. The amplification factor shows the ratio of the modified Sa to the original Sa for various types of Sa (e.g. SRSS, RotD100, Fn, Fp, etc.). The example below is for a record that is selected and mean-spectrally matched. The amplification factor plot shows the variation of the records (ratio of modified to unmodified) along the different periods. 

Figure 3: Amplification Factor vs Record Period

Damping Ratios

Users can now plot spectra for damping levels other than 5% (e.g., 0%, 2%, 10%, 20%, etc.).

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Figure 4: Record PSa with 2% Damping

Figure 5: Record PSa with 5% Damping

Visualizing Pulse Records

In addition to being able to evaluate records for the presence of pulses, and the ability to extract the pulse wavelet, period, azimuth orientation, and other pulse properties, using the "Calculate Pulse" tool, users can now visualize the identified pulse signal and residual for the evaluated ground motion, including:

  • Pulse spectra (pulse, residual, and pulse + residual)
  • Time Histories (Acceleration, velocity, and displacement time histories) for pulse, residual and total record

This feature enables an easier understanding of the pulse characteristics of ground motions, which are crucial for evaluating near-fault effects. It can also be used to evaluate the record both before and after spectral matching or other modification to better understand the effect of that modification on the pulse characteristics of the record.

Figure 6: Pulse, Residual, and Pulse + Residual Plot

Shear Wave Velocity (Vs30) Global Database Lookup

In addition to the current ability to retrieve design spectral values (S1, Ss, etc) from USGS Web Services, QuakeManager now integrates site-specific shear wave velocity (Vs30) lookup. Users can simply input their site location — via latitude/longitude or address — and QuakeManager will automatically retrieve:

  • Shear wave velocity (Vs30) values
  • Site classification based on USGS data



Figure 7:Vs30 Lookup in Site Dialog

User-Defined Column File Format Export

A newly introduced User-Defined Column format is now available in QuakeManager’s export tool. This feature allows users to:

  • Customize and export ground motion data in a column-based format
  • Control specific parameters such as units, delimiters, and header lines
  • Export acceleration, velocity, and displacement values at predefined time steps
  • Export one or multiple channels/components per file

This tool simplifies the process of exporting modified records for using engineering analysis software such as SAP2000, ETABS, SAFE, Perform-3D, Plaxis, FLAC, OpenSees, STAAD.PRO, Robot, Dlubal, Ansys, Abaqus, Nastran, LS-DYNA, ADINA, DIANA, etc.

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Figure 8: Export Records Tool