This dissertation details work aimed at better understanding topographic effects in earthquake ground motions. The experiment, conducted in Central-Eastern Utah, used frequent and predictable seismicity produced by underground longwall coal mining as a source of low-intensity ground motions. Locally-dense arrays of seismometers deployed over various topographic features were used to passively monitor seismic energy produced by mining-induced implosions and/or stress redistribution in the subsurface. The research consisted of two separate studies: an initial feasibility experiment (Phase I) followed by a larger-scale main study (Phase II). Over 50 distinct, small-magnitude (M[subscript 'L'] < 1.6) seismic events were identified in each phase. These events were analyzed for topographic effects in the time domain using the Peak Ground Velocity (PGV), and in the frequency domain using the Standard Spectral Ratio (SSR) method, the Median Reference Method (MRM), and the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method. The polarities of the horizontal ground motions were also visualized using directional analyses. The various analysis methods were compared to assess their ability to estimate amplification factors and determine the topographic frequencies of interest for each feature instrumented. The MRM was found to provide the most consistent, and presumably accurate, estimates of the amplification factor and frequency range for topographic effects. Results from this study clearly indicated that topographic amplification of ground motions does in fact occur. These amplifications were very frequency dependent, and the frequency range was correctly estimated in many, but not all, cases using simplified, analytical methods based on the geotechnical and geometrical properties of the topography. Amplifications in this study were found to generally range from 2 to 3 times a reference/baseline site condition, with some complex 3D features experiencing amplifications as high as 10. Maximum amplifications occurred near the crest of topographic features with slope angles greater than approximately 15 degrees, and the amplifications were generally oriented in the direction of steepest topographic relief, with some dependency on wave propagation direction. / text

Ground motions from earthquakes are known to be affected by earth's surface topography. Topographic effects are a result of several physical phenomena such as the focusing or defocusing of seismic waves reflected from a topographic feature and the interference between direct and diffracted seismic waves. This typically causes an amplification of ground motion on convex features such as hills and ridges and a de-amplification on concave features such as valleys and canyons. Topographic effects are known to be frequency dependent and the spectral accelerations can sometimes reach high values causing significant damages to the structures located on the feature. Topographically correlated damage pattern have been observed in several earthquakes and topographic amplifications have also been observed in several recorded ground motions. This phenomenon has also been extensively studied through numerical analyses. Even though different studies agree on the nature of topographic effects, quantifying these effects have been challenging. The current literature has no consensus on how to predict topographic effects at a site. With population centers growing around regions of high seismicity and prominent topographic relief, such as California, and Japan, the quantitative estimation of the effects have become very important. In this dissertation, we address this shortcoming by developing empirical models that predict topographic effects at a site. These models are developed through an extensive empirical study of recorded ground motions from two large strong-motion datasets namely the California small to medium magnitude earthquake dataset and the global NGA-West2 datasets, and propose topographic modification factors that quantify expected amplification or deamplification at a site. To develop these models, we required a parameterization of topography. We developed two types of topographic parameters at each recording stations. The first type of parameter is developed using the elevation data around the stations, and comprise of parameters such as smoothed slope, smoothed curvature, and relative elevation. The second type of parameter is developed using a series of simplistic 2D numerical analysis. These numerical analyses compute an estimate of expected 2D topographic amplification of a simple wave at a site in several different directions. These 2D amplifications are used to develop a family of parameters at each site. We study the trends in the ground motion model residuals with respect to these topographic parameters to determine if the parameters can capture topographic effects in the recorded data. We use statistical tests to determine if the trends are significant, and perform mixed effects regression on the residuals to develop functional forms that can be used to predict topographic effect at a site. Finally, we compare the two types of parameters, and their topographic predictive power. / Ph. D.

RESUMO Neste trabalho, a origem dos Jatos de Baixos Níveis (JBN) noturnos de Iperó (SP) e o seu papel na dispersão de poluentes no Estado de São Paulo são investigados. Para tanto são utilizados os dados coletados nas quatro campanhas de medidas em Iperó. Utilizou-se também um modelo numérico de mesoescala não-hidrostático TVM para simular a estrutura espacial 3-D do JBN em resposta as forçantes topográficas e associadas ocupação da superfície. Os resultados observacionais indicam que o JBN ocorre em Iperó com bastante freqüência nas noites de céu claro, com intensidade variando entre 8 e 10 m/s e localizado em torno de 350 m acima da superfície. Os JBNs em Iperó caracterizam-se por um cisalhamento direcional, com ventos de SE na superfície e de ENE na região de máximo. Ocorrem tanto no inverno como no verão, e afetam o ciclo diurno médio do vento observado nos primeiros 100 metros na região de Iperó. Os JBNs são responsáveis pelo máximo noturno (21:00 HL) existente no ciclo diurno médio do vento na região. Os resultados numéricos indicam que o JBN de Iperó é resultado da ação combinada de quatro fatores: (1) circulação anabática no setor paulista do vale do Rio Paraná; (2) oscilação inercial; (3) circulação catabática noturna e (4) brisa marítima. Estes quatro fatores combinados sustentam um JBN com intensidade de 5 a 10 m/s, localizados a uma altitude de 100 a 400 m acima da superfície, durante maior parte da noite. O JBN simulado numericamente encontra-se localizado no setor oeste da região de convergência da circulação anabática e da brisa marítima. Esta região de convergência em baixos níveis se forma durante o dia na parte mais elevada do Estado de São Paulo que acompanha da linha do litoral (Serra do Mar e da Cantareira). O efeito do JBN sobre o transporte de poluente foi investigado com um modelo Lagrangiano de dispersão de partículas. Verificou-se que o JBN aumenta a dispersão horizontal das partículas, transportando o poluente atmosférico emitido na superfície até 250 km da fonte. / ABSTRACT This work investigates the nocturnal Low-Level Jet (LLJ) in Iperó, Brazil, and its role in the pollutant dispersion on the State of São Paulo (SP). Data of four field campaigns in Iperó-SP was used in this investigation. A mesoscale and non-hydrostatic TVM model is also used to simulate the 3D structure of the LLJ, which is a dynamic response to topography and land use. The observational results indicate that the LLJ is frequently found during clear air nights, with a maximum between 8 and 10 m s–1, located around 350 m above surface. The LLJ in Iperó is characterized by a directional wind shear, with SE winds near surface and ENE near to the maximum. They occur during the winter and summer, and can modify the diurnal cycle of the mean wind in the first 100 m in the Iperó area. The LLJ are responsible by the nocturnal maximum (21:00 LT) in the mean wind in Iperó. The numerical results indicate the Iperó LLJ is a result of four factors: (1) anabatic circulation in São Paulo sector of the Paraná River Basin; (2) inertial oscillation; (3) nocturnal katabatic circulation and (4) sea breeze. These factors, together, sustain a LLJ with jet core intensity between 5 and 10 m/s, located between 100 and 400 m above surface during the major of nighttime period. The simulated LLJ numerically is found in the west sector in the convergence zone of the anabatic and sea breeze circulations. This convergence flow area appears during the daytime above the more elevated areas in the State of São Paulo, i.e., along mountains aligned parallel to coastline (Serra do Mar and Cantareira). The effects of the LLJ in a pollutant transport were investigated using a Lagrangian Particle Dispersion model coupled to the mesoscale model TVM. The results show that the LLJ increases the horizontal dispersion of the particles released near surface in Iperó and is able to transport the pollutant up to 250 km downwind the source.

RESUMO Neste trabalho, a origem dos Jatos de Baixos Níveis (JBN) noturnos de Iperó (SP) e o seu papel na dispersão de poluentes no Estado de São Paulo são investigados. Para tanto são utilizados os dados coletados nas quatro campanhas de medidas em Iperó. Utilizou-se também um modelo numérico de mesoescala não-hidrostático TVM para simular a estrutura espacial 3-D do JBN em resposta as forçantes topográficas e associadas ocupação da superfície. Os resultados observacionais indicam que o JBN ocorre em Iperó com bastante freqüência nas noites de céu claro, com intensidade variando entre 8 e 10 m/s e localizado em torno de 350 m acima da superfície. Os JBNs em Iperó caracterizam-se por um cisalhamento direcional, com ventos de SE na superfície e de ENE na região de máximo. Ocorrem tanto no inverno como no verão, e afetam o ciclo diurno médio do vento observado nos primeiros 100 metros na região de Iperó. Os JBNs são responsáveis pelo máximo noturno (21:00 HL) existente no ciclo diurno médio do vento na região. Os resultados numéricos indicam que o JBN de Iperó é resultado da ação combinada de quatro fatores: (1) circulação anabática no setor paulista do vale do Rio Paraná; (2) oscilação inercial; (3) circulação catabática noturna e (4) brisa marítima. Estes quatro fatores combinados sustentam um JBN com intensidade de 5 a 10 m/s, localizados a uma altitude de 100 a 400 m acima da superfície, durante maior parte da noite. O JBN simulado numericamente encontra-se localizado no setor oeste da região de convergência da circulação anabática e da brisa marítima. Esta região de convergência em baixos níveis se forma durante o dia na parte mais elevada do Estado de São Paulo que acompanha da linha do litoral (Serra do Mar e da Cantareira). O efeito do JBN sobre o transporte de poluente foi investigado com um modelo Lagrangiano de dispersão de partículas. Verificou-se que o JBN aumenta a dispersão horizontal das partículas, transportando o poluente atmosférico emitido na superfície até 250 km da fonte. / ABSTRACT This work investigates the nocturnal Low-Level Jet (LLJ) in Iperó, Brazil, and its role in the pollutant dispersion on the State of São Paulo (SP). Data of four field campaigns in Iperó-SP was used in this investigation. A mesoscale and non-hydrostatic TVM model is also used to simulate the 3D structure of the LLJ, which is a dynamic response to topography and land use. The observational results indicate that the LLJ is frequently found during clear air nights, with a maximum between 8 and 10 m s–1, located around 350 m above surface. The LLJ in Iperó is characterized by a directional wind shear, with SE winds near surface and ENE near to the maximum. They occur during the winter and summer, and can modify the diurnal cycle of the mean wind in the first 100 m in the Iperó area. The LLJ are responsible by the nocturnal maximum (21:00 LT) in the mean wind in Iperó. The numerical results indicate the Iperó LLJ is a result of four factors: (1) anabatic circulation in São Paulo sector of the Paraná River Basin; (2) inertial oscillation; (3) nocturnal katabatic circulation and (4) sea breeze. These factors, together, sustain a LLJ with jet core intensity between 5 and 10 m/s, located between 100 and 400 m above surface during the major of nighttime period. The simulated LLJ numerically is found in the west sector in the convergence zone of the anabatic and sea breeze circulations. This convergence flow area appears during the daytime above the more elevated areas in the State of São Paulo, i.e., along mountains aligned parallel to coastline (Serra do Mar and Cantareira). The effects of the LLJ in a pollutant transport were investigated using a Lagrangian Particle Dispersion model coupled to the mesoscale model TVM. The results show that the LLJ increases the horizontal dispersion of the particles released near surface in Iperó and is able to transport the pollutant up to 250 km downwind the source.

A field experiment was conducted at near Lake Coleridge in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, focusing on the kinematic response of bedrock-dominated mountain edifices to seismic shaking. The role of topographic amplification of seismic waves causing degradation and possible failure of rock masses was examined. To study site effects of topography on seismic ground motion in a field situation, a small, elongated, and bedrock-dominated mountain ridge (Little Red Hill) was chosen and equipped with a seismic array. In total seven EARSS instruments (Mark L-4-3D seismometers) were installed on the crest, the flank and the base of the 210 m high, 500 m wide, and 800 m long mountain edifice from February to July 2006. Seismic records of local and regional earthquakes, as well as seismic signals generated by an explosive source nearby, were recorded and are used to provide information on the modes of vibration as well as amplification and deamplification effects on different parts of the edifice. The ground motion records were analyzed using three different methods:comparisons of peak ground accelerations (PGA), power spectral density analysis (PSD), and standard spectral ratio analysis (SSR). Time and frequency domain analyses show that site amplification is concentrated along the elongated crest of the edifice where amplifications of up to 1100 % were measured relative to the motion at the flat base. Theoretical calculations and frequency analyses of field data indicate a maximum response along the ridge crest of Little Red Hill for frequencies of about 5 Hz, which correlate to wavelengths approximately equal to the half-width or height of the edifice (~240 m). The consequence of amplification effects on the stability and degradation of rock masses can be seen: areas showing high amplification effects overlap with the spatial distribution of seismogenic block fields at Little Red Hill. Additionally, a laboratory-scale (1:1,000) physical model was constructed to investigate the effect of topographic amplification of ground motion across a mountain edifice by simulating the situation of the Little Red Hill field experiment in a smallscale laboratory environment. The laboratory results show the maximum response of the model correlates to the fundamental mode of vibration of Little Red Hill at approximately 2.2 Hz. It is concluded that topography, geometry and distance to the seismic source, play a key role causing amplification effects of seismic ground motion and degradation of rock mass across bedrock-dominated mountain edifices.

Les océans de la Terre sont stratifiés en densité par les gradients de température et de salinité.L'interaction des courants de marée avec la topographie du fond océanique entraîne donc le rayonnement des ondes de gravité interne dans l'intérieur de l'océan. Ces ondes sont appelées marées internes et leur dissipation due à le déferlement des ondes nonlinéaires joue un rôle important dans le mélange de l'océan abyssal, et donc dans la circulation océanique à la grande échelle.Dans ce contexte, nous étudions la génération des ondes internes par l’oscillation d’objet de différentes géométries simplifiées afin de modéliser le marée barotropique sur la topographie océanique et considérons les effets linéaires et nonlinéaires sur ces ondes résultant d’interactions avec l'objet et entre ces ondes.La contribution relativement nouvelle de cette thèse est l'étude des aspects de flux tridimensionnels qui étaient accessibles avec notre approche expérimentale, et sont généralement difficiles à étudier par modélisation numérique et analytique.Nous étudions d'abord la structure des ondes fundamentale et des harmoniques supérieur pour un sphéroïde oscillant, émettant des ondes divergentes. Les harmoniques supérieures sont générées par l'instabilité non linéaire à la surface de l'objet avec des effets nonlinéaires dans la zone d'intersection des faisceaux fundamentales. Ils peuvent se croiser et se concentrer, donc augmenter d'énergie, et devenir dominant sur les ondes fundamentales. On détermine les structures horizontales des ondes fundamentale et des harmoniques supérieures.Subséquemment, nous considérons les ondes générées par un tore oscillant, qui convergent vers un point focal. En dehors de cette région focale, les résultats expérimentaux et les prédictions théoriques sont en bon accord, mais dans la région focale, l'amplitude de l'onde est deux fois plus grande que près du tore, conduisant à une amplification locale nonlinéaire et à un déferlement des onde pour les grandes amplitudes d'oscillations. En conséquence, la propagation des ondes fundamentales se trouve entravée dans la région focale. L'onde stationnaire se forme alors que de nouvelles ondes sont générées et émises de cette région focale.Un tore plus grand a été testé sur la plate-forme Coriolis pour comparer la focalisation des ondes de gravité internes, inertie-gravité et des ondes inertielles dans un régime faiblement visqueux. En raison de la complexité de la zone focale, une seconde harmonique est observée même quand l'amplitude d'oscillation est faible. Le champ de vorticité verticale des ondes de gravité interne présente une structure dipolaire dans la zone focale, qui se transforme dans le cas tournant en une structure de vortex "Yin-Yang". La structure globale des faisceaux des ondes inertiels est proche de celle pour des ondes de gravité internes, bien q'elle est relativement plus intense. / The Earth's oceans are stratified in density by temperature and salinity gradients.The interaction of tidal currents with ocean bottom topography results therefore in the radiation of internal gravity waves into the ocean interior. These waves are called internal tides and their dissipation owing to nonlinear wave breaking plays an important role in the mixing of the abyssal ocean, and hence in the large-scale ocean circulation.In this context we investigate the generation of internal waves by oscillating objects of different idealized geometries as a model of barotropic flow over ocean topography, and consider linear as well as nonlinear effects on these waves resulting from interactions with the object and from wave--wave interactions.The relatively novel contribution of this thesis is the investigation of three-dimensional flow aspects that were accessible with our experimental approach, and are generally difficult to investigate by numerical and analytical modelling.First we investigate the wave structure of the first and higher harmonics for an oscillating spheroid, emitting diverging waves. Higher harmonics are generated by nonlinear instability at the surface of the object together with nonlinear effects in the zone of intersection of the primary beams. They may intersect and focus, therefore increase in energy, and become dominant over the first harmonic. The horizontal structures of both, first and higher harmonics are determined.We then consider waves generated by an oscillating torus, that are converging to a focal point. Outside this focal region experimental results and theoretical predictions are in good agreement, but in the focal region the wave amplitude is twice as large as it is close to the torus, leading to local nonlinear wave amplification and incipient wave breaking for large oscillation amplitudes. As a result, the propagation of the first harmonic waves is found to be hindered in the focal region. A standing pattern forms, while new waves are generated and emitted away from this focal region.A larger torus has been tested at the Coriolis platform to compare the focusing of internal gravity, inertia--gravity and inertial waves in a low viscous regime. Owing to the complexity of the focal region, a second harmonic is observed even at low oscillation amplitude. The vertical vorticity field of internal gravity waves exhibits a dipolar structure in the focal zone, which transforms in the rotating case into a ``Yin--Yang-shaped'' monopolar vortex structure. The overall structure of the inertial wave beams is close to that for internal gravity waves, though relatively more intense.