Predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning (AutoML)-based scheme

Abstract Aftershocks can cause additional damage or even lead to the collapse of structures already weakened by a mainshock. Scarcity of in-situ recorded aftershock accelerograms heightens the need to develop synthetic aftershock ground motions. These synthesized motions are crucial for assessing th...

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Main Authors: Xiaohui Yu, Meng Wang, Chaolie Ning, Kun Ji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84668-7
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author Xiaohui Yu
Meng Wang
Chaolie Ning
Kun Ji
author_facet Xiaohui Yu
Meng Wang
Chaolie Ning
Kun Ji
author_sort Xiaohui Yu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aftershocks can cause additional damage or even lead to the collapse of structures already weakened by a mainshock. Scarcity of in-situ recorded aftershock accelerograms heightens the need to develop synthetic aftershock ground motions. These synthesized motions are crucial for assessing the cumulative seismic demand on structures subjected to mainshock-aftershock sequences. However, existing research consistently highlights the challenge of accurately representing the spectral differences and interdependencies between mainshock and aftershock ground motions. In this study, we propose an innovative approach utilizing automated machine learning (AutoML) to forecast the acceleration spectrum (Sa) at varying periods for the largest expected aftershock. The AutoML model integrates essential parameters derived from the mainshock, including its Sa, and rupture parameters (moment magnitude, source-to-site distance), and site information (average shear-wave velocity in the top 30 m). Subsequently, we employ a wavelet-based technique to generate synthetic aftershock accelerograms that align with the spectrum of the mainshock, using the mainshock ground motion as a reference input. In contrast to classical machine learning techniques, AutoML requires minimal human involvement in model design, selection, and algorithm tuning. We collected 2500 sets of mainshock and in-situ aftershock recordings from a global database to train the AutoML model. Notably, even without aftershock rupture parameters as inputs, our predicted Sa shows significant agreement with actual recorded aftershock ground motions. Our predictions achieved R2 scores ranging from 0.85 to 0.9 across various periods, affirming the model’s accuracy. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation between predicted Sa intensities across different periods closely mirror that derived from observed aftershock recordings. These findings validate our trained AutoML model’s capability to forecast the response spectrum of the largest expected aftershock ground motions. The peak ductility demand of SDOF systems, using artificial mainshock-aftershock ground motions as input, also shows good agreement with those under recorded seismic sequences. Given the fully automated nature of our approach, the AutoML framework could be extended to predict other relevant non-Sa intensity measures of aftershocks.
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spelling doaj-art-233b8bf13bff49a8a25f35ae87349c152025-08-20T02:36:27ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111410.1038/s41598-024-84668-7Predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning (AutoML)-based schemeXiaohui Yu0Meng Wang1Chaolie Ning2Kun Ji3College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Guilin University of TechnologyCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji UniversityCollege of Civil Engineering, Tongji UniversityCollege of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai UniversityAbstract Aftershocks can cause additional damage or even lead to the collapse of structures already weakened by a mainshock. Scarcity of in-situ recorded aftershock accelerograms heightens the need to develop synthetic aftershock ground motions. These synthesized motions are crucial for assessing the cumulative seismic demand on structures subjected to mainshock-aftershock sequences. However, existing research consistently highlights the challenge of accurately representing the spectral differences and interdependencies between mainshock and aftershock ground motions. In this study, we propose an innovative approach utilizing automated machine learning (AutoML) to forecast the acceleration spectrum (Sa) at varying periods for the largest expected aftershock. The AutoML model integrates essential parameters derived from the mainshock, including its Sa, and rupture parameters (moment magnitude, source-to-site distance), and site information (average shear-wave velocity in the top 30 m). Subsequently, we employ a wavelet-based technique to generate synthetic aftershock accelerograms that align with the spectrum of the mainshock, using the mainshock ground motion as a reference input. In contrast to classical machine learning techniques, AutoML requires minimal human involvement in model design, selection, and algorithm tuning. We collected 2500 sets of mainshock and in-situ aftershock recordings from a global database to train the AutoML model. Notably, even without aftershock rupture parameters as inputs, our predicted Sa shows significant agreement with actual recorded aftershock ground motions. Our predictions achieved R2 scores ranging from 0.85 to 0.9 across various periods, affirming the model’s accuracy. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation between predicted Sa intensities across different periods closely mirror that derived from observed aftershock recordings. These findings validate our trained AutoML model’s capability to forecast the response spectrum of the largest expected aftershock ground motions. The peak ductility demand of SDOF systems, using artificial mainshock-aftershock ground motions as input, also shows good agreement with those under recorded seismic sequences. Given the fully automated nature of our approach, the AutoML framework could be extended to predict other relevant non-Sa intensity measures of aftershocks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84668-7Mainshock-aftershock sequenceAutomated machine learning(AutoML)Artificial aftershock ground motionsSpectral accelerationsPeak ductility demands
spellingShingle Xiaohui Yu
Meng Wang
Chaolie Ning
Kun Ji
Predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning (AutoML)-based scheme
Scientific Reports
Mainshock-aftershock sequence
Automated machine learning(AutoML)
Artificial aftershock ground motions
Spectral accelerations
Peak ductility demands
title Predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning (AutoML)-based scheme
title_full Predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning (AutoML)-based scheme
title_fullStr Predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning (AutoML)-based scheme
title_full_unstemmed Predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning (AutoML)-based scheme
title_short Predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning (AutoML)-based scheme
title_sort predicting largest expected aftershock ground motions using automated machine learning automl based scheme
topic Mainshock-aftershock sequence
Automated machine learning(AutoML)
Artificial aftershock ground motions
Spectral accelerations
Peak ductility demands
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84668-7
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaohuiyu predictinglargestexpectedaftershockgroundmotionsusingautomatedmachinelearningautomlbasedscheme
AT mengwang predictinglargestexpectedaftershockgroundmotionsusingautomatedmachinelearningautomlbasedscheme
AT chaoliening predictinglargestexpectedaftershockgroundmotionsusingautomatedmachinelearningautomlbasedscheme
AT kunji predictinglargestexpectedaftershockgroundmotionsusingautomatedmachinelearningautomlbasedscheme