Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm HVSR Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in the Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, Philippines

Vs30, the average shear wave velocity in the uppermost 30 m, is a critical parameter in seismic hazard analysis. In the Philippines, the Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) survey is the standard method for Vs30 Estimation. This study evaluates the efficiency of using an elitist Genetic Algorithm (GA) to...

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Main Authors: Rhommel N. Grutas, Andrew T. Serrano, Jamie Mary Loise C. Tan, Rio Angela F. Castro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2447
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author Rhommel N. Grutas
Andrew T. Serrano
Jamie Mary Loise C. Tan
Rio Angela F. Castro
author_facet Rhommel N. Grutas
Andrew T. Serrano
Jamie Mary Loise C. Tan
Rio Angela F. Castro
author_sort Rhommel N. Grutas
collection DOAJ
description Vs30, the average shear wave velocity in the uppermost 30 m, is a critical parameter in seismic hazard analysis. In the Philippines, the Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) survey is the standard method for Vs30 Estimation. This study evaluates the efficiency of using an elitist Genetic Algorithm (GA) to invert Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) data as an alternative approach. Unlike ReMi surveys, which require geophone arrays, HVSR surveys use a single-unit three-component microtremor seismograph, enabling faster and broader data collection. Analysis of 174 HVSR and 52 ReMi datasets from the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) and Leyte Province revealed strong correlations between estimated and measured Vs30 values. The overall match rates for soil profile classification under the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP 2015) were 76% in GMMA and 81% in Leyte, with R-squared values of 0.885 and 0.806, respectively. Additionally, the relationship between the fundamental site period and estimated Vs30 values was explored. The R-squared values of 0.772 for GMMA and 0.707 for Leyte indicate a strong correlation and demonstrate the expected inverse relationship between the two variables. Given the Philippines’ high seismic activity, this method provides an efficient means to enhance seismic hazard mapping, improving earthquake preparedness and mitigation.
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spelling doaj-art-85c9f84eb1fc4b6f950d981d2ce274a52025-08-20T02:04:35ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-02-01155244710.3390/app15052447Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm HVSR Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in the Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, PhilippinesRhommel N. Grutas0Andrew T. Serrano1Jamie Mary Loise C. Tan2Rio Angela F. Castro3Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesDepartment of Science and Technology, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesDepartment of Science and Technology, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesDepartment of Science and Technology, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Quezon City 1101, PhilippinesVs30, the average shear wave velocity in the uppermost 30 m, is a critical parameter in seismic hazard analysis. In the Philippines, the Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) survey is the standard method for Vs30 Estimation. This study evaluates the efficiency of using an elitist Genetic Algorithm (GA) to invert Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) data as an alternative approach. Unlike ReMi surveys, which require geophone arrays, HVSR surveys use a single-unit three-component microtremor seismograph, enabling faster and broader data collection. Analysis of 174 HVSR and 52 ReMi datasets from the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) and Leyte Province revealed strong correlations between estimated and measured Vs30 values. The overall match rates for soil profile classification under the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP 2015) were 76% in GMMA and 81% in Leyte, with R-squared values of 0.885 and 0.806, respectively. Additionally, the relationship between the fundamental site period and estimated Vs30 values was explored. The R-squared values of 0.772 for GMMA and 0.707 for Leyte indicate a strong correlation and demonstrate the expected inverse relationship between the two variables. Given the Philippines’ high seismic activity, this method provides an efficient means to enhance seismic hazard mapping, improving earthquake preparedness and mitigation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2447HVSRVs30NSCP 2015refraction microtremorgenetic algorithmseismic hazard analysis
spellingShingle Rhommel N. Grutas
Andrew T. Serrano
Jamie Mary Loise C. Tan
Rio Angela F. Castro
Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm HVSR Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in the Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, Philippines
Applied Sciences
HVSR
Vs30
NSCP 2015
refraction microtremor
genetic algorithm
seismic hazard analysis
title Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm HVSR Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in the Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, Philippines
title_full Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm HVSR Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in the Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, Philippines
title_fullStr Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm HVSR Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in the Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, Philippines
title_full_unstemmed Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm HVSR Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in the Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, Philippines
title_short Rapid Estimation of Vs30 Through Elitist Genetic Algorithm HVSR Inversion and Refraction Microtremor Data Analysis in the Greater Metro Manila Area and Leyte Province, Philippines
title_sort rapid estimation of vs30 through elitist genetic algorithm hvsr inversion and refraction microtremor data analysis in the greater metro manila area and leyte province philippines
topic HVSR
Vs30
NSCP 2015
refraction microtremor
genetic algorithm
seismic hazard analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/5/2447
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