The generation of spectrum compatible accelerograms for the design of nuclear power plants

Abstract Based on the main features of the computer program THGE, the paper reviews the techniques which are available for the construction of an accelerogram whose response spectrum matches a design spectrum. First, a sample accelerogram is generated as the product of the stationary random sequence by a deterministic shape function. It is assumed that the spectral properties of the stationary process have been determined in a previous step, in order to lead to the design spectrum as expected maximum responses of a set of single degree of freedom oscillators. The principal properties of the Fast Fourier Transform which is used for this first step are reviewed. The paper then describes the procedures which are available, both in the frequency domain and in the time domain, to improve the agreement between the response spectrum and the target. It also discusses some related issues, such as the response spectrum calculations, the statistical dependence between the three earthquake components, the duration of the time history, the variability of the secondary response to various samples and the generation of an accelerogram whose response spectra envelop a set of design spectra. The point of view adopted is the one of the structural engineer.