A High- and Low-Noise Model for High-Quality Strong-Motion Accelerometer Stations. Issue 1 (February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cauzzi, Carlo; Clinton, John
• Is Part Of: Earthquake spectra. Volume 29:Issue 1(2013)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2013-02
• Subjects: Earthquake engineering -- Periodicals; Earthquake engineering; Periodicals; 624.1762
• DOI: 10.1193/1.4000107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 8755-2930

Abstract

We present reference noise models for high-quality strong-motion accelerometer installations. We use continuous accelerometer data to derive very broadband (50 Hz–100 s) high- and low-noise models. The proposed noise models are compared (1) to the broadband seismometerPeterson (1993) noise models; (2) the datalogger self-noise and background noise levels at existing Swiss and Southern California strong-motion stations; and (3) typical earthquake signals recorded in Switzerland and worldwide. The accelerometer low-noise model (ALNM) is dominated by instrument noise from the sensor and datalogger. The accelerometer high-noise model (AHNM) reflects (1) at high frequencies the acceptable site noise in urban areas, (2) at mid-periods the microseismal peaks and (3) at long periods the maximum noise observed from well-insulated sensor/datalogger systems placed in vault quality sites. This study also provides confirmation of the remarkable capability of modern strong-motion accelerometers to record low-amplitude ground motions with seismic observation quality over a broad frequency range.