Bridging IAA and IDA: A Conceptual framework, application, and implication in risk assessment

Quantifying the progressive failure of infrastructures under seismic excitation is crucial for accurate risk evaluation. Such analyses often necessitate detailed structural evaluations using numerous ground motion records across a range of seismic intensities. This study proposes intensifying artificial acceleration (IAA) as a novel method for approximating the seismic response of structural systems. The performance of IAA is evaluated in comparison with traditional single-record incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), employing a benchmark geo-structure problem that incorporates soil/rock-structure interaction. This research assesses the efficacy and precision of IAA for nonlinear systems with and without wave propagation in the foundation. Wave deconvolution is applied to both IAA and IDA, and a damage index is calculated to quantify crack extension. Serving as a proof of concept, the results highlight a promising alignment between IAA and IDA outcomes, with IAA offering significant reductions in computational demand. The paper concludes with a conceptual framework for integrating ground motion-compatible IAAs into streamlined risk assessment processes.