Seismic Response of Two Freestanding Statue-Pedestal Systems during the 2014 South Napa Earthquake

ABSTRACT

The dynamic response of freestanding structures is poorly predicted due to known sensitivity to geometry and input motion. To further elucidate the salient features of this dynamic response, the aim of this study is to investigate the response of complex freestanding systems under real-world conditions. Two statue-pedestal systems that overturned during the 2014 South Napa Earthquake are employed in this study. The results of the numerical simulation are analyzed in comparison to the observed response which unlocks key details regarding the impact of soil at the base, contact stiffness, statue orientation, and ground motion directionality.

KEYWORDS:

• Rocking
• freestanding structure
• historical structures
• distinct element method
• post-earthquake reconnaissance
• statue

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering for partial support of this numerical study. The first author was also partially supported by the Layman Foundation of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Photographs and documentation regarding the post-earthquake positions and conditions of the two statues were generously shared by Justin-Siena High School (Napa, CA) and Ceja Vineyard (Napa, CA).

Declaration of Interest Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [CEW], upon reasonable request.