Comprehensive numerical analysis of fault‐structure systems – Computation of the large‐scale seismic structural response to a given earthquake scenario –

SUMMARY The seismic structural response is affected by temporal and spatial variations in strong ground motion. It can be evaluated through the fault‐structure system: the fault mechanism, wave propagation through the crust, amplification near the surface, and soil‐structure interaction. To analyze this system at high resolution and accuracy, we previously proposed a new multiscale analysis method and numerically verified its validity. However, the problem of the extremely large computation cost of constructing a three‐dimensional numerical model and solving the discretized governing equations still remains. Here, we introduce a new method to resolve these difficulties. By combining this new method with our multiscale analysis, we developed a tool for fault‐structure system analysis. The accuracy of this tool is verified by comparing it to a Green's function solution. Finally, we demonstrate the potential utility of the method by estimating the seismic response of a large and complex underground highway junction in a given earthquake scenario. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.