Seismic Hazard Simulation for Submarine Cable Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The determination of seismic hazard for areas with limited or incomplete data poses a challenge, particularly for submarine telecommunications cable systems, where accurate ground motion data is crucial for infrastructure planning and maintenance, but often unavailable, leading to potential disruptions in telecommunication services.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a simulation model that processes geological and seismological data from known hazard areas to generate simulated ground motion intensity data for areas with unknown hazards, incorporating machine learning algorithms to correlate and predict spatial distribution and attenuation of ground motion, and combining this data with existing data for more accurate hazard assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If seismic hazard data is collected from areas with limited instrumentation, then data completeness improves, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces simulation models as intermediary tools that bridge the gap between limited observational data and comprehensive hazard assessment. These models process available geological and seismological data to generate synthetic ground motion records, effectively mediating between incomplete measurements and the need for precise hazard characterization in data-scarce regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates synthetic copies of ground motion data through simulation models. By generating artificial seismic records that replicate the statistical and physical characteristics of real earthquakes, the system produces surrogate data that complements limited observational measurements, enabling hazard assessment without requiring extensive instrumental records
2Reliability
If simulation models are trained on data from seismically-active areas, then predictive capability for unknown areas improves, but model complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter-based simulation approaches where complex physical processes are represented through adjustable parameters rather than full computational models. By changing key parameters such as fault geometry, rupture velocity, and attenuation characteristics, the models can reliably predict ground motion in unknown areas while maintaining manageable computational complexity through parameterized representations
3Reliability
If comprehensive ground motion data is collected for infrastructure planning, then infrastructure reliability improves, but data acquisition cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary seismic hazard characterization by applying simulation models to generate ground motion data before infrastructure planning commences. This advance preparation provides essential reliability information for route selection and design decisions, enabling infrastructure planners to assess hazards and make informed decisions prior to actual construction activities
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation model system is designed to be self-sufficient in generating hazard data without requiring extensive external data collection efforts. By utilizing available public geological and seismological databases and automatically generating synthetic ground motion records, the system serves its own data needs internally, eliminating the time-consuming process of field measurements and instrumental deployment in remote areas
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method and a related system for determining seismic hazard related data. The method includes processing geological/seismological data associated with an area of unknown hazard using a simulation model, and determining simulated ground motion intensity data associated with the area of unknown hazard. The simulation model is determined based on geological/seismological data associated with an area of known hazard and ground motion intensity data associated with the area of known hazard. Alternatively, or additionally, the method includes processing simulated ground motion intensity data associated with the area of unknown hazard with another simulation model. Such simulation model is determined at least partly based on: geological/seismological data associated with an area of unknown hazard, geological/seismological data associated with an area of known hazard, ground motion intensity data associated with the area of known hazard, and simulated ground motion intensity data associated with the area of known hazard.