Kappa (k) derived from accelerograms recorded in the 2008 Wenchuan mainshock, Sichuan, China

High-frequency spectral decay factor, kappa (k), in the accelerograms of the Wenchuan mainshock was measured using strong motion data from 52 stations within 311 km of the epicenter. The derived k range from 0.0034 s to 0.0468 s. The correlation of k versus fault distance was given, which is k = 0.01288 + 5.9068 × 10-5 R for the N-S component, k = 0.01881 + 1.4219 × 10-5 R for the E-W component, and k = 0.00855 + 5.6086 × 10-5 R for the U-D component. The analysis on the spatial variation of k demonstrates that k relates to source effect and propagation effect besides local site effect. Ground motions for the 52 stations were simulated using derived k and compared to actual recordings in terms of waveforms, amplitude spectra and response spectra. The results show agreement at shorter periods (<1 s), but a slight overestimation at longer periods (1-7 s).