The use of direct boundary element method for gaining insight into complex seismic site response

Site models displaying different levels of complexity are used in practice. The multi-layered model's seismic response shows generally good agreement with observed data amplification levels, fundamental frequencies and the high spatial variability. Still important features such as the location of high frequencies peaks are missing. Even 2D simplified models reveal important characteristics of the wave field that 1D modelling does not show up.