An empirical relationship between resonance frequency, bedrock depth and VS30 for Croatia based on HVSR forward modelling

Seismic bedrock depth represents one of the crucial steps in site response analysis as the input seismic ground motion is propagated from the bedrock level through soil profile column to estimate surface ground motion. In the last two decades, several studies estimated bedrock depth using microtremor horizontal-to-vertical-spectral ratio fundamental (resonance) frequency and known (mostly boreholes) bedrock depth in different regions through power-law regression. In this study, seismic bedrock (H800—depth of the bedrock formation identified by shear wave velocity VS ≥ 800 m/s) is estimated using H/V forward modelling routine in which shear wave velocity profile from geophysical measurements was used as an initial soil model. Based on geological, geophysical and microtremor data, empirical relationships between average shear wave velocity in top 30 m, resonance frequency and bedrock depth are derived. Given evaluation of sedimentary thicknesses showed to be within the range of published studies for similar geological and site characteristics if the errors between different methods, approaches and site parameters are considered. The main limitation to validate proposed relationships is the lack of realistic deep borehole data like in similar studies. Further work is required that should include deep data from borehole drilling, seismic refraction and reflection or vertical electrical sounding. The intention is that presented regressions between resonance frequency, bedrock depth and VS30 would be implemented into nonlinear site amplification model and further development towards Ground Motion Prediction Equations for Croatia.