Millennium Plaza Development
San Salvador, El Salvador
Slate Geotechnical Consultants completed a site response analysis to support the development of design acceleration response spectrum for the Millennium Plaza Development in San Salvador, El Salvador. The development consists of a mass excavation of six basement levels to a depth of about 22.6 meters (75 feet) below adjacent grades. The development will include three reinforced concrete buildings for residential apartments, office space, and a hotel with heights ranging between 10- to 30-stories. In addition, a convention center, auditorium, and shopping center are planned as part of the development.
Slate Geotechnical Consultants reviewed existing subsurface data collected by others to develop a site-specific horizontal foundation input response spectrum using a combination of ASCE/SEI 7-10 and the generalized site response procedures adopted by the UC Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Two deterministic scenario response spectra were developed for a high frequency, local event and a low frequency, subduction event. Site response analysis was evaluated by developing three soil profiles for a randomized one-dimensional site response analysis for both the local and subduction events using Random Vibration Theory (RVT). The analysis was performed with 30 randomized permutations of shear wave velocity and dynamic material properties for each of the three soil profiles. The randomization was performed to capture a range of peak responses that are associated with the uncertainty in the soil profiles, particularly the shear wave velocities.
Based on the results of the analysis, Slate Geotechnical Consultants provided recommendations for site class that best represent the expected ground motions at the project site and a comparison of the code-based spectrum and the response spectrum developed from the site response analysis. The results of our analysis and recommendations provided the client and design team with seismic design criteria for the development.
