A note on the use of random vibration theory to predict peak amplitudes of transient signals

Random vibration theory offers an elegant and efficient way of predicting peak motions from a knowledge of the spectra of radiated energy. One limitation to applications in seismology is the assumption of stationarity used in the derivation of standard random vibration theory. This note provides a scheme that allows the standard theory to be applied to the transient signals common in seismology. This scheme is particularly necessary for predictions of peak response of longperiod oscillators driven by short-duration ground motions.

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