Applications of wavelet analysis to the investigation of the dynamic behaviour of geotechnical structures

Harmonic wavelet analysis is a tool that has been developed over the past 15 years for the analysis of non-stationary signals in the time- frequency domain. This paper discusses the use of this technique and its application to the problems of soil dynamics and earthquake engineering. Specific reference is made to the use of this technique in investigating the performance of liquefiable slopes in centrifuge model earthquakes and the investigation of earthquake accelerograms. Harmonic wavelet analysis will be shown to be a versatile tool that can reveal information unavailable traditional time or frequency domain analysis.