Site, local, and regional earthquake ground motion characterization and application

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
HP Hong ◽  
TJ Liu

A systematic overview and comparison is presented on the seismic hazard assessment based on the observations and seismic hazard model and the characteristics of earthquake ground motions for a site, a local area, and a region. It shows that the seismic hazard estimated by directly using the observations could differ from that evaluated using an adopted seismic hazard model. It indicates the importance to judiciously select the seismic hazard model, as well as to understand that historical records for a limited period may not fully reflect the seismic hazard. The comparison of the ground motion characteristics is focused on the variability of the ground motion measures, the coherency for record components in two orthogonal orientations, and the spatial correlation and spatial coherency. Procedures for simulating bidirectional excitations at a site and record components at multiple sites for a scenario seismic event are given. The application of the simulated record components to estimate the seismic loss for a portfolio of hypothetical buildings by considering a scenario event is shown, indicating the effectiveness of the presented methodology for seismic loss estimation.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Brandmayr ◽  
Franco Vaccari ◽  
Giuliano Francesco Panza

AbstractThe Corsica-Sardinia lithospheric block is commonly considered as a region of very low seismicity and the scarce reported seismicity for the area has till now precluded the reliable assessment of its seismic hazard. The time-honored assumption has been recently questioned and the historical seismicity of Sardinia has been reevaluated. Even more, several seismogenic nodes capable of M5 + have been recognized in the Corsica-Sardinia block exploiting the morphostructural zonation technique, calibrated to earlier results obtained for the Iberian peninsula, which has structural lithospheric affinities with the Corsica-Sardinia block. All this allows now for the computation of reliable earthquake hazard maps at bedrock conditions exploiting the power of Neo Deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessment (NDSHA) evaluation. NDSHA relies upon the fundamental physics of wave generation and propagation in complex geologic structures and generates realistic time series from which several earthquake ground motion parameters can be readily extracted. NDSHA exploits in an optimized way all the available knowledge about lithospheric mechanical parameters, seismic history, seismogenic zones and nodes. In accordance with continuum mechanics, the tensor nature of earthquake ground motion is preserved computing realistic signals using structural models obtained by tomographic inversion and earthquake source information readily available in literature. The way to this approach has been open by studies focused on continental Italy and Sicily, where the agreement between hazard maps obtained using seismogenic zones, informed by earthquake catalog data, and the maps obtained using only seismogenic nodes are very good.


Author(s):  
Enrico Brandmayr ◽  
Vaccari Franco ◽  
Romanelli Fabio ◽  
Vlahovic Gordana ◽  
Panza Giuliano Francesco

Kosovo is one of the most seismically active regions in Europe, lying within the Alpine-Mediterranean tectonic belt. Historical records for the region show several catastrophic earthquakes with epicentral intensity IX (MCS). However, due to Kosovo’s high population density, high prevalence of traditional construction, and insufficient enforcement of building codes, Kosovo is vulnerable to earthquake damage. In this study, we present earthquake hazard maps for bedrock conditions in Kosovo based on the well-known Neo-deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessment (NDSHA) method. NDSHA relies upon the fundamental physics of wave generation and propagation in complex geologic structures to generate realistic time series, used as input for the computation of several ground motion parameters, integrating the available knowledge of seismic history, seismogenic zones and morphostructural nodes. In accordance with continuum mechanics, the tensor nature of earthquake ground motion is preserved, producing realistic signals using structural models obtained by tomographic inversion and earthquake source information readily available in literature. Our maps are generally consistent with the observed intensity IX (MCS) and suggest that, in some instances, intensity X could be reached.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alemayehu Ayele ◽  
Kifle Woldearegay ◽  
Matebie Meten

AbstractEarthquake is a sudden release of energy due to faults. Natural calamities like earthquakes can neither be predicted nor prevented. However, the severity of the damages can be minimized by development of proper infrastructure which includes microzonation studies, appropriate construction procedures and earthquake resistant designs. The earthquake damaging effect depends on the source, path and site conditions. The earthquake ground motion is affected by topography (slope, hill, valley, canyon, ridge and basin effects), groundwater and surface hydrology. The seismic hazard damages are ground shaking, structural damage, retaining structure failures and lifeline hazards. The medium to large earthquake magnitude (< 6) reported in Ethiopia are controlled by the main Ethiopian rift System. The spatial and temporal variation of earthquake ground motion should be addressed using the following systematic methodology. The general approaches used to analyze damage of earthquake ground motions are probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA), deterministic seismic hazard assessment (DSHA) and dynamic site response analysis. PSHA considers all the scenarios of magnitude, distance and site conditions to estimate the intensity of ground motion distribution. Conversely, DSHA taken into account the worst case scenarios or maximum credible earthquake to estimate the intensity of seismic ground motion distribution. Furthermore, to design critical infrastructures, DSHA is more valuable than PSHA. The DSHA and PSHA ground motion distributions are estimated as a function of earthquake magnitude and distance using ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) at top of the bedrock. Site response analysis performed to estimate the ground motion distributions at ground surface using dynamic properties of the soils such as shear wave velocity, density, modulus reduction, and material damping curves. Seismic hazard evaluation of Ethiopia shown that (i) amplification is occurred in the main Ethiopian Rift due to thick soil, (ii) the probability of earthquake recurrence due to active fault sources. The situation of active fault is oriented in the N-S direction. Ethiopia is involved in huge infrastructural development (including roads, industrial parks and railways), increasing population and agricultural activity in the main Ethiopian Rift system. In this activity, socio-economic development, earthquake and earthquake-generated ground failures need to be given attention in order to reduce losses from seismic hazards and create safe geo-environment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 1510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Banahene Osei ◽  
Mark Adom-Asamoah ◽  
Ahmed Ali Awadallah Ahmed ◽  
Eugene Boasiako Antwi

Seismic hazard assessment involves quantifying the likely ground motion intensities to be expected at a particular site or region. It is a crucial aspect of any seismic hazard mitigation program. The conventional probabilistic seismic hazard assessment is highly reliant on the past seismic activities in a particular region. However, for regions with lower rates of seismicity, where seismological data is scanty, it would seem desirable to use a stochastic modelling (Monte Carlo based) approach. This study presents a Monte Carlo simulation hazard model for Southern Ghana. Six sites are selected in order to determine their expected ground motion intensities (peak ground acceleration and spectral acceleration). Results revealed that Accra and Tema as the highly seismic cities in Southern Ghana, with Ho and Cape Coast having relatively lower seismicities. The expected peak ground acceleration corresponding to a 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years for the proposed seismic hazard model was as high as 0.06 g for the cities considered. However, at the rather extreme 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years, a PGA of 0.5 g can be anticipated. Evidently, the 2% in 50 years uniform hazard spectrum for the highly seismic cities recorded high spectral accelerations, at a natural vibrational period within the ranges of about 0.1-0.3 sec. This indicates that low-rise structures in these cities may be exposed to high seismic risk.


2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Borko Bulajic ◽  
Miodrag Manic

This paper presents a discussion regarding the most common approaches to the deterministic seismic hazard analysis, as well as their relation with the probabilistic hazard analysis. Different methodologies for estimation of the strong earthquake ground motion at a site of interest on the territory of the Republic of Serbia are also discussed. When generation of the synthetic ground motion time histories on the territory of the Republic of Serbia is concerned, a method developed by Trifunac and his associates is suggested having in mind that this approach uses only those input parameters that can be easily and accurately defined while at the same time being able to model all properties of strong earthquake ground motion that are presently known as well as to consider the probabilistic nature of earthquake occurrence.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenming Wang ◽  
David T. Butler ◽  
Edward W. Woolery ◽  
Lanmin Wang

A scenario seismic hazard analysis was performed for the city of Tianshui. The scenario hazard analysis utilized the best available geologic and seismological information as well as composite source model (i.e., ground motion simulation) to derive ground motion hazards in terms of acceleration time histories, peak values (e.g., peak ground acceleration and peak ground velocity), and response spectra. This study confirms that Tianshui is facing significant seismic hazard, and certain mitigation measures, such as better seismic design for buildings and other structures, should be developed and implemented. This study shows that PGA of 0.3 g (equivalent to Chinese intensity VIII) should be considered for seismic design of general building and PGA of 0.4 g (equivalent to Chinese intensity IX) for seismic design of critical facility in Tianshui.


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