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Sensitivity of site response analysis on the number of ground motion records and implications for PSHA

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Abstract

This paper investigates issues related to the number of ground-motion records required for the performance of site response analysis and the inclusion of the site-specific amplification function within probabilistic seismic hazard calculations (PSHA). It explores the minimum number of records required for a robust estimation of the median and standard deviation of the site amplification function, as well as the impact of the selected ground-motion suites on the results of PSHA. Site response analyses are performed using both equivalent linear and nonlinear methodologies. Although the median amplification was observed to be relatively easy to capture, the standard deviation was seen to fluctuate considerably, especially when suites of few records were used. It was observed that in the case of the nonlinear site response analysis 10 records provide relatively stable estimates of the hazard curves for the majority of periods, while in the case of the equivalent linear analysis 20 records or more are required to achieve a similar level of accuracy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the valuable contribution of Prof. Julian Bommer to this research. The authors are also grateful for the anonymous reviews of this paper which helped to improve the clarity and completeness of the manuscripts considerably. This work has been funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Bodossaki Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Willis Re, 51 Lime Street, London, EC3M 7DQ, UK

    M. Papaspiliou

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    S. Kontoe

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  1. M. Papaspiliou
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  2. S. Kontoe
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Correspondence to M. Papaspiliou.

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M. Papaspiliou formerly affiliated with Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, UK.

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Papaspiliou, M., Kontoe, S. Sensitivity of site response analysis on the number of ground motion records and implications for PSHA. Bull Earthquake Eng 11, 1287–1304 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-013-9459-y

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