Current empirical ground-motion prediction equations for Europe and their application to Eurocode 8


Bommer J. J., Stafford P. J., Akkar S.

BULLETIN OF EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING, vol.8, no.1, pp.5-26, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 8 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10518-009-9122-9
  • Journal Name: BULLETIN OF EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.5-26
  • Keywords: Europe, Middle East, Ground-motion prediction, Attenuation, Peak ground acceleration, Peak ground velocity, Response spectra, Eurocode 8, DISPLACEMENT RESPONSE SPECTRA, AVERAGE HORIZONTAL COMPONENT, SEISMIC-HAZARD, ATTENUATION RELATIONSHIP, MAGNITUDE RANGE, EARTHQUAKE, ACCELERATION, SIMULATION, RECORDS, MODELS
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The first ground-motion prediction equation derived from European and Middle Eastern strong-motion data was published more than 30 years ago; since then strong-motion networks and the resulting databank of accelerograms in the region have expanded significantly. Many equations for the prediction of peak ground-motion parameters and response spectral ordinates have been published in recent years both for the entire Euro-Mediterranean and Middle Eastern region as well as for individual countries within this region. Comparisons among empirical ground-motion models for these parameters, developed using large regional datasets, do not support the hypothesis of there being significant differences in earthquake ground-motions from one area of crustal seismicity to another. However, there are certain regions within Europe-affected by different tectonic regimes-for which the existing pan-European equations may not be applicable. The most recent European equations make it possible to now implement overdue modifications to the presentation of seismic design actions in Eurocode 8 that allow an improved approximation to the target uniform hazard spectrum (UHS). Using these recent equations, this study outlines a new approach via which an approximation to the UHS may be constructed using hazard maps calculated for peak ground velocity and the corner period T (D) in addition to the maps for peak ground acceleration that underpin the current stipulations of Eurocode 8.