Applicability of attenuation relations for regional studies

Abstract

This paper discusses the applicability of different ground motion prediction equations (GMPE) for regional studies. Cumulative probability plots and residual plots are used to check the normality and model inadequacies in various GMPE. It is seen that as long as the data set is similar to that used for generating GMPE the normality and model adequacies are broadly satisfied. However, clear deviation from normality is observed when using GMPE for predicting different data sets. In order to check utility of various worldwide GMPE for dataset other than that used for preparing GMPE, the dataset of Himalayan earthquakes record on strong motion network has been predicted using the GMPE given by Abrahamson and Litehiser (1989), Boore and Atkinson (2008), Boore et al. (1997) and Joyner and Boore (1981). It is seen that these GMPE shows presence of fat tails together with large model inadequacies when they are ides for predicting Himalayan data. The data for Himalayan earthquake are also predicted by using the GMPE developed using Himalayan data. It is seen that this GMPE obeys normality and does not reflect any model inadequacies. The seismic map for 10% probability of exceedence of peak ground acceleration of 0.1g is prepared using modified method given by Joshi and Patel (1997). It is seen that two different regional GMPE developed using Himalayan dataset gives similar seismic zonation map however large deviation in the seismic zonation map is observed when GMPE given by Abrahamson and Litehiser (1989) has been used.