Ground‐Motion Prediction Equations for Central and Eastern North America

Abstract

A new ground‐motion prediction equation (GMPE) model for central and eastern North America (CENA) is presented. The Graizer 2016 (G‐16) model is based on the Next Generation Attenuation‐East (NGA‐East) database for this horizontal peak ground acceleration and 5% damped pseudospectral acceleration RotD50 component (Goulet et al. , 2014). The CENA database is not sufficient for creating purely empirical GMPE with recordings covering mostly a range of moment magnitudes M <6.0 and a limited number of near‐fault recordings. The functional forms of the G‐16 model are derived from filters representing a particular physical phenomenon affecting the seismic‐wave radiation from the source, following the approach developed by Graizer and Kalkan (2007, 2009, and 2011) for active tectonic environment. Main changes in the functional forms for CENA relative to the western United States model (Graizer and Kalkan, 2015) are a shift of maximum frequency of the acceleration response spectrum (RS) toward higher frequencies and an increase in RS amplitudes at high frequencies. The developed site correction is based on multiple runs of representative V S 30 profiles through SHAKE‐type equivalent‐linear codes. Site amplifications are calculated relative to the hard‐rock definition used in nuclear industry ( V S =2800 m/s). The number of model predictors is limited to a few measurable parameters such as moment magnitude M , closest distance to fault rupture plane R rup, V S 30, and anelastic attenuation factor Q . Incorporating Q as an input parameter allows adjustments based on the regional crustal properties. The model is applicable for the stable continental regions and covers the following range: 4.0≤ M ≤8.5, 0≤ R rup≤1000 km, 450≤ V S 30≤2800 m/s, and frequencies 0.1≤ f ≤100 Hz.