Soil surface seismic hazard maps for the proposed site of Nasser New City, West Assiut, Egypt

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to develop the soil surface seismic hazard maps for the proposed site of Nasser New City, West Assiut, based on probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, mainly in terms of the mean peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration (SA) values. Assessment of soil surface seismic hazard maps is required for disaster preparedness, risk, and hazard mitigation decisions for the study area. To carry out this assessment, soil profile is defined based on soil shear wave velocity that is global Vs30 of USGS. These velocities are converted to site classification based upon the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) guidelines. A seismic hazard evaluation with level hazard 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years in terms of 5% damped peak ground acceleration and spectral acceleration was carried out, PGA and SA values at bedrock, at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 s spectral period, were calculated at central part of Nasser New City. Using site amplification factors corresponding to various site classes based on Vs30, spatial variation of SA at spectral periods 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 s for 475 years as return period is demonstrated as maps. Results of this work are important for civil engineering purposes, land use planning, and resistant structure design for earthquake.