Validation and Application of Ground Motion Simulations in Performance-Based Earthquake Engineering

Abstract

Despite the expansion of recorded ground-motion datasets, a particular lack remains for earthquakes with large magnitudes and site-rupture distances. This lack of data poses challenges for making reliable risk assessments in performance-based earthquake engineering. Ground motion simulations offer an alternative to recorded ground motions as they enable the simulation of site-specific ground motions for rare earthquake events. Recent advances in simulation techniques and improvements in available computational resources have increased the potential advantages of ground motion simulations in engineering applications. However, to gain confidence in synthetic ground motions and promote their use, the simulation models need to go through a validation process to prove their consistency with natural observations. Additionally, practical frameworks should be proposed to illustrate and facilitate the use of these simulations in solving engineering problems. For this purpose, this study focuses on the utilization and validation of ground motion simulations for specific engineering applications in performance-based earthquake engineering with three main goals: (1) advancing the utilization of ground motion simulation methods by developing and gearing them towards practical applications, (2) developing confidence in the use of simulated ground motions through comparison and validation against recorded ground motions, and (3) identifying important characteristics of extreme ground motions in hazard assessment using site-specific simulations and statistical methods. Findings from this study could benefit ground motion modelers in improving the existing simulation models, seismologists in accelerating the development of simulation-based hazard maps, and structural engineers in reducing the computational effort of utilizing simulated ground motions in seismic risk assessment of structures.