• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.111-115
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• 2009

In Korea, the probabilistically developed seismic hazard maps are used with deterministically derived seismic site coefficients in developing the design response spectrum of a specific site. Even though the seismic hazard maps and seismic site coefficients are incompatible, the current design code ignores such incompatibility. If the seismic hazard map and seismic coefficients are both developed in identical probabilistic framework, such problems can be solved. Unfortunately, the available method cannot be use to derive "true" probabilistic site coefficients. This study uses the ground motion time histories, which were developed as the result of a new probabilistic seismic hazard analysis in the companion paper, as input motions in performing one-dimensional equivalent linear site response analyses, from which the uniform hazard response spectra are generated. Another important characteristic of the hazard response spectra are that the uncertainties and randomness of the ground properties are accounted for. The uniform hazard spectra are then used to derive probabilistic site coefficients. Comparison of probabilistic and deterministically site coefficients demonstrate that there is a distinct discrepancy between two coefficients.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.87-97
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• 2009

The seismic site coefficients are often used with the seismic hazard maps to develop the design response spectrum at the surface. The site coefficients are most commonly developed deterministically, while the seismic hazarde maps are derived probabilistically. There is, hence, an inherent incompatibility between the two approaches. However, they are used together in the seismic design codes without a clear rational basis. To resolve the fundamental imcompatibility between the site coefficients and hazard maps, this study uses a novel probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) technique that simulates the results of a standard PSHA at a rock outcrop, but integrates the site response analysis function to capture the site amplification effects within the PSHA platform. Another important advantage of the method is its ability to model the uncertainty, variability, and randomness of the soil properties. The new PSHA was used to develop fully probabilistic site coefficients for site classes of the seismic design code and another sets of site classes proposed in Korea. Comparisons highlight the pronounced discrepancy between the site coefficients of the seismic design code and the proposed coefficients, while another set of site coefficients show differences only at selected site classes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.707-714
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• 2009

The design response spectrum generally used in Korea is decided by the site coefficients determined by deterministic methodology, while it is based on probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. The design response spectrum has to be made using probabilistic method which includes uncertainties of ground motions and ground properties for coincide with probabilistic methodology of seismic hazard analysis. In this study probabilistic site coefficients were developed, which were defined by the results of site response analysis using a set of ground motion that was compatible with present seismic hazard map. The design response spectrum defined by probabilistic seismic coefficients resulted in lower spectrum in long period area and larger spectrum in short period area. Also, the maximum spectral accelerations in site class D and site class E were lower than one in site class C while in the previous design response spectrum the maximum spectral acceleration increased from site class A to E.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.25-34
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• 2012

In order to verify that the recently proposed two-parameters site classification system and the corresponding site coefficients are suitable for the local geological conditions in Korea, a comparison was conducted with current Korean seismic code, Eurocode-8, NYC DOT seismic code. The design spectrum of the current Korean seismic code is significantly amplified in the long-period range, whereas the other response spectra, including the proposed two-parameters approach, are significantly amplified in the short-period range, which is a typical geological condition in Korea. In addition, based on the results of site response analyses in the specific $10km{\times}10km$ area of Gyeongju, spatial distributions of site coefficients from site-specific seismic response analyses were compared with the proposed site coefficients, as well as those specified in the current Korean seismic code. The site coefficients ($F_a$ and $F_v$) from the current Korean seismic codes show significantly high spatial error distributions compared with those specified by the two-parameters site classification system. Therefore, the proposed system is suitable for regions of shallow bedrock including the Korean peninsula.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.327-336
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• 2006

Site coefficients in IBC and KBC codes have some limits to predict the rational seismic responses of a structure, because they consider only the effect of the soil amplification without the effects of the structure-soil interaction. In this study, upper and lower limits of site coefficients are estimated through the pseudo 3-D elastic seismic response analyses of structures built on linear or nonlinear soil layers considering the structure-soil interaction effects. Soil characteristics of site classes of A, B, and C were assumed to be linear, and those of site classes of D and E were done to be nonlinear and the Ramberg-Osgood model was used to evaluate shear modulus and damping ratio of a soil layer depending on the shear wave velocity of a soil layer. Seismic analyses were performed with 12 weak or moderate earthquake records, scaled the peak acceleration to 0.1g or 0.2g and deconvoluted as earthquake records at the bedrock 30m beneath the outcrop. With the study results of the elastic seismic response analyses of structures, new standard response spectrum and upper and lower limits of the site coefficients of Fa and Fv at the short period range and the period of 1 second are suggested Including the structure-soil interaction effects.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.1 s.53
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• pp.59-65
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• 2007

Site classification of IBC and KBC is based on the ft-kips unit system and is not friendly for the linear interpolation of the site coefficients due to the implicit relationship between a site class and site coefficients, defining a site class by the range of the soil properties, not by a single soil property. Also, the site class definition of KBC has too wide range of soil properties for each soil class. making the structural engineers difficult to estimate the site coefficients for the diverse soil layers. In this study, a new site classification in SI unit system was proposed for the seismic design codes of KBC etc., and the comparison of the site coefficients of $F_{a}\;and\;F_{v}$ was also performed to investigate the possibility of the linear interpolation of the site coefficients with the proposed new site classification. According to the study results, it was more reasonable for the linear interpolation of the site coefficients to utilize the proposed new site classification considered the Sl unit system and the soil characteristics of the 30m soil layer beneath the shallow embedded foundation, and the linear interpolation of the acceleration coefficients for the design spectrum can be performed more reasonably defining the site coefficients for the representative shear wave velocities of each site class. With the study results, a new site classification, and the linear interpolation permitted acceleration coefficients fer the design spectrum were proposed for the modification of the seismic design regulations of KBC.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.245-256
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• 2016

In the companion paper (I - Database and Site Response Analyses), site-specific response analyses were performed at more than 300 domestic sites. In this study, a new site classification system and design response spectra are proposed using results of the site-specific response analyses. Depth to bedrock (H) and average shear wave velocity of soil above the bedrock ($V_{S,Soil}$) were adopted as parameters to classify the sites into sub-categories because these two factors mostly affect site amplification, especially for shallow bedrock region. The 20 m of depth to bedrock was selected as the initial parameter for site classification based on the trend of site coefficients obtained from the site-specific response analyses. The sites having less than 20 m of depth to bedrock (H1 sites) are sub-divided into two site classes using 260 m/s of $V_{S,Soil}$ while the sites having greater than 20 m of depth to bedrock (H2 sites) are sub-divided into two site classes at $V_{S,Soil}$ equal to 180 m/s. The integration interval of 0.4 ~ 1.5 sec period range was adopted to calculate the long-period site coefficients ($F_v$) for reflecting the amplification characteristics of Korean geological condition. In addition, the frequency distribution of depth to bedrock reported for Korean sites was also considered in calculating the site coefficients for H2 sites to incorporate sites having greater than 30 m of depth to bedrock. The relationships between the site coefficients and rock shaking intensity were proposed and then subsequently compared with the site coefficients of similar site classes suggested in other codes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.620-625
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• 2009

The seismic slope stability is most often evaluated by the pseudo-static limit analysis, in which the earthquake loading is simplified as static inertial loads acting in horizontal and/or vertical directions. The transient loading is represented by constant acceleration via the pseudostatic coefficients. The result of a pseudostatic analysis is governed by the selection of the value of the pseudostatic coefficient. However, selection of the value is very difficult and often done in an ad hoc manner without a sound physical reasoning. In addition, the maximum acceleration is commonly estimated from the design guideline, which cannot accurately estimate the dynamic response of a slope. There is a need to perform a 2D dynamic analysis to properly define the dynamic response characteristics. This paper develops the modified one-dimensional seismic site response analysis. The modified site response analysis adjusts the density of the layers to simulate the change in mass and weight of the layers of the slope with depth. Multiple analyses are performed at various locations within the slope to estimate the change in seismic response of the slope. The calculated peak acceleration profiles with depth from the developed procedure are compared to those by the two-dimensional analyses. Comparisons show that the two methods result in remarkable match.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.1 s.53
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• pp.67-77
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• 2007

Site coefficients in IBC and KBC codes have some limits to predict the rational seismic responses of a structure, because they take into account only the effect of the soil amplification without the effects of the structure-soil interaction. In this study, upper and lower limits of the site coefficients are estimated through the pseudo 3-D elastic seismic response analyses of structures built on the linear or nonlinear soil layers taking Into account the effects of the structure-soil interaction. Soil characteristics of site classes of A, B and C were assumed to be linear, and those of site classes of D and E were done to be nonlinear and the Ramberg-Osgood model was used to evaluate shear modulus and damping ratio of a soil layer depending on the shear wave velocity of the soil layer, Seismic analyses were performed with 12 weak or moderate earthquake records scaled the peak acceleration to 0.1g or 0.2g and deconvoluted as earthquake records at the bedrock located at 30m deep under the outcrop. With the study results of the elastic seismic response analyses of structures, new standard response spectrum and upper and lower limits of the site coefficients of $F_{a}\;and\;F_{v}$ at the short period range and the period of 1 second are suggested including the effects of the structure-soil interaction, and new site coefficients for the KBC code are also suggested.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.03a
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• pp.90-101
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• 2005

For the site characterization at two representative inland areas, Gyeongju and Hongsung, in Korea, in-situ seismic tests containing boring investigations and resonant column tests were performed and site-specific ground response analyses were conducted using equivalent linear as well as nonlinear scheme. The soil deposits in Korea were shallower and stiffer than those in the western US, from which the site classification system and site coefficients in Korea were derived. Most sites were categorized as site classes C and D based on the mean shear wave velocity to 30 m, Vs30 ranging between 250 and 650 m/s. Based on the acceleration response spectra determined from the site-specific analyses, the site coefficients specified in the Korean seismic design guide underestimate the ground motion in the short-period band and overestimate the ground motion in mid-period band. These differences can be explained by the differences in the bedrock depth and the soil stiffness profile between Korea and western US. The site coefficients were re-evaluated and the preliminary site classification system was introduced accounting for the local geologic conditions on the Korean peninsula.