| Abstract: | A regression analysis was made on 277 acceleration response spectra computed from Japanese accelerograms by subdividing the data into discrete categories. Five magnitude and distance categories, and four ground condition categories were used. The maximum absolute acceleration amplitude is predicted as a product of three factors, each representing a weighting factor for magnitude, distance and ground condition category at each of the 18 response spectrum periods from 0·1 s to 4 s at a damping value of 5 per cent of critical. A method was then developed to evaluate seismic hazard in terms of acceleration response spectrum by using the prediction model and the seismicity data, and it was applied to obtain seismic macro-zoning maps of Japan which are dependent on the natural period of a structure. The results of the analysis indicated that a single seismic zoning map may not be sufficient to cover a variety of structures with a wide range of periods because the expected spectral shape differs according to the seismicity of the area. |
