• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.391-399
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• 2018

The site coefficients in the common requirements for seismic design codes, which were promulgated in 2017, were reevaluated and the standard design spectrum for soil sites were newly proposed in order to ensure the consistency of the standard design spectra for rock and soil sites specified in the common requirements. Using the 55 ground motions from domestic and overseas intraplate earthquakes, which were used to derive the standard design spectrum for rock sites, as rock outcropping motions, site response analyses of Korean soil were performed and its ground-motion-amplification was characterized. Then, the site coefficients for soil sites were reevaluated. Compared with the existing site coefficients, the newly proposed short-period site coefficient $F_a$ increased and the long-period site coefficient $F_v$ decreased overall. A new standard design spectrum for soil sites was proposed using the reevaluated site coefficients. When compared with the existing design spectrum, it could be seen that the proposed site coefficients and the standard design spectrum for soil sites were reasonably derived. They reflected the short-period characteristics of earthquake and soil in Korea.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.257-268
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• 2016

In the companion papers (I, II), site-specific response analyses were performed at more than 300 domestic sites and a new site classification system and design response spectra (DRS) were proposed using the results of the site-specific response analyses. In this paper, the proposed site classification system and the design response spectra are compared with those in other seismic codes and verified by different methods. Firstly, the design response spectra are compared with the design response spectra in Eurocode 8, KBC 2016 and MOCT 1997 to estimate quantitative differences and general trends. Secondly, site-specific response analyses are carried out using $V_S$-profiles obtained using field seismic tests and the results are compared with the proposed DRS in order to reduce the uncertainty in using the SPT-N value in site-specific response analyses in the companion paper (I). In addition, site coefficients from real earthquake records measured in Korean peninsula are used to compare with the proposed site coefficients. Finally, dynamic centrifuge tests are also performed to simulate the representative Korean site conditions, such as shallow depth to bedrock and short-period amplification characteristics. The overall results showed that the proposed site classification system and design response spectra reasonably represented the site amplification characteristic of shallow bedrock condition in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.101-115
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• 2005

For the site characterization at two inland areas, Gyeongju and Hongsung, which represent geomorphic and geologic characteristics of inland region in Korea, in-situ seismic tests containing borehole drilling investigations and resonant column tests were peformed and site-specific seismic response analyses were conducted using equivalent linear as well as nonlinear scheme. The soil deposits in Korea were shallower and stiffer than those in western US, from which the site coefficients and site classification system in Korea were derived. Most sites were categorized as site classes C and D based on the mean shear wave velocity $(V_s)$ of the upper 30 m $(V_s30)$, ranging between 250 and 650 m/s. According to the acceleration response spectra determined from the site response analyses, the site coefficients specified in the current 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, $F_a$ for short-period and $F_v$ for mid-period, were re-evaluated and the site classification system, in which sites C and D were subdivided according to $V_s20,\;V_s15,\;and\;V_s10$ together with the existing $V_s30$ was introduced accounting for the local geologic conditions at inland region of the Korean peninsula. The proposed site classification system in this paper is still rudimentary and requires modification.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.17-35
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• 2016

Earthquake-induced disasters are often more severe in locations with soft soils than firm soils or rocks due to differences in ground motion amplification. On a regional scale, such differences can be estimated by spatially predicting subsurface soil thickness over the entire target area. In general, soil deposits are generally deeper in coastal or riverside areas than in inland regions. In this study, a coastal metropolitan area, Incheon, was selected to assess site effects and provide information on seismic hazards. Spatial prediction of geotechnical layers was performed for the entire study area within the GIS framework. Approximately 7,000 existing borehole drilling data in the Incheon area were gathered and archived into the GIS Database (DB). In addition, surface geotechnical data were acquired from a walkover survey. Based on the built geotechnical DB, spatial zoning maps of site-specific seismic response parameters were created and presented for use in a regional seismic strategy. Site response parameters were performed to determine site coefficients for seismic design over the entire target area and compared with each other. Site classifications and subsequent seismic zoning were assigned based on site coefficients. From this seismic zonation case study in Incheon, we verified that geotechnical GIS-DB can create spatial zoning maps of site-specific seismic response parameters that are useful for seismic hazard mitigation particularly in coastal metropolitan areas.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.563-574
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• 2008

Most of earthquake-induced geotechnical hazards have been caused by the site effects relating to the amplification of ground motion, which are strongly influenced by the local geologic conditions such as soil thickness or bedrock depth and soil stiffness. In this study, an integrated GIS-based information system for geotechnical data, called geotechnical information system (GTIS), was constructed to establish a regional counterplan against earthquake-induced hazards at an urban area, Daejeon, which is represented as a hub of research and development in Korea. To build the GTIS for the area of interesting, pre-existing geotechnical data collections were performed across the extended area including the study area and a walk-over site survey was additionally carried out to acquire surface geo-knowledge data. For practical application of the GTIS used to estimate the site effects at the area of interesting, seismic microzoning map of the characteristic site period was created and presented as regional synthetic strategy for earthquake-induced hazards prediction. In addition, seismic zonation for site classification according to the spatial distribution of the site period was also performed to determine the site amplification coefficients for seismic design and seismic performance evaluation at any site in the study area. Based on the case study on seismic zonations at Daejeon, it was verified that the GIS-based GTIS was very useful for the regional prediction of seismic hazards and also the decision support for seismic hazard mitigation.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

A new site classification system and site coefficients based on local site conditions in Korea were developed and implemented as a part of minimum design load requirements for general seismic design. The new site classification system adopted bedrock depth and average shear wave velocity of soil above the bedrock as parameters for site classification. These code provisions were passed through a public hearing process before it was enacted. The public hearing process recommended to modify the naming of site classes and adjust the amplification factors so that the level of short-period amplification is suitable for economical seismic design. In this paper, the new code provisions were assessed using dynamic centrifuge tests and by comparing the design response spectra (DRS) with records from 2016 Gyeongju earthquake, the largest earthquake in history of instrumental seismic observation in Korea. The dynamic centrifuge tests were performed to simulate the representative Korean site conditions, such as shallow depth to bedrock and short-period amplification characteristics, and the results corroborated with the new DRS. The Gyeongju earthquake records also showed good agreement with the DRS. In summary, the new code provisions are reliable for representing the site amplification characteristic of shallow bedrock condition in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.103-109
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• 2009

The probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) calculates the probability of exceedance of a certain ground motion parameter within a finite period at a site of interest. PSHA is very robust in that it can account for the uncertainties in seismic source, wave passage effect, and seismic site effects and hence, it is the most widely used method in quantifying the future earthquake induced ground vibration. This paper evaluates the applicability of a new PSHA that is alleged to be able to reproduce the results of a conventional PSHA method, but generates a series of earthquake scenarios and corresponding ground motion time histories that are compatible with the scenarios. In the application, a 40,000 year period is simulated, during which 16,738 virtual earthquakes have occurred. The seismic hazard maps are generated from the outputs of the new PSHA. Comparisons with the maps generated by the conventional PSHA method demonstrated that the new PSHA can successfully reproduce the results of a conventional PSHA. The new PSHA may not be very meaningful in itself. However, the real advantage of the method is that it can be used to develop probabilisitic seismic site coefficients. The suite of generated ground motion time histories are used to develop probabilistic site coefficients in the companion paper.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.17 no.1 s.50
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• pp.1-13
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the local site effects at two town fortress areas in Korea where stone parapets were col-lapsed by historical earthquakes, site characteristics were assessed using site investigations such as borehole drillings and seismic tests. Equivalent-linear site response analyses were conducted based on the shear ways velocity ($V_s$) profiles and geotechnical characteristics determined from site investigations. The study sites are categorized as site classes C and B according to the mean $V_s$ to 30 m ranging from 500 to 850 m/s, and their site periods are distributed in the short period range of 0.06 to 0.16 sec, which contains the natural period of fortress wall and stone parapet. From the results of site response analyses in the study areas, for site class C indicating most of site conditions, contrary to site class B, the short-period (0.1-0.5 sec) and mid-period (0.4-2.0 sec) site coefficients, $F_a$ and $F_v$ specified in the Korean seismic design guide, underestimate the ground motion in short-period band and overestimate the ground motion in mid-period band, respectively, due to the high amplification in short period range, which represent the site-specific seismic response characteristics. These site-specific response characteristics indicate the potential of resonance in fortress walls during earthquake and furthermore could strongly affect the collapse of parapets resulted from seismic events in historical records.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.35-43
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• 2012

Following the companion paper (I. Comparisons with Well-known Seismic Code and Site Response Characteristics), several acceleration data recorded during recent earthquake events in Korea were analyzed to verify the suitability of the proposed two-parameters site classification system and the corresponding site coefficients. For all of rock-soil site pairs less than 30 km distant, response spectrums and corresponding site coefficients, $F_a$ and $F_v$, were determined. Unfortunately, some of data have an eccentric error, where the spectral acceleration of rock site is more amplified than that of soil site. The $F_a$ and $F_v$ for all of pairs except the pairs of error were compared with those in the current code and the proposed system. The $F_a$ and $F_v$ from the recorded motions show definitely different trend from that of the current code. In addition, the site coefficients from recorded motions at four 765 kV substation sites, which are several hundred meters distant, have a remarkably similar trend and absolute values to those in proposed two-parameters site classification system. Based on earthquake motions recorded in domestic areas including data from the four 765 kV substation sites, the two-parameters site classification and site coefficients are superior to the results obtained from the current Korean seismic code.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.235-243
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• 2016

Korea is part of a region of low to moderate seismicity located inside the Eurasian plate with bedrock located at depths less than 30 m. However, the spectral acceleration obtained from site response analyses based on the geologic conditions of inland areas of the Korean peninsula are significantly different from the current Korean seismic code. Therefore, suitable site classification scheme and design response spectra based on local site conditions in the Korean peninsula are required to produce reliable estimates of earthquake ground motion. In this study, site-specific response analyses were performed at more than 300 sites with at least 100 sites at each site categories of $S_C$, $S_D$, and $S_E$ as defined in the current seismic code in Korea. The process of creating a huge database of input parameters - such as shear wave velocity profiles, normalized shear modulus reduction curves, damping curves, and input earthquake motions - for site response analyses were described. The response spectra and site coefficients obtained from site response analyses were compared with those proposed for the site categories in the current code. Problems with the current seismic design code were subsequently discussed, and the development and verifications of new site classification system and corresponding design response spectra are detailed in companion papers (II-development of new site categories and design response spectra and III-Verifications)