Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis

• In Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis (DSHA), is done for a particular earthquake,

either assumed or realistic. The DSHA approach uses the known seismic sources
sufficiently near the site and available historical seismic and geological data to generate
discrete, single-valued events or models of ground motion at the site. Typically one or
more earthquakes are specified by magnitude and location with respect to the site.
Usually the earthquakes are assumed to occur on the portion of the site closest to the
site. The site ground motions are estimated deterministically, given the magnitude,
source to-site distance, and site condition.
• Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis Consists of four primary steps:
1. Identification and characterization of all sources
2. Selection of source-site distance parameter
3. Selection of “controlling earthquake”.
4. Definition of hazard using controlling earthquake

Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis

• Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) is the most widely used approach for the
determination of seismic design loads for engineering structures. The use of
probabilistic concept has allowed uncertainties in the size, location, and rate of
recurrence of earthquakes and in the variation of ground motion characteristics with
earthquake size and location to be explicitly considered for the evaluation of seismic
hazard. In addition, PSHA provides a frame work in which these uncertainties can be
identified, quantified and combined in a rational manner to provide a more complete
picture of the seismic hazard.

Risk Vs. Hazard

• A risk is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm.

• A hazard is something that can cause harm, e.g. electricity, chemicals, working up a
ladder, noise, a keyboard, a bully at work, stress.