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MSCE 510
MIDTERM EXAM
SUBMITTED BY
ENGR. ANDREA MAE SANCHEZ
SUBMITTED TO
ENGR. BENITO G. GARWAGEO, MSCE
In order to determine the site-specific Peak Ground Acceleration, first, the data
provided was sorted and any earthquakes with magnitudes less than 5.0 were
discarded. Additionally, each of the remaining recorded earthquakes had their
Epicentral distances computed as well. Earthquakes w/ epicentral distances greater
than 300 km were also discarded. After gathering all required data needed, the
hypocentral distances and consequently, each of the peak ground accelerations
were computed. (see Annex 1 for all calculations for this step)
Based on the data for the given parameters, the following table was prepared (Note:
T used in the computations was 56 Years based on provided data).
From the table prepared, it can be seen (text in red) that the governing Peak
Ground Acceleration for the site is 0.105g and the probability of it being
exceeded within its 50-year lifetime of the building is 59.05%.
The earthquake event that caused this was the one that occurred on the 10 th of
December in 2004 at latitude 15.769 deg. N and 120.216 deg. E and with a
magnitude of 5.1.
Based on this PGA obtained and the PGA provided by the code for the zone where
the site is located, it is much smaller and to note as well that it has a 59% chance of
occurring means that the code has provided a much higher PGA than what the site
may experience.
Additional Plots for the site-specific seismic data. (see Annex 2 for table
used)
3 Fig. 1. Distribution of Earthquake Magnitudes
2.5
2
f(x) = − 1.09 x + 7.88
log(N)
1.5
0.5
0
5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5
MAGNITUDE
A. Distribution of earthquake magnitudes
From the graph shown, the “a” factor is 7.8765 and the “b” factor is 1.0916,
Based on this, the “b” factor which is relatively high compared to the
provided examples and it can be concluded that small events have a larger
proportion.
6
5
4 f(x) = 1343609.64 exp( − 2.51 x )
R² = 0.92
3
2
1
0
5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8
Magnitude
60
f(x) = 0 exp( 2.51 x )
R² = 0.92
50
Return Period in Years
40
30
20
10
0
5 5.5 6 6.5
Magnitude 7 7.5 8
From figure 3, a trend has been established showing the different return
periods of earthquakes with varying magnitudes. The trend shows that higher
magnitude earthquakes have correspondingly higher return periods as well.
Annex 1. Table of Earthquake data from PHIVOLCS considering only those applicable to
given parameters
Site Location
Lat 15.8949 °N
Long 120.2863 °E
R, earth 6371.009 km
Year Month Day North East Depth Mb
delta lat delta long mean lat D R a a
Latitude Longitude (km)