Published works

Due to the relatively low frequency of large earthquake events in Australia, and the inadequacy of recorded data, engineering seismologists commonly adapt ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) developed from other regions with similar conditions to the Australian continent for the calculation of acceleration and displacement response. Recent improvements using high quality recorded data have given rise to Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) ground motion models. However, these NGA ground motion models show significant discrepancies with other ground motion prediction equations that have been developed and used in Australia, and these include the models that have helped establish the new Australian Earthquake Hazard Map. This paper presents a study which looks at the possibility of a very rare earthquake occurring at close proximity to the Sydney CBD. The suitability of use in Australia of the various available ground motion models is discussed, and some of these models are used to calculate the acceleration and displacement response spectra. There is a large discrepancy observed between the western North American derived NGAs and some of the other Australian GMPEs. The SHAKE2000 computer program was used to illustrate amplification of response at a soil site relative to that at a rock site. An NGA-West 2 model, that will be available in 2013, is also shown to illustrate improvements to the original 2008 NGA models.