Geologic site conditions and site coefficients for estimating earthquake ground motions in the inland areas of Korea

Site characterization and site-specific ground response analyses were conducted at two representative inland areas in Korea. In situ tests included 25 boring investigations, 7 crosshole tests, 18 downhole tests and 41 SASW tests, and in the laboratory, resonant column tests were performed. The soil deposits in Korea, which were shallower and stiffer than those in the western US, were examined. The fundamental site periods were distributed in the narrow band ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 s. Most sites were designated as site classes C and D based on the mean shear wave velocity of the upper 30 m from the current Korean seismic design guide. Based on the ratio of the acceleration response spectra of ground surface to rock-outcrop, short-period (0.1-0.5 s) site coefficient, Fa ranged from 1.0 to 2.7, and mid-period (0.4-2.0 s) site coefficient, Fv ranged from 1.0 to 1.6, regardless of the input rock outcrop acceleration levels of 0.05 and 0.14 g. The site coefficients specified in the Korean seismic design guide, which is similar to NEHRP provisions and UBC, underestimate the ground motion in the short-period band and overestimate the ground motion in the mid-period band. These differences can be explained by the differences in the depth to bedrock and the soil stiffness profile between Korea and western US. Also, the site coefficients should be re-evaluated accounting for the local geologic conditions on the Korean peninsula.