Seismic Design in Western Kentucky: Issues and Alternatives

Adoption and implementation of new seismic safety regulations and design standards have caused serious problems in many communities in the New Madrid region, including western Kentucky. The main reasons for these problems are (1) misunderstanding of the national seismic hazard maps and (2) confusion between seismic hazard and seismic risk. Both are caused by probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). The difficulties in the development of design ground motion for National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) provisions are caused by the use of the national seismic hazard maps. Deterministic/scenario seismic hazard analysis is an appropriate approach for seismic hazard assessment, seismic risk assessment, and engineering design and other policy considerations. The analysis is also appropriate for engineering design and other policy considerations in the New Madrid and other regions.