METHODOLOGY FOR EPI GROUP CREATION

This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for the identification of groups (bins) of earthquake time history inputs associated to a specific hazard level (“EPI groups”, as defined hereafter by the authors) to be used in the Probabilistic Seismic Demand Hazard Analysis (PSDHA) subtask of the Performance Based Seismic Design (PBSD) procedure. The formulation of a rationally-organised framework for input selection is necessary to optimise the process and improve the exchange of pieces of information between structural engineers and seismologists. The paper also presents an applicative example of the proposed methodology as developed for selected earthquake design levels and a specific site in Italy.