Seismic microzoning in Novi Sad, Serbia – A case study in a low-seismicity region that is exposed to large and distant earthquakes

We use a method based on Uniform Hazard Spectrum (UHS) to compile seismic microzonation maps for the broader area of Novi Sad, a city in Serbia. The maps are intended for use in the performance-based design (PBD) of earthquake-resistant structures. At present, PBD requires the use of two sets of spectral amplitudes, one in which the structure remains linear and the other in which it may respond nonlinearly. These PBD requirements cannot be met by using only one (same) fixed-shape spectrum and scaling by peak ground acceleration alone for varying probabilities of exceedance. The alternative we present in this paper is based on UHS and describes a combined contribution from (a) seismic excitation by local earthquakes, for which region-specific attenuation equations are used, and (b) seismic excitation by large, distant earthquakes, for which different attenuation equations are used. Our maps also take into account the influences of site geology and site soil conditions in a balanced manner.