Engineering-Seismological Analysis of Site Effects in the Area of Cologne

The study was implemented in the framework of the DFNK (Deutsches Forschungsnetz Naturkatastrophen – German Research Network Natural Disasters) project. The area around the city of Cologne was chosen as an object for assessment of seismic hazard and risk. A comprehensive geo-database was compiled for the area, which allows using a computational approach for analysis of site amplification functions and probable surface effects. Taking into account peculiarities of the local soil conditions, the analysis of site effects included both amplification of ground motions and liquefaction potential. These phenomena, having different nature, are interrelated and can considerably contribute to seismic hazard. This paper presents some results obtained on the base of computational analysis using geo-modeling. Copyright Springer 2006