Publication information

Geological Survey of Canada
Open File 8294

Third generation seismic hazard model for Canada: grid values of hazard to be used with the 1985, 1990, and 1995 National Building Codes of Canada

S. Halchuk and J. Adams

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources, 2017

Permanent link: https://doi.org/10.4095/305906

Publications in this series have not been edited; they are released as submitted by the author.

Recommended citation

Halchuk, S.C. and Adams, J.E., 2017. Third generation seismic hazard model for Canada: grid values of hazard to be used with the 1985, 1990, and 1995 National Building Codes of Canada; Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 8294, 1 .zip file. https://doi.org/10.4095/305906

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Contents

Canada’s 3rd Generation seismic hazard model was the basis for the seismic design provisions in the 1985, 1990, and 1995 National Building Codes of Canada.  These codes use best-estimate ground motion on firm soil sites for a probability of exceedance of 10% in 50 years. The ground motion was quantified by seismic hazard values for two parameters: peak acceleration and peak velocity.  For consistency with our later products, we tabulate code values of the two parameters for more than 200,000 grid points over Canadian territory and surrounding areas.  Values at four probability levels ranging from 1 in 100 to 1 in 1000 years are also provided which allows for the construction of 3rd Generation hazard curves for every locality in Canada.  The information retroactively documents in a comprehensive way the basis for earthquake-resistant design for buildings constructed according to the requirements of the 1985 to 1995 codes, and may prove useful in structural retrofit decisions.

The region gridded extends beyond the borders of Canada, mainly to ensure smooth contouring at the border. Grid values in the neighbouring United States should not be used for determining US values. Consult the USGS seismic hazard website for these regions.

Seismic hazard values should be reported to 2 significant figures (in our view, an appropriate level of precision). However we have retained 3 places after the decimal in the grid files for two reasons: (i) The reported precision confirms these values as direct computer output, and (ii) for interpolation of values for sites between grid points it is advisable that no imprecision be introduced through rounding errors.

Directory structure

canada_2015grid_border.txt
canada_2015grid_released.txt
GSC1985_1995seismichazardgrid_PGA_PGV.txt
of_8294.pdf
of_8294_readme.rtf
1985HazardCalculationProgram (directory)
	canadian_seismic_hazard.exe
canadian_seismic_hazard.f90
hazard_for_test_site_eng.txt
hazard_for_test_site_english.ps
LF90.EER
Lf90.fig
postscript.h
risksa.dat

Author contact information

S. Halchuk (Stephen.Halchuk@canada.ca)
Geological Survey of Canada
7 Observatory Crescent
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y3

Availability information

This publication is available for free download through GEOSCAN (http://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/).

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