Geotechnical advances in development of a seismic code for Hong Kong

Abstract

Hong Kong is located in a low- to moderate-seismicity region with earthquake damage to buildings having been recorded in the past. On average, there are about two earth tremors felt every year. Nowadays, the city is a unique place in the world with a high-density population living in high-rise buildings and surrounded by steeply sloping terrain. The potential risk of earthquake-induced damage thus calls for the development of a seismic design code for buildings in Hong Kong. In recent years, several critical geotechnical studies have been completed focusing on enhancing earthquake resilience in Hong Kong. They have included: (a) updating of probabilistic seismic hazard assessment based on a recent earthquake catalogue; (b) examination of local site effects and topographic amplification effects based on a pilot-area-specific seismic microzonation study; (c) reviewing the earthquake-induced landslide susceptibility of the natural terrain; and (d) assessment of the seismic stability of man-made slopes and retaining walls. These seismic studies are pivotal to the development of the seismic design code which is being pursued in Hong Kong. This paper is an important milestone in providing a detailed account of these studies and their impact on the code development.