Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment for Hydropower Project Sites in the Himalayan Region

Abstract

River valley projects have a lot of promise in the seismically active Himalayan orogenic region. Some hydroelectric projects are now operational, some are in the planning stages, and a few more will be built shortly. Knowing the nature of ground motion at these locations is critical. The present study uses a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) technique to estimate Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) for the three hydropower projects in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir (India). Given all potential earthquakes, the aim of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) is to quantify the rate of surpassing certain ground motion levels at the project site. Hazard curves may be used to determine the seismic design input for a location, and they can also be used to analyze the tunnel seismic reaction. The fundamental methods of PSHA are presented in this article in an attempt to offer a clear and brief introduction to the theoretical basis and implementation of PSHA in today’s engineering practice. © 2023, Indian Society of Earthquake Technology.