In this study, to estimate the combination of earthquake magnitude (Mw) and distance (R) corresponding to the design spectrum defined in Korean Building Code (KBC) 2016, the response spectra predicted from the attenuation relationships with the variation of Mw (5.0~7.0) and R (10~30km) are compared with the design spectrum in KBC 2016. Four attenuation relationships, which were developed based on local site characteristics and seismological parameters in Southern Korea and Eastern North America (ENA), are used. As a result, the scenario ground motions represented by the combinations of Mw and R corresponding to the design spectrum for Seoul defined in KBC 2016 are estimated as (1) when R =10 km, Mw = 6.2~6.7; (2) when R = 15 km, Mw = 6.5~6.9; and (3) when R = 20 km, Mw = 6.7~7.1.

For earthquake loss estimation of building structures in Gangnam-Gu district in Seoul, three scenario earthquakes were selected by comparison of the response spectra of these scenario earthquakes with the design spectrum in Korean Building Code (KBC 2009), and then direct losses of the building structures in the Gangnam-Gu district under each scenario earthquake are estimated. The following conclusions are drawn from the results of damage and loss in the second scenario earthquake, which has a magnitude = 6.5 and epicentral distance =15 km: (1) The ratio of building stocks undergoing the extensive and complete damage level is 40.0% of the total. (2) The amount of direct economic losses appears approximately 19 trillion won, which is 1.2% of the national GDP of Korea. (3) About 25% of high-rise (over 10-story) RC building wall structures, were inflicted with the damage exceeding moderate level, when compared to 60% of low-rise building structures. (4) From the economical view point, the main loss, approximately 50%, was caused by the damage in the high-rise RC wall building structures.

Observations of the damages to high-rise reinforced concrete (RC) wall building structures caused by by recent earthquakes in Chile (Mw 8.8, February 2010) and New Zealand (February 2011, ML 6.3) have generally exceeded expectations. Firstly, this study estimated the seismic damage levels of 15-story RC box-type wall building structures using the analytical models calibrated by the results of a shaking table test on a 1:5 scale 10-story RC box-type wall building model. Then, the seismic fragility analysis of the prototype model was conducted by using the SAC/FEMA method and the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). To compensate for the uncertainties and variability of ground motion and its impacts on the prototype model, in the SAC/FEMA method, a total of 61 ground motion records were selected from 20 earthquakes, with a magnitude ranging from 5.9 to 8.8 and an epicentral distance ranging from 5 to 105km. In the IDA, a total of 11 ground motion records were used based on the uniform hazard response spectrum representing a return period of 2,475 years. As a result, the probabilities that the limits of the serviceability, damage control, and collapse prevention would be exceeded were as follows: from the SAC/FEMA method: 79%, 0.3%, and 0%, respectively; and from the IDA: 57%, 1.7%, and 0%, respectively.