Abstract
As part of an ongoing research program to develop local seismic engineering ground motion parameters for implementation in the Jordanian Seismic Building Code, a practical contribution is made to determine the local site coefficient (S) for the Port City of Aqaba, southern Jordan. Employing probabilistic peak ground acceleration estimates using FRISK, the overall dynamic site response design spectrum is obtained through the calculated response spectrum based on selected soil-rock column profiles applying SHAKE91. The parabolic shape of the S coefficient design spectrum is given by the following relationships: S = 1.06 for T (sub b) /T (sub s) < or =0.56; S = -0.81+4.68{T (sub b) /T (sub s) }-2.38{T (sub b) /T (sub s) } (super 2) for 0.56 <T (sub b) /T (sub s) < or =1.43; S = 1.00 for T (sub b) /T (sub s) >1.43 where T (sub b) and T (sub s) are the structural and site response design periods (in seconds), respectively.