Influence of Site Amplification Approaches in PSRA: Insights From Five Different Cities

Regional and national seismic hazard models used in probabilistic seismic risk analysis often rely on generalized proxy‐based site terms to account for ground shaking amplification. This can result in coarse representations of site response, which can introduce bias or additional uncertainty in the associated risk results. While some studies have explored alternative techniques to characterize site response in seismic hazard and risk analysis, these have typically been applied within deterministic frameworks or with a focus on specific localities. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of methods for incorporating site effects in PSRA across five cities with varying seismic hazard, exposure, and soil conditions. By comparing 17 distinct site effects approaches, we evaluate how different proxies and methodologies affect seismic risk metrics. The findings are used to provide a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing the reliability and accuracy of seismic risk assessments.