Empirical ground motion models for the average horizontal component of peak ground motion and acceleration response spectra from shallow crustal earthquakes are derived using near-source database. These models were derived using a worldwide dataset consisted of corrected and processed accelerograms of 646 strong-motion records recorded with 60 (km) of the surface projection of earthquakes between Mw 5.2 and 7.8. Model is function of earthquake mechanism, distance from source to site, local average shear wave velocity, nonlinear soil response, sediment depth, depth-to-top of rupture, hanging wall effects and faulting mechanism. Non-linear site effects are constrained by equivalent linear models. An important additional source parameter, depth to the top is also included. The hanging wall effect is included with an improved model that varies smoothly as a function of the source properties, such as magnitude, dip, distance, depth, and the site location.

The Endurance Time (ET) method is a time-history based dynamic pushover procedure. In this method, the structures are subjected to gradually intensifying acceleration called an acceleration function. Then, their performances are assessed from linear to collapse level based on the interval time through which they can satisfy the required objectives. ET Acceleration Functions (ETAFs) are calibrated upon actual earthquake spectra compatible with the Iranian National Building Code (standard no. 2800). In this code, there is no distinction between far and near fault regions. ETAFs scale based spectrum increases uniformly at all periods as the time passes which is why this uniform increment is not desirable in near fault earthquakes. As the rupture propagation is oriented towards a site, near fault earthquakes have further spectral acceleration in the period over 0.6 sec compared to far fault earthquakes. The shape of the spectrum becomes richer over long periods as its level increases. In this research, ETAFs are presented for near fault target spectra, provided by Abrahamson-Silva attenuation relations. These relations have been modified by Somerville near fault correction coefficients. According to the results obtained in this research, while the new acceleration function can model directivity effects at higher periods, it also satisfies endurance time concepts.