## 2 Materials and Methods
### Input Ground Motions  
The NL seismic evaluation process necessitates the precise selection of input motion records that accurately reflect the expected seismic event [63]. When site-specific seismic records were not available, a target response spectrum was generated using 5% damped design spectral acceleration response parameters: \(\mathrm{S_{DS}}\) (design spectral acceleration response for a 0.2 s period) and \(\mathrm{S_{DI}}\) (design spectral acceleration response for a 1.0 s period). These parameters were imported from the seismic hazard data specified in BCP:2021, which included the maximum considered earthquake (MCE) spectral acceleration responses for short periods (\(\mathrm{S_{S}}\)) and for a 1.0 s period (\(\mathrm{S_{1}}\)), indicating ground motion levels with a 2% probability of exceedance over a 50-year period, equivalent to a 2475-year return period. These parameters were subsequently modified to account for Site Class B considerations, resulting in \(\mathrm{S_{MS}}\) (adjusted MCE spectral acceleration response at 0.2 s) and \(\mathrm{S_{MI}}\) (adjusted MCE spectral acceleration response at 1.0 s), using the seismic site coefficients Fa and Fv from the design code. Finally, the design spectral acceleration response parameters (\(\mathrm{S_{DS}}\) and \(\mathrm{S_{DI}}\)) were computed using Equations (3) and (4) to develop the target response spectrum.  
\[\mathrm{S_{DS}}=0.667\times\mathrm{S_{MS}} \tag{3}\]  
\[\mathrm{S_{DI}}=0.667\times\mathrm{S_{MI}} \tag{4}\]  
The input motions for the NL-GRA were selected based on the computed target response spectrum and design spectral acceleration response parameters. Historical earthquake records from the PEER ground motion database [64] were reviewed, and the ground motions were selected to capture the region's seismic characteristics, including the peak ground acceleration (PGA), rupture distance (\(\mathrm{R_{rup}}\)), fault mechanism, and magnitude. The input ground motions were carefully chosen to match the average PGA, with the site-specific PGA for the Site Class B (SB) design spectrum in accordance with the local design code.  
The Makran margin is characterized by an extensive accretionary wedge extending approximately 400 km, with the most substantial accumulation of sediments--reaching a thickness of around 7.5 km--found in any known accretionary zone [65]. Earthquake records were selected based on rupture distances (\(\mathrm{R_{rup}}\)), as the MSZ is known for shallow seismic activity, including frequent moderate-sized events, categorizing it as a zone with shallow subduction processes [66]. Most earthquakes in the region take place at depths shallower than 20 km [67], while the subduction fault is believed to have a locking depth ranging from 14 to 45 km [68]. The 1945 M\({}_{w}\) 8.1 earthquake was attributed to a shallow-dip thrust fault at depths of 25-30 km [37].  
An analysis of the seismicity in the MSZ from 1934 to 2022 [69] revealed that the return periods for earthquakes with M\({}_{w}\) 6 or 6.5 range from 5 to 60 years. For M\({}_{w}\) 7 or 7.5 earthquakes, the return periods range from 20 to 300 years, while those for M\({}_{w}\) 8 or 8.5 earthquakes range from 100 to 1200 years. This variability in earthquake recurrence underscores the diverse seismic activity in the region. Therefore, this study concentrated on the most significant earthquakes and their magnitude, based on a comparable seismic source. Furthermore, seismic records with an R\({}_{\mathrm{rup}}\) of less than 100 km and an M\({}_{w}\) greater than 5 were specifically considered due to their engineering relevance [70], which influenced the selection criteria.  
The final dataset comprised six input ground motions from four significant seismic events, as outlined in Table 4. The PGA of the selected input motions ranged from