The main objective of this study is to address the seismic response of structures within the sediment-filled basin by performing high computational numerical simulations. The source is modelled as a kinematic finite fault of magnitude Mw 7. Due to impedance contrast between the soil layers beneath the structures, the seismic waves entrapped in the sediment basins get amplified to a great extent. The Bouc-Wen model is one of the most widely accepted phenomenological models of hysteresis and is used to examine the hysteresis response of structures in sediment basins. The effect of basin material properties is studied by varying impedance ratio between basin and bedrock. Three basins with impedance ratios 2, 4 and 6 are considered to investigate the effect of basin materials on spectral accelerations of structures. From the study, it’s been observed that long period structures such as high rise buildings and long-span bridges are more susceptible to the amplified waves within the basin and experience greater structural damages. The variation in spectral acceleration in different basins with different materials is discussed in this study. Also, the spectral amplification of seismic waves due to the sediment basin is studied. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.