Evaluation of soil liquefaction potential index based on SPT data in the Erzincan, Eastern Turkey

Abstract

This study includes determination of liquefaction potential in Erzincan Province. Erzincan Province, the study area, is located in a deep alluvial basin in a mountainous region of eastern Turkey that is a few kilometers from the highly active North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ). North Anatolian Fault Zone is located approximately 7.7 km from Erzincan city center. In a probable earthquake, Erzincan Province is thought to be affected. On 13 March 1992, an earthquake having a surface wave magnitude of 6.8 struck Erzincan, giving rise to peak horizontal accelerations in the center of the city of 0.501g in the east–west direction and 0.398g in the north–south direction. Liquefaction potential for peak horizontal accelerations (0.501g and 0.398g) was determined. Liquefaction potential was investigated using Standard Penetration Test (SPT). Liquefaction potential analyses are determined in two steps: geotechnical investigations and calculations. In the first steps, boreholes were drilled to obtain disturbed and undisturbed soil samples and SPT values were obtained. Laboratory tests were made to identify physical properties of soil samples. In the second step, Liquefaction potential analyses were examined by a Seed and Idriss (1971) method (simplified method) based on Standard Penetration Test (SPT). In order to liquefaction analysis complete within a short time, MATLAB program were prepared. Following the analyses, liquefaction potential is investigated and by Sonmez and Gokceoglu (2005) method. At the final stage of this study, liquefaction potential maps and liquefaction potential index maps were prepared for different earthquake magnitudes and different depths.