Liquefaction effects in the city of Gölbaşı: from the analysis of predisposing factors to damage survey

Abstract

The Kahramanmaraş seismic sequence of February 6th, 2023, caused extreme damage and a significant number of casualties across a large region of Turkey and Syria. The paper reports on the survey activities carried out by the authors in the city of Gölbaşı, where extensive liquefaction took place. The damage to the built environment caused by liquefaction differs from that caused by typical inertial seismic actions, with quasi-rigid body displacement mechanisms, resulting in extreme settlements, tilts, and, in some cases, complete overturning. After a brief introduction to the geological features of the Gölbaşı area and a discussion of the seismic effects on the area, the paper reports and comments on the damage observed in one part of the city and provides some statistical interpretations.