Liquefaction Potential Map Research Articles

Liquefaction potential of Agartala City in Northeast India using a GIS platform

Agartala is one of the fastest developing cities in Northeast Region (NER) of India and is also the capital city of Tripura state. The whole NER is in zone V in the seismic zoning map of India, one of the most seismic-prone regions in the world. The region is buttressed between the Himalayan collision zone to the north and Indo-Burma subduction zone to the east, and has experienced two (1897 and 1950) great earthquakes (Mw > 8.0) and several large earthquakes (Mw ≥ 7.0) since 1897. The Agartala area lies in an intraplate zone and most recently experienced a well-felt shallow (depth 30 km) earthquake of Mw 5.7 on January 3, 2017 that occurred at a distance ~75 km northeast of the city. Some evidence of liquefaction was identified along the Manu River in Kanchanbari village. In that context, this study is attempted to evaluate the liquefaction potential of the Agartala area. Dynamic properties of soil are determined using data of some 97 standard penetration test (SPT) boreholes. The cyclic shear stress of the soil layers is estimated considering a peak surface ground acceleration of 0.36 g. It is observed that according to the liquefaction potential index (LPI) scale, the central part of the city shows high to moderate, the northern part moderate to non-liquefiable and the southern part low to non-liquefiable potential. The results are presented in maps on a geographical information system (GIS) platform using the QGIS software. The liquefaction potential maps are very useful for professional engineers, government agencies and disaster management authorities for future development and planning of the city against liquefaction failure.

Development of Soil Distribution and Liquefaction Potential Maps for Downtown Area in Yangon, Myanmar

The problem of soil against liquefaction during earthquakes is devastating geotechnical phenomenon. Soil against liquefaction is generally occurred in loose cohesionless saturated soil when pore water pressure increases suddenly due to earthquakes and shear strength of the soil decreases to zero. Yangon area has been chosen as the study area because it is the most populated and largest city in Myanmar and located in low to medium seismicity region. In this purpose, the liquefaction potential map have been prepared for site planners and decision makers to prevent loss of lives. Geographic Information System (GIS) is very useful in decision making about the area subjected to liquefaction. ArcGIS software is used to develop the liquefaction potential maps of the selected area in Yangon City. To perform in this study, the field borehole data for groundwater table, Standard penetration test (SPT), blow counts, dry density, wet density and fine content, etc. have been collected from the downtown area of this city. Firstly, the safety factor of soil liquefaction is computed by using NCEER (National Center of Earthquake Engineering Research, 1997) Method based on cyclic resistance ratio and cyclic stress ratio and then liquefaction Potential Index (LPI) values are determined using Luna and Frost Method, 1998. Finally, liquefaction potential maps are developed corresponding to the ground motions for annual probability of exceedance equal to 1%, 2% and 10% in 50 years.

Liquefaction potential mapping in Dholera region of western India

Liquefaction is one of the most destructive secondary effects caused by large earthquakes, which is most common in saturated soil deposits. In the present study, liquefaction potentials of soils in the southern part of Ahmedabad district of Gujarat state in western India are determined and a liquefaction potential map is prepared. For preparing this map, we studied lithology of the area, geotechnical soil properties, standard penetration resistance (N1)60, ground water level and peak ground acceleration. The liquefaction potential was determined using Japan Road Association method based on standard penetration test (SPT). We analyzed data from 63 boreholes for estimating liquefaction potential. N-value correction for SPT was carried out and normalized to achieve a standardized value of (N1)60. Peak ground acceleration (PGA) levels of 0.19 and 0.30 g are considered for the analysis. The results of the analyses indicate that the presence of predominantly clayey soil with high plasticity does not give high liquefaction. The liquefaction potential index maps are produced which can be used effectively for development plans and risk management practices in this area.

Assessment of earthquake-induced liquefaction hazard in urban areas of Hanoi city using LPI-based method

Assessment of earthquake-induced liquefaction hazard in urban areas of Hanoi city using LPI-based method

Liquefaction Potential of the Settlement Area of Susurluk (Balıkesir, Turkey) In the Context of Earthquake Sensitive Urbanization

The settlement area of Susurluk (Balıkesir) is located in a region with a high seismic risk and its territory is in the first degree of earthquake zone according to the earthquake hazard map of Turkey. In addition, the area is suitable for liquefaction in terms of geological criteria. For this reason, the liquefaction potential maps of this settlement area have been prepared. Standard pentatlon test data provided by the Susurluk (Balikesir) municipality were used directly in the so-called simplified methods. According to the results of the study, Almost all of the area where the terrace is observed has “None” or “Low” liquefaction susceptibility while the liquefaction susceptibility of the area where the alluvium is observed range “Low” to “High”.

Generation of Liquefaction Potential Map for Kanpur City and Allahabad City of Northern India: An Attempt for Liquefaction Hazard Assessment

Kanpur City and Allahabad City are the most populous city and the largest urban agglomeration among other north Indian cities. Both the cities are situated along Ganga and Yamuna River. The study areas are one of the growing urban centers in Northern India. Two large Himalayan earthquakes experienced by this area during 1803 A.D. and 1934, and large-scale liquefaction was reported in and around the area along with the recent 2015 Gorkha earthquake which caused severe shaking. As per the IS-1893–2002, the study area lies in seismic zone III and the soils from the above cities are prone to liquefaction. However, no such attempt has been made so far for the detailed liquefaction potential map for the study area. The present study is an approach towards evaluation and preparation of spatial distribution map of liquefaction potential for the Kanpur City and Allahabad City using several bore hole data collected from the study area. The PGA used for the liquefaction potential analysis was taken from the ground response analysis of Kanpur soil and Allahabad soil. The PGA values are 0.25 and 0.18 g for Kanpur soil and Allahabad soil respectively. The results are presented in the form of factor of safety contour map at a depth of 7, 15, 24 and 30 m below the ground surface. The map indicates that most of the sites in Kanpur City and Allahabad City area are susceptible to liquefaction and hence this aspect has to be considered in earthquake-resistant design of foundations/structures in Kanpur City and Allahabad City.

Seismic behavior and zoning of the sabkha soils in Jubail industrial city, Saudi Arabia

This study aimed at the micro-level seismic behavior and zoning of the saline sabkha strata in Jubail industrial area in Eastern Saudi Arabia. It encompasses the evaluation of the site-specific seismic response parameters and the liquefaction potential for various possible subsurface conditions under the probable seismic event(s). The approach to achieve the objectives of this study included the following: analysis of geologic, hydrologic, and geotechnical data of the area; performance of field and laboratory dynamic testing; and dynamic modeling and analysis of the subsurface profiles. The results of the simulation have been used to develop liquefaction potential maps and site-specific spectra of the study area, consisting of ten seismic zones under a range of probable peak horizontal ground acceleration (PHA). Results do not show significant probability of liquefaction of the loose soil layers in the study area at the maximum possible design PHA of 0.035 g; however, liquefaction is anticipated at higher PHA values. Site-specific spectral response resulted in values of S s and S 1 spectral accelerations to be different as compared to those suggested by local standards. The resulting seismic micro-zonation maps and the corresponding parameters are very useful for the stability analysis of the existing and planned structures in the Jubail area.

GIS based study on liquefaction-induced soil subsidence, a case from Urayasu area, Chiba, Japan

Urayasu City in Chiba prefecture, Japan, which is composed of young reclaimed land. Following the 2011 off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake (M=9), severe liquefaction-induced ground subsidence was extensively observed in this young filled land. The major problems associated with liquefaction and ground subsidence like tilting of houses, buckling of roads and lifelines cut off were commonly observed. Therefore, a detailed study on possibility and amount of ground subsidence is essential to carry out in such area. In this paper, a variation of ground subsidence is studied after severe liquefaction takes place in an earthquake. Randomly distributed borehole locations were selected and calculated the liquefaction potential for each boreholes. Geostatistical method of interpolation a kriging method was applied to attain a spatial variation of liquefaction potential within the area by using selected borehole locations. The ground subsidence was estimated by using airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) images before and after the earthquake which gives the spatial distribution of soil subsidence map. The liquefaction potential value was picked up from the liquefaction potential distribution map and the subsidence value of the corresponding points were picked up from the ground subsidence map. By comparing these two values the relationship between liquefaction potential and ground subsidence has been developed.

ENGLISH

Tectonism induced liquefaction can be a major disaster that warrants appropriate emphasis in any infrastructure development planning. Various procedures and methods are applied throughout the world to identify potential zones of liquefaction. The output results are used as tools for site selection and finding viability of funding in infrastructure development. Thus such measure is slated to preclude future loss of life and property owing to infrastructure collapse by earthquake induced liquefaction. Liquefaction is likely to occur due to saturated soils or unconsolidated sediments under the infrastructure basement that are subjected to give way due to ground shaking. Liquefaction is one of the main geohazards related to tremor. The present study aims at assessing different soil properties and geological structures of Morobe and Madang Province culminating in delineation of Liquefaction potential zones using multi-criteria evaluation and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) appraisal using GIS and Remote sensing technologies. The main data layers that are chosen for carrying out the assessment consist in available geological, soil and SRTM DEM data. Several thematic layers are prepared from the data base as mentioned, followed by assigning weightage to each thematic layer generated. Weightages were further normalized using Saaty’s analytical hierarchy process. The final Liquefaction potential zone was prepared using the raster calculated from ArcGIS. The output liquefaction potential zone map was delineated and reclassified into five categories such as ‘very high', ‘high', ‘moderate', ‘low’ and ‘very low’ potential zones.

Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential for Large Areas Based on Geomorphologic Classification

Ground motion maps and observation records of liquefaction sites from ten historical earthquakes are used to develop predictive equations for the regional occurrence of liquefaction. Liquefaction occurrence ratio is determined for different geomorphological conditions and intervals of causative shaking intensity obtained from the observation data. Probability regression analysis of these data, based on a cumulative normal distribution, is then used to develop equations for estimating probability of liquefaction for different geomorphological conditions given shaking intensity. Utility of the model is demonstrated for a hypothetical Tonankai-Nankai earthquake to create an estimated liquefaction potential map having 250-m grid-cells. The approach shows promise for rapid online generation of liquefaction maps following an earthquake.

Assessment of liquefaction potential of the Erzincan, Eastern Turkey

This study includes determination of liquefaction potential in Erzincan city center. Erzincan Province is situated within first-degree earthquake zone on earthquake map of Turkey. In this context, the earthquake scenarios were produced using the empirical expressions. Liquefaction potential for different earthquake magnitudes (6.0, 6.5, 7.0) were 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 geotechnical properties of soil samples. In the second step, liquefaction potential analyses were examined using two methods, namely Seed and Idriss (1971), Iwasaki et al. (1981). The liquefaction potential broadly classified into three categories, namely non-liquefiable, marginally liquefiable and liquefiable regions. Additionally, the liquefaction potential index classified into four categories, namely non-liquefiable, low, high and very high liquefiable regions. In order to liquefaction analysis complete within a short time, MATLAB program were prepared. Following the analyses, liquefaction potential index is investigated by Iwasaki et al. (1982) methods. At the final stage of this study, liquefaction potential maps and liquefaction potential index maps of the all study area by using IDW (inverse distance weighted) interpolation method in Geostatistical Analyst Module of ArcGIS 10.0 Software were prepared for different earthquake magnitudes and different depths. The results of soil liquefaction potential were evaluated in ArcGIS to map the distributions of drillings with liquefaction potential. The maps showed that there is a spatial variability in the results obtained which made it difficult to clearly separate between regional areas of high or low potential to liquefy. However, this study indicates that the presence of ground water and sandy-silty soils increases the liquefaction potential with the seismic features of the region.

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

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.

Assessment of liquefaction potential of Erzincan Province and its vicinity, Turkey

One of the most important causes of damages after the earthquakes is the soil liquefaction. Liquefaction can be defined as temporary loss in strength of saturated sandy and silty deposits under transient and cyclic loadings due to excess pore water pressure. This study includes determination of liquefaction potential in Erzincan city center and its vicinity. Due to the proximity of the North Anatolian Fault Zone, in a probable earthquake, Erzincan Province is thought to be affected. In this context, the earthquake scenarios were produced using the empirical expressions. Liquefaction potential for different earthquake magnitudes was determined. These earthquake magnitudes were selected as 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, respectively. Liquefaction potential was investigated using standard penetration test (SPT) data. The first stage of the study, 63 boreholes in different locations was drilled and SPT was performed. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from these boreholes. Laboratory testing was performed to determine physical properties of soil samples, and liquefaction potential analyses were examined using three methods, namely Seed and Idriss (J Soil Mech Found Div ASCE 97(9):1249–1273, 1971), Tokimatsu and Yoshimi (Soil Found 23(4):56–74, 1983), Iwasaki et al. (Soil liquefaction potential evaluation with use of the simplified procedure. International Conference on Recent Advances in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics, St. Louis, pp 209–214, 1981). In order to complete liquefaction analysis within a short time, MATLAB program was prepared. Liquefaction potential analyses were carried out with the MATLAB program. At the final stage of this study, liquefaction potential maps were prepared for different earthquake magnitudes. The expected results will be shared with the local authorities and important engineering remedial measurements will be proposed to prevent further life losses and to mitigate property losses.

Liquefaction Hazard Scenario of Imphal City for 1869 Cachar and a Hypothetical Earthquake

In the present article liquefaction potential of Imphal city is reported in the form of two indices, i.e., LPI (Liquefaction Potential Index) and LSI (Liquefaction Severity Index), for 1869 Cachar earthquake (Mw 7.5) along the Kopili fault and probable future great earthquake (Mw 8.1) in the Indo-Burma subduction zone. The Factor of Safety (FS) against liquefaction has been computed by using modified procedure given by Idriss and Boulanger (2006) for all depths of 122 boreholes. The computed FS have been used as input parameters for evaluating LPI and LSI indices for Imphal City. Based on these LPI and LSI indices, liquefaction potential hazard contour maps of Imphal city is prepared. It is observed that over a large area of Imphal city is highly vulnerable to liquefaction failure in the events of the selected earthquake. The liquefaction hazard obtained at each site exhibits a good agreement with the damages documented for 1869 Cachar earthquake. This contour map can be served as a guideline for engineer and planner in site selection for upcoming projects and helps city administration in mitigating the city from future hazards.

Soil liquefaction potential in Eskişehir, NW Turkey

Abstract. Liquefaction is one of the critical problems in geotechnical engineering. High ground water levels and alluvial soils have a high potential risk for damage due to liquefaction, especially in seismically active regions. Eskişehir urban area, studied in this article, is situated within the second degree earthquake region on the seismic hazard zonation map of Turkey and is surrounded by Eskişehir, North Anatolian, Kütahya and Simav Fault Zones. Geotechnical investigations are carried out in two stages: field and laboratory. In the first stage, 232 boreholes in different locations were drilled and Standard Penetration Test (SPT) was performed. Test pits at 106 different locations were also excavated to support geotechnical data obtained from field tests. In the second stage, experimental studies were performed to determine the Atterberg limits and physical properties of soils. Liquefaction potential was investigated by a simplified method based on SPT. A scenario earthquake of magnitude M=6.4, produced by Eskişehir Fault Zone, was used in the calculations. Analyses were carried out for PGA levels at 0.19, 0.30 and 0.47 g. The results of the analyses indicate that presence of high ground water level and alluvial soil increase the liquefaction potential with the seismic features of the region. Following the analyses, liquefaction potential maps were produced for different depth intervals and can be used effectively for development plans and risk management practices in Eskişehir.

地形・地盤分類250mメッシュマップに基づく液状化危険度の推定手法

This study is examined the probability of liquefaction occurrence in terms of seismic intensities for each geomorphologic classification unit in the Japan Engineering Geomorphologic Classification Map based on the dataset of strong ground motion maps and the liquefied sites during the past nine earthquakes. The liquefaction probability functions of geomorphologic conditions are proposed based on cumulative normal distribution. Finally, the model was applied to the hypothetical Tonankai-Nankai earthquake and the liquefaction potential map with 250 m grid-cells was estimated.

Liquefaction hazard zonation mapping of the Saitama City, Japan

Liquefaction hazard zonation mapping of the Saitama City targeted on the Kanto Plain NW Edge Fault is described in this paper. The study involves the geotechnical properties of the alluvial soil of the city including Standard Penetration Test (SPT), shear wave velocity and other geological data analysis. The city being highly urbanized is situated on the soft soil (alluvial deposits) at the proximity of an active seismic fault that has increased the possibility of liquefaction hazard in the area. Kanto Plain NW Edge Fault is an active fault that lies very near to the Saitama City having the estimated possible earthquake magnitude of 7.4. The possible peak horizontal ground acceleration (amax) from this earthquake is calculated as from 0.15 g to 0.30 g. By considering all possible acceleration values the liquefaction potential maps were prepared and presented in this paper. Additionally, the shear wave velocity is very low and amplification ratio is very high at the marshy deposit but it has comparatively high velocity and low amplification ratio at the marine loam deposit area of the Omiya Plateau. In this paper the liquefaction potential of the area is expressed in terms of liquefaction potential index (PL). The PL value for the clayey silt deposit in the marshy area with shallow water table is very high. In addition, the PL value in the marine loam deposit of the Omiya Plateau is less which indicates that loam deposit has less liquefaction potential than marshy deposit. The map obtained from this study was validated with the field condition of the study area. Hence, it is expected that this study will assist in characterizing the seismic hazards and its mitigation and will provide valuable information for urban planning in the study area in future.

Mapping liquefaction potential of aged soil deposits in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Liquefaction potential of aged soil deposits in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, based on the 1886 Charleston earthquake is characterized in this paper. The characterization involves reviewing available first-hand accounts of 1886 ground behavior, analyzing cone penetration test (CPT) and shear wave velocity data, and correlating the results with geology. Careful review of the first-hand accounts reveals that nearly all cases of surface effects of liquefaction can be associated with the younger sand deposits that lie adjacent to the harbor, rivers, and creeks. Only one documented case of minimal surface effect of liquefaction can be definitely associated with the older sand deposits of the 100,000-year-old Wando Formation. Ratios of measured-to-estimated shear wave velocity indicate that the younger sand deposits and the older sand deposits have measured velocities that are 9% and 38%, respectively, greater than 6-year-old sand deposits with the same CPT tip resistance. Liquefaction potential is expressed in terms of the liquefaction potential index (LPI) proposed by Iwasaki and others. LPI values for the Wando sands computed from the CPT profiles are incorrectly high, if no age corrections are applied. If age corrections are applied, computed LPI values match well the observed field behavior in both the younger sands and the older sands. The results are combined with a 1:24,000 scale geologic map to produce a liquefaction potential map of Mount Pleasant. The findings of this study agree remarkably well with a previous liquefaction potential study of aged soil deposits on Charleston peninsula.

Liquefaction Potential Map of Charleston, South Carolina Based on the 1886 Earthquake

A liquefaction potential map of the peninsula of Charleston, S.C., is presented in this paper. Liquefaction potential is expressed in terms of the liquefaction potential index developed by Iwasaki et al. and calculated using 44 cone penetration test profiles. The cone profiles are supplemented with information from the 1:24,000 scale geologic map by Weems and Lemon, several first-hand accounts of liquefaction and ground deformation that occurred during the 1886 Charleston earthquake, and liquefaction probabilities determined by Elton and Hadj-Hamou based on standard penetration tests. Nearly all of the cases of liquefaction and ground deformation occurred in the Holocene to late Pleistocene beach deposits that flank the higher-ground sediments of the Wando Formation. To match the observed field behavior, a deposit resistance correction factor of 1.8 is applied to cyclic resistance ratios calculated for the 100,000-year-old Wando Formation. No corrections are needed for the younger deposits. In additional to 1886 field behavior, the deposit resistance corrections are supported by ratios of measured to predicted shear-wave velocity.

Probabilistic Liquefaction Hazard Maps for Memphis, Tennessee

Until recently most regional maps of liquefaction hazard have been based primarily on geology, following the methodology of Youd and Perkins (1978). These maps predict the triggering of liquefaction and not its consequences. More than 50 of these maps, showing different areas of the United States, have been published since the methodology was first proposed (Power and Holzer 1996). Maps range in scale from 1:24,000 to 1:390,000. One shortcoming to these maps is that they usually depict the liquefaction hazard with a qualitative ranking, e.g. , low, moderate, or high. Without specifying the hazard, these maps are not useful for risk-based studies. Recently, Holzer et al. (2003), Holzer, Bennett, Noce et al. (2006), and Romero-Hudock and Rix (2005) have applied the liquefaction potential index (LPI) proposed by Iwasaki et al. (1978, 1982) to estimate and map liquefaction probability. Maps of the surficial geology were initially produced for generating seismic hazard maps for Memphis, Tennessee (see references in Cramer et al. 2006). Additionally, the liquefaction potential or probability curve for different soil columns in Memphis also has been developed along with scenario liquefaction potential maps (Romero-Hudock and Rix 2005). Specifically, scenario liquefaction potential maps for moment magnitude (M) 7.7 and 6.2 earthquakes in the southern New Madrid seismic zone were generated by Romero-Hudock and Rix (2005) prior to this study. In this paper we describe the methodology, procedure, and data used in generating probabilistic liquefaction hazard maps for Memphis, and we present the resulting maps. The Memphis liquefaction hazard maps present information in a format similar to the scenario liquefaction potential maps for Memphis by Romero-Hudock and Rix (2005). As proposed by Holzer, Bennett, Noce et al. (2006), Holzer, Blair, Noce et al. (2006), and Holzer et al. (2003), cumulative distributions of LPI for a specified earthquake magnitude and …