The Bhuj, India, earthquake: lessons learned for earthquake safety of dams on alluvium

The Bhuj, India, earthquake of 26 January 2001, M_s 7.9, caused dams built on alluvium to sustain damage ranging from cosmetic to severe. Major damage was caused almost entirely by soil liquefaction in the alluvium. The critical factor was the level of earthquake ground motion.

The Bhuj earthquake showed that peak horizontal accelerations (PHAs)≤0.2 g were generally safe. PHAs>0.2 g were hazardous, when unconsolidated granular foundation soils were water saturated. N values of <20 are indicative of susceptibility to soil liquefaction. The Bhuj experience showed that alluvial foundation soils, subject to a PHA>0.2 g, must be evaluated over the full area beneath a new dam and all soils deemed susceptible to liquefaction must be either removed or treated. For remediating an old dam, reliable options are removal and replacement of liquefiable alluvium beneath upstream and downstream portions of the dam, combined with building berms designed to provide stability for the dam should there be a strength loss in soils beneath the dam.     

Soil liquefaction susceptibility and hazard mapping in the residential area of Kütahya (Turkey)

This study presents the results of both field and laboratory tests that have been undertaken to assess liquefaction susceptibilities of the soils in Kütahya city, located in the well-known seismically active fault zone. Liquefaction potentials of the sub-surface materials at Kütahya city were estimated by using the geological aspect and geotechnical methods such as SPT method of field testing. And, the data obtained have been mapped according to susceptibility and hazard. The susceptibility map indicated “liquefable” and “marginally liquefable” areas in alluvium, and “non-liquefable” areas in Neogene unit for the magnitude of earthquake of M=6.5; whereas, liquefaction hazard map produced by using of liquefaction potential index showed the severity categories from “very low” to “high.” However, a large area in the study area is prone to liquefy according to liquefaction susceptibility map; the large parts of the liquefable horizon are mapped as “low” class of severity by the use of the liquefaction potential index. It can be said that hazard mapping of liquefaction for a given site is crucial than producing liquefaction susceptibility map for estimating the severity. Both the susceptibility and hazard maps should be produced and correlated with each other for planning in an engineering point of view.     

最近20年地震中场地液化现象的回顾与土体液化可能性的评价准则

回顾了1994年美国Northridge地震、1995年日本阪神地震、1999年土耳其Kocaeli地震、1999年台湾集集地震、2008年中国汶川地震、2010年智利Maule地震、2010～2011新西兰Darfield地震及余震、2011年东日本地震中大量的、不同类型的液化实例调查与研究,发现这些地震的液化具有以下特点：（1）罕见的特大地震（Mw9.0）使远离震中300～400 km的新近人工填土发生严重的大规模液化;（2）特大地震（Ms8.0、Mw8.8）使远离震中的低烈度Ⅴ～Ⅵ度地区发生严重液化;（3）海岸、河岸附近地区的新近沉积冲积、湖积土,填筑时间不到50年的含细粒、砂砾人工填土,容易发生严重液化;（4）天然的砂砾土层液化发生严重液化;（5）发生了深达20 m的土层液化现象;（6）松散土层液化后可以恢复到震前状态并再次发生液化;（7）高细粒（粒径≤75 ?m）含量≥50%或高黏粒（粒径≤5 ?m）含量≥25%的低-中塑性土严重液化,对介于类砂土与类黏土之间的过渡性态土,有时地表未见液化现象;（8）液化土层的深度较深或厚度较小时,容易出现地面裂缝而无喷砂现象;有较厚的上覆非液化土层时,场地液化不一定伴随地表破坏。液化实例证明,第四系晚更新世Q3地层可以发生严重液化;黏粒含量不是评价细粒土液化可能性的一个可靠指标;低液限、高含水率的细粒土易发生液化,采用塑性指数PI、含水率wc与液限LL之比作为细粒土液化可能性评价的指标是适宜的。综合Boulanger和Idriss、Bray和Sincio、Seed和Cetin等的液化实例调查与室内试验研究成果,建议细粒土液化可能性的评价准则如下：PI ＜12且wc/LL＞0.85的土为易液化土,12＜PI≤20和/wc/LL≥0.80的土为可液化土;PI ＞20或wc/LL＜0.80的土为不液化土。     

Review of soil liquefaction characteristics during major earthquakes of the twenty-first century

Liquefaction, which can be defined as a loss of strength and stiffness in soils, is one of the major causes of damage to buildings and infrastructure during an earthquake. To overcome a lack of comprehensive analyses of seismically induced liquefaction, this study reviews the characteristics of liquefaction and its related damage to soils and foundations during earthquakes in the first part of the twenty-first century. Based on seismic data analysis, macroscopic phenomena of liquefaction (e.g., sand boiling, ground cracking, and lateral spread) are summarized, and several new phenomena related to earthquakes from the twenty-first century are highlighted, including liquefaction in areas with moderate seismic intensity, liquefaction of gravelly soils, liquefaction of deep-level sandy soils, re-liquefaction in aftershocks, liquid-like behavior of unsaturated sandy soils. Additionally, phenomena related to damage in soils and foundations induced by liquefaction are investigated and discussed.     

Seismic liquefaction potential assessed by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method

Liquefaction of loose, saturated granular soils during earthquakes poses a major hazard in many regions of the world. The determination of liquefaction potential of soils induced by earthquake is a major concern and an essential criterion in the design process of the civil engineering structures. A large number of factors that affect the occurrence of liquefaction during earthquake exist a form of uncertainty of non-statistical nature. Fuzzy systems are used to handle uncertainty from the data that cannot be handled by classical methods. It uses the fuzzy set to represent a suitable mathematical tool for modeling of imprecision and vagueness. The pattern classification of fuzzy classifiers provides a means to extract fuzzy rules for information mining that leads to comprehensible method for knowledge extraction from various information sources. Therefore, it is necessary to handle the soil liquefaction problem in a rational framework of fuzzy set theory. This study investigates the feasibility of using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model for predicting soil liquefaction during earthquake. In the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model of soil liquefaction, the following factors, such as earthquake intensity, standard penetration number, mean diameter and groundwater table, are selected as the evaluating indices. The results show that the method is a useful tool to assess the potential of soil liquefaction.     

Liquefaction potential and susceptibility mapping in the city of Yalova, Turkey

This study presents results of both field and laboratory tests that have been used to asses liquefaction susceptibilities of the soils in Yalova city, located in the well-known seismically active North Anatolian Fault Zone. Liquefaction potentials of the sub-surface materials in Yalova city were estimated by using the standard penetration test (SPT) method of field testing. The data obtained have been mapped according to susceptibility, and the susceptibility maps based on the geotechnical data indicated a moderate to high susceptibility to liquefaction for the magnitude of earthquake of M=7.4. Both the high groundwater level and the grain size of the soils, in conjunction with the active seismic features of the region, result in conditions favourable to the occurrence of liquefaction. When the surface and near surface geological conditions were taken under consideration, it was seen that the study areas geology is prone to liquefaction having a moderate liquefaction susceptibility. If geologic and geomorphological criteria are considered, it should be understood that the study area as discussed under the regions geology is susceptible to liquefaction. The geotechnical data largely support the geologic-based liquefaction susceptibility of the study area.     

A liquefaction severity index suggested for engineering practice

One of the major tasks in earthquake geotechnical engineering is the preparation of liquefaction susceptibility maps. For this purpose, some indices associated with liquefaction susceptibility are used. However, the currently used indices have some limitations. In this study, a liquefaction severity index, which can be used in preparation of susceptibility maps, is suggested. The suggested severity index is applied to two sites selected from Taiwan (Yuanlin) and Turkey (Inegol) to examine performance. The application indicated that the suggested index shows a good performance for the selected sites, and can be considered as a tool for further studies.     

1998 Adana-Ceyhan (Turkey) Earthquake and a Preliminary Microzonation Based on Liquefaction Potential for Ceyhan Town

A moderate earthquake (M_s = 6.2) occurred in the Cukurova region in the southern part of Turkey, on 27 June 1998. It resulted in loss of 145 lives and significant damage particularly in the settlements close to the epicenter at the south of Ceyhan town. Widespread liquefaction and associated sand boils, ground fissures and ground deformations due to lateral spreading occurred during this earthquake. In this study, main characteristics of the earthquake are presented and liquefaction throughout the site was assessed. An attempt was also made to establish preliminary microzonation maps for Ceyhan using the data from liquefaction susceptibility analyses. The results of the analyses indicated that the data from the liquefied sites were within the empirical bounds suggested by the field-performance evaluation method. Fortunately, most of the riversides were used for agricultural purposes alone, damage to structures from liquefaction and associated ground failures were rather limited. Preliminary assessments indicated that at depths of about 5 m the liquefaction potential of thin sand layers tends to diminish.     

Spectral discrimination of Recent sediments around Bhuj, India, using Landsat-TM data and assessment of their vulnerability to seismicity-related failures

Kachchh region of India is a rift basin filled with sediments from Jurassic to Quaternary ages. This area is tectonically active and witnessed several major earthquakes since the recent historical past. During an earthquake event, the water-laden foundation soil liquefies and causes damage to buildings and other civil engineering structures. The January 26, 2001, Bhuj earthquake demonstrated extensive liquefaction-related damages in entire Kachchh Peninsula. Therefore, evaluation of liquefaction susceptibility of unconsolidated sediments is a vital requirement for developing seismic microzonation maps. In this paper, a new approach involving remote sensing techniques and geotechnical procedures is demonstrated for effective mapping of liquefaction-susceptible areas. The present and paleo-alluvial areas representing unconsolidated sediments were mapped using Landsat-TM data and field reflectance spectra. Spectral discrimination of alluvial area was made using the feature-oriented principal component selection and spectral angle mapping techniques. Subsequently, field geotechnical investigations were carried out in these areas. It is evident from the results that the alluvial soils are predominantly sandy loam with very low (7–28) standard penetration test values. The evaluated factor of safety for these soils varies from 0.43 to 1.7 for a peak ground acceleration of 0.38. Finally, a liquefaction susceptibility map is prepared by integrating results on alluvium distribution, factor of safety, and depth to water table.     

Three-Dimensional Interpolation and Lithofacies Analysis of Granular Composition Data for Earthquake-Engineering Characterization of Shallow Soil

In Japan, many major cities are located on tectonic basins which are surrounded by faults and underlain by soft alluvial materials. Because these areas are subject to earthquake damages, it is important to determine their seismic engineering characteristics. Geotechnical databases which contain many borehole logs are useful information sources for this type of analysis. Each datum stored in the database has a value or an attribute, and its location is irregular in both horizontal and vertical directions. A new interpolation method based on the optimization principle is proposed here to deal with such three-dimensionally distributed data. Susceptibility of unconsolidated ground to liquefaction is known to be related to the content of loose and saturated sand. The mixture ratio of several soil types in a deposit, i.e., granular composition, is strongly influenced by the sedimentary environment. There are two numerical methods: the optimization principle method (OPM) used to determine three-dimensional distribution of granular composition and the model used to evaluate liquefaction. The application of the proposed methods to two locations in Japan indicated that the zones with high susceptibility to liquefaction were indeed those that had suffered from liquefaction during past earthquakes.     

Ground motion estimation at Guwahati city for an Mw 8.1 earthquake in the Shillong plateau

In this paper, the ground motion at Guwahati city for an 8.1 magnitude earthquake on Oldham fault in the Shillong plateau has been estimated by stochastic finite-fault simulation method. The corresponding acceleration time histories on rock level at several sites in the epicentral region have been computed. These results are validated by comparing them with the estimates obtained from Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik (MSK) intensity observations of 1897 Shillong earthquake. Using the local soil parameters, the simulated rock level acceleration time history at Guwahati city is further amplified up to the ground surface by nonlinear site response analysis. The results obtained are presented in the form of peak ground acceleration (PGA) contour map. The maximum amplification for PGA over Guwahati city is as high as 2.5. Based on the simulated PGA, the liquefaction susceptibility at several locations in the city has been estimated. The results are presented in the form of contours of factor of safety against liquefaction at different depths below the ground surface. It is observed that over a large part of the Guwahati city, the factor of safety against liquefaction is less than one, indicating that the city is highly vulnerable to liquefaction in the event of this earthquake. The contour maps obtained can be used in identifying vulnerable areas and disaster mitigation.     

1989～2011期间8次强地震中抗液化地基处理成功案例的回顾与启示

回顾了1989年美国Mw6.9级Loma Prieta地震、1993年日本Ms7.8级Kushiro-Oki地震、1994年日本Mw8.2级Hokkaido Toho-Oki地震、1995年日本Ms7.2级阪神地震、1999年台湾集集地震、1999年土耳其Mw7.4级Kocaeli地震、2001年美国Mw6.8级Nisqually地震以及2011年Mw9.0级东日本地震中场地抗液化工程措施的成功案例,初步分析了各种抗液化工程措施的有效性与优劣性,可以给出如下工程场地抗液化处理的经验：（1）对于易液化的沿海及填海造陆场地,采用适宜的抗液化工程措施应成为地基处理不可缺少的环节;（2）应基于场地条件、经济条件及环境要求,综合考虑场地抗液化地基处理措施的选择;（3）挤密砂桩法和碎石桩法运用广泛、技术成熟且比较经济,宜优先选择作为抗震设防烈度Ⅷ度及以下地区的场地抗液化地基处理措施;（4）强夯法使用机具简单、费用低廉,适宜选择作为抗震设防烈度Ⅷ度及以下地区大面积场地的抗液化地基处理措施;（5）注浆法、深层搅拌法、旋喷法作为抗震设防烈度Ⅸ度及以下地区的场地抗液化地基处理措施是有效的;（6）多种抗液化地基处理措施联合使用的处理效果往往优于单一措施单独使用的处理效果,在条件许可的情况下,宜选择多种抗液化地基处理措施联合使用,以期达到更好的处理效果。     

液化地基中桩的破坏机理研究进展

地震诱发的地基液化对桩基础的破坏极大,液化地基中桩的破坏机理是岩土地震工程中的一个重要研究课题。目前地基液化时桩土结构系统的地震性态尚没有认识充分,已有的研究内容较多局限于桩身材料的强度破坏方面,难以考虑液化土体侧向流动、基桩屈曲失稳、以及土与结构动力相互作用等复杂因素的影响。本文重点加强以下3个方面的深入探讨和研究:(1)液化地基中桩的屈曲失稳;(2)液化地基中桩基破坏的数值模拟新方法;(3)液化地基中桩-土-结构的动力相互作用分析。     

A genetic algorithm approach for assessing soil liquefaction potential based on reliability method

Deterministic approaches are unable to account for the variations in soil’s strength properties, earthquake loads, as well as source of errors in evaluations of liquefaction potential in sandy soils which make them questionable against other reliability concepts. Furthermore, deterministic approaches are incapable of precisely relating the probability of liquefaction and the factor of safety (FS). Therefore, the use of probabilistic approaches and especially, reliability analysis is considered since a complementary solution is needed to reach better engineering decisions. In this study, Advanced First-Order Second-Moment (AFOSM) technique associated with genetic algorithm (GA) and its corresponding sophisticated optimization techniques have been used to calculate the reliability index and the probability of liquefaction. The use of GA provides a reliable mechanism suitable for computer programming and fast convergence. A new relation is developed here, by which the liquefaction potential can be directly calculated based on the estimated probability of liquefaction (P _L ), cyclic stress ratio (CSR) and normalized standard penetration test (SPT) blow counts while containing a mean error of less than 10% from the observational data. The validity of the proposed concept is examined through comparison of the results obtained by the new relation and those predicted by other investigators. A further advantage of the proposed relation is that it relates P _L and FS and hence it provides possibility of decision making based on the liquefaction risk and the use of deterministic approaches. This could be beneficial to geotechnical engineers who use the common methods of FS for evaluation of liquefaction. As an application, the city of Babolsar which is located on the southern coasts of Caspian Sea is investigated for liquefaction potential. The investigation is based primarily on in situ tests in which the results of SPT are analysed.     

Reducing liquefaction potential using dynamic compaction and construction of stone columns

In-place soils in the floodplains of major rivers are frequently stabilized to reduce the liquefaction potential when sites are located in earthquake prone areas. A site in the floodplain of the Missouri River in the United States of America was recently remediated to reduce liquefaction potential using the Deep Dynamic Compaction method of densification of in-place soils. Modifications were made to the conventional method in the form of construction of stone columns to densify the in-place soils to deeper depths. Results are presented to show that the modified procedure used at the site satisfactorily remediated the site. Construction of stone columns not only densified the soils to the required depths, but also helped support a five-story office building on conventional strip and spread shallow foundations. Site remediation and an alternative foundation scheme resulted in substantial cost savings without any delay in the construction schedule.     

First-level liquefaction hazard mapping of Laoag City,Northern Philippines

During the 1990 Luzon earthquake (M_s 7.8), the central part of Luzon Island, Philippines suffered much from liquefaction-related processes. Examination of inventories shows that the affected areas lie on certain geological environments that are characteristically vulnerable to liquefaction. Based on this local experience and the findings of earlier workers correlating geological setting with liquefaction susceptibility, a first-level map of liquefaction hazard for Laoag City, Northern Philippines, was produced. Distinct micro-geomorphological units were identified within the mainly fluvio-deltaic setting of the study area. The liquefaction susceptibility of each unit was then ranked as high, moderate, low or non-liquefiable, taking also the geomorphological evolution of the area into account. The geomorphological model of the fluvio-deltaic basin was tested against the results of the georesistivity survey carried out in this study. Moreover, compatibility of the liquefaction susceptibility map with historical liquefaction records supported the validity of the proposed ranking. The study showed that microzonation based on geomorphological criteria is indeed very useful in less-developed countries like the Philippines, where funds for a more rigorous determination of liquefaction potential are limited and not always available.     

Liquefaction of soil in the Emilia-Romagna region after the 2012 Northern Italy earthquake sequence

At the end of May 2012, the Po plain region in northern Italy was shaken by a long sequence of seismic events. The 2012 Northern Italy earthquake sequence counted two mainshocks, about 1,600 aftershocks and lasted for several weeks. Although the mainshocks, which occurred on May 20 and May 29, 2012, registered a moment magnitude of 5.9 and 5.8, respectively, these two events caused widespread soil liquefaction and substantial damages to the built environment. This paper reports lessons learnt from a field investigation conducted in the areas affected by the earthquake sequence. Based on the field observations, it was concluded that despite the relatively low magnitudes of the shocks, most of the damages occurred as a consequence of liquefaction phenomena and/or absence of retrofitting of historical structures. The latter comprise churches, tower bells, towers, castles and fortresses. It was found that the occurrence of liquefaction was mainly associated with the presence of saturated alluvial soil deposits which were characterised by high liquefaction susceptibility. It was noted that these highly liquefiable soils were mainly located in proximity of ancient river courses that were artificially diverted in the eighteenth century to mitigate flooding and other hydrological risks.     

Application of the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system for prediction of soil liquefaction

The determination of liquefaction potential of soils induced by earthquake is a major concern and an essential criterion in the design process of the civil engineering structures. A purely empirical interpretation of the filed case histories relating to liquefaction potential is often not well constrained due to the complication associated with this problem. In this study, an integrated fuzzy neural network model, called Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), is developed for the assessment of liquefaction potential. The model is trained with large databases of liquefaction case histories. Nine parameters such as earthquake magnitude, the water table, the total vertical stress, the effective vertical stress, the depth, the peak acceleration at the ground surface, the cyclic stress ratio, the mean grain size, and the measured cone penetration test tip resistance were used as input parameters. The results revealed that the ANFIS model is a fairly promising approach for the prediction of the soil liquefaction potential and capable of representing the complex relationship between seismic properties of soils and their liquefaction potential.     

Field-observed phenomena of seismic liquefaction and subsidence during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China

In the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan Province, a large number of buildings, water conservancy facilities, and transportation facilities were severely damaged. The damage caused by liquefaction and earthquake-induced soil subsidence was widely distributed, diverse, and extensive. Typical liquefaction and earthquake-induced subsidence damage for this region has been described by investigations of soils and foundations in the earthquake-stricken area. Factors that influenced the liquefaction of soils in Dujiangyan County were analyzed, accounting for regional geological conditions. The results identify several factors that may affect the process of liquefaction and general damage to buildings, roads, levees, and dams. Such factors could serve as the basis for further research into mitigating the damage caused by earthquake-induced liquefaction and subsidence. The importance of detailed ground reconnaissance and the implementation of reasonable and effective measures to improve soft soil are proposed for earthquake hazard reduction in similar areas.     

Critical state framework for liquefaction of fine grained soils

A consistent methodology based on the critical state framework to characterize the different regimes of fine-grained soil behavior under earthquake loads is put forward. Shear strength and deformation behavior of soils depend in a major way on the combination of volume and confining stress. Depending on their combination, a soil aggregate may fracture into clastic debris, fail with fault planes, or yield plastically. This characterization of the class of limiting soil behavior is used to analyze the potential for large deformation and liquefaction in fine grained soils. The central piece of the proposed characterization is the (η, LI₅) stability diagram where η = q/p′ and LI₅ = LI + 0.5 log (p′/5). This diagram captures the effects of soil plasticity through liquidity index LI, confinement through mean normal effective stress p′, and shear stress q through the stress ratio η. The three regions of behavior; fracture, fault, and fold/yield are identified. Soils become susceptible to liquefaction when they shift into the fracture zone (LI₅ ≤ 0.4), or if they plot outside of the stable yielding region.Under earthquake loading, the initial soil states will migrate into different regions in the stability diagram depending on their initial location, shear stress increment, and, pore pressure response. The final position of the soil state would dictate the type of limiting behavior expected in the field; fracture, rupture or yield. The final states which fall into the fracture region have the potential for catastrophic failures including “liquefaction”; the ones which fall onto the rupture region would experience the attainment of a peak stress ratio followed by softening along failure planes; the ones in the yield region would continue to yield in a stable manner. The latter two types of deformations while resulting in large deformation may not be of a catastrophic nature. The proposed characterization is used to examine the liquefaction susceptibility of fine grained soils from China, Taiwan, and Turkey. Use of simplified empirical criteria based on parameters such as plasticity index and fines contents may not capture the true nature of the type of undrained limiting behavior of fine grains soils in the field including liquefaction.