Quantification of Liquefaction Triggering Susceptibility: Using Geological, Geomorphological and Geotechnical Characteristics

Abstract

The damages patterns from the Bhuj earthquake (2001,7.6 M w ) observed within the 250km radial distance from the epicenter due to regional surface and sub-surfaces settings. In order to estimate the damage level from future earthquakes in the current study, an attempted to evaluate the various compositional aspects in the fields of geological, geomorphological and geotechnical characterization of the Amaravati capital region, Andhra Pradesh (AP) state, India. The selected study area lies between latitudes of 16°01" N to 16°09" N and longitudes of 80°00" E to 80°08" E. The results from all the aspects presented in the form of thematic maps, developed by using Geological Information System (GIS). The various types of data like spatial data (satellite image), attributes data and field data collected during the study. To characterize the soils within the study area, soil samples collected from 250 boreholes by conducting the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) at different locations within the study area. In addition to this, basic laboratory tests like index properties and grain size analysis were conducted to identify the nature of soils and to classify the soils according to the size of the grain. The obtained laboratory results compared with existing methodologies like Chinese Criteria by Wang (1979), Seed (1982 and modified Chinese Criteria by Andrews & Martin (2000). Based on the results, liquefaction prone areas identified in the study area and depending upon the susceptibility to liquefaction entire study area has been divided into three groups namely i) susceptible ii) partially susceptible iii) not susceptible.