Seismic Microzonation and Geotechnical Modeling Studies Considering Local Site Effects for İnegöl Plain (Bursa‐Turkey)

Abstract

Local site effects play a vital role in determining the level of structural damage to the structures built on soil. Therefore, correctly determining the underground layer structure and its physical characteristics in the lateral and vertical directions is essential for the geotechnical model. More information and more accurate results will be obtained if the geotechnical model is evaluated multidisciplinary together with geophysical studies, not only based on drilling results. For this purpose, vertical electric sounding, seismic refraction, microtremor, and mechanical drilling techniques were applied within the scope of geotechnical studies in the İnegöl district of Bursa. The methods were evaluated together, and the geotechnical cross‐sections of the underground were interpreted. In addition, microzonation maps determined from Geophysical parameters were created in the study area. These maps, geotechnical cross‐sections, and microtremor data evaluation results predicted how the study area's buildings and soils would behave under dynamic forces such as earthquakes. As a result, the soils in the study area were mainly saturated with water and had weak strength. Existing or newly constructed engineering structures on such soils are predicted from microzonation maps that will damage both the soils and the buildings in a seven‐magnitude earthquake.