Soil liquefaction analyses from standard penetration tests: An example from the North Anatolian fault zone, Turkey

Abstract

This study presents results of both field and laboratory tests that have been used to assess liquefaction potentials of the sandy, silty soils in the Niksar Basin, located along the North Anatolian fault zone. The standard penetration test (SPT) method of field testing has been used to evaluate the liquefaction potentials of subsurface materials. Using the corrected N values, and adopting an average saturated unit weight at three magnitudes of earthquake intensity of M = 6, 7.5, and 8.25, liquefaction potentials of the soils in the study area were estimated/calculated. Obtained plots of shear stress causing liquefaction and shear stress that could be developed during earthquakes versus depth showed that the potential zones of liquefaction should occur within sandy zones up to 5-6 in depth if the magnitude of earthquke intensity is equal to or greater than M = 6.