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GROUND LIQUEFACTION AS GEOTECHNICAL RISK INDUCED BY STRONG GROUND MOTIONS: STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW OF GLOBAL HISTORICAL EVENTS, ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES AND APPLICABILITY
Abstract
One of the most common geotechnical risk induced by earthquakes is liquefaction phenomena, which it has been responsible for building damages that directly influenced population and economy. The growing recognition of importance of geotechnical site conditions in earthquake-prone areas has been generated by concern about liquefaction observed in strong seismic motions that occurred during 20th century. The paper aims to substantiate the necessity of a rational assessment of uncertainties and risks related to seismic hazard by considering site particular parameters for future construction and soil behavior during liquefaction phenomena. An overview of the past liquefaction processes induced by earthquakes and associated damages is outlined. Technical guidelines developed to design and assess performance of soil-structure systems with respect to seismic loading require a detailed site characterization and procedures when evaluating liquefaction susceptibility and effects of liquefaction. A state approach of liquefaction assessment based on a large number of methods developed in order to determine the factor of safety against liquefaction and to predict the liquefied soil thickness is also presented, with examples of case studies applied nationwide. A critical analysis of the geotechnical risk will be useful to identifying the engineering issues linked to soil conditions that would support the building design, land development and urban planning in an earthquake-prone country like Romania. Detailed investigations of site conditions will improve geotechnical-earthquake aspects of the performance of built environment, risk reduction strategies and emergency preparedness.
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