Seismic Site Specific Study for Seismic Microzonation: A Way Forward for Risk Resiliency of Vital Infrastructure in Sikkim, India

Abstract

Seismic Microzonation comprising study of site specific seismic Microtremor (H/V ratio) is deployed to generate seismological parameters (Peak Frequency, Peak Amplification, Site Vulnerability Index) that may help estimate requisite factors for sound building design codes that can be used to construct risk resilient infrastructures. In this paper the site of Pakyong, Sikkim, India has been investigated by dividing it into three differed zones (Zone 1, Zone II, Zone III). The study area is associated with site amplification factor varying from 1.47 to 11.49 with corresponding frequency variations from 0.5 Hz - 12.5 Hz in which site vulnerability index found varied from 0.2 to 220.6. The anomalous subsurface formation with its high amplification corresponds to the centre of the Pakyong sites having conspicuous trend in NW-SE direction suggesting the existence of geological formations of Chlorite, Phyllite with intercalations of Quartzite beneath the centre of Pakyong site. The risk associated with vulnerability index for different zones maintains its variability as Zone I > Zone II > Zone III, indicating the low vulnerability index values are attributed to compact parts of the sub-surface materials with less amplifications whilst high vulnerability index of the site corresponds to relatively lower strength of the sub-surface materials and soft sediments underlying the Pakyong site which can be used for constructing risk resilient structure by enhancing the stiffness coefficient of the sub-surface by providing plausible engineering solutions for the purpose.