Evaluation of liquefaction risk using geographic information system (GIS): A case study in Aksaray

Abstract

In the last century, the demand for new settlement areas increases continuously due to highly population and migration. Throughout history, the erroneous selection of a settlement location has led to large-scale disasters. In particular, earthquakes such as 1999 Marmara and 2011 Van have caused the loss of many lives and damage that cost millions of dollars. The destruction caused by earthquakes shows that the existing settlement plans do not attach sufficient importance to soil properties. In this study, liquefaction potential of the Aksaray city was evaluated using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques depend on geotechnical and hydrogeological data. The 58 soil samples were collected from geotechnical drilling to investigate the soil characteristics of study area. The Tokimatsu-Yoshimi method was used to determine the liquefaction potential. To determine the liquefaction risk, earthquake scenarios with different magnitudes were simulated and maximum horizontal ground accelerations were calculated. The spatial distribution maps of liquefaction risk were created using the kriging interpolation method and exponential variogram model. It was seen that areas with high liquefaction risk were concentrated on the northwestern and southeastern regions of the city. The results of this study can be used by urban and regional planners as a guide in the selection of safe settlement areas. Furthermore, the use of the liquefaction maps will reduce human and economic losses due to natural disasters.