Investigation of ground conditions by geophysical methods at Izmir Balçova Strong Motion Station

To build a structure to resist the destructive power of the earthquake is a great advantage for the prevention of disaster from the beginning. To achieve this advantage, the engineers of geophysics, geology and construction, must work effectively. To know the properties of ground where the building be done, to introduce how the ground and the structure on the ground act during the earthquake, is the major step of the war against earthquakes.It was observed that this region had an extremely dynamic relationship with earthquakes; and played an important role in the formation of the region?s morphology by means of this feature. Izmir and its Surrounding Region have a significant location within the West Anatolia seismological regime. Izmir and its surroundings is a region with a high seismic activity; and carry a high risk of damage.There are 16 pieces of strong ground motion measurement stations established. Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves(MASW) studies, Vertical Electrical Resistivity Sounding(VES) and Resistivity Tomography studies, microtremor measurements was carried out. In addition, the geotechnical borehole drilling with the depth 40 meters and Standart Penetration Tests(SPT) were obtained.At the second stage, according to the results of the preliminary assessment at Balcova (BLC) station, the change of soil properties depending on the change of direction were examined. It was concluded that a micro scale study should be done while the soil classification and soil group are realised in the region of Balcova - Inciralti, which is based on the all results obtained.