Evaluation of liquefaction potential of salihli (Manisa) city center

Earthquakes are seismic events that threaten human life by destroying the structures in the affected areas in a very short period of time and often to the degree of destruction. In the light of current knowledge, it is possible to predict where earthquakes might occur, but the answer to the question of when will happen is still unknown. In fact rather than predicting the time of earthquake it is important to accept the fact and take necessary precautions in the soil and structure in order to reduce the earthquake damage to acceptable level. One of the effects of earthquakes are seismic soil liquefaction which can be defined as soil failure under cyclic earthquake loading. Buried, tilted structures and lateral spreading are some of the effects of seismic soil liquefaction. The most effective method of reducing damage related to seismic Liquefaction come about recognising disaster risk and threats at local scale. In this study, soil survey reports made by the public and private sector between 2000 and 2017 were compiled in 25 districts of Salihli (Manisa) city center and the database required for soil liquefaction calculations was established. Using this data, seismic liquefaction calculations were performed with the help of LIQIT 4.4.7 software. The results were mapped using the GIS software QGIS 2.81. settlement and liquefaction potential values were interpolated and seismic liquefaction-related hazard maps were created by using 1/1000 scale city plan maps. Seismic ground liquefaction hazard maps, are prepared to assist city planners and building designers in planning the countermeasures to be taken against the risk of liquefaction.