Estimating the Liquefaction Related Geotechnical Hazards in Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment Framework

The objective of this study is to develop a performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) framework for the liquefaction-related hazards and estimate the hazard levels for liquefaction-related engineering demand parameters (EDPs) in a probabilistic manner. Two efficient, sufficient, and hazard compatible EDPs: probability of liquefaction (PL) and post-liquefaction settlement (δL) are selected. Seismic demand models that explain the relationship between these EDPs and ground motion IMs are employed in a semi-deterministic seismic hazard analysis. Results of the analysis are presented in terms of EDP vs. rupture distance and peak ground acceleration (PGA) plots. Two damage measures; 50% PL and 10 cm δL in Mw ≤ 7.0 earthquakes are defined. The cut-off rupture distance which should be used to select a distance range for considering the liquefaction-related hazards is defined for these damage measures and calculated for a 10 m liquefiable soil column. Similarly, the cut-off PGA below which the PL < 50% or δL < 10 cm for Mw ≤ 7.0 earthquakes are calculated since the design PGA is provided in codes and regulations and the PGA threshold for considering the liquefaction-related hazards is valuable in practical applications. Variation in the cut-off parameters with the change in soil properties is thoroughly discussed