Evaluation of system response and liquefaction damage assessment tools applied to Adapazari cases in Kocaeli 1999 earthquake

Ground movements in Adapazari (Turkey) during the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake caused large devastations in the city, which were largely attributed to liquefaction of low plasticity silty soils underneath buildings with shallow foundations. In this study, CPT and laboratory test data were compiled adjacent to the liquefaction-induced damaged buildings. To understand the capability of system response approach and damage assessment tools such as LSN and LPI, fifty five cases were selected. Results revealed that the system response can be applied to shallow silty soils in Adapazari. It was evaluated that soils with soil behavior index (Ic) greater than 2.6 may liquefy (even if they are located over the ground water level), if they have Plasticity Indices lower than 15%. Another important finding was that LSN values calculated from the foundation level were better indicators than LPI values for estimating the liquefaction induced damage level in Adapazari cases.