Journal: Geo-Risk 2023, ASCE

Authors: Indra Prasad Acharya, Mandip Subedi, Rajan KC

Abstract:

Histories of earthquakes in Nepal have shown substantial liquefaction in several regions of the nation, including the capital, Kathmandu Valley. Despite being a liquefaction sensitive zone, Kathmandu Valley soil in Nepal has little studies on liquefaction potential. As a heavily populated metropolitan area, the evaluation of the valley’s liquefaction potential is vital for assuring the safety of engineered structures. We utilised the geotechnical database collected from 400 locations to conduct quantitative analyses and modelling to evaluate the valley soil’s susceptibility of liquefaction in two scenario earthquakes. Some of the most widely used and existent methods based on deterministic and probabilistic approaches are used for the assessments, and the results are shown as liquefaction hazard maps indicating liquefaction potential index (LPI) and probability of liquefaction (PL). Most of the valley’s areas are moderately to extremely prone to liquefaction, and the valley’s central and southern regions are more susceptible to liquefaction and at greater risk of liquefaction damage than the northern sections. Results of the evaluation are corroborated by the field manifestations of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake.