Estimation of Site Response Characteristics by a Comparative Study of Numerical Modeling in Adapazarı City Basin, Turkey

Abstract

In Turkey, earthquakes are likely the most prominent natural disaster threat. Also, severe earth tremors are typical in the Marmara region, where the sedimentary basin of Adapazarı takes its place. The study discusses the seismic site response problem considering one-dimensional earthquake wave propagation. To assist the engineers in improving a trustable site response model (for geotechnical earthquake studies) considering elastic base layers that underline deep depths of alluvial deposits. Thus, six site models, at different levels and stratifications, are built and calibrated regarding a closer relationship between soil and site conditions to simulate them for Dynamic Site Response Analyses (DSRAs) in a comparative analytical study. The essential governing parameters of the seismic response problem are the base depth, layers number, soil and bedrock properties (densities and shear wave velocities with depth), and input seismic excitations. The results of DSRAs are present in comparative graphical forms regarding Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) and pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA). In conclusion, the Engineering Seismic Base Layer (ESBL) model is not the ideal scenario, but it is still possible to use it for practical benefits. An efficient ESBL numerical model provides a solid basis for prediction and introductory studies and helps engineers feel more confident in earthquake-resistant structure design, remarkably when the dynamic soil-structure interaction problem is addressed. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.