GEOMECHANICS AND GEOENGINEERING

2021, VOL. 16, NO. 1, 1–19

https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2019.1640898

Development of correlation between SPT-N value and shear wave velocity and
estimation of non-linear seismic site effects for soft deposits in Kolkata city
Srijit Bandyopadhyaya,b, Aniruddha Senguptac and G.R. Reddya
a
Seismic Structure and Engineering Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India; bHomi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai,
India; cCivil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

In the present paper, the site-specific response spectra at bedrock level are generated by Received 26 March 2019
deterministic seismic hazard analysis and soil amplification study for Kolkata (India) is performed. Accepted 20 June 2019
The site-specific bedrock spectra are obtained by enveloping 10 response spectra corresponding KEYWORDS
to 10 attenuation relationships with pga 0.104 g. Eighteen seismic downhole test data upto Soil amplification; design
50 m depth are collected from various sites in Kolkata, along with the SPT-N value profile. An response spectra; Shearwave
empirical relationship between shear wave velocity and SPT-N value is proposed considering velocity; Kolkata city
nonlinear power law for soft soil. The results of this study can be used for site response study of
Kolkata. The average ðVs30 Þ of Kolkata soil varies from 146 to 295 m/sec. As per NEHRP classifica-
tion, the sites are classified as Class D and E. Nonlinear soil amplification study is conducted in all
borehole locations and uncertainty of soil parameters, like shear wave velocity with plasticity of
soil, are considered. A total of 1170 soil profiles are analyzed, and site-specific response spectrum
is proposed. A maximum surface PGA of 0.18 g is obtained corresponding to 3.8 times amplifica-
tion in peak spectrum. The proposed acceleration time history and the response spectra may be
used for design and safety evaluation of infrastructures in Kolkata.

1. Introduction (PGA) at sites underlain by rock and stiff alluvium varies

between 0.08 g and 0.12 g. Whereas, two times amplifica-
It is a well-established fact that the response of ground due
tion of motion was observed compared to the rock site at
to an earthquake depends on myriads of factors such as
the deep soft soil deposits and at the artificially consolidated
magnitude and characteristics of earthquake, and local
soil. Damage pattern from various past earthquakes like
geology of the site. Ground motion contributes a major
1985 Mexico earthquake, 1989 San Fransisco earthquake,
role in causing damages to the structures (Narayan 2005,
2001 Bhuj Earthquake it was observed that local soft soil
2010, 2012, Oprsal et al. 2005). The loss of life and damages
plays an essential role in ground amplification (Zeng 1996,
to the properties may be reduced by designing structures
Tsuda et al. 2006, Govindaraju and Bhattacharya 2012).
with realistic ground motions. Generally, seismic waves
Soil amplification study has been conducted in
propagate in the upward direction through different layers
many Indian cities by a number of researchers
of earth. In the process, the energy content decreases due to
(Anbazhagan and Sitharam 2008, Shiuly and Narayan
radiation and material damping. But amplification
2012, Roy and Sahu 2012, Rao and Rathod 2014,
increases with reduced wave motion due to stiffness and
Kumar et al. 2014, Basu et al. 2017, Dammala et al.
material damping of the soil. Large damages were observed
2017, Bashir and Basu 2018). As per seismic zoning
during the Mexico City Earthquake of 19 September 1985,
map of India, Kolkata city is located in the border of
due to local site effects (Flores-Estrella et al. 2007). It is
seismic Zone III, and Zone IV, and an earthquake
reported that a part of Mexico city is located over an ancient
magnitude 6 (Mw ) and more may be expected. The
lake bed with varying shear wave velocity of 40 m/sec to
proposed PGA value of an expected maximum consid-
90 m/sec. Below this sediment, a layer with a shear wave
ered earthquake (MCE) in Kolkata between 0.16 and
velocity 500 m/sec is encountered. The amplification of
0.24 g, which are corresponding MCE value of zone III
ground motion to an order of 3 to 20 was occurred due
and zone IV. A number of researchers (Mohanty and
to the high impedance contrast between the top layer and
Walling 2008, Govindaraju and Bhattacharya 2012,
bottom layer (Dobry et al. 2000). The ground failures
Shiuly and Narayan 2012, Nath et al. 2014) have per-
during the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquakes are studied by
formed seismic hazard and soil amplification study for
Kayen and Mitchell (1997). The peak ground acceleration

CONTACT Srijit Bandyopadhyay srijit15@gmail.com

© 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
18 S. BANDYOPADHYAY ET AL.

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