Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Site effect and microzonation of the Jizan coastal area, southwestern Saudi Arabia, for earthquake hazard assessment based on the geotechnical borehole data

  • S. I. Tanta-ISG 2018
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ninety-one geotechnical boreholes were drilled throughout Jizan City and the subsoil profiles were modeled. The SPT-N values were corrected to the N60 parameter. Then, the calculated shear wave velocity for 30 m depth (Vs30) varies between 196.086 and 589.931 m/s. Moreover, the site soil was classified into two of soil classes detected. Thereafter, the site response with SMSIM software is assigned at all borehole locations using Vs30, predominant frequency, and corresponding amplitude amplification factor. The estimated amplification factor varied between 1.6 and 18.2, reflecting the significant difference in the thicknesses of soil. The values of high amplification extend in a north–south strip to the west indicating very soft/loose sediments with a considerable thickness. Higher fundamental frequency values extend due north along the coast until the Ash-Shati and Ar-Rawabi districts verifying the compacted sediments. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) has been estimated for 91 borehole sites at bedrock level in the Jizan area using Mw 6.25 earthquake magnitude. This PGA was used to generate an ArcGIS contour map. The values of the PGA for the bedrock vary between 4.8 and 10.7 cm/s2. Moreover, PGA is computed at the ground surface level, where it varies between 7.7 and 32.0 cm/s2. Finally, the ground motion response spectra were also estimated with 5% critical damping for the locations of all of the boreholes. The pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) and its corresponding frequency/period were calculated for the 91 borehole locations. The values of the maximum PSA ranged between 17 and 103 cm/s2, covering the western zone of the Jizan study area. Furthermore, the PSAs were computed for 1.5, 3, 5, 8, and 10 Hz at 91 locations, and then contoured using the ArcGIS package. This frequency range from 1.5 to 10 Hz represents the range in the natural frequencies for tall to low-rise buildings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24
Fig. 25

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abd El Rahman M, Abd El Latif T (1990) Geophysical interpretations for shallow engineering site investigations at the area north of Sana’a, Yemen Arab Republic. Merc 4:41–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Abd El Rahman M, Setto I, El Werr A (1991) Seismic refraction interpretation for shallow engineering site investigations at the distinctive district 6th of October City. EGS Proc of the 9th Ann Meet, pp. 229-242.

  • Abdelrahman K, Al-Amri AM, Al-Otaibi N, Fnais M (2020) Geotechnical assessment for the ground conditions in Makah Al-Mukarramah city, Saudi Arabia. J King Saud Univ Sci 32:2112–2121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Hajar I, Hossain D (1991) Ground condition in Jeddah and its influence on selection and design of foundation. J KAU Earth Sci 4:45–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Farraj AS (2008) The mineralogy of clay fractions in the soils of the southern region of Jizan. J Agron 7:115–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-hadad M, Al-Refeai T, Al-Amri A (2001) Geotechnical investigation for earthquake resistant design in the kingdom- phase 1- western coast. Report No, AR-14-77 submitted to the King Abdulaziz City for science and technology (KACST).

  • Alhumimidi MS (2020) Geotechnical assessment of near-surface sediments and their hazardous impact: case study of Jizan City, southwestern Saudi Arabia. J King Saud Univ Sci 32:2195–2201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ambraseys NN, Adams RD (1988) The seismicity of Saudi Arabia and adjacent areas: part B. Department of Civil Engineering, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, ICST/ KACST Project, ESEE Rep. no. 88/11.

  • Ambraseys NN, Melville CP, Adams RD (1994) The seismicity of Egypt, Arabia and the Red Sea: a historical review. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 181

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Anbazhagan P, Sitharam TG (2006) Evaluation of dynamic properties and ground profiles using MASW: correlation between vs and N60. 13th symposium on earthquake engineering. Roorkee: Indian Institute of Technology, Dec. 18-20, Paper No. 008.

  • Anbazhagan P, Sitharam TG, Divya C (2007) Site response analysis based on site specific soil properties using geotechnical and geophysical tests: correlations between Gmax and N60. 4th International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering, June 25-28, paper No. 1286.

  • Arya AS, Srivastave LS, Gupta SP (1985) Survey of damage during the Dhamar earthquake of 13 December 1982 in the Yemen Arab Republic. Bull Seismol Soc Am 75:597–610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson GM, Boore DM (1995) Ground-motion relations for eastern North America. Bull Seismol Soc Am 85:17–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Boore DM (2003) Simulation of ground motion using the stochastic method. Pure Appl Geophys 160:635–675

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boore DM (2004) Estimating Vs (30) (or NEHRP site classes) from shallow velocity models (depths < 30 m). Bull Seismol Soc Am 94:591–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boore DM, Atkinson GM (1987) Stochastic prediction of ground motion and spectral response parameters at hard-rock sites in eastern North America. Bull Seismol Soc Am 77(2):440–467

    Google Scholar 

  • Borcherd RD (1994) Estimation of site-dependent response spectra for design (methodology and justification). Earthquake Spectra 10:617–653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borcherdt RD, Glassmoyer G (1994) Influences of local geology on strong and weak ground motions in the San Francisco Bay region and their implications for site-specific building-code provisions. In: Borcherdt RD (ed.) The Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of 17 October 1989-strong ground motion. US Geological Survey Prof. pap. 1551-A-:77-108.

  • Brune J (1970) Tectonic stress and the spectra of seismic shear waves from earthquakes. J Geophys Res 75:4997–5009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burland J (2006) Terzaghi: back to the future. Bull Eng Geol Environ 66:29–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandler AK, Lam NTK, Tsang HH (2006) Near-surface attenuation modeling based on rock shear-wave velocity profile. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 26:1004–1014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhowian AW, Erol AO (1993) Ground conditions and associated structural problems in Jizan and Tabuk region. Final Report of the Contract No. AR-8-106, Research Grant Supported by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).

  • Dhowian AW, Erol AO, Sultan S (1987) Settlement predictions in complex sabkha soil profiles. Bull Int Assoc Eng Geol Paris 36:11–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dikmen U (2009) Statistical correlations of shear wave velocity and penetration resistance for soils. J Geophys Eng 6:61–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobry R, Borcherdt RD, Crouse CB, Idriss IM, Joyner WB, Martin GR, Power MS, Rinne EE, Seed RB (2000) New site coefficients and site classification system used in recent building seismic code provision. Earthquake Spectra 16:41–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Hadidy SY (2015) Seismicity and seismotectonic setting of the Red Sea and adjacent areas. In: Rasul NMA, Stewart ICF (eds) The Red Sea. Springer Earth System Sciences, Berlin Heidelberg, pp 151–159. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45201-1_8

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • El-Hadidy SY, Zahran HM, El-Hadidy M, Sami M (2015) Seismicity and seismotectonic settings of western Saudi Arabia with special emphasis of 5.1 Baish-Jizan Earthquake 2014.Workshop on Imaging and Active Tectonics of the Red Sea Region, King Abdulaziz University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

  • El-Isa ZH, Al Shanti A (1989) Seismicity and tectonics of the Red Sea and western Arabia. Geophys J 97:449–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasancebi N, Ulusay R (2006) Empirical correlations between shear wave velocity and penetration resistance for ground shaking assessments. Bull Eng Geol Environ 66:203–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrmann RB (1985) An extension of random vibration theory estimates of strong ground motion to large distances. Bull Seismol Soc Am 75:1447–1453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson IF, Caronna S, Taleb MG (1989) Geotechnical aspects of a development project for the coastal town of Jizan, Second Symposium on Geotechnical Problems in Saudi Arabia. University of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang H, Huo J-R (1997) Attenuation relations of ground motion for rock and soil sites in eastern United States. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng 16:363–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imai S (1975) An investigation to geophysical prospecting for civil purposes. OYO Corporation, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Jónsson S, Xu W (2015) Volcanic eruptions in the southern Red Sea during 2007–2013. In: Rasul NMA, Stewart ICF (eds) The Red Sea. Springer Earth System Sciences, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45201-1_10

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Langer CJ, Bollinger GA, Merghelani HM (1987) Aftershocks of the 13 December 1982 North Yemen earthquake: conjugate normal faulting in an extensional setting. Bull Seismol Soc Am 77:2038–2055

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahfouz AH (2016) Geotechnical study of soil foundation and design of PCC piles to improve its bearing capacity, a case study: ramps of Dawar El-Tawheed bridge in Jizan City – KSA. Int J For Soil Erosion (IJFSE) 6:140–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsah MI, Hossain D (1993) Ground conditions in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. J KAU 6:47–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Merghelani HM, Gallanthine SK (1981) Microearthquakes in the Tihamat-Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Bull Seismol Soc Am 70(6):2291–2293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poirier JP, Taher MA (1980) Historical seismicity in the Near and Middle East, North Africa and Spain from Arabic documents (VIIth–XVIIIth century). Bull Seismol Soc Am 70:2185–2201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ravi S (2017) Geotechnical investigations in difficult ground conditions – Indian experiences. Sixth Madhav Lecture, JNTU. Hyderabad: October.

  • Roy S, Bhalla SK (2017) Role of geotechnical properties of soil on civil engineering structures. Resour Environ 7:103–109. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.re.20170704.03

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salem A, Green C, Campbell S, Fairhead JD, Cascone L, Moorhead L (2013) Moho depth and sediment thickness estimation beneath the Red Sea derived from satellite and terrestrial gravity data. Geophy 78(5):G89–G101. https://doi.org/10.1190/GRO2012-0150.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seed HB, Idriss IM, Arango I (1983) Evaluation of liquefaction potential using field performance data. J Geotech Eng 109:458–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaaban F, Ismail A, Massoud U (2013) Geotechnical assessment of ground conditions around a tilted building in Cairo–Egypt using geophysical approaches. J Assoc Arab Univ Basic Appl Sci 13:63–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh SK, Ordaz M, Dattatrayam RS, Gupta HK (1999) A spectral analysis of the 21 May 1997, Jabalpur, India, earthquake (Mw = 5.8) and estimation of ground motion from future earthquakes in the Indian Shield Region. Bull Seismol Soc Am 89:1620–1630

    Google Scholar 

  • Sitharam TG, Anbazhagan P, Mahesh GU, Bharathi K, Nischala RP (2005) Seismic hazard studies using geotechnical borehole data and GIS. Symposium on Seismic Hazard Analysis and Microzonation, Roorkee

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjogren B, Ofsthus A, Sandberg J (1979) Seismic classification of rock mass qualities. Geophys Prospect 27:409–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skempton AW (1986) Standard Penetration Test Procedures. Geotechnique 36:425–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ, Johnson P (2010) Continental lithosphere of the Arabian Plate: a geologic, petrologic, and geophysical synthesis. Earth Sci Rev 101(2010):29–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research was funded by the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (MAARIFAH), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Award Number (14-SPA576-02).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology & Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud Univ., P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Kamal Abdelrahman, Abdullah M. Al-Amri, Mohammed S. Fnais, Saleh Qaysi, Ali K. Abdelfattah & Naif Al-Otaibi

  2. Department of Seismology, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Cairo, Egypt

    Kamal Abdelrahman & Ali K. Abdelfattah

Authors
  1. Kamal Abdelrahman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abdullah M. Al-Amri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammed S. Fnais
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Saleh Qaysi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ali K. Abdelfattah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Naif Al-Otaibi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamal Abdelrahman.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Zakaria Hamimi

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Advances of Geophysical and Geological Prospection for Natural Resources in Egypt and the Middle East

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Abdelrahman, K., Al-Amri, A.M., Fnais, M.S. et al. Site effect and microzonation of the Jizan coastal area, southwestern Saudi Arabia, for earthquake hazard assessment based on the geotechnical borehole data. Arab J Geosci 14, 688 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-07049-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-07049-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation