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Empirical correlations between shear wave velocity and penetration resistance for ground shaking assessments

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Abstract

Prediction of the ground shaking response at soil sites requires knowledge of the soil, expressed in terms of shear wave velocity. Although it is preferable to measure this dynamic soil parameter in situ, this is often not economic at all locations. Existing correlations between shear wave velocity and penetration resistance have been assessed in this study and compared with correlations with SPT values obtained based on geotechnical and geoseismic data collected from a first-degree earthquake zone in Turkey. The results obtained support the findings of earlier studies that blow-count is a significant parameter in these correlations while type of soil has no important influence. The regression equations developed in this study compare well with most of the previous equations and exhibit good prediction performance. It is noted that better correlations are obtained when uncorrected blow-counts are used.

Résumé

La prévision de la réponse d’un site à une sollicitation sismique nécessite des connaissances sur le sol, relatives en particulier à la vitesse de propagation des ondes de cisaillement. Il est préférable de mesurer ce paramètre de dynamique des sols in situ. Cependant ceci n’est pas toujours possible en raison de la configuration du site et de contraintes économiques. Des corrélations entre la vitesse de propagation des ondes de cisaillement et des données pénétrométriques ont été évaluées et comparées avec des corrélations entre la vitesse de propagation des ondes de cisaillement et des données SPT, ces dernières obtenues à partir de données géotechniques et sismiques issues d’une zone de forte sismicité en Turquie. Les résultats obtenus confortent de précédentes études montrant que les données SPT apportent un paramètre significatif, tandis que le type de sol ne joue pas un rôle important pour les corrélations établies. Des équations de régression ont été établies et permettent de prévoir la réponse d’un site à une sollicitation sismique.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Project No. 0302602008 of the Research Projects, Division of Hacettepe University. The authors would like to thank the General Directorate of Disaster Affairs and the geophysical team of this organization for their cooperation and the geophysical surveys; the Municipality of Yenisehir for providing the logistic support; the Geophysical Engineering Department of Ankara University for seismic refraction equipment and interpretation of the measured data; and the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) for permission to use the borehole logs.

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  1. Department of Geological Engineering, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, Ankara, 06800, Turkey

    Nilsun Hasancebi & Resat Ulusay

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  1. Nilsun Hasancebi
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  2. Resat Ulusay
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Correspondence to Resat Ulusay.

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Hasancebi, N., Ulusay, R. Empirical correlations between shear wave velocity and penetration resistance for ground shaking assessments . Bull Eng Geol Environ 66, 203–213 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-006-0063-0

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