Since mid-May 2012, a seismic sequence has affected a wide sector of the Po River Plain (Northern Italy). The sequence has been dominated by two main events: Mw = 5.9 occurred on May 20th and Mw=5.8 occurred on May 29th. The earthquake sequence triggered widespread liquefaction through a vast area of the Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). Moreover, it was noticed that the presence of drainage and fluvial landforms strongly influenced and favoured the occurrence of liquefaction phenomena. Cone penetration test CPT and CPTu have been carried out before and after the two main shocks and some of them are located close to the sites where liquefaction effects have been observed. The main aim of this work was to exploit this database to deeply investigate the liquefaction potential over the area affected by the 2012 earthquake. Two damage potential indices, the Liquefaction Potential Index (LPI) and the Liquefaction Severity Number (LSN), were applied and compared. The available CPT and CPTu were divided in relationship with the morphological and lithological location. After that, the LPI and the LSN were computed by comparing the prediction with the liquefaction effects inventory. Some differences were identified by the application of different potential indexes. In particular the LSN showed an underestimation of the results respect to the LPI. The results allowed identifying the most suitable index for the correct characterization of the liquefaction potential of the investigated area, giving useful advices for land use planning and risk assessment.
Assessment of the liquefaction susceptibility by means of different damage severity indices: A case study of 2012 Emilia Romagna earthquake
D. C. Lo Presti;MEISINA, CLAUDIA
2017-01-01
Abstract
Since mid-May 2012, a seismic sequence has affected a wide sector of the Po River Plain (Northern Italy). The sequence has been dominated by two main events: Mw = 5.9 occurred on May 20th and Mw=5.8 occurred on May 29th. The earthquake sequence triggered widespread liquefaction through a vast area of the Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). Moreover, it was noticed that the presence of drainage and fluvial landforms strongly influenced and favoured the occurrence of liquefaction phenomena. Cone penetration test CPT and CPTu have been carried out before and after the two main shocks and some of them are located close to the sites where liquefaction effects have been observed. The main aim of this work was to exploit this database to deeply investigate the liquefaction potential over the area affected by the 2012 earthquake. Two damage potential indices, the Liquefaction Potential Index (LPI) and the Liquefaction Severity Number (LSN), were applied and compared. The available CPT and CPTu were divided in relationship with the morphological and lithological location. After that, the LPI and the LSN were computed by comparing the prediction with the liquefaction effects inventory. Some differences were identified by the application of different potential indexes. In particular the LSN showed an underestimation of the results respect to the LPI. The results allowed identifying the most suitable index for the correct characterization of the liquefaction potential of the investigated area, giving useful advices for land use planning and risk assessment.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
