Development of a probabilistic liquefaction potential map using semi-Markov chain: The case of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines

• Main Author: Oliquino, Charles Julius
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2021
• Subjects: Soil liquefaction > Philippines > Pampanga; Geotechnical Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_civ/7
• Institution: De La Salle University

A liquefaction potential evaluation is one of the best ways to describe the probability of liquefaction in a certain region. Since the Philippines is prone to earthquakes, liquefaction opportunity is higher compared to other regions and countries. Liquefaction was labeled as the highest contributor to secondary causes of damages to buildings, and the highest contributor to both significant and moderate transportation damages. The city of San Fernando, Pampanga was considered as the study area since it is near the country’s capital, and it is the center of businesses, economic trades, and residential area of the province. The liquefaction potential map was developed by identifying the acceleration to trigger liquefaction based on the susceptibility computation, while the liquefaction opportunity was taken from the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) to determine the probability that the acceleration to initiate liquefaction will be exceeded. In addition, the seismic amplification factor was considered in the study, as well as an updated ground motion prediction equation. A semi-Markov chain was used in calculating the liquefaction potential. From the study, the liquefaction potential map was developed, and it can be inferred that the majority of the province’s capital has a high liquefaction potential.