Geotechnical site investigation and evaluation of 20 March 2019 Mw 5.5 Acipayam (Denizli) earthquake

Abstract

An earthquake with a magnitude of (Mw) 5.5 occurred in Yenikoy village of Acipayam district (Denizli) on 20 Mart 2019 caused heavy damages on masonary structures in Acipayam basin. Groundwater level from ground surface in the basin varies between 1m and 11m, and soil structure of the basin is made up of silty, gravely and sandy clay. Soil liquefaction was not observed in the basin after the earthquake. The main reasons of the heavy damage on the structures are mainly, high value of soil amplification, use of clayey adobe bricks and hollow bricks for building masonary houses, unpermitted construction of roof floors by using hollow bricks.