A geological and geotechnical information system (GEO-GIS) for urban planning and its application to the Acıpayam Basin (Denizli, Turkey) with some observations from a Mw 5.5 earthquake on 20 March 2019

Abstract

There are many site investigation projects used for the urban planning of a city. They are archived in hard copy or scanned in image files stored on computers. In this study, geological, geotechnical and geophysical data obtained from different site investigation projects in the Acipayam district were evaluated in the same coordinate system using a geological and geotechnical information system (GEO-GIS) computer program. The Acipayam GEO-GIS database includes field tests in 82 boreholes, 85 observation pits, laboratory test results of soil samples, 99 seismic refraction measurements and 70 microtremor measurements. Required information from the database can be displayed at its spatial coordinates on a base map and new maps can also be drawn using the GEO-GIS database system. Resultant maps drawn using the Acipayam GEO-GIS database show that in the northern and eastern parts of the Acipayam district, where the Oguz, Kirca, Yassihoyuk, Apa, Ovayurt, Karahuyuk, Ucari and Gedikli villages are located, weak soil layers exist. This means that some damage may be caused to adobe and masonry buildings in the villages during shaking associated with strong earthquakes, as observed after the 5.5 (Mw) earthquake that occurred on 20 March 2019. The Acipayam GEO-GIS database system is a useful tool for engineers and planners that can assist in drawing GIS-produced maps for geotechnical evaluations of the basin. These maps can be used in decision-making projects for urban planning.