Impacts of Induced Seismicity on Geotechnical Aspects of Infrastructure Systems

Date: 4/26/2019

Time: 11:45 AM

Room: Cascade I

Extraction of oil and gas through hydraulic fracturing and re-injection of waste water have caused increased seismicity in many parts of US and Canada, especially in Oklahoma and Northern Texas. Most of the oil and gas induced seismicity resulted in earthquakes with magnitudes less than 3 and 4. However, a few of those earthquakes resulted in events with magnitudes greater than 5.5 resulting in some damages to infrastructure and other properties. This presentation will focus on some of the impacts or potential impacts of these earthquakes on the geotechnical aspects of the infrastructure systems. These aspects include estimating ground motions, assessing liquefaction, lateral spreading, site amplification, and infrastructure damage.

Recently, an effort was undertaken for Oklahoma DOT to develop a protocol for bridge inspections immediately after a seismic event. The protocol includes guidelines for inspecting bridges and developing inspection radii based on the earthquake magnitude and location. As part of that effort, geotechnical assessments for three of the state bridge foundation were performed. This presentation will show results of those assessments in terms of observed and anticipated ground motions and their comparison with the design values, assessment of liquefaction potential at these sites, and response of foundation to the seismic loads

Presenting Author: Zia Zafir

Authors