Generation of Liquefaction Potential Map for Kanpur City and Allahabad City of Northern India: An Attempt for Liquefaction Hazard Assessment

Kanpur City and Allahabad City are the most populous city and the largest urban agglomeration among other north Indian cities. Both the cities are situated along Ganga and Yamuna River. The study areas are one of the growing urban centers in Northern India. Two large Himalayan earthquakes experienced by this area during 1803 A.D. and 1934, and large-scale liquefaction was reported in and around the area along with the recent 2015 Gorkha earthquake which caused severe shaking. As per the IS-1893–2002, the study area lies in seismic zone III and the soils from the above cities are prone to liquefaction. However, no such attempt has been made so far for the detailed liquefaction potential map for the study area. The present study is an approach towards evaluation and preparation of spatial distribution map of liquefaction potential for the Kanpur City and Allahabad City using several bore hole data collected from the study area. The PGA used for the liquefaction potential analysis was taken from the ground response analysis of Kanpur soil and Allahabad soil. The PGA values are 0.25 and 0.18 g for Kanpur soil and Allahabad soil respectively. The results are presented in the form of factor of safety contour map at a depth of 7, 15, 24 and 30 m below the ground surface. The map indicates that most of the sites in Kanpur City and Allahabad City area are susceptible to liquefaction and hence this aspect has to be considered in earthquake-resistant design of foundations/structures in Kanpur City and Allahabad City.