Site characterization using surface wave methods in the Arsin-Trabzon province, NE Turkey

Trabzon-Arsin located in the eastern Black Sea region is situated approximately 150 km away from North Anatolian Fault zone and under the effect of the overthrust zone along the shoreline, and the faults located onshore. In the study area where the new residential areas are planned to be established by filling the sea, it is required to know soil conditions accurately and in detail. In this study, the soil predominant period (T _M) and H/V spectral ratio obtained by Nakamura method have been found between 0.1 and 0.37 s and 1–8, respectively. The soil predominant period (T _R), V _S and bedrock depth obtained by MASW method are between 0.1 and 0.36 s, 162–1376 m/s and 10–15 m, respectively. According to determined V _S values, V _S30 and V _S10 values calculated. Thus, the study area classified by the help of V _S30 and characterized for base depth (10 m) of buildings more accurately. The average amplification values of 1.56, 2.10 and 1.30 have been found for three empirical relationships.