Effect of Soil Formations to Ground Failure During Earthquake in Adapazarı City, Northern Turkey

Abstract

In terms of the formation of the ground in each country, especially in earthquakes, structure damages are much observed in cities due to soil problems. In Turkey, Adapazari soils show the rare feature in terms of formation in the word. 17 August 1999 Kocaeli earthquake is remembered significant number of casualties, damage and the soil problems. Adapazari Plain is the largest alluvial plain of the Marmara region. Adapazari was shaped by both the tectonic events and contribution of sediments carried by the rivers. The largest share belongs to the Sakarya River in the filling of the plain, Mudurnu water takes the second place. The geotechnical properties of this alluvial area are highly variable. Because of geology and local soil conditions soils of Adapazari has shown potential in terms of soil problems during earthquake. In this study a description of the damage suffered throughout history in Adapazari will be given.