Probabilistic Liquefaction and Lateral Spread Hazard Mapping for Utah County

This project is a continuation of the recent research efforts initiated by the University of Utah to apply an innovative probabilistic approach to develop modernized hazard maps of liquefaction triggering and lateral spread displacement for the Wasatch Front in Utah, including Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, and Cache Counties. Utah County is the state’s second most populated county, and it is known to have substantial liquefaction and lateral spread hazard due to its proximity to Utah Lake (i.e. very high groundwater), the greater amount of sand and silt in the soil, and relatively steep topography. The development of probabilistic liquefaction and lateral spread hazard maps will provide an important risk assessment tool to those agencies, departments, and industries who have recently invested their time and money in Utah County. State departments like Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) could use the hazard maps to evaluate their transportation network and to identify potential “problem spots” where future liquefaction mitigation work might be a good idea. Furthermore, probabilistic hazard maps are an invaluable tool when performing emergency/disaster scenario and impact studies. The objectives for this study include: (1) development of a comprehensive geotechnical database consisting of soil borings (i.e., standard penetration tests), cone penetration test soundings, shear wave velocity profiles, and soil engineering properties; and (2) utilizing the developed database and available geologic maps, develop probabilistic maps for liquefaction triggering and lateral spread displacement hazard in Utah County.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • The funding indicated is provided by UDOT. Other agencies are also funding portions of the overall research project, under separate contract with BYU and OSU. These include the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (CUWCD).

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $25000
• Contract Numbers:

  15-8348

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Utah Department of Transportation

  4501 South 2700 West
  Project Development
  Salt Lake City, UT  United States  84114-8380
• Managing Organizations:

  Utah Department of Transportation

  4501 South 2700 West
  Project Development
  Salt Lake City, UT  United States  84114-8380
• Project Managers:

  Stevens, David

• Performing Organizations:

  Brigham Young University

  Provo, UT  United States  84602-4081

  University of Utah, Salt Lake City

  College of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering
  Salt Lake City, UT  United States  84112-0561
• Principal Investigators:

  Franke, Kevin

  Bartlett, Steven

• Start Date: 20140819
• Expected Completion Date: 20160331
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: Surface Transportation Research
• Source Data: PIC UT13.402

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boring; Cone penetrometers; Earthquake engineering; Groundwater; Hazard analysis; Liquefaction
• Geographic Terms: Utah County (Utah)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01590816
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Utah Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 15-8348
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 23 2016 1:43PM