J Seismol

DOI 10.1007/s10950-017-9657-1

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Seismic behavior and zoning of the sabkha soils in Jubail

industrial city, Saudi Arabia
H. R. Ahmed & N. A. Al Shayea

Received: 9 October 2016 / Accepted: 14 March 2017

# Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2017

Abstract This study aimed at the micro-level seismic seismic micro-zonation maps and the corresponding
behavior and zoning of the saline sabkha strata in Jubail parameters are very useful for the stability analysis of
industrial area in Eastern Saudi Arabia. It encompasses the existing and planned structures in the Jubail area.
the evaluation of the site-specific seismic response pa-
rameters and the liquefaction potential for various pos- Keywords Seismic behavior . Seismic zoing . Saline
sible subsurface conditions under the probable seismic sabkha soils
event(s). The approach to achieve the objectives of this
study included the following: analysis of geologic, hy- Abbreviations
drologic, and geotechnical data of the area; performance ASTM American Society for Testing
of field and laboratory dynamic testing; and dynamic and Materials
modeling and analysis of the subsurface profiles. The amax Peak horizontal ground
results of the simulation have been used to develop surface acceleration
liquefaction potential maps and site-specific spectra of CH Cross-hole seismic
the study area, consisting of ten seismic zones under a CRR Cyclic reduction ratio
range of probable peak horizontal ground acceleration Dr Relative density (%)
(PHA). Results do not show significant probability of FEM Finite element method
liquefaction of the loose soil layers in the study area at g Acceleration due to gravity
the maximum possible design PHA of 0.035 g; howev- PHA or PGA Peak horizontal ground acceleration
er, liquefaction is anticipated at higher PHA values. Site- PSHA Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis
specific spectral response resulted in values of Ss and S1 PVC Polyvinyl chloride (pipe material)
spectral accelerations to be different as compared to S1 1 s spectral acceleration
those suggested by local standards. The resulting SAES Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard
SBC Saudi Building Code
H. R. Ahmed (*) : N. A. Al Shayea SGS Saudi Geological Survey
Civil Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Ss Short-term spectral acceleration (0.2 s)
Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
e-mail: [email protected]

N. A. Al Shayea 1 Introduction
e-mail: [email protected]

H. R. Ahmed Jubail industrial city, located on the west coast of the

Riyadh Geotechnique & Foundations (RGF), Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabian Gulf, houses one of the largest and key industrial
Arabia setups of Saudi Arabia; vicinity map of the Jubail area is
 J Seismol

shown in Fig. 1. Since 1977, huge industrial complexes and problematic even under the static loading of heavy indus-
residential zones have been developed for Jubail industrial trial structures. Although these weaker layers have not
city-1, while similar industries are coming for Jubail indus- experienced any major seismic loading in the recent history,
trial city-2. Geological depositional processes and subse- they could be susceptible to shear failure, large settlements,
quent land reclamation processes in the late 1970s resulted and liquefaction under probable moderate seismic event
in the formation of weak saline sabkha soil layers in the from the nearby seismic sources.
subsurface strata at various depths. Sabkha deposits are Jubail is about 300 km away from the collision zone
characterized by high concentration of salts in the soil and of the Arabian and Eurasian plates that stretches across
the groundwater. At most of the locations, the salt content the Zagros Mountains, a prolific source of large-
of sabkha deposits is as high as sea water (conductivity magnitude earthquakes (Al-Amri and Fnais 2011).
∼45,000 μS) and at locations, it has been found to be much Historically, earthquakes of magnitude 5+ on the
higher (conductivity ∼208,000 μS), where groundwater Richter scale are common in this belt, and 6+ magnitude
consists of brine (Al-Amoudi 2008). These weak saline strong quakes occur several times every year, while
sabkha soil layers of varying thicknesses and extent, present magnitude 7 events occur every decade. Although the
across the Jubail area, have always been found to be Zagros Mountains are considered as the primary source
AR

TABUK
HAIL BURAIDAH
AB
IA

MADINA
N

DAMMAM
GU
LF

RIYADH

TAIF
RE

MAKKAH
DS
EA

JEDDAH
Industrial City1
Jubail Industrial Port

Commercial Port

Industrial City 2

Jubail City

Dammam-Khafji Highway

Fig. 1 Vicinity map of Jubail industrial area (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Al_jubail.jpg)

J Seismol

of major earthquakes in the vicinity of the eastern region 2 Methodology

of Saudi Arabia, an earthquake of magnitude 4.7 oc-
curred on June 2, 1993 in Kuwait. More recent events In order to achieve the stated objectives, the approach of
in Kuwait area include a magnitude 3.9 earthquake on this study consisted of the following: analysis of geo-
September 18, 1997 and a magnitude 4.2 event on logic, hydrologic, and geotechnical data of the area, and
December 30, 1997 (Al-Amri and Fnais 2009). They data relevant to the seismic micro-zonation; conducting
also reported that a moderately large earthquake the field and laboratory testing on sand and sabkha samples;
border region of Oman and the United Arab Emirates assessment and formulation of dynamic model profiles;
on January 2002. and performing dynamic modeling and analysis of the
In addition to the above, another likely major seismic subsurface profiles using finite element method (FEM)-
source is the Makran subduction zone, located at the based computer software. These tasks are detailed in the
southern end of the plate boundary, where the Arabian following sections.
plate around the Gulf of Oman subducts underneath the
Eurasian plate. These subduction zones can also result in 2.1 The study area
very large earthquakes; one of the examples is the great
Makran earthquake of November 1945 in southern This section discusses the geologic, hydrologic, and
Pakistan with a magnitude of 8.1 (Al-Amri and Fnais geotectonic settings of the study area. The Arabian
2009). A magnitude 7.8 seismic event also took place in Peninsula is divided geologically into two structural
Saravan area of Iran on April 16, 2013, and the tremors parts, namely the Arabian Shield located to the west,
were felt all across the eastern region of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Shelf located towards the east (Al-
(USGS 2013). Sayari and Zotl 1978). Jubail city is part of the
From the above given premise, it is evident that a Arabian Shelf, where the rocks and soils in the area
significant seismic event occurring from any of the above are a result of marine and continental sedimentation
sources may create a geohazard in any city in the eastern processes that prevailed in the past, which resulted in
part of the Saudi Arabia. Heavily loaded structures coupled the presence of unconsolidated materials of Tertiary age
with the nature of the subsurface strata in Jubail area may and sediments of Quaternary age. The surface geology
lead to the undesirable consequences on the existing struc- of the Jubail area generally consists of young, poorly
tures under any probable seismic event. Although several consolidated but occasionally cemented deposits of
local corporations have furnished seismic design recom- Quaternary age composed of mobile or relatively stable
mendations and standards for various locations in Saudi vegetated dunes, coastal deposits, and sabkha (James
Arabia e.g., SAES-A-112 (2013), many of them are very and Little 1994).
general and provisional in nature. Moreover, these recom- These near-surface deposits are underlain by the
mendations are based on the macroseismic zoning concept, older (Neogene) Hadrukh formation present as the bed-
and do not consider the site-specific seismic response for rock in the area, and occasional small outcrops are found
the variations in subsurface strata conditions within a city at the surface. Sand dunes are present as small hills at the
and/or a region. As site-specific response plays a crucial margins of the sabkha deposits and mostly composed of
role in the stability analysis of structures, it has become fine to medium sand with a little silt content. At places,
imperative to perform micro-level seismic zoning for ma- these sand dunes cover the Hadrukh formation to a few
jor cities along the east coast of Saudi Arabia. Site-specific meters below the dune’s surface. A layer of limestone or
seismic studies of the area should be conducted to assess cemented sand, known locally as Bcaprock,^ occurs at
the site-specific response and possible adverse effects of places on top of the coastal deposits. Sabkha soils,
the probable seismic activity. Moreover, no study was covering about 40% of the industrial complex, vary
found on the dynamic characterization and seismic evalu- from very soft gypsiferous muds to loose and fine to
ation of saline sabkha soils. Therefore, this study aimed at medium sands with or without lenses of gypsum, halite,
development of micro-level seismic zoning of the Jubail and other salts’ crystals. Underlying Hadrukh formation
industrial area, encompassing assessment of the site- consists of alternations of sandstone, limestone, marl,
specific seismic response parameters and the liquefaction and stiff to very stiff clays and silts. The layers of
potential for various possible subsurface conditions, under sandstone may be found as weakly or strongly
probable seismic event(s). cemented. James and Little (1994) came up with a
 J Seismol

detailed map of the Jubail industrial city marking the 2.2 Tectonic and seismic design parameters
presence and boundaries of the sabkha regions, while a
similar map has also been prepared by Saudi Geological The Arabian Peninsula makes up the majority of the
Survey (SGS 2009). Arabian plate. The plate is moving towards northeast
Water aquifers existing at the area could be divided direction (Al-Haddad et al. 1994). This movement is
into shallow (<50 m) and deep. Shallow aquifer occur- accompanied by collision with and subducting beneath
ring in Quaternary deposits and Hadrukh formation is the Eurasian plate, which are manifested by the seismic-
called Neogene aquifer. Most of the recharge in the ity of the region. Figure 2 (Fnais 2011) identifies the
shallow aquifer in the Jubail industrial area is from seismotectonic zones that could impact the eastern re-
the seawater, while some areas towards the western side gion in general and Jubail, in particular with the corre-
receive recharge from the sporadic rains. The local sponding maximum intensity earthquake.
water table, in Jubail area, follows the tidal variations Peak horizontal ground acceleration (PGA or PHA)
of the sea water level. It also fluctuates during the and response spectra represent the main parameters re-
summer by one half to 1 m, while it rises during winter quired for seismic hazard assessment and for design of
months, the water table rises and combines with addi- earthquake-resistant structures. For site-specific seismic
tional rainfall, to cover much of the ground surface of study, the input parameters required are the design earth-
low lands. quake at the bedrock and the geophysical/geotechnical

34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60
32 32
Zagros Thrust (7.4)
30
Minagish Umm Quadair (6.5) 30
IRAN
Ar
ab
ian

28 Zagros Manifold (6.9) 28

Gu
lf

26 Al-Ghawar Uplifting Zone (5.5) 26

Al-Madina Riyadh
24 Yanbu 24
Egypt Zagros fold (7.2) Markan (8.5)
22 Dibba (6.7) 22
Jeddah Saudi Arabia
20 20

Sudan Oman
18 18

16
Yamen 16
mb=2-2.9 a
Se
14 mb=3-3.9 14
mb=4-4.9
12 mb=5-5.9 12
ia
ab

mb>=6
Ar

10 10
34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60

Fig. 2 Seismic source zones affecting the eastern province of Saudi Arabia (after Fnais 2011)
J Seismol

design parameters assigned to the soil column overlying analysis (PSHA), proposed seismic response parameters
the bedrock. A design earthquake is defined as the earth- for the various cities of the Arabian Gulf region.
quake with a 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years All the above-referenced standards and studies lead to
(Kramer 1996). Due to the absence of strong ground the conclusion that maximum PHA of 0.035 g, as sug-
motion records for the considered area, the previous haz- gested by Saudi Aramco SAES-A-112 (2013), was
ard studies in Saudi Arabia (Al-Amri et al. 2008; Peiris adopted for the dynamic modeling purpose. Due to lack
et al. 2006; Sadek 2004; Abdalla and Al-Homoud 2004a, of any past earthquake accelerogram of the area, the
2004b; Al-Haddad et al. 1994) borrowed attenuation seismic simulation adopted a synthetic earthquake of
models for other areas to calculate the ground motion 10 s duration and PHA of 0.035 g from the earthquake
parameters. However, Fnais (2011) adopted an approach records database of Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) and is
for estimating the ground motion attenuation relation for shown in Fig. 3. This was considered as the base intensity
the area based on the seismological model of Boore earthquake for the analysis purposes. This intensity was
(2003) and attenuation model by Joyner and Boore increased, incrementally till liquefaction occurred.
(1981) to study the seismic activity from five possible
sources of seismic activity for area (Fig. 2). Out of these 2.3 Laboratory tests
five possible sources, Kuwait seismic zone could be con-
sidered the nearest source to the Jubail area. Hence, the Samples from several soil layers encountered in Jubail
study area is vulnerable to seismic hazard due to the area were subjected to various classification and char-
presence of a thick section of the sediments. acterization tests. The classification tests comprised
PHA values for the eastern province of Saudi Arabia grain size distribution (ASTM D422 2007) and
were simulated for moment magnitudes (M) ranging Atterberg limits (ASTM D4318 2010). The strength
from 4.0 to 6.5, at 0.5 increments. The upper bound of parameters of various strata across the area were
magnitude range was selected to be 6.5 representing the ascertained mainly through direct shear tests (ASTM
maximum magnitude that can be produced from Kuwait D3080 2011), and consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial
seismogenic source. The distance from the fault was compression tests (ASTM D4767 2011). The drained
divided into 18 increments from 1 to 300 km, strength parameters were assessed from the undrained
representing the shortest distance between the projection strength and the recorded pore pressures. The range of
of the rupture and the study area. Jubail area could be the test results representing the typical soil layers present in
most vulnerable to an event originating in Kuwait, ap- the study area is summarized in Fig. 7.
proximately 230 km to the north. The expected peak
bedrock ground acceleration is 0.025 g (24.5 cm/s2) 2.4 Field and laboratory dynamic data acquisition
based on attenuation relationship developed by Fnais
(2011). The local geology and topography effects con- Dynamic design parameters of the various soil layers of
trol the distribution of damages due to strong earth- the subsurface strata are expressed as compression wave
quakes. The amplification of earthquake ground motion velocity (Vp) and shear wave velocity (Vs), shear mod-
by local site conditions is required to be estimated in ulus, damping ratio, and their attenuation with shear
areas characterized by soft sediments. strain. In this study, Vp and Vs were initially assessed
For the dynamic simulation purposes, a maximum from the available geotechnical/geophysical investiga-
possible design input earthquake has been selected tion reports, and were further acquired from the addi-
based on the knowledge of the probable seismic activity tional cross-hole field seismic tests. Cross-hole seismic
in the area. The selected input earthquake was acquired tests (ASTM D4428 2007) were carried out at seven
mainly from seismic design codes by Saudi Aramco selected locations in the various defined subsurface
(SAES-A-112 2013), Royal Commission (RC strata zones of the study area and were used for the
Engineering Manual 2006), and Saudi Building Code evaluation of dynamic properties of the subsurface stra-
SBC-303 (2007). The design recommendations by ta, i.e., dynamic Young modulus and dynamic shear
Saudi Aramco standard SAES-A-112 (2013) are provid- modulus. Standard penetration tests (SPTs) were also
ed as macroseismic zoning of KSA and the correspond- carried out (as per ASTM D1586 2011) in all the typical
ing seismic design parameters. Pascucci et al. (2008), soil layers in each of the boreholes of the cross-hole tests
based on their detailed probabilistic seismic hazard to obtain standard N60 values. Disturbed sand and
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Fig. 3 Proposed earthquake

accelerogram for the Jubail
industrial area (adapted from
QUAKE/W software database)

sabkha samples, acquired during the borehole drilling, 2.4.2 Laboratory cyclic triaxial tests
were subjected to laboratory cyclic triaxial and resonant
column tests. This is to obtain shear modulus and Laboratory cyclic triaxial tests (ASTM D5311 2011)
damping characteristics and to assess liquefaction were carried out on samples collected from the field to
potential. determine the full spectrum of the dynamic parameters
under various probable subsurface scenarios as per the
testing schedule provided in Table 1.
2.4.1 Cross-hole seismic tests The collected samples were subjected to grain size
analysis and density tests. Maximum and minimum den-
Cross-hole seismic tests were conducted at the specified sity values were used to obtain the required relative
depth horizons as per ASTM D4428 (2007) using the density (Dr) levels for the cyclic triaxial tests. To simulate
Olson CS Equipment. In each test, three boreholes, the various density levels of the subsurface sand strata
spaced 3.0 m apart center to center, were drilled in a ranging from loose sandy sabkha to very dense sand
straight line to a depth of 30.0 m. After drilling, PVC layers of the Hadrukh formation, Dr values of 40, 60,
pipes were lowered in the holes, and the annular space 75, and 85% were selected. Specimens were prepared to
was grouted to ensure a perfect contact between the achieve these densities. Specimens of 50 mm diameter
strata and the PVC pipe. After the grout had set, a and 100 mm height were prepared in five layers using the
borehole inclination survey was carried out to precisely compaction criteria guidelines of Amir et al. (2012) to
determine the distance between the boreholes at several achieve a uniform relative density in the specimen.
depth intervals. The seismic waves were generated in In this study, the specimen preparation technique was
one of the boreholes (the shot hole), and its horizontal selected to simulate the natural conditions of the study
travel time was recorded in the other two boreholes (the area. The loose sand deposits in the study area are
receiver holes). The seismic waves were generated using windblown in nature that got compacted, later on, due
the specially designed shear and normal waves produc- to overburden pressure. In order to simulate these pro-
ing hammer. The readings were recorded at every 1.0 m cesses, specimen preparation was made using a combi-
interval down to the maximum depth of 30.0 m. The nation of pluviation and tamping based on the works of
results of the field cross-hole seismic tests for two Mitchell et al. (1976), Mulilis et al. (1977), Been and
typical subsurface profiles are shown in Fig. 4. Jefferies (1985), Tatsukao et al. (1986), Canou (1989),
J Seismol

CROSSHOLE SEISMIC TEST RESULTS (ASTM D4428 / D4428M - 07) CROSSHOLE SEISMIC TEST RESULTS (ASTM D4428 / D4428M - 07)

Area: PZ-1 Test # CHT-1 Area: PZ-1 Crosshole Seismic Test # CHT-1

VELOCITY - DEPTH PLOT SUBSURFACE SOIL MODULUS - DEPTH PLOTS

Velocity (m/sec)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Shear Modulus Young Modulus Bulk Modulus
0
Modulus (MPa) Modulus (MPa) Modulus (MPa)
P-Wave Velocity 0 2000 4000 0 5000 10000 0 5000 10000
5 S-Wave Velocity 0

10 5

10
15
Depth (m)

15

Depth (m)
20
20
25
25

30 30

35 35
Velocity and Depth profile Subsurface Soil Modulus and Depth profile

(a)

CROSSHOLE SEISMIC TEST RESULTS (ASTM D4428 / D4428M - 07) CROSSHOLE SEISMIC TEST RESULTS (ASTM D4428 / D4428M - 07)

Area: PZ-7 Test # CHT-7 Area: PZ-7 Crosshole Seismic Test # CHT-7

VELOCITY - DEPTH PLOT SUBSURFACE SOIL MODULUS - DEPTH PLOTS

Velocity (m/sec)
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 Shear Modulus Young Modulus Bulk Modulus
0
P-Wave Velocity Modulus (MPa) Modulus (MPa) Modulus (MPa)
0 2000 4000 0 5000 10000 0 5000 10000
5 S-Wave Velocity
0

10 5

10
15
Depth (m)

15
Depth (m)

20
20
25
25

30 30

35 35
Velocity and Depth profile Subsurface Soil Modulus and Depth profile

(b)
Fig. 4 Cross-hole seismic test results showing variation of Vp, Vs, and modulli for a zone 1 and b zone 7. Sharp increase in Vp at about 3.0–
4.0 m depth indicates the presence of water table

Zlatovic and Ishihara (1997), Vaid et al. (1999), Juneja sand layer was pluviated in the mold and then
and Raghunandan (2010), and Benahmed et al. (2015) compacted by tamping to the desired density. After
to replicate the depositional and consolidation/ compaction, the specimens were saturated with saline
compression processes during their formation. Each water obtained from the ground water of the study area.
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Table 1 Laboratory testing program for cyclic triaxial tests on incremental stress ratio of 0.025. Each loading step
sand samples
was continued for a total of 10 cycles. The value of the
Relative Confining Stress ratios Frequency (Hz) load, deformation, and hysteresis loop (stress-strain
density (%) pressure (kPa) curve) of the last cycle of each step was used to calculate
dynamic Young’s modulus and damping ratio.
40 100 0.7, 0.5, 0.3, 0.1 0.1, 1.0
60 150 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2 0.1, 1.0
75 200 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2 0.1, 1.0 2.4.3 Resonant column tests
85 300 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2 0.1, 1.0
Resonant column test was carried out as per ASTM
D4015 (2015). The test apparatus consisted of a steel
In this way, the prepared specimens had the structure cell, magnetic coil assembly to produce a sinusoidal
(both the fabric and the interparticle forces) that closely torsional force to the top of the specimen, charge ampli-
resembled that of the soil in the field. The saturation step fier, oscilloscope (to display sinusoidal signal and x-y plot
was followed by applying the confining pressure. At the to set up resonance), voltmeter for measuring the applied
end of the application of confining process, drain valve sinusoidal signal in terms of g/V, and function generating
was closed, and the test specimen was subjected to the device to induce a sinusoidal signal with variable fre-
deviator cyclic stress of the specified frequency. quency. The procedure for the specimen preparation and
For each Dr value, the cyclic loading tests were con- saturation was the same as in cyclic triaxial test; however,
ducted for the specified confining effective pressure and the the prescribed consolidation effective stress was reached
variation of stress ratios and the cyclic frequencies. Stress in four equal steps. At each step, sufficient time was
ratio is defined as the sum of the compression and extension given for consolidation till complete dissipation of pore
cyclic stress (in excess of the effective confining pressure) pressure had occurred. The resonant frequency and shear
divided by the effective confining stress. Cyclic triaxial tests modulus were determined at each consolidation stage by
were conducted for each of the specified parameter combi- inducing a very low-level shear strain so that no pore
nations as per Table 1. To study the liquefaction potential, pressure is developed while drainage is kept closed.
the number of cycles required to reach liquefaction was For determining resonant frequency, a sinusoidal tor-
obtained for each relative density, stress ratio, frequency, sional signal was applied to the top end of the specimen,
and confining pressure. Typical results are shown in Fig. 5. and the frequency of the applied torsional force was
For the determination of dynamic Young’s modulus adjusted so that it became equal to the first mode of natural
of elasticity, specimens were prepared in the same man- frequency of the specimen. The process was repeated for
ner as described earlier. The compacted specimens, after each consolidation stage to reach the final consolidation;
saturation and consolidation, were subjected to an then, the drainage was closed after complete dissipation of

Fig. 5 Typical cyclic triaxial test 1

results for the sand specimen at
Dr = 75%, stress ratio = 0.4,
frequency = 1 Hz, and confining
0.75
Pore Pressure RaƟo

stress = 100 kPa

0.5

0.25

0
1 10 100
No of Cycles
J Seismol

Fig. 6 Typical resonant column 10

test results showing variation of
shear modulus and damping ratio
against single amplitude shear
8

Shear Modulus, G (Mpa)

strain for the sand specimen at
Dr = 75%

0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1
Single amplitude shear strain, SA (%)

10
9
8
Damping ratio, D (%)

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1
Single amplitude shear strain, SA (%)

pore pressure at the end of final consolidation step. The resonant frequency and shear increased, while damping
specimen was subjected to sinusoidal torsional force decreased. Typical results are shown in Fig. 6.
starting from very low shear strain level, to determine
the resonant frequency at each shear strain level, and allow 2.5 Zoning and subsurface strata profiling of the study
for dissipation of any pore pressure before proceeding to area
higher signal levels. At the ultimate stage, the damping
was also recorded at comparatively higher shear strains. From the geology of the study area, it was evident that the
The test was terminated at the stage when the excess pore unconsolidated Quaternary deposits prevail as the near
pressure developed due to high strain level, which resulted surface strata. There are sand, sabkha, and hard Hadrukh
in higher shear strains. It was observed that with an formation clay layers present at various depths of the study
increase in density and effective confining pressure, area. These deposits will amplify ground motion in case of
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Fig. 7 Subsurface design sections showing various soil layers with corresponding geotechnical static and dynamic design parameters for a
zone 1 (PZ-1), b zone 2 (PZ-2), and c zone 7 (PZ-7)
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Fig. 7 (continued)
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Fig. 7 (continued)
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seismic event. The sabkha consists of sandy or clayey soils GEO-SLOPE International (www.geo-slope.com 2003
and seabed materials, overlain by reclaimed sand layers of ). Several variations of models were prepared in the
about 2 to 6 m thick, at most of the locations. The under- software as per the general zoning. Various levels of
lying sands over the hard clay of Hadrukh formation are earthquake shaking were imposed on these models,
present in medium to very dense conditions. Due to varia- starting from 0.035 g to the values causing liquefaction.
tions in the depositional environment, variations are ob- For all the typical subsurface layers, results were
served in the type, thickness, and depth of various subsur- plotted for the variations of design parameters (such as
face layers found within the depth of 30.0 m. Based on damping ratio, shear modulus, pore pressure and shear
these variations, the area was divided into ten different stress ratio) versus the corresponding shear strain or the
seismic zones. As an example, typical subsurface profiles number of cycles. Some typical plots of such variations
for zone 1 and zone 7 are shown in Fig. 7. are shown in Fig. 8.
Modeling requires the formulation of an in situ stress
2.6 Dynamic modeling and simulations model as a first step. This initial stress model was
created using the static design parameters of modulus
Dynamic modeling and analysis were performed to of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio. The water table was
acquire the final design profiles for each zone of the also defined in this model at the corresponding eleva-
study area using QUAKE/W software (version 5.16) by tion. The typical model for zone 1 is shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 8 Variation of pore pressure functions, shear stress ratio, damping ratio, and shear modulus used for various layers in QUAKE/W
models
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Fig. 9 Model PZ-1 in QUAKE/W software representing the subsurface layers and their seismic and geotechnical properties for zone PZ-1

The initial stress model acts as a source of in situ stresses Fig. 10 Results of liquefaction potential determination for„
zone 1 (PZ-1) and zone 7 (PZ-7) using Settle3D software.
and pore pressure for the dynamic model. The dynamic
a SPT and stress reduction coefficient variation with depth
model was created using the dynamic parameters and for zone 1, PGA = 0.035 g. b CSR, CRR, and liquefaction
their variations with shear strain and number of cycles. potential variation with depth for zone 1, PGA = 0.035 g. c
For more precision, each force increment was numeri- SPT and stress reduction coefficient variation with depth for
zone 7, PGA = 0.035 g. d CSR, CRR, and liquefaction
cally divided into 500 steps. potential variation with depth for zone 7, PGA = 0.035 g. e
Liquefaction was assessed in the software by the CSR, CRR, and liquefaction potential variation with depth
initiation of the yield zones in the liquefaction-prone for zone 7, PGA = 0.06 g
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(c) SPT and stress reduction coefficient variation with depth for Zone 7, PGA=0.035g

(d) CSR, CRR, and Liquefaction potential variation with depth for Zone 7, PGA=0.035g
Fig. 10 (continued)
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(e) CSR, CRR, and Liquefaction potential variation with depth for Zone 7, PGA=0.06g
Fig. 10 (continued)

layer. To verify the outcomes of the QUAKE/W (Rd) from Idriss (1999), relative density (Dr) estima-
models, liquefaction potential has also been assessed tion from SPT using the guidelines in Idriss and
using a range of methodologies being used in the Boulangar (2003), and Kα factor (the static shear
international seismic design industry (Seed et al. stress correction factor used to adjust CRR values
2003; NCEER 1997; Idriss and Boulangar 2004; for the effects of static shear stresses) as suggested
Cetin et al. 2004; and Al-Shayea 2005). In this by Idriss (2003). The liquefaction analysis results for
paper, liquefaction analysis was carried out using the zones 1 and 7 using these empirical and analyt-
the Settle3D software (Rocscience Inc.). The input ical methodologies are shown in various parts of
consisted of seismic and geotechnical parameters for Fig. 10 (as per Boulanger (2003), Boulanger and
several subsurface strata layers. The seismic parame- Idriss (2004), Cetin and Bilge (2012), Cetin et al.
ters used for the analysis are an acceleration range of (2009a, b)).
0.035 to 0.1 g and an earthquake of M = 6.5 gen-
erated from the Minagish fault (Kuwait) about
200 km towards the north of the study area. The 3 Results and discussions
geotechnical parameters used for the liquefaction
analysis were the representative SPT N-values of soil Studies related to the geologic, geotechnical, hy-
layers in the study area. The software analyzes the drologic, and geotectonic morphologies of the area
liquefaction potential using magnitude scaling factor indicated the presence of wide variety of the sub-
(MSF), fines content correction, and Kσ factor (an surface strata at the study area. These strata gen-
overburden correction factor used to adjust the cyclic erally consist of saline sabkha deposits overlain
stress ratio (CSR) or cyclic resistance ratio (CRR) to and underlain by the sandy layers of different
a common effective overburden stress) as per Idriss origins. Sabkha soils are present, either as loose
and Boulanger (2008), the stress reduction factor sand or soft clay layers, at the shallow depths, and
 J Seismol

Fig. 11 Subsurface strata zoning map of the study area showing ten seismogenic zones

vary in thickness from 2.0 to 6.0 m. Sabkha, at 1. Zone 1: PZ-1: soft clayey (sabkha) layer (2–3 m
most of the places, is underlain by the very dense thick), fines content 60–75%, present at a depth of
sands and hard, heavily overconsolidated clays of 2–3 m from surface
Hadrukh formation. Figure 7 reveals that the fines 2. Zone 1A: PZ-1A: loose sandy (sabkha) layer (2–
content for sandy sabkha layers ranges from 6 to 3 m thick), fines content 6–11%, present at a depth
11%, while that for clayey sabkha ranges from 60 of 2–3 m from surface
to 75%. Low fines content of the sandy sabkha 3. Zone 2: PZ-2: no sabkha layer
layers makes them prone to liquefaction even at 4. Zone 3: PZ-3: same as PZ-1, but with no
low PHA of 0.06 g, while clayey sabkha layers hard clay (Hadrukh) layer within 30.0 m
have resistance to liquefaction owing to the high depth
fines of soft nature. These sabkha layers are cov- 5. Zone 3A: PZ-3A: same as PZ-1A, but with
ered with the backfilled and dune sand layers. no hard clay (Hadrukh) layer within 30.0 m
High water tables have been encountered within depth
2.0 to 3.0 m from the ground surfaces. 6. Zone 4: PZ-4: soft clayey (sabkha) layer (3 m
Based on this variation of the subsurface condi- thick), fines content 60–75%, present at a depth
tions, the Jubail industrial city is divided into ten of 2–3 m, and no clay (Hadrukh) layer within
major seismic zones. These zones are listed below 30.0 m depth
and are shown in Fig. 11, with a typical cross 7. Zone 5: PZ-5A: loose sandy (sabkha) layer (4 m
section drawn across the study area to the base- thick), fines content 6–11%, present at a depth of
ment rock provided in Fig. 12. 2–3 m
J Seismol
ELEV.
(m) Z-1/1A Z-2 Z-1/1A Z-2 Z-5/5A Z-1/1A Z-2 Z-1/1A Z-2
25
20
15
10
5
Max Water Table
0
Mean Water Table
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
~-70 HADRUKH FORMATION

DAMMAM FORMATION
~-300

RUS FORMATION
~-500

UMM ER RADHUMA FORMATION

~-8000
CRYSTALLINE BASEMENT ROCK

7.61 8.22 6.09 8.53 7.92 11.80 6.70 8.22 5.48 3.96 4.87 7.92 3.96 3.96 5.79 4.26 4.57 6.39 6.09 4.57 7.31 7.31 3.05

22+000
20+000

21+000
15+000
11+000

17+000
10+000

12+000

13+000

16+000
14+000

19+000
18+000
4+000

7+000
2+000

5+000

6+000

8+000
0+000

3+000

9+000
1+000

Legend:
Poorly graded Poorly graded Poorly graded SITT / CLAY SITT / CLAY Water Max Water Table
SAND with silt SAND with silt SAND with silt ROCK Hard
Soft Table Mean Water Table
Loose Medium Dense Dense / Very dense

Fig. 12 A typical cross section (A-A′) through the subsurface strata zoning map of the study area to the basement rock

8. Zone 5A: PZ-5: soft clayey (sabkha) layer (4 m from Figs. 4 and 7 that low values of shear modulus
thick), fines content 60–75%, present at a depth of (less than 1 MPa) were assigned to loose sand
2–3 m layers, while high values (1000 MPa) were assigned
9. Zone 6: PZ-6: same as PZ-5, but with no sabkha to the underlying sand layers. This sharp contrast
layer between the moduli values of adjacent layers results
10. Zone 7: PZ-7: loose sandy (sabkha) layer (6 m in stress concentration and prolonged shaking of the
thick), fines content 6–11%, present at a depth of loose layers under dynamic loading. A sharp in-
2–3 m crease in Vp values from the seismic test (Fig. 4)
indicates the presence of water table at a depth of
Field and laboratory investigations, consisting of about 3.0 m.
cross-hole seismic tests and cyclic triaxial tests, gen- The seismic response behavior of the software
erated a range of dynamic parameters and their models, simulated under a synthetic earthquake,
variations with the stress/strain for all the soil layers generated possible acceleration response and lique-
in each zone. For the detailed analysis purposes, the faction potential scenarios, for various soil layers
design profiles were also prepared for each of the of each zone, under different PHA ranges. As a
ten subsurface zones. The design profiles for zone 1, result of the analysis, probabilistic maximum con-
zone 2, and zone 7 are shown in Fig. 7. These sidered ground motion is presented as the spectral
design profiles have been prepared based on the response acceleration for any given period, T, with
geotechnical and seismic parameters defined for each a 2% probability of being exceeded within
subsurface strata layer in Fig. 4. It can be noted 50 years. The result of the modeling is presented
 J Seismol

Fig. 13 Dynamic analysis results

for model 1 (Fig. 9) showing the
response of surface node at
PHA = 0.035 g. a Spectral accel-
eration against period. b Hori-
zontal acceleration with time

as the horizontal nodal acceleration (Sa) and spec- spectral acceleration responses for the surface
tral acceleration at the surface for 5% damping layers of each zone are summarized in Table 2.
ratio of the structure (Fig. 13). Site-specific The results in Fig. 13 indicate that the acceleration
J Seismol

was amplified from 0.035 g at the base to 0.085 g with loose sand layers are anticipated to be liquefied.
at the surface. Amplification factors up to 3.5 were Moreover, no liquefaction is expected even at higher
observed in this study. Moreover, the values of the PHA value of 0.35 g for the zones where sabkha
short period spectral acceleration at 0.2 s (Ss) and layers are absent, and the subsurface layers consist
the long period spectral acceleration at 1 s (S1) only of sand layers.
acquired in this study were found to be different Presence of high salt content in the sabkha soils
than the ones suggested in some local codes. The may also affect the cyclic behavior of these soils.
Ss values evaluated from the model simualtions are The effects of pore-water chemistry on the cyclic
generally higher than the codes’ specified value, behavior of clayey sand were evaluated by Mesri
while S1 values are found to be lower than these and Olson (1970). They found a decrease in liq-
suggested by the codes. This calls for the struc- uefaction potential with an increase in sodium
tures located in the study area to be re-evaluated. chloride content. They attributed this behavior to
The liquefaction potential for various seismic in- the formation of agglomerates, reduction in plas-
put scenarios is plotted on the map of the subsurface ticity, and hence the loss of cohesion at the parti-
strata zonation of the area (Fig. 14), and is summa- cles’ contacts. Similarly, Gratchev et al. (2004)
rized in Table 2. Liquefaction potential of the study evaluated the effects of pore-water chemistry on
area is plotted for PHA of 0.035 and 0.10 g with the cyclic behavior of clayey sand. They used sodium
corresponding areas susceptible to liquefaction as chloride solution of different concentrations as the
hatched in Fig. 14. These results revealed that there saturating fluid in clayey sand specimens. They
is not a probability of liquefaction at the maximum found that sodium chloride causes a reduction in
PGA of 0.035 g. However, liquefaction could be the plasticity of the clay fines and hence a corre-
anticipated at higher PGA values (≥0.055 g) for the sponding reduction in the liquefaction resistance.
various thicknesses of the loose sandy sabkha layers In order to further confirm the effect of reduction
(Table 2). At PGA of 0.055 g, only subsurface strata in plasticity on liquefaction resistance, they also
with 6.0 m thick loose sand layers are expected to experimented the cyclic behavior of sand samples
be liquefied, while at PGA of 0.1 g, all the zones mixed with 15% of kaolin, illite, and bentonite

Table 2 Summary of dynamic simulation results using QUAKE/W

Strata LiquefacƟon
Case Site class amax / g Ss S1 SAES-A-112
Loose / soŌ sabkha Hard clay layer potenƟal
PZ-1 3.0 m Clayey sabkha Present D 0.035 No 0.11 0.02
PZ-1A 3.0 m Sandy sabkha Present D 0.035 No 0.1 0.025
PZ-1A 3.0 m Sandy sabkha Present D 0.08 Yes - -

PZ-2 No sabkha Present C 0.035 No 0.12 0.02

PZ-3 3.0 m Clayey sabkha Absent D 0.035 No 0.14 0.02

PZ-3A 3.0 m Sandy sabkha Absent D 0.035 No 0.11 0.025
PZ-3A 3.0 m Sandy sabkha Absent D 0.10 Yes - -
Ss = 0.085 S1 = 0.031
PZ-4 3.0 m Clayey sabkha Absent D 0.035 No 0.13 0.02

PZ-5 4.0 m Sandy sabkha Present E 0.035 No 0.11 0.02

PZ-5A 4.0 m Clayey sabkha Present E 0.035 No 0.12 0.025
PZ-5A 4.0 m Clayey sabkha Present E 0.07 Yes - -

PZ-6 No sabkha Absent C 0.035 No 0.12 0.02

PZ-7 6.0 m Sandy sabkha Absent E 0.035 No 0.11 0.025

PZ-7 6.0 m Sandy sabkha Absent E 0.055 Yes - -
Red highlighted text indicates the occurrence of liquefaction
 J Seismol

Fig. 14 Liquefaction potential map of various zones of the study area for a 0.055 g acceleration and b 0.1 g acceleration. Liquefaction prone
zones are marked hatched
J Seismol

clay minerals. In these experiments, they discov- 2 to 6 m. The sharp contrast in the static and
ered that kaolin, being the least plastic among the dynamic parameters of the sabkha and the adjacent
other two clay minerals, resulted in the least resis- sand layers in these zones is expected to generate
tance to liquefaction. Based on these concepts, the stress concentration, and prolonged shaking of the
presence of very high salt contents in the ground- weak layers under the probable seismic loading.
water of the current study area seems to affect the Although ten general zones were defined for the
fines present in the subsurface strata and may study area, the probability of several intermediate
cause agglomeration and subsequent loss of cohe- variations could also be possible. The correspond-
sion/adhesion. Therefore, for this study, liquefac- ing risk assessment should be carried out for each
tion resistance (or CRR) would have been de- project.
creased to a much lower degree in case of clayey The results of this study indicate that there is
sabkha, but would have been insignificant in case not a significant probability of liquefaction of the
of sandy sabkha with little fines. Based on the loose sand layers at the maximum possible design
same logic, the saline pore fluid would cause some PHA of 0.035 g. However, liquefaction is antici-
reduction in liquefaction resistance (or CRR) in pated at higher PHA values (0.055, 0.07, 0.08,
case of sand layers containing significant amount 0.10 g) for the subsurface profiles/zones with the
of clayey fines. corresponding thicknesses of 6, 4, 3, and 2 m
The liquefaction analysis performed using thick for the loose sandy Sabkha soil layers. The
Settle3D software (Fig. 10) also reveals that no results also indicate that no liquefaction potential
liquefaction is expected at the maximum anticipat- exists for the subsurface strata having no sandy
ed PGA of 0.035 g, for both clayey and sandy sabkha layers even at PHA values much higher
sabkha layers. All the empirical and analytical than 0.35 g.
methodologies employed in the software resulted Site-specific spectral response assessment for
in a factor of safety of more than one for the the defined zones showed values for Ss and S1
clayey sabkha soil layers under PGA of 0.035 g, spectral accelerations, different than those sug-
which is in consistency with the results from the gested by local codes. The Ss values evaluated
QUAKE/W modeling. Similarly, Fig. 10e also con- from the model were generally higher than those
firms the findings from the QUAKE/W modeling suggested by the code, while S1 values were found
for the liquefaction potential of sandy sabkha to be lower than those suggested by the code. This
layers at higher PGA of 0.06 g. indicates that the existing structures in the study
This validation of the liquefaction potential using area may need to be re-evaluated. Therefore, it is
both approaches confirms the reliability of the site- recommended that all the existing and future struc-
specific spectral acceleration response assessed tures are to be analyzed and designed based on the
through the QUAKE/W simulation analysis. probable seismic event using the spectral accelera-
tion plots developed in this study for the corre-
sponding zone (Table 2; Fig. 13).
4 Conclusions and recommendations Acknowledgements The authors highly acknowledge the sup-
port provided by King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
This study indicates that the Jubail industrial area (KFUPM) and Riyadh Geotechnique & Foundations (RGF) dur-
ing this research.
has a potential for seismic hazards. This is due to
the presence of thick layers of loose sand at shal-
low depths and the close proximity to potential
earthquake sources. Due to the presence of the
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