Abstract

This paper presents the liquefaction potential of densely populated Kolkata city, which is situated on the world's largest delta island with very soft and thick alluvial soil deposits. Due to presence of soft alluvium deposits at shallow depths, soil resistance against liquefaction is expected to be less. Additionally, large thickness of soil layers may amplify the ground shaking resulting in high seismic demand on the soil. Here in this study, variation of factor of safety against liquefaction is evaluated with depth at different locations in Kolkota city. The study founds striking results that the Kolkata city soils are less prone to liquefaction even though there is significant ground amplification due to presence of thick soil deposits.