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Geology and topography based Vs30 map for Sylhet City of Bangladesh

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Abstract

Time-averaged shear wave velocity of the soil layers to a depth of 30 m (Vs30) is primarily estimated by different geophysical and geotechnical site investigation techniques, such as downhole and crosshole seismics (DS and CS), spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW), multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), and the standard penetration test (SPT). Sufficiently dense field measurements of the Vs30 using these techniques are not feasible for VS30 mapping at a regional scale. Therefore, secondary information, such as geological and topographical constrains are used as proxies to predict the Vs30 for mapping purposes. In the present study, a Vs30 map for Sylhet City has been prepared based on the geological and topographical constrains. The map has five Vs30 units having a distinct mean Vs30 value for each unit. This Vs30 map can be used as an effective proxy to estimate site response of the soil layers in Sylhet City.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support from the University of British Columbia (UBC) for this study through the University Graduate Fellowship (UGF). The support from the Comprehensive Disaster Management Program (CDMP), Bangladesh, for collecting the data is highly appreciated. The authors are also grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive inputs to improve the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada

    Md. Zillur Rahman & Sumi Siddiqua

  2. Department of Disaster Science and Management, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

    A. S. M. Maksud Kamal

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  1. Md. Zillur Rahman
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  2. Sumi Siddiqua
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  3. A. S. M. Maksud Kamal
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Correspondence to Sumi Siddiqua.

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Rahman, M.Z., Siddiqua, S. & Kamal, A.S.M.M. Geology and topography based Vs30 map for Sylhet City of Bangladesh. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78, 3069–3083 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1331-5

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