Liquefaction potential and post-liquefaction settlement evaluations of the Chuoshui River Alluvial Fan in Taiwan

The paper discusses the results of liquefaction potential and post-liquefaction settlement evaluations of the Chuoshui River Alluvial Fan (CRAF), the largest fan-delta in Taiwan. In 1999, the Chi-chi Earthquake (MW = 7.6) caused significant liquefaction damage in several locations in the CRAF. The paper reviews the hydrological and geological setting of the area and considers two earthquake scenarios: the 1999 Chi-chi Earthquake and the design earthquake suggested by the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering of Taiwan. The results indicate the analysis methods adopted were generally accurate in predicting the liquefaction incidents which occurred because of the 1999 Chi-chi Earthquake. They also suggest the entire lower fan and some of the mid-fan areas where offshore industrial parks and major traffic arteries are located would be in serious danger under the designed earthquake condition, potentially affecting some 1.16 million inhabitants.