1. Scrutiny of Simplified Liquefaction Triggering Procedures based on Historical NZ Earthquakes

2. Objectives:
Determine areas where liquefaction has previously occurred and also areas where liquefaction has not occurred in New Zealand from observational records, published accounts, and reports.
Constrain the CSR above and below which no liquefaction was observed for various geologic units and geomorphic areas for the historical earthquakes by examining the extents and severity of liquefaction during recent and historic liquefaction-triggering earthquakes to identify and quantify whether some soil units have a higher liquefaction resistance compared to others (such as pumice soils and soils in swampy areas).
Identify the areas where the simplified SPT and CPT-based liquefaction analyses are either consistent with, or inconsistent with observations. Determine common subsurface sediment characteristics, geomorphic settings, and paleo-depositional settings where the liquefaction analyses performed either well or over-predicted observations.
Make use of field (VP and VS data) and laboratory (liquefaction) testing on soil samples to better characterize sites and cyclic behaviour of soils respectively, and on this basis provide an improved interpretation for prediction-observation discrepancies.

3. Methodology:
Part A: Liquefaction Mapping from Historical NZ Earthquakes and Evaluation of the Prediction Methods based on such historical evidence
(Sjoerd and Sarah)
Part B: Supplementary Field Testing for Detailed Site Characterization
(Liam and Brady)
Part C: Liquefaction Testing of Characteristic New Zealand Soils
(Misko)

4. Represent the proposed scope of research work for this research proposal to be undertaken in 2017
Represent potential follow up research work for subsequent research proposal to be undertaken in 2018
Yellow represent parallel research projects being undertaken in 2016 and 2017 that this project will leverage from

5. Outcomes:
Consolidated map of areas where liquefaction has previously occurred in New Zealand, and back-calculated shaking intensities for historical earthquakes.
Quantification of the reliability of the existing liquefaction prediction tools in various soil deposits and geomorphic areas.
Development of regional liquefaction hazard models for different areas that can used by other QuakeCoRE research projects (e.g. Alpine Fault scenario, local Wellington earthquake, Hikurangi subduction zone earthquake).
Long term this research will help to improve the liquefaction prediction tools used to assess liquefaction hazards in NZ and internationally.