INFLUENCE OF THE 1992 ROERMOND EARTHQUAKE, THE NETHERLANDS, ON SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS

This paper considers the influence of the strong ground motion due to the Roermond earthquake on soil behaviour and shallow foundations. As no local strong ground motion acceleration record was available, a syn thetic record has been used. The procedure used to obtain this synthet ic acceleration record is explained. The stratigraphy of the shallow s ubsoil is briefly described and results of a short literature review o n densification of soils are presented. Finally, an estimate is made o f the settlement of shallow foundations at one site (Maasniel area) in Roermond, due to the strong ground acceleration induced by the earthq uake. From this estimate we conclude that shallow foundations, designe d according to Dutch building codes, will generally not suffer excessi ve settlement values under earthquake loading comparable to that which occurred in Roermond on April 13, 1992.