Microzonation Through Seismic and Geotechnical Vulnerability Assessment: Recommendation of Foundation Selection Guidelines for the Srinagar Metropolitan Region

Abstract

The paper presents the microzonation of Srinagar Metropolitan Region (SMR) located in the Himalayas which is exposed to a high level of seismic risk due to its critical tectonic setting. In an effort to improvise the microzonation process for the region, seismic hazard assessment has been combined with geotechnical vulnerability estimation to define vulnerability zones. An integrated hazard index (IHI), indicative of the vulnerability of a site, was estimated by combining a bearing capacity hazard index and a liquefaction hazard index for each site. Based on the value of IHI, four vulnerability zones viz. VZ-A (IHI < 0.15), VZ-B (IHI 0.15–0.30), VZ-C (IHI 0.30–0.55), and VZ-D (IHI > 0.55), representing low to high vulnerability, have been defined for the region. Subsequently, hilly areas in the region were categorised as VZ-A

floodplains as VZ-C,D

and Karewa highlands as VZ-B,C. General guidelines have been recommended for the selection of appropriate foundations and ground improvement techniques within these zones. The proposed approach models an application of microzonation as a direct input for the design of foundations of structures and intends to complement the Master-Plan 2035 for the ongoing urban development in the SMR. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.