Geotechnical and Geophysical Studies for Wind Energy Systems in Earthquake-Prone Areas: Bahce (osmaniye, Turkey) Case

Wind energy structures are systems related to the conversion of wind energy into useful form by wind power. They are subjected to strong dynamic and static loads. For this reason, an integrated site/soil investigation is required for all phases of project. In this context, there are several geotechnical/geophysical criteria and requirements such as settlement criteria, stiffness requirements, ground water and dewatering requirements, excavation criteria, etc. Geotechnical and geophysical studies should include possible degradation of soil and rock due to cyclic loading over expected years of operation, bearing capacity, surcharge soil erosion due to drainage of storm water, differential settlements and consolidation settlements, etc. All soil layers that influence settlement and stiffness of foundation must be investigated. Study area is seismically active region and bounded in Bahce district of Osmaniye City, in Turkey. The geodynamics of the region are controlled by the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian Plates. The East Anatolian Fault Zone, major seismogenetic source of project area is a 550 km-long, approximately northeast-trending, left lateral strike-slip fault. An (deterministic and probabilistic) earthquake hazard analysis was applied to region to estimate the ground motion level in engineering bedrock. Several geotechnical/ geophysical tests and boreholes were performed in area to obtain better settlement, stiffness, bearing capacity, degradation properties.