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This dataset comprises a subsurface characterization of key liquefaction areas in Golbasi, Türkiye, following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence. Field testing was conducted from October 30th to November 10th, 2023. The dataset includes Cone Penetration Tests (CPT) as well as borehole sampling and incorporates pore pressure dissipation measurements and standard CPT readings. High-quality subsurface investigations, such as this dataset, are a key component of liquefaction case histories. As such, this data is vital for future analyses of liquefaction-induced building settlements, building-ground interactions, and liquefaction-induced ground deformations resulting from the Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence. 

This dataset comprises a subsurface characterization of key liquefaction areas in İskenderun, Türkiye, following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence. Field testing was conducted from March 18 to March 27, 2024. The dataset includes Cone Penetration Tests (CPT) as well as seismic CPTs (SCPT) and incorporates pore pressure dissipation measurements, shear wave velocities, and standard CPT readings. High-quality subsurface investigations, such as this dataset, are a key component of liquefaction case histories. As such, this data is vital for future analyses of liquefaction-induced building settlements, building-ground interactions, and liquefaction-induced ground deformations resulting from the Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence. 

Cyclic liquefaction induced by seismic loading from earthquakes is a major concern for countries with active mining industries and moderate seismicity, such as Peru, Chile, and the USA. Cyclic liquefaction is more likely to induce flow failure as compared to other failure modes, and has been associated with a large portion of failures in seismic countries like Chile. Chile is a leading provider of copper and lithium to the global market, and the country’s ability to sustain such a large mining sector could be hindered by its ability to safely store its tailings. Mine tailings have been shown to have unique mechanistic responses dissimilar to those of traditional soils (i.e., sands and clays). Much of engineering practice relies on techniques and procedures developed from data derived from sands and clays. As such, our understanding of the cyclic behavior of mine tailings needs continued research interest to extract new insights into their unique behavior. This paper utilizes a recently developed database focused on the cyclic response of mine tailings to highlight some insights into their peculiar behavior. Specifically, their unique range of material properties and resulting liquefaction curves, the applicability of existing factors in the liquefaction assessment of these materials as compared to sands, and a comparison of in-situ and laboratory-derived cyclic resistances are showcased. 

Significant and widespread liquefaction occurred in İskenderun during the 2023 Mw 7.8 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. Liquefaction effects on buildings were observed in several areas of İskenderun, predominantly in areas of reclaimed land and near historic shorelines. Liquefaction-induced building settlements were particularly concentrated in the Çay District, which is almost entirely reclaimed land. Liquefaction-induced ground and building settlements were either marginal or not apparent in areas away from the historical shorelines. Building settlement and ground deformation were documented at 26 buildings in İskenderun through lidar scans and laser-level hand measurements. Liquefaction-induced building settlements ranged from 0 to 740 mm. Building-ground interactions were evident from hogging ground deformations, including cases where buildings deformed nearby ground and damaged nearby buildings, and sagging buildings. Historic land development affected the spatial extent of observed liquefaction-induced building damage. Representative liquefaction-induced building settlement and building interaction case histories are discussed and key insights are shared. 

Understanding the cyclic response of mine tailings is key for areas with moderate to high seismicity and an active mining industry (e.g. the United States, Peru, and Chile). However, assessing the cyclic response of mine tailings still relies on procedures and correlations developed for natural soils (i.e. sands and clays). This is due to information on the cyclic response of mine tailings being rather scarce compared to natural soils. Hence, it remains unclear if more efficient approaches can be implemented. This study presents an experimental database focused on the cyclic response of mine tailings compiled from various sources. The database is organized considering three classes, where all three contain cyclic simple shear (CSS) information. Class A also includes triaxial (Tx) and cone penetration testing (CPTu) information, Class B has Tx or CPTu information, and Class C contains no additional information beyond CSS. Most materials belong to Class A. It is worth noting that Class C (only cyclic information) is comparable with most databases for natural soils, hence highlighting the uniqueness of our database. In total, the database contains 129 CSS tests on 20 materials that represent a broad range of mine tailings. Thirteen materials belong to Class A, 5 to Class B, and 2 to Class C. In discussing the database, key information (e.g. the range of liquefaction resistance curves) is shared. In addition, potential assessments that can be conducted with the database are illustrated. The study closes by presenting the database organization and discussing potential uses. The database is available under the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.17603/ds2-1k0a-dt17 

Arguably, critical state soil mechanics (CSSM) is now the preeminent methodology for understanding static liquefaction of mine tailings, having been used in the mining industry by the expert panels retained to investigate recent TSF failures. One of the key ingredients of the CSSM framework is the assessment of a critical state line, which separates contractive from dilative states. A critical state line is often defined by a linear relationship and two parameters, namely the altitude of the critical state line at 1 kPa (􀟁) and its slope (􀟣). In this study, we use the TAILENG mine tailings database to investigate potential relationships between the particle features and the particle size distribution, and the critical state properties. Towards this end, the critical state line is evaluated for a range of mine tailings with broad gradations and compressibility, defining 􀟁and 􀟣, with known particle size distributions. This information is subsequently used to investigate potential correlations. Insights from the observations are shared, and potential fundamental mechanisms in explaining correlations between the critical state properties and particle features are discussed. 

Significant and widespread liquefaction occurred in İskenderun during the 2023 moment magnitude (M_w) 7.8 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. Liquefaction effects on buildings were observed in several areas of İskenderun, predominantly in areas of reclaimed land and near historic shorelines. Liquefaction-induced building settlements were particularly concentrated in the Çay District, which is almost entirely reclaimed land. Liquefaction-induced ground and building settlements were either marginal or not apparent in areas away from the historical shorelines. Building settlement and ground deformation were documented at 26 buildings in İskenderun through lidar scans and laser-level hand measurements. Liquefaction-induced building settlements ranged from 0 to 740 mm. Building-ground interactions were evident from hogging ground deformations, including cases where buildings deformed nearby ground and damaged nearby buildings, and sagging buildings. Historic land development affected the spatial extent of observed liquefaction-induced building damage. Representative liquefaction-induced building settlement and building interaction case histories are discussed and key insights are shared.