Ground Condition Evaluation and Risk Analysis of Liquefaction Potential Based on Remote Sensing and SPT: A Case Study of Sultan Dam, Wardak, Afghanistan

The safety and stability of dams depend strongly on their foundation conditions, particularly in seismically active regions where loose sandy and silty soils are prone to liquefaction. This study evaluates the liquefaction susceptibility of the Sultan Dam foundation in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, where a partial collapse occurred in 2005. Fourteen exploratory cores were investigated using in situ standard penetration tests, supported by satellite data analysis of active faults, geomorphology, seismicity, and geology. Subsurface characterization revealed bedrock composed of quartzite and granodiorite overlain by silty sand and clay with variable density. Liquefaction analysis identified three borehole locations and an estimated 3,000 m2 of foundation area at risk. These results provide essential input for seismic hazard assessment, rehabilitation of the Sultan Dam, and planning of new infrastructure in earthquake-prone regions.