A micro-mechanical investigation of the dynamic response and liquefaction of saturated granular soils

A coupled continuum-discrete hydromechanical model was utilized to analyze the meso-scale pore fluid flow and micro-scale solid phase deformation of saturated granular soils. The fluid motion was idealized using averaged Navier–Stokes equations and the discrete element method was employed to model the solid particles. Well established semi-empirical relationships were used to quantify the fluid–particle interactions. Numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the mechanisms of granular deposit liquefaction in the presence of a critical upward pore fluid flow as well as when subjected to a dynamic base excitation. The outcome of these simulations was consistent with experimental observations and revealed valuable information on the micro-mechanical characteristics of soil liquefaction and associated loss of stiffness and strength.     

Development of new drain method for protection of existing pile foundations from liquefaction effects

Pile foundation as well as other underground structures could be seriously affected by soil liquefaction during strong earthquakes. Damages on pile foundation due to liquefaction can be reduced by implementation of some soil improvement method. Main objective of present study is developing of drain method that can improve the soil in order to mitigate the destructiveness of liquefaction on superstructure supported by pile foundation. Series of shaking table tests were conducted on 2×2 pile foundation and soil model was improved by drains. Configurations of drains around piles, intensity of shaking were one of the parameters that were changing during the tests in order to investigate the response of pile foundation in improved soil condition.Shaking table tests and performed On-site experiment showed the following effects of the new drain method. (1) When the intensity of earthquake motion is 200 gal or less, generation of excess pore water pressure is reduced and the pile bending moment is decreased, (2) when the intensity of earthquake motion is stronger (300 gal or more), drainage effect prevents disappearance of subgrade reaction, and (3) proposed new type of drain can control excess pore water pressure without clogging.     

Uplift mechanism for a shallow-buried structure in liquefiable sand subjected to seismic load: centrifuge model test and DEM modeling

Based on a centrifuge model test and distinct element method(DEM), this study provides new insights into the uplift response of a shallow-buried structure and the liquefaction mechanism for saturated sand around the structure under seismic action. In the centrifuge test, a high-speed microscopic camera was installed in the structure model, by which the movements of particles around the structure were monitored. Then, a two-dimensional digital image processing technology was used to analyze the microstructure of saturated sand during the shaking event. Herein, a numerical simulation of the centrifuge experiment was conducted using a two-phase(solid and fl uid) fully coupled distinct element code. This code incorporates a particle-fl uid coupling model by means of a "fi xed coarse-grid" fl uid scheme in PFC3D(Particle Flow Code in Three Dimensions), with the modeling parameters partially calibrated based on earlier studies. The physical and numerical models both indicate the uplifts of the shallow-buried structure and the sharp rise in excess pore pressure. The corresponding micro-scale responses and explanations are provided. Overall, the uplift response of an underground structure and the occurrence of liquefaction in saturated sand are predicted successfully by DEM modeling. However, the dynamic responses during the shaking cannot be modeled accurately due to the restricted computer power.     

饱和粉土液化特性的大型振动台模型试验研究

京沪高速铁路徐沪段路基的粉土粘粒含量少于1.5%、粉粒含量约为80%,在强烈地震作用下存在着液化可能性.为充分研究这一饱和粉土地层的液化特性,本文作者利用大型地震模拟振动台,进行了模拟自由场地饱和粉土的地震液化模型试验,试验结果再现了自然地震触发的粉土液化的各种宏观震害现象,揭示了饱和粉土的地震液化规律和特征。试验结果为京沪高速铁路徐沪段路基的抗震设计提供了参考依据。     

Horizontal and vertical components of earthquake ground motions at liquefiable sites

Field observations on ground motions from recent earthquakes imply that current knowledge is limited with regard to relating vertical and horizontal motions at liquefiable sites. This paper describes a study with the purpose of clarifying this emerging issue to some extent. A series of numerical analyses is carried out on a liquefiable soil deposit with a verified, fully coupled, nonlinear procedure. It is shown that the transformation of vertical motions in the deposit differs considerably from the transformation of horizontal motions. Both the amplitude and frequency content of the horizontal motions are strongly dependent on the shaking level or the associated nonlinear soil behavior. The transfer function for vertical motions is however likely to be independent of the intensity of input motions; no reduction in the amplitude occurs even in the case of strong shaking. The results are shown to be in consistence with the laboratory observations on shaking table tests and recent field observations that less nonlinearity exists for vertical motions. It is also shown that the possibility exists for using information on spectral ratios between the horizontal and vertical surface motions to quickly identify in situ soil behavior and liquefaction that are not readily covered by conventional field or laboratory experimentation procedures.     

Shake table test of soil-pile groups-bridge structure interaction in liquefiable ground

<正>This paper describes a shake table test study on the seismic response of low-cap pile groups and a bridge structure in liquefiable ground.The soil profile,contained in a large-scale laminar shear box,consisted of a horizontally saturated sand layer overlaid with a silty clay layer,with the simulated low-cap pile groups embedded.The container was excited in three E1 Centra earthquake events of different levels.Test results indicate that excessive pore pressure(EPP) during slight shaking only slightly accumulated,and the accumulation mainly occurred during strong shaking.The EPP was gradually enhanced as the amplitude and duration of the input acceleration increased.The acceleration response of the sand was remarkably influenced by soil liquefaction.As soil liquefaction occurred,the peak sand displacement gradually lagged behind the input acceleration;meanwhile,the sand displacement exhibited an increasing effect on the bending moment of the pile,and acceleration responses of the pile and the sand layer gradually changed from decreasing to increasing in the vertical direction from the bottom to the top.A jump variation of the bending moment on the pile was observed near the soil interface in all three input earthquake events.It is thought that the shake table tests could provide the groundwork for further seismic performance studies of low-cap pile groups used in bridges located on liquefiable groun.     

基于重塑饱和砂土模型的现场液化试验方法

基于现场开展土体液化问题研究势必成为今后土动力学中的一个重要发展方向。目前人工激振下的现场液化试验方法还不够成熟,尚需进一步探索和发展。本文从试验设备组成、场地地震动激励、试坑布置、饱和砂土模型制备、数据测量与采集等5个方面论述该方法中的主要技术问题。研究表明:动力加载系统激励产生的地震动在0~7m/s2;系统工作频率13~15Hz,饱和砂土模型与基础边缘的距离在0.5~2.5m范围内,更适合进行液化试验;应用水沉法现场制备饱和砂土模型,要重点注意试坑防水和尺寸定位的问题;数据测量与采集中要充分考虑对现场液化问题认识不够这一因素的影响,需对数据测量与采集提出附加要求;试验实例初步表明,该方法可行,适合开展液化问题研究。     

基于流固耦合动力模型的饱和土体-隧道体系地震反应研究

基于ABAQUS软件平台,应用自行开发的流固耦合动力模型孔压单元模拟场地土体,并通过黏弹性人工边界方法实现地震动的输入,对饱和土体场地中的双孔隧道结构在地震荷载作用下的动力反应进行研究。计算结果表明:在地震反应结束时刻,场地土体位移幅值在两隧道之间以及两隧道的附近区域较大,而远离隧道的区域则较小;场地底部区域土体的孔压幅值较大,而场地顶部区域土体则较小;隧道左右两侧拱腰部位的衬砌的应力较大,而拱顶部位则较小。计算结果同时表明了流固耦合动力模型孔压单元在饱和土体-隧道体系地震反应研究中的适用性。     

A practical numerical method for large strain liquefaction analysis of saturated soils

Accurate prediction of the liquefaction of saturated soils is based on strong coupling between the pore fluid phase and soil skeleton. A practical numerical method for large strain dynamic analysis of saturated soils is presented. The u–p formulation is used for the governing equations that describe the coupled problem in terms of soil skeleton displacement and excess pore pressure. A mixed finite element and finite difference scheme related to large strain analysis of saturated soils based on the updated Lagrangian method is given. The equilibrium equation of fluid-saturated soils is spatially discretized by the finite element method, whereas terms associated with excess pore pressure in the continuity equation are spatially discretized by the finite difference method. An effective cyclic elasto-plastic constitutive model is adopted to simulate the non-linear behavior of saturated soils under dynamic loading. Several numerical examples that include a saturated soil column and caisson-type quay wall are presented to verify the accuracy of the method and its usefulness and applicability to solutions of large strain liquefaction analysis of saturated soils in practical problems.     

分层液化土中桩基侧向动力反应机理的试验研究

饱和砂土中的桩基侧向动力响应研究一直是岩土工程界与地震工程领域关注的热点,尤其是群桩侧向动力响应机制是需要重点研究的课题之一。基于振动台试验,通过输入2种不同的波形,采用FBG光栅传感系统对饱和砂土中的单桩与群桩侧向动力响应特性和典型测试点的桩土动力p—y滞洄曲线进行研究。研究结果表明：振动初期,单桩和群桩试验孔压增长不大,随后单桩孔压迅速上升,振动后期逐渐下降至0.5,而群桩孔压则上升缓慢;单桩试验土表加速度在振动初期逐步升高后又迅速降低,且加速度放大值略大于台面加速度值,群桩试验土表加速度在振动初期逐渐升高时就达到了最大,且随着孔压比的升高,加速度没有继续放大,而是逐渐减小,直到后期与单桩试验土表加速度重合;饱和砂土液化对单桩承台加速度和位移的影响较大,群桩承台侧向动力响应对液化的敏感程度略低于单桩承台;在振动输入和承台输入相同的条件下,液化后的群桩基础比单桩基础能更好地抵抗侧向力的作用。     

Interactive behavior of soil–pile-superstructure system in transient state to liquefaction by means of large shake table tests

Shaking table tests were conducted by means of a large-scale laminar box with 4 m in length, 2 m in width and 2 m in height in order to investigate behavior of a soil-pile-superstructure system in liquefiable ground. A model two-storey structure, supported by a pile group, was set in a saturated sand deposit, and subjected to a sinusoidal base motion with increasing amplitude. Discussions are focused on the transient behavior until soil liquefaction occurs. Main interests are characteristics of springs used in a sway-rocking model and a multi-freedom lumped mass (MFLM) model that are frequently used in soil–pile interaction analysis. The spring constant in the sway-rocking model is represented by restoring force characteristics at the pile head, and that in the MFLM system is represented by an interaction spring connecting the pile to the free field. The transient state prior to soil liquefaction is shown to be important in the design of a pile because dynamic earth pressure shows peak response in this state. The reduction of the stiffness due to excess porewater generation and strain dependent nonlinear behavior is evaluated.     

不同厚度饱和砂土中群桩结构动力响应试验研究

液化土中桩基础动力响应规律一直是工程抗震领域关注的热点问题。本文基于非液化砂土和不同厚度饱和砂土中的2×2群桩结构模型振动台试验,通过输入一定峰值加速度和频率的正弦波,对群桩在非液化土层和两种不同厚度饱和砂土层中的横向动力响应特性进行振动台试验研究。研究结果表明:在正弦波输入情况下,非液化砂土中群桩承台加速度和位移时程与台面输入时程相比,波形变化规律与峰值大小均相差不大;而对两种不同厚度饱和砂土中承台加速度和位移峰值放大较多,在相对较薄的饱和砂土中群桩承台加速度峰值较台面输入放大了1.83倍,较台面输出位移峰值放大了1.58倍;在相对较厚的饱和砂土中承台加速度和位移峰值则分别放大了2.18倍和1.91倍,说明在相同输入条件下,较厚的饱和砂土在发生液化后群桩承台的动力响应更加显著。     

Numerical simulation of mitigation of liquefaction seismic risk by preloading and its effects on the performance of structures

The present paper deals with the influence of soil non-linearity, introduced by soil liquefaction, on the soil-foundation–structure interaction phenomena. Numerical simulations are carried out so as to study an improvement method to reduce the liquefaction potential in a sandy soil profile subjected to a shaking. The efficiency of the preloading in both the mitigation of a liquefiable soil and the reduction of induced structure relative settlements is showed. However, the intervention at the foundation soil modifies the dynamic characteristics of soil–structure system and it seems to increase the induced seismic forces during earthquake. In addition, a numerical parametric analysis is performed so as to quantify the impact of the uncertainties associated with the input signal on both the ground motion and the apparition of liquefaction phenomena.     

A study of pore geometry effects on anisotropy in hydraulic permeability using the lattice-Boltzmann method

We hypothesize that anisotropy in soil properties arises from pore-scale heterogeneity caused by the alignment of aspherical soil particles. We developed a method to predict the permeability tensor from particle shape and packing structure. Digital geometry maps were created for the pore space in regular cubic and random packs of particles with various aspect ratios using a numerical packing algorithm. The lattice-Boltzmann method was used to simulate saturated flow through these packs, and the effect of particle shape and degree of alignment on the permeability tensor was characterized. Results show that the degree of anisotropy in permeability depends not only upon particle shape and alignment, but also on the three-dimensional structure of the pack. In random packs, more oblate particles and higher degrees of particle alignment lead to reduced permeability perpendicular to the direction of particle alignment compared to the direction parallel to particle alignment.     

Response of a RC pile group in liquefiable soil: A shake-table investigation

Soil liquefaction induced by earthquakes frequently cause costly damage to pile foundations. However, various aspects of the dynamic behavior and failure mechanisms of piles in liquefiable soils still remain unclear. This paper presents a shake-table experiment conducted to investigate the dynamic behavior of a reinforced-concrete (RC) elevated cap pile foundation during (and prior to) soil liquefaction. Particular attention was paid to the failure mechanism of the piles during a strong shaking event. The experimental results indicate that decreasing the frequency and increasing the amplitude of earthquake excitation increased the pile bending moment as well as the speed of the excess pore pressure buildup in the free-field. The critical pile failure mode in the conducted testing configuration was found to be of the bending type, which was also confirmed by a representative nonlinear numerical model of the RC pile. The experimental results of this study can be used to calibrate numerical models and provide insights on seismic pile analysis and design.     

Excess pore pressure dissipation and solidification after liquefaction of saturated sand deposits

To understand the post-liquefaction behavior of liquefied ground, it is important to get a better understanding and a more suitable characterization of the variation of excess pore pressure after liquefaction. In this paper, the soil permeability is considered as one of the key soil parameters for clarifying the mechanism of post-liquefaction behavior of liquefied ground. For this reason, a series of shaking table tests were conducted for a Toyoura sand deposit with different soil permeability values. Polymer fluid was used in model tests to vary the permeability of sand deposits. Excess pore pressures and settlements were measured in each test. A basic mechanism in post-liquefaction behavior and the solidification phenomenon after liquefaction were discussed based on these test results. Also, a new method for predicting the dissipation of excess pore pressure was developed. This study provides evidence of the important effect of soil permeability on the velocity with which the solidification front moves upward in liquefied ground. It is suggested that the value of coefficient of permeability of liquefied sand can increase to about 4.0 times the initial value. This variation of permeability after liquefaction should be taken into account in post-liquefaction analysis.     

Simplified dynamic analysis to evaluate liquefaction-induced lateral deformation of earth slopes: a computational fluid dynamics approach

Lateral deformation of liquefiable soil is a cause of much damage during earthquakes, reportedly more than other forms of liquefaction-induced ground failures. Researchers have presented studies in which the liquefied soil is considered as viscous fluid. In this manner, the liquefied soil behaves as non-Newtonian fluid, whose viscosity decreases as the shear strain rate increases. The current study incorporates computational fluid dynamics to propose a simplified dynamic analysis for the liquefaction-induced lateral deformation of earth slopes. The numerical procedure involves a quasi-linear elastic model for small to moderate strains and a Bingham fluid model for large strain states during liquefaction. An iterative procedure is considered to estimate the strain-compatible shear stiffness of soil. The post-liquefaction residual strength of soil is considered as the initial Bingham viscosity. Performance of the numerical procedure is examined by using the results of centrifuge model and shaking table tests together with some field observations of lateral ground deformation. The results demonstrate that the proposed procedure predicts the time history of lateral ground deformation with a reasonable degree of precision.     

Settlements of saturated clean sand deposits in shaking table tests

Shaking table tests were conducted on saturated clean Vietnam sand in the large biaxial laminar shear box (1880 mm×1880 mm×1520 mm) at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE), Taiwan. The settlement of sand specimens was measured and evaluated during and after each shaking test. Without liquefaction, the settlement of sand caused by shaking is very small. Significant volume changes occur only when there is liquefaction of sand. The volumetric strain of liquefied sand was calculated according to the measured settlement and the thickness of liquefied sand in the specimen. Relations between volumetric strain after liquefaction and the relative density of saturated clean sand were developed for various shaking durations and earthquake magnitudes. They are not affected by the shaking amplitude, frequency, and direction (one- or multidirectional shaking).     

Probabilistic evaluation of liquefaction potential under earthquake loading

This paper presents a procedure to perform the risk analysis for ground failure by liquefaction. The first part of this study describes the differential equation of a smooth hysteretic model to characterize the behavior of the soil under random loading. The parameters of the proposed model to represent the experimental relationship are discussed. The second part of this study is to develop a method to calculate the probability that a specified volume of soil will liquefy at a given depth in the deposit. The liquefaction is defined as the result of cumulative damage caused by seismic loading. The fatigue life of soil can be determined on the basis of the N---S relationship and Miner's cumulative damage law. The rain-flow method is used to count the number of cycles of stress response of the soil deposit. Finally, the probability of liquefaction is obtained by integration over all the possible ground motion and the fragility curves of liquefaction potential. The sensitivity of the reliability against liquefaction to soil system parameters is also examined.     

饱和土体瞬态响应有限元分析

给出基于Biot多孔介质理论分析饱和土体在动载荷作用下瞬态响应的有限元公式,数值计算部分采用本文有限元法分别计算一维饱和土柱在两种不同类型动载荷作用下的瞬态响应,并将数值计算结果与文献中的解析解进行比较,二者结果十分吻合,从而验证本文方法的可行性。